#but over there (at least the store my sister went to) didn't they just pulled a random one sjhfdjsfsf pls but it's fine

[faghubby]

Modern Family

"Mom I gave Dad a hug, is he wearing a bra?" Stephanie asked our 16 year old daughter.

Samantha smiled a little,

"Yes he is" she confirmed. Stephanie was even more confused.

"Why?" She asked. Samantha took her daughters hand and led her to the little sun porch off the kitchen. It was Samantha's sanctuary she closed the doors and sat Stephanie down.

"Your father has a fetish" Sam said looking at her daughter not sure she knew what that meant.

"So he what is a crossdresser?" Stephanie said looking back towards the kitchen.

"Well that's part I guess, your Dad is turned on by having me have sex with other men" Sam told Stephanie. Stephanie mouth fell open.

"So you cheat on him?" Stephanie said shocked.

"No, your father begs me to have sex with black men in particular" Sam clarified.

"So dad has sex with other woman?" Stephanie seemed very confused

"OH noi could never allow that. He gets to wear womanly things and if he is lucky I will allow him to please himself" Samantha seemed relieved to tell someone. After two years holding on to this secret life.

"You really sleep with black men?" Stephanie asked curious. Samantha took her daughter's hands in hers and nodded with a huge smile on her face.

"Is is true what they say" Stephanie asked blushing.

"Well not always but yes they are bigger, and much more energetic" Samantha giggled.

I didn't know what my wife and daughter where talking about as I heard them laugh and giggling in the sun room. Later as we ate dinner they seemed to be enjoying a secret.

Samantha didn't tell me anything about it. But two weeks later as I took Stephanie to the store. While Samantha was home meeting her lover. She had told me not to be home for at least 3 hours. Stephanie had found what she was looking for prehaps quicker then I had thought and was ready to go home.

"How about we go for ice cream" I asked Stephanie. She agreed. I tried to take my time.

"Dad you don't have to worry I know mom is home fucking her black lover. You don't have to ,are excuses not to head home yet" Stephanie told me. As I checked my watch yet again. My jaw must of fallen open.

"What?" I stuttered Stephanie smiled stood and got uo and walked over to another table. I turned to see her talking to some boys she must of known from school. I sat stunned as my younger daughter flirted with a table of boys. I couldn't do anything about it. Fear of what she might say or do gave her free riegn leaving me no authority over her at all. After about 30 minutes. Stephanie came back to me.

"Maybe you should go home without me. I be home later" she smirked and left me alone leaving with the three boys.

I went home and found Samantha still in bed.

"Did you tell Stephanie?" I asked.

"Shh, come clean up the mess he left." Samantha said I stripped down to a pink lace thong and crawled into bed.

"Wait " Samantha stopped me reached into my nightstand and pulled out a large butt plug and a tube of lube. She smiled as I struggled to work it all the way in. Till it got past the thickest part then sucked into my ass and set. I let out a moan. My dick leaked precum into my panties. Only then was I allowed to clean my wife's pussy of her lovers seed.

"He made me cum twice, the first time so hard as he fucked me from behind with his big black cock" Samantha told me. After he made me suck him hard again. Then he stretched my ass. She moved a bit allowing me to start to lick her ass as well. Only after Samantha was satisfied I had cleaned all of her lovers cum did she answer my question about Stephanie

"You told Steph, she felt your bra. I just filled in the blanks. You should know she told her sister as well" Samantha told me. Then with a big smile she said.

"Would you like me to dress you up and fuck you like the woman you wish you where?"Samantha teased.

"I don't want to be" I wined.

"Are you sure my little faggot" Samantha teased. She grabbed my crotch. I released a high pitch cry.

"Sound like a woman, you swallow more cum then any woman I know. And your panties are swxier then mine." She pushed on the plug in my ass. "And I could never fit something this big in my ass" I moaned again.

"I bet even your sixteen year old daughter is getting more then you are" Samantha told me. Samantha went to my girlie drawer and pulled out a pink satin nightie. I held up my hands as she slid it on me.

"No reason to hide your true nature if the girls know" Samantha told me. I spent the rest of the night in my nightie. In the morning I felt shame and changed. Samantha got up and found me making breakfast.

"No pretty outfit?" She asked

"I just. The girls" I started to cry.

"OH, baby I know it's okay. I know what you need. When was the last time you got fucked?" Samantha asked. I knew what she meant. It had been months since she had a man. A real man use me. I had not had sex with her in years other then to orally please her.

"Samantha I don't" I wimpered

"You always say that but then love it when it happens" she rubbed my ass. And picked up her phone. By the time we finished breakfast her phone dinged

"You remember Lawrence? He will be by this afternoon" Samantha told me.

"Who is Lawrence?" Stephanie asked as she came in and stole a piece of bacon.

"A man who reminds your father of who he is" Samantha smiled. Stephanie stopped for a second as it registered in her mind. Samantha smiled and made a hand motion. Stephanie laughed.

Then Samantha showed Stephanie a picture. Lawrence was 6' 6" very physically fit man black man. He was a foot taller then me and easily could manhandled me. He also had a huge cock. And loved sissy boys like me.

Last time he came I was alone, but this time. Both Stephanie and Samantha weren't going out. I knew I had to look pretty for Lawrence. He would expect me dressed sexy, hair and makeup done. I got ready just as Lawrence would want. Samantha even made me come out of the bedroom and answer the door. Stephanie took pics of me in my 4 inch heels I am sure to send to her sister.

"Hello Lawrence, Samantha smiled. It has been to long since my faggot husband has gotten some loving."

"Well she looks lovely, I will take care of that" Lawrence lifted me into his arms and carried me to bed. I was totally humiliated as he placed me on the bed. He was naked a moment later. I took his cock down my throat. I gagged and spit and went back for more. I needed him.

For over two hours this man used me, he was a machine able to hold out from finishing. While he had made me cum twice without touching my penis once. Lawrence finally finished chosing to cum on my face.

I fell asleep and Lawrence left. When I got up I cleaned up and put on a dress. I felt girlie pretty as I came out to face Samantha and Stephanie.

"Lawrence says he will keep you satisfied if that is what you desire" Samantha told me. "Is this what you want to become Paula?"

"yes" I said softly. Samantha just smiled and said "as you wish"

[readyforthegarden]

Meet Me in the Romance Aisle

Moodboard and idea by the amazing @sinners-go-to-drink-the-wine and her anon who requested the board! And credit to @joshsindigostreak and Anna again for going back and forth and workshopping some dialogue for this!

Pairing: Danny Wagner x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Implied smut, but other than that, none!

WC: 956

📖 📖 📖

You pursed your lips as your eyes swept over the colorful spines of the stores book collections. A few were already tucked safely in the crook of your arm, recommendations from friends. You'd been slightly bored with your current reading habits, and wanted something a little more...well, something to keep you occupied on your more lonely nights.

It had been a while since you'd gotten into anything new, most of your bookshelf still housing books you grew up with and young adult dystopian novels. It was time to broaden your horizons, even if it was with smut. You were just exiting the romance aisle, a special edition cover of Pride and Prejudice catching your eye and distracting you, causing you to bump into something solid, dropping your small stack of books.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" you immediately apologized with a small laugh, feeling so stupid for bumping into someone. The someone in question was a tall man, or at least, you assumed tall, as he was already bent at the waist, scooping up the books you dropped.

"No, don't be!" the young man also laughed as he righted himself. "I came around that corner too fast, I totally ran into you."

"Well, it takes two to make a collision." you shrugged, taking back the books he handed you. The man smiled at you, and your heart skipped a beat. His smile was slightly crooked, but oh so cute and charming. His curls hung around his face in near perfect coils, framing his sharp cheekbones. His nose was large and you had to resist the sudden urge to reach out and trace the bridge of it with the pad of your index finger. "Thank you."

"It's no problem." he shrugged. "Actually, you may be able to help me. I'm looking for a book my sister asked me to pick up. Her birthday is this weekend, it's something about fairies? It's supposed to be a really popular series..."

"Oh um," you shrugged a bit. "I'm not sure I'd know just off of that...is there anything else you remember about it? I'm just getting back into reading myself." the man nodded, looking a bit dejected and you couldn't stand the lost look that was crossing his face. "But I'd be happy to help figure it out until we can find an employee who might know!" his smile came back at your quick add-on.

"I'd appreciate it." the man smiled. "I'm Danny, by the way." you supplied him with your name, and the two of you shared a smile again.

"So is this a fantasy novel?" you asked. "We might have to move over another aisle."

"I think so," Danny looked unsure again. "I think the cover of it was red?" with the little information he had, the two of you went up and down the rows and walls of books, talking softly between the stacks.

"Do you uh, do you read a lot?" Danny asked. "Well, I mean y'know, before you took a break?" you glanced up at him as you pulled a red spined book off the rack, reading the back to see what it was about.

"Sometimes. I hate to say it, but sometimes I feel like my brain is too busy to read at all, and I get into these funks where I just can't fathom even reading a small magazine article or long distance relatives facebook post." you chuckled a bit under your breath. "And some books are just so long and drawn out, I just can't. Sometimes you need something fast and quick." not realizing what you said, you didn't catch Danny's smirk or the slight shudder of his chest as he held back a laugh.

"I'm not much of a reader myself." Danny admitted, a bit shyly. "I like it enough, but there aren't many things that spark my interest. Usually I read an autobiography or two a year of musicians, my friend Jake lends them to me."

"It can be hard, especially if a love for reading didn't click when you were young." you nodded. "What autobiographies have you read lately?"

"Oh, uh Dave Grohl's is the last one I read."

"You like Foo Fighters or Nirvana better?" Danny grinned at your question.

"Personally, I think they're both great." he answered diplomatically. "Dave himself is just freaking amazing. His talent alone, I wish I was half the drummer he is."

"Oh, you drum?" you raised an eyebrow, grimacing at the long-winded, half-elvish description on the back of a slightly maroon book, decided it definitely wasn't it, and if it was, you were saving this man's sister from suffering.

"A little," Danny seemed shyer now, giving a little shrug. "I'm in a band."

"Oh nice!" you hummed. "What kind of music do you play?"

"Rock, mostly." Danny answered. Giving him a supportive smile, you adjusted the books in your arm.

"If you play one of the clubs around here, I'd love to see you." you answered. You watched as Danny smirked, this time catching the laugh. "What?"

"Well, we're playing around here soon." he admitted, before changing the subject. "Any luck?"

"Not really," frowning, you turned fully towards him. "Have you tried googling? Maybe we can find the author or a better image of the cover?" Danny took his phone out of his pocket and typed in the same descriptors he gave you. After letting the page load, you peered over his shoulder and sighed seeing the first image. "Ohh that one."

"You know it?"

"Yeah, it wasn't for me, but a lot of people seem to like it. It's a whole series." you answered. "Come on, I can show you now." Danny followed you to where the copy of the book and all of it's sequels were waiting, in the romance section. Plucking it off the shelf, you handed it to him.

"Thanks, I would've been here all day if it weren't for you." Danny smiled that crooked smile at you, and you felt a small pang in your chest, realizing your time with him was now over.

"It was my pleasure." you smiled. "Just uh, if that's for your sister, don't google anymore of it." Danny looked at you quizzically, tilting his head like a labrador retriever.

"Why not?"

"There's a reason we're back in the romance section, Danny." you gave him a look, and you saw him pale slightly.

"Got it." he glanced at you, then to the books in your arms. He seemed like he was stalling, trying to figure out how to stay in your presence. "Well I met you here, what are your books about?" you saw him try and read the back of the book facing towards him. "A reverse harem eh?"

"That," you began, clutching the books closer to your chest. "is third date talk only, Danny." Danny leaned against the shelf of books, looking coolly at you.

"Well we could knock out one date now, d'you have to be anywhere this afternoon?" you blushed, knowing your only plans were going to be going home and getting settled in before ordering takeout and reading your night away.

"As a matter of fact, I don't."

📖 📖 📖

It wasn't long before weekend trips to the bookstore led to dinners out, to drinks after work, and sometimes scandalous makeouts between the stacks when the store was dead and the workers once again, weren't to be found. Before one such date, which is what you and Danny were now labeling every single outing you took together, he had heard your coffee order and memorized it, meeting you early with it already in hand before following you around the book store as you browsed.

Ever the voracious reader when you were in the groove, you'd consumed several books in a short amount of time, on the hunt for more.

"This one sounds interesting," you piped up. "It's a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone, oooh a dark romance." you gasped under your breath, reading the inside of the jacket. In an instant, it was in Danny's open palms, along with two others you had sparked an interest in. As you browsed, you stopped in your tracks. Danny looked curiously, watching as you bent down and with the utmost care pulled an ornate book from the shelf.

"Pride and Prejudice?" he asked. You nodded, it was the same copy that had distracted you and led you to bump into Danny all those weeks ago. You regarded it fondly, feeling as if it had brought you and him together.

"It's cliche, but it's a favorite of mine." you sighed. "I already have two other special editions, I can't justify a third, but it's so pretty. And the pages are gilded ugh!" you closed your eyes, tucking it back onto the shelf, patting the cover like the top of a puppy's head. "I hope she goes to a good home." you continued on your journey, nothing else really stopping and catching your eye. At the registers, you took your stack from Danny, watching as he slipped a book out and moved to the open cashier next to you. You couldn't get a glimpse of the book he chose, but carried on to pay, giving him your rewards membership info to get points toward future purchases.

When you both were leaving, you curiously leaned across his body, trying to obnoxiously peek into the bag he carried. He laughed, pushing you back gently.

"What did you get? We didn't go anywhere near the non-fiction section today." Danny opened his bag and pulled out the book. It was the special edition of Pride and Prejudice you nearly weeped over. "Danny!"

"What?" he defended with a grin. "You said you couldn't justify a third copy. I don't own any copies, it just seemed like common sense for me to buy it."

"You're so-" you pursed your lips, trying to find the right words. "You're so wonderful." Danny leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. In all honestly on his part, he bought it, knowing that a few years down the road, he hoped it'd find a home next to your other editions, on a bookshelf in your shared home.

"Besides, I've never read it, and I think I'd probably like it if you read it to me."

