#especially in a SCIENCE CENTERED school

[everydayyoulovemeless]

RIP to Richie "ball-lover" Marcus. Your grades killed me

[nasa]

Roman's primary structure hangs from cables as it moves into the big clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

What Makes the Clean Room So Clean?

When you picture NASA’s most important creations, you probably think of a satellite, telescope, or maybe a rover. But what about the room they’re made in? Believe it or not, the room itself where these instruments are put together—a clean room—is pretty special. 

A clean room is a space that protects technology from contamination. This is especially important when sending very sensitive items into space that even small particles could interfere with.

There are two main categories of contamination that we have to keep away from our instruments. The first is particulate contamination, like dust. The second is molecular contamination, which is more like oil or grease. Both types affect a telescope’s image quality, as well as the time it takes to capture imagery. Having too many particles on our instruments is like looking through a dirty window. A clean room makes for clean science!

Two technicians clean the floor of Goddard’s big clean room.

Our Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland has the largest clean room of its kind in the world. It’s as tall as an eight-story building and as wide as two basketball courts.

Goddard’s clean room has fewer than 3,000 micron-size particles per cubic meter of air. If you lined up all those tiny particles, they’d be no longer than a sesame seed. If those particles were the size of 16-inch (0.4-meter) inflatable beach balls, we’d find only 3,000 spread throughout the whole body of Mount Everest!

A clean room technician observes a sample under a microscope.

The clean room keeps out particles larger than five microns across, just seven percent of the width of an average human hair. It does this via special filters that remove around 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger from incoming air. Six fans the size of school buses spin to keep air flowing and pressurize the room. Since the pressure inside is higher, the clean air keeps unclean air out when doors open.

A technician analyzes a sample under ultraviolet light.

In addition, anyone who enters must wear a “bunny suit” to keep their body particles away from the machinery. A bunny suit covers most of the person inside. Sometimes scientists have trouble recognizing each other while in the suits, but they do get to know each other’s mannerisms very well.

This illustration depicts the anatomy of a bunny suit, which covers clean room technicians from head to toe to protect sensitive technology.

The bunny suit is only the beginning: before putting it on, team members undergo a preparation routine involving a hairnet and an air shower. Fun fact – you’re not allowed to wear products like perfume, lotion, or deodorant. Even odors can transfer easily!

Six of Goddard’s clean room technicians (left to right: Daniel DaCosta, Jill Bender, Anne Martino, Leon Bailey, Frank D’Annunzio, and Josh Thomas).

It takes a lot of specialists to run Goddard’s clean room. There are 10 people on the Contamination Control Technician Team, 30 people on the Clean Room Engineering Team to cover all Goddard missions, and another 10 people on the Facilities Team to monitor the clean room itself. They check on its temperature, humidity, and particle counts.

A technician rinses critical hardware with isopropyl alcohol and separates the particulate and isopropyl alcohol to leave the particles on a membrane for microscopic analysis.

Besides the standard mopping and vacuuming, the team uses tools such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, wipes, swabs, white light, and ultraviolet light. Plus, they have a particle monitor that uses a laser to measure air particle count and size.

The team keeping the clean room spotless plays an integral role in the success of NASA’s missions. So, the next time you have to clean your bedroom, consider yourself lucky that the stakes aren’t so high!

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[saturnianautist]

The 12th house and what dreams you have

Disclaimer: I’m not a professional these are just my observations based on experiences, friends, family and research so take with a grain of salt.

Note: Another Astro notes post will be added to the series soon, hope you enjoy <3

Aries in the 12th house:fighting, wars, dreams about action, situations where they have to have courage, spontaneous dreams, Sports or being active,competitions, dreams where you’re in youth or around younger people.

Taurus in the 12th house: singing, going shopping, dreams where your senses are intact, being in luxury spaces or having luxury things, money, romance, being in comfortable spaces, situations where you stand your ground, dreams where you have to protect something, dreams in nature.

Gemini in the 12th house: talking to people, gossiping, letters, school, being copied, unrestricted spaces, writing or seeing/finding letters, very fast paced multiple things being thrown at you kind of dreams, these dreams might feel a bit all over the place moving from one thing to the next, social dreams.

Cancer in the 12th house: family, especially woman/motherly figures in your life, quiet spaces, things/spaces from your childhood, being by the ocean, dreams about an emotional experience.

Leo in the 12th house: fatherly figures, being in front of the public or on stage, performances, warm spaces, dramatic experiences, lively or energetic dreams.

Virgo in the 12th house: being alone or in hiding/not being in the center of attention, dreams about health/medicine/healing, dreams where you’re doing regular daily activities.

Libra in the 12th house: dreams where you’re viewing from multiple perspectives, justice, art, dreams about relationships.

Scorpio in the 12th house: intense dreams, destructive or transformative dreams, healing, dreaming about taboo things, themes of authority or power.

Sagittarius in the 12th house: dreams where you’re receiving info or messages, dreams that predict the future, dreams about traveling or going to foreign places (doesn’t have to mean another country), spiritual dreams, dreams about big or grand events.

Capricorn in the 12th house:

Dreams about being trapped or being in restrictive spaces or spaces with rules, dreams about hardship or hard work, being in high up places socially, dreams about the past, dreams about grandparents or elders, dreams about being old.

Aquarius in the 12th house: dreams about future society, science, dreams about being in groups or around them, dreams about experiments, technology and the internet, strange dreams.

Pisces in the 12th house: indirect messages, intuitive dreams, imaginative dreams, fantasy, dreams about escaping or substances, dreams that are an emotional rollercoaster.

If you read to the end thanks for sticking around I hope you enjoyed the post! Lmk what other kinds of posts you would enjoy in my asks or comments<33

[clockwayswrites]

A Broken Sort of Normal Part 8

WC:1175 Masterpost

Wherever they stopped was completely dark and definitely outside. As a cool breeze blew past, Danny was very glad he listened and had brought a jacket.

“You know,” Danny said as he climbed off Flash’s back. “It’s a good thing that you’re a hero, because this has mild serial killer vibes.”

“What?! No no,” Flash stammered before he dashed around the area.

Lights bloomed behind him as he ran, illuminating the space. They were in a field of some sort, standing on the foundation of a long gone building. The prairie grasses caught and sparkled in the light of the various lanterns that Flash had turned on. A cozy looking pile of blankets and a few pillows sat in the center of the foundation. Flash stopped next to it, shifting nervously on his feet.

“I, um. So there’s a meteor shower tonight!” Flash rushed to explain, the words almost garbled with how he was practically vibrating in place. “And I thought we’d come somewhere really dark where we could watch it? Since you like space? And I packed a little picnic for us too and…”

“That sounds really, really nice,” Danny said with a soft smile, talking over Flash’s almost panicked explanation. “I didn’t think I’d get to see the meteor shower this year, so this is really awesome.”

“Yeah? Okay, good,” Flash said, almost slumping as the nervous energy drained out of him. “I hope it’s a good night for them.”

“Even if not, this is… great, really great Flash,” Danny said. He made his way to the blanket, slipping his shoes off before he sat. “It’s been… it’s been a really long time since anyone has done something like this for me. Thank you.”

“Yeah? Wow, I keep saying that. I mean you’re welcome,” Flash said as he took off his peculiar boots and sat down next to Danny. “I’m glad you said yes.”

“You made me curious,” Danny said honestly. He picked up Flash’s boot, studying it as the other unpacked the backpack. “What are these made of to not just disintegrate when you run? I mean, obviously a polymer of some sort, but the friction it has to withstand…”

“Oh, we use a lot of the same stuff that you see in factories where machines produce high friction and some science from the automotive industry and even the aerospace,” Flash explained when he paused to see what Danny was talking about. “The shoes were pretty easy. The suit was the real problem.”

“Weave issues,” Danny said with a little nod. “Makes sense.”

“And chaffing,” Flash said with a grimace. “I have used so much baby powder.”

Danny couldn’t help but laugh at Flash’s expression. “I bet.”

“Yeah. Luckily Un—um, the other Flash had a lot of things worked out before I put on the suit.”

“That’s cool. Chemistry was never my thing, but material engineering can be really inventive.”

“There you are being smart again.”

“Me? Nah, my parents are just inventors. I used to do some work in their lab when I was a kid,” Danny said, setting the shoe down.

“And you didn’t want to follow in their footsteps?” Flash asked, his tone oddly soft.

Danny snorted. “Their type of science? No way. And besides, I never would have gotten into a good program. I, ah… didn’t do too well in high school.”

“No?”

“Nope. There was an accident in my parent’s lab with one of their inventions…” Danny closed his eyes. It was still hard to talk about the accident, especially when he couldn’t really talk about it. “Got electrocuted pretty badly by it. My heart stopped. Anyways, it threw me off pretty badly for a time and then I just never really got my feet under me. And there was this stupid bully and some other shit… sorry, excuses, I know.”

“Hey, no, reasons. People who think every reason is an excuse really don’t want you to explain yourself, they just want you to feel bad,” Flash said and bumped their shoulders together lightly. “Besides, look where you are now! You’re doing so much good and already a team lead. That’s amazing. Who cares about how you did in high school anymore?”

“My sister, for one,” Danny said. He sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck. “Wow, sorry, I really brought the mood down, huh? Show me what you brought for this picnic. After your pizza choices I’m curious what else you like.”

“Dude, you ate the pizza!” Flash defended, though his grin gave away his amusement.

“I wasn’t insulting your tastes, curious can be a good thing. It got me to agree to tonight, remember?" Danny asked. He was smiling again, despite the serious conversations a few moments ago. It was almost startling how easy it was to smile around Flash.

(Danny wasn’t complaining about that either.)

“Mmhummm, sure,” Flash said, ducking his head to hide his grin.

"Come on, unpack the snacks,” Danny said, nudging their shoulders together.

“Okay, okay, demanding,” Flash said with with a smile. “It’s a picnic, yeah? So have to have watermelon, but even better than normal watermelon, I have pickled watermelon!”

“Pickled watermelon?” Danny asked, taking the presented container curiously.

“Salty, sweet, tangy— the best,” Flash said. “And some little bread bite things to go with them.”

“How specific.”

“Shut it. Oh! Right, wasabi peas, a must have, and cupcakes for dessert!” Flash said, pulling out frankly extravagant looking cupcakes.

“You’re spoiling me.”

“Well,” Flash said. Danny could just barely see the blush coating his cheeks. “Maybe I think you deserve to be spoiled.”

Danny froze for a moment. Oh. Oh. This was a date. He felt foolish for not cluing in earlier. Suddenly feeling bashful himself, he glanced at Flash. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I mean, like, okay, I’m getting that you don’t seem to think it, which is really like, so wrong, but you’re really amazing and nice and I mean, I’m just saying that I’m glad you said yes to tonight and since you said yes I’m going to spoil you, because, um, you deserve it,” Flash said in a blur of words.

It was charming that Flash thought that highly of him. Misguided, maybe, but charming. It bloomed a warmth in Danny’s chest that he hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

Before he lost his nerves, Danny leaned over and pressed a light kiss to Flash’s cheek, right above the corner of his lips. “Thank you.”

Flash blushed red enough to match his mask. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Danny agreed and leaned against Flash. “Oh, look! A meteor!”

“Where? I see it! Wait, I’ll turn out most of the lights!” Flash said, gone and back before Danny even had a chance to tilt over. There was just enough light left to see the food without losing the overwhelming wonder that was the night sky and streaking meteors. “Make a wish.”

“Naw,” Danny said. He’d never do that again. Besides… “don’t need to. This is already perfect.”

“Yeah,” Flash softly agreed as he twined their fingers together.

-----

AN: The boooooooys. My, I just enjoy writing these two being all soft and cute so much. And hey! Danny clued in! What do we think of Wally's food choices? (Can you tell I've been craving pickled watermelon?)

Stay delightful, my darlings!

I no longer tag people, but you can subscribe to be notified on the masterpost!

[argyrocratie]

"In “Memory Voids and Role Reversals,” Palestinian political science professor Dana El Kurd writes of her jarring experience, hearing of the October 7th massacres by Hamas while visiting the Holocaust Tower at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. She notes the historic irony of Holocaust survivors seeking security from future oppression by expelling another people from their homeland by the hundreds of thousands, ghettoizing them in enclaves enforced by military checkpoints, and controlling them with collective punishment.

The irony of a state formed as the “antithesis” to the ghetto using ghettoization as a strategy of control is not lost on Palestinians. This infrastructure of coercion went hand in hand, of course, with ever-present physical violence — imprisonment, home demolitions, air strikes and more.

She quotes Aristide Zolberg’s observation that “formation of a new state can be a ‘refugee-generating process.’”

This is not only true of Palestinians. The Westphalian nation-state, which has been the normative component of the international system since the Treaty of Westphalia, necessarily entails (especially since the post-1789 identification of nationalism with the nation-state) the suppression of ethnic identity to a far greater extent than the expression of any such identity. Every constructed national identity associated with a “State of the X People” has necessarily involved the suppression and homogenization of countless ethnicities present in the territory claimed by that state. At the time of the French Revolution, barely half the “French” population spoke any of the many langue d’oil dialects of northern France, let alone the dialect of the Ile de France (the basis for the official “French” language). The rest spoke Occitan dialects like Provençal, or non-Romance languages like Breton (whose closest living relative is Welsh). The same is true of Catalan, Aragonese, Basque, and Galician in Spain, the low-German languages and now-extinct Wendish in Germany, the non-Javanese ethnicities of Indonesia, and so on. Heads of state issue sonorous pronouncements concerning the “Nigerian People” or “Zimbabwean People,” in reference to multi-ethnic populations whose entire “identity” centers on lines drawn on a map at the Berlin Conference.

When I say official national languages were established through the suppression of their rivals, I mean things like the residential schools of the United States and Canada punishing Native children for using their own languages. Or schools around the world shaming students with signs reading “I Spoke Welsh (or Breton, or Provencal, or Catalan, or Basque, or Ainu, or an African vernacular instead of the English, French, etc., lingua franca). And so on.

