#but looks like he ate a big piece of grass

[amerasdreams]

Covid shot yesterday.... they said my arm wouldn't hurt bc the second shot didn't hurt but 3rd does... I woke up my arm hurting and thought it was my arm pain coming back... at least it's not that. This should go away soon.

I also feel a bit under the weather, like sluggish and don't feel like moving or doing anything. But i have to do things... pets and face painting way in other town... I hope this wears off soon

At least the shot itself didn't hurt much

[bagopucks]

J. Hughes - More Than I Do Now

✄————————————

Jack Hughes x Reader

Requested✨

Word Count: 2k

Warning(s): none!

Bold and Italic is song lyrics

Just italic is like.. flashbacks of sorts?

—————————————

Shoulda known what I was getting in

Fallin' for a boy from Michigan

You love your mom like every Midwest kid

You like driving to Texas

You put up with all my exes

To deserve you, don't know what the hell I did

“Just put that down at the end of the table, honey.” I lowered the glass of wine from my lips, watching Jack help his mother set the large wooden table outside. Jim was on the back deck grilling burgers, kept company by Trevor. Quinn and Luke were playing croquet with Cole.

It was a beautiful summer day. Jack and I had spent most of it tanning in the front yard. Despite his energetic tendencies, he did enjoy laying with me in the sun. Anything to aid his appearance. Vain, but perhaps not in a bad way. Jack valued his looks.. there was nothing wrong with that.

When Ellen and Jimmy showed up, the whole lot of us spent hours in the living room catching up. Ellen and Jim only had three kids, but one would be none the wiser with the way they talk to their boys’ friends. They were parents to anybody and everybody their kids liked. I found it to be the same with myself.

Jack set down a bowl full of fruit, peeking up from where he stood to look at me. He still didn’t have a shirt on. The boys usually ate without much clothing at all at the lake house. I wondered if Ellen would get on them for that today.

I watched Jack look toward his mother, saying something I couldn’t hear from where I sat, in my boyfriend’s wooden lounge chair. Ellen nodded, they crossed paths and stopped only momentarily so the woman could kiss her son’s cheek. Then Jack grabbed a piece of fruit and waltzed his way over, a dorky smile on his face.

“Watermelon?” He offered, and I leaned forward as he lowered the sweet snack to my lips. I took a bite out of the chunk of fruit, and Jack popped the rest into his mouth.

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you any more than I do now

You can try to talk me down

But I can say without a doubt

I can't love you any more than I do now

Jack was a Diamond in the rough. Especially when it came to Jersey.

The first time we met, he had been all over me in a bar. I let it slide because he was cute. Perhaps I let too much slide when he took me back to his place. But there, I met his brother, and if not for Luke asking me to stay when the morning came around, Jack and I never would have been together. I had the youngest Hughes to thank for our relationship.

Jack sat in the grass next to me, and I moved my arm from the armrest of the chair, resting my hand on the back of his sunburnt neck. I placed my glass of wine down on the opposite arm rest.

“Dinner almost ready?” I asked, watching his head turn to look up at me. Through those dark lashes. With those big blue eyes. The same ones I admired endlessly.

I fell in love with him even more every day. Since day one.

Bring me coffee every morning

People said there’d be a honeymoon phase. That it would end. That we’d go through hardship. I wouldn’t admit it out loud, per superstition, but I knocked on wood any time I thought, ‘that never happened.’ Sure, Jack and I weren’t perfect, but we never gave up on each other. We never chose something over the other. Jack was my rock, and I was his.

The first morning we spent together showed me the type of commitment he had, that I never would have seen in him from a one night stand.

“Hey, Lu.” Jack and his wild hair had passed by me completely in the kitchen. Luke mumbled a, ‘hi,’ before retreating back into his own room with a bowl of cereal. When Jack turned to look toward the door, only then had he noticed me.

“Hey.” A surprised look faded into a delighted smile. I smiled back.

“Hey.” I spoke in a sing-song tone.

“Hungry?”

“Not really.”

“Coffee?”

We spent that morning leaning into one another seated at the island, sipping on our customized mugs full of caffeine.

We spent the next two weeks going on dates before we finally made it official.

You're fun even when you're boring

“Can we do something?” I muttered as Jack threw his weight against my side, leaning into me like a cat seeking attention.

“No.” His big old smile never ceased to make my heart flutter. His mischievous eyes watched me as he slowly leaned further, until he was laying across my lap. I broke into a fit of quiet laughter, resting my hands atop his stomach.

“Jack.” I complained, inching one of my hands beneath his shirt, only for him to jump at the cold feeling.

“Quit!”

We didn’t have to do much to be satisfied with one another.

And you like me even when I've been a bitch

Like said before. We weren’t always perfect. Sometimes Jack got on my nerves, and sometimes I got on his. Especially during my period. It’s no excuse to be mean, but when one has a bad day, they’re prone to be irritable.

“Jack! Just fuck off!” He’d been trying his hardest to help from the moment the sun rose. He was doting and caring, but admittedly overbearing. I didn’t have the heart to tell him until I couldn’t handle him, until I simply couldn’t do it any more. He looked hurt, confused, lost, but Jack simply stopped talking and laid down next to me in bed. Cuddling was the one thing I’d actually wanted that day, but Jack had been in and out so much trying to find a fix, that I felt I hadn’t been able to ask for it. He turned onto his side and pulled me back into his chest. He grabbed the heating pack from the bed and rested that over my stomach as well.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered.

“S’okay.” Jack kissed my shoulder.

Always so understanding.

You watch me while I'm gettin' ready

You lighten up my heavy

You're so good lookin' it kinda makes me sick

“How does this look?” I turned to Jack, wearing the fifth outfit of the night. Correction, the fifth one I had tried on. Jack sat on the bed, his phone face down in his lap, eyes raking me over for the thousandth time.

“Good.”

“Jack,” I whined his name, my head falling into my hands. “I can’t go- I just won’t go.”

“Hey, hey. Woah.” I lifted my head when I heard Jack stand, his hands finding my hips immediately. “Baby, you look beautiful in this. And you looked beautiful in the last four outfits too.” Jack reached for my hands, squeezing them and pressing them to his chest. “You’ll be the prettiest woman in the room.”

“Are you sure?” I sighed, still uncertain. Jack was always there to reinforce my foundation when it cracked.

“I know. For a fact.” He leaned in to kiss my forehead, and it caused me to smile. “What about me?” He asked with a playful grin.

“You look pretty good too.” I removed one of my hands from his own to smack his ass.

Jack’s innocent laugh that followed was one I’d never forget.

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you any more than I do now

You can try to talk me down

But I can say without a doubt

I can't love you any more than I do now, aye, aye

“How’s that ring feel?” Jack asked, pulling me from my trance. I looked back down at him and smiled.

“Feels perfect.”

“You like it.. yeah?” He’d only asked that question a million times since the night he proposed days ago.

“I love it, Jack. You picked a perfect ring.”

“Mom helped.” I moved my hand from the back of his neck to run through his hair.

“Why don’t you sit here so I can see you better?” I asked, gesturing toward the arm of the chair. I didn’t really care about seeing him, it was more so about kissing him. Jack slowly stood up and parked himself on the arm of the chair, looking down at me.

“Better?” He asked. I reached upwards and rested my hand beneath his jaw, guiding his lips to my own.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

You're the angel to my devil

We broke apart when I felt something fall into my lap. One of those heavy croquet balls. I glared at Luke.

“Fuck off, blondie.”

“Woah- babe!” Jack’s shocked tone amused me.

The pot to my kettle

“You wanna go?” Luke teased.

Jack and I both looked at him immediately.

“Let’s get him.” Jack spoke, practically reading my mind. Luke’s eyes went wide.

“Good idea, Jack-O.” I agreed.

“Never mind- forget I said anything.” Luke held his hands up in surrender. He’d fight his brother any day, but he knew better than to fight Jack when Jack was fighting in the name of my honor.

To some I might be an acquired taste

Jack started to get up.

“Wait hold on-“ I grabbed Jack’s arm. He looked down at me in confusion. “Let him think you’re still mad. Psychological torture will harm him more than a few bruises.” The brunette looked down at me with concern and adoration in his eyes.

You tell me I'm your favorite person

Hey, what we've got is working

And the years have only made it more that way

“You’re so amazing.” Jack spoke in a playful yet dreamy tone, leaning in once again to kiss me. I pulled away after a moment, smiling up at him.

“I love you.” I whispered.

“I love you too.”

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you anymore

I can't love you any more than I do now

You can try to talk me down

But I can say without a doubt

I can't love you any more than I do now

“Alright, kids!” Jim finally called hauling a plate full of burgers off the deck and down toward the large picnic table. The boys all seemed to drop what they were doing to find their places at the table. Jack stood up, and our hands met almost instinctively. I brushed my thumb across the back of his hand as we found our way toward the table. I couldn’t see myself spending my summer any other way.

“Alright. Everybody get situated.” Ellen put her finishing touches on the table before she and Jim took seats at the head of the table in fold-out lawn chairs. Jack and I sat across from one another, closest to Ellen. Then the food started getting passed around. Jack and I quickly got swept up in the surrounding conversations, eating and enjoying the company of those we valued most.

Heaven knows that I've attempted

“Alright, who wants dessert?” The sun had begun to set, and the once depleted energy immediately spiked at the mention of sweets. Ellen stood up as the boys all chimed in with various versions of, ‘yes.’ Like dogs, they all watched Ellen disappear inside. Jack was the first to turn back.

Couldn't even put a dent in

There were those blue eyes.

He flashed me a smile.

I blew him a kiss.

I can't love you any more than I do now

✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾

[insanitybl00m]

Tales From Under The Wisteria Tree

Chapter 8 - A Girl and her Adventures

Tallulah missed her papa. Papa Phil said that he was only leaving her for a few moons. And he always held up to that. 

But he had been gone for longer than just a few moons. Tia Niki was amazing but that didn’t change the fact that she missed her papa.

“Good morning Tallulah!” Tia Niki sang.

“Morning.”

“Why so glum sweetheart? She said, sitting down on Tallulah’s bed. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Do you know when my Papa is coming back?”

Niki fell silent. “I wish I did. He’s been gone a while huh? Want me to curse him?” She said the last part with a goofy smile on her face. 

“No Tia! We need to be responsible with magic, remember!”

“Oh. Right that. What’s the point in having magic if you can’t have a little fun with it?”

“Papa says magic should be used to help people.”

“Your papa is good. Now c'mon, we can eat breakfast and talk about how we can get your dad back.”

“Ok!” Tallulah hopped out of bed. Tia Niki helped her braid her hair, weaving in amapolas.

“I’m sure I can figure out a spell to find your papa, I just might need some help with the garden while I think about it.” She said as the pair ate breakfast.

“What spell?”

“That’s what I’ve got to think about my flower.”

 Tallulah grinned and took off towards the garden once they finished breakfast. Niki sat on the steps to the house flipping through a huge spell book.

Amapolas brightened up the trail of footsteps that Tallulah left behind as she sat down and focused on the premature strawberry.

She tried to follow the steps Tia Niki said earlier, to focus, and imagine what you want it to become. Then share a bit of magic. Just a little so it doesn’t overwhelm the spell.

And a gigantic strawberry grew. Bigger than Tallulah. “Darling!” Tia Niki yelled. “I figured— oh. What happened?”

“Too much magic…” Tallulah said sheepishly.

“That’s ok, we’ll just make some extra strawberry shortcake for the bakery this week.” Tallulah gave her Tia a big hug. 

“So what did you figure out?”

“I figured that we could do a little divination on what your papa has been doing. It could help us figure out why he hasn’t come back.”

“What do we need?”

“Let’s go to the firepit, I should have left some of the ingredients out there from last time.” Tallulah led the way. “Pretty soon my whole garden is just going to poppies,” Niki said with a laugh, pointing out the lack of grass and growing red flowers spreading in Tallulah's footsteps. Tallulah beamed at her Tia. 

“Ok, your dad has crow feathers right?” Niki said, looking through her jars of ingredients.

“Yep!” 

“Found them!” She took out a singular crow feather. “Can I have a lock of hair Tallulah?”

The little girl nodded and her aunt carefully plucked out a single strand of hair. She added it to the pile of wood and lit the fire with a flick of her fingers. Tallulah stood on a little stool to see what Tia Niki wrote down the little figures in the fire that she saw in her little journal. 

The smoke smelled nice. That was a good sign right? It smelled like flowers. Like the flowery tree near the river by her Papa’s house in fairyland.

“Wisteria blossom smell…” Tia Niki said, she stuck her tongue out a little bit as she wrote the note down. “Smoke took the shape of a heart, then flowers.”

“What does that mean Tia?”

“Quiet darling, divination requires all of the focus we’ve been training on.”

“Oh.” She whispered before letting her Tia continue.

“Fire turned a bright purple before swirling with greens and pinks. The same shade of pink as a love potion and the same green as an emerald.” Niki said. Tia always found writing easier when she repeated the words out loud.

“The flowers look like the ones at my papa’s house! The ones by the river!”

Niki paused and looked at the small girl. “Wisteria flowers…” she murmured before quickly turning back to her notebook. 

Niki quickly put the fire out and crouched down to examine the ashes. “What’s there Tia?”

Niki held up a small piece of braided rope. The ends were singed from the fire. “A small piece of a handfasting braid.”

“What’s that?”

“Let’s go inside first, I need to process this.”

Tia Niki handed Tallulah some of the braided bread that hadn’t sold yet. “Let's sit down in the witching room.”

Tallulah loved the witching room! The plants climbed over all of the walls, and when it was late spring the flowers bloomed creating a rainbow of colors. There was a corner with a big cauldron and a potion-making book. In another corner, there was a small sitting area. 

“So what’s my papa doing?” Tallulah said before taking a big bite of the braided bread. 

“I think he found someone special.”

“Someone special? What does that mean Tia? Did he find another changeling?”

“No, I think they are human, like me minus the magic.”

“Why would papa think a normal human is special?”

“Have you heard the story of your clan before?”

“The one about the human and the fae she loved. The ones who founded the clan rules? That story?”

“Yeah! A fae from the craft clan fell in love with a human. She loved gardening and the fae decided to court her the human way. She eventually fell in love with him and agreed to marry him if they promised not to kidnap more humans. And your clan hasn’t taken a human since.” Tia Niki took a sip of her honey tea.

“She planted the tree by the river I was talking about! They were her favorite flowers and she wanted them in fairyland. Her and the fae did their handfasting ceremony under the tree and it’s been a tradition for fae and their beloveds to handfast under the tree since then!”

“It has a heart carved into it right?”

“Yep, that's our clan’s crest! A wisteria tree that has a heart carved into it! But what does that story have to do with my papa…?”

“I think your papa is the fae in that story, little one.”

“You think he fell in love with a human?”

Niki laughed. “I do. The fire turned the same color as a love potion.”

“And the wisteria?” Tallulah asked, eager to hear more.

“That’s the tree that grows by the river. The handfasting tree.”

“Papa fell in love!”

“I think so, little one.”

“So why did he leave me then?”

“He probably got distracted, you know how your dad is. He probably saw a pretty human and forgot whatever he was doing.”

“That does sound like my papa.”

“If you help me I can try to pull a vision of the two of them, I’d have to use your bond to your papa though.”

“You mean we can see them? I can see the human?”

“It will be complicated for you darling, are you sure we can’t just wait for your papa to introduce the two of you?”

“I wanna see the human.” Tallulah stood up and made her way to the big cauldron. She climbed on another stool that was left for her and flipped through the potion book. 

“Tallulah, honey, it’s not that simple.”

“I wanna see the human Tia!”

“Patience sweetheart, I need to find all the ingredients. Can you read them out for me?” And Tallulah did. Tia Niki ran around dropping in the ingredients before rushing off to grab more.

“Anything else?”

“Just the name and an item of theirs.”

“We’ll use your bond for that.” Niki grabbed a scrap of paper and wrote down ‘Philza of the Craft Clan’. She dropped it into the cauldron and it shimmered green. “Now what I want you to do is think about your papa. Think about a really happy memory and hold it in your chest.”

A happy memory. The happiest memory she had was when Tallulah was officially adopted by Papa Philza. She was three. She had been a part of the craft clan for ages but she never called Phil papa. That was something reserved only for Chayanne. But when she finally worked up the courage to talk to Papa Phil he told her that he always considered her his daughter. 

“I’ve got one.”

“You feel it in your heart?”

“Yeah.”

“Imagine that memory is an amapola. Take one of the petals of the amapola and drop it in the cauldron.”

Amapola, petal, cauldron. Got it. Tallulah could do that. 

Amapola.

Petal.

Cauldron!

A singular poppy petal appeared on the top of the liquid before settling in and the scene on the surface changed to an unfamiliar area.

It was Papa Phil! And he had his wings wrapped around a tall human. 

When papa pulled his wings away Tallulah saw the human in closer detail.

He had black hair like Tallulah and Tia Niki!

Then papa began to speak.

“They need to be cleaned.” Said Vision papa.

Before the human spoke the vision cut out. 

“Tia Niki! What happened?”

“You can’t overhear conversations with divination. It’s a rule used by magical folk to protect privacy.”

“That’s a stupid rule.”

“Would you like to have a secret conversation about a gift for your papa and then he uses magic to find out what the gift is?”