"Oh yeah?" you raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't rather me read about the tall, handsome, curly headed vampire who makes hot, steamy love with his human companion multiple times in one chapter?" Danny stopped in his tracks, staring at you.

"No, let's finish that." he looked around the shopping center sidewalk before scooping you into his arms, placing a kiss on your neck before giving it a little sharp bite. "Let's finish that tonight."

📖 📖 📖

Taglist: @joshsindigostreak @ascendingtostardust @sammysprincess @sammykiszkamyass @belovedsamuel @sunfl0wer-power @indigo-starcatcher @sammyscherub @earthlysorrows @lvnterninthenight @allieisacrybaby @losfacedevil @xserenax-13 @sarakay-gvf @shutupdevvie @myownparadise96 @watchingovergvff @gretavanfleetposts @sacredthefran @josiee-gvf @joshkiszkatoothgap @madneedshelp @gardensgatedaisy @demonrat444 @writingcold @dannyandthekiszkas @lightmylove-gvf @tearsofbri @paleshadow-ofadragon @happy-harpy-stuff @like-a-woman-in-a-dream @starshine-wagner @objectsinspvce @josh-iamyour-mama @mountain-in-springtime @cal-a-bungaa @capturethechaos @jankandjonch @gvfpal

@allybjt @hippievanfleet @weightofbrokenbells @joshkiszkasbadussy @malany-gvf @ruby0antlers @samofthedawn @sacredjake @aim4thedoublee @diditallforyouu @gvfmarge @highladyofasgard @sammysvanfeet@gold-mines-melting @earthgrlsreasy @mountain-in-springtime @forcebond301 @stardust-and-shadows @llightmyllovee @gretavangroupie @comesofarsomehow @starcatcherkiszka @indigofallingsky @hellowgoodbye

[moonah-rose]

Blind Love

Quick Robin & Original Character(s) ficlet.

Set many, many years in the past, during one of the periods where Rogh "went mad for a bit".

Tw: insanity, delusion, grief, animal death

Aelfwyn and her sister had never been close. Their parents had done little to discourage rivalry and resentment between the two as they grew up. Quite the opposite in fact. Competition was seen as healthy for children growing up in their harsh, war-loving tribe. But their patents had taken it to extremes, showering one child's victories with praise and scolding the other, then when the girls turned their bitterness on each other, they were told to wrestle it out and not stop until one drew blood.

That blood had typically come from a nose bleed or a deep scratch across the cheek from sharpened fingernails. A couple of drops at most.

Not an entire puddle, enough to fill a goblet fit to offer to the Morrighan, gushing from a hole in one of their skulls after a blow from a rock had caved it open. As Aelfwyn stood and stared down at her own corpse, she thought maybe even her cruel parents would think this a tad too far.

Breathing heavily, she heard a thud as the rock fell to the ground. Her sister, Lliefa, was standing over her, pale as the snow. The anger that had burned in her eyes moments before as they'd scuffled was replaced with an almost childlike expression of terror and loss.

"Wynny....Wynny, sister, I am so sorry..." She began to weep, the tears falling down her cheeks disturbing the painted symbols that had been given to her on her coming of age ceremony only a few days earlier.

Only eighteen. Twins, though they didn't resemble each other. Lliefa had inherited their mother's emerald eyes and blessed red hair, while Aelfwyn had her father's square jaw and plain brown locks. Lliefa however, did have his temper.

Maybe that's why Aelfwyn found it hard to cling to her anger when the truth of what happened hit her. That was her body, her face that she'd seen from the rare reflecting glass that they were lucky to have hanging in their hut. It was her blood that soaked the grass.

She was dead. Killed by her own blood. But Aelfwyn could see the blow hadn't been intentional, or at least Lliefa hadn't been in her right mind at the time. If she had, she wouldn't be falling to her knees and throwing herself over Aeflwyn's body to weep as she now was.

Aelfwyn sighed, closing her eyes. Grandmother always advised her to breathe out all her unwanted rage as an offering to the Morrighan, or to Wotan. She knew she should be furious at her sister right now...but all she felt was sadness and pity.

Blood crimes were one of the biggest affronts to the gods. Siblings could slay each other in fair combat. But this had been a blow while her back was turned, an attack spurned from Aelfwyn saying cruel words she'd regret forever.

There was nothing she could do to the girl that would be worse than what the fates had in store for her.

"I forgive you, sister. Please, just return my body back to the tribe. Let me receive the proper rites so the gods will take me to the next world." She pleaded, reaching out to touch her sister's shoulder only for her hand to pass through.

The contact made her retch. She gagged, stomach lurching, despite not having eaten all day. They'd been sent out to hunt, their parents offering a reward to whoever came back with the largest kill.

She supposed Lliefa would win hands down. Aelfwyn hoped their parents would keep to their word.

It was rather painful to watch her sister try to carry her back to their settlement, being the shorter of the two of them. Aelfwyn tried to follow close, hoping her words with pierce through the veil.

"No don't pull me by my head! Look, you're making things fall out, that might make me dumber in this world!" Even in death, her sister still managed to vex her; "Maybe if you learned how to bind and carry your kills better instead of leaving it to me!"

But before she could rant some more, Aelfwyn took another step and then was shoved back in the opposite direction. She turned, blinked in confusion, then tried to follow again.

Same thing. Back away from the path.

"Sister! Sister, I'm trapped! Please do the ritual properly so I can be free, please! For Danu's sake, don't skip the part where you eat my heart!"

"Shh!"

She froze. Who just shushed her?

Turning to her left, she spotted a figure sat against the base of a tree. He'd managed to camouflage himself with the foliage as she'd approached but now she could spot the skin of a....man.

No, wait.

"Are you....Are you the Wild God of the Dead?!"

"SHHH!" He said again, a finger on his lips.

"Oh, I...sorry." She lowered her voice, not wanting to anger him if he was a god.

Though his image didn't resemble any carvings she had seen.

"Me just got her to sleep." He muttered, one arm curled against his chest.

He wore the most basic and mis matched selection of furs. No real fabrics or patterns. There were those who chose to live fully out in nature away from the tribes but they were usually shamans and nomads. This man looked as though he'd never slept in a hut in his life.

Or death, she supposed.

"Are you a spirit too?" She asked, quietly, stepping closer; "What's your name?"

"Dunno."

"You don't know your name?" She frowned.

He shook his head; "Name in shadows right now. Can't be bothered to go find. Shadow where memories go to hide when brain too loud and scary."

Definitely not a god, Aelfwyn realised. The man sounded like those in her tribe who smoked too much of the relaxing leaf until it wore off and paranoia sent them mad. How long had he been here?

"I'm Aelfwyn of the Horseli. What was your tribe called?"

The man blinked, tucking his arm up again; "Tribe no have name. Children of Moonah. Other tribe be children of Sunne. Other children of Earth Mother. Good tribe and...bad tribe."

"Where are they now?"

"....Gone. Gone up to stars. Me stay. Me always stay." The voice sounded so very old, even though there wasn't too many signs of age on him as one would expect. No grey hairs, hardly any wrinkles.

His blue eyes that didn't quite meet hers stared out in a deep, agonising loss that chilled her bones.

"You're all alone here?" She asked.

He began to laugh; "Ha....Ha ha! No, silly horsey tribe lady! Me not alone. Me have Moonah! Your tribe....They give thanks to Moonah, yes?"

Something in the way his brow furrowed told her she should answer carefully.

"We call her Rhiannön. Yes, we give thanks and ask for her blessings each month."

"Oh....Yes, have seen you and tribe do ritual at Moonah ston. Very good. We come and join you, though you not see us."

"Us?"

"Me and daughter."

"Oh. You have a child here?" She glanced around.

The man nodded; "You...want to meet?"

"Yes, I love kids. How old is she?" Her heart stung as she realised she'd now never have ones of her own, not in that life.

"She...She only just been born..."

Aelfwyn blinked; "I thought you said she was with us on the last full moon?" Almost a month ago.

"Me did."

It took a second for the penny to drop, horrifying Aelfwyn at the realisation. Of course if the baby was a spirit, like her father, she would still be a newborn if that was when...

"I'm....I'm so sorry."

"Why sorry?"

"I...never mind," She shook her head; "Can I still see her? I'm good with babies, I've helped my mum deliver a few."

"Okay...if promise to be very careful..."

"I swear by the gods."

The man leaned forward and pulled back a section of his fur covering his front. Aelfwyn nearly startled back before she heard the tiniest snuffling sound.

Peering closer, she spotted a tiny ball of grey fur curled against the man's chest. It twisted, mewling a little, then poking out a black dot of a nose.

"Ain't she bootiful. Me very proud dad." He smiled down, "Say hello to Horsie Lady, Kya."

"....It's a wolf pup." Said Aelfwyn.

Another chuckle from the man; "No, no, no, that just fur me swaddle her in. She look just like me, see? Have same ugly nose."

There may have been a wild resemblance between the two creatures but she was certain the little thing was not a human babe.

But the man was looking at it with as much devotion in his eyes as any parent she'd seen when holding their baby for the first time. She doubted there was anything she could say to convince him otherwise.

Aelfwyn forced a smile; "She's lovely. Her mum not here?"

The man's face darkened with weariness and pain.

"....Go up to stars with rest of tribe...They all go up and leave us behind..." He sighed and then twitched his head; "Too many babies. Mum can't feed them all. Little one die. Me wait. Me watch. Me listen to her cry and beg for milk but she left behind. Just like me. So I wait. Then when she stop cry, I pick up..."

Except the cub was still crying for milk it would never receive, nuzzling its nose against his skin and finding nothing to sate it.

"...She mine. She my cub. Her cry just like my Kya so she must be same...spirit reborn, yes?"

He seemed to be trying to rationalise it, probably due to how Aelfwyn was looking at him. She couldn't hide her doubt.

But then the druids did say part of their souls returned to the earth to be born anew.

"I understand." She nodded, wanting to placate the man; "Can I hold her?"

"You have milk for her?"

"Uhh...no." Even if she did, she didn't think that was something she'd be comfortable with in any world.

The man shook his head; "She keep wanting milk but I tell her that Daddy no have boobies to give milk. Have to wait until Mum come back with brothers and sisters. Not long now..."

She no longer knew if he meant his real family or the wolves that had abandoned their runt.

Aelfwyn looked down at the pup again. Its eyes were closed, probably forever, but it wriggled and pawed against the man.

"Shh, shh, little one, we safe. Horsie lady good me think...." He rocked the pup close; "She know my scent. My skin. It always dark for her, you see. She won't know who you are if I hand over. Might think me left...Can't ever leave. Never."

"That's okay. I won't take her-."

"No, no, no," He clutched the cub tight, shaking his head fearfully; "No take. Not last one. She all I have. Please."

"I said I won't touch her. Not if you don't want me to." She dared to reach and touch the man's shoulder instead.

He struggled to steady his breathing as he looked at her with those haunted eyes.

"....You have leak in head." He whispered.

Aelfwyn touched the back of her skull and felt the indent along with a moist matt in her hair. When she looked at her fingers there was no blood.

"Sibling rivalry." She tried to jape, as it was all she could do.

"Me try to stop. Yelled at you both to shut up so no wake baby."

"Sorry about that." She sat cross legged beside the man; "Maybe I can make it up to you by helping you look after her? Children aren't supposed to be raised alone."

He nodded; "....Everyone raise together. Peace and love..." He stroked his thumb over the soft, velvet ears of the cub; "She miss her mum and siblings and cousins...She miss a lot of people."

"I bet she does." Aelfwyn whispered, her heart aching for the poor man.

She'd always thought of wondering spirits as mysterious or wise, even playful. She'd never expected one to be so sad.

"Here..." The man carefully handed the cub to her; "Mind head. Best she get to know your scent."

"You sure?" She never thought she'd feel so honoured to be passed a wolf pup.

He nodded; "We family now. Aelfwyn of Horsey Tribe."

The pup whined in distress as she was moved away from the only source of comfort she knew and into Aelfwyn's arms. The man kept his arm close to her, the sleeve of grey wolf fur close to the pup's nose.

"Me here, Kya. Daddy right here. Daddy always stay." He promised, voice cracking; "She not hear me before when I say...When she and her mum found body and they scream...she not hear me say I here..."

His voice trailed off again as his eyes glossed over. Aelfwyn held the cub up to her skin above her dress so it was resting just above her heartbeat.

Her other hand reached to squeeze the man's fingers.

"She hears you now. She knows." She did her best to reassure him, just as she'd seen her mother do to anxious parents.

This was a whole other case she hadn't been trained for.

"You look tired. I bet she's been keeping you up all these nights like babies do." She said, softly.

The man nodded, "Been waiting for mum to take her turn...She be here soon...She always come back to visit....Be here very soon...."

"I'm sure she will. How about you try to have a nap? I'll look after this one. She'll be safe with me, I swear."

Hesitation and fear twitched in those lips again for a moment. Then he saw how the pup was starting to yawn and relax against Aelfwyn's chest.

He smiled, his eyelids clearly heavy. When had he last slept? No wonder he'd lost his mind.

"You wake when they come back? Please?"

"I will."

She tugged him to lay on his side and use her thigh as a pillow.

"Be good for horse lady, Kya. Daddy just take little sleep. Be good girl..." He whispered before closing his eyes; "Be good...Stay...Must always stay..."

Aelfwyn sighed, stroking the man's ragged mane while cradling the pup in her other arm. This was not how she imagined spending her afterlife. She hoped her sister would hurry up with the ritual so her spirit could move on...

Assuming that's how it worked. She wondered if she was desperate to become the same as the man on her lap, trapped and driven insane, clinging to whatever shred of company he could and convince himself it was his lost kin. The thought terrified her.

"We'll just have to wait and see, won't we Kya." She whispered to the cub.

