#but if you can't run it honestly/be open about why certain things are how they are/who is and isn't allowed

[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow x Reader : SECRETS AND REUNIONS

At age ten your parents had taken a job offer that paid more than what they were used to seeing. That offer resulted in moving from your hometown and to Louisville.

Starting school in the middle of the year was never fun, kids were always mean but a certain curly boy with blue eyes had stepped in and taken you under his wing.

It was a beautiful friendship that blossomed into a high school love.

A love with so many first evers.

Jack was the first boy you held hands with.

He was your first kiss.

He was your first everything.

You were there besides him through everything. You supported his dreams, and his drive to get out there and get noticed with his music.

Him, alongside his friends- they were hustling to get their music out and be something. Of course being the supportive friend and girlfriend, you were there at every little show, every little project they had around town, until eventually it meant traveling back and forth from Louisville and Atlanta.

Everything was going well, everything Jack had dreamed for, he was making it come true and you couldn’t be more proud.

You had moved with him to Atlanta, and that’s when he started getting noticed. His song What’s Poppin had been a hit and that just opened up more opportunities for him.

You were happy for him, you really were. But as he got bigger, that meant getting the attention of girls all over the world.

He never made you feel unloved or unhappy, but you just couldn’t understand the need for him to be too friendly with women.

You’d fight more, more often than usual and it was driving you both crazy. You knew he wouldn’t end things, too afraid to lose someone he’s familiar with. But you couldn’t take it anymore.

“I- I don’t understand babe.”

“You don’t have to.” You shrug, “It’s what’s best for both of us.”

“How is leaving me best for both of us? What happened?.”

“Jack, look around.” You lift your arms, gesture around you. “This isn’t a home, it hasn’t been for a while.”

“So we try, you don’t give up.” He yells.

“I can’t, that’s the problem.” You whisper out.

“Y/N, please don’t do this.”

“This is for our own good. You can focus one hundred percent on your music and your career. I could start focusing on what I actually want to do. I can't follow you around all my life.”

“So that’s it?” He asks, glaring at you, his chest puffing in and out. “You’ve given up on us, on me?”

“It’s not that I gave up, Jack.”

“That is exactly what it sounds like.” He yells, making you jump. “If I walk out that door right now, I’m not coming back.”

“Jac-“

“Are you done then?”

You nod. “Y-yeah, I think I am.”

He scoffs, grabs his keys and heads to the front door. “I love you, I loved you since the first day you walked in school rocking pigtails and braces. You broke us, not me.” With those final words he walks out, slamming the door behind him.

With a broken heart you continue to pack your stuff. You honestly thought this would’ve gone better since it felt like Jack had already checked out from the relationship.

You weren’t just moving out from your shared apartment, you were actually moving away from Louisville. You were going to leave without letting anyone know, and it was bittersweet but you knew Urban, Clay, even Maggie would try to convince you to stay and you’d give in.

That’s why you packed in silence, a few tears running down your face and having second thoughts about your rash decision.

****************

When you moved away four years ago you didn’t think you’d be back here. But here you were and you wore more nervous than excited for so many reasons.

Throughout the four years Jack was very well known now. He's been accomplishing everything he once dreamed about and you were always happy and proud of him.

You’ve had no contact with him or anyone in his circle whatsoever. You know coming back will be the talk of the town and you were not ready for all of that.

You were taking down boxes from your car when you heard someone calling you. “Y/N?” A voice comes behind you. “Is that you?”

You close your eyes and mutter a quick “fuck” and turn around. “Clay, hi.”

“Oh shit it really is you.” He comes up to hug you. “What are you doing back?”

“I came to spend some time with my grandpa.” You tilt your head to the side “What are you doing here?” You notice that he’s carrying a few bags.

“Oh, we always bring him groceries and we try to have lunch with him.”

“We?” You asked confused, but deep down you have a feeling you know who he’s referring to.

“Jack.”

You nod, “Since when?”

“We’ve been doing it since you left.”

You nod, “I appreciate it, thank you.” You close the door to your car and smile at Clay. “I can take the bags in.”

“Na it’s okay, we have a game of cards to continue.” He shrugs.

“I don’t think that-“

Clay nods, understanding. “Okay fine, I’ll give you the weekend to settle in and get your story right. After that, I’m resuming my schedule with your grandpa and telling my brother.”

You smile, “Thank you Clayborn.”

********************

“You can’t open the door, you have to wait for me to come.” You tell him.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” You open the door and freeze on your spot. You can’t believe he’s here in front of you.

You knew it was only a matter of time the news of you coming back would reach him. But you thought since he just had an album release and a movie, that he’d be busy and it’ll give you enough time to settle in.

“Who that momma?”

Jack furrows his eyebrows and looks behind your legs, then looks back at you. “He yours?”

You nod, “Y-yeah”

He kneels down. “I’m Jack, what’s your name?”

Jack smiles at him, stares at him, studying him, looking at his face and his entire body.

“A-Anthony.” He answers behind your legs.

“Toni, go see if grandpa finished building your fire truck papi.” You push your son inside the house and close the door.

“What are you doing here?” You’re both standing outside on the porch now.

“Clay told me he saw you moving in and your grandpa told me to come over.” He answers you, confused as ever. “He said you’ve been wanting to talk to me.”

“Viejo metiche.” You mumble. “Look I don’t know why he’d tell you that.”

“He’s mine isn’t he?”

“What?”

“Anthony” he points behind you, “That boy inside is my son huh?”

You shake your head, “N- he’s mine.”

“Y/N, you left four years ago and he looks around that age.”

“Jack, don’t do this.” You shake your head

“You left and didn’t even bother to tell me I have a son? How could you do that to me?.” He raises his voice. “Wait, is that why you left?”

“N-no of course not, I found out a few weeks later after I left.”

“You didn’t think to tell me? To pick up the phone and let me know?”

“Honestly? No, you were busy with your career and I wasn’t going to be the reason why you stopped chasing your dreams.”

He laughs, nodding his head. “You’re something else.”

“I’m sorry, okay? I knew it was wrong but I just didn’t know how to tell you.” You wrap your arms around yourself, you can feel a wave of emotions flowing through you.

“Yeah, I’m sorry too.” He pulls out his phone, types something quickly and places it back in his pocket. “You’ll hear from my manager soon, she’ll contact you with my lawyer.”

“J-Jack, what do you mean lawyer?”

“I’m never going to forgive you for keeping him away from me.” He heads down the steps, into the lawn and you’re quick to follow him.

“Please don’t, don’t take him away from me.” You’re sobbing now.

He turns around to glare at you, his nose flaring “I would never.” Pointing a finger to your chest “I’m not like you.”

With those final words, he makes it into his jeep and speeds away. Leaving you a crying, worried mess.

*****************

TAG LIST

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[cherylmaso]

how to get a grip and write soap non cringeworthy (by a glaswegian lass)

this may or may not be half a rant. but. okay. okay. i made a post like this before, but i kinda wanted to detail it a little more as i've seen posts like these popping up, but made by english people.

so i'm gonna make one about being scottish for non scots and how to more accurately portray soap as scottish. this is probably mostly aimed at people from tiktok, so feel free to share it around. this is also educational as well as light-hearted and is meant to be taken as such, don't get offended or just be fr

1.) okay, i'm gonna start off by saying... some of these unintentional(or intentional) stereotypes are fucking mind blowing. i'm not one to necessarily get offended by things like this, but i think it's worth mentioning. not all of us play bagpipes, or run around wearing kilts... or - for the love of god - RUN AROUND SCREAMING "SCOTLAND FOREVER." honestly..... it's so odd? i know you would be heavily offended if i called you a fat american, but really what's the difference?

(also the scotland forever is so cringe. i've never in my entire life heard anyone from this country say that)

2.) since i don't think there's any canon of where soap was specifically brought up in scotland(city-wise), i'll have to go off accents and his voice actor for this point. which is alright with me, because scottish accents can be very easily identified.

a lot like the english, scottish people can have MANY varying accents, and a lot of varying phrases. for example, someone down in ayrshire might say "i ken" instead of "i know" whereas people from glasgow usually wouldn't. you catch me?

...now, soap. soap would not go around saying certain phrases. from what i hear, he sounds glaswegian/edinburgh, which is east/west of scotland. the tiniest... TINIEST... bit of research will unveil a plethora of things that people from there would actually say.

aye/yes, naw/no, cannae/cant, could'nae/couldn't, fizzy drink/soda, how/why(this one is weird)..... that's an extremely small portion but you get the point. the scots talk EXTREMELY different than americans do, we have new words for almost everything.

and, before i lose my mind, PLEASE STOP HAVING SOAP REFER TO HIS MOTHER AS MOM. thank you.

3.) the general cringe. i've literally seen people say he would refer to himself as a big scotty boy. no one in scottish history has ever referred to themselves as that unironically. ever. again, circling back to the similarities between the english and scottish, we both have very sarcastic/edgy/cynical humour. ours won't be the same as the americans. our definition of sarcasm differs from yours. headcanons are fine, sometimes, but it's so out of character most of the time if you aren't from the country. bro would NOT spend his free time listening to lana del rey but don't let that stop you from saying he would LMAO

4.) we don't call ourselves british. i mean, some of us do(if yer a bastartin tory x), but most of us will literally get offended if you call us british. we'd all just much rather call ourselves scottish. don't ask me why.

5.) also! please educate yourself on how to properly use scottish slang. the amount of things that just genuinely do not make sense is appalling. it takes two seconds. also my dms are always open... feel free to ask a literal glaswegian lass. context also matters. if you don't know what you mean, just shut the fuck up x

6.) ...he wouldn't be a tory. none of them would be fucking tories. none of them would be sad about the queen. i know americans can't comprehend we don't actually worship the queen in britain, but considering they all probably grew up in some form of poverty or just a bad household, they just wouldn't be tories. or they literally wouldn't care.

7.) props to codie for this point. circling back to the stereotypes, i think it's MENTAL to see what you guys think are "funny" and "relatable" when really, you're absolutely perpetrating harmful scottish stereotypes. ha ha you are so funny when you make jokes about soap being really aggressive and a "gremlin" and an alcoholic and ahahha scotland forever and ahahahha he has bagpipes as his alarm clock... sorry but it's really not as funny as you think it is. like, there's a line and a lot of the time all you cunts online love crossing it with your poorly written headcanons and tiktok videos. i think a lot of you deserve to be told that it's not okay. i know you would all cry if we done the same and also it's just kinda embarrassing

8.) learn our culture but don't forget theres so much more to it. this isn't even primarily about scotland culture but more so british culture as a whole. it's completely different from any other culture and it's also not super hard to do your research. kinda hard to explain if you're not part of it but yk what i mean. sometimes it's obvious to me that you guys don't care to educate yourself and don't care to understand different cultures but i appreciate those that do lol

9.) where soap is from, he wouldn't speak gaelic either. i'm sorry, he just wouldn't. not really a thing in big cities. it's scots he would speak, and there's a difference. don't say they're the same things or you """prefer""" to call gaelic scots. yes someone actually said that LMFAOO. scottish gaelic isn't just saying aye and naw either. jesus fuckign christ x if you don't understand the difference or what you're even saying then just don't say anything LMAO

that's all for now. i'll probably randomly think of other stuff to add, but for now it's currently 5am and i cba. sorry if theres mistakes/typos, again, cba x

also if u get offended u need to get a grip and this is obvs aimed at u. ok have a good day pookie bears xx

(i promise i don't have a problem with americans but it's funny how it's always you guys)

[heyidkyay]

And I'm petrified of being alone, now |

Part Five

Matty Healy x reader

Summary: She’s just trying to get by, really. What with being a single parent to her four year old son whilst simultaneously trying to kick start a successful career as a radio presenter. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted though, friends close by, a mum who’s merely a phone call away, and of course her baby boy. What else is there to wish for? But then, it’s not long before her relatively normal life gets upended and turned on its head, and she’s suddenly forced to deal with situations she’s never even thought to imagine.

What happens when one mention of a certain controversial singer on her show sends a flood of unexpected challenges her way? 

Authors Note: IT'S FINALLY HERE. THEY MEET. AH IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY. But I have just finished writing part 6! So I figured why not post 5? SO here it is, hope you enjoy? X

>Just a note! So there's no confusion, this first section of 5 coincides at the same time as the last part of 4, as in where heading into the studio it was seen from Matty's POV, this starts with Mouse's and then goes onto them actually meeting one another! Okay? ta:)

Warnings: um, moody matty, lil bit of self-consciousness, mentions of scarring

Masterlist

I was running a bit behind schedule. Which wasn't too unusual for me, what with being the single parent to a rambunctious four year old, but this time around I’d somehow managed to allow myself to be waylaid by Adi's antics.

Apparently upon entering the studio this morning, everything had just felt a little 'off'.

And after having announced that, I’d had to sit back and watch on whilst Adi had trudged out of the room in her heavy black boots, only to come back a few moments later with a stub of sage in one hand and a lighter in the other.

Honestly, I was pretty sure that I could still taste the thick plume of smoke that I’d been forced to inhale each time I breathed in, even after having quickly made my escape. But yet it clung to the back of my throat uncomfortably and I couldn't avoid the grimace that wrinkled my face as I tried to rid myself of the sooty tang which coated my tongue.

But that was just Adi, I supposed. And it was one of the many things I loved most about her, how she was so unapologetically herself- even if it meant that I was forced to cough up a lung-full of herbs every once in a while.

See, it was actually Adi’s grandmother that had gotten her into performing all of the rites and cleanses she did so often. The woman was a real spiritualist and had taken Ads in at a very young age, so Adi had practically grown up around it all. She often spoke about how her grandmother had wanted her to follow down the same path and show a deeper interest, but Adi had always been much more fascinated by music, fashion and all things that revolved around tech. 

She was a proper whiz with a computer, but that didn't mean she didn't have an appreciation for her grandmother’s beliefs, nor a knack.

"Are you still coughing up a storm, you drama queen?"

Speak of the devil, and he doth appear, I thought dryly, as Adi reemerged from out of the hazy recording booth. The sage now nowhere to be seen.

I rolled my eyes at her and continued to fiddle with the wires I had wound in my hand.

"I can't fucking stand the stuff, Ads."

Adi merely smirked at me as she bypassed, practically skipping.

"I know, but it's always good to be prepared! Who knows what we'll have to deal with when the infamous diva finally arrives!"

I snorted at Adi's mocking tone and couldn't quite hide the quirk of my lip.

"Fair enough. Just leave that door wide open, will you? And grab the fan while you're at it, as well. Don't need him, and whoever's tagging along, catching on."

I watched Adi laugh in amusement as she wandered over towards the sofa, the sweet sound echoing around the open space.

"On it, Captain!"

The two of us worked quickly after that, whirling around the loft, and one another, in an attempt to get things sorted before our guest's imminent arrival.

It wasn't long before we both recognised the telltale sign of a car pulling up outside though, and upon hearing the engines rumble die out I immediately caught Adi's eye from across the room.

It was a silent challenge and with it there was a frenzied rush to see who could get to the nearest window first. Adi had promptly tossed her notes towards my desk and taken to skidding across the hardwood floors, whilst I had all but thrown myself over the back of the settee.

Adi made it there first, even in her heavy docs, and claimed the windowsill with an unnecessary amount of arrogance. She grinned primly at me as I reluctantly slowed my approach, leaving me to lean in close so that we could both try and get a good look in. 

But from this angle, there was practically no use. I craned my neck as far as my torso would willingly allow me and could only just make out the tail-end of a sleek car parked up on the curb. I assumed that meant Healy had arrived. 

"Can you see anything?" Came Adi's impatient voice, a hushed whisper even though we were three flights up.

"No." I grunted back, "Your fat head's in the way."

Ads scoffed at me and I didn't have to look at her to know that she was now glaring up at me. I grinned.

"My head is perfectly sized, thank you! But seeing as we’re on the topic of abnormalities, you're practically half giraf-”

Adi immediately cut her snide comment short when a loud voice suddenly trumped the usual roaring noise that went hand in hand with the large city that was London.

"Right my!" We heard.

The voice was sharp and irritated, fuelled by an obvious anger, and soon trailed off into a muffled grit. 

