#he started out as this sort of chaotic asshole with a heart of gold

[ineed-to-sleep]

Ok but this ⬆️ vs this ⬇️

I'm sorry the shift in vibes is sending me

[staticscreenwriting]

Love like the movies // Bucky Barnes // 6

SIX - GHOST

Trigger warning: Alcohol, food, mention of sex (nothing graphic and no actual smut)

Masterlist

Summary: This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Bucky Barnes, finds himself thrown into a world that seems so different from everything he’s ever known. The girl, (Y/N) knows entirely too much about rom-coms and is quite particular about the way she eats her popcorn. Bucky meets (Y/N) a few months after returning to NYC. He knows almost immediately that becoming her friend is inevitable. This is a story of boy meets girl. This is a story about love. (Bucky Barnes x female!Reader // a few spoilers for TFATWS)

"You held hands?"

"Mmh."

"And then you cuddled."

"We didn't cuddle, I was just kind of - leaning into him. Sort of."

"So you cuddled!"

"Sure. If that's what you wanna call it. We cuddled."

"Then what?" Robin inquires. Smirking at (Y/N) over the rim of her wine glass, like a giddy pre-teen waiting for the kissing scene to come up in a romance movie.

"And nothing. That's it."

"Oh come oooon. You cozied up to each other and then just what - acted like it never happened?"

"Essentially. But that's okay. It's not a big deal. And don't say it like that."

"Like what?" Robin continues to poke and by this point, it's not so much her wanting information than her trying to rile up (Y/N). Though she's very well aware of this, (Y/N) falls for it anyway.

"Cozied up to each other," (Y/N) says and scrunches her nose up in distaste. "Like we had dirty sex or something."

"Do you want to have dirty sex with him? Oh man, imagine what that arm can do."

Holding her hand out to stop her best friend from talking, (Y/N) takes a big gulp of white wine, emptying her glass. This is a conversation that can't be held entirely sober. "First of all, don't say those things about his arm. It's- I don't know. It doesn't sit right with me."

"Sorry yeah that was … not cool" Robin apologizes and by the tone of her voice (Y/N) can tell she means it.

"I'm the first to admit that Bucky is insanely handsome and if things were different, sure. But we're friends and I really enjoy the time spent together and our friendship. I don't wanna do anything to jeopardize it or ruin it by adding unnecessary feelings to it."

"Feelings aren't unnecessary," Robin replies, combing her fingers through her fiery red curls.

"Sometimes they are. The last thing Bucky and I need is broken hearts and ruined friendships."

"What if it doesn't end that way?"

"Relationships never work out well for me, you know that."

Robin places her glass on the countertop. It means whatever talk is gonna follow, it'll be a serious one. There's been very little need for a serious talk between the girls over the time they've been friends but neither of them has ever been afraid to start those conversations and say things as they are. Sometimes that's what friendship is, being blunt even if it's not what your friend wants to hear.

"Look I'm not saying you have to take the relationship to another level. If this is making you happy the way it is, then that's all that matters to me. I just don't want you to give up on something that could be great, because you're scared and because some stupid assholes in the past didn't realize what they had in you."

Where she's only had shit luck with relationships, (Y/N) thinks she's really lucked out in the friend department. Robin is as wonderful as they come. Even if she drives her crazy sometimes.

"They weren't all assholes." (Y/N) chimes up weakly though there's not even enough determination in her voice to convince herself.

"Weren't they? Let's see ...I'm not even gonna talk about Russel. He doesn't count. Who else was there? Pete liked to show you off but he didn't like you. Did he?"

"Not really."

"See? Asshole! Kylie only wanted to be with you so she could be the cool girl who's fucked another girl once and use that as something to brag to the guys about."

"She was figuring herself out."

"She was straight, babe. She was using you and your sexuality as some kind of badge of honor so guys would think she's cool. She only wanted to make out with you at parties and when there were men around to ogle you. I’m the last person to blame anyone for trying to figure out who they are and who they like but that wasn’t the case here. She used you, and what does that make her?"

“ An asshole? “

“ An asshole!”

“ What about Ricky, he wasn’t an asshole! “ (Y/N) chimes in, filling her glass up once more.

“ Okay sure but he was your High School sweetheart and that rarely lasts. I’m not gonna count him. What about Mike —“

“— Okay, you’ve made your point. I have a bad taste in romantic partners, I get it. Doesn’t change anything. Me and Bucky we’re — we’re good as we are. No romance needed.”

“ Just don’t want you to miss out on something great.”

It’s not that the thought has never crossed her mind. In fact, when she’s being really honest to herself, it swirls around her head a lot. When he grants her one of his smiles. The rare ones that make his eyes crinkle. Or when he comes to see her and brings dog treats for Lady, just because he’s that thoughtful. Or when she noticed he put a popcorn and a sun emoji next to her name in his phone. The popcorn, as he said because she liked movies and the sun because she’s always happy and smiling. Or when he held her hand throughout the entire movie. Those are moments when (Y/N) thinks about what it would be like to be more than friends.

“ It’s great as it is now. He’s great.”

“ Then that’s all that matters to me.” Robin smiles. She has one of those smiles that makes you feel at home. Comfortable and soft. Like warm milk with honey a mom makes their child when they can’t sleep.

It’s a while later, when (Y/N) strolls back into the room, another bottle of wine in hand, that a knock sounds on her front door. Her eyes wander to Robin then to the door then back. “I’m not expecting anyone.”

“ Oh, that’s Bucky.” Robin, who’s by now migrated over to (Y/N)’s huge fluffy couch, Lady cuddled onto her lap, says with the most casual of tones (Y/N) has ever heard. As if Bucky and her have been lifelong friends. As if there is nothing strange or peculiar about this situation.

“ How do you know?”

Robin shrugs and goes back to petting Lady’s curly fur. “ He texted you when you were getting the wine. Said he was around and had food. I told him to come join us for movie night. What’s the big deal? “

“ I uh — it’s not I just — you could’ve told me. “

“ That was literally 5 minutes ago babe. I had no time to tell you yet. By the way, this man uses entirely too many emojis.”

A smile pulls on the corners of (Y/N)’s lips. She’s asked him once why he never used any emojis, or smileys as he called them (all of them — even the ones that aren’t faces). He told her he didn’t really understand when to use most of them, like the shrimp or the Hockey stick. (Y/N) told him it’s because they’re fun. Ever since then he uses all kinds of emojis with her. None really relating to his messages. It’s quite endearing if she’s being honest.

“ Are you gonna let him in? “ Robin asks, shaking (Y/N) out of her thoughts.

The smell of Chinese food floods into the apartment as (Y/N) opens her door to Bucky. He looks so effortlessly cool in his leather jacket and boots. With his hair a little longer now, all swoopy and quiffed. Like the bad boy straight from a romance novel. The one with a heart of gold. The one that gets the girl.

(Y/N) is not that girl, the one from the novels, the Hallmark movies. The one that’s quirky but never weird. The one that makes all the boys fall for her. She’s not the main character, at least according to herself. She’s the side character that shows up like twice. The one that helps the main character on their quest to self-discovery or true love. That’s who she is. Not more, not less.

“ I brought food!” Bucky exclaims as he steps inside, waving the bag around before placing it on the kitchen counter, to which Lady jumps up from her position on Robin’s lap.

Lady, (Y/N) has realized a while ago, has somehow fallen head over paws in love with Bucky. Always following him, looking up at him with her big brown puppy eyes. Always looking to be close to him. Maybe, (Y/N) thinks, it’s the treats he always carries around. But maybe it’s Bucky too and his patience and his affection and the way he greets the little dog like she’s the main reason he’s come around.

Moments like this, they come with those little flutters around the heart. People always compare them to butterflies. (Y/N) thinks that’s wrong. Butterflies are gentle, graceful, and soft. This feels like a swarm of bees. Chaotic. Overwhelming. A little bit scary.

“ Man, did you plan on coming here, or did you buy all this for yourself?” Robin asks, eyes wide in surprise at the sheer amount of styrofoam containers Bucky keeps pulling from the bags.

“ I kind of bought it with the intention of sharing, yeah. “

Robin’s eyes meet (Y/N)’s across the room and there's a silent secret there, hidden in her teasing smirk. One shared only with a friend. No words. No sounds. Just the truth and two knowing hearts connecting.

“ Am I intruding? If you guys want me to leave, I can leave. “

While he tries to keep his voice casual, the sad tint doesn’t get lost on (Y/N).

“ Absolutely not, don’t be silly. We’re just drinking wine and watching a movie and you are free to join us in both.”

While he shakes his head at her offer of wine, Bucky helps (Y/N) bring the food over to the couch and plops down in the middle of the couch, Robin to his right and (Y/N) on his left.

“ What are we watching? “ he asks, a dumpling already on the way into his mouth.

“ Well, “ Robin responds filling her glass up once more, “ it was (Y/N)’s turn to chose so —”

“ A rom-com”

“ A rom-com. “

Something about seeing these two interact and joke around inspires a fuzzy feeling to wrap itself around (Y/N)’s heart. Even if they’re making fun of her.

The way Bucky fits in here, as if it’s where he’s always belonged. The way he’s not a stranger imposing but a friend added to the mix. It’s a nice feeling. She hopes he feels it too.

“ Okay, whatever. This isn’t your usual rom-com though, there are ghosts in this one. “

“ Is it ghosts falling in love?” Robin asks and lets her laugh get swallowed by her wine glass.

“ No. Well — uh kinda but not really. They fall in love be — you know what, just start the damn movie! “

There’s an undeniable intimacy in watching your favorite movies with other people. It’s like giving away little pieces of yourself and sharing them with others. No matter how insignificant it may seem to anyone else but you. These are the things that make us who we are. Our passions. For art. For music. For books. For movies. And opening up is always scary. Even if it’s just a teeny tiny bit.

Through the corner of her eye (Y/N) glances at Bucky and Robin, trying to judge their reactions. See if they’re enjoying themselves or not. Bucky displays his ever-present scowl. It’s the default setting. Sometimes she wonders if that has always been the case. If that's just what he looks like or if years of abuse, horror, pain have left their marks on him, on not only his heart but also his face.

Maybe this can be his safe place, she thinks. Maybe she can be. Not someone to fix him, because he’s not broken, just lost. Not to fix but to hold his hand while he heals. Slowly but surely.

For a while, the three sit in comfortable silence. The kind that fills you with this inexplicable calm. Where no words are needed.

And then the beginning chords of unchained melody spill from the tv speakers. It’s a touch there, a kiss here, hands covered in clay. Bodies covered in clay. Gasps and heavy breathing. Hands grasping skin, wandering, loving.

Robin’s presence falls completely to the back of (Y/N)’s mind. Bucky’s however...

“Do you want to have dirty sex with him? “ her friend's words ghost through her head like a particularly annoying jingle for some tv ad. The room feels warm all of a sudden. Not warm — boiling. There’s a heat radiating from her right, from Bucky. So what if he’s attractive. So what if she sometimes lets her mind wander and think about how his hands would feel on her skin or his lips on hers or his — yeah okay you get the point. So what?

Bucky slumps down into the couch a little more with every second of steamy pottery sex that’s fluttering across the tv screen. Is he — nervous? Uncomfortable ? No, she must be imagining it. Projecting, that’s what this is. She’s projecting her own chaotic emotional state onto him. There’s nothing there. (Y/N) has to remind herself. Just secret little thoughts that have to be kept between her and her. As long as no one knows, no one gets hurt. It’s the easy way out. The safe way. The right way.

Right?

“ Sooo, what did you guys think?” (Y/N) asks, turning her body towards her friends and sitting criss-cross on the couch.

“ Didn’t expect all the murder. “ Bucky replies as he takes a sip from his beer. “ And the — “

“ The messy sex! I know.” a visibly intoxicated Robin cuts in.

“ Not where I was going but okay.”

She doesn’t pay his words any attention, instead of launching herself backwards over the arm of the couch, dramatically fanning herself with her perfectly manicured hand. “ I am not going to lie, oh boy that was some hot stuff. Wouldn’t say no to that.”

“Oh please,” (Y/N) chimes in, wine glass clutched in hand and smile on her face. She can clearly feel the alcohol washing through her system bringing her to the place between sober and drunk where everything feels light and your confidence seems to get a little extra boost. “ What do you have to complain about? You’re getting married in two weeks! I’m sure you get enough action as it is. “

Robin doesn’t answer right away, just throws (Y/N) a giddy, boozed-up smile. Though in her eyes, there’s a loved-up glimmer of someone about to marry the love of their life.

“ Yeah, that’s true.”

“See, so you’re not the one that should be complaining. Us, however…”

Her red curls swing around her like a spark of fire as Robin sits up again, pointing her finger at (Y/N).

“ And whose fault is that? You could be getting some if you didn’t get so lost in your romantic fantasies. And him — “ the red-haired girl exclaims before pointing her finger towards Bucky “ don’t even tell me he ain’t getting some. Look at him! Are you sexually active, Bucky? “

“ You don’t have to answer that. Robin, come on.”

“ No, you don’t have to but you should. I’m trying to prove a point. Help me prove a point, Bucky. “

“ You’re making him uncomfortable. “

“ Am I making him uncomfortable or you? “

“ Ooookay, I think it’s time for you to go to bed. “

“ Nooo, we’re having a conversation. “

“ Would you look at that, my drink is empty. I’m just gonna — I’m gonna get another one. Okay? Okay.”

Bucky doesn’t wait for an answer before getting up and rushing out of the living room and into the kitchen, clearly uncomfortable. Clearly embarrassed.

“ See what you did? You scared him off. “

“ I couldn’t scare that man off if I tried. Trust me. “ Robin murmurs, a loud yawn cutting through her argument. There’s a certain determination in her words though. Some truth hidden in there that (Y/N) can’t quite put her finger on. It’s like Robin knows something she doesn’t. And maybe it’s good this way. Maybe she doesn’t need to know.

“ Alright, whatever that’s supposed to mean, Tipsy. I’ll go see what he’s up to. You go the fuck to sleep.”

“ Whatever mom, “ Robin bickers and cuddles closer into the soft couch anyway. “ Oh, don’t forget to invite him! I like him. We’re friends now. “

“ Go to sleep! “ (Y/N) orders again, earning herself a salute from her best friend who starts snoring no more than 2 seconds later.

He feels like a 13-year-old. Actually — no. Things were easier at 13. Situations like this one were easier at 13. Being horny was easier at 13.

It was all new to him then, yes, but it was new for everyone at 13. He’s 106 now, a grown man. He should be able to talk or at least think about these things without turning into a full-blown mess. His hand is clammy, his face is probably the same shade of bright red as Robin’s hair. And by god, his thoughts are a jumbled mess, swirling around all over the place.

Truth be told, he hasn’t had a lot of time to actually think about anything even remotely physical. It was never very high on his list of things to figure out and the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself to him either. Not since the 1940s at least.

Have things changed? Surely not, right? Maybe people got a bit more experimental and for sure they talk more openly about it now but the fundamentals must have stayed the same. He sure hopes so at least.

His thoughts get interrupted as (Y/N) steps into the kitchen. Her eyes are slightly glassed over from the wine though she’s nowhere near as drunk as Robin. She seems happy, then again she always does. For a little moment, he feels jealousy wash over him. About being able to get drunk. It’s damn stupid, he’s well aware. But that doesn’t make his feelings less valid. To just drink and let go and forget, that sounds really nice.

But that’s just one of the things the serum has taken from him. By far not the worst aspect of it all but unpleasant either way.

“ Hey uh — you okay? “ she asks leaning against the kitchen island across from him.

“ Sure. Are you? “

“ I uh — might be a little drunk, “ (Y/N) confesses as she lifts her hand and indicates a tiny space with her fingers.

“ Yeah, I think you might be.” Bucky laughs. Actually laughing comes naturally when she’s around and quite honestly, at first, it made him feel guilty. Guilty about the fact that he got to laugh along with a pretty girl while so many people had to die through his hands.

He tries to push those thoughts away. They aren’t doing anyone any good. Not him and not those people either.

“ Hey, I’m sorry she was making you uncomfortable. She gets — well she has no filter when drunk. Or ever really.”

Bucky shakes his head. His finger nervously trails along the grain of the stone countertop. There are conversations he needs to have, sooner or later, if he wants to live his life. Not just coast along but actually live. But it doesn’t mean those come easy. Not for someone who’s been through all he’s been through. Not for someone who’s grown up the way he has, who’s been raised the way he has.

“ Ah, no. Don’t worry. I uh — I just. It’s been a long time since I had talks like this. “

“ Like what? “

“ Between friends, you know. About — stuff. “

“ About sex? “

“ Mmh. “

“ You don’t have to talk about it with us if you don’t want to. It’s fine. “

“ No, but I do want to talk about sex with you. I mean — not you, you. You both. But not in a weird way. I mean — with friends. “

“ Okay. “

“ It’s just that I was raised in different times and the last time I had a real actual friend that I talked to about intimate things was so long ago. Steve and I talked about everything and even then there used to be reservations. One because I don’t think Steve really wanted details and two because Steve wasn’t — he didn’t have the most experience when it came to women so it was a very one-sided conversation. And I’ve never talked about any of this with a girl. It’s all new to me but I don’t want you to think I don’t trust you. “

(Y/N) regards him with a glimmer of amusement and mischief in her eyes as she munches away on some cold leftover spring rolls.

“ You don’t have to justify yourself to me, Buck. I know you trust me, I hope you know I trust you. “

He does. And he doesn’t hate how it sounds when she calls him Buck.

“ So, Robin and Charlie are getting married in two weeks. I was wondering if you’d like to be my plus one. Back when they announced it I was under the impression Russel and I would be a thing by then but uh — clearly that didn’t happen. It’s in upstate New York. We’re all gonna stay at this gorgeous Inn and well there’s a spot open if you want it.”

“ As a plus one? “

No matter how much he wants to deny it to himself, his heart does a little flutter as she says those words. A plus one sounds like something. He’s not sure what but something, surely.

“ Yeah, as a friend, obviously. “

“ Obviously. “

There goes the flutter.

“ Robin is okay with it by the way. She explicitly told me to ask you.”

“ So Robin wants me there, not you. “

“ No! I want you there! I love spending time with you. Also, Robin’s family is crazy. I need you by my side. I need you there. I want you there. “

“The need to be needed is an individual’s sense of significance rooted in the sense of being part of a community or cause beyond themselves. The need to be needed is one of our fundamental desires. We want to feel significant in the eyes of others, even if it is only one other person. “

Bucky has read those words in one of the many magazines stacked on the little side table in the waiting room of Dr. Raynor's office. They didn’t really make much sense to him then. He always thought he’d be fine by himself.

In that moment he realizes that was all a big pile of absolute bullshit.

The feeling of being wanted, of being needed, even if it’s just one person that needs him, that means everything.

“ Okay, I’ll come. “

“ Yeah? “

And there it is again, the smile that reminds him of the sun. The smile that he’s sure could bring a thousand men to their knees, including himself.

“ Cool. I’m — I’m really happy about that. “

“ Mmh. Me too. “

For a moment they just look at each other, words unspoken swirling in the air between them, neither brave enough to let them slip from their tongue.

It’s not until a particularly loud snore coming from the living room pops the bubble and breaks the spell.

Both of them fall into giggles before Bucky speaks up again.

“ It's late I should probably go. “

“ Yeah and I should go to bed. I’ll have a hangover tomorrow for sure.”

Bucky slips into his leather jacket and places a soft kiss goodbye on Lady’s head before turning back to (Y/N).

“ For the record, I’m not getting any. “

“ I uh — okay. Good. Well not good, “ (Y/N) stumbles over her words “ not good for you. Good for me. I mean. Not that I don’t want you to have sex. But I mean, Robin was taking the piss, and if I don’t get laid it makes me feel better to know you aren’t either. Oh god, this sounds horrible. I’m just gonna stop talking now. “

Bucky smiles the brightest smile she’s ever seen him smile, it almost breaks his face in two. And even though she wants the ground to swallow her whole right then, if it puts a smile like that on his face, she’ll gratefully embarrass herself again.

“ Have a good night, (Y/N). “

“ You too, Bucky”

And with a kiss to her head, he leaves the flat, a smile staying on his lips the entire way home.

“ Why did I have to come again? This is a bachelorette party, I thought men aren’t allowed. “ Bucky grumbles as (Y/N) parks her truck in the parking lot of the convenience store. The pink and blue neon lights reflect on the wet asphalt.

“ It’s a shared party. We’re all friends so it makes sense for the couple to celebrate together. Stop moaning. “ (Y/N) exclaims as her heels create a click-clack sound.

The store is empty as they enter except for the bored-looking teenager leaning against the counter by the cash register.

There’s something about empty stores at night that makes it feel like time stands still. Like for a moment, reality is altered. There’s only you and the outdated music coming from the speakers and the hum of the refrigerators holding the soda cans.

“ I can’t believe Hannah forgot to bake the cake. It’s all she had to do. I did everything else, everything. She had one job. “

Bucky’s learned by now to just let her rant about this topic. It’s all she’s talked about for the last hours since Hannah, public enemy number one that day, has called her to inform her she’s forgotten about the cake. Why there needs to be a cake at this party, Bucky doesn’t know but hey, who is he to question it.

(Y/N) walks straight over to the counter that holds the bakery items only to be met with disappointment.

“ Well great. We can choose between one single cupcake, a box of stale donuts, and a croissant. “

“ What about this one? “ Bucky asks and points towards a bright pink cake decorated with candy roses and white icing.

“ It says Happy Birthday. “

“ Ah, don’t worry we can fix that.”

(Y/N) raises her eyebrows in doubt. “ You sure? “

“ 100%. Trust me. “

She regards him for a moment, uncertainty shining through, before granting him a little smile and a nod. “ Okay then. You get the cake, I’ll be over there for a second. “

Looking through the fridges, (Y/N)’s eyes fall onto a pack of popsicles in the shape of Captain America’s shield.

Ripping open the fridge door she calls out “ Hey Grumpy, would you like thes— “

All she hears is a smack and then Bucky’s voice exclaiming a loud “Fuck!”

And in that moment she doesn’t know what’s more shocking, the fact that she just slammed the door right into his face or hearing him swear.

“ Are you okay? I’m so sorry. “

“ I’ll be fine.”

“ We gotta put ice on it. “

“ No (Y/N) I — “

She’s already on her way to get a pack of frozen peas. And if Bucky is being real honest, his cheek does hurt quite a bit. Super Soldier Serum and all …

“ I am genuinely so sorry. “

Bucky sits on the bed of (Y/N)’s truck, frozen peas pressed to his face and a chuckle falling from his lips as (Y/N) sends yet another apology his way.

“ It’s okay, (Y/N). I told you, I’m fine. “

He pulls the peas away from his face and places them next to him, before picking up the cake and lifting the plastic lid off of the container.

“ Alright, let’s see if I can fix this. “

“ You have a bruise on your cheek. “

Bucky looks up at her with those gorgeous blue eyes of his, that (Y/N) sometimes finds herself drowning in. Calm and story all at once. Like oceans.

“ Does it make me look rough and handsome? “

“ You’re always handsome. But yes, it gives you a roguish charm. “

“ Good. “

(Y/N) feels a heat rush to her face as Bucky focuses back on the cake.

“ Mmmkay. Let me see. What if we — “ Bucky murmurs, more to himself than to (Y/N). He swipes his finger, sans glove, over the white icing letters and while there’s a good intention there, when he lifts his finger back up the cake looks like a downright mess.

“ Ta-da “ he exclaims and turns the cake towards her.

“ It says Happy day now “

“ Is it not a happy day? “ Bucky asks, eyebrows raised in question.

“ Let me rephrase that. It says ‘Happy messy white stain Day’ “

Bucky pulls his lips into a grimace, eyes wandering from (Y/N) down to the cake and back to her. “ Yeah, we can’t bring that “.

Laughter fills the air as they regard the sad mess of a cake before them. If this was a movie, (Y/N) thinks, this would be their moment. The one where they realize. The one that feels like time stops and all that matters is them.

Something wet and sticky against her cheek pulls her from her daydream.

“ What the hell? “

Bucky only grins at her. There’s the boyish charm again. It’s so insanely endearing to see these little moments flare up and push through the perpetual gloom he seems to carry with him. He doesn't hold the weight of 90 years of fighting on his shoulders right then.

“ Oh you didn’t “

Before Bucky can react she grabs a handful of the cake and smashes it against the uninjured side of his face.

“ Is that how you wanna play it? Okay. Fine. “

Cake flies through the air as their laughter rings through the night. Not a thought wasted on pain, on worries, on heartbreak.

The rooftop bar (Y/N) booked specifically for this night is covered in fairy lights and glitter decor. There’s a karaoke machine in one corner and an open bar in the other.

A loud cheer sounds from the crowd as Robin steps out into the open, fingers intertwined with those of a petite brunette with big square glasses sitting on her nose.

They get swallowed by a tidal wave of people, pulled from one hug into another, and while his eyes stay with them, Bucky feels a touch against his metal arm. (Y/N) wraps herself around him leans her head against his shoulder and stares lovingly at the couple before them.

“ I’m so glad she’s happy. I love her so much. “

“ She loves you too. “ he says.

And really how could anyone not?

A little while later, when the crowd has allowed them to breathe again, Robin and the brunette wander towards Bucky and (Y/N), matching smiles on their faces.

“ Buck, this is Charlie, Robin’s fiancee. Charlie, this is my friend Bucky. “

“ It’s so nice to meet you,” Charlie exclaims, a strong English accent dripping from her words. “ What in the world happened to your face? Are you okay? “

While Bucky smirks, (Y/N) flinches at those words and shrinks into herself a little.

“ Oh you know, funny story. Someone here was a little too excited about some red white and blue popsicles. “

Robin lets out a loud laugh “ Now that sounds like someone I know very well. “

“ They were shaped like Cap’s shield, okay. I thought it was funny and fitting. “

Charlie’s eyes move between the 3, a look of confusion settling on her features.

“ Why fitting? “

“ Oh babe, let me catch you up,” Robin says and steers Charlie in the direction of the bar.

The night flies by and for the first time in so long, Bucky doesn’t feel out of place. Not for a single moment. Even being surrounded by people he doesn’t know and while listening to music he doesn’t get. It’s nice, feeling like you belong.

Robin and Charlie have just finished their karaoke rendition of Don’t Stop Believing when a familiar voice echoes from the speakers.

“ Hello guys, my name is (Y/N). You may know me, I’m the maid of honor. I am responsible for this party — you’re welcome. Anyway, I guess it’s my turn to sing tonight but I can’t do this one alone. I’m gonna require my friend, Mr. James Buchanan Barnes up on this very stage with me. “

Oh no. Definitely no. Not in a million years. No w—

“ Because this one’s a duett. “

Her eyes meet his across the way, shining with amusement, mischief, affection. Even across the dimly lit roof, her sunshine smile seems to light up the entire night.

“ I’m not doing it, “ Bucky says and shakes his head as Robin slides up to his side.

“ C’moooon. “

“ Nope. I probably don’t even know the song. “

It’s like the universe wants to make a fool of him as in just that moment Bill Medley’s voice sounds through the night.

“ I know you know this song. “ Robin says and nudges his side “ come on don’t make her do this by herself. “

“ I — “ he looks at (Y/N) again, with her sunshine smile and those expressive eyes and the buttercream stain on her shirt. And he doesn’t see fear or pain or regret. All he ever sees when he looks at her is happiness and fun and laughter.

“ Ugh. Okay. Alright. “

Cheers follow him as he steps on stage and (Y/N) hands him the second mic. Though it’s supposed to be a duett, (Y/N) doesn’t really care and sings both parts with unfiltered joy and unapologetic passion. And while it takes a moment for him to warm up to it, Bucky can’t help but let her enthusiasm light a spark in him too and by the time the pre-chorus hits he joins her in singing their hearts out.

“ You're the one thing I can't get enough of. So I'll tell you something. This could be looooooove “

New York comes alive with the promise of a better tomorrow. One where Bucky feels like he belongs. To a place or a group of friends or a person. A tomorrow where he can laugh with a pretty girl, have food fights in a parking lot, and sing some silly song at the top of his lungs.

Maybe the song isn’t all wrong. Maybe he’s having the time of his life. And maybe, just maybe, he owes it to (Y/N).

