#definitely not during mid-year exams :')

[spiltbobatea]

COMING SOON

I'm planning on starting to post mwahah >:)

diving into the deep end ig bc idk how any of this works and i'm gonna be just posting art for the sake of just art

[elusivecagedmockingbird]

Lights Out, Words Gone

[yoongi x reader] [1.4k+ friends to lovers, light angst]

A/N: So, there was an attempt, by me. Heh. I'm just really trying to get back into creative writing. I used to enjoy writing, but no one told me that turning that into a career and years of writing newsletters and articles for corporate dulls the mind and at this point, even journaling feels like a chore. But if you found this fic and somewhat enjoyed it, I'm grateful.

-

It's ridiculous, you think to yourself. How can someone be easily disarmed by a smile?

One minute, you're furiously driving at 2 a.m. to fetch Yoongi from a dive bar—miles and hours from where you live so you're well within reason to cuss him out; the next, you're giggling next to him after he told you the lamest joke you've ever heard.

"Y/N, what did the full glass of water say to the empty glass of water?"

In no mood for his shenanigans, you slide the bottle of water you bought during the drive over, closer to him. Unperturbed, he continues with a grin, "You look drunk."

You let out an annoyed sigh. The joke doesn't even make sense, and yet, because it's Yoongi's gummy smile and his contagious giggles that echo across the empty chairs and fills the bar, your mood shifts.

Suddenly, you snort a laugh. Hearing your amusement, his giggles turn into hearty laughs, and you follow.

Yoongi catches his breath after a minute and fluffs his hair. Suddenly, he looks so soft and cuddly. You feel your breath winded.

Feeling compelled to break the silence, you tease, "Did you steal that joke from Jin?" You don't wait for an answer. You usher Yoongi out of the corner of the bar he hid himself in and he lets you push him out as he weakly argues, "Did not. I thought of it myself. I can make funny jokes too, you know." You hum in response, amused by the pout forming on his face.

-

Yoongi trudges straight to his bedroom as soon as you arrive in his place. You follow, wanting to at least make sure he's tucked in with a bucket on his side of the bed—a precaution, lest he hurls his guts in bed, which rarely happens. But better to be safe than sorry.

You eye Yoongi as he grabs a shirt from his drawer and take that as your cue to leave.

"Stay the night," his voice gravelly. You stop mid-journey out the door.

What.

"Uh, Yoongi—"

"It's too late to drive," he crosses the room and pulls your hand to take his shirt. "And if you think I'm letting you take the couch, I'm offended. Sleep here."

A beat passes. "It's not like we haven't shared a bed before," he winks.

Right. As if you'd forget. You remember all too well how Yoongi gets needy and cheesy when drunk—which is why you hesitate. You need to distance yourself before your feeling overwhelms you and make you do something you would regret.

"Remember hell weeks shared in Jin's fancy dorm room? You snored like a fucking berserk honking truck," he chuckles, probably remembering those younger versions of you whose only problems were exams and thesis defense.

The nostalgia hits you, and you quip, "Ya! I remember Jungkook and I pulling an all-nighter for all those times. It was actually you who loudly snored."

Yoongi erupts in soft gummy giggles as you playfully give him the stink eye.

-

Laying stiff beside him, you almost succeed in willing your mind to slip into dreamland when you hear comforters shuffling until you feel him closer to you.

"You awake?" he faces you. "I am now," you huff. You open your eyes to adjust to the dim room, the only light source coming from the street lamp post outside his bedroom window and the tiny static light of your charging phone on the bedside table.

"I just…" he starts, "I wanted to thank you for picking me up. The guys were either out of town or probably too deep in their sleep to hear their phones ring."

"Yes, well… I was on the other side of the town and deep in sleep when you called." You weren't sure what your point was. Probably wanted him to know that you know he definitely did not call anyone else but you tonight.

But of course, he knows that you know. He knows he can't bullshit you. Not when you used to spend every waking moment since you met in college, which was almost 24/7, since you barely slept then. Years of friendship synced you together—getting used to one's idiosyncrasies, being able to read each other across the room, and sharing the same opinion on all things you deemed important.

"And yet you still came. I'm surprised you actually picked up after weeks of radio silence."

Yoongi starts to pick at his nails, his anxiety peaking. Atuned to even his habits, your hands reach to envelop his and you rest your cheeks atop.

"I actually thought it was one of my booty calls," you joke. He doesn't laugh or react, so you turn serious, "I'm your friend, of course, I'll come get you."

Always.

You smile at him, "It actually wasn't a bother. Get some rest, Yoongi." Thinking you ended the conversation, he suddenly confronts you, "You say that but you suddenly cut me off. Why?"

Ah.

Now, you consider if he orchestrated the whole thing. Trying to corner you so he could finally confront you. It wouldn't be out of his character.

You unclasp your hands.

"I didn't cut you off," you lamely defend yourself and hope he lets it go.

Again, this is Yoongi who's calling you out. You can't evade him just like he can't bullshit you. So he holds out.

"Right. So you suddenly dodging my calls and missing weekly hangouts when I'm available to join, is what? Coincidence?" His voice remains calm, but you would miss how it sounds heavier if you hadn't known him for years. Each word is weighed down with pent-up emotion, and now those fueled words hit you like bricks.

"I've gotten busy. Everyone did after graduation." A half lie, half truth.

He shifts a bit closer to you. "You know, even in the dark, I can tell when you're lying, right? I may not see how your eyes get shifty, but your voice has that lilt at the end when you speak. Almost as if you're also trying to make yourself believe in your lie."

You can already feel the onset of a headache from your lack of sleep, but what's more pressing is how your heart dreads being this close to him again, even more so now that you're being called out and you have no excuse. At least nothing good enough to pass Yoongi.

As the minute passes, the silence thickens, and you feel yourself growing even more tired. It could be from the drive, lack of sleep, or that you just fucking had the most mentally-draining shift just hours before that you finally resigned with honesty. Besides, now that you take a glance at his curled-up form beside you, you admit that he, at least, deserves to know why you distanced yourself.

Yoongi has been your best friend for years—the one who made sure to look into your eyes as he encouraged you to take the extra classes because if you thought it would help you secure the job of your dreams, then he believed it would pay off in the end, and you needed to believe that, too.

Yoongi, who held your hand when you went through mental and emotional hurdles. You honestly believe you wouldn't be here now, living and breathing, had it not been for him.

If only the way you looked at him stayed the same, and how his hands felt in yours remained unnoticed, like those days when he held you as you hurled your guts at bar restrooms after chugging down cheap vodka and beers.

If only your affection towards Yoongi didn't root themselves in what you thought was your uninhabitable heart and grow its tendrils over the years of laughing, crying, and sharing even the most mundane moments with him.

And so you will be honest, but you don't know where to start other than offering an apology.

"I'm sorry, Yoongi. I fucked up," tears brim your eyes but you look at him. You let your repressed emotions out and they're coming out all at once that you're overwhelmed. But you need him to know

Yoongi doesn't respond but motions for you to continue. It's his turn to take your cold hand in his and warms it between his. And it is during this delicate moment that you let it out, "I seem to have fallen in love with you."

How cliche, you rebuke yourself.

You hear him let out a sigh. Out of relief or disappointment, you're unsure.

You shift your eyes to the window behind him and get a glimpse of the rising sun. The aura of the rising sun breaking the dark blue night sky.

You don't know how many seconds, minutes passed. Yoongi remains silent.

Oh god. Surely this can't be a good thing.

You should leave now. You pry your hands away, but before you could even leave the bed, Yoongi finally breaks his silence,

"Then I fucked up, too."

-

>> Read Lights Out, Words Spill

[mitchellpete]

Kinktober Day 11 - Cunnilungus

pairing: ethan hunt x f!reader

cw: imf agent!reader, oral sex (f receiving), getting together (kinda?), hand holding, slight hair pulling

word count: 1464

kinktober masterlist here.

18+ ONLY | MINORS DNI

-

You and Ethan had resisted one another for well over a year. It began sometime after passing your field exam, which was, at this point, close to two? You were enthralled with one another during that very first mission together.

It was something that was supposed to come easy. It wasn’t a rule; it’s not like you’d be disobeying anybody. You just knew that, whatever it may be, it came with consequences. In your line of work, it always did. Especially now that you’re on the field with him a lot more frequently. Ethan understood that too. Maybe to an even deeper extent, considering his longer history with the IMF.

But what the hell. You’re in Rome, locked in a safehouse together, just the two of you, and it’s just a matter of waiting. You’ve got nowhere to be and nothing to do for the next 8 hours.

It’s suddenly not easy at all. (Frankly, it never has been, but now it’s not. Like definitely not.)

You’re not sure how it is you end up laying over the table, Ethan’s mouth on yours, hot and just as sweet as you expected. You whimper against his lips, a wordless finally. He responds by squeezing at your sides, his hips unwittingly rutting against yours as he deepens the kiss. 

When the edge of the table digs into your lower back, you inadvertently push at his chest to lean off of it. He takes it as an invitation, wrapping an arm around your waist to pull you to him and off the table. Lips still locked, you nearly trip over each other’s feet as you gravitate towards the bed in the far corner of the room.

It’s small, meant for a quick mid-mission rest and nothing of the current matter, but it’s better than the table, and Ethan has you against the mattress faster than you can process.

You make a noise somewhere between a moan and a laugh when you fall back against it, watching his hungry hands reach for your shorts. “Eager much?” you tease.

He chuckles, fingers wrapping around the waistband and pulling down. “You have no idea—” he momentarily slows down, looks you in the eye. “—This okay?”

“Mhm. Don’t stop,” you plead, biting your lip.  You wiggle your hips slightly to help the shorts down your legs, aiding him in pulling them off all the way. 

Ethan takes his shirt off, his arms flexing as he yanks it up and over his head, tossing it to join your shorts. Momentarily sitting up, you slip out of yours too, and Ethan stares in wonder when your bra comes off with it. He exhales, enamored at the sight of your bare body. Leaning up on your elbows, you’re sure you have the same look of utter fascination at his naked torso. It’s bruised from the past few days but very defined, and you ache to touch. That’s the thing; you’d seen him shirtless many, many times before, but now’s your chance to get to know what he feels like.

He, on the other hand, aches to taste you. 

Eager still, he drops to his knees in between your legs. 

Strands of his hair fall in front of his eyes as he ducks his head to kiss your cunt over your underwear. You flinch, still unable to even process the situation, but you try to relax. Your hips writhe at every open mouthed kiss he places on the material, moving his lips to trail your inner thighs, too. 

“Oh, how did we get here?” you mumble, watching intently as he grasps at the waistband of your underwear. He looks at you for approval again, making sure this is something you want. 

And oh, you do. Ethan has never looked more beautiful to you: on his knees, face inches from your core, hair messily falling over his forehead. Big, beautiful green eyes staring up at you.

Keenly, you respond by scooting your hips lower on the mattress, nearly meeting his mouth before he leans in and does it himself. Warm, wet heat meets the tender skin between your legs, sending shockwaves up your body. 

Ethan sighs against your cunt, seemingly relaxing into your taste as he dips his tongue in.

His eyes flick up at you, fully intent on reading your body signals, looking to see what reactions he can get out of you. 

Your cheeks flush, the situation actually sinking in at the feel of his mouth on you, at the vibrations, how wet you feel yourself growing. It’s almost a bit too much all of a sudden.

Ethan’s tongue flattens against your clit, the softness of it gliding up and down the sensitive area before closing his lips around it. You cry out and your legs tense when he sucks one, two, three times, his mouth eliciting wet, squeaky suction noises. 

His eyes stay glued to you as he tests different methods with his tongue. He flattens it, points it to prod at your slit, the tip of it easily gliding in, flattens it again, flicks it gently. Open-mouthed kisses, at a certain point. 

“Ethan,” you cry his name, your hands fisting in the sheets beside you.

He watches your knuckles whiten, and with his mouth still locked on you, reaches up to take both of your hands in his. Palms to palms, he intertwines your fingers together, holding you securely as his tongue works your folds. 

The hand holding as he takes you apart with his mouth is probably the most intimate thing you’ve ever experienced. It dawns on you how, just 5 minutes prior, this was something you weren’t sure would ever happen. Maybe Ethan is thinking about that too, maybe that’s why he’s giving it his all, intent on making you feel the best you’ve ever felt in your life now that he’s got the chance. And again, you do. It’s profuse and shattering, the amount of pleasure already built up inside you. Tight and unraveling slowly, like his pace.

Ethan is seemingly taking his time, working his mouth against you like a heated kiss. He puts his lips into it, combining with his tongue and eliciting more of those loud suction noises. Literally making out with your core, and expertly so.

Your breathing grows erratic, mixed with your moans and the high pitched whines from the back of your throat. You try not to squirm your hips too much; his mouth is literally glued to you, and you don’t wanna suffocate him, but he seems to be doing fine. There is a very overwhelming urge to cum when you eventually reach that level of pleasure, and your hands start to untangle away from his because you want to grab his hair instead.

Still falling over his forehead and slightly sweaty now. Also because you’ve never touched it, and you need to feel it now that you’ve got him here.

One of your hands springs free—one is enough—and reaches down towards his head, fingers bunching around the length of dark brown hair and squeezing. He pulls back momentarily, groaning delectably against your inner thigh at the slight throb.

When he resumes, it’s the point of his tongue edging inside you more and more every time he prods there. The wetness pooled and leaking out of your hole aids him in sliding it in and out with ease. It’s when he leans in to slide it in as far as he could go that his nose joins the equation. The round point rubs up against your clit at the same time as his tongue delves and touches the shallow inside of your walls, and you grip and pull on his hair with a shout.

Your orgasm is earth shattering when you just can’t hold it anymore, and it numbs your entire body. Through it, Ethan’s mouth remains slotted against you, sucking up your release. The noises that leave your mouth are shaky, incoherent and frankly embarrassing, but you can’t help it. 

Oversensitivity immediately floods your senses even through the devastating wave, and your bunched up hand in his hair starts to push his head away instead. Ethan pulls back immediately, moving his head free from your aching grip on his hair and then he’s leaning up to kiss you. 

His mouth is slick with spit and the remnants of your release when it meets yours. You taste it on his tongue as your mouths move together, your previous repetitive moans now softer, elongated groans as your climax courses through your body.

“You don’t know how often I thought about getting to do that,” he says when he pulls back, forehead to yours. 

You smile almost shyly, panting still, and run a hand up his chest. “Can I show you what I thought about doing?”

[ot3]

can i please hear your thoughts about franema. blease. i know they have something going on between them

oh yes yes.... franema happy to talk about it. for starters just everything about how ema behaves herself in aa4 makes me believe that would be some excellent yuri because bitch4bitch femslash is always so important.

in general though i think they're two people whose lives are very centered around their work (as much of the main ace attorney cast is) but they center their work extremely differently in a way i think would cause the other person to question a lot about their own perspective. I think a situation where two characters can really ruffle each others feathers just by existing in proximity has a lot of good ship fodder.

i think in many ways franziska is what ema wanted to be. she's a child prodigy, competent and excelling in her field and earning respect from a very young age. meanwhile when she's several years older than fran was passing the bar ema is still just a high school student just dipping her nose into forensic science for the first time. by the time she's in her mid 20s ema still isn't at the level of career success fran reached in her teen years, being stuck as a detective after failures to pass the forensics exams. and i think it's really worth paying attention to the fact that Detective was specifically the job that lead to her sister's life turning to shit, so i think the longer and longer she stays trapped in that position the more she's gonna start feeling like the walls of her life are closing in on her. i know we don't know where fran is at career wise during this point in the timeline but my personal headcanon is that she ends up doing a lot of work with interprol and primarily specializing in prosecuting cases that take place across various countries' jurisdictions, and has had good success doing so.