Adi's head snapped back to the window at the very sound of it, whilst I couldn't help but question just how exactly she’d managed to contort her body in the way she had, long legs tucked up beside her as she pressed her torso against the glass to listen closer.

The voice rang out again, sharper this time, and my eyes shot down to meet Adi’s own. 

In return, she gifted me a catty side eye- obviously enraptured by the sudden drama that had seemingly been handed to us- and I could do nothing but shrug at her in response, somewhat baffled.

I pulled away slowly when the voices didn't seem ready to rise again, and silently wished that I could've been a fly on the wall during a conversation like that.

Clasping Adi's wrist, I gently tugged her away. "Come on, you best get down there before things go sideways and we end up on the backend of it all."

"Me?!" Adi crowed back, her eyes wide in alarm as she let me drag her back from the windowsill. "Why not you?"

My face scrunched up at the very thought. 

"Ah go on, Ads. Please! You're so good with shit like this, can charm your way out of practically anything."

She narrowed her eyes in response. "I know what you're doing."

I pursed my lips together in an attempt to keep up the innocent act, already feeling a grin cropping up. “Is it working? ‘Cause we both know you’re the sweetest talker around, Wells. Could talk your way out of police custody, you like.”

Adi clucked her tongue but moved to cross the loft. “Yeah, yeah. But we both know you’re just being a coward! What, you really aren't ready to face him yet?”

I was swift to spin around on my heel to hide the truth my expression conveyed, and ignored the question altogether as I headed back towards the booth. I also pretended not to hear the cow’s delighted cackles as she began to descend the staircase.

"Just make sure the camera's are rolling before I get back! And wish me luck!"

"Luck!" I called out loudly over my shoulder before unplugging the fan and then storing it away. She was definitely going to need it. 

I busied myself with the last of my tasks afterwards, an odd feeling of anxiety welling in my chest as I went through the usual motions.

It was strange for me to linger too long on thoughts of nervousness, because I usually had too much going on in other aspects of my life. Making things a little too difficult to concentrate on the many things that could possibly go wrong.

This time around though, we weren’t dealing with the usual up and coming artist, new to the industry and overwhelmingly pleased to be invited on. No, this time we’d practically been fed to the sharks.

Because, of all the possible people, we’d just had to have landed Matty Healy.

I started to question it all again. How exactly I'd gotten myself wrapped up in a mess this big in the first place and only hoped that Adi fared alright with dealing with Healy on her own for a while.

Maybe it had been cowardly of me to send her in first but I really didn’t think I could face him just yet, seeing as it had been me that had set off the pyramid of fireworks that had seemingly burned a hole in his life.

A dull vibration pulsed in my back pocket, breaking me from my train of thought, and I found that I was very much thankful for the sudden distraction it offered.

Messages now Finnleyyy Just got back to the gallery, Teds was fine when I dropped him off! If the show goes on any later feel free to message me and I'll pick him up x

I smiled down at the message. 

At least that was one less thing I had to worry about, Teddy was safe and well, already settled in at the local nursery and in all honesty, I truly didn't know where I'd be without Finn, especially on days like these. 

I was quick to fire back a text full of appreciation before I slipped the phone back into my pocket.

It was just as I had finished clearing up the rest of the studio that I heard a sudden rush of voices trail up the stairwell, and stilled at the very sound.

It was Adi’s voice which carried the furthest and so I ran my teeth along my bottom lip before ultimately deciding that running and hiding was my best bet. So I shot across the loft floor and into the recording booth to stow myself away.

Adi didn’t give me the chance to worry excessively over every little detail that could go wrong as the group of visitors grew marginally closer. So to keep myself busy for a minute or two, or to rather calm my erratic heart, I chose to fiddle with the last of the cameras that had been set up.

I felt, more than heard, the moment they passed the top of the stairwell as the wooden floorboards of the studio tended to creak beneath added weight.

It was pretty much impossible to hear what was being said on the other side of the recording booth though, due to its soundproof walls, but that tiny fact didn’t stop me from practically sealing myself against the door in an attempt to decipher the perfect moment for me to intervene on the situation outside.

For days I’d been practically driving myself stir crazy over all of this, I knew that I just needed to get it over and done with, save myself the stress before I brought another headache on. Because I could do this, he was just some guy. Famous or not.

So with a final albeit shaky breath, I braced myself and opened up the door.

Thankfully, I was almost instantly met by the comforting sound of Adi's voice.

“Ah, there she is! Was wondering when you’d show your mug. Fancy a cuppa, babe? Fixing up a few.”

“Please.” I breathed out a sigh and dragged a hand through my hair as I wandered towards the kitchenette, catching sight of the two bodies currently commandeering our tiny seating area. 

I focused on the man sitting closest and the first thing I noticed about him was the sleek haircut he’d styled, it was clipped closely at the sides but left long on top to keep the thinning hairs going in one direction. He was different from what I’d expected, but not just because he was older, he also wore this brilliant smile when he moved to peer up at me, sincere enough that I felt my doubts ebb as I smiled back, taking in the rest of him and his fine fitting clothes which seemed to suit him well.

I dipped my head in a silent hello before my gaze flickered over towards our remaining guest.

It shouldn’t have felt as shocking as it did to finally set eyes on Matty Healy in person, not after all of the thorough planning I’d put into his very visit. But it was strangely surprising to bare witness to the way his lithe body was currently perched on the edge of our shabby armchair, the very same Adi, Finn and I had dragged back from the secondhand shop further up the main road. It felt wrong almost, having someone so obviously used to a certain luxury sat in the tatty thing.

I pulled my mind away from that last thought and focused on how I couldn't quite seem to tear my eyes away from the way Healy’s frame folded in on itself slightly, legs jutted out wide, elbows pressed against knees, and his chin cocked high. The guy’s overall stance was oddly domineering for someone so wraithlike, with hollowed cheeks and an aristocratic smile. It made him that much harder to read.

Healy’s own eyes were also hidden, so I couldn't make out the line of his gaze. Disguised behind a dark pair of glasses that I could only supposed cost more than what I’d make in two, maybe three months.

The question of what Healy might've first thought upon seeing me and the way I’d drowned myself in the oversized band tee I’d chosen that morning crossed my mind. But I was simply just thankful for the fact that I’d forgotten my knitted cardi somewhere behind me in the recording booth. Silently wishing that I had the balls, as well as the body, to pull off the outfits Adi liked to wear.

"Hiya." I finally greeted them, forcing myself to smile as I extended a polite hand outwards. "It's great to meet you both."

Even with the dark shades on, I easily spotted the way Healy's brows lifted in reply before he- rather reluctantly- clasped his own hand in mine.

I swallowed back the strained smile I wanted to give him in return and focused instead on the shake. Healy’s hands were apt, fingers long and slender, skin much softer than it should’ve been for any musician, and his knuckles prominent but wrist almost dainty. He was a juxtaposition if I’d ever seen one.

He was the first to pull away.

“Likewise.”

My jaw ticked at Healy’s sarky tone but I didn’t let it deter me. Staying professional, I turned to offer the same sentiment to his accomplice. 

“I’m Mouse, by the way. It’s lovely to have you both. Hope you got here okay.”

The other man was much merrier than Healy, practically a total contrast actually, and he showed it in the joyful way he shook my hand, still smiling away.

“You know London traffic.” He replied around a low chuckle and let our hands fall, “Lovely to be here though. I’m Matty’s manager, Jamie.”

I smiled as I nodded in remembrance.

“Got to say, I really love what you two have done with this place. Skylight’s incredible.” Jamie added and I grinned before settling into the adjacent sofa, leaving plenty of space for Adi to take.

“You saw that? But yeah, I honestly think it’s the only reason we were so sold on this particular building- ‘cause the stairs are killer.”

“I can see why! I’m dying to have something like that back at mine, but the conservatory will have to do for now.” Jamie enthused and stood up when Adi strode on over.

Skillfully, the man helped guide the wooden tray Ads had been carrying towards the coffee table and smiled when she thanked him for his efforts, the image of a perfect gentleman.

“Thanks, Ads.” I breathed out in appreciation when the girl handed me my usual milky brew, then took a quick sip.

Someone snorted as I did and my eyes instantly flew over to discover that the sound had been made by Healy, because of course.

He seemed all too amused by something and, from the way his body was still angled towards me, I could only assume that it was down to something I'd done.

I blinked in confusion before I moved to raise my mug high above my head, reading the large, industrialised font that covered the bottom of the cup. Cunt.

The studio was probably the furthest thing from a professional setting, we’d always wanted the entire space to feel comfortable, safe even. But this was supposed to be our big break and so we had been trying to convey it as though it was. But here Adi was dishing out the gag gifts Finn had bestowed upon the loft last Christmas like it was a regular Tuesday.

Still, with a shake of my head, I couldn’t quite bring myself to dim my grudging grin as I shot a narrow eyed glare Adi’s way.

"Ta for that." I voiced with a light chortle and tipped the mug at her in false cheers, before my eyes then flittered over towards Jamie, who had since stifled his own amusement in favour of taking a slow sip of his own brew. And ah, yeah, there was the matching mug.

Healy laughed to himself in the little corner he’d created and I caught the way he subtly surveyed his own cup, out of the corner of my eye, just in case Adi had got him too.

Somehow he’d managed to avoid that particular jest and I knew that the only thing Healy really had to worry about now was if there was a secret dirty message waiting for him once he’d finally polished off his drink.

"What can I say? The mugs, they do not lie." Adi jeered, a mischievous glint in her eye before she turned her head back towards the two visitors. "See you've met our wonderful Mouse then! Ain't she a looker?"

I grimaced away from the hand that reached out to grab at my chin and silently questioned what I'd done to suddenly be on the deserving end of all her taunts.

Jamie laughed at the pair of us, but even with it, I didn't miss Healy's quiet hum or the way he was now seemingly more interested in the contents of his cup than the current conversation.

"Quite. We were actually just talking about you on the way up here, mate." Jamie divulged and I dragged my attention back towards the man, eyebrows lifting.

"Only good things, I hope." I replied, somewhat uncomfortably, but smiling lightly at Jamie before I managed to catch Adi's eye.

Ads simply waved me off. "Of course! They were interested in the show- how it started and what not." She told me and I nodded, mostly to myself as I relaxed further into the settee.

"Oh, well yeah, we've been around a while now."

"Adi mentioned that you were just a kid when you started out, sounds mad putting it like that." Jamie pondered, appearing quite intrigued by the topic. "How did this all come about then?"

Usually, I liked to skirt around this particular subject, wanting to dive straight into the work and forgo most of the small talk, but I caught the way Jamie’s eyes darted around our quaint little studio. He wasn’t just asking for the sake of it.

"If I'm being truly honest, a lot of stuff happened all at once." I revealed with a soft chuckle, but it lacked any of the mirth I was aiming for as I thought back to my second year of university, the year everything had quite literally turned on its head.

"I was in between jobs and my best mate suggested that I take the Twitter account I already had and turn it into something with a bigger presence. At the time, I had nothing left to lose so I just went for it."

At least, that was the shortened version of it. I’d skipped the mental breakdown, the almost losing my flat, and the birth of my child for the sake of not looking like a total psycho.

Jamie looked impressed or, at the very least, understanding as he nodded along to my words.

"Can't say I regret it now though." I had to tack on and smiled before attempting to trail my way onto a more formal topic. "I got your list by the way- what not to ask and all that. Think one of your lot emailed it to me earlier in the week. But I just wanted to let you both know-”

I let my eyes flit over towards Healy for a brief moment before they settled back on Jamie. 

"That you don't have to worry about any of that whilst you're here. We want things to be relaxed, comfortable. I know your team was adamant on everything being a bit more structured, following the lines of an actual interview, but we don't do much of that around here. So I hope you're happy with just having a simple sit down."

"Like this?" Came a reply and I had to pause for a second before realising where the question had come from. Or who, rather.

I settled my mug down on my thigh, loosely supporting it with my hand, and looked over in the direction of Healy.

"A bit, yeah." I confirmed with an incline of my head, "That alright with you?"

The singer was silent for a long second and I couldn't help but take the opportune moment he gave to simply admire the way his fingers had wrapped themselves around his mug, mindlessly tapping away to a hollow tune.

Just when it appeared as though the silence had stretched on a beat too long, and Jamie had begun to shuffle forward ever so slightly in his seat, did Healy finally reply.

"If it's just you, then yes."

I tried not to let the reaction of how I really felt flash across my face then as I stared back at the man opposite. 

From the corner of my eye, I could see the way Adi's lips had pursed unhappily in retort and how Jamie’s expression had hardened into a somewhat steely glare, desperate for Matty to spare a glance his way. Probably to scold him for being so painfully rude. But Healy, to my utter disbelief, kept his head firmly fixed towards me, even as he pushed the dark sunglasses he wore up into his curly hair. 

It almost felt like we were in a stare off with the way I watched him for any tell that would surely give him away, slowly considering the proposition and not caring to cover up the way I could now stare into the other man’s dark brown eyes unabashedly.

From where I was sat, I could only just make out the darkened circles that rested beneath Healy’s pupils, as well as the red line that rimmed them. Their colour was far from unusual, brown, but his were not something you saw very often, they drew you in, kept you trapped. They harboured a multitude of other colours that blended ruthlessly into an array of raw umber.

As magnetising as they may have felt though, I found that I was mostly grateful to see that Healy’s pupils were of a normal size. The only thing I wanted to question were the walls that were so obviously barricaded behind them, giving me absolutely nothing in return.

"Just me?"

Healy simply stared back. 

I couldn’t look Adi’s way when I finally answered the request, simply hoping that she would somehow understand. This felt too much like a test to say anything other than, “Alright. If that’s what you’d prefer.”

I moved to push my mug onto the corner of the coffee table, allowing myself a seconds release from his stare.

“But Adi often controls what goes on behind the scenes when we record, so it’ll be harder without her there, especially with all the cameras.” I explained carefully.

"Look, just hang on a second-" Jamie tried, obviously wanting to defuse the situation, but was ultimately cut off by Healy. It honestly felt as though the man believed neither Jamie nor Adi were a part of the conversation any longer.

"Can you do it?"

His tone was almost challenging, the four words fell from his wicked tongue like a dare.

"Not the type to back down." Was all I could think to retort, my hardened gaze once again zeroed in on Healy's own.

***

The recording booth was smaller than he’d expected. A table sat in the very centre, surrounded by a swarm of cameras and microphones, all of which seemed to be connected to a variety of wires Matty could hardly even bring himself to be cautious of as he stepped past.

The table hosted an array of tech though, from computers and mixing boards to monitors and speakers. None of which Matty was the least bit interested in either.

Three of the four walls were lined with acoustic foam panels, one’s you’d typically find in booths, while the last had been turned into a mural of sorts. 

The mural was dark and edgy, a string of trees sprouted up from the ground and swept across the expanse of it, its branches winding upwards only to entangle in one another. A common field mouse sat crouched in between the trunks of the trees, its big eyes shining as it met Matty’s stare head-on. The walls centre held the name of the radio show and at first glance it looked as though it had been printed on one of those acrylic neon signs, but it was actually just extremely detailed.

Matty had to blink once or twice before he was finally able to look away.

"Who's work?" He found himself asking, filling the silence that had settled upon the closing of the booth's door. He jutted his chin out towards the far wall, sparing the art one last glance before he gave the girl his full focus.

Her eyes flitted up to meet his own before they sailed across to the mural.

"A friend." Was all she replied, but her voice had softened a touch now that it was just the two of them, Matty noted.

She offered nothing more than that and so Matty took it for what it was, nodding his quiet assent.

"Do you have anything in particular you'd like to talk about whilst you're here?" Mouse asked him as she clicked away at the computer, he felt strange using the name, even if it was just in his own head. "We've got a good hour or so before Adi comes snooping."

"I've got a million things I'd like to say," Matty let slip as he trailed on closer to the table, then forced a sardonic smile. "But I'm not particularly in the mood for a good tongue lashing today."

She looked slightly startled by his dry joke and Matty found himself having to hold back a smirk as he rounded the desk, fingertips gliding across the table's smooth surface.

"What about you, then?" He posed, not wanting to stunt their talk just as it had begun. Somewhat intrigued now. "Got anything you'd like to get off your chest for millions of people to hear?"