Taglist // if you want to be added or taken off just message me :) //:

@zaynyierulez - @je-like-you - @dracoxxyoflam - @jackiehollanderr - @majo240820 - @kay-gilles -@booksb4looksstuff - @jckie94 - @charmed-asylum - @shawnie--jo - @yllwtaxi - @tailsoflightning - @giuliarogers - @mangoogirl - @gerim-1995 - @elen-alambil - @threeminutesoflife - @writeroutoftime - @buckybarn3s - @rosaline-black - @kenziekugler22 - @vghz82

[eponinemylove]

aftg tattoo/flower shop au

@essence-29

so it’s wymack’s parlor and he still technically runs it and everything but he’s tired most of the time and he lets kevin pretty much take over

kevin has almost no tattoos himself except one he got that he deeply regrets (in my mind it’s bc riko was his piece of shit ex boyf and pretty much made him get it, but however u want to imagine the backstory of this tattoo is up to you)

anyway he runs the shop with his dad. matt, renee, and seth all work there

andrew runs the flower shop around the corner (managed by betsy). he could not give less of a damn about the parlor tbh. he barely noticed it existed

he’s more of a piercings guy anyway but it’s not like he’s against tattoos

at least, he didn’t care about the parlor until him and renee became friends

i imagine they met at the flower shop when she came in and ordered some for allison. maybe they started seeing each other around more and more, and you know how andrew makes friends. he probably followed her to work one day and they went from there.

either way they’re besties and they work on the same block. so andrew goes in and out of the tattoo parlor fairly often to pick up renee or have lunch.

him and kevin obviously run into each other at some point, probably more often than not

at first they ignored each other’s presence but then andrew started to notice kevin

tattoo artist without (many) tattoos? interesting. he won’t talk about the tattoo he does have? very interesting. he flinched when someone dropped a glass of something and it shattered? now you have his attention

and of course kevin can’t help but notice the hot, 5-foot-nothing guy who comes in at least once a week to harass his patrons and distract his employees

both of which are definitely crimes andrew commits regularly around the parlor

andrew invites kevin out for drinks one night after they’ve been noticing each other for a while. it’s not flirtatious or romantic, but it does feel... weighted. kevin goes. renee and the others are there too, vaguely, but he still manages to end up spending most of the night alone with andrew

they talk. a lot. it’s really slow going because neither one of them particularly feels like talking, but they do. or they come to a mutual understanding at least

they have a weird relationship after that that none of kevin’s friends or andrews relatives can even pretend to understand, but you know what? whatever. they’re KevinAndAndrew

i don’t want to say they’re attached at the hip, but they totally are. anywhere kevin is, andrew follows, especially if kevin is drinking. and they’re not even nice to each other. that’s the confusing part for the others. just looking at them, you wouldn’t even think they were friends, much less maybe-kind of-dating?

so this goes on for a couple of months, and just when everyone thinks they’re getting used to it, neil comes in

literally no one was ready for him. he shows up at the tattoo parlor one day and just applies for a job. no resume, no interview. straight up walks up to the front desk and asks for a job

kevin wants to throw him on his ass but matt says the least they could do was interview the guy

(neil probably looks all kinds of a mess. not like insane or dirty, but just generally disheveled and exhausted and... neil. he looks like neil)

kevin still thinks this is a waste of time, but he lets neil show him what he’s got

no one was expecting neil, but they definitely weren’t expecting him to be so goddamn good

it’s hard to tell if he’s a natural or has actually had years of hardwork and practice, but he’s an amazing artist and he knows his way around a needle

so they hire him.

matt becomes quick friends with neil. seth and neil don’t get along, per se, but they’re almost the exact same brand of asshole so there is a sort of solidarity between them

renee obviously is nothing if not entirely pleasant to neil, but he still has issues trusting her

and kevin? well kevin kind of hates his newest hire

he complains to andrew about him nonstop. about how he’s stupidly talented and a complete bastard and gets along with people but in a chaotic sort of way that makes kevin anxious and annoyed and

kevin has a lot to say and andrew is more than inclined to listen

it’s a surprise to no one when andrew is in the parlor the next day, scoping out neil for himself

oh, and i should mention that neil has literally NO tattoos. not even one. (his mother would never allow something so easily recognizable)

neil barely notices andrew until he confronts him after his shift. i don’t know what he would say, but it would go pretty much like how their meeting went in the books, just probably without the racquet

a fight immediately breaks out that matt and kevin have to break up. renee knows better

yeah neil and andrew don’t get along

andrew is very interested though. so he does what andrew always does. he gets nosy. and personal. and mean

it takes him a surprisingly long time to find any information on neil. he thinks it might be a fake name and kevin assures him that it’s definitely likely, which helps exactly none.

eventually the only thing he manages to gather is that neil has one hell of a temper and could start a fight in an empty room. he also won’t take any shit from anyone, whether it’s from andrew or some random Karen screaming at one of his coworkers for giving her daughter a tattoo she didn’t approve of. he can and will tear someone to shreds, and as much as kevin hates it (“Neil that’s bad for business, you can’t verbally abuse the clients”), andrew is very amused

kevin secretly also really likes neil. it’s hard not to—he says everything kevin wouldn’t dream of and sees through all of kevin’s bullshit. also he’s ridiculously hot and incredibly good at his job, and there’s nothing kevin appreciates more than talent and competence

after, idk, a month? of getting nowhere to unraveling neil’s past, andrew invites him for drinks.

kevin is there of course and pre-approved the decision. matt comes along bc he doesn’t trust andrew in the slightest and he loves neil. renee is there to make sure no one actually gets murdered. seth just shows up bc he thinks something funny might happen, like another fight

not strictly relevant, but allison, dan, and nicky working at the bar/club they frequent??? a Concept.

andrew and kevin are both pretty surprised to find out that neil doesn’t drink. they try and “convince” him otherwise, but neil refuses and short of drugging him, there’s not really anything they can do

nothing really happens the first couple of hours. nicky flirts with neil a couple of times, neil doesn’t notice, the usual. things take a turn when neil spots kevin’s tattoo. other than that, the night was a bust

since this is an au, idgaf what’s in their past. reader interpretation, use ur imagination, go crazy. however, whatever kevin was involved with, neil was somehow tangled up in too. that part stays the same

he doesn’t mention it

he doesn’t mention it

he doesn’t mention it

and then, of course, he mentions it

it’s not on purpose or in anyway eloquent. they probably get into some sort of fight while closing up and it just slips out

there’s a moment of “oh shit”, the complete understanding that passes through the two of them

they don’t mention it

except they do, because andrew finds out

he and neil have a another “talk” bc yeah andrew might run the flower shop, but if neil brings trouble from kevin’s past back to him now, when he’s doing so much better, andrew can and will actually commit homicide

and that’s the start of their relationship!

well, no, not really. neil still takes a while to warm up to them, and a while longer to start feeling any sort of romantic attraction to them. and of course that’s after he realizes they’re even a couple, because trust me, with those two is always questionable whether or not they’re even friends. or acquaintances. or on speaking terms

also they have to eventually talk about everything. set boundaries, clear the air. neil gives them piece by piece looks into his past. it’s slow work, but it’s a little bit of trust given by someone who has never trusted anyone before.

yeah so anyways everyone thought KevinAndAndrew was confusing? well they don’t know what the fuck is going on with KevinAndAndrewAndNeil

what they do know is that kevin and neil do some of the best tattoos in the country. what they do know is that andrew and neil take smoke breaks together in the back alley, halfway between their two shops. what they do know is that andrew and kevin have adopted neil into their relationship and the three of them are so close-knit, it almost becomes impossible to find one away from the others at any given moment

what they do know is that at least twice a week, the short, blond, very scary flower-shop guy walks into a tattoo parlor and a 6-foot tall intimidating tattoo artist and 5’3 ginger with a sharp tongue and sharper attitude immediately stop what they’re doing and go meet him

that’s pretty much it. scary blonde who sells roses for a living falls for scary tattoo artist who doesn’t seem to believe in tattoos. both these idiots then fall for the (not at first glance) scary new guy who is obviously trouble, because this is a tatto/flower shop au, and everyone loves the broken badass with a heart of gold.

there’s something to be said here about the most intimidating and kick-ass power couple (throuple?) ever

also it’s funny bc based on appearances alone, everyone expects neil to run the flower shop, and kevin and andrew to do tattoos. boy are they in for a surprise though, because andrew knows every single flower you could ever think of sticking in a bouquet, and neil could operate a tattoo gun blindfolded

ALSO they all get matching tattoos at some point bc they’re idiots and in love and it probably has a whole crap ton of heartfelt meaning that i don’t want to explain bc i feel like i’ve rambled forever at this point and still said nothing significant

oh and neil 100% gives kevin a coverup, replacing his old tattoo with something else.

there’s all kinds of plants decorating the parlor courtesy of andrews shop, and neil and kevin design andrew’s logo

and betsy makes everyone flower crowns at some point. andrew refuses to acknowledge it i’m any way, but dutifully wears it regardless. neil wears it to work the entire day, and after hangs it in his office-thing. whatever tattoo parlors have. kevin straight up refuses to wear it but neil wears him down and he puts it on for like 20 minutes. there’s even pictures to prove it

[writingsofmyimagination]

28 Days |2|

GIF by: @suggamiin​

Genre: Werewolf Au (Jimin x Reader)       Part 1 

Rating:18+

Summary: You’re relationship with Jimin has flourished. Your maker wanting to claim you as his pushes Jimin and your adoptive pack to the old ways.

Word Count:7540

Warnings: Swearing, drinking, violence (wolf and human), Smut - Ice play, slight exhibitionism, sleepy sex. Slight Dom Jimin

Originally this was only going to be one part, now it’s two (I’ve tagged the people who mentioned about wanting a second part...Thank you!)

@safi4x​ @nerdygaloresposts​ @sockie-the-dumbass​ @jimin-75​

And now i have basically just finished writing an epilogue for this so if you want to be tagged hit me up! (up by this friday)

Please enjoy all the sin!!

The Yaegerbomb burned your throat with sweet victory after beating all the guys to empty the glass first. The pumping of the bass from the latest dance hit reverberated right through your chest like an irritating drum. You were shoved and pushed from the side alerting you your time at the bar was done, next, move along. Laura glared daggers to the unknowing inebriated guy. You lifted the pair of glasses dripping with condensation from the bar. Over your head of course to preserve the precious liquid inside. Only lowering to normal height when the fanfare of the bar was passed and the booth you were inhabiting was in safe sight.

“Remind me again why we go OUT to drink?” you put to the group.

“To celebrate another uneventful full moon” Hobi beamed, face flushed red, eyes only half focused.

“To celebrate your third one with us” Laura added shifting back into the bright red, fake leather half crescent seating. You chose to remain standing, resting on the sticky table. Jimin hooked his hand round your waist and pulled you in between his legs.

“Yeah but we can do all of that you know, with PYJAMAS on, AT HOME!”

“We’re not all hermits like you babe, we actually like to let off steam after a forced change” Jimin teased, increasing the grip momentarily on your hip. You turned with a smirk

“Being surrounded by a bunch of alcohol infused people all compacted together is not how I’d choose to let off steam” You relaxed in-between his legs a bit more, perching in between the warm thighs.

“Yeah and we all know how you prefer to let off steam” Yoongi blurted out toying with you. Even with the flashing lights momentarily shining on his new dirty blonde hair that did nothing to brighten the dark teasing look in his expression. Your mouth in a playful shocked “o”. The others giggled knowingly; you shared your feigned look of surprise with all of them.

“Oh come on, if you’re both not disappearing to one of the spare rooms at the house you reek of it”

Yoongi was not wrong.

“Your point being?” you chuckled back in response with half a glare. Yoongi just responded with an amused smile signalling his defeat.

“Exactly” The last swig of your drink hit you the wrong way. You needed air! In a trying to be cool rush you zig zagged and criss-crossed your way through the buzzing crowd; completely failing to notice Jungkook watching you leave from across the dancefloor.

You took yourself down the alley that backed onto the club. You attempted calming, slow breathes attempting to ease the chaotic nausea in your stomach. The orange hue of a street light was failing in its job to illuminate clearly where you stood. The pound of the bass was heavier and throbbing more and more around your skull with your enhanced hearing and spinning vision.

Nausea slowly seeping off, a familiar smell painted over the dampness of the alley. You were not mentally equip to deal with Jungkook in whatever approach this was.

“Jungkook now is not..”

“I saw you head out in your ‘I’m pretending to be casual escape walk’ and just wanted to see if you were okay”

His heart was annoyingly in a good place, you were also now low key irritated that it had to be your cheating ex with a years’ experience of you to notice. You had to tell yourself as much as you and Jimin had something completely out of this world you’d only known each other a matter of months. So it’s a given that some delicate details about each other were still yet to be discovered.

“I think you’ve lost the privilege to be concerned about me don’t you” Your defensive tone was also infused with bitterness. His eyes bloomed wide, the annoyance that started to fill in his gaze quickly morphed into deep regret and sadness.

“Well I don’t see Jimin here” he muttered, pettiness shining through.

He had to go there

You straightened yourself up

“What and that gives you some sort of upper hand. Jungkook it’s over, you have to deal with it” Your frown was lethal.

“If I could take it back I would, you’re the one I want to be with, you’re the one I lo..”

“Don’t even! Just leave!”

Your previous relationship with him now finally served a good purpose; the look you shot him was one he KNEW meant you were done and not to be argued with. Your whole body sighed with relief as well as at the daunting prospect of going back inside to the social nightmare of clubbing. You were briefly aware of a shadow shrouded figure entered the alley

Brushing your lack of motivation off your leather skirt you stood up straight and started to head back in, in the direction of the new alley inhabitant

Before you had a chance to react to the unmistakeable scent of a werewolf your back was shoved into the cold wall. Your utter disbelief and shock rendered you near defenceless. His body pushed up fiercely against you barricading you in. One of his hands firmly silencing any cries from your throat. He delved his face into your neck inhaling harshly as you struggled against him

“I’d recognise my scent anywhere” he growled.

“And what a catch you are” he added. The tar like of his eyes, only broken by the raging gold flecks

Wait is he…

One of his hands dipped and started creeping up your thigh. Adrenaline flushed through your system like wild fire, screaming into his hand; trying to thrash yourself free. Your wished you heart that was smashing into your ribcage would smash through your chest and into his jaw.

You drew air into your lungs, the cold fresh air burned down your trachea. The cool air whooshing around you as the creep was flung crashing into the brick’s opposite. With his body out the way Jimin was shooting sharpened daggers to the body on the ground.

“What the Fuck do you think you’re playing at” Jimin snarled taking a step to be more in front of you shielding you.

“Well if it isn’t one of Yoongi’s puppies” The man responded with venom scrambling to his feet

“Jimin…” His attention and head shifted towards you. Big mistake. Your eyes blooming wide was the only warning he got of the impending attack; it was too little too late. A powerful punch landed square on his jaw followed by a loud grunt from him and a high pitch scream from you. His balance lost for a moment. Recovering strong, his eyes now glaring almost glowing red; saturated with nothing but rage. Jimin lunged going for the jugular, your peripheral vision caught intense, sudden movement.

“ENOUGH!” Yoongi’s voice boomed down the alley. Jimin obediently stopped dead in his tracks, fear sparkling in his and the creep’s eyes.

The way they both glared at Yoongi you thought they’d both be bowing. He approached all of you, his presence calming your nerves. Nothing would get out of control with him around.

“Jimin enough, go and sort yourself out, Y/N go with him!” he barked. You nodded dragging Jimin under the street light to evaluate the damage on his face. Blood was dripping down his chin, you managed to catch it on your sleeve before it dripped onto his shirt. His lip was split, not too badly thankfully.

“Trevor I don’t need to tell you this is neutral territory”

“Neutral or not she’s ours and you know it”

“You turned her and left her! You had no idea she existed until tonight” Yoongi snapped back. Jimin kept batting away your concerned hands at his face.

“You know that’s not how it works; Max will be hearing about this. She’s mine!”

“Good, at least this will be handled the proper way according to you guys anyway. And I think you’ll find she’s spoken for. She isn’t property it’s 2020 you asshole” Yoongi spat. There was a warmth inside you, Yoongi standing up for you was sweet and comforting for what it was worth. Trevor spat some blood on the floor through a devil glare and stomped off down the alley.

“Jimin, take y/n back to mine, you can stay there tonight just as a precaution”

“But Jungkook will be home” you protested

“I’ll be fine” you added

“I’ve seen what he’s been drinking and I heard you shun him so he’ll be drinking a hell of a lot more, I doubt he’ll be home for a while and even when he does he’ll be fucked okay! It’s not a request y/n”

Before you had a chance to protest further Jimin pulled you past the others and made your way back to Yoongi’s.

//

“Stop faffing and let me look after you” You scolded Jimin for the umpteenth time. His split lip had stopped bleeding and had started to swell. You were trying to combat this by holding a tea towel shrouding ice cubes to his face. You were sat on your legs next to Jimin who’d just slouched on the sofa.

“I’m fine, it’ll be cleared in a day or two, stop fussing”

“But it’s my fault, if I hadn’t called you…”

“Babe its fine” he reassured taking your hand that was aimed for his cheek.

“Promise?”

“Yes, stop worrying” After a prolonged stare, ending in his diamond sweet smile reigning victorious.

“God I can’t believe that asshole is my maker” you slumped further down onto your legs.

“What did they mean settle it the right way? Am I going to cause you guys a lot of trouble being in your pack?” In your drunk state your thoughts had started to spiral and Jimin knew it, pulling you onto his lap.

“Hey, hey. Stop! You trust Yoongi yeah?

“Yes, of course I do” you responded almost offended

“Well then trust him to deal with it”

“But what needs to happen?” you pushed further. Jimin was hesitant for a second, wanting to avoid getting into it; especially when he had you unconsciously squirming on his lap.

“Well normally nothing would, we’re normally free to go to any pack as long as they accept you. Technically you don’t even need to be in one but seeing as wolves are social animals it tends to happen. But Max’s group live in the dark ages mentally so they see it as if they made you, you are theirs and that’s it; you have to go with them”

“So what if it’s challenged?” you urged

“The two packs will need to fight for you”

“WHAT!”

“I’m not having anyone fight for me!”

“I know, I know, but it’s just how it’s got to be done with these guys”

“Uggh!” you groaned shifted off of him and headed to Yoongi’s room.

“Where are you going?”

“To get an oversized shirt to wear to bed”

“Wear mine” his shirt was already peeled off and being offered to you. You were not displeased with the view

You chuckled lightly

“Jimin I appreciate the gesture but that won’t even cover my ass”

“Y/N please, I don’t want you covered in Yoongi’s scent” You smiled

He was so sensitive to smell even for a werewolf. You shimmied out of your white off shoulder crop top, taking your bra off under his shirt. He dragged you in between his legs teasing the zip at the top of your leather skirt down. His eyes endearingly looking up at you, chocolate filled gooey eyes consuming you as his palms massaged your behind and tops of your thighs gently pulling you again into his lap.

Your hands sat cradling the back of his neck, fingertips gently caressing his hairline.

“Please don’t worry tonight, nothing is going to be done about it this evening before anything happens Yoongi will call a meeting anyway and you can say whatever you want then” Your hips angled into his lap following the squeeze on your behind.

“Do I get the feeling you want to try and help me not think about it?” You ground your hips into him again. You could already feel your arousal beginning to pool.

“Uggh!” he whined throwing his back.

“What?”

“I can smell you and I won’t even be able to taste you tonight” he whined pouting his ballooned lip to you.

“God I can’t even kiss you!” he added. He was pissed, that boy loved nothing more than to be between your thighs, to have them compress around his head as he absorbed everything he could as you came.

“Well lucky for me you have other assets beside your mouth” you placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before nestling, placing light kisses along his collar bone. His eyes lazy watching you pick an ice cube from the towel. Hissing as the cold water trailed down in between his chest bumping over the definition of his hands leaving the trail a disrupted line. His hand gripped yours when you’d trailed the ice around his right nipple.

“Okay that’s enough, bed!”

“Did you bring it?” Jimin asked in a half pant setting himself lying on top of you, knee pressed to you core. Foreheads touching both fighting every urge to lose each other into desperate kisses.

“Mmmhmm, in my bag” exhaling as he left you on the bed. Jimin had convinced you it would be a good idea if you started carrying your bullet vibrator around with you more often. On multiple occasions he’d more than proved it was a great idea; especially once during a particularly tense break during one of your exams. He’d easily swayed you into one of the dance practice rooms and had you shoved up against the mirror.

“Why have you brought that in?” You queried questioning eyes taking in Jungkook’s bobbly polka dot scarf.

“Do you think he’ll mind if I’ve borrowed it to fuck you?” The wicked grin that crept across his face had you shaking your head, your lip bit between your teeth.

“You are awful Park Jimin” You did not hesitate when he secured it at the back of your head blindfolding you. You had to concentrate on bypassing the scents from Jungkook’s scarf and only the musky, wood and comforting scent of Jimin. The path down your body that would normally be formed by his lips was replaced with the light buzzing of the vibrator. His face wasn’t far from yours, his hot amaretto tainted breath told you that; one of his arms was planted next your head keeping him steady.

“Jimin, please!” you whined, full of impatience. He’d conducted the bullet passed where you wanted it way too many times.

“You want it?” he spoke in your ear

“Take It” He didn’t have to ask you twice. When the vibrations hit your throbbing clit your head blissfully rolled back into the mattress. Your free hand dug into his hips when his fingers easily thrust into you

“Fuck your beautiful when you’re like this”

“I bet you can’t wait until you finally have my cock inside you, until my hands are around your throat and you’re begging me to give you what you want. You clenched around him panting out obscenities.

“Oh you like that when I talk dirty in your ear don’t you” You’d automatically depressed the small button on top of the bullet to increase the setting.

“You know I fucking do, stop teasing me and just do it already” you ordered breathless. You were pressing your hips harder into the vibrator chasing that seducing rhythm. Just as you were about to fall off the edge his fingers left you and snatched the vibrator from you. Hips chasing nothing.

“Where are your manners?” he teased.

“Jimin I swear to fucking god I…” You both stilled, both your ears catching the noise of the front door clicking open and shut. Jimin being the asshole that he is only saw this as an opportunity when he realised it was Jungkook who was stumbling around.

“Jimin, stop! He’ll hear” you pleaded weakly, his hands easily pinning yours above your head as well as easily securing them with just one of his hands. The other snatching the toy from and cruelly holding it harsh against your clit on full power.

“Only if you can’t be quiet” The vibrations were too powerful to escape and too powerful for you to be quiet. Jimin was using his body weight to keep your body from squirming to ease the vibrations.

Asshole

Even funnelling your moans through your lips seemed futile, they seemed to fill the room.

“Just cum and I’ll stop”

Like you had a choice at this point. Your cries were not quiet, the second your whole body started convulsing he stopped the vibrations and let go of your hands.

Your heart rate steadied, the sweat on your skin cooled. His fingertips ghosting your skin elicited goose-bumps where they traced. He slid the scarf from your eyes, the first view of his smug face had you giggling quietly.

“Asshole!” you scolded whacking his arm.

“Baby I haven’t even fucked you yet”

“You can’t be serious!” He was deadly serious. He crept off the bed and etched the door open as quietly as he could.

“He’s passed out on the couch” Not believing him, you stumbled to where he was. Jungkook was indeed passed out on the couch in an awfully uncomfortable looking position. He hadn’t even closed the curtains so the moonlight sifted in illuminating his flushed out face.

“Happy?” he quipped his head to the side closing the door. You pulled him by his belt into you; only the clinking of the buckle coming undone was heard over your hurried breaths.

“Baby I don’t want to be loud” you whined as your hand crept down his waistband.

“Better get on your hands and knees then” you elicited a groan from his lips when your hands wrapped around him.

He shoved your face down into the pillow gripping at the back of your neck.

“I guess I’ll have to go slow to try and keep you quiet” You nodded into the mattress, already gasping as he soaked his cock in your arousal. His hand left your neck and balled up your shirt in his fist pulling you onto him. Long drawn out groans escaped both of you. Fully inside you he stopped moving

“God, you feel so good every time” he grunted finally moving, your hand scrambling to grip the side of his thighs as he was tortuous in his lack of speed. Your moans deep and prolonged with each thrust.

“I bet Jungkook never felt this good did he?” he panted

“No, faster!”

“Is that what you want?”

“Fuck, yes, I don’t care about the noise”

“You changed your tune quick. Music to my ears”

His hips snapped into faster thrusts; you cried your moans into the mattress. Your knuckles stained white holding onto the cotton barrier. His hand firmly snuck back to the back of throat and pressured on either side. Jimin readjusted himself slightly; each snap of his hips now hitting the velvet goldmine sitting inside you. You started pushing back onto him, the gentle light headedness seeping in. You turned your head to the side to take some fresh air into your lungs

“Fuck Jimin, I’m close don’t stop” you cried out after a harsh thrust. The cry was not shrouded in the pillow. Your words sent him to jerk his hips more sporadically and his grip tightened on your throat. That was enough. Your muscles released the pressure in overwhelming waves. He carried on thrusting into you, shoving you into a state of over sensitiveness which had you whimpering in high gasps until he finally grunted and his hips started jerking. He went to pull out but your hand clamped onto his thigh and pushed him into you giving him no choice but to grunt your name and cum inside you.

Your hips collapsed on the bed with him behind you hand resting docile on your side.

“There’s no way that didn’t wake him” Jimin chuckled. Jimin’s phone screen brightened up and vibrated loudly against the wood side table. You rolled onto his chest as he selected the message that had just come through

-sod JK, there’s every way that I heard it-

“When the hell did Yoongi get back?” you asked burying your face into his chest.

//

You spent the whole of your lecture staring at your phone trying to coax a message from Yoongi to pop up. Your word document open on your laptop remained empty, not a word typed.

//

“We’ll know more later” Laura tried to offer

“It will get sorted” She still wasn’t helping. You responded with a blank water filled gaze; eliciting a warm hug which actually was half comforting.

“Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be going to lunch with Jimin after his practice before the meeting?” Laura spread her books and notepad like a deck of cards on the library desk

“Yeah” you replied.

“Well go on then, I’ll send you my revision notes from today seeing as you failed massively to take any”

“Thanks, catch you in a bit”

You’d actually never been over to the dance studios on campus; it was a damn side better aesthetically than the science building. The reception area was neat. The navy-blue sofas pressed against the window matched the scattering of large bean bags beside them. Elegant dance pictures framed and hung on the flawless white paintwork of the walls. You took the door labelled ‘Practice Rooms’ and headed for no.4. Number 1 & 2 were clearly the larger rooms; 1 was clearly more of a show room as there was a large rectangular window peering in. Practice room 4 was much smaller and only occupied by Jimin and Hobi.

Both the boys were glistening with sweat that had permeated in pools on their tank tops; loose trackies sat on their hips. The door lightly knocked shut behind you. Shoes off bag down on the ground. Both sets of eyes glancing their way acknowledging your entrance; bodies still moving flawlessly in sync with each other focused on the music throbbing round the studio. It was definitely something choreographed by Hobi, the sharper more prominent moves contrasting to the softer, fluid movements of Jimin’s contemporary strengths.

“Well that was definitely something” praising the masterpiece you’d intruded on.

“Think so?” Hobi questioned regaining air in his lungs.

“Oh come on, you know it’s good!” When it came to dancing modest was not something he was capable of.

“He’s been a …. Douche this morning” He went to hug you, pushing your palm on his chest in refusal.

“Erm no. Sweaty. I’d like my outfit to not be covered in Jimin sweat” His shoulders slumped, Hobi finding amusement in your words.

“Toold!” Hobi teased retrieving his holdall, slinging it round his shoulders.

“I’ll catch you guys later. Y/N please don’t worry about later we’ll sort it”

“I’ll do my best”.

“Honestly I wish people would stop even mentioning it”

“Well I wish you wouldn’t worry about it” Jimin countered. You slid yourself onto the beech table pressed to the back wall. Jimin swiping the damp hair from his face.

Why is everyone so fucking calm about this.

“So what do you wanna do for lunch. I think a burger from Benny’s will ease my overthinking”

“Yeah?” He stalked over to you nudging himself in between your legs, forefinger tracing under your neck angling your head aiming to meet his lips.

“I was thinking maybe more you?”

“Well that was about as smooth as a cactus” you quipped. Both his hands interlocking with yours lifting them around like they were joysticks.

“And what makes you think I’ll be in the mood with all this fighting stuff?” He edged into you as far he could his cheek brushing against yours

“Because you know when I touch you…” He gripped your thighs tugging your clothed core onto his thigh

“Mmm”

“… just right” the whisper and breath crept along your ear, fingers tip toeing their way up your body creeping to hold snug around your neck.

“I can get you begging for me to fuck you” Your half weak smile powered up to a full-on smirk.

“You know you can’t resist me” he cooed, the innocent beautiful face hiding the demon tempter beneath.

He was right

No matter your state of mind with you both being essences your bodies would take over; completely over fuelling and over writing any processes your rational mind was running. Like animals in damn heat.

