#i did some math and looks like this princess needs at least 4 beds

[smimon]

okay i know you probably have enough drawing ideas for giant k but i just had this idea invade me.

you know how in snow white (not just the disney version) she pushes together the beds and sleeps on like 3 or more of them sideways? anyway giant k sleeping on 3 beds pushed together. and now i'm just picturing giant k as snow white and everyone else as the various dwarves

Ohoho big brain!!! 👀👀👀 Big brain. I love this idea so much and not just because Snow White is my favourite fairy tale hdjsbdbdfh

Thank you!!! Of course I have to draw it and not just once, let's make it into a comic! Let's gooo

Giant K series #16: once upon a time, in a land far, far away...

To be continued 😉

[doll-r-t]

The Lost Pearl Par 10

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

Can't seem to be able to write rn. This was supposed to be longer but I am so exhausted. Hopefully I can actually write tomorrow just did not want to leave you guys hanging. I PROMISE NEXT CHAPTERS WILL BE MORE ACTION. Chapter 9 and 10 and some of 11 should have been one Chapter but I am struggling a bit rn

Masterlist

gif cred to owner

As soon as Cella and Syverson were gone you made your way down to where the hawks were kept. You asked the guard which one was available and he helped you tie your letter to its leg before sending it off. No matter how much you thought about the resource problem the Woodland people were facing you could not come up with a solution. So you had decided you wrote to your father laying down everything that has happened since you arrived. You felt a bit bad you had not bothered to write him before and now you only wrote in hopes that he would take action and help your new allies out. Breathing in deeply you walked back towards the palace, you just hoped that this would be the last of the bad news the Woodland people would have for a while. You spent the rest of the day, doing Cella’s chores. The cook and the maids looked at you in wonder but you had followed Cella around watching her do all her chores so you were more than capable of doing it. A maid had come over to you telling you there was no need to do them but you insisted. There was no sense in you sitting around waiting for the Lady of Warhorse to come back so you may resume your lessons. You had to keep busy. 

Rosamund and you settled into a routine of doing chores together and taking small walks to get some fresh air and her strength up. The guards Syverson assigned you followed you everywhere but you did not mind. You were used to it. At home, you had at least two with you at all times. While you were walking to the town you could not help but notice a change in the people toward you. Before they were not necessarily rude or disliked you, but they were distant and careful of newcomers. Now they stopped in the streets to greet you, bowing their head or giving you small gifts. You did not quite understand why but Gisla had informed you that it was the people’s way of thanking you for saving Rosamund. Yet, what she did not tell you is what the people called you. They claimed in you the daughter of the moon had risen again, Princess Y/N keeper of moonlight. You walked to the tall tree you and Rosamund had set under weeks ago where you had found her crying. You pulled out a book and Rosamund began to read, once in a while you corrected her. You had started to teach Rosamund to read better and write as well as history, more advanced math, and different dialects. She was a clever girl eager to learn whatever she could. You should have told your father to send you some more books. You were running out. Since her accident, Rosamund had calmed down a bit more, but she also became more attached to you. One time she had a nightmare her maid had brought her to you. She would not calm down and asked for you. You tucked her into your bed got her some sweet tea and read with her, she had fallen asleep cuddled next to you. You would miss this. You had come to love the little girl like your own and even though you would be here for a while still you feared how you would fare when you would leave. You missed the sea and the warmth of the sun back home but you certainly would miss Cella, Rosamund, and Syverson too. As well as Ocre and Gisla. Your mind started to wander, thinking back on your last conversation with Syverson. How the pearl bounced off his dark chest hair and tan skin. It reminded you of the seaweed on the water contrasting so starkly to the light reflection on the water. You loved the sight and you liked it. Your hand subconsciously drifted to your own chest, where the pearl usually settled between your breast. You stroked the skin there remembering imagining if his chest hair would be as soft as your skin there. Would the pearl feel cool against his skin? Would he feel it tangled up with his chest hair? Rosamund rolled around ripping you out of your thoughts. You could feel your face heating up at your thoughts. Why had you thought about that? You pushed all the thoughts aside readjusting your position and trying to sleep. 

The next day, all thoughts of Syverson have been pushed away and you resumed your routine. The ringing of a horn rang out breaking your routine. You saw the servants collecting some wine and bread and walking out the front of the palace. You followed them looking at what was happening. You saw the blond hair swaying in the wind and the broad smile of the woman on the horse. You were about to call for Rosamund when she ran out jumping down the stairs. Cella was dismounting her horse running to Rosamund. She picked her up twirling with her. You adored the picture. When you first came to Warhorse you were uncomfortable with their open display of affection. You no longer looked away, awkward and uncomfortable. You enjoyed the happiness you saw. Cella and Rosamund came up the stairs. Before she took the wine Cella came to you. It took you a second to lift your arms hugging her back. Even though you did not judge their affection it was still somewhat uncomfortable to be on the receiving end. She pulled back smiling at you for a second before taking the wine and bread. Rosamund was sneaking a piece of the tray too. You lifted an eyebrow at her and she just giggled burring her head in your skirt. You put an arm around her smiling softly at the girl. Once the welcome ceremony was over you ushered them both inside. You asked one of the servants to run Cella a bath and sent Rosamund to do her reading for the day. Cella had observed how you walked around Warhorse as if you owned it. She was not sure what to think about it. She felt relief that everything and everyone was okay but she could not help and feel adverse to a stranger being in control of her house. It made her realize that once she was married she would no longer be the Lady of Warhorse. She would no longer run it. And seeing another woman do it made her feel uncomfortable. She thought about the woman who would take her place, she had not yet a face, not knowing who will marry Syverson and when. She always thought she would teach the woman to give over the mantle before leaving and marrying. But Syverson seemed to have no interest in getting married, not even entertaining the thought or thought about getting to know a woman. Cella looked at you again, her eyebrows furrowed, deep in thought. You both walked towards Cella’s room. A servant was already preparing a bath, walking into the room once in a while to fill the tub. You sat down watching Cella shed her coat and open up her hair more. “Is there any news?” You asked. She stopped unlacing her boats for a second. “It does not look good.” You averted your eyes. “The barn storing our grain and winter food was completely burned down.” She hesitated for a moment, trying to get her riding dress off. You got up untying the strings holding the dress up. “There is something else on your mind Cella.” You looked into her blue eyes, so like Syversons. “You don’t need to tell me but you can. It will not leave this room.” She suddenly hugged you again. “Thank you, my friend.” Your lips twitched leaning into her. It made you feel warm in your chest. “There was something off about the fire.” She leaned back her eyes big and wild looking. A nervousness settled into you. “You do not think it was an accident.” It was not a question and Cella just nodded. “It was the way the shed burned down, and only that. Together with some animals missing it is weird.” She turned taking off the rest of her clothing and to step into the warm water. You left her to her bath, taking her clothing to get washed. Someone was targeting the food resources. Your stomach sunk and your mind started to race with a million questions. Your thoughts wandered to Syverson again. You hoped he was okay. 

You wanted to turn around and ask Cella about Syverson and if he was okay but it was not relevant. If something had happened to him it would have already traveled to Warhorse. And anything else was non of your business you had already taken too much space around here. You had to stop attaching yourself to any kind of power position you can find and start accepting what you are. You remembered the letter you had sent to your father explaining to him what had happened and wished you could take it back. It was not appropriate for you to tell, but then on the other side were you not here to observe? You felt exhausted and it was not even evening. 

In the following days, you pulled back little by little distancing yourself from Cella and even Rosamund. You had to. The power had gotten to you, you were practically walking around the place as if you owned it. You had seen the look on Cella’s face when you ordered the people around. You had not let it get to you at first, brushing it off as another person who did not see you as a woman in power. But then you realized it was not your place to be in power. And no matter how much you wished you were it was not your reality. If Cella had seen the change in you she did not let it show. You still gave her lessons and followed her around but now you were more of an instructor a shadow again instead of a companion. You spent more time in your room again, reading and writing letters to Aishwarya, asking her about your family and nephew. You felt bad that you had up and left and did not even bother to write them letters. It was not their fault that you were who you were. 

The next time you heard the horn sound was a week later. You did not know that you would hear a third horn sound in a couple of days. Cella, Rosamund, and you went outside immediately. The riders of Syverson and him were approaching the wooden gate. You felt your heart speed up. The servants came out carrying trays of wine and bread for Syverson and his men. It took a couple of minutes before Syverson appeared behind the houses riding towards Warhorse.

Taglist:

Thanks to all the people on the taglist and people commenting. For some reason my taglist is not working again dunno why.

@lunedelorient, @tumblnewby, @irishprincess89 @wheretheriversrunintothesea @amberangel112@sofiebstar @omgkatinka @daddys-littlewhitegirl @pjkimrn @snowbellexx @zealoushound @tragicphoenix13 @alexa-fangirl-forever @vhjlucky13 @bourbonwithice

[j-pankratz]

The Slumber that Creeps to Me

Geraskefer. 7208 Words. Rated T.  Jaskier pulls an extreme all-nighter (read: 60+ hours) to finish a paper he procrastinated on, and finds at the end of it that sleep does not come as easily as he’d hoped. Tags for: Sleep Deprivation, Self Destruction/Lack of Self Care, Hallucinations, Nightmares, Overstimulation, Hurt/Comfort, Whumping the Bard, very loving partners, and a happy ending. <3 AO3 link in the reblog!

As with most disasters spurned by his own cockiness, Jaskier felt as thought that all in all, the situation could have been worse.

The idea to have Geralt and Yennefer spend the spring holiday break at Oxenfurt was, in his defense, ingenious. His students weren’t around, the weather was gorgeous, they all had varying degrees of business in the city, and they could fuck each other senseless at any hour of the day. In a bed. A nice one, provided he was a legitimate professor, now. Well, visiting. Well, it was complicated. But they were his rooms, and that’s what mattered.

When Jaskier gotten the prestigious offer to write the season’s main article for the Continent’s most respected Bardic Journal, he’d just sort of figured he’d… fit it in, somewhere. He had seventeen months, which was plenty enough for him. Then he’d just work with the editors, and have a centerfold piece. It was an honor. He was excited about it! He’d meant to get to it sooner, but decided the summer before that he’d devote the winter to it. But… he’d… he’d been distracted. It wasn’t often the entire family gathered at Kaer Morhen. So, he thought, he’d do it later.

But the first few weeks after winter were, of course, spent with Geralt. And the week after that, a trip to the coast, where he’d played a festival and met up with Ciri, who was becoming an amateur critic herself. And then by pure, absolute happenstance, after 3 more weeks of travel he happened to end up at an inn that he definitely hadn’t heard Yennefer was staying at. So that more time gone. And then he’d arrived in Oxenfurt, and he’d really meant to get to work on it, but there was so much to prepare for! He wanted things to be right for them.

And then Yennefer and Geralt had actually arrived, and the idea of anything possibly being more important than their presence flew his mind.

And now, here he was. If he wanted to get it in on time (unfortunately, that wasn’t a suggestion in this case, more of an actual, terrifying requirement,) he’d need to submit it in… gods above, less than three days. 60 hours, if he was doing the math.

There was no word limit, nor a minimum. But, ever the maximalist, he knew it was going to be… long, if he was going to do it right. They’d edit it down, but it was the focal point of the journal, they’d been leading up to it for ages now. Ahh. Well. There was only one thing for it, he supposed.

“I’m working through the night on my paper!” He’d announced that morning, sitting straight up in bed, jostling his sleepy lovers. “No one bother me! I will be at the dining table until further notice!” He swung himself out of bed and made for the door.

“Pants,” his lovers chorused together.

“Right!” he'd said, and marched back into the room.

He’d pulled all-nighters in his youth. In fact, he couldn’t count the times he’d worked through the night, deposited a composition or essay on his professor’s desk with some polite conversation and maybe a wink, and then promptly fallen asleep during the lecture itself. Just a 15-minute power nap, really! Then he’d be back up and at it again, working through another night just to sleep through the weekend. He’d done it before, he could do it again.

Well, it’d been 25 years ago, but that didn’t change much, did it? He still felt spry, agile, hearty— hell, he’d spent the better part of the last twenty odd years chasing after a Witcher, and later an additional princess and mage— surely he should be in better health now!

This was completely accomplishable. Admittedly, he could have written this sooner… but he hadn’t, and here he was.

Geralt and Yennefer both set out early on different errands, leaving the bard to some peace and quiet. Relatively.

He spread his work and references out before him. 7 books, 4 pamphlets, his favorite quills, a hundred fresh pieces of parchments, his lute at his knee. “Alright,” he said aloud to his empty Oxenfurt apartment, “Just sit down and write the damn thing. Sitting part, definitely done. Writing next. Just… write.”

He stared at the page.

“No! No, no, do not be impossible about this. Just start the thing.”

The page stared back.

“Ah, blast,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes. This was fine. Just… do the awful, disgusting part of beginning, and then he’d be off. The sooner he started, the sooner he’d finish, after all! He took a breath, and put his pen to paper.

xx

Yennefer returned a few hours later, a book and small parcel in hand. Jaskier looked up to see her sweep through the room, a commanding presence, though she didn’t acknowledge him yet. A few waves of her hands and a pot of tea was put on to boil, her hair was put in a bun, and three mugs were floating down from a shelf.

“Lovely to see you too,” he smiled as Yennefer poked through the tea collection. He could practically hear her fond eye roll. She neatly plucked two from one box and looked back at him in question. “Ah… peppermint, if we’ve got it?” and she turned back to the cupboard grab it.

“Any progress?” She finally asked.

“A bit, actually!” Jaskier said cheerfully. It didn’t look like much, but he’d done half a page with almost no errors, and he’d made plenty of notes in the margins of the books he’d need later. It was better than he’d hoped it’d be going by this point, at least. He was kicking academia’s ass. Or, he would be.

The kettle whistled and Yennefer poured the tea, bobbing all three of the tea bags up and down as they steeped. He watched her lean against the counter, casual, relaxed, gorgeous, before realizing she was staring back at him. “Um! Yes, no, definitely good. Got a lot of… those words, you know, they are definitely here. Looking very sexy. The words! The writing is looking… very sexy, very curvy… letters. Sensuous words, you know.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Sensuous words.”

“Yeah, yes. Like… contemporaneous… and… iguana.”

“Iguana.” She let out a little huff of a laugh and something in Jaskier’s chest tightened and loosened in quick succession. And in a moment she was there, sliding him a large mug with the carving of a rather playful looking bear on one side, batting at a butterfly.

“Oh! My favorite. Thank you, thank you.”

“Mmm,” she said before waving a hand to cool down their tea a bit. She took a seat opposite him, scanning an eye over the table. “Think you’ll be done by tonight?”

Jaskier laughed. “Darling, I’ll be lucky to be done by tomorrow morning.”

“You’re planning to stay up all night, bard?”

“Unfortunately.” He took a sip. “Should be done by tomorrow afternoon, if I keep steady at it.”

“After tea, of course.”

“Of course.”

Yennefer stretched out a bit, kicking her feet onto Jaskier’s lap and rolling her neck. They sat there a moment, sipping, pausing, drinking in each other. There was something nice about taking a moment of stillness with someone just as frenetic as he was, someone who was usually just as itching for something to do, even if she went about it differently. The grace of choosing stillness, he thought, was not something to ignore.

Yennefer reached the end of her mug and tapped its ceramic walls lightly.

“What’s next for you?”

“I have to refresh my potion stock, so I’ll be at the market for supplies. You sure you don’t want to take a break and join?”

Rat’s ass. He fucking loved the Oxenfurt markets. “I’m afraid I can’t. Academia calls.”

“Who does it call for, exactly? What’s that I hear…” She cocked her head and listened intently. “Who is it calling for… is that… V… Val… Valdo?” Jaskier hefted her feet off of his lap in protest, and she laughed. He plucked his quill from its stopper, and went back to hovering over his paper. Introduction mostly accomplished, now he had to really lead in to his point, give some proper context. He flipped through a book beside him.

Yennefer rose smoothly from the table and went to move her mug to the sink. “When Geralt gets in, tell him I need toadflax and bluebells from him? Might as well put him to use.”

Jaskier flipped through the pages, thumbing through for a note he’d sworn he’d made ages ago, when he belatedly tried to register his mage’s words. He could have his fun, too.

“Blue…Yennefer, you want me to tell Geralt that you need blue balls from him?”

“Bells! Bells, you absolute child!” she said. “Honestly. Blue balls? Really, Jaskier?” He was giggling. “I don’t need to ask to give either of you blue balls.”

“Exactly, Yennefer, you provide that service for us anyway, free of charge!” A balled-up napkin hit him in the head and he laughed joyfully.

“I can’t stand you. I’m leaving, you’ll never see me again.”

Jaskier looked up through his grin and met her twinkling, happy eyes. “Tonight then?”

“Tonight,” she agreed, and left with a quick ruffle of his hair.

xx

“Still working?” Geralt said as greeting later in the afternoon. The desk was neater than Jaskier expected it to be this far in, only a few books open, dog eared and marked in colored ink. He’d written a page and a half since Yennefer left, and it was good, it was, but he’d need to go back and make edits later. His long empty mug of tea sat far across him.

“Mm,” he agreed, continuing to write. “Ah, Yennefer came through earlier,” giving a gesture to the waiting mug of tea on the counter. Geralt made his way over to the mug, and gave it a small igni to warm it. He smiled fondly down at the drink—what a terribly lovely sight he was. Warm here, and safe. Couldn’t it be like this always? The three of them here, comfortable and happy? No, he supposed, but gods how he wanted it.

“She’s at the market now,” Jaskier continued, “wanted me to ask you about...” He lifted his pen and squinted. “Ah, toadflax and bluebells.” He looked up at Geralt, smiling. “Blue balls,” they said together, sporting matching shit-eating grins, Geralt’s albeit much smaller. “I made the same joke myself,” Jaskier added.

Geralt snorted. “How’d she take that?”

“Oh, as well as you’d hope. We’ll never see her again, of course.” He turned back to his work, reading over the last paragraph. He could feel Geralt approach to stand behind him, and while he’d normally shoo his witcher off, he was too deep in concentration to bother.

How long was too long to linger on the progression of oral storytelling to bardship? It’s not like he could ignore it, (Geralt’s hand came to grip his shoulder, a thumb rubbing against it tenderly) as it was a crucial tenant of the argument— but there was plenty to be said for assuming the literacy and foreknowledge of the reader. (He leaned in to get a closer look at Jaskier’s page, the soft warmth of the tea in his other hand bouncing off his chest) But this was to be in a journal often referenced by first years, and he knew how much he would have loved a paper that had everything all in one—

“How’s it going?” Geralt asked softly in his ear.

Jaskier waved a hand over the mess before him. “You know. It’s fine, I’m just not sure at what point I’m lingering on points to excess.”

“Mm,” Geralt hummed understandingly. “Tell the story. Trust your gut.” He gave Jaskier a nuzzle and light kiss against his cheek before taking up the empty mug off the table and walking off further into the apartment.

“I always do!” Jaskier called back. Mm, if only this were as simple as telling a story. Well…Oh—if he spent this paragraph referencing the progression it would end up taking up more room, be a run of the mill lead-in, but if he wrote the actual history as a short story itself, now there was an idea, he could make his point and give the context. Oh, fuck, brilliant—

“Back soon,” Geralt was saying as the front door slipped shut, but the bard was too lost in his work to do more than give a small nod of his head.

The sun was falling, making a graceful bow into the horizon. Warm light spread out over the streets of Oxenfurt like the last pushes of tide, ebbing, and flowing, and sinking back into night.

“Ah, fuck,” Jaskier muttered, crossing out a spelling error with a snarl.

His shoulders ached, and his lower back was going to be the death of him. He was on page 7. All he could see was the work ahead of him, winding off ad infinitum. If he didn’t pick up the pace, he might have to go 60 hours straight—he shivered. Not ideal. He took a breath, stood up and stretched a bit, his muscles groaning in thanks. A quick bathroom break later and he was sliding back into his chair, still warm, his papers grinning up at him, sardonic.

He’d take a meal break at 10 pages, he told himself.

He stood to stretch and his head swam. Well. Plenty of reason to stay seated, he supposed.

Geralt and Yennefer returned at 12 and a half pages. He turned his head in greeting, and when he looked back he got the first real look at the table in hours—it was a disaster, crumbled pieces of parchment, empty quills, and little notes strewn everywhere. Some books propped open, the pile of parchment looking more like a mountain slope, an empty glass from when he’d chugged water hours ago.

His loves were clearly a few drinks deep as they came through the door, and completely unmarred by the woes of academia. Bastards, honestly.

“Hi, hello, hope you had a good evening, I—”

“Come to bed,” Yennefer said, suddenly right behind him. Two small but firm hands came to his shoulders, rubbing deeply.

“Ah! Oh, fuck—oh, yes, darling, right there—”

Geralt came to his other side, tipping his head up for a kiss, which he moaned into. His witcher’s tongue was soft, pleading, tempting him—his mage’s hands pushing almost painfully against his aching muscles. He wanted to cry, it was so good. It was so different than the last… however many hours it had been that he had been sitting here. Geralt pulled away, and Yennefer’s hands came to rest as well.

“So?” Geralt asked, his voice deep and velvety. “Bed?”

“I…” gods, who had he become? “I can’t. I want to, I just—”

Yennefer placed a kiss to the top of his head. “It’s fine,” she said, and he knew it was, but he hated denying them something they all wanted. “Have you eaten?”

Jaskier frowned. “Fuck. Not really.”

Geralt sighed and went to the pantry. “You’re getting a sandwich,” he grumbled.

“Ooo, Geralt, dear heart, would you heat it up? Use some of your,” he wiggled his fingers “your witchery magic?”

Geralt turned and glared. “You’re getting a sandwich.”

“He’s so mean to me,” Jaskier muttered to Yennefer, “I can’t believe he’s so mean to me.”

His mage snorted a laugh into his hair. “You’re really staying up all night, then?” She waved a hand and the curtains around the room swept shut, and his lantern began to burn steadily.

“Looks like it,” he sighed. Geralt retuned a moment later, plated warm sandwich and glass of water in hand.

“Fuck. Thank you.” He took it and took a bite, suddenly ravenous. He looked up at both of them, staring down in fond amusement. “Fank—” he swallowed his mouthful of sandwich. “Thank you both, truly. I’ll be up a bit. If you need something, call, yes?”

They rolled their eyes. “He tells us to call if we need anything,” Yennefer muttered. “Don’t get into any trouble,” she said, and with a peck on the cheek from both of them, they disappeared into the bedroom.

He looked back at his work.