“No!”

“That’s what that rule is for.”

“Fine,” Tallulah grunted. “But it’s still uncool.”

Niki giggled. “I know. Rules are never fun.”

“So when can I go meet papa and the human!”

“It’s rude to call him the human Tallulah. That’s like calling me the witch.”

Tallulah thought about that for a second. “What would I call him then, I don’t know his name.”

“Well if he’s your papa’s beloved then technically—“

“He’s my other papa!”

“Well…”

“You’re right, that will get confusing… hmmm… oh I know! Pepito calls his dads ‘apa’. I'll call him my apa until I know his name.”

“Maybe you are rushing into things Tallulah, humans are a bit slower in terms of courting than beings of magic.”

“He’s my apa, papa Phil is in love with him.”

“Sometimes people don’t like each other in the same way.”

“Who wouldn’t love my papa?”

Tia Niki sighed. “Everyone loves your papa, but there are different types of love darling.”

“But they love each other! Papa never lets strangers touch his wings. Especially not humans!”

“All I’m saying is Tallulah is that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

“I’m not jumping to conclusions. I’m just saying that my papa loves my apa and my apa loves my papa!”

Tia Niki sighed again. “It’s getting late Tallulah let’s get to bed ok? I have to open the bakery early tomorrow.”

“I wanna meet my apa!”

“Tallulah.” There was an edge of warning to her voice.

“I could find my papa and they’ll be together!”

“No Tallulah.”

Tallulah looked up at her Tia. She looked mad. “Why not?”

“It’s not safe. I’m not letting you wander the human realm by yourself and I can’t leave my home. It’s not safe for me.”

“I can go to fairyland in an instant but the human realm isn’t safe?”

“Tallulah, I've told you the scary stories about the witches before the war.”

“But the war is over Tia! It’s safe now!”

“Some people still don't accept magic.”

“I won’t use my magic.”

“Flowers bloom in your footsteps.”

“I’ll wear boots!”

“No. You’re not leaving.”

“But Tia—“

“I said no Tallulah. Go to your room.” Tallulah felt herself being dragged upstairs. Magic. Tia Niki used her magic on her. When the door shut it locked. Tallulah hmphed. Maybe she could sneak out a window. Surely she could get a plant to grow enough to guarantee her a safe landing…

But she couldn’t open the window! Tia Niki used her magic to lock that!

She sat on her bed. Everything sucked. Tia Niki was so mean.

But she wasn’t really. Tia Niki was the sweetest.

Tallulah was just mad.

But she was allowed to be mad! Tia Niki was stopping her from meeting her apa!

But she was looking out for Tallulah. Like always.

But she really REALLY wanted to meet her apa.

She wondered what he’d be like.

He was hugging Papa Phil’s wings so he probably would like hugs.

He had bright purple eyes, and that was Tallulah’s favorite color. Her eyes were just a dull green, nothing special like apa’s eyes.

Apa wouldn’t be mean, right?

No. Apa would be the best. Papa is silly but he wouldn’t fall in love with a bad man. She was sure apa would be nice.

And so she started scribbling in her journal all of the fun things they would do together. Like going and growing pretty flowers and making the best tacos because papa sucked at making them.

She fell asleep without putting her hair up for the night. Just asleep on her journal that she left open.

“Tallulah, I’m sorry about last night, darling.” Tia Niki said brushing hair out of Tallulah’s face as she woke up. Tallulah yawned and slowly blinked open her eyes.

“I still want to go meet my apa.” She said quickly, shooting upright.

Niki sighed. “I know. And I thought about it. I can protect you with magic Lullah. But I’m warning you this is very serious. You have to take this seriously.”

“You’re saying yes?”

“With conditions.”

“I accept them. I’m going to see my apa!” Tallulah tried to pull off the covers but Niki quickly stopped her.

“No. Tallulah, this is serious. We’re having a conversation.” Tallulah pouted but she stayed and listened to what her Tia had to say. “First off you are going to use the fae clan soul bond thing and go directly to your papa. I don’t know how that works as well as I know magic but I know you can figure it out.”

“Directly to my papa and my apa. Yes.”

“I am going to put every protection spell imaginable on you.”

“Ok.”

“And you have to promise me to tie your tail around your waist and wear your boots until you meet your papa. You have to look like a normal human, just for safety.”

“I can cover up my tail but what about my wings?” Tallulah spread out her wings and she felt them shake before flapping, they were too weak for her to fly on yet but Papa said when they were strong enough he would teach her how to fly. 

“I have a shawl you can wear to cover them, It’s the best I can do.”

“Really? I can go? You promise?”

“Yes sweetheart, I’ve already packed you a big bag full of food and everything you could possibly need.”

“Really?”

“You have spare clothes and everything, all you need is to be ready for today. I can style your hair so it won’t tangle as much.”

“Really?”

“I said yes Tallulah, don’t make me change my mind.”

“You’re the best Tia!” Tallulah jumped into her arms and hugged her tia tight.

“You also have to wear this necklace.” Niki held up a small necklace with a purple crystal. “It will allow me to see you from it, it’s a one-way scrying crystal. Doesn’t break the normal rules because you have to knowingly accept it.”

“I can’t contact you through it?”

“No, it’s too small for two-way conversation but it’s lighter than a large crystal and I can still see you to at least try and warn you somehow.”

“Ok, Tia.”

“Now let’s get you dressed, you want to look pretty to meet your apa right?”

“Yeah!” Tallulah jumped up and took off to her closet. 

“Wear human clothes Tallulah, maybe a pretty dress so it’s easier to hide your tail.”

“I know Tia!” Tallulah quickly pulled out a light purple dress. It was flowy and it would be nice to travel in. 

“What about this?”

Niki examined the dress. “It looks perfect darling. Let me get you a shawl and I can brush out your hair.”

Tia Niki left the room and Tallulah spun around in a circle. 

Tia Niki wasn’t mad! She was letting her go meet her apa! Tallulah was so excited.

“Ok I’ve got a shawl, you’re going to have to cover your wings with this.”

Tallulah frowned but she agreed and pulled the black fabric over her blue-purple wings. “It feels itchy.”

“It’s the tiny hairs on your wings, remember you have to be careful with them. Moth wings are very delicate. I have a pin for you.” Tia Niki clipped the two ends of the shawl together with a pin of the clan crest. 

“It’s the wisteria tree!”

“Your papa will know that I sent you if you show him this. Otherwise he’ll know you just ran away and he’ll get mad at both of us.”

“Got it.” 

“Now let me brush out your hair sweetheart, the braids are coming undone.” Tallulah climbed into Tia Niki’s lap and let her undo the loose braids.

“Do you want one or two braids?”

“One please!” 

“Amapolas braided into it?”

“No, I need to look human.”

“That’s true, good job Tallulah. Even I forgot about that.”

“See I can be responsible!”

“You can.” Tia Niki added a tie to the end and kissed the top of Tallulah’s head. “Let’s get you breakfast and then you can get going.”

She ran down the steps and sat at the table as Tia Niki grabbed her some scrambled eggs with toast.

“My big girl, going on an adventure. You’re going to make me cry.”

“No, don’t cry Tia!” She put a big bite of her breakfast in her mouth.

“I won’t. Until you leave.”

“Aww Tia. I love you.”

“I love you too Lullah.” Tallulah and her Tia ate breakfast in comfortable silence.

“You have the necklace?”

“Right here, Tia.”

“I packed your bag so that should be good. What’s left?” She paused. “Oh right, protection charms, give me a second.” Tia ran off to the witching room. 

“This one is for safety, this one is for hiding you from evil, this one is for protecting you from backstabbers. This one is to keep you away from evil. This one is to get you to safety in case there's danger. Oh, and you have to remember to eat fae food if you get in trouble with a human and go straight back home.”

“I know Tia,” Tallulah said as she grabbed the armful of charms and trinkets from her tia.

“Which one is the fae food?” Tia Niki asked, checking to make sure she knew.

“The strawberry shortcake that you made from the big strawberry I grew yesterday.”

“Good girl.” Tia Niki sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. “I think that’s all.”

“I’ll miss you Tia,” Tallulah said, wrapping herself around her Tia.

“I’ll miss you too Darling. Please stay safe. I love you too much to see you hurt.”

“I will Tia. I love you too.” Tallulah made her way out the door with her heavy bag and started on the path.

“Wait Tallulah!” Tia Niki yelled, running to catch up to the small girl. “You forgot your boots. So you don’t grow poppies everywhere you go.”

Tallulah sighed. “Ok Tia.” she slipped on her boots. “I’ve got them now. I’ll be ok! I promise.”

“I love you Tallulah.” Tia Niki looked like she was about to cry.

“I love you too Tia Niki. You’re the bestest Tia. Don’t forget!”

And Tallulah made her way down the windy path of the small cottage Tia Niki lived in.

She reached out for her papa’s soul, its warmth. He was somewhere to the west. So west she would go!

It took a little over a moon to reach her papa. But she only slept a little bit and she managed to keep herself awake. After all she was going to meet her apa!

Slowly she could swear she was hearing voices. 

She hid in a bush, what if it was bad humans?

“So you are awake?” That was her papa!

“Yes, idiot.” The voice was unfamiliar. But it held the same warmth of her papa. It must be apa!

“What was that?” Her apa asked.

“Probably a squirrel or something. Maybe Cielo.” Who was Cielo? A new changeling papa adopted?

“No, I'd know if it was Cielo.” Oh, probably not a changeling then.

This was Tallulah’s chance. She’d finally get to meet her apa!

She popped out from the bush. Oops, there were leaves in her hair. She had to make a good impression on her apa! She quickly pulled them out. 

That was her papa! And he was holding onto apa! See Tallulah was right, they did love each other like she said!

“Hi Papa Phil! Is he my new Apa?” She blurted out.

Papa Phil started sputtering. Apa looked confused, he kept looking between the two of them.

Oh no. What was wrong? Did apa not know about her? Did she make a mistake?

Papa cleared his throat. “This is my daughter, Tallulah. Who’s supposed to be with her Tia Niki.”

“She said I could come visit! She gave me the pin!” She showed Papa Phil the crest. 

He sighed. “We’ll talk about this later when we meet back up with your Tia, until then you can stay here with us.”

“Yay!”  She ran up to him and gave him a big hug. “I missed you papa!”

“I missed you too Lullah.”

[gxdsfavgal]

Cowboy Take Me Away

Pairing: Cowboy!Bob Floyd x Cowgirl!fem!reader

Warnings: 18+ MDNI, smut, thumb sucking, oral (male receiving), face fucking, slight overstimulation, it’s dirty... but its also short, not edited

A/N: cowboy!bob... orgasm! anyways, this is inspired by Cowboy Take Me Away by The Chicks

-

-

Bobby just got back from deployment earlier this week and with the problems all around the property, I haven’t been able to welcome him back.

His family and mine have been neighbors since before we both were born.

“Hey hun, it’s our turn to feed the horses. I gotta get to town, can you do it?” my dad asked as he was looking around the house for his truck keys.

“Umm sure I guess.” I shrugged my shoulders as I slipped on my boots and putting on my trucker hat.

“Thanks! And maybe go say hi to Robert, i’m sure he’d like to see you.” he pushed the bill of my hat and left the door with a chuckle.

I quickly headed to the garage starting up the quad, my dog Boomer running in circles ready for the ride.

I hopped on and drifted out of the drive way and onto the acres of grass, Boomer running behind me as his ears flopped repeatedly.

Five minutes later, I parked in front of the wooden and brick stable. The doors already fully opened, I walked in making sure to check all of my sides.

Boomer running ahead of me, taking a sharp turn and barking. There was the mystery man, getting ready to wheel out the food for the stallions but petting Boomer with one hand.

“Bobby?” I called out to the man in a tight shirt, Wrangler jeans, and a cowboy hat.

He turned around, squinting to see who it was. As I walked closer, I can tell by his facial expressions that he realized it was me.

“Y/n!” he dropped the barrel of alfalfa and took long strides at me with a big smile on both of our faces.

I welcomed him with open arms, his arms hugging tight and his body warm against me.

He steps away and places his hands on his hips. “Booms almost had me in the bone orchard.” he bent down, scratching behind my furry companions ear.

“What are you doing here? I was gon come by and visit you.” I playfully scolded him as he began wheeling the food out to the aisle.

“I was gon take Pilot on a ride but saw that they’ve done ate all their food.” he was talking more like he was from California, his drawl barely there.

“Mind if I join?” I asked, hoping he gave the okay.

“Of course you can.” he smiled, opening up the gate of stall and scooping the pellets.

I helped him feed all eight horses in the herd stables that’s shared amongst our two families and the two across from us.

We both grabbed our separate horses and readied them up, putting on their head piece and saddles.

We pulled them out of the stables and mounted.

“Where to Bobby?” we slowly galloped as we decided on where to ride to.

“Cubby?”

My eyes lit up and my cheeks hurt from smiling when I heard of our childhood treehouse our fathers partnered up on building for us.

We signaled our rides to trot and head towards the playhouse.

Once we arrived, we tied up our horses to the base of the tree then we climbed on up. The wood was rickety, yet steady and sturdy still after all these years.

We walked around the small house, looking at all our old toys and carving, opening up the windows to see the view of our neighboring lands.

“I haven’t been up here in like 8 years” I whispered, swiping my finger along the dusty plastic table.

“I forgot this even existed until I saw you.” he chuckled. I can feel heat creep up onto my the apples of my cheeks.

I saw down onto the old plastic table that my dad added when we were younger, Bob leaned against the railing of the window with his back towards the view.

“How's umm uh.. Jeremy? That's his name right?” he squinted his eyes are the possible mistake of the name.

“Oh I broke up with him.” I went straight to the point of my past relationship.

“Really?” he asked, his eyes wider than before.

“Yep, I finally realized that he was just using me” his eyebrows furrowed from heading what that son of a bitch did. “Didn’t like him that much anyways.”

I shrugged my shoulders and Bob chuckled quietly.

“How about you? Any lucky Navy lady?” I asked, kicked my feet up onto the table and holding them to my chest.

“Nope.” he popped the ending of the word.

“What?” I yelled out in surprised. “You? Robby? Robert Floyd doesn't have a Navy Lady?” 

I was in literal shock, my mouth open and jaw on the floor. 

“Robby, please don't tell me you didn't fuck someone at least once while you were deployed.” I looked at him with wide eyes, waiting for his answer.

This was a typical conversation between us, it’s been like this since he told me about his first time jerking off in middle school.

“I just used my hand and pillow.” his hands rubbed across his face, normal signs showing that he was embarrassed.

“You're joking with me!” I had my hand covering my mouth, my feet now dangling off the little kiddie table.

“I’m not.” now rubbing at the nape of his neck. 

“How about I help you and you help me?” I outed, keeping my eyes on him to see his reaction.

“What’d you say?” he crossed his arms.

“I haven't gotten off since I broke up with Jeremy a month ago, and well you were deployed for like 8 weeks without a proper orgasm.” I told him our struggles.

I can tell by the look on his face that he thought I was absolutely going mad. His face also looked like he wasn't opposed to the idea.

“I- I don't know about this.” he stuttered out, his eyes flickered all around the room.

“Bobby, we’ve been best friends since we popped out of the womb. You’ve seen my naked a handful of times.” I looked at him with darkened eyes.

His demeanor changed, his back straightened up and lips curled into a smirk. He was deep in his thoughts, thinking about everything we can do, every position, and everywhere we could do it.

I knew that Bob had a crush on me when we were in high school when we both started to mature and get horny. We never had sex, but those many parties that I forced him to come with me to turned into something. Little make out sessions in the corner of the parties to dry humping on the nasty couch until one of us came. He always made sure I didn't drink much because he didn't want to haul my ass back into the truck.

I would be lying if I said that I was never attracted to Bob and that I never fantasized about him. Bob has it all, the brains, the look, the charm, and he’s my best friend.

“Look, I don't want to fuck if you're just using me to get over Jeremy.” he was stern, his arms crossed and legs spread apart. I couldn't tell if I was drooling or not.

I was taken back by his words. “Robert, you know I would never use you. I would never treat you the way that son-of-a-bitch Jeremy treated me.” I jumped off the kiddie table and made slow steps towards his figure.

His chin was down but his eyes were watching every step I took. 

“Im gonna be honest here Bobby.” I stopped with a foot between us. “I was happy to hear that you didn't touch another gal. Happy that no other girl has made you cum.”

The way he leaned against the window, his jeans tight against his spread out legs, his shirt tight in all the right places. He looked like a God.

“You got a dirty mouth.” he mumbled out.

My head tilted to the side with dumb little smirk. “Im sorry what’d you say?”

His hand came up to my face, his warm thumb against my bottom lip. “I said that you got a dirty mouth.”

His eyes were eyeing my lips, watching his thumb rub against my lips as my eyes watched him. 

“You gonna shut me up? Huh Robby?” I whispered out before he put his thumb between my lips, dragging on the edge of my teeth.

“Oh I’m gonna shut you up hun.” He grumbled out. My lips wrapped around his thumb, sucking on it and tongue moving around.

His tongue rolled against the inner part of his cheek, chuckling at my action.

He removed his thumb from my mouth, rubbing my saliva on my lips and cheek as he used his other hand to lower me down to my knees. I looked up at him with big eyes, my bottom lip caught in my teeth, and my hand palming him through his jeans.