Then on the flipside I think Fran see's ema's fully self-motivated passion for forensics as something enviable and admirable. Fran is i think someone who has spent her entire life running through a treadmill of carrots and sticks that dictated what her life was going to be like since she was born. Obviously prosecuting is the family trade and she was started extremely young, then pitted against someone much older for the majority of her childhood. I think the ebb and flow of validation or disinterest from her peers and family was such an overwhelming motivator that she never had the chance to even consider whether or not there's anything she's passionate about. As an adult, i think she does come to find an honest passion in her career but it's nothing like what ema has, it can't be decoupled from external validation, and that's something she's come to understand as a bit of a weakness.

Then interpersonally i feel like since ema is much more personable and socially adjusted than fran, i could feel that being something she instinctively kind of leverages against fran to try and level their playing field. like, okay, franziska may be this bigshot famous prosecutor (just like edgeworth, who ema wants sooo bad to impress) but ema can find ways to embarrass, frustrate, or otherwise fluster her in social settings so that's totally the same as being intellectual equals right. right. right. (<- thoughts of a girl who is definitely being normal about the situation). but i feel like fran could kind of learn to be grateful for the lack of deference ema treats her with and it could be a real first step to them actually getting to know each other better.

i feel like they'd have a lot of similar opinions on the broader aspects of life. i think they'd both be fine with a more casual relationship that involves a lot of traveling for work and isn't particularly romantic by a lot of people's standards. and i think it would be fun for them to fuck each other. overall it just works imo. thank you for coming to my ted talk.

[bakuhoewriting]

CLASS 1B HEADCANNONS THAT MAKE SENSE

☰ NOTES⋮ reader! is in Class 1-A ; gn!reader x Class 1-B; some mildly suggestive themes

𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐄 tends to weld himself onto your side whenever he’s exhausted from training. It may earn him a scolding from Vlad-sensei or even Shiozaki-san, but you never complain and if Yosetsu gets to fall asleep cuddled in your warmth, that’s his prerogative.

𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀 carries a polaroid of you in his wallet. It’s frayed at the edges from time, but it’s the first polaroid you ever took together. He keeps it alongside his provisional hero license because it’s the best motivation he has for the future.

𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐑𝐈 has a pet Rhinoceros Beetle he keeps in his dorm room. You caught the little guy when he took you bug-catching for your first date to the local park. It wasn’t until you compared him to the little guy with pink cheeks and a wide smile that Togaru just had to have him.

𝐊𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐎 hosts a seánce in your room every month. He would do it in his room, but Shiozaki’s room is close to his and he’d rather not be accused of sinful behaviour (as if your other activities aren’t sinful, but Shiozaki-san doesn’t need to know that).

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎 often plans informal joint class outings with Yaoyorozu so your classes can bond. It doesn’t always work—Mineta, Monoma and Bakugo are banned for the next three activites—but she’s just glad to see you mingle with her classmates.

𝐊𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐈 is a frequent vistitor of UA’s communal garden. In fact, she recently signed up to have her own plot so she can grow tomatoes and cucumbers—both for her and for you.

𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐙𝐀𝐊𝐈 was in her churchs’ choir. She doesn’t do it often, but if you’re especially tired than she’ll sing you to sleep. It works everytime.

𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐀 has an Uncle in France that he’s really close to. His Uncle is the person who told him the story of the Beast of Gevaudan, and the first person Jurota confided in about his crush on you. If you ever get married, his Uncle Daichi has offered his estate for the wedding.

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐃𝐀 always wanted to give Boxing a go, but didn’t have the courage to visit a gym (largely due to his size) until you offered to join him. It’s one of the many things he’s grateful to you for and now something of a couples’ activity for the weekends.

𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈 didn’t know you could speak English until you laughed at her insulting Monoma during a joint training session. Now, she begs you to talk in English whenever you’re together because she finds your accent really cute.

𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐀 definitely fainted the first time you agreed to study with him in his room. Bleeding nose and all. The same thing happened when you proposed to study in your own room so now you just work together in the common room. It’s better for his health that way.

𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐔 will deny it for as long as he can, but sometimes he does provoke you into a senseless argument. Namely because you have an adorable pouty face and his heart is reduced to a pandrum whenever you kabedon him to tell him off. It’s glorious.

𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄 has a dinosaur onsie that she wears whenever she misses you. It’s not her colour, but it’s the same colour as your eyes so it’s automatically her favourite. She’s also got a matching pair for you in green, one that she’s planning to give you for your birthday.

𝐅𝐔𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈 has an all year-round pass to the Manga Museum in Kyoto. It’s become a post-exam tradition to visit the Museum everytime you want a celebrate, because in addition to reading some of his favourite manga, you often stop for ramen on your way back to UA.

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐊𝐈 tends to smell like jasmine and sweet orange with how often he lathers his hands in massaging oil. It earns him some light ribbing from the boys at first, but that ends as soon as you show up smelling the exact same from massaging Juzo in return.

𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐎 practiced his confession to you for two weeks because he didn’t want to stammer mid-confession. It didn’t work, but it turned out that you liked him with his stammer anyway; in fact, you have a nervous tic of over gesticulating which he soon found was endearing all the same.

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐀 has a growing pile of Franco-Belgian comics in your room. 9/10 times his comics lead to an argument between him and your classmates whenever he comes over to take one back. Bakugo’s now petitioning to have him banned.

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐈 is an avid fan of Kabuki theatre; in particular, the popular horror classic Yotsuya Kaidan. For your first Halloween as a couple, you dress as Tamiya Lemon and Oiwa. Not a conventional couple by any means, but it makes Reiko glow in a way you’ve never seen before so it’s worth it.

𝐑𝐈𝐍 read that couples who watch the first snowfall are destined to stay together forever so he plans your first date for late-Autum. He’s shivering for most of your time together, but there are two highlights by the end of the night: when you worriedly draped your scarf around his neck and when a snowflake landed on his cheek in the middle of a spontaneous kiss.

– 2023 ©️ credit to bakuhoewriting ; soon to be crossposted on all my other accounts under the same name!

[blues824]

okayy, this one is a bit long so bear with me please!

imagine, in a au world where the league of villains get a redemption arc and so they get to go to u.a.; them with a gentle and kindhearted reader who is willing to befriend them while everyone else is still a little wary. im thinking, kind and empathic like tanjiro and is able to make them feel as if they really have a chance at changing.

you dont have to write all of the LOV, it can just be shigaraki, dabi, and toga! i dont want you to have to write too much.

Toga’s scenario sounds exactly like the beginning of Wednesday

Tomura Shigaraki

People were definitely hesitant to give this man a second chance. He was doing his best but no one believed in him. He got a job at U.A. where he could teach the students about how destructive quirks can be and how to limit the amount of damage done to any party. This was arranged so that he could be on close watch.

There was one teacher he had taken a particular interest in. They were an up and coming Hero, as well as Aizawa’s assistant. They always greeted him with a smile and a wave, and they were also the one who showed him around U.A. 

You were his first friend, proof that he turned over a new leaf and left behind a life of crime. You always made him a bento for lunch (he loves your cooking) and always tried to have at least 3 conversations with him.

After a while, he asked why you were so kind to someone like him. He wasn’t wary or anything, he was just curious. You smiled and said ‘to me, being a hero means giving people a second chance. Society turned its back on you first, so you had every right to be angry. I’m just sorry I couldn’t help you sooner.’ This made him blush a little.

Eventually, after being work friends (and just friends in general), Tomura got the courage to ask you out. He was about to go in and hug you when you said yes, but he looked at his hands in disdain. You pulled his gloves off the table and handed them to him, and once he put them on you wrapped your arms around him. You pulled back a little to place a kiss on his cheek and he stiffened but then relaxed and wrapped his arms around you as well.

Dabi 

People were wary of him not just because of his actions but also because of his appearance. The scars he got from his quirk obviously showed and he had staples and stitches. When he got a job at UA, he had to teach the older students about how destructive quirks can be and how not to inflict too much damage to yourself while still pushing yourself past your comfort zone.

You were assigned as his teacher’s assistant, and that caused you both to become close over time. You were the only one who actively tried to befriend him. Before class, as you both set everything up for the day ahead, you would always shake his hand and give him a warm smile before making your way to your corner desk.

He was grateful for you. You made his life that much easier, and he appreciated it a lot. You would spend your lunch breaks at his desk while discussing everything that came to mind. He’s even told you about a few of his villainous journeys.

One day, during one of these lunch breaks, he asked why you were so kind and genuine. You smiled and told him, ‘Well, it would be kind of weird to teach the next generation of heroes without reflecting the virtues a hero should have. Plus I figured that there was more to you than what most see.’

Eventually, after class on a Friday afternoon, he called out your name before you left. You turned and gave him your full attention, and that’s when he asked you out for a date at 7. You suddenly felt shy before nodding. Dabi walked you out before he pressed a kiss to your forehead and headed back to his apartment.

Himiko Toga

Since she was young enough, she was transferred mid-semester as a second-year student. After all, she had gotten nearly perfect scores on the written Entrance Exam and showed great Battle IQ in the practical Entrance Exam.

You were one of her classmates, and your teacher gave you the task of showing her around and bringing her to her dorm. Instead of looking at her in disgust as most of the other students did, you had a friendly grin and shook her hand.

You both instantly became friends. You would have study sessions that ended in laughter because you both were doing impressions of your classmates. You became assignment partners, lunch buddies, basically each other’s ride-or-die.

One day, during one of your study sessions, the conversation got serious for a second. She asked you why you were so nice to her even after learning about her actions and you held her hand in your own. You told her, ‘A hero is supposed to give everyone a second chance. That also means former villains.’

Eventually, once you were packing up after class and getting ready to head to your dorm, Toga pulled you aside and asked you out. Once you said yes, she almost tackled you to the ground in a hug while peppering kisses all over your face.

[missjomarch]

No Getting Out of This

Luca Fantilli x reader

Word count: 2.7k

Warnings: big bad curse words (that’s it)

A/N: I may or may not already have a part 2 written for this 🧍🏽‍♀️

Luca was going to die. Not literally, but it is entirely possible he’d stroke out. You and the Fantillis all had a running bet going on his reaction.

It was mid February, and the boys were playing Ohio State in the Faceoff on the Lake. Not only that, but you and Luca’s one year anniversary was that weekend. Luca had really wanted you to be there, but you told him that you had 3 big tests this week that you couldn’t miss. That had been a bit of a lie. You did have tests, but after a phone call from Adam about Luca’s depressive state you decided you could make it work. You were able to convince your professors to let you to take the exams earlier in the week, and Adam helped you book a flight to Ohio.

You hadn’t seen Luca in over a month and it was killing you both. You went to school in Texas, so making it up to Michigan during the school year was nearly impossible. You watched all of Luca’s games on the TV, and he’d call you after to give you the on-ice details. He appreciated it, but you knew it’d never be the same as you sitting in the stands of Yost. He wanted nothing more than to see you wearing a maize colored jersey with a 63 on the back, letting the whole stadium know you were his girl. It killed you to be unable to give that to him, but your education came first.

Ironically, the last time you saw Luca was when they played OSU at home in January. You were a sophomore, but you and Luca were the same age. Spring semester was always busy for you, and you had just barely been able to make it up before your classes started. You both wanted to get in one last game of his freshman year, knowing you might not make it to another this season. That was until Adam called you last weekend. He explained how down Luca had been, clearly missing you more than you anticipated. So you booked the flight.

You and Adam had coordinated your arrival for Friday night so you’d be there to surprise Luca before the game on Saturday. Julia had just picked you up from the airport and was taking you back to the hotel, where you’d hide while the Fantillis went out for a family dinner. They had gotten you your own room, and you’d basically be stuck in there until Luca became aware of your presence on Saturday morning.

Once you arrived at the hotel, Julia snuck you into their room. Adam was in charge of distracting his brother but you had to literally hide in the closet until you received the all clear text from Julia. Once deemed safe, you made your way out of the closet. Looking around the room, you found the Fantillis had left you some money for vending machine snacks.

Ever the providers. You thought to yourself. Now you knew where Luca got it from. He was constantly buying you things. When you were together, he never allowed you to pay for anything. Most definitely not food, but he’d even pick up your grocery or shopping bill if he was with you. Your venmo was only further proof of this. If you mentioned being hungry or going to get coffee after class, he’d send you a quick $10 to cover it. Having always been incredibly independent, you argued over this often. Nevertheless, you were thankful they had thought about you. Your phone dinged, breaking you from your thoughts of Luca.

Adam

boys are in 104 if you wanna say hi

You smiled at the screen, liking the message before making your way to the door. You walked the hall until you found the room the boys were in, and you knocked on the door. You heard some shouts on the other side before Rutger opened the door. He looked rather annoyed until his eyes landed on your short frame in the door way.

“No fucking way.” He mumbled.

“Who is it?” Someone shouted from the abyss of the room. Rutger stepped away from the door a bit, allowing the boys to see you standing there. You heard a screech and before you can react, Mark is running to you and snatching you in his arms.

“BESTIE IS HERE!” He screams, mimicking a high pitched voice you assume is meant to be yours. Rutger closes the door behind you as Mark drags you into the room. The commotion is slightly deafening, all the boys asking their own version of “where’d you come from” and “why’re you here.” You had assumed Adam told them you were coming, clearly you were wrong.

“Yo wreck-it Ralph, I can’t breathe.” You groan to Mark and he releases you, suddenly allowing you to breathe. You gulp air for a moment as the boys stare at you.

“Does Luca know you’re here?” Ethan speaks up, a slight smirk on his face. You shake your head.

“No it’s a secret, we’re gonna surprise him tomorrow.”

“Oh he’s going to be sooo mad we got you for a whole night before him.” Mark giggles, messing up your hair. You scrunch your nose at him, attempting to fix the frizz.

“Don’t brag, Estapa. You remember what happened last time.” You refer to the last time you had surprised Luca, which was last fall after you got an early start to fall break. You had texted Mark to pick you up from the airport and insisted you go get lunch while Luca was still in class. He bragged about his time spent with you all day until Luca literally locked him out of the house.

“Trust me, I won’t. I want to sleep inside this trip.” The boys laughed at this. You made your way to one of the beds, and plopped down. You settled in, deciding to hijack their snacks rather than spending the Fantillis money. Mark sat beside you and you all spent the night watching movies and discussing the game the next day.

“Y/n, you’re gonna be at family skate tomorrow right?” You snapped your head up at Rutgers question. You could see the smiles spread on Mark and Ethan’s faces as Rutger stared at you.

“Oh you bet she is,” Mark patted your shoulder in a taunting way. You glared at him from your spot on the bed.

“Hush up, Estapa. You know I don’t skate.”The room erupted at his comment. You were from the south and, despite being a hockey player’s girlfriend, you had only been on skates once. It scared you, honestly. Luca had asked many times, but you usually refused. It wasn’t a secret, but discussing your lack of skating experience in a room full of hockey players probably wasn’t your brightest idea.