Your hand tugged at the drawstrings of his bottoms.

“I think you’ll find you’re trying to seduce me. Sooo…” Your hand wandered, pushing under the elastic waist band. Palm pressing against his cock

“It’s you who can’t resist me” You can’t resist each other. The deep groan in his throat, the slow tilt of his head back. Your senses ran wild. Pupils blowing out like balloons, your irises flaming golden at each other. The primal wolves taking over.

Lips chasing yours plump with need as you slid of the table hand still nursing his growing member

“Tell me you want me” you breathed between heavy kisses. You want to hear his desperate breathes for you

“I want you” A relieved exasperated exhale fanned across your neck, hand leaving his straining cock with no more contact. His own hand under your control to unhook your jean buttons. Forehead nudged to yours watching your hand disappear.

“Want this?”

“Mmm need this” the plea slipping past his lips. Hungry eyes looking down lip between his teeth.

If a look could have you flatlining it was him biting his lips

“You want to make me feel better? Want to make me cum, whine out your name?” Your words were slightly broken, the delicate swirls of your fingers on your clit his hand following your movements.

“God yes!” The growl pried from his lips.

“Then go lock the door” you whispered.

//

“Okay so we all know why we’re here” Yoongi began stood, the fireplace behind him crackling an orange hue into the room. The five of you all lounged around the option of sofas, determined curious stares all facing the Alpha. The leather jacket was non-existent but the standard white tee and jeans remained consistent. The rest of you were much more at home; slouched in variety of comfy hoodies and trackies. This house was huge and often played host to pack sleepovers.

You and Jimin were snug to each other, his arm cocooning you into his chest. When Yoongi started to speak Jimin felt your heart start to rattle unnerved in your chest; he placed a light squeeze at your waist.

“So I went to see Max last night and safe to say they haven’t changed”

“So you’ll be fighting?” Laura questioned; you sensed no fear in her voice just utter curiosity.

“No” Everyone began shuffling, uncomfortable air and unknown suffocating the room. The unwelcome spirit stirring.

“Trevor was pretty beat up when I went. Max was not too impressed by the whole ordeal if I’m honest he was furious. He’s basically washed his hands of the situation and told Trevor he will not be fighting his battles…but was adamant the old ways are still followed” he continued

“We agreed that is only fair that if one alpha isn’t fighting then neither should the other”

Nausea oozed through your being, uncomfortably smashing your thoughts everywhere. The others all wide eyed still suffering from the shock that:

1. Max actually seemed to been reasonable

2. Yoongi was not going to fight.

Will I have to fight for myself?

I’m not strong enough yet

I’ll have no…

“I’m putting it to you guys. Obviously, Y/N it’s out of the question you’re nowhere near strong enough yet”

Gee thanks!

“Guys I can’t…” you launched yourself up. Jimin wanted to hold you close but he knew you were adamant

“I can’t have you fighting for me this is ridiculous. You didn’t ask for any of this.

“It should be Hobi he’s next strongest” Laura piped up. Everyone completely ignoring you trying to make their point. Arms tightly folded nails digging into the skin of your arm

“Yeah I’ll go, I’ll be more than happy to wipe that smirk of that assholes face” Your glare hit Jimin a call for backup. He shifted to speak

Thank you

“If anyone it should be me” leaning forward with sincerity. You flayed your hands, fingers wide

For god’s sake!

“Jimin I don…” Yoongi began

“I know I’m not as strong as Hobi but I’m not that much weaker either and besides don’t you think out of everyone I’ve got the most motivation and drive; I mean she’s my girl!”

“Jimin we can’t ris…” Yoongi returned

“No Yoongi, I think he has a point, like we all love Y/N but he will have the most resolve and determination and the facts it’s his essence he’s fighting for will be all the better” Hobi giving Jimin a supportive smile.

“I agree” Laura arm raised up in solidarity.

“Joon? Tae?” Yoongi glancing to the quietest two of the group. Nothing would ever be decided without everyone’s opinion being noted.

“Makes sense to me”

“And me”

In the time they’d all ignored you, annoyance had crept into your skin, a toxin flushing out any desire to spend time with these guys this evening.

“Okay, fine it’s sorted then. Jimin you’re in you’ve got 3 days” Yoongi beamed casually, shoulders down, weight lifted.

“Now let’s enjoy the evening” Yoongi went to hand you your glass that had been resting on the mantle. You blankly refused.

“I think I’ll just go to bed” Tone low with agitation seeping over your words. Jimin stood.

“Just leave it” You spat, everyone calling after you as you stomped yourself to the bedroom.

You launched yourself into the chair in front of the mirror with a huge huff. Staring harshly at your mirror image. The glistening glint of fluid filling your eyes.

Nope!

You shoved yourself up and rummaged aggressively through your bag for one of your virology books. Fundamentals of molecular virology by Nicholas H Acheson. Had been you’re favourite so far this course.

Nothing like reading about genius designed killing machines to take my mind off going full breakdown.

You were only minutely disturbed by the low throb of the TV downstairs, and the occasional outburst of laughter.

-Baby, I’m sorry, please don’t be angry with us. Can I come up yet? -

-I’m angry you’re all so easily wiling putting yourself in harm’s way just for my sake. And NO!-

- I LOVE YOU! That’s why I’m doing it. The others love you two-

The three words that you can’t wait to hear in a new relationship. The three words that should fill you with that queasy happiness. They only made you irritable.

-Don’t you dare say that for thre first tiem in this situation. Getting beaten the fuck up is not how I want you ro show it to me -

You cursed yourself at the angry spelling when your words popped up in the conversation bubble of your chat. You lent back kicking the book to the floor snuggling yourself into the duvet as much as humanly possible. Jimin would have to fight you for his side of the duvet later.

//

You felt his struggle begin, the struggle which disrupted the calm ambience of your sleep. You drowsily rolled over, huffing with your movement. He crept up behind you, a nervous mongoose rolling next to the sleeping snake. You were too dazed to fight for too long and eventually allowed him to press himself up against you, the reluctant small spoon.

“Baby…” he whispered

“Not now” you exhaled weakly. His hand pulling down the collar of your top placing a delicate drawn out kiss against your skin.

“Jimin” you warned softly. He preceded to creep sloping his arm up, resting his hand between your breasts. You were not going react, letting sleep slowly re-capture you. Being the stubborn one he was he nudged his hips into you. You felt his lips crease on the back of your neck.

“Please… baby” The sucrose dripping off every word into a whine.

“What!?” clunking yourself around to face him. Features barely visible, diamonds in his eyes shimmering none the less.

“I Love You princess” You took a few seconds.

The anger draining out of you as you exhaled a forgiving chuckle.

“I also want you” he nudged you to lay on his chest.

“To trust me”

“You know I do” The smell of alcohol diffusing of his skin.

“Let me finish, I want you to trust me to do right by you and fight for you okay” The happiness that had swelled had now deflated to nausea.

“I’ll win okay. There’s no way you’re going with them. You are far too precious to all of us for that to happen”

“Precious?” bemused.

“Okay cheese loaded choice of words but I…”

“Okkkaaay” you exclaimed pressing a forefinger chaste to his lips.

“I’ll try and be a calmer bitch, but I’m well within my right to be scared that my boyfriend is going to be fighting an absolute tank”

“That a low dig at my height?” he chuckled pinching your hip

“You really do have a thing about that don’t you” you teased.

“Well good thing I love you anyway then” You shuffled up kissing him.

“Oh decided to say back it to me then” Your palm flat across his chest, fingers gently circling his chest

“Say it again, I was half asleep before” You cooed, the pleasant beat of his chest, lulling you sweetly.

“I love you, now go to sleep I can hear you heart slowing”

“Mmm I can get used to you saying that”

“Only if you stay mine”

“Mmmmhmm” you mumbled.

//

“You’re getting so much stronger and faster” Yoongi praised panting the second he heard the human knackered pants from the next. You were on the floor, back heavy on the cool concrete floor. Enough energy was mustered to grab the blanket you kept in your cell. Your exposed body at least had some cover until the energy was mustered to dress yourself.

“You...think?”

“Yeah your doing so well, progressing so much faster than the others did” The light metal clink of his buckles clear as a bell.

“You decent?” he added.

“Enough” you managed, Yoongi creeping around the corner peering down at your feebleness.

“Recovery is tough for me”

“I can tell” he chuckles securing the blanket round you assisting you to your feet.

After your first full moon you quickly learnt it wasn’t all plain sailing from there. Yes in human form everything was enhanced; hearing, smell, strength. Every sense amplified. In wolf form though it was bit more complicated. Stamina and strength needed to be trained, perfected. Yoongi had been taking you out for runs and various exercises. You knew he’d taken you out today to tire you out and distract you like a toddler; I guess in wolf world you were in a way. You were becoming more confident with your capabilities and using the abilities you now possessed. With your wolf form being tested you needed a good few hours of recovery time. Most of which you spent in bed or in a bath.

“Help me to bed please”

“Obviously”

You crashed the second your head graced the pillow

//

Bed depressing next to you, that addictive scent swallowing you whole; warm arms pushing gentle at your stomach shifting your body closer to him.  An unyielding kiss pressed to the top of your shoulders. The subtle nudge of his crotch into your behind signalling his intentions. Half pulled out of your sleep you responded with a weak nudge of your behind into him. Consent given shirt pushed up over your chest. Harsh kisses on the top of your back; your weak spot. Fingertips creeping down your side tugging your hips harder into his already hard cock. He really couldn’t control himself around you, so easily driven wild. Hands now slick in your arousal open mouth bites at your shoulders. No words spoken, just breathier pants slowly escalating. Band snapped; patience dry. Your hips were shoved forward, cock sliding through, coated enough in your juices to thrust into you with ease. Your close-mouthed moan loud in his ears. His even pace torturous and sweet. It stayed even, slowly winding the coil tighter and tighter within you. Part of you wanted to beg him to go faster the other part wanting the steady climb to never end. You wanted to keep feeling anything, anything to keep you away from you fear of later.

Fist flying to his hip gripping his flesh. The restraint he had to muster to not accelerate his hips. He wanted you to come undone hard and slowly.

“Harder” His hips snapped slower, more deliberate pressure harder and your spot.

“Not that your mouth” It had hardly left your shoulder you wanted his teeth sunk deeper.

“Are you sure?”

“Mmm” you choked

“Bite me” you begged breathless, growl pursing through his lips. He was never going to deny you anything you wanted. Canines growing against your skin. The sting of skin being pierced had you clenching around him causing him to choke, pushing the blood swirling in his mouth out the side of his lips. The warm trickle running down your shoulders painting the sheets red.  The copper taste swallowed down. Blood wasn’t amazing to were’s; I mean that’s for the vamps but it wasn’t disgusting either. It was mildly nice; but to Jimin yours was so fucking sweet, a delicacy he would savour every chance he got.

One harsh thrust and you were done. Each pulse seeming longer than the last, by the last one he was jutting into you swearing your name. Heat flushing away you rolled to face him. His hand cradling your cheek. His looked completely fuck out, blood staining those pump lips and in the creases of his mouth.

“I love you” he panted; those word hit you again. Salty tears filling slowly over your pupils.

“Oh baby don’t” he pleaded. His thumb brushed away the first droplet to fall down your flushed rose tinted cheek.

“It will be fine, Yoongi wouldn’t let me if he didn’t think it was doable. And if something was to go wrong then he would probably fuck the rules of anyway for you. He’s so bonded to you”

“I know but… what if this is the last time you make me fall apart”

“It won’t be, I’m not giving up your pussy for shit!” He was good at making you smile and giggle no matter your mood. It was a pure talent.

“Now that I do believe”

“There you go”

“Please just get ready and go now before I start completely balling it”

You’d been banned from going, at the request of Jimin of all people. He didn’t want to get distracted and did not want you to see him get hurt. Yoongi also backed this so your fate was decided; not that you didn’t give them hell for it.

//

“So… who’s the puppy that’s going to lose” Trevor goaded walking forward breaking the crescent of his pack stood for the show. Jimin stepped forward announcing his participation.

“Why am I not surprised”

“Alright stop the bullshit let’s just get this redundant old thing out the way” Yoongi interrupted at the centre of his pack’s crescent.

“Fine, you both know the rules” Max Began

“No jugular attacks! The wolf to be down for 7 seconds loses” he continued. Trevor and Jimin squared up to one another

“I’m going to enjoy fucking your scent off her” Trevor toyed, vicious glare with venomous eyes

Jimin did not even dignify that with a response; shifting and jumping straight to attack.

Animal whines echoed through the blanket of trees surrounding the gathering. Yoongi, Laura, Hobi, Tae and Joon stood, quiet in silent confidence. Max’s pack however were goading and cheering Trevor on like a pack of wild animals, they outnumbered Yoongi’s pack by five.

Snarls seething with venom, blood matting the fur surrounding their jaws. Jimin pressing against the rage trying to keep the cool head with difficulty.  An equal fight, both being launched by their necks to the ground. Paws swiping at faces leaving streaks of blood.

“Jimin!...Get Up!” Laura wailed, Trevor had slung Jimin against a tree and he’d not moved.

“1”

“2”

“3”

Jimin’s vision had blurred, indistinguishable noises rattled round his head. Body on fire, the overwhelming taste of copper disgusting in his mouth. His body not responding to commands. Trevor’s wolf walking away, swag in his step already declaring himself the winner. His pack cheering…

“4”

Something illuminated inside him, his body on fire from the inside, like it wasn’t even his pain. It felt like he could feel your pain, your distress; the agony of being without him. It broke him, the tears formed at the corner of his eyes stinging the wound at the corner of his eye.

At the house you rolled over, a sharp pulling in your chest. Something detaching inside you. Your groan and cry falling on no ears.

Jimin snarled quietly, rejuvenated, he would not have you feeling so distraught. If Yoongi’s pack had been smart they would have warned him Jimin had pushed himself up, paws sore but he was past caring. He began to sprint; Jimin being faster than Trevor could react smashing him into a tree. Determined bark growling out past Jimin’s mouth. Teeth clamping down on Trevor’s neck just below his jugular; tugging hard before flinging him into the tree again.

“1”

“2”

“3”

Trevor’s pack were swearing. Profanities thick directed at him.

“4”

“5”

“6”

“7”

The silent pack now erupted with cheer, rushing over to the limping form of Jimin. Both guys transformed back, wounds seeping, a pair of panting naked bodies. Wounds being assessed of both participants. Most of Trevor’s were round his neck, thick lacerations going down to his chest. A covering of scratches spanning his torso. Jimin had one particularly worrying gash in his neck, he was unbothered. Trusting in his friends and their ability to stop the flow of blood. His healing ability would do the rest. Eventually. His right eye was curtained with red, cut above his eye pissing with blood. His torso wounds were mildly more severe than Trevor’s; but Jimin just wanted to get back to you.

Yoongi relieved, waltzed up to Max, A begrudging handshake occurred.

“Now it’s done! I don’t want to hear of anymore shit from your guys. You go near here again and they’ll be hell to pay” Yoongi snapped. Max frowning more at the wailing sack of shit that was Trevor on the floor.

“Of course,” He seethed through gritted teeth.

//

You’d sat numb in a ball on the sofa staring blankly at the tv. Noise becoming white, words and light becoming indistinguishable mashes of colour. You heard the distinct whirring of Yoongi’s car as it drew closer. You rushed up to lean against the sofa, folded arms, nails anxious between your teeth. The door clicked; feet fast to greet whatever was about to walk through that door. Laura walked in first, holding the door ushering Tae and Joon inside. Hobi and Yoongi supporting Jimin who was just about supporting his weight. You’re not sure what happened first, the hand flying to your mouth or the tears now running down your cheeks. The thought of your fate a speck of dust in the wind compared to overwhelming state of Jimin’s welfare.

“Oh my god!”

The boys lowered him to the sofa, his face creased up wincing. You flew to the first aid kit Yoongi insisted on having for shifting injuries. The others began flapping around and preparing things.

“Can I just be with MY girl please” Jimin groaned. All eyes on the two of you, the antiseptic wipe briefly leaving his eyebrow.

“You mean?”

“Told you” He croaked. Your sweet smiles mirrored in each other. A long kiss against his forehead followed by the others leaving.

“We’ll be at Laura’s if you need anything. Y/N just make sure you slow all the bleeding down, he’ll be fine”

You spent a good hour or so wiping the field of cuts. The alcohol causing a stream of curses from Jimin’s mouth. You went to un-tape the red soaked towel from around his shoulder and neck. His battered hand stopped yours.

“Please don’t. There’s no way you want to see that”

“But it’s got to be cleaned”

“Trust me it will be fine”

“Can we just please go and rest together, don’t know about you but I’ve had a shit day” He teased

“Even the early afternoon?” you countered, feigning insult.

“Well I mean that was alri…ght” You supported him up off the chair.

“Do not make me add to your injuries Park Jimin!” You jested. The fact his sense of humour was intact pulled the plug to your overflowing concern.

[tessarichardss]

new york’s very own tessa richards was spotted on broadway street , with a striking semblance to zoey deutch ! you may know them as @tessarichards or hitting the front page of tmz as ex-reality star rumored to have moved to new york for an internship with hassenfeld children’s hospital . according to tmz , you just had your twenty-fourth birthday bash . while living in nyc , you’ve been labeled as being guarded , but also tenderhearted . things that would paint a better picture of you would be endless nights you’ll never forget, sunflowers, running barefoot through an open field . ( cisfemale + she/her  ) +  (  saxon , twenty-six , she/her , cst )

Out Of Character

Hello bbies! 🥰 My name is Saxon and I’d like you to meet the absolute labor of my love Tessa and love her even though she doesn’t deserve it! We are always open for connections, ideas or plots so please, please, please do not hesitate to hit me up if you want to conjure something up with this lovable and ridiculous energetic puppy. I look forward to roleplaying with you and your children!

Basic Information

Full Name: Tessa Grace Richards.

Nickname(s): Tess.

Birthday: Febuary 10th, 1996. 

Orientation: Heterosexual.

Language(s) Spoken: English, Spanish.

Background

So Tessa was born to an unwed couple who were in their mid 30′s at the time, her mom thought the two of them were hopelessly in love until Tessa was four and dude just dipped? Her mom came home one day and all his stuff was gone, no note or anything, he drained their account and they haven’t ever heard from him since.

This obviously fucked Tessa up young because she has mad issues with love meaning anything and also abandonment, like she definitely doesn’t sleep well at night because she spent years waking up and running to the window every time she saw car lights, thinking it was him coming home.

Her mom is an absolute saint of a woman however (think Lorelai from Gilmore Girls meets Donna  Sheridan from Mamma Mia), just an absolute quirky angel of a woman who definitely took in and helped abandoned animals but was also the place all the kids in town knew they could go if they had shitty parents/living situations or just a bad day and they needed a safe place to go? So obviously she stepped up and took down all dudes pictures and just raised Tessa like the single boss she is.

Tessa grew up into like an angel of a kid but oh buddy was she a chaotic one. Total tomboy, full of insane energy and personality, always on the move and exploring and doing things she shouldn’t be. Definitely the type to show up back at home as the suns going down just covered in dirt and bumps and bruises. 100% knocked her own baby teeth out from falling and slamming her face and had two front silver teeth as a little kid.

She was never very girly and because she grew up in this southern town that was just full of very critical asshole kids from more well-off families than her own was, particularly the girls who were very prissy, she definitely ended up clicking more with boys and quickly became ‘one of the guys’. Like undoubtedly had an all male friend group and was definitely the girl that girlfriends would be paranoid about while all the dudes were like confused as to how their girls were jealous because Tessa was just like another guy/little sibling, there was no interest on either end.

She had two shitty relationships as a teenager, the first cheated on her because she wasn’t ready to have sex and then the second whom she actually gave it up to, turned out to just be with her on a bet to see how long it would take him to get in her pants? She ended up punching dude in the face when she found out and broke his nose and asshole’s family actually wanted to press charges until Mama Richards shut the shit down.

TW: SUICIDE ATTEMPT MENTION Has slight anger management issues? Like she’s chill but when she blows up man does she blow up. Pushed a girl down a flight of stairs at school after she made a remark about a friend who had tried to commit suicide, the family did press charges this time and Tessa had to go to anger management classes and serve community service hours. She also got kicked out of school and just decided not to go back, went online and just got her GED at seventeen instead.

She was (and still is) very close and attached to her mom, absolute most important person in her life, but she worried about her so much her mom realized she probably wasn’t ever planning on leaving? So her mom got the help of her friends and they actually filled out an application for her to go onto a reality tv show? Seems crazy but each season took place in a different part of the world and her mom knew she wanted to travel but would never make the decision herself so when she got cast her mom was just like “lol here you go bye now”.

She hated it at first because she had grown so used to Texas and the country and her friends and making sure her mom was okay that it gave her a lot of anxiety and stress but she actually fell in love with it? Made a lot of close friends, became a fan favorite of sorts and would you believe it, the dumbass fell in love.

This boy wormed his way into her heart and it was a kind of a slightly unstable relationship because she would try and push away from him and her feelings but he always drew her back? He even proposed after like months of them being together and she panicked and ran but still he drew her back and they agreed that they should chill with the idea of engagement/marriage? He ended up leaving the show after like their fourth messy break up? And she, would you believe it, followed. The two ended up sleeping together but she was overly aware of the fact that he wasn’t actually in love with her anymore so she saved herself any awkward conversation and further heartbreak by just dipping before he woke up. 

After this, Tessa returned to Texas and spent a solid week just out partying and drinking with friends and suddenly - BAM, she was having a one night stand with a complete stranger which was rather out of pocket for her and then even more suddenly - BAM, a pregnancy with no clue as to who the child’s father was. Thankfully it ended up being the one night stand’s and he turned out to be an incredible guy and father.

Obviously she never returned to the show and focused instead on becoming a mother and setting up a future for herself and her child.

She’s always been a big fan of kids (worked for a daycare after school, actually helped start up a charity that works with orphans/orphanages while on the show) and so she decided that she wanted to be a child life specialist and started attending school during her pregnancy and the two years that followed.

She ended up having a little girl named Addison, this child is her whole world and she’s 1000% the mom that posts about their kid too much on social media but she’s 100% turned Tessa’s life around and helped her mature in ways she wouldn’t have without her and she just loves her kid more than anything/anyone else. 

She assumed her life would remain in Texas until a trip to New York a few months back to visit Alex Morgan (who remarked on the fact that she should move in) ended with her packing up her daughter and her bags within less than a month and landing her in the state for the foreseeable future. 

She’s currently continuing her last year of school through online classes in order to get her bachelors while interning at the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. 

Personality

A dork? Literally the biggest dork, the dorkiest of dorks, just a whole friggen dork. This child rambles like you wouldn’t believe and her mouth 100% works faster than her brain so like you never know what to expect but she’s just a happy, friendly, sarcastic little bean with social anxiety and a heart of gold tbh.

Also an aggressive lil’ lady though, like 12/10 chance she’ll throw hands if you want to fuck with or say something about the people she loves.

A chaotic soul as well like down to party and have a good time and will definitely drink a dude under the table, definitely broke her ribs two summers in a row from a drinking game because this child doesn’t know when to slow down or chill out, she’s just trying to live.

Emotional as hell, like definitely cries during commercials and Disney movies, but like if you’re trying to tap into her serious emotions she’s gonna shut that shit down. She keeps people locked out tbh and just jokes about the serious shit in her life if she does talk about it.

Desired Connections

Friends? This is tricky because she was basically in Texas for most of her life and then traveling? But someone who lived in/visited Texas and they met? Someone she met while filming the show in some random country - they were living there or traveling and met while she was out and about one day? Maybe someone she met through her charity work? Someone who has a kid or a younger sibling/niece/nephew/godchild who she took care of at the hospital or even on a home visit and they met her/know her that way?

Exes? So her most recent ex is off limits because it’s based off a real connection but like either of her exes from high school? The first one would have had to have lived in Texas for some time but the latter could have been visiting friends/family for a summer? If anyone has a character that works for these I’m down for the drama, especially the second because Tessa is fully ready to break dude’s nose again.

Half siblings? So Tessa’s dad basically bailed when she was little - maybe he had another family? Could have had a kid before her who he also bailed on, could have started a family during the same time or after, he could have stayed there for them or bailed on them as well? They could know about Tessa, or neither could know about the other? Tessa pry wouldn’t know about them because she made it a point to never bother searching for this man let alone any family but literally I’m down for whatever other ideas you’ve got on this one!

Honestly Tessa needs some guy friends! Like I said she’s always been very much more one of the guys - would rather be drinking a beer watching a sports game and yelling than going on a shopping spree okay she has 0 interest, and since she moved from home she needs a new guy group to cause trouble with but also, who makes a better wing woman than a girl okay? Chaos friend but also mom friend rolled into one because she will get involved in shenanigans but will also call you out for acting dumb too.

Also here’s some open, wanted musing connection ideas; https://tessarichardsmusings.tumblr.com/tagged/tessa-%2B-open

Pinterest

[lilacsos]

Hogwarts!SOS Part One

A/N: So I’m really excited about this AU and I want to thank @thew0rldneedsmcreycghurt for helping me out so much! Love ya! Also, this part covers their sorting all the way until “current” them. Please feel free to request stuff! I’ll write the boys with any reader in any house with any little plot. Also, this takes place after Harry Potter is born but before he’s in school

Words: 4759 I got carried away

Pairing: None

*Warnings*: Bullying, two fights

Summary: The 5SOS boys are going to Hogwarts and this is only the beginning

Luke Hemmings  Calum Hood  Ashton Irwin  Michael Clifford

This is a long one so there’s a read more

Calum Hood was extremely excited about going to Hogwarts. His sister Mali Koa is going into her fourth year and he’s heard amazing things from her. The entire Hood family has been in Slytherin since they first began going to Hogwarts. However, the Hood family is unlike most Slytherin families. They believe everyone is equal no matter their blood status and they never worked for Voldemort. Mali spent most of her first three years at school convincing people that she was on the right side and would never side with Voldemort or hurt anyone. It worked and it was well known around school that you could trust a Hood and their friends.

“Come on Calum! We have to get a good spot.” Mali groaned, tugging her little brother onto the train by his arm. The two raced through the train, looking for a good compartment to sit in. Mali of course had her favorite spot she sat in every year but if Calum didn’t pick up the pace, then they’d lose it. Luckily, the siblings were fast enough to reach their spot. Calum and Mali waved to their parents as the train left the station and the two continued to wave until their family were just specks in the distance. “Alright, first order of business Calum.” Mali stated, getting the attention of the 11-year-old. “As a Hood, it’s your job to protect people. Now that You-Know-Who is gone, people feel safer but there are Slytherin assholes all over the school that bully the other kids. But we are one of the good guys. We stick up for them and make sure everyone knows they can trust us.”

“What if I’m not in Slytherin?”

Mali only rolled her eyes and smiled at her brother. “Trust me. You will. Now, Dad gave me some money for snacks. What would you like?” As the two discussed their snack options, two blonde boys rushed past their room with a younger blonde following close behind.

…

The older two Hemmings boys were an absolute menace to everyone around them. Ben Hemmings was also in his fourth year with Mali and Jack was starting his third year. The two Gryffindor boys had only been at Hogwarts for a few short years, but they already had quite the reputation. They were loud, obnoxious, and chaotic; they gave teachers and students alike headaches but almost everyone loved them. They had hearts of gold despite the disasters they made everywhere they went.

Luke, the youngest brother, was going into his first year and he couldn’t be more different than the older two. Luke was shy and quiet and often kept to himself. He didn’t like to cause trouble and he didn’t like people looking at him. He was living in the shadow of his brothers and he didn’t mind at all. No one saw him in the shadows and that was just how he liked it.

Jack and Ben fought their way into a compartment, shoving the other out of their way so they could try to take up as much space as possible. Seeing his brothers shove each other in the hall, Luke slipped into the empty room and took a seat next to the window, watching the scenery pass by.

…

Only one compartment over, a young boy with dark blonde hair sat with a boy with jet black hair. Ashton Irwin sat entranced as the boy told him everything about the magical world. Ashton was a muggle-born and he had so idea magic existed until a few short months ago. His world was flipped upside down, but his mother couldn’t be more excited for her son. Before Ashton left, she made him promise to have fun and teach her all about this new world when he got home for break. Ashton was sitting by himself before this other boy came in and asked if he could sit with him. Tommy was a pureblood so he felt like it was his job to teach Ashton everything he could about magic before they got to Hogwarts.

“So when we get there you’ll be sorted into the houses. I’m sure someone will talk about it but there’s secrets you need to know first.”

Ashton nodded and leaned forward, signaling Tommy to continue.