His groans were heaven. The way he reacted even though there’s two layers between my hand and his cock.

His hips bucked into my hand, telling me to get a move one. Both of my hands fumbled with his belt, the big buckle making it harder so he had to take over as my hands sat on the back of his knees.

Once his jeans hit the floor, my hands immediately reached up to the elastic waistband of his boxers that showed his prominent bulge. I brought my lips down to his adonis belt, leaving a wet peck as I pulled down the cloth. His cock grazed my cheek as it slapped against his stomach.

I whimpered at the sight of his dick. Red pulsing tip with the pearls of pre-cum on the tip. The thick vein on the bottom and just the right amount of little hairs.

I was hungry for his cock. I wanted to taste him. I was eager.

My hand wrapped around the base and the tip passed my lips. My tongue getting a taste of him which made me hum, sending vibrations up his body.

“Lookin so pretty, doll.” he said with a little fight to his voice, trying not to be so loud.

I took him further into my mouth, my tongue trailing the thick vein as his tip hit the back of my throat. I gagged around him which made his moan out.

The noises he made were fuel.

“F-fuck! Doing s-so good for me!” he praised as my hand and mouth worked together to have him reach the edge.

His hands were holding my hair, trying his best to not push my head down. I didn't want that.

I brought my hand to his on the back of my head, showing him that he can take control. He understood and immediately started pushing my face into his pelvis as his hips thrusted to my lips.

I was a gagging mess with tears staining my cheeks and my saliva running down my chin and neck.

I can tell he was close by his contorting face and the stutter of his lips.

I hallowed my cheeks and sucked on him, my hand cupping his balls. Giving a little pressure as he thrusted into my throat.

“Im gonna cum! Fuck!” he held my face against him, his cock fully down my throat as I was gagging and breathing through my nose.

He shot his cum down my throat, rubbing my scalp with his fingers.

He pulled out of my mouth, my lips sucking his harder and following him trying to get more from him. Trying to milk him but he kept hissing from how sensitive he was.

His cock was soft in front of my face. He looked down at me with his hair sticking to his forehead as his chest fell and rose. His smirk still plastered on his face.

I opened my mouth to show him that I swallowed all of his cum. He threw his head back with a groan, his cock getting hard again from my action.

He looked back down at me, his hands cradled my jaw as he pulled me up onto my feet. His lips attacked mine, tasting himself on my lips and tongue. 

My hand reached his dick again, stroking him and paying attention to the tip. He was moaning into the kiss.

“Fuck baby!” he pulled my hand away from him. “Im too sensitive right now.” 

We both chuckled as we kissed again, tucking him back into his boxers.

“Next time I got you.” he mumbled into my lips.

[nushy]

n❥e❥r❥v❥o❥u❥s

pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!reader

warnings: nothing at all really, just two idiots, unaware of their feelings a/n: just a little something sweet to comfort me, cuz i'm feeling down lately

>^.^<

It was normal at this point. You, Steve, the kids.

At first it felt strange - you were the girl who was first babysitting Mike or Dustin, then Holly and after what happened with Will - all of the kids; and Steve was, well, Steve Harrington, the boy from high-school that would never for the life of him, look at you and consider you a friend. But after all that you've been through - it worked out. Not for you of course, you fell for the boy and you fell hard. And he was still looking at Nancy with heart eyes.

But right now, in his car, at night, the boys laughing and eating junk food at the back and you sitting next to him in the front - it was fine. Like everything was at the right place.

Steve was driving Dustin, Mike and Lucas to a clearing, where Dustin could install Cerebro to try and talk to Suzie. You were just there for Steve's company as he didn't want to go out in the wet grass to listen to "lovey-dovey bullshit" as he described it.

The three boys ran out of the car, joking and screaming. You let out a sigh and smiled. Steve did the same and looked at you.

"God, she's beautiful" he thought and only if you could hear him.

"Soooo.." you tried to speak, not knowing what to say.

"Yeah." he spoke too, rubbing the back of his neck.

There was silence. You were nervous. He was even more nervous.

Not knowing what to do, you stretched out your hand to turn on the radio, at the same time Steve did too and your hands touched. You could swear you saw a spark, that's how hard the electricity hit you. A song you didn't know started playing, soft slow music filled the dark car.

You've got me nervous to speak So I just won't say anything at all

You felt tension, like the air around you was sticky and hot and not enough. Your hands still touching, you looked at him and he was already looking at you.

"Steve..." He shushed you, placing a finger on your lips. He was slowly leaning towards you, slowly, he was so close to you that you could feel his hot breath on your face and the smell of the strawberry ice cream that you ate earlier.

Uh, tell me you trust me and Kiss me and hug me, yeah

He stopped moving. And you stopped breathing. Was it just a joke? Teasing you to see if you'd fall for it. A cruel joke. You were even more nervous than before, your palm sweaty, lips dry, heart beating so fast you thought it would break out of your chest.

"fuck it" you both thought at the same time, moving towards each other, your lips clashing with enormous force. It was everything you had imagined and more - the feeling took you whole. And it felt like home. Like a missing puzzle piece found its place.

"Ewww." Lucas was next to Steve's window, watching inside the car.

"It was about time." Dustin was right next to you, giving you two one of his big smiles.

"Just grabbing some stuff and we're leaving you." Lucas was speaking fast as he opened the back door, taking his backpack. Then the boys disappeared, running.

Both of you laughed and then kissed again, the soft song still playing in the background. This was your new normal - you and Steve, just the two of you.

>`.`< a/n: if you are wondering, this is the song I used in the process - the nbhd - nervous

[blinddreams24]

Kelp

A Mermay Prompt

(Note: aggression(it has begun))

Masterlist

Prev / Next

“Y/n.”

“No! Nope! Nu uh!” You shook your head and pulled away. “I’m not eating what is basically sea grass! Do I look like a cow to you?”

Cross held out the kelp to you. “A what?” His head tipped to the side like a big puppy.

“A cow.” Realizing that wasn’t an explanation, you gestured how big a cow was. “It’s a big land animal with four legs that eats grass. The bulls have these long curving horns so they can fight off predators.”

His eyes widened. “It has four legs and weapons??”

You snickered at his reaction. “Yeah, there’s a whole sport around bull fighting. It’s really dangerous even though cows aren’t predators.”

“They’re not predators… and they’re dangerous? Have… Have they killed anything?” His eyelights were tiny in his sockets.

“Oh, yeah. I don’t know the details, but I know that many people and animals have died to a rampaging bull. It’s not fun.”

Cross didn’t respond.

Looking back at him, you finally noticed why. The guy looked absolutely terrified. Of cows? Well, you hadn’t done the best job explaining their softer side. You cleared your throat. “But they can be really gentle. When I was little, I went to a ranch and got to feed one. That was fun.”

“Mm…” He mumbled, still staring into space.

“Cross?”

His eyes snapped to you, he shook his head and sat straight. “Anyways! You still have to eat this.”

“Noooo!” You stepped out of his reach. “You can’t make me if you can’t catch me! Ha!”

Cross grinned smugly at you. “You remember how you learned about this type of conversion?”

Your eyes narrowed suspiciously. “…Yeeaahhhh? Horror told me. Why?”

“Heheheh.” Came a familiar chuckle behind you causing a chill to go up your spine.

You spun around to face Horror, who had sat himself right in your pathway.

He waved his fingers at you. “Hi.”

A glare was shot at Cross. “Two against one is unfair.” You pouted, earning another chuckle from Horror.

Cross shrugged. “I planned ahead. And Horror was the only one of us that can get on land without getting stuck.”

You crossed your arms, careful to keep an eye on Horror’s curling tentacles, and grumbled. “I still don’t want to…”

A sigh came from Cross. “Y/n. If you want to be a siren, you have to ease into the diet. If you convert without preparing, you’ll throw up everything we feed you. It’s an annoying process but a necessary one.”

Horror hummed in agreement.

“Uuuggggghhhhhhh! Fine! But it’s gross!” You stormed over and carefully took the soggy greens. “…..Gross.” Your nose wrinkled at it.

Both sirens laughed at you and waited patiently, looking away for your comfort.

It looked and felt so gross. Your gag reflex had you sticking your tongue out and looking away. It was necessary. It wouldn’t hurt you… right?

An idea came to mind.

You spun on your heel, much to Cross’s confusion, and marched back to

Horror. His tentacles moved out of your way as he gave you an amused look. Splitting the clump of kelp vaguely in half, you offered him half and his eye dilated at the offer.

“Y/n, he doesn’t-.” Cross started.

“Shut up, Cross. If I’m going to eat this, I’m going to share.”

You could have sworn Horror’s eye flickered into a heart for a second. He gently took the clump and held it close. He grabbed a droopy leaf and held it up, waiting expectantly for you to do the same.

With a small groan, you lifted up a piece, maintaining eye contact, and copied him as he ate his.

Oh, that was salty!

Your face pursed at the taste, gaining another chuckle from the tall siren. Once you got past the sea water… it didn’t taste… bad. Just like a sea salad.

Horror smiled and encouraged you to continue. You both ate your section of sea weed without much other than a few tense expressions as you bit into the next leaf.

Before you knew it, your hands were empty and Horror was licking his fingers.

“Was that so hard?” Cross teased his eyes darting between you and Horror.

“Yes.” You snapped back. “But… it wasn’t… terrible.”

Horror chuckled again and leaned over you. “Lil… baby.”

You gasped, offended. “Excuse me?!?”

Horror was leaning over you and… purring? Was that purring or a different type of whistle? And how did he do that? You could feel the sound in your ribs. When you looked at him, his eyes were closed as he leaned towards you.

A growl from Cross startled you.

“Horror.” Cross threatened. His claws were digging into the beach as if he would come after you.

Horror’s eye opened slowly and you shivered. His eye blazed with a protectiveness you hadn’t seen before as he glared at Cross.

The purr melted into a growl.

That… wasn’t good.

You were between two aggressive sirens. And neither of them seemed to notice you, fully focused on each other.

Deciding to back out of this situation, you slowly stepped away from Horror. Surely they wouldn’t start a scuffle randomly, right? You didn’t want to risk it.

You bumped into a writhing tentacle.

It immediately gripped your leg, Horror’s attention shot to you with a glare that could kill, and you froze. Would he hurt you while he was like this?

With a small gasp, Horror’s expression snapped from angry to scared. Him and his tentacles reeled away from you.

“…Horror?” You asked. Was he okay?

With a whine and a pained look, Horror turned and retreated into the water with less than a splash, leaving you staring after him.

What…

What just happened?

“Are you okay?”

You looked over at Cross. There were marks in the beach where his hands had dug into the rocks.

“What happened?” You asked, still tense.

Cross’s face gained a purple hue. “Uhhh, Horror forgot himself for a second… It’s okay. He, uh,” He gave the water a quizzical look. “He didn’t want to hurt you.”

Comforting.

“You sound surprised.” You raised an eyebrow at Cross.

“Well, he,” Cross grumbled. “He doesn’t like people. Except for Nightmare, I guess, but Nightmare spoils him.”

“Spoils him?”

Cross waved his hand dismissively. “He helps Horror hunt. Which is du- unnecessary, Horror can hunt for himself, and Boss doesn’t help anyone else.” He grumbled and crossed his arms. “It feels like he only helps Horror because Horror’s an octopus too.”

Oh.

Big boy was jealous.

When Cross finally looked back at you, he startled at your glare.

“Cross.” You growled slowly. “Do you know why I met Horror? How I learned that whistle?”

He shook his head.

“Because he was starving. I sat on this beach and waited for one of you to show up when he found me. He was hungry and he saw an easy target. Do you remember why I survived?”

“You fed him?” He answered, uncertainly.

“Yes. And when I offered the first sandwich, he stopped whistling. I was terrified. But I offered again. I can only imagine what it was like for him. Starving for days maybe weeks, when, what you thought was going to be your next meal, offers you food instead of running away when they had the chance. How would you feel if you were starving, attacked someone, and they gave you pizza?”

His mouth opened and closed a few times before he answered. “…Horror was starving?” You nodded. “But… he can lure, right?”

“If you mean lure like ‘sing and people will walk off a cliff for you’, no.” You shivered. “Horror can’t lure. His whistle only removes fear. I could have walked or run away at any moment, even while he sang, and he could do nothing to stop me. Cross, he can’t hunt like you and Killer. Didn’t you know?”

Cross shook his head. “Sirens can’t affect other sirens, so we never knew. He had a whistle, we assumed it worked. He never told any of us otherwise.”

You looked back across the water. “From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t like talking around you. He talked to me, a lot, the other day. Maybe he talks to Nightmare too?”

“That… would make sense.” Cross said. “Oh my stars, this entire time…? And we never noticed? No wonder I’ve never seen him eat when Boss is asleep.”

The birds and waves filled the silence for a moment.

“…Are you okay?”

You looked back at the siren and shrugged. “Better than I should be, worse than I could. Why?”

“He grabbed you.” Cross’s face was tense with concern.

“Yep. And let go immediately after. His tentacle didn’t hurt me, Cross.” You scolded.

He didn’t look sorry as he changed the subject. “Come here. I need to give you some magic for the conversion.”

Your face wrinkled humorously as you walked toward him. “You make it sound weird.”

“The anti-drowning siren maker then.”

“Nope! The last one was good!”

[tunastime]

Stretching Endless Night

BdoubleO is the pilot of LTS-143, on its way from the Meridian to the Prometheus, two space stations a week's flight apart. On board with him is his friend and life partner, Etho Slab. It's supposed to be a quiet journey, with few problems, and little to do besides pace around and play cards.

This is not the case.

(so...about that ethosweep + first chapter of the space au promise I made. well, here you go! also, huge shout out to @oh-snapperss for being my enabler <3)

Two days after launch, Etho asks him about the timeline again. He says:

“So how long was it again?”

And Bdubs has to bite his tongue lest he say something to tick Etho off. 

Instead, Bdubs leans back in his chair, away from the control panel, to where he can see Etho sitting next to him. Etho tosses something—a coin, a piece of metal, Bdubs can’t be sure—into the air, and Bdubs watches it drop back into his hands. He turns back to toggle a button.

“Seven days,” he says, shifting in his seat. “Six and a half if we push it.”

Etho hums thoughtfully for a moment. It seems to sate him.

It’s strange, Bdubs knows, when he turns back to face the twinkling expanse in the front shield of the ship, that they’re even here. Three days ago, Bdubs’ feet were planted firmly on the artificial grass and gravity of the space station, with no intention of going anywhere, and not certainly with the likes of Etho. He startles. No. That’s not what he means. He trusts Etho with his life—a lot more than just his life. But Etho wasn’t a space guy. He didn’t travel. He didn’t walk. He stayed in and kept to himself and his projects and made the ship better on the inside, not the outside. He was reclusive. But now he was wearing a grey flight suit that looked a little too good on him. A big 02 emblazoned on the back. His name stitched in fine letters on the front. Bdubs sighs, swiveling his seat around.

“At least it was a smooth takeoff.”

“We’ve had worse,” Etho says, nonchalantly. He’s still tossing that coin, watching it flip into the air and back into his hand. Rhythmic. Bdubs eyes stop following it to circle the crescent shaped room. It’s not a small space, either. Along the wall are more panels, displays, and two other seats unused. 

Bdubs rises, trying to will his blood to flow back into his legs despite the lackluster artificial gravity onboard. He shakes them a bit before he steps down the platform and into the greater room. It’s his ship. He’s not a captain—not even close. But the 01 on his back means that he’s responsible for it running in order—and getting back in one piece. He’d gone through the safety protocols, he’s run the necessary courses. He’d been the one to get Etho out of bed two mornings ago when he’d been running late for final checks, for god sake. 

Bdubs narrows his eyes at him when he looks over.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Etho eyes him back. “The test flight?”

Oh. Bdubs sighs, turning back around. He waves a hand in Etho’s direction, as if trying to dismiss the accusation all together.

“That was one time!” he tries. Etho hums.

“Yeah, and we almost crashed—”

Bdubs whips around to look at him again, pointing a finger in his direction.

“You almost crashed us.”

Etho huffs, his expression smug.

“Not true.”

“Sure, alright,” Bdubs rolls his eyes. “You’re the worst.”

“Hey, you keep bringing me along.”

Yeah. Okay. Etho was right.

And now the man, his friend, best friend, his partner, slept above him in the bunk and ate his share of the first ready-to-eat meal they had together. It was a quiet sort of solitude in space. One that became too much if you faced it alone. But he wasn’t alone. He had Etho. He always had Etho.

“Where’re you off to?” Etho says, leaning his head back to watch him. Bdubs shrugs.

“Dunno,” he says. “Figured I’d find something to do.”

“What about a round of cards?”

“What do I get if I win?”

“Uh…” Etho frowns. Bdubs realizes he isn’t wearing his mask, at that moment, and. It’s not like he hasn’t seen his face but, it’s special, somehow. He feels something well up in his chest. He smiles back at him, letting that something bubble up into a laugh when Etho says: “How about my chocolate pudding? If I get it in the next ready-meal.”

Bdubs sticks his hand out.

“Deal.”

Etho takes it. Deal. After a beat of silence, making their way into the kitchen, Etho asks, with no particular leaning toward an answer:

“So how’d we end up doing this anyway?”