It was sarky, but when was he not? Though if he was being honest, Matty just found that he wanted to hear the girl talk, because for some reason he enjoyed listening to her. Her gentle accent had obviously been weakened during the time she'd spent in London but Matty enjoyed its easy lilt. It was almost soothing. He wondered where she was from, but didn't ask.

Mouse snorted, shaking her head. "Wouldn't quite say millions, a couple thousand at best."

Matty felt his eyebrows raise as he spared another glance over at her, thinking back to those eyes that had held his so solemnly. "What, even with me here?"

He was teasing, but her eyes widened briefly as though she feared she had offended him, but as mentioned, it was only a brief flicker before a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how loyal your fans truly are, Healy."

"Guess so." Matty mocked.

***

The show had gotten off to a rocky start. I had been all too aware of the surrounding cameras and the way the menacing rockstar, sat centimetres away from me, liked to keep his stare fixed firmly on me at all times, following my each and every movement.

I couldn't quite help the way I shifted uncomfortably every time I looked up and caught Healy's eye either, or the way I’d chosen to angle my face away from the cameras to avoid looking directly into any lenses.

I was dead crap when it came down to things like this. It all became too much, the pressure to entertain, to pretend that I was fine, that I was comfortable in my own skin, to chat away like there weren't already a thousand eyes studying my every flaw.

Look, give me a microphone and any sodding topic that either pissed me off or positively enthralled me and I'd be happy to rant the ears off of any nutter willing to listen. But in scenarios such as these, I always felt slightly on edge. Teetering on the verge of falling right on over it.

‘Cause I knew what people saw when they looked at me. I was all too familiar with the pitying glance I often got spared, as well as the grimaces people couldn’t seem to hide when they walked by. 

I’d had to deal with it for years. Ever since I was a kid.

And upon hearing that, anyone would probably figure that I might’ve gotten used to all the gawking by now, especially with a toddler constantly keeping me on my toes. But ultimately my son’s presence often appeared to exaggerate the mixed reactions I received.

In truth, I’d never really been given the time to come to terms with the scars that marred my body, my face. The white lines that spoiled the features underneath.

So claiming it to be a rocky start, would only put a dent about the size of a pea into the way I was currently feeling! 

Healy was rather unhelpful too, just as I’d predicted. He seemed to almost get off on watching me writhe under his leer and his answers to the questions or topics brought up were half-hearted at best.

Really, I was beginning to doubt the way in which I’d figured this entire mess would end.

It was only supposed to be a quick and easy chat, the two of us sat there gossiping like old mates, proving to the rest of the world that there really was no animosity or underlying conspiracies to this whole setup. When in actuality, that really wasn't the case.

Time and time again I found myself questioning why exactly Healy had even bothered to come, why he had even agreed to the whole ordeal in the first place. Especially when he was so apathetic with his replies.

"So," I trailed off, somewhat desperate to save what was left of the segment- for my sake at the very least. I didn't even want to think of what sort of issues this would cause for the show. "Music! I mean, from an outsider's point of view, we never really got the whole backstory on how you and the rest of the band really met. I mean, you’ve said you started it in secondary school, but you yourself were kind of pushed into the limelight at a really young age, so how did you and the guys connect?”

Healy tensed at that particular question, his shoulders forming a more rigid line as his gaze flickered away from me for only the briefest of seconds before it returned, but it was enough to alert me to the fact that I was treading into murky waters. I tried to backtrack.

"But in all honesty, what I really want to know about are all the sordid details, life after all that crap, the answers to the things people never think to ask. Like, I've seen pictures of your clearly extensive guitar collection all over your Instagram feed, you must have a favourite!"

Matty's lips curled into something which almost resembled a smile then and it honest to God threw me through a loop. A metaphorical loop, of course, I wasn't quite sure if we could fit any sort of loop-like shape into a space this small.

But I was letting myself get sidetracked and couldn't help but question whether that was the sort of thing Healy typically thrived off of. He’d smiled, and nothing wicked or sarky had tinged it, it’d been a genuine smile. And I had to blink just to make sure my eyes hadn't been playing tricks on me as Healy edged forward in his seat, a coy grin now dancing at the corners of his muted pink lips.

"A favourite? Now that's the question to ask! Honestly? It'll have to be the '63 Jazzmaster I've got. It’s wicked, used by the Ramones on their debut album and then by David Byrne on early Syre demos. So it’s seen quite a bit."

After that, I just sat there. Stunned as Healy continued to rant about this poxy guitar he was so obviously smitten with and couldn't help but be utterly captivated by each and every word that slipped from his mouth.

Apparently all I had ever needed to get past the games and ginormous walls Healy had defensively built around himself was to simply be myself. Ask the questions that maybe only I wanted to know the answers to. 

See, I wasn't the biggest people person but I figured myself to be somewhat of a skilful conversationalist. What with my past, I’d kind of had to force myself to be. But I was glad to have finally been given an in with Healy, no matter how small. It helped the interview pass by a lot easier. 

Although the new spirit Healy adopted after that only seemed to last until nearing the very end of the show. 

In truth, I had all but forgotten about the cameras and microphones set up, the fact that people were still listening in, were watching us converse, whilst I simply lost myself in listening to Healy prattle away. Positively enraptured by the way the musician's mind worked as he explained the complexity of a certain riff he adored, or the time he'd pretended to get off in Madison Square Garden- much to the dismay of his PR Team.

"They went absolutely mental when I first proposed it. I'm telling you! Yapping about time and effort, and it being too much for the younger viewers, then the plans that would have to be put into place- all that merry shite. And I’d just been sitting there in these, these skimpy leather trousers, quietly debating over when, or if I'd ever, get the feeling back in my legs. And don't even get me started on my knob. I mean, it must've shrivelled up and die- hang on, I can say knob, right? On air?"

Looking at him in that moment, forgetting everything I already knew, it was like I was seeing this whole other person. Someone who wasn't so confrontational, so quick to defend, or easy to recoil. 

It was clear, to me at least, that Healy wasn't the image the media painted of him, he was simply human. A troubled man who truly loved music, in every sort of variety, and wanted to vocalise and share that love with everyone else. He was eccentric for sure, but sincere.

I could see that, even if it only felt like I'd only been given the tiniest bit of insight into the person Healy so obviously tried to keep concealed.

It wasn't long later when I startled somewhat upon seeing the flashing red light of one of our cameras go off to my left and immediately, I jolted upright in my seat.

"God- crap!" I blurted out stupidly as I grabbed at the headset that had threatened to fall off my head in my sudden haste. "Hold on. Sorry, got really sidetracked there- one of the camera's is telling me it's on its last legs, so we'd best start wrapping this up."

Healy deflated ever so visibly, shrinking back in his seat as he huffed a soundless chuckle.

"Can't seem to stop me once I get going." Healy widened his eyes to emphasise his point and I observed how he had hastily retreated back into himself to haul his guard up again.

I was quick to shake my head. "No, truthfully I can't remember the last time I just got to sit here and listen. It was nice not having to do all the work for once."

Matty licked at his top lip upon hearing that and rewarded me with another mirthful smirk. I realised I'd properly put my foot in it there, stressing over why I’d even worded it like that. 

Whilst he chuckled to himself at the picture I must’ve made, I decided my best bet was to hurry on and end the show, reciting what needed to be said before I finally signed off, clicking a button.

It was just as the 'ON AIR' sign above the door went off that Adi barged straight through the entrance, gracing us with her wonderful presence. Jamie was just behind her, peeking his head around the doorframe.

"Well I think I can say that that went as well as it could’ve!" He announced, coming to a standstill by Matty as he clapped his client heartily on the back. "Well done, Matt. You as well, Mouse."

"Appreciate it." I smiled up at him before tugging off my headphones and pushing away the mic.

With all four of us now crowded into the makeshift room, the booth suddenly felt a lot smaller than it usually did, and so I tried my best to disguise the way my body immediately reacted to the realisation.

"I'm in dire need of a fag though. Will you be alright tidying up in here, Ads?" I announced as I pulled myself up onto my feet, already beginning to shuffle towards the exit. I picked up the cardigan I'd left on the back of one of the chairs as I went, using it as a shield almost. 

"Yeah, of course. Glasses here wanted to discuss one more thing before they made a move anyway."

I shot an arched brow at the man in question but Jamie waved my curiosity off. "Nothing too detailed. Just some forms that need signing."

I didn't much like the part of the arrangement that came after recording, but with an understanding ‘Ah’, I forced myself to ask, "Erm, don't suppose you need me to stick around for any of that do you?"

"Nah," Jamie laughed lightly, "Go on, you're all good."

I smiled, silently praising the stars above as I nodded once and resumed my exit, tugging the cardi on as I hastily made my way over to the fire escape.

Praying that our luck hadn’t run out just yet, I hoped that no one else was up on the roof waiting for me when I pulled my feet up the rickety metal staircase. It was just about the last thing I needed at that moment.

I already had my lighter in hand by the time I'd made it over to our little makeshift patio we’d created, which consisted of a few wooden pallets and a couple of large cushions that overlooked the neighbouring buildings.

It wasn't much, Islington. It was inner London sure, and had its fair few classier joints to show off, but I much preferred what else it had to offer. Like how the hustle and bustle of the city quietened just as you lost yourself down the backroads. And all the parks that had been scattered in and around the main developments and the dozens and dozens of buildings that were constantly cropping up. How there was a pub on almost every street corner and a Sainsbury's never too far away. I even enjoyed the gentle rattle of the overground, it was all too familiar now. Felt more like home than the Isles ever had.

Looking out across the surrounding rooftops, I wondered again just why my mum had yet to leave our tiny town as I lit a cigarette and lifted the filter to my lips.

The first chance my father ever got he’d gone running for the hills and then me, myself, had upped and left the confines of our small cottage as soon as the offer had presented itself.

It wasn't that the harbour town I'd grown up in had nothing to offer. It had a sense of community, a beautiful shoreline (even in the colder months), and of course, the local rugby team.

But speaking in a manner of careers, well, unless you were breaking out on your own and had the cash to open up a shop on the high-street, then you were probably destined to either work in the local greengrocers, serve behind the village bar, or get a shift down by the docks.

You were lucky if you had a bit more meat on your bones though, because then you also had the added opportunity of getting an offer to start laying bricks for one of the few building companies. Most of which were family based.

We had the main school too which housed both primary and secondary  kids, and the local college was available if you wanted to further your education. But the closest University campus was a good hundred miles away. 

I had applied, but only to lessen the guilt I'd felt towards my mother when I'd started looking for courses available in just about any place apart from home whilst filling out uni apps.

I could still recall the day I’d finally told her I'd be leaving for London. Felt like a lifetime ago now really.

I'd definitely have to call her up again soon, to make sure that she was doing okay, even if it meant that I'd be forced to listen to her rattle on about coming home for Christmas. Again.

I sighed contently to myself and it was just as I flicked away a stump of ash that I heard someone approach.

[averysmolbear]

A Second Chance

CW: This is pretty self ship coded. It's vaguely fluffy so not really a need for a ton of tags, I'd think. It's a female reader fic. I'd say the reader and Pietro would be around in their twenties. It's definitely part of a possible series of one shots so it's the beginnings of a friends to lovers type situation. The only thing that could be maybe triggering is the kind of vague mentions of Pietro feeling "trapped" and the reader is there to kind of psychoanalyze him to a certain degree. I'm not sure how else to word that honestly.

Fandom: Marvel/MCU

Pairing: F!Reader x Pietro Maximoff

Word count: ~2.3k

Just a quick note that this would be well after Age of Ultron and I don't care if it's unrealistic, Pietro survived what happened in that movie because I said so (and yeah, that means this is the MCU version of Pietro, not the one in the X-Men movies) so prepare to suspend your disbelief or something. Or don't. I can't tell you what to do. This also means that the reader works for whatever entity really kind of popped up after AoU that the Avengers would sort of be working for before Captain America: Civil War.

Pietro Maximoff felt like an animal trapped in a cage. He didn’t know why they were keeping him locked away. He had healed and was ready to get back out into the world. He felt like they had to know this, especially with all of their incessant poking and prodding. Whenever he asked someone anything, his questions were brushed aside and they would reassure him that he would be out of there before long. And then the cycle would repeat and Pietro would be left alone in the sterile room that reminded him of his time with HYDRA more than he let on.

It wasn’t the fact that he was getting antsy that pushed Pietro to ask when they were going to let him out. His sister needed him, didn’t she? At this point he was starting to doubt that Wanda was aware he was alive, although maybe that was the reason they were keeping him inside. Maybe they weren’t sure how to break it to her that Pietro had survived. It didn’t matter what the reason was though because he knew that eventually they were going to have to let him out and he wasn’t going to waste any time getting as far from this place as he could when that time came.

He paced the length of the room, moving at a natural speed for once. When he first woke up and was moved to his current room, he would run from one end of the room to the other. It didn’t take long before Pietro realized it wouldn’t do him any good. He wasn’t getting out and it only wasted his energy to zip around the room. At the moment he didn’t want to waste any energy on running around the small space but he felt that pent up energy building up and he hated that he didn’t have a proper outlet for it.

When someone knocked on his door, Pietro ignored it. It was common for someone to knock before dropping off food. If it was a doctor, they would enter without his permission anyway. He waited for the slot in the door to open and a tray to slide on to the ledge on his side of the door. It seemed too early for lunch but it wasn’t as if the speedster had any concept of time. He didn’t know how many days had passed, losing count quickly. He didn’t have the patience to keep track after a week had passed but he assumed he had been there for at least a month, maybe longer.

There was a second, more insistent knock on the door and this time Pietro moved cautiously but curiously toward it. No one knocked more than once and he thought that the sound held some level of urgency to it. His head tilted slightly as he listened at the door, not sure he would be able to tell who was on the other side if he tried. Someone knocked again and with a sigh, Pietro finally asked who it was. It was clear they wanted his attention and now they had it, not that he cared too much about who it might be.

“Pietro?”

He noted that the voice wasn’t familiar but it was soft and feminine and youthful. It wasn’t someone he had met before, as far as he could tell. They sounded hesitant which caught his attention more than the knocking. Not many people around this place were hesitant around him. Most seemed to know that there was security everywhere and he wasn’t a threat. He stepped closer to the door when he noticed the little slot had opened. He could see someone peeking inside but he didn’t recognize them. Pietro didn’t say anything but he did place a hand on the door, closing his eyes for a moment.

“I’m going to assume you can hear me, Pietro,” you continued. You cleared your throat. “My name is (y/n). Can I … can I come in?”

Pietro’s brows furrowed but he quietly backed away from the door. His new visitor had him too curious to not let her inside. He moved over to the bed and sat down but didn’t speak. He could be at the door and out of the room before anyone realized what was happening but his curiosity had gotten the better of him. Still he was being stubborn, not wanting to give anyone anything that they could use against him. If they were going to try to use him for who knew what, Pietro was going to make them work for it.

You walked in, opening the door wide enough to be able to slip in. The heavy door slammed shut behind you, making her jump as you heard the door lock, but you didn’t look back at the door. Your eyes were intently fixed on Pietro as soon as you saw him. Someone on the other side of the door gruffly told you that you had 15 minutes before they would come in and you muttered a curse under her breath. 

Pietro noted that when you had whispered, it hadn’t been in English and for a moment he wondered what language it was. It sounded roughly like Sokovian but not enough that he was certain he recognized the language. He wasn’t curious enough to ask however. You bit your lip as you stayed near the door, looking him over slowly.

Pietro folded his arms across his chest but still didn’t speak. Instead he fixed you with an intense glare, his brows pulled tightly and a scowl on his face. You were pretty, which he noticed immediately, but he wasn’t going to let them lull him into a false sense of security. He might have been a flirt but he wasn’t an idiot. He wasn’t sure who had taken him in, SHIELD or HYDRA, and Pietro wasn’t sure he trusted either of them. That meant he wasn’t sure if he trusted you since he had no idea what your intentions were.

You swallowed thickly as your gaze turned down toward the floor. You weren't trembling but you looked close to it as you slipped your hands into the front pockets of your jeans. You stayed close to the door, timidly glancing at Pietro before looking away when your eyes met. Clearing your throat, you found your voice. “My name’s (y/n),” you repeated, not sure if he had heard you. Your gaze flitted around the room now to avoid making eye contact. “I’m here to talk.”