“The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Gryffindor is the best house there is. Ravenclaw is for all the nerds and Hufflepuff only has losers.” Ashton frowned at his companion’s words but listened anyway. However, Ashton noticed he had forgotten one of the houses.

“What about Slytherin? That’s the fourth one, right?”

Tommy shook his head, almost in disappointment at Ashton’s questions. “You don’t want to be in Slytherin. That’s the house the evilest wizard was in. Everyone in that house is a bad egg. But you won’t have to worry about that. I can tell right now that you’d never be in Slytherin. You’re far too nice Ashton so don’t even worry. Besides, everyone knows that muggle-borns aren’t accepted into that house.”

With a glare, Ashton then made up his mind that he was going to get into Slytherin no matter what happens. He was going to prove this boy wrong.

…

At the cart outside the room, an energetic blonde boy stood with a few other students. Michael Clifford was no stranger to the magical snacks since his mother had often talked about them and brought him home some when she could. Michael’s mom was a witch but his dad was a muggle, making him half-blooded. His mom made sure that he grew up knowing as much about both worlds as he could, just to prepare him in case he wasn’t a wizard. Luckily for him, he was and Michael was very excited to be here. Michael bought as much food as he could and began putting them in his pockets.

“What are you going to do with that Michael?” A young girl asked, wrinkling her nose at the sight of him shoving food into his robe pockets.

“You never know when you’ll need a snack.” Michael shrugged and followed the group back to their room. “What house do you guys want to get in? I hope I’m in anything but Ravenclaw. Everyone says that’s where the losers all go.” The others laughed at his words, agreeing that no one wanted Ravenclaw. Michael settled back into his seat and smiled to himself, happy to finally be going to Hogwarts.

…

The first years all made their way off the train and followed a giant man onto the boats that took them to the castle. Some students were mesmerized by the castle but others, like Calum, had heard of the castle enough from their family to not be impressed. When the boats stopped, everyone climbed out and made their way into the castle, following a stern looking woman. “Now,” she began, stopping outside of two large doors, “you will be sorted into your house. The people in your house will be your friends and teammates. You will work together. There is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Please, follow me.” The first years made their way into the Great Hall and gasps filled the air as they took in the sight of the floating candles and the ceiling that looked like the night sky. Excited whispers began but they were quickly shut down as the woman spoke once more. “I will call your name and you’ll come up and sit on the stool to be sorted. Michael Clifford.”

Michael looked around just in case there was another Michael Clifford that would step up but when no one moved, he cleared his throat and stepped up to the front. Once he was seated, the woman rested the hat on his head.

“Mr. Clifford is it? I remember your mother well. She was an outstanding Gryffindor. I see here that’s what you want as well. Hmm…” The hat trailed off and Michael looked out into the sea of people, wondering if anyone could hear the hat. “You would make a lovely Gryffindor, but I think there is somewhere else that you would excel in. A house that will challenge you to be yourself.” The hat was quiet for a moment before it shouted for the whole school to hear, “Ravenclaw!”

Michael was stunned and watched as the kids he had been talking to began to laugh while the Ravenclaw table cheered and welcomed him over with open arms. Michael could just imagine everyone calling him a loser and so it was then he decided that he would make sure no one called him a loser. “Luke Hemmings.” The woman called after the crowd died down. If you were looking close enough, you could see the grimace on her face as the young boy scurried up to the stool.

Luke could see his brothers out of the corner of his eye which only made him more afraid. Not only was the who school watching, his brothers were there too. “Luke Hemmings. Your brothers are quite the characters. They’re Gryffindors through and through but you, there’s something different about you. Something that I believe makes you differ from your family.” Luke’s eyes widened in fear as he started to piece together what the hat was getting at. Luke wasn’t going to be in Gryffindor and that terrified him. What would he do without his brothers to hide behind? What if he disappointed his parents? What was he going to do? “Hufflepuff!” As he walked to the Hufflepuff table, Luke could see the shock on his brothers’ faces as they slowly clapped.

“Calum Hood.”

Calum smiled and gave his sister a little thumbs up as he took a seat. “Another Hood? Your sister is in Slytherin, as is the rest of your family. You are a fiercely loyal young boy and you would do well anywhere, but I believe tradition will serve you very well Mr. Hood.” Calum’s body visibly relaxed as the hat called out, “Slytherin!” The moment the hat was off, Calum ran to the Slytherin tabled and slid into the seat his sister saved for him.

“Ashton Irwin.”

The young boy squared his shoulder and with a pat on his back from Tommy, he made his way to the hat. “Nice to meet you Mr. Irwin. My, you are very confusing, aren’t you? You could do well anywhere, and my first reaction would be to put you in Gryffindor, but you don’t want that. I don’t always listen to requests, but I can feel the ambition behind you. If you’re sure.” A smug smirk graced Ashton’s face as the hat yelled, “Slytherin!”

As Ashton passed Tommy on his way to the table he stopped and mumbled, “I don’t have to worry huh?”

…

A week into school Calum heard rumors about the Irwin boy in his house. People had been saying he was a muggle-born so there was no way he should be in Slytherin and he definitely shouldn’t be at the school. There was talk about perhaps the hat made a mistake but most of what Calum heard were plans to put Irwin in his place. Calum had no idea what people were planning but he knew that he needed to make sure Ashton was hurt or anything. It was the right thing to do and it’s exactly what his sister wanted him to do as well. After potions class one day, Calum ran after Ashton to catch up to him.

“Hey man, I’m Calum Hood. You’re Ashton Irwin, right?” Calum held out his hand for Ashton to take.

Ashton only stared at Calum for a few minutes before slowly shaking his hand. “Yeah, why?”

“Well I figured since we’re both first year Slytherins we should stick together. We could be friends.” Calum said happily, hoping Ashton would agree to be his friend so he could keep an eye out for him.

“Don’t you have enough friends?” That shocked Calum. He didn’t expect Ashton to react that way.

Calum cleared his throat and looked around them. “Those people aren’t my friends and, I heard from a few people that they want to put you in your place. A lot of Slytherins don’t like having a muggle-born in their house. I don’t mind at all and I think it would be good for you to have someone on your side.”

Ashton crossed his arms over his chest and looked behind Calum, seeing a very angry fifth year glaring at Ashton. “So it’s just business?”

Calum chuckled and shook his head. “No, yes but no. I do want to be your friend. What do you say?”

With a small smile and a nod, Ashton agreed and the two walked off to their next class together.

…

In their third year, Calum was walking through the halls when he saw a young girl against the wall with a Gryffindor boy in his year standing in front of her. She looked terrified and the boy was yelling at her. “Watch it Hufflepuff. Stay out of my way next time or there will be hell to pay.”

Calum balled his hands into fists as he watched the young girl begin to cry and promise to stay out of his way. He thought that maybe the boy would leave her alone but he didn’t budge. He only got closer to her while she tried to move as far away from him as possible. Calum marched over and tapped the boy on the shoulder and the moment he turned around, Calum punched him right on the nose. The girl ran off and out of the corner of his eye he could see a blonde boy hold the girl to comfort her. However, he didn’t have long to think about them as the Gryffindor tackled Calum to the ground. The two boys were just a mass of limbs as they each tried to get another hit on the other. The Gryffindor managed to land a hit on Calum’s face, splitting his lip, but that was the only damage Calum suffered.

A teacher ran over and pulled the boys away from each other, shouting, “What happened here? Who started this?”

Before either boy could answer, the blonde caring for the girl spoke up. “The Gryffindor started it. He was scaring Katie and Calum stepped in to help her when this colossal idiot hit Calum.” He looked at Katie who nodded, agreeing with the lie. “Calum had to fight back to defend himself.”

The teacher looked between the two boys and after telling them to get fixed up, she dragged the Gryffindor off to her office.

Calum dusted himself off and made his way over to Katie. “Hey, are you alright?”

Katie nodded and let a small smile slip. “Yeah, thanks to you and Michael.” She gave Calum a quick hug before she ran off to class.

The other boy, Michael, smiled and offered Calum a bread roll he pulled out of his coat. “Nice swing.”

Calum chuckled and took the food. “Thanks for lying for me back there. I didn’t think he’d land a hit on me or that a teacher would come over.”

Michael shrugged and leaned against the wall. “That Gryffindor had it coming. He’s always picking on the first years and I’m just glad someone gave him what he deserved. And that you were there to help Katie. You’re pretty cool for a Slytherin.”

With a small smile, Calum nodded. “Yeah. I think it’s stupid that people can’t get along or people think blood status means anything. Slytherins are known for thinking purebloods are superior when it’s not true. My sister and I try our hardest to make sure we’re there for the little guy.”

“I’m glad someone thinks so. Most of you guys are giant assholes so I’m glad there are at least two good guys.”

“You know,” Calum began as he thought about Ashton. “There is another. My buddy Ashton Irwin is in Slytherin too. He’s a muggle born and he’s all about showing people a good person can be in Slytherin. I think the three of us could be pretty good friends.”

Pretty good was an understatement. Calum, Ashton, and Michael became thicker than thieves. The three boys were almost attached at the hip and always had the other’s back. If Ashton got into trouble, Michael was quick to lie and get him out of it. If Michael ever ran into an issue, especially about being a Ravenclaw, Ashton was the first one to tell the other person off. And of course, if Calum ever got into another first fight, it only took a few seconds for the other two to jump in and help.

…

Luke kept to himself and didn’t make any friends until his fifth year. It wasn’t that he didn’t want friends, it’s just he didn’t know how to make friends. He was very shy and afraid to stand out too much so instead of embarrassing himself while talking to people, he just didn’t talk at all.

One day in fifth year, Luke was in his potions class not really paying attention when Snape called on him. “Hemmings, what is the first ingredient in the Draught of Peace?”

Luke looked up from his table and stared at Professor Snape with wide eyes. He knew Snape was talking to him, but he didn’t know why he would have been. Luke has never raised his hand in his five years at school and so far, no teachers have ever called on him. Not only was Luke shy, he wasn’t very smart either. So even if he wasn’t afraid to speak up, he’d still be clueless. With a deep breath, Luke softly answered, “I don’t know.”

For a moment, Luke wondered if Snape had even heard his response, but his question was soon answered when Snape’s glare deepened. “You don’t know? We have been discussing this potion for a month Hemmings. This will be on your OWLs and you expect to pass them without knowing the first step? 30 points from Hufflepuff because you’re so unbelievably stupid.” At this, another blonde in the front of the room stood. Snape turned his attention to the other boy and crossed his arms over his chest. “Something to add Clifford?”

Michael Clifford looked between Snape and Luke before clearing his throat. “Yeah. Fuck off and leave him alone.”

If Snape had been a cartoon, his face would be bright red and smoke would be coming out of his ears. “50 points from Ravenclaw and you’ll be having detention with me for the rest of the week. Sit down and shut up before I make it a month.”

Michael glanced back at Luke but did as he was told and took his place in his seat. For the rest of class, Snape terrorized Michael but at least he left Luke alone. After all, that was what Michael wanted to happen.

After class, Luke tried to run away as quickly as he could but before he could make it too far, Michael caught up to him. With a little corralling on Michael’s part, Luke gave in and stood still, watching the other boy. “Are you alright? Snape was really harsh.” Luke only nodded and looked around them, searching for an escape. Michael then held out his hand and smiled, hoping it would calm the other boy. “I’m Michael Clifford and I’m going to cut to the chase, I think we should be friends. Then you can be friends with my friends. I know you don’t have any friends.”

Luke frowned at Michael’s words, but he was right. He didn’t have any friends and it would be nice to finally have other people besides his brothers to talk to. “I’m Luke Hemmings.”

…

A few weeks later, Luke was very close to Michael, but he was still wary of Ashton and Calum. He had grown up hearing from his parents and brothers that there was no such thing as a good Slytherin. The three boys promised that Luke had nothing to worry about but it was hard for him to trust them. Luke had an easier time trusting Ashton since he was a muggle born and that made him more trustworthy but Calum was different. He was Slytherin through and through. But that all changed in one day.

Luke had a girlfriend for only a few days, but she had been the first girl to ever show interest in him and he really liked her. But it didn’t last as he found out through one of her friends that she had cheated on him. With a heavy sigh, Luke sat with the boys outside by the lake. All conversation stopped when Luke sat down; clearly the other three could tell something was wrong. Without much prompting, Luke told them what happened. “Emily cheated on me with some asshole.”

Before anyone could ask, Calum stood and began stomping around the courtyard. It seemed like he had no idea where he was going but all of a sudden, it was like his vision narrowed on whatever it was he was looking for. Now there was nothing anyone could do to stop him; once Calum was on a mission, he was going to complete it no matter what it took. The other boys ran after him and soon, they figured out where Calum was going. There by the Quidditch pitch was Luke’s now ex-girlfriend and a boy with his arm around her waist. Calum broke out into a sprint and in a few moments, he reached Emily and her new boyfriend. Without a word, Calum kneed the guy in the crotch. He dropped to the ground and curled into a ball, moaning in pain. His friends quickly reacted and jumped Calum, pushing him onto the ground and throwing their own punches. As soon as Luke reached the fight, he jumped in and with one good swing, he knocked out one of the guys. Michael and Ashton joined in once they got there, each getting hit but also landing some hits of their own. At the sound of the commotion, a few teachers, including Snape, ran over and pulled the boys apart. Once everyone was off of each other the questions began. Calum admitted to starting the fight and knowing he would get detention or worse, Luke added that it was his fault the fight begun in the first place. Michael and Ashton weren’t about to let their friends take the fall so they too joined in and told the teachers it had been their fault as well.

“Fine,” Snape snarled. “All four of you can hand clean the trophy room tonight. If you aren’t there by 10 o’clock sharp, I’ll be discussing your expulsion with Dumbledore in the morning.”

That night, the four boys stood in the trophy room as Snape handed out sponges. “You’ll be here until half of the room is clean. Tomorrow night, you’ll finish the rest. Mr. Filch will be outside to make sure you do as you’re told.” And with that, Snape left and it was just the four boys in the room.

Luke quickly got to work, knowing that the sooner they got to work, the sooner they could leave. Ashton seemed to have the same idea as he went to the other side of the room to begin cleaning. The boys were quiet for almost an hour before Calum spoke up. “I’m sorry I got you guys into trouble.”

A loud snort came from another row and Luke poked his head out from between trophies. “Calum, this is my fault. I shouldn’t have told you guys about Emily and then we wouldn’t be here. I just can’t believe you’d get into a fist fight for me.”

At this, all three boys stopped their cleaning and looked over at Luke. Confusion flashed over all their faces as they processed what Luke had said. “Hemmings,” Ashton started, shaking his head. “This isn’t your fault.” The other three walked to Luke’s side of the row while trying to figure out how he could think it was his fault.

Calum nodded and added, “Yeah Luke. You’re our friend and we stick up for our friends. That’s what happens. The guy deserved it anyway.”

Luke stood frozen in place as he looked at the three boys. “You all got into a fight, for me.” He was shocked. He never thought that someone would ever do anything like that for him. Sure he assumed his brothers would have his back, but they had to; they were family. But Ashton, Calum, and Michael didn’t need to do anything for Luke, but they did.

“Of course Luke. You’re our friend. And when I got tackled you were the first person in there taking swings at people. Which you have a great arm. You’d be great on the Quidditch team.” Calum shrugged with a little laugh. “The four of us are friends and friends are there for each other, no matter what.”

Luke looked around at the three boys he had slowly begun to know and smiled. These guys were willing to risk getting expelled for him. They were his friends. “No matter what.” Luke smiled and Michael elbowed him in the side while Calum tossed a sponge at him.

“Let’s get this shit over with. I want to go to bed.” Ashton huffed but smiled as he patted Luke on the back. The others agreed and went back to cleaning all smiling as they did so. It took five years, but the four boys found friends that would be by their side through thick and thin and would last for a lifetime.

That was two years ago now and Michael, Ashton, Calum, and Luke are all in their seventh year, almost done with school forever. As seventh years, the boys have changed quite a bit.

Calum has only made more friends since knowing the boys and most everyone in the school knows they can come to him if there is ever a problem. Even a few teachers have come up to him telling him about a first year that was too scared to walk to class alone. But his problems aren’t always solved with his fists anymore. Calum was a wordsmith but he always kept that to himself. Now, he’s comfortable enough talking to people about his feelings and the feelings of others. Most of the time that solves issues but he still throws a punch at least once a week.

Ashton still hates the fact that all Slytherins are seen as horrible people but he knows that if he can teach one young Slytherin to love everyone the same, they can go on to teach another. Ashton doubts he will ever change the entire wizarding world but he knows he can change the lives of the people around him and he loves it. He loves going to class knowing that just because he can be there for someone, their whole future can change and he’s making history in their lives.

Michael has accepted that he is a Ravenclaw. He still fails tests on purpose, but school has never been important to him. He knows he’s smart, but he continues to use it in an unexpected way. He’d rather make people laugh as he uses his brain to come up with a hilarious prank on Snape than use it to be the top student in his class. There’s more to life than being smart or pretending to fit in. He’s still weird and he still carries food in his pockets but he isn’t ashamed to admit that yes, he’s in the “loser” house.

And finally, Luke was far more confident than he was then and he’s happy to be in Hufflepuff. He likes not always being the center of attention but now he knows how to command attention if he wants it. And after being friends with the boys, he finally knows how to talk to people and make friends; he’s even dated people now. Luke has finally learned that people like him and enjoy talking to him and he likes talking to them as well. But if you ask him, the most important thing he’s learned is that he has three friends, brothers really, that will be there for him every step of the way.

None of them know what they want to do after school or what this new year will hold, but they all know that whatever happens, they aren’t leaving their new brothers behind.

Taglist (let me know if you want to be tagged)

@babylon-corgis @buzzcutcalum  @sexgodashton @gigglyirwin @lucidlrh @starshonerose

[daily-dose-of-imagines]

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙-𝕌𝕡 ♡

»»————-　♡　————-««

Hello Anon~! Please read the rules next time! We do have a set way of doing match ups, so please do read them as we wouldn’t want parts of a request to go missing etc. But for this, we will do an exception as it’s before the date when we will officially be implementing our new rules! 

Other then that, I hope you enjoy the match-ups we have given you!

Art belongs to [This bean!]

» » Admin Ko

𝕀 𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕐𝕆𝕌 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙... 

ᴊᴏꜱᴇᴘʜ ᴊᴏᴇꜱᴛᴀʀ

First things first! Jojo here doesn’t care about your height. Just getting that out there first! If he likes you he likes you for your personality and killer body~. He teases you jokingly when you start talking nonstop and will honestly probably do something stupid himself to distract you from the uncomfortable feeling! 

Like you, Joseph is a stubborn yet mischievous asshole. Though I’m certain you’ll have a rather harsh opinion when you first meet him, he’ll work consistently to try to at least show you that despite how accurate he is when you first meet him he’s rather strong willed and actually has a heart of gold. In all honesty, you sorta remind him of Caesar. 

He honestly adores how you cherish those that you love and want to protect him. It makes him not only want to protect them with you, but to also protect you. Not only that, but honey he’s just as joking and chaotic-- if not more when he notices you have something quite similar to him when it comes to close friends. 

Though he doesn’t have many hobbies, Joseph is quite supportive of you when you show him some of your hobbies! Will definitely be the one to help fund and get you the best or your preferred supplies so you can continue working without any sort of issue! 

With PDA Jojo is rather casual and flirtatious. He’ll always have an arm around you or be somewhat touching you so people are aware you both are an item. He’ll always playfully tease you and be a bit...risque in certain situations when he’s feeling extra mischievous.

｡o°✥✤✣ 　　 ✣✤✥°o

 𝐼 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽...

Ｍｉｒｏｋｕ

I ship you with Miroku! This man will be able to knock down those walls that you have created and sweep you off your feet! He’ll take you awkwardness and turn it into someone confident and open, becoming friends with everybody that you meet!

Miroku is a bit of a pervert but once he loves you, he’ll love only you, and tell you just how much love he has for, while hugging you or kissing you or holding onto you. He’ll see how kind you are to other people and his heart will flutter with adoration and affection! He’ll also playfully tease you and be poke fun at you while you do the same. It’s like your guys’ love language!

He’ll notice that you bottle up your emotions, especially when things get rough in your life, this man with everything in his power to make sure that you can trust him and tell him what is going with him. He’ll want to know every little thing about be it from small things to your biggest fears!

Miroku will love that fact that you are so affectionate, because he too! He’ll love holding your hand on walks, and kiss your cheeks when you aren’t looking, or embrace you in a tight hug when you want one. This man isn’t afraid of showing you how much you are needed. 

And lastly, he is patient, so if you were to have mood swings, he is the type to maneuver around them so it doesn’t put a serious strain on your relationship!

[findmeintheafterglow]

A Guide to Every Single Newsie

There are way too many of those punks. If you’re new to all this come learn whom is who

Let’s start with some pictures, they’re blurry because it’s surprisingly hard to get a decent screenshot. There are lots of them but hopefully just seeing their faces a few times will help you. Recognizing them just comes with time trust me, I used to struggle to find Race and now I see a pic of someone's feet and am like “ah yes Finch my boy”. Also, I’m only covering the newsies live cast because that’s what you can legally watch and what most people are familiar with. Also, I didn’t want to do every cast member to ever be on Broadway or tour.

Please note some of the things I’m about to say may not be canon but are part of what I know is widely considered true within the fandom. As far as sexuality I may mention it with some characters/who they’re commonly shipped with just so y’all aren’t lost when you see fics and things.

Jack: You know Jack so I’m not going that deep into his character. He’s 17, full name Francis Sullivan, newsie nickname is Cowboy. He’s the leader of the newsies of Lower Manhattan. A charismatic asshole who really just wants meaningful relationships and happiness for those he loves. Undeniably bisexual. Played by Jeremy Jordan.

Davey: Full name is David Jacobs, newsie nickname is Walking Mouth though he’s only addressed by his nickname in the 1992 movie. The most educated, attended school until he was around 17 ish. He’s a doofy little nerd and also mom friend ultimate, I repeat bc this is a defining trait Mom Friend Ultimate. I’m not sure if this is canon but pretty much everyone recognizes that he and his family are Jewish. Played by Ben Fankhauser.

Les: Sassy angel child. Full name Lesley Jacobs. Albert calls him shortstop a few times but it’s not quite a newsie name tm. 10 years old(almost). Also pretty Jewish. He’s kind of an impressionable little firecracker, he looks up to all the newsies but especially Jack. He just has a lot of energy and wants to hang with the big kids. Sass master in training. Buckets of charm packed into about 4 feet of human. Played by Ethan Steiner.

Crutchie: Crutchie! You know him! You’ve already fallen madly in love with him! Lost use of one of his legs to polio. Last name is Morris for sure and a lot of people say his real name is Charlie. Jack’s closest friend. He’s often painted as a pure sunshine boy, he is a pure sunshine boy. However, he is also tough, streetsmart and ready to fight. Very kindhearted and eternally optimistic. Played by Andrew Keenan-Bolger(you may see it abbreviated as AKB).

Race: This boy has lots of names so strap in. Racetrack Higgins is his name, people mostly call him Race not Racetrack. He is also sometimes called Racer. I don’t think this is canon but as a fandom, I think we’ve determined that he’s aggressively Italian and his real first name is Antonio, you may also see Anthony or Tony. Best friends with Albert. Crutchie is Jack’s best friend but Race is sort of Jack’s second in command. Sprace, him and Spot Conlon, are pretty much the biggest ship in Newsies. He’s a gambler and has an affinity for betting on horse races. He sells by the Sheepshead Racetrack hence his nickname. Very easy to recognize because he always has a cigar. The definition of a disaster gay. He has good intentions most of the time but is also a chaotic piece of shit. Played by Ben Tyler Cook(BTC).

Albert: Albert DaSilva is his name, having fantastic hair is his game. Race’s best friend. Personality is similar to Race but a little less chaotic, like he still does dumb things all the time but isn’t nearly as loud. Prankmaster and Sassmaster ultimate. Lives on the lower east side with his dad and two older brothers but generally that fact is ignored and he’s lumped in as living in the lodgings.  His cap is on backwards most of the time which can help you recognize him. Played by Sky Flaherty.

Spot: Spot Conlon, the man, the myth, the legend. Leader of Brooklyn. Comically short but will also soak you without hesitation. Side note bc I didn’t know this for a long time: the newsies call beating someone up “soakin’ ‘em” because you beat them up so bad they’re soaked in blood. Back to Spot, he’s tough as nails but also cares about his boys in Brooklyn a lot. Played by Tommy Bracco.

Elmer: A smart yet small boy. Very good at math and science and somewhat interested in politics. He has 8 older siblings. Polish apparently? I learned this very recently?? A very friendly and sunshiney guy. The newsies make fun of him saying that he’s bad at selling papes. He’s a hardworker. This is definitely not canon but you may see his last name as being Kasprzak. This comes from Evan Kasprzak, the actor who played Elmer in the Papermill and Original Broadway Casts. People like writing about Elmer so they just kinda gave him that last name and it works. Played by Anthony Zas.

Jojo: Jorgelino Josephino De La Guerra where to begin. A good Catholic boy. He was raised by nuns in a cathedral in Harlem. A nice boy, a kind boy. Down for some shenanigans but is generally reasonable and doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. Very ambitious and wants to be a big baller(in KONY he wishes for a solid gold watch I mean). Played by Joshua Burrage.

Buttons: Benjamin Buttons Davenport, what a guy. So I don’t know that he’s actually younger but he definitely reads as a little more youthful. He’s optimistic and easily excitable and overall kinda has this genuine hope and happiness that some of the other guys have lost to the street. He lives with his family and has at least a few siblings but I feel like he has hella. Not gonna be last in line for the tub tonight. Played by Chaz Wolcott.

Romeo: Will flirt with anything that moves. He has very distinctive bright red and blue striped socks if that helps you identify him. Is one of the younger newsies but makes up for it with overconfidence. Very lighthearted, we never see him get too serious. A charmer through and through. Still a very kind and caring guy. Played by Nico DeJesus.

Specs: Specs is a good one. He wears glasses obviously so you can identify him pretty easy. Definitely on the older end of the newsies. There’s no basis for this in canon but I feel like he’s been around longer than Jack. Kind of helps lead and run things with Race and Jack because he’s the most responsible motherfucker in that lodging house. Think kinda like Davy where he’s a bit of a mom but more easygoing, less cautious and more one of the boys. Generally a happy guy and so so sweet. Very forward thinking and genuinely likes selling papes. Played by Jordan Samuels.

Finch: Finch! A personal favorite please show him love. Full name is Patrick Cortes. He has a family(or at least a mom) but ran away when he was little. He carries a slingshot with him a good amount of the time so use that to find him. He’s sarcastic, funny, and always rarin’ to go. Tough but not in an “I’ll fight you” way. He will fight you if needed but it’s more like “Life’s a bitch but look how far I’ve made it”. Kinda like a cool older brother vibe but throw in a good handful of antsy. Played by my main man Iain Young.

Sniper: Mkay it’s time for the tough boi trio, these next three are fighters. Last name is Wah. His dad is named Sam Wah and owns a laundromat above Jacobi’s Deli. You may see him as a girl in fics or hcs because for almost all of the tour he was played by a woman. Boy has aim like no other. He is confirmed to be the quickest and strongest of the newsies. Also sly and cunning. Boy’s like a snake or a fox or whatever simile you prefer but regardless be scared. Has a reputation so people don’t mess with him. Would never hurt another Manhattan boy, he’s scary but he defends his brothers. Played by Daniel Switzer.

Tommy Boy: Don’t know a ton about Tommy Boy but here we go. He’s a man of few words, when he talks his answers are brief and to the point. Not in a mean way though that’s just how he is. Appears to be confrontational as he’s consistently seen stepping to a fight(before the world will know when Jack says “keep your shirt on” and when he scabs he gets in people’s faces). A good dependable guy but kinda mysterious, I would not provoke. Played by Michael Dameski.

Mush: Last name is Myers. First name is possibly Nick? In the real strike, there was a boy named Nick Myers so. He lives in Harlem?? But who cares about canon, ignore that. Mush is a ‘hattan boy. Has a lisp. He considers himself to be the muscle of Manhattan and will throw down for his brothers. When the strikebreakers show up, Jack literally has to hold him back because Mush is just trying to get to those hoes so he can protect the rest of the boys just yellin’ “Nah man I’ll get ‘em”. Very caring and very selfless. Boy’s got muscle but is totally a teddy bear with a heart of gold. I’ve always thought of him as your classic rough and tumble but clean-cut caring all-American boy. Played by Nick Masson.