(We as in Etho and Bdubs–a hardware engineer and a software engineer. This as in the transfer to the Meridian for a four month project Bdubs was spearheading. There had come a point where his work on the Prometheus was overlapping with that from the Meridian. Tango had made a few calls, and suddenly there was a reassignment and training modules and choose a second in command and STS-143 and Etho smacking the hull and saying “well it does the space-ing” and it being called the Spacer, under their breaths in the back of meetings. It was BdoubleO- 01 on his flight suit and finally lifting off and now he was here, playing cards, sitting cross-legged in front of Etho, whose tongue was caught between his teeth as he shuffled.

Bdubs is praying he isn’t going to cheat this time.

But he knows better.)

(read the rest on ao3!)

[thedreamworldlibrary]

Dreamers of Myths & Legends Chap. 4-Cheer up, Sprigatito!

The next chapter is here and we’ll be getting into some minor angst territory. It’s small but still, angst is angst!

BIG thanks to @gigilefache for being my beta reader!

Also another BIG thanks to @summonfi for creating a WTDW fanfic server! You guys are welcome to join it! https://discord.gg/eCAD2h9x 

Enjoy!!

It was a pleasant afternoon, the four researchers decided to go to Saffron City for lunch. Though Wiatt and Oddity were looking through notes that the young boy took about Mew.

“Wiatt, why did you bring your notes to lunch?” Sara asked.

“Figured we could spend some time going through to see how we’ll find Mew.” Wiatt replied, “so far there are a few places around Saffron City that Mew has been sighted in.”

Sara sighed, “Wiatt, Eric gave us the day off today from researching. Relax and enjoy this.”

Wiatt glared, but lifted his expression when Oliver and Lewis came by with food and drinks. “Sorry for the wait, darlings.” The two boys put the trays down before sitting down themselves.

“It’s alright.” Sara replied.

Wiatt put away his notes and was in awe with the delicious food before him. “Man this looks good.” He commented.

“Well, I read this is one of the best sandwich places in Saffron City.” Lewis explained.

Wiatt took a bite of a sandwich, his eyes widened. “You're right, this is pretty good!” He exclaimed. He broke a small piece off and held it in front of his Eevee. “Try it, Oddity.”

“Eevee,” Oddity replied. He ate the piece and smiled at how good it was. “Eevee!”

The group started to eat lunch together, not knowing Sprigatito was around the corner staring at them. The grass-type saw Lewis mewled in excitement. She got into the pouncing position, and waited for the right moment. Once she saw Lewis take a sandwich, that’s when she made her move. Sprigatito dashed and snatched the sandwich from Lewis before eating it in one gulp.

“H-Hey!” Lewis yelled.

Sprigatito flinched and turned, which shocked Lewis. “Meow!” Sprigatito exclaimed as she went over to the boy and started nuzzling his leg and purring.

“What’s that?” Oliver asked, never seeing that Pokémon before.

“I believe that’s a Sprigatito.” Wiatt answered.

“Sprigatito!” Sara and Oliver exclaimed. 

“You mean the same Pokemon you said you saved not too long ago?” Oliver asked.

Lewis nodded, and looked down to see Sprigatito sitting and smiling at him. She tilted her head, confused why he was so shocked to see her.

“Darling, have you been following my friends and I all this time?” Lewis asked.

“Meow. Meow.” Sprigatito replied, saying that it was following the group.

Lewis chuckled, “guess you like being around me.” He said as he pet the grass cat Pokemon, causing her to purr.

Sprigatito started tapping her paws as she started to release a fragrant aroma. Sara smelt it and smiled, “hey that smells good.” 

“What’s that?” Wiatt asked. He then grabbed his Rotom Phone and scanned Sprigatito.

When Sprigatito is exposed to sunlight, it uses its paws to release a sweet, therapeutic aroma. 

“So that’s what you're doing now,” Lewis said.

“Meow,” Sprigatito replied.

Lewis chuckled and grabbed his Pokeball, “Well want to join my team, darling?” He asked.

Sprigatito’s eyes widened as she nodded. However, just before she could touch the Pokeball. A mysterious voice played in her head.

“Who would want a Sprigatito like you?”

Sprigatito’s eyes widened in fear, as that memory played in her head.

Flashback:

Sprigatito was in an alleyway as her trainer, a young girl looked down at her with anger. The grass-type Pokemon mewled as she begged her trainer not to leave her in the rain.

“You're such an embarrassment!” The girl shouted. “You ruined everything for me!” The girl then ran off, leaving Sprigatito heartbroken.

End of Flashback:

Sprigatito gasped as she stepped back from Lewis, scared. She was in fear of the same thing happening to her again. Disappointing her trainer and being released again. 

Lewis saw how scared Sprigatito was, and reached his hand out to her. “Darling, are you ok?” He asked.

Sprigatito stepped back before running off crying, shocking everyone.

“W-Wait!” Lewis shouted. “Sprigatito!” The group went and chased after her, but soon they started to lose her as she started to pick up speed. She turned around the corner, and once the group arrived they lost the Grass Cat Pokemon.

“Where did she go?” Sara asked.

“Sprigatito! Where are you!?” Lewis yelled.

“Eevee! Eevee!” Oddity called out.

“Excuse me.”

The group looked up to see it was Nurse Joy, who looked concerned for the four.

“Did a Sprigatito pass by here?” She asked.

Lewis nodded, “Y-yeah. I was trying to catch her, but she just ran off.”

Nurse Joy sighed feeling bad.

Wiatt was then hit with a realization, “Nurse Joy do you know that Sprigatito?” He asked.

The nurse nodded, “if you would follow me to the Pokemon Center, I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

The group nodded and followed Nurse Joy to the Pokemon Center.

Up on the rooftop, Team Rocket watched the entire scene from above and went from spying on Wiatt and his friends to spy on Sprigatito who was still running off.

“Say, that Sprigatito is really cute,” Jessie commented. “It’s fitting for someone like me.”

“It sure does.” Meowth agreed. “It sensed the twerp is a twerp, so it’s easy for us to grab and give it to the boss!”

James sighed, “It's been a while since you said that, but let’s hear it.”

“Picture the boss one day, in a bad mood…” Meowth started as one of his boss's fantasies started to play.

In Mewoth’s fantasy, it showed the boss chibi walking back and forth upset as his Persian looked at him back and forth.

“You mean like he is every day?” James asked.

“He then turns to his Persian, and yells…” Meowth cleared his voice to mimic Giovanni’s, “You are a useless Persian! You are boring to me!”

The fantasized Giovanni pointed a finger and yelled at his Persian before giving the Classy Cat Pokemon the blast-off. Fantasy Giovanni collapsed on his couch with a sigh.

“Man, I need a new companion,” Meowth said using his Giovanni's voice. Meowth then switched back to his regular voice, “That’s when Sprigatito comes in and starts nuzzling the boss. They will tap their little feet spreading that lovely aroma, which would make the boss relaxed.”

In the fantasy, Giovanni sees his door open and Sprigaitito appears before running over to him and going on his lap nuzzling him. The Grass Cat Pokemon starts rubbing her paws as the lovely aroma fills the air and Giovanni feels relaxed.

“Then the boss will say…” Meowth paused to switch back to his Giovanni impression, “This is a wonderful companion for me, and I should thank Meowth and his friends for giving me this lovely Pokemon, and in return I should give them a raise.”

Jessie and James got excited hearing about a big raise after giving Sprigatito to the boss. “We’ll finally get the respect we deserve! Because we gave the boss a Pokemon that brings him joy!” The two sang together.

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet yelled.

“And to make sure the plan works I got ourselves something new that should help us capture the Sprigatito!” Meowth exclaimed.  The Scratch Cat Pokémon revealed a box showing a Pokeball-shaped cage. “Meet the Poke Grabber 25!” 

“Fancy!” James exclaimed.

“Good news we can capture as many Pokemon as we can with this!” Meowth explained.

“Ooooh!” Jessie and James exclaimed. However, James heard good news and had to ask the Normal-type Pokemon one thing.

“Wait, if you said good news then what’s the bad news?” James asked.

Meowth sighed as he dumped the contents of the box. “It’s from that company where we have to put it all together for it to work.” He explained.

“Great.” Jessie and James said at the same time.

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet exclaimed.

At the Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy and the four researchers sat at a table. The nurse sighed before telling the four about Sprigatito.

“I guess you're all wondering why Sprigatito was so scared of you?” Nurse Joy started.

“She wasn’t scared of me before, just when I tried to capture her in a Pokeball,” Lewis explained.

Nurse Joy sighed, “I see.” She replied.

Wiatt thought for a bit and a theory came to mind. “Nurse Joy, did Sprigatito have a trainer?” He asked.

“They did, yes.” Nurse Joy answered. “It was a year ago, and I was running errands before heading back to the Pokemon Center, on my way back I saw a young girl running off, and I didn’t know why.” She explained remembering everything that happened, “Once I got closer that’s when I saw Sprigatito all alone. I connected the dots and realized that the trainer abandoned Sprigatito.”

The group looked horrified hearing what Sprigatito went through and it made sense why she went through and why she ran off when Lewis tried to catch her. Their horrified expressions turned to anger and sadness towards the grass-type Pokémon.

“No wonder why Sprigatito ran off like that,” Oliver said, feeling bad for the grass-type Pokemon. “She was scared you’d abandon her again.”

Lewis looked shocked. No way he’d do that to a Pokémon.

“How could someone do such a thing!” Sara growled. “I’d like to meet this trainer and give them a piece of my mind.”

Lewis let out a sigh, as anger wasn’t the answer. “I’m going to find her.” He said getting up from his seat.

“Huh?” The group questioned.

“Sprigatito is alone out there. She needs someone to care for her, to show her that she won’t be abandoned again.” Lewis explained.

Wiatt smiled, agreeing with his friend. “Lewis is right, we need to find her.”

Lewis smiled, seeing Wiatt agreeing with him. He then turned his gaze to his friend’s Eevee. “Oddity, think you’d be able to use your sense of smell to track her down?” He asked.

Oddity nodded and used his paws to look like he gave a salute, “Eevee Vee!” He replied. Oddity got off the table and sniffed Lewis hoping to catch Sprigatito’s scent. Oddity nodded, catching Sprigaito’s scent and running outside to find her.

“Let’s follow him!” Lewis exclaimed.

“Right!” The rest of the researchers agreed and followed their Eevee to look for Sprigatito.

The search took hours, as they went around the town and looked into alleyways that Sprigatito could be hiding in. During the search, the researchers asked people around Saffron City if they’d seen the Grass-type Pokemon, but none had seen Sprigatito pass by. Oddity kept following Sprigatito’s scent and saw it led to Route 6.

“Eevee.” Oddity said.

“You know where she is?” Lewis asked.

Oddity nodded, “Vee.” 

“Then lead the way, darling!” 

“Eevee!”

Lewis and Oddity ran leaving Saffron City and heading to Route 6 with Wiatt, Oliver, and Sara behind them.

Oddity sniffed the area and caught Sprigatito’s scent going past some bushes. Once going through them Oddity stopped and carefully walked, peeking through some of the trees.

Lewis came by and Oddity used his tail to tell the young boy to be quiet. The boy nodded as he and Oddity looked through the bushes, and their eyes widened at what they saw.

In the clearing, Sprigatito was dancing using a rock as her stage. She twirled, jumped, and did all sorts of cute dance moves. Soon, she used a move, Leafage, as she spun in the air before doing more dances.

“Amazing,” Lewis whispered. “S-She’s a performer.”

“Eevee,” Oddity replied.

Wiatt and the rest of the crew showed up but saw Sprigatito doing her performance. Sara was about to speak before being hushed by Lewis, who told the three to stay quiet and watch Sprigatito perform.

“Is she dancing?” Sara asked.

“She is darling. She is.” Lewis answered, smiling at the Grass Cat Pokemon.

Sprigaito continued to dance before finishing off with Leafage and landing on a pose. She tried catching her breath and smiled before bowing.

Oddity couldn’t hold his excitement any longer and soon started to cheer for the grass-type Pokemon.

Sprigatito’s eyes widened as she looked up to see Oddity jumping around for joy, as Wiatt and the others tried to quiet him down. Her body turned white as a ghost realizing someone was watching her perform. She shivered and was about to run away again before Lewis stopped her.

“Sprigatito wait!” Lewis shouted.

The grass type skidded to a halt, but didn’t turn to face the boy.

“Darling, that was amazing! I didn’t know you had that kind of talent!” Lewis exclaimed.

Sprigatito felt like crying, she was embarrassed that someone, not a group of people saw her in the act.

“It was very beautiful!” Sara exclaimed.

“Eevee!” Oddity exclaimed.

Sprigatito slowly turned as the group saw tears in her eyes. She sniffled and tried to brush them away, but the tears continued to fall.

“Sprigatito what’s wrong?” Oliver asked.

Lewis knew exactly what was wrong. He walked over to Sprigatito and slowly put his hand on her head.

Sprigatito flinched, but her eyes widened, feeling Lewis pet her. She looked up at the researcher in shock.

“You love performing but you have stage fright. Isn’t that right darling?” Lewis asked.

Sprigatito’s eyes widened knowing Lewis was right. “Meow.” She replied, giving a nod.

“I heard your trainer left you,” Lewis said.

Sprigatito flinched and stepped back.

“Look, I know your old trainer hurt you! But I’m not that trainer!” Lewis yelled.

Sprigatito didn’t believe it. Not one bit. She stepped back ready to dash off, but Oddity came by her side.

“Eevee! Eevee Vee!” Oddity exclaimed telling Sprigatito to give Lewis a chance.

Sprigatito’s eyes widened, but she wasn’t so sure about Lewis.

“Sprigatito,” Wiatt spoke up. “Lewis is right, he’s not like your old trainer. He’s kind and sweet.”

Lewis smiled, slightly blushing at the comment.

“Meow. Meow?” Sprigatito asked, wondering if what Wiatt said was true about Lewis.

“Eevee!” Oddity exclaimed.

Sprigatito gave a small smile and looked up at the four. However, a Pokeball capsule came down from the ground and snatched Oddity and Sprigatito before being lifted up in the air.

The group gasped in horror.

“Sprigatito!” Lewis shouted.

“Oddity!” Wiatt shouted.

Laughter was heard as the group looked up to see a Meowth hot air balloon, and Team Rocket inside it.

“Oh great, not you three!” Sara yelled.

Team Rocket laughed as the group started their motto.

“We got a Sprigatitto, so prepare for trouble!” Jessie started.

“And we got an Eevee on the double!” James added.

“To protect the world from devastation.”

“To unite all peoples within our nation.”

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.”

“To extend our reach to the stars above!”

“Jessie!”

“James!”

“Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!”

“Surrender now or prepare for a fight!”

“Meowth! That’s right!” Meowth finished.

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet added.

“Team Rocket!” Wiatt and his friends yelled. “Give back Oddity and Sprigatito!”

Team Rocket just laughed, “We heard the same question over and over, and it’s gonna be the same answer over and over.” Jessie started.

“No!” Team Rocket answered.

The group glared, as they didn’t have any other Pokemon that could help stop Team Rocket.

“Aww, what’s the matter twerps! Have no other Pokemon to stop us?” Meowth asked, mocking the group.

The balloon flew higher as Oddity and Sprigittito cried for help.

“Hang on, Oddity!” Wiatt yelled, chasing after Team Rocket.

“Wiatt! Hold on!” Lewis yelled following Wiatt. With Sara and Oliver right behind them.

Team Rocket looked down, seeing Wiatt and his friends chasing after them. “Ah, this is just like walking through memory lane.” Jessie sighed.

“It sure is!” James replied.

“Alright let’s pull these two Pokémon up to our balloon!” Meowth exclaimed. He pulled out the remote and pressed the button, but instead of pulling the two Pokémon up, it opened the capsule and everyone was in shock as the two Pokemon fell out.

Oddity and Sprigatito fell screaming as they started to fall to the ground at high speeds.

“Oddity!” Wiatt yelled.

“Sprigatito!” Lewis yelled.

The two boys caught their Pokémon respectively and hugged them tight. “Oddity,  are you okay?” Wiatt asked.

“What about you darling?” Lewis asked.

“Eevee!” Oddity replied.

“Meow!” Sprigatito replied.

Wiatt smiled and hugged Oddity tight. Lewis sighed and hugged Sprigatito as well, which surprised her.

Meowth looked horrified as Jessie and James growled at their Pokémon. “Meowth! Why did you release them?!” Jessie exclaimed.

Meowth looked down at the remote and chuckled nervously. “Looks like I grabbed the wrong remote.”

“WRONG REMOTE?!” Jessie and James shouted at the same time.

“There were two remotes in the box! One to capture the Pokémon and one to release them!” Meowth exclaimed, showing the two remotes.

“Why would you get a contraption with two remotes!?” Jessie exclaimed.

“And how come you didn’t label them!?” James added.

Meowth frowned and looked down, “Well you two were rushing me so we don’t miss our appearance that I decided not to label them.” He explained.

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet exclaimed.

Jessie and James sighed, but Jessie was the one to pick the team back up. “Well, now we have two remotes, and know which one is to release the Pokemon and the other to snatch them again!” Jessie exclaimed.

“Alright!” Meowth yelled as he pressed the button as the capsule went to capture the Pokemon again.