And when we consider the range of artificial national identities that were constructed by suppressing other real ethnicities, we can’t forget the “Jewish People” of Israel. Its construction occurred part and parcel with the suppression of diasporic Jewish ethnic identities all over Europe and the Middle East. The “New Jewish” identity constructed by modern Zionism was associated with the artificial revival of Hebrew, which had been almost entirely a liturgical language for 2300 years, as an official national language. And this, in turn, was associated with the suppression — both official and unofficial — of the actually existing Jewish ethnicities associated with the Yiddish, Ladino, and Arabic languages.

The centuries-old languages and cultures of actual Jewish ethnicities throughout Europe were treated as shameful relics of the past, to be submerged and amalgamated into a new artificially constructed Jewish identity centered on the Hebrew language. 

Yiddish, the language spoken by the Ashkenazi Jews of Europe — derived from an archaic German dialect and written in the Hebrew alphabet — was stigmatized by Zionist leaders in Palestine and by the early Israeli government. According to Max Weinreich’s History of the Yiddish Language, the “very making of Hebrew into a spoken language derives from the will to separate from the Diaspora.” Diasporic Jewish identities, as viewed by Zionist settlers, were “a cultural morass to be purged.” The “New Jew” was an idealized superhuman construct, almost completely divorced from centuries worth of culture and traditions of actual Jews: “Yiddish began to represent diaspora and feebleness, said linguist Ghil’ad Zuckermann. ‘And Zionists wanted to be Dionysian: wild, strong, muscular and independent.’” 

This “contempt for the Diaspora” was “manifested . . .  in the fierce campaign against Yiddish in Palestine, which led not only to the banning of Yiddish newspapers and theaters but even to physical attacks against Yiddish speakers.” From the 1920s on, anyone in Palestine with the temerity to publish in Yiddish risked having their printing press destroyed by organizations with names like the “Battalion of the Defenders of the Hebrew Language,” “Organization for the Enforcement of Hebrew,” and “Central Council for the Enforcement of Hebrew.” The showing of the Yiddish-language film Mayn Yidishe Mame (“My Yiddish Mama”), in Tel Aviv in 1930, provoked a riot led by the above-mentioned Battalion. After the foundation of Israel, “every immigrant was required to study Hebrew and often to adopt a Hebrew surname.” In its early days Israel legally prohibited plays and periodicals in the Yiddish language. A recent defender of the early suppression of Yiddish, in the Jerusalem Post, argued that Diasporic languages threatened to “undermine the Zionist project”; in other words, an admission that actually existing ethnic identities threatened an identity manufactured by a nationalist ideology.

If this is true of Yiddish — the native language of the Ashkenazi Jews who dominated the Zionist settlement of Palestine — it’s even more so of the suppression of Jewish ethnic identities outside the dominant Sephardic minority. Golda Meir once dismissed Jews of non-Ashkenazi or non-Yiddish descent as “not Jews.” 

Consider the roughly half of the Israeli population comprised of Mizrahi Jews from Middle Eastern communities (including those living in Palestine itself before European settlement). Although the Mizrahim are trotted out as worthy victims when they are convenient for purposes of Israeli propaganda — the majority of them were expelled from Arab countries like Iraq after 1948, in what was an undeniable atrocity — they are treated the rest of the time as an embarrassment or a joke, and have been heavily discriminated against, by the descendants of Ashkenazi settlers. For example former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion described Mizrahim 

as lacking even “the most elementary knowledge” and “without a trace of Jewish or human education.” Ben Gurion repeatedly expressed contempt for the culture of the Oriental Jews: “We do not want Israelis to become Arabs. We are in duty bound to fight against the spirit of the Levant, which corrupts individuals and societies, and preserve the authentic Jewish values as they crystallized in the Diaspora.”

Current Prime Minister Netanyahu once joked about a “Mizrahi gene” as his excuse for tardiness. And an Israeli realtor ran a commercial appealing to “there goes the neighborhood” sentiments by depicting a light-skinned family having their Passover celebration disrupted by uncouth Mizrahi neighbors.

Nationalism and the nation-state are the enemies of true ethnicity and culture, and built on their graves. There’s no better illustration of this principle than the Zionist project itself."

-Kevin Carson, "Zionism and the Nation-State: Palestinians Are Not the Only Victims"

[pinteresttransfer777]

I know no one wants to hear this, but adding the A to make STEAM is actively hurting trying to introduce young girls to subjects previously gatekept from them

The entire point of STEM and specifically Women in STEM is to encourage kids to pursue nerdy school shit that they wouldn't otherwise. Go to the STEM club, kids! you'll build a tiny trebuchet, program a turtle in blujay, solder a flashlight yourselves, get help with your science fair poster! That's good shit, esp geared towards grade school girls when they're constantly told as they grow up that girls are just naturally worse at math, and computers are a boy thing, and all these fields are mostly men cuz that's just what men are good at and you'll probably be better in like, nursing or english or something more appropriate for your woman-ness.

The entire point of girl-centered STEM programs is to introduce them to the subjects young so learning them at a more advanced level later is not foreign, or discouraging, or just a boy thing cuz the societal pressure cut their interest at the root.

When you add the A for arts, practically no afterschool program is going to bother trying to teach kids (and girls) all that nerdy shit (INCLUDING fine arts, which is the POINT of the A) when they don't understand that shit themselves and could just start a STEAM program leaning heavily on the Arts and then adding a cute little "and crafts" to it. I see it in stores, too. A little paint-by-number style craft kit where you glue yarn in the shape of a rainbow was labeled "STEAM!" in bright pink. Sewing kits are labeled STEAM now.

Suddenly your "inclusive" for-girls mentorship program is shoehorning girls directly into the artsy-creative-handcrafts bullshit hole that Women in STEM was meant to take them out of in the first place.

Fine arts is so unbelievably important to teach to and foster in kids, but for fucks' sake, stop forcing girls into the shitty infantilizing version of it, especially with the movement that's supposed to do the opposite

[chronicbeans]

I LOBE U SM LITERALLY YOU INCREASE MY MOOD HORMONES ( seratonin n oxytonin if ur wondering ) WHAT ABT WALLY N THE GANG WITH A COLLEGE OR HIGHSCHOOL READER (platonic fr fr) AND THEY'RE CURIOUS ABT THEIR HW ??

" what's the Pascal's triangle? SOCAHTAH? what's that? "

" literally satan's children idk what to tell you "

and the reader becomes their lil teacher idk abt human things 🥰🥰🥰

thx lizard 🦎🦎

Omg this is so cool! Thank you so much I am so glad I could make you happy by doing something as small as writing fanfiction!

Just a quick heads up, I feel like my high school experience was probably a bit different than most people's, because I took a health/medical career center. Basically, I only had three core classes at the end of the day with the morning ones all being taken up by my health/medical class. So, because I am basing this off of my experience (due to it being all I know), it might be a bit strange to most who didn't take a career center!

Wally and the Gang with a High School Student Reader (Platonic fr fr)

📖 So, you somehow ended up getting the Welcome Home gang involved with your school work. Now they keep you up all night asking you what a "Bermuda Triangle", "War", and even what a "Demand Curve" is.

📖 You better hope that they don't find any of your anatomy or biology homework or textbooks. The thought of them asking absolutely ANYTHING involving those topics is humiliating on its own! You don't want to end up explaining the human body to a small little puppet. Or big dog puppet. Or ANY puppet!

📖 Once, Wally had asked you what "these" were while pointing to a picture in your medical book that showed the organ systems. When you explained, halfheartedly, about how they kept you alive and were inside of your body, his pupils just dilated. Right as you turned around to go back to your homework, you were horrified when his first question was "I wanna see them! How can I see them?"

📖 Frank will be interested in your science books, especially if they include stuff about ecosystems. He knows butterflies are in there, somewhere, because some of the pictures include them. Mostly very low on some big chain. When you explain about how that is a food chain, you are shocked to see him cry for the first time about how his butterflies are being eaten. Apparently the books in Welcome Home never told him that. Then again, the show never included any animals besides insects and the animal neighbors as far as you remember.

📖 Sally wants to know more about this "Shakespeare" guy your English class keeps talking about. He made plays, right? He must be a pretty swell guy! Can she meet him? Oh! And can you teach her more about the planets and solar system?

📖 Basically, every neighbor will have a specific subject they show interest in. Sally, Barnaby, and Eddie will love English. Howdy would like math, simply because he has no idea how this "money stuff" works or why it is so important. Poppy and Julie will like home economics, Poppy for the food science and Julie for the clothing. Home would also like home economics because they are literally a Home. Frank likes science, specifically for the animals and butterflies. Wally would love anatomy and any medical classes because he wants to learn more about YOU.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

By Edward H. Kaplan and Evan Morris

At Ben Gurion-Soroka Hospital, Technion-Rambam Hospital, and the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, we saw how integrated their medical schools and faculty are. The percentage of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who are Arabs greatly exceeds their share in the total population.

We heard Arab university vice presidents, and their Jewish counterparts take full pride in jointly leading Israeli university life. Unlike the scene on American campuses, Muslim and Christian Arabs, Druze and Jewish students understand that their job is to learn, not to fight each other.

In presentations by an Israeli Arab journalist and a Druze professor, we learned that contrary to conceptions prevalent on American campuses, the majority of Israeli Arabs do not seek to separate from Israel. Indeed, while Israeli Arabs do have demands, we learned they are in service of more integration into Israeli society—better schools, law enforcement, and physical infrastructure—not less. Similarly, we learned from a Druze professor the strong connection to the Jewish State felt by the Israeli Druze.

We met face-to-face with faculty in academic disciplines matching our own at each of Ben Gurion University of the Negev, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Tel Aviv University. We also met with the leaders of Sapir College in Sderot which came under direct attack on October 7, and Tel Hai Academic College which is currently evacuated due to the Hezbollah threat from Lebanon.

The President of Israel's Academy of Sciences and Humanities and a Nobel Prize winner addressed the challenges facing Israeli academics in discussion with us. Facing such brilliance (and in such a small country), we were dismayed to learn the extent of academic discrimination being directed at Israeli academics: faculty who were invited to address conferences only to be told later—and in one case upon arrival in Australia—that they were no longer welcome to speak; external reviewers returning evaluation requests because they refuse to consider Israeli scholars; journals reneging on decisions to publish papers that were already accepted.

This is especially upsetting to us given the emergence of organized faculty extremists on American campuses with the publicly stated objective of boycotting Israeli academia. Our reaction to such prejudice is clear: we will build upon already existing collaborations with our Israeli colleagues, invite Israeli speakers to campus, offer to provide objective evaluations and reviews within our academic areas of expertise, and provide opportunities for budding young Israeli researchers.

[emberfrostlovesloki]

A for Effort [Hotch x Reader]

Photo credits: Left (Google) (Center (@hotch-girl) Right (@archaic-stranger)

Prompt: A meet-cute of how Aaron met the non-BAU reader at Penelope’s theater improv group show. And how Aaron accompanies the reader to host her Halloween extra-credit horror movie watch and discussion for her students. 

Pairing: Hotch x fem presenting reader. The reader uses she/her pronouns. 

Category: Angst/fluff/comfort 

Word Count: 8.2K 

Content Warnings: Canon typical violence (unsub drugs and beats teenagers, Hotch takes a beating, awkwardness, mention of being cheated on (reader’s boyfriend cheats on her with a best friend), mention of separation, light drinking, unwanted touch (a guy is handsy with the reader), vomit is mentioned (in the context of the film The Exorcist), religious themes, mention of intimacy (sexual touch over the clothes) If I missed any, please let me know. 

A/N: This one is just me having fun. I did give my students extra credit where we watched a horror movie and discussed the elements of the film. I couldn’t help but picture Aaron there with me, so I wrote this. I teach English but I’ve made this story that there could be a plethora of subjects. I really like the meet-cute element of this story. It was fun to write. If you like this story, likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated. Below I have included some cultural definitions for my international readers. If you’re from the States, especially the South and you know what dance halls and cotilion are, then feel free to skip this. I just want to make sure my readers feel included. Please know I am not good at line dancing or swing dancing - I do ballet to this is not my personal dance style. Lastly, before I sign off, you can vote for the next Aaron story you want from me at this post (linked). I hope you have a great night - Love Levi

Definitions

Dance Hall: An enclosed space with a dance floor, a stage for live music, and a bar (normally). The space is pretty age-inclusive and most music is country. Couples and singles come and often mix and match partners. Some people go to show off their skills here. The dances are normally line dances or swing dancing which relies a lot on improv. The lighting is normally dimmed, though not as much as at a nightclub. 

Cotillion: Essentially manners class. These can be after school or on the weekends. It’s associated with the debutant circle and court. 

List with all stories 

_y/n_ = your name 

_l/n_ = your last name

_y/l/g/s_ = your local grocery store 

_y/e/c_ = your eye color. 

_y/f/a(s)/s_ = your favorite art (or science) subject - aka English, film, art, psychology, etc. 

_y/u_ = your university 

_y/s’s/d’s/b_ = your subject’s department’s building 

Aaron sat down in the second to last folding chair with a very small grunt. The sound was so quiet that Spencer, who was on his right side, didn’t even notice that he had made it. The last case had seen Hotch tracking down a stalker who was preying on teenage girls, drugging and beating them severely before dumping their bodies on the steps of their parent's houses to be found the next morning. Aaron had experienced the strength of the forty-seven-year-old unsub as they had sprinted down an alleyway. The team had gotten to the fifth victim just in time. With Rossi, Spencer, and Emily taking care of the teen, Aaron and Morgan gave chase on foot. When both met a crossroads, each took a path. Aaron took the sidewalk to the left. Using all of his strength, Hotch had been able to catch up to the unsub. When they reached a dead end, the power balance changed. The unsub, Kevin Leery, realized his only means of escape was fighting his way out. The man quickly turned before Aaron, who was now pretty winded from all the running, could pull his sidearm. Hotch had been victorious, though, by the state of his aching body, he might not say so. Rossi had called the paramedics for him. The medics assured Rossi and the team, more than himself, that he would be fine in a few days. That there were no broken bones, just some bruised ribs, and a pretty battered left hand. Aaron’s attention shifted as there seemed to be movement behind the small curtain that was waiting to be raised. Hotch was glad for this distraction. He needed his mind on other things than his body. When Garcia had taken up improv as a hobby, the whole team was on board. Especially Morgan. Derek, at least twice a week would say, “Now Babygirl, when do we get to see a performance?” Penelope would blush and say, “When we’re ready. You can’t rush talent, and the whole troupe is still getting everyone else's vibe.” Aaron would give a small smile that he tried to hide when he overheard these conversations. Improv felt like the perfect art for his technical analyst. When the first performance was announced, Garcia printed fliers and invited the whole team to come and watch the show and then grab dinner afterward. Everyone had joyfully agreed. Aaron had marked the date on his personal calendar over a month out. He ensured that Jack could be at Hailey’s that day. The anticipation grew as the one-night performance loomed. Garcia had said a few things about breaking the fourth wall and audience participation. Hotch was sure that whoever was picked wouldn’t be him. Garcia knew him too well to let that happen. Part of him wanted whoever was making that choice pick to Derek. He thought it would be fun to see his friend on stage attempting to play an act. And Aaron knew that Morgan was easy-going enough to play along with whatever the group had him do. 