Pietro rolled his eyes, his arms still folded across his chest as he let out a sigh. He wasn’t sure he trusted that you were as timid as you seemed. It could have been an act. The fact that you seemed afraid of him annoyed the speedster as well. It wasn’t like he was going to hurt you. “I’m not feeling very talkative,” he bitterly said. “After all it’s hard to want to talk to people who keep me locked away in a cage.”

“Oh …” You looked up and stopped short at the look on Pietro’s face. Your lips curled up in a brief smile, trying to show you were there to help. Your hands fell to your sides and you shook your head. Your face softened as you took a couple of steps away from the door although you still kept some distance between yourself and the speedster. “I … I don’t think that’s what they’re trying to do here, Pietro.”

He watched as you moved toward him, his arms falling to his sides. He was still cautious so he stayed where he was, not wanting to let his guard down too soon. He especially didn’t want to let his guard down to a pretty face only to have it backfire. It was better to keep a bit of cautious optimism for the moment. Pietro wasn’t sure what you were doing there after all. He hoped that if he said as little as possible, you would tell him what he wanted to know. It seemed to be working so far although he wasn’t sure if you were as concerned about him as you appeared to be. He supposed it would be easy enough for someone to fake concern.

You swallowed hard again and took another couple of steps until you were standing at the foot of the bed where Pietro sat. “I can’t help you if you won’t let me,” you softly said, your gaze still locked with his for the moment. You bit her lip and nodded to the bed, finally glancing away from Pietro. “May I sit?”

Pietro silently nodded and watched as you carefully sat down. You seemed like you were both terrified and worried. He wondered which would take precedence, although it seemed like it was going to be your concern for his well-being. He felt his features melt into something less intimidating but he didn’t speak, still not sure he could trust you.

Even if part of him wanted nothing more than to trust you. Pietro knew, in the back of his mind, that he could use a friend.

You sighed, reaching up to tuck some of your hair behind your ear. “I’m sure all of this has been very difficult for you. I don’t doubt that it feels a lot like we’re keeping you here against your will,” you said, nodding your head slightly as you spoke. “I know that you have no reason to trust me but I promise that I won’t lie to you, Pietro. If it was up to me, we’d be having this talk somewhere much more comfortable than this.”

You waited for Pietro to speak and when he didn’t, you let out a nervous laugh. Your eyes roamed his face before you looked at your hands as they rested in your lap. You were too nervous to hold eye contact with him for long. “I don’t have much time but I wanted to introduce myself. I’m going to be coming by every day and I won’t stop trying until you open up to me,” you explained. 

You looked up and frowned at the distrust you saw in Pietro’s eyes. “I know how that sounds but I’m not going to try to break you. I’m barely a licensed therapist but that’s why I’m here. I need to evaluate you before they’ll agree that it’s safe to …” You shrugged, gesturing toward the door.

“Before they let me out of my cell.”

You looked up, your eyes widening as you shook your head. “No, Pietro. This isn’t a cell. You’re here for your safety,” you said, your frown deepening. “After what happened, well, no one was sure how you were going to react to being … alive.”

Pietro narrowed his eyes again and sighed, shaking his head. He wasn’t going to let you tell him to trust you and then freely give you that trust. He knew your name but he didn’t know anything else about you. Clearly you knew about him or you wouldn’t have been there. He didn’t like being at a disadvantage like this. If you wanted his trust, you were going to have to earn it.

You bit her lip as Pietro sized you up, your cheeks heating up as you took a deep breath. You glanced toward the door briefly, knowing your time had to be dwindling faster than you would have liked. It wouldn’t be long before someone told you that your time was up and you knew you had barely gotten Pietro to speak to you. When you looked back at him again, you smiled shyly. “We have all of the time in the world. As much time as you need. So tell me how I can win your trust, Pietro.”

Pietro shook his head, shifting his weight as he moved away from you. He didn’t like the feeling of being psychoanalyzed, even if you claimed that you were ‘barely’ a therapist, and he didn’t like that you had piqued his interest. He leaned against the wall at the head of the bed, trying to look disinterested. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me,” you said with a quick shrug. Your voice was gentle and a bit timid. You tried to smile as you watched Pietro process what you were saying, hoping he would believe you. “It matters to my boss and his boss. It matters to a lot of people. If you can’t trust me, I don’t know when they’ll let you out of here. I just want to help get you out of this room and out somewhere that doesn’t feel so stifling.”

Pietro laughed humorlessly, rolling his eyes as he looked away. He wanted to trust you. He wanted to get out of this room because he was tired of staring at these same four walls. The problem was that Pietro didn’t know where to begin so he figured he could keep feigning disinterest until you told him something that made him feel safe with you. You seemed unassuming but it didn’t mean you were. Pietro was well aware of that.

“I’ll come back later and see if you feel more talkative then,” you said with a nod. You slowly stood, pausing as you watched Pietro. Your smile grew a bit as he looked at you but it was still timid. “I think we’re going to get along if you’ll trust me. I think we can help each other actually. You just have to trust me.”

Pietro watched as you walked to the door. He debated for a split second whether or not he should push you aside when the door opened to let you out but he stayed where he was. He was still staring at the door after it closed behind you. He didn’t know if he could trust you but there was something that was telling him to try. Maybe it wouldn’t lead to anything but if he could get out of this place, he knew he couldn’t keep being so stubborn about this for long. Eventually you would stop trying and Pietro wasn’t sure what would happen to him after that. 

He wasn’t sure he wanted to find out either.

[spinjitsuburst]

prime empire thoughts yes please

1- the world of prime empire overall. what are your ideas about it?

I personally they should've played with the ideas of invisible walls or show us how far the game actually expended. idk maybe that's just me but like the world of prime empire in its whole looks overlooked jgsjgl like there's so much you can do.

I also wanted so bad someone from the outside to interfere with the coding or something as well idk WHY DID WE GET SO LITTLE WITH A SEASON AROUND VIDEO GAMES

2- what are you thoughts about scott? (also does he play a big role in cabinet man? (since you also requested asks about cabinet man))

Cuz I think he is greatly underrated in prime empire (but yknow maybe that's just me)

3- jay's skin. I want all your thoughts about jay's skin. Superstar Rockin Jay should've lasted for much longer or at least become a gag in the future (or yknow the fact that there was a cult created out of it)

anyway yeah I like this season a normal amount. Toootally fine with how they handled it.

Can't wait to read your thoughts about it all ( ouo)

GJHJSHFJKGHJKFDSGH HOOOOO BOY

Ideas about the world of Prime Empire as a whole

OHOHO I HAVE SOOOO MANY MY FRIEND

first of all, most if not all the NPCs have some degree of sentience. That's an idea that I think should've been driven more home by the show itself but Blazey and Okino are not the only characters in the game that have free will and the ability to think for themselves. I believe this so wholeheartedly.

Prime Empire was split into different areas that I wish were explored more (honestly a lot of this season boils down to "I wish it were explored more"): Terra Technica, Terra Karana, and Terra Domina. Terra Technica obviously is the biggest area, with the entry point for players entering the game, the Speedway Five-Billion, Scott's Garage and Jay's Club, and at least one other area for the Dance Competition mini-game. I also think this would be where most of the shops run by NPCs in the game would be.

I think most NPCs reside in this area. To really hammer home the fact that they are PEOPLE, not just assets in the game, I think they have homes within the city. Y'know how in Pokemon games (except ScarVi rip) you can just walk into people's houses and there's NPCs inside? Yea it's like that. Except the NPCs leave the houses and explore as well because they have their own thoughts and lives.

Maybe it's just cuz I've been playing Tears of the Kingdom non-stop and it's taken over my brain but I think about the open-worldness of Prime Empire in a similar manner. You can pretty much go anywhere and do anything within the world of Prime Empire. You can scale buildings (if you have the skills unlocked for it) and find secrets everywhere. And most things respawn at certain intervals so players have the chance to pick them up. Kind of like a MMOPRG sorta vibe

BUT there is a sort of thing like you mentioned above - invisible points that you just can't pass. Like the place is enclosed by some giant wall you can't see, and doesn't let you pass through. If you TRIED you would just be running in place basically, never actually getting anywhere. You can see things beyond where stuck at, but they're just for show - there's nothing actually there to interact with, it just gives the guise of depth.

Basically Prime Empire is meant to feel endless, expansive, big, real, until the reality crashes in that it definitely isn't. And sure most people wouldn't care and would have fun playing anyways, but for those who aren't interested after this illusion is broken for them, discover that hey. How do you get out of here again?

Oh right.

They can't.

And that's when people start kinda freaking out. Which I imagine then Jay or the League of Jays step in to try and calm them down and get them to relax and have fun anyways while Jay waits for the rest of the ninja to arrive.

2. Thoughts about Scott and his role in the Cabinet Man AU!

OHHH MAN I LOVE SCOTT DUDE YOU'RE RIGHT HE'S SO UNDERRATED i think he's a super fascinating character to consider in Prime Empire. Given that Unagami clearly had a plan to cube a bunch of players for his portal, he definitely would've come after Scott first. When did Scott figure this out? Did Scott and Unagami interact in-person before this? How was Scott able to evade Unagami long enough to set up his garage's stealth barrier? He's so so so interesting to me

He's clearly a kind person who wants to help people to some degree (sneaking Jay into the garage with him in the shorts, letting Jay run his club from his garage, inevitably sacrificing himself so the ninja can get away, etc.) but he's also very wary and unwilling to risk himself in a lot of ways. He and Jay clearly come to care about each other to some degree in canon, given Jay seems fairly protective of him

and Scott trusts Jay enough to let him into his personal and secret place

LIKE I DON'T THINK THAT GETS TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH. NOT ONLY DID SCOTT AGREE TO HELP JAY HIDE OUT FROM UNAGAMI BUT HE LET HIM RUN AN ENTIRE CLUB OUT OF A SECRET TUNNEL CONNECTED TO HIS GARAGE

there was no reason for Scott to have done either of these things. Was it desperation because Jay's the first person Scott's seen in 30 years? Maybe. But clearly they care about each other to some degree

as for in the cabinet man AU! Jay considers Scott an older brother type figure. He, Scott, and Unagami actually got along well when Scott first got sucked into the game (the game is a lot newer than it is in the actual show given that Jay was 8 when he entered and there is no way he was in there for 30 years lmao, Jay would've been around 16 when Scott entered the game, Scott being 18 or 19, and Jay was around 21-22 when the ninja enter the picture). Unagami was excited to prove himself and give Scott a fun game experience, after all. But y'know, once Milton Dyer realized what happened.... things soured.

Jay and Scott were pretty much on the run together from then on. They care a lot about each other and Jay's extra devastated when Scott gets cubed. Once Jay and Scott leave the game, Scott takes time to rediscover life and reunite with family, but the two stay in close contact and see each other on a weekly basis for a while. Scott's still one of the first people Jay will reach out to if he needs help or advice with something not-ninja related

3. SUPERSTAR ROCKIN' JAY AAAAAAA

okay okay okay okay so obviously you and i met through skybound content so just in case you don't know yet

i'm. a little. unhinged. about superstar rockin' jay

i have so many thoughts about jay's avatar ranging from "this is my Gender and i want to look like a fucking lego" to "WHY DIDN'T NINJAGO LET HIM KEEP ASPECTS OF THIS" to just white noise in my brain and in the center of that white noise is me rotating his minifigure in my mind

HE'S SO COOL!!! HE'S SO COOL AND I LOVE HIM AND HIS DESIGN IS INCREDIBLE LIKE OKAY okay okay okay okay blue and yellow are contrasting colors that mesh REALLY well together and I think the glamrock persona with stars and triangles and shit looks super incredible and it's just a really nice and appealing design and I think that Jay would have like a v-tuber avatar of SSR Jay after the game cuz like LOOK AT HIM. THIS IS PEAK HEGHHAGJFHKGJKJHKJFHGKJFG god im so normal

this is why people call me the ceo of superstar rockin' jay. that design is every aesthetic of mine mashed into one. i'm so obsessed with this design it consumes my core being.

at the end of the day i too. am superstar rockin' jay

i lost track of the point of this question uhhhhhhhh OH YEA I WISH THEY'D LIKE. BRING IT UP MORE OFTEN LIKE JAY WAS AN IN-GAME IDOL!! HE WAS A PERFORMER!! DID HE HAVE FANS??? IS THERE SUPERSTAR ROCKIN' JAY MERCH???????? he should exist outside of prime empire screams

anyways this was a lot of words i love prime empire i love prime empire so much it's so good and more people need to talk about it please please lpease

[sgnjimmy]

𝐼𝑓 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐵𝑜𝑦𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑

vinny hong x f!reader

a/n: inspired by this ask. @skboba-stars here u go, sweetie.

warning (s): just some mentions of violence.

“So I'm trying this new one now, is not as good as- Hey, are you fucking listening to me?”

Honestly? No. Vinny couldn't care less for some dumb, expensive shoe, so no, he wasn't listening. He just kept walking, thinking about whatever shit that he could be doing instead of going shopping with Dom.

“Yeah, yeah, some shoe talk.” He replies.

“Is not just any shoe, Vinny.” The redhead couldn't help rolling his eyes at his friend.

“Whatever.”

And just as they were reaching the end of the block he bumps into someone. So hard he's pushed a bit back.

“Oh, fuck.” She says. Raising his head he sees a girl, a fucking tall girl, at that.

When she looks back at him, she seems surprised for a moment, tilting her head slightly but as soon as she does it she stops herself, blinking at the floor for half a second.

“My bad.” She says looking down at him, and already making herself move way out of their way.

When she's out of his sight, Vinny turns to look at Dom on his left, and he meets the boy doing a weird face: mouth full open and eyes wide.

“What?” He asks.

“What do you mean ‘what’?! Don't you know who she is? That's Creation Genius!” The long haired teen seemed pretty amazed, moving his hands around and never resting his eyebrows. “Fucking MMA legend!”

“Okay...?”

“Can't believe you don't know her, she's got this special move, that like-”As Dom goes on and on telling Vinny every thing that he ‘needs’ to know about this ‘legend’ the boy shuts his ears off from his companion annoying voice.

Maybe he should have stayed home with Jack, after all.

He really should have stayed home, the rest of the day was literally some kind of torture. Dom stopped on every damn shop, looking at all the dumb things possible, and to make it even worse he made Vinny look with him for a gift to Yana - their birthday was comin' of somethin' like that, he didn't pay attention.

To try to make the day not entirely suck Vinny when to a convince store on his way home, getting something to eat would make him feel better, to a certain point at least.

When he hits the door open to get out of the store he sees four suspicious guys on the corner of the street - definitely not something he's unfamiliar with -, and given the fame of this neighborhood it couldn't mean no good. On his way passing through them one of the guys grabs his shoulder, he already knows what's going to happen. Today is really not his day, what a pain.

“Hey, man, why don't you lend me, and my friends some money? We kinda short on it.” ... Really? Is this how he's going to play it?

“...”

“... Not gonna answer me? Alright.”

Before he actually trys to hit Vinny he's pulled back, the redhead steps back too from the surprise. Thanks to the poor lighting he don't get to have a good look of his ‘saviour’ kicking the guy to the ground. He manages just to see that they have short hair, and are wearing some hoodie.

The rest of the group fastly runs to back their friend up only to end up on the floor seconds later.

Damn, do they know how to fight, Vinny thinks. But he didn't need no one to save him so he approaches this person to say exactly that.

“I don't need someone to protect me in a fight. And I don't remember anyone asking you to step in.”

The person turns back to look at Vinny and as they step closer to where's a lamppost emitting light, he recognizes them. Or, well, her - from the bump in the afternoon.

“I couldn't help it... Nobody bullies my friend.”

Wait.

You shitting me.

There's no way...

The surprise is visible on Vinny's face as he tries to put his brain back on track. You just stand there, smiling to yourself, his confusion seems pretty amusing to you.

“Y/n?”

“Yeah, Vinny... It's me, i'm here.”

[thelaisydazy]

Mama's Boy - Chapter 3

Simon "Ghost" Riley x Petra "Mama" Mayfield

Previous Chapter ┊ Next Chapter

Tap. Tap.