“Oddity! Use Shadow Ball to destroy that capsule!” Wiatt commanded.

Oddity jumped and launched a Shadow Ball at the capsule, destroying it. Team Rocket screamed seeing their only way of capturing Pokemon was destroyed.

Jessie glared as she took out a Pokeball. “Alright, I guess we’ll just take them by force!” She yelled. “Seviper, let's go!” She threw her Pokeball and out came her Seviper.

“Seviper!” Seviper hissed.

“Alright, Morpeko go!” James commanded throwing his Pokeball.

“More!” Morpeko exclaimed as they went next to Seviper and were ready to fight.

Oddity and Sprigatito growled and went in front of their trainers ready to battle.

“Seviper! Bite attack!” Jessie commanded.

“Morpeko, use Aura Wheel!” James commanded.

Morpeko formed a light blue energy before charging over at Oddity. 

Seviper’s jaws opened, ready to chomp on Sprigatito, who shivered in fear seeing she was about to be attacked.

“Dodge it!” Wiatt and Lewis shouted at the same time.

Sprigatito’s eyes widened as she stepped to the side and did a little spin. Seviper tried to use Bite again, but Sprigatito did the same move again.

Oddity jumped up to the right away from Morpeko’s Aura Wheel.

“Oddity, Quick Attack!” Wiatt commanded.

Oddity started to dash and rammed into Morpeko, slamming them into a tree.

“Sprigatito, use Scratch on Seviper!” Lewis commanded.

Sprigatito jumped as her claw glowed white as she scratched Seviper on the face. The Fang Snake Pokemon hissed in pain.

“Wrap that little cat, Seviper!” Jessie shouted.

Seviper’s eyes widened as they wrapped Sprigatito with their tail. The grass-type Pokemon mewled in pain, but she glared and ended up using Bite on Seviper’s tail making the poison-type scream and letting go of Sprigatito.

“That was Bite!” Oliver exclaimed.

“Sprigatito is amazing!” Sara commented.

Sprigatito turned to the group and smiled. This boosted her confidence as she was ready to battle more.

“Morpeko! Stop that twerp with Aura Wheel!” James commanded.

“Mor!” Morpeko exclaimed, switching to Hangry Mode.

Oddity gasped seeing Morpeko change forms. Going from yellow and brown to purple and black with glowing red eyes.

“I’ve seen this before. Morpeko can switch to Hangry mode with every turn.” Wiatt explained. “Oddity dodge it and use Shadow Ball!” 

Oddity jumped missing the Aura Wheel and then launched a Shadow Ball at Morpeko, which turned them back into normal mode and launched them back at Team Rocket’s balloon. The evil team screamed as Morpeko slammed into James’s face, knocking the two out.

This left Sprigatito and Oddity versus Jessie’s Seviper.

Seviper towered over the two like a giant, but Oddity and Sprigatito looked at each other and nodded ready to attack together.

“Seviper, stop those little brats with Poison Tail!” Jessie commanded.

“Seviper!” Seviper hissed as their tail turned purple.

“Dodge it!” Wiatt and Lewis yelled at the same time.

Oddity dashed out of the way, while Sprigatito danced out of the way. Seviper decided to attack Sprigatito instead and the Grass Cat Pokemon used some of her dance moves to doge every attack out of the way.

“Amazing! Keep at it, darling!” Lewis yelled.

Seviper kept using Poison Tail as Sprigatito kept on dancing and using her skills to dodge each attack.

“Hold still you little show off, and let Seviper crush you!” Jessie yelled.

Sprigatito kept doing what she was doing until she was backed into a tree. Seviper was ready to do the finishing blow, but Sprigatito jumped up missing the attack, and Seviper’s tail got stuck on the tree. Sprigatito then landed next to Seviper ready for Lewis to command the attack.

“Alright. Sprigatito use Leafage!” Lewis commanded.

Sprigatito let out a cry as she did a somersault in the air and launched leaves at Seviper, which removed them from the tree and straight into Team Rocket’s balloon. The attack caused the balloon to explode sending Team Rocket into another blast off.

“Well, I guess we learned our lesson of the day.” James started, holding Morpeko close.

“That no matter the twerps, new or old we’re still gonna lose?” Meowth answered.

“I think what James meant is next time label stuff so we don’t have problems next time!” Jessie yelled.

“Well, yes to both actually.” James revealed.

“Wobbuffet!” Wobbuffet exclaimed.

Jessie and Meowth sighed, “Well here’s one lesson Team Rocket learns every day.” Meowth said.

“Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!” Team Rocket yelled as they went far into the sky, as a star twinkled in the sky.

Sprigatito bowed seeing Team Rocket defeated, which means she ended the battle.

“Darling,” Lewis spoke up.

“Meow,” Sprigatito replied as she turned to Lewis.

“That was amazing what you did there!” He exclaimed.

Sprigatito turned away and gave a nervous smile. 

Lewis knew Sprigatito was still nervous around him. “Sprigatito, let’s get back on track. I’m nothing like your old trainer. I’m willing to give you a chance.” He said.

“Meow. Meow.” Sprigatito replied, saying she wasn’t sure.

“I’ve known Lewis forever,” Sara spoke up. “He isn’t someone who would leave someone behind, he cares.”

“Same here,” Oliver spoke up. “He’s very caring.”

Sprigatito looked over at Lewis as kneeled in front of her. “I want you to have a second chance darling.” He said. “You're an amazing Pokémon, and you and I are going to go on adventures together.”

The grass cat Pokemon felt tears well up in her eyes and soon she jumped into Lewis’s arms as he caught her. 

“So what do you say, darling? Want to tag along with us?” Lewis asked.

“Meow! Meow!” Sprigatito exclaimed, accepting the offer.”

Lewis chuckled and took out a Pokeball. Before he could tap it on Sprigatito, the grass cat Pokémon used her paw to open the Pokeball as she went inside. The Pokeball shook a few times before a click was heard indicating the capture was successful.

“Welcome to our team, darling,” Lewis whispered. “Sprigatito come on out!”

The Pokeball opened and Sprigatito came right out smiling. “Meow!” She explained.

Oddity went over to her and put his paw out, “Eevee. Vee.” He said, translating to welcome to the team.

“Meow!” Sprigatito exclaimed as she shook Oddity’s paw. The two started to chase and play with each other causing the group to laugh.

“Well, looks like Oddity’s made a best friend!” Wiatt exclaimed.

“He sure has,” Lewis replied.

