#editing's for losers. I'll do it later

[captainschaos]

The third session ticks into play, and it's just Etho and Skizz at the Team T.I.E.S. base. They move around one another mostly in silence, organizing chests, gearing up for the day. To most, this would be awkward, uncomfortable. But these two know one another well, and know one another by looks across tables and peripheral guards on battlefields. Their comfort is shown not in chatter, but in resources wordlessly passed from one of them to the other. Small gifts, appreciated by the fae that counts all hindrances and slights. Small kindnesses, appreciated by the reaper that cannot get enough of the warm moments of life.

But quickly, of course, they are joined by their T and I, and camaraderie comes easy in the chatter! Jokes and jabs, stories and snickers, friendship is thick between words that flow freely. They share what Impulse and Tango brought from the nether, and plans are fully formulated for the week now that they're all together. But behind it all, there is a sound the most pleasant of noise can't drown out.

The ticking of the clock continues.

They all split off to their business quickly to make the most of their quickly draining countdowns, and Skizz finds his in the sky. Skizz's clock is the loudest, his pull toward death the strongest, and he knows it well. The reaper's wings may not keep him safe as he begins to build SkyNet below his own feet, the pure white feathers thinned and clipped by this world that doesn't allow flight (an unfair advantage, particularly for a fighter of his caliber), but they bring him a sense of security anyway. A reminder, if nothing else, that he was made for this. He looks over the server with drained, yellowed eyes, and for just a moment he can hear every heartbeat in time with the persistent ticking. The reaper's senses remain with him, not enough to be unfair, but to keep him confident. He knows death. He does not fear it.

Well, until he takes a stupid fall to his stupid death. It was just one second, just one distraction as his foot slipped- it doesn't matter. He drags himself back from spawn, frowning and screaming his frenzied frustrations as Tango and Impulse laugh at his literal slip up. But he knows they're not really laughing, and they know he's not really angry. Not at them, at least. But he feels his time running out, and he feels the desperation beginning to well up. His yellowed time is beginning to rust toward red, and it rubs against the back of his throat. Impulse warns him that he has to look out, and he knows. Trust him, he knows.

(Down below, a different warning is uttered. Tango pokes at Etho as he passes the man by, giving a passing comment about thieves at the mob farm. Etho nods, and later, when the phoenix returns to find him standing with a red-handed Bdubs, he gives a quiet signal with a half-joke. A quip about killing Tango last, disguising acknowledgement that he's got his head in the right place. They don't have time to kill- it's come time to kill.)

They meet in the middle for a moment, a sweet moment. Etho is tired, his hands fumbling with the crafting materials and his mind jumbling the recipe. He tosses the materials toward Skizz, the reaper in need of his teammate's confidence and in need of his own, and a trade is made. Both spirits are boosted as Etho is allowed to let Skizz be the competent one for a second, and Skizz catches the knowing look Etho gives him as he's given this chance to prove himself useful, if mostly to himself. They give each other a smile before parting ways again.

Clock back in.

(Up above, a different threat is woven. Impulse passes Skizz on SkyNet, taking a handful of TNT from him. He makes no response to Skizz's questions, but his knowing look and barely-suppressed smile says it all. And he steps back, an acknowledgement that his head's in the right place. The reaper will help the demon with his silence. They are on the same timeline- time to kill.)

They're all milling about like ants at work, and Etho feels even more ant-like as he finds his work below ground. He watches his clock closely, his elevated senses twitching with every tick. No matter how far he is from death, he can never be far enough for comfort. So it's a boring task, threatening death by boredom for a chaotic soul like him, but the protection of diamonds is simply too powerful to ignore. His tail flicks back and forth, and though his connection to the world is different in this place that careens so quickly toward death, the fae is still grateful for the small hints he gets from his surroundings. Even if they don't lead him toward diamonds, they are a reassurance, the tremor of mob footsteps and shifting stone a comfort. He hears death. He does not fear it.

Well. Until his stupid death lands on top of him with a stupid fall. It was just one second, he didn't have time to dodge- it doesn't matter. Now all he can do is hear his death with the painful blast, and the even more painful taunting at spawn. He is silent against the noise around him as he steps into the water to escape the laughter, Tango and Impulse among the loudest of them. But they're not really laughing, and he's not really mad. At them. And yet there is an anger that he continues to carefully listen to within him, and it's getting louder. It's all he can do to keep it at a whisper as he tells the silent, watching Grian that the time to kill is near. And he knows what he'll do with it.

Trust him, he knows.

[There will be one of these for each week! This is 3/?]

First // Previous // Next

[caesium-55]

—seven days [ epilogue ]

pairing: max verstappen x manager! reader

summary: as the third time world champion, max verstappen's manager, you function on the belief that whatever max verstappen wanted, max verstappen shall get. but this time, after four years of working as his manager, you can't give him what he wants anymore and that was to stay.

warnings: mentions of death and suicide.

author's note: here's the epilogue and the end end of the seven days series. thank you everyone for showing love to this fic! i was honestly so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of all of you. also, i apologize for all the broken hearts i caused after posting chapters 4-7. stay safe yall! i'll rest my fingers for real now. my doctor wasn't very happy with me. NOT BETA READ. NOT EDITED.

tags: @whatamidoingwithmylife-ramdom @eugene-emt-roe @bellezaycafe @barnestatic @theseerbetweenus @wcnorris @notyouraveragemochii @lpab @vildetry06 @a-beaverhausen @formula1mount @loloekie @alucardsdaddyissues @juky-ps @cassianswh0reeee @devotedlycrookeddonut @amberpanda99 @supermaxv1 @evie-119 @spideylovin @harianaswhore @formulaal @landorris @onecojg @leclercdream @vicurious28 @c-losur3 @spookystitchery @0710khj @strollnstroll @justab-eautifulmess @ssrcsm @seasonswinter @kravitzwhore @mycure156 i hope i didn't forget anyone

masterlist.

Julio [Name] was not an ambitious person. He didn't have dreams or concrete plans in life. But in 1985, his first dream was born. He wanted to be an F1 racer after reading about the Portuguese Grand Prix in a local newspaper where he saw a Brazilian racer even younger than him participate in it and winning it. Ayrton Senna was the racer’s name, twenty-five years old. At that time, Julio [Name] was the same age.

He immediately searched for the nearest karting track. He brought his then girlfriend, Sally Kingston, a dental student in USC, to the kart zone for their date. It was safe to say that driving was not exactly his forte. He crashed his rental kart and had to pay the damages. He was afraid that he made himself a loser in front of the Sally Kingston, the richest, prettiest, and nicest girl from L.A., and that she wouldn't wanna go out with a bumpkin like him anymore, but she had only laughed at him—her eyes turning into little crescents, showing too much teeth and gums—and from then and there, he knows he’s going to marry Sally Kingston one day. He might not have become a F1 driver, but he ended up marrying the girl of his dreams.

Him and Sally welcomed a son in 1991. They named him Damiano and he turned out to be a carbon copy of his beloved wife, not that Julio was complaining. When Damiano turned five, Julio brought him in the kart zone and let him try driving the kart. Damiano adored it so Julio signed him up for racing school. Three weekends later, Damiano got sick of driving around in circles so he stopped. Sally gave birth to a daughter in the same year—1996.

Five years later, he brings [Name], his mija, into the kart zone. He expected that you’ll be like Damiano, too, getting sick of the thing after three weekends or so. You didn't. You loved karting and going fast, almost dangerously so. You lasted five weekends so Julio signed you up for the kart zone’s junior racing school and you were their first female member. You won your first race when you were six, only seven months after you officially joined.

“She was born to race,” the team head told Julio. Julio then decided that he’d do whatever it takes so you could become a F1 driver.

Like his initial dream, his dream for you couldn't be brought to reality. When you were nine, you had to stop karting for financial reasons. Damiano was in high school, Rafael had leukemia, and Dominic had just been born. When Julio told you the news, you were sad but you understood why the decision was made so you never complained. You learned how to play billiards instead and your Abuelo was the one who taught you. It's cheaper than karting so Sally and Julio gave you their full support.

Julio [Name] was pleasantly surprised when you told him that you got accepted in USC’s engineering department years later. He half expected that you’d be like Damiano, who took an interest in dentistry, and was attending dental school. He was going to be a dentist like his mother. He was a perfect copy of Sally.

“If I can't be a racer, I’ll become a mechanical engineer,” you declared, head held high. Julio couldn't be anymore proud. You were living his dream.

If you asked Julio [Name] if he had lived a happy life despite not reaching his dreams, he would say yes without hesitation. He married the love of his life, Sally Kingston, now Sally [Last Name]. His first son, Damiano, had topped dental school and followed in his mother’s footsteps. His daughter, [Name], graduated with flying colors, a mechanical engineering degree under her belt and entered the motorsports industry, the first in the family to do so. (You even got him Fernando Alonso’s autograph! That's his second favorite driver!) Not only that, she volunteered at the LAFD during her college years and competed in a billiards tournament in Vegas, Australia, and the UK. You had the potential to be an international-level pool player but you didn't pursue the sport because you wanted to be an engineer. Rafael didn't let leukemia beat him and now, he’s finishing up his last year in CalTech, pursuing mechanical engineering like his older sister. A research team in Sweden had been eyeing him for a while now. Dominic, on the other hand, is steadily building a career for himself in volleyball. He was offered a sports scholarship in Harvard so, despite the fact that he’s going even farther than his siblings with no relatives near him like in L.A., Julio pushed him to pursue what he wanted. His children are his pride and joy. He spent every single day bragging about his children to his colleagues. The others had expressed their envy to him. Did Julio save a country in his last life to have such great children?

Furthermore, he’d been promoted to be the captain of Station 131 in Austin. Julio may not have driven an F1 car but he wouldn't even trade this family over anything in this world, not even the life of luxury and thrill of a Formula One Driver.

(What Julio didn't know was that Damiano had serious depression in dental school that he carried even after graduating, that you weren't accepted as an engineer in F1 and was stuck in a managerial position for the last five years, that Sweden found a better researcher than Rafael so he’s stuck suffering physically and mentally in a degree with his future unclear and cloudy, and Dominic was slowly losing passion in volleyball but it's the only thing putting him through college right now so he grits his teeth and put himself on court. No one told Julio. Julio got enough of his dreams broken already.)

Truthfully, despite working for Red Bull for half a decade, you never liked its taste. You were always the Monster Energy type of girl. It's the one drink that kept you functioning through all the all-nighters you pulled in engineering school. However, you kind of lost the palate for Monster Energy so now, here you are, standing outside a gas station mini mart in the middle of the dusty highway that leads to El Paso. You hold the chilled can of Red Bull against the side of your neck, satisfied with the feeling of something cool pressing against your skin. The temperature in Texas is going absolutely crazy this time of the year. In your other hand, two cigarette sticks balance in between your fingers. You crave the deadly nicotine. Desperately. But you're not stupid enough to smoke at a gas station because of your cravings.

Your phone vibrates and you pull it out of your pocket to see who messaged you. You snicker when you view the barrage of pictures from the Austin Grand Prix that Leo sent. A stolen shot of Logan, meme faces of Alex, the air show, a selfie with THE Fernando Alonso, and a Tiktok video with the other Williams mechanics.

You watched the race from the stands today and truthfully, you prefer watching the race in the garage than on the stands. It's unbelievably boring to be there. People pay thousands of dollars to sit under the excruciating heat of the sun and catch a glimpse of very fast cars for a nanosecond. You wouldn't even catch sight of if you blink. Nevertheless, you're happy that Leo is having the time of his life. You wish you share the same shoes.

leo: so so sad that u have to go

you: id be flattered if u actually mean it

leo: *rolling eyes emoji*

leo: i hope you choke on your beer

you: i hope you choke on the celebratory champagne

you: and i dont drink and drive

leo: good to know ur not stupid

leo: on a serious note make sure to drive to el paso safely

you: aight aight

leo: u know i have something to confess

you: if it's something stupid, don't bother

leo: ur stupid

you: fuck u

leo: shut up

leo: just wanna say i didn't break up with u bc u gave max too much attention

leo: i know that's what i said but i only said that bc i knew that u needed max to achieve ur dreams

leo: and idk i just thought max wouldn't give it to u not when im still dating u

you: that's stupid

you: max isn't like that

leo: hes in love with u

Your heart stutters. You ignore it.

you: liar

leo: i could tell u lil shit

leo: idk he looked like someone who’d hold a grudge

you: he does hold grudges

leo: and i cant allow myself to stand in between you and the one person who can give you your dream you know?

leo: i loved you enough to let you go to him

You choke on your saliva. You don't love Leo romantically anymore and you are sure that the feelings are mutual but his abrupt confession is enough to bring back the pain of loving him and letting him go all over again.

leo: u sure u won’t stay to see him?

leo: he’s the one who wants to see you the most

you: his ig messages makes me think otherwise

You're a fucking coward. A pussy.

leo: you didn't see the man [name]

leo: you don't know how empty he looks now

A shadow of guilt darkens your eyes. You quickly shove your phone into the pocket of your jacket. You open the Red Bull and take a large swig, almost draining the entire can. You exhale loudly after drinking, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. You stare at the vast expanse of the dry earth before you, starting to understand the appeal of aimless road trips in the southern roads.

The world seems to be turning in slow motion now.

Ever since your father died, time feels like it was moving too fast. You arrived at the hospital half an hour after Julio was officially pronounced dead. At that time, you felt like the world was ending. Your knees gave out in the middle of the hospital hallway. Your mother’s wail echoed in your ears. Damiano and Dominic were trying to console her, both of whom were crying terribly. You stare at them, face empty despite the hurricane brewing within you. Rafael wrapped his arms around you and you held onto him as he cried uncontrollably.

Your mother possessed a weak heart. She’d grown weaker and weaker day by day after your father passed. Your father’s station held a ceremony for him to pay tribute to their fallen captain. You were the one who carried his helmet all throughout the ceremony because the entire station knew you were his most prized child. When you flipped the helmet, there was a photo taped on it. A photo of the entire family at your graduation ceremony in USC. You maintained that tired and empty stare during the entire procession. In the middle of the ceremony, your mother collapsed.

Your father’s death was the first domino to be tipped. Your mother’s collapse during the funeral was the second. From then on, everything turned to shit. Your mother had always been frail and prone to sickness so it didn’t surprise you when she had grown so weak in a matter of days. She couldn't sleep. She didn't want to eat. She lost her will to do anything else. You took her to the hospital after a week because you were afraid she was beginning to become malnourished. Damiano suggested moving your mother to El Paso, to your Abuelo and Abuela’s farm, so your mother could recuperate there, and you agreed. The entire family moved to El Paso quickly, leaving the house in Vista Del Pueblo empty and celebrated the New Year there.

You opened your phone for the first time since you landed in ATX on the 30th and a barrage of messages had been sent to you. From Daniel, Logan, Leo, Kendall, Julia. You freeze when you see Max’s name. Your finger hovers above it, hesitating. Your mind trailed back to the five years you spent in Red Bull, to all the memories with Max in it, to what happened inside his penthouse in Monaco, the jet, the night you spent in his sheets, the shoes and—

Fuck.

“Kelly,” you mumbled to yourself, typing her username in the search box. You began typing up a message. You're not mentally equipped to write a long message of apology. Your mental dictionary was not ready to use so you decided to half ass the entire message and hope for the best.

you: sorry about the breakup

you: i didn't know about the shoes

you: i didn't take it

you: im so sorry

you: i hope you're not too hurt

In truth, you loved Kelly for Max. You never had problems with her. At first, you were concerned about the great age gap between her and Max as she was even older than Danny but then you figured that you did not have a say because Leo was also younger than you, born in the same year as Max. Then, you saw how she was so caring to Max, so patient in dealing with his misplaced anger, so supportive. You saw how Max transformed into a better version of himself, something you are not even capable of doing, because of Penelope and Kelly. How he became the world's most massive girl dad without trying. You ignored every bitter feeling that sprouted on your chest because you saw Max was happy and his happiness always came first. And now, you’re here, apologizing to Kelly for taking Max away from her.

kelly: i think i’m the one who’s been taking him from you

kelly: take care of him for me

you: thank you for loving him

You can't imagine how hurt Kelly was. Imagine dating and preparing a man so he could be perfect for another girl.

you: but i can’t do what you're asking

you: not anymore

“Not anymore,” you whisper to yourself, as if uttering it to the wind would cement it as the truth.

Not anymore, Max. I’m sorry.

Rafael and Dominic told you that they want to drop out of college to help you out with Mama a few days after New Year’s. You quickly told them no, to finish college and that you could handle taking care of two senior citizens and your sickly mother and help out on the farm since you’re essentially jobless at the moment.

The third domino is Damiano. You were always aware he’d been clinically depressed, taking medications to help him get better. Whatever he went through in dental school, he carried it with him until he was working. You believed he was getting better. He was seeing a therapist for years now and you were checking up on him every day. Then, like Mama, he just…. became worse. Rafael found him submerged in the bathtub in his apartment, red painting his wrists. Had Rafael not been there at the right time, Damiano would have followed Papa Julio.

The fourth domino is Dominic. He ruined his hand in March. The doctor told him it was dangerous for him to continue playing volleyball competitively. It was either he learned how to set with only his non-dominant hand because his dominant hand is partially crippled or he stopped playing all together. He’d choose the second option with no hesitation as he had lost his passion for the sport but if he’s not playing for Harvard anymore, no one would be able to pay his fees until graduation. Not when Julio died, not when Sally was too sick to continue working, not when Damiano was currently unstable, not when you’re the only one who had been supporting the entire family through your entire savings account. Red Bull must have paid you a lot of money because you’ve been keeping the entire family afloat for months now.