[snowfrostssimp-books]

DC ONE SHOT

AUTHOR NOTE:

Pair: Diana Prince × Reader / Wonder Woman × Reader

Category: not really that much angst. fluff. Happy ending.

~~~~~

You were out with coffee with the one and only Lois Lane. You grew up with her boyfriend, Clark Kent that you knew was Kryptonian thanks to your adoptive sister Kara Zor-El.

Just for Clark you tried to bond with Lois and seeing as you were both free you couldn't decline when she asked to join her for coffee. You at first had no interest but Clark asked you nicely so you did try to at least befriend her.

You looked up at the plants overthrowing the cars. Villians that usually stayed in Central City, Star City or even Gotham decided to make an appearance in Metropolis today.

It was chaos everywhere.

Your eyes darted across the chaotic scene almost not hearing your phone ringing. You quickly answered the phone barely looking who it was.

Diana: Hey dear, I am afraid I'll be late for date night.

Y/n: I think me too.

Diana: Where are you?

Y/n: I went to get lunch with Lane at our cafe.

Diana: Be careful, okay?

Y/n: I'll try. Diana, please tell me you're safe. Poison Ivy and a bunch of out of town bad guys are six blocks from our cafe.

Diana: I'll be fine. Promise me you'll get to safety. Just stay out of their way-

"Y/n come on!" Lois called making you groan.

Y/n: Diana I'm with Lane right now. I can't promise you anything.

Diana: Get to safety. Please my love.

"Lex is here too!" Lois ran out of the cafe making you groan. "Lane stop!" You grabbed onto her shirt pulling her back into the cafe.

"Luthor has been gone for a year this is the biggest scoop of the year." Lois insisted and you scoffed.

Diana: These are major league villians there, promise me you'll be safe.

Y/n: Only if you promise to be safe too. When you can find me at the Kents farm.

Diana: I promise.

"He's moving!" Lois took off and pulled you along causing your arm the was in the air holding your phone to your ear to get caught in the doors making you yelp in pain. "Lane!" You looked at your dropped phone picking it up stuffing it in your pocket taking off after the crazy woman.

"You're crazy!" You called rushing after her diving and saving her from a flying chair. She quickly got up but you struggled with your sure to be bruising arm.

"Here take the camera." You groaned when she shoved it into your chest but did as told not even asking where she got the video camera from.

"This is Lois Lane reporting live from Metropolis, famed Lex Luthor has made an appearance after a year of silence..." You didn't listen to the woman as she ranted on and on.

You wanted to ask why she kept a camera around that could live stream at any time but decided against it. Simply deciding to keep an eye out noticing all the villains that were now making an appearance.

"Captain Cold? Isn't Star City far from here?" You asked mostly to yourself. Suddenly you noticed the vines that broke through the concrete stretching closer and closer to you.

"Lane!" You threw the camera down on the hood of a car and jumped forward pushing her back only to get smacked by a vine that sent you through the store window that you window shopped in earlier.

"Y/n!" Lois rushed over to you and you groaned right now wishing you had your cousins powers of invulnerability.

"I'm sorry I didn't see the vine." She apologised being careful as she knelt on the glass next to you. You knew she would never put you in danger on purpose, she even kept distance from the scene when you were around but the villians didn't have the same ideas. "You owe me a god damn ice cream, Lane." You somehow always got hurt when she was around and always forgave her after getting ice cream.

You could hear the ground crumbling and it grew louder again making you groan. "Get up, Danvers." Lois pulled your arm and you grumbled pressing your hand on the glass hissing as it cut your skin. You just managed to stand when a car got lodged through the same window you went through making you fall again.

You could hear the fighting outside but now you couldn't see who it was and your blurred vision didn't help either. You laid your head still keeping your eyes on the roof trying to say awake but the spinning was overwhelming.

"Lane!" You called panicked. "I'm right here." She quickly said. All you could think about was wether or not Diana was okay.

"Take me to the Kents farm." You didn't even have the strength to wait for a reply, shock and distress had clouded your mind and taken over.

***TWO HOURS LATER***

You woke up in your 'second' childhood bedroom causing panic to subside until you gasped. "Diana!" You grabbed the sheets to throw it off only then did you notice how dizzy you still were.

"Y/n?" Your bedroom door flung open and you heard footsteps of heavy boots until the door clicked shut. You grabbed onto the bed leaning into it as you tried to walk but struggled.

"My love." You recognised her voice anywhere. "Diana." You said relieved as you squinted to see her but failed miserably.

"I'm here. Let me help you." You felt warm gentle hands on your cheeks immediately making you close your eyes and lean into her touch ignoring your own hissing of pain.

"Why didn't you let the medics help?" You opened your eyes and saw Diana wearing a familiar looking tiara making you frown. "I just wanted you. Wait when did you begin wearing tiaras?" You reached up only for her to grab your wrist with a soft gasp.

"You have glass stuck in your skin!" She scolded and you hummed remembering the pieces piercing your skin.

"Here." She carefully picked you up and when your body pressed against hers you noticed the hard clothing that made you frown.

You looked down seeing body armor but still your mind was too fuzzy to connect the dots or place the outfit. So you let your mind get hung up on it as you patiently tried to figure it out.

Diana began removing the glass pieces and you looked at her blury figure as she took out the glass using the right equipment. You grabbed onto her wrist by the third glass piece she pulled out wanting her to stop but she didn't.

"I'm almost done love." She assured but you didn't let go of het wrist in too much pain.

"You're doing good." She smiled softly as another string of reassuring whispers filled the silence while Diana pulled the glass out and sterilised the wounds and cuts gently blowing on the injured skin to ease the stinging sensation that caused the pain.

She pulled your shirt off to wrap your arm that was, as you suspected, bruised. But she worried there was more so she finished up with your arm to further her inspection.

She then did a quick inspection for any other wounds on your body but was both happy and relieved to find none. She didn't bother putting your shirt back on, yet.

"All done." Her warm hands rested in your neck and jaw making you smile and hold her hands. You stared at her in silence until something inside you called out a familiar name.

"Wait a minute..." Realisation struck you as your finally recognised her outfit. "Diana?" You looked at her squinting trying to focus entirely on her.

"You're Wonder Woman?" You asked and she stayed silent sighing softly.

"I didn't want you to find out like this but I came here immediately after the fight. Kal said you kept asking for me and I got worried and the armour slipped my mind-" You gave her lips a sloppy misplaced kiss but still it made her stop. "It's okay." You chuckled leaning forward resting your forehead against hers feeling the cold metal against your skin.

"You're not mad?" Diana wondered knowing how much you despised secrets. "No, a lot kind of makes sense now." You chukled to yourself seeing the now painfully obvious signs.

"I'm dating Wonder Woman." You gave a lazy smile making the other woman giggle. "I won the game." You grinned off into the distance making her smile wider.

"I'm not gonna lie Diana, I'm very attracted by the fact that you're Wonder Woman and embarassed that I've fangirled about you to your face." You said honestly only getting a passionate kiss in return.

"I'm not gonna lie either, I liked it." Diana whispered in your ear making you blush even more.

[teddy-the-teddybear]

"What did I do!?"

Luke Hughes x twin sister Dylan duke x reader

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

Its been a week since Dylan has talked to me. The worst part is that he has been to class and that he had this girl around his arm. How could he tell me that he had feelings for me, but then goes off with someone else?!

I was walking to my dorm when I saw Luke and Mark walking towards me. "Hey! You should come to the house we're watching a movie" Mark said making me stop.

I was trying to think of an excuse, "sorryyyyy... I can't i have to study for my test coming up" I ran away from them before they asked any questions.

Once I reached my dorm room, my roommate was sitting on her bed on her laptop, "speak to Dylan yet?"

"No he won't even look in my way, I tried waving at him, but his new toy glared at me" I flopped on my bed.

"I can trap him here for you, I'm going to a party tonight. Invite him over to talk, or please message him", she climbed off her bed to go get ready.

"I messaged him already and got nothing back!.. well he read it"

She sighs, "then at least do something tonight, please. I don't want you here moping"

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "I'll go.. but if I see Dylan, then I'm leaving"

She nods and threw a dress at me, "I'll help you escape... and no duker? Wow never thought I see the day that you'd call him his first name"

I just nodded, "well if he doesn't want to talk then why give him the time of day, you know?" She nodded then finished getting ready with me.

Once we got there the party was already in full swing, I made my way to get me a drink, I needed to feel numb.

"Little hughes!", someone called me from the kitchen, I looked around to see Luca. I smiled, I've always been so close to Luca.

I hugged him, "how are wooka?" I pulled away and started making my drink, he grabbed a beer, "im okay, miss my partner in crime'"

I laughed, "yeah, I know the boys miss you being late to practice because you wouldn't wake up", I suddenly felt like I was being stared at, but when I looked around there was no one I could see.

"Yeah coach is suspicious that I did something bad" he joked, "hopefully he doesn't find out about the store incident", that's when I started dying of laughter.

He smiled and lead me to the couch, and anytime I asked for a drink he would get it for me. I think in a different reality Luca would be my soul mate, he'd save me from all this heart break. But atlas I'm in this situation, and Luca and I have no love for each other like that.

I sat there thinking again, Luca had been pulled away to play beer pong with luca. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt someone sit down next to me. I looked over and saw Dylan. I went to get leave when he stopped me with, "I see you moved on with Luca."

I turned towards him, "moved on? You mean him being my friend? You mean being there for me when this dick was leaving me on read?", I turned around and walked away.

But he stated to follow you me out, once we were outside he grabbed my arm, "you don't even know the full story"

"What do you mean I don't? You're right, I don't! But you never tried to explain it either, but instead you went around and fucked this blonde."

He just shook his head, and turned away. I couldn't take it anymore, "what did I do!? You pretend to like me one moment but then next you are acting like i didn't mean anything to you! Is that what you wanted to toy with my feelings?"

He just looked at me and opened his mouth a couple times and then closed it. I stood there till I couldn't and just turned around and left. When I got back home I started to get ready for bed but then I quit and sat on my bed till I burst out into tears.

Taglist-

@woodruff-edwards

[koifishart]

I want to be Your Koi Fish

Warning: +18 content, criminal underworld, intercourse, strong language - and so on

Fanfiction based on: "Baki" by Itagaki Keisuke

>4<

>>4<<

She must have had absolutely enough of her current job, because she agreed expressly, but pointed out that she wanted it to be unofficial until the day she finished school. He wasn't going to press her down to anything, and to use her skills only when necessary. Hanayama preferred to see her on private grounds, when they could talk quietly and enjoy their own company. He considered. He wasn't sure if it was love, but in an indefinable way he wanted her close. The closer the better. He was sitting on the inside terrace sipping green tea, deciding to call. At the last moment, he noticed Kizaki standing nearby. He studied him as usual. Faithful to his father, mother and him. Good advisor, great diplomat, right hand. He could always be a step ahead of his thoughts, which made him more than useful. It took a few rings her to answer. The first thing he heard was a terrible noise, a bit like she was in the zoo with a trip from primary school, and next to it the road was undergoing renovation.

- Very bad timing... - Hanabi finally spoke.

- Busy? - he asked naive.

- I'll show you. - she murmured.

He pulled the phone away from his ear and an image appeared on the screen. First a piece of her T-shirt, blue with navy blue dots, a dark, long ponytail that fell over her shoulder next to an amazing green eye, and then everything she had behind her back - a square kitchen table and children. Very energetic, screaming, running blindly, quite a large herd of CHILDREN. He didn't get a closer look, but he probably saw four girls and three boys. Though it might as well have been an entire platoon. The picture's gone.

- My three sisters and mother came to visit, so...they went shopping, and I stayed at home with my nephews. - she explained, then heard a loud crack and her groan. - DAD'S PORCELAIN! I'll call you back if I survived.

She hung up. He had completely forgotten that she had sisters, nor had he suspected that they were mothers. He didn't like this arrangement. Everything indicated that they treated her like a free babysitter.

- Something's wrong, boss? - Kizaki asked.

- If she don't call back for a few hours, someone died for sure.

>>><<<

The day was not easy. They dropped off a bunch of children early in the morning, without even asking if she had other plans. She had. She was going to take the day off and rest, while browsing the online stores for new clothes. She was left alone, her father, in spite of very incorrect contacts with her mother, became their chauffeur and most likely porter, which he did not seem to mind. She understood him... he missed the person he loved. She missed too, though she wasn't sure if she loved or just felt attached or even obligated to Kaoru. She spent the day cooking for a bunch of fussy eaters, playing something they did not want to play, reading books to children who "are already too old to read, they are turned on an audiobook" and similar, very developing and pleasant things for both sides. In the late afternoon they returned, loaded with bags, and she would have given her a hand cut off after visiting the hairdresser and beautician. No, she didn't miss it, she didn't like to make-up or so, but the argument, "you have children, you will understand," made little argument for leaving her alone with the seven each time, when there were always four of them. She hoped that at least she would read, since they had already arrived, but it turned out that their LOVED SERIES was broadcast on TV (two months ago she heard about the beloved one and the title sounded completely different), so since she is sitting with the children anyway ... She looked at her sisters. All three were lovely, but some so... identical? Despite their natural differences, they had a very similar style of dressing and brushing. A moderately smart chimpanzee would notice that they were siblings. The oldest, Ayame, stubbornly lightened her hair. So in the end she was quite tall, very fair blonde with green eyes. Shizuka was born natural red after her mother, with sapphire eyes after her father. Yui, the youngest of the three, naturally black-haired with blue eyes as the previous one. They were intelligent, had potential, but preferred to use their physical qualities to live... somehow. That's the only thing she could say about their tactics. She was surprised every time, but they said they'd rather pretend to be cute idiots than show off eloquence and wisdom ... unless it was necessary or profitable. Fortunately, the children were persuaded to take part in a drawing competition, and she kept mochi hidden in her wardrobe for the black hour. She had a moment of rest. She fell on the bed watching little things pour a sea of creativity onto the sheets of paper. She promised to call back ... He must have been waiting, because he answered very quickly.

- I warn you, I don't have so much time. Mother and sisters are "so terribly busy with the TV", and I'm still with kids. - she muttered conspiratorially. - Fortunately, they go to sleep soon.

- Get dressed, I'm gonna kidnap you. - Kaoru fired quite seriously.

- Are you deaf?! There's no option!