Henry: Last name is possibly butler after the real life newsboy, Henry Butler but the only confirmed name we have is Henry. Became a newsie at 11 when his dad died and his family lost their deli. Has a mom who he still sees sometimes but doesn’t live with. Boy really likes food. It reminds him of the deli with his dad and also he just really. likes. food. Fairly easygoing, practical, and will call guys out on their bullshit(e.g. whom the fuck cares about being famous). Played by Michael Rios.

Smalls: Smalls! I don’t got much at all but here’s what I know. Very commonly thought about as a girl as Smalls was played by girlsies for all(?) of the Broadway run. Pretty firey or at least high energy. Sometimes headcannoned as being leader of the Bronx because in the normal not filmed staging he’s the one to yell “so’s the Bronx”. Played by Julian DeGuzman.

Mike: Twin brother of Ike. These guys are hard to tell apart because they’re played by actual twins but here are some distinctions. Mike wears a brown cap, a plaid shirt, and green socks. Played by Jacob Guzman.

Ike: Twin brother of Mike. Has a dark grey cap, a striped shirt, pin-striped pants, and brown socks. Both twins seem to be pretty fun-loving. They kinda rough house a lot and are often messing around. Played by David Guzman

Hotshot: A Brooklyn newsie, I don’t really know his deal? A typical production doesn’t have Hotshot in it but he was in the filmed version and was apparently there towards the end of the broadway run. Kind of arrogant and tough. Sometimes seen as Spot’s second. Has literally only ever been played by J.P. Ferreri.

Vince/Myron: Ok so for newsies live they just threw in some extra newsboys for the heck of it and this guy is one of those. I don’t even know his name because the actor who plays him also plays a strikebreaker. On the wiki cast list, it just lists him as playing Vince and Myron with no indication as to who’s the newsie and who’s the strike breaker. Just from the nature of the names I can guess that Vince is the newsie? A big tough Brooklyn boy. Played by Stephen Hernandez.

Willie/Bart: Same deal as Vince/Myron. I’d be willing to guess that Willie is the newsie. Another Brooklyn boy. Played by Andrew Wilson.

Kenny: Also thrown in just for newsies live but I actually know his name. A pretty sunny guy, as far as I can remember he’s always smiling. Not in any of the pictures because he’s not in any of those scenes. It’s the same guy who plays darcy so go to carrying the banner or once and for all and find the guy in the yellow suit. That’s Darcy, Kenny looks just like that but in newsie clothes. Played by Jack Sippel.

Am I about to throw Bill and Darcey in just for kicks? yeah I think I am. Ok so this is a last minute decision and I don’t have pictures for these guys but here we go.

Bill: Not a newsie. Son of William Randolph Hearst, owner of the New York Journal. Full name William Randolph Hearst Jr. Katherine and Darcey’s friend. A sophisticated, classy, educated boy. Not tough in a street way but is kind of cold/reserved or maybe just a bit calculating. You can definitely tell he’s a rich boy by the way he holds himself. Looks like Mush bc they’re played by the same actor. Blue suit. Played by Nick Masson.

Darcey: Not a newsie. Son of Whitelaw Reid, owner of the New York Tribune. Still high class but more excitable and interested in the newsies world. Very kind and always concerned of behalf of others. His sweetness does not equal weakness, when Romeo approaches Kath in Carrying the Banner, he’s ready to handle the situation. Yellow suit. Played by Jack Sippel.

so there we go that is every newsie I could think of and then some. I’m gonna attach the pictures I have of an old wikipedia cast list which is what I use for reference since the one that's on wiki now isn’t great

That’s it! If you actually read all this, God bless you. If I got anything blatantly wrong or if you have any questions please talk to me

[bellatrixobsessed1]

A Flame For A Cabbage (Season Finale)

Azula wanders around somewhat aimlessly. She doesn’t know where she is or how she got here. She is conflicted as to how she should feel about this place. On one hand, there are cabbages everywhere, all sorts of them; cabbages that look to be made of emerald, albino cabbages, spotted cabbages, and spirit cabbages among others. On the other hand, there is no one to sell them to. Not that she can see anyhow.

Being an opportunist, Azula harvests several of these stranger cabbage varieties. She holds one up to the half-light of the jungle canopy. She wonders if she might be dead. That would explain her confusion and the odd cabbages. But Azula doesn’t feel like she has died. She doesn’t know how she would have. Unless she had been a silent host for the virus this whole time and it has finally claimed her. Or maybe she had fallen off of the blue dragon.

It might just be that the void has simply decided to claim her this time around. Granted, she always thought that the void would be a lot darker and with less cabbages.

“Avatar Yangchen, the monks always taught me that all life is sacred. Even the life of the tiniest spider-fly caught in its own web.” She hears a familiar voice.

“Yes. All life is sacred. Well, except for the life of that one mosquito that got in my mouth and bit my tongue.”

Aang blinks, he has never heard of a mosquito doing that before. “I know, I'm a vegan.” He declares proudly.

“Avatar Aang, I know that you're a gentle spirit, and the monks have taught you well, but this isn't about you. Not everything is about you.”

“Hey, Avatar.” Azula cuts in.

“But I’m the main character.” Aang ignores her.

“Many great and wise Air Nomads have detached themselves and achieved spiritual enlightenment, but the Avatar can never do it. Because your sole duty is to the world. Here is my wisdom for you; take a glock and cap a bitch!” With her piece having been said, Yangchen disappears like dust in a breeze.

Momo emerges from behind a tree, bench pressing a log thrice his height and weight. “I guess I don't have a choice, Momo.” Aang comments. “I have to kill the Fire Lord.” He says it as though he had never caused enough collateral damage to kill a background character. But that doesn’t really matter, because background characters still don’t have feelings anyways. In fact, Ozai has just killed a background character for the lolz. He opens each summer with an annual festival wherein background characters are hunted for sport. Aang has never partaken in such a monstrosity but he has killed so many background characters without knowing it, that it is hypocritical of him to be angry at Ozai for killing background characters.

“Avatar!” Azula says, but she says it into a megaphone so Aang jolts and falls off of his rock. It is fine though, because Momo holds him upright. Momo is still bench pressing a log.

“Yes, Azula?”

“Since it is only you and I right now, I have no choice but to ask you if you would like to buy a cabbage.”

“Not right now, Azula. I have to save the world.”

Azula rolls her eyes. Main characters are sooo dramatic. Azula is glad that she is not a main character. The reader is reminded that she is a main character and is granted a reminder of how she silently wept to herself, clutching her favorite cabbage and a roll of toilet paper because she realized that letting go of her boyfriend was a mistake and she is lonely. “Look, Avatar, cabbages are the world.”

“They’re your world, Azula.” Aang replies firmly. “One of these days you’re going to have to realize that there’s more to life than selling and growing cabbages.

Azula gasps in offense and clutches her hand over her heart. For a moment she thinks of Jet. Instead she says, “no, Avatar. Cabbages are the most important thing.”

“I don’t have time for cabbages. I have to…” He pauses. “Hey, you’re really good at plans and stuff! How can I save the world without killing the Fire Lord?”

“I will tell you, if you buy a cabbage.” Azula replies smuggly.

Aang groans and fishes out a few gold pieces and thrusts them into her palm.

“Have you tried using quantum physics to replace this world’s Ozai with one whose worst crime was telling one extrodinarily awful dad joke?” Azula asks.

“Azula, I don’t know how to do that.” Aang replies.

“Oh.” She responds. “Well you aren’t getting your money back.”

.oOo.

“You sent for us, Princess. Is everything all right?” The head dailluminati agent greets.

“Actually, everything's not all right!” Sie looks behind him. There is nothing there, nothing of importance. The thing that is not alright is that he cannot seem to remember his Netflix password and he still has to finish Pretty Little Liars. “Do you know my Netflix password?”

“Uh ... password?” The man answers.

Sie types that in, only to be denied access once more. Even if he does find the right password, it does not matter because TVs do not exist. His Nexflix does not exist. Sie blinks, what was he trying to do again?

He thinks it over. That’s right, his father has left after crowning himself the Phoenix King. Unfortunatly for the world, the spirit that had possessed his soul, causing him to do ridiculous things like own a flamingo rock garden and bulk buy an excess of toilet paper has fled. Ozai is now a complete and unrepentant asshole again. He made sure that everyone knew it by looking Sie dead in the eye and telling him, “you are no daughter of mine. You are a mere peasant. A waste of space.”

“But, father…” Sie had started.

“I am not your father.” The man spat, before making his way to his airship. It had been like a knife in Sie’s chest. He does not know why his father is treating him like this so suddenly.

It haunts him as he sits on his throne. At least he thinks that it is his throne now that his father is gone.  He doesn’t even hear the dialluminati agent apologize to him. Nor does he notice the lizard people who have assembled in the room. They chatter amongst themselves, something about a very important meeting for the superior species. A series of beams flash down and suddenly Sie is alone in the throne room. Alone and pacing back and fourth.   It is all falling apart, everything is falling apart. He can’t let it fall apart or he will have to deal with her wrath…

.oOo.

Azula folds her arms over her chest. She has to admit that she is growing bored. She had always thought that the coming of Sozin’s comet would be more exciting. More bombastic! But it is actually quite peaceful. This strange island has a nice and balmy breeze. The only sound comes from the lapping of the ocean and the rustling of a breeze.

“Where am I?” She wonders out loud. Really, she ought to get back to the Fire Nation. She has cabbages to sell and her new business partner to talk to. Though she thinks that the Jasmine Dragon might be closed being as the Earth Kingdom is about to be burned to the ground. Azula scoffs, wondering whose foolish idea that was. What. A. Moron.

“Hey, so this island is actually just a giant lion-turtle!” Aang calls from afar.

“Fascinating.” Azula mutters uncaringly. “Does it know how I can sell cabbages to a nation that is focused completely on war?”

“I’m not sure, he’s talking to Momo about his workout routines.”

.oOo.

“Attention, crew, this is your captain speaking. Everyone please report to the bomb bay immediately for pan-fried noodles and roast duck.” Sokka announces. Azula feels a faint pang of jealousy that she cannot place.   “We have a very special birthday to celebrate.” But they won’t be celebrating any birthdays, they are practicing social distancing.

“Hey, I'm Qin Lee. I work up in communications.” Qin introduces himself.

“Oh, hi. I work down in the engine room. That's probably why we never met before. Big airship, you know?” Replies the man casually. “So, do you know whose birthday it is?”

Qin is about to tell the man that it is his birthday when another man approaches and exclaims, “I can't believe the captain remembered my birthday. He really does care.”

Qin coughs, “he was actually talking about my birthday.”

But Sokka wasn’t talking about any of their birthdays. With the press of a button the void opens up and claims its remaining sacrifices. It has been appeased. Sozin’s comet will not demolish the world as they know it, Bosco and his band of furious furries will not return, and the universes will not merge together in a chaotic and destructive blend. This, however, excludes Earth Kingdom Azula, whose eyebrows allow her to travel through time and space. But she is only eight years old so she does not yet know how to use her eyebrows to ignore the laws that hold the universe together as everyone knows it. What she does know how to do is use her eyebrows to blast holes in the walls as Suyin shrieks in agitation.

.oOo.

Azula yawns, she wishes that the Avatar would hurry his conversation up so that she may speak with the lion-turtle.

“...but I don’t want to kill him! I can’t kill him, I’m a vegan!” He throws his arms up in the air. “There’s got to be another way. Azula said that I should try to bend time and space but I don’t think that I can master that on time.”

Azula rolls her eyes. “That’s the wonderful thing about bending time and space. You don’t have to know what you’re doing.” She gives her bangs a lazy flick. “Really, the less you know how to do, the more effective you will be. Just tear a hole into the delicate balance and let the chaos take care of the Fire Lord for you.”

Aang blinks. This is uncharacteristically sinister for the usually peaceful cabbage merchant.

“Now move aside and let me speak with the lion-turtle so he can bless me with the wisdom I need to improve my marketing strategies and people skills.”

“Do you understand, avatar?” The lion-turtle asks.

“Can you repeat that last part?”

The lion-turtle nods before speaking in tongues. “If you can memorize that chant and successfully analyze the fire lord’s zodiac as it applies to the comet, you will be able to take his bending from him. If you do really well, you can also take his soul, his dignity, and his left sock.”

Aang nods. “Thank you…”

“Chuck.” The lion-turtle says. “You can call me Chuck.”

“Finally.” Azula mutters. “Help me face the lion-turtle.”

Never passing an opportunity to show off his swol legs, Momo lifts Azula up and holds her in front of the lion-turtle.

“Do you mind?” Azula frowns up at Aang.

“You listened to my conversation!” Aang points out.

“You aren’t trying to run a business. I can’t have any potential competition knowing my strategies.” In reality, she is planning on asking the lion-turtle for romance advice and she does not need the avatar to see her get all flustered upon thinking of Jet and his beautiful abs. “Don’t you have a Fire Lord to face?” She asks.

“I don’t wanna.” Aang whines.

“Well then I guess that everyone you know and love will die.” Azula says nonchalantly.

Aang shrugs. He isn’t too worried; both he and Jet died and came back.

“My parents aren’t home.” Azula says.

Being as the void still has some influence, the world seems to glitch. A fizzy, staticy image seems to overlay Aang’s face, making him appear like a blue hedgehog as he hastily makes his way to his glider. He has to go fast.

Azula gives a sigh of relief and watches the boy depart before turning back to the lion-turtle. “I have a problem.”

‘A’ is an understatement. She has several problems. Most of them pertain to the dipping of cabbage stocks. But there are a few that have to do with the fact that she still has not had her fill of roast duck and pan-fried noodles--at this point she is practically willing to eat her body weight in the stuff. Another such problem is that she had stepped in a puddle and now her socks are wet. But these aren’t her main concerns. “I had someone important to me. He’s gloriously beautiful, he’s funny, and he taught me how to draw dickbutt. I think that I...have a very deep attachment to him. But I have to focus on my cabbages because I...I love my cabbages.”

“Yes, go on.” The lion-turtle nods.

“I think that I am going to have to choose between Jet and my cabbages. I need a way to get Jet back without sacrificing my business.”

The lion-turtle lifts a claw and presses it to her forehead. She understands now. She understands everything. She knows how to make this right.

Momo sets her down beside her cabbages before he flies back to the lion-turtle’s face.

“So anyways, if you want legs like these,” comes an extremely deep bass voice, “you’re gonna have to do a lotta squats”

“Sick, dude.” Replies the lion-turtle.

.oOo.

Sie unfolds his lawn chair and lays back. Though the sun is not out, the comet shall provide him with enough heat to work on his tan. His coronation ceremony hasn’t yet started, possibly because Ozai had never given him the crown. Boy is Zuko going to be disappointed. He doesn’t know what they are going to fight over today. He takes a sip from his coconut drink as a sky bison obstructs the sunrays he that he is trying to bathe in. Sie smirks, he knows exactly what they will bicker over.

Yes, he will open by scolding his brother for blocking his sunlight and then he will hit him with the big one!

Zuko leaps off of the bison, a parachute expands. “You’re not going to become Fire Lord today!” He declares over the roar of the wind.

“What?” Sie asks, he cannot hear Zuko from this distance.

“You’re not going to become Fire Lord today!”

“What!?”

Zuko lands. “You’re not going to become Fire Lord today, I am.”

“Yeah, about that.” Sie says, missing his opportunity to begin the first fight. “Father never gave me the crown so neither of us will become Fire Lord today.” Sie shrugs.

Zuko frowns, “we can still fight over the crown for when father gets defeated.” Zuko suggests.

“Yes, I suppose that we can, brother.” Sie agrees. They are off to a horrible start with this whole arguing thing. “There’s only one way to settle this. Just you and me, brother. The showdown that was always meant to be. Rock, paper, scissors!” He whips out a small booklet, a rock, a piece of paper, and some scissors.

“You're on!”

“What are you doing? He’s playing you. He knows hhe can't take us both, so hhe's trying to separate us.”

Zuko shakes his head, “we’ve been playing Monop-uno  since we were kids. It’s a two player game.”

“But even you admitted to your uncle that you would need help facing Sie.”

“It’s fine, my sister has always been awful at rock, paper, scissors and this way, no one else has to get hurt.”

Katara nods and Sie and Zuko stand on opposite ends of the courtyard, kneeling as you do before beginning a game of rock, paper, scissors. It is always best to start any board, card, or any kind of game by kneeling before your God and asking for protection lest the game transform itself into an ouija board and you find yourself dealing with Zozo the board demon.  The camera pans to show Zuko kneeling on his side of the courtyard and then to Sie kneeling on his. And then to Zuko standing up and turning around; he slips on a banana peel as he does and topples. The camera pans out again to show Azula passionately making out with Jet. This is an error; that was supposed to have been a private moment. The camera pans out to Sie who removes his sunglasses, for he does not have a ceremonial robe to remove.

“I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother.” Sie says.

“No you're not.”

With that the battle begins. But if you look into the portal nestled in the corner of the courtyard you can glimpse at another world entirely. Another world where Azula and Zuko are about to face each other. In this world the conversation was much longer.

“No you’re not.” Zuko says.

“Yes I am.” Responds Azula.

“Are not.” Zuko replies.

“Am to!” Azula insists.

“Are not!”

“Am to!”

“Are not!”

“Am to!”

“aRE NoT!”

“I am TO!”

They do this until Sozin’s comet passes and then stand in solidarity, weeping because they have both missed their chance to spectacularly show off their firebending. They hug each other and cry. They apologize to each other for being little assholes. Katara rolls her eyes and shakes her head; that whole family is full of drama queens.

In this world, Zuko and Sie take up their stances. Zuko makes the mistake of revealing his choice in his stance by holding out his pointer and middle fingers. He improvises by pretending to bend lightning. Sie scoffs, “lightningbending is forbidden until round three!”

“Sorry.” Zuko apologizes, “I was getting excited.”

“Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot! Long ago, the four hand signs lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Shoot Nation attacked. Only the Cheater, master of all four hand signs, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished…”

“Katara, please.” Zuko says.

Katara coughs, “sorry, I was just trying to get in the spirit of the game.” She puts her foam finger away.

“You can still call ‘rock, paper, scissors, shoot’, if you want.” Sie says.

“I guess.” Katara shrugs.

.oOo.

Azula covers her ears, she does not know what that dreadful sound is, it is like a shrill ring combined with elevator music. It has a catchy beat, but, spirits, it should not be played while she is trying to have a moment with Jet! She wishes that the void would stop trying to talk to her while she is with Jet. At least she is assuming it is the void.

“Well that just killed the mood.” Jet remarks.

“Yeah…” Azula trails off. Truth be told, she was not ready for this yet. She thinks that it is too soon in their rekindled relationship to show him her mixtape, even if it is totally fire. “Maybe next time.”

“Sure, next time.” He smiles.

“Jet?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you really think that my business is going to fail?”

“What!? No! No! I just said that because I was mad.”

Azula smiles, she might actually be getting teary-eyed. “Well, I’ve only sold a single cabbage, and I was only able to sell that one by taking advantage of someone’s frustration.”

Jet laughs, “that’s how you’ve always sold your cabbages! By manipulating and taking advantage of people, you’re doing great!”

“Yes, but I usually manipulate and take advantage of more than one person…”

“Well, you always make your best sales in the midst of disaster, and it just so happens that we are in the middle of the biggest battle in over a hundred years!” He gestures to the fire and chaos in the streets of Ba Sing Se--for this is where the lion-turtle has dropped her off. People are screaming and wailing and panic buying more toilet paper, forgetting that toilet paper is very flammable. “I mean, the Fire Lord is about to burn the entire Earth Kingdom to the ground!”

Azula’s eyes light up. “You’re right! This is absolutely catastrophic! I-I think that I can do this.”

Jet takes her hands, “you can do this.”

.oOo.

“Tag, you’re it!” Zuko declares.

Sie curses. He picks up a dodge ball and chucks it at Zuko who dodges it and dashes for the nearest pair of scissors that he can find. Sie throws another dodge ball. Zuko sets this one on fire as his fingers curl around the scissors. Sie takes this chance to grab a rock.

Zuko snarls, before recalling something important. “I am on base!”

“Ha!” Sie calls, “base has moved over there!” He points across the courtyard.

Zuko curses.

“One point to princess Sie!” Declares one of the spectating Dailluminati agents.

“BOOOOO!” Hollars Bumi, who has flown in from all the way in Omasok to witness this event. He is not pleased at the current standing.

Sie chucks the dodge ball once more. Zuko leaps out of the way. “What no paper today?” He shouts. “Afraid I’ll use scissors!?”

“Oh, I’ll show you paper!” Sie spits. He takes a deep breath and pulls out a sheet of fine art paper. Zuko drops into a defensive stance. Katara and Bumi bite their nails. The Dailluminati agent steps out to take a phone call.

Sie begins quickly and meticulously folding the paper into an origami turtle-duck. Zuko’s eye go wide. Sie’s look between Zuko and Katara. “Quack, quack, bitches.” He says with a smirk as he throws the duck at Katara.

“Nooooooo!” Zuko throws himself between Katara and the origami turtle-duck. Zuko lands with a harsh thud and the origami turtle-duck lazily drifts down and lands harmlessly upon him.

It then explodes and transforms into a real turtle-duck. The turtle-duck doubles in size and begins judging Zuko’s fashion choices and life-decisions until he can handle no more.

“Zuko!” Katara calls. “Don’t listen to it, your outfit is on point!”

Sie cackles madly, “but it doesn’t go with his eyes!”

Zuko weeps harder.

.oOo.

Azula confidently marches right into the epicenter of the chaos around her. She scans the crowd for the most horrified face. She comes upon a woman who is shrieking and begging the void to claim her before she can be burned alive.

“You!” She points at the woman as Jet begins singing the soulja boi.

The woman turns to her.

“As you can very clearly tell, you are going to die.” Azula pauses. “So you might as well spend every cent that you have on my cabbages.” It might be the firey backdrop or the way it casts swirling shadows around Azula. But the woman is absolutely terrified, she stumbles back before she practically throws the coins at Azula. The merchant collects them and hands her several cabbages. “Thank you for your business! Have a lovely day!”

“Th-th-thanks.” The woman shudders. “Please don’t hurt me.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Azula smiles. “But will it be necessary with you?” She turns to the man next to her.

“No, ma’m.” The man trembles and holds out a few coins.

“Wonderful!” Azula claps her hands together. “Enjoy your cabbages.”

Soon she doesn’t even need to approach her customers, they are coming to her. They actually want her cabbages. She is going to get so much roast duck and pan-fried noodles.

“Wow, Azula, you’re doing incredible!” Jet remarks.

“I know.” She agrees.

“Hey! Merchant!” Shouts a familiar voice and Azula’s blood runs cold. A Fire Nation soldier steps out of the crowd.

“No…” Azula mumbles.

“Yes.” The woman says.

“I will not allow you to set my cabbages on fire.” Azula declares and pulls out a John Cena knife--Mai is using her Kenu Reeves one--the soldier will never see it coming.

“Set them on fire?” The soldier asks.

“Yes.” Azula replies. “I know that you have been chasing me to set my cabbages on fire because you think that they are infected.”

“That’s not why I’m chasing you, merchant. I’m actually just here to return something that you dropped.”

Azula cocks her head, “oh.”

The woman hands her a picture. Azula feels around her pocket. Spirits, she hadn’t even realized that she dropped it.

“Aww, that’s the first dickbutt we drew together.” Jet smiles. The panicking crowd stops to give their own affectionate ‘aw’ and ‘that’s so cute’.

“Thank you.” Azula says. But the soldier is gone. No. Not gone.

“Sike!” The soldier yells. “That was just a decoy!” She sets Azula’s stall on fire.

Azula screams in anguish. It had been going so well. So, so well. And now…

Her stomach knots in rage and pain as her cabbages cry out in agony and torment. She balls her fists, it isn’t fair. It isn’t right. She has worked so hard for this. This was supposed to be her moment. Her big breakthrough.

Azula screams again. This time she can feel the rage flowing through her, opening each and every one of her chipoints. The energy swells and surges until it overflows. Her eyes glow a vivid blue and the crowd steps back. All but Jet.

Jet is a foolish man. When Azula enters the Farmer State, her power is unchecked and horribly deadly.

Large carrots and kumquats burst from the cracks in the ground. “You will suffer for destroying my cabbages.” Azula vows. But it isn’t just Azula speaking. It is also the souls of each and every deceased cabbage she has ever grown. They now lend her their unfathomable power.

“Azula, don’t do this.” Jet calls up to her levitating form. “You’ll kill all of these people.”

“Ehhh...they were going to get burned to a crisp anyways!” Azula shrugs as she sends a sharpened carrot crashing down. It nearly impales the soldier. Instead strikes the ground creating a crater in the center of town.

“Azula, please!” He begs.

But the merchant is too far gone. This doesn’t stop him from drawing nearer to her. A deadly rain of jalapeno peppers fall all around, mercilessly pelting the crowd.

Jet takes her hand. “Azula, I love you.”

Azula shudders, no one has ever done that before. No one but her cabbages.

“You don’t need your cabbages. You have me now.” He promises. “We could grow new cabbages. Better ones.”

“But what about the missed opportunity?” Azula frowns.

Her eyes still glow, but her body falls. Jet takes her into his arms. “There will be new ones. Better ones. You’ve partnered with the Jasmine Dragon!”

The glow fades from her eyes, she feels so terribly small. “But this was supposed to be my moment.”

“This is your moment.” Jet gives a soft and warm smile. He cups her cheek and gives her a gentle kiss. “This is our moment.”

The crowd gives another ‘awww’. The soldier grumbles to herself, for her boyfriend has just left her.

Maybe Jet is right, maybe life isn’t only about growing and selling cabbages. Maybe there is more to it. Jet squeezes her hand as Ozai’s air fleet reaches Ba Sing Se. Azula is glad that she has gotten a taste of true affection before she meets her demise.

Ozai steps further out onto the platform and takes a deep breath. He pulls out a megaphone, “princess Azula, it is time to end this foolishness.”

Azula groans to herself.

“This has gone too far!”

She folds her arms over her chest.

“Please come home, I am tired of the Cabbage Merchant, he is too needy!”

“I am the Cabbage Merchant, father!” Azula declares.

Ozai inhales sharply through his nose only and rubs an exasperated hand over his face. “You are the princess of the Fire Nation! You get on this airship right now and go to your room.”

“I will not.” Azula stands her ground. Jet slings his arm around her. She is a cabbage merchant now, this is her life!

Ozai claps his hands together and holds them to his mouth. “Okay, how about this. If you come home right now, I’ll let you keep your boyfriend.”

Azula keeps her arms firmly crossed. “I am staying right here with my boyfriend and my flaming cabbage stall.”

“Look, I’m sorry that I took your tank away, I might have overreacted a little.” Ozai gives in. “Please end this, whatever it is, and come home.”

Azula only offers him a smirk.

[rogers-sweatbands]

what hogwarts houses the members of queen are in

A/N: oops this contains some hot takes (in my opinion) but this is what i wholeheartedly believe. enjoy !!!!!!!!!