The fifth domino is Rafael, who got his entire thesis overhauled so now, his graduation was out of the picture. It sucked. He’d always been expected to follow his older siblings’ footsteps, both of whom are academically excelling individuals and Rafael had been studying and studying and studying. So why was this happening to him? Why was this happening to his family?

The sixth domino was yet to be tipped over.

You refuse to fall.

You blink, suddenly back in reality when you hear a loud caw of a bird flying above your head. You shake your head, tossing the Red Bull in a nearby trash can and returning inside the mini mart. The amount of caffeine in a Red Bull isn’t enough. You need more. You need fucking coffee.

Gas station coffee sucks but you’re never the type who complains. El Paso is still eight hours away and you’re sure you're going to be driving your motorcycle the entire night just to reach the farm the next morning.

You walked towards the Yamaha XSR 155 parked in front of the mini-mart, a styro cup of coffee that’s as black as your soul and as bitter as your life in your hand. Hypnotizing swirls of steam rise from the cup. In each step you take, the key that is attached to your hip jingles.

It's a little past four in the afternoon but the darkness of the sky makes you think it's around six PM. You pocket your cigarettes and stand beside your motorcycle, hand on your hip while the other brings the cup of coffee to your mouth. A car suddenly arrives, coming to a screeching halt in front of you. You flinch in surprise, almost spilling your coffee in your hands. You hiss loudly, brows furrowing, a curse sitting on the tip of your tongue. You hear the sound of a car door opening and slamming shut and when you look up—

“Max.”

He’s still in his Red Bull overalls, drenched in sweat as if he ran to the gas station instead of driving. His hair is windswept, sticking out in multiple directions almost attractively so. He looks simultaneously distraught and relieved when your eyes met. The longing in his eyes. God. You unconsciously take a step back and turn around—a flight response—when he charges in your direction.

A strong pair of arms wrap around you from behind, stopping you from your tracks and causing your coffee to spill and fall down pathetically on the floor. You avoided the puddle, hands reaching behind you to guide Max away from the steaming liquid. But it’s too late. You saw the hot coffee touch his skin.

“Max!” you exclaim, eyes going wide. Your hand wraps around his forearm, pulling it but his grip on you tightens so you resort to tapping his arm in hopes that he’ll let go and you can inspect his injured hand and make a quick run for the mini mart for first-aid supplies.

“Max, let go,” you say, panicking. “Your hand—”

“Don’t leave,” his voice cracks.

“I won't go, okay? Let go and I’ll—”

“No,” the hug tightens and you suck in a breath. “You’ll leave again. I know you’ll leave again.”

“I’ll fix your hand. You can’t burn your hand—”

“I can endure it. Let me have this please,” he pleads. You pull his hand but Max remains stubborn. Resigned, you sigh. It turns out that you’re still the same, giving whatever Max wanted.

“I’m sorry for getting angry,” he begins. “I’m sorry for stopping you from going to Renault. I’m sorry for promising that I’d talk to Christian. I’m sorry that I didn't. I’m sorry that you had to break up with Leo because of me. I’m sorry that I realized that I fell in love with you while dating Kelly. I’m sorry for the shoes. I’m sorry for getting drunk. I’m sorry for being so selfish. I’m sorry for not considering you. I’m sorry for loving you. I’m so, so sorry, [Name]. For everything.”

His words come rapidly and frankly, you don't want to hear Max like this. Max rarely apologizes. You're not used to hearing him apologize.

“Max—”

“I called, [Name].”

You freeze.

“I called so many times. Not once have you answered. Not once—” a loud sob erupts from his mouth, interrupting him. “You always come when I call.”

You close your eyes, letting out a shaky breath.

“I sent you a message,” he continues. “To wait for me. I know I’m selfish but can I have five minutes please? Just….five?”

A pause.

“Okay,” you whisper. Max’s body trembles against yours and you stand still for a few minutes,

“Hey,” you say gently, suddenly reminded that you're standing in an open space and Max is still in his Red Bull overalls and he doesn't even have his usual cap on and this compromising situation you're both in was going to be bad for Max’s online reputation once the wrong pair of eyes manage to catch sight of you. You can already imagine what the headlines would be.

MAX VERSTAPPEN AND HIS FORMER MANAGER CAUGHT HUGGING IN A GASOLINE STATION AFTER AUSTIN GP.

MAX VERSTAPPEN AND FORMER RED BULL MANAGER IN A RELATIONSHIP?

FORMER RED BULL MANAGER POTENTIAL REASON FOR BREAKUP BETWEEN KELLY PIQUET AND MAX VERSTAPPEN?

MAX VERSTAPPEN CHEATED ON KELLY PIQUET WITH FORMER MANAGER?

MAX VERSTAPPEN, FULL-TIME WORLD TIME CHAMPION, PART-TIME CHEATING ASSHOLE.

God. You can already imagine the headache splitting the entire PR team’s skulls. The world already hates Max because of how good he was at his sport. You can’t allow people to shit on him more because of you.

“Max,” you try again, tapping his forearm so he can loosen his hold on you and you can turn around. “Max, baby, cooperate with me for a bit, yeah?”

You tug on his wrist and you can't help but sigh in relief when his arms loosen a little. He’s beginning to choke you a little bit. With his arms still around you, you pivot on your heels so you’re face-to-face with his broad chest.

When you look up to Max’s face, your heart shatters into a million pieces. His tears continue to flow and violent sobs wrack his entire body, robbing him of the ability to speak and barely allowing a breath to be drawn. He’s going to hyperventilate. Fucking dammit.

“Max,” how many times have you said his name in the last few minutes? “Hey, breathe with me.”

Your hand cradles his jaw and your eyes focused on his blue ones and fuck, they’re as insanely beautiful as you remembered.

“Breathe.”

You perform exaggerated inhales and exhales so Max can match your breaths, his hands settling on your shoulders. His palms feel heavy against your shoulders and his fingers dig deep into your skin.

“I’m here, Champ. I’m here,” you assure him. “I’m here now.”

You wait until he calms down a little and when he does, your right hand searches for his, intertwining your fingers together to assure him that you’re not going anywhere just yet. Your other hand comes up to hold the area below his neck and you slowly guide him back to his car. It’s a little difficult, Max obviously has no intention to let you go, but you know how to make things work.

Max sits on the driver's seat with you standing outside of the car. He's still clinging onto your hand and you use the other hand to hold the roof of the car for support. Max stopped crying now, staring blankly at you with a sad pout on his face. His tears are now dry, staining his cheeks.

“You okay now, Champ?” you ask, never failing to sound gentle. That's what Max needs now. Gentleness. God forbid you pull a Jos Verstappen.

Max shakes his hand, making you sigh deeply. Your eyes trail to the hands, the pale skin now an angry red.

“Max,” you call his attention. He looks up at you and you have to avoid his gaze because if you look at his face, your heart hurts. “I’ll get something from the mini-mart for your burn, aight?”

He shakes his head and his grip on your hand impossibly tightens. If he keeps this up, he’s going to break your bones.

“No.”

If you were the same person that you were in 2023, you would have let Max do what he wanted. What Max wanted, what Max shall get—that’s the philosophy you lived by. But things are different now. Leo told you that you’re allowing Max to take too much from you and Max needs to learn to actually listen to you.

You’ve been taught to treat even the most minor of burns as if it’s a major burn. That's what you are planning to do right now.

“Max,” you say, a little firmer now. “Gonna grab somethin’ in the mart real quick, you stay here, aight?”

“No—”

“Not askin’, Champ,” you interrupt him. “I'm not leavin’ yet, not goin’ anywhere until I make sure you’re okay. So stay here and wait.”

You swiftly remove the key attached to your belt and force it into his palm, “Here are my keys. I’m not goin’ to drive off and leave you here, aight? Do you trust me?”

You have a feeling that this anxiety of his might have stemmed from that one incident in his childhood where Jos left him at a gas station. Fucking son of a bitch that man was.

Hesitantly, Max says, “I do.”

“Good,” you ruffle his hair, dampening your palm.

You can see he does not like what you're doing now but he does not have any choice so he sits in the car, looking as pitiful as ever. You jog up to the mini-mart, immediately going to the beverage section to grab a bottle of water and passing by the hygiene shelf to snatch a handkerchief. You go to the counter and the middle aged guy manning the register obviously does not look impressed that you’re in his shop for the third time in the same hour, which is stupid because he should be glad that he has a customer. You put everything on the counter, pulling out some bills from your back pocket.

“You happen to have neosporin?” you ask.

“Do we look like a drug store?” he retorts. You roll your eyes, toss the bills to the cashier, and grab your items without even waiting for the guy to wrap them all up in a paper bag. You jog back to Max’s car.

“Excuse me,” you lean inside the car, opening the compartment to search for a burn cream you left inside there last year. Your eyes land on his keys, stiffening when you notice that Max kept every single gift you gave him. The bead keychain from 2020, the bottle opener keychain from 2021, the clay figure keychain from 2022, and the bracelet from 2023 sway slightly, staring back at you. You shake your head and resume doing your original mission. You find the burn cream and you immediately search for the expiration date. January 2025; it’s still good to use.

You straighten, take hold of Max’s wrist gently, and roll up his long sleeves up to his elbows. You open the water bottle and tug Max’s hand towards you so he won't get water on his car as you pour water on his burn. Once the bottle is nearly empty, you apply the cream on the reddened area of his skin. Then, you use the handkerchief, which you dampen using the leftover water, to dress it.

Max is silent the entire ordeal, watching you work your way meticulously and carefully around his hand. The same meticulousness one can expect from a former firefighter paramedic volunteer.

You step back to inspect your work, but Max’s hand stretches out towards you, grabbing the hem of your jacket.

“Sorry,” he says and yet you see his knuckles slowly turning white, which makes you unsure if he truly is apologetic or not. “Just…yeah, sorry. Can you stay for a while please?”

“Have to leave soon,” you say. “El Paso’s still hours away. I have to be there by morning.”

He nods, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, “Okay.”

“Thirty minutes, Max,” you decide. “Thirty minutes.”

You pull out your phone from your pocket to check the time and see the multiple notification bars. You type the password and direct to the message app to see the flurry of messages Max sent earlier. You have not noticed them.

max: i heard you came

max: where are you

max: please

max: can you give me ten minutes

max: just

max: please

max: wait for me

max: i’m not angry anymore

max: im begging you

max: or five minutes [name] im okay with just five

max: or even less

max: i just need to see you

“Who told you I was here?” you question, brows knitting together. There are currently two names in your head. They both start with the letter L and they both work at Williams.

“Leo called me and told me you were here.”

“Of course he did,” you roll your eyes. Logan will never dare betray you like this. You made Leo promise not to tell Max where you were in El Paso and the bitch told him where you were the moment you stepped out of El Paso. He didn't break his promise technically, but it's still a very bitch move for him to pull. You're going to have a lengthy conversation with him later.

“So you’ve been in El Paso?” he asks.

You nod.

“My grandparents’ place.”

He nods.

“Sorry about Julio, by the way.”

You sigh. God, you want to cry.

It's truly unfair how God decided to take away Julio [Last Name]. Death should happen to assholes and shitty people. To people who abuse their children every day. To people who waste years of their lifespan on nicotine and alcohol. To people who kill people. Death shouldn't happen to heroes, who risk every single day of their lives to save other people. Death shouldn't happen to Julio [Last Name], a firefighter who died saving a kid in a burning building. At least, not this early. Not until you fulfilled his dream for him.

(His last words: I don't regret doing what I did. I have kids, too. I want someone to save them the same way I did that kid if they ever get stuck in a situation like this.)

“Did Leo tell you that, too?” you hope that he didn't notice that your voice slightly wobbled.

“No,” Max shakes his head. “We—Logan and I came to Vista Del Pueblo in December. Your neighbor told us that…”

He doesn't need to finish his sentence for you to know what he’s trying to say.

You nod, “So that's why there was an article that day…”

You remember Damiano showing you the news article in his phone—AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP: MAX VERSTAPPEN OF RED BULL RACING AND LOGAN SARGEANT OF WILLIAMS RACING SPOTTED DRIVING AROUND AUSTIN. You shrugged it off at that time.

“How are you?”

You turn to Max, raising a brow at his question.

“How am I?” you echo, sounding a little bewildered.

You see, Max has never asked this question. You're used to “Are you okay?” but not this. Not this question. You can easily lie to an are-you-okay. You can say yes even if you’re not, and you won't give yourself away because you only uttered one word. But with how-are-you, it’s different. It's not a question that is not answerable by yes or no. You actually have to explain how you feel. That's why Papa Julio only asked, “How are you, mija?” rather than “Are you okay, mija?” Papa Julio wants to know how your day went even if you're okay or not.

Yeah. You're definitely going to cry at this rate.

“How have you been after Julio?”

“You really wanna know?”

“I wanted to be there for you at that time,” Max confesses. “When I learned that Julio was gone, I wanted to go to you. But Leo stopped me. He said I was not what you needed at that time and I agree. I was too angry at you for leaving me. I’m glad he didn't tell me where you are, despite how painful it was. I was selfish and immature that I cared about my grief and forgot to consider yours. I reflected on my actions a lot. I am not sure how different I am now from that version of me but I think I changed a bit. So yes, [Name], I want to know, because I want to know how you felt and help you in any way I can.”

You stand there, stunned at what Max has said. And perhaps it was his sincerity or the way his determined blue eyes stare into your soul that caused the sixth domino to tip. You break into tears, a raw cry escaping your mouth. You are so fucking tired of carrying everything on your shoulders.

Max is quick to engulf you in a hug and you don't hesitate to pull him into you, pressing your face against his shoulders as you let everything out. You claw his back as if you're trying to mold himself into you. Your nose turns red, snot drips out of your nose. You sob too loud and too heavily that you can hardly draw a breath. You don't cry pretty and this is the first time you allowed yourself to cry with another person bearing witness to your fragility.

When you calmed down, you found yourself sitting beside Max, shoulder to shoulder, in the backseat of his car, playing with the drawstrings of your jacket.

“Sorry.”

“Don't be.”

“Sorry, I was just so tired,” you tip your head upwards. You can feel Max’s eyes on you. “Things have been hard since Papa died.”

“Do you want to talk? I’ll listen.”

You chuckle humorlessly.

Jesus, what did Leo feed this guy?

It feels like the roles are reversed now.

“Everybody's been takin’ it pretty hard so I'm trynna to be strong for them, you know? But I’m not that strong,” you begin. “I’m just as lost as everyone else and it's hard pretendin’ like I’m not. I’m not really sure what will happen with my life now so I wander around and do car repairs for a few folks in El Paso.”

“What happened to your dream? The job?”

“Well, it's gone,” you say, making Max’s eyes widen. “Not my time yet, I suppose. Or rather, I’m never supposed to have time. I guess I’m just not meant to be an engineer.”

“No,” Max turns to you, clasping your hands in desperation. “No, no, no. You always wanted to become an engineer. You can't just—I’ll think of something. I’ll ask Christian. I’ll ask the other teams. Renault isn't in Formula One right now but I can—”

“Max,” you smile sadly. “Let it go.”

“But—”

“Do you know what my Papa’s dream was?” you interrupt. “It’s to be a Formula One racer.”

You smile, remembering all the times you’ve seen your father watch the races on the television since you were younger. He’d wake up even in the ass crack of dawn just to watch them live. He’d be so tired after a 24-hour shift at the fire station but he’d refuse to even catch a wink of sleep until the Grand Prix broadcast is done. He always received a beating from your Mama because of it.

“He saw Senna in the newspaper and decided that he wanted to be like him, too. Sadly, Papa never vibed with a steering wheel so there was no future in that industry. He's always so disappointed in himself, sayin’ he can do the most unhinge shit at work but can't even drive a car. When Damiano and I turned five, he brought us karting. I could tell he was disappointed that Damiano didn't share his love for racing and I hated seein’ him sad so I learned to love karting. He signed me up and I did my best to win. I think I was good. Good enough to make him proud of me. Papa looked so happy when I won my first trophy. He cleaned it every week.”

You smile fondly at the memory.

“Then, shit happened and I have to stop. Papa looked even more disappointed than me that I had to stop. It hurts. Disappointment from your parents, I mean, even if I know that it's somethin’ beyond my control. I figured that if I can't be a racer, I’ll work in a pit stop. That's close enough. When I told him that I got accepted into USC and how I wanted to be an engineer, it was the proudest I have ever seen him since I won my trophy. I was livin’ his dream. I applied for Red Bull and Renault because those are Papa’s favorite teams and the rest is history.”

You pause.

“He’s never got to see me become an engineer,” you choke out, wiping the stray tear that fell from your eye with the back of your hand. “It was his dream. He always had his dreams broken and I was gonna reach his dreams for him but he’s gone before I can do so. Now, I’m so lost because I realized that I was shapin’ myself to become an extension of Papa and now that he's gone, I am an extension of no one. I was reaching for dreams that I don't own. I’m so tired and I’m so lost, Max.”

Max stares at you sadly.

“I should have talked to Christian sooner. Fuck, I hate myself for not talking to Christian. Fuck, why was I so selfish?” he presses the ball of his palms against his eyes in frustration. You chuckle, shaking your head.

“That’s okay,” you say. “I’ll find my way.”

You look at the scenery outside of the window. Night has fallen. You should have left for El Paso by now.

“I need to go,” you say, heart heavy.

“So soon?”

Max is panicking again.

“Jesus, Champ, calm down,” you pat his shoulders.

“Will I see you again?” Desperation laces his question.

“Dunno really,” you shrug.

“Can you wait for me?”

Your brows furrow.

“I’ll retire by 2028. No, that's still long. 2027. Ah no—2026? Can you wait for me? I—” Max’s hand trembles. “I love you. I love you, [Name]. I—I love you even before Kelly. I can’t. I can't lose you.”

The world stops.