Aaron’s thoughts were pulled from the curtain and any movement that may or may not be going on behind it as someone tapped his shoulder and asked, “Sorry is this seat taken?” Hotch’s eyes snapped to the woman who was standing in the small aisle of the tiny theater the improv group had rented out for the evening. Aaron’s gaze looked into the inquisitive face of the stranger, and he said, “Yes, I mean no, No it’s not. Feel free to sit here. Sorry.” Hotch wasn’t sure why he was being stuttery all of a sudden. Most of it was probably because the woman who was now settling into the chair very close to his was incredibly beautiful. However, what Hotch told himself was that this mystery woman was holding flowers and he wasn’t. Hotch stopped himself from face-palming. He had forgotten to bring flowers for Penelope. He would profusely apologize after and then pay whatever amount he needed to get a florist to drop off an arraignment when he got back home. The woman next to him with some trepidation given his recent slip. She made one final shift, as she set her purse and the flowers on the ground in front of her and pulled out the program for the two-act play. While doing this, she inadvertently brushed her thigh up against his. Aaron felt a rush through his body at the contact. Very quietly the woman said, “Sorry.” Hotch looked over, and she was looking at him as if she was making sure he was alright for the unintended contact. Hotch gave a small nod and said, “Don’t worry about it.” After the contact, the person sitting next to him seemed to be the only thing he could focus on. She had pulled her legs and body tight into the chair, to not touch him again. The light scent of her perfume washed over him with her body heat. They were just an inch or two apart, and Hotch couldn’t help but observe her as she flipped through the program with an interest. To not seem weird or be caught staring, Aaron looked to his right at the team. If Spencer had noticed his odd behavior, the boy-wonder wasn’t letting on. But when Hotch’s eyes moved one chair over, Rossi looked at him with eyebrows raised. This time Aaron couldn't stifle the sigh that he let out at seeing Dave’s expression. His best friend on the team was always on to him about lighting up. About living a little. Aaron always rebuffed these comments. He thought he lived plenty -- and nearly died in the field more than that. All of these conversations, stated or unstated, had started a respectful time after Hailey had left him. Hotch was sure Rossi, and the whole team had seen that his marriage had been crumbling as much as he did. Maybe they saw it before he did. If they had, they didn’t say anything about it apart from Dave, and one very kind comment from Emily. Prentiss had asked him one day late in the office, “Are you alright, Aaron?” It was a hypothetical question, and he replied, “I think I am. Thank you for asking, Em.” They had left it at that. Aaron still thought about that comment sometimes. There was a small movement from the companion to his left like they had heard his sigh and stilled their movements because of it. Aaron willed himself to not look back at the woman. Thankfully the lights dimmed and the curtain raised. 

The play was about a man who worked at an office and was slowly losing his mind. The program said the idea was loosely based on the short story, “Bartleby the Scrivener” by Melville. Garcia played the perky secretary who was always badgering the lead about this private life. The play was funny. The dynamic between the actors was natural as they riffed off each other and the confines of the small narrative being built between them. As the first act ramped to conflict with the lead, a youthful-looking man with a mustache broke the fourth wall and said, “But Maddison," which was Penelope’s character’s name, "there’s something I haven’t told you. I have a fiance! And they’re in the room with us” The small crowd in the room all took an intake of breath at the revelation. Suddenly everyone in the small assembled crowd looked at each other. Penelope said, “Well get her up here this instant! I’ve got to meet her. She must be mental if she’s in love with you.” There was a second that with bated horror, that Aaron thought the lead was going to point at him. But the man’s pointer finger pointed at the woman sitting next to him. All eyes turned to her. Aaron could see her deflate a tiny bit. As the man on stage said, “Come up here, beloved. Come and meet the source of my madness.” The woman got up and as she moved toward the stage, he guessed that the protagonist hadn’t informed her beforehand that this would be happening. In the back of his mind, Aaron thought, “What a dick move.” The man helped the woman up onto the stage. She was wearing a skirt, and she was more careful that she didn’t flash anyone as she was hoisted up on the stage than the man helping her upward. At seeing this, something small in Aaron twitched up comfortably. When the woman was on stage, Penelope rushed forward and hugged the woman. Aaron could see that Pen had also seen what he had. Hotch could see in Garcia’s embrace both an act and a real gesture of comfort. Garcia pulled back and asked, “So, you’re cooped up with this old bat all hours of the day and night? How are you coping with that?” There was a tense silence while the audience waited for the woman to respond. The lead moved toward the woman, and his right hand found purchase on her lower back. The woman seemed to lean into the touch. Aaron immediately assumed that the two were a couple. It would make sense if the mustache man had picked her. The silence persisted. It lay heavy over the crowd. It became awkward as the woman looked at the man and the audience. Her eyes shone with anxiety. Finally, the man said, “Have nothing to say about me, darling?” At this, finally, the woman said, looking directly, intently at the man, “Oh sweetness, I could go on and on, and on about you. I just don’t think your friend would like what I have to say.” As soon as that line was uttered, the curtain fell, signaling the short intermission. 

The crowd cheered and applauded as the cast and the woman were veiled. Aaron could hear Emily and JJ, and Derek and Rossi’s conversations about the show so far. They sounded so happy. As Hotch offered a comment to Spencer about the intricacies of Melville’s writing and how it related to the performance, he couldn’t help but think how the woman, when giving her one line had been acting as well. But some small part of her tone had indicated that it wasn’t all an act. That fact gnawed at Aaron like a dog on a bone. The intermission was short, only about fifteen minutes long. As the minutes ticked by, Hotch waited for the woman to return to her seat. After what felt like an eternally long ten minutes, she reappeared and moved down the row to her seat. Hotch offered her a hand as she steeped with high heels around her purse, program, and flowers to take her seat. Aaron looked at her closely as she sat. It was clear to Aaron that she was less joyful than she had been before the show had started. The woman’s makeup was smudged a bit, and he wondered if she had been crying during the brief break. When she was seated, Hotch removed his hand and the woman, very quietly said, ‘Thank you.” Aaron nodded and replied, “Of course.” The man had mentioned engagement on stage, and he couldn’t help himself from looking for a ring on her left hand. He found none. His wedding ring sat heavy in a box on his bedside table, reminding him of his personal shortcomings. For one tiny moment, his heart ached for his woman. Whatever it was she was going through. Aaron rarely allowed himself to have these extraneous emotions, but in the here and now, he couldn’t seem to stop them. The repetition of the lights dimming and the curtain raising once more stopped any further thoughts on the matter. The second half of the play was as funny as the first as the lead slowly lost his sanity and refused to leave the office, even under the direct order of his boss. Subliminally, Aaron felt called out at that element of the storyline. When the play ended there was thunderous applause and a standing ovation was given to the cast. Everyone slowly filtered out of the room and Hotch noticed as the woman moved to the front of the stage and kissed the lead on the mouth, handing her flowers over to him. Aaron turned his head away at the moment of intimacy between the couple. Something about what had happened during the play didn’t sit right with him, but who was he to comment on relationships? 

At the dinner after the show, Pen was showered with the praise she deserved. When things had quieted down, Aaron had over-apologized about not bringing flowers, and Garcia had wholly forgiven him. He asked in a more subdued voice, “So the lead, Richard, he chose who in the audience got called up on stage?” Hotch tried to sound nonchalant but wasn’t sure if he was being convincing. Garcia didn’t seem to notice, and replied, “Yeah. He called his girlfriend, obviously. I’ve had a few conversations with _y/n_ before and after rehearsals. She’s really sweet, and too good for Rich if I’m being honest. I don’t think she appreciated being called out like that.” Aaron nodded as a few more pieces seemed to click into place in his mind. The night wound down, and Hotch managed to get some flowers to Penelope around midnight. It might have cost him $83.75, but it was worth it to get Pen’s text, with a picture attached of the bouquet thanking him profusely. Pen included every flower emoji available in the message. As Aaron got ready to sleep, his thoughts shifted to the woman. He thought back to Garcia’s comments and remembered her name: _y/n_. As he drifted into sleep, he hoped that she was alright. She was happy. 

Neither _y/n_or Aaron expected to see the other ever again. But they did a month later. Hotch was doing his weekly grocery shopping at _y/l/g/s_. The person in front of him in line for the check-out had a scant four items on the conveyor belt. The items were a bottle of wine, some strawberries, a bar of 75% dark chocolate, and a dozen pink roses. Hotch sighed softly and thought, ‘At least someone’s having a good time tonight.’ As the woman who looked oddly familiar to him got to the cashier, they rifled through her purse to find their credit card. She softly said, “Shit.” The cashier told her her total of $25.47. The woman said, “I’m sorry I forgot my wallet in my office. Please just put everything back. Sorry for the inconvenience.” At hearing the woman speak, Aaron recognized the voice of the woman who had sat next to him at Penelope’s performance. The woman seemed to be ready to leave, but Aaron stopped her and said, “I’ve got it.” The woman looked over at him and recognized him immediately. _y/n_, “Oh, No. You don’t have to do that.” Hotch gave her a reassuring smile and replied, “Really, it’s no problem.” He added, “You did very good while onstage by the way. You handled it with grace.” The woman flushed. She said a soft, “Thanks.” After a second, she extended her hand and said, “y/n_, _l/n_.” Aaron took her hand and replied, “Aaron, Hotchner.” _y/n_’s palm was warm in his hand. Lost in the moment, and the woman’s eyes. Hotch asked, “Date night?” At hearing this, _y/n_ seemed to cringe a little bit, and he wondered what he had said wrong. From the small assortment of things _y/n_ was attempting to buy, date night seemed to check out. Date night with Rich, as Pen had said last month. Hotch stopped from sighing at the idea. The woman replied a beat later, “It’s a pity party, actually.” Hearing this, Aaron’s eyes furrowed. _y/n_ quickly clarified, “Let me reframe that in a more positive light. I am taking myself on a date.” There was an awkward silence after that statement and a more awkward cough from the cashier. Aaron stepped up and pulled his card from his wallet in the back left pocket of his jeans. Once he had paid for _y/n_’s groceries, the cashier started scanning his items. The young employee had started to put his groceries in the same bag as _y/n_’s items. Aaron thought about saying something, but he stopped himself. The young man working the till seemed flustered, and he didn’t want to add to the man’s distress. It would be okay if he paid for both groceries and their groceries, and then he could separate _y/n_’s items from his own. _y/n_ stood nearby, tentatively. Once Aaron had paid for his things he grabbed another plastic bag. He shifted through his own items to find _y/n_’s. As he put the four products into the new bag, he had to ask, “‘Pity party?’” Hotch missed the large flush and look of shame on _y/n_’s face as she said candidly, “My boyfriend, ex-boyfriend.. Rich. He kinda cheated on me with my best friend. It’s a whole thing.” Hotch couldn’t help himself from cringing at her honesty. At how painful that must have been for _y/n_. All that Aaron’s brain could supply was a soft, “I’m sorry? I didn’t mean to pry into your personal life.” _y/n_ shrugged her shoulders and said, “I mean, all of my friends and colleagues know. I don’t know why it would be much worse with you in the loop too. Plus you bought me my stuff and I appreciate that.” Aaron flushed again saying, “It’s really nothing given the circumstances.” He held his tongue after that. He had already said too much. Hotch couldn’t figure out where his brain went when he was near _y/n_, but it wasn’t his normal calm and composed self, that’s for sure.

Aaron let _y/n_ go to her car to not hold her up from her ‘date night.’ The recesses of Hotch’s brain wished he could get in the car with _y/n_ and join her in whatever activities she had planned for herself that evening. Hotch reprimanded himself for the thought. _y/n_ had just experienced a real pain, a hurt to the soul, and here he was longing after her like a puppy looking for some attention. For a pat on the back. Using more effort than he wished he had to, Aaron let the moment, the feelings for _y/n_ go. He had to for his well-being. He was certain that it was just fate that he and _y/n_ had bumped into each other twice. As Aaron drove back to his place and unloaded his groceries into his fridge, he found the receipt from the store. The four items from _y/n_ stood out at the top of the waxy paper. Again, he let all of those emotions, which he refused to address, go. Aaron fiddled with the buttons on his shirt and then took off his pants, as he moved into his bedroom. He decided to take a shower to clear his thoughts. Maybe to get another kind of relief that he had been missing since Hailey’s departure. Under the cascade of warm water, Aaron let go with his body and, as he began to dry his form with a warm towel, he cleansed his mind of impure thoughts. He wanted to sleep with an empty mind. One that wouldn’t make him feel guilty. As he drifted off, Hotch hoped _y/n_ had also found some kind of release that night. 