Okay. 12 ½ pages in. He could do this.

x

At 15 pages, he felt ravenous again, and made a second sandwich. Not as good as Geralt’s. Geralt’s sandwiches weren’t even that good, but they were made by Geralt, which added a certain kick, a novelty he adored.

He drank another glass of water and shook his head. Back to work.

At 17 pages, sometimes the world swam before him. He gripped the edge of the table. Fuck.

He was so tired. 23 pages. He kept writing.

It was terrible. The whole paper was a mess. Nothing made sense and people were going to laugh at him. 25 pages.

He heard a sound. Was that Geralt rising for the bathroom? Was it an intruder? Light crept in through the window. 27 pages.

There was a ringing in his ear. His writing was getting increasingly larger. 27 ½ pages.

Geralt gave him a soft nuzzle to the top of his head before padding through to the kitchen. Jaskier’s heart ached. His bones ached. Writing was hard but right then it felt impossible. 27 ¾ pages.

Geralt lingered, and Jaskier felt his nose twitch. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for him to leave. He couldn’t have any distractions right now. He shut his eyes tight until he heard the bedroom door close once more.

Yennefer entered hours later, sweeping the curtains over with a flick of her hand. Bright light flooded the room, painting the desk in all its full, disgustingly messy glory. “Well—”

“Could you ask next time?!” Jaskier snapped. “Some of us need consistency to concentrate!”

Yennefer raised an eyebrow, and they stared at each other. Some part of him wanted to slap himself but the rest was just so irritated. Who’d she think she was, anyway?

After a moment, the mage turned and left with a flick of her hand to sweep the curtains shut again.

“Headed out,” Geralt said at 30 pages. “Contract.”

“Good,” Jaskier muttered. “I mean. Good that you’re—fuck. Whatever.”

Geralt stared. “You need rest. It’s been more than 24 hours.”

“I need to fucking finish.”

“Yen said—”

“I’m sure she did,” Jaskier muttered, driving his heels into his eyes. Gods, his eyes burned. Silence hung.

“She portaled out this morning.”

Jaskier rolled his eyes. “Great. Love that. I’m a fucking disaster, thank you for the reminder, Geralt.” He waved toward the door. “Don’t you have a contract?”

He turned back to his papers, shifting around to look for page 11, and didn’t think about how long it took before Geralt left the apartment.

His hand was shaking but he was at 34 pages. He still had so much to say. Fuck. But he was in it now.

He scarfed down some soup that was mostly broth at some point, and he’d under-salted it, but it was something. His eyes kept going blurry; traitorous things.

The bear on his mug was plotting his downfall.

38 pages and Jaskier felt like the gods themselves had gifted him with the knowledge he now bestowed onto meager commoners. He was a genius.

At 43 pages, he had stopped to lay out the entire essay on the ground, so he could see it all. The words sometimes swam before him, and he had trouble remembering what he was meant to say next. Once, he looked up, confused as to where he was. And then, at 44 pages, the guilt of snapping at his dearest loves, the weight of this behemoth paper he wasn’t even sure he could finish, and his own self-doubt crept in and seized him up, leaving him breathless and in tears for… awhile. Everything hurt. He had to keep going.

At 48 pages, he saw a griffon fly through his window, and he named it Kalvin. He turned whatever color Jaskier wanted him to turn, which was very considerate of him. Kalvin was his only friend now, and with a little convincing, might become his editor, too.

At 55 pages his chest seized, and it was hard to breathe for a moment. He closed his eyes but—no, no, couldn’t do that. If he fell asleep now, he’d never finish in time. He tried to relax, got some water, leaned against the counter. Everything was a mess.

He sat back on the floor, his work around him. Keep going.

“I don’t think there’s anything about anything that I have to be doing right now. Kalvin, you’ve… you’ve got to understand, this could be my finest work! It’s good. It’s pretty good here in… in this part, here. In that other part it’s just okay, but that’s why you come in with your big claws and you’re gonna. Rip up the bad parts. Don’t rip up the good parts. Right? Yeah. Do you think they’ve forgotten about me by now?”

He looked down. 57 pages. Took a long blink.

“Yeah,” he said softly, “That’s fair.

He had to write two extra pages so that he could skirt around referencing Valdo Marx’s work as anything other than a contradictory point. Maybe it would have been fun to use his own writing against him but he didn’t want to give the satisfaction of being referenced positively in a centerfold piece.

He lost the essay.

“Fuck—oh, gods, where did—”

He turned around, looked down. Oh, there it was.

“Thank fuck.”

The curtains were still closed and the charmed lantern was still burning, but Jaskier knew it was night by the time he reached 63 pages and Geralt came in.

Jaskier looked up from his spot kneeling on the floor. Geralt looked fine. He was a little dirty. There were some gushy bits. Probably blood. He was tired. Or just mad. Maybe he hated Jaskier.

“You’re still—?!” Geralt asked, looking at Jaskier like he’d just said a griffon named Kalvin had flown in the window earlier and now they were friends.

“I met a griffon,” Jaskier heard himself say. Geralt stared. “We’re friends now.”

“…You need to fucking sleep.”

“No.” Jaskier went back to the margin he’d devoted to drawing circles in. “Sorry ‘bout earlier.”

Geralt sighed. He might have talked but Jaskier didn’t hear, just kept writing.

“How often has that been happening?” he heard Geralt ask.

“What happening?”

“Where you fall asleep for a moment.”

“I haven’t! Fallen asleep.”

“Fuck,” Geralt said. He looked very nice, except for the goop all over him. Well. Even that wasn’t so bad, when the underneath bits were Geralt. His Geralt. Looked so warm, so strong, so able to carry him.

“Later,” Jaskier replied, and went back to his words. The familiar pop of a portal sounded in the bedroom. Their eyes lingered on the direction it came from, but Yennefer didn’t open the door. They looked at each other, and then back at the door which remained very much shut. “She’s mad.”

“Yep.”

“At me.”

“Yep.”

There was a pause. “Are you covered in blood?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Oh.”

“Not mine.”

“That,” he said pointing to the Witcher, “is good.”

“Mmm.”

“Sticky though.”

“Definitely sticky.”

Yennefer came out of the doorway, and Jaskier blinked. When he opened his eyes again she was much closer than she’d been and was in the middle of talking. Magic, he assumed.

“—yourself very lucky, bard.”

“Yeahh,” he said. “Sorry. ‘Bout… Sorry.”

She huffed and crossed her arms. There was a look in her face. Eyes? And her mouth. It was hard to name. Words were hard, when they weren’t the words he desperately needed to write.

“—for a while,” Geralt was saying. “Jaskier. How close are you to finishing.”

“Soon!” Jaskier said. “Soon! Soon. Due… 1pm tomorrow. What time is it?”

“10pm.”

“Fuck. Psshhh. I can… I can do it.” He looked up at Yennefer. “Sorry. Really. I… I’m just tired,” he admitted. “Shouldn’t have snapped. Not fair to you.”

Yennefer stood there, arms folded, emanating some emotion Jaskier had lost the concept of around page 41. Geralt walked further into the apartment, into the bedroom. Oh right. Blood armor. Ick.

He went back to writing and tried to ignore the desire to cry again, and then suddenly Yennefer’s shoes were in his line of vision.

“Let me read it,” she said.

“Oh.”

They stared at one another. She had such a pretty face. He might have been smiling. She rolled her eyes and then came to sit next to him. She quickly found the first page and began.

Halfway through it, he spilled ink on the bottom half of page 64, and wept. Yennefer gave him an attempt at a comforting pat on the back.

Yennefer had read the pages and risen; “It’s good. You need edits, but it’s somehow decent. Good. Whatever. A little… loose, toward the end, though,” made herself a cup of tea, and entered the bedroom.

Either a few moments, or 20 minutes later, Geralt emerged.

“What are you at now?”

“69 pages.”

“Nice,” Geralt said.

“Ha. Yeahhh,” Jaskier agreed.

“That’s not what I—” Geralt sighed the sigh that meant his face was going all pinch-y. “Close to the end?”

“Mmm. What is the end, really?” Geralt made a different pinch-y face. “Soon.”

“Come to bed tonight, Jaskier.”

“I’ll try,” he said. He blinked, and Geralt was gone.

There are a lot of words in an essay that are very hard to spell.

Jaskier ate the rest of a loaf of bread.

For a while, he swore he walked the streets of Oxenfurt while still warm in his professorial housing.

Kalvin’s accent changed three times and at one point he was on fire.

85 pages.

Geralt woke first, as always; There he was! That was his love. So much of his heart.

With shaking hands, Jaskier had brought himself up to sit in his chair, and sat staring down at his work. He looked up at Geralt with a lopsided grin. “I did it,” he said weakly.

“Need help putting it together?”

The tears fell so quickly he didn’t realize it was happening. “Really?”

Geralt sighed softly and knelt down, organizing the papers.

Yennefer emerged a bit later—There she was! His love, a chunk of him was hers entirely. He smiled. “Look!”

“Mmm. And now you can sleep.”

“NO!” Jaskier cried and leapt to his feet, “No, no, now… now is presenting time. To… the editors. Not Kalvin. But I turn it in… and then sleep,”

He had a sudden burst of energy, and tried to step over Geralt and the papers, but fell into the table instead, before the Witcher steadied him from below.

“Ohhhh, thank you dear. It’s time for… presentation! Mm.” He leaned into Yennefer’s warmth at his side, though she did not wrap her arms around him as he’d hoped. “Help me pick out an outfit.”

He blinked. Yennefer was in front of him now, looking at him with a frown, her hands around his waist. Geralt’s hand was against his forehead. “No! Stop that! I’m fine. I’m fine! See me! Fine. It’s action time. Let’s go!” and he marched off to the bedroom.

The floor was suddenly very close to his face.

“Did I—”

“You fell on your face.”

“Have I—”

“You’ve asked three times now, yes.”

There should have been fanfare when he turned it in, but there was only the grateful smile of Edmond, the young new assistant, a firm handshake, and a promise he’d hear back from them very soon, for a quick summarization of their initial thoughts. Or, he’d used all those words, Jaskier forgot which order they’d come in.

The three returned to the apartment, and everything happened very slowly and so quickly he found it hard to keep track. There was definitely a bath drawn for him—gods, it had been days, hadn’t it— oh, fuck, he was gross, wasn’t he—a full meal, and a celebratory drink. He’d made a few good jokes, and all he could see were Geralt and Yennefer, smiling at him. An empty glass. A bar of soap. A long quill. A messy table. A pile of books and an empty mug. They deposited him on the bed for sleep, and left together.

Jaskier lay there, waiting for sleep to take him.

It did not.

He was so tired he could cry. He did, a few times. He couldn’t think straight. All of it, everything, hurt. His body ached. He tried to soothe himself down alone, rocking himself in the hopes it would work. But nothing.

What if he could never sleep again? What if he would always be awake, forever? What if this was how he died?! Oh gods, he didn’t want to die! He still had edits to approve!

Eventually, he could feel himself getting closer. He adjusted himself, lay on his back and took deep, measured breaths, kept his eyes closed but relaxed. Okay. Okay. Sleep.

He was falling, so violently and so fast that when he jolted awake, he forgot he’d been lying on a bed in the first place.

Fuck.

He tried again. It happened sometimes, it was fine. He’d be fine.

He tried breathing deeply once more, trying to let the distant scents of Yennefer and Geralt now embedded in his pillows overtake him.

A fear so powerful it gripped his heart and twisted, whispered to him, ‘this is what dying is, you’re going to die’ and he once again jolted awake. He threw his head back against the pillow and winced; even that hurt.

Fuck. Fuck.

He kept trying. Over, and over, he’d get so close to sleep and then right at the precipice, something would yank him out of it.

Once, he saw Yennefer falling off a cliff. Another time, he saw Geralt stabbed through the chest. At some point, he saw Ciri screaming, and his hands flew out to pull her close, only to find nothing there. Sometimes it was himself falling, and sometimes it was the world below him falling instead.

He’d really done it this time. Stayed awake so long, sleep had abandoned him entirely.

It felt like twelve years before Yennefer and Geralt returned, slipping into the room quietly. He sat up in bed, startling them both.

“Please,” he said quietly, “I can’t. I don’t know why I can’t I just—I can’t. My body won’t let me, I want to but I can’t—”

“How the hell—” Yennefer started, walking over to him with a palm out to check for a curse, maybe? It didn’t matter. He wrapped her hand in his and clutched it to himself, desperate for her. She was so warm. So alive.

“Fuck,” Geralt sighed, “It’s been nearly 70 hours already, Jaskier.”

“Let me just put him down with magic,” Yennefer started, but Geralt put a hand up.

“We can’t. It’s a temporary fix. if he can’t fall asleep on his own without magic, it’ll get harder and harder for him. We need to get him to fall asleep without it.” They looked down at him. What a disgrace he must look like, how pathetic he was. He turned his face away in abject shame. He couldn’t even fall asleep right.

While he looked away, Yennefer tore her hand from his as she and Geralt discarded their clothes into heaps beside the bed, crawled beneath the covers on either side of Jaskier. They hated him. They must. How could they not?

“It’s fine, you don’t—fuck, sorry—”

Geralt shrugged. “Don’t be. I know how bad it gets. It’s different for a Witcher, but no sleep is the whole reason we met Yennefer.”

“Oh, yeah,” Jaskier said softly.

“As I recall, the solution then was to have vigorous sex on the floor.” Yennefer ran a finger along Jaskier’s chest. “Sound appealing?”

“I—yes, Yennefer, it sounds appealing.” He fidgeted, tried to focus on the feeling of Yennefer’s delicate touch. He was oversensitive enough that it felt like fire, but nothing… stirred, and each word he spoke felt like he was pulling honey from his tongue. “I don’t… much as I’d like, I’m not sure I’d be... up for it right now.” Yennefer’s head fell against the pillow and she flattened her hand, ran the palm up his chest to rest above his heart. Pressed a kiss there.

He closed his eyes and tried to breathe deeply, but they were looking at him, he could feel every inch of their gazes and it was all too much. He whined in agony. “I can’t do this. Fuck. I can’t, just put me out. We try it again tomorrow, I—”

“Jaskier. You can. Tell us what you need and we can help you,” Yennefer said, sweet but firm. And that was her, wasn’t it?

He couldn’t think. Wanted to. Wanted so much. Wanted to be asleep.

Jaskier curled up on his side, exhausted of being exhausted, when he felt Geralt slide up closer behind him. “Can I hold you?” he murmured into the bard’s shoulder. Jaskier nodded, and felt Geralt’s arm come around him and under his own arm, felt it slide up his chest and cross it protectively.

“Feel good?” Jaskier nodded, and then cracked his eyes open, met Yennefer’s, concern palpable.

He lifted one arm just slightly. “C’mere?” And she did, curled into his arms and around him, tucked her head under his, kissed the top of Geralt’s fingers. He held her close, and was held by the two in turn. Breathing, somehow, felt easier between them.

“Breathe, bard,” Yennefer urged him softly. Geralt buried his nose in Jaskier’s hair, took in a deep breath, and Jaskier tried to follow.

They breathed softly, all together, slow and safe. Soon, he was drifting into sweet oblivion.

‘You,’ Fear said, wrapped around his sternum, ‘will crumble, the moment you let go of wakefulness.’ It gripped him, and tugged him back to reality.

He jolted again. “Fuck, dammit, cock wringing—”

Yennefer pulled back to look at him worriedly. “Is that what’s been keeping you up?” she asked.

“It’s, I don’t know, something just pulls me back, I try to fight it but…”

“Mmm,” Geralt agreed. “Sleep starts. Happens sometimes.”

“The hell are sleep starts?”

“They’re… when you’re too on edge to sleep, or just haven’t in too long, brains… fizzle. Keep you awake. It’s a survival instinct—it makes you think you’ve got to stay awake to stay alive. Feels like falling? Or… a shock. Sometimes other things. Hallucinations.” Geralt pressed a kiss to the back of his head. “It’s scary. It’s meant to be. Your body thinks it’s fighting for its life.”

“I am never letting you doom yourself like this ever again,” Yennefer said, and while it was probably meant to come out angry, she just sounded worried.

Geralt hummed and agreement. “Try again, we’ve got you. We’re not letting go.” Jaskier took a breath. They had him. They had him.

Yennefer lifted a hand to Jaskier’s temple. “May I?” And he let her in, easier than breathing. She gave him Ciri laughing, wind chimes on the breeze, the soft roar of the coast. Geralt hugged him tight, ran his other hand through Jaskier’s hair, tried to keep the bard’s breathing aligned. Now, what had he ever done to earn these two?

Soon, sleep came to him again, and he could feel Yennefer ready to soothe anything that came for him in his mind, Geralt ready to defend against anything that dared hurt his resting body. The darkness crept in, and he felt peace.

Geralt was reaching for him, falling, bleeding, screaming.

“FUCK!”

“Shh,” the real Geralt hushed him. “We’ve got you.”

“Fuck, there’s got to be something else,” Yennefer groaned. “What’ve you tried so far?”

“I have tried… to fall asleep.”

Yennefer and Geralt both huffed small laughs. “No. Positions—”

“Only the good ones.”

“Meditating?” Geralt asked.

“Darling, I haven’t had a thought in my head in hours. This is meditation.”

“Drugs?” Yennefer asked.

“I will try the drugs!” Jaskier said with a drowsy cheerfulness, as Geralt replied “No drugs. No.”

“Ugh,” Jaskier groaned, and shifted to lie on his stomach. Oh. This was… better. He nestled into the pillows, and a soft contented sigh drifted from him.

“That feel better?” Geralt asked as he ran a hand up and down Jaskier’s back. “Mmm,” Jaskier replied. Yennefer’s hand joined Geralt over his chest. Oh, they were going to make him cry.

And then it was too much, too much feeling, like his brain couldn’t handle all the sensation, and he felt Yennefer come to pause, and a moment later, Geralt’s hand as well. ‘That better?’ Yennefer asked in his mind. Jaskier gave her the memory of his favorite hug with her, warm and happy as her legs wrapped around his waist, and his favorite with Geralt, crushing and firm and full of too many emotions to speak aloud.

“Could…” he said softly, “Just. Talk? Not to me. Just… to each other. Just wanna hear you.” He could almost hear their smiles, and felt as they settled in on the pillows beside him, arms and hands intertwining on his back. Yennefer’s head on his shoulder, the gentle planes of Geralt’s chest on his other side. “If you need us, Yennefer and I are here. We’ve got you. You’re safe.”

He nodded into the mattress, cool and soft below him.

“Goodnight, Jaskier.”

“G’night Yennefer.”

“Goodnight, Jaskier.”

"G’night, Geralt.”

He started to fade into oblivion, but stopped himself before he got too far. Not fear, not anxiety, a conscious stopping. Somewhere above him, Geralt was telling Yennefer about the contract from… sometime in the past few days, and Yennefer was telling her own story about some town gossip with a woman and her hens, which, it might have been a metaphor, but he’d basically forgotten what those were by now. He breathed deeply, felt their words flow through him, and when he felt brave enough, he let go, trusting they would catch him.

He could have sworn he heard wind chimes, somewhere.

x

The small amount of light filtering in through the curtains was golden when he awoke. His head both ached and felt light as a feather, his muscles screamed and cried but half of it was in relief. He gave a small stretch and yawned. “G’morning,” an amused Geralt said to him, lounging in a chair he’d brought beside the bed, reading a book. His legs were propped up on the bed beside the bard’s and Jaskier stretched to bump their toes together.

“What time…?”

“You slept 13 hours.”

“Fuck.”

“You probably need more.”

“Yeahhhh.”

“Feel alright?”

“Like a real human being,” he said. “Hungry, though.”

“Mmm.”

Yennefer slipped in the door, but, noticing Jaskier was awake, rose a hand. “May I?” she asked, voice dripping in sarcasm, gesturing to the curtains.

“You may,” Jaskier offered, covering his face with his hands. “Ohhhh, gods, how bad was I?”

“Genuinely awful,” Yennefer said, as Geralt was saying, “There’s been worse.”

“Normally I’d withhold this,” the mage said, withdrawing a small envelope from her pocket. “But, under the circumstances…” she cleared her throat.

“To one Julian Alfred Pankratz. We were extremely pleased to receive your manuscript yesterday afternoon. Our editors are will have their notes to you by the weekend, but we wanted to reach out and extend our most sincere compliments on your work. It is—oh, a flood of adjectives, I’m skipping these. Etcetera, etcetera, sucking your dick, etcetera alright, here—and meticulous in construction. We can tell,” Yennefer said, dragging out the final sentence, “you made good use of your year of writing time to complete the work.” Jaskier and Geralt by this point were holding back true howls of laughter.

“And won’t you believe it, there’s more. Ahem; we have a number of suggestions and questions already, but encourage you to get your well-deserved rest as we prepare our feedback. We are grateful to work with you, and thank you again for your stunning entry. There’s a postscript,” Yennefer added. “As a quick and personal note, we cannot have helped but notice the nature of your penmanship; we mean no offence, but would encourage you to see a doctor of the eye to fit you with some spectacles.”

“My—my penman…? What’d—” and Yennefer, who had clearly been waiting for this moment, brought out a rather crumpled piece of parchment with an ink stain at the bottom—ah, yes, the original page 64— and showed it to him. His eyes were… gods, they were aching, but he was clear minded enough now to see that each line had become at least twice it’s normal size. The lines were far from straight, dipping and bending toward the edge of the paper, the letters changed directions at random points, and a fair amount of the words were smudged so completely they were hard to make out.”

Jaskier stared in horror.

“They. Is that. Is that what it looked like? Really?”

“It’s worse than most of the ones that made it in,” Geralt said, carefully.

“Most?!”

“You drew pictures on one of them,” Yennefer said.

“Oh my god. They…they must…”

“Adore it, clearly,” Yennefer said, setting aside the paper. “It wasn’t worth the strain, and you’ve definitely firmly embarrassed yourself, but they’re either embarrassing themselves by fawning praise on you,” she said, sliding onto the bed, “Or you’re actually just… very knowledgeable and talented, even when addled by sleep deprivation.”

There was a pause, Jaskier soaking this in; it hadn’t been worth it, exactly, but it wasn’t all bad. In fact, it was quite good, and Yennefer was complimenting him outright, so, very good.

“Or both,” Geralt added.

“Definitely both,” Yennefer agreed.

Jaskier groaned. “You can’t be mean to me. You’re in my house and I am extremely tired, which means that you, by law, must kiss me and tell me nice things about myself.”

Geralt laughed, light and free, and Yennefer slunk slower down into the bed. “You get no kisses,” she said, “You get sleep and rest.” She grabbed a pillow from under her head and plopped it delicately onto Jaskier’s face.