“I am stupid, I am selfish, and I think I’m asking too much. If you can just wait for me, I’ll—I can even retire next year if you think it's too long—”

“Hold up right there, Champ,” you stop him. “You're not retirin’ early.”

“If you want me to, I will.”

You sigh in exasperation.

“Max,” your voice is low. “That’s your career. I’m not gonna—Jesus, Max don’t retire, okay? Not even for me. Retire only when you want to.”

This man is just…

You don't know if you want to choke him or kiss him.

“I want you to have me, [Name]. I… I want to be with you, to love you, and if retiring is the only way I can do that then I will,” he says. “I love you.”

You purse your lips.

“I love you, too, Max,” you confess and now, your chest feels lighter now that you've said it out loud. “But not now, I can't love you like this. I’m too… I can't pursue a relationship with you right now. Not when…”

“It's not our time,” Max nods. “I understand.”

He really did change.

“I want to find my way through life first," you tell him.

Max smiles and he pulls you again in a hug. He has tears in his eyes again and he sniffles, chuckling at himself for crying again. He pulls away from the hug slowly and hands you your keys.

“See you around?"

“See you around.”

You exit the car and you notice that your heart feels lighter now compared to the time you left Monaco even though you are doing the same exact thing—leaving Max to go home.

At the end of 2023, you grace the paddock with your presence—your signature YSL heels is back on the tracks. You wear pants now, instead of the corporate pencil skirts, matched with a Prema Racing polo shirt. The label at the back indicates: AERODYNAMIC ENGINEER. By the end of 2024, you are promoted to the strategy team. By 2025, you become a race engineer of an up-and-coming racing superstar and you kept the job position until now.

The world didn't end just because your Dad died. It took you a while to realize that your Papa didn't own your dreams. It was always yours to begin with. He just played a part in inspiring them.

Max Verstappen became the 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 WDC, marking history as an eight-time consecutive champion. He retired after the 2028 season and disappeared from the face of the Earth. He had stopped going home to his penthouse in Monaco, had put his private jet on sale, and had cut ties to his father, Jos, who was very disappointed that his son had retired too early in the sport. Max retired willingly—he had achieved more awards than most of his seniors and it's time to give room to the younger ones. Rumors say that he had established a racing program somewhere in Belgium. Charles Leclerc, Max's friend, refuses to update the media regarding Max's whereabouts and only says: "He's happy. Don't worry."

Years later, a thirteen-almost-fourteen year-old girl named Emiliana Julia Verstappen, racing under the American flag, become the youngest driver in history to join the ranks of the F1 academy and later, she becomes the youngest driver to ever drive a Formula One car, racing for Scuderia Ferrari as second driver, at only seventeen and a hundred and fifty days old, overthrowing Max Emilian Verstappen, retired eight-time F1 WDC, whom the world has not seen since his retirement, from the list.

[radioactive-dazey]

Overgeneralizing Sanders Sides fanfiction, PT 2: Prinxiety edition

Virgil: oh god. Oooooh god. WHY. WHY HIM? Why did I have to go get a crush on that self obsessed, pop-tart for a brain man >:( You know what? It's fine. It's not a problem, in fact it's FUNNY how much of a "non-problem" this is. I'm not gonna do anything about it. Then I will just sit here, not doing anything, except feel sorry for myself for potentially missing out on a great opportunity. I would have messed everything up anyway. I have no chance, he doesn't like me in the same way.

Roman: Oh god. Oooooh god. WHY. WHY HIM? Why did I have to go get a crush on that-- Edgar Allan Woe >:( he's unreasonably pretty, who let him do that? OK. It's fine. I'm going to stay in my lane. He probably doesn't want anything to do with me anyway, or with anyone for that matter! He's such a loser lovely person and if I try to force it, all I'll be doing is driving him away. *not even a full ten seconds later* What are his favorite flowers? Does he like pasta?

Meanwhile, in the Canon:

Virgil: Yo. I'm gonna watch a movie. Do you want to join?

Roman: ... You're inviting me to hang out??? :')

Virgil: eugh. Nevermind, you ruined it.

Roman: how did I ruin it- Virgil WAIT- WHAT MOVIE?!

[chrissdollie]

Dragon King Bakugo x Dragon Queen reader please it’s for my soul 😭😭😭

i totally understand, i feel like i don’t see enough of these 😭 16 - dragon king x dragon queen a/n: lowkey this was kinda short and im not too proud of it but ill edit it later and try to fix it wc: 964

"the queen is pregnant!" "she's carrying a baby" "i wonder how the king feels.."

whispers and gasps were shared throughout the kingdom. they were extremely excited to have an heir to the throne. however, nobody was as joyful as katsuki bakugou, their king. he made sure that you were extra pampered and satisfied with everything.

"your highness, perhaps you'd feel better if you laid down-" your close friend suggested as you strutted around the palace. "nonsense, i feel fine, ejirou." you rubbed your belly and sat down on the throne.

katsuki rubbed your back with his thumb. "hmph, alright. whatever you say." he shrugged. ejirou towered above you, waiting for any sort of orders from you or your husband. "go alert the maids to run a warm bath, red." katsuki waved him off, shooing him away. ejirou, nodded. "of course, sir." and walked away.

"we'll hold a gathering tomorrow morning, how does that sound, my dear?" katsuki kneeled in front of you on his knees, holding both of your hands. you smiled down at him, fixing his necklaces. you hummed in response. "what're we gonna name him?" katsuki wondered aloud.

you giggled, "how do you know it'll be a boy?" you threaded your fingers through his soft blonde hair, with one hand resting on your stomach. he smirked, "mm, just have a feelin', baby."

the next morning, you awoke in your large bed, covered in expensive furs. you yawned and got ready for the gathering of your kingdom. everyone was probably squirming with curiosity. "my queen, it's time." a servant entered your room. your husband was already dressed, his furs on his back and jewelry in place.

"they can wait." katsuki grunted, nudging you to pull your hair up. you were sitting at your divine vanity and katsuki stood behind you while holding your matching dragon tooth necklace. the servant bowed and left as he laid the necklace around your neck and clipped it in the back. you let your hair down and sighed.

katsuki quirked an eyebrow. "what's wrong, sweetheart?" he rubbed your shoulders, his eyes full of worry. "nothing, 'm just tired." you leaned into his touch, feeling secure. he nodded, kissing your head before grabbing your hand to pull you up.

"it'll be quick, i promise." he held his arm out for you to grab, which you obliged. "i want to visit the dragons afterwards, i haven't seen them in a while!" you exclaimed, latching onto his side. he chuckled at your anxiousness. "i'll make sure the carriage'll be ready."

the kingdom cheered as the two of you stepped out of the palace, waving to all. servants surrounded you as you sat in your thrones. bakugou sighed, rolling his eyes. "hey losers." the crowd erupted at their kings usual rudeness, figuring it was a joke. "my queen, does it hurt?" a lady yelled out to you. you grinned and shook your head. "no, not much."

"how do you feel about the child, my king?" someone called out. katsuki leaned back in his throne. the crowd was silent, waiting for his answer. "what do you think, idiot? i'm the one who got her pregnant." he huffed, giving you a look that said "is he stupid or what?"

"how the hell are we supposed to know that the kid'll be a man?" a somewhat old man spat, crossing his arms. some of the crowd nodded along, agreeing with the man's words.

"you dare speak to your king in that tone??" mina growled, challenging the fool who spoke. katsuki's eyes burned daggers into the man. your face, however, was nonchalant. "i doubt i'll push a full grown man out." you chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "besides, we dont need to have a boy. the times have changed, my friends."

"no one wants a girl!" the same idiot from before yelled out, cupping his hands around his mouth to make sure he was heard. "THIS IS WHY YOUR WIFE LEFT YOU, KURAI!" mina pointed out furiously. oh, this took a turn. you mentally wanted to laugh at the comment from mina, but that wouldn't be very polite. however, kingdom drama was surely a very funny topic.

"ooo"'s were sprung throughout the audience, as some began to argue. katsuki was about to burst, you could tell. you covered your ears in preparation. "SILENCE YOU BASTARDS." he jumped up from his throne, feeling enraged. the crowd went quiet (again). some whispers and mumurs spread around, waiting for someone to speak.

a little girl raised her hand and you recognized her immediately. your eyes lit up at the sight. "hello, eri!" you waved sweetly with a toothy grin. she cheesed, waving back. "hihi, y/n-san!"

her caretaker aizawa lifted her up to sit on his shoulders before she talked to you. "how are babies made?" she lifted her finger to the corner of her mouth, eyes filled with wonder. you were slightly taken aback from the question, but katsuki burst into laughter.

"great question, kid. well when a mommy and daddy love each other very very much," he started with his hands behind his head. you cut in quickly. "uh, well, the dragons deliver the baby to the momma and daddy's door, eri."

katsuki shook his head, rolling his eyes. eri had seemed satisfied with your answer and nodded her head. ejirou stepped forward, holding his hand up. "that concludes the gathering, everyone. please have a lovely day." he wrapped up, clapping his hands to get as arms went down and groans were heard.

you stood up from your throne with katsuki as he held your hand. "classic kurai, always starting problems." you joked, resting your head on katsuki's shoulder. he huffed. "i hate that bitch." you nodded back.

"can we go see my kids now?"

a/n: to the noonie who sent be the hello kitty x spider-man trope thing, thats coming soon! :3

[elisacaleisa]

jax is back at it again btw i fucking hate editing in this app it keeps failing me istg /lh

Jax's Personality Swap AU:

SHAW/SOLAIRE PIPELINE: Porter > Milo > Vincent > David > Asher > Sam > Porter

(i struggled w the choice to swap asher and sam cuz pattern,,,,)

Porter > Milo:

Hunting Werewolf

- quite mysterious and flirty

- "all alone by yourself, sweetheart?"

- suspicious as fuck

- but it works

- a weapon

- "i've been raised to kill, sweetheart. get too close and your last kiss will be on my lips."

- just really lonely, wanted to make his father proud and protect his pack

- "Gabe knew he would be gone sooner or later... so he had a project. Me."

——————

Milo > Vincent:

Skeptical Vampire

- "why are you here all alone by yourself??"

- uhhh

- "listen, youre lovely and im glad you think im lovely too, i got the lineart right too after all, butwecantbeherefortoolongpleasego"

- nope, not leaving

- "ugh, youre lucky youre cute, lovely"

- snarky

- kinda a loser but so hot

- likes to dress pretty

- best friends with sam

- he supports lovely

- independent, still a prince but really not seen as one

——————

Vincent > David:

Charming Alpha

- "well look who we got here~ do we share the same path or do you follow me, cause i am too pretty to resist?"

- he chuckles a lot, he is totally amazed by angel

- "arent you a little rebellious angel~"

- an alpha, he takes the role seriously, but he is still enjoying being out of his pack

- clearly flirty

- he likes to push buttons but is aware to not go too far

- protective? possesive?

- and he brings food for angel when theyre late from their joh home

- "you need to rest, angel. sleep tight. I'll stay by your side"

- actually very caring and soft

——————

David > Asher:

Serious Beta

- takes the beta role very seriously

- "david. youre late."

- gets stuck with baabe in an elevator and is not happy about it

- "stupid elevators, god fucking dammit."

- he is not comfortable to be with you here

- can be mean at first, but he is frustrated

- "this has to be a joke, someone had to put us up in here together on purpose..." mumble mumble

- protective

- david, angel, sweetheart and milo ship asher and baabe so clearly lmao, but dont tell him that

- feel responsible for everything, may have breakdowns

- he needs a hug

——————

Asher > Sam:

Goofy Vampire

- Vincent's right hand

- and a teaser

- still southern ofc this is a personality swap

- "well well well, late romantic Vincent Solaire! why are ya so red~?"

- number one fan of darlin'

- is not taken very seriously by the clan

- despite that, he tries his best to help vincent and the pack however he can

- has tendenc to avoid serious talks but darlin' helps him settle down and talk

- "...'m sorry, darlin'. i just didn't want ya to think of me otherwise..."

- god you love this goof

——————

Sam > Porter:

Vampire Knight

- he is like a security for Vincent, even when they don't see eye to eye sometimes

- doesnt kill until necessary

- really caring

- his weapon is his words, fangs are secondary

- "calm down, treasure, no need for a fight. now, why are you looking for me, huh?"

- suspicious of treasure, but helps them as they help him

- reveals that theyre like older brother figure for vincent, since he is the prince and need someone to guide him

- "why arent you the prince?"

- he doesn't answer... There is a lot you dont know about him...

[elliespassagerprincess]

wait I’m so curious to the angst fic you wrote to in my feelings - ldr :0 cuz I would’ve never interpret it into an angst fic! Do you think you can publish that one too? No pressure! 💕

In my feelings - (ellie williams x reader)

Hi anon, here she is! I hope you enjoy <3

This story is based off the song in my feelings by Lana Del Rey, if you can please listen to the song as you're reading:) This was originally a smut fic. You can read it here, but this wonder anon requested a angst edition, so yes.

Pairing: ellie x fem!reader

requests are always open, feel free to leave one:)

Warnings: toxic situationship

Summary: In which you fell for a loser

Authors note: i know I've not been that active and I'm so sorry. Life has just been busy, i have to write exams, i have a surgery on Thursday so it's been tense lmao, but I'm trying. Please be patient with me <3

I'm smoking while I'm runnin' on my treadmill

But I'm cutting up roses

Could it be that I fell for another loser

I'm crying while I'm cummin'

Making love while I'm making good money

Sobbin' in my cup of coffee

'Cause I fell for another loser

"Could it be that I fell for another loser?" You asked Dina as the cigarette smoke left your plush lips.

You heard Dina snort beside you.

"probably, she looks like she could be one, and she treats you like shit" she shrugged"

you shook your head at her honesty.

It's embarrassing honestly. You truly did have a type for losers.

People who couldn't make eye contact with you. People who would fold as soon as you gave them your pretty smile. You had the control, but yet anything you had with these people weren't real love. It was purely lust. It was fun.

You liked being in control, you liked breaking them.

But with Ellie it was different.

You met Ellie at a gym.

She caught you eye immediately. She was perfect. Her autumn brown hair tied in a tight ponytail, she was wearing pink leggings with a matching sports bra. The sweat on her forehead glistening under the light of the gym.

If god was real this pretty girl would be in your bed by the end of the night

You ran on the treadmill for a while, trying to ignore the pretty girls eyes. You saw her watching you though the mirror. You felt her eyes trail down your body.

Maybe she wanted you like you wanted her.

After a while you tried leaving the gym, you lit a cigarette as you walked out, your bag hung on your shoulder.

"Hi"

you flinched at the strange voice.

Oh. It was her.

Pink tight girl.

"Hey" you responded.

You saw her gaze fall to the floor as she shyly muttered "I'm Ellie"

What a fucking loser. She couldn't even look at you.

You loved her already.

You gave her your name, and you listened as it fell from her tongue multiple time. She was testing the was your name tasted on her tongue and she loved it.

"Those are bad for you" she pointed out you shrugged

"it makes me look hot, doesn't it?" Was all you said as you took another puff, throwing your head back as the smoke filled the air.

You felt her eyes on you, and you heard her audibly gulp.

"Doesn't it Ellie?" you persisted

"yeah- yeah it does"

you gave her a smile, and before you waved goodbye she handed you a paper. With a raised eyebrow you opened it and in a messy handwriting was her number.

You looked at her and she looked away, she couldn't make eye contact with you.

All you could do was smirk, they were always so fucking easy to make nervous.

"I'll call you" you winked.

Now here you stood 5 weeks later, sobbing into a cup of coffee because you fell for a fucking loser.

Get that cigarette smoke out of my face

You've been wasting my time

While you're taking what's mine, with the things that you're doing

Talk that talk, well now they all know your name

And there's no coming back from the place that you came

Baby don't do it

you don't know what happened with Ellie.

The girl you called a loser once, the girl who fell to her knees when you smiled is suddenly a cold hearted person.

"Get that cigarette smoke out of my face" Ellie huffed as she sat across you.

You rolled your eyes before you put the cigarette out.

"Ellie calm down so we can talk"

"talk about what? You're wasting my time with this"

your jaw dropped at her words.

'What a fucking bitch' you thought to yourself.

"I'm wasting your fucking time? Ellie don't make me mad because I will fucking slap you"

she looked taken aback at your harsh words, her cheeks tined in a pink color.

Her eyes fell to the floor, and for a second you saw her.

Your Ellie.

The loser you fell for.

But she suddenly got up muttering "I will not be disrespected by someone like you", and she walked out of your apartment. The door slammed and you were left alone.

The silence was so loud.

There was no coming back from this.

The more time you spent with Ellie, the more you discovered about her. She used to be so sweet.

You remembered your first date, she couldn't even hold your hand and she constantly apologized for everything.

She was a fucking loser.

But one day someone said that Ellie was out of your league. You knew she was. Some like Ellie deserved someone better, but yet you thought she fell for you.

That day changed everything. Ellie's eyes widened at the person's comment and she was quieter than usual that day.

The next time you saw her, she was a whole new person. Her entire persona changed. Her hair, makeup, style, even the way she fucking walked changed.

You were happy that she had confidence, but you found out she was seeing other people behind your back.

Despite never being official it hurt.

You knew Ellie could talk to whoever she wanted to, but you thought you had something special.

One night when Ellie was sleeping over, you asked her the question.

"What are we?"

she never replied.

Every fucking time you brought it up, she always walked away.

What a fucking loser. What a fucking pussy.

Even today, you invited her over to talk. To see if she liked you. You needed closure because truthfully you fell for the autumn brown headed girl.

You just had to make sure.

And to hear her say that you were wasting her time was fucking sick.

She was wasting yours with her games.

And here you thought you had actually met a loser worth your time.