Another month and a half passed before they had their third meeting. It had been the worst team bonding training of all time. The presenter had cheery slides and made high-school-level references to trust and honesty between team members and cohorts. JJ, Rossi, and Morgan had all looked at him with clear disbelief at what they were being subjected to in the hour-long training. When the presenter mentioned something about a trust fall, Aaron almost lost his cool. He could deal with many things, the long hours, the gore he saw weekly, the stress of leading the team, and his eyestrain, but he drew the line at being forced to endure this. He looked over his team with eyebrows drawn taught. When he looked at Garcia she was laughing unabashedly. The presenter was looking at Penelope unsure of himself. Aaron shot Garcia a look that said, “Please, stop now,” even though he wanted to join in on the hilarity of the situation. Once the team had been released from the presenter’s lecture, Hotch gathered the team and said, “Well I promise you all, that…” He gesticulated with his hands, demonstrating, that training, “will never happen again. If you want some real team bonding let's go to that dance hall Emily keeps trying to get us to go to tonight.” Hearing this Prentiss flushed, but she had been saying that it was a really good time and it was. Emily had had a few great evenings at the new dance hall. After a moment of silence, Rossi said, “Here, here. I for one need a stiff drink after whatever that was.” The whole team seemed to relax after this. At eight-thirty, the team arrived at the venue. The space was large and the lot was full for a Tuesday evening. Everyone had changed except Aaron, who had come straight from the office. He had ditched his jacket in the trunk of his car. His suggestion had been an attempt to take Rossi’s advice to lighten up. As soon as he entered the crowded space, he realized that he had miscalculated. Everyone on the floor, those seated at the benches and tables on the sidelines, and those getting drinks at the bar were dressed very casually. His slacks and loafers didn’t belong here. As a way to deflect from making him the odd man out, Aaron offered to get the first round of drinks. As he got the orders from the team, he moved to the bar, and some of the BAU members, Emily, JJ, and Morgan, found partners and moved to the wooden dance floor. With a slew of drinks in tow. Hotch moved back to his friends and colleagues. Rossi, Penelope, and Spencer took a few sips, as they watched the dancers move to the country music. Aaron knew that this was mostly a Southern culture thing, but he understood that dancing was a universal pleasure, even if he wasn’t particularly good at it. His mother had signed him up for cotillion classes in high school and he reluctantly went every week for a month. His mom had wanted him to grow up the perfect gentleman, and even though he maybe hadn’t picked up all the dance moves, he thought he succeeded pretty well at the rest of it. 

As the songs changed there seemed to be some excitement at the center of the floor. A couple was dancing with skill and the other dancers gave them room to improvise their steps and tricks. It was showing off for showing off’s sake. As Aaron looked over the pair on the floor he recognized the woman as _y/n_ from the play and the store. His eyes widened and Hotch looked at Penelope who was also watching _y/n_ with rapt wonder. Aaron turned his eyes back to the floor and the woman was pushed, pulled, dipped, and raised in a multitude of ways and speeds. As _y/n_ was raised in the air, supported by strong arms on her hips, a few cheers came from the crowd and fellow dancers. The woman even waved her hand in acknowledgment of the praise. Uplifted and in the spinning lights, she looked so happy, like she didn’t have a care in the world. Unlike her time on stage, she looked like she belonged up there, floating on air. Hotch felt himself flush all over and he looked away for a second. Rossi watched Aaron’s reaction with more than a little interest. After the song was over there was a small bit of applause at the skill put on display for the crowd. The talented man that had been dancing with _y/n_ kissed her on the cheek chastely. From what Aaron could see, the two were just friends or maybe dance partners, but not much more. Of course, he couldn’t hear what _y/n_ said to him, but as she turned toward Hotch’s group, there were no signs of arousal in her face or body, just unabated joy. Aaron hadn’t seen her this happy before, and he flushed again. Aaron internally told himself to ‘get a grip.' _y/n_ walked toward their table, not noticing them yet.

As she got closer Penelope called out for her saying, “Hey _y/n_, what a surprise to see you here!” The woman looked up and spotted Garcia and beamed. _y/n_ quickly moved over to the huddle of FBI agents and said, “Heya, Pen. What are you doing here?” _y/n_ looked over Rossi, Spencer, and then at Hotch. Her eyes grew a bit wider at seeing him and she said, “And you…” It took her a moment to remember Aaron’s name. When it came to her, she continued, “Aaron.” _y/n_ looked between Garcia and Hotch and asked, “Y’all know each other?” Penelope, ever the enthusiastic conversationalist said, “We all work together. This is my team.” Garica pointed to each of them saying their names. Spencer smiled at _y/n_ when his name was mentioned and Rossi shook her hand warmly. As Aaron’s name came up, _y/n_ gave a soft smile and she said, “It’s nice to see you again, Aaron.” He swallowed and said, “It’s nice to see you too.” And it was nice. To see her so radiant made him feel good. _y/n_, Garcia, and Rossi talked a bit about her dancing abilities and she seemed to shy away from her talent. Garcia couldn’t help herself and asked, “Did you ever take Richard here?” Hotch froze for a moment, unsure if Garcia was aware of the breakup. _y/n_’s soft snort made him feel better as she said, “Are you kidding me? He refused to come because I was better than him at dancing and other people wanted to interact with me. All four pairs of eyes were on her as _y/n_ shared some of her personal life with them. For a team of highly skilled profilers, having someone be so open was a bit strange. Penelope helped cut the feeling and said, “Of course he wouldn’t. The man really needs to get over his own ego. He complained about you and whined for a mouth at least during practice. He still talks about it. Honestly, he’s pathetic.” Garcia saying this had _y/n_ laughing and replied, “Tell me about it. I wished I’d seen it sooner, but c’est la vie I guess.” Penelope nodded along, and after a moment _y/n_ said, “Well I’m going to grab a drink at the bar, but I’ll swing by later if you’re still around. It was nice to see some of you again, and to meet you, Dr. Reid and Dave.” The team all said some form of “see you later,” as she moved away from them. As she passed Hotch, he gave her one of his rare smiles, or more like she had drawn the smile from him. Again Rossi noticed. 

Three songs later _y/n_ was back on the dance floor with a much less skilled dancer. The man had his hands all over _y/n_ after the first minute of music and _y/n_ was constantly moving his hands up, or stopping them from moving lower. She had said twice and to “cut it out” but the man was not listening to her. Hotch and Rossi watched as it happened. Both men felt uncomfortable with what was happening. After another minute, _y/n_ pulled back and away from the man, telling him off. Her face was set in a more sour look as she moved to the sidelines and away from her temporary partner. The man sought to follow her, but Hotch was out of his seat as he watched the situation unfold before him. Rossi breathed a sigh of relief as his friend did this because he was about to do the same and he felt that _y/n_ might be a bit more comfortable with Aaron than himself. Hotch cut the man off from moving any closer to _y/n_ and said with a clear, firm, and determined voice, “Out. Now.” The man didn’t argue and Aaron wasn’t sure if it was his fancy dress or the look on his face, but either way, the man left. Hotch followed him with a searing glare until he left the establishment. Once the guy was gone, he turned to _y/n_ she looked at him with half awe half admiration. He couldn’t pinpoint the second emotion, but it wasn’t negative and that’s what mattered to him. He took two steps closer, getting close to her. He leaned down a bit and asked, “_y/n_, are you alright?” When he looked at her this closely he could see a warmth in her _y/e/c_ eyes. She nodded and said, “I’ll be fine. Unfortunately, that kind of behavior can be par for the course here. Asking total strangers for a dance means not all of them are fantastic people.” Hotch nodded, saying, “Well it still doesn’t make it right.” _y/n_ felt her breath hitch a bit as he said this. He said it with sincerity like he really meant it. _y/n_ had seen plenty of guys try to defend her honor or other cliches like that just to go and disrespect her themselves. She didn’t sense that at all in the tall man standing in front of her. _y/n_ was also impressed with his commanding presence. It had only taken two words to make the man flee the scene. Two. Words. She wondered what else he could do with his voice alone. _y/n_ flushed and looked to the floor for a second. The fact didn’t pass Aaron by. After a second, _y/n_ looked up at him and said, “Can I pay you back for your help with a drink or a dance? I haven’t seen you out on the floor yet. I’d be happy to partner with you if you like?” Hotch shifted a little, suddenly a bit embarrassed. He didn’t feel like another drink. He normally stuck to one or two, and he’d already had a second beer. He wanted to dance with _y/n_ but his two left feet didn’t seem too convinced that he could cut it with someone as skilled as _y/n_. _y/n_ could see his hesitation and said, “I can lead if you like. We can do just real easy steps.” Aaron looked at her and saw that she wouldn’t be embarrassed with him. She genuinely wanted to be with him like that. Hotch flushed again, more lightly this time, and he said, “Alright, I’ll do my best to not trip over my own feet.” _y/n_ chuckled as they took his hand and led him to a quieter part of the floor. A bit away from the team, which Hotch was grateful for; though he was sure the team was probably watching him. He didn’t blame them, he’d watch too if he could. 

The dance went well. _y/n_ turned out to be a skilled instructor for him. He did try very hard to follow the steps and let _y/n_ improv off his lacking moves. At one point _y/n_ even let him do a little spin, which was very awkward given how much taller he was than her. He had to let go of her hand to make the 360-degree rotation. They had both laughed good-naturedly at how silly it was. When he was being treated like this, Aaron didn’t mind not having control. After another song, the music took a sudden change from country and swing to slow sensual music. _y/n_ let his hands go and took a step back. Aaron looked around, not sure why there had been such a dramatic change. People were slow dancing now and he looked to _y/n_ for clarity. _y/n_ gave him a gentle smile and said, “The last hour is always slow music so those who don’t like swing dancing or line dancing get a turn. I think it’s nice. Inclusive in a way. Aaron nodded and said, “Oh.” He stood still for a moment. He looked to the ground for an instant wondering how he was going to ask if she wanted to continue to dance. Because he did want to keep dancing with her. When he looked up, she was looking at him. _y/n_ was biting down lightly on the inside of her cheek. She couldn’t see that her pupils were blown wide with desire. Her fingers were tapping against her leg lightly. _y/n_ wanted Aaron’s hands back in hers. Or behind her back while her arms rested on his shoulders. She wanted to be inexplicably close to him at that moment. Hotch didn’t say anything, didn’t need to say anything as he bridged the gap between them. His hands found purchase on her hips and _y/n_’s hand moved up to his shoulders. His hands glided over his chest softly. Aaron closed his eyes, and they both moved on instinct. With what was comfortable for them. _y/n_ melted into his touch, and his large hands gently landed on her body. They were warm and held her firmly like he was afraid that she might slip away if he let go. _y/n_ would be happy to reassure him that she would likely follow him to the ends of the earth even though she had only met him three times before. Aaron’s cologne smelled of rye and spruce, but it wasn’t the overpowering stuff teens and insecure men used with a heavy hand. This was refined. Elevated. It took a lot of what she had in her to not rest her head on his chest and take a deep breath. After two more songs, Aaron looked down at her and she seemed so at peace with him holding her close. And for the first time in a very long time, he leaped before he looked, as he leaned down further. He was slow, giving _y/n_ time to stop him, but she didn’t. Instead, she tipped her head up to meet his lips. The kiss was soft, respectful of how new and potentially strange this was, but neither could deny that the feeling was blissful. Hotch didn’t even care that JJ, Garcia, and Emily all had their mouths open in pure shock at his actions. 

_y/n_ and Aaron’s relationship moved at a normal pace. As much as they had both been drawn to each other the night they had first kissed, both parties wanted to give the other space. To make sure things were comfortable and natural. _y/n_ wasn’t the type to commit to anything without fulling thinking and feeling it out. Aaron was the same for obvious reasons. But they had found a love and care between them, along with a passion that _y/n_ and Hotch had pretty much expected given the events the night at the dance hall. They both learned about each other, their jobs, and the intricacies of their lives. And after all that _y/n_ still wanted him, and Aaron was amazed at how nice it was to have someone steady to lean on. To care for while he wasn’t working. Someone had loved him back as intensely. As it turned out _y/n_ lectured _y/f/a(s)/s_ at _y/u_. And because of this, he was driving toward the university campus in _y/n_’s car with her in the passenger seat. They were chatting about his day in the office. Aaron was recounting some stories of Reid’s and _y/n_ listened with rapt attention. Hotch was being careful with his driving as it was near the college, which meant freshman with cars they hardly needed, and those partying a little too hard on Halloween night. They got onto campus proper and _y/n_ directed him to the parking lot. He had asked her if she wanted to take his car and she had reminded him that she had the faculty sticker on her windshield and he didn’t. She teased, “I don’t even think your FBI ID would persuade parking services. They are relentless in their mission.” Hotch had laughed at this and she warmed at hearing it. Aaron’s laugh sounded like a river running over smooth stones to her. It was gentle and mellow. Once they had parked, the pair moved to the _y/s’s/d’s/b_. The doors were still open given that some grad classes were still being held. 

Three weeks ago Aaron had asked her if she was doing anything on Halloween and if she wanted to spend the evening with him. As _y/n_ listened to his question, she sighed and said, “I’m holding an extra credit opportunity for my students. We’re watching The Exorcist and then discussing it, but being with you sounds so nice. You could sit with me while we watch it and then hang out at my place after? That is if you don’t have Jack of course. Let’s not terrorize him so early on.” Hotch let out a breathy laugh and said, “Jack’s going to be with Hailey at some school trunk or treat event and he’s staying at her place to sleep off the sugar high. You’d let me sit in with you? In front of your students?” _y/n_ let out a little breath. She hadn’t expected him to say yes. She replied quickly, happily, “Of course I would! I mean most of my students know I have a partner, they might as well see you. And you can tell off students trying to canoodle while Regan gets possessed as have my eyes tightly shut.” Hotch chuckled and said, “Well I’ll leave the disciplining up to you, but I’m happy to be moral support and to calm your fear.” So they made the plans now they were walking the mostly empty hallways and up to the third floor. _y/n_ beeped into the faculty work room to print out the sign-in sheet and a guide for the most scary parts of the film for those who were like her; a scardey cat. As she moved into the small space and logged in to the computer, Aaron leaned against the door frame, filling the space. As the copies printed, she looked up at him and said, “I wish you’d follow me around all the time when I work. You could be a ghost haunting me.” Aaron smiled and said, “If I followed you around you’d soon learn that I’d fail your class. And we can’t have that, now can we?” The copies finished and _y/n_ grabbed them saying, “I’ve seen your writing, Aaron you are more than competent.” Hotch moved out of the way and his hand found hers as they moved to the lecture hall. _y/n_ had reserved the space because she expected a good turnout, the screen was large, and the audio system was reliable. _y/n_ asked Hotch to prop open the door with a chair. While he did this, she moved to the technology at the front of the room to the left of the lectern. _y/n_ signed into her Amazon and pulled up the film, checking the audio levels and turning on the closed captions for those who might need them. Aaron moved to _y/n_ and offered to take her purse for her. She smiled and nodded and he moved to the back of the room. He sat down near the center of the row. He called out across the space, “This good?” _y/n_ nodded and said back in a clear voice that carried in the space, “Perfect sweetheart.” 