“Boo,” Jaskier said, muffled beneath the thing. He closed his eyes. Geralt muttered something, and Yennefer gave a snort of laughter, and then there was silence.

“Are you two kissing up there?!”

More silence.

“UGH,” he groaned, and sunk into his soft, sweet mattress. Oh, beautiful mattress. How he adored it, how he adored his two loves on top of it. He listened to their kissing, soft, and sweet, and knew he’d join them soon. But it was so warm down here. Even as one of them removed the pillow, he could only bring himself to open his eyes for a moment, to see them both leaning to kiss his face gently, before returning to each other. He took a long, deep breath, and listened to them swirl around him, until all he could feel was their love and the sweet caress of his pillow.

[justsomeoneunordinary]

Solo Tu

Day 4 of @winteriron-week​: Fluff

Yeah, I said in the last fic that I’d combine day 3 and 4, but I don’t like how it looks like with one missing, so I still wrote this for day 4 specifically.

Also, there is obviously absolutely no chance that I’ll manage finishing the remaining prompts until Wednesday when the collection closes. While I’m a little bit disappointed in myself for that (even though it’s not my fault real life is a thing and got in the way), I still wanna write them all, just because. So, while they won’t be in the collection anymore, I will continue to upload them here on Tumblr as well as on AO3.

T, 1.4k, Tooth-Rotting Fluff With Absolutely Zero Plot Whatsoever | AO3

(Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3)

—

Solo tu

Col calore

Quel mattino che rinasce

Intorno al sole

Cosa puo’ piu’ importare

Se la pelle tua si lascia accarezzare

The soft melody of the Italian song woke Bucky. He felt a hand brush through his hair and the smell of coffee rose immediately to his nostrils as he took a deep breath and slowly stretched.

“Your hair is so soft,” Tony murmured as he began to gently pluck on individual strands. “I still don’t know how you do it. After all, we use the same conditioner.”

Bucky just grunted and buried his face deeper into Tony’s lap. A breeze blew through the open window and carried in the smell of the salt water, which blended together with that of the coffee, and automatically put a smile on his face.

“Must be the super soldier serum,” Tony concluded.

This made Bucky snort. “What, you think the serum enhanced my hair’s smoothness?”

“How else can you be two thousand years old and still not suffer from hair loss?” Bucky could literally hear the triumphant grin in Tony’s voice, he didn’t even have to look up.

“Two thousand? Honey, I think you miscalculated a little.”

“Nonsense, I’m a genius—my math is always right.”

Bucky felt another tug of his hair, this time a little firmer than before, and whatever Tony was up to, it couldn’t be good. “Tony, are you trying to pull my hair out of envy? If so, I can assure you that your hair is at least just as beautiful, especially with the gray areas.”

Tony laughed. “‘At least just as beautiful’, you are not exactly modest.” He continued to pull his hair and explained, “No, you dork. I’m braiding it.” As if it were a matter of course.

“Oh, great. Can’t wait to unknot my hair later.”

This earned him a slight pinch on the ear. “Listen, Barnes, I won’t tolerate such disrespect here.”

Bucky grinned and finally opened his eyes, looking up at Tony’s mock insulted expression, because for what he said next, he wanted to see the reaction, “It’s Stark-Barnes now, get your facts straight.”

And yep, there it was: Tony’s eyes immediately shone with joy, emphasized by the morning sun, which turned the wonderful brown into a brilliant gold. A faint smile formed on his lips and it was as if his face were beaming in competition with the sun.

Bucky couldn’t help but take Tony’s left hand in his and kiss the golden ring on his finger, never taking his eyes off Tony’s.

Four days. Four days since they had said “Yes, I do” and retired for their honeymoon here at the Carbonell residence in Sicily. Just the two of them, this way too big house and the sea.

“I ordered F.R.I.D.A.Y. to only disturb us in an emergency. And only if the world is about to doom. Which means, neither an Avengers nor an SI problem will be able to get in our way,” Tony had explained with a grin when they got here and then dragged Bucky to bed without any warning.

With every morning he woke up, Bucky was struck by the wonder that this was indeed real. That after everything they’d both been through, he could still find happiness with Tony. Sometimes the world did give something back.

“God, you’re so cheesy,” Tony complained half-heartedly, while the smile didn’t leave his lips.

Bucky merely raised an eyebrow and pointed with a look at the loudspeaker from which the song was still being played, because…

Solo tu

Stamattina per alzarmi è ancora giorno insieme a te

… not only he was cheesy.

Tony, however, didn’t see the subtle hint, or ignored it (probably the latter) and went back to working on Bucky’s hair.

“Can I at least drink my coffee first since you’ve already made it?”

“No.”

“But then it will get cold until you are finished with the braiding!” Bucky gave him his best pout, which Tony never was able to refuse.

Apart from today, apparently. “It’s Italian coffee, it’s still good cold too,” Tony said, turning his head vigorously. “Now hold still so I don’t screw it up.”

Bucky thought about saying something along the lines of “I only like it when you’re bossy during sex” but knew that Tony would just wink at him and then tease him on purpose. And he admittedly had nothing to complain about; Tony’s hands in his hair felt heavenly. Tony worked gently and carefully, and Bucky could feel a slight vibration as Tony began to hum along with the song. If he hadn’t already been well rested, he could easily have been lulled into sleep like this.

“My mamma,” Tony began to say after a few seconds of silence, “used to wear her hair waist-length when I was a child. A silky blonde that shone like the sun in the light and had utterly fascinated me. I had always watched her with curiosity as she braided it until one day, she taught me to do it for her.”

Bucky ignored the heavy pressures of guilt as best he could whenever Tony talked about his mother. They had discussed the Winter Soldier’s actions long ago and got them out of the way—Bucky knew Tony was telling these things to him not out of malice but because he wanted to share his memories with Bucky.

However, not having a guilty conscience would never be possible for him.

“After that I did her hair almost every day until I was about nine years old,” Tony finished, a tender expression on his face that spoke of wistfulness and nostalgia. Bucky gasped for a moment when Tony turned his head to the side so that the sunrays fell directly on him—tanned skin golden in the glow, eyes shining like amber and contour framed tightly by light.

If there was a God, Tony had to be one of his celestial beings that he had sent to earth. And he was Bucky’s only.

Bucky wanted nothing more than to pull Tony down and seal his lips with Tony’s sinful ones, but the slight pulling of his hair reminded him not to move, so he was content with just taking in every detail of this paradisical picture above him in order to keep it in his memories forever.

“Now,” Tony took a red hair tie from the nightstand that was right next to the two coffee cups—he must have planned that braiding session—and wrapped it at the end of Bucky’s hair, “done.”

Bucky ran his hand over what was, judging by the pattern, a herringbone braid and smiled at Tony. “How do I look?”

“Like a princess,” came the prompt reply.

“But then I also want some flowers decorated with it. For authenticity.”

Tony laughed out loud at that. “There are some hibiscus flowers growing here, if I remember correctly, so that really shouldn’t be a problem.”

Bucky would have flowers in his hair every day without hesitation if it made Tony laugh like that. “Perfect,” he whispered, and finally sat up to kiss Tony. Tony’s lips on his was a feeling he couldn’t imagine ever getting tired of. If it were possible, he would just never stop.

Tony grinned into the kiss and when they parted, Bucky knew immediately what was coming at the sight of the mischief in his eyes. “Coffee first and then sex? After all, we’re already in bed. Well, technically still, but who cares about this kind of trivialities anyway.”

Called it. In response, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Isn’t the beach private?”

Tony, genius that he was, didn’t take long to understand. “Oh, I like the way you think! See, this is exactly why I married you.”

“Because of the sex?”

“Precisely.”

Bucky couldn’t help but pull Tony on his shirt and kiss the cheeky grin off his face once again. In the background he heard the sound of the waves, as well as the last tones of the song, the smell of coffee and salt water still lingered in the air—and Tony’s mouth tasted of love.

Whatever their future might bring, Bucky knew he could handle it with Tony by his side. Today, tomorrow and as long as they were lucky, however, they would just enjoy themselves and their togetherness.

And then, once they got back to their chaotic everyday life, they would do it hand in hand together.

Solo tu

Mi sai dare

Cose vecchie sempre nuove da sognare

Mille volte tu lo sai

Non è stato uguale mai

—

Solo Tu by Matia Bazar

(I got the translations from an unofficial site, so I don’t know how true they are. To be fair: it’s cheesy and that’s actually all you really need to know anyway.)

Solo tu ≈ Only you

Col calore ≈ With heat

Quel mattino che rinasce ≈ That morning that is reborn

Intorno al sole ≈ Around the sun

Cosa puo’ piu’ importare ≈ What matters most

Se la pelle tua si lascia accarezzare ≈ If your skin lets you caress

&

Solo tu ≈ Only you

Stamattina per alzarmi è ancora giorno insieme a te ≈ This morning to get up is still day with you

&

Solo tu ≈ Only you

Mi sai dare ≈ You can give me

Cose vecchie sempre nuove da sognare ≈ Old things always new to dream

Mille volte tu lo sai ≈ A thousand times you know

Non è stato uguale mai ≈ It was never the same

[ecto-american]

If Found Please Return to Danny Phantom

Phic Phight Oneshot for @imperfection-at-itsfinest: When Jack manages to get his hands on Danny Phantom's ghost hunting logbook, an investigation reveals some information about ghosts and the infamous specter himself that a scientific study would never cover.

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It would be wrong of him to read it. 

Jack kept staring at the book in his hands. It resembled a diary, the front design being colorless but a pressed design. The moon with stars, with no words, and the diary itself felt unusually thin. There was no lock, as if it was almost inviting him to just read it. Jack had, in fact, already opened to the first page, and the first words greeted him. In a standard font read: If Found, Please Return to: and the name scrawled, in surprisingly tidy handwriting, was the name Danny Phantom.

What an absolute find. It was pure dumb luck. He had seen Phantom drop it, but Jack had went looking for it in hopes that the ghost teen had dropped one of the stolen Fenton gadgets. Only to recover...this book that he had taken home and into the privacy of his lab for study.

The idea of Phantom keeping a diary was kinda funny. He never struck Jack as the type to write down his deepest darkest secrets or teenage embarrassments in a book. That would imply that the ghost had some kind of emotions. They didn’t. They were blobs of ectoplasmic energy.

So it should be okay for him to read, right? Why was he so hesitant? Well...it was an invasion of privacy. But it was fine. Phantom dropped it in the park. Phantom was a menace to society. There was likely evidence in this journal that could explain all of the ghost boy’s terrible deeds, that could prove that he truly was evil. This diary could change everything.

...Jack had children though, and he knew both were avidly creative. Scrapbooking, drawing, painting, writing. They were stress outlets for his girls, and he wouldn’t ever dare dream of invading their privacy like that. So he couldn’t. He shouldn’t. Phantom deserved privacy, right?

“Jack? Are you coming to dinner?” Maddie’s voice snapped him from his thought process. She hadn’t made a noise as she came down the stairs. But Maddie was a much better stealth hunter than him.

“Yes, yes! Sorry, I was distracted,” Jack apologized. He set the book down on the table. Maddie rose an eyebrow at him.

“Did you get a new ectobiology book?” she asked. His eyes glanced to the book, and he shook his head no. Maddie came over to him, studying the book cover. Of course, it didn’t resemble any of the scientific texts that they owned. 

“I don’t know how to explain it…” Jack said slowly. He held it out to her. Maddie accepted it.

“This looks like it belongs to the kids,” she stated. She opened the first page, and Jack saw her eyes widen. Her breath hitched, and she looked up to him “Jack...where did you...get this?”

“He dropped it during a fight,” he replied. “I thought it was Fenton tech, but…”

Her eyes sparkled, and she shut the book. A wide grin had appeared, and she threw her arms around her husband.

“Oh Jack! This could teach us so much! If this really is a journal or some kind of diary, then he may have recorded motivations! Thoughts! We can really get into how Phantom thinks and a raw, honest, firsthand account from Phantom himself! This changes everything!”

She was right. She was absolutely right, and he hugged her back. They were scientists first and foremost, and this journal could fill in so many missing blanks about ghosts. It was a starting off point. Jack’s mind raced with all the things they could possibly learn. Just from a simple peek of the book. That was worth more than the invasion of privacy of a ghost that caused so much havoc, destruction and pain. 

“We should look at it right now!” he exclaimed. Maddie pulled away with a small frown.

“After dinner,” she reminded him. “I finally got everybody corralled upstairs for a family dinner. It’s nearly impossible to get either of the girls at the same time.”

“Oh, right!” Jack nearly slapped his forehead. Yes, they were scientists first and foremost, but before even that, they were Mom and Dad. “First thing after dinner.”

“First thing after dinner,” she agreed with a smile. 

Upstairs, he saw that Jazz was already serving herself. Chicken, mashed potatoes and peas. His youngest was pouring iced tea into glasses for everybody. 

“Hey Ghost-kateers!” Jack greeted cheerfully with a grin. Both kids groaned in embarrassment. Perfect. 

“Daaad!” his youngest complained, a whine hitching as she put the pitcher of ice tea back. “I told you, if I’m going to be some kind of ye olde soldier type, I wanna be a knight, like at the renaissance fair.” 

“Ah, but if you’re a ghost-kateer, you can get an anti-ghost musket!” Jack teased. As he walked past her to get his own food, he playfully ruffled her pixie-cut hair. She waved his hand away. 

“But as a ghost knight, I can get a cool sword!” she protested. Jack shook his head in fake disappointment. 

“Never bring to a ghost sword to a ghost musket fight, baby boo,” her dad replied.

“Can’t shoot what you can’t see!” she shot back with a grin. Jack had to hand it to her, and he just chuckled. 

“Can we please have a ghost free dinner?” Jazz scowled. 

“Yes, yes, let’s save ghosts for after dinner,” Maddie agreed. Jazz shot her a grateful look, and Jack focused on getting his serving of dinner from the stove. His youngest pushed her sleeves up, exhaling. Jack stole a look at her and frowned. She had some sweat collected on her forehead.

“Honey if you're hot, you can just take your sweatshirt off,” he told her. She shook her head no.

“No, I'm fine,” she insisted. Jack was skeptical.

“You sure?” he asked. 

“Mhm!” 

Jack shrugged a bit. She was always insisting on wearing a hoodie, no matter the weather. If she got hot enough, she’d take it off. No need to force it. He got his food and took his seat.

“How's school going?” Maddie questioned. Jazz lit up a bit, and her sister flinched. She raised a suspicious eyebrow at her youngest.

“I managed to get a B on my chemistry test,” the youngest spoke up with a forced smile.

“That’s excellent!” Maddie’s demeanor shifted as she smiled warmly. “Keep it up!” 

“Yeah!” The youngest seemed to visibly relax. “Sam’s been helping me study.”

“That’s good, I always studied better when V-man or your mom helped me,” Jack nodded at her as he cut up his chicken. 

“Oh it’s true, I used to help your father study for all of our shared classes,” Maddie confirmed. “Otherwise he’d get so distracted.”

“Yeah, Sam just explains it super well,” their daughter agreed. “Tucker’s been going over math with me a bit, which helps some.”

“Well if you need a tutor, just let us know, and we’ll help you arrange one,” Maddie smiled. “What about you, Jazz?”

“Pretty good,” she replied. “Mr. Lancer asked if I wanted to be his TA this summer, which I really do. It’ll look good on a college application, and I might even get paid!”

“Have you been narrowing down where you might wanna go?” Jack asked. Jazz eagerly nodded.

“Yeah! Oxford is my number one choice, but I also would love to go to Yale or Stanford. I’ve been talking with the college counselor about what else might look good on an application for them that I can do over the summer. I wrote them down in my planner notebook earlier-”

“Hey, that kinda reminds me,” her sister interrupted. “Have you guys seen one of my notebooks? I think I lost it,” she asked them. Jack stared at her. The reminder of the notebook he actually had found. Maddie seemed unbothered by the question. This wasn’t unusual, for the parents to have to play “where’s my stuff?” with the kids. 

“What notebook?” Jazz asked hesitantly. 

“My important one,” came the reply. Jazz frowned lightly. 

“Sorry, princess, haven’t seen any notebooks laying around,” Jack replied. He saw the briefest of a cringe cross his youngest’s features. “Did you leave it at school?” Her shoulders slumped.

“I don’t think so?” she said hesitantly. “I’ll have to check tomorrow. I was so sure I had it earlier…” Her voice trailed off before she forced a smile. “If you see it, let me know!” She picked up a forkful of chicken, only to freeze. The clattering made Jack glance up curiously as she was turning her attention to Maddie. “Can I be excused? I have some homework to get done.” 

Maddie let out a soft sigh. So much for family dinner.

“Of course, just make sure you come back down before you go to bed to get your chores done,” Maddie nodded at her. The young Fenton snapped to her feet with a thanks, fully abandoning her dinner as she went to the stairs. Jazz stared after her sister, craning her neck to track her movements before hurriedly shoveling more mashed potatoes in her mouth.

“Uh, I’m not that hungry, and I totally forgot to do this online assignment,” Jazz spoke, standing up, taking hers and her sister’s plate. She was already walking away before either parent could truly give permission. “I’ll put our plates up and clean up in a bit!”

“A-alright?” Jack hesitated, watching his other child put the plates on the counter before rushing up as well. Another child down. They seemed to grow up so fast. 

“Least they’re doing homework,” Maddie sighed lightly, shaking her head before taking a drink of her tea. “Oh well. Might as well take their lead and eat in the lab?” 

“Please,” Jack agreed. He stood up, taking his plate. “I’m dying to see what Phantom has to say.”

January 10

Skulker: 1; captured

Ectopuss: 1; captured

Box Ghost: 8; captured

Ember: Fought; got away

Fenton Thermos: half-full

Fenton Fisher: untangled

January 11

Vultures: 1; got away

Cujo: 1; played fetch and he went back to the GZ

Fenton Thermos: Full

Ghost Bazooka: overheated and doesn’t shoot anymore, take apart and fix it

January 12

Skulker: 2; got away

Box Ghost: 3; captured

Sidney: 2; got away

Fenton Fisher: tangled, untangle asap

January 13

Skulker: 1; captured

Box Ghost: 4; got away

Fenton Thermos: damaged, won’t suck up ghosts

I met a new ghost today named Desiree. She got away, but it allowed me to discover a new ghost power. Ghost ray.

Maddie furrowed her brow as she studied the words. She stood at the table, her dinner half-forgotten as she thought on the words.

“It sounds like a record,” Jack mused, and he ate another spoonful of peas. Maddie nodded in agreement.

“I think we found Phantom’s logbook,” she agreed. “I’m assuming these are the ghosts he’s fought. And he seems to be recording his powers too. This is huge, we can match up what we know about his powers and what he’s claiming.”

“And he’s recording the status of our equipment.” Jack frowned. “Why would he care?”

“Yeah, he made note that he was going to fix the Fenton Bazooka too,” Maddie pointed out. The scientist flipped through the pages, only to stop at a page, staring curiously. Maddie laid the journal on the table, pressing the spine so that the pages stayed open. She read the page aloud to Jack.

December 19

I hate my life. I hate this existence. I look in the mirror and wonder why it has to be this way. Why am I the one cursed to be this freak? Why is everything about me and my body wrong? For once, I wish something about me was normal, that somebody about me could be right. If Desiree wasn’t such an unreliable asshole with wishes, I’d give everything I have to wish that life could, for once, allow me to be a normal teenage boy. 

Jack listened to her in a stumped silence. This couldn’t have been a pre-death thought process of a moody teenager. It was written too recently, and the words hit a sorrowful chord to him. He didn’t intend to, but he quickly began to feel sorry for Phantom. He was very young. It couldn’t have been easy to lose everything at that age. His daughter was his age. Jack cleared his throat.

“It’s not just a log then?” Jack questioned. Maddie shook her head, flipping the pages back.

“No, I think it’s a mix. There’s still records of ghosts and FentonWorks equipment,” she replied. Using a leg, she pulled a wheeled chair to her to sit in. She leaned back, and she pulled the journal to her. After a moment of flipping through and scanning pages, she settled on a page about a third of the way through. “It seems like this is when he began to record things other than just ghosts.”

“What’s it say?” Jack wondered. Maddie read aloud the next few entries as Jack silently continued to eat. 

April 4

I only fought this shitty panther today, and he still got away. I’m such a fucking idiot. I can’t believe he got away. I was too slow. All I do is fuck up. There’s ghostly activity happening around the school, and I just can’t figure it out. I feel like I can’t stop them anymore. I don’t know what’s going on, why I suddenly suck so much. I honestly probably just always sucked, and now it’s starting to hit me. [scribbles] and [scribbles] were trying to make me feel better, but I fucked up. It was only one ghost today, and I couldn’t catch them. It destroyed an entire store, and it’s my fault.

April 8

No ghosts today, surprisingly. But [scribbles] has been acting weird lately. The other day she poked and prodded me at dinner. No clue what that’s about. She also tried to give me this speech that I can talk to her about anything, and that she’d love me no matter what. That makes me think she found my binder. I’m honestly kinda freaking out. I knew I shouldn’t have left it out like that. She’s such a nosy know it all.

“Phantom must keep more records than just this,” Maddie lightly mused. “He has an entire binder full of information that somebody discovered.”

“Maybe on other ghosts?” Jack theorized. “He’s recording his fights, he must be also recording information about them.” Maddie’s eyes lit up.

“That makes so much sense,” she agreed. “He probably keeps so many kinds of things written down and logged. I wonder where he’s keeping it? Obviously paper, which is a bit odd. I figured a teenager would move to the digital age…” Maddie paused.

“Maybe he’s older than we think he is?” Jack suggested. “He could have died fifty years ago, and just be more comfortable with writing things down.”

“Oh, that’s true,” Maddie mused. She put down the notebook to take a long sip of her drink. Jack picked it up to observe the page she read.

“Phantom has neat handwriting,” he noted. “He’s not fighting ghosts when he writes these.” Jack’s eyes scanned the words. “...I wonder who he’s scribbled out.”

“Allies?” Maddie shrugged. “He probably went back and blacked out some of the names. Privacy. Especially if this isn’t the first time he’s lost this.”

It made the most logical sense. Jack skipped the purely log entries to one that had more written, and he read it aloud to his wife.

April 10

She was feeding on us. Spectra, the Casper High “psychologist” was feeding on emotions, like some kind of emotional vampire but she’s a ghost. It’s so scary. I saw her do it. She asked [scribbles] and [scribbles] about their lives. What made them unhappy, and why. And when they left, I saw her absorb? I guess how I’d describe it? She absorbed the energy into her skin and it just seemed to instantly revive her, and it made her happy. When she did it to me, I could just look in her eyes and know that she enjoyed every minute of my misery. I managed to stop her, with [scribbles] helping me. It was weird. She didn’t seem afraid of me. I don’t know why. 