'Cause you got me in my feelings (catch you, it's so much right now)

Talking in my sleep again (you can whistle if you want)

Drown out all our screaming (catch you, it's so much right now)

Who's tougher than this bitch

Who's free-er than me

You wanna make the switch

Be my guest baby

I'm feeling all my fucking feelings

you wish you could sleep right now. You were tired, and you didn't have any energy for bullshit.

Ellie's rant had begun after she spotted you and Dina getting lunch earlier.

Wow so you can't breathe the air of another girl but she can fuck someone else? That's wonderful logic!

But you sat here listening to Ellie yelling at you for some reason.

You wish you could drown put her screaming.

"Ellie can you just shut the fuck up!" you yelled.

You had enough of her mixed signals. You had enough of her practically cheating on you. You were tired.

"How dare you talk to me like that-" but before Ellie could end up yelling again you got up, pushing her against the wall.

"How dare I? How dare you! You fucking lead me on for weeks, then you freak out when I hang out with another girl! Ellie you are really fucking stupid" you said though heavy breathes.

Ellie stared at you with wide eyes.

There she is.

The girl you thought you had a chance with.

You took a step back, shaking your head and chuckling.

"You really are a fucking loser, how could I fall for someone like you?" You asked yourself.

Ellie heard.

She got up walking to you, she placed her hands on your shoulders "i-i like you. A lot. I just didn't know how to express myself- and- you made me so nervous so I thought I could make you j-jealous"

you shrugged her hands off your shoulders and you took another step back.

"That's not how relationships work Ellie, you ruined this yourself"

"Please listen-"

"get the fuck out"

Ellie sighed before she got up. She was on her way to the door, and she looked back at you for the last time.

"smoking is bad for you" she said with a sad smile.

You chucked at her words before responding "it makes me look hot doesn't it?"

"It really does"

you watched as Ellie walk out the door, you lit another cigarette.

As the smoke filled the air, like it has countless times before. you let out a sigh at the realization: you fell in love with another loser.

[sardonic-the-writer]

CHUCKLE SANDWICH HEADCANONS ☆

• Being on the podcast for the first time is—an experience that's for sure

• Charlie Schlatt and Ted had all reached out to you before for collabs of certain kinds, so you knew them fairly well through the experiences (ie. minecraft videos, to be a beta tester for big projects of theirs, asking help with new editing software even if you were as clueless as them, etc etc.)

• But they'd never once mentioned bringing you on Chuckle Sandwich. Which you were fine with. It's not like they had time to bring everyone on the internet to it at some point, so for now you were content sitting at your computer listening to the new episodes while they dropped

• In fact, that's exactly what you had been doing when a little discord notification popped up on your computer, clicking on Ted's profile picture after pausing the video

• "hey. a bit last moment, but we have a spot open for the podcast right now and wanted to know if you'd like to be a guest"

• Attatched to the bottom of the message was a random meme you had seen him, and multiple others, send dozens of times before. But it still coaxed a snort out of you as you typed your answer back

• "yeah! no problem, mr. milk. just give me some of the details and I'll be all set. also, get some new memes loser"

• Four days later and you were sitting at your streaming set up with your hands behind your head, smiling lightly as they introduced you to the audio listeners. Who by now Ted had made clear he loved to death

• "So! First things first, gentlemen, any questions for our esteemed special guest?"

• "What's the weirdest thing you've shoved up your ass."

• "Alright, that's enough talky time for you, Schlatt."

• Honestly, the podcast went great. You often highjacked the conversation to go on a separate tangent without even realizing it, snapping your fingers with a "Hey! That reminds me of—" before continuing on

• Charlie especially had a great time. For once he wasn't the only one that uncontrollably giggled throught the entire—and I mean entire—games no games or bacon no bacon question

• I picture Ted trying desperately to keep the episode a salvageable one, trying to have at least one decipherable conversation to keep in the final cut before giving up when you Schlatt and Charlie started arguing about which gum flavor was the best

• "It's fucking cinnamon you neanderthal! You fucking pussies dont know how to handle a real mans stick of gum!"

• "First of all, the h in neanderthal is silent, Schlarengitus. If you're going to insult me do it right. And secondly, any answer other than mint is a pure crime."

• "Guys, guys, I think we can all agree that grape is the best flavor. Also, (Y/n), what in the actually goopy shloopy fuck did you just call Schlatt?"

• After most of the episode had been filmed, everyone was in agreement that this needed to be done again. If not for the views, then for the shit ton of fun you all had

• "Hey who knows? Maybe we can do a vlog in real life together and have a beat (Y/n)'s ass for liking the most basic bitch flavor of gum there is."

• "Say that to my face you little—"

• Yup. Good times

[corrodedseraphine]

hellfire heart | one shot

this amazing edit of Eddie which i used here was made by wonderful @sofiiel

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

story based on a request by a lovely anon: could i request rockstar eddie who is a bit of an asshole, loves a drink etc? maybe something angsty! angst with half happy ending I guess?, established relationship, breaking up, modern!AU

4 310 words

the one shot is also avaliable on ao3

I was going to write this much later, but life sucks and my mood today is some kind of unfunny joke, so this request was the perfect opportunity to unload all my negative emotions in this angsty work!

Dear anon, thank you very much for your request, I hope you will not be disappointed. (I wrote the song myself, it's okay if you don't like this, you can pretend it is any other song yopu like!)

eddie munson masterlist | general masterlist

"I thought that when you come to Hawkins for a break we would organize a little campaign for the boys? They miss you so much." You lay cuddled up against Eddie's chest, who was browsing something on his phone.

"Yeah, about that." he said, turning toward you for the first time in twenty minutes. "I'm not coming to Hawkins."

"What?" you rose quickly. What did he mean he wasn't coming back? The breaks between tours were the only longer time you could spend together. Besides, you saw each other once a month when you visited him on tour.

"Babe, there are so many better things than playing some stupid game, so many parties we can go to, so many crazy things we can do." he replied, sitting down on the bed. "Being stuck for couple of months in Hawkins is not fun."

"But what about the kids? What about Wayne? Don't you miss them?"

"I miss them, but I guess if I don't come once, nothing bad will happen, right?"

"Since when is D&D just a stupid game to you?" you asked. Never in your life would you have said you would hear those words from his mouth.

"Honey, look at me, I am not that Eddie anymore. I am not a loser or freak, I am a fucking rockstar. People love me, I have fans all over the world I have everything I ever wanted. I am better, my life is better now." he said grabbing your hands. "Now I'm going to go to rehearsal, later I'll come back and we'll have dinner together, okay?"

"Yeah, sure, have fun." you replied weakly. Eddie quickly smacked you on the lips and left the apartment.

Being left alone with your thoughts was not good, as those thoughts began to wander into darker and darker corners of your brain. You loved Eddie and were happy like no one else that his dreams were coming true however, you slowly stopped liking the kind of man he was becoming. What didn't escape your attention was his sense of superiority. Suddenly everyone who wasn't recognized and famous, those who didn't participate in crazy parties whose motto was sex drugs and rock and roll, were suddenly worse. More and more, you could see the arrogance in him. At the beginning of his fame, he looked forward to visits home. He loved the hours spent campaigning, the fishing trips with Wayne, or the pleasant evenings at campfires where he played guitar and the rest of your little crazy family was singing. He kept saying that these were his favorite moments. What happened that suddenly they were no longer like that?

Eddie didn't show up for dinner. After three hours of waiting, you extinguished the candles you had lit, put the already cold food in the refrigerator, and took the wine that was supposed to be for both of you to the couch and poured it into a glass. You weren't even surprised that he didn't come back on time as he promised. Lately he had less and less time for you. Day by day there were fewer and fewer calls and messages, fewer and fewer I miss yous and I love yous, instead more and more arguments and misunderstandings. There were more and more drunken pictures of him that you saw on the Internet, more and more rumors about secret "friends" of Corroded Coffin members. At every turn whenever you went on any social media you were bombarded with theories that made you sick. Not wanting to bury yourself in this hole even more, you put your phone down on the coffee table and turned on the movie to occupy your thoughts, but somewhere in the middle of it you fell asleep.

You were awakened by Eddie's loud comeback and quiet curses from his mouth. You turned on the lamp that stood by the couch and looked at him sleepily. He was barely standing on his feet, you knew immediately that he was drunk, you couldn't stop the thought that he might have been under the influence of something else.

"Where were you?" you asked quietly, having neither the desire nor the strength to argue.

"At the re-rehsal." He replied trying to look sober. His tounge wasn't able to form any clear words.

"And later?"

"I hav' n'idea what you talkin'bout." he mumbled under his breath, you could barely understand what he was saying. He shakily walked toward the bedroom.

"Eddie you're drunk."

"'not."

"Why are you lying? Couldn't you at least write that you'll come back later?"

You received no answer. Without even trying to undress, he just threw the phone on the bedside table and landed on the soft mattress immediately falling asleep.

With a burden on your heart, you got up from the couch and, taking a bottle of water with you, because you knew he would need it in the morning, went to the bedroom to lie down next to him. The room smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. You watched his body move with every breath, wondering what happened to the boy you knew like the back of your hand. The boy who mocked everyone who devoted their lives solely to alcohol and parties. A boy who wanted more than just fame and money, who always cared about his loved ones and wouldn't even think of pushing them away in favor of other, "more famous" friends.

It hurt you what was happening to him, it hurt you that you couldn't do anything about it, because whenever you tried to talk to him on the subject everything ended in one big fight. It scared you how much you didn't like his new persona. Even scarier was the thought that this change was permanent.

You were awakened by the vibration of his phone. Wiping your sleepy face with your hand, you took it to turn it off, but you noticed a text message on the screen from an unknown number.

unknown: let me know if you want more ;)

You sharply inhaled the air feeling like your heart was about to jump out of your cage. You knew you shouldn't do this however it was stronger than you. You unlocked your phone and went into the messages with the unnamed number.

Under the message sent above was a picture of a pack of cigarettes. Did he want more cigarettes? You were surprised because after everything he went through in the Upside Down he promised you he would stop smoking. Biting your lower lip nervously, you started scrolling up. There weren't a lot of messages, the earliest one was sent a few hours ago, half an hour before Eddie got home. However, one detailed message from him was enough to make your vision begin to blur.

unknown: how can I return the favor?

eddie: send nudes eddie: just kidding

As if burned, you threw the phone straight at him. He woke up with a growl. Little did he know, though, that a hangover would be the least of his worries. You quickly got out of bed and started getting dressed.

"What's goin on?" he asked seeing your condition

"What's goin on?" you asked pointing your finger at the phone. He frowned and looked at the tiny screen and then realized what was the reason for your behavior. "Who is she?"

"Chrissy's friend." he replied as if nothing had happened.

"And what does she have to repay you for?" Your voice slowly broke.

"After the party she needed a ride so I ordered a cab and we drove her and then I came back here. I don't see what the problem is."

"You really don't see what the problem is? Maybe in what you wrote back to her!"

"It was just a joke don't be dramatic!" he replied sitting down on the bed.

You couldn't believe it. He really thought that writing such things to other girls was okay? Even if it was just a joke, you were not going to accept it. Although you've always known that Eddie can laugh at anything, jokes also had their limits, and this was definitely overstepping them.

"You can't be serious now." you said looking straight at his tired face.

"It was just a joke." he repeated through his teeth. "It's not my fault you don't get them."

The old Eddie would never do something like that to you. The old Eddie, when Steve made jokes like that with other girls was the first to point it out to him and say how pathetic his behavior was. Your old Eddie at least would have let you know yesterday that he would be late and wouldn't be back for dinner.

"I don't care if it was a joke Eddie. I don't give a shit it was a joke!" you raised your voice. Everything you had kept under lock and key for the past months was just being released from you. "How would you feel if I wrote to any of your friends like that?"

An expression of realization flashed across his face, but after a moment it was again replaced by irritation. "After all, she didn't send me any, at least she knows it was a fucking joke, not like you!"

"You wouldn't even admit to me if she had sent one! You could have flirted with each other all the way back and you still wouldn't have told me about it!"

"Maybe we were!" he yelled. "Just- Can you just shut up, my head is pounding." He said hiding his face in his hands. "Get the stick out of your ass, because lately you've been doing nothing but whining."

"No. I'm sick of it Eddie. I'm sick of the person you've become." Shocked, he immediately raised his head. His big puppy eyes found yours however, this time you didn't give in. What was going on between the two of you was not good and it was time to explain. It was time for brutal honesty. "You have changed. You have become someone you would have been disgusted with just two years ago."

"What are you talking about?"

"About you, Eddie! Now all that matters to you is alcohol and these stupid parties. I don't know if you remember, but during one of your speeches at the table in high school you emphasized how much you despise such people!"

"I don't know if it gets to you, but we're not in high school anymore." he scoffed.

"What happened to you? What happened to Eddie, who wrote songs about fighting knights and dragons? Who wrote beautiful love ballads? Whose music had a message? Your last album is all empty words about sex, drugs and how there is nothing meaningful in life! I can understand to devote a few songs to that, but not a whole damn album!" You knew that criticizing his music would be a blow to a sensitive spot, but what was your one blow compared to his treating you like a punching bag? "Where is Eddie who couldn't wait for the campaign and was excited to wonder if Dustin would find an ulterior motive in it? Where is the Eddie who could talk to Will for hours about his role as DM? Where is the Eddie who at every possible opportunity went back to Hawkins to spend some time with his Uncle? Where the hell is the Eddie who didn't choose getting drunk over our dinners together? Where is the Eddie who was always looking for ways to be close to me?!"

"Y/n…" he tried to interrupt you however it was too late. You sped away breaking all the brakes along the way.

"Where is Eddie, who always answered my I love yous? Because the one in front of me now doesn't even want to look at me anymore." You were crying, struggling with breathing out the words. "For the past few months, every time I come you have a problem with kissing me. If I didn't hug you myself you wouldn't do it. You don't answer my messages, you don't answer my calls, when was the last time you told me you loved me?"

"Maybe I wouldn't have stopped doing that if you hadn't criticized me all the time!" he shouted avoiding your last question. He knew the answer would not be acceptable.

"And in what should I support you?! In getting drunk to the point of unconsciousness? Asking for nudes from other girls?! Do you even have any idea how much it hurts me? You don't tell me anything! You keep everything a secret, your nights out, your new friends, you never want to talk about it! How do I know what the hell you are doing there?! I'm supposed to support you in this so that later I can see pictures everywhere from clubs of you having a great time with your fans who are pushing themselves straight into your lap and you don't even try to stop them?!"

"You're just jealous! You're pathetically jealous because you can't accept that my life is so much better now and I don't need you in it at all!"

Suddenly you had nothing more to add. Everything had become clear. Clearer than you had imagined.

It took a while for him to realize what he had said, his words broke the heart not only for you but also for him, because he knew that this was the moment when he would lose you.

"Baby, no. Shit, I am so sorry-" he approached you quickly grabbing your hand but you immediately yanked it away. "Sweetheart, please, that's not what I meant. You know I love you, I'm sorry I've been acting like this lately, please, I'll change, I promise." he panicked. It intensified when he didn't get any response from you. You walked around the room collecting your belongings, which you threw into a suitcase occasionally wiping away tears. Despite his begging and following you around like a lost puppy dog you never spoke a word to him again. Even when you left slamming the door.

For the first few weeks it didn't get to him. He completely lost himself in the party vortex forgetting all God's world "enjoying" his freedom. Waking up in places he didn't know next to people he didn't remember with a massive headache, lack of energy and nausea. This was his new daily life. A daily life that was wearing him down. The Internet was buzzing with news, stories and footage of him getting into fights with other people, or of Gareth and Jeff or Simon having to carry him out of clubs and bars because he was so drunk he couldn't do it on his own strength.

Locked in a vicious cycle, he was starting to suffocate. Suddenly all the things he wanted so much but couldn't do when he was with you were starting to push him away. Suddenly all the quickies with people whose name he didn't even know began to disgust him. The mere mention of any alcohol made him sick. Despite the fact that there were still plenty of people around him giving him their full attention, he felt lonely. Queues of groupies lining up for the tour bus, the forbidden fruit that tempted so much turned out to be nothing.

Lying alone in bed, he stared at the ceiling feeling cold. The darkness that surrounded him consumed his entire soul. Hearing the vibration of the phone he quickly grabbed it hoping it was a message from you, but it wasn't. Suddenly Eddie felt a burning feeling in his eyes that he hadn't felt in a long time. He touched his tear-wet cheeks in disbelief. He couldn't remember the last time he cried, but it must have been a very long time ago. Feeling despair spreading throughout his body, he decided to grab a lifeline and called the person he could always count on in such situations. The person who never refused to help him and who always managed to chase away his demons. Unfortunately, this person did not answer this time, leaving him alone. The person he shouted right in her face that he didn't need her in his life. Sadly, he needed her more than he thought, and loved her even more, but somewhere in his crazy journey, greedy for fame, he forgot all about it leaving him completely alone. He thought about the moment you separated, thought about everything you told him then, thought about how right you were. The longer he thought about it, the more disgusted he became with the person he had become. You were so damn right. He felt like a blinded fool. In fact, that's exactly what he was. The Eddie you loved got lost in the maze of celebrity and money, and in order to survive there he had to adapt to the new environment by creating a completely new version of himself. A version he wasn't proud of.

When he finally calmed down and wiped away his last tears he felt a surge of motivation. He was determined to find the old Eddie and bring him back.