_y/n_ continued to stand at the front of the room and after another minute or so some students started to ramble in. _y/n_ instructed them to sign in on the sheet near the door. Many of the students had brought friends, roommates, boyfriends, or girlfriends along for moral support, or to laugh at the scary bits. _y/n_ had some casual conversations with some of the students and Aaron watched on with admiration. It was clear to him that _y/n_ had a connection with these young adults trying to figure life out for the first time. A few of the students noticed Aaron sitting at the back of the room, but none of them said anything to him or sat near him. It finally hit 7:30 p.m., and _y/n_ said, “Alright everyone, thanks for coming out. Let’s get going with the movie so you can all go out to the square or you’re older friends’s parties I’m not going to hear about on Thursday. Remember we’re paying attention so we can answer questions after.” Hearing this, the kids let out some laughs and chuckles. _y/n_ nearly forgot about the guides and said quickly, “Does anyone want a sheet with timestamps for the scares? Any other wimps out there like me?” There was silence and _y/n_ laughed at herself and said, “Alright guys, but don’t blame me when you have bad dreams tonight.” With that, _y/n_ started the film and moved to the door. She removed the chair and switched off the lights so the only light remaining was the two glowing exit signs on either side of the room. _y/n_ moved back to him and took a seat on his left side. It was dark and they were in the back, so she slipped her hand into his He gave it a gentle squeeze. True to her word, _y/n_ did close her eyes during some of the more difficult points of the movie. Now and then there would be some quiet chatter from the students. Some got up and opened the door to use the restroom. One student made it back to them to say they wanted to leave early to “go to their dorm.” _y/n_ smiled at the girl and said, “Okay, just make sure you’re signed in.” The teen nodded and said, “Thanks. See you Thursday.” At the end of the film, as Father Karras passes away, Hotch looks over _y/n_’s face. Her eyes were a bit misty. She had warned him that she got emotional at the end. She had looped him in because she didn’t want him to worry that she was so scared that she was crying, or crying for some other unknown reasons. As the credit started rolling, _y/n_ wiped her eyes and she moved to the front of the room.

She paused the movie and said, “Alright everyone, shield your eyes, the lights are coming back on.” Once the lights were on and everyone could see again, _y/n_ moved to the side of the lectern and leaned against it. She started by saying, “I’m going to make this quick because I’m sure there are places you want to be that aren’t here, and because I’m tired.” Hotch half knew that she wanted to be with him too, and it made him smile. _y/n_ asked, “So, what’s the tone of the film?” There was a brief silence, but then a young man said, “It’s camp.” That got a laugh from everyone and then opened the door for the class to bounce some ideas off each other. They spoke about theme and religion, and whether Regan or Chris acted as the final girl. They talked about Father Karra’s characterization and story arc. _y/n_ helped lead the conversation,  but let her students talk and express their views. She asked, “So we’ve read the novel and seen the film and talked about the religious symbolism and overtones. So tell me what in the film is transubstantiated?” At this, there was a lingering silence. One girl offered, “Regan’s vomit?” _y/n_ chuckled and said, “Close, anyone else?” Aaron couldn’t help himself, because he also wanted to know the answer, so he said, “Is it Regan herself?” His comment reverberated to the front and twenty-one pairs of eyes turned to him. Hotch felt called out, but _y/n_ pulled the the student’s attention back to her by saying, “Yes very good. Now I can’t claim anything about authorial intent, but in my opinion, Regan is transubstantiation a literal transformation of her body and blood.” 

_y/n_ quickly wrapped up the extra credit after that. A few minutes later Hotch and _y/n_ were back outside and headed to her car. They had stopped her her office for her to pick up a stack of papers that needed to be graded. Aaron smiled when he saw a picture of him and Jack pinned to the wall next to her degree. He leaned down and kissed her gently. As they pulled back, he said, “I love you, _y/n_.” _y/n_ hummed happily back at him. In the cold night, they moved across the campus grounds. It was dark and Aaron wrapped an arm around _y/n_’s waist, pulling her close to him. They passed by one of the emergency stations which looked to be broken. He looked down to _y/n_ and asked, “You keep a taser on you when you’re here at night, right?” _y/n_ looked up at him and said, “I carry pepper spray. I haven’t gotten a taser yet, but I will.” Hotch nodded as they walked into the parking garage. Aaron had done loads of research about the safety of the university once _y/n_ had told him where they worked. He had seen too many cases on college campuses to not be concerned for _y/n_’s safety. When they got back to the car, Aaron opened the door for _y/n_. She settled in and he moved to his seat. He turned on the heater and they cruised out onto the street. They talked a bit about the film, and Aaron asked why she cried at the end. What it meant to her. _y/n_ did her best to explain the real love and sacrifice Karras made to save Regan. How seeing Pazuzu restored his faith. _y/n_ made sure to clarify, “Even if a person doesn’t have faith, or that type of faith, I think pretty much anyone can see that he was finally at peace at the end.” Aaron nodded along, listening to her intently. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Hotch asked, “So, how did I do Prof? Was my answer to your question actually right?” _y/n_ chuckled and said “I think you were right. Regan’s transformation was literal and it was the answer I was hoping for.” She looked over Aaron, his face lit by the streetlamps and dashboard. He was so beautiful to her and she added, “I give you an A for effort.” Hotch smiled at her comments, saying, “I’m happy to help. And hey, an A. You’ll make a good student of me yet.” 

When they got to her place, they moved to the front door and _y/n_ pulled her keys from her purse and let them in. The bowl she had left out that had been filled with candy was now running low, and even though it was late, there weren’t going to be many more kids. _y/n_ moved to the counter and dumped more candy into the container. With that done, she locked the door behind her. Aaron and _y/n_ moved to her room and kicked off their shoes and socks. They changed into comfy clothes before crawling into bed. Three months into their relationship, they both kept a few pairs of clothes in the other’s space. In the bed, they were next to each other, the back of _y/n_’s head resting on his chest, her body positioned between his opened legs. Hotch’s hands moved over her chest and torso before moving lower slowly. He watched _y/n_ in the soft light of her lamps. Seeing her like this, seeing her care for her students, and for him made him nuzzle his face in her hair. It smelled of vanilla. As Aaron’s hand moved to a more intimate place, _y/n_’s intake of breath told him that she enjoyed what he was doing. She had told him many, many times that he was skilled in that area. The thought of her praise had him excited in his pants. Hotch asked in a low voice, full of desire, “Do you think I can get something more for my insightful comments than a hypothetic A?” _y/n_ squirmed a bit with pleasure before moving out between his legs. She moved to face him and kneeled in front of him. As her hand started moving over him and he let out a groan, she said, “For you Aaron, I’d do anything.”

______________________________________________________________

Taglist: @criminalskies @tgskitten @geminitapestry @sadgirlzluvdilfs

Want to join the taglist? See this post, CM Taglist (linked)

[dotster001]

How You Met/Enemies to Lovers Crewel Edition

Summary:Divus Crewel x gn!reader. After misunderstanding the reason you were failing his class, he ended up spending lots of time with you. Part of the mini series requested by @stygianoir

A/N: It's in my pinned post, and I've mentioned this in a couple posts, but if this is the first of my stuff you've read, I view NRC as an actual college, so reader here is 18+. If it makes you more comfy, imagine it as grad school age.

Other Versions- Idia. Crowley. Malleus. Vil. Rook. Lilia. Leona.

Divus didn't like to throw around the word stupid around a lot, especially concerning students. But it was starting to be hard to find a better word for you…

"I just don't understand, Y/N. How can you not understand the most basic principles of potionology?"

He had called you to his office after classes to discuss with you your complete lack of knowledge, even in the most basic of courses.

"In our most basic course, you should be reviewing the things you learned in high school potions.  Even if you aren't solid on it, you should have a better grade in this course than you do!"

You winced, shrinking into the chair as much as possible, and mumbled something.

"Speak up, puppy!"

You cleared your throat, "Professor, I'm doing my best. I'm having both Vil and Riddle tutor me, and I spend as much time as possible studying for this class. It's just hard to undo everything I've learned," you were starting to get more hysterical the longer you spoke. "I mean, literally, you're asking me to learn things that completely challenge all the laws of science I've ever learned!" You stood up and smacked the table in frustration. "I'm doing my best, man! I just…I can't…it's…."

"Sit!" He shouted, and you plopped back down into your seat, wide eyes displaying fear.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed heavily. "If you could please remind me of what high school you graduated from."

You sat in silence, pursing your lips in a tight line. After he was certain that you weren't going to answer, he stood up. 

"Wait here," he said, leaving you to go to the headmage's office.

                                ….

Divus had cursed Crowley on his entire trip back to the office. Of course that bird brain would have "forgotten" to mention that you were not from a world or even a dimension with magic. You should have been in remedial private lessons the entire semester. 

He slammed the door loudly on his way back into the office, clearly startling you in your seat.

"Alright, puppy. Your situation has been properly explained to me. Starting now, you will be in private lessons with me, on top of your tutoring with Rose hearts and Schoenheit. I will be in contact with them so that we can all be in agreement on a curriculum, and you will learn it. Mark my words, you will pass this course." 

You nodded shakily. He dismissed you with a flick of the wrist, and you practically ran from his office.  He sighed as he began to map out a plan for your lessons. This would be a long hard road.

                                     ….

You had surprised him. You had spent the last four years studying potions with him. That first year had been hard, but before the exam, you had had a breakthrough, and it had all been uphill from there. By the end of your second year, you were all caught up to the current curriculum. By your third year, you had surpassed it. 

You were now nearing the end of your fourth year, and still in lessons with him, although, now it wasn't to catch you up, it was to  keep you learning.

You had been limited in your internship options, due to your lack of magic. Divus had even written a glowing recommendation for you, but it had been for naught. At least until he had realized that you could be his teaching assistant for your internship.

It hadn't been a glamorous position, but you seemed to enjoy it; getting to work with potions, having access to the magical library, being at a center point so you could still see your friends, it had been perfect for you.

But your internship was nearing its end, and people had caught on to your skill in potions. You were getting job offers left and right, for ridiculous amounts of money. And it was making Divus nauseous.

"Another offer, pup?" He looked up from the papers he was grading, to see you at your own desk looking at a letter.

"Mhmm," you acknowledged, reading the letter. 

"And?" 

You set the letter down, and grinned. "Aw, are you worried about me? I'm just going to let them know I'll think it over. I've told everyone I won't make a decision until I have my degree in my hand."

"Are you planning something that would make that not happen?" He asked, matching your grin.

You laughed. "Well, Grim is scheduled to be back next week, and Ace is a day behind, so anything is possible."

"Just remember, bad puppies will need to be retrained," he flashed a devilish grin.

You gasped in mock horror. "Thanks for the reminder, I'll try to let them know."

You both went back to your work. After some time in the silence, he found himself looking at you again and again. Eventually, he was all out staring. You were so focused on your paperwork. You looked truly beautiful.

It hadn't been until the letters started coming in that he had realized his time with you was coming to an end. He'd grown used to your presence. No, that wasn't right. He'd grown dependent on your presence. Seeing you everyday, working close to you, seeing you make new discoveries, watching you help other students achieve what you had…. he'd fallen at some point without even realizing it.

To make matters worse, you were one of the few reasons he took care of himself. You brought him food on days he'd forgotten to pack some. You made him coffee on late nights. You volunteered to take up some of his work when he was getting run down. He had never realized how much he had stopped caring about his general health until you started doing it for him.

He was the happiest he had been in years. And you were going to be leaving him. 

He hadn't spoken of his feelings, because he had only recently noticed them himself. Besides, he couldn't be sure how you felt about him. You two had definitely grown closer, but was it close enough for you to feel the same way?

                                   ….

The school had hosted a graduation party. After the official ceremony  all the grads, their family, and anyone who had been invited to the ceremony itself were in attendance. It was usually a way for classmates and teachers to have a last hurrah before going out into the real world.

But you had been swamped by people who were offering you jobs. They were all complimenting you, pressuring you to make your decision, and just in general bothering you.

Eventually, he noticed you were able to break off from the group, and step outside. He followed you, worried after seeing you swamped with people.

You had found a bench to sit on, and were staring at the stars. You looked beautiful in the moonlight, so at peace. He quietly sat next to you, and patted your knee.

"How are you doing, puppy?" He asked.

You turned your head to face him. "Well, I've been here long enough to get a degree, and am no closer to going home. Oh, and I still haven't decided where to work now that I've graduated." You giggled. "But I'm fine."

"Hm." He said. "Well, for the first point, you truly are gifted at potions, so I selfishly am happy you've been here long enough to get a degree in it. And, hopefully by now you've found something that makes being here worthwhile."

You stared at him for a moment, then quickly turned away. "Yeah, I guess so." You stood up, and stretched. "I'm gonna head back in, thanks for checking on me." You began to walk away.

"Don't go," he couldn't look at you, but he heard you stop walking. "Stay here."

You giggled, "I would but it's getting cold out here and I don't have a fire coat like you…."

"That's not what I meant," he stood up, and strode over to you with an intense confidence. He ran a gloved hand down your cheek as he spoke, his discerning gaze picking up the shiver you tried to hide.

" I mean at NRC. I want you to stay here as my teaching assistant and," he paused.  Once he crossed this line he could never go back. Who knew the master would become so shaken by a puppy. "I want you to stay with me."

His hand froze on the side of your face waiting for your response. After what felt like a painful wait, you nuzzled into his hand. Nothing could stop his grin.

"I think I'll take that job," you smiled up at him sweetly.

"And my other proposal?"

You shrugged, and walked off with a mischievous grin. Ah. You were going to need some heavy retraining. But there would be plenty of time for that. For now, he would just enjoy the knowledge that you had chosen him. He looked up into the stars and thanked whoever or whatever had brought you to his world. Then he returned to the party, feeling uplifted for the first time in two weeks.

[henrysglock]

Henry, NINA, and Weird Science (1985)

I'm sure someone somewhere has talked about Weird Science, but...I'm not sure it's in the vein I'm about to talk about to discuss.

For those who don't already know, Weird Science (1985) centers around two teen boys who frankenstein a perfect woman into existence. Hijinks ensue, typical '80s film.