Luke’s voice rose above the rest, “Oh come ON, what do you mean you don’t skate you’re dating-“ Luke rambled on, baffled by your fear of the ice. The rest of the team - besides Mark and Ethan - was equally shocked, not comprehending how someone could just not skate. Then the convincing began. The boys all threw in their various thoughts, all offering to teach you. They were wasting their breath. If Luca couldn’t get you in skates, what makes them think they could?

“Yeah, come on y/n/n I’ll give you $50 if you get out on the ice tomorrow.” Duker offered, and his face was serious.

“Listen Dukes I really don’t-“ You were cut off by the door opening, mentally thanking whoever saved you from this conversation. You all turn to the door, expecting to see one of the boys coming back from downstairs. Instead, you’re met with Adam fantilli’s shocked expression. He was supposed to text you when they left dinner so you could be safely hidden away in your room before Luca’s return. You never got the text. Knowing your boyfriend can’t be far behind, you throw the blanket you were using over your body to hide. Mark helps adjust it over you before shifting his body ontop of yours to hide the awkward shaped lump you’ve created.

“How was the Tilli family dinner?” Ethan questions from across the room, everyone else is silent. You hear Luca’s voice as he enters the room, and your heart begins to race. Familiar butterflies fill you with warmth at the sound of your boyfriend’s voice. Even after a year, it’s almost enough to get you crawling out from under the blanket.

“Which one of you idiots invited a girl in here? I swear a heard a voice-“ Luca is cut off by the guys’ quick denial.

“Nah man you probably just heard something from the tv.” Mark grumbles from on top of you. You roll your eyes, knowing they had just been watching a hockey game.

“Hope so, you know coach will have our asses. Mark, can you move dude? I wanna sit down.” You hold your breath, waiting to see how Mark will play this off.

“Oh no thanks man. I’m quite comfortable here actually.” Mark says, and you can hear the grin in his voice.

“Come on, Estapa you’re literally in MY bed. Get your ass up.” Mark’s weight remains on you but you can see Luca’s shadow move closer to the bed through the blanket. Mark shifts the tiniest bit and you barely hear him whisper.

“Sorry I tried.” He’s already accepted defeat. Nevertheless, he turns back to Luca.

“You’re gonna have to move me yourself, bro.” Luca sighs heavily, and then the bed is jolting. You can’t see anything besides their shadows tumbling, but you can definitely feel the boys fighting atop you.

“Get your…” someone rolls over you, you swallow your groan, “fat ass OFF my bed Estapa or so help me-“ suddenly you can breathe again as all 206 pounds of Mark Estapa roll off of you and into the floor with a thud.

“Ouch…” mark groans from the floor. You want to laugh, but you hold it in to avoid disclosing your position. The rest of the boys are laughing at the commotion, seemingly forgetting you were there.

“Finally, damn.” Luca sighes. You hear him slip off his shoes and feel the bed dip beside you as he sits down. He scoots until he’s in the middle, stopping literally right in front of you. You know it’s over when he begins to lean back against you, so you stick your hands out from the blanket to grab his sides. Luca let’s out a girlish screech, laughter erupting around the room.

“WHAT THE FUCK” Luca screams, bounding off the bed. You take that time to pull the blanket off you, revealing yourself to your boyfriend. The fear on his face melts to shock as he finds your face staring back at him. You grin at him as he gapes, smiles finding the faces of the boys surrounding you as well.

“Surprise baby,” you beam, holding out your arms slightly. Your face drops slightly as you notice the tears that have begun gathering in your boyfriend’s eyes. It hadn’t occurred to you that maybe he didn’t want you here. Maybe you shouldn’t have come unannounced like this…

You’re unable to finish the thought as Luca bounds across the bed towards your open arms. He ends up basically tackling you before burying his face in your neck.

“Are you serious? Are you real?” Luca questions, hands gripping your waist like he thought you might disappear. You briefly register the boys filing out of the room, Adam saluting you before closing the door and leaving you with Luca.

“Yeah I’m here, love.” You thread your fingers through his newly trimmed mullet, pressing soft kisses to his hairline. He pulls his head from your neck slightly and you can see the tears that have fallen.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see my boy, of course. Why else?” You smile down at him. He sniffles slightly as you begin to wipe the tears from his soft cheeks.

“I thought you couldn’t come. What happened to your tests?” Luca’s face was back in between your head and shoulder, and you giggled slightly as his mumbling tickled your neck.

“I took them earlier this week. Adam helped me fly out and plan everything.” You explained. Luca’s head snapped up at this.

“That asshole has been so smug all week, this explains everything.” Luca grumbles. You laugh at his attitude towards his brother.

“I was going to hide tonight and surprise you tomorrow, but you kind of ambushed my plan.” Luca snorts at this, pushing himself up onto an elbow beside you. His arm still clasped tightly around your waist, rubbing circles into your side.

“Sorry about your plan, but I’m glad I did. I think any longer without you and I would’ve died.” He smirked at you, knowing you’d scold him for the dramatics.

“That’s a bit excessive Lu, you thought I wasn’t coming anyways.” You bring an arm up to rest on the side of his face.

“Yeah but I’ll play so much better now that I know you’re here,” Luca leans in, “you know I gotta impress my girl.”

“Is that so?” You smirk back at him, a teasing smile making its way onto his features as he nods.

“Mhmm..” Luca hums. He leans in to finally close the space between you, catching your lips in his for a kiss. It’s less than a minute until he’s pushing you into the mattress slightly, attempting to deepen the kiss. However, you’re pushing against his chest before he can succeed. He frowns at your denial, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“We have plenty of time for that, baby. Wait for Sunday.” Luca groans, tipping his head back towards the ceiling. You roll your eyes once again at his dramatics.

“Early arrival calls for early celebration, now hush and let me have my girl.” He captured your lips again and this time you don’t pull away. Allowing the kiss to take a passionate turn, not bothering to control your small moans. Luca’s hands are all over you, and yours are entangled in his hair. His tongue swipe at your bottom lip, and you grant him access to deepen the connection. After what feels like hours, you both break away. Left breathing heavily with swollen red lips, you smile softly. Luca doesn’t go far, still hovering over you to mumble against your mouth.

“You don’t understand how much I needed this right now, how much I needed you. I missed you more than anything.” Luca’s words sent warmth spreading through you. You rested your forehead against his as your thumb rubbed soft patterns against his cheek.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, baby. An outdoor game AND an anniversary? It’s a big weekend.” Luca nodded.

“I’m just so glad you’re here. Gonna give you full princess treatment for this on Sunday.” He pressed another light peck to your lips.

“Gonna score a goal for me Fantilli?” You mused, that teasing grin making its way back to your face.

“For you, my love? I’ll score a million goals.” His head dips down into your neck again, this time pressing feather light kisses to your sensitive skin. You melt into his touch, allowing his lips to soothe you. It wasn’t inherently sexual, often interrupted by fits of giggles or momentary cuddles. Nothing existed outside of this moment, it was just the two of you. That was until Luca’s lips detached from your jaw, a devious smirk reappearing on his face.

“So what is this I hear about you joining us on the ice for family skate tomorrow?” You groan loudly at this, knowing now there was no way out of this. You grab the pillow from behind your head and shove it into Luca’s face.

“Wipe off that shit eating grin, Duker is giving me 50 bucks.” Luca giggles to himself, giddy with excitement. He pulls you to him, placing a kiss to your temple.

“My girls gonna be a skater.”

You sigh, “don’t get used to it Fantilli.” But you could still feel Luca’s broad smile as his head returned to your neck.

Yeah. There’s no getting out of this one.

[hyuganejiswife]

beauty | neji hyuga x gn reader

masterlist

drabble | fluff, angst?, pining if I miss something let me know. I could probably write a part 2 to this

word count: 1,086

Beauty.

Defined as a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

Beauty was such a strange concept. Its definition was broad and the concept itself was vague. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone had a different definition of beauty.

For Naruto, you’d assume that a bowl of ramen would be next to the word in the dictionary.

For Sasuke, perhaps revenge is equated with that very word.

For Shikamaru, a long nap.

For you?

Neji Hyuga of the well known Hyuga clan.

Maybe that’s where you made your mistake.

You’d admired the man since you’d met him during the exams. He was intimidating to say the least. Just a year above you and yet he was perhaps one of the strongest and most powerful ninjas you’d ever met apart from Sasuke.

He never once acknowledged your existence, but you didn’t mind. Being in his presence was more than enough to sustain you.

But of course, this was years ago.

At the very least now, the two of you spoke quite often, yet you never seemed to make it past “acquaintance.” You didn’t mind, because once again, at least he knew you existed. That was more than enough for you… At least in the past it was.

More and more, do you notice the effects of just barely being acknowledged by the man. It started to take its toll and you found yourself having to force yourself away from the man whenever you found your paths crossed. You couldn’t allow yourself to be distracted by silly feelings that would never be returned.

“Earth to Y/N.” A snap of his fingers has you jumping and Shikamaru holds his hands up in defense. “Woah… Never seen you so jumpy before. Usually it’s Choji overthere.”

You hum unamused at your teammate, dropping your gaze to your glass of water while you wait for your sensei to come join you.

Shikamaru frowns, his brows furrowed as he tries to break down what had gotten you so under the weather in just a matter of moments. “What’s up with you? You know we can’t have you distracted, so whatever it is, you need to handle it like yesterday. We’ll be out on a mission for a month, we need our healer in pique condition.”

“Hopefully you won’t need me at all.”

“That’s besides the point!”

Choji looks up from his appetizers, his eyes flickering between the two of you. He swallows his mouthful, “Honestly, please don’t fight. The last thing we need is tension before the mission too. Just… Try to stay calm.”

“Tell him that.”

“I am calm! What’s that supposed to mean?” Shikamaru immediately gets defensive and once he realizes the point you’d made, he drops his hands to his lap, sighing. “Whatever. This is lame anyway. I’m here if you decide you wanna talk to whatever.”

“Gee, thanks.”

The next morning, after a well needed night of sleep and escape from your thoughts about Neji Hyuga, you find your way to the gates, only pausing mid step when you see the man who’d been consuming your thoughts, illuminated by the glow of the sunrise. He’s there with Rock Lee and TenTen, and you can’t help the fluttering feeling in your chest. You knew it was silly to believe that they’d be seeing you off, let alone Neji himself, but one could hope.

You and Choji come to a stop, surprised to find that Shikamaru wasn’t far behind you, plopping himself down at the foot of a tree as he waited for your sensei to arrive and send the three of you off on your own.

“Hey!” Rock Lee is the first to greet you, rather excitedly, might you add. “Haven’t seen you in ages! How’ve you been?” You can’t help but smile at him. He’s always been so sweet and often offered to train you. In fact, the last you saw each other was just a few days ago for a short sparring session.

“We saw each other on Friday, Lee.” The man goes wide eyed and then taps his chin as if he had to recall that long ago.

“Exactly. Ages.” He grins again and you simply smile, tearing your gaze away to greet his teammates.

“You three heading out?” Your gaze flickers between the two remaining teammates. Neji’s gaze remains unwavering as you look at him. As serious as ever.

TenTen nods, the two of you have never really spoken much before, so it doesn’t surprise you that she keeps her answer short and simple, “Delivering scrolls…”

“Us too. We’re going towards the sound village…”

This seems to get a reaction from Neji but before you can question anything, your sensei shows himself. Funny how he decides to be on time today when last night he was late. You sigh, sparing one last glance at Neji. Now the man doesn’t take his eyes off of you, watching as Asuma greets the three of you. Even when TenTen nudges him, he’s taking in your form, getting a sense of whether you were ready for this mission or not.

At least that’s what he tells himself.

That’s what he’s told himself for years. He was simply checking your chakra, watching your form. And if someone ever told him that he was staring, he was simply examining the competition he had to become the best ninja. He had tried to convince himself for ages that nothing was actually taking place. That he wasn’t conflicted when he saw how close you and his own teammate were together, let alone yourself and Shikamaru. He didn’t even want to think about that.

“You’re staring.”

That’s all he needs to tear his gaze away. His cheeks are flushed and he growls softly, “I was examining their form and chakra. If they didn’t sleep well last night then they’ll end up getting themselves killed and their team killed.”

“Y/N knows what they’re doing. They’d never intentionally do anything to put their team in danger. You and I both know Neji.”

“Yeah.”

You take one last glance over your shoulder and Neji finds that his heart is racing and he wants nothing more than for your mission to end soon and for you to come back safely.

In Neji Hyuga’s dictionary, the word beauty could once been defined by being accepted by his clan.

Today, Neji was beginning to wonder why he was seeing you more and more as something beautiful.

[ellie-s-list]

Light in the Darkness (1)

Abby Anderson X Fem!Reader, College AU, Multi-Part

Hello, I’m not dead, just twenty years old now. I’m also obsessed with Abby and Ellie from TLOU 2 so, here we are since I can’t stop thinking about them.

This will be a song-fic type thing, as I find it cool.

Pt. 2 can be found here

TW: Anxiety

Don’t come at me for typos, my brain’s confused

Chapter One

Drop Dead Gorgeous, Voila

“You take my breath away

With that face

Because she’s drop dead gorgeous”

Blondes were never your type. You didn’t really know for sure what your type was but one thing was for sure, it was that blondes never caught your eye. Yet this dumb, buff, Chad of a girl who always sat right in front of you, got your attention. She wasn’t dumb, like any meathead jock that snorted creatine like crack, she was quite intelligent. Maybe too smart. Definitely too smart for this pre-req Anatomy class. Yet, here she was, sitting in front of you in lecture, and sitting at a table across from you in lab as well.

During mid-term presentations, she was quite knowledgeable about the topic of cellular respiration. Her partner, rather, not so much. But that's when you knew. Just noticing this girl, Abigail as it read on the discussion boards, was just the beginning. Now, at the class after the midterm exams, you were staring holes in the back of her head. Eight weeks left, you weren’t going to make it without having emotional casualties.

“Of course,” The professor, Dr. Andrews, started talking as she walked to the front of the white board. “I know we just had mid-terms and a midterm presentation, but we have to start working on the final presentation.” She grabbed her clipboard, “I already picked partners for you, so no one is left out to do all the work this time.”

Her comment was directed at you. It had to be, since you were the only one to present alone. But it was okay, you didn’t care. Meeting new people was rough, awkward. Though, you couldn’t get away with doing projects alone forever. A couple students looked at you, then back to Dr. Andrews when she started talking again.

“Projects will be on whole systems this time, and it will correlate to lab, so these partners will also be your designated lab partner,” Dr. Andrews then looked down at her clipboard to seal your fate. “Abigail Anderson,” She called, looking up at the blonde sitting in front of you. Then she called your name, causing you to freeze. Dr. Andrews continued to call out names as Abigail turned to look at you, giving you a small smile. “You may now sit with your partners,” Dr. Andrews concluded.

There was a free spot next to you, so you nodded your head to it. Abigail seemed to understand as she gathered her things and stood up. You didn’t look at her when she pulled the chair out next to you.

You could feel Abigail’s eyes on you after she set up her laptop and notebook. Dr. Andrews gave the class ten minutes to socialize with their picked partner, but you didn’t know what to say.

“You can call me Abby,” The blonde said softly, “Do you have a nickname?”

“For you?” You asked, turning your head to face her.