Petra rapped her knuckles against the frame of Captain Price’s door, seeing the captain sitting at his desk through the open door. The older man had been smoking his cigar and looking over some paperwork. He looked up seeing the medic standing in his doorway. Price was a good bit older than Petra, she’d guess at least a decade but she couldn’t be certain. He sported a short, well-kept beard, mostly dark brown with a few flecks of gray. His hair was the same color as his beard and it was cropped short and usually covered by a bucket hat. In many ways he reminded her of her father back home, a hardass at times, but he clearly cared for the team and usually greeted them with a smile that looked all too goofy on his face.

“Mama,” he smiled, his eyes crinkling as he did. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Several things, sir,” Petra said, not matching the pleasantness in his voice, she stood stiffly across the desk from him. She did her best to keep from scrunching her nose up at the smell that wafted from his cigar as it made her stomach churn. “First, when Laswell told me about the team, she mentioned I was being brought on as a combat medic. But the team has gone on several missions since my arrival and I’ve remained on base for all of them.” Petra caught herself a moment later, correcting her posture to stand straight, arms folded at her back, shoulders squared. “Being cooped up in the clinic isn’t exactly what I’d signed on for. I was made to believe my skills would be needed on the field as well.”

Price was quiet for a moment, taking a long puff of his cigar. “You’re right,” he said, blowing out thick smoke. “In all honesty, we don’t have a medical team here. I’d rather not put the only medic we have in a position to get injured herself.”

She tensed at his words. Despite it being an hour or two later, Ghost’s words still burned in her ears. You're our only medic. We can't afford to have you laid up for a few days.

“That brings me to my other issue,” Petra said. “If there is so much of an issue with risking me out on the field, why not have another medic on base?” She paused for a moment as another thought dawned on her. “Honestly, sir, if your intention from the start had been to simply have a medic to keep the clinic running smoothly, I would have rather gotten my discharge finalized.”

Price seemed taken aback by this, his eyes widening. “Now, I never said anything like that,” he said defensively, putting his hands up in defeat. “I know this isn’t exactly what you signed up for. I’m grateful you’ve stuck around this long Mama.”

“Don’t Mama me,” Petra’s voice was sharp, words spilling out despite herself. She stepped quickly forward, pressing her palms against the desk with a sigh. “Please, just give me a chance at least. I have more skills than just counting supplies and tracking Ghost down when he thinks he doesn't need medical attention.”

Captain Price was quiet for a moment, placing his cigar down on the ashtray on his desk. His face was that of understanding, though Petra could see a flash of annoyance in his eyes at her tone. The medic stepped back a few paces, standing at attention again, apologizing quietly.

“You’re right, Petra,” he finally said. “We haven’t been giving you the chance to show us what you can really do. I’ll look for a second medic to keep on base. In the meantime, how often do your duties in the clinic need to be fulfilled?”

Has it been this easy all along? Petra asked herself. “Ideally, counts should be done daily,” she started. “However with how few of us there are, every other day should suffice as long as the clinic is kept locked when it isn’t in use.” She saw Price shift, about to speak. “I can set up a small first aid kit with some basics outside the door if anyone needs anything simple.”

The older man nodded thoughtfully. “Alright. Then on the days when you aren’t doing counts, I want you training,” he said. “Mornings you can work on hand-to-hand combat and in the afternoon you’ll be on the range. How’s that sound, lass?”

“Perfect, sir,” Petra said, satisfaction rising in her chest.

“Good, we start tomorrow with your training,” Price nodded, picking up his cigar again. “Might take a few weeks to get a new medic out here, but I’ll see what I can do. Now get your counts done.”

“Yes Sir.” Petra turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Sir,” she said. “If I may, I’ve worked closely with Whip from Ankara. He’s a good medic and he won’t mind being stuck on base if need be.” Price nodded, jotting the name down on a notepad.

---

Petra stood in the clinic, carefully counting the supplies and medicines they had stocked. She made notes of what she’d need for the first aid kit: bandages of varying sizes, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial ointments, and a small bottle of over the counter, generic painkillers. Anything that required more than that she’d need to deal with herself anyway.

A styrofoam cup filled with coffee appeared on the counter beside her.

Petra turned quickly, seeing Ghost standing there again holding a cup of his own that looked far too small in his hand, balaclava still concealing his features. The medic raised a brow at him, picking the cup of coffee from the counter, sipping the bitter drink, and ignoring the way it burned her tongue.

“I didn’t take you for a coffee guy,” she said, turning back to her count.

“It’s tea,” Ghost answered. She didn’t have to look at him to know he was watching her with those dark eyes of his. “Price said you were starting training tomorrow.”

Petra clicked her tongue as she finished counting a shelf, scribbling down the numbers.

“If I can’t handle a run, right?” she quipped back. She brought the coffee back to her lips, sipping it. “I was thinking of asking Gaz or Soap for help with hand-to-hand combat. Roach is good with guns, right?” Ghost only hummed in affirmation. “I might get his help on the range then.”

There was something in his dark eyes as he watched the way her thumb stroked the warm Styrofoam cup she was holding, something she couldn't quite read. She might've been able to, had it not been for that damned balaclava he always wore. Another quiet moment passed as the two drank the warm liquids in their cups.

“Why the sudden interest?” Ghost broke the silence, still watching her, observing. In the few months she’d been with the team, she’d never so much as mentioned going into the field.

Petra hummed over her coffee. “I’m not used to being cooped up,” she answered simply. “I was about to be discharged when Laswelll recruited me. Figured if I’m going to stay enlisted, I might as well get the most out of it.”

“Discharged? You were going to leave?” His question didn’t come as a surprise, she’d been one signature away from heading home when she joined the task force.

“Needed to get away,” Petra barely explained, she leaned back against the counter, finishing the last of her coffee. It was strong. She didn’t say much about her reasoning for leaving the military, letting her quick response hang in the air, though she could see understanding in Ghost’s eyes. “I need to get back to work. Thanks for the coffee.”

---

That night at dinner, Petra sat in the common area with the rest of the team, it was one of those rare nights where everyone was eating together. Gaz had made a trip into the nearby town, returning with enough food for everyone to share. Chinese. Petra was seated on the beaten couch next to Roach, legs tucked under herself as she bit into a few vegetables. The room was quiet. Soap, Gaz, and Price were all at the table eating, Ghost in a chair a little further away, his balaclava pulled up over his nose. This was the most Petra got to see of his face, the contour of his jaw and the tiny bit of light color stubble over his chin.

A tap on her shoulder caught her attention, Petra turned to Roach, who motioned like he was holding a cup. She nodded as he stood and walked to the fridge, and retrieved a pair of water bottles. She thanked him with a motion of her hand as he returned, twisting the lid off and drinking a few gulps.

Over her shoulder she could hear Soap and Gaz talking, Soap’s thick Scottish accent making it difficult to understand what he was saying. He was one of the shorter members of the task force, though he was still much taller than Petra. His blue eyes caught Petra watching him.

“Yer not fixin’ to throw another shoe at me are ya, lass?” he shot through a mouthful of noodles. Despite his annoyance earlier that day, Petra could tell he’d calmed down and had now taken to teasing her about the incident.

She grinned at him. “Yeah, I was trying to figure out if my aim was good enough to hit that stupid mohawk of yours without getting Gaz in the process,” she teased back. She could see Price shake his head, a bad attempt to hide his smile as Gaz turned in his seat.

“I brought everyone dinner, I’d rather not get hit,” the sergeant pleaded, pressing his palms together and bowing his head. Gaz had darker skin and the shadows of a black mustache, his black curls were hidden under his cap. “But please knock that thing off his head.”

“Away an bile yer heid!” Soap barked.

“English! MacTavish,” Ghost grunted in annoyance from across the room, his eyes sharp on the man.

“Sorry sir, let me translate,” Soap snapped back, turning his glare back to Gaz. “Go fuck yourself.”

Behind her, Petra thought she heard a chuckle from Roach as he reached out a hand giving a thumbs up.

“Better,” Ghost rumbled, returning to his meal.

Captain Price stood up, chuckling and shaking his head. “You lot have far too much energy for this late in the evening,” he said. “I'm off.” The captain left the room then, heading for his quarters for the evening.

When everyone else had finished eating, Soap fished a few beers from the fridge. He slid one across the table to Gaz and tossed one to Roach. Ghost, as always refused the beer, opting to make himself a cup of tea instead. Soap offered one to Petra who shook her head.

“You don't drink, Doc?” Soap asked, raising a brow.

“I don't make a habit of it,” Petra replied. “Occasionally I like tequila.” She laughed when Soap twisted his face, complaining that tequila tasted of dog piss.

“Next time we go out drinking you're coming with us, lass,” Soap beamed.

Petra could just picture the Scotsman drinking entirely too much, ending up with a hangover the next morning and begging her for something for his headache. In the few times the guys had gone out for drinks since she’d arrived, he’d had a hangover every time.

“Sounds like a blast,” she rolled her eyes as she spoke. Though, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to spend a little time with the team, especially if she was to join them in the field soon. A warm mug of coffee slid into her hands, making her turn green eyes up to Ghost as he walked back to his chair near the corner of the room. Petra paused, taking a sip, the warm liquid radiating through her body, calming her and clearing her mind, jogging her memory. “I had a chat with Price earlier about going on missions with you guys, he said I needed to get some more training in before then. Mornings working on hand-to-hand combat and afternoons on the range, I’d really appreciate some help getting back up to speed.”

There was a tap on her shoulder. Roach signed his willingness to help eagerly as he grinned over the neck of his bottle of beer.

Gaz turned to face the couch, raising his hand slightly, his face questioning. “Hold on,” he said. “Not that no one wants you coming with us, but if you’re training all the time, who’s taking care of the clinic?”

“It's gonna be locked up when I'm not in there,” Petra explained, sipping at her coffee again. She might regret the caffeine so late at night, but the taste was so soothing and warm she couldn't help it. “But I'm going to leave a first aid kit with some basic supplies in it in case something happens, and if there's anything serious I'll just open the clinic and take care of it. In the meantime though, Price is looking into getting another medic on base.”

Soap clapped a hand on her back then, nearly making her spill the coffee and eliciting a glare from Ghost. “Well lass, I'll be happy to help you with the combat training in the morning,” he said, a wide grin on his face.

The medic looked up at him sharply, noting his beer was already half empty. She was grateful he was willing to help her, but she half expected him to be too hungover in the morning to be of any real help. Still, she nodded her appreciation.

---

A few hours later, Petra and Ghost were herding the sergeants to their dorms, the former giggling as Gaz and Soap half stumbled down the hall. The lieutenant was less amused, hanging back and grumbling as Ghost could hear Roach snoring from where he'd been thrown over the broad man’s shoulder.

After ushering Gaz and Soap into their respective rooms, Petra opened Roach's door, allowing Ghost to carry him inside, dropping the young soldier on the bed before rejoining Petra in the hall.

Petra was shaking her head, holding back a giggle and smiling. “I'd hate to see what they're like out at a bar,” she joked.

“About the same,” Ghost rumbled. He turned dark eyes to her, the mask over his face giving nothing away. He lingered in the hallway for a moment before turning and starting to walk away.

A short while later, Petra found him outside as she was bringing a bag of the night's garbage out to the dumpster. He was standing near the backdoor, back leaned against the wall, a lit cigarette between his lips.

“Those things can kill you, you know,” she said, raising a brow as he turned to look at her. The two of them stood there in silence for a while, staring each other down. Then Petra held her hand out, leaving the bag of garbage on the ground next to the door.

Ghost watched her for a moment, his lidded eyes questioning before he relented, holding out the cigarette and tensing as he prepared to be scolded by the medic. Instead, his eyes widened with surprise as Petra brought the cigarette to her lips, taking a drag and blowing out the bitter smoke. He watched as her shoulders relaxed a bit and some of the tension left her body.

“I didn't expect you smoked,” he said, fishing a new cigarette from his pocket and lighting it.

“Were you expecting me to scold you?” Petra asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

“A bit,” Ghost replied, flicking some ash from his cigarette. He watched her a few moments longer, allowing himself to take in the way she looked. The frizzy dirty blonde curls, still damp and barely tamed into a low bun at the back of her head. The tired but focused look in her green eyes. She always looked so determined, resolute in whatever task she set herself to. This afternoon in the gym had been the first time he’d seen those eyes falter.

He’d spotted her running on the treadmill when he entered for his own workout. Admittedly, he stopped and just watched her for a while, the way her body moved, the way the softer parts of her moved just slightly more with each step. Her eyes had lost focus though, looking as if they could see clear through the wall of mirrors in front of her. He’d walked closer then, keeping his eyes on her, waiting for her to notice he’d approached her, but she didn’t. Instead, in her daze, her steps faltered and her legs started to give way.

Ghost sprang forward then, scooping the small medic up and placing her all too gently on the concrete floor. His heart pounded in his chest like a freight train. It felt as though he’d been holding his breath when her eyes finally looked at him, focusing again.

Perhaps he’d been too harsh in his reaction, but he felt no need to apologize for his actions. The task force didn’t need an injured medic.

“What’s the real reason you’re suddenly so interested in going on missions?” he asked, watching her snuff out the last of the stolen cigarette. “If you were so upset about not getting discharged, you would have left by now.”

“I don’t like feeling like I’m not doing anything,” Petra said. She bent down, her small hand wrapping itself around the top of the garbage bag she’d carried out. “I need to feel useful, you know?”

Ghost nodded his understanding, blowing out another puff of smoke. “You waited three months to speak up?” he pressed.

Petra put a hand up. “It didn’t sink in until earlier today in the gym,” she said. “I’ve been here three months and I still don’t exactly know what you guys do out there. I haven’t been off of a base in even longer, I think it’s been six months.”

The lieutenant was quiet again, he stood away from the wall, bending and taking the garbage bag from her, his large hand brushing over her smaller one as he did. Petra drew her hand back, looking up at him again as he effortlessly lifted the bag and carried it to the nearby dumpster before returning to where he’d left her by the door. The two of them lingered there for several long, quiet moments, the smell of cigarettes between them.

“You are useful, Mama,” Ghost broke the silence. His gaze was heavy on her, holding her in that spot with the weight his eyes held alone. “Roach was in bad shape when you first came here, you nursed him back to health, helped him get his strength back. And a few days ago, you might have saved my life as well. Don’t doubt yourself.”

Petra softened as she caught the usual coldness in his eyes briefly thaw as he spoke. She tore her eyes from him, looking to her boots instead.

“Thanks Ghost.”

[lilith-little-world]

Hello, it's me again ^^ Since Wukong dislikes going out in public, why not have a date indoors?

For their date, they could try out popular beauty products like facial masks and lip scrubs together.

Nice to see you back, and that is so cute. This shy mf would be the one to set it up. Getting the products and knowing how to use them. I can already see Wukong and the reader just having fun and chilling.

Also sorry for this to be late, just got a little more busy than usual. I'm trying really hard to do daily updates, but my mind is finally reaching that writing limit. I will update the majority of the week so don't worry too much.

This is kind of rushed and I didn't look through it properly. So there might be some grammar errors or things not flowing correctly.

The Oracle|| Concept Oneshot 5||

You went up the stairs, Almond following behind. Today was tiring, you had to run around the city trying to prevent the Lady Bone Demon from getting a certain lantern that you're currently holding. You have been hiding this item for a while, it honestly surprised you that this was their first time trying to steal it away. Expecting them to hunt you down the moment they caught wind of you having the item. At least you got the lantern back.

 

You reached the door ready to end the exhausting day. Glancing at the keypad lock, you put in your code and walk into your current abode. Ready to see the huge mess that those two left, you came face to face with Wukong- well a few of his clones.

Almond barks and goes up to one of them, trying to bite their tail. 

“Shoo, get away you, mutt.” The clone says, nudging the small dog with his foot.

“Heeey, you came back a lot sooner than we thought.” The other clone says nervously. Like if he was a little kid that got caught by their mother, making a mess.

“Okay, so what's going on exactly?”

“Are we even allowed to say anything? We did want to surprise her.” The clone was holding Almond, staring at the other.

“I knew this was going to take more than 2 clones, just great.”