Sprigatito stopped and looked at Lewis before jumping into his arms again. Lewis chuckled and held her back glad to have met his first ever Pokemon.

~~~~

Fun Facts: Might do this at the end of every fanfic just for fun. Might go back to the previous chapters and drop some, but these will start at the end of every chapter. If I can come up with ideas.

Sprigatito is female. 

(Spoilers for next chapter) When Sprigatito is happy or sees someone stressed her aroma from her paws gives off a nice scent that makes one relaxed.

Also, I won’t say who, but I do plan on introducing Sprigatito’s former trainer at some point, and BOY will you guys be all in for a treat!

Also, I officially made Lewis a cat dad! Or a Cat Pokemon Dad!

[choclodox]

Change is Who We Are

Chapter 2 - Insanity

Word Count: 3015

(previous chapter)(next chapter)

How long has she been tracking us? Oliver asked himself while cooking some fish and cutting up some fruit to dry in the sun. The fact that he and his squad mates were under constant surveillance without knowing it all along was eerie to think about. He didn’t even think much of it when he sensed her presence in the forest two months ago.

Spider was showing them how to break a fall using the broad leaves of other plants on the way down. Turns out it came with a brutal learning curve.

“Come on, losers!” Spider taunted from the ground below. The sound of a light smack followed soon after, most likely the Colonel swatting the back of the boy’s head.

“Punk ass kid,” Prager muttered under his breath. It was his turn to go again, and he was already sick and tired of messing up and getting laughed at. Oliver rolled his eyes under his shades and preoccupied himself by looking around while he waited for his own turn. And then he noticed it.

The scent came from downwind of him, so it was pretty faint but still there. It wasn’t a thanator or a viperwolf, thank Christ, but not knowing what it was made him feel just as uneasy. Almost like a Na’vi but also like that smell right before a rainstorm or the mist when he and the squad were flying through the mountains.

“You smell that?” he asked out loud, looking in the direction it came from.

“Smell what?” Prager said.

“Over there, next to—" Oliver said, but the scent was gone.

“Next to what?” Prager asked again in irritation.

Oliver gave the area one last scan, then turned back to his teammate.

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

Well, the past was in the past, and he didn’t have time to dwell on it. He had to focus on getting back to the RDA.

Navigating Pandora wasn’t easy without a map. It wasn’t like he could look for the big dipper to find the north star. This world had an entirely different star system than Earth with constellations Oliver couldn’t even pronounce. He had to limit his flights to the day because all he knew was that Bridgehead City was to the South, and if he kept the sun to his right, he’d get there eventually.

Oliver just wanted to get back to civilization as soon as possible. He was tired of sleeping with one eye open every night and foraging for every meal he ate. And while he was a man of few words, he knew he’d go crazy if he only had Tomahawk to talk to.

Then again, a banshee was better than a volleyball.

He wondered what Earth looked like right about now. It was already a shit hole when he was there last, but if humanity’s aim was to make Pandora their new home, it must’ve been really bad. He’d heard that because of inflation, pets became a luxury only the ultra-wealthy could afford. The air was so full of smoke that exo-packs were customizable as they’d become a part of everyday fashion. The icecaps were gone, Africa was just a desert, and most people were going their whole lives never seeing a blade of grass.

Oliver thought about his mom.

It was just the two of them growing up. She was a nurse at a hospital downtown, sometimes working double or triple shifts to keep the dingy apartment they called home. She’d always come home late, but it never took a toll on her parenting skills. Never once did she take out her frustrations on her son, never brought home an asshole boyfriend or threatened to abandon him at a bus stop. Nope. She was the best anyone could ask for. 

Always letting Oliver have the last piece of whatever meal they had, letting him hog the blanket on the one bed they had to share, helping him with homework that she herself didn’t understand, and enduring his temper tantrums and their arguments during his teen years.

His dad was a good man. He was also a marine and liked grilling on their apartment’s rooftop. Of course, Oliver wouldn’t know from experience: his dad died in a motorcycle accident when he was 4. He was too young to remember much, but Oliver did have one memory of him that stuck: when they went for a ride on his dad’s Harley. They were outside the city on an old highway, wind blowing through their hair while the sun gave way to night in the distance.

But were they really his parents? Was any of that really his life? He was just the recombinant of Oliver Mansk, a soldier killed in action over 15 years ago.

It was all this thinking and reflecting that made Oliver completely forget about the fish until it was too late. While he scrambled to save his food from burning, a pair of watchful eyes stared at him from a distance.

Rini was hanging upside down from the trees, sleeping peacefully in the warm afternoon sun. Nikea was in her ikran’s arms, sleeping the day away alongside her until the Na’vi woman smelled something smoky. It wasn’t overpowering. In fact, once she got past the burning smell, it was rather decent. She gave two pats to Rini’s chest, and in response, her ikran slowly unfurled her wings so Nikea could see what was causing the commotion. She winced at the harsh light of the sun but persisted. On the sands, the man let out an exasperated sigh. Meanwhile, his ikran sat by, basking in the sun. How that man and his ikran had survived this long was beyond her.

She was tucking herself back in when her stomach growled. Nikea rolled her eyes knowing that her appetite wouldn’t let her go back to sleep until it had been satisfied. Hunger truly was the bane of every Night Na’vi’s existence.

Before she could tell Rini that it was time to start foraging for fruit, Nikea looked at the man on the beach one more time. He was standing there, looking at the sea, and his tail lashed behind him with his hands on his hips. Behind him, his ikran was gulping down that miserable attempt at a meal. It must’ve been the guilt kicking in. She didn’t have much time before her head would start hurting, so she’d have to be quick. 

Well, if Eywa decided he should live this long, she might as well bring him with her to Awa’atlu for questioning.

Oliver let Tomahawk have his ruined lunch; it was better than letting it go to waste. At least he had the fruit still drying on the rock.

“Unless you want to spend the next several hours vomiting nonstop, I suggest you don’t eat that.”

He jumped out of his skin and looked up to see the Na’vi from last night.

“JESUS!” Oliver yelled. Tomahawk looked up and let out a startled squawk.

Her banshee was hanging upside down while she remained right side up. She used the saddle’s foot holds to stand on and the animal’s armored back scales to grab onto.

Now that it was light outside, he could see that her skin was a much deeper, darker shade of blue than a forest Na’vi. And even though her cloak and banshee rider leggings were hiding most of her skin, he could see that her stripes were more of a brindle pattern rather than like a tiger’s.

“See those red berries?” the woman asked, nodding her head to the vines covering the tree her banshee was hanging in. “Those are the ones you want. Also, that fish is meant to be eaten raw. In fact, the whole fish is edible, not just the flesh.”

Oliver screwed up his eyebrows and looked back at the fire. He’d been shooting himself in the foot the whole time.

“But I saw one of those monkey-things eating those fruit,” Oliver said. It was Spider that taught him that if you see an animal eating something, then it should be okay for you to eat it too.

The woman couldn’t believe the words the man had just said. It wasn’t even a full day and she’d already had to save him from aynantang, food poisoning, and starvation.

“Wiya,” she said under her breath. There was no way she was going to get any proper rest on this island with this helpless baby’s antics.

Rini stopped preening herself and turned her head to her rider. The eyeless ikran was growing impatient, and a low rumble emitted from deep within her chest. Nikea could feel the vibrations of Rini’s complaints.

“I will come back in the evening,” she sighed. “Try not to kill yourself until then.”

As the banshee dropped from the trees, the Na’vi woman remounted the saddle, and the two of them returned to the forest’s depths. Oliver and Tomahawk only looked at each other, both wondering how many more awkward exchanges they were going to have with that weird lady and her banshee.

The sun had disappeared behind Naranawm when Nikea had returned to the beach. She was a little surprised to see that the man was still alive.

“I see you’re not dead,” she called from the trees. Oliver’s hair stood up on end. He mumbled to himself and stood up from the rock he’d been sitting on.

“You sneak up on all your friends like this?” he asked, rubbing his arms to warm himself up.

“My friends? No,” she said. She came forward into the moonlight where he could see her better.

Oliver rolled his eyes and whistled for Tomahawk to come pick him up. Once he was on his saddle, he joined the Na’vi in the trees and jumped off again to stand on the tree limb with her.

“Okay, now what?” Oliver asked.

She looked over his shoulder to look at Tomahawk and walked around Oliver to get a better look at his saddle.

“Your ikran can’t make tight maneuvers because you keep that padding on his neck too tight,” she said, pointing at his banshee. “You also overfeed him.”

Oliver looked off to the side and mumbled something inaudible. The Na’vi woman’s unscarred ear twitched at that.

“I’m not trying to be ‘snobby.’ I’m trying to help you,” she said. His eyes widened. How did she hear him say that from over 10 feet away?

“Night People are good listeners,” she said as if she could read his mind. “Now come. I’m tired of you waking me up with your antics.”

“Night People?” he asked as they started climbing up the vines to higher ground. “They told us about you guys. The RDA I mean. It was only for like…10 seconds though.”

“Hm,” she said. “I’m surprised they had anything to tell you at all.”

In the dark, Oliver could see that her banshee wasn’t too far behind. It was crouched on a branch overhead, probably making sure he didn’t try any funny business while they were climbing up the tree. Based on his limited experience with mountain banshees, Oliver knew that they were loyal to their riders, but hers was more…attentive. Almost sentient, but not like a person. More like a dog, he guessed.

“Don’t worry about Rini,” the Na’vi woman said. “She’s just clingy.”

“Rini, huh? Is that her name?” he asked. He grunted as he jumped from the vines onto the branch she was now standing on. “Uh, what’s yours?”

She paused to think about it before she answered, “Nikea.”

“Just Nikea?” Oliver asked. He thought Na’vi names were longer than that.

“Yes,” she responded. Nikea stopped in front of a glowing mushroom-thing that was growing on the trunk of the tree. Nikea took out a knife from under her cloak, cut off a few chunks, and handed it to Oliver.

“Forest People call this atana hena,” she said while he put it in his pocket for safekeeping. “If you cut it off and soak it in fresh water every few days, you can use it as a light source. Once it stops glowing, you can have something to eat. It’s very filling.”

“Oh. We saw it all the time, but Spider never said anything,” Oliver said.

“Of course, he didn’t,” Nikea said, continuing their trek. “You’re the enemy.”

“Well, ‘the enemy’ is tougher and smarter than you think,” Oliver said, leaning back against the tree trunk. “I mean, you’re the ones trying to fight gunships and bombers with bows and arrows.”

“And you’re the ones responsible for your dying world,” Nikea said, cutting some more atana hena for herself. “Thinking that you’ll find salvation here by repeating the same mistakes you made there .”

“It’s the march of progress,” Oliver argued. She stopped cutting.

“It’s insanity.”

Her yellow eyes bore into him intensely. He also noticed that she didn’t have as many glowing freckles as most Na’vi he’d seen, even with the visor on.

“You didn’t have to wait until nightfall to give me a few pointers,” he said, looking away.

“We’re called ‘Night People’ for a reason,” she responded. She grunted after cutting through a particularly tough stalk. “Besides, I have to look for food anyways. Might as well show you how while I’m at it. Now eat.”

Oliver took one of the stalks in his pocket and took a few bites. It was like biting into stale cotton candy, and the taste was so sweet, it was almost too much. But she was telling the truth when she said it was filling: He was only three bites in, and he already felt like he’d eaten two hearty dinners. But his jaw hit the floor when he looked at Nikea.

While he had barely started the stalk he was eating, Nikea was already on her second . His eyes popped out of his head when she went for a third . She stopped eating when she finally noticed him staring at her.

“What?” Nikea said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“Nothing,” he said quickly. He was taught better than to question another’s eating habits.

She finished up, put her knife away, and walked further down their path.

“So, if you’re willing to teach me how to find food,” Oliver asked, almost stumbling on a patch of glow-in-the-dark moss. “Could you maybe show me how to get back home?”

“I could,” Nikea said, lifting a branch out of the way so they both could continue walking.

“Would you please show me how?” he asked in an annoyed tone.

“No,” she replied. “If I send you back, that’s just one more enemy we have to fight.”

“Then what the hell is this all for?” he asked, stopping in his tracks. “If I’m that much of a threat, you might as well kill me.”

“I’m not going to kill you,” Nikea said, pausing and turning to face him again. “Not while you have information that can be of use to Jake.”

“So he can kill me once he’s done?” Oliver asked in disbelief, turning back to his campsite. “I’ll just figure it out myself. It can’t be that hard—”

“If you go straight South, you’ll run out of islands to rest on and find yourself in the middle of the ocean,” Nikea pointed out, like an adult reprimanding a child. “The only way back is by flying along the mainland’s coastline; To get to the mainland, you’re going to have to pass through the villages you destroyed, and I doubt they’ll be happy to see you.”

Oliver stopped and looked back at Nikea.

“You have two options,” she said, holding up two of her three fingers. “You can go off on your own where you are guaranteed to die, or you can come with me where it is only highly likely you will die.”

He looked at the horizon, rubbed the back of his neck, and made his decision in an embarrassingly short amount of time.

After getting him properly fed, Nikea showed Oliver a much better place in the treetops to sleep for the rest of the night. The knothole in the tree was big enough for both Oliver and Tomahawk, but it seemed the ikran was happy to sleep outside to guard the entrance. He wasn’t the smartest ikran she’d ever seen, but Nikea had to acknowledge how much he seemed to care for his rider.

Oliver was fluffing the moss bed when he noticed that Nikea wasn’t making any preparations to sleep. She mentioned something about preferring to sleep with Rini.

“Get some rest. I’ll be back by the time you wake up,” she said while hopping back onto Rini’s back.

“Where are you going?” he asked as he approached Nikea, but Rini swerved her head right in front of him and furiously bristled her antennae. Oliver had figured out by now that that was her way of telling him to back off, and he didn’t dare challenge her.

“Rini’s getting hungry, and I am too to be honest,” Nikea said, patting Rini on the side of the neck to calm her down. She said something in Na’vi that he couldn’t understand. Well, he thought it was Na’vi, but it sounded different than what Spider taught them.

“How?”

Nikea paused and flicked her good ear.

“How are you still hungry?” Oliver asked in shock. “You ate three of those ‘aden hana’ things.”

“Atena Hena,” she corrected. “And there’s a lot of things you don’t know about Night People.”

After Nikea made a few clicking noises, Rini hauled herself into the open air and free fell halfway down to the forest floor. She opened her wings, and the two of them flew off into the night leaving no bioluminescence in their wake.

Oliver didn’t want to say anything about it earlier, but after watching her interact with Rini enough times, he confirmed something peculiar about Nikea and Rini’s flight style: not once had he seen Nikea actually queue up with her banshee to take flight. It was as if they didn’t need it.

Wiya = dammit Naranawm = Polyphemus Atana Hena = “carry-light” (mushroom-like organism I made up that can act as a portable light source if harvested and cared for properly) Atan = light

[demonichikikomori]

Sew Me Up Tight

COMMISSION PIECE

Ruggie Bucchi x GN!Reader

Word Count Tumblr: 2.7k+

It's me!! I live and exist in this realm among you!! Do you love me?? ↜(╰ oω<)╯ψ <3 I have finished a commission piece I was very happy to write!! We are going to dive into Ruggie's sewing skills, like I always say, he's great with his hands. This does have a bit of mutual pining and unfortunately, Reader and Ruggie don't pick up that great on hints. But that's where I come in to save the day!! <3 <3 <3

Tags: Fluff(literally)/Tears/Use of Band-Aids

You couldn’t help but dry the remains of your tears with the back of your hands. You were seated beside Ruggie Bucchi and had a feeling he was catching on to your melancholic mood. It was lunch time, the only time he got to see you during the school day until your afternoon classes. He was watching you in the corner of his eye as you ate your sandwich with soft sniffles, Grim was looking unusually guilty today as he poked at a small bowl of fried fish. “Alright, alright,” He turned to face you from his seat, wrapping his arms around you and offering a tight squeeze to your surprise. There was the familiar scent of fresh grass emanating off of his clothes and you could hear his heart pounding softly from within the confines of his chest. “Tell me what happened.” He was frowning as you melted into his hold. It wasn’t often that Ruggie held you like this, but when he did you wished he would never let go.

“Well…” You trailed off, unable to find the words as you rested your head against him. The rhythm of his heartbeat put you at ease as you wracked your brain for an answer to give. Your silence left the hyena concerned as he broke away from you. He then took a hand to cup your chin and began tilting your head around slowly to look you over for any possible injury. But all he saw was the swollen area around your eyes. They were puffy and swollen from a previous sobfest Ruggie was not present for. You felt embarrassed to tell him what made you so upset to cause such a meltdown. 

Then, you felt your heart start to sink. What would Ruggie think if you told him? He would probably tell you it isn’t anything to cry over like Grim did. 

“Did someone hurt you?” He asked with a growl in his voice as you swiftly shook your head, his hand pulling away as your eyes widened at the thought of a dangerous misunderstanding preparing to bloom. “No! No! Nothing like that at all!” You assured and placed a gentle hand over his. He didn’t look convinced as his eyes remained cautious. He was only worried, and you appreciated that.

“Ruggie, I'm being serious! No one hurt me, it’s just… Something happened and I’m upset. But I don’t want you to laugh at me.” You felt insecure, sharing such a personal piece of you that only Grim and the ghosts of Ramshackle Dorm were there to experience. Ruggie was a very close friend, but you still felt very shy when sharing certain pieces with him about yourself. You saw him as very understanding of your feelings, usually offering advice when asked. Ruggie had a very special place in your heart, and you didn’t want that to change. And then, he did laugh. 

But it wasn’t as if he was poking fun at you.

He seemed amused by your answer.

“Laugh? Listen, I’m all in for giggles, but I know when it’s time to be serious. I swear I won’t judge, okay?” He assured and pulled his arms away. His smile was gentle as his expression softened. His big bluish gray eyes seemed to be staring into you, as if he could see your heart and soul. A silent declaration that he was being honest with you. You felt disappointed from the loss of contact, but giddy knowing he was gazing at you with such an expression. You wished he would hold you a little longer. You wished he would look at you like this much more. But unfortunately the loving gaze would be cut short by a very jealous feline.

Grim sighed and stood on the table top with his furry arms crossed over his chest. He huffed and seemed to be puffing out his chest towards the hyena. “It’s because my Hench-Human is still a baby!” He snapped, the blue flames in his ears seemed to momentarily gain fuel from his frustrated appearance. You wanted to shush Grim into silence but Ruggie was already eager to hear more from your dormmate.

The beastman tilted his head in confusion, his ears flattening as he started to frown again. He was confused by the way Grim was reacting. “What?” Ruggie was offended on your behalf as you reached out towards Grim. Your eyes were screaming for the monster to speak no further. “They’re upset because of some accident! It’s not my fault! Besides, the human is too old for that stuff anyways! I kept saying it!” Grim barked as Ruggie glanced over at you. He was searching for answers now. “It was an accident that caused an innocent bear to be torn to shreds! And I’m not too old, you’re just horrible!”  

“What?”

You tensed up and slowly turned to look at Ruggie, his eyes were now wide and his gaze was burning with anger. But he wasn’t looking at you, he was looking at Grim. The monster’s flames seemed to shrink as he sat back down with averted eyes. “Don’t look at me that way!” He snapped weakly at Ruggie who then shot a hand out to snatch Grim up by the ribbon. You gasped as Ruggie’s fingers snaked under the charred silk and gripped into a fist as he yanked Grim closer. The monster yelped and you grabbed onto the hyena’s sleeve, his little legs now dangling as he thrashed wildly. “H-Hey! Wait! Let’s not get violent!” You yelped as Grim smacked at Ruggie’s hand and wrist as he begged for freedom. He was starting to cry out as the others in the cafeteria turned to look, but only momentarily. Grim was known for causing trouble, so whatever was happening must be well deserved. You grabbed Ruggie by the sleeve and tugged, not wanting to see Grim get strangled any longer over something so minor. “My stuffed bear got ruined! Ruggie please!” You cried out as your chest began to tighten. You didn’t want Grim to get hurt. You didn’t want Ruggie to be angry.

You felt the hyena relax under your hold as Grim was released, dramatically crumpling to the table while glaring at the student. “Leona needs to collar you better! Grabbing me up like some brute! Pick on someone your own size! Were you trying to strangle me?!” He complained as Ruggie crossed his arms over his chest and sharpened his gaze at the monster. His tail was swishing in agitation. “You should be happy that’s all I did, and clearly you’re the cause for the tears. Here I am thinking I have to go off and… Forget it.” He snarled as Grim seemed to back away, but only for a moment. He was prepared to argue once more before being stopped by your staying hand and a stern expression. Ruggie seemed to relax at the sight as you released his sleeve. “So… A stuffed bear.” He turned to you with a softened expression and a smile crept onto his face. “You’re so ruff’ n’ tuff’ staying by yourself on campus with a dormful of ghosts and playing the role of therapist for the crankiest magic users on the planet. Who knew you had a comfort toy?” He teased and reached out to gently nudge your shoulder with his hand. “If it makes you feel better, I carried around a ratty blanket from when I was about 5 until I was 15. Then it became string and I was ready to toss it right before school started.” He let out his signature snicker and gave your arm a gentle squeeze next as a grin split across your face. At least the two of you were similar with seeking respite in something soft. “I’m pretty good with my hands and I’m not that bad at sewing. Let me see the damage and I can try to fix it for you.” He offered with a grin and you felt your heart skitter with excitement. He’s offering to help? How much sweeter could he be? “If it’s okay! I was never strong at sewing so anything will help!” You perked up with eyes watching Ruggie expectantly. He’s going to rescue the only valuable possession you own that made it to Twisted Wonderland from your original world. “Let’s stop by Sam’s after school. I have to make sure Leona makes it to his dorm leader meeting, then I’m all yours.” Ruggie promised as Grim seemed to sigh. “Try not to choke me this time…” He grumbled and Ruggie responded with his usual snicker. “We’ll see how this bear ends up looking.