“What?” Abby looked amused, “I meant for you.” She leaned a muscular arm on the table, propping her head on her hand.

You stared at her, “No,” You answered, looking down at the pencil you were playing with. Your hands were getting clammy, heart rate speeding up. She was actively talking to you, and she didn’t seem annoyed by your weird question. Although, this was your first conversation with her, so it could get worse.

“You had a nickname for me?” Abby asked, her eyes never left you making our anxiety spike. She was wearing a cut off tee with cargo pants, showing off her arm muscles. Her hair was in a Dutch braid, like it usually was.

“No.”

“Mmm, okay,” Abby chuckled, not pushing the topic. “You did the last project alone, right?”

That question caused you to look at her, eyes furrowed as you blinked at her. She seemed genuinely curious, even if her question had an obvious answer. She’s not dumb.

“I mean, yeah,” You answered, looking her in the eyes, then you looked at her face. Her skin was bright, slight acne scars, but nothing too bad. Her nose and cheeks had freckles, forehead and chin just lightly dotted. Abby’s lips were slightly chapped, but they were a pale red.

Abby licked her lips, bringing you out of your analysis of her face. She apparently said something, but you never caught it.

“What?” You ask.

The blonde smirked, her dark blue eyes scanning your face now. She then leaned slightly closer, causing you to stiffen.

“You do well with public speaking,” She relented, “Yet right now, this conversation seems one-sided. Are you nervous around me?”

Your mouth dropped at her question. Who was she to call out your anxieties? Immediately, you almost put up your defenses, almost cut her out of your life. But a rational thought brought you back. She was just being curious, maybe trying to become friends. And she wasn’t wrong about the one-sided conversation, or about you being nervous around her.

Closing your mouth, you turned your attention back to the pencil. “I don’t care what these idiots think about me, or how I talk.”

“But?” She prompted, her voice softening.

“You’re a potential friend,” You turn back to her. Surprised at the proximity she gained towards you, you flinch. Abby didn’t move, waiting for your answer. “Also, we’re stuck together for the next eight weeks.”

Abby stared at you, taking in the information. But she still didn’t move, instead asking, “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No,” Your answer was immediate, causing you to flush. “You seem to know what you’re talking about.” You turned your attention to your laptop, opening the projects rubric.

Abby hummed, seemingly satisfied with your answer, she leaned back into her seat.

After Dr. Andrews explained the project, she left the class to work amongst themselves. Abby didn’t push any further during class, instead pulling her own weight. You were thankful, having had partners in the past that forced you to do everything.

A few minutes before class ended, you decided to pack your items away. Abby decided to do the same, but you could feel her eyes watching you rearrange your items. As you zipped your backpack up, you heard Abby sigh.

“I should give you my number.”

You snapped your head to look at her, narrowing your eyes, “Why?”

The blonde didn’t seem phased by your reaction, instead she cocked her head, “So we can talk about the project.”

You thought her actions were cute, noticing how she kind of took on an innocence when she cocked her head at you. She seemed to not care about your hostility to the question, probably putting it together that you had anxiety. The conclusion warmed your heart, maybe friendship was possible. But, these qualities made the blond even more attractive to you.

Picking up your phone, you handed it to her, “You make a compelling argument.” She smiled, grabbing your phone gently. You watched her type her number in, then she placed your phone on your desk in front of you.

Abby grabbed her phone, handing it to you. You typed your number in, hitting save. Handing her phone back, you left your name blank so she could fill it with whatever she wanted.

“Do you want to join my table in lab?” You asked, changing her name in your phone.

Abby was silent for a moment, thinking your question over. You were nervous, having started the conversation this time.

“Sure.”

You nod, standing up, slinging your arms through the straps of your backpack, “See you then.”

The two of you had sent texts to make sure that you both had the right numbers. You smirked at her latest reply as you sat at your lab table.

From Abby (Chad) Chaderson

Hey

To Abby (Chad) Chaderson

Chad

From Abby (Chad) Chaderson

What?

You didn’t respond, rather you got your work for the class out. Thumbing through your lab book, you heard students start filing in. Movement out the corner of your eye caught your attention, causing you to look up. Abby was taking her seat across from you, placing her backpack on the table.

“Chad?” Was all she said. You smirked not looking up from your book, acting as if you were still reading.

“Hm?”

“So you’re secretly a gremlin,” Abby stated as Dr. Andrews walked in. You only shrugged at the blonde with a grin, turning your attention to the professor.

After a brief lecture, Dr. Andrews left the class alone to do the lab exercises. Abby was more talkative, not minding your brief answers as the two of you worked.

“What’s your major?” Abby asked.

“Reading,” You answer, writing down some data from your lab report.

“Funny,” Abby looked up at you from her own course work.

“I hope so, or else I’ll need a new job,” You smile, looking up to meet her eyes. Though, with that action, you froze. Your throat went dry as you took in her smiling face, the crinkles of the corners of her eyes highlighting just how often she smiled.

“So…?” Abby pressed, her smile turning into a sly smirk.

Swallowing thickly, you looked back down at your notes. Heat roast to your cheeks as you said, “Biochem.” Turning to a new page of your notebook you ask, “What about you?”

Abby hummed, “Pre-med.”

Tearing a piece of paper from your notebook, playing with it, “Rough.” You state, focusing on tearing it apart. Silence enveloped the table. God, why did you have to make things so awkward? “Why?” You decide to ask.

“My dad’s a doctor.”

“Makes sense,” You look at your paper pile that was forming in front of you. Humming you answer her curious stare, “You’re not dumb. You know what you’re talking about.” You then looked up at her, “You’re not the only one who noticed something during midterms.”

Abby smirked, “I guess not.”

There it was. The pit-fall in your stomach, your hands getting clammy. The racing of your heart, your eyes not being able to leave the person you’re getting attached to. The evidence was clear, with you not being able to get your mind off this buff, Olympic goddess of a woman.

Maybe Abigail Anderson was the blonde exception.

Posted: April 8, 2023

WC: probably 1,800

[paper-gold-theories]

Bad Geniuses AU

Posting my fanfic draft based on Bad Genius the Movie and Bad Genius the Series. (Intro Song: "Follow Me")

Summary: Flug infiltrates P.E.A.C.E. academy to get intel on the heroes but ends up helping GoldHeart cheat on an exam and they start a business together to help heroes cheat on exams in exchange for money.

This fanfic explores two types of geniuses:

Those who are smart at studying (Flug) and those who are smart at influencing people (GoldHeart).

During his high-school years, Flug infiltrates P.E.A.C.E. Academy as a part time student to get intel on the heroes.

Being a genius he can balance both his studies at Black Hat Institute and P.E.A.C.E. Academy at the same time.

He decides to join the tutoring program in order to gain more connections with heroes. That's where he meets GoldHeart, one of the students who needs tutoring.

Against all odds, despite their own secrets, and contrast in personality, the end up becoming friends and Flug ends helping GoldHeart cheat on a pop-quiz by secretly passing is eraser to GoldHeart with all the answers.

GoldHeart then convinces Flug to help him and his other "friends", The Golden Rule Members cheat on the upcoming mid term exams in exchange for money.

Flug: Alright, here's our deal. In exchange for cash payment, I will give the six of you answers for 13 subjects for the mid term exams.

GoldHeart: Flug, there are seven of us.

Flug, smiles: You are my friend GoldHeart, just think of it as a 6 for 1 promotion.

After the success of cheating of the mid terms, they start a business together to help other heroes in the school cheat on exams in exchange for money, which is more complicated but more profitable than just cheating amongst a group of friends in the same class.

Flug would answer the exam and distribute the answers. While GoldHeart will help Flug find clients for their business. And both of them would come up with strategies and plans to distribute the answers as well as alibis and reasons if they were ever caught and split the profits accordingly.

Both of them have their own reasons Flug wants to create the next generation of incompetent heroes while GoldHeart wants to make him, his Golden Rule Members and followers move up the ranks to become the top heroes at P.E.A.C.E.

----

Secrets become too much for Flug and he comes clean to GoldHeart that he is secretly a Villain.

Of course GoldHeart is furious, but after he calms down, he tries to convince Flug to leave Black Hat Institute to become a real hero.

Flug says that it's not as easy saying that what the school hates more than heroes are villains who become heroes. So they will definitely hunt him down if he transfers for real.

GoldHeart says he will do whatever he can to protect him because he cares about him and doesn't want to lose him and Flug says he feels the same way but GoldHeart has no idea what he is up against, before he leaves.

Flug thought of it long and hard. Should he become a real hero, which he thinks is not too bad, with a group of people who actually appreciates him or continue to pursue his passion of evil science to achieve his dream of becoming a villain in a community that always bullies and treats him like garbage.

But if he leaves, he will incur the wrath of the school...

----

Flug goes the next day to GoldHeart to tell him his decision. He says for now has to play according to The Black Hat Institute school rules and graduate. The school doesn't care about what students do after they graduate. So they will pretend the revelation never happened and will just do what they are doing as per normal until then. GoldHeart agrees.

And that's not all. Flug says he will have to be a Villain after he graduates to avoid suspicion. During that time he can gather Intel on the Villains (such as how they operate and their secret dealings with Black Hat Organization and locations) and relay as much information to GoldHeart in order for him to gain the upper hand amongst the Villains and for him to be the top hero. When that happens and the time is right he will redeem himself.

GoldHeart: What if we have to fight each other?

Flug, smirks: Then just make it look convincing, who knows maybe we will end up becoming Arch-Enemies in the meantime.

That gives GoldHeart an idea. He adds on to Flug's plan and says that P.E.A.C.E. has a rule that a hero with an assigned Arch-Enemy, can decide how they should deal with the assigned Arch (such as their punishment and how they want to defeat them in battle.) without any outside interference with P.E.A.C.E.

So it would be easier to control the situation if they were Arch-Enemies, as GoldHeart can help Flug by making sure he does not get in too much trouble with P.E.A.C.E., make the act look more convincing, and help with Flug's redemption. As it would seem more natural if a villain was redeemed by his Arch-Nemesis. Flug agrees.

Flug agrees but asks GoldHeart how can they ensure Flug will be assigned by P.E.A.C.E. as GoldHeart's Arch-Enemy?

GoldHeart says the easiest way a villain is assigned as a hero's Arch-Nemesis is to attack the city the hero is assigned to. Especially in places that pushes P.E.A.C.E.'s buttons, which GoldHeart will relay to Flug. Flug agrees.

[kmomof4]

A Christmas Surprise: Ch. 4

It's the 🎶final chapter🎶 (yes, I know I'm really dating myself with those notes, but I don't care. I just have to...) and all the happy endings are here!!! Thank you all so much for reading and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Summary: Elsa Jones enlists her friend Emma Swan to come up with a scheme to surprise her niece Alice Jones when her Papa, Killian, returns from deployment just in time for Christmas.

From the beginning on ao3/ Current ch

Rating G Total Christmas fluff ahead!

Words: Almost 6200 of 18,5K

Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you'd like to be added or removed.

@jrob64 @teamhook @winterbaby89 @hollyethecurious @artistic-writer @xarandomdreamx @undercaffinatednightmare @the-darkdragonfly @stahlop @superchocovian @pirateprincessofpizza @tiganasummertree @anmylica @cosette141 @motherkatereloyshipper @zaharadessert @jonesfandomfanatic @ultraluckycatnd @jennjenn615 @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @kymbersmith-90 @booksteaandtoomuchtv @wistfulcynic @mie779 @snowbellewells @lfh1226-linda @aprilqueen84 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @pirateherokillian @elfiola @ilovemesomekillianjones @justanother-unluckysoul@poptart-cat-78 @myfearless-love @goforlaunchcee @searchingwardrobes @gingerpolyglot @gingerchangeling @djlbg @cocohook38 @cs-rylie @thisonesatellite @donteattheappleshook @deckerstarblanche @veryverynotgoodwrites @wefoundloveunderthelight @fleurdepetite @alexa-fangirl-forever @bluewildcatfanatic @qualitycoffeethings

Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

The month had flown by, and Killian was due to report back in Boston in less than a week. He wasn’t anywhere near ready to say goodbye to Alice and Emma, even if it was only during the work week. Since Alice was in the middle of the school year in a school she loved, Killian didn’t see the need to bring her to Boston with him when he was planning on being in Storybrooke every weekend anyway. There was no way he was going to stay away from Emma from the first of February to mid April, when he’d finally be separating from the US Navy. 

While January had been a desperately needed respite from his normal duties in the Navy, that didn’t mean he’d been idle. He’d spent every minute he could with Emma, falling more and more in love with her as he did, in between sitting for his licensure exam that he blew out of the water, and pursuing the job opportunity in Storybrooke that looked better and better every day. Nemo had said, even before he’d submitted his résumé, that he didn’t foresee any problems bringing him on, but they were now nearly to the target date Nemo had mentioned for having an offer in hand, if he were to be hired.

Killian was making himself an afternoon snack when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

“Hello?”

“Killian?” 

Killian’s heart rate sped up when Nemo spoke on the other end of the line.

“Yes, sir,” he greeted the man that he hoped would be his boss in a few months.

Nemo chuckled and Killian’s hope soared.

“Well, there’s no real reason to beat around the bush,” the older man said. “The job is yours if you want it.”

Killian held the phone away from his mouth for a moment as he silently crowed at the ceiling and raised his fist in the air, before drawing it sharply back down in a ‘YESSSS’ gesture.

“I definitely do, Sir.” There was no need to talk to anyone about the decision. He knew he had Liam and Elsa’s full support to pursue and accept the offer when it came, and he’d had enough discussions with Alice to know that she desperately hoped he’d get the job as well. And Emma’s words on New Year’s Eve were the final green light he needed to accept the proposal.

“Excellent,” Nemo said. “You’ll be leading the department. With your experience in the Navy, I can’t think of anyone better suited to do so.”

Killian was stunned, and had to snap his hanging jaw shut before speaking. “Th- Thank you, Sir,” he stammered. “I’m honored.”

“When is your retirement date? I have it here somewhere…” Killian could hear papers rustling over the line and chuckled.

“April 10th is my last day of duty and the ceremony is on the 11th.”

“Very good. How about you start the following Monday, the 16th?” he asked. “That’ll give you a few days of downtime with your family, and to decompress a bit before we throw you in the deep end.” They both laughed at Nemo’s choice of words.

“Good thing I’m in the Navy, then,” Killian quipped. “I’m used to swimming in deep water.” Nemo laughed good naturedly.

“Did you have any other questions for me that we haven’t already addressed? The official offer will be emailed to you in a few minutes. Just for you to have for your records. Can you come in on Monday to get your paperwork squared away and meet a few folks?”

“Yes, I can, Sir,” he replied. “And I don’t have any questions. The offer is very generous, and I’m excited to be leading the team.”

“It’ll be good to have you, Killian. Come in Monday anytime after ten.”

“I will do that, Sir. Thank you.”

Killian hung up his phone and immediately checked his email. There it was. The employment offer that was going to make all his dreams come true. Killian could have leapt with joy. 

After another fist pump, Killian ran for the stairs to go tell Liam and Elsa. He would have preferred to share the news with Alice and Emma first, but Alice was at dance class for a little while longer and Emma was at her house. There was no way he’d be able to contain his excitement until he could tell them, so he had to go with who was readily available. Liam had come home early for some reason and had immediately gone upstairs without so much as saying hello when Killian passed him on his way to the kitchen. 