Spectra: 2; captured

“Ghosts can feed off of energy!” Maddie exclaimed. “Human energy! We always suspected it, but this is confirming something!” Jack glanced up at her excitedly. It was the first real, true ghostly discovery that Phantom was revealing to them. 

April 13

All I do is fuck up lately. Because of me, this ghost dog just absolutely has been causing havoc on this girl’s life. She blames me. And I don’t blame her. I ruined her entire life. She lost her house because of me. I didn’t mean to. I tried to stop the dog, but he just won’t respond to anything I say. I can’t capture him. I’ve been trying. I’ve been just calling the dog Cujo. After the Stephen King book, because damn is this dog giving me one fucking nightmare of a time.

Cujo: 3, got away

April 16

[scribbles] kissed me. It was to force me to change back, and it worked, but she kissed me. It was great. She smelled like lavender. I don’t think my heart’s ever beaten so fast. Afterwards she clarified to me that it was just a fake-out make-out. It didn’t feel like it. I don’t want it to be. But she’s my best friend, and I can’t lose her. So I agreed, and when I came home I cried. My dad caught me, and I pretended it was just girl problems, even though that excuse made me feel even worse. He got me some ice cream, and we watched Star Trek together. It didn’t really help that much, if I’m being honest. 

Anyway, apparently Cujo’s trained. He knows his commands. [scribbles] thinks it’s because he was a guard dog when he was alive for Axion Labs. For a guard dog, he’s such a playful puppy though, he loves his squeaky toy. And [scribbles] became a hunter specifically to kick my ass. It’s my lucky month. But I deserve it. Will there ever be a day where I actually can do more good than bad?

Skulker: 1; captured

[Scribbles]: 1 Red Huntress

Cujo: 1, got away

“Phantom has a family?” Maddie wondered. She chewed on her food as she thought. Jack shrugged, an odd, unsettled feeling hitting him as he put the book down for a moment. He used his spoon to push around his peas.

“I mean, we all do,” Jack reminded her. “Just...I didn’t think Phantom still talked to his family. After his death. Or did such...non-ghost things with them.” Watching Star Trek with his dad? Jack did that with his own kids all the time. It was his and his youngest daughter’s favorite show to watch together. Jazz typically preferred documentary series, and Maddie was too bothered by scientific inaccuracies to really enjoy science fiction. So it was always “their thing” and knowing that Phantom did it too was...too human. 

“Yeah, I didn’t...really expect him to still be haunting them,” Maddie said. Jack could tell that this was disturbing her a little. 

“But ghosts can retain their memories from life it seems,” Jack spoke up. Maddie stared at him. “The dog remembers commands from his life as a guard dog. What extent, I’m not sure.” Maddie hummed curiously.

Jack picked the book up again, skipping through more boring logs to other words. 

April 29

Ember: 2; captured

Fenton Thermos: full, empty

The past few weeks have been terrible. I have definitely come to the conclusion that I really am developing a crush on [scribbles]. Or maybe I always had one, I dunno. Is this really just an effect from Ember’s supposed spell? Does ghostly mind control really last? I think I always knew that I liked her though. I mean, ever since I told her that [scribbles], she’s been so supportive. She even cut my hair for me, which really pissed my parents off, but they ended up admitting that I looked better with my hair short anyway. Almost like it’s meant to be, huh? Ha. [scribbles] is also one of the only two people who know my deeper secret. She’s been so supportive through that too. She calls me Danny, and every time she refers to me as that, it makes my heart go crazy.

But would she even like me? Would she even wanna be with somebody like me? I don’t think I’d be her type. Some other friends I met at this local support group have complained about the struggles of dating. The stories are depressing, and it makes me worried that while [scribbles] will always love and accept me as a friend, that she’d never be able to love me as a boyfriend. I hate my life.

“Aw, Phantom has a little girlfriend,” Jack half-joked, only for goosebumps to raise and an odd chill run down his spine. He looked to Maddie for her opinion, and her face was scrunched up.

“That’s a bit creepy,” she commented. “He’s pretending to be human.”

“I dunno, Mads,” Jack shrugged. He re-read the ghostly teen’s internal conflicts. “Why would he pretend to be human in a journal that nobody’s meant to read?”

“He has to be sharing it with his allies,” she argued. “Those people he’s been scribbling out. Phantom has to be pretending for them. To keep them around. He even mentioned ghostly mind control.” 

She pushed her mostly-finished plate from herself, motioning for Jack to hand over the journal. He complied, and Maddie flipped through it. She stopped, and she set the journal down on the table once more. Leaning over, she studied the spine. A finger ran along the inner spine, and she frowned.

“Pages are missing,” she noticed. Jack pushed his plate out of the way to lean over as well.

Indeed, the top of the diary revealed that it was meant to be a normal, full diary. Now that Maddie pointed it out, it looked like well over a fourth of the diary had missing pages. Jack squinted, pulling his hood over his eyes. He used his googles to better examine.

“They weren’t ripped out, like in a ghost fight,” Jack told her. He pointed to what remained of a page, a barely noticeable strip. “It was carefully cut out.” Maddie narrowed her eyes to get a better look.

“You’re right,” she mused. “Phantom did this purposefully. Probably to hide stuff from his allies.”

“But why hide some stuff and not others?” Jack wondered aloud. “Clearly this girlfriend figure is an ally, but he can’t be...sharing this with her, right?” Maddie pulled back from the notebook to lean in her chair with a heavy sigh.

“...I don’t know,” she admitted. “I don’t think he would. But he’s also a ghost, they do weird things.” Jack didn’t know how to reply, and so he continued to read.

May 16

The past few days have been so full of drama. Walker ruined my life. He absolutely ruined it. He set out to make me the most hated person in Amity Park out of pure spite, and he succeeded. I’m public enemy number one. I can never win. For a while now, I had debated telling my parents, because I so desperately want their support, but they were part of the news coverage calling me a disgusting, evil ghost. I ended up crying yesterday. I don’t think they’ll ever truly love me if they knew. I also failed Wulf. Another failure on my plate. I’m just waiting for it to all crash down on me.

Walker: 1; sent to the GZ

Wulf: 1; sent to the GZ

Walker’s goons: at least 14, all captured

Fenton Thermos: overflowingly full

“Oh this is just becoming nonsense,” Maddie complained. “He’s lying. We were there, Jack! We saw him attack us.”

“I know, I know, he did, yeah, he did,” Jack tried to gather his thoughts. “But why would he lie in this? I don’t think anybody was meant to read this?” Jack flipped through the pages. The further he flipped through in, the more he could tell that some sections had more carefully cut out papers than others. Why was Phantom cutting out? What was he hiding? Why was he hiding it?

“He meant for somebody to read this,” Maddie lightly argued. 

“Yeah, it seems like it, but…,” Jack trailed off. He shook his head a bit, flipping back to where they had left off. “I dunno.”

“Hold on a second,” Maddie urged him, standing up. “Let me get something to write with, we should take some notes.”

“We can just use the scanner to make a copy of the journal afterwards, and we can further analyze it afterwards,” Jack suggested. Maddie thought on this, and she nodded, but she still reached for some scrap paper and a pen.

“Good idea, we should probably read through it fully first anyway,” she agreed. “But I still want to jot down some thoughts.”

“Of course, of course,” Jack replied. He knew that’s how she thought and processed information best, and it was always from her notes that he could visualize his own theories properly. He took a drink of tea before he continued reading the next true entry.

May 24

My entire relationship with my other crush (not [scribbles]) was a lie. She was being overshadowed by Kitty the entire time. This was my first real girlfriend, and it was all fake. I had assumed I was so lucky. I found a girl who knew and was okay with both of my biggest secrets. When I got home I ended up just going straight to my room. [scribbles] brought me dinner, but I didn’t feel like eating. Is this what life is going to be for me? I don’t want it to be like this. The only good thing is that [scribbles] doesn’t know either secret alongside our brief relationship.

Least Kitty and Johnny seem happy again. For now at least. I swear, they’re always breaking up and getting back together. 

Kitty: 1; sent back to the GZ

Johnny 13: 1; sent back to the GZ

Shadow: 1; sent back to the GZ

Jack could lightly hear Maddie taking notes on her scrap paper, the pen scratching at the surface. He didn’t comment on it, silently flipping to the next page, and he continued to read. 

August 19

I was forced to really face the reality of how much I fucked up [scribbles] life. I hate it. I’d do anything to take it back. It makes me wonder if I should just retire. Am I even really doing anything to help? Am I just a nuisance? Everybody thinks that. 

Rationally I know I can’t. I’m the only one who can properly deal with the ghosts, who has the power and abilities to fight back without getting killed. I have to do what I can, but I just wish I could do it without making so many mistakes. [scribbles] said that it’ll be okay, and that it gets better, but it sure doesn’t fucking feel like it.

Skulker: 3; finished

Red Huntress: 2; temporary truce?

“He’s so full of...emotion for a ghost,” Maddie finally spoke up. 

Jack glanced at the paper she had in front of her. There was some notes of what they had been learning so far, and there were emotions written in all caps with a line under, and a list of various emotions. Emotions Phantom seemed to be displaying. Guilty, despair, loneliness, self-hatred, self-doubt. Despite the few entries, it was already quite a list.

“It’s not just him either,” Maddie continued. Jack rose an eyebrow at her. She didn’t immediately reply, fingers on her lips as she stared down at the journal. “He’s giving emotions to other ghosts too.”

Jack stared down blankly at the journal in his hands. 

“Where?”

Maddie began to write, and as she wrote, it clicked. Spectra’s joy in hurting others. Kitty and Johnny’s relationship. Walker’s spite. Cujo being a playful puppy. According to Phantom, and against what they knew as scientists, ghosts were experiencing a wide variety of emotions and for different reasons. It was weird. 

Jack continued to read.

October 17

I don’t know what happened the past few days. It’s this weird blur. According to [scribbles] and [scribbles] I did a lot of bad things under Freakshow’s control. [scribbles] hugged me and told me that it was nothing that we couldn’t fix, but I doubt that. Why does this keep happening to me? I don’t want to hurt people. I want to be a good person, and I want to help Amity Park, but I don’t know what keeps happening. Everything’s a fog, and I’m exhausted. 

Freakshow: 1; arrested by APPD

Circus ghosts: freed from Freakshow’s control, went back to the GZ

Replace Fenton Anti-Creep Stick, print out another sticker to put on it

“Freakshow...that was the weird circus guy,” Jack interrupted himself. Maddie nodded.

“Yeah, and if Phantom’s right...he could control the ghosts,” she mused. “So there’s a way for humans to take control of ghosts...That’s something to look into. If we can control the ghosts into staying away, it’d be such a massive scientific breakthrough.”

“We should look into Freakshow more, and see if we can talk to him!” Jack agreed. “Maybe he’ll share something with us.” Maddie smiled softly.

“I doubt that,” she replied gently. “But there’s no harm in trying. What else does it say?”

November 8

I have to fight Pariah Dark. I’m terrified. I don’t think I’ll live through it. How can I live through fighting the actual ghost king? I may never see my family again, and I can’t even tell them what happened to me if I die. I’ve been debating telling [scribbles] that I like her, but I don’t think I could bring myself to do it. 

What happens if I die? I have no clue. I’m scared to find out. I can’t die now. I have to make it back. I’ll go missing, and I won’t even be declared dead as my parents’ son. Nobody will know who to really look for. I have to come back. Maybe if I succeed, and people like me again after this, I can tell my family everything.

November 10

I couldn’t tell them. My parents still despise part of me, despite what I’ve done. I know they love me, cause my mom’s already been fussing over me like crazy because of my injuries. [scribbles] said she cried when they couldn’t find me, and that my dad had gone out looking for me all over the city, even in the dangerous parts. They of course love me, but do they really love me unconditionally?

Jack felt his voice trailing off as he hit the end. He coughed lightly, and he took a long drink. Maddie stared off into nothing. The only thing he could think of was his own search for his baby girl. He wasn’t alone, bumping into several other parents desperately looking for their missing children, and several children who got separated from their parents. The entire day was somber and frightening, and Maddie had spent the entire day glued to the phone. In case she called them. 

It was all...too real, and Jack flipped past more logs. He couldn’t help but begin to take note of how every single day had a log of ghost fighting activities, even if Phantom didn’t write down his feelings every day. This was so much more than the ghost hunting duo ever expected, more attacks than they were recording.

His eyes rested only for a moment on December 19, and he decided to just skip it. They had already read it earlier. No need to refresh those memories. More logs, and more missing pages, and he came upon another one. 

March 26

I ripped out a lot of pages, more than I intended. I can’t risk anybody finding out what happened, but also other pages revealed too much, so I kept them tucked away where nobody could ever find them. I’d burn them, but I don’t want to lose the ghost hunting data. It’s okay now. I fixed the problem and assured that everything’s going to be fine. Possibly better. I made the right choice this time, and now I know that one day, I will grow a sick beard. 

I know somebody knows my secrets now. All of them. She had known for months but wanted me to tell her. She asked me if I had a name, and ever since I told her that it was Danny, she’s been calling me that whenever she can. It made me cry the first time. It’s so great to have her know everything now. She loves me no matter what. I couldn’t ask for a better person. Even though she found out because I’m an idiot. This entire thing also made me realize how important it is to keep those secrets, and how poorly I’ve been keeping them. 

I didn’t ever mean for this to turn into a diary. I wanted to keep track of ghost fights. But it honestly helps with both the dysphoria and the stresses of being a ghost. I just went back and scribbled out names. Just in case. In the future I need to be more vague. 

But this is also the end for one secret. If things go wrong then well. I don’t know. I’ll make it up as I go along. But I know that this is who I am, and that I’m hitting a point where I need help to just be me. 

Him: 1; captured for good

Skulker: 2; captured

Desiree: 1; captured

Ectopusses: 1; captured

Cujo: 1, sent back to the GZ

Fenton Thermos: full

Fenton Anti-Creep Stick: destroyed, get new bat and sticker to put on it

Also learned a new ghost power: Ghostly wail. A scream that can just absolutely fuck somebody’s day up. I have to use it sparingly though.

Jack closed the journal, and he set it flat on the table. His mind was blank, and he couldn’t read Maddie. She continued to stare at the closed book, hand in pen but almost unsure as to what to even jot down as a note. He leaned in his seat, finishing his drink. Maddie exhaled deeply, dropping her pen in favor of stretching.

Neither said a word. Jack knew that this journal was not any kind of trick. It was too raw and emotional to be anything more than the thoughts of a teenage ghost. He regretted reading it. It held some interesting information, and he was sure if he dug deeper, that he would find more. But as it stood, his own intense guilt was settling as he knew that he just took too personal a look into the private emotional afterlife of Phantom.

“This is a lot to take in,” Maddie finally spoke. Jack only nodded.

The basement door opened, and they heard dual pairs of footsteps hop downstairs. Jack instantly brightened, and he turned in his chair to smile as his kids soon came into view.

“Hey, is this a bad time?” Jazz asked. She glanced between them, and Jack immediately shook his head no. 

“No, no,” Maddie replied quickly. Jack saw her push the journal and her notes, along with her pen and a few spare lab tools, carelessly into a drawer to help assure the Fenton kids that they weren’t interrupting anything. “What’s up, sweetie?” 

“Well, I have something that I wanna talk about,” their youngest spoke slowly. Jack noticed that she had finally taken off her hoodie, and that while she wore her normal tomboy attire, that something was a bit off about her. He couldn’t place it. Jazz stood close to her, an arm full of books clutched to her chest, though he couldn’t make out any titles. “It’s something important, and I don’t really want to put it off any longer.”

“Is something wrong? Are you in trouble?” Jack asked. His daughter shook her head no. 

“Oh, no!” she said. “It’s just…” 

She took a deep breath, and soon, their son began to explain.

[flirting-with-psychology]

🌸✨WILDFLOWER-APOLLO’S 300 FOLLOWERS SPECIAL✨🌸

LETS GET PERSONAL!

1. what’s your full name? 

No

2. when’s your birthday? 

November 26

3. what does your URL mean? 

I like psychology and I like thinking about crushes

4. who’s your celebrity crush? T

om Hiddleston

5. are you single or taken? 

Taken

6. rant. let it all out babe. 

Fuck jobs fuck capitalism 

7. are you named after anyone? 

My grandmother

8. do you have or want children? if so, how many? 

Possibly, if so then 2

9. do you relate to any fictional characters? 

Yeah, several. The ones that come to mind are Gatsby and Queen Regina

10. do you have any plants? 

Yes

11. what are you currently wearing? 

A jumper

12. describe your aesthetic in emojis. 

I’m on my laptop lol, not gonna try to do a survey on my phone

13. do you have any bad habits? 

Oh yes. Procrasting, instant gratification, being late, eating like crap, obsessing over stuff

14. what’s your sexuality? 

Mostly straight

15. what’s the last song you sang? 

Currently singing The Rose Song from HSMTMTS

16. what are your favorite colors? 

Pink, green, blue

17. are you and introvert, ambivert, or extrovert? 

Ambivert

18. describe your current mood in emojis. 

Again, laptop

19. is there anyone you’d do anything for? 

Probably not anything

20. what fascinates you? 

Random stuff, currently chemistry, music, crafts, and space

21. favorite artists? 

Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo

22. what outfit makes you feel confident? 

Fancy dresses

23. favorite flower? 

Idk

24. favorite season? 

Fall

25. favorite tv show/movie? 

TV show: Friends. Movie: Back to the Future

26. what do you like in a person?

Sense of humor, easy to talk to, common interests, attractive

27. least favorite color?

Idk maybe like muddy yellow

28. first crush?

Aidan in kindergarten

29. how long do you usually sleep?

When I don’t set an alarm, till like 1pm

30. what celebrity do people say you look like?

None really. I think I look like Lea Michele but I’m probably not that pretty

31. favorite scent?

Citrus

32. do you have/want any pets? if so, how many?

I don’t have any currently, I have had 4 cats and I want to get another cat

33. what color is your hair naturally? if you could dye it any color, what would it be?

Brown, I want to try a red ombre

34. do you have a good relationship with your parents?

Pretty good

35. do you take a yearly vacation?

No

36. what is your biggest fear?

Spiders

37. what do you wear to bed?

PJs or a nightgown

38. best memory?

Idk

39. best feeling you’ve ever experienced?

Probably when everyone liked my video or jokes, or when a crush likes me back

40. best gift you’ve ever received?

Half of the cost of my car

41. what’s your skincare routine?

Wash it once a day, rinse face twice a day, moisturize 

42. favorite book?

Harry Potter

43. favorite song?

All Too Well by Taylor Swift

44. favorite album?

It changes a lot, currently Sour by Olivia Rodrigo

45. share your playlist or a playlist you love!

Nah

46. dream destination?

I’d like to visit Ireland

47. best subject? favorite subject, least favorite?

Best was probably math, favorites were science and arts, least favorite was english

48. do you prefer baggy, loose, or tight clothes?

Semi-loose but with some form

49. punk or pastel?

Pastel

50. search your name + core on pinterest & make a moodboard!

Nah

51. if you could travel back to any time period, what would it be & why?

Medieval because i think it’s cool

52. do you have any piercings?

Just my ears

53. do you have any tattoos?

No

54. do you have any siblings?

No

55. are your parents together or divorced?

Divorced

56. do you have any stepparents or step-siblings?

No

57. are your parents strict?

My mom was kinda

58. do you have a set bedtime?

No lol

59. what state do you live in?

Colorado

60. what are your sun, moon, & rising signs?

Idk, I just know I’m a sagittarius

61. do you share any traits with your signs?

Idk, they’re pretty generic so that everyone feels like it describes them

62. what’s a song that gets you going?

Depends on my mood

63. sweet or sour?

Sweet

64. soft or hard tacos?

Idk, I don’t eat tacos too much

65. what color are your bedroom walls?

Pink and green

66. the color/design of your bedsheets?

Turquoise

67. favorite thing to drink out of?

A glass

68. socks or bare feet around the house?

Bare feet

69. favorite board game?

Lately Dead of Winter

70. favorite video games?

Among Us, Detroit Become Human

71. do you sleep with the fan on or off?

On

72. do you sing in the shower?

Yes

73. favorite song to belt at the top of your lungs when alone?

Satisfied from Hamilton

74. last thing you cried to?

Being stressed over job hunting

75. have you tried any alcoholic beverage before?

Yes

76. gum or breath mints?

Gum

77. favorite pair of shoes you own?

The pink wedges

78. how many pairs of shoes do you own?

Way too many, probably like 30 at least

79. what is the natural state of your hair?

A little wavy

80. have you had braces? if yes, how long?

Yes, for 4 years

81. makeup or natural?

Makeup

82. are you a competitive person?

I can be 

83. favorite pasta dish?

Pasta with cheese

84. favorite kind of chips?

Ruffles cheddar and sour cream

85. talk about something your passionate about!

Idk if I’m passionate abot anything

86. what are some of your hobbies?

Crafts, DnD, shopping

87. do you drink coffee? if so, how do you like it?

No

88. favorite kind of pizza?

White pizza with pineapple

89. favorite & least favorite labels that have been put on you?

Idk what labels have been put on me

90. are you religious?

No

91. were you raise religious?

Not really

92. what shoe size do you wear?

7.5-8

93. heroes or villains?

Depends on the character

94. favorite vegetable?

Corn

95. least favorite vegetable?

Broccoli probably

96. favorite dessert?

Chocolate

97. do you play any sports?

No

98. can you swim? if so, when did you learn how to?

Yes, when I was little

99. tell a funny story!

Idk

100. what job would you be terrible at?

Doctor or politician

101. what’s your favorite compliment to give?

Compliment their clothing or accessories

102. has your opinion changed on something recently?

I’m evaluating my opinion on how cautious I need to be for covid

103. favorite physical feature about yourself?

Maybe eyes

104. what’s your favorite physical feature about someone else?

I look most at faces

105. what’s something you would rate 10/10?

Galavant

106. heels or flats?

Heels

107. what’s something you had more knowledge about?

Does this mean wish you had? If so then chemistry

108. would you want to be famous?

I’d want to maybe be known by name but not by face

109. what’s something you would get arrested for?

Pirating TV shows

110. are you a planner or spontaneous person?

A mix

111. what do you hope never changes?

Being friends with my best friends

112. what are your pronouns?

She/her

113. are you a feminist?