Everyone immediately noticed the change. When rock star, social spirit, party monster Eddie Munson locked himself inside four walls cutting himself off from everything people were shocked. The real reason was known only to the members of Corroded Coffin, who forced him to talk. When he finally told them everything they showed him great support and helped him regain his former self. It was not an easy and quick process, but after a few months he managed to change tracks. Focusing mainly on writing new songs, after the concerts he always returned to the hotel, where he occupied his thoughts with planning D&D campaigns to which he also wanted to return. It turned out that escaping into the fantasy world was still great medicine for his tortured soul. He spent a great deal of time talking to Wayne. The old man was initially very surprised, but also happy to hear his nephew more often now. At his and Corroded Coffin's manager's urging, he also tried visits to a psychologist, which helped him not only find balance in his new life but also helped him deal with nightmares from the past.

The last destination on the tour was Indianapolis. Being so close to home, Eddie sent you all VIP entrance tickets. With a tightness in his heart, he watched as Max, Lucas, Dustin, Mike, El, Erica and Will lined up right at the barriers in front of the stage. Right behind them walked Steve and Robin, and at the very end you. After such a long time of no contact with you, he felt like crying at your sight. He didn't believe you would come, he thought you hated him and nothing would convince you to be here today. And yet there you were. Fate was giving him a chance and he wasn't going to let it pass.

The concert went well, to everyone's surprise, they didn't play a single song from the new album. They relied mainly on those that were written back in Gareth's garage in the days when the world had no idea who Corroded Coffin was. Some people, were not happy about this, but the vast majority sang the songs along with them as much as they had breath. At the very end of the performance, Eddie approached the microphone putting his finger to his lips, thus asking for silence.

"Before we finish, I'd like to announce something." he said looking around. "I'm damn grateful for each and every one of you here, if it weren't for you, we would never have gotten this far, and I will never be able to repay you for that." The crowd went wild, everyone started shouting and applauding, and Eddie smiled and once again asked for silence. "Unfortunately, even on the most beautiful journey one can get lost. And I got lost very badly, and I think that if someone hadn't shouted it in my face a few months ago I would never have found my way back." He grunted. He tried to find you in the crowd, but the headlights blinded him and he couldn't. You, however, saw him. You saw him very well, for the first time in a long time you saw Eddie. The real one. "But I found it. This road is not one of the easiest, so it hurts my heart to tell you that this is the last Corroded Coffin concert this year. It will be a few months before we start working on the new album and hit the road again, and I hope that at least some of you have the boundless patience to welcome us back in time as warmly as you bid us farewell today." he chuckled, receiving thunderous applause anew. "But before we say a final goodbye for today we have a surprise for you."

Unfamiliar chords rang out from the speakers as everyone realized it was a new song, and people started jumping and shouting with excitement.

Cold ground as your deathbed The last thing you hear is scream Heart-wrecking cry of a little ship The little ship is begging Praying to the God above for a miracle You don't know which one But one of them have heard the prayer And you are breathing again

You are back but something is wrong You are back but something is missing Your hands are cold Your heart is colder

Then you meet her Like a ray of sunshine cutting through the clouds Her touch is soft Her voice is calm But her heart Her heart was forged in the abyss of hell In the fire hottest than the Sun She's got a hellfire heart

You can try to avoid it You can try to escape But when she touches you she leaves burning marks She will break your ribs She will pull the lungs out of your chest She will find a way to your heart And you will let her

Be careful you blind fool Because once you lose her You feel like death is taking you back Be careful you stupid creature Because once you stop appreciating what you've got You'll end up alone Without the littlest spark to keep you warm You will freeze to death in the middle of a fire

When you meet her Like a ray of sunshine cutting through the clouds Her touch is soft Her voice is calm But her heart Her heart was forged in the abyss of hell In the fire hottest than the Sun She's got a hellfire heart

After the concert officially ended, the whole group went backstage. Seeing the excitement of everyone except you, Eddie guessed that you didn't tell anyone about what happened between you. When he found the right moment he pulled you aside and locked the two of you in a fitting room. Without a word you stared at each other waiting for someone to finally make the first move. Despite his fear, he knew he had to be the one to make it.

"Thank you for coming." he said quietly taking a step closer to you, but you took that one step back. "I know I fucked everything up, I know that some stupid song won't change anything, I know you have the right to hate me. I've been a complete asshole, everything at its worst, I've treated you in a terrible way, and to tell you the truth I don't even deserve to have you standing here with me…" he once again tried to approach you. This time you did not move away. "I love you, I haven't stopped loving you and you need to know that. I know I didn't show it to you like I should have, I know you didn't feel it and you had the right to doubt it. I want you to know that I have changed. At least I'm trying to do that, I'm in therapy and it's said to be having an effect. Who would have thought, huh?"

"Your apology won't make me forget all this Eddie." you said.

"I know, and I don't expect you to forget. All I'm asking you for is a chance, to show that I've changed. I may never be able to get back the old Eddie you fell in love with, but I can assure you that the Eddie you hated is definitely not coming back. In front of you stands a brand new Eddie, hopefully better than the previous ones."

"I can forgive you, but that doesn't mean it will stop hurting." The tears in your eyes were breaking his heart. Old Eddie would have killed him for how much pain he caused you. "Even if I forgive you it doesn't mean I'll give us a second chance Eddie. I don't know if I'll be able to."

"I know, but I beg you to try to get to know me again. Maybe someday you'll be able to fall in love with me all over again." he grabbed your hand. Large and warm, in which you could easily hide your own. Whose touch used to be home to you.

"I forgive you." you whispered. Hearing those words, he couldn't stop the smile that pressed on his lips. That was enough. From that moment on, he knew he would do anything to fix the mistakes of the past.

"Can I hug you?" he asked shyly, and you only nodded your head. Holding you in his arms, he felt that his life was becoming complete again.

Your path was uncertain, you had no idea how it would end, and neither did he. However, the end was far away, and for now you had to focus on the beginning.

taglist: @i-me-mine @phantypurple @tlclick73

[steddieunderdogfics]

This week’s writer spotlight feature is: MISSBERRYCAKE! They have six fics posted to AO3 in the Stranger Things fandom and five of them posted to the Steddie tag!

Our anonymous nominator recommends the following works by Missberrycake:

When the Sun is High (I'll Meet You in the Woods)

An Act of Grace

If I Loved You Less.

Blackbird

The Wonder

"I'm nominating missberrycake for a spotlight because I've loved a number of her works that I think have been underappreciated. Her pieces can be quite melancholy, but I think are really lovely and always leave me feeling content. She writes dialogue and characters in a very believable and layered way. I first came across her after her most popular fic, though I think she's done some fabulous ones since!" -- anonymous

Below the cut, Missberrycake answered some questions about their writing process and some of their recommended work!

Why do you write Steddie?

Ooh, I have a long and storied past with shipping and, while I've been a Stranger Things fan since the start, I hadn't really picked up any shipping threads until S4. I think Steve and Eddie have a great mix of that jock and loser dynamic and enemies to lovers vibe that works really well - but also the ending to S4 was really ripe for some good angst storytelling. A little reminiscent of Stucky or Reddie.

What’s your favorite trope to READ?

Hm. I'm not sure. I am a sucker for time travel, but I don't think I've red too much of that. Probably slow-burn - I just love being frustrated!

What’s your favorite trope to WRITE?

Well … according to my most used tags on Ao3, it's AUs and Time Travel, and Friends to Lovers shows up there as well, which all sound right. I know that I'm enjoying a book or show or whatever when I think, I need to write and AU of this!

What’s your favorite Steddie fic?

Ahh! That's too hard - I have a lot of bookmarks for fics I love! It’ probably a battle between Lovesick in Loch Nora by red0aktree and standing up the dead by heartofwinterfell. The first is so gah, you know? So romcon. The latter, I love the concept. Even though it's Max-led, Eddie is fabulously done in that fic, for sure.

Is there a trope you’re excited to explore in a future work but haven’t yet?

Not really - ideas tend to swoop in when I'm not actively thinking about it. I have had a niggling little thought about a folklore esque cryptic came back wrong story, something creepy, you know. But we'll see!

What is your writing process like?

Overly organised! I'm a planner, so I need to know what the ending is before I start - I will generally map out acts and scenes and character arcs before I write the first sentence, which I think helps me immensely so that I don't have to do so many edits later.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I'm sure I must do, but I don't know about them. I guess - I'll tend to write all my dialogue in a scene first as a but of a template and then fill in the gaps.

Do you prefer posting when you’ve finished writing or on a schedule?

Oh, when I've finished for sure. The only time I've ever abandoned a fix was when I posted as I was going on a schedule and it really killed the enjoyment of it for me - too much pressure on timing and the lack if ability to go back and fiddle with things.

Which fic are you most proud of?

I'll stick to my Steddie fics, so it would have to be An Act of Grace, for the Bigbang. I adore that fic, honestly, and worked really hard on it. I think it came out almost exactly how I wanted it and I was so excited when posting finally arrived!

How did you get the idea for An Act of Grace?

It was two things, really - firstly I had watched ‘Howards End’ with Joseph Quinn in and fully needed to see Eddie in the similar time period, I could not get it out of my head - the idea of a servant Eddie and aristocratic Steve came to me pretty quickly after that and was too perfect. Also, though, I wanted to do something with a distinctly English vibe to it (I am English!) - I sometimes feel a bit at sea writing USAmerican characters and settings, so something more familiar I though might work better for me.

When writing When the Sun is High (I’ll Meet You In the Woods), what was something you didn’t expect?

For it to be so popular, actually! Particularly as it was being posted. It's my most popular Steddie fic by a country mile and I'm really fond of it - trying to get a version of Steve and Eddie who had a history to work with canon was a fun challenge.

What inspired If I Loved You Less?

Well, its an Emma AU, so Emma! I was watching the most recent film adaption and NEEDED to write it, but I also loved Clueless growing up, so putting a modern twist on it made the most sense to me. The placement of characters in that story was very fun!

What was your favorite part to write from Blackbird?

The tree decorating scene, for sure. I love that part of Christmas myself, so I had a great time adding in little bits and pieces from people I know and traditions they have.

How do/did you feel writing When the Sun is High (I’ll Meet You In the Woods)?

Gosh, it feels like it was so long ago! I was just excited to get something out into fandom, I think, and to become part of the community.

What was the most difficult part of writing The Wonder?

Ooh, probably knowing that it wasn't going to do very well? 😄 I completely love that little fic, so to kind of keep it contained to just Eddie and Wayne - even mostly Wayne - was tricky. Sometimes less is more!

Do you have a favorite scene and/or line from any of your fics?

Hm. In the epilogue of An Act of Grace, Claudia gives a little speech about Steddie. I think I like that a lot for the way it kind of sums everything up so nicely. A bit of a snapshot of them as characters.

Do you have any upcoming projects or fics you’d like to share/promote?

Nope! I've taken a bit of a break from writing at the moment, buy I've been at it for 13 years, so I'm sure I'll be back at it in the future.

Outside of these questions, Is there anything YOU would like to add?

Just to say thank you to whoever submitted my name! It's made my month, probably!

Thank you to our author, Missberrycake, and our anonymous nominator! See more of Missberrycake's works featured on our page throughout the day!

Writer’s Spotlight is every Wednesday! Want to nominate an author? You can nominate them here!

[raaorqtpbpdy]

Brotherhood (2)

Directly following the events of Double Helix, Danny enrolls in Bayville High school and joins the Brotherhood of Mutants. He's not sure if they actually believe he's a ghost and not a mutant, but at least they don't care enough to challenge him on it, and that's good enough for him. This is a direct sequel to Double Helix (linked above), and some parts may be confusing without the context of the original fic. I suggest you read that first.

Written for @crossoverdanuary Week 2024, Day 5: The Owl House X-Men Evolution | Shell

I have seen exactly two episodes of The Owl House, and that was like four years ago or something, so I was not confident in my ability to write a crossover for it. Also, from this chapter on, it's unedited and I'll come back to edit later. I just want to actually finish this fic tonight.

I tried to work in a theme of both Danny and Wanda "coming out of their shell" throughout the fic. You can also read it on AO3.

Chapter 2: Transition

Previous

[Warning for mental institutions]

"You guys got any plans for the long weekend?" Lance asked as he sprawled out on the shabby couch in the board house. "Kitty told me she and some of the X-dorks are going on an educational retreat to the California redwoods. They decided on it yesterday. Can you imagine being able to just up and fly to the other side of the country on a whim."

"And for educational purposes, yuck!" Toad agreed. "If I had my own jet like they do, I'd go to Vegas!"

"If you could afford a jet like they have, you wouldn't have to go to Vegas," Lance said. "You'd already be rich. If I had my own jet, I would use it to go to all the concerts I'd normally miss because they're too far away."

"I don't need a private jet to go wherever I want," Pietro bragged. "If I want to go to a concert, I'll run right in past security and no one will even know."

"And if that concert is in Europe?" Lance asked. "Or Asia? You know, across a massive ocean? Can you run there?"

"Okay, point taken, but why would I wanna go to a snooty European concert anyway?" the speedster scoffed. "What about you, Danny?"

"What do I need a jet for? I can already fly," he said. "Not that I use it for major travel much. Maybe I should. That's what my cousin does. She flies all over the world."

"Hey! We should do something fun this weekend!" Toad declared. "Maybe sneak into a concert, or go somewhere cool! Show those X losers we know how to have a good time while they use their fancy private jet to go learn things."

"Sure, I'm down," Lance agreed.

"Sorry guys, I'm gonna pass this time. I actually do have plans this weekend," Danny said. "I'm gonna fly upstate and visit a friend. I haven't seen her in a few weeks."

"Her?" Pietro repeated with a smirk. "This wouldn't happen to be a girlfriend would it?"

"It's not like that," Danny said. "She's a friend. She's a girl. That's it."

"Uh-huh... sure," Toad said, sounding unconvinced. "You dog."

"Lay off," Danny said, rolling his eyes. "Come on, we gotta get to school. Long weekend's not here yet."

Toad groaned.

"Buck up, we've only got one more day," Lance pointed out.

When the long weekend finally arrived, Danny filled his pockets with all the things he wanted to bring, said good-bye to the Brotherhood, who barely acknowledged him as they argued about what to do that weekend, and took off. He flew north, toward the mental institution. It had been almost three whole weeks since he'd last been there, but he remembered the way.

Honestly, he hadn't expected to go back so soon, and Wanda probably wouldn't be expecting him either, but it wasn't like he was gonna be an inpatient this time. He would turn invisible and pop into Wanda's room to hang out with her. It hadn't even been that long, really, but he missed her.

Thinking about her in that room all alone again, without anyone or anything to distract her, it almost made him regret leaving in the first place. He should have been more considerate. Even though she said she'd be okay, leaving just because he didn't like Xavier was selfish.

When, after almost a full day of flying, he finally caught sight of the building, resentment gripped his chest. He hated this place. If it weren't for Wanda, he wouldn't have even stayed as long as he had. And if it weren't for her, he definitely wouldn't have come back, ever. No matter what.

But he did. He came back. For Wanda.

Sneaking in went just as planned. No one saw him. No one heard him. He was a ghost, after all. The moment he saw Wanda, he realized that he'd missed her even more than he'd thought.

"Knock knock," he said as he appeared in her room.

She jumped in surprise, but when she saw him, she smiled. "You scared me."

"Should I have said 'Boo', instead?" he asked. "I totally should have. Missed opportunity."

She chuckled slightly and shook her head.

"You seem to be doing pretty well, all things considered," he noted.

She was still wearing a straight jacket, but it looked looser, like whoever had put it on her wasn't as worried about her getting out. Her small smile still seemed genuine. Three weeks on her own again hadn't sent her straight back to her darkest place, it seemed.

"Yeah," she agreed. "I've been taking your advice. Whenever I notice myself getting stuck thinking about the bad memory, I try to think of three good ones. It's hard sometimes, but I think the more effort it takes, the better it works, because it keeps me distracted for longer. Yesterday, I remembered reading that book with you. You know the one. I tried to imagine an ending for it where they were both arrested as war criminals instead of having a happy ending. Do you want to hear it?"

"Absolutely," Danny confirmed.

In truth, he hadn't even thought about that trashy romance novel in ages. It was largely forgettable for him, but if it helped Wanda better navigate her emotions then hell yeah he wanted to hear her ideas for an alternate ending.

In her version of the ending, there was a huge trial. The kings of both sides agreed that the Warlock and Sorceress were guilty of crimes against Arvenia, and sentenced them to live the rest of there lives in a deep, dark dungeon where the lovers could only communicate by having rats deliver notes between them.

Then, after years of planning their escape one note at a time, they broke out and took over the world together, killing the kings and terrorizing the people of Arvenia to keep them in line.

"Ooh, plot twist!" Danny said when she got to that part. "I like that you made them the villains in the end. They should have been the villains from the beginning."

"I agree," Wanda said. "It was stupid that the book just gave them another villain to blame for all the bad things they did and fight off, rather than acknowledging their crimes."

"Totally!" Danny emphatically agreed. "Oh, I just remembered! I brought you some stuff."

He reached into his pockets and pulled out all the stuff he'd brought. He pulled out a deck of cards, a book of MadLibs and a pen, a sheet of stickers. He wasn't sure what they would have the most fun with, so he'd just  brought a bunch of random junk. Lastly, he pulled out a necklace, a black choker with an ankh charm.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Your first goth accessory," he said. "I found it in a random box in the attic where I'm staying now."

"No, I mean what's that symbol?" she asked, repositioning herself so Danny could put the necklace on her.

"Oh, it's an ankh. The Egyptian symbol for life, I think."

"Life, huh? Doesn't sound very goth."

"Well, you would be wearing it ironically," he said. "Most of the other gothy stuff I found had crosses, and seeing as your Jewish and all...." He shrugged. "Felt like it would be disrespectful. So, do you like it?"

"Yeah, I like it a lot," Wanda said. "You know," her voice became suddenly softer than before, like she was nervous. "Professor Xavier is going to come tomorrow. I think tomorrow might finally be the day he takes me with him."