What gets weirder about Weird Science, though, is how many parallels it has to ST...and not just ST4, especially for a movie on the ST4 board.

Lisa is the product of a doll and a government computer system:

2. Lisa takes on bullies after they throw a cherry icee on Gary and Wyatt at the mall:

(Not pictured: El exploding a milkshake all over some mean girls at Starcourt)

3. Lisa can wipe people's memories:

4. The boys try to recreate Lisa and end up creating a missile instead:

5. Lisa can put people in comas and puts Gary/Wyatt in danger to "boost their confidence"

(Do you think they're having a good time being catatonic in a closet, Henry?)

6. She literally disappears in a cloud of smoke once her purpose has been fulfilled

7. Lisa reappears as the gym teacher at the high school at the end of the film

Now...why do I care that she reappears at the end of the movie as a real person?

Well. Have we or have we not already seen a gym-teacher type Henry lookalike?

(The answer is yes)

A Henry lookalike who persists in supernatural scenes with El, no less:

(peep the Jazzercise in the background...)

If we take Mr. Jazzercise as the Gym Teacher to Henry's Lisa...then where's Henry?

Possibly, like Lisa, in the computer.

tl;dr: Get that man out of Brenner's Torment Nexus Matrix Device (the NINA program) and into reality, tyvm.

[sugarsfics]

Prom-posal

Summary: The Queen of the Nerds and King Steve have been secretly dating. Prom is coming up and he only has one girl on his mind

Trope: King Steve x Nerd!Reader; established relationship, but was enemies to lovers

Warning: Use of Y/n, bad writing/ bad grammar

Word Count: 800

30 Day Challenge: Day 6 Send Request <3

Steve was freaking out. He is car going over what he wants to say to you, how he wants to ask you. He was asking you to Prom. You and Steve have been secretly dating since the summer. You met during chemistry class last year, you tutor him, it was the beautiful enemy to lover trope. He’s king Steve you are the queen of nerds in high school that means arch enemies, for some reason he wanted to impress you so he would talk about his wealth and his basketball skills you saw it has him bragging and being self-center. That starts the war of snarky comments at each other, from lifestyle to the way you dress. He would tease you for your love for comics books and Star Wars. He would tease you for wearing glasses. He would tease you for making periodic table jokes that you only laughed at. Yet you were the first person he would tell when he got an A, yet when he needed to a tutor in math he asks for you, yet he would always look for you at prep rallies. Something came over him the day he got his final grades back there was only As and Bs on his report card, he made a b line for you knowing you would be in the science room. He found you a shove it in your face before you would yell at him, he kissed you, you didn’t pull a way you brought him closer all your frustration you had for each other left during the make out session. After he asked you on a date and the rest was history. You kept it a secret knowing Hawkins would blow up if two different cliques were to be together, also the relationship was just you and Steve, well you Steve and Dustin. 

Steve was going to ask you at lunch in front of everyone, he was tired of being a secret. He wanted to hold your hand at school, he wanted to kiss you in front of everyone, he wanted you to wear his leather man jacket on game days, he especially wanted to show you off in front of the nerds. He knew how the nerds felt about you, you were their queen, they all had fallen for you the same way he had fallen, your smartness, your wits, your beauty, you. Steve had overheard one of the more good-looking nerds, Mikey, saying that he wanted to ask you to prom and to be his girlfriend that made his blood boil, and he pushed the kid into his locker to relive some anger. After school he called the one he could trust the most Dustin, also he is always a nerd. Dustin helped Steve make his poster, Steve told him that he loved your nerdy jokes, the ones that he never got and only made you laugh. So, they came up with Are you copper and tellurium because you are cute Be My Date PROM, using the periodic elements, he knew you would love it.  

All the girls were freaking out when they saw Steve holding a poster, "Omg." Who is he going to ask? It must be me right. Their dreams were quickly shut down when he walked right past them, everyone followed who was King Steve asking he walked by the jock table, the cheerleaders, the popular girls, he was going all the way to the end of the cafeteria.  

You hadn’t noticed the commotion, you were too busy with your head in a textbook, you were helping Mary with her math homework, you didn’t notice the shadow that cast over you or the look of fear in the other’s eyes. Someone clearing their throat caught your attention, Steve. He turned the poster around to face you, everyone gasps reading He was asking the Queen of the Nerds your eyes widen this was such a pubic things “Y/N will you go the prom with me” before you could answer people started to laugh “Nice joke Harrington” is it a joke you thought, but you found your answer in his eyes they were so sincere practically screaming at you saying NOT A JOKE. “yes” you answered his smile reached his eyes then leaned in for a kiss, more gasps were heard. “No more hiding he whispered you nodded “Can I sit” he asked pointing to the seat next to you; you moved your bag and motion him to seat. He put his arm around you, everyone's eyes were still on you both “Yes we are dating move on with your lives” you exclaimed scoffs were heard by girls everyone still shock on what just happened. “Are you guys really together” Mikey asked “Yep she is all mine” Steve smirked kissing your forehead. “So, my next game...” 

Tag list @thefreak0fhawkinshigh

[carica-ficus]

Review: "Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic"

Authors: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Conan Doyle, Lucy H. Hooper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, H. G. Wells, Edmond Nolcini, M. R. James, Ambrose Bierce, Howard R. Garis, William Hope Hodgson, Edith Nesbit, H. C. McNeile, Abraham Meritt, Emma Vane

Editor: Daisy Butcher

Date: 03/01/2023

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

________________________________________________________

I think I ordered this book some time during summer, after I accidentally stumbled upon it on an online bookstore. I love anthologies and I love plants, so this title definitely intrigued me enough to order it. I finally decided to read it around Christmas and finished it during a recent trip, so it's officially my first finished book of the year.

"Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic" is an interesting anthology of short horror stories by quite a few well-known authors. From the creator of Sherlock Holmes, to the acclaimed writer of "The Yellow Wallpaper", all the way to the legendary H. G. Wells, this collections features some hidden gems of the late 19th and early 20th century. While the stories are certainly old-school, they could still be regarded as timeless classics and masterful creations.

Most stories revolve around the fascination of the exotic - of unknown plants that are in some way dangerous to humans (or other organisms) and which originate from far away places, like South America. There's mentions of exquisite poisonous flowers, murderous liana, mysterious wisteria, and the weirdest of them all - carnivorous plants.

It is interesting just how much the writers and, by default, the general public were fascinated by exotic flora which, in one way or another, transcended the known laws of nature. Plants were considered sedentary, passive, and at the bottom of the food chain, but as new discoveries were being presented and as more people, professionals and amateurs alike, from the western civilization started their expeditions in new places, society was being introduced with oddities that seemingly didn't follow any established rules. So while the horror in this collection is displayed through various flora, the true horror is derived from the simple fact that humans fear what they cannot understand. One of the most frightening things a person, especially a scientist, can experience is realizing that they will never be able to fully predict nature's capability to adapt and to evolve.

Of course, this theme goes hand in hand with the understanding that it is dangerous altering the natural order of things. While this could also be understood as criticism to the human tendency to play god, there isn't much religious commentary throughout the collection. The stories are centered around ecology, evolution, and biology, highlighting how humans shouldn't meddle with something as powerful as nature - which they will never fully understand, let alone be able to control. Even though the writers do create a feeling of dread through the fear of nature, the horror is actually realized through characters that underestimate its abilities and that have the need to disfigure nature in order to measure their own capabilities.

Furthermore, this collection highlights the uncomfortable fascination western civilization had with other cultures. The urge to study new exotic phenomena on their own accord, to test the limits of human science on something they don't fully understand with little to no regard of the laws of nature and the test subject's true needs, is somewhat perverse. These scientists are conducting experiments in uncontrolled environments, and playing with their test-subjects in order to test their own abilities and knowledge. It is a portrayal of poor research. They're acting out of curiosity with little to no regard of the consequences. It is not their subjects that are evil, for they have been brought up and mistreated in an environment completely unnatural to their habitat, but their tormentor, who butchers them through extreme studies. This is usually evident through a secondary character, most often a colleague, who tries to stop the scientist in their mad experiment before it's too late. The horror is, therefore, found in the abuse executed by the brazen oppressor, not in their vicious, abnormal creations.

The fact that the aforementioned themes barely scratch the surface of all the ideas featured in this collection, prove how layered and compelling all the featured stories are. The editor also did a marvelous job with a lovely foreword and an intriguing introduction to each of the authors and their respective work. Of course, as with every short story collection, not all works are equally strong, but "Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic" is still a gorgeous anthology and a noteworthy testament to a relatively overlooked category of horror.

[yutahoes]

Favorite

Inspired by the music video and some lyrics of Favorite by NCT 127.

characters: former rebel! student! Yuta Nakamoto x vampire! student! Y/N

summary: He didn't care about anything until his eyes caught her. Who is she and why is her eyes changing color?

chapter word count: 6.3k words

chapter genre: angst, fluff, suggestive

chapter warning: language, blood, incorrect descriptions of vampires, kissing, character death, a lot of biting, sucking, and licking

Yuta Nakamoto. 

Just the name makes all the high school students quiver. The worst of all the worst in school. The strongest fighter which makes the other fighters from other schools quiver. Everyone feared him, even students and teachers from nearby schools wouldn't dare cross paths with him. 

He was a huge bully, always in fights and seated at the back of the class with bruises or wounds on his face. His teachers were even lucky if he went to their class. And they would just let him. 

Until the twins transferred into their class, the affluent Jung twins who always excel in everything they do. He didn't bother about them at first. And he's too lazy to get their attention. Besides, what good can their attention bring to him? 

But as days went by, he noticed how the male twin became the center of everyone’s attention. He excelled in sports, even defeating Yuta in basketball which he’s really good at. He’s kind-hearted and even good at studying, and the teachers always favor him. Yuta would often hear the girls, even from other schools, gush at how handsome he is with his pale skin and chiseled face. He didn’t care at first. But something is weird about that Jung Jaehyun. How can he be agile all the time? How can he keep running without looking so tired? And why is his skin so pale?  

Noticing the other half of the twin, Yuta thought that it might run in the family. Maybe they were born to look like models on the catwalk. They were built to be perfect individuals which irked him. His gaze unconsciously fell on the girl looking out the window during Science class. She doesn’t have as much presence as her brother but she had charisma. Yes, she's hot but certainly not hot enough. 

He was startled when she turned her head to him, raising an eyebrow as if asking why. Instead of turning his head to look away, he squinted his eyes at her and she smirked. What the heck is wrong with this girl? 

—-----

It was normal for him to skip classes, especially Math time but it surprised him that someone in the same uniform is outside the school as him. "You should come with us, pretty girl." The guys with motorcycles claimed that made the said girl stop in her tracks. "You seemed rich." One guy said while signaling another guy to get her backpack. She revolted but someone was holding a pocket knife that made her freeze. 

Yuta shook his head, appearing himself from the shadows that made the boys startled. "That's foul," he said in a commanding tone. "Give back the bag." The girl stared at him for a while before she was held by that guy with the pocket knife. 

"This isn't your business, Yuta." The guy said. "Leave!" 

The mentioned guy cocked his head to both sides, flexing his fingers so that his knuckles created a crackling sound. Some guys looked scared that they scrammed away. He breathed on his fist and then landed a solid punch on a guy who charged at him. He kicked another guy to the stomach then took another's arm, holding him to the ground and twisting it. "She's my business," he said rather cockily. "Let her go." 

The guy with the knife pushed the girl and Yuta was quick to help her stand up. Everything was fast, he heard her shout then he felt something poke his side. The guys ran, with their things, leaving him on the ground with a bleeding side. Great! He might just die like this. "Hey, I have to take you to the hospital, do you have your phone?" The girl asked, hands trying to locate a phone in his pockets. 

"Are you just groping me?" He smirked. She rolled her eyes at that, surprised that he still has time for jokes like this. "My phone is inside my bag." 

"Fuck!" She cursed, surprising him. So she knew how to curse. The girl unbuttoned her blouse, revealing a tank top inside her uniform then tied the fabric to his wound. "I have to bring you to the hospital. This is just first aid." 

She stood up but he held her wrist, stopping her. "I'm alright dying here." He said with a smile. "I'm just happy to see a girl undress in front of me before I die." 

"What the fucking hell is wrong with you?" She exclaimed which startled him. She looks so pure and innocent. Now that he was staring, he noticed how her eyes were light brown in color. Is this her normal eye color? It looks lovely, like a galaxy can be seen in her eyes. "You can't die. I'll be filled with guilt." Yuta smirked. "Wait for me. I'll just call someone." 

He held her wrist, stopping her from going anywhere. "I'm fine. Just let me die."

"You won't, stay here." Then everything went black. 

Yuta could only see the blinding lights when he opened his eyes. A girl in white asked him how he was feeling and his first thought was that he might really be in heaven. But then, a person like him doesn't deserve to be in heaven. So where is he exactly? "I'll inform the doctor that you have woken up." Oh. A hospital. Why the hell is he here? 

He surveyed the area, it was huge. Are hospital rooms always this spacious? There were fruits on the side of the bed, a huge TV in front of his bed, and a huge window. He can get used to this. A man in a white robe entered the door, smiling warmly at him. Yuta’s first thought is that his smile is vaguely familiar and when he spoke, he realized what it was. “Thank you for saving my daughter.” Their family really might be really perfect. 

The older did some tests on him and advised that he should stay in the hospital for a few more days to make sure that nothing bad would happen to him. Yuta had to refuse calling his guardian and the older Jung just gave him a nurse to take care of him. He agreed, thinking it was a hot female nurse but a man in white came in and introduced himself as the person taking care of him. 

On the third day of staying in the hospital, the Jung twins came. The girl was holding a bouquet of flowers that made him grin. He can totally get used to this. His gaze fell on her eyes, dark orbs making him confused. “Your eyes are brown, isn’t it?” Both the girl’s father and brother stared at her and then at him as if he just said something wrong. 

“It might just be the light that time,” she said in a soft voice. She’s different from when they were on the backstreet at that time. Totally different. 

—-----

It must be because they were perfect that she had to always be the prim and proper little daughter in front of her family. That was the thought ringing in Yuta’s head while watching the female Jung during their class. He wasn’t even interested in getting into his classes, just wanting to observe the female and his weirdness. “Yuta,” the teacher called and he turned to the old man in front, “Do you want me to transfer your seat next to Y/N?” He lightly glanced at the mentioned girl who had her head hung low. 