For the most part

114. what’s your hogwarts house?

Hufflepuff

115. myers briggs personality type?

Idk, it changes every time

116. who’s your favorite superhero?

Idk maybe Thor

117. favorite villain?

Loki

118. marvel or dc?

Marvel

119. what’s an assumption everyone makes about you that’s not 100% true?

In school people thought I was bookish and didn’t care about parties or boys or that kind of stuff, and now that I’m out of school people think I’m ditzy and probably not that smart

120. favorite bands?

Taylor Swift

121. if you could meet one celebrity, who & why?

Taylor Swift because I like her music and I think we would get along

122. have you watched porn before?

A little

123. favorite disney movie?

Hercules, Aladdin, or Tangled

124. favorite disney princess?

Rapunzel

125. favorite disney prince?

Hercules or Aladdin

126. favorite disney couple?

Rapunzel and Eugene

127. star wars or star trek?

Star Wars

128. top five movies?

Back to the Future, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Timer, The Imitation Game, Tangled

129. top five songs?

All Too Well, In a Crowd of Thousands, Traitor, Me and the Sky, Satisfied

130. top five ships?

Idk. Currently I’m enjoying Gina and EJ from HSMTMTS

131. how gay are you?

Just a little bit, I have occasional crushes on girls but I don’t think I’d want to date a girl

132. scream. just let it out.

Ok

133. do you have a best friend?

Yeah

134. call or text?

text

135. what’s a song that’s been stuck in your head recently?

A lot of Olivia Rodrigo songs

136. is there a song stuck in your head right now?

Just the songs I’m listening to

137. what song(s) will you always love?

A lot of Taylor Swift and showtunes

138. what song is your current mood?

Idk, I just feel like singing

139. recommend an artist!

The girl who plays Ashlyn from HSMTMTS

140. favorite meme song?

They’re Taking the Hobbits to Isengard

141. a song you hate that everyone loves?

I Like It by Cardi B

142. an artist you refuse to listen to?

Most rappers

143. what’s you “big gay mood” song?

Idk, I Kissed a Girl?

144. favorite lyrics?

“You call me up again just to break me like a promise / So casually cruel in the name of being honest” from All Too Well

145. what lyrics would you get tattooed on any part of your body?

I wouldn’t

146. shuffle your music & share the result!

Knowing Me, Knowing You by Abba

147. what’s your favorite love song?

In a Crowd of Thousands

148. ultimate song to clean to?

Through the Fire and the Flames by Dragonforce

149. if you could collaborate with one musician, who & why?

Taylor Swift because she gets me

150. what song makes you cry?

Soon You’ll Get Better by Taylor Swift

151. what would be your theme song?

Blank Space

152. what’s a strange phobia you have?

Spiders aren’t that strange, so fear of having accidentally shoplifted

153. did you have an emo phase?

No

154. did you have a greek mythology phase?

Just a little

155. roman or greek mythology?

Greek

156. who’s your godly parent & which god/goddess are you?

Idk

157. how do you handle your anger?

Yell, slam things

158. most attractive singer of the opposite gender?

Ramin Karimloo

159. most attractive singer of the same gender?

Hayden Panettiere

160. what time is it?

12:03am

161. do you have any nicknames?

Star

162. what’s a song that always makes you happy whenever you hear it?

In a Crowd of Thousands

163. which swear word do you use the most!

Fuck

164. five ways to win your heart?

Sense of humor, sing duets, do creative stuff, tease me, pay attention to me

165. five pet peeves?

Mouth sounds, people who think strong female characters can’t have love interests, people giving me unsolicited advice, people wearing their mask under their nose, ghosting

166. do you have trust issues?

Maybe

167. what do you pray about?

I don’t

168. most traumatic experience?

Probably braces

169. what is your dream job?

Idk

170. if you were to be in a musical, which musical, character, & other cast members would you have?

I would love to play Angelica in Hamilton

171. who would play you in a movie about your life?

Lea Michele

172. what’s your favorite thing about your significant other?

Sense of humor

173. favorite fictional character?

Kelsier from Mistborn

174. post a picture of yourself!

Nah

175. what’s your favorite pet name?

I don’t really like generic pet names that much

176. what makes you feel like a horrible person?

Not caring enough about people

177. when did you realize your sexuality?

It was always kind of assumed, but started thinking I might be a little bi a couple years ago

178. when was your first kiss?

When I was 18

179. expose your parents. that’s right. expose them. they deserve it.

My mom is overly cautious and doesn’t know how to pick her battles, my dad is a bit annoying 

180. a phrase that breaks your heart?

Depends on the context

181. when did you come out?

I didn’t

182. how did you come out?

I didn’t

183. who knows you’re out?

I’m straight

184. what’s your lucky number?

Idk

185. how tall are you?

5′6″

186. favorite word?

finnicky

187. are you right handed or left handed?

Right handed

188. do you have an accent?

American

189. first word that comes to mind when you hear ‘heart’?

Beat

190. what’s something you’re proud of?

I made a funny meme in the work group chat the other day

191. do you like where you live?

I like the area, but I don’t like living at my dad’s house

192. when you’re older, do you want to move to a different place?

Yeah

193. do you play any instruments?

Clarinet

194. how long is your hair?

To my boobs

195. what’s the meaning of your name?

Star

196. give an unpopular opinion & let your followers attack you or be salty.

People shouldn’t be cancelled for one shitty opinion, and consuming their work doesn’t mean you support all their beliefs or even like them as a person

197. do you support the lgbtq+ community?

Yes

198. who were you supporting for the 2020 election?

Biden

199. opinion on abortion?

Pro-choice

200. opinion on the death penalty?

Against it

201. opinion on reverse racism?

It’s not the same

202. post your screen time for this week.

Like all damn week lol

203. have you ever talked to a celebrity?

Yes, I met Channing Tatum and got a picture with him

204. what was your first concert?

Demi Lovato

205. how long do you keep your bra on?

All day

206. what’s your bra size?

36D last time I got one

207. give a tour of your room (video).

nah

208. how many photos are in your camera roll?

2990

209. what is the most recent movie/show you downloaded on disney+?

Phil of the Future

210. do you like documentaries?

Occasionally if it’s an interesting subject, but it’s not my favorite genre

211. what’s your favorite musical?

Wicked

212. who’s your favorite non-broadway actor/ actress?

Benjamin Bonenfant

213. who’s your favorite broadway actor/actress?

Ramin Karimloo

214. what’s the song you’re currently listening to?

A Dancer’s Heart

215. drop your most recent picture!

Nah

216. do you have a record player?

No

217. how many records do you have?

None

218. show your records!

None to show

219. do you plan on going to college? if so, where?

I went to my state school

220. talk about someone without telling who.

They used to wear light up sneakers

221. talk about something you hate.

I hate tomatoes and everything made out of them

222. have you been to therapy?

Yes

223. what color are your eyes?

Brown

224. what color are your parents’ eyes?

Hazel for my mom, Hazel-green for my dad

225. what color are you significant other’s eyes?

Hazel

226. how old were you when you had your first kiss?

18

227. do you have a favorite parent?

No, they are good in different ways

228. are your grandparents still alive?

Just my maternal grandma

229. drop 10 songs & let your followers tell you if you have taste or not.

That’s too much work

230. how many followers do you have on twitter & instagram?

Like 3 probably lol

231. are you the eldest, middle, or youngest sibling?

Only child

232. do you have a specific daytime routine?

Work

233. how often do you go to the doctor’s?

When I need to

234. have you had any surgeries?

Yes, for my canine and wisdom teeth, and to get part of my thyroid removed

235. do you wear glasses?

Yes

236. do you prefer unsweetened iced tea or sweetened iced tea?

Sweetened

237. do you have a “type”?

Yes lol. I like a lot of types but my “type” that I fall for a lot is light skin, dark hair, blue eyes, "golden boy”/big personality

238. what’s your significant other’s astrology sign?

I think Sagittarius

239. drop 5 blogs you love.

Idk

240. do you think you’re like any celebrity (personality wise)?

Maybe Taylor Swift in some ways

241. are you a “popular kid”?

No

242. what are your school’s colors?

Black and gold

243. what’s your school’s mascot?

Buffalo

244. how many irl friends do you have?

Idk

245. who was your least favorite teacher?

My camera workshop instructor

246. favorite teacher?

My 7th grade math teacher, my freshman year words and music professor, and my junior year film professor

247. drop a picture of your closet.

Nah

248. how many awards do you have?

Idk, a handful

249. what’s one award you’re proud of?

The dean’s list

250. do you take naps?

I try not to

251. what’s something people always ask you when you first meet?

What’s your name?

252. favorite fast food restaurant?

McDonalds or Wendy’s

253. favorite place to dine in?

Rueben’s

254. mexican or chinese food?

Mexican

255. chinese or japanese food?

Chinese

256. mexican or japanese food?

Mexican

257. olive garden’s breadsticks or texas roadhouse’s yeast rolls?

Breadsticks

258. garlic bread or breadsticks?

Garlic bread

259. plain garlic bread or cheesy garlic bread?

Depends on my mood

260. chicken or steak?

Chicken

261. favorite meal?

Pasta

262. drop a recipe!

I don’t really cook

263. how do you like your steak cooked?

I don’t

264. what would your last meal be?

Pasta

265. are you allergic to anything?

Beeswax I think

266. cats or dogs?

Cats but I like both

267. favorite genre of music?

Showtunes

268. favorite fan fic trope?

Fake dating probably or needing each other for survival

269. favorite tv show genre?

Sci-fi or sitcom

270. what’s your favorite cover/cover a band or artist has or should do?

Disturbed cover of The Sound of Silence

271. how often do you write songs?

I haven’t since I was a kid

272. how many finished songs do you have?

Idk like 5

273. do you write your songs in your notes or in a journal?

I just came up with them

274. how long have you been writing?

I don’t really write

275. how long have you had your account?

Since like 2013 or 14

276. what was your first URL?

shineslikestars17

277. if you could change your name, what would it be?

Star

278. what would you like to name your children?

Shane or Eric for a boy, Phoenix for a girl

279. what are your parents’ & sibling’s names?

I don’t have siblings, I don’t feel like sharing my parents names

280. are your parents democratic or republican?

Democrativ

281. do you have more in common with your mom or dad?

Both in different ways

282. are you & your siblings close?

I don’t have any

283. how close are you and your siblings in age?

I don’t have any

284. are any of your siblings married?

I dont have any

285. do you have any nieces or nephews?

No

286. do your parents have any siblings?

My mom has a sister and my dad has a brother

287. do you have any cousins?

Yes

288. do you look more like your mom or dad?

Both

289. how old were you when you started your period?

13 I think

290. have you lost your virginity?

Yes

291. who took your concert virginity?

My what? 

292. who took your musical virginity?

My what?

293. scream again. everyone needs to.

Ok

294. do you have any collections?

Kinda, lately I’ve been collecting dice

295. what’s on your nightstand?

Water, lotion, advil, phones, chapstick, purell

296. how do you usually style your hair?

Down or ponytail

297. do you play games on your phone?

Sometimes

298. are you hydrated?

Yes

299. have you breathed enough today?

I assume so since I am still conscious

300. are you thankful for anything?

I know I have a lot of privilege

[everything-laito]

Diabolik Lovers Tag!!!

I was tagged by @zaraenia​ to do this (thanks bby!!!)!!! Let’s jump into it!

Rules: Answer the questions and tag anyone else you wish to see participate~ Also tag me (@vampiretsuki​) if you do this because I would love to read your answers~!

Will do, Tsuki!!! (｀･ω･´)ゞ

1. Who would you rather take to a night club, Carla or Azusa? 

I’ve never been to a club nor am a party person in general but I think that Carla would be a freakin epic person to go to clubbing with. Let’s just say Carla can get drunk off of human alcohol––I wanna see him bust a MOVE!

2. In a Science test would you copy Yuma’s test or Ayato’s test?

Definitely Yuma’s. The guy literally takes care of plants, he probably knows a thing or two about biology or chemistry at least. (assuming I do attempt to cheat cuz man,,, attempting that stuff makes me NERVOUS)

3. Would you rather have Kino and Azusa or Shin and Laito, as your Butlers? 

,,,,,,do I even need to say which option I’d choose? Yeah uhhh definitely Shin and Laito. Listening to that VS III cd of the both of them was so entertaining, they’re definitely a fun, yet unexpected pair. And uh Laito in a more “””submissive””” position??????????? ,,,,,,boy oh boy do I love the masochistic streak that man has,,,,, 

4. Go on a date with Reiji at an Aquarium or go on a date with Subaru at a Cafe instead?

,,,,,,,Bro I can’t stand Reiji but I LOVE aquariums (also Tsuki why are you afraid of aquariums omg ;;;;). But I also love Cafes and going to one with Subaru would be really nice.... But,,,, I can’t abandon an opportunity to go to an aquarium so I’d chose the former option. I’d probably try to challenge Reiji about his knowledge of marine animals. I bet I can outsmart him with my oddly extensive knowledge of horseshoe crabs, hehe (｀･ω･´) (horseshoe crabs are my favorite animal haha)

5. Would you rather go support/see Kou at one of his Concerts or go support/see Shu at one of his Violin Performances? 

Oh GOD this is a toughie!!! I love Kou so much and I think his concerts would be really fun, but Shu is also a very talented bby,,,, I love them both,,,,, But I’d probably have to go with Kou for this one. I’m not usually down with the rave atmosphere but seeing Kou would be SO fun.

6. In a Math Project would you team up with Ruki and Shin or with Reiji and Yuma? Who would fight less with each other? 

I was like “Reiji is def good at math so I’ll choose the latter” then I was like oh god he’s teamed up with Yuma, that’s no good,,,, However, I know Yuma can protect himself so I’m less worried about that, and Reiji could catch these hands after class if he makes any passive aggressive comments at Yuma. I’m a very school-oriented person so I’d probably go with Ruki/Shin on this one, for the grade and the decreased drama.

7. Who would you put your bets on, Kanato eating the most chocolates or Ayato eating the most Takoyaki? 

I think I’ve read somewhere that Kanato got a stomach ache from eating too many sweets??? I think??? So I’d probably bet on Ayato. That guy loves that stuff like no other.

8.- Sleep in Carla’s room, Subaru’s room or in Shu’s room? (You have the room to yourself, they aren’t there) Would you peak on their stuff? 

Considering Shu likes sleep,,,, his bed is probably at maximum comfort. I know he sleeps pretty much everywhere and anywhere, but still. I mean Subaru sleeps in a coffin, and that’s pretty metal,,,,, Also Carla’s room just looks nice too. But I love the layout of Shu’s so I’ll just stick with Shu haha.

Edit: omg I forgot to answer the latter part of the question.... hmmmm it is tempting.... I don’t think Shuu would kill me??? He’d probably mess with me tho—which,,, is better than death ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

9. You’re a princess of the Victorian era! Your father has ordered that you have a bodyguard.. who would you choose as your personal bodyguard, Laito or Kou? 

Kou is probably the more logical answer cuz he can actually throw hands when he needs/wants to, but I’m not logical when it comes to anything relating to Laito so,,,,, Laito,,,,,,, heh

10. Would you prefer to have Kino in his bat form as your pet or Shin in his wolf form as your pet instead? 

Omg first of all I didn’t know Kino had a bat form and that’s wicked cute. I don’t know too much about Kino lmao; I’d go with Kino and his bat form if I did know more about Kino. I love bats, I find them so cute, but I’m also a dog person, and Shin’s wolf form is heavily memed on. So Shin for the meme and also to have a freAKING PINK WOLF????? FUCK YEAH

11. Break a fight between Kou and Ayato or between Laito and Kanato? 

Oh god these are both a terrifying pair,,,, but Laito and Kanato are more terrifying when they're angry compared to Kou and Ayato. So I’d probably break up a fight between Laito and Kanato and then I don’t mind if I get the brunt of it by Laito later oops.

12.- Who would you kiss on the cheek, who would you kiss on the forehead and who would you kiss on the eyelids? Options: Ruki, Subaru, Azusa.

Cheek: Ruki Forehead: Subaru Eyelids: Azusa

hehe I liked this question, it was cute :’)

13. Take care of Shu and Reiji in their Chibi form or take care of Subaru and Kino in their Chibi form?

Lol I get to torment Reiji when he’s small???? fuck yeah, but also Subaru and Kino in their chibi form would be rly cute too. Honestly probably Subaru and Kino cuz it would be more entertaining. 

14. Sing/Perform in public Laito’s Q.E.D Song or Reiji’s Mr.ButterflyMask song? 

I can sing both (I’m not a good singer tho lol) but Laito’s song is more in my range I think??? Although I could sing Mr. Butterfly Mask too,,,, but y'all know me, I’m a freakin Laihoe so,,,,, y’all know what choice I’d go for

15. Would you rather wear Ruki’s casual outfit or Yuma’s casual outfit?

Yuma’s! It seems so comfy!!! And I love oversized things hehe

16. Go on a Vacation trip with Shu, Kino and Ayato at an Amusement park or go with Shin, Azusa and Subaru at a Water Amusement Park? 

I’m not a huge fan of either, they’re too overwhelming for me but if I did have to choose it’ll probably be the former. Just cuz that group seems more entertaining to be with at an amusement park. 

17. Would you rather get lost in a forest with Reiji, Kino and Kou or with Ruki, Carla and Kanato?

I never wanna be lost anywhere with Kanato; that’s a recipe for disaster. I’ll do the former! 

18.- Who would you cook breakfast for? Who would you make a scarf for? and Who would you do a drawing for? Options: Kou, Azusa, Shu.

Scarf for Azusa, cuz him swaddled up in a scarf is hella cute Drawing for Kou; I’d probably draw him whatever he asked lol, he is an artist (sure, different kind) so he probably has some fun ideas. And I’d cook breakfast for Shu cuz lazy morning breakfasts are just really nice. Tasty food and lounging around ;) 

19. Participate in a Circus as Carla’s Knife thrower assistant or go to a Casino with Shin and be offered as a bet/reward by him in the Roulette Wheel game? (So if Shin looses you’ll be taken away by whomever won) 

LOLLLL I do not trust casinos so it’ll probably have to be Carla’s knife throwing assistant. 

20. Who would you rather catch by accident taking a shower, Yuma or Kanato? 

*COUGH* ,,,,,Yuma,,,, just cuz that seems more entertaining (god look at me, pulling a Laito; choosing whichever option I deem as less boring). Kanato would probably slice me in half immediately. And,,, I have a stronger liking to Yuma lately thanks to Kai,,,,, *cough*

Well, hopefully y’all enjoyed that!! Feel free to partake in this even if you aren’t tagged btw! Don’t forget to tag @vampiretsuki when you repost it too!

I tag: @hotline-to-hell @nam00n @akumacaron @the-precious-sugar-chan @murasakiplum @the-tomboygamer123 @jardinsdeminuit !!! Have fun, go ham!

[need-a-new-hobby]

Demonology

note: this is my first emily centred fic, i hope i’ve done it justice \\ emily’s such a badass, i just imaging piper looking up to her and being so heartbroken to see her so sad \\ warnings: attempted depiction of loss and grief \\ apologies in advance if i have misrepresented grief, please do tell me if i have

“No way. Inigo every single time.” Piper shook her head at Garcia as she tossed a popcorn kernel in her mouth.

“But Westley became a freaking bandit for Buttercup!”

“Yeah, and Inigo spends the rest of his childhood and young adulthood mastering the sword for his father,” Piper argued. “How is that not attractive?”

“Because Westley is cuter.” Garcia stomped and Piper was about to launch her popcorn kernel at Garcia’s eye when she spotted a dripping Emily in the elevator. “Hey, Em! Who’s your favourite from the Princess Bride, Inigo or Westley?” But Garcia garnered no response as Emily staggered towards her, slightly shivering.

“Did you get that file for Tommy Vee like I asked?” Emily’s voice tumbled out, shaking and shivering, and Piper instinctively pulled off her own knee-length coat, holding it out to Emily. But she ignored it, reaching for the file instead. Piper faltered, tucking her coat over her arm. “Is Hotch still here?”

“I’m pretty sure he lives here…” Penelope trailed off as Emily pushed past between them. “What’s up with her?”

“Dunno. Guess she doesn’t want to talk about it yet,” Piper commented as Penelope pushed forward to the elevator. Piper stared at the door Emily went through until Penelope called out her name. “JJ’s coming back tomorrow right?”

“Yep. I’m thinking lasagne to celebrate her first day back.”

“Great idea.” The elevator doors closed as Emily tumbled her way to Hotch’s office, numb to the bone. But that wasn’t because of the rain.

“I just found out that... An old friend of mine died.” Emily fought the tears threatening to spill over the brink of her eyelashes.

“I'm sorry. Do you need to take some time?”

“Um... There's a chance that he could have been murdered, and there might be a second case.”

“What do you need?”

“Just some leeway to check it out.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Thank you,”

“Emily, if you want to take a few days and let us look into it...” Hotch offered, taking a step towards his battered agent.

“Matthew was...incredibly messed up, and I hadn't seen him in a long time, but he was important to me,” Emily explained, though there was no need.

“At least let us help.” Emily nodded as she sniffled and left the office after thanking him.

Somehow, she managed to stumble home, eyes fluttering closed as her head hit the pillow. She woke up early later that morning, dragging herself into the shower. As the water pounded her skin, she closed her eyes and there he was, bright as day. Before the drugs. Before the alcohol. Holding hands high, glee-stricken faces. Hot water melded with tears as they streamed down Emily’s face.

Emily thought she’d be the first one at the office, except she saw Piper doing paperwork at her desk. “Piper, it’s 7 am.” Without looking up or halting her pen, Piper gave her some excuse that Emily saw right through.

“Fine. I was worried about you.”

“I—” Before Emily could respond, Hotch appeared from his office, telling Emily the M.E. was ready to see her and Piper grabbed her grey winter coat, wrapping it around the pale turtleneck she was already wearing as well as her bike keys.

“C’mon. You can explain when we get there. I don’t have a spare helmet though.” Piper’s bike was liberating as it weaved through traffic, wind whipping Emily’s charcoal hair into a frenzy. They skidded to a stop outside the morgue and Emily unhooked her leg from around the bike.

“Now I get how you’re the first at scenes,” Emily joked weakly as Piper shook out her hair.

“Trust me, helmet hair is not fun.” Piper said as she hooked an arm around Emily’s, striding into the morgue with her. As the examiner revealed Matthew Benton’s pale body, Emily choked, and Piper answered her cell. “Got it.”

“Is it possible someone could have induced the heart attack?” Emily managed to ask.