~+-+~

After your trip to Sam’s shop, you all trekked back to the Ramshackle Dorm. You and Ruggie were carrying bags of stuffing, thread, needles, and emergency bandaids. You walked alongside the hyena with Grim hot on your heels. You could see him lost in thought, most likely calculating the damage that may have been done to the poor stuffed victim. The slowly setting sun was behind you, casting a golden glow through Ruggie’s sandy blond hair and his round brown ears. An angel sent to save your stuffed friend. “Hopefully he’s fixable.” You laughed quietly and averted your eyes. You felt shy from staring so much as Ruggie glanced down at you. “I’m sure there’s something that can be done. If I can’t fix it,” He shrugged and shot you a wide smile. “I’ll try harder.” You felt as if your heart might leap from your chest as Ruggie pointed up ahead at the shoddy manor you called a dorm. “We’re almost there, so, run it down for me again how bad it might be.” The hyena requested that you once again reassess the damage done to the stuffed victim. The three of you entered Ramshackle Dorm as you broke down to Ruggie that there was a torn off limb and his poor stomach was spilling with stuffing. Thankfully it was nothing too major. “Okay… And how did this all happen in the first place?” He asked as Grim seemed to slow down from behind you. “This really was an accident just so you know!” Grim spoke up as he scrambled towards the kitchen. “I’m staying down here so that hyena keeps his paws to himself!” Grim refused to be manhandled by Ruggie any longer. 

You rolled your eyes and led Ruggie up the stairs with a soft sigh. “We got into a small argument this morning over chores. I’m the only person that actually cleans up the dorm and I scolded him, so… He called me a baby for still sleeping with a stuffed bear. He tried to take it from me...” You trailed off as you reached the top of the stairs with Ruggie behind you. There was a small trail of fluff leading to your bedroom as you felt your chest tighten again. You wish you weren’t so upset. You wished that your chest didn’t hurt so much. Over something so silly. “Did he apologize yet?” Ruggie asked as he moved the bags to one hand, using the now freed one to press against the small of your back. He urged you forward as he ended up behind you. Your eyes widened from the revelation that your roommate in fact did not. He only seemed to show remorse when Ruggie got involved in the situation. And even then he never said ‘I’m sorry.’ Before you had the chance to respond Ruggie had started to growl. “Seriously…? If you ever get sick of him, I’ll get you a spot in Savanaclaw.” He sounded serious as you shook your head, turning around to face Ruggie but instead you bumped into his chest. You could feel the slow rise and fall from his breathing. His heartbeat seemed to pick up as he stared down at you with a patient expression. Large bluish-gray eyes awaited the cue for you to speak. “It’s not that bad that I would just leave him here! Sure I get sick of him…But I can’t do something that cruel.”  Your tone was weak as Ruggie leaned into you, and you could almost feel the weight of his words now as the familiar scent of grass flooded your senses. “If you ever change your mind, I’ll scoop ya up and take off before he can say ‘tuna’.” Ruggie whispered as you nodded slowly against him. 

The hyena was no royal prince or rich noble. But the thought of him swooping you off of your feet and taking you away without stress or worry sounded even more appealing than anyone else making the offer to you. “A favor for a friend from a friend.” He hummed as you swiftly jumped back. Returning to reality as Ruggie stepped past you and poked his head into the dimming bedroom. “Yikes… Hopefully your stuffed friend is okay.” He stepped into the room and flicked on the light, dancing around the tufts of stuffing that was once inside of the bear. He sat near the bed and placed his bags nearby as he reached out to grab the dismembered arm surrounded by fluff. You entered next and dropped the bags at your feet as you picked up loose puffs of cotton with a saddened expression. It was killing you to look at. “Hmmm… It’s not as bad as I thought, I can fix this but it won’t look as good as new.” Ruggie sounded like he could do an acceptable job for you! 

He was digging through the bags and pulled out the needle and thread to begin the surgery. You sat watching, feeling slightly antsy now. “What should I do?” You spoke up as Ruggie slowly shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll sew and you tell me how I did after.” He answered as he laid out the contents from the bags he had. “Oh, pass me the stuffing.” He smiled and you carefully passed him the bag, your fingertips lightly brushing against his. You watched him work in silences, hands curled into fists as he began to fill the bear with stuffing as he reattached the arm to the body, stuffing cotton into the small bear with each threading. You weren’t sure if anyone had done anything this nice for you back in your world, and with how your heart felt… You felt like this was a first. He was careful with each stitch and stuff as he turned the bear over in his hands, occasionally flinching when he would prick himself. You were quick to fuss over him each time he did, grabbing the assorted bandages from the cardboard boxes to wrap his injured fingers with. “It’s not that painful…” He mumbled and you shook your head. “It could still get infected.” It could, but it was more of an excuse to touch Ruggie’s skilled hands. His short nubby nails, his tanned skin, the faint freckles on his fingers and the backs of his hands. He was like a walking art piece for you to admire in silence. After each bandaid he was allowed to resume sewing with reddened cheeks and you were the same way. 

Ruggie was fixing your most prized possession for you. 

Because he saw how upset you were.

“Here.”

The bear was held out to you, in a pair of tanned hands with freckles speckling the fingers and colorful bandaids wrapped around a few of his pricked fingers. You took the stuffed animal and looked it over with wonder. The stitching was a bit messy but looked sturdy as all stuffing was held inside where it belonged. A smile split across your face as tears rolled down your cheeks as you saw where the stomach had been torn open... Ruggie had stitched a large heart in its place. “Woah, woah, is it that bad?” Ruggie sounded worried as you began sniffling again as you swiftly shook you head, letting out a laugh as you looked up at Ruggie with a grin. “I love it!” You giggled and leaned in pressing your head against Ruggie’s chest as you hugged the stuffed toy against your chest. “Thank you…” You whispered softly with a sniffle. Ruggie fixed it. You knew he could... 

You heard his heart skip a beat. “You’re welcome.”

This was written for my dearest Donut anon!! I hope you liked it as much as I had fun writing it. Maybe one day we can be moots!! <3 <3 <3

[newtabfics]

Hassel x First Date

“I’m here to pick you up,” The man said somewhat shyly as he revealed the flowers. She smiled and tenderly picked them up only for her Jumpluff to latch onto them. “Ah, Hope, no!” He winced, watching her snuggle into the bouquet.

Y/N could only laugh at her partner and gently coaxed her away. “At least let us leave before you demolish them,” She teased. “Don’t mind her. She does this with every flower she sees.”

Her Yellow Florges glided over, humming happily as she handed them over. “Just make sure Hope doesn’t ruin them at least til tomorrow.”

“Flor,” The Pokemon chuckled at her trainer.

“You two behave, alright? I’ll be going now.” She followed the man out, smiling big as she looked up at him. She giggled at the saddened look on his face. “Hass, please don’t be sad.”

“I wanted you to enjoy them more.” He sighed as tears threatened to prickle at his eyes.

She hugged onto his arm, making him blush as he looked down at her. “Don’t fret. I’m a grass trainer. The fact that you brought flowers makes all of us happy.”

Hassel smiled and nodded. “I suppose it does come with the territory. Let’s go then. You said you haven’t been to Seafood Fresco, right? Their smoked filet is incredible!”

The dinner itself was uneventful, mostly just catching up with how busy they’d been with Y/N’s flower shop and Hassel’s classes, on top of the new student who recently challenged the league.

On the walk back, he blinked when she’d suddenly beamed up at him and asked, “Could we actually walk around outside of the city? The South Province is usually very beautiful on nights like this.”

“Oh? How would you know that?” She looked away nervously. “Have you been going out to get flowers at night?”

“Maybe.”

“Have you at least brought your partners along?” He teased, making her laugh as she nodded.

As he led her out, he didn’t expect the sudden gasp she let out before quickly grabbing her Pokeball. He looked over and smiled when he saw a pink Deerling minding its own business as it ate grass.

“I am going to catch it,” She whispered excitedly at him before crouching down and dipping into the grass to sneak up on it.

Hassel smiled as he watched her. This woman, who he only met because Brassius insisted that her flowers were the only ones good enough for preservation for art pieces, was astounding to him…and being targetted by a Scyther.

“Scy!” The Pokemon shouted as it jumped up as Y/N threw the Pokeball at the Deerling.

It was all too quick. “Use Icicle Crash, Baxcalibur!” Hassel ordered as he called out his partner.

The Scyther was quickly defeated as the Deerling was registered in Y/N’s RotomPhone. She cheered and snatched up the Pokeball, jumping happily before turning to Hassel. She blinked when she saw the twitching Scyther and Baxcalibur before blushing.

“Was…Was I about to be targeted?”

He nodded and started weeping with joy. “I’m s-so glab! You’re o-okay!” He sobbed, wiping his face.

Y/N smiled and patted Baxcalibur’s shoulder. “Thanks for the save,” She whispered to it. It huffed with a smirk as she approached the man. “Hass, look at me.”

He looked up, freezing when her lips met his. The kiss was sweet and slow, enough to calm his sobs as he cupped her face. “Thank you, my brave knight.”

He snorted a laugh and leaned in closely, lips brushing hers. “I will always protect you, my princess.”

–

“A new friend?” Brassius asked as he stepped in, watching the Deerling follow Florges with a pot on her back.

“Yep! Meet MJ, short for Mary Jane. What can I get you today?”

“My friend. I assume you got him at home.” Y/N’s blush made him smirk. “I’m joking…but I’m glad the date went well.”

“Thanks for introducing us.”

“Just remember, Applin’s means he’s serious.”

“Huh?”

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

Tabby: I LOVE THIS MAN. I wasn’t here for him. I was all Larry. But then his ANIMATION (the gif above) and JFLDJFLSK

[alvisiscrazy]

Sneaking into Graceland

Summary-a few friends try to sneak into Graceland the home of the greatest artist Elvis Presley They get busted and run one of gets left behind thats you.

WARNING- (rough sex,daddy kink,praising)

We made it to the gates of Graceland it was really pretty besides the pictures I’ve seen “you guys ready” my friend said I nodded I wanted to sit back and see how this all played out we all finally got over the walls onto the grass, the whole car ride I had a bad feeling something was gonna go down but ignored it we made it to the backyard the back door was open “whatever happens in here stays in here ok!”we made it inside the house hidden in the darkness I followed them into the kitchen one of my friends was so obsessed with Elvis she ate a piece of sandwich that was on the counter I gagged almost at the thought. “Ok spread out meet in the backyard if anything happens” I roamed all over downstairs nobody dared to go upstairs I was in the living room when I said a maid walk by my heart literally skipped a beat I tried to see where she was going but the lights turned on then they cut off things were starting to get freaky I quickly passed into the dining room I saw my same friend touching things “you shouldn’t be touching anything” I said “doesn’t matter like somebody is gonna come stop being a pussy” I was now pissed off I was ready to get the hell outta here I hide once again in the same spot for 30 minutes I managed to get to the jungle room nobody seemed to be there I let out a sigh now 10 minutes had flew by it sounded like somebody was coming downstairs “oh fuck this was a mistake” I whispered to myself I heard laughing then it stopped. I quickly made it to the kitchen not even thinking clearly I turned to see Elvis fucking Presley he stood there I looked down to see a gun in his hand my heart jumped “what the hell are you doin in my house?” My throat felt like it was closing “I- I- I don’t want any trouble” I said quietly making eye contact “you’ve already started trouble baby” he had a serious look on his face too. The back door was wide open they left me my own fucking friends “wanna tell me what ur doin here?” He said “my friends forced me to come I- I- wanted out” he moved closer to me “you have anyone I could call?” He said calmly “ no my parents kicked me out” he sighed deeply “looks like you need to be punished little one” he smirked “what” I said as he placed his hand on my face “you need to be punished” he was so big compared to me he easily pulled me upstairs “wait- what are you doing” i tried to pull away then he squeezed my hand pulling me into his bedroom “get on the bed” “please let me go” i whimpered “get on the fucking bed” he yelled I quickly jumped on the bed then I watched him go into his closet I wanted to make a run for but I was to damn scared to move a muscle. He came out with ropes my heart raced once more “now will you be behave little one” I nod he walked up to me grabbed me to tide my arm “what- what are you doing” “be still for me” then he stood and looked at me with those blue eyes of his can give someone a heart attack “I bet you taste good mama” he grins i felt the blood rush to my core i quickly closed rubbed em together to cause some shorta friction he had now gotten on the bed making his way up to me “can I taste you mama” the way his hands felt on my thighs it was like heaven I opened my legs and he pulled my pants to the side now seeing the thong I had on “so pretty mama” he growled I opened my legs wider so he could see he took of my shirt and unclipped my bra I felt his soft hands touching my breasts he started to suck on my nipples I let out soft moans I was slowly giving myself over to him. “May I taste you” he smiled “yes” I whispered he kissed one once again then he went lower and lower making eye contact he started to taste me “you taste so good mama” he breathed out I was in shock I was in bed with Elvis Presley and he was tasting me then noises he was making turned me on I was already so close “such a good girl” he whispered “can you take fingers hm?” “Yes- yes I can” I moaned out he started to finger me I rolled my head back enjoying the moment he was so good it was like he was playing a instrument “I’m so close” he started to finger me faster and faster.

[babeczka415]

Before the Lies - Chapter 1

A/N: "Before the Lies" is the prequel to "Trap of Lies". You do not need to read that whole story before reading this! I am one proud person to be apart of this journey with our beloved JakeXMC from Duskwood. I hope you enjoy this as much as me and the other amazing writers are enjoying writing this. As of right now there are NO warnings in this story so enjoy.

-Present time with Trap of Lies-

Everything is finally settling down for her and Jake. Things seem to be going back to normal. He's in the office doing some paperwork for the business and she made herself a cup of tea that she received from the trade business. It was a new one and she was excited to try it. Jake had already tried it when she checked in on him but was not a fan of it. She was sitting down on the porch in the backyard. This was her favorite spot to sit outside as she would think of the moment they have their own little ones running around this backyard.  This yard was perfect when she was little for her, that boy, and Eric. She finds herself smiling as she looks over the green grass with a small area for gardening with the old oak tree that has been worn down over the years. She still remembers the little kisses she gladly let him steal on her cheek when it was just them. Now that she's older she wonders how his mother afforded a house like this but as a child she never realized the struggle they had.

Something she hadn't mentioned to Jake yet was she knows this house. She had been here many times as a child with a little boy and his mother. As she remembers those memories, she finds herself smiling in the chair while she sips her tea. She tastes the black tea but also a hint of cinnamon and orange and the honey she put in for the hint of sweetness, trying to decide if she likes it.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, her mind wanders back to that time when life was carefree and fun.

-13 years ago-

You see one, you see the other. 

Maebelle Cecily Carter and Jacob Owen Lewis, even at their young ages of five and seven, everyone in this town knew this. She wore a simple dress and stood in front of the bakery with her nose pressed against the window as he's talking to the baker trying to get them some fresh bread. Her eyes are staring at the baguettes in the window and he's staring at her.

Their mamas knew each other and he's been a part of her life since she was two, but standing there watching her eye up that fresh bread made him laugh in front of the baker. He had noticed Maebelle as well and got Jake a piece of bread that got burnt a little too much but they never turned it down.

Mae stood there watching Jake grab the bread and she felt the biggest smile on her face. He always knew how to get the bread even though he always said it was the way she looked at it through the window. 

As Jake walked out of the bakery, he broke the piece in half giving Mae her piece. She looked at him with the biggest smile in the world. He knew to her he was a hero, but honestly she was the one that saved him with those hazel eyes.

She realized he had a little smaller piece of bread than hers and broke a piece off giving it to him. "Here I don't need all of this. Mama is going to say it ruined my dinner."

Her sweet smile, he couldn’t tell her no, so he took it. He saw a sparkle of green in her hazel eyes and he knew he just made her day. He took her hand and they ate the bread giggling and talking as they walked through town. 

Her parents trusted him to watch her as they went through town.  So he never took his eyes off her except when he was holding her hand as he knew she was safe. They found themselves on the edge of the park.

The park was simple with old and newer trees of different kinds. It had open fields for children to play in and a small stream running through it. Mae looked up at Jake with a big smile and took off. "Catch me if you can," she squealed in excitement.

Next thing he knew she was climbing an old willow tree and he chased in after her. He stood at the base looking for her in the branches.  Just then, he heard a branch snap and saw her on the ground crying. He ran up to her. "Mae, you okay?" he asked, feeling her knee where she was holding it crying.

"It hurts, Jake." Her tears fell down her face, she looked up at him.

He picked her up as she tried to stand but was unable too. He tried to think of which house would be closest to carry her to and realized it was his mom's house. "I'm going to carry you home okay?" he said, picking her up fully, his arms under her knees and around her waist.  She wrapped her arms around his neck as she leaned into him.

This was not the first time he had to carry her to safety. She was always the adventurous one of two, always running and climbing in places she shouldn't. He took off running towards his house. Thankfully, on the way there they saw Charles, her dad. He was dealing with a customer but stopped when he saw his daughter.

"What happened, Jacob?" he asked, taking his daughter from Jake's arms.

"Mae and I went into the park and she decided to climb that old willow tree. One of the branches snapped and she fell," he said, the worry clearly present in his voice. 

Charles ran home with Jake following behind wanting to make sure Mae was okay. As they made it to Charles' house and into the parlor, he put her on the couch. The red material was a comfort to Maebelle while in pain. She put her leg over the couch and her head on a gold pillow on Jake's lap. Charlies had gotten some ice from the ice house in a towel and put it in her knee as it was larger than the other other. They sent someone to go get the doctor to make sure Mae didn't do massive damage. She was crying in pain but Jake didn’t leave her side, even after the doctor showed up.

After the doctor left and her knee was bandaged up, her father looked at her sternly. “Maebelle, what have we told you about climbing that willow tree in the park?”

She huffed, but Jake knew the answer. She loved to climb the trees, like most of the boys, and being a little girl never once stopped her, even when her father’s wrath was going to come.

“Mae,” he demanded an answer. Charles knew how she felt about anyone calling her Mae but he wanted a response.

She looked up at him and crossed her arms. “You know I hate when anyone else calls me that, except for Jake” she pouted. “But you told me not to, as it’s old.” She was as stubborn as they come and everyone close to her knew she was going to do it her way growing up. 

“Sir, I’m sorry. I should have stopped her,” Jake said, hanging his head.

“Son, it is not your fault. You carried her to safety as always. She needs to understand you won’t always be there to save her,” Charles stated.

Jake saw their mothers walking through the front door.  Mary saw Mae laying on the couch. “Let me guess, that willow tree.” She runs her fingers through her daughter's sable hair.

“I was just trying to have some fun mama,” Mae said. “No, I didn’t do it for a boy. They all are gross, except Jake,” she said as she stuck her tongue out. This made both mothers laugh. This was her normal answer to all boys except for him. All the boys in this town were already trying to win her heart for their future but she had turned them down.

“Let's get you dinner and then to bed to rest that knee.  So you can be back tomorrow climbing those trees in the park,” Mary stated.

Jake looked up at his mother and she sighed, “Let's get you home and cleaned up as well, Mae’s hero.” Janice looked at her son with her soft green eyes. Jake saw she was tired. Mary and Janice had just come home from a two week trip for work.

[ashtrayfloors]

There is so much, so much to say. So much, these days. And I’m sleep-deprived so this entry will be a haphazard list rather than a well-thought-out piece of prose, but I need to get some of this down because there’s just going to keep being more and more and more.

—The last day of March I dressed up in a very queer-punk getup to attend the Queer Youth Assemble rally in Kenosha. I put my harness on along with my other undergarments, and over that I wore tall black boots and a loose, long black dress and my leather jacket that has studs and appliqué roses on it (the one I always describe as cowpunk-meets-Kathy Acker). I did elaborate eye makeup and darkened my wispy lil’ mustache with mascara, and went to the rally. And a bunch of my cishet ally friends were there, and a bunch of my queer and trans friends were there, including my crush Shelley. (Shelley is a pseudonym and yes, I did christen them that in an homage to both Mary and Percy Byshe, because they are goth and a poet.) All of us were in our Most Gender finery, complimenting each other, and Shelley looked super hot in their leopard coat and cat’s-eye glasses. After the rally ended due to rain, Shelley and a few other folks and I went out for beers and nachos and I can’t tell you how good it felt to be Out and Queer. In fact, our waiter (gender neutral) said they had wanted to be at the rally but couldn’t make it due to work and they thanked us for going and said we all looked ‘hot as fuck.’

—It got warmer as the day went on, rained more, then the fog rolled in, then thunderstorms, then back to just rain, and it was warm enough I was able to leave the window open overnight for the first time this year, and I could hear the rain and the trains.

—April first it got cold again, and the wind returned, and it was not my lover, this was brutal bitter asshole wind. I ran some errands, including meeting up with K. to pick up the Joe Strummer piece I commissioned him to do for Ali’s birthday. And then I had a bit of the sads, because the kids were cranky and I was PMSing. And because I was thinking about M., how it’s now been 18 years since he died, and how it still hurts that I can never tell him how much he meant to me. But I wrote some poems and took some selfies and then I drank a little too much wine and listened to W/IFS, like I do when I’m in my feelings.