Freddie: Gryffindor

okay this mans is 100% a gryffindor

like this should not be a surprise to anyone

first off, we all know that harry potter is 100% problematic and loses house points for them all the time

now imagine freddie

he would totally make gryffindor lose points on a daily basis just because he was being himself

gryffindors are also judgemental

and freddie is the king of the judgmental face

we all know this

it takes approximately three (3) minutes hanging out with a gryffindor before you get into some ~*trouble*~

freddie’s parties were def the same way, y’all

3 min in ?????? things got fucking insane

it’s hard to admit this, but without gryffindor, there wouldn’t be much of a story for hogwarts

because not much shit would go down

and hogwarts would be a whole lot safer

and the same is true for queen

like, without freddie, queen wouldn’t have much of a story either !!

moving into gryffindor qualities:

brave-

this honestly doesn’t need much of an explanation

an lgbtq+ icon

went through AIDS during the 80s (such a scary time)

did not give a single fuck about what anyone thought of him

is the actual definition of bravery

loyal-

not to be dramatic, but freddie would have died for any of the other boys

he loved them so fucking much

i hope they know that oof

although he had his moments, freddie was so loyal to all the guys and was/is so fucking amazing ugh

wise-

because of his life experience and different outlook on life, i feel like that made freddie so wise

he had all of these different perspectives compared to a lot of other people

and he would showcase these perspectives in his music

freddie was just so fucking amazing, my heart

i think freddie is muggle born

and he owns it !!!!

he is so proud of his heritage but is also so into the fact that he’s a wizard

freddie is the cutest gryffindor ever awwww

plus he’d look amazing in scarlet and gold

Brian: Ravenclaw

this choice should come as no surprise as brian harold may is a true and true ravenclaw

we’re going to start off with how ravenclaws are all so goddamn cool and intelligent ????? like wow, no one can top that shit

brian may is literally a rockstar and astrophysicist and that’s some hardcore ravenclaw energy right there

ravenclaws are also so hardcore interested in the universe

they nut for philosophical conversations and that sort of shit

look at luna lovegood for example

this girl always had the coolest and most interesting shit to say

she is also so fucking smart and no one really believed it for a hot minute and that makes me so angry

ravenclaws also have the ability to see past the surface of what’s in front of them

brian totally has the ability to see past the front that someone has so carefully put up and would get to know you for who you are

also, he looked up at the stars one day and saw them for so much more than glittery things in the sky

it sparked such a passion in him

ravenclaws also take friendship so fucking seriously

friendships are cherished so much within ravenclaw, sometimes even more than their cleverness

bringing up my girl luna again

we find out in deathly hallows that luna literally had decorated her room with portraits of her best friends in the entire world

and all of these paintings have a thin golden chain weaving around them to connect them that literally reads the words “friends” over and over

that’s some cute ass (and kind ass) shit right there

moving into ravenclaw qualities:

intelligence-

we all already know that this man is smart as shit

he has a fucking phd

(i’m repeating this for emphasis) a phd

in space dust !!!!!!!!!!

like this mans started his phd, went and became a member of one of the biggest bands of all time, and then literally went back and finished his phd

he is so smart it makes me want to cry

creativity-

what’s so amazing about bri’s creativity is that it all derives from how fucking smart he is

look at the songs he’s written... like, he’s a musical genius

and even on the songs he didn’t write, he was still super helpful with coming up with the guitar lines which is fucking sick as hell

they’re all so fucking good too

we stan a creative king

acceptance-

from a young age i think brian realized that his interests were probably a lot different than his peers

not only was he constantly thinking about the stars and what was going on in the universe, he also had such a passion for music

this prob led to him standing out from everyone else in a good way

and he had to come to terms with it 

but boy did he bc look at him now, that rockin’ space man

tbh i see brian being a half-blood

because he’d have understanding of both the wizard and muggle worlds

something that would benefit his intelligence even further

the tea is that brian may is such a perfect ravenclaw it makes my heart hurt

Roger: Gryffindor

ok so we are starting this out with the fact that roger meddows taylor is in no way a slytherin

he is a gryffindor in the same way the weasley twins are gryffindors

they’re all so fucking cheeky (sorry for using british slang as an american, we just don’t have a term to perfectly embody what they all are)

rog is chaotic in a gryffindor way and not in a slytherin way

gryffindors literally die if the attention isn’t on them and that’s just the tea

they are always constantly throwing themselves into shit they have no reason to be involved in

this boy would literally throw hissy fits all the damn time and that is true gryffindor energy

HE LOCKED HIMSELF IN A CUPBOARD BECAUSE HE DID NOT GET HIS WAY FOR FUCKS SAKE

in summary, roger meddows taylor invented being the boy in the cupboard before harry potter

gryffindors are also a bit arrogant about the fact that they’re gryffindors

sorry, it’s the truth

and roger literally lives up his own asshole

which is really hot but besides the point

they also think their opinion is best

always

we’re bringing up i'm in love with my car again because this boy would not fucking let it go

tbh he prob thought that song deserved song of the year... lbr

gryffindors break the rules all the god damn fucking time and always get away with it

literally rog with anything

that boy probably could have killed a man and everyone would’ve been like ????? did u see something ?????? he’s got all my uwus, that sweet lil murder baby

also gryffindors are hella hot headed

“he would fly off the handle all the time” -brian may

he would throw televisions out the window

the literal definition of hot headed

moving into gryffindor qualities:

brave-

this boy gave literally zero (0) fucks about what anyone thought of him

his friends used to call him rainbow and he WENT WITH IT

toxic masculinity in reference to his wardrobe ????? not here !!!!!!!!!!!!

loyal-

despite all the fights he’d get into with the boys, he loved them so fucking much and could never imagine himself without them right there

like yeah, they disagreed a lot

a lot, a lot

but they’d always come back together in the end

cunning-

FIRST OF ALL, ROGER TAYLOR IS SO FUCKING SMART AND FUCK ALL OF Y’ALL WHO MAKE HIM SEEM LIKE THE DUMB MEMBER OF THE BAND

because he isn’t

ok tea, to be cunning, you gotta be smart

also, he could be quite cunning with the ladies & we all know this

like damn, that man could say “butterbeer” into my ear and i would probably cum

also rog is def skillful and used his cunningness to get what he wanted in the end

i'm in love with my car being the b-side of bo rhap ???? yeah, he played the band like a fucking harp

i think rog would be a pure-blood

prob because he can be so cocky (and most pure-bloods are seriously so cocky about the fact that they’re pure-bloods)

even harry could get cocky about it sorry but it’s the truth

also rog looks like a lion and gryffindors literally nut about lions

John: Slytherin

i’m going to start this by saying i know this is a hot take but john being a slytherin is seriously one thing i hold so close to my fucking heart. don’t @ me

we’re going to start off with the fact that even when he had his soft™ moments, he still exudes chaotic energy 100000% of the time

john is the most chaotic member of the band and he knows it too

as a slytherin, i can honestly say that we are literally the most chaotic people in the world

slytherins also exude big dick energy 10000% of the time

john is the perfect representation of this

his bde is seriously off the charts, holy fuck

slytherins will push you to succeed

this is because we have so much confidence

sometimes our confidence is confused for cockiness though, not all confidence is cocky !!!!!

guess what ??? that confidence we possess goes toward other people too !!

john ????? yeah we all know how supportive he was towards the other boys

seriously wants nothing more than for them to succeed

he still is that way

moving into slytherin qualities:

resourcefulness- 

THIS MAN MADE HIS OWN FUCKING AMP?!?! LIKE, HE LITERALLY BUILT THAT SHIT ON HIS OWNNNN

he also loved to discuss how much he loves diy projects in written interviews (as a fun pastime of his)

lemme tell you, diy-ers are the most resourceful bitches ever

seriously, go speak to your local diy-er

they could probably make a refrigerator out of a toothpick, three thumbtacks, and a litter box

cunning- 

this mans was known as the “shy” and “more reserved” member of queen (which we have all learned isn’t the fucking case)

he literally let himself slip under the public radar despite having such chaotic energy

he ran with that shy boy™ title and played us for so long

not that i'm mad but like, damn boi

ambition- 

this bitch literally got an honors degree in electronics while queen was recording a fucking album

he literally sat his FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE RECORDING A DAMN FUCKING ALBUM

sorry but if that ain’t ambition idk what is

it’s also hella sexy he did that oops

fraternity- 

john richard deacon, born the 19th of august 1951, embodies the definition of the word fraternity 

he loved each of the other members of queen with his whole fucking heart

the definition of fraternity is “the state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group” and john literally did that

the tea is that i think john would be a pure-blood

but he wouldn’t be a dick about it

but like, he’s definitely a pure-blood

and slytherins are most commonly pure-bloods

which sucks because muggle borns and half-bloods are dope af

also, john could be such a sneaky snake, don’t test me

plus, you can’t be that fucking kinky (ya know, freaky deaky if you will) and not be a slytherin

sorry, i don’t make the rules.

in summary, john is a slytherin. thank u for coming to my ted talk.

[sisoyyoalgunproblema]

SKAM ESPAÑA SEASON 1 EPISODE 1

Sooo.... Here we go! If you’re wondering what is this crazy girl doing writing these long ass posts about episodes of a TV show that aired a year ago... Well, I explained everything here, I also analysed the Trailer, I know that in the website it looks like the first clip, so if you’re wondering why it doesn’t match, that’s your answer.

This is gonna be full of spoilers for seasons 1 and 2 because it’s impossible for me to watch it and not add all of that baggage, sorry. I’m going to do this clip by clip because I think it’s the most organized way of going about it, although I also thought about doing character by character... If you think it’s better that way, let me know. I’m also going to compare it to the OG and the other remakes and, no, it’s not because I think Skam España is the “superior remake” or whatever people call it, it’s because they are so different in so many ways it’s difficult to compare. 

SKAM ESPAÑA SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 “LAS RARAS DEL INSTITUTO” “THE HIGH SCHOOL WEIRDOS”

CLIP 1 ➡ SUMMER AGAIN

So, after all of that, we get the first clip, with Jorge, Lucas and Eva hanging out on the stairs after a day at the swimming pool, I love that they tease each other, they feel like an amazing group of friends, none of them feels isolated until Eva and Jorge start kissing and Lucas just leaves because no one likes being the third weal.

I really like how they make Lucas feel part of the group, it’s not Eva and Jorge and Jorge and Lucas, it’s Lucas, Eva and Jorge, but Eva and Jorge have sex with each other.

I don’t have too much to say about this clip, it’s a nice introduction to their dynamic, with Jorge always trying to reason with Eva and to reassure her by saying that everything is gonna be OK wile teasing her and making her laugh and Eva being scared and allowing herself to believe Jorge.

CLIP 2  ➡ ALONE

In this clip we get the mandatory slow motion walk of the Ingrid character, Inés in this case, and she at least just looks at Eva, with so much superiority she’d make an elephant feel small, but she doesn’t insult her or show her the finger. What a good way to start the school year!

Here we meet the boy-squad. I love that we get introduced to them in the first season, they all have such a chaotic energy, laughing at Hugo’s bad luck and making plans for the next big party.

I really like how much they actually wanted Eva to go to the concert, and that, if you think about it, they probably got the tickets before her and Jorge started dating, so it’s not that they didn’t tell her but that they didn’t think about her that way, not yet.

I also really like how understanding Eva is about all of this, she doesn’t get mad, she just basically accepts it and encourages Jorge and the boys to go and have fun and not worry about her.

I feel so much for Eva here, it’s really relatable how out of it Eva seems, she knows these boys, they all know her, they like her, but she is not part of the group, she isolates herself and doesn’t participate in the conversation, she tries at the beginning, but she can’t help feeling that these are her boyfriend’s friends, not hers. I love how this clip ends with the boys being loud and blocking her form their little circle without realizing it and with her being quiet and accepting it.

CLIP 3 ➡ THE NEW GIRL

Here we get the introduction of faux-Noora, but it’s not what I love the most about this clip. We get so much information about Amira in the background, people whispering about her because she hasn’t worn the hijab ever before and they think it’s weird. I love that we get this bit of info and that we see what our hacker queen must go through every day.

About Lara I’ll only say how relatable this whole thing is, I have a friend who says that you have to choose carefully who you talk to on the first day of school because you’ll never talk to them again and to be weary of people who come and talk to you on the first day because they’re probably just looking for someone to explain them the dynamics before they find their real place within the school/work environment/whatever.

CLIP 4  ➡ FRIENDS

I love when Skam posts clips like this, just the character in their room, doing absolutely nothing. She is scrolling through Instagram and eating some crackers. Her mom tells her to get off the phone and that she’s going to work. Nothing else happens, Eva wonders if she should follow Lara on Instagram and she doesn’t.

CLIP 5  ➡ AND WHO IS HE?

¡Ay...Viri…! We meet her in this clip, when Lara still seems to be Noora and is being nice and asking Eva how to get to her next class. Viri comes so full of energy, with so many propositions and ideas, she just comes on too strong, bless her soul, she tries too hard to fit in and it shows. We see Cris for the first time here and I love how they state that Viri is new in school and doesn’t know anyone. This is a change from the OG that I didn’t understand until season 2.

And then in comes Alejandro. Can we all just stop a second to appreciate how corny all of this is? The fact that the second Eva says his name is Alejandro, Alejandro by Lady Gaga starts playing? How Lady Gaga says Alejandro the second Viri mouths Alejandro? Like, did they have the song playing on set so that she could nail the timing? How Alejandro looks right at the camera when the song ends? It’s all so amazingly corny and cheesy and right out of one of my daydreams about the moment I’ll meet the love of my life. It’s cringy and gold and I love it.

CLIP 6  ➡ YOU ARE A GRADE A ASSHOLE

I think on the 14th of September of 2018, if you listened closely, you could hear the screams of all the confused and angry fans. I remember how I felt after watching who I KNEW was the Nora equivalent hanging out with Inés, it was devastating, I didn’t know what was gonna happen next, little did I know that with Skam España it’s always better to expect the opposite to what you’re used to.

I love how, here, Eva goes to Inés and tries to apologise, doesn’t ask for things to go back to the way they were, just for forgiveness and admits that she’s made a mistake and is so sorry that she’s hurt her and that it wasn’t her intention to do so. I really like how BRUTAL Inés is. She’s so hurt and has a reason to be so, even though we don’t know what the reason is I think that here we realize so much more than in the OG that it’s Eva’s fault, both because she says so and because she is completely understanding of Inés behaviour.

But, poor baby, she basically just lost the only friend she had in school, then went and tried to fix things with an old friend and finally it all backfired and she’s left alone.

You know what I really like about Skam in general? How they make you understand why characters do what they do, so, even if you don’t agree with their actions, you can’t make them the bad guys of the story, because situations are never black and white. 

CLIP 7  ➡ All for you

Okay, let me just begin by saying that I love how they stablish the girl squad in the background even before we know they are the girl squad, like they are part of the high-school, we see them getting in and out of class, moving around.

Jorge is so sweet. That’s all I have to say, like, the way he notices that Eva is not OK? How he tries to get the truth out of her??? Just heart eyes everywhere, I honestly think he’s the sweetest Jonas of the bunch and Eva is probably up there for being the clingiest Eva, but I love her.

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

CLIP 8  ➡ End of the year trip!!!

Here we discover Eva’s love for pizza, I can relate. And I love that she’s not mad at Jorge for being out with his friends and, even though she is jealous she is not there, she understands the situation and still tells Jorge to have a good time and means it.

Also here is the first time we see something that’s become sort of a recurrent theme in Skam España, the “I post on Instagram pretending that everything is alright and that I’m having the time of my life when I’m dying inside”.

CLIP 9  ➡ Hungover

So this is a clip that changes with its second viewing, I was so sure Lucas was jealous at Eva because she was kissing Jorge and, don’t get me wrong, I still think that he’s jealous, but more at the fact that they can be out in public and kiss and no-one will bat an eye than at the fact that Eva is kissing the boy he likes.

Also, if you want a sign telling you that you need to get some friends ASAP, sitting alone on a Saturday watching your partner play football, or whatever they play, with their friends as you sit alone on the bleachers eating Cheetos should do the trick.

Oh, and I love Jorge, have I mentioned that? How supporting he is? The way he encourages her and tells her how amazing she is while teasing her and making her laugh is amazing, I’ve never had a relationship like this, but I’m pretty sure being with someone who’s self esteem is as low as Eva’s is right now must not be easy, but he does it with such an ease, he loves her so much he’ll support her through thick and thin and he’ll be by her side for whatever she may need as long as she wants him to.

Also, Eva not being mad that he forgot that they where supposed to hung out together is something I have conflicting feelings about because, OK, you shouldn’t put on a show and scream and all of that, but it was important to her and she doesn’t say anything because she’s afraid that she’ll lose him if she does, she should have made it clear that she was hurt and that it was okay, for this once, but that she hoped it never happened again because she was counting on spending the day with him and now her plans are ruined and that’s not OK.

So I think this clip shows how much Eva depends on Jorge, so much so that she won’t stand up for herself for fear of loosing him, and that’s sad, but also so fucking relatable. And I’m not blaming Jorge here for forgetting it, I’m sure that to him the “I’ll be all yours” comment was just not as important as it was to Eva, he should’ve remembered though, and Eva should’ve shown him he hurt her.

CLIP 10 & 11  ➡ Shitty meeting

That meeting was painful to watch, but can I just state how much I hated Viri during that first season and how much she’s changed and improved, like here she is: “I don’t get you and you don’t follow the society’s way of thinking or acting so you’re weird” and now she’s all: “I don’t get you and you don’t follow the society’s way of thinking or acting, but you’re my friend and I’m here for whatever you need”.

I also love the little hints they drop here and there about Amira and her hijab being a new thing, like how she says she’s planning on buying a burkini and Cris is all like WTF? But then Amira looks at her like saying, are you my friend or what? And Cris is all like, OF FUCKING COURSE AMIRIS FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER, so she ends up supporting her.

And Nora’s introduction, I think it’s amazing, and I was so FUCKING confused on my first viewing, like, girl, she’s literally called Nora so she MUST be Noora, but, then, who the fuck is Lara? Little did we know…

I’ve also noticed how much Amira’s changed, she’s so closed of and defensive in this episode, both clips, like she is not sure whether the girls will accept her or not, so she puts up this wall between them to guard herself and is brutally honest, maybe even cruel. Looking at this clip now feels so weird, because this is not the Amira I know now, the Amira I know is quiet, and loving and caring, and loves to talk about her religion and her culture, and is always ready to help her friends, or to fight for them… It really takes me back to what Skam really is about, loving one another and creating safe spaces where we can grow and become who we are meant to be free of prejudice.

Final thought on this clip, I really, really, really hate Cris’ make up here, like, girl, WE are supposed to be the clowns here, not you.

CLIP 12  ➡ The weirdos

So, Eva and Nora, I love their friendship, the way Nora picks up on the fact that Eva is NOT okay, and asks her if everything is alright a couple of times before she leaves???? Heart eyes everywhere.

Also I’m going to use this to address the criticism about Nora’s introduction, honestly, I don’t remember where I saw it, it was more than a year ago, but it basically said that it was the least gay out of all of them and I’m like, WTF???? People, aren’t you tired of being queer-batted? Because I am, I’m so over queer-batting, and that you’re asking for it is weird. Because, if they are not meant to be anything more than friends, I’m grateful that they don’t have any kind of interaction that could be considered as “gay” (although I don’t really know what a “gay” interaction actually is, I guess I would already have a girlfriend by now if I did, instead of sitting in a coffee shop writing very, very, very long Tumblr posts about things no-one really cares about).

In defence of anyone who likes Noreva, I get it, we are all starved for good wlw representation, and on the original the only thing remotely close we had to that was Noora and Eva’s friendship during the first season, but here we’ve got Cris and Joana, so having Eva and Nora be just best friends is totally fine by me.

The clip ends with a heartbroken Eva watching as Jorge laughs with Inés, I don’t know. I have nothing to say about it, other than the fact that I’m glad I’m no longer 16 and have better communicating skills and higher self seem than Eva, not that I did at 16, I was an absolute mess at 16, still am, in a different way.

Sooo... This took longer than I expected,  if I’ve said anything you don’t agree with, tell me and we’ll chat for a bit😘

[burnededens]

   ( avan jogia, trans male, he/him, assassin’s creed: syndicate ) * &. i know it must be scary for you, jacob frye, after not surviving the takeover. to turn into someone like jacob "jake” fowles, a twenty-five year-old bartender at dragon’s breath brewery & fighter at the ring, right here in castle town. just remember that you are as charming as you are reckless, and to be wary, be safe, be true to who you are : neutral through and through. ( hylia gets assassin’s creed on main )

   SO FUN FACT - I have been wanting to write this character in this group for months and it is absolutely a crime that it took me this long to pick him up but here we FINALLY are ! I’m genuinely shocked he’s the first Assassin’s Creed character here because I personally think all of the characters are phenomenal and it was either gonna be this character or the protagonist from two games before ( Edward Kenway of Black Flag ) but I have a slightly greater preference towards Jacob so !! Behold the living embodiment of chaotic good !! Obvious tws for death , violence , and murder under the cut because this is a series about assassins , but also gang stuff ( and a very small bullying mention in the post-snap portion ) too. I hope this is easy to understand !! 

BEFORE THE SNAP  /  J A C O B   F R Y E .

S’OKAY again I will always try and explain the games’ history and Syndicate’s specific plotline in the simplest of ways - and especially because AC can get very confusing very fast. Thankfully Syndicate is one of the more straightforward entries , but before I get into that , I have to give a basic rundown of the lore since... it will not make sense if you haven’t played any of the games.

A long long long time ago , there were these people called the Isu , and the Isu crafted something that the AC franchise refers to as Pieces of Eden. The Pieces of Eden ultimately has access to control other living beings , and they were extremely powerful.

Flash forward a little bit where you have two forces - the Knights’ Templar and the Assassin Order/Brotherhood - that struggled for these Pieces of Eden for two very different reasons.

The Templars valued order and wanted to use them to control others to achieve a utopia - believing that human corruption & essentially free will were what caused most evils of the world.

The Assassins valued freedom & wanted to preserve the free will of the world , believing that control would do them no good and a mutual understanding under this freedom would be what created a utopia.

So basically , Templars wanted peace via control and Assassins wanted peace via freedom.

Templars wanted the Pieces of Eden to control , and the Assassins knew this was Not Good and often sought to keep the Pieces the fuck away from the Templars ( at least , that’s always how I saw it. )

Of course , because we’re now on like ten main games and seventeen spin-off games it’s OBVIOUSLY way more complicated than that , just that’s the most nutshell way to explain everything. That being said , let’s jump more into Jacob & Syndicate. 

SO JACOB. Jacob is one of the two protagonists of Syndicate , the younger twin to the other protagonist , his sister Evie. They were born in Crawley , raised by their Assassin father , but while Evie was always more . . . into the Brotherhood and assassin ideals , Jacob always was more of a rebel & a free spirit. But nevertheless , he grew up an Assassin like she.

Flash forward years later where the main plot of Syndicate starts , during the Industrial Revolution in 1868 , where the twins are set on heading to London , which is pretty much entirely under control of the Templars ( namely Crawford Starrick and his network ) & their syndicates ( ha ha hA ).

This . . . is sort of where Jacob & Evie separate in terms of goals - Evie’s well-aware of the Pieces of Eden and aims to collect them before the Templars do. However , Jacob’s more so intent on taking down Templars & liberating London from their control. He goes as far as to even starting a gang with his sister - known as the Rooks - to combat the Templar-controlled gang that has London’s boroughs in its grasp known as the Blighters. 

Evie’s basically like “okay we’re going to collect the Pieces of Eden so the templars don’t have them bc Starrick will be more powerful if he has them” but Jacob says to her “fUCK YOU I’M A MAN WHO’S GONNA FREE THE PEOPLE” and. Yeah.

Throughout the game , Jacob’s the twin that exhibits a more impulsive , reckless , yet well-meaning approach to problems - and that sorta kinda . . . means that when he solves problems , he also accidentally makes other problems , and his sister has to clean them up because hey , you killed this Templar leader and angered a bunch of Blighters and we are fucked and Jacob can’t really. Grasp that because he’s too focused on freeing London NOW and taking out Templars NOW and [ Sleeping With Sirens vc ] do it NOW and remember deal with it LATER.

There’s a few cases where Jacob has even so ( both unintentionally and intentionally ) teamed up with Templars because he thought they could help him accomplish his goals in taking London back from them.

He teamed up with Pearl Attaway ( a businesswoman who controlled most of London’s transport and wanted basically a monopoly ) and didn’t find out until later that she was a Templar and had to assassinate her since she was the exact type of controller he wanted to rid London of

But also he struck a deal with Maxwell Roth ( basically a Blighter gang leader who had a shitton of power ) to work with him - but Maxwell saw this as let’s cause as much chaos as possible and fuck the consequences where Jacob saw it as more let’s fix problems by any means necessary and he had to shut down the deal when he saw Roth really just . . . didn’t give a fuck about anyone , including innocents. Jacob’s whole goal was to free and protect the innocents , he just didn’t care how as long as nobody got hurt.

AND THAT’S HONESTLY WHAT I LOVE SM ABOUT JACOB LIKE ... Jacob. Is the epitome of chaotic good like he cares so much about people and protecting the innocents & saving them from control that yeah he doesn’t really . . . consider the consequences of his actions especially when his actions are so chaotic but his primary goal is to free the people of London by taking down Templars and he doesn’t give a fuck how he’s going to do it , he just operates on his code of making sure none of the good people get hurt and the bad guys go down. 

Eventually in the game he did come to realize the errors in his own work and way of thinking - he didn’t think much of the consequences , and therefore caused more of a wreckage than he aimed for. He loved the idea of freedom , but drew the line at absolute careless anarchy like Roth.

Basically be a REBEL not an ASSHOLE.

I love this kid tho like he’s so witty and rebellious and chaotic but also good-hearted and will still help even tho he might complain a lot about it ( looks at Abberline and Darwin ) and he !! He honestly acts before he thinks but I find those characters so refreshing esp bc he’s very emotional and adamant about acting on how he feels and his ideals and it’s honestly so. Idk I really like that about him.

He’s also canonically bisexual and that is something I will never shut up about but if you fucking even tHINK ABOUT ROMANTICIZING ROTH & JACOB’S RELATIONSHIP ( like it’s p much confirmed Roth had a thing 4 Jacob but it’s not. That’s not a Good Thing ) I will personally throw some hands with you. 

...Jacob and Ned however-

SPARE NED?? SPARE NED MA’AM??? 

But honestly anyway TLDR; Jacob is a Victorian chaos-bringer who doesn’t really think much about the shit he does but has a heart of gold he’s just. He’s A Lot. He’s a lil bitch but a good kind of lil bitch.

ALSO ALSO ALSO I AM,,,, not exactly entirely sure where I’m pulling Jacob yet like I could pull him from the end of Syndicate’s main story but also there’s the Jack the Ripper DLC which makes me... feel things, but Jacob’s also significantly older than and a good bit of that DLC’s a bit triggering - long story short, we love and will protect Jacob Frye with our entire lives. 

AFTER THE SNAP  / J A K E   F O W L E S .

So PERSONALITY WISE - Jake isn’t much different from his past self ; the only thing is he never grew up with his twin sister , raised an only child , and because Jacob & Evie are meant to balance each other out , he essentially grew up without an entire part of him he isn’t even aware of.

He was adopted - adopted by a working-class family from London that moved to Castle Town , and that was where Jake was raised.

Now , he was always a bit of a rebel. Always a problem child from the start. There were hundreds and hundreds of cases where he was reported either talking back to teachers , misbehaving in class , sometimes even getting into fights with other kids whether it be they were picking on him or someone else.

And he always liked the thrill of being that rebel - being that miscreant that earned a reputation ; never a mean person , never a bad dude , just somebody who . . . acted out. Acted out for whatever reason - mainly because he never liked the idea of obeying or because he taught the rules were stupid or because the rules meant some people were gonna get inconvenienced. Like , if you see someone getting bullied , why just tell an adult where you can solve the problem right then and there and sock the bully in the jaw ??

That was it. That was Jake’s philosophy.

His parents sent him to multiple hobby & art & educational camps & stuff to try and see if he could find some sort of hobby that would sorta get him out of this ‘problem child’ thing - but it never really worked. He always either got sent home earlier or was asked to never come back because hey , you can’t start a rebellion in the boys’ cabin because you didn’t like the way one of the counselors instructed you about knot tying. 

Never worked out , his parents thought he was smart and would make a brilliant lawyer or doctor or something - but nope , he graduated high school , attempted college but dropped out after two years , and when his parents kicked him out , he crashed with a few friends and made a living on odd jobs before he scored working as a bartender at Dragon’s Breath.

And also . . . both fighting at The Ring and also underground matches for some coin.

Yeah. 

It’s sorta-kinda through this he ALSO became aware of the other people who had to resort to means like this to survive - eventually starting his own gang of people who operated on sorta-kinda Robin Hood like terms - protect the less fortunate , combat the gangs who caused way more problems than he’d like , and also to basically uhhh flip the bird to the rich.

You guessed it - they’re called The Rooks and they’re not really . . . big , they’re just kind of. There. And nobody knows Jake’s the leader but it’s not like he’s really pressed if anyone finds out. 

It’s overall not entirely different from his pre-CT life other than obvious modern differences and LACK OF EVIE sooo. Yeah !!

I’ll hopefully work on a WC page for him soon but as of rn I just kinda want to get some threads going - hope y’all enjoy my dumbass kid xoxoooo

[jmeelee]

CHAPTER 2        [Read Chapter 1 here]

As soon as the sun kisses the shore of the Black Lake, Derek and his pack simultaneously rise from their seats around the common room, heads cocked in a distinctly lupine way, bodies answering a supernatural call Stiles and Lydia can not hear.

“I’d give anything to shift again,” Erica whines. Her body screams run: balled fists, hunched shoulders, muscles taut.