He came to a stop outside their bedroom to see Elsa sitting on the end of the bed, her head in her hands, Liam sitting next to her rubbing circles into her back. His excited words died on his lips completely.

Liam looked up at him. His eyes were slightly glazed, and Killian wondered if he really saw him standing there. He looked completely shell shocked, and Elsa’s posture was no better. She rubbed both of her temples, and Killian could just hear low mutterings coming from her mouth.

“Hey, guys,” he said, coming in slowly. “What’s wrong?”

Elsa raised her head, and threw it back laughing. It had a manic quality to it that made Killian even more nervous.

“Your brother,” she began, pointing at Liam who still sat on the bed, his hand on her back.

“M-, ME?!” Liam sputtered.

“Yes, you!”

“Last I checked, babe, it takes two to tango.”

Killian’s confusion suddenly cleared and he moved to the bathroom to see a little white stick sitting on the vanity. PREGNANT showed clearly in the tiny window. Killian had to press his lips together hard to keep from laughing. It may have been a lot of years since he’d had to concern himself with women’s cycles, but it wasn’t rocket science to figure out that his brother and sister-in-law had made fireworks of their own on New Year’s, and this was the result. 

“Congratulations,” Killian said, coming back in the room, smirk planted firmly on his face. He could understand their shock and surprise. Elsa was closing in on forty, and Liam was well past that milemarker. Plus, the twins were thirteen years old, and would be fourteen before their new sibling made their appearance. They obviously needed some time to themselves to come to terms with the hard left turn their lives had just taken. But he still wanted to share his own news with them. “I have some good news of my own, if you’re ready to hear it.”

That got both their attentions. Their countenances cleared and a wide smile broke on Elsa’s face.

“Did you hear from Nemo?” Liam asked.

“I did.”

Elsa let out a loud whoop and launched herself at him. But before she reached him, her hand flew to her mouth and she ran for the bathroom instead. He could hear her retching as he followed his brother who’d rushed after her. Killian stood in the doorway to see Liam hovering, and Elsa waving him away.

“This is all your fault,” she said in between heaves, a petulant whine in her voice. “Get away from me.” She disappeared behind the wall separating the toilet from the rest of the bathroom again; whatever she’d eaten earlier making another appearance. “Congratulations, Killian,” she wheezed when she was done. She made it to her feet, slapping Liam’s hand away as he tried to help her up. “Did you tell us first?” she asked. “It’s almost time to go pick up Alice! She’ll be ecstatic!” Killian turned to go, when Elsa spoke again. “Don’t say anything to the kids about this yet.” She waved her hand around in an aimless gesture. “We’ll make an announcement… sometime. Soon.”

“Just the kids?” Killian asked. 

“Ohhhh,” Elsa said, realization coming over her. “Yeah, go ahead. You can tell Emma.”

Killian smiled at them both and all but ran from the room.

~*~*~

Killian grinned widely when Alice came out of dance class. As soon as she was in her booster in the back seat with her seatbelt on, Killian turned to her.

“So, you want to stay in Storybrooke, Starfish?”

Alice’s eyes got as big as saucers. “Did you get the job at Uncle Liam’s, Papa?”

“I did,” he replied. Alice’s shout was loud enough to burst his ear drums. “He called a little bit before I came to get you. I’ll start on April 16th.”

Alice unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned across the front seat to hug him as tightly as she could in the awkward position.

“I’m so excited, Papa!” she exclaimed. “So what does that mean? What’s going to happen?”

“Just like what we’ve talked about, Starfish,” he reminded her. “I’ll be heading back to Boston on Wednesday night after you go to bed. I’ll be there Thursday and Friday before coming back Friday night to spend the weekend with all of you. Then I’ll be going back to Boston again Sunday night for the whole week, and I’ll be here on the weekends. I’ll do that every week until I retire on April 11th. You’ll be staying here while I’m there, living with Uncle Liam and Aunt Elsa and your cousins, going to school and dance and all the things you normally do.”

“And after you retire, we’ll still live with Uncle Liam and Aunt Elsa?” she asked.

Killian chuckled. “Oh, no. We’ll move into our own home after I retire.” Killian thought about the house Liam had told him about. It was still on the market, but Killian hadn’t wanted to really look at it until he had the offer in hand. And now that he did, he could begin seriously looking for a home that would accommodate him and Alice and perhaps a couple of others, as well. Killian couldn’t keep the smile off his face if he tried.

“Yayyyy!!!” Alice shouted again, bouncing in her seat.

“Now I want to go see Emma and tell her,” Killian said. “Do you want me to take you home or do you want to come with me?”

Alice bounced in her seat again. “Come with! Come with!”

Killian chuckled and turned the car on. “Alright then. Let’s go.”

No sooner had Killian brought the car to a stop in Emma’s driveway than Alice was out like a shot, shouting as she ran for the front door.

“Miss Swan! Henry! Papa got the job! We’re staying in Storybrooke!”

Killian knew his smile was ridiculously wide with how much his cheeks were hurting, but he couldn’t begrudge his daughter being the one to break the news. He caught up to her as she banged on the door, opened moments later by Henry, followed closely by Emma.

“What?” asked Henry, his own smile taking over his face.

“Papa got the job!” Alice repeated. “We’re staying in Storybrooke!”

Emma’s face looked like the sun coming out from behind the clouds after a storm. She ran for him, and he caught her in his arms, spinning her around as she hugged him tightly and showered kisses all over his face. 

Once he put Emma down, Henry and Alice scurried off to his room to play and Emma showed Killian into the living room.

“I’m so happy for you, Killian,” Emma said, sitting down next to him and holding his hand tightly.

“Me, too,” he agreed. “It’s a relief to be sure.” Killian looked her full in the face. “And now that I have the offer in hand, I can start moving forward into this next phase of my life.” He paused and scratched at the spot behind his ear, his eyes skittering away from hers for a moment. He took a deep breath, and met her gaze again, his eyes full of love and hope. “A phase that I hope I’ll have a companion for.”

Emma gasped. They had of course talked about the job and the opportunity it would present for him and Alice, but they’d been careful to steer away from what it might mean for them. But now that the job was certain… 

“Calm down, Swan. I’m not proposing.” Emma hoped she kept the surprise and slight disappointment off of her face, but wasn’t sure she succeeded when he winked at her. Or attempted to, anyway. “You’ll know when I do,” he assured her. Emma giggled. “Anyway,” he continued, “I’ll need to start looking for a house for myself and Alice to move into once I’m here permanently. And I was hoping you might join me in that search.  To help me find a house for all of us. Where we can be a family.” He paused again, giving her a moment to absorb everything he’d already shared. 

“I love you, Emma.”

A gasping sob escaped her and she grabbed him around the neck and pulled him to her until their lips joined in a joyful expression of love, both felt and reciprocated. When air became necessary, she pulled back.

“I love you, too, Killian.”

Killian surged forward and captured her lips with his own, pushing her back on the sofa until she was reclined and every part of her body was fully lined up to his. The passionate kiss they shared was making his head spin, but he knew they couldn’t go any further, not with their children in the next room. Very reluctantly, he pulled back.

“We have to stop, Swan,” he said, “As much as I don’t want to.”

“I know,” she agreed, her own reluctance on full display. 

Killian rolled off of her, tucking himself between her and the back of the sofa. “I just had a thought. What would you think about coming down to Boston the Thursday after Valentine's Day? We could have a nice dinner without fighting all the Valentines’ crowds and you could spend the night?” It was a question, and she knew exactly what he was asking. She had to admit, it was something she’d definitely thought about and he obviously had, too.

“I think that sounds like a fine idea, Captain.” She lifted up slightly and kissed him.

“Then I could take Friday off and we could do some touristy things around town before coming home a bit earlier than I normally would.” Emma smiled in agreement.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” 

“What?”

“You remember what I walked in on on New Year’s?”

Emma’s eyebrows shot up, her cheeks flushing with secondhand embarrassment. “Uh huh.”

“Well, Elsa’s pregnant.”

Emma’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened so much that Killian couldn’t hold back his chuckle.

“Are you kidding me?” She was stunned and couldn’t pretend otherwise.

“Nope,” Killian assured her. “She found out this afternoon. She must have called Liam to come home early. When I came up to tell them about the job, she was…” Killian trailed away, searching for the words. “A bit hysterical? Extremely annoyed? Both? Yes.” He nodded decisively. “Both is good.”

A snort laugh burst out of Emma. “Bless her so much.”

“She said I could tell you, but she doesn’t want to say anything to the kids, just yet.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Emma said, pursing her lips and miming locking them and throwing away the key. “My lips are sealed.”

Killian chuckled. “I can think of another way to keep those lips busy,” he said, eyebrows waggling.

Emma grinned at him. “A method I highly approve of,” she said, before drawing him down into another kiss, celebrating all the news of the day.

~*~*~

The next day was Saturday, and Emma and Elsa were finally enjoying their joint spa day. After the news she’d received the day before, Elsa was especially ready and thankful for it.

Once the ladies were gone, Liam joined Killian in the kitchen where he was just finishing his coffee.

“You ready?”

Killian took his last swallow and got up to put the mug in the sink. “Yep. Let’s go.”

When he had come back home yesterday after giving Emma the news, Killian asked Liam if they could go look at the house he had told him about while the ladies were occupied Saturday morning. Liam’s grin was blinding as he made all the arrangements. 

Now they were pulling up in front of a beautiful Nantucket style three story home. It was sky blue with a huge wraparound front porch and a three story turret anchoring the front facade.

Killian’s jaw hung open slightly as Liam opened the gate of the white picket fence on the edge of the sidewalk and moved toward the steps leading up to the front porch. He couldn’t take his eyes off of it as he followed Liam, almost in a daze.

Once inside, Liam took him through the house, from the basement to the finished third story that would be ideal for an office or a game room when the kids were a little older. Or, and a small smile turned up his lips at the thought, perhaps another bedroom, if needed. But as it was, the house was beautiful, inside and out, with all the room they needed for a growing family. The price was a little higher than he wanted, but it had been on the market, sitting empty, since autumn, so Killian was hopeful the sellers would be willing to come down a bit in order to get it off their hands. 

Killian’s excitement was sending his heart rate into overdrive. This house was perfect in every way, but he needed to get Emma’s input as well. If she was going to be a part of his life going forward and a part of his family in the not-too-distant future, she needed to be on board with whatever home he bought. The ladies would be done with their pampering about one o’clock; maybe he could bring her over afterward to have a look at it. 

“Could I bring Emma back this afternoon when they’re done to have a look?” Killian asked his brother. “I love it. It’s perfect. But I can’t in good conscience make an offer on a place that I would hope will be a home for all of us without getting her opinion first.”

“I completely understand, Brother. And I agree,” Liam said. “Let me let the seller’s agent know, and I’ll give you the key.”

Killian nodded and turned around in a full circle looking at the main floor of the house. He imagined moving into this beautiful home- Emma, Alice, and Henry with him- filling it with love and laughter for a lifetime.

~*~*~

A few hours later, he parked his own car in front of the house and looked at Emma in the passenger seat. Her face was very much like his when he’d seen it for the first time earlier. Killian couldn’t keep the grin off his face if he tried.

“What do you think?”

“It… it’s gorgeous,” she breathed. “Have you…?”

“Swan! No!” he exclaimed, completely shocked she would even ask him that. “I’d never make that kind of decision or make a purchase like this without talking to you first.” He took her hands in his and looked her right in the eyes. “Not if we’re going to have a future together.”

Emma’s heart completely melted. She already knew she loved him, but this was just another confirmation that her heart and soul had found a haven in his. She reached up and pulled him to her in a kiss that he eagerly reciprocated and that quickly turned heated.

“Come on,” he said, pulling away some moments later. “Let me show you the inside.”

Emma followed Killian through the gate and up the front steps. It was the most beautiful house she’d ever seen, the wraparound porch a feature that she’d always wanted in a home. When she’d bought the house she lived in now, her budget didn’t come anywhere close to affording a house with a porch like that. But, she had to try to keep her excitement in check. Killian obviously wanted her honest opinion on the house that he hoped would be a home for all of them, and she couldn’t let her immediate affection for the exterior drive that opinion. The house would have to meet certain thresholds in order to be something they could all live in for many years to come.

And as Killian took her through the house, it became quite obvious that it met every single one of those thresholds. A wide open floor plan and tall ceilings weren’t necessary, but were very welcome additions to the generous square footage, ample storage, kitchen and bath upgrades that thrilled Emma to no end, large bedrooms and even enough room for any future children they might have.

Emma looked at Killian, a soft smile on her face as she imagined moving into this beautiful home with Killian, Henry, and Alice by her side. It was everything she could have hoped and dreamed of.

“So what do you think, Swan?” Killian asked, love and hope in his eyes.

“I love it, Killian,” she said sincerely. She stepped toward him and took his hands in hers, her gaze meeting his. “I can see us, all of us, living here for many, many years. Many happy years.”

The relieved grin on Killian’s face, made her own smile bloom before she drew him into another kiss. When they separated, Killian wrapped his arms around her as they both turned and looked out the back window to the large backyard where the kids would no doubt spend many hours playing.

“I didn’t even ask,” Emma began. “What are they asking for this place?”

“It’s a little more than I can afford,” Killian said, “but it’s been sitting empty for four months, so I’m hoping they’ll be a little more motivated to come down on their asking price.”

“With my income, you could probably afford it,” she suggested.

“Yes, but we’re not married yet, and that will create all kinds of complications that we really don’t need to deal with right now,” he explained, kissing her on the tip of her nose.

“Hmmm, yes, that’s true,” she agreed, smiling at the tender gesture.

“I’ll talk to Liam, make them an offer, and see what they say,” he continued. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could have this squared away before I go back to Boston?” The hope in his eyes made her smile and matched the joy in her own.

“Yes, it really would.”

~*~*~

Retirement day had finally arrived. His last two months, one week, and two days of duty were over and all that was left now was the ceremony that would signify his official separation from the United States Navy. He couldn’t believe how quickly the time had gone. Living it day to day, he didn’t think this day would ever get here, but looking back, the time really had flown by.

The offer he’d given Liam for the house back at the end of January had been eagerly accepted by the sellers, even at significantly below their asking price. His offer wasn’t unfair, but he’d fully expected them to counter, and when they didn’t, he was stunned. They’d closed on the house on Saturday just a couple of weeks ago, to accommodate Killian’s work schedule, and he and Emma had been busy both weekends since, moving boxes and some furniture into it, so they’d be able to fully move in tomorrow. The movers would be collecting the rest of his and Alice’s furniture in Boston tomorrow and bringing it all to Storybrooke. He hoped to be fully moved in and unpacked before he started at Storybrooke Real Estate on Monday.

After Emma visited him in Boston in February, they figured it was time for him to meet her parents. Mary Margaret Swan had immediately welcomed him into their family with open arms. It took just a little longer to win David over, but now the bromance between him and David flourished after Killian assured him of the honor of his intentions.

He peeked through the curtain to see all his loved ones arriving en masse and making their way to the front of the room. As the family members of the retiree, they had reserved seating. Seeing Emma there surrounded by his family and hers, sudden inspiration hit him. There was only one thing missing that would make this day truly perfect. When she spotted him looking at her through the curtain, he signaled her to join him. She turned to her mother for a moment and then started toward the podium and backdrop.