—And the two days after that were kind of crappy, I was still sad and cranky from PMS, and stressed about the upcoming election. But I did some voter outreach stuff and wrote more poems and did some painting and ate dark chocolate and drank tea.

—Then election day, and despite the storms (including hail!) Wisconsin turned the fuck out, and the election turned out the way I had hoped, and I am so relieved that my state overwhelmingly voted against the right-wing extremist judge and that my town voted against the MAGA freak mayoral candidate. And P. and I had amazing sex that night.

—And the next couple days were mostly about packing for a trip to Door County, and more poems, and more sex. And there was more rain, more storms, but also warmth, and bits of sun and butterflies, and the greening grass.

—Two days before Easter, we headed north. Everything was muddy and brown and we saw e a lot of birds—hawks and herons and wild turkeys. There were road snacks and road silliness. We saw a truck that said Lubenow on it, and we figured out later it had to be someone’s last name (like Luben-ow), but it was like “got it, looks like Lube Now.” And at the rest area we usually stop at there’s this big Wisconsin tourism sign that’s supposed to look like a license plate, and it says LUV R AG (as in Love Our Agriculture), but again, because of the kerning and design, it looks like Luv Rag. So P. and I were making jokes about how Luv Rag sounds like the name of a band of sleazy middle-aged dudes trying to cling to their ‘80s hair metal days, and I said: “Thank you! We are Luv Rag, and this is our new single, ‘Lube Now!’”

—We were up there for five nights, 4.5 days. It was less stressful than staying with my parents usually is, and except for the first half of our first full day there, the weather was great. I ate a ton of good food and stayed up late writing most nights; found out about a sonnet contest I’m going to enter. P. and I got to go out, just the two of us, several times. We went out for drinks a few times; got to sit out by the fire pit at Door County Brewing Co. and listen to a great folk musician who goes by the name of Hunter Gatherer. (I already liked him cuz when we first arrived, he was playing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” and then a bit later he was introducing one of his originals and said: “This song’s about running from the cops.” And I liked him even more.) Other times we just drove around the peninsula, or went hiking in Peninsula State Park and exploring our favorite tiny old cemetery. Our last full day there, we took the kids swimming (in a pool, not the lake—it’s still way too cold for that!), and I hadn’t been swimming in years and I had forgotten how much I love it, how at home I feel in the water, like that’s where I belong, like that’s where my body works the way it should.

—We arrived home to the daffodils and violets in bloom and everything even greener, buds on the trees, more warm weather, and there were days of childlike joys and nights of adult pleasures. Days of playing hopscotch with C. and reading endless books, of iced coffee and shooting hoops and watching the backyard birds and squirrels. One evening, we even got to grill for the first time this year, and make s’mores for dessert. Nights of drinking a bit, and hot sex, and staying up late writing.

—Then it got cold again, and it rained, then snowed. Yesterday I felt really bad for the first half of the day. Partly cuz of the weather; gray and cold and gloomy and it was hard being cooped up inside again after that week of warmth and sunshine. Partly cuz I was sleep-deprived (the kids have been waking up hella early lately.) Partly cuz fucking everything was making me cry. I dunno, I was having weird-bad gender feels, and also feeling uninspired/unmotivated writing-wise, like ‘oh, I made it through the first half of NaPoWriMo, but I think I’m tapped out now.’ And maybe a bit of that ol’ pre-Mercury Rx shadow period creeping in there, bringing up old issues and feelings—I was missing my good old bad old scumbag days. The days of freight hoppin’ and basement shows and circus freakery, and dumpster diving and busking and long bike rides across cities, of wheat paste and graffiti and stick n’ pokes and sleeping out, under the stars, giving myself over to scary thoughts, & omens, & excess. The days when most everyone I knew had a clown act and a copy of the Crew Change Guide. I made a cup of tea and lay in bed watching Netflix for a while. First I watched the “Beyond the Binary” episode of Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, and then I watched Mae Martin’s new comedy special, Sap. And of course both of those have to do with gender stuff (at least in part), and both of them talked about growing up queer/GNC and having such a hard time and turning to drug abuse and other self-destructive behaviors, even though they were white, middle-class kids who were not kicked out by their parents. And I was like, oh hey, me too. And both shows made me cry, and it was good cathartic crying, but I still felt like shit afterwards. So then I started thinking about some ways to bring back some of the less-destructive aspects of my scumbag days back into my life, and I was still feeling sad, and then I decided to check in on the contest results of the WB Yeats Poetry Prize and the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize.

Both of them said they’d announce the contest winners on their websites sometime in or after March. The Yeats Prize said it would also contact the winners directly; the Ginsberg Prize said no such thing, but I assumed they would. Starting in mid-March, I was checking both sites every few days or so, and obsessively checking my email/snail mail. And nothing, nothing, nothing. The last time I’d checked the sites was April 3, and yesterday I was like: “Well, it’s been two weeks, there must be some news by now,” and I was assuming I would go on and see the list of winners and my name would not be there and maybe it was a bad idea because I was already feeling so crappy, but then I was also kinda like, well, I might as well get all the bad feelings out of the way at once. But still, on both websites, the most recent winner’s list was from 2022. And then, I shit you not, like eight minutes later, P. brought the mail in and handed me an envelope. Return address: The Poetry Center At Passaic County Community College, One College Blvd., Paterson, NJ. Location of the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize. My hands shook as I opened it. And…I fucking won! Not first, second, or third place, but I don’t even care because one of the poems I sent them (the one that is probably, in my opinion, among the best poems I’ve ever written, but also one of the riskiest) received an Editor’s Choice Award! And it’s gonna be published in the Spring 2024 issue of the Paterson Literary Review, and I’ve been invited to participate in the awards ceremony/reading there, next February.

I don’t even know how to express how much this means to me. Professionally, but also personally. Like, first of all, New Jersey is such a huge part of my personal mythology. I was conceived in New Jersey! So many of the people who have meant the most to me, personally/artistically, have New Jersey roots! Like Allen Ginsberg! And Jack Terricloth! And Bruce Springsteen! And my witchwife, Penny! And also just, well, I mean god, Allen Ginsberg. For better or worse, the Beat Generation and punk rock have been the most enduring influences on me/my writing, starting at a very young age, and Allen Ginsberg is definitely towards the very top of that “beat + punk influence list.” I just. Can’t. Fucking. Get Over It. Can’t quite believe it! I keep touching the letter they sent me to remind myself it’s real. (It’s on the Poetry Center’s official stationery, which is on beautiful, thick, creamy paper.) I keep blowing kisses at my framed photo of Ginsberg, one where he’s sitting at his typewriter, writing a poem.

—So yesterday evening, P. and I dropped the kids off at my folks’ house for a bit. We went to pick up takeout dinner for everyone, but also got to have a celebratory whiskey while we waited. And I stayed up late last night. First, I wrote a poem—guess I wasn’t totally tapped out, after all. Then I was just awake scheming and planning (and wishing and hoping). About immediate future stuff, like this year’s vegetable garden, and going through my books to find some to donate to the library’s book sale. As well as the positive scumbaggery I can reincorporate into my life—I remembered that I bought myself that stick n’ poke kit last year, so soon I’m gonna give myself a new tattoo; and I started thinking up ideas for a poetry wheatpaste project. And then—travel. I still wanna travel a bit this year, but I think I’m gonna keep it mostly midwest. Then, next year, I’m gonna head out east again finally, after all these years, for the awards ceremony, but I’m gonna try to book a mini-tour around it, and there will be old friends and new friends and old haunts and…yeah. I am so fucking ready.

—And today I’m sleep deprived, again—I was up late, and the kiddos once again got up stupid early. But I don’t even mind. I got some writing done and listened to some podcasts and oh, tomorrow I get to go see Bikini Kill. I’ve been waiting for this concert for over three years (from when I first bought the tickets in December 2019, before it got postponed many many times due to CoViD), but I’ve also been waiting for this concert since I was twelve—from when I first heard Bikini Kill, and wanted to go see them, but then they broke up before I got the chance. (And yeah, I saw Le Tigre a couple times, and that was fun, but not the same.) And there’s a lot of stuff going on right now that teen me and early-to-mid twenties me would be super stoked about—like the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize, like seeing Bikini Kill, like stick n’ pokes and wheatpaste and travel plans. And that feels kinda great; showing my younger self that I am still rocking that shit at my advanced (haha) age. And just overall, things are so good lately. There is so much joy, even in the mundane. Even the bad shit doesn’t seem as bad as it did for a while, because in these past four months I have proven to myself that my life isn’t over, that I can still do rad shit, that I can still experience beauty and joy.

[randomquietkid]

"He always will"

𝗔 𝗝𝗝 𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 "𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲" 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗥𝗮𝗲

Lately you have been struggling with your body, and haven't been eating as much. You thought the pogues wouldn't notice but they did. And when JJ finally asks you about it you break down to him. (Hope you enjoy. I was listening to this song on repeat and got inspiration from it. This song for me hits a little close to home as I've always struggled with my body so more stories like this will be coming so look out. And remember if any of you think this I love you and you are enough ♡. And as always don't be afraid to send in requests there is a pinned post on my page with all the characters I would write about. And thank you for reading)

Enjoy <3

Trigger warnings: Ed's,cursing and emotional/ verbal abuse. If I missed any let me know :)

You have always struggled with your body. So many people in your life telling you you need to loose weight, that no one will want you if you look like that. And you believed them. You've been best friends with JJ since kindergarten when he helped you build a sandcastle at the beach. And you've had a crush on JJ since you were 10. Once you were older you saw the people JJ hooked up with and you knew what his type was, not you. You knew the looks JJ gave those skinny blond girls with big boobs and giant asses at the beach. Looks that he would never give you, that no one would ever give you.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘁

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝗜𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗱'𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗿

Your mom has recently lost her job and has been taking her anger out on you. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT" she yelled "WHY DO YOU EAT EVERY GODDAMN THING" "CAN YOU STOP EATING FOR ONE SECOND FATASS" and so you did. JJ obviously took notice so you only ate around him and the pogues. And when you did it wasn't a lot.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗜 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿

"Y/n" .... "Y/n" ..... "Y/N" JJ yelled "what" you asked as you flinched because of his yelling. Your mom had yelled at you right before you left for John B's and it's put you on edge. "I asked if you were gonna eat. You haven't been eating much lately" he asked again concern evident in his voice"Oh umm no I'm feeling a little nauseous" you said, a lie to make sure he didn't get suspicious.But JJ knew, he always knew. You haven't been eating the same for the past few months and even though you thought you were doing a good job at hiding it all of the pogues noticed it. "Are you okay, you've never gotten sea sick" Pope asked concerned finally being the first one to talk about this to you. The pogues have talked about this before and came to their own conclusions that scared them. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be" you said confused as you raised and eyebrow at Pope. "I mean you haven't eaten anything all day. You've kept your oversised t-shirt on and it's hot as hell out here" John B said now listing the things you didn't want them to notice.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁

𝗪𝗵𝘆'𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 ���𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱

"Yes I'm fine" you said sternly implying that you were done with the conversation. "John B I think it's time to go back" JJ said looking at you and giving him a look. John B nodded in agreement and started to turn the boat around. As you all got off the boat and onto the grass you went to check your phone and saw you had missed calls from your mom. 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵. 'Ring' 'ring' "OH NOW YOU ANSWER" your mom yells through the phone. "Umm sorry we went for a boat ride and I didn't see your missed calls till now. I'm sorry" you said fast so you didn't annoy her. What you didn't know was why you were busy talking to your mom the pogues could see and hear everything. "HA. YOU ON A BOAT IN A BATHING SUIT NOW I WOULD PAY MONEY TO SEE THAT" her words hurt as they were shout through the phone and tears prickled your eyes. You were thinking the exact same thing as she was when you looked at yourself in the mirror with your bikini on and that's why you wore your shirt over it the whole time. "I NEED YOU HOME RIGHT NOW. I WOULD TELL YOU TO BRING SOMETHING HOME FOR DINNER BUT WE DON'T NEED YOU BREAKING ANOTHER CHAIR" she laughed through the phone. Now tears were about to spill so you quickly said an okay and "I'll be there soon" and hung up. "My mom needs me home so I'm leaving" you said keeping your face down as you went to grab your backpack because you were pretty sure if tears haven't already slipped they definitely would when you look one of your friends in the eyes. "Hey, you okay?" JJ asked as he grabbe your arm. "Mhm" you said shakily. The rest of the pogues watched as you tried not to break down. You left as soon as JJ let go on you arm and on your way back home you broke down and cried.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗱

𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁

"OH THERE SHE IS" "FINALLY MAKING AN APPEARANCE YOUR HIGHNASS" she yells at you. "Sorry" you mumble. "WELL I'M GOING OUT AND WHEN I GET BACK THIS PLACE BETTER BE SPOTLESS" she yells out the door. You nod your head and make your way to the kitchen where the cleaning supplies is. "I know you'll go and change your mind. One day wake up and be bored with mine. She's got everything that I don't have. And she's all I wanna be. All I wanna be so bad. So bad. She's got everything that I don't have." Tate McRae sang through your earbuds as you scrubbed the counter and table. Someone tapping your shoulder cut you out of your cleaning trance. You hopped it wasn't your mom she was never home with early. "If you're someone here to kill me. Just do it now please." you said kinda desperate. As you turned around expecting to find a crazed murderer you instead found all the pogues with a worried expression throughout their faces. "Umm we're not a crazed murderer but we are worried about you" JJ said. "Oh um it's just I didn't do my chores before I left and my mom wanted me to do them so yeah. Sorry for leaving" JJ recognized that look of fear that someone would get suspicious of you. "Does your mom hit you" he said out right and no hesitation "what no" you stuttered, she didn't physically abuse you but words were definitely shared. "We heard her through the phone before you left" Pope said now joining in on the conversation.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳𝗳

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝘁

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

It was just too much anymore and you dropped to your knees but JJ caught you, He always does. "She-she says I eat too much. That no one will love me. I'm useless JJ" you cried into his shirt as all of your thoughts about yourself spilled out. You didn't care that JJ and the pogues would hear what you thought about yourself, you didn't care anymore. "I have stretch marks everywhere and my stomach rolls when I sit down. I'm not like those beautiful blond skinny girls on the beach that you flirt with or bring home. I'll never be good enough"

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁

𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲

𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁

"Hey, hey shushhh" JJ soothed as you continued to cry into his shoulder. "Look at me" you didn't. So he made you. He grabbed the side of your face with his hands gently. "You are 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 and 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 and 𝗵𝗼𝘁 and 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘆 and have an amazing 𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲 okay? Don't even get me started on your 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵" he said listening all of the physical traits that he loves of you. " And your 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 and 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 and 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 and so 𝗳𝘂𝗻 when your 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗸 or 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 off your ass" he continued. "You are 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 could ask for, so don't you dare believe what she says about you because it's not true" "it's not true baby, it's not true" he soothed as your cries became less "I'm sorry" you sniffled " don't be baby, just sit here and it will okay. You have nothing to apologize for." he rocked you two back and forth for a while. The pogues left after you fell asleep in JJ's arms and he told them to go back.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗱

𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁

𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲

When you woke up you were still in JJ's arms and he was still rocking you back and forth. "Thank you JJ for being there for me" you said softly "I always will be baby" he said. 𝙃𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚.

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲

𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗱

[sotiris-rp]

Sasha “Stella” Soverall (she/her) is a 56 year old Venpalan who works as a Sergeant in the Collective Starfleet and looks a lot like Saoirse Ronan.

BIOGRAPHY

though she had always liked the feeling of dipping her fingers into grass, reed and the muddy ground underneath, it was the feeling of being weightless that she truly loved (if someone was to ask her about her first session in a gravity simulator when she first joined the starfleet academy, she would always tell them that it was ‘great’, while she did in fact end up throwing up everything she ate for lunch right when her feet touched the ground again).

growing up on palaven, sasha was passed around from family to family. her biological parents had always wanted children, just not a child like sasha - the job offer her manufacturer - as she liked to call her father - received when she turned three months old turned out to be the perfect excuse to leave a helpless child behind. the young girl lived up to her past and caused as many problems as possible - at ten she was caught stealing by a starfleet officer, but she managed to run from him, back to her assigned foster family. said starfleet officer turned out to be the ensign of a smaller-sized starship, who showed up at her doorstep a few weeks later. ensign soverall offered to take her in after learning about her life situation (his pregnant wife had passed some time ago and he was feeling rather lonely, anyway). the captain didn’t even need to mention the possibility to join him on missions, of joining the starfleet academy or getting private training lessons from him for her to agree to living with him. he saw her potential when she managed to flee - and she took the chance of getting a fresh start.

since she never had a real mother, she never really learned how to take care of her curls and clothes properly (and an ensign walking around in uniform 24/7 wasn’t really one to help with that), so she was all lion’s mane and messy clothing. paired with herself being rather quiet and careful when it came to talking, she didn’t make a lot of friends in her first few years as a soverall. when sasha turned 17, her father met a new woman, aneida, who he decided was worthy of dating, and she started to love sasha like she was her own daughter. as a curly haired woman herself she was able to help her out when it came to taking care of her hair. when she moved in she let the teenager borrow pieces from her closet and when she had issues, she would take her for fun little trips. aneida was also there when sasha fought with her dad, when she almost ran away from home one time and when she enrolled into the starfleet academy. sasha was 25 when they married and 30 when her younger sister was born.

the venpalan women chose the career of a fighter pilot, though she learned quickly that she was rather keen on following her father’s footsteps and after training for a long time, she managed to get hold of the position of a sergeant on a standard-sized starship. she was part of the first contact with leora months ago, originally planning on returning to palaven after a month of residing there, but immediately after landing she was hit with the news of her father, the rest of the crew and the starship he was assigned to disappearing during a mission. she had a big fallout with aneida after and hasn’t had contact with her or her sister since.

after a month of residing in sotiris, sasha had to face some unfinished business with tiago ixora. that and her father disappearing led to her taking a job offer, stationed on leora. she currently works as an instructor for starfleet academy students.

PERSONALITY

for her students or to someone she has just met she could be a role model, someone who has worked her way up the ladder, or she could be an observant, well-worded and well-raised starfleet sergeant that lives for her job. sasha is kind-hearted and cold-eyed, has a resting neutral face and can even be a little frumpy. revealing personal information? absolutely not her thing, everyone knowing that her father disappeared is definitely an awful experience for her (though it is an well-guarded secret that she was adopted, with her father claiming that he kept her a secret until she was old enough to be introduced to the society).

an observant eye may notice her multiple nervous habits, including tapping her fingers against every surface near them and feet shuffles when she’s unfocused. these unfocused moments rarely ever occur, though, since a pilot always has to keep their guard up. her appearance is deceptive, she’s smart, cunning and an excellent spy and instructor, as well as a perfectly trained collective-style combat fighter. sasha loves to learn and to read and to get better at things she’s already good at.

depending on the situation sasha can be either introverted or extroverted, but most of the time she’s a well balanced ambivert. the laid back pace and work schedules of leora are driving her slightly nuts, since she’s an absolute work animal (and the traditions of a foreign planet definitely don’t stop her from working from 9am to 11pm). generally, she is a really respectful person, but she is also very reserved and careful with her words and secrets.

since her father has disappeared and she had the fallout with aneida, though, her personality and behavior has changed. she's prone to taking risks and tempted to overstep boundaries, isn't afraid to speak her mind (when she isn't busy with keeping everything to herself).

Welcome home @credinaa​ ! We’re happy to have you in Sotiris.