“You two better start answering if not I'm not letting Wukong in here.”

“Alright, alright, cool it, we both know he will cry and stay by the door all night.” The clone grabs the folded clothes that were on the bed and places them in the wardrobe drawer.

“Then come on, tell me, I'm really tired.”

“Yeah, we know, that's why he wanted to help you relax and not worry about anything else. So he sent us to clean and fix up the room.” The clone places Almond on the bed, going back to sweeping.

“That's- is so very sweet, but what is he getting?” 

“That we can't tell you peaches, he really wanted it to be a surprise.” 

“Ah, right, I can wait for him then.”

You close the door and watch the two pick up. They were nearly done with their tasks before you came. Soon the room was back to its original state. 

“Well, I'm guessing you two are going to disappear soon?”

“Yup, that's how it works. Don't worry we’ll just leave a few hairs so it won't be a mess.” The clone says, trying to reassure you.

“After what you guys did, you can leave a mess here anytime.”

“Don’t tell him you said that, he might get jealous.” The other clone said. They both chuckled before saying their goodbyes and went up in a cloud of smoke. Like they said a few hair strands fell. 

You sigh and go to the back of the room where a large safe sat. You open it and place the lantern in there. Taking the bracelet off, you took a deep breath and focused. Your hands softly brush the metal door, and sparks of gold and white light flash. A circle with a lotus appeared before disappearing. The barrier won't keep them out for much longer but as long as you buy enough time for your friends then that's all it matters.

You went back to lie on the bed. Almond slowly made her way and snuggled on top of your stomach. It was quiet and calm, you like it after a hectic day. There was a soft knock on the door before it opened. The sound of bags straining to hold whatever items were in them broke the serenity of the room.

“Welcome home honey, thank you for cleaning up! Why it's no problem, don't even mention it!” Wukong says while trying to mimic your voice. 

You however just whine and mumble out a thank you. 

You're tired, not rude.

He went off to the table and started to take things out.

“So what's the surprise?”

“Hmmm, let's call this a date.”

“Oh?”

You finally sat up and noticed how he was lighting a scented candle. 

“Remember today was date night and it was my turn to plan it. I'll be honest here, had no idea what to do but then LBD came out of nowhere. Like I was gonna let the demon ruin this day for you.” 

He set up the table with a platter of cheese, ham, crackers, grapes, and a bottle of wine. You get up and walk towards him, extremely curious about what exactly he has planned.

“I know this isn't on the same level as our usual dates, but I thought it would be fun, I guess.” 

He doesn't look at you. Wukong kept his eyes on a random corner, nervous about your reaction. While you go through a plastic bag filled with skincare products. A mix between expensive and cheap. It caught you by surprise, and you couldn't help but laugh. You pull out what was obviously a cheap fox facial mask that definitively shouldn't go on the skin, let alone on the face.

“I'm calling dibs on this. I'll go get a small bowl of water and a small towel ready. Finish setting up the table.”

You went to the ‘kitchen’, and grabbed a foam bowl and filled it with water. Quickly popping into the bathroom to grab a towel before heading to the table. In a short time, Wukong set out the products and moved the Tv to the table. Chairs on the other side from it, giving it a perfect view as he put on a show. You sat down across from him ready for a ‘homemade spa treatment.’ Wukong hands you a sky-blue headband that has clouds scattered around, with a big bow. Matching his buttermilk yellow headband with suns, and also has a bow at the center like yours.

“Alright let’s start with the cleanser.”

“Wukong, you have done this before, haven't you?” You took a grape from the platter.

“Just some basic stuff, after all, how do you think I get to look this good 24/7?” He says with a smirk.

“I thought it was immortality.” 

“That too.”

“Hey, let me see that real quick.” 

You took the bottle from him and squirted some on your hands. It had an obvious scent of peaches. Without hesitation, you put your hands on his cheek. He yelps as you rub in the cleanser, quickly dipping your hands in the bowl of water before going back on your onslaught of rubbing. Moving his head around harshly. The cleanser foamed up from being activated by the water, it didn't take long for his face to be covered.

“And done! Sunshine, have I told you how beautiful you're looking right now?”

He didn't say anything, instead just wetting his hands and pouring the cleanser. However, he rubs your face with a lot of force, unlike your ‘delicate’ touch. You let out a small scream as he manhandles your head around.

“Ahhh, Wukong! I'm sorry, okay, I thought it was funny.”

“I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just helping you apply it just as you did it to me.”

After a few more seconds, he stops and you both stare at each other. The only sound coming from the tv. You whine pretending to be hurt, exaggerating your sad mood.

“So mean…” You mumbled. 

“I could say the same thing.” He states, damping the hand towel.

“Hmph, I was trying to help you put it on.”

“Your little pouts won't work on me this time.”

Wukong wipes away the foam, leaving his skin wet and ready for the next step. You took the towel away from him when he handed it. Wiping away the cleanser, your skin feels refreshed. It had been a good while since you did anything for your skin.

“Okay here, we have a few choices. We can do a clay mask, a safer but boring paper facial mask, or cheap animal facial masks that can possibly burn our faces?”

“Sunshine, sweetie, I think we both know what the right choice is here.” You said as you grabbed the fox mask.

“I know but I just wanted to ask.” He said, grabbing a cat mask.

The masks were cold and slimy but you both looked so funny to the other. You grabbed your phone and took a few pictures of the moment. Sending a few to Mk and Mei.

“This is quite nice, we should do this more often.” You took a sip from the wine bottle before handing it to Wukong. He takes off the mask and chugs the bottle down.

“I'm glad you liked it, peaches. Though I am sorry I couldn't come up with anything nice for our date.” His speech slurred slightly.

You grabbed the small jar that holds the clay. You dab your fingers in it, you slowly and softly smear it on Wukong's face. He didn't yelp, instead he hums and smiles. Leaning into your touch.

“Nah it's fine, I'm happy how our date night turned out. Anyways it doesn't matter what we are doing, as long as I can spend it with you, I'm fine with anything.”

“Awww, you can be so sweet sometimes.”

“I'm sweet every day and second, excuse you.”

Wukong laughs loudly, finding your reaction hilarious. You, however, did not.

“Alright no more alcohol, you're getting drunk. That's the last thing, the celestial and the mortal realms want.”  

“You make it sound like a bad thing and I am not drunk.”

“Your slurring of speech says otherwise, here.”

 

You grabbed a grape and fed him to him. However, he was annoyed but kept his mouth shut. 

“Come on, don't give me that face. Remember this is a relaxing date night.”

“And how can I relax without some alcohol?”

“Oh I see, I’m guessing I’m not enough huh? I don’t make you relax?”

You have never seen him panic so fast. 

“You know that's not what I meant! Of course, you are more than enough! You just like to get under my skin.”

You ignore him as you take off the mask and glance at the remaining things on the table. Eating a cracker with cheese and ham one last time before focusing on the items.

 

“Honey, I won't drink any more wine and eat more to sober up a bit.” He takes a few more grapes and pops them in his mouth. Trying to show off. You didn't even peek at him, not once.

A few whines escape from him before he grabs the damped towel and wipes his face off.

You took the under-eye patches and the paper facial mask. It stuck to your face, clinging onto the skin. Feeling a little weird but nothing too crazy. You really need some sort of skincare routine after this. 

“You know, I love you! Please don't ignore me.” He said, whining.

You glance at him and smirk.

“I love you too, now let's watch the show, you put it on for a reason.”

“Don't scare me like that, I thought you were actually upset.” Wukong tears up to your surprise.

 

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that.” You cupped his cheeks, messing with his fur.

 

“That clay mask did wonders, on your skin. It looks so soft and smooth, truly worthy of the title, Handsome Monkey King.” You gave him a soft smile.

“So you're finally admitting I'm handsome huh?” He smirks, getting rid of any traces of tears. You roll your eyes.

“Yes I am, I find you very attractive, very handsome, and charming.”

“Good, 'cause I was getting worried for a second.”

You laugh and lean back in your chair. Some scenes play on the tv, from Monkey Cop. You always wondered what the show was about before you transmigrated, since it appeared so much in the background. It wasn’t too bad, a good show to kill time with.

“I’m the ‘fated oracle’, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

“That means I need to worry ten times more.”

You stay silent, not knowing what to say. In a way he was right, and worse of all you have no idea what you are doing. 

“I’ll be fine, everyone's future is bright and happy. That's what I know for sure.”

“We just have to get there.”

“We can worry about that later, right now at this moment. We are relaxing.”

“Heh, yeah.” 

You take off the mask and patches. Feeling your skin reaching its limit. The cold air slaps your sensitive skin. 

“Ah, man, my skin never felt better.” You grab the last item, a lip scrub. 

“You know, how much money have people given you? Cause from what I figured out, there's DBK, Princess Iron Fan, dragon pony girl, and me. I also know for sure that it's a lot of money, at anytime you can always buy these certain items so why haven't you?”

“You see, my dear sunshine, I am lazy and after being thrown on the streets, I didn't want to waste money on expensive and unnecessary things.”

“Babe, I can buy you a literal house with electricity, water, food, and actual good wifi. You don't have to worry about that kind of stuff. Anyways you are not alone anymore, there is no need to do everything by yourself.”

“I know, and I'm very lucky and happy to have all of you guys. It means a lot to me, thank you.”

“You don't have to thank me for anything. I want to help you because you're someone important to me.”

“Aww Wukong, you can be so soft and sweet sometimes.”

“-And I take back everything.”

“Nooo, sunshine, come on.”

“Nope.”

“Will a kiss make it better?” 

He stays quiet, raising an eyebrow.

“So you don't want a kiss? Alright then, usually you jump on any opportunity for one.” You smile, while behind your back, you open the lip scrub and smear it on your index finger.

 

“Will I actually get a kiss?” He questions, trying to see if you were joking or not.

“Yup a nice kiss for my significant other.” 

 

“Then a kiss will make everything better.”

“Good.”

You lean forward and grasp his cheek. Wukong eyebrows furrowed, sniffing the air. The sweetness of the lip scrub was intense. Not knowing what you have planned, you spread the scrub on his lips.

“What the fuck?” He tries to pull back, confused about what was happening. You took your chance and gave him a quick peck. Only lasting for a few seconds, too fast for him to register the kiss.

“Wait a moment, that's it? That doesn't count.”

“It does count.” You lick your lip tasting the scrub, it was sweet as its smell.

 

“That did not make me feel any better. It made me feel worse. Come on, peaches, give me a good kiss.”

“Nah. Not my fault you weren't paying attention.”

“Yes, it was!”

“I remember it differently.”

Wukong rolls his eyes and groans. You laugh at his act. 

“This date was lovely, Wukong.” 

You finally gave him a better kiss. Lips touching, making it last a while. Pulling away, not before licking his lips. Wukong yelps from the sensation of your tongue.

“The scrub tastes so good.”

“I don’t think you should be eating that.”

“Then they shouldn't have made it taste so sweet.”

He licks his lips.

“Oh your right, very sweet.” His eyes narrows at you.

“I'm pretty sure I licked most of the scrub...” Your face turning red.

“Correction, you taste very sweet.”

“WUKONG!”

_______________________________

And then they fucked-

As if, alright I'm gonna pass out now. Remember you can always send in questions about the story or request something.

Love you, guys!

“Oh-”

“I don’t think you should be eating that.”

“Then they shouldn't have made it taste so sweet.”

[jmdbjk]

They are different y'all...

Keep scrolling if kinkiness makes you uncomfortable.

While I've been watching JK's live (post coming soon) someone pointed out the rings JK is wearing in his Seven schedule poster... the ring with the ring on it...has connotations in the BDSM world... those who wear it are signaling their submissiveness. In that same line of thought, Jimin was wearing thumb rings on both hands in his Like Crazy MV... thumb rings in a homosexual context...

and this could be an outdated thing, but a man is signaling he is open to certain types of sex... this is definitely outdated but at one time men wearing a single earring in the left ear signals he's straight, in the right ear he is gay. In the Like Crazy MV, Jimin had his single earring in the left ear but he looks into the mirror and it is in his right ear.

The bisexual/bigender coding in the MV was off the charts.

And we already talked about Jimin's Like Crazy MV Mapplethorpe pants and how David Mapplethorpe was deep into the BDSM world.

We've heard Jimin asking JK if he liked it when he was tied at the wrists and running through the woods... ahem... I've already talked about their lil kinky selves before... I can't find the posts but if you've been following me a while, you know what I've been saying...

They have a thing for strappy, tying things...

I've been saying... they are different y'all. Listen to me.

So what are Jimin and Jungkook trying to tell us? Why show us these things? Are these just stylists choices? I think not. There are too many instances for any of it to be coincidence or just a "stylists choice."

The members are too involved in how they express themselves individually during this solo era. Sexual kink is not really a big deal but why even go there? Personally, I love seeing them express ALL sides of themselves. The hints Jimin has given us are more and more explicit as time goes on. I don't buy the argument that "they don't know what that means." Of course they do. They are grown men. They are not virgins. They are living breathing red-blooded males in the prime of their lives.

The way they are presenting these concepts to us is still very conservative when compared to what I see from western artists. What Jimin and Jungkook have shown us, especially Jimin... is very tasteful, elegant, teasing and thought provoking, not raunchy and in-your-face. I want to say to some western artists: I would prefer not to have your twat in my face so please close your legs. But alas...

And now it is Jungkook's time to show us his colors. For some reason I don't mind his crotch in my face... I digress...

Anyway... JK live post coming soon. He's a hoot.

EDIT: Whoa someone got triggered (lmao). Yes, its a very cool ring. And its ok if its just a cool ring for some or most people. Cuz, wow, cool ring. What I said though was the ring "has connotations". I did not say this ring was designed specifically with this in mind. (Reading comprehension is appalling these days.)

But you know... the designer doesn't have to be associated with the lifestyle or even had any intention of associating their design with anything specific. But someone IN the lifestyle would recognize the design motif. This particular ring's attached ring is a "spring" clasp? Like what you use to clasp necklaces? So um... you could attach a chain easily to this ring? I see. Well. Cool ring bro.

And it's also ok if you don't want to see the message Jimin is expressing. I'm sure he's used to people turning a blind eye on what he's trying to say. It's also ok to say your opinion differs from mine and not try to make your opinion the correct one because honestly, no one knows anything and to think you do know, well... that would be next level dumb wouldn't it?

[lazywriters-blog]

THE LOVELY NEIGHBOR ON THE LEFT

WARNING: May contain triggering content, mentions of harming oneself, and yandere content.

SUMMARY: Jealousy never looked good on anyone, but you thought it looked worse on your lovely gentle neighbor.

Author's note: My deepest apologies for taking so so long to get this out, life slapped me hard in the face and I reeled back, took awhile to get back up. I did realize that betrayal comes from the closest. Hopefully, this will make up for the time I've made you wait.

Her keys rattled as they spun and around in the lock hole, undoing the seal for her late afternoon chores, adjusting the plastic bags in her hands, and moving inside, pocketing her house key she looked at the clock, it reads 6:00 PM.

She couldn't wait to get out of her clothes and lay down.

Carrying the bags to her kitchen she dropped them on the counter letting them sit in the cold air and focused on going to her room to fresh up, stretching out her arm to reach for the switch she thought back about what she should do first.

But when she stopped to see her room in the dark when her hands struggled to find the button, she saw a figure sitting on her bed, and she held her breath staring at the unknown person making themselves comfortable on her mattress.

She turned her eyes to her closet, preparing a plan if she messes up, she should have a rod resting somewhere in the house, she knows she put it in one of her wardrobes.

"You never told me..." he started, he sounded so pained and sad, she instantly recognized the voice belonged to her lovely neighbor. Her fingers worked to turn on any source of light, wanting to take a step back as soon as possible and run out of her home.

Unfortunately for her, he stood up and quickly confronted her panic-stricken face, "Don't run away from me, we can talk." he tried to reassure her, making himself seem as small as possible despite his towering physique slowly walking closer.

She felt like a bunny caught in the spotlight, waiting for the chance to run after she has fooled the wolf in sheep's clothing. She thought he was harmless for the longest time she knew him.

But she was certain she didn't leave her front door unlocked for him to enter.