- There is, but it seems that you're afraid of to go against your mother. - he replied. - Do you prefer me to come for you?

She imagined it. The mother opens the door, and behind it stands a muscular guy who looks at least five years older, scarred by samurai swords, asking about her daughter. Even though they don't live together anymore, she would get a detention for the rest of her life and celibacy ... for one more day. Then mother would call the police and make up more scary stories, and her sisters would die of wanting to feel at least one of his big biceps, grateful in the most immoral way they could possibly enter their heads.

- Nope, I'm fine. I'll do it. - she replied firmly.

She tidied up the kids' room, made futons, and shaded the windows. Everything was ready. Tied her hair in two braids that fell over her shoulders, then pulled on black shorts and long socks, threw a loose beige t-shirt over her head, and zipped her black sneakers on the wedge. She threw the backpack on her shoulder to go down after a while. They were all sitting on the couch watching TV, sighing at the handsome man on the screen. Hanabi cleared her throat to get their attention. They didn't like the fact that she stopped looking at some Latin muscles.

- Room's ready, kids are drawing upstairs, you can do the rest. - she ruled on her way to the door. - I'm leaving.

- What? You were supposed to look after the children! - mother said indignantly.

- I just found out that my boyfriend has a free moment, which is rare. I'd love to use it. - she replied firmly.

She looked at the three sisters and felt like slapping her head. She just gave them water for the mill. BOY. A man in the life of the youngest. It's a wonderful topic for gossip and chat. Especially considering the mother's newest philosophy of life. She won't come out.

- Whaaaaaat? - Shizuka was surprised. - Boy? Boyfriend?!

- You didn't boast. - Yui growled.

- How is he? - Ayame asked. - Great?

- Well...a year older, tall... - she replied, wondering what else to say so as not to interest them too much. - ...intelligent eyeglass.

- A NERD?! - they snapped together with disgust.

She wondered what he would look like a skinny man with glasses thicker than the bottoms of a bottle, and decided she had no idea. Mother was getting ready to forbid her, she was ready to jump to the door when father appeared in the room.

- DID YOU HEARD THAT?! - the parent was indignant. - Do you know, what's our child is doing?!

- Yes, and I don't mind. Kaoru is a very nice guy, he certainly cares about our daughter. - he replied calmly, then turned to the youngest. - Go, or you'll be late. Have a nice evening.

She had the impression that he was even glad that the girl was hanging out with a mafia boss. Well, it's hard to be "even worse". There were few who posed a real threat to Hanayama. She was glad that at least her father was on her side. She left, despite her mother's protests. He had great timing, or had been waiting for a few moments, she just didn't notice. This time he was alone, on foot, without any bodyguards. So the conclusion was obvious: he had eluded Kizaki. Again in a white suit and purple elegant shirt. She wondered if he was wearing anything else, or if he was simply stuffing wardrobes more monotonous than James Bond by simply caring about the image of the yakuza boss. She didn't even want to check if the sisters were sticking their noses to the windows to see who she was disappearing with.

They walked along a fairly well-known road leading through the park to the next district. She wondered where they were going.

- The plan was a bit different, but I got a call on the way... so I'll show you one spot. - he said in a low voice. - I warn you, do not lean out.

- Dangerous terrain? - she asked, smiling.

- Yes. - he confirmed. - The company even more.

At one point, she noticed that they switched to routes that she did not even know. She looked around carefully to remember every detail. She recognized a few of the surrounding streets, and after reflection she realized that she knew more or less where she was. He led her to a place she had heard about in city legends and "bad boys" stories. Home to all martial arts and related subjects, the Underground Arena. Whoever wins, gains prestige and fame among all the greats associated with sports of this type. In the middle of the sand ring stood the tiny owner of the sanctuary, Mitsunari Tokugawa. Very famous and valued, not only in the environment. He came from an illustrious family that had for centuries treated the martial arts and all those who dealt with them with great respect. There were five men beside him. One of average height, the rest minimum 185 cm. She knew their faces, heard about the escape of the greatest criminals for whom the death penalty was not successful. As ordered, she did not lean out. But she listened with growing concern. It didn't look colorful, but as she knew Kaoru, he was glad. He sipped his bourbon listening to Tokugawa's words. Fight without rules, only to let the fugitives know what failure is. She suspected that the yakuza boss would not have to be told twice. Anyway, he clearly said it in front of them - regardless of the situation, whether he was sick or in bed with a woman, he would be waiting. She began to worry about him involuntarily.

She didn't know where the fugitives would go, wasn't particularly interested in it. She walked out next to him, and that was the most important thing. With them were those he probably met in the arena. The creator of the Shin Shin Kai karate school and style - Doppo Orochi, who reportedly killed a tiger with his bare hand. Jujitsu master Goki Shibukawa, who she has heard of training judo policemen. Eishu Retsu, called Kaioh, like all the highest masters of Chinese kenpo, a living legend of his people. And the youngest of all this twisted group - the strongest boy in the world, current arena champion, training MMA - Baki Hanma. She expected that the son of the famous Ogre Yujiro would be a little taller, and it might turn out that he was shorter than her ... although she was not sure. That unbearable feeling again. Someone was watching her. She didn't like it, but maybe it's better that she didn't get used to it. She finally saw him, he wasn't hiding. Walked out just in front of them. Hanabi sighed heavily, covering her face with her hand. She didn't know what he might want, but in his case it could be all, or it might just be nothing. Oh, he was bored, he got out of his hole and that's it. Slightly long hair, combed mostly to one side, three-day stubble, skinned face. Yeah, he was drinking again, so guess she figured out what he wanted. She stopped in mid-step.

- Something's wrong, young lady? - Shibukawa became interested.

- The past has just caught up with me ... - she muttered sluggishly.

- Long time no see, my daughter. - the stranger said hoarsely.

- Do you know each other? - Kaoru asked.

- Yes, young man.

She barely noticed when he started to attack. Smooth movements, very unpredictable. She remembered the style too well. She jumped half a meter from him, watching closely. Surprisingly quickly, he stood relatively straight. But she wasn't stupid enough to think it was over, or couldn't afford more. If he wanted to, she could play for a while.

- Until now I have raised twelve sons. Twelve guys big as mountains, masters of my school... - he explained in a drunken tone, swinging between them as he approached her. - And only one daughter, an inconspicuous little child with those twelve bulls. Right, Hanabi?

She didn't block the blow. He hit vital point between the eyes perfectly. She felt a piercing pain from the bone near her nose spreading all over her skull and then to several other places. He didn't want to kill her, hit her too lightly. The force, however, was so great that she rolled over on the hard, compacted ground. She felt her face numb, and her eyes were blocked by a black curtain.

>>><<<

Hanayama saw her body fly backwards, and there was little he could do. His heart skipped in his throat as he saw her head dangling over her sitting body, a trickle of blood dripping from her nose. He glared at the newcomer. Guy was already dead. He was absolutely against violence against women.

- Easy, big man, wait your turn! - The man laughed mockingly. - The girl is not finished yet. She's stubborn, and for me, she'd get up from the grave.

He must have been mad. She was unconscious after all! He turned, seeing an apparently badly folded, repeatedly broken index finger stretched out toward her. She stood up very unsteadily, taking her steps slowly. Hanabi looked at her opponent as if she didn't actually see at all. He had seen that dull expression on other faces many times, but never in someone who was still able to move.

- My blood! - the man chuckled.

He lunged towards her with a series of attacks, and she... surprisingly lightly fought them off. It was as if she was playing with a baby or a little kitten, even though it did not look like a toy. Finally, when the stunned opponent moved away a bit, she grasped him skillfully by the head and delivered a solid punch with her knee straight into the jaw. He fell to the ground, spitting blood and teeth. She grabbed his clothes. Even though her unconscious face showed no emotion, she looked as if she wanted to kill him.

- Hanabi, leave him, it's not worth it. Hanayama finally spoke.

- She won't hear you, she's unconscious! - The man laughed paranoidly, looking into green eyes completely expressionless. - Come on, kill me! You can!

- Fuck off or treat me normally, Master Wu Song. - she croaked finally, spitting blood on him.

She threw it to the ground, then stood as if nothing had happened, dusted her clothes, and reached for the backpack that must have fallen from her hands as she flew stunned by the blow. She took the bandage out of it, covered her nose, and exhaled gently through it to let the rest of the slime drain. Sometimes he forgot completely that life was a threat to her.

- Would you like some ramen? I pay. - she threw in their direction. - I'm starving.

>>><<<

The last thing she could expect was HIM. She didn't owe him anything, and she didn't really feel like "dropping in for tea." Besides, the last few months have been extremely busy, so she simply didn't have time to visit the school. He didn't have to take the fatal twelve with him - thank goodness! She liked them, but they were a pain in the ass, and she valued relative peace. Maybe that's why she liked Kaoru so much? Despite the position he occupied, the sport he chose and huge dimensions, he was a real oasis. She led them to the best (and the only) ramen restaurant she knew in the area. She reached her on the last drops of fuel, grateful for the bowl of pasta and toppings placed in front of her by the owner. They had known each other for a long time, he knew that when she came, she would stuff herself under the cork, so he usually added something extra. She waited for nothing, felt the saliva drip down to her waist.

- The appetite is good, almost like Baki! - Retsu laughed.

- It's subconscious fighting fault. - she explained, nibbling on an egg marinated in soy sauce. - This part of the mind is triggered mainly when we sleep. The brain is working at full capacity, but as the body is at rest, the balance becomes even and energy consumption is low. If we add exercise, the technique becomes terribly fuel-consuming.

- Uuu ... somebody's got body chemistry in their little finger! - whistled Doppo appreciatively.

- I'll find out who it was? - Hanayama muttered from beside her.

- Eh... the man who started teaching me Muay Thai eight years ago. - she muttered, looking at him with the air of a beaten dog. - I heard that he was supposed to be Kaioh, but he he lost interest.

- It doesn't work like that... - Retsu muttered.

- I'm inclined to believe that he does. It was enough for him to escape the temple. - she replied. - Recently, he probably doesn't feel like living, maybe that's why he threw so much. He is a capricious and complicated man.

She thought. Yes... extremely complicated. She remembered that day. She walked down the street completely shattered after her mother walked away with a bang, slamming her father in the face and the door for goodbye. As if something inside her snapped. Not that she was attached, but a full family, even if mostly on paper, gave her psychological comfort. She couldn't find a place for herself ... until she finally reached the end of a completely deserted street. She saw an old, battered signboard saying that somewhere in this building houses the school of boxing and Chinese kenpo. Interesting connection. Her legs carried her to the basement, where she actually found training boys, several years older than her. There was also someone who looked like a teacher. A tall, well-built man with a rough, weathered face. He gulped at her, saying that there was nothing to look for here and all she could say was "teach me." He threw her out the door, so she came back in, saying the same thing. This time he slapped, drawing the attention of the participants. He only growled at them that it was none of their business and, glaring at her in disgust, turned on his heel. She decided not to let go. She wrote to her father that she's busy and would be back when done. She shouldn't, but was pretty sure no policeman would be looking for her in a gutter like this. She knew he needed her, but she couldn't help but be selfish. The guy probably hoped girl would give it up. She did not. She slept on the doormat for a week. In the meantime, he insulted her, cursed her about the worst, called on whores, mediocrity, stupid jerks, spit on her every time. In the end, his conscience seemed to move him, because she woke up on a mattress in the training room. He agreed, but his expression suggested he was not very willing to do so. She was supposed to show up every evening and not complain, because if she insists so much, he will show her what she has worked for. The first training sessions were terrible. He was trying hard to prove that girl was too weak, fragile, unskillful, and inflexible. After two months she couldn't get up, luckily it was summer vacation, she didn't have to worry about dragging her body on shaking legs to school. Father openly admitted that he did not understand it, but as long as he is alive and still wants to, he will not object. She was going to smash head to the wall and probably succeeded. In the end, he decided to teach her something he hadn't shown to any other student. Muay Thai, enriched with several drunk boxing techniques. He laughed furiously that if he beat her face well, she didn't have to drink to be able to handle the technique. After all, he must have exaggerated. She woke up with a bleeding nose, on her back, and

[iciatheguardess]

RECONCILIATION

Suddenly, she notices a familiar figure walking out of a nearby crafts store and pauses. Pulling Conny along, Starro walks into the main streets while listening to her talk about something Icia can't hear. He doesn't see the two until they're a few yards apart, and then he freezes just like she did when she saw him. The color drains from his stars.

Icia and Lance step out of Citrina's store as she and Flare wave them off. Lance holds a small bag with two small boxes, as Icia leads them back into the festival. They don't say much, just look into the others eyes and smile. Icia's snowflakes grow golden, as the two walk through the celebration.

"..... one second, I need to... um... yeah, I'll be.. I'll be right back," Starro whispers to Conny, before walking over to Icia. She also approaches him, letting go of Lance's hand. The two stop a mere few feet away, ignoring the bustle around them.

"...... hi...." he whispers.

Icia stares at him, expressionless.

".... Lance, may I.. go talk with him alone for a moment?"

"Of course, Icia." He kisses her on the cheek before she walks away, while Starro motions back to Conny that he'll return soon too. She nods and waves as the two break away from everyone else and dip into an empty alleyway.

Once away from the majority of the crowd, the tense silence returns quickly. Neither one speaks for an uncomfortably long while.

Starro is the first to break it.

"I'm so sorry Icia. I really can't express it but I'm so, so, so, so sorry. For the fight, for what I said, for showing you... that, all of it. I feel like it was my fault for you abstracting and- I feel horrible about the whole situation in general.."

"It wasn't just you. So many people were struggling, and needed help, and I just.. I felt like I couldn't do what I needed to do and protect everyone. I felt like I wasn't able to serve my purpose to everyone. The fight just... happened to be the final turning point. It wasn't fully because of you."

Starro doesn't respond. Icia folds her hands and looks down.

"... That being said, I'm sorry as well. I'm sorry for snapping, and making you admit something you didn't want to. It wasn't mature of me, and wasn't fair to you, regardless of my situation."

"Neither's what I said...."

More silence.

"........ I have a couple questions still, if that's alright with you."

"Go for it."