Emma came around the edge of the curtain where Killian waited for her to join him before gathering her into his arms and planting a kiss on her lips that wasn’t nearly enough, but would have to be, given their present location.

“Emma,” he said, sinking down on one knee, “I know you probably didn’t expect this today, but when I saw you come into the room, all I could think of was that I wanted you by my side today as my fiancée, not my girlfriend.” He pulled a small, black velvet box out of his dress blues pocket. Emma gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “These last four months since we met have been the best of my life. I love you more than words can express, more than I ever believed possible. Would you make me the happiest man alive and consent to be my wife?”

Emma’s eyes were filled with tears and she could barely see straight to nod and hold her hand out for him to put the beautiful round diamond solitaire on her finger. She knelt in front of him, taking his face in her hands. The tears escaped her eyelids and rolled down her cheeks as she pulled him to her and kissed him with all the love in her heart.

When they pulled back, she touched her forehead to his, tears still streaking down her face.

“I love you, Killian,” she whispered. “And yes, I want nothing more than to be by your side today as your fiancée.” They were both quiet for a moment, just enjoying the love between them. “I should probably go back out there. They’ll be wondering what’s going on.”

Killian chuckled. “Don’t say anything. Let’s see if anyone notices. If they don’t, we’ll announce it at the reception.”

Emma smiled her agreement. They got to their feet, and Emma moved around the curtain to go back to her seat. Killian peeked through the drape again and saw her sit down on the front row, Elsa on one side of her, Mary Margaret on the other. Killian grinned and pulled back from the drape only to hear twin squeals from the other side of the curtain. He moved back, a wide grin spreading on his face as he saw his fiancée showing off her ring to her best friend and mother.

It was going to be quite a party this afternoon, and he couldn’t wait.

~*~*~  

Emma sat before the vanity on her wedding day, watching as her mother gathered her hair into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck and tucked the comb holding her veil underneath.

Everything was ready for her to join her life with the love of her life, Killian Jones.

She rose from her stool and turned to face her mother, best friend, and daughter.

“Oh, Mama,” Alice breathed. “You look so beautiful.”

Emma smiled at the child, her heart swelling with love for her. Once school let out last May, Emma and Killian had both initiated adoption proceedings for Alice and Henry, with Emma’s adoption of Alice going through in August and Killian’s adoption of Henry finalizing just last month due to residency requirements.

“Thank you, baby,” Emma said, opening her arms for her hug. She felt the tears fill her eyes as she looked at her mom and Elsa. Elsa’s own eyes glistened with tears as well. She was radiant in the ice blue gown she wore. You couldn’t even tell that she’d given birth three months ago to a daughter, Lila Emily Rose. 

When they first talked about dates for the wedding, Killian had suggested August, thinking that would be plenty of time for the planning, but Elsa, Mary Margaret, and Emma herself had loudly protested that it wasn’t nearly enough time. Plus there was the fact that Elsa didn’t want to be walking down the aisle as Matron of Honor nine months pregnant. And so December 15th was chosen, one year to the day since their meeting.

“You look so beautiful, too.” She stepped back, holding Alice’s hands, then releasing one as Alice spun a perfect pirouette under her arm, the skirt of her dress, a smaller version of Elsa’s, flaring out before settling back around her ankles.

“Your father is gonna cry,” Mary Margaret said, completing the teary eyed trio. “We’re so happy this day has finally come. You’re marrying Killian, joining together to create a new family.” Mary Margaret sniffed, and Elsa handed her a handkerchief. 

“One year ago today, I saw something that I’d despaired of ever seeing- my brother-in-law, Killian Jones, noticing a woman,” Elsa said, her smile nostalgic as she remembered Emma and Killian’s first meeting. “He’d been alone for six years, but he was smitten with you from that very first moment, and my heart rejoiced. And now here you are, a year later, about to join your lives together, forever.” Mary Margaret handed the handkerchief back to Elsa when a tear escaped and ran down her face. Emma chuckled and then wiped away her own tears. 

Outside the room, they could hear the organ beginning to play Sheep May Safely Graze, the last piece before Mary Margaret was to be seated. They moved from the Bride’s Room to the vestibule, where Emma’s dad, Liam, and Henry waited for them.

Elsa and her mother took their places on either side of Liam, and Alice took Henry’s arm, making Emma’s eyes fill with tears yet again. Henry was growing up much too fast. Holding his arm out to his best friend and now sister, just like a little gentleman, made her realize just how quickly time passed. She shouldn’t be able to see glimpses of the man he would one day become, not yet. She looked at her loved ones, meeting their eyes in turn, accepting the love and joy they all had for her on this special day. Having them all here on the happiest day of her life- loving and supporting her, loving and supporting them- made the day perfect. In every way.

“I’ve waited for this day for years,” David whispered. “In the sense that I hoped you’d one day find someone to love. Someone to love you and Henry the way you deserve. Someone to walk beside you through all the ups and downs of life. Killian is everything a father could want for his daughter and I cannot be happier.” The smile on his face was happy and sad at the same time, and Emma could no longer hold back her tears. She moved toward him, hugging him tightly, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her head.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered. “I love you.” 

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

Emma pulled back and took a deep breath, accepting the now ruined handkerchief from Elsa to dab at her own eyes. Pachebel’s Canon in D was beginning, and Liam led Mary Margaret from the vestibule into the sanctuary. She carried two tall taper candles that she’d place on either side of the Unity candle Emma and Killian would light toward the end of the ceremony. In the absence of Killian’s own mother, he’d asked her if she would step in and fill the role.

Only a few minutes later, Liam and Elsa walked down the aisle, followed by Henry and Alice.

Emma felt David turn toward her, so she raised her eyes to meet his. Tears glistened in them and his smile trembled slightly at the corners.

“This is the… third best day of my life,” he said. “First was marrying your mother. Second was the day of your birth. And now today.”

Emma had nothing to say, so she simply rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. 

“Are you ready to give me away, Daddy?”

David nodded. “Let's go.”

The doors to the sanctuary opened as the opening bars of the Trumpet Voluntary began to play. She and David entered, and her eyes immediately landed on Killian. He wore his Navy Captain dress blue uniform, and Emma caught her breath at how handsome he was. 

She couldn’t take her eyes off of him as they continued moving forward. He beamed as he watched her, his smile lighting up his eyes and his entire face with profound love and unspeakable joy.

When they reached Killian and Liam, the four of them faced the vicar. 

“Welcome everyone, to the wedding of Emma Swan and Killian Jones,” he began, addressing the small congregation. He turned his eyes upon David. “Who gives this woman in marriage?”

“Her mother and I do,” David answered. He turned to Emma and placed a tender kiss on her cheek before turning to Killian and placing Emma’s hand in his. With a nod and smile of approval and affection, David turned and took his place next to Mary Margaret to watch the rest of the ceremony. 

Emma, Killian, Elsa, and Liam followed the vicar up the steps to the stage before he turned to them and began the ceremony.

Killian couldn’t take his eyes off of his bride. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, period, but today, she was literally breathtaking. She wore a simple gown in a slimline style with a sleeveless deep v-neck wrapped bodice with a satin skirt. Her hair was pulled back into a soft bun, her veil trailing down from the bun almost to the floor. He’d never beheld a more exquisite sight. He missed what all the vicar was saying, simply soaking in the vision that was his almost wife, until he announced it was time for the vows.

“Emma Swan,” he breathed. “I think I may have fallen in love with you on the very day we met. I knew that day my life was about to change for the better, and that sentiment has been proven correct many, many times over. You’ve made my life complete, Emma. I can’t imagine loving you more than I do right now, although I know I will as we walk through life together, because my love for you has grown every single day already. This day do I pledge thee my troth, to share everything in life, the good and the bad. No matter what the future holds, I want you to be certain that I will always, always be by your side. I love you, Emma.”

A hiccupping sob escaped Emma’s lips as she prepared to share her own vows.

“Killian, the day I met you, I had a feeling that there were many wonderful things to come. To look forward to, having you in my life. And it was hardly any time at all before I knew that I loved you and wanted to spend my life with you. Killian, you are the best man I know and I love you deeply. Truly. This day, in the sight of God and our dearly loved friends and family, I promise to love you. To honor you, respect you, cherish you. Walking through life together, the ups and the downs, will be a great adventure with you by my side. Until death do us part.”

Killian swallowed heavily. “And I promise to love, honor, respect, and cherish you, Emma, until death do us part.”

Once the vows were spoken, they exchanged rings, solid white gold bands, the vicar speaking a blessing over the rings. As they moved to light the Unity candle, the vicar read from the Book of Ruth, the passage speaking of never leaving the other, as long as they both shall live.

They returned to the vicar at the foot of the stage where he proudly proclaimed, “Killian, you may kiss your bride!”

Killian grinned, his eyebrows waggling as he took Emma in his arms and dipped her back before joining his lips to hers. The congregation around them erupted into shouts and cheers, but they were oblivious to all of it, simply soaking in the love they had for one another as their lips moved together. 

Long moments later, he finally raised them back up and they turned toward all their loved ones as the vicar announced them.

“Presenting Captain and Mrs. Killian Jones!”

The congregation again erupted in cheers as Emma and Killian proceeded back down the aisle, followed by Liam and Elsa, then Henry and Alice.

And they all lived happily ever after.

The End

~*~*~

Thank you for reading and sharing! I'd love to know what you think! Merry Christmas!!!

[bedbellyandbeyond]

Medical History

(Story Post)

Only after a good meal and a proper night's sleep were Tand and family ready to see a doctor. Once they hit land, they stayed a night in a safe house where there were no other people that the hesitant new arrivals had to interact with. Going from only seeing each every day, year after yeah, with the occasional visitor, to suddenly being constantly around three strangers was more than enough for the timid little family, so Korsy was trying his best to coordinate a slow introduction for them. There was food at the safe house, but instead of making meals and expecting them to enjoy it, he laid out their options and let Tand decide what he was comfortable with trying. He gravitated mostly to meat although he was willing to try root vegetables like the strange ‘radishes' he'd offered Asger back home. Since he'd promised them soup, Dusty was happy to whip their choices up into a hearty stew. The beds in the safe house weren't particularly special, but they were much plusher than anything Tand and kids had ever had before. In fact, it was a bit too much of a change that they ended up pulling the blankets off and curling up with them on the floor. The kids snuggled up together, but Tand slept separately from them in his own bundle of blankets. While they had had trouble sleeping back in the deep, they were so exhausted now that they all passed out the moment their heads hit the pillow.

The next day, they were transported by private bus to a European branch of APID located in Germany where a trusted health care professional could see them. Korsy asked specifically for the family to be seen together and not separated because of how they'd been treated in the dark elf city. This however wasn't enough for the kids to feel comfortable with this new stranger, so Asger had to first get a basic exam done himself for them to watch, and then sit in on their examinations for trust purposes. They were very cooperative, and if they were nervous about anything, Soppa would look to Asger for reassurance, while the other kids looked to Soppa. Tand on the other hand preferred to be alone in the room with the doctor, outright refusing to have Asger in the room with him until his exam was done. “It's a good thing we examined you first, Asger, because that way we can better compare your elven anatomy with theirs,” Dr Vermeulen explained. She was a woman in her mid 40s, tall, with sharp features. She had the children wait outside with Korsy and Dusty while she discussed her findings with Asger and Tand. “Based on our basic exams today, I can say these folks do seem to be related to the dark elves, although blood work would need to be done to see just how related.” “Tand seems quite confident that he is a dark elf,” Asger said. “I can only imagine we must share a recent common ancestor. You wouldn't happen to have seen any kind of mark on his inner thighs during the exams?” “I didn't have him disrobe to that extent,” the doctor declined. “As a first appointment ever, building trust between healthcare professionals and the patient is most important. You'd have to ask them.” “Ah.” Asger had a feeling he wouldn't get that out of Tand, and he certainly wasn't going to ask the kids. “As for their health, based on dark elf standards, they are quite underweight and fatigued, but more regular mealtimes and sleep will balance that out.” She flipped through her notes. “Tand on the other hand… Well, I would definitely like to run some blood tests on them.” “Him,” Asger corrected. “He feels othered by such terms.” The doctor made a note. “Him. I forgot. English is not my first language. I apologise.” “I do not care,” Tand said, irritably. “It is fine.” “Can you determine how old the kids are?” Asger then asked. “You're not sure their ages?” the doctor asked. “No, it is near impossible to tell time where they came from,” Asger said. “Tand doesn't know. I can only guess.” “Well, it wouldn't be wise to do a medical age evaluation right now, as extended periods of malnutrition can stunt growth and make a child appear younger than they really are,” Dr Vermeulen explained. “After a year or so, they usually catch up, at which point we could attempt an evaluation, however due to their unique dental structure, a dental assessment would likely be found inconclusive. A bone age x-ray is doable, but again, I would wait.” “I see… Could you make a ballpark estimate?” Asger said. “Well… Taking nutrition into account, I would estimate Bita to be no more than four years old. Sten could be six, and Soppa eight or even nine.” “What about Tand?” Asger asked. Doctor Vermeulen let out a puff of air. “Adult elves are even more difficult to estimate… Certainly an adult, but dark elves, they could be anywhere from…22 to 85… Although, based on the living conditions you described, I can’t imagine he’s any more than 26.” “Really? How do you figure that?” Asger asked. “You explained that Tand would attempt to reproduce with anyone that came around due to their scarcity, yes?” the doctor recalled. “If that's the case, and Soppa really is his first child, then Tand likely had him when he had only just reached sexual maturity. Most elves reach puberty around age fifteen, so adding Soppa's age, you get around 25.” “So…Soppa would have been born when he was only a teenager?” Asger looked over with concern at Tand who was still ignoring him and going through one of the doctor's magazine's he brought in from the waiting room. They were roughly the same age, he and Tand, but responsibility had been placed on the latter so much earlier. “Yes. Sten possibly as well,” the doctor confirmed. “Based on Tand's exam, I wouldn't believe he's had more than three full term pregnancies.” Asger blinked. “Pregnancies? Wait, wait… I was under the impression—” “—That he sired his children?” Dr Vermeulen shook her head. “Why would you assume that?” “Well, I… He took his pants off in front of me,” Asger said. “Ah, you see. That's where yours and his anatomy would differ,” the doctor explained. “Tand would be best considered intersex. He does have male reproductive organs, but he is also equipped with female reproductive organs as well.” “Didn’t you say he never disrobed?” Asger asked. “How do you know all that?” “It was part of what little he did tell me,” Dr Vermeulen stated. “Without further tests, I can only assume the functionality level of these organs, but based on scarring and hip width, and based on the fact that he is raising the children and not the other parties involved in their conception, it is easy to conclude that he was left to give birth to them.” A cold shiver went down Asger's spine. To think that Tand was once in that hole in the woods, just a teenager alone with a newborn… Asger could only imagine the fear and loneliness he must've felt. “You said you wanted to run more tests on Tand?” Asger recalled. “Yes. The APID agents you came in with have reason to believe he is currently pregnant so some tests would be highly recommended to gauge foetal health and gestational length,” the doctor said. “Pregnant?” Asger turned to Tand. “You're pregnant?” Tand looked back at him, eyes blank. “This means what?” “You're with child. You’re going to have a baby,” the doctor elaborated. “Have you been sexually active recently?” “Recently? I do not know what is recently,” Tand replied. “Morkrët. No time keeping,” Asger reminded. He tried to re-explain for Tand. “After Bita was born, have you mated with anyone?” “Born?” Tand asked. “After they came out. After you gave birth to them. When they came into existence.” “Mn,” Tand affirmed, waving a hand to halt any further elaboration. “There has been a mate after.” “How big was Bita?” the doctor asked. “Were they smaller than now?” Tand shrugged. “No bigger. No smaller.” “Kids grow fast, so likely within the last few months,” the doctor deduced. “What tests do you need to do?” Asger asked. “Usually, I would do a pelvic exam, but that could be too invasive for a first-time doctor's visit for Tand,” the doctor considered. “An abdominal sonogram and a blood test if he'll let me would be great. We need to establish the health and stage of the pregnancy.” Asger started nodding slowly. “Tand, you'll let the doctor help, right?” Tand just crossed his arms. “I do not understand what this is for. You look at my body and then talk about it? What help is that?” “It’s for your health,” Asger explained. “It’s just to determine if everything is working or if you're sick and need care. Doctor’s help you feel better and keep you alive and kicking.” Dr Vermeulen nodded along. “Yes, if you don't feel well and you don't know what's wrong, I can help you find out what's wrong and treat it. In simple terms.” “Not feel well?” Tand asked. “Like yesterday on the boat,” Asger said. “You were sick and threw up. We thought it was motion sickness, but it could also be your pregnancy. The doctor can help with that.” Tand slowly nodded. “I understand.” “I'm glad,” the doctor said. “Now, there are certain things that doctor's do that might seem like we're trying to hurt you. In reality these are minor invasions that work towards overall health. Feeling better. That's something I hope we can do to help you.” Tand knit his brow. “Like what?” “Well, a needle for example,” the doctor explained. “Can I show you?” Tand nodded silently. Dr Vermeulen got up and retrieved a small needle from her drawers and brought it over. “This is a needle.” She unwrapped it and removed the cap protecting the point. Tand physically recoiled a bit. “A normal reaction. But this is nothing to be afraid of, when used by a professional,” the doctor explained. “This thin needle only feels like a little prick at first, and then you feel a little discomfort when we draw blood. We then collect the blood and run tests to diagnose health and illnesses.” Tand knit their brow. “Is it like a bite?” “It doesn't hurt nearly as much as a bite,” Asger said. “Then it is no problem,” Tand said. “You want to do it? Do.” Dr Vermeulen lit up. “Very brave of you. Alright, let me clean your arm and we'll get some blood.” She prepped Tand's arm while he watched and then checked to make sure he was ready. “Alright, I’m going to start on the count of five. You might feel a little prick,” she said. “Ready?” Tand nodded impatiently. “Do it.” “I recommend not looking,” Asger offered. Tand just gave him an indignant huff and continued to watch the procedure happen. Dr Vermeulen counted down and started inserting the needle at 2. Tand watched the whole time unmoving. She filled a couple vials of blood to facilitate multiple tests since he seemed so unfazed by the bloodwork. “Alright, all done!” the doctor said, extracting the needle and removing the vial attached to it. “Good job.” Just as they were thinking he was so brave, Tand's head lolled strangely to the side. Asger shot over to him to see if he was okay, and after a moment looking him over, it was then clear that he had fainted sitting up! “Oh dear,” the doctor said. “Well, that's perfectly normal. Want to help lie him down?” Asger nodded and got up to lie Tand down prone on the exam bed. “Will that be enough blood?” “For now. Since he is underweight, I don’t want to take too much. We can do an ultrasound another day when he's feeling better,” the doctor said. “Get those kids some good food. Make sure Tand eats well too.” “I will. Thank you for your time today, doctor,” Asger said. “My pleasure.” Tand started to come to, so Asger made sure he was good to stand before helping him out of the doctor's office. “You were very brave,” Asger encouraged him, as the other leaned on him. “Mn.” “Let's get you and the kids some lunch, okay?” “Soup?” “We can get soup, yes.” “Okay.”