"You think?" Danny asked, excited for her despite his hatred of the professor.

"Yeah," she confirmed. "I've been doing a lot better lately, and I have a really good feeling about it."

"That's awesome, Wanda!" he told her. "In that case, let's call the necklace a good luck charm. I'm rooting for you. I know you can do it."

"Thanks."

"You know, I also found this totally sweet red leather coat when I was rooting around in the attic," he said. "Ankle-length, flared collar, and it's your favorite color. Once you're ready to give up the straight jacket, I'll bring it to you as a congratulations present. What do you think?"

"I think you're really trying to motivate me."

"What can I say? I miss my friend."

"Then we have a deal," she agreed. Tomorrow is gonna be the day. I just know it."

Danny grinned widely at her. 

For the rest of the day, they mostly played MadLibs. They tried a few card games, too, but with Wanda's hands restrained, the only thing they could really do was collaborative solitaire, and that got old fast. Danny stuck little ghost and bat stickers on all the latches on her straight jacket while he told her about the school he was going to, and the board house. How he'd picked the same city the Xavier Institute was in so he could see her again when she enrolled there.

"They're all mutants at the board house," Danny told her. "I don't know if they actually believe I'm not, but they don't push it. They don't even call me a mutant by mistake. I don't know, maybe it's 'cause they're afraid I'll do something, or maybe it's 'cause they just don't care enough to argue with me, but either way, that's better than I ever got from Xavier."

"I'm glad you found people who accept you," Wanda said. "I hope when I go to the professor's school, I will too."

"Me too," Danny agreed. "And hey, even if you don't find them there, you'll still have me."

She smiled at him. Her smile was always small, burdened, a little sad behind the eyes, but it was honest. Danny liked that about her. She never tried to hide anything.

That night, he crashed in her room. Despite being fully padded, it was not very comfortable, but it was better than trying to fly through the night and ending up sleeping in a tree somewhere. He said 'see ya later' and left early in the morning to make sure he wouldn't be seen when the orderlies came to get her for her meeting with the professor, and promised to meet up with her again soon.

Then, he spent another day flying back to Bayville.

"You're getting back a little late, aren't you?" Lance observed when Danny finally returned to the board house. "Did you get to spend some quality time with your girlfriend?"

"Again, not my girlfriend, but yes, I did," Danny responded. "How was your... whatever you guys decided to do this weekend?"

"Oh, we ended up not being able to decide, so we just ordered pizza and stayed here all weekend," Lance answered. "So that was... that."

"Oh, yeah, those X-Men are gonna be soo jealous of the weekend you had."

"Shut up!"

It wasn't until a couple days later that news reached the Brotherhood of the X-Men's newest member. It came by way of Lance's budding relationship with Kitty.

"Really!? The X-Men have a new member?" Danny repeated excitedly when he heard the news after school.

"That's what Kitty said," Lance confirmed. "Apparently she's not gonna start at Bayville High for another few of days so she can get settled, but yeah. I don't know anything about her, though."

"I'm pretty sure I do!" Danny said. "I gotta go!"

"What?"

Danny didn't bother to explain. He went ghost, made a quick pit-stop in the attic to grab something and then flew straight for the Xavier Institute. He'd never actually been there before, but Tabitha told him where it was a while back. Apparently, she used to be an X-Men trainee before she joined the Brotherhood, and she was still friends with some of them.

Turrets rose up out of the ground the moment he got past the gate. Probably motion-activated. Danny easily avoided getting hit by turning intangible and staying that way until he'd flown straight through the front door. It actually took a while. The grounds were huge.

By the time he got through, there was a group of mutants waiting for him, suited up and ready for a fight.

"Relax, I'm not here to fight," Danny said. He held up the paper bag he'd brought with him. "I'm just bringing a friend a gift."

"Who are you?" demanded a guy with a weird visor. Scott, probably. He seemed like Scott.

"What do you mean who am I?" Danny asked. "You know me!"

"Like, I've never seen you before," Kitty said, crossing her arms. 

How they expected to protect their identities when they didn't even wear masks, Danny had no idea.

"What are you talking about? I—" He stopped himself abruptly. "Oh yeah, my bad," he said, and let the rings of his transformation wash over him, revealing his human form. "Recognize me now?"

Judging by their gasps, the answer was yes, but they didn't stand down.

"What are you doing here?" Jean asked. "I thought you didn't want anything to do with the Xavier Institute."

"I don't wanna join, but it's not like I hate you guys or anything," Danny said. "This just isn't the place for me. And I already told you why I'm here. I'm brought a congratulations present for Wanda. She's your new member, right? Or trainee? Whatever."

"How do you know that?" asked a fuzzy blue mutant that Danny didn't recognize until he started talking. That German accent was unmistakably Kurt.

"Well, when I saw her the other day, she said she felt really confident that she was going to be able to join you guys soon, and then Lance said Kitty said you got a new member, so I figured it must be her."

The others all glared at Kitty.

"What?" she asked. "It's not like it was gonna be a secret for long anyway. We, like, all go to the same school!"

"I wasn't aware you and Wanda were so close," came a familiar voice.

Danny turned to see the professor wheeling in and had to school his face to avoid scowling at him.

"We're friends," he said. "Can I see her or not? And keep in mind if you say no, I'm just gonna find her anyway."

"As long as you haven't come with ill intentions, I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to see her," the professor said. "We're all mutants after all, and a sense of community is important."

"I'm not a mutant," Danny muttered, his scowl finally breaking through.

The professor responded with a tight smile. "Jean, why don't you show Danny to Wanda's room."

"Of course, professor," Jean agreed. "It's this way."

She headed up the stairs and Danny followed.

"So do you and Wanda know each other from the institution?" Jean asked. "I mean, sorry, that's probably personal. I hope you don't mind me asking."

"It's fine," Danny said. "Yeah. Security couldn't exactly hold a guy who walks through walls, so I would sneak into her room sometimes and we'd hang out. She always wanted to be able to come here. I could never really understand it, but I'm still proud of her, you know? I may not agree with you guys, but you're good people. For the most part. I'm not quite sold on Scott, yet."

Jean chuckled. "I guess we can't really ask for more than that." She stopped in the hallway and knocked on a door. "Wanda, you in there? You have a visitor."

The door opened seemingly on its own.

"Danny!" Wanda's voice called. "I didn't think you'd be here so soon."

"I came as soon as I heard, and I guess word travels fast," he replied. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, come in," she said.

"I'll leave you to it," Jean said, as she backed away into the hall and closed the door behind her.

"You look good," Danny said.

Her clothes were a bit mismatched, but it was the first time he was seeing her without a straight jacket, and that was a huge improvement. She was also wearing the choker he'd given her. Her hair looked recently washed, and was neatly combed and tucked behind her ears. 

Even the way she held herself was more confident, happier. Not being in that rotten mental institution was already having a positive affect on her, it seemed.

"I brought something that'll make you look even better." He held up the paper bag.

"The coat?" she asked, rushing forward excitedly to take the bag from him.

"I hope it fits," he told her. "It looked about the right size."

She let the bag drop to the floor as he pulled the coat out and smoothly slid it on. It looked like it might be a little wide in the shoulders, but other than that, it fit like a glove.

"It's perfect," she said.

"I also found some earrings that match the necklace," he said. "I slipped 'em in one of the pockets. I know you don't have pierced ears, but I figured if you ever did, you might like to have them."

She patted the pockets until she found what he was talking about and smiled when she pulled them out. Then, she laid them gently on her dresser.

He didn't think he'd ever seen her smile so much, and so unabashedly. It wasn't the tiny, hesitant smile she'd worn before. She was really coming out of her shell.

"Careful," he said. "Looking at you now, I'd almost think you weren't consumed by rage."

Her smile fell. 

That had been the wrong thing to say.

"I am still angry," she said. "I can't stop it. But... you were right. I didn't need to control my anger. I just had to stop letting my anger control me. Now I can be angry and happy at the same time. Angry and excited. I feel more than just anger now. It feels good."

"I'm happy to hear it," he told her. "So how's this place treating you so far?"

"I have a roommate!" she replied instantly. "Her name is Rahne. And tomorrow, when they're done with school, she and some of the other girls are gonna take me to the mall for new clothes so I don't have to wear stuff from the lost-and-found anymore."

"That makes sense," Danny said.

"Do you wanna come?" she invited.

"I... would... but I might ruin the mood," he said apologetically. "Some of them don't trust me since I'm technically part of the Brotherhood, and we're... enemies? Rivals? Something like that. Plus, you don't want a guy tagging along on your first girl's shopping trip. Trust me. You'll want the full experience."

"You have a point...."

"I'll enjoy the surprise of seeing your new wardrobe when you come to school in a few days," he said.

They hung out and chatted for a little while until Wanda's roommate came back and Danny figured that was his cue to go. As he left her new room, he had the distinct pleasure of telling her he'd see her at school.

He could feel eyes on him until he was all the way off the manor grounds. They may not have hated him, but these X-Men sure as hell didn't trust him either.

Whatever. He didn't care what they thought about him. As long as they took care of Wanda, and left him alone, they were alright in his book. So far, so good.

[caffeinated-and-annoying-bard]

I really hoped I wouldn't have to make one, but here is my introductory post after all.

greetings, my name is Víctor, (although Val is fine as a nickname), I'm 17. I'm awful at replying DMs, is it ok to use the ask box if you want to chat? thank you in advance. (I use askboxes as freely and casually as one might ding dong ditch their obnoxious neighbours, so please know that I deeply appreciate asks)

my pronouns can be he/him or, if necessary, they/them. I'm mexican.

the tags at the bottom are my usual markers, the "val ramblings" one is older and the "victory losertalking" is the one I'll be using for when I fully indulge in the sheer loserness of my personality (i'll try to edit the tags in older posts)

I do wizardblr roleplays sometimes as a bard who is pretending to be a wizard.

I like writing but never do so. my sort-of (shitty) poetry are under the tags "#my poetry #sort of"

My interests, in order of current priority are: The Magnus Archives, Will Wood, Wolf359, Hadestown, Good Omens, Zelda, Stardew Valley, A:TLA, TOH, PJO, Narnia, His Dark Materials, Eragon, Be More Chill (i'm, wholeheartedly, so very sorry), + many others i can't quite remember at the moment.

dni: you know the drill, usual assholes, I'll finish the list later. all i believe needs to be repeated right now is that my support is with Palestine, this is a genocide and no one should argue about the "right to defend itself" of an apartheid state.

[minggukieology]

Hii, hope you're doing good!

There's quite confusion about a little thing as some are saying that some things are mistranslated but others going it's correct so it'll be helpful if you can translate this clip 😅

https://twitter.com/Jimin95themoon1/status/1624589256151732225?t=e6VHIt5Muec5n6j8HXbqKw&s=19

It's this one...

Hi, thanks for your message.

As always chronically online losers are creating something out of a normal interaction, I would assume trying somehow to use this translation of a 3 second clip as some kind of 'proof' that Jungkook was in some way 'opposing' the members coming in and commenting(??) while completely ignoring the rest of the interactions and even the footage where Jungkook is in no way using an angry tone to complain or show disagreement... How predictable 🥱 Though I wish to stay out of Twitter bs drama, I'll comment on this in the following way:

To start here is a longer clip:

Let's first of all take the whole situation into context and not only 3 seconds out of around a 2 min long conversation. Jungkook turns on the live, sees Jimin's comments and relays Jimin's appearance to the trainer. He invites Jimin over and explains to the trainer how the comments from the members appear. The trainer extends his invitation to Jimin and then Jungkook just keeps reading more comments while Hobi's subsequent comments appear. So then the subject of the convo changes to Hobi and Jungkook says:

Hoseokie hyung came too. (호석이 형도 왔다.)

*turns to the trainer* J-hope hyung came too. (제이홉 형도 왔어요!)

*turns back to the camera* Why.. why are (you) coming? Are (your) notifications popping up? (왜.. 왜 오는거야? 이게 알림이 뜨나?)

Here we arrive at the typical issue arising from Kor-Eng translations meaning it falls upon the translator to add pronouns to the sentence according to the context as Korean sentences do not rely on their use.

The sentence on its own only contains 왜 - why and 오는거야 - coming so as a translator you have "why ..... coming?" and the rest is self-assumed.

Now looking at the original translation of that account, they self inserted *they all* into the English translations, which heavily relies on being 100% sure from the context that he is addressing multiple people, therefore to avoid any misconceptions typically it is safer and more logical to use you.

*later edit: And moreover it is clear he is directly speaking to the member(s) when he looks back on the screen, even judging from the casual language, so the usage of 'they all' here in the translation is really not accurate.

And then the debate turns to how you perceive the situation and what is more logical. Was he addressing Jimin and Hobi at the same time? The original translator claims yes, from my perspective though and when being in such a situation where you have 1 sec to understand and react when talking to someone, the shortest and most logical answer is he is addressing the last subject of the conversation, which was Hobi. At that point he already acknowledged Jimin's presence in the comments and communicated with him, it would appear very weird if all of a sudden he turned and asked why is it that both Jimin and Hobi came.

This point is something that could be debated from the translator's point of view and could have multiple approaches. Overall, though I find it less likely, I don't find anything bad about Jungkook wondering how the members knew he was live, whether they got the notification. His tone and the overall context does not indicate ANY NEGATIVE CONNOTATION and this is purely a discourse inspired by malice.

Hope I explained it in a way that is understandable. Thank you for your question once again 😊

[glitterypopcorn]

introduction

haii!! i’m glitter!!!! you can also call me katya if you want !!!!!!!

i go by any pronouns :3 he/she/they preferred, no pref between the three >_<

click this link for additional info!

^^ best viewed on ipad as that is what i used to create it. some things are a bit weird on phone and im not sure how it looks on any computers :3

if u know what pafl is id really like you to treat me how you'd treat katya it'd just make me really happy >_> cuz i am kt after all

i'm a katya fictionkin :,3 i mention this later but if you're a double plz dni and block me, it's not personal but that sorta thing makes me feel super super bad

i edited my pfp but @/nopanamaman drew it! lmk if you want any icon edits there's a chance i'll make one

more stuff below the cut!!

CANDYLAND LINK

I AM A MINOR!!!!! please don’t be weird ^_^

i have autism and adhd (both diagnosed)

possible bpd although it is currently undiagnosed

CANDYLAND ASK BLOG @ask-candyland

i have another account that was a basil omori ask blog but i don't use it so it's just. there @glittersendsasks

KATYA PAFL RP ACC @katyas-cool-account405

ANYA PAFL RP ACC @beletskanya69

i have an omori au called the prism au! info can be found here :3 @omori-prism-au also not active there, and the au has been basically discontinued although i may come back to state what the ending was supposed to be,

i am fictionhearted with basil (omori), sydney o sargent (camp here and there), katya/kt (parties are for losers) and anya (parties are for losers)!! i relate to them a lot!!! when i say "me" under art, i don't mean it literally >_< someone else talking about how they relate to the character makes me uncomfortable (i get jealous over a lot of things easily) so if you do it too much i may unfollow you . please please don't take it personally, youre allowed to relate to characters, this is just so i dont feel super shitty all the time,,

sorry bros i dont do copypastas dont take it personally

if i ever make you uncomfortable in ANY WAY please dm me! i won't get mad i promise ^_^ i'm always looking to better myself but i do make mistakes and forget things sometimes and im sorry about that

likes: omori, parties are for losers, ghost and pals, luluyam, the post-traumatic manifesto, welcome to night vale, camp here and there, in stars and time, evidentlyfresh, ferry, cotton candy flavored stuff, candy + other sweet foods, drawing, singing, bugs, isopods, and cosplaying!!!!! n my favorite color is pink

here's a link to music i like because i don't want to make this post too long!! i will probably forget to update this so it will likely be outdated if you're looking at it a month or more after it's posted

please don’t call me pookie, thank you <3

rbs > likes but do whatever you want lol idc !!

hearts meaning:

🩷 : romantic. if i do it with you and i don't know you irl, i accidentally clicked it. i will probably notice this.

💚🩷 : platonic.

💚 : platonic. only used when i want to send a single heart.

<3 : depends. if we're not partners, it's platonic.

(o*・ω<)oﾟ.+:｡ﾟ.+

no dni i just block <3

EXCEPT for doubles it makes me uncomfortable im sorry

by the way i’m burnt out currently and may not respond to asks/do things i said i would do. don’t take it personally ^_^

also. i can only speak english </3 i'll use google translate if spoken to in another language so things i say might sound weird

i LOVE following people even if they've interacted with my posts once !!!

profile picture by ferry! @.nopanamaman (people tag her in fanart n stuff but this . isn't that )

[ninyard]

Heya! I’m new to writing fanfic despite reading for more than half of my life, and I have maybe a silly question: do you get help from a beta? How does one…find that help? 😅 I have a TRC and a TFC fic I need to complete and no godly clue how to find someone to read over what I write so I don’t obsess myself into spirals on my own haha.

I don't personally! But not for any specific reason - I think if literally ANYONE turned around to me and said they would be cool with beta reading my fics I would LOVE that shit. With the amount of mistakes I miss even after half a dozen rereads, I probably should have one lol

In general what I do is just step away from things for a day or two once I think they're finished, then read through it all, and if I trip up over anything in my brain, or find anything that feels a bit too wordy/like a mouthful, I'll revise it. I hate second drafts with a PASSION but for my first draft I usually write out the whole thing, with its bare bones, and fill in the gaps later. If you get stuck on something, just move on and come back to it later. Need to describe another character but don't know what to do? Just write 'He had blue eyes and brown hair' and move on. Things like that. It's so much easier to come back to it and fix it then fixating on it and getting nowhere. (i do a lot of additions in my edits, hence how my most recent fic went from 13k words in the first draft to 18k after the edit.)