“It’s alright,” Boyd consoles. He reaches out, plants a huge hand on the back of her neck, blunt fingertips rubbing gentle circles into the fine blonde hairs at her nape. Isaac sways closer to her, brushing her sweater-clad shoulder with his own. Derek places one hand on Isaac’s forearm, below the rolled-up sleeve of his white button-down, and the other hand on Boyd’s broad back, completing the circle. Erica closes her eyes, whole body relaxing with a soft exhale. Everything, from their silent, comforting gestures to Boyd’s tender tone, broadcasts their connection, the bonds of devotion and friendship between them. Jealousy rears its monstrous head, spitting fire and scraping talons along the inside of Stiles’ rib cage, hoarding every affectionate gesture. You used to be that close to Derek; you should have Derek’s trust and love.

He buries the feelings and memories unearthed by the intimate scene, and falls back on his standard, reliable line of defense: being a sarcastic asshole. Stiles leans into Lydia’s personal space and mock whispers out of the side of his mouth, “That was kind of creepy.”

Lydia smacks him in the chest, hard, without sparing him a cursory glance.

Derek drops both hands from Isaac and Boyd like they’re on fire, and crosses his arms over his chest, directing angry eyebrow at Stiles. “You always knew how to ruin a moment, Stiles. Glad to find nothing has changed.” Derek is a sarcastic asshole, too, a trait Stiles likes to imagine he is at least partly responsible for. Derek stalks to the common room door, throwing it open for his friends to pass through. “Everyone knows the plan?” Five heads nod. “Good. It’s time to go.”

Derek’s decision to shed his skin and become something other never surprised Stiles; Derek had been questioning his place in the magical world before he’d ever received his Hogwarts letter. He hadn’t minded listening to Derek bemoan the lengthy, arduous process—mandrake leaves, electrical storms and all sorts of impossibly unique tasks. What he did mind was Derek’s new transformation skill came with more than additional body hair; it came with Erica, Boyd and Isaac, who, in Stiles’ loudly-voiced opinion, embodied the worst aspects of Ravenclaw House.

“You don’t even know them.” Derek had spit the words at Stiles’ feet in the Entrance Hall. Scores of voices, distorted and distant, filtered through the heavy doors of the Great Hall, a chaotic soundtrack to the dissolution of their friendship. “As if your Gryffindor girlfriend is any better?” Derek jeered. “Or Scott McCall?”

Stiles saw red. “Scott’s more puppy than snake, and you know it! And for the last time, her name is Lydia and she’s not my girlfriend!”

“Whatever.” Derek had run a thick-fingered hand through his hair, pulling at the roots in frustration, causing it to stick up in all directions. Stiles took grim satisfaction in the chaotic locks, so opposite from Derek’s usual polished exterior. “If you have a problem with my friends, than you have a problem with me.”

“Fine! If your obnoxious, revolting Ravenclaws are so important to you, go sprout a tail and piss on trees with them, and leave me and my friends the hell alone.” Stiles sneered, and uttered the words that would haunt him for almost two years. “That way I won’t have to see it.”

Derek sucked in a breath, turning hurt, wild eyes on Stiles’ stone-cold face. He’d clutched his Charms textbooks to his robe-covered chest. “So much for always. You were full of shit, as usual.” He’d spun on his heels, and marched away.

Now, as everyone drifts out of the common room, Stiles is rooted to the spot, a terrifying stray thought freezing the blood in his veins; if they fail tonight, Stiles will never get the chance to see Derek in his wolf form. Lydia heads for the door Derek holds open, but pauses when she realizes Stiles isn’t following her.

“Stiles, what is it?” she asks, raking shrewd eyes over his immobile form.

Even half hidden by a mask, Stiles can tell two bushy eyebrows are raised in question above Derek’s green-gold eyes, his fingers grip the door so hard they turn bone-white. Derek’s face will always be a Marauder's Map to Stiles, spilling secrets, no matter how much time passes. Derek thinks Stiles has second thoughts about helping him, but that isn’t the case. The brick wall Stiles erected around his heart to keep Derek at bay has been cracked and crumbling from the start, patched together with stubbornness and spite, and tonight, regret for all the time he’s wasted claws at the mortar.  

Stiles looks to Lydia, blinking fast, mouth gaping but no words spilling forth to express all the what if’s bottle-necking in his throat. “I know,” she says, firm but gentle, and the rare softness in her voice dispels his panic, “but you’ll get the chance.”

Derek glances between them, mouth tight. His shoulders fall. “Come on, guys. We have a long night ahead of us.”

*****

They tiptoe through hidden corridors, avoiding detection from portraits and professors, and skirt along the outer walls of the castle, flying past Hagrid’s hut on fleet feet. It amazes him there isn’t a path worn permanently in the grass leading down the hill past the Whomping Willow. He and Derek traipsed this exact route countless times, courting adventure—and a fair share of trouble—over the years. They broach the shadowy tree line as sunset slips from the sky, where thick spring foliage swallows the last of the warm, dying rays. Stiles shivers, partly from the temperature drop under the leafy canopy, and partly from the ominous feeling of the Forbidden Forest settling into his bones. The reasons this place is off limits to students have never felt more consequential.

Boyd and Isaac lead the way down the dark path, conversing quietly, dead leaves and twigs snapping under their loafers. Derek and Lydia walk together, heads bent close, rehashing the plan yet again. The familiar scents of damp earth and Lydia’s perfume wafts toward Stiles on a cool, fragrant breeze. Glimmering eyes follow their progress from hollow tree trunks, as Stiles lags behind the group, with Erica keeping pace.

“I stand by what I said,” she declares, boldly.

Stiles rolls his eyes, side-stepping a gnarled tree root. “And what was that, exactly? When you told me I looked like a wart-faced toad during the Yule ball?” Stiles smirks. “Or was it when I scored higher than you on all my O.W.L.’s, and you told me to eat slugs?”

Derek quickly glances back when Erica laughs, loud and carefree. Be nice, he mouths. Stiles isn’t sure which of them he’s admonishing.

“Neither.” She playfully punches Stiles in the shoulder, with a bit more force than necessary. “In the common room tonight, when I said you were supposedly the best wizard Hogwarts had seen in ages. I still can’t believe someone so clever could be dumb enough to drop his best friend like a sack of potatoes.”

Stiles bristles, eyes grimly focused on a lone grey squirrel scampering up the bark of a tree, loudly announcing to the world that it’s late for bed. “I’d call it a ‘mutual dropping’.” He makes air quotes. “Derek didn’t like Scott and Lydia, and I didn’t like you three. Still don’t.” Stiles bites the inside of his lips. “It was better to part ways,” he says in a softer voice. “Not all childhood friendships last.”

A rude noise escapes from under Erica’s mask. “Well that’s bullshit. Did Derek actually say he hated Lydia or Scott? Did he ever utter those words?”

“Well no, but—”

“Because he didn’t. He doesn’t. He resented the time you were spending with them. He’s not like you, Stiles. Derek doesn’t make friends easily. People don’t flock to him like they do to you.” She appreciatively eyes Derek's pert backside. “Despite how good looking he is.”

“Don’t try to distract me with Derek’s perfect butt. We hate each other, and Boyd and Isaac don’t tolerate me either. There was as much bad blood on your end as there is on mine. You three think you’re better than me, better than everyone.”

She scoffs. “Don’t tell me you buy in to the rubbish about our house placements determining our personalities. If someone has shown me kindness, I return the favor. You’re not my favorite person at Hogwarts, I’ll admit, but that wasn’t always the case. In third year, I tried to be your partner in potions.”

“What?!” Stiles’ incredulous eyebrows can rival Derek’s. “You did not. I’d remember.”

“I thought you were smart and funny. I thought we could get top marks in class if we worked together. I certainly didn’t think I was better than you. You didn’t even notice me. So I thought, why waste my time liking this guy if he only cares about himself?”

Stiles stops walking, turning to face her fully in the feeble light of green glowing insects and a waxing crescent moon. Overhead, branches bang against each other like drumsticks in the hands of a giant. “I don’t only care about myself.”

Erica pauses, contemptible smile full of sharp white teeth beneath her gold mask. “Oh, sorry. You, Lydia Martin and Scott McCall. Derek Hale didn’t make the cut.”

He sucks in a noseful of wild herbs and rotting wood. “That’s so unfair.”

She takes one step closer, a pine cone splintering under her foot, chin jutted high and feet planted wide. “When we all started to spend more time together, I asked Derek why he hung around with you; you were so self-involved. Do you want to know what he said?”

“Not really, but I’m guessing you’re going to tell me anyway.” All around them, the cacophony of the forest falls silent; no buzzing insects, no hooting owls or the flutter of unseen wings, no foraging of animals in the detritus. The eerie silence lends itself to Erica’s ominous admission.

“He told me, Stiles is the most loyal friend in the world.”

Stiles stares at Derek’s back, growing further away with each heartbeat. His fingers itch for his wand, for the orange and purple ropes of a Carpe Retractum, something to force the distance between them to close. “It was a mistake.” The whispered confession loosens something in his chest. “I’ve missed him every day.”

“Hey guys!” Boyd pivots, squinting in the low light and yells, hands cupped around his mouth. “Hurry up! It’s right here.” He points to a trailing canopy of moss.

Erica pushes Stiles forward. “Maybe tell the guy? Before we all get trapped in the Faerie Realm and dance ourselves to death.”

They march on, but a few yards from the rest of the group Erica grabs Stiles’ shoulder, halting his progress. “And Stiles?”

“Yeah?” He doesn’t think he’s imagining the softening of the hard lines around her mouth when she looks at him. It’s minute, but a spark of hope ignites in his chest.

“Derek missed you too.”

*****

Lydia digs the invisibility cloak out of her satchel. “You don’t have to do this,” Stiles tells her, grabbing hold of her forearms and bending down slightly to peer into her eyes. They’ve been over the plan a hundred times, but he still needs her to know. “You could stay out here, go for help if we don’t return.”

She shakes her head, strawberry-blond tresses trailing along her shoulders. “Who else is going to save the day if you fuck this up?” She throws her arms around his shoulders and squeezes him tightly.

The cloak falls over her head, removing her from sight. “So, Stiles?”

“Yeah?” He answers the disembodied voice in front of him.

“Don’t fuck up.”

Isaac reaches out, pushes through a thick canopy of vines hanging from an old, tall oak tree, and Stiles shudders as he steps over the threshold of a world outside their own—a strange and wonderful twilight kingdom. A reverent hush falls over their entourage.

Stiles has never witnessed anything like it—and he’s grown up with magic. A silver forest stretches ahead of them, as far as the eye can see. When they’d been in the human world, the moon was almost new, a sliver of pale yellow light, but now a full moon leads them down a narrow footpath. Under the moonlight the pure silver leaves sparkle and dance like musical chimes. Stiles hears the sound of violins far in the distance, so faint he wonders if he’s imagining them. Stiles spins in circles, eyes darting from one gleaming branch to another.

A warm, fragrant breeze scented with jasmine fills the air when they draw clear of the silver trees, and come to a dazzling forest of gold. Thousands of gold leaves catch the light of the moon, turning the world to bright golden day instead of silver night. The music is clearer now, closer, and Stiles catches the sounds of many different instruments playing a beguiling tune.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” Stiles says, fighting a euphoric smile.

Derek steps beside him. “Just wait.”

Finally, they cross into another forest, far more stunning than the others, where glittering diamonds cluster on every leaf. It’s as though all the stars in the heavens rained down to rest on the leaves.

Stiles can’t help himself; he laughs, overcome with delight. Every time a diamond catches the light the moon shatters hundreds of tiny rainbows over the entrancing world they’re traveling deeper and deeper into. Stiles stretches out his arms, watching them play on his skin.

He cups a few in his palm, holds them up for Derek to inspect, like they’re kids again, discovering magic together. “Look.”

Derek never takes his eyes off Stiles’ face. “Beautiful,” he says.

Stiles drops his hands to his sides, sobering. “Derek, I owe you an a—”

“I need to tell you something,” Derek says at the same time.

They blink at each other. “You first,” Stiles says.

Derek reaches up and plucks a sprig of diamond off a low-hanging branch. “What if… I think I…”. He sighs, tossing the priceless jewels away. “When we came here, the first night, I felt like you do right now; overcome. I try my best, all the time, everyday, not to think about you, but when I saw this I…”

His rainbow-dappled mask turns toward Stiles. “I wished you could see it. I wished you could be here with me. I swear, I never said it out loud but… here you are, all the same. What if my wish brought you here? Put you and Lydia in danger? If something happens, and we can’t leave, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Derek.” Stiles steps closer. “You didn’t bring me here. I brought me here. And I should have been here”-he gestures between them-“all along.”

The music grows stronger, drowning out Stiles thundering heart, and all at once Derek and his pack turn toward the sound, the same unsettling hive mind behavior from earlier in the night.

One second, they’re alone, then Stiles blinks and a handsome man stands before him.

At first, all he can register is silky black hair, a strong jaw, gentle, piercing eyes a kaleidoscope of green-gold-blue, but the harder Stiles looks, the more his appearance changes. Every time he blinks, it’s like starting all over again. Stiles shakes his head, trying to clear it, as the man steps up to him and bows deeply, taking one of Stiles’ hands between his ice-cold fingers. “Ah, you’ve brought a guest tonight,” the King says, eyes playful but shrewd. He kisses the captured appendage with plush lips, and the feeling of a thousand tiny ants crawling beneath his skin ripples out from the spot.

“You must be Stiles.”

[flightfoot]

Memories of Godly Selfishness Ch. 2

Here’s the second chapter of “Memories of Godly Selfishness”. Here’s the first chapter, if you missed it.

This was inspired by an idea I had several months ago. At the time I wrote it in the form of an analysis, The fight with Otis and Ephialtes in MoA takes on a whole new meaning in the context of ToA. But now that I can actually write pretty well, I wanted to take a crack at the idea in fanfiction form. Enjoy!

When the world solidified, we were surrounded by a chaotic scene. Fireworks of some sort were going off over our heads, though I was more concerned by the Giant in front of us... until the roof above him fell and crushed him.

I looked around wildly, trying to figure out where and when this was. I saw Piper sitting down, badly injured next to a barely conscious Nico. I instinctively started towards them, then froze. Someone else was already on his way. A young man with blond hair rushed towards them.

Jason.

My mind stopped working, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. I started forwards as if in a trance, but only got a few feet before Meg grabbed my arm. I looked back at her, not understanding. Jason was here! Why didn’t she want me to go to him? She looked back at me with uncharacteristic gentleness, stating quietly, “Apollo, this is the past. You can’t interact with Jason. This already happened. He’s gone now.” Her grip loosened, allowing me to continue to Jason if I wished. I didn’t move. Meg was right. I could only observe.

Get it together Apollo, I scolded myself. You don’t know what this memory will show, so you need to brace yourself.

I looked around some more, trying to determine when and whose memory this was. If there were Giants around, then it would likely be taking placing during the war with Gaea last year. Meg wasn’t involved with that, so it couldn’t be her memory, and I only remembered facing Giants at the very end of the War at the Parthenon, and we certainly weren’t at that point in time, which meant...

I glanced back at the third member of our party. Percy looked tense, ready to pull out his sword and start slashing at a moments notice. I glanced around, and sure enough, there was another version of Percy present in the past here, standing in front of a weird machine, looking out at everything that was going on... which was a lot. One of the Giants - Ephialtes I believed, from what I could dredge up from the depths of my memory - was already reforming, dragging himself out of the pile of his own dust, his head, arms, and shoulders already reformed.

On the other side of the room, the rubble from the roof exploded, showering debris everywhere. I ducked instinctively as a piece of it the size of a basketball rocketed towards me, only for it to pass right through me.

Ah. Yes. I couldn’t be hurt here, not by the past anyway. It could only inflict emotional pain, not physical damage.

“Percy! The controls!” Jason yelled. Past!Percy unfroze, pulling out his sword and slashing at the control panel with it.

“No!” Ephialtes wailed. “You’ve ruined the spectacle!”

Percy started turning around to face him, but it wasn’t fast enough. Ephialtes swung his spear at him.

I lost control of my legs, crumbling to the floor. Distantly I heard screaming emanating from somewhere. It took a moment to realize it was from me.

“APOLLO!” Meg yelled at me. It felt like I was hearing her through a fog. “APOLLO!” she screamed again, kneeling in front of me, blocking my view. Slowly, I focused in on her face, the terror and worry in her expression, the tears in her eyes... all directed at me.

Slowly, I came to my senses. This was the past. Percy was alive and next to me in the present. I looked back wildly to make sure of that fact. Percy was still standing perfectly still, staring at the scene in front of him, looking like he wanted to rip someone’s throat out. I shivered at his expression, but at least he was alive.

Meg cupped my face in her hands, an unusual show of support from her. “No one died here. You KNOW that. You saw them later. They survived this.”

Shakily I drew breath, and attempted to get to my feet. Meg helped me up, supporting me until I could stand up straight on my own. I wobbled a little, but didn’t fall.

I could do this. I had to. I had to know why Percy, Meg, and I were drawn into this flashback. The last flashback sequence I’d been in had been highly painful for both Meg and I, but we’d learned a lot - especially me. Seeing how I used to act and how people reacted to me had solidified my determination to never be like that again. And Meg had learned that people she cared about may have been assholes in the past, but still genuinely cared for her and wanted to rectify their mistakes. I wish she hadn’t had to learn that way, though.

I only hoped that this flashback wouldn’t be as harrowing for Meg as the last one had been. Let all the pain fall on me. I deserved it. She didn’t.

I gathered myself and looked around. past!Percy and Jason were side-by-side, looking tired, but still determined to save themselves and their friends. Piper and Nico were over by the dais on the floor, barely able to move.

Ephialtes smiled at past!Percy and Jason. I shuddered. “Tired, Percy Jackson? As I said, you cannot kill us. So I guess we’re at an impasse. Oh, wait... no we’re not! Because we can kill you!”

That’s right. Giants could only be killed by a demigod and a god working together. And they’d all survived this fight. Which meant that a god must’ve helped out somehow. But who, and how?

I looked around, as if merely willing for a divine being would make it happen. Alas, I saw no sign of a god.

His brother Otis picked up his spear. My eyes locked onto it as he spoke, “That is the first sensible thing you’ve said all day, brother.”

The giants pointed their weapons at past!Percy and Jason. Jason growled, “We won’t give up. We’ll cut you into pieces like Jupiter did to Saturn.”

past!Percy joined in on the attempt at intimidation. I was pretty sure they were trying to convince themselves more than anyone else, “That’s right. You’re both dead. I don’t care if we have a god on our side or not.”

“Well that’s a shame,” a voice cut in. I perked up. I KNEW that voice!

A platform lowered from the ceiling, revealing a man with a pinecone-tipped staff.

BACCHUS!

I smiled, hope blooming in my chest. They had a god on their side now! They’d fight together and defeat Otis and Ephialtes, at least long enough for everyone to get away safely.

I glanced at Percy, expecting to see him smile now that help had arrived. Instead he narrowed his eyes to slits, breathing heavily, his face contorted into an expression of hatred and disgust.

My heart sank. What had happened? Bacchus had helped... right? He must have. They wouldn’t have survived otherwise. So why did he look like he wanted to turn the wine god inside-out?

I very hesitantly called to Percy. I didn’t want that expression, that anger turned on me, but I needed to know.

“Percy, what happened here? Why do you look like you want to rip Bacchus apart with your bare hands?” I asked carefully.

Percy gave me a withering look. I tried not to whimper. I didn’t think it was truly directed at me, but Percy was REALLY mad, and he couldn’t just turn that off. Through gritted teeth, he muttered. “Just. Watch.”

So I did.

Bacchus glanced over at Ephialtes, looking thoroughly unimpressed. “Really, Ephialtes? Killing demigods is one thing. But using leopards for your spectacle? That’s over the line.”

I gritted my teeth at the casual attitude towards the demigods’ lives, but didn’t react beyond that. That was typical, as horrible as it was. I didn’t think that would cause this reaction from Percy.

Ephialtes looked terrified of Bacchus, making a small squeaking noise as he stuttered “This- this is impossible.  D-D-”

I missed being able to make my enemies quake so much. But at least I wasn’t scaring my friends anymore, which was nice.

Bacchus cut him off before he could stammer at the rest. “It’s Bacchus, actually, old friend. And of course it’s possible. Someone told me a party was going on.”

Ephialtes quivered, attempting to intimidate Bacchus, and failing. “You- you gods are doomed! Be gone, in the name of Gaea!”

“Hmm.” Bacchus grunted, not looking the slightest bit afraid.

He waved at all the various junk that the Giants had evidently set up, now scattered around the area. “Tacky. Cheap. Boring. And this...” here he pause to examine some sort of rocket-like machine. “Tacky, cheap, and boring. Honestly, Ephialtes. You have no sense of style.”

On that, I agreed. Ephialtes didn’t. “STYLE?” I have mountains of style. I define style. I- I-”

“My brother oozes style,” Otis said, helping his brother out.

“Thank you!” Ephialtes cried.

Bacchus stepped towards the giants, causing them to stumble back as they tried to put some distance between themselves and the god. After seeing them try to kill Percy and Jason, it was gratifying to watch. “Have you two gotten shorter?”

Apparently one thing Ephialtes couldn’t take was height jokes. “Oh, that’s low. I’m quite tall enough to destroy you, Bacchus! You gods, always hiding behind your mortal heroes, trusting the fate of Olympus to the likes of these.”

Jason raised his sword. “Lord Bacchus, are we going to kill the giants, or what?”

“Well, I certainly hope so,” Bacchus said. “Please, carry on.”

I blinked. Then I blinked again. WHAT. He could NOT be about to do what I thought he was going to do. We’d be on the chopping block too if the giants succeeded, it made no sense NOT to help as much as he could. Simple self-preservation should have been enough motivation, even if compassion wasn’t Surely I was the only one who had been THAT idiotic about helping the Seven.

Past!Percy was also shocked. “Didn’t you come here to help?”

Bacchus shrugged, not seeming to care much. “Oh, I appreciated the sacrifice at sea. A whole ship full of Diet Coke. Very nice. Though I would have preferred Diet Pepsi.”

“And six million in gold and jewels,” past!Percy muttered under his breath.

My eyes nearly bugged out of my skull. That big a tribute?! I hadn’t had that large a tribute in one go in centuries! That HAD to be worthy of Bacchus’s help.

“Yes, although with demigod parties of five or more, the gratuity is included, so it wasn’t necessary.”

“What?”

I shared past!Percy’s confusion. He’d gotten an awesome tribute, just take it and help them!

“Never mind,” Bacchus said. “At any rate, you got my attention. I’m here. Now I need to see if you’re worthy of my help. Go ahead. Battle. If I’m impressed, I’ll jump in for the grand finale.”

If they’re WORTHY?! They had both proven their ‘worthiness’ ages ago, between all the quests they did for us gods,  with how they had helped to save us time and time again, with barely any recognition, even a ‘thank you’. They were far more worthy of help than most of the gods were. I growled lowly. I was beginning to understand why Percy had looked at Bacchus with so much hatred in his eyes.

Meg stared at him too. Abruptly she declared, “He’s stupid.” I didn’t disagree with her.

Meanwhile, past!Percy was still trying to figure out what it WOULD take to get Bacchus’s help. “We speared one. Dropped the roof on another. What do you consider impressive?”

“Ah, a good question...” Bacchus tapped his staff in thought. Then he smiled. A cold trickle of dread ran down my back. That was the same smile he gave whenever he came up with an interesting new way to drive his enemies mad. I didn’t want to see it on him here, in these circumstances. I silently prayed that Bacchus would see sense and just help the demigods without playing any games, though I knew even then that it was a futile hope.

I felt a tingle on the back of my neck. Percy was shaking even harder, his eyes eyes as stormy as a hurricane. I felt the intense urge to fall to my knees and beg him not to hurt my friends, but fought it off. He wasn’t angry at me this time, and there was no way he’d hurt Meg.

“Perhaps you need inspiration! The stage hasn’t been properly set. You call this a spectacle, Ephialtes? Let me show you how it’s done.”

Bacchis vanished, taking Piper and Nico with him. Jason shouted, alarmed, “Pipes! Bacchus, where did you-”

Jason was abruptly cut off by the floor rising and reshaping itself, the entire area reconfiguring. Meg shouted in surprise, “Percy, what’s going on?! What’s Bacchus doing?!”

Percy yelled back, disgust dripping from his words, “He’s setting up a show. Jason and I are the main entertainment.”

I flinched. This... this was way too familiar. I remembered all those times in the past when I had watched demigods fight, not caring whether they died. No, that was wrong. Wanting them to die in entertaining ways as I ate popcorn. I’d used demigods lives for entertainment myself, and never gave a thought to the demigods’ welfare.

Still, I’d never done anything like this, deliberately making demigods fight for my amusement before intervening. This... this was WAY too far. It seemed familiar though...

From way up above, I heard Bacchus’s voice. “This is a proper show!” he boomed. He sat resplendent in the emperor’s box, clothed in purple robes and golden laurels.

And then I realized.

This... this was just like when Commodus had made Meg and I fight for our lives in his arena. He had treated the whole thing like a giant game for his entertainment, a celebration of his ego and a way to stave off his boredom. Bacchus was acting the same way. He even LOOKED similar, wearing similar robes and headwear, giving that same smug expression, secure in his own superiority, in his ability to force others to do as he wished.

We gods could be just as bad as the Emperors. And not only the more well-known vindictive gods and goddesses (looking at you, Hera), but even the more ordinary gods and goddesses behaved like this. And Bacchus... of all the Olympians, he should have known better. He HAD BEEN a demigod. He should have known, should have been the one to champion demigods’ values. Instead here he was, smiling condescendingly down at past!Percy and Jason, safe from harm while the mortals fought to survive.

I choked down bile as it rose up my throat. I welcomed the burn. It hurt less than the realization of how BADLY we gods had screwed up, how much pain and suffering we had put others through, people far more deserving of adulation than we were.

“Commodus,” Meg stated. “He’s like Commodus.”

“Yes,” I replied, loathing coloring my words. “Yes, he’s just like Commodus.”

I looked to Bacchus’s side and let out a sigh of relief. Piper and Nico were sitting next to him, being tended to by a nymph. I let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps Bacchus was slightly better than Commodus - but only slightly.

pastPercy glared up at Bacchus, joining our Percy’s hateful stare. “You’re just going to sit there?”

“The demigod is right!” Ephialtes bellowed. I’d jumped. I’d somehow forgotten he was there with how caught up I was in my own head, “Fight us yourself, coward! Um, without the demigods.”

Bacchus smiled down lazily. I wanted to punch him in the face. “Juno says she’s assembled a worthy crew of demigods. Show me. Entertain me, heroes of Olympus. Being a god has its privileges.”

Being a god has its privileges. I had heard that sentiment before, both from Britomartis when she insisted that as a goddess, her needs outranked Jo’s and Emmie’s... and from myself in an earlier flashback, when I had agreed that heroes were for running gods’ errands.

We took demigods for granted, all of us. Treated them like dirt, then expected them to bow and scrape for us, be delighted at any scrap of compensation we threw their way.

We were bullies. That’s all we were. Bullies with an insane amount of power, but bullies nonetheless.

past!Percy’s expression was nearly the same as present Percy’s; incredibly pissed off. Jason didn’t look much happier. They didn’t have time to stand around however. The two giants picked up a fake mountain - why had Bacchus included that? - and hurled it at the two demigods.

Jason yelled something to past!Percy, but I couldn’t make it out over the roar of the crowd as they chanted “Fight! Fight!”. They conferred for a moment, exchanging words quietly enough that the giants couldn’t hear them, which meant we couldn’t hear them either.

They charged out of the trench together. I’d hoped they’d come up with a more sophisticated plan than attack-them-until-either-they-or-we-die. past!Percy caused a water pipe to explode, sending gushing water everywhere. Meanwhile, Jason summoned a howling gale of wind. The combined force of the two elements caused the brothers to lose their grip on the mountain and topple to the floor. They had bought time, but not much.

past!Percy yelled loudly “Hey Otis! The Nutcracker bites!”

I had to snort at that one. Even now, Percy was cracking jokes.

Then Otis picked up his spear again. I tensed, breathing hard. It’s okay, it’s okay, he lives through this, I WILL NOT HAVE TO WATCH HIM DIE AGAIN.

The spear sailed far over past!Percy’s head. I relaxed slightly. At least Otis didn’t have it now.

Otis charged towards past!Percy... bad idea, with the body of water behind him. Otis seemed to realize this as well. Unfortunately for him, giants have a LOT of momentum. past!Percy and Jason dodged out of the way, Jason sending a gust of wind to help push Otis into the water. They brought their swords down onto Otis’s head while he struggled vainly to extract himself from the water. He exploded into dust, but even seconds later, he started reforming. past!Percy churned the lake into a whirlpool, Jason sending lightning bolts onto Otis’s head whenever he started reforming.  But Otis kept on trying to reform, and Ephialtes wouldn’t be down for much longer.