“The easiest way to stop the heart is an injection of potassium. I would have found traces.”

“There's no other way?”

“I suppose it's possible he could have been injected with epinephrine. It wouldn't register, because clinically, it's identical to the natural adrenalin in the body.”

“Did he have a medical history of cardiac problems?”

“No. The attack was induced by his prolonged abuse of drugs and methamphetamines.”

“Was he tied?” Emily lifted Matthew’s wrists gently, stomach sick.

“The wounds are superficial.”

“Anything else out of the ordinary?”

“He bled heavily from his nose, but with the damage to his septum, my guess is that it was prolonged abuse of cocaine or methamphetamine.”

“And what about the other autopsy,” Piper asked. “Thomas Valentine?” The ME nodded, turning to the next body.

“He died of dehydration. There were traces of prescription antipsychotics in his system. I understand from his family he had a history of mental illness.”

“So, his death was induced by the antipsychotics too?” The doctor nodded

“Piper.” Emily held up Thomas’s wrist.

“Considering the self-inflicted wounds and the history of mental illness, the police didn't suspect foul play.”

“So, you have 2 bodies with ligature marks – each superficial. But you just dismiss them?” Emily confronted the examiner

“There's no medical reason to connect these deaths,” the ME defended herself. Nervous by Emily’s undiplomatic outbursts, Piper excused them, and they walked out into the rain. Before Emily could hook her leg around the bike, Piper tugged at her arm.

“Hey, we’ll find out who did this.” Emily’s shoulder sagged.

“You believe me?” Piper’s stomach dropped at the desperation in Emily’s voice as rain dripped down her coat.

“Always.” Piper shot Emily a soft smile as she donned her helmet and they drove back to the office. 

While JJ fixed Piper and Emily a hot cup of coffee, the others filed in, filling in Piper, Emily and JJ. Thomas Valentine was a schizophrenic who was married but lived alone. Spencer and Derek described how his wife took the kids away to protect them and how he was cursing God. Rossi and Hotch filled them in on Mrs Benton’s firm belief that Matthew was possessed, and Emily scoffed at that.

“Matthew had a thing about challenging the church. He could push it. When we were in high school, his mom and dad consulted a priest because they were afraid that he was possessed.” Derek pointed out that Mrs Valentine had suggested the same thing and both houses had scuff marks under the beds.

“Well, drug addiction and schizophrenia are the most common conditions to be misconceived as possession.” Piper spoke rationally, trying to fit things together. “Plus, both had conditions that could induce their deaths what with both having consistent levels of drugs in their system. Could the unsub have known these conditions?” The question wasn’t directed towards anyone in particular and Penelope’s rush into the room pushed it to the side.

“So, both Thomas Valentine and Matthew Benton were in Galicia, Spain over the same week 4 months ago.”

“That mean anything to you?”

“Yeah.” Piper stood up. “Galicia is one of the biggest Christian pilgrimage sites in the world and the cathedral is absolutely breathtaking.” Spencer noticed the gleam in Piper’s eyes. “Actually, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 90’s.” Derek threw his hands up and took a seat.

“So what, we think these are exorcisms?”

“It could be.” Piper leaned on the mahogany table, challenging Derek.

“Look, I know the Bible just as well as anyone, but I also know there's nothing more open to behavioural interpretation than religion.”

“Meaning what?”

“I think it's dangerous for us to wanna find a connection between these deaths.” Piper nodded slowly and straightened.

“Spencer, to the best of your knowledge, what are the main causes of heart attacks?”

“Complete or partial blockage of the coronary artery, age, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, family history of heart attacks, lack of physical activity, stress, illicit drug use, a history of preeclampsia, an autoimmune condition…”

“And apart from drugs, how many of those apply to both our victims?”

“Well, really it’s just drugs and stress.”

“Right, Emily?” Emily hummed as she sipped her coffee. “How long had Matthew been using?”

“Since we were about 16. Why?”

“Right, so if Matthew is almost 30, he’s been using for at most 15 years, wouldn’t there have been a sign before now?” They were all silent, staring at her, then Derek. “Guys, my math skills aren’t that bad.” Spencer shrugged, muttering that calling them skills was a bit of a stretch. She resisted the urge to slap him with a hardcover, mainly because the only thing in her hand was a cup of coffee. “What about silent killers, things you can’t see in a medical exam?”

“Chronic stress, maybe,” Reid suggested.

“Guys, don’t you think this is a stretch? I mean seriously, stress?”

“When stress is excessive, it can contribute to everything from hypertension, to ulcers to irritable bowel syndrome,” Spencer said.

“What could the guy be that stressed about?” Tired from Derek’s negativity, Emily slammed down two pictures of Thomas and Matthew’s wrists.

“Maybe he was stressed about a guy holding him down, trying to banish the devil out of him.” Emily stared him down until JJ squeezed her arm and soothed her back into her seat.

“Guys, look, I'm willing to say that we might have an unsub who ritualises killings as if they were exorcisms, maybe, but right now, we don't even know if we have a crime yet.” But before Piper or Emily could retaliate, Rossi intervened.

“Derek’s right. We need to step back. Let me talk to someone before I have us all telling ghost stories.” Piper downed the last dregs of her coffee while Rossi left to brave the pounding rain outside. Emily stormed out quietly, refusing to make eye contact with the team. Piper and Spencer tramped downstairs to their desks.

“You really think this is a serial killer?”

“I don’t know, Spence. All I know is that if it is, there’s someone out there who’s gonna kill again. I don’t want to take that chance.”

^-^

Rossi pulled up in front of his church, the largest congregation in his area, and closed the door behind him before he took the marble steps two at a time, careful not to slip. He shoved open the large double doors to the church, walking across to catch a familiar priest cleaning the altar.

“Hey, stranger,” the priest greeted Dave.

“I know. It's been too long.”

“So maybe after we speak, you'll let me take your confession?”

“Gonna strong-arm me?” The priest laughed.

“You bet. So, how can I help you?”

“What do you know about exorcisms?” Jimmy raised an eyebrow as he sat down in the first pew to answer the question.

“Well, they're, uh- they're controversial. The Vatican issued a new exorcism rite in 1999, so nobody speaks out against it, but if pressed, not every priest believes in demonic possessions.”

“Do you?”

“Let me put it this way. You believe that evil exists.”

“I've seen it.”

“So, if children are born innocent, at what point does evil enter them?”

“How common are exorcisms?”

“Conservatively, I’d say 400 or 500 a year.”

“Has anyone died in one?”

“What's this about, Davey?”

“I'm looking into the deaths of 2 men. Both were troubled. Each recently had made the same pilgrimage to Galicia, Spain. Each died within the last 2 weeks.”

“And why do you suspect exorcism?”

“Well, it's just a theory. One of our agents knew one of the men. She was afraid there might be some foul play.”

“You agree?”

“Would you know if one took place here in DC?”

“If it's sanctioned, probably.”

“If not?”

“Well, then it's not a true exorcism.”

“Thanks, Jimmy.” As Rossi turned his back, the priest raised his arm, first to God, then to the Father and finally the Holy Spirit, praying for his friend’s soul.

As Rossi returned from his trip, Piper jumped up to retrieve him. “Garcia got a call, 38-year-old white male found dead in his bed by his fiancée,” she told him as they rushed up to Hotch’s cabin. “Patrick Cavanaugh was in Galicia, Spain at the same time as Thomas and Matthew.” Rossi opened the door to Hotch’s office as Piper finished. “Reid, Prentiss and Morgan already left to see the scene.” Piper returned to her desk, resuming her leftover paperwork.

^-^

Derek walked behind Emily and Spencer as they trudged through the brief respite from the rain up to the Cavanaugh household. They flashed their badges to the officer standing guard outside the house. “What can you tell us?”

“Uh, white male, been dead for hours. Medics think it was a brain aneurysm.”

“You mind if we take a look at the scene?”

“Knock yourselves out.” The three agents walked into the room and Spencer noticed the scratches under the bedposts.

“This is kind of starting to freak me out a little bit.”

“Let's figure out if we have a crime before we start freaking out.”

“Obviously we have a crime.”

“Prentiss, how does an unsub induce an aneurysm?”

“Uh, could be caused by stress,” Spencer intervened.

“Yeah, like if you were restrained on a bed while someone tried to banish the devil from their body.”

“All I’m saying is I think we should go easy,” Derek spoke as Mrs Cavanaugh entered the room.

“Can I help you?” Her voice was meek and yet reverberated around the room. Being the closest to her, Derek held out his badge. “FBI? What are you doing here?”

“We’re investigating a series of unexpected deaths,” Reid provided from the back of the room.

“I don’t understand.” Sidelining any empathy that she could have held for the recent widow, Emily started interrogating her.

“Was Patrick acting erratically recently?”

“He had a brain condition. He was getting headaches, wasn't acting like himself.”

“Were you aware of a trip he took recently to Galicia, Spain? Uh, there's a church there called Santiago de Compostela we think he may have visited.” Emily stepped closer to the young widow.

“My fiancé travelled a lot for work. I don't know everywhere he went.”

“With all due respect, ma'am, I don't think you're telling us the truth.”

“Excuse me?”

“Did you believe Patrick was possessed?”

“I'd like some privacy, please?”

“Was someone trying to rid him of demons? Is that how he died?”

“No.”

“You really believe he had a brain condition?” Derek stepped in between, urging Emily to stop and motioning for her to leave before apologising to the young lady for Emily’s behaviour. But apparently, Hotch had already heard about the incident as the three found him waiting in front of the elevators.

“What happened?”

“I think there may be a third victim,” Emily maintained as professionally as possible.

“Is that what you think?” Hotch turned to Derek who glanced at Emily quickly before inputting.

“I don't know.”

“Uh, we have ligature marks, the Spain connection, and scuff marks under the bed.” Emily attempted to salvage the case as it fell apart at the seams.

“Hotch, it's weird, definitely, but there's no way to physically connect dehydration, a heart attack, and an aneurism.” Hotch sighed and Derek asked him if everything was okay.

“We've had a complaint. JJ 's trying to smooth it over with the DC police, but we haven't been invited in on the case.” Hotch uncrossed his arms, face neutral as always and Spencer followed his boss into the bullpen. Derek made to follow too, stopped only by Emily’s voice.

“Hey, that's how you have my back?”

“Prentiss, I'm trying to protect you.” Derek held his hands up.

“I don't need protection,” she spat.

“Hotch just said he got a complaint, and he didn't come down on you. You realize that? You just dodged a bullet. We have to approach this just like we do any other case.”

“Meaning what?” She narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to continue.

“Grief can make us wanna believe there's a reason for things when there's not.”

“That woman couldn't even use Patrick's name. She could only say, "my fiancé," because she's convinced something else died in that room that night.” She pushed past him, deliberately digging her shoulder against him, as she walked into the bullpen. As she poured coffee, Spencer recounted the earlier events to Piper.

“Yikes. Is Em okay?”

“I don’t know. She’s convinced there’s an unsub.”

“You don’t think so.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Spencer said as he sat at his desk. “It’s out of my hands.”

“Yeah, I heard there was a complaint.” Piper unclipped her hair, scooping it into a ponytail as she watched Emily glare at Derek over her cup. “Also, Garcia found something.” Piper rolled her chair closer to Spencer, leaning in as she spoke. “Turns out there was a blog posting by Matthew to create a support group for people who felt betrayed by their faith.”

“That explains how they all met.”

“That’s what I said. But it gets better.” Piper slurped at her tea. “And by better, I mean worse. The week the 3 of them were in Spain, the services at Santiago de Compostela were cancelled when the priest there died of, and get this, a heart attack. And,” she emphasised. “If you listen to the conspiracy chatter, there is a strong belief he was killed to interrupt services during the height of the pilgrimage. Their best guess is some kind of gas, sarin or VX, something that wouldn't show up in an autopsy. But it could be anything that would induce stress, cause a heart attack.”

“Then we have a motive. And a potential MO, An eye for an eye.”

“That’s what I said.” Piper’s eyes widened. “But Hotch can’t authorise an investigation.” She leaned back in her chair.

“Wait, but why’d you say that so secretively? Everyone knows, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve just always wanted to do that.” Piper beamed, spinning her chair before skidding over to her own desk. After a few minutes, Emily walked over, shrugging off her coat and getting down to get some work done. Piper looked up to see an attractive man walk up to Emily’s desk and she embraced him quickly. She couldn’t quite make out their hushed conversation but saw Rossi approach them and the two agents left to ‘grab coffee’.

^-^

“You know, there are nicer places to take a girl to coffee.” Emily stood outside the ruins of a burnt down house and Rossi snorted.

“You ever watch The Exorcist?”

“Yeah. Piper hated it.” Rossi nodded.

“The real case started right here. The fire department actually burned down the house themselves. The authorities referred to the boy as Robbie Doe. He's still in the DC area today.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“Whole lot of effort went into destroying the house of a kid who probably had onset schizophrenia or Tourette’s syndrome.”

“I'm not following you.”

“You're sure he was murdered. So, what's the story?” Emily sighed. “If you, uh, don't wanna explain, that's fine, but if you do, I'm all in.”

“Matthew knew the Bible inside and out, and he started to question everything.”

“Why?”

“We moved around a lot when I was a kid, 'cause of my mom's postings,” Emily said, pawing at the ground with her foot. “It was hard to get accepted, and when you're 15, that's all you want. You'll do almost anything.”

“You got pregnant,” Rossi inferred, and Emily nodded. “Was Matthew the—”

“No. I couldn’t tell my mom and I didn’t know what to do.” Emily’s voice cracked. “Matthew suggested I go see a priest. He said that if I had an abortion, I wasn't welcome in his congregation.”

“What’d you do?”

“Matthew found a doctor. He took me there. He stayed with me. That Sunday when we got back to Rome, he held my hand and walked me into the church. Father Gamino actually stopped his sermon, but Matthew told me to hold my head up, and we walked to the front pew.”

“What happened?”

“He and Matthew just stared at each other. It was like a battle of wills, and-- and then suddenly Father Gamino went back to his sermon. Matthew saved my life. He made me feel like i was worthy of... Love and friendship. But that's when his anger and questioning started. Then the drugs. His parents saw it all and assumed he was possessed by something evil.” Emily exhaled, looking at the overcast sky to avoid eye contact with Rossi. “It’s my fault…that Matthew’s life unravelled. Rossi watched her blink away tears before he continued.

“Garcia uncovered some information. It's possible Matthew and the others killed someone in Spain.”

“No. I don't believe that.”

“I'm just saying if we keep pushing, you have to be prepared for what we might discover.”

“I need Matthew to rest in peace. I owe him that.”

“Then let's go give a profile.” Rossi moved towards the SUV they rolled in.

“The-the police haven't invited us in.”

“The police aren't gonna do us any good on this one, anyway.”

^-^

Piper was perched on the podium, tightening her small ponytail over her dark cardigan as she watched the group of priests. Spencer stood in an adjacent corner, leaning his back against the wall as Rossi delivered the profile in front of their audience. “We are not here to examine your beliefs in demonology or exorcism, but we are operating on the theory that the person responsible for these deaths does believe. We believe the inciting incident was the death of Father Raul del Toro in Galicia, Spain, 4 months ago.”

“Th-there's an element who believes that the death was actually a murder.” Emily shoved her hands in her pockets.

“The man we’re looking for is probably a priest with a psychotic break,” Piper continued. “He may be under the delusion that he is working for God, would be obsessed with the event in Galicia.”

“He believes he's fighting evil and may very well have followed these men here to Washington,” Spencer finished Piper’s sentence. “We believe that one of the exorcisms took place over enough days for the victim to die of dehydration.”

“Uh, if I may,” David’s priest raised his hand, saying, “An exorcism is like a prize fight. It's completely draining, both physically and spiritually. Now, if this man truly performed 3 rituals within the last few weeks, he would need medical care.”

“Is there somewhere he would go to convalesce?”

“Um, anything less than a working hospital would be too dangerous.” Spencer met Piper’s eyes and she jumped off her perch, following him outside as he dialled Garcia.

“Garcia, it's Reid.”

“Speak, boy wonder.”

“I need you to run Catholic hospital records. Look for any admissions for exhaustion immediately following Patrick Cavanaugh's death. You got it?”

“You know I do.”

“Alright, now run the same search for the days immediately following the first 2 deaths.”

“Oh, I sense a cross-check in my future.”

“Do you have anything?”

“One hit- Father Paul Silvano. Currently at St. Agatha's hospital on 214.” Piper’s forehead unwrinkled and she sprinted down the halls of the church to Rossi, flinging the door open, announcing 3 magical words.

“We got him.”

^-^

“What do you mean he has diplomatic immunity?” Emily slammed a hand on Hotch’s desk.

“Exactly that. Emily, he’s protected by the Italian government. My hands are tied."

“Hotch, he killed three people.”

“There’s no proof.”

“He admitted he was there at each crime scene, that he performed an exorcism on him.” As the fight continued, Spencer gazed intently into the window from his desk.

“What do you think is happening?”

“Auntie Em and Dad are fighting again,” Piper answered as she scribbled the last word on her file, finally completing the week’s paperwork.

“I can see that. I mean, what do you think is gonna happen?”

“The regular. Hotch doesn’t listen to anyone except Rossi so hopefully he can sort this one out. Emily will storm out in 3… 2… 1…” Spencer watched her slam the door behind her as Rossi continued the argument with Hotch, sighing. JJ walked over, leaning her back on Emily’s desk.

“Can we deport him?”

“I doubt it,” Spencer sighed, leaning back in his chair.

“It's crazy. Diplomatic immunity wasn't intended to shield people from murder charges,” Piper complained as she stacked her finished paperwork.

“So Hotch bypasses the state department,” JJ suggested, “goes straight to the Italian Consulate.”

“And loses his career,” Spencer snorted. “The state department won't risk the potential embarrassment. They'll shut us all down.”

“Well, there's some realpolitik for you,” Piper puffed. “So, what do we do now?”

“Did you check his papers with ICE?” Spencer turned to JJ.

“Yeah. His diplomatic status runs till the end of the month.” Piper stood up, starting to pace.

“Okay, let’s go back to the profile. He's a believer.” Piper juggled a stress ball in her hands. “He deals in certainties. In his mind, he has a job to do. Which doesn't end until the end of the month.” Spencer stood up.

“There's another victim on his list.” As the realisation dawned on her, Piper jumped up onto Spencer’s desk before leaping over the partition, sprinting up to Hotch’s office. Spencer just blinked at where Piper had stood merely seconds ago. “That’s starting to get annoying.” Rossi then stormed out to catch Emily by the elevator and they went for another ‘drive.’

They drove to the Benton household where Mrs Benton recognised Emily perfectly, greeting her snidely. “We know Matthew died during an exorcism by Father Paul Silvano. He's performed 3 in the last few weeks. Each subject has died. We believe he's planning another one.”

“That's none of our business.”

“Matthew's gone. You've accepted that. At least let us warn the last family so they know what kind of choice they're facing.” Emily’s pleading met silence. “This isn't about me. This is about other families and the people they love.” Mrs Benton just sighed and walked back inside, leaving the door open for them to come in.

“Father Paul didn't kill Matthew.” Mr Benton was perched next to his wife on the arm of her chair.

“Why are you so willing to accept that? I- I'm just trying to find the truth about how your son died,” Emily pleaded with them from the opposite chair.

“Then listen to me. Father Paul never laid a hand on Matthew.”

‘How do you know that?”

“Because it was me.” He looked ashamed as he stared at his worn leather shoes. “I held him down, I sanctioned the exorcism.”

“I was there.”

“You stood there and watched Matthew die?”

“He wasn't the person you knew.”

“Because Father Paul said that?”

“Something horrible happened on that trip to Spain.”

“You believe that because Father Paul said it. You can't think for yourself?”

“Young lady, do not speak to me like that.”

“How could you allow him to perform a ritual over Matthew?”

“I loved my son.”

“Then you knew how Matthew was. You knew how paranoid he could be.”

“I was trying to save his life.” Emily stood up in frustration at Mr Benton.

“That priest must have done something. Matthew's heart wouldn't have just given out.”

“That thing killed Matthew! It was inside him for years. I know you know that's true.”

“No. Matthew was a sweet boy. He was just troubled.”

“He was never troubled until he met you,” Mrs Benton murmured loud enough for Emily to hear and she recoiled.

“Look, Father Paul explained that Matthew was a conduit. If you opened yourself up to him, you were putting yourself in danger of being taken over.”

“Was anyone with him in Spain or in DC?”

“No-one. He didn’t see anyone when he came back,” Matthew’s father explained.

“No, that's not true. I - I know for a fact he saw our friend John Cooley. His parents worked with my mother at the embassy in Rome. You called him to tell him Matthew had died.”

“I haven't spoken with John Cooley in over 20 years, not since you were kids in Italy.”

^-^

While Rossi went to smooth things over with Hotch, Emily went to John’s apartment, meeting Derek there. Derek flanked Emily as they stormed the apartment. Emily raised her gun, rushing to protect John as Derek dragged Father Paul away. Once outside, Emily freed John while Derek cuffed Paul. Carefully, Emily guided her old friend to the ambulance though his complaints of being fine. Before he left, he murmured something to Emily. “I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. In Italy.” Emily just smiled, rubbing his arm gently before pushing him gently to the ambulance. She rubbed her own arm as the ambulance doors closed and drove away. Piper stood next to Emily.

“You saved him.” Emily nodded. “If you want to crash over at my place, we can watch old movies together,” Piper offered as Hotch approached. She squeezed Emily’s shoulder gently before leaving them.

“If you want my gun and badge, I understand.”

“There’s no need. The Vatican intervened.” Morgan dragged Father Paul over to them. “There's a plane ticket in your name to Rome. Agent Morgan and I will drive you to the airport. Any of your belongings can be shipped to you.”

“You have no right to deport me.”

“The Italian government has rescinded your diplomatic status. They'll do with you as they see fit when you're back in their jurisdiction.” Hotch motioned for the SUV. But as they left, the father called over his shoulder.

“You’ve made the world a more dangerous place. May God’s love be with you.”

“And with you,” she spat back. Rossi, Piper and Spencer joined her and Derek

“I saw that guy up there. He was certain he was fighting against some kind of evil,” Derek murmured to the group as the snow glistened on his shoulders.

“We all have to be certain,” Rossi remarked as he watched the priest leave with Hotch.

“Rossi, don't tell me you believe in evil.”

“Don't tell me you do this job and you don't.”

“I believe there are evil acts, but those are choices, brain chemistry,” Derek explained. “What do you think, Pipes?”