I'm one of those losers that gets inspired by reading my own writing, so stepping away from fics when you think you've spent too much time spiralling over it, to come back to it later, is a LIFESAVER. Things you thought you were stuck on will get so much clearer once your brain has had a break, once you've """forgotten""" the exact words you wrote down. Read it from the beginning like it's your first time reading it, read every word, and if something takes you out of it, then figure out why and fix it.

Most importantly try not to be too worried about numbers and other peoples' opinions. It's easy to become discouraged when you're 5 chapters into a fic and it feels like nobody is reading it or liking it, but write for yourself!

Practice makes better, because it’ll never be perfect. Just have fun, don’t take it too seriously, and write what you want to read. Make a post and tag the fandom on it asking if anyone wants to be a beta reader, or maybe ask if anyone wants to “swap” (you beta read theirs and they read yours). I don’t know though!!!! I have never ever written with a beta reader so I don’t really have any advice there:((

I'm sorry I know you didn't ask for advice and I hope this doesn’t come across as rude or anything. We all start somewhere!! Here’s snippets from a fic I wrote in 2016 vs a different one I wrote this year.

Everybody starts somewhere, I’ve been writing fics for like 12 years and I still doubt if my writing is any good. Sure, validation is nice, but you have to trust yourself (and like your own stuff!!). and if you feel worried about your writing just keep going!!!! You’ll find your style and settle into it but just trust yourself and have fun my friend!! You’ve got this<3

(This got way too long and I rambled too much I’m so sorry)

[msfbgraves]

I'm rewatching the Karate Kid trilogy, and I'm once again struck by Daniel's sweetness and his capacity for affection and love. Yes, he's sassy, and hot-headed, and mouthy...but his true defining trait is his kind, good heart. I don't understand people who hate him in Cobra Kai, or think HE'S the villain (!!!!) to Johnny Lawrence, the world's most immature man, a terrible parent, and a genuine loser.

I don't know if they hate Daniel for being successful and wealthy but still compassionate and sweet, or what it is. He's a very good dad, husband, and friend who is still imperfect and flawed. He's been right from the start concerning Cobra Kai.

I also hate the whole demonizing of his wonderful relationship with Mr. Miyagi!! It makes me sick.

I'm sorry that the creators of this show and 12 year olds on tik-tok and Johnny fans hate Daniel when he's so loveable. I'd love to have a guy like that in my life, may it be a friend or a husband. He's the best.

He is the best, Nonnie, but some people can't handle that. What they see is someone being demonstrably good, and kind, and what they recognise is: I'm not like that, and Being that kind would be work, I'm not there yet, and then Am I willing to put the work in? And then you can get Nah, I'm good, (Louie), Yes, of course (Bobby) or No, and fuck you for making me aware of that!! I shouldn't have to work on myself!!! I want to be loved as a shit person!!!!

Now with Daniel you also mix in "And I'm gay for him...!" Which can also drive people really mean. And when you're twelve on TikTok... I've woken up 20 years later and thought: OMG, I was an asshole and I had no idea. Not continuously but we all have bad days or don't yet know how to be at the receiving end of shitty behaviour. That's human. It's part of growing up to learn how to imagine being someone else and anticipating what your deeds may mean for someone else. Some people, like Daniel, have enormous hearts and can do this instinctively, almost without effort. It's harder for others. He doesn't seek all that much power, Daniel. Johnny does and that's fine. But what Cobra Kai didn't teach - something that's immensely important - is how to give yourself your own power kick. And that is finding something you enjoy doing and hitting milestones there. Be it winning the All Valley or saving up for a trip or nursing a goldfish or winning a level or building something in Minecraft or flying to Mars or learning how to deep fry your own Haggis or editing a vid. It doesn't matter as long as it doesn't hurt people. Hurting people is the easiest, lowest, most self destructive power kick you can imagine. And if you never learn constructive power kicks, and hurt your own relationships because you're mean to others.... it isn't it easy to resent people that are liked? That people are drawn to? That can be huge dorks and get away with it? It's so unfair!

And if you're twelve you'll learn how to be a person and regulate your own emotions and work for what you want, even when others seem to have it easier. It's a problem though when you haven't learnt this by 52. Because those people look at Miyagi and think: how dare he make me feel bad for being nice, I'll get him for that, especially now Pat isn't alive to oppose me, look at how clever I am, I'll show them!!!!!!!!!!!!

[violetnerves]

The Rise and Fall of Jenny Hopkins, aged 15 - Chapter 3: Gary the Unreliable Narrator. BullyAU.

Alright so instead of a chapter taking me an entire month to write+edit, instead it took me almost an entire month to write+edit.

Progress!

So first of all, this is a chapter in Gary's POV compared to the past two which were in Jenny's. I figure that every now and then I'll drop a chapter in Gary's POV if it'll benefit the story. Otherwise, it's mainly Jenny's POV.

This chapter is less about forwarding the plot and more just a bit of "bonding" for Jenny and Gary, and a little bit of a character study for Gary and a little world building added in, like a mention of Bullworth Academy's background.

Anyway, content warning for the following:

-Gary POV (He's gross.)

-Derogatory language towards women.

-Harsh language.

-Questionable relationships.

If I missed anything, let me know.

Word Count: 6728

The pebble flew from Jenny's slingshot well enough, only to disappointingly strike the metal of the hallowed out junk heap of a bus and bounce back with a pitiful little  

I rolled my eyes at Jenny, and rudely, she didn't even acknowledge it! 

*'Ugh. I don't know how long I can stand pretending to like this moron.'*

"Do you need me to aim it for you? C'mon Jane, it's not that difficult!" I said, pointing towards the bus' windows. "Just aim for the glass!"

She finally acknowledged me, even if it was only to glance at me and then back to the bus. At least she actually said something other than grunting dismissively.

"Oh shut up Gary, it's been a while since I've used a slingshot. Mom banned me from them after I shot out the right eye of one of her crappy boyfriends 5 years ago. I'm a bit rusty."

I admit, hearing her say that got a chuckle out of me. Jenny's casual admittance to partially blinding a man who used to date her mom reminded me exactly why I even bothered with her in the first place. She was clearly screwed up in the head, and that kind of thing appealed to me in a way I couldn't describe. On one hand, she wasn't clever or smart, so she'd never be able to undermine a genius like me... but on the other hand? Jenny was psychotic, a real violent headcase. Even if she'd probably feel offended by being called that, it was true.

I'd looked over Jenny's permanent record after a bit of snooping around the office during the start of the school year, about a month before the girl had actually arrived. That hopeless ditz of a secretary, Danvers was none the wiser, too caught up in her lust for that old windbag of a Headmaster to notice all my digging. Lots of juicy info in there.

I saw the joy Jenny got out of hurting people. Even if she might've tried to deny it, it was obvious. Much like the rest of the school, I'd watched how she gleefully beat the crap out of those losers on her first day here as well as the ear-to-ear smile she had as she walked out of the Shop area earlier. She might try to hide it under the excuse of just trying to brute force them to leave her alone, but I knew better. Because I was smarter than her, smarter than anyone in this stupid sinkhole of a town.

And in the end, I'd make sure they'd all know it. Every single one of these *morons*.

"I'll shut up when you actually break a window, now aim," I pointed towards the windows again, taking the opportunity to lightly brush her on the shoulder. 

Jenny glared at me and took aim once more. I grinned as she shot another pebble and hit the second window on the right dead on. The glass shattered, and the resulting shards fell into the inside of the bus. 

I couldn't help but snicker, and internally I'd hoped the Hobo who lived behind the bus would make the mistake of forgetting to wear shoes the next time he drunkenly stumbled through the broken down bus' aisle after a few too many drinks.

"Finally... now hit the other windows."

"Yeah, yeah..."

After about 6 pebbles later, the last bus window shattered at the impact of the small rock.

I slowly clapped as a response.

"Great job, Jenny... Though I'd compare your aim to that of a guy with no arms... Who also went blind from an "accident" involving a slingshot and his girlfriend's angry daughter."

She gave me a rude grunt in response. She didn't even turn her head to *look* at me.

I guess this is what I get for trying to be a little humorous? Hmph. If I was an idiot, I would've smacked her across the face for that, but I let it go. Honestly, the amount of generosity I show idiots like her is astounding. If anybody knew just how much I held back, I don't think these morons would ever look at me the same way... not even that sissy Petey. Jenny, too... and for some reason, that bothered me a little. 

The girls in Bullworth were terrible, all cagey, and stuck up. Jenny was sort of like that, but just like with her seemingly internal denial of her violent tendencies, I knew it was an act. With time, I'd rip that mask off of her much like I'd ripped my own off of myself all those years ago.

"Well, if you're done insulting me for my bad aiming, then I'll just be going. See you whenever."

I was nearly so caught up in my endless, maddening thoughts that I hadn't noticed Jenny had shoved the slingshot into her purse and began to walk off.

*'Ugh! No, not yet! Get back here! How dare you walk away from me?!'*

I was tempted to run to her and grab her, but that probably would've just made her angry. No, that wouldn't do at all, I could just-

"Hey, hold on a minute, Jenny. You didn't eat lunch, did you? I know you didn't even eat dinner yesterday, and I don't think you came to breakfast today. You weren't even in the cafeteria!"

She stopped and turned to me, a bit annoyed but still clearly caring enough to hear me out. 

"Yeah? So?"

"Soooo let's get the hell out of here and get something from town. You've basically skipped out on 3 meals, that can't be healthy, y'know?" I couldn't resist adding in a little jab, nothing too bad, "Even if the weight loss might be a bit beneficial..."

She frowned and rolled her eyes at me. I felt my eye twitch, fists clenching.

*'You'll know your place soon, bitch. Just like the other morons.'*

Thankfully, Jenny didn't notice my irritation, and she responded back with an actual answer.

"Sure, I guess... But how are we even supposed to go into town? I was told we couldn't leave campus, and they keep the front gates shut and locked 24/7. You got some kind of way out of this dump?" Jenny said with a bit of suspicion in her tone, "I don't think it's a good idea anyway, I could get in trouble for skipping class."

I smirked and smoothed my hair out.

"Of course I do Jen, I know this place top to bottom, heck, I could probably draw the whole layout of the school by memory," I bragged, walking up to her side. My hand hovered over her shoulder a bit, but I decided to pull it back. Best not to agitate her more, I was being a little too fast about all this. In time Gary... In time... "There's plenty of exits to the outside, and the teacher's around here are too uncaring enough to even bother. Every student around here sneaks out all the time, trust me."

Jenny's whole demeanor seemed uncertain, even though she still had that resting bitchface going on. I couldn't say she ever looked ugly with it, though, even though I'd never admit that to her.

I had to tear her self-esteem down gradually. Sure, I liked her violent streak, but she was too proud, too stubborn. I had to rip that out of her and shape it into something I could use. My own personal attack dog.

She seemed to relent, nodding.

"Fine... Show me the way then."

"Gladly."

I waved to her as we headed over to the main gate, the familiar, faint sound of the school bell ringing to announce the end of lunch. I looked back at Jenny, who wasn't running as quick as she should have been.

"C'mon Jenny, pick up the pace! Russell likes to hang around the main gate after lunch, and I really wouldn't want him catching us there!" I said, turning a corner. 

Jenny snapped back at me a bit angrily.

"Ok, fine! Look, I've got short legs so..."

"So? Just hurry up!"

I smirked as I got to the side of the Academy's main gate, leaning against the red brick as I waited for Jenny to catch up. She did, though she appeared to be confused by the fact that we were at the front gate.

Yes... Be confused idiot. It makes me feel smarter just by standing next to you.

"And we're here... why?.."

"Simple. We're climbing over the front gate."

I pointed to the top of the side of the stone archway that was fairly easy to just climb over and jump down from. The only obstacle was the black metal gate on the areas we'd have to climb to get to it. Black spikes lined the first gray stone foundation that we would have to climb on.

I yearned for the day one of the idiots of Bullworth took an unfortunate fall while taking this route. I wanted to see the life fade out of them as their stupidity and ego cost them their pointless and sad existence. It almost happened to that dumb jock Kirby last Halloween. I'd seen him lose his balance and nearly take one of the fence's spikes to the back. Guaranteed paralysis, or he dies, either way I was gonna *enjoy* watching it happen. But then that insecure idiot *Dan* just had to help him and the Jocks managed to sneak out to town during last Halloween without any issue.

 

It made me so upset that I tried to skip out on doing anything for that Halloween, much to Petey's confusion. *"But isn't Halloween your favorite holiday?"* I recall that proofofhisdad'sshitpullouttechnique saying while wearing that dumb Han Solo costume his mother helped make for him. It was bad enough that my parents were making me escort some of my younger cousins trick or treating with him, but hearing that little bitch question me about it was enough to cause me to swing for his face. He ducked, and my fist met the  solid brickwork of my house. That's how I ended up with a broken hand that school year, and now that Petey was old enough to attend Bullworth this year, I'd spend the entire school year paying it back.

Now that I thought about it, did that mean I was at risk of losing Jenny? She was pretty stupid after all. She could easily end up hurt or dead by her own idiocy. It was a wonder we'd ever met at all.

I decided that I wouldn't let that happen. She was *my* useful idiot, I wasn't going to let her go so easily.

"That looks... pretty unsafe."

I'd already climbed up onto the first foundation at that point. I turned to her, giving her an unamused look.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're scared! Quit acting like a little girl, Jenny! I won't let you fall!"

Jenny shook her head, sighing, and I helped her up, pulling her up to the knee height wall along with me. Jenny and I just stood there for a moment, my hands gripping her forearm and looking deeply at her honey-brown eyes. 

Did she know how distracting her damn eyes were? I wanted to rip them out and preserve them, I didn't want her looking at anyone else with those things. Anybody else would sully them, *ruin* them, not me. I'd keep them perfect forever.

Jenny's mouth was moving as if she was saying something, but I couldn't hear her for whatever reason. I was still caught up in her eyes. I wish my eyes looked as good as hers. The only thing cool about mine was that if the light hit them in a certain way, the pupils almost looked red. It fit me so well.

A voice, not Jenny's, broke me from my trance.

"You two! Jenny, Gary! What do you think you're doing?! Don't climb on that! You two could get hurt!"

That *slutwhorebitchcunt* *Miss* Lamb stood in the middle of the circle pathway leading to the Dorms, the Main school building and the front gate. She wasn't looking as prim and proper as she did on her first day here, her pinned up blond hair part way out of the bun it used to be styled in, and her eyeliner streaking down her face as if she'd been crying earlier. Considering the state she was in now, I held out hope that the bitch would crack and get run out by the end of the month like most of the new teachers this school would get. 

Honestly, even if she looked perfect, I saw how she really was on the inside, even though everyone else seemed to be blind to it. Blind to the real demon she truly was.

I didn't believe in God or the devil or any nonsensical deity imagined up by the many morons polluting this dumb blue sphere, but just from her existence, I knew I couldn't rule out the existence of demons.

It was bad enough that she had to force her way into my life again after abandoning me all those years ago, now she had to try and get me in trouble?! Why did she hate me so much?!

"Crap, it's Dr. Lamb, let's hurry up and-"

Without a word I forced Jenny up to the second foundation, following along with her as we got to the slope of the archway and climbed onto it.

That blond bitch below kept yelling at us to get down, but I blocked out her screeching voice.

Jenny and I slipped down the archway and to the outside below. That blond bitch ran to the gate to out at us more, sounding like a raving demon watching us escape from the pits of Hell.

A small smile curled at the edge of my lips as she watched us run off to the left. I turned my head to look back at Jenny as we moved.

"C'mon, we're going to Old Bullworth Vale. There's a fast food place there that I'm sure you'll like. You look like you've got cheap taste so it's perfect," I said, my run turning into a light jog as we crossed the bridge

"We're gonna be in big trouble when we get back. I doubt Dr. Lamb is gonna keep quiet to Crabblesnitch about us ditching school."

I stopped in place and turned to Jenny, noticing that she seemed a bit startled by how quick I'd spun on a dime.

"You think I give a *fuck* Jenny? I'm the Head Boy! A bit of buttering up to that moron and I'll be let off easy!" I said enthusiastically, trying to take off again.

"But what about- Hey!"

I didn't bother with a reply before jogging off again and expecting Jenny to follow me, which she did. 

She was already into me, I could tell.

After about 15 minutes we stood in front of Burgers, the fast food place that was the primary hangout spot for many of the children of Bullworth, where even the cliques somehow got along with one another... aside from the Preps, since they deemed themselves "too good" to be seen walking into this Grease pit. 

There was an unwritten agreement with the past and present managers there with the students: as long as no one caused any trouble *inside* of the joint, any student would be welcome to eat there despite the Academy's reputation. It had been that way since the opening of the building back in the late 50s, when Bullworth Academy was still a reformatory school/borderline borstal for boys before being remade into a regular, co-ed private school in the late 70s.

"Why is it called 'Burgers?' I've never even heard of this restaurant before, is this an east coast thing i'm not getting?" Jenny asked, looking up at the sign in confusion, "I mean, wouldn't that make advertising the place pretty difficult? Who's gonna remember a fast food place just called 'Burgers?' At least Cluck n' Bell sounds funny."

"Well the original franchise creator was involuntarily committed to an Asylum if that answers your question."

"It really doesn't."

"Huh. Guess you'll just have to keep wondering then, now c'mon. I'll be paying by the way."

Jenny immediately tried to stop me, and I heard her digging into her purse.

"What? No, it's fine, I can pay for my own-"

I whipped around, catching her off guard. I propped my hand up on the building, pressing against glass and relaxing on it.

"Oh c'mon Jenny, just let me pay for it. I come from a pretty wealthy family, y'know? It's not a big deal."