“Bacchus, HELP THEM ALREADY!” I screamed at the lazy, selfish, IDIOTIC god. He couldn’t hear me, but it made me feel better. “They’ve done the most they can do on their own, what more do you need to see?!”

“He won’t help; not yet,” Percy growled. “He doesn’t want to lift a finger. He won’t join in unless they’ve already been defeated. He doesn’t care whether we get hurt or almost die in the process. He’s a god, his whims,“ Percy spat out venomously, “matter more than our wellbeing. We’re just demigods - we’re disposable.”

He’s a god, his whims matter more than our wellbeing. We’re just demigods - we’re disposable.  I wished I could deny Percy’s implication. I wished I could say ‘Oh no, we value demigod’s lives, what Bacchus did was horrible and crossed the line, most of us would never have acted like Bacchus did..’ But I couldn’t. We didn’t value demigods as much as we should. What Bacchus did here was awful, absolutely horrible, but I would barely have batted an eye at it when I was a god. I would’ve just watched - just like Bacchus now was.

The fake mountain exploded, Ephialtes emerging from the rubble. He looked PISSED, his snake feet hissing and spitting. I shuddered. As if I needed ANOTHER reason to hate these giants. To make it worse, HE hadn’t lost his spear.

Jason called down some more lightning, but Ephialtes deflected it with his spear. He charged at Jason and past!Percy, forcing Percy to stop swirling Otis’s essence around and to help Jason fend Ephialtes off.

They lunged around him, trying to stab the giant, but he just parried or dodged out of the way of every blow. Jason and Percy were slowing down. Ephialtes was not.

“I will not yield!,” Ephialtes roared. “You may have ruined my spectacle, but Gaea will still destroy your world!”

past!Percy slashed Ephialtes’s spear, breaking it in half. For a moment I dared to hope that Ephialtes would throw it away, would at least pick some OTHER weapon, but no. He held onto his (now considerably shorter) spear, sweeping Percy off his feet with a swipe at Percy’s feet (with the blunt end of the spear at least, so there was SOME small favor there). Percy fell hard, his sword clattering out of his grip. My heart skipped a beat. I knew Riptide would reappear in his pocket in a few moments, but I wasn’t sure that he HAD moments.

I looked over at our Percy, staring at the scene in front of us intensely. He had survived this. I had to keep remembering that.

I switched my attention back to the past. I wished I hadn’t.

Jason stepped forwards, stabbing at Ephialtes’s chest while his attention was still on past!Percy. Ephialtes was not THAT distracted unfortunately. He parried Jason’s strike and lashed out himself, slicing the tip of his spear down Jason’s torso, then kicked him away.

I screamed.

The world wavered around me. I collapsed on the ground, my legs folding underneath me. I was on Caligula’s ship, Piper on the ground next to me, watching in horror as Caligula plunged his spear into Jason’s chest, unable to do anything but observe, useless.  Distantly I heard Piper cry out.

Wait... I actually HEARD that yell. The world snapped back into focus. I looked up. Piper was yelling down from the emperor’s box, her eyes wild and panicked. I had seen those eyes before.

They were the same eyes she had when Jason was murdered in front of us.

She’d had to watch, horrified, as Jason and Percy were almost murdered in front of her, herself too injured and far away to intervene, an uncaring god by her side, just WATCHING. Who COULD help, but who DIDN’T CARE. As I glared at Bacchus, he smiled lazily at the terrible scene, munching on a Dorito chip.

This... this was why Piper had lashed out like she did after Jason died. “You don’t care because you’re a god. You’ll go back to Olympus after you free the Oracles, so what does it matter? You’re using us to get what you want, like all the other gods.” 

She’d seen it before. She knew that the gods didn’t care, that the gods would just use her and her friends, never mind the destruction we left in our wake, not caring about the aftermath.

Not caring that her friend had almost died for a god’s sick amusement.

Not caring that he did die, on a quest that wasn’t even his.

No wonder she hadn’t wanted to see me after that. No wonder she wanted me to leave and never return. At this moment, I didn’t want me around. I didn’t want the reminder of all I had been, of all I had done. Of all I hadn’t done.

My mouth felt dry and sandpapery as I gazed up at the vile being lounging in the Emperor’s seat. He revulsed me.

No... the entire attitude of gods towards the demigods, towards our children, our FAMILY revulsed me. I couldn’t pretend that it was just Bacchus. Most of us had this attitude, this utter disregard for anyone who wasn’t in our weight class. If they weren’t strong enough to seriously harm us, and we weren’t personally attached to them, then why should we care about their lives at all? They were pawns to use and discard as we pleased.

This HAD TO END. It wasn’t enough to just change myself. That would NEVER be enough. For the first time I truly appreciated what Percy had said after the Second Titan War, when he turned down godhood, and asked us to grant his wish instead. I had been annoyed that he would presume to bind us, that he would have the AUDACITY to tell us how to treat our children and each other, though I secretly agreed with him.

But now?

Now I understood. We had been monsters, only barely better than the beings we had rebelled against. I couldn’t blame Luke or any of the other demigods from rebelling. When the people who should care about you, your family barely acknowledges your existence, uses you as they please and throws you away, anyone who promises a better future, a way out, sounds tempting. The alternative was to continue the status quo, and the status quo was intolerable.

Percy had done the best he could, forcing us to send help for our children, to bring them to camp, and to actually claim them. But it wasn’t enough. We had obeyed his wish to the letter, and things HAD improved, but there was still a long way to go.

We had to change. All of us gods. We had to start treating demigods better - and not only our own children, but other gods’ children as well. They were NOT our playthings. They were PEOPLE. They were FAMILY. It was time we started treating them as such.

Time moved forwards, as it inevitably does. Ephialtes raised both halves of his spear above past!Percy’s and Jason’s heads as they lay on the ground, weaponless, barely able to move.

Meg screamed up at Bacchus, fear coloring her face, but her voice quivering with anger, “Help them NOW, you STUPID GOD. They’ll DIE!”

“He won’t help yet,” Percy growled, his voice low and even. I wished he had yelled. It would have been less terrifying. “He doesn’t care.”

“Then how...?” I croaked. I could see no way out of this without outside help.

Then I looked up.

“Oh.”

Ephialtes hadn’t noticed. Otis tried to warn him, but his head still wasn’t full reformed, so it came out as, “Uh-umh-mooo!” which wasn’t very comprehensible.

Ephialtes couldn’t understand him either. “Don’t worry, brother!” he proclaimed, his eyes fixed on both of the demigods, and unfortunately for him, NOT on the sky. “I will make them suffer!”

“Actually,” past!Percy said,” Look behind you.”

Percy and Jason rolled out of the way just before the Argo II fired its first shot at Ephialtes. It didn’t destroy him, but it left him charred and exhausted on the ground. Otis wasn’t much better. He was still trying to gather himself together, but he looked like burnt oatmeal from the arms down.

The ship descended to the ground, Leo at the helm, Hazel and Frank grinning by his side. I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. Of course Leo had come through - when had he not?

past!Percy turned around and yelled insults at Bacchus, still lounging in the emperor’s box. Perhaps not the smartest thing to do, but it was satisfying to watch. “Well? Was that entertaining enough for you, you wine-breathed little-”

“No need for that,” Bacchus cut him off. “I have decided that you are worthy partners for this combat.”

“Partners? You did nothing!” both Jason and I yelled. I blinked, startled. I guess we thought alike at times.

Bacchus strolled over to the pile of Otis mush. Bacchus smacked him with his pinecone staff, disintegrating him completely. The crowd cheered wildly, as if Bacchus had accomplished some great feat, instead of smacking an immobile and helpless opponent with a stick.

He strolled and strutted over to the other giant, basking in the adoration of the crowd. I felt sick. What was he trying to prove? And to who? Everyone had seen what had really happened. Percy and Jason had done most of the work, while the Argo II had finished them off. The ONLY reason Bacchus was required at this point, was because of the technical requirement that a god and demigod had to work together to defeat a giant. He hadn’t done anything great, or worthy of applause. He’d barely done anything at all!

As Bacchus raised his pinecone staff (a stupid-looking weapon if ever I had seen one, but I had learned better than to insult other gods’ symbols of power to their face), the crowd roared “DO IT!”

Ephialtes yelled in a panic, “DON’T DO IT!” but Bacchus wasn’t about to listen to him. He tapped Ephialtes on the nose. He instantly crumbled to ashes.

The crowd in the stadium cheered and threw confetti. Bacchus strode around triumphantly, arms open, basking in the applause. “That, my friends, is a show! And of course I did something. I killed two giants!”

Who was he trying to convince? He certainly wasn’t convincing the demigods. THEY had done all the work, had endured all the danger, while he just lounged around. And yet he wanted the credit. Saying that he had killed the giants may technically be correct, but he was exaggerating his role, making it seem like he had done more than he actually had.

Exaggerating his role...

I had done much the same thing over the years, spreading tales of what I had done that weren’t strictly accurate. I had told myself at the time that they were essentially true, even if they weren’t technically true. I hadn’t quite been able to fool myself.

I misrepresented the truth sometimes. Partly I did this to spread a certain reputation around, be seen in a certain way. I didn’t think the truth was enough, so I’d spin things to make myself come off differently.

Sometimes though, I was really lying to MYSELF. After I had defeated Python, I had declared how easily I had bested him, that a single arrow from my quiver had turned him to dust. This wasn’t to make myself look better to my brethren, though I told myself that that was the purpose. Hearing the TRUE story, how I had fought and struggled, had almost been destroyed several times throughout our battle, but had won in the end, would arguably have been more impressive.

But that wasn’t what I had WANTED to happen. I WANTED to tell myself that I had easily destroyed Python, that he didn’t haunt my nightmares, that I didn’t flinch when I heard the rustle of scales on stone. It was my way of rewriting history, of coping with the trauma of that battle.

And I just... kept on doing it. when reality didn’t line up with my needs or desires, I told myself that it was different. That was why I had my motivational pep talk, you are gorgeous and people love you. It was an attempt to persuade myself that it was true.

What did it say about Bacchus that he was attempting something similar, trying to persuade himself that he had been more impressive, had done more than he really had? Perhaps we weren’t so different, in the end.

Still, regardless of his personal issues, he should NOT have taken them out on these young demigods. They had enough on their plates already.

The Argo II landed, Leo, Hazel, and Frank leaving the ship. Piper and Nico struggled down from the emperor’s box as best they could, until they reached the rest of their friends. The Colosseum which had only moments ago held a roaring crowd (granted, mostly of ghosts, but still a crowd) slowly dissolved into mist.

“Well, that was fun,” Bacchus said, looking satisfied. “You have my permission to continue your journey.”

“Your permission?” past!Percy snarled. I had much the same reaction. They didn’t need Bacchus’s approval. Besides, if he HAD stopped them, Gaea would have destroyed us.

“Yes, though your voyage may be a little harder than you expect, son of Neptune.”

“Poseidon,” Percy corrected. “What do you mean about my voyage?”

It seemed that Percy had already moved on from his fury. Of course he had. This was typical for gods; he hated it, but he would be used to it by now.

“You might try the parking lot behind the Emmanuel Building. Best place to break through. Now, good-bye, my friends. And, ah, good luck with that other little matter.”

Bacchus vanished.

What was he talking about, Percy’s journey being harder? Not for the first time, I wished that I had paid more attention to the world around me while I was trapped on Delos. But seeing the pain Artemis was going through, aware of what her Hunters were going through, but unable to intervene, had dissuaded me from doing so. I had been miserable enough as it was.

The world vanished. We were back at Camp Jupiter.

Percy turned to face me, his eyes stormy and full of resolve. He put his hand on my shoulder, looking me squarely in the eye. “Promise me,” he stated. “Promise me that when you regain your godhood you will never do what Bacchus just did. Promise that you won’t just stand aside and use us as your entertainment. That you’ll value our lives.”

A promise, oh-so-similar to the one Jason had extracted from me on the day he died.

How could I not give my word?

I stared back into Percy’s eyes. Beneath the undercurrent of anger, I could sense how tired he was, how afraid that this would all be for not. That even after all that had happened, history would repeat. That the gods would continue on their path. That he and his friends would be toyed with again by those who were ostensibly on his side.

“I promise. If I regain my godhood, I will fight to stop the gods from using demigods only to throw you away. I will not allow this to continue if it is in my power to change it for the better. And I will not forget the worth of a mortal life, nor will I toy with them for my own amusement. How we treated you demigods was wrong. You are our family. We should have treated you as such.”

Percy held my gaze a moment longer, searching for sincerity in my words. Finally he nodded. I saw a sliver of cautious hope enter his eyes.

I took the opportunity to do something I should have done a long time ago.

“I’m sorry.”

Percy looked back at me, surprised. “For what?”

“I shouldn’t have treated you and Grover so badly, back during Grover’s birthday. I sent you two to retrieve my wayward automaton. That should’ve been MY responsibility. I completely ignored your objections, convinced that my needs outweighed yours. To make it worse, I threatened Grover. I saw that memory recently. I was a tool. I won’t do it again, force demigods and satyrs to take on a quest that should have been MY responsibility. It was wrong.”

Percy’s expression softened slightly. “Thanks. Make sure to apologize to Grover too, alright? He’s the one whose birthday was ruined, and he was the one you scared.”

“I will, next time I see him. I’ve got a long list of people I need to make amends to.”

“You do that.”

As he walked out the door, Percy paused and looked back at me. “Oh, and Apollo? I stand by what I said at camp. You HAVE changed.”

He went out the door.

A warm glow filled my chest. Before I hadn’t been thrilled to hear that I had changed. I didn’t want the reminder that I was less than perfect, that I could change like any human. But now? I could think of no greater compliment.

I had changed. I would ensure the other gods changed as well. They had to. I couldn’t let our neglect and abuse carry on. Not anymore. Never again would I sit on the sidelines. 

I would keep my promises to both Jason and Percy.

And I would remember.

[tossertozier]

Could you describe Stan a little for me? I keep hearing everyone saying he's so much more of a complex character, but the more that I can only pick up is that (adorable) peculiar sense of humor. If you have the time, please and thank you jay☺️

Me, clapping: I. LOVE. STAN. URIS. HERE’S. WHY.

No people are right because stan is complicated and actuallybecoming my favorite of the gang to write which is hilarious to me because atthe beginning when I was planning &tfat I literally said to myself “whatthe hell do I do with stan” bc when I reread IT the first time I was MUCH morehyperfocused on the adult plot which… you know.

I was stress-t trying to figure out his plot in that fic bc Iwas worried if I didn’t give him enough business I would get hate for anti-Semitismafjdslk;kdlsjand now I could write chapters about stan doing absolutely nothing because themore I think about him the more I’m literally in love with him.

I think part of why I’m so emotionally dedicated to stanpatbecause the only description of him as an adult is through the completelyin-love gaze of his wife which MOM AND DAD. Which like, narratively thatchapter, to me, is set up so you understand just how happy and in love they areso that when the end of that chapter hits you you as a reader have to say “whaton earth would make a guy with a life like that end it-“ and get scareder? Which.Fuck man.

But when I started rereading the kid bits I was like “this perfectbeautiful business child who I raised? my actual son?”

Stan is a logical person. At the same time, when he’s comingto understand the world around him I think he’s very much a perceiver and not ajudger… but a hard perceiver like if there’s an opposite of rose-tinted lenseshe’d have them. He has hard-core reality glasses. In all three canons, which isinteresting. He literally saw that painting come alive in the movie and he waslike “that logically cannot have happened so it didn’t. that’s not. Real.” And sortof the same in the book? Which. For a 13 year old that’s something, but for an11 year old, that’s ASTOUNDING.

But add to that in the book even as an 11 year old herepeatedly goes out of his way to make the world around him better. You mighthave heard that he leads the charge to clean bev’s bathroom but it’s hard tosum it up without just reading that section. He’s so sweet to her and reallydoes it so she knows she’s not alone, and pays for the laundry. He’s a kid butwith a logical mind and a heart of actual gold and you’re :’D. described in the book and is actually the world’s smallest adult. especially bc he was only like 5′ 7″ canonically. actually small dad. 

And then there’s his active personality, which is somewhat reclusive.You get the feeling this kids keeps to himself, he’s a boy scout, he likesnature and he likes to be alone. he likes to be control of his emotions. But he’sliterally eleven. He can’t always do that.

His thing with control is interesting, because his OCD to meisn’t like. Dirt and stuff, for the most part (only if it were let be andbecame extremely aggravated) it’s actually just about how much control he has overhis surroundings. that was the thing that really bothered him about IT, being dirty and not knowing where he was - having no control over what was going on. 

and EVEN when he emotionally breaks down from the stress (AND HE’S 11) he literally is sobbing and telling everyone he’s fine. partially because he knows he’s physically fine and partially bc he probably didn’t want their help to even him out. i think he’s a person who has to cope things himself, like if he’s in his feelings he’ll deal with it alone. 

& then ALL of that and he’s still genuinely prettyhumble. even in my stories, esp. if we’re in eddie’s pov, can be described asarrogant or smug. But actually looking at it thru my POV and not eddies, stan tome is 100% one of those guys who’s so completely aware of his flaws… andeveryone else’s. actual “i’m garbage but so is everyone else” meme. patty says when he applied for his first job out of college he never thought he’d get it. my son. 

and then there’s also his like friendly-personality in the book. he’s literally. goofy. like i imagine once you get to know him he’s just. silly. i have him throwing out random references and completely bizarre facts and humor. it’s funny, bc a lot of posts have richie being like ajkdsl;fjL; XD RANDOM THING and stan being like No. but in the book stan throws out something completely strange and richie’s like “what.” and in his narration he says “stan didn’t seem to have much of a sense of humor and the one he did have was strange.” (i think richie is much more situationally gifted with comedy i don’t think he’d be either random or really chaotic with his humor. but that’s tea for another time.) and he’s genuinely nice to the new kids and people he comes across. wheras, again for example, richie is rude to random kids for literally no reason sfadkj;lds (that kid ended up being an asshole anyway but still) {richie is super nice to others tho. he just likes who he likes.} i don’t think he’s particularly outgoing. but he’s nice. and comforting to be around. and sees you exactly as you are, and doesn’t judge you for that. i love HIM 

[redditnosleep]

Leprechauns Are NOTHING Like The Way They're Portrayed In America

by Dariuspilgrim

I own a pub in Boston, but St. Patrick's Day is honestly my least favorite day of the year. Sure, it’s great for business; but I just can’t stand all the drunken assholes draped in green, swigging Guinness, filling the jukebox with Dropkick Murphys songs, and loudly proclaiming their Irish ancestry to anyone who will listen. “Plastic Paddies” we call call em’. The kind of people who go to Ireland as tourists and get mad that it isn’t “Irish” enough, as if they expect the entire island to be a theme park of stereotypes.

I just can’t stomach it. So I have a little tradition of my own. On March 17 of every year, I leave my pub in the capable hands of my manager, go to the LEAST Irish bar I can find, and spend the day alone getting drunk and watching NCAA tournament games.

This year I choose a little sushi bar in Chinatown. There’s a few green streamers above the bar and a Celtics poster on the wall, but that’s it. The music is quiet, the TVs even quieter. The staff barely speaks English; it’s perfect.

I settle into a stool, order a bud heavy, and stare at the TV. The bar is pretty much deserted. An asian couple sits a few seats to my left, sipping heineken and scarfing sushi. To my right, minding his own business all the way at the end of the bar, is a guy in a red hoodie with a glass of wine in front of him. It’s an idyllic setting to pass the time on my most hated holiday.

But my peace doesn’t last long. About a half hour in, the door to the bar bursts open and a parade of twenty-something women stream in. They’re all decked out in matching green “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” shirts, covered in green beads and wearing those headbands that look like alien antennas with shamrocks on the end of springs.

“Oh fer fucks sake,” I hear the man in the corner groan.

“Ohmigod...sushi and shots!” one of them yells, and they all start shrieking. The room breaks into chaos as fifteen women simultaneously try to explain how to make an Irish car bomb to a bartender who barely speaks English. Then the selfies start. They strike up a round of “Shipping Off to Boston,” … but the chorus is the only part of the song they know. And they sing it over, and over, and over while each of them takes turns filming for snapchat. They’re completely oblivious to anyone else in the restaurant.

I watch the asian couple to my left pay their bill and flee, and I’m ready to do the same, except I’ve just ordered a new beer and don’t want to waste it. One of the girls slams into the back of my chair as I’m trying to chug it down and I spill all over my shirt. No one apologizes or even acknowledges me. I pick up my beer and retreat to the corner, plopping down next to man in the red hoodie.

“Quite a crowd,” I say to him.

He scoffs: “Bunch of Manufactured Micks. These tarts couldn’t find Ireland on a map if their lives depended on it.” He speaks with a slight brogue.

“Are you Irish then?”

“Aye, I suppose you might say.”

“You don’t have much of an accent.”

He takes a sip of of his wine. “Been here a long time, long enough to lose most of it anyway.”

On the other side of the bar, one of the girls, now quite drunk, yells at the bartender to turn off the music. She plays “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced” at full volume from her phone speakers, and they try to sing along. None of them know the words.

“Oh, that shites terrible. No Irishman would listen to that. Plain awful that is.”

“I’m with you. Came here for some peace and quiet, but it seems the green terror follows me everywhere I go.”

“Man after me own heart. Sláinte,” he says, and we clink glasses. “Thing these young wans don’t realize is in Ireland, St. Patrick’s day is a solemn religious holiday, lacking in all this debauchery. Or at least it used to be. I hear they ham it up now to keep the tourists happy. They’ve americanized and Irish holiday in Ireland. Ironic, no?”

I nod.

“Not that I go in fer any of it,” he says. “It’s all a bunch of horse shit. ‘Saint’ Patrick… pah. He wasn’t even Irish! He was a bloody Roman citizen from the province of Britannia!”

“Don’t like the Catholics then?” I ask. “Are you Protestant? Is that why you aren’t wearing green?”

He spits on the floor. “You colorblind, mate? Does my shirt look orange? No. Catholic, Protestant… they’re all a bunch of cunts. I follow the old ways.”

“Sorry, I meant no offence. Let me buy you a drink,” I say. He nods. I wave over the bartender.

“Two more please?’

“...Two?” he says.

“Yeah, two. A bud for me and a wine for my friend here.”

“...OK.”

I turn back to my new friend in the red hood and extend my hand. “The name’s Sean,” I say. He shakes it.

“I’m Ólta.”

“That must be an Irish name?”

He laughs.

“It’s a Gaellic word, aye. Watch this though.” He nods to a young woman down the bar. She hoists a giant mug of Guinness and just as the glass reaches her lips, a leak springs in the side, pouring a fountain of the black stuff straight down her blouse. She screams, slams down the cup, and starts yelling at the bartender. Ólta and I have a good laugh.

“How did you know that was going to happen?”

“Because I caused it,” he snickers. That doesn’t make much sense, since he hasn’t moved from his stool, but I let it go. “So what do you do for a living, Sean?”

“I own a bar… an Irish pub actually. So this right here…” I wave my hand at the chaotic scene around us, “is my life 364 days a year. I’ve made it a personal tradition to escape on St. Paddy's and find a quiet bar to drink and watch the basketball games.”

“No joy this year, eh?”

“It’s pretty tough to get away from it in this city.”

Suddenly there’s a gleam in his eye. “Watch this,” he says. He nods at another drunken young woman. She leans back in her stool and the whole thing comes apart. She tumbles to the ground screaming. Her friends flock around her like geese and help her from the pile of broken stool and spilled Guinness. They start yelling at the bartender again, asking him what the hell kind of place he’s running. Ólta and I are cracking up.

“Well, this is proving far more entertaining than I expected… how about another round?” I ask.

“Aye, I’ll get this one.” He pulls a small red purse from his hoodie pocket. It looks like an old antique of some sort. From it he pulls a large silver coin which he slaps down on the bar. It’s covered in writing I cannot read.

“Uhh.. I don’t think they’ll accept that,” I say.

“No?” He waves his hand over the coin, and now it’s a fifty dollar bill. He slides it over to me.

“You’re just full of tricks, aren’t ya?”

“You have no idea,” he says smiling. “Another round, and how bout some shots of Bushmills. And tell him he can keep the change.”

I order. The bartender seems confused, but his apprehension disappears when I tell him the left over cash is his.

“And here’s the kicker,” says Ólta. His hand is on the bar. He lifts it to reveal the silver coin, still there under his palm. He flips it into the air and catches it in his purse, which he slides back into his hoodie pocket.

“How the hell did you do that?”

“Easy,” he says. “I’m a Clurichaun.”

I laugh, and decide to humor him. The Irish are known for their wit. “What is that, like a Leprechaun?”

“Why, are you after me lucky charms?” he says, chuckling.

“No, I--”

“Just kidding. No, mate. We’re different. Leprechauns are like our… cousins. We don’t mend shoes or grant wishes; instead we drink.” He raises his shot glass and downs it.

“But not Guinness? Or red ale or something?”

“You bloody Americans and your Guinness… No, that’s a myth. Ale is for peasants. You leave a pitcher of ale out for me and you’ll find all sorts of things start going wrong in your pub. We drink wine; have been for thousands of years. Grapes were the one good thing the Vikings brought with them.”

“I see… so, the pots of gold at the end of rainbows?”

“Another myth, obviously. Though Leprechauns do like themselves a hoard of gold. But try and take it from em’ and you’ll be in for a big surprise. They aren’t as cute and cuddly as the cartoons make them out to be.

“Leprechauns, Clurichauns, Far Darrig… we’re all Aos Sí--‘The Good Neighbors,’ the ‘Fair Folk’--like elves or fairies I suppose you call them here. Descended from the mighty Tuatha Dé Danann. Defeated and chased into exile in the mounds by the Milesians, your ancestors, the mortal forefathers of the Irish people. We are a majestic and noble race and… wait, watch this.”

He nods at the bartender, who holds a glass under the guinness tap. When he pulls the handle, the entire tap breaks apart and guinness shoots from it like a geyser, hitting the bartender in the face and sending him careening backward into the back bar. A cascade of bottles fall, shattering everywhere. Cooks and the manager come running out from the back and everyone is screaming at each other in Chinese and trying to stop the flow of guinness as the girls laugh and lean over the bar, refilling their glass from the raging spout.

“Oh yes, so very noble,” I say to my red hood-ied friend.

He shrugs. “Hey, gotta have a little fun once in awhile.”

“So, I see the mischief making part is no myth?”

“No mate, that’s best part.”

“So you’re a fairy?” I say.

“Well, not in the way you Americans use the word, but aye.”

“Aren’t you supposed to live in the Otherworld? Only visible at twilight on halloween or something?”

“Ohh, an educated man I see,” he says. “Mostly right, but I get a pass for St. Paddy’s. Something about reparations for the thousands of years or persecution and genocide perpetrated against my people by the Catholic church. And only those of Irish descent can see me. Which is why the bartender keeps looking at you funny every time you order two drinks.”

I had noticed that. This was starting to get very strange. “OK… if you say so. But, you’re a lot bigger than I expected.”

“Oh, I can shrink if I want to.”

“Shouldn’t you be wearing green and dancing a jig.”

“Few more of these,” he raises his wine glass, “and I’ll start twerking if you want me to. As for the wearing of green: it’s another common misconception. Trooping fairies wear green. Those flamboyant poofs, trouncing around in big processions wearing fancy costumes, ya ken?. Clurichauns are solitary fairies--like Leprechauns, Brownies, and Hobgoblins. Solitary fairies wear red. We’re the ones you don’t want to mess with. You takin’ notes boyo?”

“Riiiight,” I say. I stand up and put on my coat.

“Where ya goin’, mate?”

“It’s been fun, pal. But I really can’t listen to any more of your delusional bullshit. It was entertaining for awhile, but you’re clearly insane. I’m going to go check on my bar, and then I’m going home to sleep off this buzz. You have yourself a great evening.”

“Well, great. Let’s go,” he says and stands up from his stool. He’s got to be four-foot-eleven at the very most.

“Where do you think your going?”

“I’m coming with you of course.”

“Oh no you’re not.”

“I most certainly am. You seem like a good bloke, and you’ve got a pub! Sounds like I’ve found my new home. Make sure you leave a bottle of red wine uncorked for me every night, and no cheap shite! I’m talking top shelf. And I’ll take my dinner at 8PM, sharp like. I prefer beef, but mutton will do in a pinch.”

“Whatever pal,” I say and walk out the door, letting it slam shut behind.

Ólta walks right through the door and matches my pace.

“Listen, you won’t be coming anywhere near my bar.”

“Oh yeah?” he says smiling. “Just try and stop me.”