"..... do you really not consider me your sister?"

Starro winces at the question and her pained tone but thinks for a moment. "..... I do, just.... not by blood...?"

"I'm confused."

"Well, we probably aren't blood siblings.... and remember a long time ago how I said I was sure my sister was here and I wanted to find her?"

Icia nods.

"After a while it just... felt weird to me calling you my sister when I hadn't even found her. Like I was replacing her. Like I wasn't being fair about it."

"Is that how you felt about it since the beginning? Because I recall very well, I was the first to call you my brother."

Starro thinks for a moment. ".... I don't know-. When you said it though I just... kind of went with it."

His words feel like knives in her heart. She's not growing stressed, thank God, but it's more like defeat and almost even grief. He really doesn't believe it.

".... do you not like me calling you my brother?"

"I do, but again, it's the thing with my rea-.... my blood sister."

Icia bites her tongue to keep from mentioning the files. God, how she wants to just tell him... but would he believe it? Would he believe the things she told him, especially something as shocking as finding him through discovering the linked files while trying to escape the void?

Not now, she thinks. Another time.

"...... do you want me to not call you that?"

"..... maybe for the time being... I'm sorry...." he hugs his legs to his chest.

Icia nods, biting her inner cheek. "It's alright...... honestly, I just.... at the very least, I still want to be your friend-"

Starro's head snaps up to her.

"Icia I couldn't ever not consider you a friend- you're one of my, if not the most, closest friends, even if you aren't my sister! I've been terrified that this fight will drive us apart completely and we'd stop being close-.."

"Oh Starro, no, never-!" She seems shocked that he'd even think that, placing a hand on his shoulder. The touch makes him jump a little.

"You were the very first one to help me when I got to the circus. You helped me find my home, secure my identity of Ice Anon, and comforted me when I told you about the horrors of the kingdom. No matter what fight we had, I'll forever be grateful for those things you did for me. I'll forever be grateful for you and our friendship. I will always, no matter what, consider you one of my dearest, most sincere friends. Even through fights like the one we had."

Starro stares at her, shocked. ".... even if I hide things from you?"

"It's your choice to tell me or not, and you have your reasons. I hide things too. It's alright. We don't need to know EVERY detail about each other. I know enough to tell me that you're still a person I will forever want to be on my side. That won't ever change."

There's a long period of stunned, tense silence.

Starro suddenly lunges forward and wraps his arms around Icia with a sob. She stumbles back, momentarily confused, before hugging back just as tight.

"I-Im so sorry Icia......."

"It's okay, I forgive you..... I'm sorry too. Are we alright then...?"

Starro sniffles a bit, relaxing in the hug. "Yeah.... we're alright."

Out of the corner of her eye, Icia sees the indigo in his stars succumb to a gentle yellow which swirls around with the blue peacefully. She smiles, a tear falling down her own face and soaking into her sleeve.

After what feels like hours but was more like minutes, Starro pulls away and wipes his eyes.

"... I really do feel I oughtta to tell you about what.... the abstraction thing was."

Icia nods, slowly growing concerned. "That was my other question... I didn't know here it was something you could do on command...."

"It's not. Well... not usually."

She tilts her head. "... what do you mean?"

He takes a deep breath. "..... when I put on the headset, apparently I had a... virus that took some of my files. Since technically I was 'incomplete' and not fully me, my 'default' is... well, me abstracted. Or at least partially abstracted."

Icia's eye and mouth are wide with horror.

"But the virus is like... an AI? Something like that? And it... well, she.... has a conscience."

".... what do you mean...?"

"I mean I'm sharing a body with an AI that's keeping me from being abstracted at all times. We have a 'contract' where, if I perform well in my shows, she makes sure I get to stay like how I am now. If I mess up though.... then she can't stop me from reverting."

".... so this 'she' is what's keeping you unabstracted..."

"Mhm... she's literally the virus itself and while she has 'moderator' powers, she can't do more than the contract allows her... and she says that was the only way she could even have any control over it at all.*

Icia nods, listening. Starro sighs and rubs his head.

"That's why I'm so intent in my practicing... it has to be beyond perfect. Otherwise it'll basically kill me for a day, or whatever abstraction is. It's so painful and hurts and just... ugh..." He looks up at Icia again. "I just want her gone. But where would she even go....?"

Icia looks down in defeat..... god, the thought that he's been hiding this from her for so long is devastating...... what could she do though? Not like anyone would be able to help literally take a virus out of his system. What do you do with it? Where does it go? Who can even handle code like that?

Her mind starts wandering.

....

...

... Wait a minute.

..

.

Icia pauses, looking up. Her sadness dissolves into pondering, and then realization.

Maybe there IS someone who can take over.

Maybe.

"...... Starro, I may have a solution."

He turns his head uncertainly. "Haha, funny. It doesn't involve anything hurting someone, right?"

"No. H---, not even me. Just.... once the festival's over, come to my home so I can tell you the plan. But this may work."

Starro blinks before chuckling. "Of course you already have a plan..."

"More like a forming plan... but trust me!!" Her tone is full of hope and excitement.... maybe he should trust her.

"..... alright-"

"AH!! Perfect!" She takes a few breaths to calm herself before beaming at Starro.

"We should probably get back to the others.... I saw you with Conny earlier? Are you two enjoying the festival together?"

Starro immediately smiles and nods, posing in his outfit. "Yeah!!! She even chose this outfit for me- and actually found pants that I can wear without being uncomfortable!!"

Icia chuckles before looking at him curiously, head tilted. "I take it you two are close friends...?"

"Heh... yeah- we've definitely been getting closer.... she's a painter, didja know?! And she's REALLY good at it... she also takes super good care of her hair, and hugging her feels like the softest plush ever....."

He stops himself before he gets too in depth. "Ahm. Why do you ask..?"

"Because your stars are incredibly pink."

He freezes. Fuck. He forgot about the stars.

Icia's eyes widen. "YOU MEAN TO TELL ME- CONNY?!?!?!" She almost yells. Starro slams a hand over her mouth.

"SHHHHHH DON'T JUST YELL IT- AND NO I DON'T MEAN TO TELL YOU!!!"

Icia forces his hand off. "Sorry, excuse me, but TRULY? I have NEVER seen you look that pink talking about ANYONE, not even Gangle!!! What happened to her...?!"

"Nothing, nothing!!! I just... lost feelings-"

"LOST FEELINGS? FOR GANGLE???"

Icia stares at his stars for even a hint of pink correlating to Gangle, like an indication that he's lying. Not a sliver of it. She's dumbstruck. Not unhappy, just dumbstruck.

".... you know what, alright, I'll just let you get back to your date- we are having a VERY long talk when you come over though."

Oh boy.

Regardless, she smiles and hugs Starro, which distracts from his embarrassment.

"I have to get back to my fiance before he gets lost.... I'll see you soon, Starro. I'm glad we had this talk."

Starro pauses before hugging back with a grin. "I'm glad we talked too, Icia. See ya."

The hug gently breaks apart after a moment, leaving Icia to walk back to the crowd. Starro stays where he is, thinking of the conversation and all the topics covered.... God knows what she has planned. He's a bit apprehensive about it, honestly.... how would she be able to remove a virus from his headset? How would anyone be able to do so?

.... know what, no. I'm gonna trust her on this. If she thinks she knows a solution, I'll try it. Who knows. I'll do anything for this to end so I can explore other things.....

He smiles, thinking a bit more.

.....

.... WAIT DID SHE SAY DATE-

[ghoulette-knell]

Goodbye

Aether x Fem!Reader

TW: Aether’s departure from the ministry.

You walked excitedly down the halls of the ministry. Your boyfriend, Aether, had finally returned after being away for a very, very long time. The ministry and the Ghouls had been apart of a tour that travelled across the world, attempting to recruit new members of the Satanic church, as well as entice the individuals already in the church.

That was one of the prices to pay for being in a relationship with one of the Ghouls; sometimes they had to leave for a long time, and you couldn't accompany them.

But, today was the day you'd finally see Aether again! You couldn't wait to wrap your arms around him and give him the tightest hugs and most loving kisses you could.

Unknown to you at this moment, your meeting with Aether would be very short, brief, and unfortunately, the last time you would ever see him.

You skipped excitedly down the halls of the ministry. Sisters and Ghouls alike smirked in happiness at my excitement, as they didn't know what was in store for Aether either,

"Hey! Aether's in his room, (Y/N)," Rain called out as he watched you pass by.

"Thanks, Rain!" you yelled towards the water Ghoul; a smile plastered on your face, "Aether and I will catch up with you and the others later!"

Rain chuckled and waved you off, "Don't worry about that, darling! Just go spend time with your man!"

Rain was like a brother to you, as were the rest of Aether's Ghoul-friends. You couldn't ask for a better support system from anyone— all of the Ghouls were always watching your back.

Finally, the time had come. You stood outside of Aether's room; shaking from excitement. You quickly walked in, expecting to see Aether getting out of his garb, or stuffing his mouth full of food after those few months of light meals. But no, that's not how it went.

Your smile dropped off your face when you saw your boyfriend. He was sitting on the couch without his balaclava on; his ears and tail drooping downwards in sadness. His eyes looked void of the old Aether,

"Honey?" you gasped, racing over to your boyfriend.

You clasped your hands on his cheeks and forced his eyes to look into yours, "What's going on, Aether?"

A small, silent tear leaked from his eye as he gathered all of your attention. You've never seen your Aether like this before, and the fact that he was staying silent was scaring you immensely.

Knowing Aether wasn't ready to talk yet, you just sat there and held him. He will tell you what's going on whenever he's ready.

Your boyfriend shuffled to the side a little bit to allow you to sit on the couch with him. You scooted onto the couch and wrapped your arms around him; absorbing his sobs into your chest as he embraced you like his whole life depended on it.

You felt helpless. Whenever you got like this, Aether always knew what to do to calm you down and comfort you. You'd never had to calm Aether down, so you'd have to improvise.

Kissing his temple, you rose out of his hug and went to his little kitchen and grabbed him a glass of ice water. You walked back with the water in your hand; sadness pulling at your heart as you sat back down beside him,

"At least drink something, my love," you whispered while wiping away a few of Aether's stray tears from his cheeks, "I need you to drink, please."

Aether inhaled a bit, trying to calm his crying. He carefully took the glass from your hands and took a few sips. As he drank, you settled back down on the couch and curled into his side,

"What's going on."

Your boyfriend sniffled and dabbed away at his eyes. This was entirely out of character for the Ghoul, and you were sick to your stomach thinking about what could be happening.

Then, he spoke for the first time since you entered his room.

"Satan has recalled me back to Hell. I will no longer be apart of Ghost or the ministry. I am set to leave tonight. I will never be able to return, and I will never be able to see you again," he choked out, a few more tears slipping down his cheeks, "I knew this day was coming— all Ghouls do, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I thought I would've had more time by your side."

All life seemed to freeze as you took in what Aether had said. Recalled to Hell? Never be able to see you again?

No wonder Aether was a mess...

You cocked your head to the side; your own tears beginning to slick down your face, "Please tell me this is some sick joke... please tell me Swiss and you are just trying to prank me. I... I can't take this, Aether."

Aether sighed and pulled you into his side; kissing your forehead and face as you began breaking down. The quintessential Ghoul slowly and carefully lifted you onto his lap for comfort, but he had no words of sympathy— nothing to help you feel better,

"I'm so sorry, my love. There's nothing either of us can do about this. It's Satan's will; it can not be undone or prevented. I'm just happy I got a chance to see you one last time before I was taken."

You cupped his face in your hands and smashed your lips into his. For the first time in your life, you wanted to defy Satan. You wanted to somehow change his mind so he wouldn't take Aether away from you.

"Please don't leave me," you sniffled while burying your face in his neck; making the collar of his shirt soaking wet from your tears, "I'm a nobody without you. You're the one who's moulded me and made me the person I am today. I'm nothing without you, Aether."

The grip around you that your boyfriend provided began to squeeze you tighter, as if the realization was finally hitting him. This was truly it,

"No matter what happens, (Y/N), I will always love you," Aether whispered while pressing one final kiss to your lips, "I can go confidently back to Hell knowing you'll always love me too. You have to promise me you won't just stop living because I'm no longer in your life."

"I can't make that promise, Aether," you whispered back while taking in his scent one more time, "You're the most important thing in the world to me. I love you so, so much, and I simply don't know how I'll keep living without you by my side. Life will simply be a purgatory."

You took a look at Aether after he didn't respond for a moment, and you felt bile rising to your throat. His eyes... they were coated in a haze, as if he was under some kind of hypnotism, "Aether? Aether honey, can you hear me?"

No response, which caused your stomach to drop.

"Aeth, please!"

The next few minutes were pure agony. The realization that Satan was coming for Aether made an animalistic nature arise from within you, as if you were more than ready to kill him if he tried. Of course, you knew that was impossible and he would kill you if you tried. However, if that happened, perhaps you'd be able to spend the afterlife with Aether.

An invisible force pushed you away from your boyfriend as the lights in the room began to flicker. Then, an earthquake began shaking the room. You wondered if Rain or Swiss might come by to see what the shaking was about, but they didn't ever show up. The shaking was specific to just Aether's room, so no one else knew what was going on.

Then, the flooring in the room shattered open, like what would happen if someone threw a baseball at a glass window.

You were paralyzed by both fear and an invisible force holding you back. Ascending from the floor below was a gnarly, clawed hand; twice the size of Aether or you combined. The claws of the beast wrapped around my boyfriend, and as fast as you could blink, they were gone.

At that moment, the paralysis fades as well, and all you could do was scream.

You screamed and sobbed for at least a minute until Sodo busted through the door; wrapping his arms protectively around you,

"(Y/N)! What's going on? Are you okay?"

You dug your nails into Sodo's shoulders and just sobbed. The fire Ghoul gulped and just sat there so you could cry; his strong fingers rubbing circles on your back. The question of where Aether was was wracking his brain, but he didn't dare ask right now. You needed a bit to cry before sharing what you had seen.

After a few more moments, you swallowed and began collecting yourself, "Aether is gone, Sodo," you whispered while wiping away the endless tears from your face, "Satan called him back to Hell and he's gone forever. I don't know why this is happening... he was so loyal to the church, and not to mention... Satan knew how much he meant to me. Why would he take Aether away from us?"

This was shocking news to Sodo as well. He just hugged you tighter and shushed away your ramblings, "You don't need to explain any further. I think you need to stay with one of us tonight. It's not healthy to be alone after something like this happens."

Suddenly, Cirrus and Cumulus bursted into the room; panic evident in her eyes,