“There’s no evil in the world. Every feeling, every emotion has its justification. For him, it was his beliefs. I think it’s easy for us to dismiss someone or something as evil.” Piper puffed; her breath smoky. Morgan nodded thoughtfully before Hotch called him. One by one, they all left to their own SUVs. Piper looked over to Emily, who stared thoughtfully into the snow, one tear rolling down her cheek. Piper draped an arm over her shoulder. “C’mon, let’s get you home.” Piper drove Emily carefully to her own apartment, letting her in gently. Emily couldn’t help smiling as Penelope held a hot bowl of soup.

“It’s chicken noodle.” Garcia beamed at Emily who took it, smiling softly at the soup. “Also, the movie choices are Sweet Home Alabama, Pretty Woman or Titanic.”

“I don’t know, I should—”

“How about just a quiet night in? Tell me you still made that lasagne.” Emily sat on Piper’s maroon couch, slurping at her chicken noodle soup as Piper and Penelope fought over how to cut lasagne.

“It’s not pie, Piper! You don’t cut it into triangles.”

“But it’s fun!” Emily giggled despite herself and Piper glanced over, smiling softly as she walked over, wrapping Emily in a throw when the doorbell rang. Piper opened the door for JJ who carried little Henry in one arm and a bottle of champagne in the other. Piper held Henry in her arms as JJ walked over to Penelope. The four girls sat on the floor, slurping soup, drinking champagne and eating lasagne. Emily smiled, finally feeling at home.

[fanfiction27878]

So, Soulmates, Huh?

Pairing - Harry Hook x Reader (Soulmate)

Rating - PG

Warning - None

Hello my names (Y/N) Firzhurbert and this is the story of how I met my soulmate. I’m the daughter of Relunzel and Eugene but I’m not special I don’t even have magic hair. I live in a land called Auradon were everyone has a tatoo and there soulmate has the same one. Mine is a paper boat on the back of my neck. I’ve never really been into soulmates with all my friends having one and me not it didn’t really faze me. No one even knows what my tatoo is because it’s behind my hair. (Tatoo on bottom without the letter)

I’m really good friends with King Ben and the 4 VKs. Ben found his soulmate Mal when he brought her over and now he’s bringing other kids also. That why I’m outside beside Ben, Mal, and Evie. I got roped into showing them around. There’s no big parade just a few kids. I was wearing black skinny jeans, a purple sweatshirt, and my hair down. “Would it kill you to dress up a little bit?” Ben asks playfully from beside me. “Yes.” I answer bluntly causing Mal to laugh.

That’s when a limo pulled up. The first girl to come out was Uma. Everyone knew who she was from when she tried to take down the barrier at cotillion. 2 boys then came out arguing. One has a red coat, a hook on his hand, and eyeliner smudged around his eye. The other has different shades of dark yellow with hair a little shorter than his shoulders. “Oi! Guys we have an audience.”

That seemed to shut them up. Ben then walks up to Uma holding out his hand. “Thank you for joining us.” Mal’s behind him with a smile that’s mostly real only a little forced. Uma shakes his hand and says, “Thank you for having us even after how we acted.” Uma says sincerely. Did I forget to mention Uma and the two pirates kidnapped King Ben, but it’s all good now. The pirate in red just nodded to the King while the other one shook his hand enthusiastically.

“Uma, Harry, Gil, this is (Y/N) Fitzhurbert. She will be showing you guys around.” Ben says gesturing to me and them before leaving with Mal. At least now I know their names. Evie takes Dizzy inside so it’s just me and the other guys. “Hi guys I’ll show you around the campus and then to your rooms.” I tell them. Uma eyes me up and down and then says, “You don’t look like a princess.” I know she doesn’t want to be mean she was just pointing out the obvious. “I’m not like the other princesses.” I tell them with a smile turning to the school.

We were walking a few minutes with me just pointing out things. “So why aren’t you wearin’ shoes?” Harry asks. “I don’t like them.” I answer shortly. It’s true I never wear shoes just like my mother. “That’s cool.” Gil says. I just laugh. I show them the main rooms and the library with a little talk. “So Harry And Gil, you guys are rooming together. Uma your rooming with me.” I tell them. “Oh and Harry Ben told me to tell you, don’t let anyone see your hook because if Fairy Godmother sees it she’ll donate it and I think it means a lot.” I tell him. I can see Harry grip his hook a little harder.

“Thank you (Y/N).” Gil says happily as him and Harry walk into there rooms. “No problem and if you guys need anything don’t hesitate to ask. Me and Umas room is the end of the hall on the right. You guys can meet us there tomorrow morning so I can show you to your classes.” I then show Uma our room. “Here I’ll leave you to unpack your stuff. If there’s anything of mine to close to yours feel free to move it and there’s a stash of candy under my bed if you want. Oh and dinner starts at 6.” I tell her. “Thanks (Y/N) your not that bad.” Uma says with a little smile.

———3 weeks later———

The others are setteling in nicely. Harry and Gil are over me and Umas room a lot. Uma and I have actually become pretty good friends. I started tutoring Harry in Math. Gil’s really nice and he likes going to the library with me. They even get along with the others sitting with all of us at lunch. “We should have a sleepover today.” Evie says as we all sit around the lunch table. After a choruses of ‘yes’ Mal asks, “which room?” “You can come to me and Uma’s if that alright with her. I can get a stash of candy.” I say and Uma nods that she was fine.

We decided to meet up in my dorm at 8 so I was surprised when a knock interrupted my reading at 6. “Come in.” I told them. The door opened and Harry was there. “Hey do you know where Uma is?” He asks walking in more. “I think she went to ask a teacher for help with some homework she should be back in like an hour.” I told him. “Oh. Then I should go.” He says starting to walk out. “Wait. Can you help me get more candy?” I ask him. He turns back around with a smile, “Sure.”

“Where do you get your candy?” Harry asks as we walk towards the kitchen. “I steal it from the kitchen.” I tell him. “Woah, way to go princess.” He says. “Well be quiet because if I get caught were never getting candy.” I tell him as we sneak in. We end up crawling on the floor to the storage in the back we’re they have the beat candy. We ended up stealing a bunch and I had a great time hanging with Harry. By the time we get back to my room we’re laughing.

We see Uma on the bed and she seems surprised by us running, laughing, and carrying boxes of candy. “Where were you guys?” She asks. “We we’re stealing.” Harry says with a smirk. “Stealing?” Uma almost yells. I quickly put my hand over her mouth shushing her. “Be quiet someone could hear you.” I tell her still laughing. “Did you know (Y/N) steals all of her candy. Yep we snuck into the kitchen and then stole these boxes of candy.” Harry says. “You guys are too much.” Uma says. That’s when Harry takes off his jacket. He usually wears it so I’ve never seen him with it off. That’s when I saw the closed skin on the back of his neck. There was the same tatoo thats on mine. I touch the back of my neck before rushing out of the room saying something about needing to talk to ask Mal about homework.

I go to Bens room finding him and Mal. I burst in to see them talking. “Ben get out.” I say forcefully. He stands up and starts asking what’s wrong when I push him out shutting the door and locking it behind him. “What’s wrong (Y/N)?” Mal questions walking over to me. “I found my soulmate” I tell her pacing the room. “Awww. That’s great. Who is it?” She asks me. “This is not great and I’m not telling you even if you dare me.” I stand there pacing for a little bit before looking at the time. “I have to go get ready. See you later.” I tell her.

I’m a little nervous walking into my room but I put on a facade. “Hey (Y/N), what was with running out later?” Uma asks looking up. I skim the room to see Harry left. “No reason.” I answer. I go and get changed into black sweatpants and a loose purple t-shirt. “Come on Uma you have to go get your pjs on they’ll be here in 10 minutes.” I tell her. I grab all the candy and then there’s a knock on the door.

Standing there is Harry and Gil. As I open the door they both walk in. Gil looks excited while Harry just looks bored. While Gil goes over to the candy, Uma finishes getting dressed, and Harry lays down on my bed grabbing the book I was reading. The rest arrive a few minutes after. “So what do you guys want to do?” Evie asks Doug by herside. We are now sitting on the floor. I’m sitting next to Harry, Uma, Gil, Jay, Lonnie, Jane, Carlos, Evie, Doug, Ben, and then Mal’s on my other side. We’re all eating the candy stash me and Harry stole.

“Let’s play Truth or Dare.” Uma says with a smirk. Everyone seems to like the idea. “Ok rules?” Mal asks. “The person that’s it has to choose a truth or dare everyone else has to do. If someone doesn’t want to do it they can choose another truth or dare. If they won’t do that they have to take off an article of clothing and leave it off for the rest of the night.” Uma answers.

“I’ll go first.” Evie volunteers sending a glance to Mal. “I dare everyone to show their soulmate tatoo.” She says. ‘Uh oh’ I think. Doug shows the crown on his arm, while Ben and Mal show the blue and Purple Heart on their shoulder. “Someone say Truth or Dare.” I say as everyone groans. “Oooh. I know. Who’s your soulmate.” Ma says. Instead of answering I take off my shirt leaving my sports bra underneath. “Come on (Y/N) tell us.” Uma pushes. I just shake my head. Harry shows the tatoo I also have on the back of my head, Uma shows the diamond on her ankle, Gil shows the cartoonish planet on by his color bone, Jay and Lonnie show the fencing sword on their fingers, and Jane and Carlos show the spotted bow on their legs.

Evie and Mal seem a little disappointed that I didn’t show my tatoo. All I could do was glare at them. A few rounds later left Harry without a shirt when he wouldn’t say why he loves his hook so much and Jane took off her sweatshirt. “I’m bored we should watch a movie.” Jay complains. “What movie?” Jane asks snuggled next to Carlos. “We should watch Harry Potter” Ben says excited. “Definitely.” I say even though I’ve watched the movies about 200 times. “What’s Harry Potter?” Gil asks.

“Are you telling me you’ve never seen Harry Potter?” I ask. “Nope.” All the VKs answer including the original 4. I get up and grab the movies and pop them in the TV. Half way through I’m freezing in just my sports bra and sweatpants. I rub my arms for a few minutes. “Here (Y/N).” Harry says patting the spot next to him. I scoot over and he throws the blanket he was using over me too. We end up watching 1 more movie before I fall asleep on Harry’s shoulder.

———Harry POV———

I feel a pressure on my shoulder and I look down to see (Y/N) fell asleep on my shoulder. I couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto my face. I look up to see Mal watching is. I look at her in a menacing way. She just puts up her arms in surrender with a smirk on her face. I watch the movie a little longer before falling into a light sleep on (Y/N)s head.

I wake up to giggling. I blink away my sleepiness and look up. “What are you doin’?” I ask Mal and Evie the only ones up. “We were about to look at her soulmate tatoo. We think it’s on the back of her neck.” Mal answers going to move her hair. I slap her hand away and pull (Y/N) closer. “Come on. She might have it on the back of her neck like you and today she rushed into Bens room and told me she figured out who her soulmate was and she was freaking out.” Mal says. Ok maybe I wanted to know a little bit. I’m not going to lie I wouldn’t be mad if (Y/N) was my soulmate. “Leave her alone.” I tell them.

They back down and go next to their partners who are sleeping. I move (Y/N) a little bit when a catch a glimpse of the tatoo on the back of her neck. I smile took over my face as I fell asleep.

I woke up the next day from someone trying to get out of my arms. “Hey.” I say not opening my eyes. “Hi, Harry.” (Y/N) replies. “So, soulmates, huh?”

[sailorportia]

Femslash February 2020, Day 4

Fandom: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Pairing: Glimmer/Catra Prompt: Punk/Pastel

approx. 2,100 words, rated T

also available on AO3

Summary:  Catra and Glimmer are forced to work together on a group assignment, and it's almost a competition to see who's more annoyed by this arrangement.

Tags: University AU, Swearing, Alcohol, Drunken Kissing

Catra was holding court in her corner of the student union building's cafeteria. "I can't believe Professor Prime stuck me with Sparkles for a group project!" She slammed her fist on the table, rattling everyone's lunch trays. "Anyone else would've been better than Sparkles!"

"I'm confused," Entrapta said, picking up tiny sandwiches from her lunchbox. "Who's Sparkles? Oh, do we have a new friend!?"

"Oh, um, that's what she calls Glimmer," Scorpia said. "Because, well, y'know," she leaned in and whispered, "Catra doesn't like her very much."

"Oooooooh!"

Catra ignored the exchange, lost in her own petty misery. "That girl is the worst. Total control freak. She never shuts up in class, always arguing with the profs and making everything a debate. She's not even that smart. I bet she only got in because her mother's got tenure." Her hatred toward Glimmer in no way stemmed from the fact that princess was now closer to Adora than Catra was. They were even roommates now. Not that it bothered Catra at all.

"Um, just out curiosity," Scorpia said, "this might not be important, but have you ever really talked to her? Like, other than insulting each other?"

Catra gave her a blank look. "Why would I need to do that? I don't need to learn her favourite colour to know I hate her." Knowing Sparkles, it was probably pink. Or worse, hot pink.

Entrapta frowned. "That's not a very scientific approach."

"I'm a political science major. Everyone knows that's a fake science."

"Okay," Scorpia said. "But she's one of Adora's friends. Isn't that enough reason to try to get along with her?"

"I don't want to get along with Adora's friends." Catra uttered the words as if they were a rule. If Scorpia and Entrapta had been feeling sassy, they could've pointed out that Catra was also one of Adora's friends, and that would explain why she didn't get along with herself.

"I'm just saying," Scorpia said with a shrug. "Maybe if you give her a chance, you'll find something you like about her. Or, uh, something you don't hate at least. Who knows? You might have more in common than you think."

"As if!" Catra and Glimmer couldn't have been less alike. First off, their appearances were complete opposites. Catra's punk style had attitude, conveyed through dark colours, unruly hair, spiked accessories, the patches on her jacket and other modifications to her clothing, such as stylish, strategically placed holes she tore with her own claws. Glimmer, in contrast, was a pastel disaster whose brightly-coloured outfits hurt to look at. Her hair was literally pink, like she was made of bubblegum or something. Secondly, Glimmer was a sanctimonious goody two-shoes, whereas Catra just didn't give a fuck. No way in hell were they going to get along.

"Well, you better figure out how you're going to talk to Glimmer," Entrapta said, "because she's headed this way."

A group of three approached their table: Adora and Bow, led by a pissed off Glimmer. Catra might have found it intimidating if she weren't wearing the softest possible shade of lavender. Her new haircut was something of an improvement. She was almost hot—but Catra wasn't into bossy girls.

"Hey, Catra," Adora said nervously as the group reached the table.

Glimmer cut Catra off before she could say her customary greeting. "If you screw up this assignment for me, I'm going ruin you."

Bow grimaced. "Glimmer! We literally just went over this!"

"You could at least pretend to be nice," Adora said.

"Why do I have to be nice?" Glimmer pointed at Catra accusingly. "If you heard the way she talks in class you'd get it. She's a war criminal waiting to happen."

Catra snorted. "Says the girl who's a shill for the monarchy."

Bow stepped between them. "Guys, guys, cool it. We don't want another fist fight on our hands."

"It was one time!" Glimmer protested. "And it was hardly my fault. Nyan Cat over here was being a belligerent drunk."

"Don't blame me for that incident," Catra said. "You threw the first punch after like six Shirley Temples."

"Who wouldn't punch you when you're so obnoxious?" Glimmer let out an agonized groan. "Just get your ass to me and Adora's dorm room tonight by six o'clock, or I'll come looking for you."

"Whatever." Catra stuck her tongue out as Glimmer stalked off, her friends running off after her. She didn't need any more proof that the two of them were incompatible at every level. Maybe she'd fail this assignment on purpose just to piss her off.

Glimmer was already regretting her decision to work on the group project in her dorm room. Her reasoning had been that she didn't want to be seen in public with Catra, but she hadn't anticipated how much having Catra in her living space made her skin crawl.

They were sitting on Glimmer's side of the room. Catra had attempted to make herself at home on Adora's bed, but Glimmer put that to a stop immediately.

"You don't shed, do you?" Glimmer asked, eyeing Catra's wild mane of fur. "I don't want to be picking your hairs off my clothes for the next month."

"That's an anti-cat microaggression," Catra said. "Not very politically correct of you. Besides, it can't be as bad as all the glitter you leave behind, Sparkles."

"That's not my name! And I do not wear that much glitter." Sure, Glimmer preferred sparkly eye shadow some days, and some of her clothes did have glittery details on them, but glitter wasn't her thing. "You're in no place to criticize how I look." She sneered at Catra's outfit, specifically the tears in her pants. "Nice jeans, were they 50% off?"

"Haha. Very funny. I'm sure you bought your clothes at 200% the price just to show off how bougie you are."

"Listen you—" Glimmer groaned through her teeth. She knew Catra was just trying to get under her skin. All she had to do was be the bigger person and let this go. "The sooner we start this assignment, the sooner we'll be done and out of each other's hair."

"Finally something we can agree on," Catra said. "What's the topic again?"

"We're supposed to pick one from this list." Glimmer retrieved the relevant paper from her desk and read them off. "There's one about arguments for and against raising the minimum wage."

"Eh? That sounds dangerously like math. Economics sucks."

"Fair. Next is one about the role of money in politics."

"Still too much math."

"Suggestions for electoral reform?

Catra laughed. "Maybe get rid of elections altogether? Then everyone's equally unhappy with the result."

Glimmer could've sworn she had some patience, but it was running out faster than she'd anticipated. "There's one about the ethics of torture."

"That one's easy. Whatever gets the job done is fine with me."

Never mind writing an assignment together, they were never going to find a topic they could agree on due to Catra having the moral centre of a Saturday morning cartoon villain. "Torture doesn't even work! The premise is flawed."

"Really? It's working on me right now."

Glimmer groaned. "Is this a joke to you? This assignment is for 10% of our mark! You might not care about your own future, but I do."

Catra smirked. "What's wrong? Afraid that Professor Mommy will be disappointed if her little princess flunks a class?"

"You don't have any idea what it's like studying at a college where your mother is one of the professors. Having to measure up to those expectations all the time."

"Hey, at least people expect something from you. You can't imagine what it's like to grow up in Adora's perfect shadow."

"Yeah, well now she's my perfect roommate, and I'm going to lose it if I have to hear one more time that Adora got on the dean's list last year and I didn't."

"Oh yeah? Well I would've gotten on the list too if I didn't have to deal with Professor Hordak's inferiority complex."

The conversation carried on way longer than it should've. It turned out the only way they could avoid bitching at each other was by bitching to each other instead. Before long they ordered a pizza and cracked open a couple of cold ones, the assignment lying forgotten on Glimmer's desk.

By the time they ran out of things to complain about, they were both a little beyond tipsy. They had moved to sitting on Glimmer's bed, leaning against each other. Glimmer was very aware of the fact that she had never been this close to Catra before, physically or emotionally. Not wanting to linger on those thoughts, she said the first thing that came to mind.

"Hey, is it true that you wore a tux to your high school prom?"

Catra smirked. She put her empty beer can down and got out her phone. "Feast your eyes."

Feast, Glimmer did. She was tempted to ask Catra to send her the pictures. "Daaaaaaaaaaamn," Glimmer said. "Adora's so lucky. I went to mine with Bow as a friend-date, but she got to dance with the hottest girl at the prom."

If they were any farther apart, she wouldn't have picked up on the other girl's reaction: a low, rumbling sound in her chest.

"Oh my god." Glimmer couldn't believe her ears. "Are you purring?"

"No!" Catra stuffed her phone back in her pocket and crossed her arms over her chest, as if that would cover up the sound she'd already made. "You're imagining things. All that glitter must've gone to your head."

"Oh, looks like someone isn't used to hearing people say nice things about her." This was too good. "So that's how I get under your skin."

Catra's face looked like it couldn't decide if she were furious or embarrassed. "Screw off, Sparkles."

"Aw, you can dish it out but you can't take it? That's so cute." Glimmer honestly didn't know why she was winding Catra up. Maybe she wanted to see what would happen when she finally sprung.

Catra stood up, but didn't step away from the bed. "Isn't Adora going to be coming back soon? I should probably go..."

Glimmer grabbed Catra's arm and pulled her back down. "We've talked enough about Adora. Let's talk about you."

"I don't want to talk," Catra said. "I don't want Adora to walk in and see me getting along with you!"

"You care too much about what Adora thinks. Are you that hung up on your old prom date?"

"I am not! Screw you! I'm always getting the girls. I don't need to chase after Adora. I've got pull!"

Glimmer smirked. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Catra had hit her limit. The cat finally pounced. "You asked for it."

In one swift motion, Catra pushed Glimmer down and pinned her to the bed. There was a moment's pause before their lips crashed together.

Oh my god, Glimmer thought as she tasted the alcohol on Catra's breath, is Catra kissing me? Am I kissing her back? Even being tipsy wasn't enough to excuse this. But Glimmer didn't really care. She needed to blow off steam, and making out with a bitchy catgirl serviced that need.

The kissing kept getting messier and messier, which was a nice analogue to their interpersonal relationship. Glimmer vaguely acknowledged that she'd never live it down if anyone found out about this, but it wasn't like Catra was going to brag about it either. They were in the clear—

"Oh my god. I didn't expect you guys to get along this well."

Glimmer and Catra sobered up instantly. They broke apart, Catra springing away as if she'd suffered an electric shock. In absolute horror they turned in unison to see Adora standing in the doorway, barely containing her amusement.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Glimmer said.

"It's actually exactly what it looks like," Catra said. "Kill me."

Adora laughed so hard she snorted. "Looks like you guys had a party," she said, looking at the empty pizza box and beer cans. "You guys must've finished up that assignment pretty quickly." She raised an eyebrow at the sight of the pair's blank looks. "You did work on the assignment, right?"

As if a switch had been thrown, Glimmer and Catra were back at each other's throats as if nothing had happened. "This is all your fault!"

[sleeping-platinum]

Thanks for the tag @carlatsukinamistolemyhamsandwich !! 

Rules: Answer the questions and tag anyone else you wish to see participate~ Also tag me ( @vampiretsuki) if you do this because I would love to read your answers~!

 1.- Who would you rather take to a night club, Carla or Azusa? 

- In all honesty, neither would appeal to me! Characters and the setting. Carla would make me nervous even if we don’t stay long because my anxious mind would constantly mistake him for being angry and a night club?? Too many sounds would send me into a panic attack and I will search for the easiest most available way out possible. For these reasons, I believe Azusa might be the easier choice for my anxiety since I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t confuse his voice for anger. I would still think he’d be upset for some reason; however, a much calmer voice probably wouldn’t spook me as easily.

2.- In a Science test would you copy Yuma’s test or Ayato’s test? 