"Okay- we can talk, what is it?" she softly replied, her shoulders raised while she attempted to draw in a deep breath. He smiled hearing her response, a sort of shy grin she couldn't visualize anyone who forayed into their neighbor's house doing. "I'm sorry for scaring you. I- I umm... Didn't know what to do after I came to... Know of something."

"But I'm glad you are so understanding of me. It's honestly the best thing about you." she glued her gaze on him, eyes peeled open searching for telltales signs of danger. Quietly shuffling back whenever he closed his eyes to gather his thoughts and word his worries. "I know, you probably didn't mean to lead me on. Perhaps, you were just being friendly, and I-- I misunderstood things. But, lately... I've been thinking about you. More than I should."

He held his hands, pressing his trembling lips together, and stared at her. With tears in his eyes.

"I've been thinking of things I shouldn't! It makes me feel bad even thinking about it! I can't go on without addressing it though... I promised myself I wouldn't hesitate, and I would do my best even if it isn't needed, I would keep on trying until I've become what I want."

His hand reached out to clasp her arm but she hastily changed positions and widened her eyes, shrugging him off to make sure she didn't trap herself.

His eyes grew big, then he controlled his breathing. The pain had been written all over his face, now it heightened to a level she has never seen on the grown man no matter how he was cared for.

His lips quiver and willingly tears poured down his cheeks and he sobbed like as if he had just lost a dear friend to death.

"Why... Are you moving away from me? I would never hurt you. Am I a bad person? Do you see me as someone who would want to harm you?"

She didn't say anything, whatever he was going about wasn't normal in her eyes, something was wrong and they knew it.

"Now you wouldn't even answer me?" he gasped a breath through his mouth and fell to his knees, hiding his eyes and allowing himself to grief over a simple matter in a dangerous situation.

He had broken into her house and this would be the first time she's witnessed this.

The sympathetic side of her felt bad about it, the rational part of her just wanted to stay away. Letting him cry and lose hold of himself seemed like a bad idea though, she wouldn't know what to do then, she's a normal person with average talents, and running and dodging wasn't one of them.

She should de-escalate this.

She should make her way out of this with words.

Steadily crouching to him, she placed a hand on his back and gently rubbed his clothed skin, he looked up at her with teary eyes he bit his lip, and smiled a little, grief replaced with a flicker of hope.

"I was thinking, I'm sorry. What is bothering you?" she spoke, "I can't help you if I don't know anything."

He sniffled and locked eyes with her, raising his head back to better look at her controlled features, his eyes briefly traveled to her hand warming his skin, and sheepishly grinned, "Do you... Care about me?"

She wouldn't be telling a lie the first time he asked, "Yes, I care about you. You are my... Bestie." and suddenly, his smile fell.

"Best friend...?" he muttered.

"Yes, the best friend who happens to be my lovely neighbor on the left, and also the one who I'm trying to comfort right now." she smiled.

He remained mum, absorbed in the moment to think about what she said, dancing around a touchy topic that made him break-in the first place. To talk to her, to understand her better than those who have already taken her away from him.

He looked up when her hand squeezed him, and he really couldn't stomach the thought of her kissing someone else and having a family!

"Are you going to get married soon?" he asked, playing around with the subject and dragging on the dread like it was some sort of petty bet.

"...how did you know that? I haven't told anyone around here." she frowned and leaned back, "Did you... How did you find out? Are you mad I didn't tell you sooner?"

"I think, our kids would be cuter." he leaned close, "If it was a girl she would have my features, and if it was a boy he would have yours, their eyes would be a combination of ours, and our son would be mischievous like you. He would have your lips and my nose. Our kids will be so beautiful." he stopped breathlessly, narrowed eyes unfurling in pure glee.

"You would be the best mother, you would play with them and ask them what they wanted to eat before even making anything, you'll love them and I'll love them so much."

"Izuku, stop. We're not even... Married. What are you going on about, this isn't like you at all." she cupped his cheek and hoped it would get him to shut up and not make her run away without a plan B.

"I know... I never thought I would obsess over our kids but after I found out more about you, I couldn't help it! It was the only thing keeping me from losing hope of ever being with you! You'll be perfect and I'll be perfect for you!" he chanted, and just as easily as she had hushed him from crying, it was easier for him to ignore everything and sob.

"It was the only thing keeping me from killing myself! I want to see our kids grow and be successful and they could see how their mother and father loved each other! How much they were willing to sacrifice for them! They would want to find someone like us for themselves--!"

"Stop! What has gotten into you!?" she quickly grabbed his shoulders and shook them, staring at him frightened of what he was implying. They never had anything going on between them. They were just neighbors.

That was the extent of their relationship.

"Do you want to see me kill myself?" he asked pain-stricken by her words, but oddly calm. It made her shudder.

"No!! Are you out of your mind right now? Why the hell would you do such a thing?!"

"So you do want me hurting..." he mumbled quietly to himself, then he laughed but it seemed more so like he was crying. Throwing himself into her arms, he hugged her torso tight and nuzzled into her neck. "I'm sorry... Can you be with me? Can I stay here with you? I don't want to be alone right now... I really need you."

Slowly drawing out a breath she hoped he didn't heed, she patted his back, "Hmm..." she replied, awkwardly sitting on the flour and hugging him was something she did not anticipate upon stepping inside.

Maybe she should have taken her time.

How should she even begin to drag him out of her house and take a sign of relief? She didn't want him near.

"You'll always be with me, right?" he whispered in her eyes, arms lowered to her waist as she stared back at the room, the bed he had been sitting down just minutes ago.

But the topic had been so heavy, it felt hours had passed instead.

"If you want me to--" she answered softly.

"I want you to." he quickly interjected, taking a deep breath and caressing her neck. "Please."

She wasn't weak.

It would just take her longer to fool the wolf in her home.

[loquaciousquark]

Got spoiled twice in casual browsing this afternoon, so decided to go ahead and play through the epilogue on my original Tavish save set so I'd at least get the comfort of seeing the big stuff for the first time on my own. (Thanks to @eponymous-rose for keeping me company despite spoilers!)

I am honestly SO HAPPY with 99% of the epilogue! Everything with Wyll, Karlach, Jaheira, Halsin....if I keep going I'm just going to name all the characters but ESPECIALLY WYLL AND KARLACH. Oh my gosh, the hints towards finding a forge in the Hells! Wyll's eye! His armor looks so unbelievably dumb but I guess when you're living hand to mouth in Avernus you make what you can get. I bet it's not as good as that Helldusk armor I had him in, but oh well.

Tara was there! We got to talk to Tara! And tell everyone Astarion & Tavish were dating! And so many people wanted to talk about what we were doing and what we were up to--ahh, I loved it. I will say I cackled like a loon at the idea of Tav giving a lecture at Blackstar Academy or whatever it is and Astarion sitting at Gale's desk kicking up his feet and knocking over all his desk decorations.

Scratch got new animations! Throwing the astral prism as a fetch object was absolutely inspired, and the little animation set where he just sits down and gnaws on it and throw it around--so unbelievably cute. And he sleeps! He sleeps on its side and it's so STINKIN cute! And the owlbear going to live with Shadowheart--I'm cryyyyying, I'm so happy for her and her cottage and her hoard of animals and her million flowers I'm sure are there.

And even the little QoL things like having a chest full of clothes and dye! So thoughtful and nice! I would have killed that halfling for a potion of animal speaking, though - I'll drink one before the Netherbrain next time to make sure it carries over.

The only teensy weensy tiny itty bitty complaint I have is that I wanted to be able to kiss Astarion at this party. Just once! And I wanted him to go out and be merry with everybody! I'll accept that he's feeling skulky and be satisfied immensely with my hugs, but Tavish on the new run hasn't gotten to Moonrise yet, so I'm starving for a lack of kisses here, augh.

I loved every word Withers said. I loved every second/third/fourth round of dialogue for all the companions. Jergal is such a dang bro and he seemed so enthusiastic to get to hang with the fam. Bless!

I do wonder if it's possible to try to kill people at this party - there were certainly enough death-causing implements and scrolls floating around!

And then the END CREDITS?????????????? Raphael ranting about THE CROWN OF KARSUS?????????????? This does explain why Gale made a point of saying it had gone back to Mystra when we most deffo left that sucker in the river, but HELLS-RELATED DLC???? I THOUGHT KARLACH AND WYLL WERE JUST LEAVING THEIR FATES OPEN-ENDED AND THEN ACTUALLY JK WE MIGHT BE GOING THERE??????????????????

Surely this is a promise of upcoming DLC, surely. I have no idea if they intend this to be paid or free (honestly I think it should be paid) but either way I'll throw every dollar I have at them if and when it comes out. How is Raphael alive. How is Mystra going to keep the crown from him. How are we going to get the gang back together. What does Zariel's area look like!! Will we get to go past level 12!! How is Raphael ALIVE!!

I honestly just had the biggest grin on my face the entire time. Every conversation, every hug, every gesture. What a complete delight, and I can't believe we get it for free.

(Sidenote: I was also beyond overjoyed that this patch also fixed the Astarion epilogue, the broken scars cutscene, and apparently the kisses. Again, Tavish hasn't gotten to at-will kisses yet, and I'm DYING.)

(Sidesidenote: I couldn't get any of my first game saves to load after a certain point [turned out to be due to an old mod I'd uninstalled] and troubleshooting that to get the saves to work again was honestly really fun, ahh.)

[hwnglx]

can you please do a reading on what enha thinks of jake? tysm. <3

what do enhypen members think about jake? based on tarot, take it with a grain of salt

heeseung

strength, 7ofw, 3ofc, kingofw lovers, 4ofp, queofsw, 4ofsw&10ofc+9ofc

+ wow. heeseung definitely sees jake as someone who has a very strong presence and effect on the people around him. he thinks he's a guy who's very resilient, opinionated and passionate, but also incredibly charming, warm and kind. the type of person you just can't help but like. someone very sociable and easy to get along with, who likes enjoying fun, lighthearted times with his friends, but can also have his moments of intensity. heeseung thinks that his bandmate is the type to feel every emotion very deeply, while still being able to keep a calm demeanor on the outside. someone who's mastered taming those feelings over time.

- well, he thinks that jake is just too flirty for his own good. heeseung thinks he's someone who likes starting these lovey dovey connections to people to fulfill his need for affection, but can also have attachment issues and struggle opening his heart up, as soon as it gets deeper emotionally. like, he'll be prince charming to anyone, but as soon as the topic of conversation gets deeper, he avoids it. he thinks jake is also someone idealistic who dreams a lot about the "perfect" life he wishes he had, but doesn't do much to put those wishes into practice. a very pisces moon thing.

jay

world, 2ofp, star&kingofw queofc&3ofc, 4ofc&3ofsw&8ofsw, empr+9ofw

+ honestly, i got such sweet energy here. jay seems to adore him a lot, like.. he is just really proud of jake. he sees him as a well rounded individual who has a certain kind of duality to him. on the one hand, he can be an incredibly inspiring, bright and radiant guy with an uniquely healing quality. someone who makes you feel comfortable. while on the other hand, he can carry himself in a very confident and charismatic manner and turn heads wherever he goes. he sees him as an attractive guy who really stands out and knows how to charm people.

- similarly to heeseung, jay thinks that jake is someone who enjoys female attention a lot and is too much of a ladies man, but is very avoidant when it comes to his more negative emotions. he recognizes that jake just feels very deeply and can easily feel crushed by the heaviness, which can result in him preferring to surpress those feelings. kinda like an escapist who's scared of his vulnerable and softer side. jay seems to view that sensitivity as something really special, which is why he thinks jake should learn to embrace it more. (also, i kept getting this feeling that jake is very attached to his mother? not sure but she kept popping into my mind during this reading.. hm. wonder why.)

sunghoon

aceofw, fool, 5ofc+5ofsw, devil&star aceofp, 9ofsw, 4ofc, 8ofc, 6ofp

+ sunghoon thinks that jake is someone full of enthusiasm and creativity, who has a childlike and care-free energy to him. he sees him as an agreeable and easygoing guy who's pleasant to be around. it also seems like he sees jake as someone who's pretty self-aware, in a way where he's good at recognizing when he's done a mistake or acted in a toxic manner. sunghoon sees that jake will probably feel quite guilty about it and make an effort to get rid of any bad habits that might stand in the way of him being a decent person.

- again, he also thinks that jake is too avoidant. someone who runs away from his emotions in order to escape the intensity of them. it really seems like sunghoon just thinks that jake can be too dramatic as well. i keep hearing "calm down" lmao. he believes that his bandmate can stand in his own way sometimes, not just personally but also career-wise. he might see him as the type to overthink a mistake he did hundreds of times and really get in his head about it. sunghoon also believes that jake can easily get too generous with the people around him. the kind of person who just doesn't know limits when it comes to giving, whether it's emotionally or materialistically. (to me, sunghoon seems to be one of the members who's good at separating his view of the members with his personal feelings towards them. i often get very clear and objective thoughts for him.)

sunoo

queofsw, kingofw, tower+sun 7ofc&10ofw, 9ofc&wheel, 4ofw+hieroph

+ sunoo thinks that jake is a smart and independent guy who, although being of pretty intense nature, can often prefer detaching himself from others. he also sees him as an attractive person who knows how to utilize his charm on people to get what he wants. in sunoo's eyes, jake also has the unique ability to always see the good in every situation, no matter how chaotic and messy it might seem. kinda like a ray of sunshine during winter season. someone who can make the best out of the worst and bring light to darkness.

- jake is someone whose imagination is too vast for his own good, in sunoo's eyes. he sees him as the type of person who can quickly get overwhelmed by all his dreams and struggle to act on them. "what do i do first? how do i even do it?" type of way. someone who's kinda lazy compared to the amount of things he wishes to achieve. tbh, he seems to think that jake just got lucky to get to the place he's at career-wise. sunoo thinks that he's someone who's too comfortable just sticking to the rules and doesn't like going against the grain a lot.

jungwon

pagofsw&highpr, 4ofw, 5ofc+2ofc 9ofw, 4ofp, aceofsw, 3ofp+sun, 8ofc

+ aw, jungwon also gives me nice energy here. he thinks of jake as someone very intelligent, intuitive and observant, who has a great eye for detail. the type of person to spot and remember the small things others probably wouldn't. he also sees him as someone he enjoys a stable friendship with, a fun loving member he feels very comfortable around. the leader thinks that jake is someone who's very emotionally connected to the people he's close to. a kind person who can easily feel guilty if he does his loved ones wrong, and leads his relationships with a lot of compassion and understanding.

- similarly to the rest, i'm spotting a common thread here, he sees jake as an escapist who's too scared of feeling too much and making himself vulnerable. he thinks he might have some trust issues and therefore can prefer to keep personal things to himself. jungwon also views him as someone who has so much going on in his head, that he can get easily get too confused and struggle to keep focused sometimes. he sees jake as someone who can be too avoidant of conflict when it comes to work as well. the type that'll constantly just see the good in everyone, just because he doesn't wanna deal with the negativity that'd come with anything else.

niki

knofc, aceofw, kingofp, char, 8ofw 2ofp, 10ofw, aceofsw, 5ofc, 8ofc

+ niki thinks that jake is a true romantic at heart. someone who's very charming, gentle, in tune with his emotions, but also very passionate and enthusiastic. he sees him as a driven and strong character who's not only good at his work, but also a great communicator. someone who's very smooth with words, the type of person you can have many pleasant conversations with. i really feel like these two must talk a lot off camera, like i'm getting pretty nice vibes from them. good friends who understand each other and click pretty well.

- again, eight of cups coming out.. like damn, jake must really struggle finding fulfillment in things sometimes. :( niki sees him as a person who's very emotional and more introverted than what meets the eye, and can have problems dealing with the more material and practical world because of that. he easily finds burden in too many things going on at once, since his head is already working full-time. so, niki is aware that external influences can be an added weight to carry for jake. he thinks that jake can quickly blame himself for habits like this, rather than staying objective.

the cards that came out the most were king of wands, eight of cups and five of cups.

so bottom line, most of enha view jake as someone who appears to be passionate, confident and strong to the outside, but is very emotional and introspective behind the scenes. the type of person that can easily get overwhelmed by that sensitive nature of his and therefore prefers hiding it behind a more self-assured mask.