[flyonthewallmedstudent]

Bartonella henselae

Case Report:

23M veterinary student from home with a cat, presents with a one year history of neck swelling, 1 month of fevers and lethargy. Also he lives in Karachi.

The fevers are a/w chills and rigours that response to paracetamol and have no particular pattern to them.

He doesnt have any arthralgias or arthritis or rash.

They find pretty sizable lymph nodes on exam in the cervical chain and inguinal regions.

He starts developing hypotension and they start him on some vasopressors and meropenem.

The fevers don't respond, and someone decides to start azithromycin, which it does respond to.

He's also worked up for IE given the chronicity of events.

Eventually on biopsy of the lymph node, the lab finds bartonella hensalae.

Microbiology + transmission:

aka cat scratch fever, so this is why history is so important to infectious diseases physicians.

it's actually disease of cats that can spread to their humans via bites and scratches. Or the cat licks a wound etc.

and unfortunately also via arthropod vectors and mossies

after entry into a host, it's main target cells are CD34s, immune cells, and then alters the host immune system

it's interesting special power is that it can predispose hosts to other pathogens in this manner

it's a gram negative rod (pink rods)

Historical trivia

the fun bits

genus of Bartonella is named for a Peruvian scientist (Alberto Barton, also had interest in brucellosis and leishmaniasis --> other tropical diseases taht cause fevers of unclear origin), he isolated the bacteria from patients during an outbreak among railway works in South america. This was 1905.

reminds me of love in the time of cholera, when people still wrote physical letters.

species of bartonella henselae is actually named for Diane Henselae, a researcher from Oklahoma, who collected samples during an outbreak there in the mid 1980s.

rare for someone who discovered a species named for them to be both alive and a woman, and I can't find much about her online.

there are other bartonella species that cause historically significant diseases like trench foot (bartonella quintana, transmitted by lice) and carrion's disease (bartonella bacilliformis, with a high mortality rate). another post for another day.

Clinical features

incubation period: up to 10 days

initial: rash at site of injection or intro of pathogen, from there it travels to local lymph nodes causing lymphadenopathy about 1-3 weeks later

From CDC guidelines who took image from NEJM

Bsymptoms - low grade fevers/malaise/fatigue

epidemio: occurs most often (for a rare disease) in kids < 15

Complications

infection affecting the eye (neuro-retinitis = visual changes, irritation and photophobia), liver, spleen, brain/spine (transverse myelitis, encephalitis etc), bones and heart valves (IE)

Increased risk groups for complications

HIV/AIDs, immunocompromised hosts (i.e. transplants), mortality is an issue in this group, as disseminated disease a possibility

small risk of IE in groups with RFs for develop this (prosthetic valves, damaged valves, unrepaired congential heart disease etc)

Investigations

challenging, no gold standard test as the sens and spec is variable for each individual one, so it's a combination really, of history exam and a variety of confirmatory tests

PCR (variable spec/sens), serology (indirect and often negative in early stages, can also be positive for years post treatment and doesn't differentiate from other bartonella species), cultures are definitive but it can take 21 days for anything to grow (it's fastidious)

histopath of lymph nodes helpful - stains: silver stain or Warthin Starry stain (silver nitrate) which is kind of a reverse starry starry night used for spirochetes like helicobacter.

in IE, it can be culture negative, which can confuse diagnosis

From Wiki

Management

mild disease is self resolving

first line: few days azithromycin or doxycycline can reduce symptoms and is indicated for enlarged lymph nodes to reduce size or unresolving LAD >1 month

in case of eye infection or IE expect longer duration of hterapy, like doxy and rif for 4-6 weeks

will also respond to bactrim, cipro, rif and gent

Prevention from the CDC:

avoid strays, wash hands after petting cats, keep strays from your cat, avoid owning new kittens who are < 1 yr if you are immunocompromised

avoid getting scratched..which is kinda hilarious but can see why

Sources

stat pearls

case report above

wikipaedia

Rare diseases

CDC guidelines

[ohara-n-brown]

OMFGGGGGGG (no real spoilers)

So in the book Bullet Train, during a Fruits chapter Lemon sits down next to a dude and questions him about his bag.

Lemon checks the bag and the bag is full of sweets. He asks the man what he does and asks why he isn’t scared of him.

The man says hes an exam prep teacher, he’s reading a book about buffets, and he says his wife died and he got mixed up in criminal stuff making him desensitized.

Y’all - HE’S THE PROTAGONIST OF THE PREQUEL BOOK. THREE ASSASSINS IS ABOUT THAT GUY.

Suzuki - Wife died and he’s out for revenge. The Pusher, ‘The Whale’ that The Wolf ‘killed’, SUZUKI!!! They’re all the main characters of Three Assassins, the book set not too long before Bullet Train. The bullet train book has so many hidden hints to the prequel book it’s insane.

Everytime Bullet Train stops to talk about a random killer or a random person before moving on, its because they’re in the first book. I never expected Suzuki to pop up - talking to Lemon of all people!!

If you haven’t read 3 Assassins (it was translated mid last year after the movie) DEFINITELY do. It’s short and real good. Like bullet train it takes place over a day or two but 3A is a tad bit darker and A LOT more trippy!!

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley: The Wilderness Years

Chapter 9: The Dinner Party

A/N: it’s Artemis’ birthday, and she enjoys a grown-up way of celebrating it. Warnings: mentions of canon-typical bigotry, alcohol, some awkwardness, bridezilla Penny.

The dinner party had been Chester’s idea. Artemis would have been happy spending her birthday having a few drinks at the Three Broomsticks or the underground nightclub in Charing Cross that Andre had introduced her to, but she was hardly going to say no to Chester offering to cook for her and her fiends.

“It’s too special an occasion to do what you would do any other weekend,” he had said. “After all, there is a lot to celebrate.”

This was true. Not only was it Artemis’ birthday, but Chiara had just finished her final exams for her Healer training, Tonks had reached her six-month anniversary of being a fully fledged Auror, and Penny’s boyfriend Lewis Parkin had recently proposed to her during a weekend in Paris. The last of these pieces of good news had been the one that had so far dominated the evening’s conversations. 

“Seriously,” Tonks muttered to Artemis, once the pair of them had slipped into the kitchen to clear away the plates and fetch more wine. “If I ever become that nauseatingly mushy over anyone, you have my permission to do me in.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“I mean it. Just put me out of my misery.”

Artemis picked up a piece of chicken from an otherwise empty plate and fed it to Fergus, who was sitting on the countertop looking hopeful. She shrugged.

“I dunno. She doesn’t seem miserable,” she said, with a glance over her shoulder. “I think she’s just really happy and excited.”

“Exactly, it’s sickening.” Tonks grinned. “I’m joking, obviously. I’m happy for her, it would be just nice to talk about something else for ten minutes, that’s all.”

“Is everyone like this about weddings, do you think, or is it just Penny?”

“Might just be Pen. You know what she gets like about organising parties, and this isn’t just any party. This is the party.”

“I guess,” said Artemis. She grabbed two wine bottles - the fancy red one that Chester had brought and the cheap pink one that was Tonks’ favourite - and nodded her head at the door. “Come on. We should go and be excited with her.”

“I’ll try, but if she starts talking about writing her own vows again, I might actually spew.”

Thankfully, Penny was not talking about her vows, nor any other part of the wedding ceremony itself. Instead, the discussion had turned to aesthetics, with Chiara listening politely and Jae looking incredibly bored as Penny chatted away.

“Well, I still haven’t quite decided what colour I want you all to wear,” she told Chiara, her engagement ring sparkling in the light as she moved her hands, “but it will either be pale pink, sage green, or maybe sky blue. In any case, it will definitely be a pastel shade. Bea won’t be happy, if it were up to her you’d all be wearing black, but she always looks so pretty in lighter colours, and it will be a summer wedding, so pastels make far more sense. I much prefer them, anyway.”

“And that’s what matters,” said Chiara. “It is your wedding, we will just go along with what you want. Don’t mind us.”

“Mind me!” Tonks blurted out. “I definitely want some kind of say in what I wear. What if it doesn’t suit me?”

Penny giggled. “You can suit anything, Tonks. You’re a Metamorphmagus.”

“Yeah, but-”

“I’m going to go looking at options with Andre next weekend, but I think I know what style I want for you,” Penny continued. “Probably mid-length, strapless-”

Artemis wrinkled her nose. “Won’t the dresses fall down if they haven’t got any straps?”

“- with a little bit of tulle under the skirt to give it some sort of shape. And then you all will have little bouquets of daisies to carry, because daisies are my favourite flowers.”

Tonks looked across the table at Jae, who appeared to have fallen asleep with his eyes open. “What’s your favourite type of flower, Jae?”

Jae puffed out his cheeks and exhaled before answering:

“Probably self-raising.”

The rest of the guests chuckled, and Chiara shook her head, her pale eyes rolling and lips twitching gently. 

“Will you have a daisy bouquet, too?” she asked Penny, who nodded emphatically.

“Yes, but mine will be bigger, because I am the bride.”

“Really?”  Tonks’ eyes widened in faux-surprise. “You should’ve said something before.” She winced as Artemis kicked her under the table. “Ow! What was that for?”

“And I want my dress to have daisies on, too. Maybe little ones embroidered on it or lace with a daisy pattern. I’m not quite sure yet, but I definitely want it to be white,” Penny sighed. “I know it’s a bit dishonest, but I have always wanted a white wedding ever since I was a little girl, and I don’t see why I shouldn’t have one just because of one very small technical detail. After all, it’s 1995. No one is actually a virgin anymore.”

Lewis Parkin, who Artemis had yet to hear utter a single word all evening, looked at his new fiancée and blinked slowly, his expression one of mingled endearment and exasperation. Across the table from him, Kingsley was paying close attention to his glass, whilst Chester shuffled slightly in the chair next to him.

“Anyway,” he said loudly, reaching across the table to pick up his glass of red wine, “I was hoping that now everyone is here again, we might toast the birthday girl.”

Everyone else hurried to pick up or charge their own glasses, except for Artemis. Once the full wine glasses were all held aloft, Chester spoke once more.

“Not only is it Artemis’ birthday today, but earlier this week she received an incredible job offer.”

“Oh, Artemis, that really is wonderful news,” said Penny, beaming from ear to ear. “What job is it? Curse-Breaking?”

“Personal secretary to the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports,” Chester informed everyone, and Penny’s blue eyes and mouth formed perfect circles. “Which is rather impressive, considering that she is only twenty-two, and didn’t even apply. He selected her personally.” Artemis tried and failed to not roll her eyes at Chester’s proud tone. “Then again, she is always impressive. So, here’s to Artemis.”

“To Tiny,” said Kingsley, with a nod in Artemis’ direction.

“To Artemis,” the others chorused. They all  lifted their glasses and sipped their wine, except for Tonks, who winked theatrically at Artemis.

“To enabling a man’s gambling addiction until he offers you a prestigious job role,” she said, before taking such a large gulp of her drink that she half-emptied her glass. Artemis laughed.

“I mean, it wasn’t just that,” she explained. “Fine, maybe it’s a bit of that, but also it’s because he was really happy with the dragon challenge. Said it was the best entertainment he’s had for a long time, much better than the lake challenge, because no one could actually see anything that was going on.”

“Ten points to Artemis, none to Thomasina Thistlethwaite,” said Tonks, and she held out her palm for Artemis to high-five, which she did. “A win on all counts.”