"Sunshine is gone, Sodo! Her, Cumulus, and I were practicing some music and she was yanked down through the floor by a giant hand! We don't know what's going on!"

You stifled a scream into your hands. Aether, and now Sunshine? Who would be next? Was anyone really safe against Lucifer's judgement?

"Okay, everyone. Let's just calm down. We need to go and see Papa and get to the bottom of this," Sodo announced with authority. He was pretty much the head of the Ghouls, besides Papa of course, and whatever he said was essentially law.

Everyone collected their emotions, but you didn't want to. You didn't want to leave Aether's room. It still smelled of him despite his departure,

"Come on, (Y/N)," Sodo whispered; empathy leaking from his lips, "We have to go."

"Go without me," you replied; your eyes tied to the walls as you fell into a panic-driven dissociation attack. Your mind felt empty. Your soul felt empty. So many unanswered questions that likely not even Papa would have the answers for.

Cumulus laid her hand on Sodo's shoulder and motioned towards the door, "Leave her. Us losing Sunshine and Aether hurts, but we can't expect (Y/N) to get over it as quickly as us. Leave her and let her mourn. She can join us whenever she's ready."

You exhaled in relief as Sodo agreed; the three Ghouls leaving you alone in your boyfriend's room. All you did for the rest of the night was ponder why this was happening... or what you did to deserve this.

Oh Aether. You'll never give up on him.

Never.

Word Count: 1,932

Damn I didn't expect to do a sad chapter like this right off the bat, but here we are. Aether's departure from the band was so devastating to me, and honestly I still haven't recovered. Phantom is amazing... but he's no Aether, y'know?

September 11th, 2023

[doberbutts]

Do you think you're gonna confront your mom about the whole risking both of your lives because of her religion thing? I totally get not thinking it'd be worth it or just not wanting to or whatever and it's SO not my business if you don't wanna share, but I've had a whole mess of issues with my own mother and I don't think that'd be something I could just not bring up.

I did, once, confront her about this problem when I was much younger. When she chose to ignore and wait and make excuses for why I didn't need to see the doctor. This is, unfortunately, not an uncommon thing for her nor is it really new behavior. I at one point picked the fight that we'd been circling around, when I first got my glasses. I'd been complaining to her for a few years, yes years, that I couldn't see the chalkboard and since my last name is near the end of the alphabet and my teachers all used alphabetized assigned seating, it meant I was almost always put at the back. And they wouldn't move me to the front without parental guidance, which she wouldn't give me because she swore up and down that I could see just fine and that I was just goofing off in class and that's why my grades were steadily failing.

At some point she made an eye doctor appointment for me but not before threatening that I would be in serious trouble if I made her waste the time and money at the eye doctor for me to have 20/20 vision like she swore I had. The doctor at some point made an offhand comment about how my prescription was relatively mild but technically I'd probably needed glasses for at least a year or two and it was also likely the cause of my awful headaches I was having from squinting to see 24/7. I was roughly on the cusp of "legally needs glasses to drive"- could probably pass an eye test without it but....... not without struggling. Of course nowadays I definitely can't.

I chose to confront her after the appointment because I felt both vindicated and also furious that she'd let me walk around in pain and unable to see just because she refused to listen to me when I told her I couldn't see in class.

The end result was with us screaming at each other on the drive home so much that she had to pull into a parking lot and cool off walking around a shop. Her parting words were "if you don't like the way I parent you, then you can go". I waited for her to disappear into the store and then got out of the car, turned off my cell phone, removed the battery, and started walking. I knew where I was and could have walked the rest of the way home. I chose instead to start walking towards a friend's house, a friend whose parents adored me and who I knew would take me in even just for a night while I sorted my shit out with my folks. After an hour or so of venting under my breath as I walked I decided I'd cooled off enough to be safe calling my friend, so I turned my phone back on.

She'd left dozens of text messages and voicemails, starting with her being angry at finding me gone, and ending with her whispering "I'm sorry. Please call me."

I called her and told her where I was. She picked me up and we went home in silence. We haven't spoken about it since. This was just one of many times that I enforced a hard boundary with her and stood my ground when I was about that age. We went through this song and dance with church and religion and Christianity. We did it when I came out. We did it when I told her I refused to go back to my ultra-religious high school. We did it over countless friends of mine that she felt were leading me onto a Godless path. We did it regarding my father's temper. We did it regarding my sister's treatment of me. And we've done it again a few more times since I left, though far fewer and less explosively because she is very aware of why I refuse to live with or near her and she's sad about it and wants to mend the gap.

It may seem strange to an outsider. I do love my mom. I have a lot of problems with the way she ran her household. I am angry at her for some things. But she loves me. She never once abandoned me. She may have done things for stupid and misguided reasons, but never to be malicious. She helped me buy my house, she helped me move in, she helped make the necessary repairs, she paid for a lot of the furniture and other things I needed, hell the last time she visited she filled my entire freezer up with enough meat to last the entire winter. She does try. She wants to be a better parent than hers were, and to her credit she is a better parent than hers were, because her parents were an angry drunk that beat the shit out of the kids and a wife too submissive and scared to stop him.

I don't think confronting her would do anything particularly positive. It's frustrating. She knows I disapprove. I know she disapproves. I doubt we'll ever see eye-to-eye on this issue. But also, she's my mom, you know?

[allhandsondeck1]

ATTENTION ALL NON KPOP LISTENERS THAT HAVE A KPOP STAN IN YOUR LIFE!!!!! (This is a ramble)

Do you have a friend, partner, sibling, etc. that loves kpop? Is their birthday soon? Do you want to give them a bouquet, but don't know what flower to give them? I HAVE THE PERFECT THING FOR YOU! A BIAS BOUQUET!!!

Okay so along with my sister's birthday being.. literally rn (it's 1 am for me at the time of posting this), it's also right before valentines day! She's my best friend, and my sister, and she deserves a bouquet. She is obsessed with kpop. Like, can hear the first few seconds of a song and name the group, song, album, and who is singing at each moment(she scares me). She has like, a million favorite groups, so I had made a list and broooo.. I didn't even use half of the list, and the list was at least 20 or more members.. AND IT WASNT EVEN ALL OF THEM

So you can tell what my motive for this was, yeah? It's actually hella easy! I didn't take progress shots, because I got school later and didn't have the time to stop and take pictures, but here's what you need!

An editing or art app

Paper/Cardstock

lamination sheets

Wooden skewers

A foam cone

Tape

Tissue paper

Pipe cleaners (optional)

Sticky notes (optional)

Soo to start I went to pinterest and downloaded a few photos of my sister's favorite idols. You don't have to do all of them, you can do one group or just a bunch of photos of their favorite person! Whatever you want. I used the app IBISPAINTX to put them all together in different sizes, so it was easier to print and cut out and they can vary in sizes. Use whatever app or website you think works!

I basically just put them in collages like this.

I emailed them to myself and then printed them out on cardstock paper, just so they were stiffer and would last longer, but if you don't want to/don't have that, regular printer paper will work!

Jm using a digital version, just to show it(also in courtesy of the girl bc its my sister's favorite and I forgot to print her out 😭) but after they are printed, cut your idols out, just the perimeter around it!

Then, this is also optional, but I used lamination sheets over the pictures! Try and fit as many of your idols on the sheets just to save, but be careful, because you want to make sure when you cut them out, they have a small gap on the lamination, just so the lamination doesn't peel off. The lamination will just make the pictures last longer, so your person can keep them after! *the gray represents the lamination!*

Now, I bought a foam cone fromWalmart, but yoh can probably grt it at micheals or any craft store! Mine was a little small, I don't have exact dimensions cause I just guessed, but I think eying it and guessing too will do just fine! I also got some skewers, which can be found anywhere, I just found them in a drawer lol. Next thing is tape!

Youre going to take your idols and your skewers, just tape the back onto the skewer before you stick it into the foam. Now, this part is optional too, but I used some purple pipe cleaners to wrap around the skewers! I just measured the part that was stuck into the foam, then I taped the idol on after I pulled it out,and then I wrapped the pipe cleaners above the line and to the bottom of the picture, and stuck it back in

Another optional thing is to make paper hearts! I found a tutorial on YouTube to make inflatable ones! I used the skewers to poke through the top and then layer purple and pink ones. I made seven so it could start on one color and end in the same color! I made three of these pattern heart things, but you can make as many as you want! (This works well if it's for a romantic partner or for valentines day!)

Finally I just used purple and pink tissue paper to hide the cone, and taped it together to keep it in place! Here's the final product in horrible lighting

I can only name like, 5 people on this bouquet, and then the girl on my demonstration but idk how to spell her name lol

Anyways! There's a good, decently cheap present for your local kpop lover!

[unovanhunny]

Hmmmmm … how about trans submas just being sweet and supportive to each other in more „intimate but not necessarily sexual ways“? Emmet helping Ingo put on his binder, Ingo doing Emmets T-Shots for him, them fretting over top surgery scars ? That kinda deal? Can of course involve other identities other than masc / masc leaning / presenting as well. Ingo reassuring his sister trough an dysphoric episode, Ingo getting encouraged by Emmet to wear that suit if they want to, it doesn’t make them look any less pretty and femme etc.

Trans Submas isn't typically my thing, but I don't mind doing something for this! I don't know if you wanted specifically art or writing, but I can do a ficlet based on this idea.

"Safety check. How long has it been, is your breathing okay?"

It was lunch and with them alone in the office, it was as good a time as any to check in. The door was locked so no one could intrude. Taking in as deep a breath as he could manage, Ingo's usual frown deepened a little.

"I think now would be a good time to take a break. Will you help me?"

On bad days, Ingo would wear the binder; on good days, he would wear a less restrictive compression top. When he woke up that morning, it had been a bad day. And with it being the start of summer and some parts of the station being less air conditioned than others, the four hours from clock-in til lunch were felt. At least for their lunch break, he could remove it for a while. They had extra compression tops and binders stored for just such occasions, if they needed to switch out to something fresher or their needs had changed.

Removing hat and coat and hanging them on the coatrack by the door, Ingo moved further into the office to unbutton his shirt and hang it off the back of his chair. And then the white tank underneath went, leaving him only with the hardest part. It was meant to rest tight and that coupled with sweat from the heat certainly made it nearly impossible to remove on his own. And that's where Emmet came in.

With a smile and deft hands that Ingo knew all too well, together they worked to slowly roll up and pull off the binder over Ingo's head, the touch of his brother's fingers against his warm and sensitive skin leaving tingles.

Now discarded, Emmet did the work of placing the black cloth in the bag they had stashed in a bottom desk drawer for just this reason, while Ingo pulled the white tank back on over his head. Alone or not, it was far from proper to be entirely topless while at work. Taking a few deep breaths in, finding the action much easier and his lungs able to fill more, Ingo felt much better. He would opt for a compression top when they had to return, the heat wasn't going anywhere most likely.

"Let's eat." Grabbing their lunches from home from the mini fridge they had in their office, Ingo plopped them down on the desk, where Emmet joined him only a moment later with water bottles.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, much."

"Good!" Emmet pressed a kiss to Ingo's temple as he started to unpack the lunches.

-

"Your hands are going to get manlier faster than the rest of you at this rate."

"We can't cuddle for a while after the gel is applied, so at least give me this."

It wasn't as though Emmet hated needles, he just wasn't fond of the idea of having to get stuck with one on a monthly basis. Sure the results with gel were slower, but he was willing to take the trade off.

Ingo was less fond of the idea that once Emmet applied the gel, he needed to be left to dry for a few hours. Meaning no cuddles or anything that may accidentally wipe it off. And so he had insisted from the onset that he would be the one to apply it. Try and get his fill of touching before Emmet would be off limits for a while. And no gloves needed. It wasn't as though he didn't wash his hands immediately after, and a little more testosterone in his system wouldn't hurt.

"You are not going to lay with me?" The little froggy pout had Ingo sighing and placing a kiss to Emmet's forehead.

"Of course I will, but it's not the same as my usual koala cling, and you know it." Ingo patted Emmet's stomach twice before resuming the gentle massage to get the gel properly spread across his skin.

"I do like it when you do that. But we can hold hands and watch something in the meantime."

"As if you had a choice!" Emmet stared for a moment before chuckling, Ingo joining him. "You can't get away with not at least holding my hand if I must refrain from anything more."

"I would never dream of it." Letting out a sigh at the touch, Emmet watched Ingo's focused face of concentration with so much affection.

Drifting into a comfortable silence, it was all too soon that Ingo straightened out and headed to the bathroom to wash the remaining gel from his hands. With a wiggle, Emmet shifted to leave more space beside him for Ingo to join him.

And join he did, a few moment later, hand clasping cool clean hand. And the words that had been on the tip of Emmet's tongue came tumbling out as Ingo rested his head against Emmet's shoulder.

"I love you."

[humanoidalien27]

Content warning: Nothing too bad, I think.

......

Chapter 8

Cured

    After you scrubbed every inch of your body clean until it nearly bled, you sat down at the table in the side room.

"Do you feel better?" Sebastian asked walking over to sit beside you.

"No, I can still feel my skin crawling."

With a sympathetic smile, he picked up your arm, investigating the little red dots across your skin.

"You gave yourself a rash."

Shrugging you rested back against the couch, trying to think of anything else.

"Oh, did you find out anything new?"

"I wasn't paying much attention, to be honest. My thoughts were on something more important."

Knowing Sebastian, nothing was more important than reading something interesting and a government conspiracy was one thing that was a compelling read.

"What's on your mind?"

"You," he replied in a rush, getting your pulse to race. "I mean, you just danced with the guy who ruined your life. I wanted to hit him. Maybe, knock him out and you smiled at him."

You rubbed your arms as chills ran up them. "It wouldn't have done us any good if he found out we weren't who we claimed to be. Though, I think I'm done with dancing, forever."

He wrapped his arms around you, covering yours with his, pulling you against him. "At least it's over."

"Well, not completely," Ominis replied as he took the book from the table before, the fire making his eyes appear like they were glowing. "We still have to deal with him."

"And find a way to give the cure to Anne."