[aeternallis]

i want to hear all the violence: 14, 16, and 18 !!!

14) that one thing you see in fics all the time

In a lot of Kimchay reconciliation fics on Ao3, a lot of authors like to write Chay running away and going off on his own.

And don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I can’t see that scenario of Chay leaving post-canon events as a plausible idea at all, but rather it’s that I disagree with the impulsivity with which he usually makes that decision in the fic, yknow? The impulsivity is mostly based on how he regards both Porsche and Kim at the moment, instead of it being a well-thought out decision on his part and giving the appropriate weight of consideration it deserves. And by this I mean more often than not, the running away scenario is a result of feeling abandoned or left behind by Porsche and/or the betrayal from Kim.

And see, I’ve always been a firm believer that Chay is a very strong, brave, and rational character, so the running away thing is an antithesis to this belief. Despite his young age, the narrative tells us that he's not as naïve as one might expect, and he knows his own worth and steadfastness. I’ve said it before too that at where BOC leaves Chay in the final episode, he has more reasons to stay than not.

He no longer looks at Porsche with the idealization of a younger brother, but it doesn't mean his loyalty to him is any less than it was before. His anger over Kim's lies and perhaps the sudden changes in his life is clouding his judgement, but it doesn't mean he loves Kim any less, or that he wants to cut ties with everyone in his life completely.

So the Chay running away scenario is something I can see under only specific circumstances, but it's an interesting interpretation by a lot of writers for the KP fandom that this character would completely drop everything based on emotional impulse alone.

16) you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)

The babygirl/uwu-fication of one Kimhant Theerapanyakul--//HITS It's a bit vague, but certain headcanons such as:

-acts like a cat / loves cats -not knowing how to act on his emotions -not knowing how to articulate his feelings -no confidence in taking the lead in his relationship with Chay -allowing for Chay to bully him because of his lies, lol

Lol I've said it a lot of times, but I might as well go a bit more in-depth with it on here lol

Okay, see--here's the thing: it's hard for me to see Kim as having any soft edges or any weird, lovable quirks outside of his interaction with Chay and/or his brothers, because throughout the entire show, there's an air of mystery surrounding his character that BOC never quite shakes off. Honestly, my ongoing theory about that is the fact that they may be setting Kim up to be the "true" heir to the throne, as established in the novel. Which again, brings him a little bit closer to his book counterpart.

He's the only character in the show that has no comedic scenes--most if not all of his scenes are either soft/sweet w/ Chay pre-break up, rude to Big, an asshole to strangers, and angst post-break up, lol

He's a very controlled, serious-minded character who is capable of being vulnerable and open with only a select few people, but it's not his default state whatsoever. I don't think it means that he doesn't know how to act on his emotions, since the show shows us the contrary: he's physically affectionate with Chay once the latter confesses to him, and he didn't hesitate to sing to Chay of his feelings and his remorse for his actions that have hurt them both.

These aren't the actions of someone who's awkward with feelings and isn't aware of them; on the contrary, it goes to show that he's all too aware of them, hence his controlling nature from the beginning and his need to know what's going on.

Kim is definitely a character who understands what he wants and the effort he has and is willing to make in order to get it, be it Chay or wanting to know the machinations of his father and their family. Because of this, I just don't want to give disservice to his character by thinking that he's not capable of what he can actually do.

18) it's absolutely criminal that the fandom has been sleeping on...

THIS VERSION OF KORN! He's so different from the Korn in the show who's all scheming and be playing 4D chess with everyone in this life, and I'm just so surprised that not many creatives in the fandom has utilized him????

He just screams divorced male dad energy who miraculously got custody of all 3 kids during the divorce proceedings w/ the ex and doing his best to keep himself and his 3 sons afloat, all the while running an illegal empire on the side. XD

For example, the chocolate factory thing: he wants to get it off the ground for sentimental reasons, and the wrappers for the chocolates depicts his 3 kids. Adshjhjkhfdkj

For reals, I would have loved to have seen how this version of Korn would have changed the tone of the story, yknow? In the book, he definitely gives off that aura of an exhausted father who's doing his best to leave behind a legacy for his children, even if it means at the questionable cost of trampling on everyone else.

The fact that in the book he's divorced and the boys' mama left the family just a little while after Kim was born is honestly an interesting backstory for this guy, and I for one am here for it. LOL

[stereax]

hey!! i kinda wanna get into fantasy hockey but it seems . extremely intimidating ! i was wondering if u know of any primers / yt vids / anything that u found helpful when u were getting into it that might b helpful! :3

Hiya nonnie!

Honestly, to be blunt: it very much, uh, depends how much tolerance for White Cishet Men Who Think They're THE Shit Talking Puck Semi Accurately you have. I'm unfortunately not kidding.

Now, to answer more fully, let's go under the cut!

First off, it's important to keep in mind that everything is, to some extent, random. You can draft Connor McDavo with your first overall pick and he can become Collarbone McBroken for half the season. That's part of the fun, unexpected stuff happening. Fantasy hockey can be intimidating and overwhelming sometimes, but if you ask around, I (and possibly others) am totally willing to listen to your thoughts and help point you on the right track.

Secondly, though, there is a lot you can control. You don't draft Brendan Smith expecting him to put up McDavid-like numbers. That doesn't make sense. If a fourth-liner just scored a hat trick, it doesn't mean he'll do that every game.

Some people say that a good draft is key to winning a fantasy hockey league, or even doing well. This is only partially true. You can win with an autodraft team, but it's much more of an uphill climb.

That's why my first big tip is to try mock drafts. Do several, on Yahoo and ESPN and wherever you want. Learn who's available at generally what rounds. This can help you identify possible steals in the draft. Additionally, be very aware of the rules of your league. Is it points or categories? Are the points "standard" or are some stats more heavily weighed? As an anecdote, one of my leagues has a strange point distribution that gives massive weight to penalty minutes. This lends itself heavily to the playstyles of, for instance, the Tkachuks, Tom Wilson, and Evander Kane.

My second big tip is to watch hockey news. Familiarize yourself with players slated for a breakout year or players that are good at certain stats (Alec Martinez, Blocks Georg, comes to mind here). Especially get cozy with teams you and your group of opponents don't follow much. Another anecdote, my friends are mostly Devils and Pens fans. This allows me to capitalize on (somewhat) under-the-radar players like Sam Reinhart on the Panthers, Drew Doughty on the Kings, and Sean Durzi on the Coyotes.

My third big tip, depending on your league, is learning to stream. Not hockey games, but players. Generally, there are fewer hockey games on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This means that usually, your lineup will have spots open those days, and will be full Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, with mostly-full Sundays. If you drop and add players strategically, you can get five, six, or even seven "man-games" out of a single slot, increasing the amount of points you can earn. DataDrivenHockey on Instagram runs awesome fantasy help data sheets, along with streaming advice to maximize man-games.

As for resources... Yahoo and ESPN for mock drafts. Do your mock drafts. I cannot underscore how important this is. ESPN publishes good articles as well, about player stocks weekly and more general ones in the preseason. Yahoo seems to too. Here's a good "fantasy hockey 101" article I just pulled up from Yahoo, actually. (Be aware that some of the things it mentions, like separating forwards into C, LW, and RW, as well as salary cap drafts, generally don't exist in ESPN leagues.) DDH, as mentioned, for streaming stuff; posts there go up usually every Friday. There are also sites like DobberHockey and RotoWire that are good for fantasy hockey stuff, but I don't personally use them, so I can't vouch for their effectiveness. Places like the Athletic do draft cheat sheets. Once you get into the season, you're mostly adding and dropping based on average points per game anyway, especially over the last 15 (sometimes 7 or 30) days.

And then, if you're beginning to get hyperfixated, you can start looking for your low-view-count YouTube videos.

But honestly, it's probably better if you just drop a line with a friend to ask at that point. Or me. I'm totally down to talk fantasy hockey and give my tips and advice!!!

[wendigho]

Every time I see AI art discourse I think of my new media teacher in college talking about remix culture.

I think about how much I love collage and how much it inspired me to keep going with art because sometimes all I can do is cut and paste.

I think if taking a few tracks I loved from a downloaded album and learning to use audacity to make something new.

I think about how much capitalism kills art.

So much so that we can't even agree that it's more messed up that life could be ruined by sharing creative energy.

No one will engage with the fact that maybe, just maybe, it's messed up that a form of creation even has the possibility to make artists unable to live.

It makes me sad when people say it's theft, abuse of other's work, lazy... It's art.

It's as much art as when I'm drawing, painting, cutting up magazines, folding zines, making a mix tape, over painting a thrift store find, making book art.

The issue is it shouldn't be paywalled, it shouldn't be censored, or centralized. Just like the Internet itself honestly.

Human beings should all feel free to create and remix any fucking thing they want.

The AI algorithm is not the problem, it is as it has always been, capitalism.

Don't want to lose your livelihood to a machine? Consider those who would use that machine against you in the first place. Side with free open source systems that do not generate profit. Actually consider why the problems exist and stop scapegoating and dismiss real actual tools for artists who are not traditional.

AI can make lovely stuff, I use it for references and to speed run sketches sometimes. I can input my art into certain things and run variations to find new directions for a sketch. I can visualize ideas, I can make something.

There's no reason anyone should be opposed to that.

But then, people hate collage too. People hate Tumblr gifsets and image posts made from screenshots. Those old composite gifs are "cringe" but they also took a hell of a lot of work. Just stitching together a fantasy.

[delusionsofmid-maymoon]

No!yuu au- Prologue

A twisted wonderland were everthing is the same, except a certain magicless student never came to this world

°•°•°•°◇°•°•◇°•°•◇°•°•°•°•°•°•°◇°•°•◇°•°•◇°•°•°•°•°•°•°◇°•°•º

PROLOGUE

-Grim invades the mirror chamber and wonders which coffin he should open

-he honestly just does eeny meeny miney and ends up chosing one of the coffins close to the windows

-and when he can't open the lid, like usual he blasts the thing with a fire ball

-but since Yuu is not there he would end up picking another first year

-Ace is sudenly waken up by a loud rumble and heat

-he screams, grim screams and ace falls face first on the floor, then quickly kneel and rub his head, damn his forehead hurts

-"w-w-what ?!? what just happened !??! " he gets up,the coffin lid is on the floor and is burning, with blue fire, why is the fire blue ?!?

-"Hey human don't ignore me !"

-the voice came from...down....? he looks at the groud and theres a grey...weasel ? raccoon ? cat ? wait were it's ears on fire ?

-"....seeing a talking weasel... i think i hit my head stronger than i thought"

-"HEY ! i'm not a weasel, i'm the great grim! well whatever, hey human give me those clothes now" he then blows some fire on the floor and smirk "or else i'll roast you alive"

-"WHAT THE HELL ?" ace pulls his pen and uses wind to blow away some flames that were a little too close for confort

-chaos breaks

-ace and grim then start to fight, grim trying to burn everthing and ace defending, ace blowing away almost every attack but his wind magic can't do much damege on grim either, and soon the chamber becomes almost covered in a sea of flames

-grim and ace become more and more frustrated the longer the fight takes

-the doors the suddenly open and the headmaster catch them both with the love whip, kalim uses oasis maker to put out the fire, making everyone soaking wet in the process

-after they manage to stop vil from murdering kalim the headmaster start to scold the troublemaker duo

-lamenting about how the students are more premature each year, causing problems even before the first day, how could they fight like that on the ceremony room ? that fire could have destroyed his precious mirr-*cough* the poor students that are still sleeping on their gates

-"and you mr trapolla !!! how could you let this happen ? you should have more control of your familiar !"

-ace says there's no way that piromaniac weasel is his familiar, grim agrees and just to emphasize tries to set ace on fire

-riddle then steps up and collar the two, unfortunally for ace "why me?", riddle then proceeds to lecture them for 20 minutes straight

-and that just didn't last longer because crowley said they were gonna be late for the cerimony(even he felt a little bad for the two after that)

-ace and grim, now properly traumatized, stayed tied up and by the headmaster side to avoid further problems

-he released ace when his turn came and he was sorted to heartslabyul, riddle felt his soul leaving his body

-grim began to make a scene saying he should be sorted too, "mr trapolla control your familiar !"

-ace then finally had the chance to clarify that no, grim wasn't his familiar, he never saw that fire hazard before and would prefer if things had stayed that way

-grim is kicked out the school kicking and screaming, riddle sighed lightly, alright, maybe that student wasn't so troublesome after all(haha this poor motherfucker)

°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°

-grim tries going to ramshackle to escape the rain, but without yuu there he can't do anything about the ghosts, he aims with his eyes closed !

-he runs away and have to sleep beneath a tree

-next day he goes to NRC again and ends up on the main street, he asks himself about the queen of hearts and surprise ! ace shows up

-ace is kinda rude from the start, recognizing grim as that weasel from yeasterday and insulting he here and there, but he still awnser the questions about the great seven

-by the end ace asks grim why he wanted his robes and grim why he wanted his clothes, and grim tells he is destined to become a great mage, but since the mirror didn't recognize his greatness he just had to enter himself

-ace laughs and says there's no way that could ever happen, that's the stupidest thing he has ever heard

-they fight like in canon, the queen of heart statue gets burned

-crowley shows up, "you two again ?!" he tells ace to clean 100 windows and kicks grim out again

-without yuu there ace manages to sucessifully skip the punishment

-grim keeps invading and getting kicked out, becoming a frequent headache to crowley

-throught sheer persistence grim managed to eventually tire the ghosts and they let him sleep on ramshackle

-he and ace keep coincidently meeting eachother, at the start they aways fought, ace laughing at grim and grim insulting ace the best he can, but not atacking eachother to avoid trouble

-after some encounters they manage to have some normal conversations, when ace encounter grim while skipping class

-grim then complains about how dificult it is to find food and cries about being hungry

-ace felt sorry for him and gave him half of his sandwich "it's only because your crying is really pathetic"

-and grim of course stuck to him like glue after that, they managed to get along, just a little, ace didn't aways bring grim food but it happened more times than he could justify just happening to have something extra

-and hey, teasing and talking to the fire monster turned out to be quite fun, funnier than those boring history classes anyway

-this whole thing lasted more or less two weeks

-then one day crowley found them, he was searching for grim after they notfied he entered again. and no one managed to catch him

-so when saw one of his troublemaker students skiping class and feeding the sourse of his persistent headache ?

-he was anoyed to say the least

-"you know, despite not being your familiar this monster follows you quite a lot doesn't he ?" ace gulped, crowley was so fed up

-Crowley then had a brilliant idea, one that would make that monster someone else's problem and also punish that shameless student (Crowley was very resentful after finding out that Ace didn't clean those windows, bacause of that he had to actually pay people to clean them !!!)

-he smiled and said grim could stay on the school, they looked shoked at him, why of course~ he was so gentle he would let grim remain on the campus and even use the library to study, so as long as he causes no more trouble and stay with mr trappola

-that's right mr trappola ! grim is now your responsibily~! if he causes any trouble you will be held acountable for it

-grim is beaming, it's not the ideal but is still great progress, ace wants to die, he tries to beg, to convince the headmage to see the reason and don't do this

-crowley just gives him a side look and says "oh would you rather be expelled then ?" ace quickly shuts his mouth

°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°°•°•°•°•°•°•°

-ace avoids going back to heartslabyul the longer he can, how the hell would he expain it to the housewarden ?

-he then explains to grim that the housewarden is super severe and kiiiiinda psychotic about the rules for some motive, the guy is like a bomb ready to explode so it's best avoid him alright ?

-they get to the dorm past curfew, grim is hungry again, and ace is too, it is really late after all

-they steathily enter the kitchen and search for something

-and on the fridge there's three whole strawberry tarts, oh lucky them~!

-ace cuts two pieces for him and grim

-and while they're singing their praises riddle appears from behind

-ace is stuttering trying to find an excuse(what is he guilty of ? he doesn't know but he saw enough of the housewarden to know that face means no good)

-riddle then looks down and asks "what is he doing here ?", they nervously tell what happened

-riddle faz uma pausa. ele fecha os olhos. ele aperta o nariz e inspira profundamente

-then an scream echoed throught the night

-"OFF WITH YOUR HEADS !!!!"

-the rest is story