“When do you start?” Chiara asked, and Artemis shrugged.

“Not sure. I haven’t actually taken it yet.”

“Why not?” Penny frowned. “Does it not pay very well?”

“It does, I just… I haven’t made up my mind yet, that’s all.”

“There’s no rush,” said Chester. “Ludo doesn’t need an answer until after the final challenge, so there’s plenty of time to think it through properly and make up your mind based on the other options available.” He took a sip of red wine and rested his arm on the back of Artemis’ chair. “I think you will probably end up going for this one, though.”

Artemis laughed. “You do, do you?”

“Absolutely. This is an excellent opportunity and a strategic career move. Plus, I doubt that any other position will give you as much money or stability.”

“I dunno how much stability it will give me,” said Artemis. “I mean, this is Ludo Bagman we’re talking about.”

“True, but there are far worse people to have as your boss. Trust me, I know,” Chester said darkly. “I spent my first three and a half years at the Ministry working for Dolores Umbridge.”

A collective groan of sympathy and disgust echoed around the table. Kingsley shook his head and shuddered, and next to Artemis, Tonks stiffened in her chair. She looked nervously between Penny and Chiara, the latter of whom’s face a passive mask, but her already pale knuckles had whitened as she tightened her grip on Jae’s hand. Artemis’ eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to change the subject, but before she could say anything, Lewis Parkin spoke for the first time that evening.

“Umbridge…” he repeated. “For why do I ken that name?”

“She’s the one pushing the new lycanthropy bill,” said Chester. “If she gets her way, all werewolves will need to declare their condition so that people know about it when they’re hiring someone for a job or considering renting a property to them.”

“It’ll never happen,” Jae half-scoffed. Though his voice held no tension, his jaw jutted slightly. Chester did not seem to notice this, for he tilted his head one way and then the other and continued:

“I think it might, actually. Umbridge is awful, but she is also very shrewd, and she’s picked her timing well, given what happened at the World Cup-”

“Those weren’t werewolves, though,” said Artemis. Next to her, she could feel Tonks bristling. “You can’t take what-”

“I’m not taking anything. I’m just saying that it’s a clever move, politically speaking.” Artemis glared at Chester, and he sighed. “Consider it. Last summer it got out that a werewolf had been teaching at Hogwarts, living at the school with people’s children all year, and no one knew about it. Then, at the World Cup, all these maniacs in masks start coming out of the woodwork, and we can only speculate as to who was underneath those masks. You can see why now more than ever, people may be interested in having legislation that gives them the right to know exactly who’s living next door to them. I’m not saying that it’s the correct course of action, but-”

“It sounds like you are.” 

“I’m not, Artemis. I’m just playing Devil’s Advocate, that’s all,” Chester told her, and he placed his hand on her knee and squeezed gently. “People who are scared will do all sorts of things if it makes them feel secure, and right now, lots of people are scared.”

There was no point in trying to argue, but Artemis was not placated. She crossed her arms over her chest and glowered sullenly at her wine glass. A tense sort of hush had fallen over the table, one which was broken by the sound of Kingsley’s low, gentle chuckle.

“You know what I’ve been scared about recently?” he asked, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “Who would be cooking this evening. The last time I was invited here for dinner, I was served beans on toast.”

Almost everyone let out laughs that were as much relieved as they were amused. Artemis shook her head.

“It wasn’t just beans,” she corrected Kingsley. “I grated cheese, too.”

“Of course, how could I forget? I also recall being offered a mixture of red and white wine to drink.”

“Red and white mixed?” Jae’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s almost criminal, Hex.”

“In my defence, I was very young and I didn’t know anything about wine at the time. I still don’t, really.”

“Right,” Jae grinned. “And what about your cooking? Do you know more about that now, or are you still limited to a diet of ‘things on toast’?”

“Actually,” said Artemis, sitting up straight in her seat and raising her chin, “I’ll have you know that I can make four different types of potatoes now.”

Jae clapped his hands three times slowly before reaching for his glass and raising it.

“Always impressive,” he said drily. “Forget birthdays and job offers, this is the sort of thing we should be drinking to.”

Artemis pulled a face, but she still picked up her own glass.

“To potatoes,” she said as she raised it to Jae.

“To never letting you cook for me.”

“We can all drink to that,” Tonks said, and she finished the second half of her wine in one gulp. 

The rest of the group laughed and toasted again, and this time, Artemis joined them, giggling as she finished her glass of the expensive red wine. It was probably quite good, but as she still did not know much about wine, it could just as well have been Tonks’ favourite pink one.

The rest of the night passed without further political discussion or tension, with the guests preferring to talk about less potentially controversial topics. It was not until the very end of the night, after Penny and Lewis had already left and Tonks had fallen asleep on the sofa, that the topic of the Ministry’s werewolf reforms came up again.

“I’m really sorry about earlier,” Artemis said as she bade Chiara and Jae goodnight at the front door. “Chester would never have brought up the werewolf stuff if he had known…”

Chiara shook her head and smiled sadly. 

“It’s okay, Artemis. I’m used to it,” she told her. “It’s really not a problem, he was only talking about the new laws they’re passing.”

“It’s just a vote. They haven’t been passed yet.”

“And they won’t be,” Jae said stubbornly.

“Actually, they probably will.” Chiara sighed. “Chester’s right. Umbridge and her supporters, they’ve really picked their moment. Everyone has been so afraid since the Dark Mark went up at the World Cup. People are terrified about what that might mean for the future. It’s easier for the Ministry to distract everyone by scapegoating werewolves, so that’s what they’ll do.”

“They won’t.”

“Yes, they will, Jae.”

“What does that mean for you?” Artemis asked, her eyebrows furrowing deeply. “Will you have to put your name on this list?”

“Probably.” Chiara’s front teeth grazed her lower lip. “My landlord would almost definitely kick me out of my flat, though. And I’m not sure that St Mungo’s would want me working there if they knew, either.”

“Hardly anybody knows about you,” said Jae. “You could lie and get away with it.”

“Maybe, but then if I get found out, it won’t just be St Mungo’s that I’d lose out on. Breaking the law like that, I could lose my license to work as a Healer altogether.”

“But you’ve just worked so hard to finish the training. You’re so good at Healing.” Artemis shook her head. “That’s not fair!”

“It isn’t. But then, neither are so many things,” said Chiara sadly. She blinked before smiling again. “Don’t listen to me. I’m just scared. And maybe Jae’s right. Maybe it won’t pass, who knows?”

But the look in her eerily pale blue eyes made it clear that she knew exactly what would come to pass. Artemis watched her and Jae walk away down the darkened street and returned to the kitchen feeling far less carefree than she had left it. She barely noticed the earnest tone of Chester’s voice or the wrinkles in Kingsley’s forehead as the two men talked quietly by the sink until they saw her enter and immediately fell silent.

“You look worried, Tiny,” said Kingsley. The very sound of his deep and melodious voice made Artemis feel less worried, and she shrugged. “Sickle for your thoughts?”

“Nothing I think is worth as much as a Sickle,” she told him with a wry smile.

“I couldn’t disagree more.”

“Would you like to stay for one more drink, Mr Shacklebolt?” Chester asked, but Kingsley shook his head.

“As much fun as this has been, I think I have had far too much to drink as it is. I’m too old not to suffer for my evening’s fun in the morning these days,” he chuckled. “I think I’ll leave you two young people to continue your conversations without me. I’ll see myself out.”

He shook Chester’s hand and hugged Artemis, who rose onto her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. Once he had left, she looked around the kitchen.

“Did you clean as well as cook?” she asked Chester, who laughed.

“Why do you sound so surprised?” 

“I’m not, I just… Thanks. This was all really kind of you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s your birthday, Artemis,” said Chester. “And I had Kingsley to help with the cleaning.”

“Right,” Artemis nodded. “You sounded like you were getting along well.”

“We always get along well.”

“That’s not... What were you two talking about?”

“Nothing substantial. Work, mainly. Very boring stuff.”

“How true,” Artemis grinned mischievously, her head tilted to one side. Chester sighed and shook his head before stepping towards her.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, quietly. “And I think that maybe we should live together.”

Artemis blinked. “Where?”

“Wherever you prefer. I could move in here with you, or you could join me in my overpriced flat. Or we could find somewhere new together. Maybe in Cardiff, it’s cheaper than London and closer to home.”

“But London is your home.”

“I mean home as in where I grew up. Portmeirion.”

“Oh, right,” Artemis said. She nodded, but frowned at the same time. “What about Tonks?”

Chester laughed out loud. “What about Tonks?”

“She’d be here all alone.”

“Tonks is a big girl, Artemis. She will cope with living alone. Or she could find a new housemate. Someone you can actually charge rent to,” Chester suggested. He raised one eyebrow. “Well? What do you think?”

Artemis did not really know what to think. The house she had grown up in had always been dark and dingy, a house rather than a home, and she co-owned it with the brother she no longer wanted anything to do with. Her choice to move back eighteen months previously had been one made out of necessity rather than desire; after leaving school she had sworn that she would never live there again. She should have been jumping at the chance to leave. The problem was that leaving the house now meant leaving Tonks, abandoning her there the way she had been abandoned as a little girl and left largely to fend for herself.

But Tonks was not a little girl, like Chester said, and perhaps she would not have to be by herself at all. She could live here with someone else, and Artemis knew who might want to do just that. After all, right now, Chiara was scared, and scared people needed to feel secure. And if Artemis could do something to give her that security, she would do it in a heartbeat.

So, she decided to ignore the small voice in the back of her head that was telling her that she wasn’t ready, that she was also scared, and nodded.

“I think it’s a good idea,” she told Chester. “Yeah, we should do that.”

Chester smiled, and kissed her gently. 

“Excellent,” he whispered. “It’s late. Shall we go to bed?”

“You go. I’ll be up in a minute.”

Once Chester had gone upstairs, Artemis opened the door to let Fergus in from the back garden, conjured a blanket to place over the sleeping Tonks, and extinguished the candles that were still flickering on the table. Without them, the house seemed darker than ever, so dark that she could not even see where she was at all. She could have been anywhere in the world, and yet she was here. Still here.

Maybe that little voice had been wrong, she thought, as she padded upstairs. Maybe she really was ready to leave.

[aegor-bamfsteel]

Following on from the Maester question, any thoughts on Qyburn, Vyman and Colemon?

I’m surprised that anybody was interested in those headcanons. Glad you liked them!

Colemon is described as “young” by Pycelle and Lady Anya, but he’s also balding. He was also serving Jon Arryn for some time before his death, which makes me think he’s older than 25ish Pylos/Willamen Frey; so maybe he’s mid 30s. I’ll say he’s a Stormlander of some notable birth, maybe to a lordly house

I don’t have any evidence for the Stormlander other than Colemon sounds like Cole or even Colen (knight of Greenpools). As for the notable birth, well, Pycelle was somewhat close to him (saying he’s like a son) and it definitely wasn’t because of his natural skill at healing. Yet somehow, despite his noted youth and inexperience, he’s Maester to the second most important man in the realm. He must’ve had amazing references, and I’m guessing since they’re not skill-based, they’re family based

Stormlander noblemen are noted for their martial prowess. Coleman grew up with many tall (which he also is) warlike older brothers. He went to the Citadel as a teen after showing little skill at arms, and inadvertently after the Rebellion broke out was one of the few novices of “rebel” houses in the royalist hotbed Oldtown, causing him to dislike his time there

Took the same crash courses that the young Maesters do with medicine, ravencraft, history, and economy. He immersed himself in all the key texts, but was less efficient practically. Had difficulty passing the exams due to nervousness, as well as little faith in defending his own ideas (instead citing the works of others)

Pycelle took note of him due to his family name and that he’d quoted many of his own writings on economy during his exam. Seeing him as an intelligent but unimaginative follower, he was involved with conclave assigning Colemon to Jon Arryn when his old maester passed away, about 4 years before canon

Headcanons on Vyman and Qyburn under the cut:

Vyman is described as “old with lined hands”, so I’ll say he’s from the same generation as Pycelle/Cressen, in his late 70s. I’ll say he’s from the Vale originally, and maybe of decently distinguished birth

I say the Vale because the most characterization we get out of him is when he shows Cat the letter that Bran and Rickon are dead first thing in the morning, which she notes as “dutiful but not kind” as well as continuing to serve Emmon Frey with Riverrun’s surrender. That characterization sort of feels right for the Vale, who in fandom are stereotyped as proper/sticklers for the rules, as well as being mostly neutral in the wars thus far. As for the high birth, he carries himself with confidence, shutting Catelyn’s questions down with a “I was commanded not to speak to you”, whereas maybe a less confident person would’ve cracked under the interrogation

Studied at the Citadel for a long time, as it seems he was already an older man by the time he replaced Maester Kym at Riverrun. Most of his links were in the practical subjects such as ravencraft, economy, and above all medicine

Qyburn is noticeably younger than Pycelle, with hair more gray than white, and still tall and strong. I’ll put him as a contemporary of the also gray-haired Luwin, in his mid 60s. Because he’s such a foil to Pycelle as the Lannister-aligned Maester on the Small Council—even doing the same ostentatious dress routine once he gets the money—I’ll give him the similar backstory of from around the Oldtown area and possibly a foundling

I think it’s pretty obvious that as someone trying to ingratiate himself with the Lannisters, and traveling with an extremely brutal mercenary company in shabby clothing, that Qyburn had no “safety net” of a wealthy family on which to rely. Thus him being dechained and ejected from the Citadel was throwing him from the only life he’d known, and he resents the “gray sheep” for their narrow views. Nor does he know the Lannister situation well to bring Pia to Jaime, so I don’t think he’s from the Westerlands. I like the idea of him being from the Blackcrown area because it’s close enough to Oldtown but not in the city proper, the legendary founder of House Bulwer was said to get extremely strong drinking bull’s blood (Robert Strong parallels here), there’s the singing cliffs with its wind whistles off the twisted towers (Qyburn’s fascination with ghosts here), plus the maester is a cousin of the Tyrells.

Also GRRM likes to use young kids tormenting animals as a sign of evil (see: Maegor, Joffrey, Aerion), so I can just imagine kid!Qyburn living in a fishing village, utterly fascinated by the fact that sea cucumbers can eviscerate themselves when seriously threatened—literally eject their intestines at their pursuer—and still grow it all back after a few months. It makes sense for his first experiments to be on living animals before he “graduated” to the humans that eventually got him dechained

He studied primarily under Ebrose (healing) as per canon, and Marwyn (magic). He assisted Ebrose with gathering accounts of men suffering from Sothoryi diseases, but he grew impatient with just learning from texts and corpses, eventually deciding the maester was holding back progress by refusing to vivisect the patients. Marwyn he respected more, as he didn’t discount his stranger ideas about the residue of souls, wasn’t afraid to consort with strange Essosi sorcerers and hedge witches, nor did he respect the hard rules of the Citadel. He was sometimes joined in lectures by Luwin, also a student of magic, though Luwin quickly became skeptical and disliked Qyburn’s “ingratiating” attitude

It was through Marwyn’s fellowships at the docks that Qyburn signed on with the Brave Companions as the Maester, which back then was mostly Essosi. Part of being a sellsword meant he had to learn basic combat skills, and used a polearm due to its long reach. Needless to say, he also doubled as the company torturer

Thanks for being interested!