Something has changed with this girl. 

There were a lot of rumors and whispers around about him liking Y/N but it’s not the case. It’s safer to say that he’s curious about her. Well, anyone can say that he’s interested in her. But not in the same way that people thought about it. He doesn’t like her to that extent. 

Yuta was on his way out of the school gates, ready to skip Math class when he noticed a familiar girl seated under the shade. She has her earphones in, reading a book. A normal image of her. He sat beside her, getting one of the earphones and putting it on his ear. Surprised that she was listening to rock music. “What are you doing?” she asked, moving back to stay away centimeters from him. 

Instead of answering her, Yuta took a peek at the book she was reading. Unlike the usual books he can notice she was reading, this has lots of pictures and they’re all about the sea. “Do you want to go to the sea?” He asked casually but the girl stared at him in regard. She lightly bit her lip as if considering his offer. “Come on, let’s go.” He held her hand but she quickly removed his hold on her, surprising him. “We can take a bus…”

“I can’t,” she claimed, then closed her book, rolling the earphones in her hand. Y/N stood up and then walked inside the building leaving Yuta staring at her form. 

How interesting. 

Yuta hated music class but today, he was sitting at the back of the class watching as his classmates showcased their talent for musical instruments. Jaehyun played the acoustic guitar making the girls in their class swoon. When the other Jung was called, she stood up and then played classical music on the piano.  

A smirk escaped his lips. How superficial. “Yuta, do you want to show us your instrument?” the teacher asked and everyone turned to him, including her. He took an electric guitar from one corner of the room and plugged it into the stereo that created an ear-piercing sound. He started creating notes, and loud guitar riffs that he heard from her earphones the other day. Almost everyone in the room was covering their ears, complaining about how loud the sound is but she remained staring as if studying what he was doing, not fazed at the loud sound he was creating. 

When he returned to his seat, Y/N was looking at him as if confused. Her black dark orbs looked like the night sky, her pale skin looked like moonlight and her lips looked as red as cherry. Yuta smiled and for the first time, looked away from her. She’s fucking beautiful. Why does it take too long for him to realize it? 

—-----

Their house is majestic. Truly suitable for a perfect family like theirs. He isn’t a stalker, at least he knows he’s not, but one time he followed Jaehyun home and saw where they live. He also isn’t obsessive but he noticed where Y/N’s room is when he passed by one time and saw her on the balcony, looking at the stars. A huge balcony near a tree that he can easily climb. 

Yuta was suddenly thankful for the strength training he got from fighting. Flawlessly, he climbed the tree and jumped on her balcony just as it opened and revealed a surprised Y/N. The guy was disappointed that she was wearing long-sleeved silk pajamas with matching long pants. “What are you doing here?” She asked but he only stepped backward, hand touching what seemed to be a flower. 

Immediately, Yuta plucked the red rose and handed it to her. “To give you this.” The girl, once again, had a confused look on her face. “And to ask you to go to the sea.” 

“I told you I can’t.” She whispered, taking the rose which lightly grazed on Yuta’s finger. A small cut can be seen as a drop of blood gushed on his finger. Almost in a snap, Yuta noticed how her eyes became lighter in color. From the color of the night sky to the color of the galaxy. “You have to go.” She pushed him lightly, panic can be seen in her expression. “Yuta, you have to leave.” 

The guy had to glance down from the balcony, “You can’t expect me to jump…” A knock on the door can be heard as Y/N quickly closed the door to the balcony and closed the curtains before a voice can be heard, asking what she was doing. 

He isn’t mistaken. Her eyes really do change colors. But why? How? 

She was avoiding him. Even if they belong to the same class, Y/N would always come out before he could approach her. Jaehyun would always find a way to block him or even stop him from approaching his sister. Why? Is it wrong to show interest in a girl? Why is her brother protecting her like this? 

But Yuta isn't someone easily fazed by these trivial matters. If she's avoiding him then it only makes him want to chase her more. And not that he's a stalker but someone from class informed him, after a lot of persuading - bullying, in that someone's perspective - told him about the girl's whereabouts after class. 

Music room. How superficial. 

Yuta had never been in this part of the school. He doesn't have any reason to go here in the first place. Who would have thought that a girl would make him explore this part of the school? He kept on glancing inside the rooms for any sign of her, some even looked scared at his presence while others just notified him that the person he was looking for can be seen in the farthest music room. When he peeked inside, she was seated in front of an old upright piano. 

The melody she was playing sounded so familiar. It was a lesson they had in Music Class. He also heard it from a movie before. And it reminded him of an ocean. Oh, wait. La Mer? The Sea?

What was her fascination with the sea if she kept refusing to go to one? 

Yuta clapped and she whipped her head to him, surprised that he was in the same room as her. Her eyes were black, shining. "What are you doing here?" 

"Why are you avoiding me?" He sat beside her on the stool, pressing the same keys she was playing earlier. "Let's go to the sea." She was just focused on his fingers and he was conscious of what key to press next. "I can ask permission from your dad…" 

"No, it's not my dad." She claimed, fingers playing along with him. "I just can't." 

"Then, can you just stop avoiding me?" 

She stopped playing, body turned to face him. "Yuta, why are you doing this?"

"Why can't I do this?" He also stopped playing, facing her. The dark eyes widened when Yuta inched closer to her. "I like you, Y/N." She looked surprised at the sudden confession. "You're interesting. I can't keep my mind off you." 

“Then stop it.” 

Yuta inched closer, eyes staring at her cherry-red lips. “What if I don’t want to stop?” His lips gently went to hers, soft warm lips that made his head hazy. She didn’t even move so Yuta took this as a chance to lick her lips while angling his head to the side to deepen the kiss. His mind was clouded at the idea that she was kissing him back.

Then his bottom lip hurt. A prickling pain followed by a confusing feeling that made him lightly push the girl. The part that hurt throbbed. Her eyes turned light brown, a little blood staining on her lip which she licked. A flash of pointy teeth is noticeable before she put a hand on her mouth, standing up to exit the room. 

Her movements were so fast that he didn’t register what happened. Yuta lightly grazed a thumb on the side of his lip, blood could be seen on his finger. Could it be? 

Yuta never believed in the supernatural. They are just faceless creatures created as stories to scare young kids. Yuta also never believed that he'll read a book in the school library yet here he is, silently skimming books for fictional creatures just to get the answer he was looking for. 

She is pale. She likes to be alone most of the time. She has this fascination with the sea. She was always under the shade. Her eyes change colors. Yuta recalled the times it happened and came up with the common thing in those scenarios. He was hurt. There was blood. 

Pale. Shade. Blood. The pointy teeth. 

Words associated with vampires. 

Y/N is a vampire. 

Then Jaehyun is also one. 

It's been days since Yuta had made the observation. Days passed without her attendance at school. He noticed how Jaehyun stood out among the crowd with his pale skin and tall stature. It all now makes sense how agile he plays basketball and why he doesn't seem to get tired even if he plays rounds and rounds of the sport. A supernatural. 

If Yuta was in his right state of mind, he would think that he was losing his mind.

But falling in love makes you crazy. 

A feeling that he was slowly experiencing with her absence from school. "Jung Jaehyun," he called. The other guy glared at him before excusing himself from his group of friends. "Where is Y/N?" 

"What do you want from her?"

"What happened to her?" 

"What do you want from my sister, Yuta?" His voice was louder and it was slowly attracting the attention of the other students. “Y/N is someone you shouldn’t mess with. Our family, specifically.” But Yuta didn’t have the intention to mess with her. In honesty, she was the one messing him up. “Whatever you did to my sister, undo it.” 

What exactly did he do to her? He kissed her. That was it. Did something happen to her because of that kiss? 

Yuta needed to find out. The risk-taker part of himself wanted to find out. He did it before and he’ll definitely do it now that he’s desperate to see her. 

The balcony of her room was open but he stopped when he saw a female figure seated by the bed. From the silhouette itself, he knew it wasn’t the girl he was looking for. “Honey, it’s been days. You have to drink.” Drink? “Honey please.” The woman begged in her soft voice, whispering to the person she was talking to but it was all clear on Yuta’s ears. “You’ll die if you continue this.” 

Die? 

A heavy sigh can be heard followed by the words, “You should have erased his memory like what your dad said when he saved you back then.” Yuta exhaled heavily. It is about him. What exactly did he do to her? Is it reversible? Should he just run away from her? 

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Her voice was quiet, broken. A sound that shattered his heart into a million pieces. He cannot see her broken. He needed to keep his distance away to save her. 

Yuta stepped to the side and almost slipped if not for his quick reflex in holding onto the ledge of the balcony. It caused a small cut on his finger and a drop of blood appeared from the wound.

Blood. In a house of vampires. How great!

He heard the door of her room closed followed by her weak voice calling his name. How did she know that he was here? Is it the blood? Then, does the whole house know that he is here in her place? He had to come inside.

The sight of the girl looking as pale as moonlight while laying on her bed crushed him. What has he done to her? “How long have you been outside?” He hated that her voice was this hoarse, and hated that she looked so sick. “Yuta…” 

“Stop talking!” He shouted in a rather loud voice that made her visibly flinch. “Did I do this to you?” She was about to speak but Yuta had to glare. The girl weakly shook her head. Yuta sighed then sat on the side of her bed. Even he, himself, knew that it was all just a lie. “Is it because we kissed?” Again, a shake of her head. Why can’t she stop lying? “Can I do anything to make you better?” Yuta moved closer to her. “Can I do anything to save you?” 

The girl gently pushed him away, gulping hard as if stopping herself from doing something. “I’m dangerous. You should run away from me.” The desperation in her voice broke Yuta. He doesn’t want to run away from her. If anything, he wants to stay with her. “Staying with me is dangerous, Yuta.”

“I know,” He started. “But I love you and I want to hurt even more desperately in this destiny.”  

“You have no idea…” 

“You’re a vampire,” Yuta claimed, her warm brown eyes widening in surprise. “You’re pale, you always wanted to be alone, you’re always in the shade.” He listed down, “And your eyes change colors when there’s blood.” 

Her eyes were warm, an expression of fright seen on her face. “Dad was right. I should have erased your memory back then.” 

Yuta moved closer as his breath tickled her lips, “I still would have fallen in love with you.” He whispered before leaning in to kiss her lips. It was a gentle kiss, a soft kiss different from what they shared in the music room. Her breathing was heavy and Yuta had to break off the kiss to check on her. She looked paler than before. Is she allergic to kisses? Should he not kiss her? But it probably isn’t that. 

He remembered from the book he read that vampires don't necessarily take human blood to drink. That’s what rogue vampires do. And it was the answer in Yuta’s mind on how their father works in the hospital even if he was a vampire. But once they have the taste of a human’s blood, it will be like a drug to them. Y/N bit him when they kissed, she had a taste of his blood. 

He’s now a drug to Y/N. The reason why she refused to drink the blood given to her and was just sitting on her bedside table. And for her not to die, there’s one thing he should do. “Bite me.” The girl stared at him in surprise. Yuta cocked his head to the side, his neck in full access to her. “Just bite me, Y/N.” 

The inhibitions in her expression were gone. She flashed her pointy teeth before sinking it into Yuta’s neck. He grabbed the sheets to prevent himself from making a sound at the pain of what she did. A pain that was changed into a feeling of being light-headed real quick. A foreign feeling as if he was floating in clouds. His body felt cold, shivering in thrills.

And then everything went black. 

—---

The room was dark when Yuta opened his eyes. His initial thought was a basement but a certain voice made him realize where he was. “Did you have an amazing sleep?” Jung Jaehyun’s room. The guy who owned the room clucked his tongue as he switched off the turntable. “It didn’t occur to me that you’ll be that serious of my sister.” 

Yuta sat up from his bed, eyeing the room. The curtains are closed and there’s only a faint light coming from a small night light by the bed. “I’ve heard a lot of things about you Yuta Nakamoto and being smart isn’t one of them.” He squinted his eyes at the remark. “Now that you know what our family is, I hope you won't put your life in danger.” Jaehyun left some fabric on top of the bed before fixing the tie of his uniform. “Hurry up, we’ll be late for school.” 

Jaehyun’s uniform was bigger on Yuta’s body but what makes the morning uncomfortable is being the only human in a house full of vampires. Yuta smiled when Y/N came down the stairs, in her uniform, looking livelier than when he saw her last night. She sat on the vacant seat beside Yuta, just in front of her brother. “Are you feeling better?” Yuta asked and she nodded, grinning at him. 

She looks well. That was a good sign. 

The father of the household went down and Yuta stood up to greet him. Y/N was the one who introduced Yuta and he just nodded while smiling, claiming that he already knew him from the hospital. "So, Mr. Nakamoto," he started. "Where are your parents?" 

Yuta shook his head. "They died when I was young." The twins looked at him in surprise as their mother gasped. "I lived in a foster house until I have enough to live on my own," Jaehyun whispered to the other girl if she knew about it and she just shook her head making Yuta laugh. "Don't worry. This is the first time I shared that fact with anyone." 

The older man had a serious look before putting both his hands on the table. "I'm sorry about that." He then pursed his lips. "But you do know that by pursuing my daughter, you're not just putting your life in danger but also our own kind of people." Yuta had to look at the steak on his plate. He didn't realize how huge this is. "When the time comes, our priority is our people." 

"I understand, Doctor Jung." The older girl lightly glanced at her daughter before Yuta continued, "But I'm serious about Y/N and you can trust me in keeping your identity a secret." His hand held Y/N's hand that was above the table, "If the time comes, I'm willing to die for Y/N." The girl beside him gasped at that statement and their mother smiled at him warmly. 

The older woman held her husband’s hand, mimicking the same way Yuta held her daughter’s hand. “Honey, let’s trust Yuta. I can say that he’s serious about our daughter.” The older man nodded, tapping the other’s hand. “Let’s spare Yuta his memories for now.” 

—----

Y/N and Yuta were inseparable. Classmates would always note that Yuta had changed so much because of Y/N and it was the truth. A lot has changed because of her. Who would have thought that vampires do exist? And in this world full of humans? If he's going to tell anyone, they might think that he's crazy. 