Sebastian tensed before he pulled back and looked at you as Ominis headed from the room. "You made it? That was a complicated potion-"

"Felix made it actually. He asked me to store it in my bag until we see Anne again. It's apparently going to weaken her dramatically when it breaks the curse, but not kill her."

"Didn't that cure say it's to be imbued with magic equal or stronger than the curse itself?"

Smirking, you met his gaze. "Hey, remember me? I have access to ancient magic? I've already charged it, now it just needs to be consumed."

He smiled sadly. His sister was still a bone of contention for him.

"I heard what you said to her."

You sighed, your eyes drifting towards him, but he had already walked into the boy's room. "I'm guessing Ominis told you? Look, I know I said a lot of things to your sister that you probably didn't like and I know she had her brain scrambled by Solomon-"

"I appreciate it."

He was staring into the fire when you looked back.

"The abuse we went through isn't a pardon for my actions though. I did use people to get what I wanted. I'm not proud of it, but I can't pretend it's not there either. You risked your life coming to save me, even after everything I put you through. Then you stand up to my sister- it's more than I ever expected someone to do for me. Ominis and Anne never said a word-"

"To be fair, Ominis came from abuse too. He naturally wouldn't want to put that target on himself after what his parents did. It's his way to survive," you replied as he met your eyes. "I do understand why you wanted to cure Anne and Solomon didn't exactly help by destroying the hope you were trying to give her, by convincing her she was going to die. But you did go too far too. You could have flipendo-ed the goblin you imperio-ed and even knocked Solomon out. Nobody came away from that night looking good."

"Solomon wouldn't have stopped. We know that from those papers and from his journal."

You nodded. "But we didn't know that then, did we?"

"No," he said rubbing his hands together as he leaned forward. "We didn't. You're right."

Seeing how his face twisted into silent agony, you hugged him from the side, giving him a start before he leaned into you.

Deciding from that moment, you were going to find Anne and at least give her the cure, for his sake.

     The next morning, you woke before almost everyone, but Deek and Granny, who were engrossed in a deep conversation.

You headed for the door as sneakily as you could.

"Be careful out there, dearie."

Glancing back, both were staring at your back, so you gave a quick nod and left the room.

You dodged Peeves, who was making a mess of suits of armor, but a screech pulled your gaze up to an owl flying towards you.

It dropped a letter and flew off.

Looking it over there was no address or names on it. You stowed it in your bag for now as you made your way away from the gleeful laughing behind you.

Not stopping until you were in the safety of the Undercroft to open it.

  -Please meet me tonight in the hogshead.

                                            -Anne

This could be a horrible trap or one heck of a coincidence, but you could go without being seen.

With that in mind, you shifted into your animagus form and left the castle grounds to head to Hogsmeade.

It was lovely as ever, but you easily slipped inside the town, blending right in with the other cats, even asking them to keep an eye out for suspicious people and come tell you if they see one.

Anne walked in, hours later, with her hood drawn, appearing like she didn't want to be seen.

Nothing had changed, no one had randomly showed up after her, but you waited until it was very early in the morning and she had given up and began to head back home.

You moved to follow after her. It was a fairly simple task, being she wasn't walking that fast anyway.

And once she entered a dark house, you jumped into the broken window's sill and watched her sigh as she sat down.

"Did something happen? Were they hurt?"

You glanced around, not seeing or hearing another soul inside, before you jumped down onto the floor, effectively giving her a start, but she just smiled.

"Hello little kitty, are you hungry?"

She stood up and grabbed something from the kitchen, before bringing a plate back and set it down on the floor.

It was bits of raw fish, but you weren't about to touch that without it being cooked, so instead you meowed and jumped up on the table as she sat in the chair.

"I don't know that to do. I was hoping she'd be willing to talk. Maybe even explain things better, but I guess she wants nothing to do with me." She gasped suddenly, her hand flying over her mouth as fear stole away everything else. "Unless she thought I was leading her into a trap or maybe she was taken on her way. Oh no, poor Sebastian and Ominis."

The door opened suddenly, getting you to whirl while hissing, only to see Felix walking in.

"Ah, good evening. I'm Felix Williams, I'm sure you've heard of me."

She pulled her wand from her pocket, which he easily disarmed.

"Now, now, I'm not here to hurt you."

Anne sighed, her wand was now behind Felix's feet. "Did something happen to them?"

"Apart from two very worried boys, your brother being a hot head and us having to knock him out, everything's fine. I've found who I was looking for." His eyes fell to you. "Rude of you to leave without telling anyone. You gave everyone a good fright, my mother excluded of course."

Anne looked at him, then you and back. "You're talking to a cat?"

Felix chuckled as he picked up Anne's wand and floated it back to her. "Hardly," He squatted down, so you tried to bat at his wand. "Very adorable, now change back. She's not going to tell anyone. Come on."

"Is the cat an animagus?" Anne asked, as you focused on trying to get Felix's wand, to which he poked you in the side with it. "And how do you know I won't tell?"

"A gut feeling. You wanted to talk right? You want to see your brother. Well, what good would you do by turning in his friends? Why else would you be hanging around in this, ehm, charming little place?"

"I just wanted to talk to my brother before- I didn't get the chance to."

You shifted back, earning a sharp scream from her. "From your death or his?"

She glared at first, before it faltered completely.

"I know you don't like me-"

You sighed as you sat on the chair beside hers. "No, I don't mind you. I just got a bit emotional last time and said things that were cruel, even if they did hold some truth. I let my own guilt slip into my anger and... well it never ends good."

"You get that from your father's side," Felix teased, drawing your eyes.

"Do you think Sebastian will talk to me?"

Smiling you patted her hand. "I know there's nothing more he'd want more, but first, I need you to drink this."

You pulled the cure out of your bag. Her nose crinkled at the smell.

"What is this?"

You just gave her a chuckle. "It's nothing poisonous, I promise. But, if you want me to trust you, you'll need to trust me."

She nodded before she took the the vial and drained it without a second thought.

Felix looked at you and gave a nod, before Anne let out a painful scream.

You could see darkness seeping out of her chest as Felix held his wand out to it, drawing it into a ball, before setting it into a spoon. He immediately kicked it under the floor boards, before Anne passed out, falling against you.

"Shall we then?"

You nodded, so he moved over and picked her up.

.....

(Had to bring Anne back for Sebastian's sake.)

Previous

Next

[final-girl96]

Chapter Three Hawkins High

Steve dropped me and Robin off at school before heading back home to get ready for work. "Are you ever going to tell him about Eddie?" I looked at her like she just asked the stupidest question in the world, which she did. "No. Absolutely not. Or at least not yet. You know how Steve is when guys get even a few feet near me. He goes into overprotective big brother mode. I can't have him killing my boyfriend." Robin laughed and shook her head. We walked into the school and went straight for our lockers. We were lucky enough to be close to each other. Only a few lockers apart.

"He's going to find out at some point," she said. I put the books I had taken home back in my locker. "How? He's clueless. Me and Eddie have been dating for almost two years, Rob. And Steve was still here when we started dating and didn't even notice! He's an idiot," I said. Arms wrapped around me from behind making me jump a little. "Who's an idiot?" Eddie asked, kissing my cheek. "Steve," Robin told him. "Hmm. Harrington is indeed an idiot," he said. "Hey!" He laughed, "sorry Big Harrington is an idiot. Little Harrington is adorable." I hit his chest lightly, chuckling. "You two are disgustingly cute," Robin said and walked away.

"I have something for you," Eddie said. "Really. And what would that be?" I asked. He twirled his finger, "turn around." I bit my bottom lip and turned around so my back was facing him. I felt him drape something over my neck, moving my hair out of the way. When he was done I looked down to see a ring hanging off a chain. I spun around to see his favorite ring missing from his finger. "Eddie, this is your favorite ring. I can't…" his index finger came to rest over my lips to hush me. "You can and you will. You're always playing with it. Like literally all the time. It's also my mark," he said, winking.

Classes seemed to go on forever. But it was finally time for lunch. When I walked into the cafeteria I saw that the table where the hellfire club sits was full. Eddie sitting at the head of the table. Jeff and Gareth one either side of him. I smiled when Eddie looked over and caught my eye. I started to head over there when Andy, one of the basketball players and Jason Carver's friends, stepped in front of me. "Hey, YN, why don't you come sit beside me. You know where you belong."

My face scrunched in disgust. Andy was a class A asshole. He had been 9n the team with Steve before he graduated. "No thanks. I'm allergic to douchebags with small dicks. And that table would most definitely kill me." His jaw tensed, hands balled into fist by his side. "What would your brother, former King of Hawkins, think of his sister dating Eddie "the freak" Munson?" He asked, getting close to my face. "He'd like it better than me hanging around a bunch of small minded pencil dicks." I smiled and walked away and straight to Eddie. He pushed back his chair a little and pulled me into his lap. "What was that about?" He asked. Everyone at the table was looking at me. "Just Andy being a dick like always. Acting as if my brother was actually friends with them." His arm snaked around my waist and then started talking about the hellfire meeting tonight. "Are you going to be there, yn?" Dustin asked. "Maybe. I have to talk to Robin about covering for me at work," I said. "You could just tell Steve you and Eddie are dating," Mike said. I rolled my eyes, "look I'll tell Steve when I'm sure he has a level head and is distracted by something else."

“Can you cover for me at work? Pleeease!” I was begging Robin to cover for me at the video store. “Tell Steve I had to stay after school for a project or something.” She closed her locker with a sigh but nodded. “Fine. I’ll cover this one time. Have fun with your boy toy,” she said. I hugged her before she walked down the hall to the double doors that let outside. I met up with Eddie at his van. We were going to go back to his place. The meeting wouldn't be until a little later tonight. "Hello, Beautiful," he said, leaning down a little to kiss me. He opened the passenger door and I got up into his van. He was quick to run around the other side and get in, starting the van and pulling out of the school's parking lot.

"So I take it Buckley covered for you," he said, as we made our way down the road towards the trailer park. "Yes. She's going to tell Steve I needed to stay after school for a project or whatever." He reached over to grab my hand and bring it up to his lips and left a kiss on my knuckles. When we got to his trailer he pulled in, got out, ran around the front of the van and opened my door. We walked up the steps and he unlocked the door, opening it and letting me go in first. Wayan worked late so he was already gone. "Wanna order pizza, baby?" Eddie asked, setting his keys on the counter. "Yeah that sounds good." He picked up the phone and called the pizza place, ordering a large pizza for us.

We were back in Eddie’s bedroom. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, guitar in his hands. I lay on my stomach, my math book opened in front of me. Eddie set his precious guitar down and shut my book. “Hey, I was doing homework,” I said. He took the math book and my notebook and set it on the floor on top of my bag. “That’s so boring,” he said, flipping me onto my back. "Hi," he whispered. I chuckled, "hi," I whispered back. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?" He asked. Biting my bottom lip I nodded. "Only like a hundred times a day." He hummed, "what about how much I love you?" Again I nodded, "only like a trillion times a day."

"Well, that's not an even amount. Guess I'm gonna have to up my game on how many times I remind you how beautiful you are." I rolled my eyes, "shut up. You're so cheesy, Eddie Munson." There was a knock on the door and Eddie groaned and stood up. "Pizza is here. What a cock block!" He yelled. "Eddie!" He smiled and ran down the hall to answer the door. I got up and walked after him. He was closing the door and sitting the pizza on the counter when I came out. "M'lady," he said, bowing at the waist. "What a dork," I laughed, grabbing a couple plates. "Mm. But I'm your dork." He winked.

We ate the pizza then Eddie grabbed his binder that had all his DnD stuff in it. "Shall we?" He said, holding the door open for me. I walked down the steps and Eddie shut and locked the door before we got in the van and made our way to the school. They held their campaigns in the drama room. If I'm honest I don't know a thing about DnD. I've watched them play lots of times but still can never figure it out. Eddie even tried to teach me but got frustrated when I still couldn't get it. So I just go every once in a while to watch and be a supportive girlfriend. My life was massively different before I started dating Eddie. I was popular and a cheerleader. I was only popular though because Steve "The Hair" Harrington, King of Hawkins High, is my brother. He was on the basketball team and I was a cheerleader. I mostly gave us something to do after school instead of going home to an empty house.

Things didn't only change after I started dating Eddie. It was also the fact that Steve and I got caught up in helping Jonathan and Nancy back in eight-three when Jonathan's little brother, Will, went missing. Then again in eight-four when Dustin roped us in to help him find his "pet" demogorgon, Dart. Then just recently with Starcourt Mall, the Russians, and the Mindflayer. All of that made me realize that the friends I had weren't friends, they were more acquaintances, people I talked to at school and sometimes after.

When we got to the school Eddie was ever the gentleman and opened my door before we walked to the doors. Everyone was already there waiting for us. I sat beside Eddie and watched as he started off the campaign. There was a lot of yelling and shouts of excitement as the game went on. I had no idea what was happening. It made me happy to see Eddie and everyone else happy. When it was done Eddie drove me home. He didn’t pull into the driveway since Steve’s car was right out front but he dropped me off at the end of it and walked me halfway to the door. He waited like always until I was inside before run back to his van and going home himself.

[maybanksbabe]

It's not over. Rafe is in the hospital. Topper found out first, went to see him. Started spending all his time with him.

Left his sister all alone and in the dark. It doesn't even register for him that he's done it.

She follows him, once. Sees Rafe lying there, hooked up to the heart monitor, breathing tube in his nose, and leaves. Turns around and goes home. Pretends like nothing's wrong to Topper, but as soon as he's gone again, she's crying. Why didn't he tell me?

Topper gets sick one day. They don't have any medicine, any painkillers for headaches. She goes to the store. She passes the Kildare County Hospital on the way home. Pulls into the parking lot, stops. Gets out of the car, gets back in, thinks about it for ten minutes, then goes home to Top.

He doesn't know how she still doesn't know where he's been going.

Rafe, when he's awake, can only think about why she hasn't come to see him yet. He thought he'd seen her once when Topper came to see him. He thought he saw her car yesterday. He was wrong on both counts. He dreams about her, about apologizing and her forgiving him and being her boyfriend and-- He needs to stop.

The hospital isn't big, but it's scary. She signs in, asks which room Rafe is in. Topper is out with Kelce and she had an opportunity. Down the hall, make a left, and it should be the sixth door on the right is what the nurse told her. Sweet old lady.