Jenny still seemed pretty reluctant, and admittedly, it was pissing me off. I've been nothing but polite to her, at least compared to the other troglodytes infesting this place, so why was she still so cagey?!

"I just... I don't wanna owe you anything that you can hold over my head later. It's happened before, and we've barely even known each other for a full day..."

"Yeah well, I wouldn't *do* that to you. I'll repeat this since it's clearly not getting through to that thick skull of yours... I'm from a very... wealthy family Jane..." I said quietly, though with how close we were, Jenny would be able to hear me just fine. "...There's nothing I could possibly want from you that I can't already get myself, alright? So quit with the cagey attitude, will you? I'm genuinely just trying to be polite, and you're really making me feel like crap by talking to you like this."

I added in that last bit of guilt-tripping just to seal the deal. I knew women were particularly susceptible to it, partially due to societal factors and just from what I've seen from the natural social behavior of women throughout the years. I had plenty of examples to go off of, from my absurd amount of female "cousins", to my "mother", to the various, uptight girls from the Academy... and... well, that bitch that I didn't want to think about unless I had easy access to a small animal I could strangle the life out of.

Sure, Jenny was a little different from other women, more like a man in a way... but I didn't think it made much of a difference. It's not like guys couldn't be susceptible to guilt-tripping themselves, otherwise it wouldn't work so well on Petey!

Then again, I'd hardly call Petey a guy, or a man for that matter. I barely considered him a male. I sometimes wondered if I could somehow gaslight him into going through with getting a sex change just because of how funny it'd be.

Jenny looked at me for a moment before eyeing her purse. She rolled her eyes and took her hand out of her purse.

"Well, if you're really not going to try and hold it over me, then fine," she zipped her purse back up and slung it on her shoulder.

"See, was that so hard?" I held the front door of Burgers open, "After you."

"Gee Gary, you're such a gentleman," Jenny said as she walked past me and into the restaurant. 

If I lacked self control, I would've slammed the door in her face right then and there, but I was better than that.

"Yeah, you're welcome Jane..." I replied back, trying hard to hide my bitter tone. If Jenny had noticed, she chose not to comment on it.

We ordered and sat down at a booth near the back of the building. I could barely tolerate more than one person at a time, so I felt it was necessary. Jenny was nice, or just didn't care enough, to question it.

The place was just as dingy and rundown as I remembered it. Sure, it was colorful like any other fast food place, but it still had that familiar stink of Bullworth all over it.

"So, you wanna hear about my plan for us to take over the school?" I said, grabbing a few napkins.

Jenny raised an eyebrow, seemingly both confused and interested in what I said.

"Take over the school? Why would I want to do that?" Jenny said, not so subtly watching as I began folding up the napkins in a, I'm sure in her eyes, really bizarre way. I tried to keep her from seeing too much of what I was doing since I didn't want to ruin the surprise. "I doubt that's even possible, I mean, who would even let us do that? It just sounds stupid."

I wanted to stab her eyes out. I wanted to take the cheap plastic cutlery I'd grabbed from near the soda machine and jab it right into her *lovely honey brown* optics and ruin her life. Stupid... Stupid?! It's not... *i'm* not stupid, you fat pig! You moronic whore! How dare you! You're lucky I even acknowledge you!

My hands clenched my work-in-progress napkin creation, threatening to ruin the work I'd already put into it. Instead, I let out a deep sigh and continued.

"No, no. See, I've got a plan, Jane. Ever since my first day here, I've dreamt of nothing but finally ending this cycle of bullying that's infected this horrible school since the beginning..." I whispered in a tired tone. That wasn't a lie, I hardly ever really lied... perhaps left out some information once or twice? Yes, and it was no different here. Once, when I was a stupid moron that thought these... *creatures* considered me an equal to them, I did hold hope that I could change things for the better and maybe find friends...

But I realized the truth. 

These animals didn't *want* change. They just wanted to keep stabbing each other in the back over and over. Generation after generation, grandfather to father to son. It didn't stop even after they started letting girls in. Instead, it was just like the boys, grandmother to mother to daughter.

So why not join in? Except I wouldn't play along, no, of course not. I'd never join a clique and be a lackey to some pompous incestuous nepo baby, a psychotic cuck, a hormone driven weakling, or have to choose between the two dumbest students at the Academy. No, I would be on top. It's what I deserved after everything this dumb rock's put me through in my 16 years.

The girls had their own way of backstabbery that I gleefully took for myself. Their psychological warfare was far more foul than any physical force the boys could muster, and I couldn't resist adopting it for myself. It suited my intelligence far more than the brute force approach anyway.

Though I still hated the girls the most because of it. The only reason I took a liking to Jenny was because she clearly wasn't capable of any of that. She was too stupid. *She* couldn't hurt me in a way that mattered. She was... simple... If a bit brutal in her ways...

...

...I didn't feel threatened when I was around her.

...

But I couldn't let her know that, and I would never willingly say it out loud. Not even on my dying breath.

I refused to give that to her. She'd never deserve to hear that from me. Jenny was just another moron after all, and she always would be.

"Don't you want that? To end the bullying? It's not like it wouldn't benefit you. You told me on your first day here that all you wanted was to be left alone, and if we pull this off..." I chuckled, continuing to fold the napkins, almost done with my cheap napkin origami creation, "Well, you'll get just that. You get to spend the rest of your school tenure living it up like a queen, and I get to graduate this year knowing I made a real difference here."

Jenny hadn't responded immediately, which I expected. I'm sure her smooth brain needed a bit to really take in what that all meant. 

Before I'd get a response, one of the workers came by with our food. A young woman who looked like she hadn't had a good night's rest in over a decade set a tray down at our table with the grace of a limbless ballerina, and it clattered loudly as it hit the table.

As she walked away, I continued speaking to Jenny:

"Hmph, how rude. I bet she has the gall to wonder why she only gets paid 7 dollars an hour. Isn't that right, Jenny?"

Jenny was already digging into her food, having popped  a handful of fries into her mouth with the piece of burger she'd bitten into along with a sip of that Beam cola soda she seemed really fond of for some reason.

She noticed me trying to keep the conversation going and just nodded, and with her mouth *thankfully* empty, she replied.

"Yeah, sure whatever," Jenny took another sip of her soda and seemed to look down at the table for a bit before replying again. "So... can we talk about this taking over the school plan of yours?"

"Oh of course, ask away Jenny! You're one of the most important parts of all this, after all. The queen on the chess board, so to speak."

The comparison to chess was deliberate, genius even. You couldn't win a game of chess if the king was taken out... but you could without a queen.

Oh, but that sweet little psychotic moron could barely hide it as the natural blush on her face grew brighter from my comment. Hook, line, and sinker. My little puppet. *She really is head over heels, and for me! That moron. She's making this so easy.*

"I'm really that important to your plan? I feel like you're just trying to butter me up," Jenny put up her guard, staring me down mid-chew. I chuckled, dipping a greasy onion ring into my ketchup packet.

"Can friends not compliment each other, Jenny? That's what we are aren't we? Don't tell me you can't take a compliment, c'mon now," I gave her a hurt look as I set down my origami to take a sip of my own drink. 

*Ah, nothing better than some good old diet Sprunk.*

For some reason, me looking hurt at her ticked her off a little, but she seemed to accept my response, albeit with a little attitude.

"Yeah, ok, whatever, just..." She took another quick sip. "What *is* it exactly? Your plan? How are we doing this?"

"Ah, yeah right. Well first off, we gotta get the Nerds on our side. Those guys are basically targeted by every clique, *especially* the Jocks. But they're sneaky bastards, and it's probably best to get them on our side considering all that weaponry they've got."

"The Nerds?" Jenny asked. "...Doesn't that include that fat blond kid with the open zipper we ran past yesterday?"

Algie?

"You mean Algie?" I replied.

"Yeah, that kid."

"Well? What about him?" 

"He stinks, the guy smells like piss for some reason. I dunno if I wanna even associate with a kid like that."

I chuckled, taking a bite out of a chicken nugget.

"Well, you're gonna have to. An easy way to get the nerds on our good side is for you to help escort him to the bathroom. See, the Bullies banned him from using the boys' dorms and Main school buildings bathrooms. The gym bathroom is basically out of the question thanks to the Jocks, and the Preps aren't going to let Algie into their private bathrooms inside their special little incest nepo baby Dorm," I went back to working on my origami, I'd already eaten half my food anyway. "It'll send a message to the rest of the cliques to back off the nerds a little if you're seen helping them. You've already got a little bit of rep for beating up most of the Bullies by yourself on your first day, and I'm sure word will go around that you did it again earlier."

Jenny still seemed reluctant, and to be honest? I couldn't blame her. Those nerds were a couple of creepy losers, Earnest especially. But unfortunately, playing nice with those degenerates was smarter than antagonizing them.

"Ugh, seriously? Do I have to?"

I gave her a serious look.

"Yeah, seriously. C'mon Jen, you only have to do it one time, I promise. Algie's pretty much their third man. You do that favor for him, *heh*, the rest will warm up to you quickly."

I could see Jenny juggle the thought in her head a bit before answering.

"Well, I guess if I'll only have to do it one time... then fine, but I'm definitely gonna haggle him for money for it."

"I wouldn't take anything less personally. Really, I mean, if you're gonna do a favor for anybody here, you really ought to ask for money to do it. The Preps might act like everybody else here is destitute just because their parents don't own a yacht, but that doesn't really mean anything. Even the Greasers can pay you a good amount for helping them out with anything."

"Good to know."

"Of course, now..." I propped my elbow on the table, leaning my head on my hand. "How's your Bullworth experience been so far? I realize it's just your second day here, but uh, how would you rate it anyway?"

I hid my creation underneath the table as I held it with my other hand, waiting for the right time to present it.

Jenny took another sip of cola.

"2/10 so far. Dr. Crabblesnitch is making me see the school guidance counselor tomorrow. I guess he thinks talking to her'll make me into a 'proper lady' or whatever."

"Oh great, you gotta deal with Miss Lamb. I pity you. I can't *stand* that woman."

"Why? I mean, I'm not exactly happy about having to go to counseling, but Dr. Lamb doesn't seem so bad. Did you have some kind of bad experience with her?"

Oh great, I've said too much. Now I'd have to make up some kind of bullshit reason to avoid the *real* truth. Using Jenny's distrust of adults (aside from her mother for some, presumably stupid reason) seemed like an easy and quick way to do that.

"I mean, Lamb just seems like she's hiding something to me. She's a new hire, and I feel like she's just putting on this act of being all sweet and kind until she reveals who she *really* is..." 

Jenny looked at me weirdly, and I was starting to get nervous. How could I get through to her about Lamb without her knowing about all my irrelevant baggage?

"I don't know, man. She seemed pretty genuine to me..."

I frowned. I couldn't think of a good reply that wouldn't just be me repeating the last thing I said.

Instead, I chuckled and tried to move the topic along in a different direction.

"Well Jenny... When it comes down to it, You'll learn who your real allies and friends are around here..." I pulled out the origami flower and presented it to Jenny. "Like me."

She looked down at the paper flower for a bit with her typical resting bitchface before casually taking it out of my hands and looking over it.

"...So this is what you were doing with those napkins?"

"Yeah. You like it?" I asked, genuinely curious to hear her answer. It wasn't like I *needed* to hear her compliment my napkin masterpiece... but it wouldn't hurt anything if she did. I could never get enough of my ego getting a little more stroked once and awhile.

When it seemed like she would reject it, Jenny did something that had me fuming. She fiddled with the bottom of the flower as if she was trying to undo the folds, but before I could angrily ask her why she was trying to ruin the gift I'd worked so hard on, I was caught off guard by what she did next.

She tied the loosened napkin folds into the strands of her poorly styled short copper hair, and there it sat on the right side of her head. I just stared at it as it hung there loosely on her hair.

Why had she done that? Did that mean she liked it? She didn't have to-

"Is something wrong? I just had this weird thought about pinning it to my hair, I can take it out if-"

"N-No!" I stood up and reached out to Jenny, only to immediately realize how stupid I looked and sat back down, laying my hand on the table. "It's... it's fine. I'm glad you like it, seriously."

I probably had the dumbest look on my face, I knew I was grinning like an idiot, but I couldn't help it. It was like she had me under some sort of hypnotism that was making me feel giddy by just looking at her.

Ugh, *she* was the one who was supposed to be all flustered and caught up in her emotions, not me! 

Why was I acting like this? I didn't even like this pig!

Then she had this damn smile on her face... ugh! I shouldn't have complimented her, what was I thinking!

While I was scrambling to change the topic, Jenny seemingly decided to do it for me.

"This was nice, but I dunno if it's worth it to have to sneak out all the time, do they ever open the school gates and let us walk around town?" Jenny asked as she piled her garbage on the tray, tossing a napkin she had just cleaned her face with on top of the pile. "The one private school I went to let us go into town as long as we were back by curfew.

I internally sighed with relief, regaining my composure and clasping my hands together.

"Yeah, they open the gates back up the day after Halloween. That was the compromise over keeping them shut for the entire school year, which was what the citizens of Bullworth originally wanted, but I guess Mayor Higginbottom and Dr. Crabblesnitch worked something out," I shrugged. "It's not really surprising, Crabblesnitch and the Mayor are childhood friends."

"Wait, how do you know that?" Jenny asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

"You gotta know your enemies like you know your friends Jane. That's how you *win*," I jabbed at the table with my index finger to emphasize my point. 

I didn't feel shy about giving her that bit of advice, since I doubted she was even smart enough to make use of it. Oh Jenny, so stupid, yet so violent...

...Almost the perfect woman...

"I guess that makes sense..."

"Well of course it does," I gathered up my half-eaten food/garbage on the tray and stood up from the booth with my drink in hand. "Now c'mon, let's leave this dump, I've got other places in mind we can visit."

Jenny stood up as well, grabbing her drink and the tray of garbage. She replied to me as she dumped the contents of the tray in a nearby garbage can and set the tray on top of a nearby stack of them.

"Other places? We're not just going back to the Academy?"

"Psh, no, that'd be stupid," I held the front door open for Jenny to walk through. "We'll wait till after curfew, maybe around 12:30. Less people that'll be wandering around, you know?"

"What about the cops? Man, it's my second day, I'm starting to think this was a bad idea..."

I closed the door and turned to her as we walked to the side of the restaurant, my tone betraying a bit of irritation with the copper haired girls nitpicking.

"Who cares? Don't tell me you're some kind of law-abiding citizen *Jane*, quit being lame!" I shook my head, chuckling a bit. "Honestly, I thought you were supposed to be some kind of juvenile delinquent, not some goody-two-shoes..."

Now *that* had clearly ticked her off, but rather than it backfiring on me as I had partly feared, instead it got Jenny to actually go along with what I wanted. 

"Oh shut up Gary. Just show me where you wanna go. If we get in trouble with the cops I'm 100% pinning it on you."

"Ah, a snitch then?" I replied, and I could see Jenny's temperament begin to reach a boiling point.

Alright, I'd had enough by that point. As fun as it was to push Jenny's buttons, it was time to take the pot off the stove top.

"I'm just joking Jen, chill out. Don't take it so seriously. Now, c'mon, let's get going."

I began walking, and Jenny followed alongside me like a stubborn but loyal mutt. Hm, maybe not a mutt, that was a bit generous. No, actually, her face was similar to one of those horribly inbred pitbulls. It was fitting since she clearly had the brain of one of those genetic dead-ends.

I took a look at her. She was still a bit mad clearly, so I figured I ought to say something to make her a little happier.

I was walking to the right of Jenny, and my eyes caught the origami napkin flower I'd folded, still tied into her hair. That led to her copper hair, and the way the reddening yellow mid-day sun shone on it. It was dangerously close to the color of rose gold metal, and I struggled to even tear my eyes away from it to concentrate on her face.

Now, I know I just compared Jenny's face to an inbred pitbull about a minute ago, but that was only because she was visibly angry at the time and the look on her face wasn't doing her any favors. Now, since she was relaxing a bit, she actually looked...

...Kind of pretty...

Did I ever mention those eyes of hers? Like... fresh pools of honey harvested straight from the honeycomb. It was a shame her eyes were squinted most of the time, you could barely notice just how good they looked when the sun hit them at just the right angle. Part of why I liked to provoke her was because she'd open her eyes real wide when she got upset, and I could actually get a good look at them.

"Gary? What are you looking at?"

The sound of Jenny's voice broke me out of my stupor. When I took another look at her, she looked confused, weirded out even.

Ugh, way to ruin my fun. Alright, what should I tell her?

...Hm...

"You know..." I said. I wanted to just insult her again or tell her to mind her own business and laugh at her for thinking I could even stand to stare at someone as ugly as her.

But... I didn't. For once, I just told the truth.

"You're really pretty you know."

I expected Jenny to get flustered, maybe look surprised just so I could get a good look at her eyes again. Something like that could have been entertaining and at least make up for that little bit of vulnerability I'd exposed just from telling her that. 

Instead, she had the gall to just frown at me and look *away*.

"Don't tell me that. I don't want to hear it."

Why? It was a compliment! Maybe I missed something? Misread her body language? Why would calling her pretty upset her? 

*'Some women just don't know how to take compliments.'*

It's not like I wasn't attractive, I mean, c'mon! I was rich and handsome, not to mention smarter than everybody in this stupid town combined! I was doing *her* a favor even! 

It's not like I actually meant it anyway! I was lying when I said I was telling the truth. That should've been obvious!

"Yeah? Well... I meant it, so I'm not taking it back. Get over it Jenny."

I decided to double down on it since I figured it would just make her mad, but instead, she shied away from me like I was some kind of vermin. Ugh, *women*.

Rather than backing out, instead Jenny *thankfully* relented, and we could just go ahead and move on.

"...Fine, let's just go.”