He doesn't usually read but he always has books, made-up stories about vampires, that made him obsessed. Y/N would always laugh at him, claiming that they don't disintegrate in sunlight or die because of garlic or a cross. 

Since he's always at their house, he learned some things about her kind. That they have fantastic stamina, the reason why Jaehyun still looks like his model self even after PE class. That they drink pig's blood rather than human blood because it's morally right. And it was the answer to why her father can work in the hospital. 

Her parents are very fond of him. Even reaching to the point where they favor Yuta over his little silly arguments with Jaehyun, their own son. It was like their daughter’s boyfriend is a massive part of their family. 

So it wasn’t a surprise when he got invited to the annual party her family hosts. 

The night was filled with dances and formal wear. Her mom even bought Yuta his own tuxedo and he marveled at how gorgeous his girlfriend looked in her silver ball gown. They truly are a picture-perfect family, looking like models on the runway. And everyone invited probably thought of the same thing as they exclaimed in awe when the four members were on the mini-stage. Yuta wondered if they were all vampires. Is he the only human around here? He hoped not. Or it will be trouble.

“Hi,” she greeted with a wide smile on her face. Yuta mirrored the same expression before tucking a lost hair behind her ear. “Are you enjoying yourself?” 

The guy only smiled widely, “The food is amazing.” He complimented before grinning wider, “You look amazing.” Yuta noticed how a group of people stared at him and her, surprising him. He stepped forward and whispered, “Just a little curious, am I the only human here?” 

Y/N had to turn back to glance at the people he was looking at. "Dad has some co-workers as guests." She lightly chuckled, “Are you worried about that?” Yuta bit his lip. Should he be worried? “Dad put scent blockers on you so the vampires wouldn’t smell your blood.” He gave a breath of relief and she held his hand tight. “Come with me.” 

He stayed in his place that startled her, “We’re not doing something that your parents would disapprove of, right?” She giggled before shaking her head. Why is he suddenly disappointed?    

The garden looked lively with the lights her mother designed it with. The mini fountain lights up in different colors and the flowers bloom so colorful that everything looks like a  dream. Wait, is this even a dream? Even Y/N, who walks under the fairy lights, looked so lovely that he’s scared none of these were true. His hold on her was tight, not wanting to let her go even for a bit. “What is it?”

Yuta shook his head, a wide smile kept appearing on his lips. “Nothing.” He whispered before gently pulling her hand closer. “You are just so beautiful.” They stopped in the middle of the garden, just staring at each other. 

It was fast but he didn't complain. Yuta doesn’t know if he was the one who made the first move or her. Who kissed who first? Her lips were soft, tongue tasting like mint that it made him dizzy. His body felt so hot as if getting a fever. 

She let go of the kiss, breathing warmly against his jaw as she pressed butterfly kisses down his neck. “Yuta,” she called in a low voice, sending shivers down his spine. “You smell so good.” Her lips were warm against his neck. A pleasurable feeling. “I want you.” Yuta had to bite down a moan at how hot that sounded coming from her lips.

“Y/N,” a female voice called that snapped Yuta back to his senses. Standing in front of the two of them was a gorgeous female in her bright red dress, long black hair, and black stilettos. “I’m sorry if I ruined the moment.” A smirk played along her cherry-red lips. 

The girl beside Yuta stiffened. “Auntie,” she asked before pulling him behind her. Her aunt? But she looks so young. “I didn't know Dad invited you.” 

The pale woman smiled devilishly. “He didn’t. But I’m family, aren’t I?” The way she said those words are chillingly cold. Who is this? Why is Y/N looking scared? “Your boyfriend?”

Before she could say something, a bass booming voice called for the other woman’s name. “There was a reason I didn’t send you an invite.” Y/N’s dad. “Leave before you cause trouble.” 

She gave a longing look at Yuta before disappearing. The younger guy had to blink twice to confirm what was happening. Y/N looked worried at her dad before asking her to go inside, leaving Yuta with her dad. “I can smell your blood rush from the inside,” he claimed once there were only the two of them. Yuta’s eyes widened in surprise. But he didn’t get hurt. “I’m not against you dating my daughter but please tone down the passion. She’s still my young girl.”  

They can smell his arousal? This is embarrassing. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.” The older tapped his shoulder, smiling. 

When Yuta went back inside the party, all eyes were on him. Why are they staring like that? Did they smell him like her dad? Then he might be in trouble. They’re all vampires. What if there’s a rogue one who wants his blood? 

Maybe he should just leave. 

Y/N was worried when he said goodbye but Yuta just reasoned out that he was getting a headache. Jaehyun even commented that he might have to take care of something other than his head. The thoughts were confirmed, they could really smell his arousal. This is so embarrassing—more reason to leave early. 

He promised to call Y/N once he was almost home. Her voice can be heard on the other line as he inputs the code for his room. “Do you want me to come and ask Dad to check on you?” She asked, making Yuta laugh. She’s too worried, it’s endearing. 

“I’m fine. I’ll just sleep this off.” He stopped in his tracks when he opened the door. A female figure was standing in the middle of his room. What is she doing here? Did she follow him? How did she get inside? He felt his body tense up, he cannot move. Is this some spell? “YN,” he called, breathing shallowly as his heart started beating fast. “I love you.”  

He didn’t hear her answer and just put down his phone. “I know why my niece is so obsessed with her human boyfriend.” The woman started, walking to where he is, holding his shoulder and dragging a finger on his neck. Her sharp fingernail created a small cut then dabbed her fingertip with his blood. Erotically, she licked her finger and then hummed. “You taste so good.” 

Yuta had to stop his breathing. He knew this was his death. How cliche is it to fall in love with a vampire yet get killed by her own kind? This is the danger of knowing about what they are. 

Blood rushed to his system but not in the same way as when Y/N did this to him. This bite feels painful, like a poison filling his veins. Every memory flashed in his mind: his parents, the orphanage, the adrenaline of fighting, his friends at school, and Y/N. This is definitely his death. 

His body felt cold, wet. In a daze, he can see water above him. He’s drowning. But why? How? He saw a pair of arms taking him out of the water before his vision turned black once again. “Is he still alive?” A female voice. Y/N. “Dad, please tell me Yuta is still alive.” She sounded so broken, so desperate. 

“Y/N, he’s sucked out of blood and Auntie drowned him. There’s no way he’s still alive.” The cries became louder with what Jaehyun claimed.   

Everything is quiet and Yuta can feel his body getting dragged somewhere deep. A booming voice can be heard before his consciousness failed him, “There is still something we can do.” 

—----

Yuta woke up feeling light-headed. The curtains of his room were closed so he had to look at his phone to check what the time was. To his surprise, it was already late. He had to run at this rate. Hastily, he prepared for school and made sure that he had enough time to ride the bus. 

He was running from the bus stop to the school grounds, along some students who were already sweating through their uniforms. Once he arrived at his homeroom, his seatmate greeted him with a shake of his head. "Late again?" Yuta chuckled but the other shook his head. "I can't believe you ran from the bus stop. Why are you not sweating?" But Yuta just smiled, shrugging it off. 

His gaze fell on a certain desk by the window. Something should be there. Someone should be sitting there. Where is she? 

Instead of soccer practice, he found himself walking to the dark hallways of the music room. It's usually unoccupied but at the far end of the rooms, he could hear the fleeting music of the piano. La Mer. The Sea. 

Why is she so obsessed with the sea? 

Y/N turned around hearing Yuta clapping after finishing her piece. "Why aren't you in class?" he asked, sitting beside her. His fingers started playing the same notes she was playing earlier. "Do you want to go to the sea, Y/N?"

The girl giggled before pushing the music sheet in front of him. "Again?" Yuta smiled. "If my dad was normal, he would ground me for going home late last night." 

"Your dad loves me." She smiled, nodding. He did. His fingers skillfully played the notes of the classical piece, "But I love you more." 

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Are you hungry?" 

Yuta grinned, shaking his head. "But that is tempting." The girl had to laugh at that. "I'm so sick of pig's blood. How can you keep drinking the same…?" He stopped seeing the girl bunch her hair on the side, the side of her neck in full access for him. 

The innate thirst for blood came to him like a shock. His mouth was so dry that he could easily feel the appearance of sharp fangs. From the reflection on the tinted window, he saw how his eyes turned from black to light brown. "You didn't get enough sleep again," Y/N scolded, "I told you to bite me before leaving last night." 

"I can't." 

"Yuta, it's normal for new vampires to feel that hunger." She held his cheek, urging him to not suppress his inner desires. "And it's my job, as your sire, to help you." 

The guy leaned his head on her shoulder, nose lingering on the side of her neck to smell her. "I don't want to always ask you for this," he whispered before licking the side of her neck. "But I badly want you." His teeth sank into her skin, a moan escaping her lips. 

Yuta felt the warmness traveling through his body. Her blood tasted so sweet that he was getting crazy. "Sorry," she whispered. "I made you one of us." His hand held hers, tongue licking the remaining blood from her neck. "I was so scared seeing you lifeless in the tub. When dad suggested letting you drink my blood…" 

He hushed her up, not wanting to hear the guilt in her voice once again. "This is the best thing that ever happened to me, Y/N." He smiled, white fangs tainted with blood in perfect view. "I didn't regret being a vampire if it meant being with you forever." Yuta leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her lips before leaning in once again to place butterfly kisses on her lips. "Let's get some food in you, you're getting colder." 

"Want to buy some pig's blood?" 

Yuta looked disgusted, "I had my fill." She chuckled. "Besides…" he started, linking their hands together. "If given a choice of blood," he continued, smiling warmly at her. "You're my favorite, my sire."  

"You'll always be my favorite." 

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

One thing I love about this series is that it infuses reality. The animators scatter things and places to make it believable like Easter eggs. It also resonates the sentiments of the characters to the audience.

1) Takahashiya Mall could be Takashimaya. The red emblem is the clue. It is a luxury store that can be likened to Selfridges where only branded items are sold. I assume they went to the Nihombashi Tokyo branch. Which gives us the impression that knowing Kazuki, this was his favorite place to buy his clothes, etc. Until Anna Hanyu told him of the wonders of the discount stores.

2) I can’t believe they put “smock” in quotations. And Rei meant it was a cookie. What a Schmuck. Understandable as the two of them didn’t have any experience with it. I wonder if they wanted us to search for the etymology of the word which is women’s undergarment.

What it is and what is it really

3) The list of items a child needs in the daycare center is not absurd actually including placing the child’s name on every item. I’ve heard this from acquaintances who are kindergarten pedagogues about the reason it is important to write your child’s name on their things. The number of items that are lost or taken unintentionally is an everyday occurrence in these institutions (kigas, schools, etc.) bc often a child doesn’t care especially if the pieces of clothing are not written with the owner’s name. They also discourage the parents not to dress up their children in branded clothes. The number of complaints they get when the children come back home with dirty clothes is far too many. Good for the Japanese childcare system for having a foresight.

Also, I realised that there are a couple of types of childcare institutions in Japan that even the natives get confused. In the series Kazuki claimed that yōchien (幼稚園) and hoikuen (保育園) are the same. (“It’s the same thing with a different name.”) They were talking about hoikuen the whole time. Not sure if it was the writer’s intention. Although Kazuki got the fish difference correctly.

Hoikuen are legally defined as a child welfare institution and are subordinate to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs, MHLW for short. Their focus is on the care of children whose families cannot take care of them during the day. That's why they are also the first point of contact for families where both parents work. Hoikuen therefore have long opening hours and accept children under one year of age. If they fulfil the requirements of the Child Welfare Act, they will receive a state license.

…

So-called yōchien kindergartens, on the other hand, are defined as schools under Japanese law and resemble preschools. For this reason, they are also subordinate to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT for short. Yochien only accept children from the age of three. Since they usually only offer half-day care, they are favoured by families where one parent does not work or works part-time. ( x )

Another source…

First of all, let’s define the word “daycare.” You might call it daycare or nursery school, but daycare in Japan is hoikuen (保育園) and is reserved for babies 56 days old up to 6 years old.

This is not to be confused with kindergarten (幼稚園 | yōchien), which is exclusively for kids 3 years old until they enter first grade. ( x )

4) Kazuki’s attempt to fit in on Miri’s first day at the daycare was not so far from the truth really.

Somewhere is a Louis Vuitton shopping bag

Believe it or not, Japanese mothers put a lot of effort on their choice of clothing on the day of the kindergarten interview. Kazuki had probably searched for those things and encountered the webpages where mothers gave advices on what to wear on this occasion. Take a note from this social content creator who used to work as a kindergarten teacher in Japan and is also a mum.

There is an “unofficial” dress code for these events, which is one step up from a funeral and a few notches down from an entrance ceremony. Take a look at what parents (mainly moms) should wear! ( x )

Too bad they exaggerated it on Miri’s first day. I cannot entirely blame Kazuki though. Him being an orphan who had witnessed poverty and being ostracized because of it, I guess, his opinion on how the people are treated based on their outside appearance bears unpleasant memories that he strives away from. Though it was a bit unfair to point out Rei’s social standing when K is not entirely privy to his friend’s traumatic past.

5) If the forged document below contains a bit of some facts (very important for writing fan fiction): Kazuki was born on the 16th of May, 1994. A Taurus. Miri, on the other hand, was born in 2018 November 8. They live in Naka Ward, apartment 801, 2-chōme (city district) Natsuyoshi (<<— I don’t think that really exists) Yokohama Prefecture. That is if there were some truths in it.

[astriiformes]

I'm having so many meaningful interactions today 😭

I've been interested in checking out the office for the Center for Premodern studies at the university for a while, and when I went in today one of my preofessors from last semester was in as well, and he introduced me to the folks in the office saying "This is Nate, he was one of the best students in my [history of art and science] class last semester!" which was obviously a bit of an ego boost.

And then chatting with the folks in the office about my hopes for undergraduate research while I'm still here as well as some of the grad school questions I've been considering, they were so excited, and the conversation turned really naturally to how I'm not sure how many states it would even be safe for me to consider going to school in as a trans person, which they took very seriously as a concern and started suggested places that might be better than others.

It just felt really incredible to have people be so validating of me and my research interests and my identity and the challenges that come with it at the same time, especially after the bit of solidarity with my TA this morning. There are some really great people out there.