The room isn't well lit, but it doesn't matter, because Rafe is asleep. She sits by him, takes his hand.

"Your boyfriend is going to be just fine, sweetheart. He didn't have any broken bones, he's alright." She rips her hand away like it's on fire.

"Oh."

Rafe coughs when he sees her. Blinks a few times and smiles.

"I didn't think you'd come."

She whips back towards him and stands up, causing her chair to fall over and loudly bang against the floor. She winces and picks it up.

"I shouldn't be here. I'll go--"

"Please don't."

😭😭😭 at least he lives? Stomp on my heart a little more bestie I don't think it's destroyed enough yet -

[eddiemuns0nl0ver]

Don't Let Go

Steve x Wheeler 

Emma Wheeler is Nancy's fraternal Twin. 

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Hawkins Indiana was a safe place. At least it was when you had Nancy Wheeler as a sister. Sort of. 

Avoiding her at all cost. Emma Wheeler was in love with Steve Harrington. She knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help it. She even confided with Nancy about the crush you had on him. But she still went after him. Almost like a jab to you, after you heard from Barb about Nancy and Steve, you lost all respect for her. You didn't try talking to her anymore. (Switch to first person POV)

I couldn't. I felt betrayed, I started hanging out with Mike and his party. I grew to love each of them and even started playing DND with them(after teaching me how to play). Emma helped play in the last game before Will went missing. The morning afterwards Mom got a call from Joyce asking if shes seen Will but he left a little after 8:00pm. I looked over at Mike who already had a frown on his face, I excused myself to go to my room, which I had to share with Nancy. I Heard footsteps following me and a soft knock on the door. "I don't want to talk to you Nancy" I said as I checked my book bag to make sure I had everything for school today.

"Emma, how long are you gonna stay mad at me." I scoffed as I got up to open the door with my bag around my shoulder. 

"How long were you seeing Steve before I found out?" I ask softly. 

"Not long, a month maybe"

"Nance! I told you that I liked him long before you two even started seeing each other. That goes against the girl code. You of all people should know that!" 

"Emma it's not my fault he likes me and not you! You need to grow up and realize that you don't have to like everything I do, but that doesn't mean I don't get to pursue what I want" She yelled at me. 

"Go to hell" you whispered to your twin sister. 

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Pretending to like Nancy in front of everyone at school was a lot easier than most think. As I walk with Tommy H. Carol, Steve, Barb and of course Nancy, they gossiped about anything and everything, besides Barb. We both share a look after hearing Steve mutter something about Jonathan being pathetic for his brother going missing. 

"Shut the fuck Steve" I say loud enough for everyone in the group to hear as I store off to go talk to Jonathan. 

"Hey Jonny" I say softly. "Still no luck?" 

"No, but we'll find him." He said sadly.

"If you need anything, just ask. I love your family like my own" I smile at him as he returns it. I looked over to see Nancy walking towards us. "Imma walk to class, bye Jonny. I love you". 

"Love you too, Emma". As I walked away I heard Steve call me a bitch. I stopped for a second looking directly in his eyes. "Fuck you Steve".

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

During English I got pulled out of class by an officer and then got taken to the middle school to talk about Wills disappearance. I saw Mike stand up and run to me. I threw my arms around him murmuring that we were going to find him and that he was going to be okay. "All do respect Chief but why am I here?" I ask.

"You were one of the last people to see him before he went missing" he responded. I looked down, zoning out.

"Okay, okay, okay. one at a time, all right?" Hopper points at Mike. "You. You said he takes what?" I tuned back in not liking the look Hopper was giving Mike.

"Mirkwood"

"Mirkwood?"

"Yeah" Mike states as if its the most obvious answer.

"Have you heard of Mirkwood?" Hopper looks over to Callahan.

"Sounds made up to me" he responds with.

Lucas shoots up, "No! Its from the Lord of the Rings"

Dustin looks at Lucas in disbelief, "Its from The Hobbit"

"Who cares!" Lucas yelled at Dustin

"He asked!" He yelled back at Lucas.

"He asked" Dustin mocked him. 

"Shut up guys!" I said loudly.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey! What did I just say? Shut up! One at a god-damn time. Michael, speak"

"Mirkwood, its a real road. It's just the name that we made up. It's where Cornwallis and Kerley meet, we can show you if you want" He said.

"No, you guys are going straight home after school." Hopper says. All the boys protest as I look at them, still wondering what I have to do with all of this. "No, After school you guys go straight home, that includes you Emma. No biking around looking for your friend, no investigating, no nonsense. This isn't some Lord of the Rings book."

"Hobbit" Dustin interjects.

"Shut up" Lucas screams.

"Guys stop" I whisper.

"Stop it! Do I make myself clear? Do I make myself clear?" the chief asks. The party grumbles.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

"We should be helping look for him Mom!" I said. It was now the next morning while eating breakfast.

"Emma, we have been over this, the chief says,"

"I don't care what the chief says" Mike interrupted.

"Michael!"

"we have to do something, Will could be in danger!" I yelled, looking over at Mike with a small smile.

"Even more reason to stay". My mother says. 

"Mom!" Mike yells.

"End of discussion" Mom yells looking at both Mike and I.

"So, Barb and I are going to study at her house tonight, is that alright?" Nancy asks quietly. I glare at her knowing she just wants to see Steve.

"No thats not alright." She answers back.

"What? Why not!" Nancy said, annoyed.

"Why do you think? Am I speaking Chinese in this house? Until we know Will is safe, no one is leaving"

"Thats such bullshit!" Nancy yells.

"Language!" My dad finally saying something in the conversation.

"So were under house arrest because Mike and Emmas friends decided to get lost on their way home!"

"Nancy!" I screamed at her just as Mike screamed, "How is this Wills fault!". Looking over at us she sees both of us glaring at her.

"Nancy take that back." mom says gently.

"She just wants to see Steve!" Mike says, smiling at me.

"Who's Steve?" My mom asks.

"Her boyfriend" I state glaring at Nancy again.

"You're such a douchebag Emma!" 

"You're the one who stabbed my back!"

"Language" My dad yells again.

"Thats what your worried about! Not the fact that Nancy broke my trust and went after the one person I ever told her about! That is bullshit. You not worrying about your own relationship with your own god-damn sister is such bullshit. Fuck that, its more than bullshit. I wish I wasn't your fucking sister!" I screamed, before storming

to the basement.

[pbandjesse]

One day is not enough days off. I had a great day off. And like I did have the last two days off but like I was doing stuff. So it doesn't really count. One day of not having plans is not enough.

But I did have a really good day. I didn't go anywhere until I went to pick up James. I just enjoyed being at home.

I slept a lot better last night. And James apparently did too. And I woke up and it was too warm in here. I wanted to get washed up and get dressed and get cleaning. So I did just that. I made the bed and I got One of my favorite sweaters on. I was doing great.

I did a lot of cleaning. I wiped down the bathroom and I vacuumed and did a little bit of cleaning of fish tank. I still need to do a partial change of the frog tank but at least there was promise me. And I was just plugging along doing everything that I wanted to do and it was great. I opened up all windows and even though it was very cold outside it felt nice. The heater was just really kicking. Which is nice because I'd rather have to deal with too much heat and no heat at all.

I got back in bed to work on my temperature blanket. I needed to do the two black lines for the beginning of the month and then the 4 days of the month so far. I only did four rows. It took me over an hour. But it was good, it was nice to work. And I'm just so proud of my blanket. It's almost finished and I'm just so excited about it. And I'm so excited that I'm going to do another one next year and that me and Jess both have a plan for what that's going to be. I'd have to do a little math and a little research but I think the next one's going to be really great.

I want someone to take dogs today. Still somehow on sister wife TikTok and just being very frustrated by their whole deal. And I would go and have some leftover pasta for lunch. And then I decided that I wanted to go through my clothes.

Normally I love going through my clothes. It's like something fun and cathartic and it's a really quick purge. So I can get rid of stuff and feel like I accomplished something. But I did a really good job of that earlier this year and so now there is no clothes that I really want to get rid of. I love everything I have. I just have too much of it. And I had to be very harsh. So I took everything out. And I sorted it into types. Pants, dresses, shirts, sweaters. And then I went through each pile.

First I went through and I pulled out anything that I know that I like to wear for the summer. Specifically for someone camp. And work shirts. And then I put those in a small trunk in closet. And then I went through everything else with a very pragmatic way of thinking of the clothes. This is not to say that I didn't hold some stuff back that I felt like were for special things. But there are a lot of things that I put gathering that I don't necessarily want to get rid of. But they are things that I have not wearing as often and I thought the things that I was keeping made more sense for my current wardrobe. And I wasn't thinking seasonally so much. Not like these are things that I'm going to wear in the deeper winter or the spring. But more like this is stuff that I am wearing more often. Things that I can pair with more things. And so I don't want to get rid of any of the stuff that I threw into the pile in the other room. But I do want to put it away for now. And so I put it into two trash bags I'm going to store it and then maybe in the spring I will go through them again and see if any of it is stuff that I do want to keep. Because I want to just have less. I have too much. Too many books, too many toys, do much art supplies. And I have been working on this but it is still very hard. I did it with shoes recently but I need to be a little bit harsher, and I need to do it.

But that was a really good two-hour project. I put everything in the trash bags that I didn't want in my space anymore. And I went through everything I decided to keep in my bedroom. And I chose the things that I want to wear realistically in the next month or so. And then I made a whole bunch of outfits. And I put a few things away in the closet. And I folded everything else and put it back in my storage trunk. My most ideal life would be that all of my clothing would fit in my green storage trunk. That if we moved everything could just fit in there. It's not super realistic for how many clothes I want to keep. But it is at least a free block. Something I can work on.

It was around 2:00 at this point. And I was supposed to go pick up James at 3:30. So I set an alarm for 3:15 and got to work on some quilt stuff.

I have made all those squares and so I separated them out into a fabric types and then I picked from each pile to make stacks of 10. My ended up with 28 stacks. And then I started sewing together those stacks.

I only got a few done before it was time for me to go. But it was really fun and I would go back to it later. I'm still not sure what I'm doing with all these quote things I'm working on but I'm hoping that I get some inspiration. Maybe some bags, or maybe I'll use it for materials for bears, but I'm enjoying the process. And I'm getting better every time I'm doing it. That feels really nice.

I went to James and I felt like I was driving into the sun the entire time. I got there really quickly and James came out to let me know if there was some stuff inside for me to bring out. A box and some yarn someone left for me! That was exciting. Angie was there and we teased James a bit because they had somehow broken an entire shelf of souvenir stuff. Like the side of the shelf came off as they were putting it away and all of the Sooners move to the ground. They said that nothing was destroyed but the shelf is going to be fixed and it was just very dramatic.

Me and James would not go home though, instead we would drive out to get gas and then the plan was to go to Hampden for dinner.

It didn't work out exactly like we were hoping. I drove out to get the gas and we did and it was fine. There was a guy who was pulled into the gas pumps in a weird way and was taking up three pumps somehow. But we still got in and James Phil the tank and it was fine. But then we started driving towards Hampden and a bunch of the roads were closed because there was a parade earlier today and we couldn't get through anything and I was just like I think this was a bad idea. And so we decided we would just go back to our neighborhood and go to the brass tap. Which is somewhere I love anyway so it was totally fine.

Parking was an issue. So since I couldn't find something closer to the restaurant we went back up to the top of the hill where there was lots of spots. And as we were walking past Mica it hit me that I forgot that their art market was this weekend. And it was like the last hour of it so we decided to wait on going to eat and went to the market first.

And I'm pretty glad we did. I didn't personally buy anything but I really enjoyed looking at stuff. And James bought me a very small little bear that was apparently the last one. And I was going around picking up any plushie I saw, there weren't many. And giving them very tender little hugs. And when I picked up this one the two people that were selling it both went "awww" And it was only $5 so I asked James and James had a $5 bill. It was fate.

James did buy some gifts. Some really cool prints and it was just a lot of fun. I always like going dark markets and I like supporting local makers.

After we dropped everything off at the car we went back to the restaurant and we had some issues because it was very loud and so there were some confusion when we were ordering but our food would come and it was excellent. James did make a mistake because halfway through dinner they went "oh shit I'm not supposed to be drinking" But they actually stop taking the pain medication today, well at least the oxycontin, so it's fine. But that was very funny that I just didn't even think of it and neither did they.

But it was a really nice meal and we watched football on the screens because that was what they were playing. And James explain things to me like they don't often have ties and how bad some teams are. Apparently the game today with the Ravens was abysmal. And they somehow scored a point in the last 30 seconds after no one scored anything for the entire game. Sports are weird.

We went home and when we got back here Kim and Robin were moving the rest of Kim's stuff from the apartment. Apparently Kim's been bouncing around to different sublets and he's finally here for her tanks of snakes and things. And it was really nice to see her. I'm sad that she's leaving for real this time. I hope we find time to hang out soon.

James was hurting me back upstairs after chatting for a minute and I did some more artwork. Work on my quilt stuff. James would get ready to play D&D. And I made thumbprint cookies. With some of our Advent jam. It's strawberry rhubarb and the cookies came out excellent.

Eventually I would go and take a bath. I used the new mint chocolate bubble bath I picked up with Jess yesterday. And I'm feeling pretty good. Though I did try oil pulling for my teeth because I saw a dentist on TikTok say that it does help with germs. And that it could really improve some of my mouth issues. But oh my Jesus it was disgusting. I started laughing almost immediately it was so gross. I think also I just saw my face when I put those people of oil in my mouth and my eyes got so big and it was just funny to me to see my own reaction. But we'll see what happens. If it actually does anything I will be shocked and pleasantly surprised.

Now that I'm really ready to get into bed. James is finishing up their game for the night. And I have work at the museum tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it though. I am leading all day which I'm not thrilled about but I am excited that O'Malley's coming back. I have missed them greatly. And they texted me today and asked if I was going to be there so I'm excited that they're excited to do.

So I hope you all sleep great tonight. Take care of each other. Watch out for bikers. And wash your hands. Good night!