- I would be too nervous to copy, especially from these two, but for this one maybe Yuma? Admittedly, I’m not entirely sure just how smart these two are, but I mean, I failed chemistry in high school because of formulas so there’s that~

3.- Would you rather have Kino and Azusa or Shin and Laito, as your Butlers?

 - I think Azusa would be more fit to try and fill the role, but since I have not touched Kino’s route at all yet (I’m so sorry), I would have to go with Shin and Laito. Whether they’ll actually do the job is the real question…

4.- Go on a date with Reiji at a Aquarium or go on a date with Subaru at a Cafe instead?

- I would most definitely choose the Aquarium! Not only have I never been to one, but the fish and sights would definitely help distract me from any nerves I would have! A café isn’t bad either, but there would be little to nothing (unless it’s a dog or cat café then it would be interesting especially with Subaru) to distract me if I get too nervous or anxious. But I’ve always wanted to go to an Aquarium so that one wins!

5.- Would you rather go support/see Kou at one of his Concerts or go support/see Shu at one of his Violin Performances? 

- Shu’s Violin Performance! I’ve sort of been to a concert before and the noise and close proximity to others makes me uncomfortable. I think I would feel more peaceful at Shu’s performance than Kou’s.

6.- In a Math Project would you team up with Ruki and Shin or with Reiji and Yuma? 

- Regardless of which one I ultimately pick; I would literally be the dead weight of the group and that fact alone is enough to have me avoid this scenario at all costs. I’m not ready to be ridiculed for my lack of knowledge, I’d rather help Carla clean the mansion… I’ll go with Reiji and Yuma. Perhaps the need to complete the project would keep them (or just Reiji) from actively commenting on my mistakes ;;w;;

7.- Who would you put your bets on, Kanato eating the most chocolates or Ayato eating the most Takoyakis? 

- Kanato. Chocolate comes in all sorts of sizes, but even with equal consistency, it always seems like he’s constantly eating them anyway.

8.- Sleep in Carla’s room, Subaru’s room or in Shu’s room?  (You have the room to yourself, they aren’t there) Would you peek on their stuff?

- Listen okay, this is an odd detail to point out but it’s relevant for this question. I am literally a smaller, simpler version of Shu (minus the libido), my url has “sleeping” for a solid reason and that is because I love to sleep. The only one I’d eliminate from the choices is Subaru, because I’ll question the comfort of the coffin. It look tiny to me~

 Immediately, I’ll pick Carla’s. The room doesn’t seem so massive and the bed looks comfortable, a nice quiet place to rest indeed. If the boys would be in the room, it would be Shu since at the very least if I’m kicked out of the bed, I can sleep on the odd-looking couch. As strange as it is, I observe potential spots that look good for a nap (because my anxious mind has to imagine worst case scenarios). I’m not one to look into things when I’m in a new place. If I can have a place to sleep, draw or play a game, I’m fine.

9.- You’re a princess of the Victorian era! Your father has ordered that you have a bodyguard.. who would you choose as your personal bodyguard, Laito or Kou?

- They both look like they lack commitment, so that concerns me. I’ll choose Laito. I think I’m slightly more scared of Kou in all honesty.

10.- Would you prefer to have Kino in his bat form as your pet or Shin in his wolf form as your pet instead? 

- Shin. Wolf. Gimme.

11.- Break a fight between Kou and Ayato or between Laito and Kanato? 

- Laito and Kanato I guess? Maybe candy will work, cake or something to at least distract Kanato. I’m more likely to run from the fuss and hide in some place quiet though.

12.- Who would you kiss on the cheek, who would you kiss on the forehead and who would you kiss on the eyelids? Options: Ruki, Subaru, Azusa.

- Cheek, Subaru. Forehead, Ruki. Eyelids, Azusa.

13.- Take care of Shu and Reiji in their Chibi form or take care of Subaru and Kino in their Chibi form? 

- I Will lose Kino. Shu and Reiji.

14.- Sing/Perform in public Laito’s Q.E.D Song or Reiji’s Mr.ButterflyMask song? 

- I had to look these up, I don’t own any of the song CDs~ But oh my goodness, I certainly did not expect that from Reiji! I pick Laito! I like the lyrics from his more (but I’d rather die than sing in public).

15.- Would you rather wear Ruki’s casual outfit or Yuma’s casual outfit? 

- Ruki.

16.- Go on a Vacation trip with Shu, Kino and Ayato at a Amusement park or go with Shin, Azusa and Subaru at a Water Amusement Park?

- I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep in the water and drown or possibly get left behind and lost and I have terrible issues with that. But you know what, the combination of Kino and Ayato is enough for me to have an adventure out of the comfort zone, I’d much rather drown than go on any potentially extreme rides. I’ll be in the kiddy pool thank you very much.

17.- Would you rather get lost in a forest with Reiji, Kino and Kou or with Ruki, Carla and Kanato? 

- Carla!! And Ruki and Kanato.

18.- Who would you cook breakfast for? Who would you make a scarf for? and Who would you do a drawing for? Options: Kou, Azusa, Shu. 

- Cook for Azusa since I feel he’d be less likely to mock me for my lack of cooking skills… Draw something for Kou and Try to knit a scarf for Shu.

19.- Participate in a Circus as Carla’s Knife thrower assistant or go to a Casino with Shin and be offered as a bet/reward by him in the Roulette Wheel game? (So if Shin looses you’ll be taken away by whomever won) 

- Welp. See you all in the hospital if I survive, better than being given to a stranger.

20.- Who would you rather catch by accident taking a shower, Yuma or Kanato? 

- Yuma. I don’t think he’d scream as loud or at all.

Thanks again for the tag, these are always fun to do! Sorry my answers aren’t all that interesting though! And I don’t think I have any other friends in this fandom?? ;;w;; So I can’t exactly pass this game on...

[greekgeek21]

The Codependency Competition Ch. 3

Hey guys! I just want to mention that I'm actually doing ok with my updating schedule! Like, somebody document this rare occasion! Ok, that's it. Comment, like, and follow. Happy reading! Thanks to my amazing beta, JJ, this story doesn't suck!

- your author

ΩΩΩ

With just a simple text telling Percy she was going home, Annabeth left. Percy had practice until 4:00, so she had decided that it would be best to just go home. That way she can get SOME homework done before Percy is able to distract her.

When she got home, which is the Jackson-Blofis apartment, she headed straight to her desk in her room (well, technically, it's hers and Percy's, since they share a room). With only 45 minutes left until practice ended, she needed to rush in order to get enough done.

She chose to start with English, her hardest subject, so that she could just get it over with.

Meanwhile, at the school, Percy's team was laughing at him, hysterically.

"What–what did you do to get that girl to hate you so much?!" Mike asked once Percy had pulled himself out of the pool.

"She doesn't hate me," Percy frowned, wiping himself off with a towel.

His friends shared a look, "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."

"Whatever," Percy sighed and then smiled, "Five extra laps for that!"

Sometimes, being the captain has its perks!

After that, nobody dared mention the encounter, at least not to his face. In fact, it seemed like the team was putting an extra effort into their work today. It made it seem like practice flew by, to the point that their couch needed to remind Percy that it was two minutes until 4:00.

"Oh! Everybody out! Practice is over!" he exclaimed, rushing to the locker room to shower.

By the time he had showered, left, and finally reached his apartment complex, it was 4:20.

He was in a rush to get home for his scheduled Annabeth-time. To some, this might sound idiotic, but to someone who only gets so much time to spend with his girlfriend, it's completely normal. When Percy was allowed to acknowledge Annabeth as his girlfriend, he became pretty clingy.

When he barged into the apartment, Annabeth was just finishing up her last problem on her Math homework. She was only able to finish English and Math during her alone-time.

As soon as she heard the door slam open, she turned her chair around and grew a small smile on her face. Like clockwork, Percy went straight to their room and ran right to her. In his excitement, he just went on instinct and lifted his girlfriend up into his arms, giving her a big, deep kiss on the lips.

At first, Annabeth gasped and didn't respond, but eventually, when she realized Percy wasn't going to stop, she started to move her lips against his. Without even realizing it, they had started to drift towards their bed. Before they knew it, Percy was leaning up against the headboard with Annabeth straddling him and kissing down his neck.

They probably would've kept on doing this for hours if Paul hadn't decided to come home at that moment, "Percy! Annabeth! I'm home!"

With a sigh, Annabeth pushed off of Percy and just leaned her head against his chest, "That was nice."

Percy, with a content grin, said, "Yeah. I miss you being my girlfriend. Why can't we just call this whole thing off?"

"I miss you, too, but we can't stop now. There is no way that Leo was right!" she responded.

"Fine, but it's just getting kinda boring now. At first, it was fun, but now it just makes me have the urge to jump you every time I see you," Percy admitted shamelessly.

Annabeth started to roll her eyes, but then she had an idea, and her features changed completely.

Percy, noticing the change, realized what was going on. That look was her 'I have an idea' look. You can never know what to expect from that look.

"Annabeth. You have that look on your face again. What's your idea?" he asked.

"What if–what if we spice things up a bit?" she muttered, looking up at him.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, skeptical.

"We can turn this whole challenge into a competition. Whoever breaks first loses," Annabeth answered.

Percy thought about it for a second, and then realized that this could work. It would let them still prove Leo wrong...while creating a competition for him and Annabeth. Their relationship can't really survive without something for them to win.

"Ok, deal. We start tomorrow at school," Percy said, nodding his head and gaining a look of determination.

Annabeth smiled, "Oh, I'm so going to kick your ass."

"Sure you are," Percy countered.

"I sure am!" she defended, her pride flaring up.

"Ok," Percy said simply and leaned in for a kiss to silence her.

"Mmph," Annabeth tried to struggle against his hold, but it was no use.

Percy was on a mission to enjoy his Annabeth-time, and that meant spending it doing whatever he wanted. And right now, he wants to kiss his girlfriend. Sure, they would need to emerge before Paul decided to go looking for them, but for now, they could spend a little bit longer doing this.

ΩΩΩ

The next day, Percy and Annabeth were both silent on the way to school. They had unconsciously decided to go into competitive-mode as soon as they had woken up. The only proof from that morning that showed they were dating was a quick peck on the lips after breakfast.

Convinced she had to make the first move, Annabeth had worn a large sweatshirt over her shirt today. Instead of wearing a scandalous shit, like some girls might do, she decided to wear a white, cropped tank top under her cropped, sea green crochet shirt. It has always been Percy's favorite, partly because it was the color of his eyes, and partly because it was what she wore on their first official date. To top it off, she had a secret weapon to add once she had revealed her outfit.

Percy and his friends were, as per usual, clumped around his locker, and Annabeth and her friends were standing on the other side of the hallway around some of their lockers. Percy and Annabeth were both trying to act like they were actually listening to the conversations, but in reality they were trying to not-so-discreetly keep an eye on the other.

"Oh! And then there's something I forgot to mention: People think you and Annabeth Chase hate each other!" Kelsey exclaimed, getting really close to Percy.

"Huh?" Percy said, finally zoning into what his friends were talking about.

"Yeah, apparently there's a rumor going around that she pushed you into a pool, and now people think you hate each other," she replied.

"Well, it isn't a rumor. That girl definitely pushed him in!" Chloe confirmed.

"That bitch! I'll destroy her, Percy! I will!" Kelsey said, looking up at him with eager eyes.

"No! I'll deal with it!" he yelled, a little too quickly.

Kelsey pouted, but she didn't seem like she was quite done yet. No doubt she was planning on doing it anyway.

Meanwhile, Annabeth had just shut down her friend's many questions about her and the school's most popular boy.

"How can you hate him?! He's, like, the nicest guy in the school!" Nora exclaimed.

"For the last time, I DON'T HATE HIM! I just don't necessarily enjoy his company," Annabeth said.

She just couldn't bring herself to say she hated him. Even if her pride was at stake.

However, it would be a little suspicious if she didn't say ANYTHING bad about him after pushing him into a pool. Annabeth still had a cover to maintain!

Her friends seemed to finally realize she wasn't going to change her answer, so they gave up momentarily. Fortunately, Percy happened to glance over at their group right at that moment, so Annabeth took the opportunity to make the first move.

She slowly lifted her sweatshirt off, revealing her first trick. A look up, and she saw Percy's eyes widen slightly. Then, as her surprise attack, Annabeth let her hair out of its messy ponytail, leaving it to cascade down her back in her perfect blonde, princess curls.

That's what got Percy's mouth to drop. Unfortunately, he got ahold of himself before too much notice was taken. Then, his gaze hardened into its wolf glare, and he walked away.

Even if it could've had more effect, Annabeth still counted that as a win.

For Percy, he was having the realization that Annabeth had just upped the stakes. Now, he needed to retaliate with something better.

ΩΩΩ

During Greek, Percy gave Annabeth the usual glance, and then he completely ignored her presence for the rest the period. He was planning his counterattack.

Plenty of ideas came to him, but none of them seemed to out-do what Annabeth did. Her actions may seem small to ordinary viewers, but to him, they have an unimaginable effect.

Just as he was sitting down for lunch, and he had spared a glance over to Annabeth and her friends, the idea hit him like a brick to Jason's head. It was so simple, yet so perfect!

Annabeth had decided that she could enjoy some time with her mortal friends while Percy was recovering. Little did she know that he would recover faster than expected.

"Ok, seriously, we need some context for your encounter with Percy," Ethan insisted.

"Fine, I finished getting changed, he walked over to me, we talked, I pushed him into the pool. That enough for you?" Annabeth answered.

"No, but I don't think I'm going to be getting much else. You really must hate this guy if he's making you act like this," he muttered.

"I DON'T HATE HIM!" she yelled, throwing her hands up in the air.

Percy chose that moment to strike, "That's great, cuz' it was really starting to seem that way."

All of her friends' eyes widened, and some of their mouths even dropped, but Annabeth just kept on looking straight ahead. She would not give him the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of her!

Percy sat down across from her, "I mean, everybody thinks you hate me. It's so weird what one little incident at the pool can cause, right?"

"Yeah," Annabeth said.

Even though she had a pretty excellent poker face, Percy could see right through it. He knew what he was doing to her, and he wanted to add to it. Percy reached his foot across the ground, under the table, to where it was just touching Annabeth's. That's what shocked a reaction out of her. Her entire body straightened, like she had just gotten shocked by one of the Grace siblings.

It all made Percy's troublemaker smirk grow larger. Normally, Annabeth would find his smirk cute, but not now. Not when she was on the other end of it.

In an attempt to redeem herself, Annabeth sharpened her glare, grabbed her tray, and left the table. She didn't say a word, just kept glaring Percy right in the eyes.

Nothing could stop Percy now, though. He was on Cloud 9! At least, for now.

When he got home, that could be a whole other story. Because somewhere in the back of his mind, he registered that Annabeth was silently confirming that they were going to be discussing this later. Even if she had been in the wrong, too, he was probably going to end up being the one sleeping on the couch tonight.

In the words of Jason, Percy was majorly whipped. He would do anything to make Annabeth happy, including admitting he did something worse when he really didn't.

Anyway, he left the table soon after, but he didn't go back to his friend group. Instead, he left to wait by his next class' door.

As he got farther and farther away from the cafeteria, Percy started to get more and more worried. Knowing Annabeth, she would wait until they were alone at home, and then she would start yelling at him. And then she would act sad, whether her emotions were real or not, and to make her stop, Percy would agree to anything. It worked every time.

ΩΩΩ

Sorry if this was a little jumbled. I didn't want to waste the sudden opportunity of inspiration. I couldn't really find a good ending, so I just kinda stopped. I needed to go to sleep.

That's it! Comment, like, and follow! Happy reading!

– your author

chapter 4 :)

[lovemesomesurveys]

1. Have you ever had someone pick you up off the ground & carried you? Yeah, many times. 2. Are you a flirty person? I’m not a flirtatious person who is just flirty and overly friendly with everyone. I’m flirty if I’m interested in you and we actually talk and know each other.  3. Do you like coffee? How about tea? I love coffee, I drink it everyday. Tea is okay, but I don’t drink it regularly. I have it every now and then. 4. Where exactly was your first kiss? At my high school behind the drama department. 5. The last store you went to was…? Walmart.

6. A name you hate with a passion? There isn’t a name I hate with a passion.  7. Do you have a friend named Alex? No. 8. The last person you held hands with? It was my doggo, Princess Leia. (: She loves to hold hands. She’ll put her paw up for you to grab it. And when you do, you can actually feel her paw tighten like she’s really holding your hand. If you stop and try to leave, she’ll put her paw up or on your arm. 9. How about the last movie you saw? My mom and I watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the Mister Rogers movie, the other day and it was cute but I wish it had been a movie about his life and the show. 10. Did you like it? ^^^ 11. What is your favorite type of water (ex. arrowhead)? I’m really not picky about it. 12. Have you ever been to Warped Tour? No. 13. Do you know anyone who wears fur? No. 14. When was the last time you were on myspace.com? Uhhh. Over 10 years ago. 15. How often do you cuss? Not very often. 16. Have you ever cussed out a teacher? Nooo. 17. Do you know how many kids are at your school? I’m done with school. 18. What did you think of the movie Juno? I like it. 19. When was the last time you had butterflies? I have the nervous, anxious kind a lot. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the good kind. 20. How often do you eat meat? Everyday. Either in the form of a bologna or turkey and salami sandwich, boneless wings, or pizza that has crumbled meatballs. Somedays I have 2 of the 3.  21. What grade did you meet your best friend in? We didn’t meet at school, we met in the womb ha. 22. Would rather be loved or love someone? Being loved and loving. 23. Last time you cleaned your room? I straightened up not too long ago. I still need to go through things and get rid of some stuff. I also still need to put my Christmas decorations away... 24. Have you ever gotten clothes from the kids section of Target when you were over the age of 10? Not Target specifically, but from other places like JCP lol. I don’t do that now, but I did when I was younger. I still could fit the shirts, but that’d just be weird as a soon to be 31 year old. 25. Are you more of a science/math person or english/history person? Or how about science/history or something like that? English and history person. Mainly just english. I do think history is interesting and I like learning about certain things at my own pace. I didn’t enjoy it much in school, though. The pressure of having to memorize dates, names, and events was stressful. 26. What is your biggest fear? Losing my loved ones and dying, never getting better/getting worse, never doing anything with my life and just wasting away. 27. Have you ever been cheated om in a relationship? No. 28. Your favorite children’s book you ever read? I had a lot of favorites. I’ve loved books from a very young age. 29. When you were little, would you have rather watched Cartoon Network or Disney Channel? Disney Channel. 30. Do you shave your arms? No. 31. Since using the internet regularly, have you started to read less than you used to? No. I haven’t read much this past year, but that had nothing to do with my internet use. I’ve started back up again, though. 32. Are you a big fan of the Harry Potter series? I enjoyed the movies, but I never read the books. 33. How often would say you pulled all-nighters, if you ever do? I’ve been going to bed around 5AM everyday for the past year. My last full all nighter was last month on the day we left for the airport at 430AM to travel to Disneyland. I didn’t sleep until that night. That was after a day of travel and hours spent at Disneyland. I don’t know how the hell I did it. I don’t have the energy like I did when I was a kid/teenager. 34. Do you wear make-up on a daily basis? No. I haven’t worn any makeup in over a year. 35. Has a friend’s boyfriend/girlfriend ever had a problem with you for any reason? No. I had an issue with some friends’ significant others, though. For good reason. 36. How old were you when you learned to drive? I still haven’t. 37. How many times a day do you find yourself cracking your joints, if at all? I stretch out my arms a lot. I also feel the need to crack my neck a lot, too. My posture is shit. 38. Do you find yourself feeling lazier when the weather is warm? I already have low energy, but yeah it’s in the negative during the summer. Summer just makes me miserable. 39. Is there a particular sport you follow on a regular basis? Nope. I don’t like sports. 40. Are you a fan of the TV show Friends? I never got into it, actually. Seems like everyone else has in recent years. 41. How old do you think is too old to sleep with a stuffed animal? I don’t care what you do. I have 3 that sit on my bed. I don’t cuddle with them, but if I did so what. 42. If AC wasn’t an option, would you rather sleep with a fan on or with the windows open? We very rarely use the AC because it’s expensive and our AC sucks anyway. Poor ventilation. Our summers are absolutely miserable. D: It’ll be just as hot in my house, if not hotter. I have to use 3 fans in my room alone. Four fans actually because I have a window fan. During the day it doesn’t help much, but it’s really nice at night. Ughhh, I swear it gets worse every year. I don’t how I’ll get through it. 43. Do you find it hard to fall asleep when you know you have to be up earlier than normal? Yes. 44. Do you style your hair in the same way every day, or do you prefer to switch it up? It’s mostly just up in a pony tail, but sometimes a braid or a bun.  45. Are you 100% over the last person you kissed? Yes. 46. Are you currently looking forward to anything? When we finally start to see the coronavirus calm down. When it’s contained and there’s a vaccine. When the panic and hysteria goes away. When we’re not bombarded with it everyday. 47. Ever receive a really long apology? Yes. 48. What were you doing at 7:45AM this morning? I plan to be asleep. 49. Do you put ketchup on top of your french fries or on the side? Ew, neither. It’s all about ranch. 50. Who was the last person you talked to in person? My brother. 51. How many tattoos would you like to have? I’d like to get one at least, but I don’t see it happening. 52. Have you ever hung out with someone just to hang out? ...Yes? I’m not getting the question.  53. Would you be mad if your best friend dated your crush? My mom would never do that. 54. Do you wish you were somewhere else right now? No.  55. What was the last thing you drank? Starbucks Doubleshot energy drink. 56. Do you laugh a lot? Uhhh. I wouldn’t say a lot. 57. Do you have a dog? Yesss, my little Princess Leia<3 58. Do you like orange juice? Ew, no. 59. Would you rather have big or small dogs? Medium size dogs. 60. Have you ever slept in someone else’s bed? Yes. 61. When was the last time you cried? Recently. 62.Are you over the age of 25? Yeah. I’m going to be 31 soon. :/ 63. Do you like your first name? It's fine. I can't really picture me having any other name. <<< Yeah, I’ve had it for almost 31 years now so hey. I’ll keep it. 64. Do you wear glasses? Yes. 65. Do you think you’re wasting your time on the person you like? I don’t like anyone in that way currently. 66. Do you/have you ever liked/been in love with someone older than you? Yes. 67. Did you enjoy your summer? It’s not summer yet, thank goodness. I’m dreading it. 68. How’s your heart lately? It’s beating.  68. Do you want your life to stay the way it is right now forever? Noooooo. 69. Are you a jealous person? I can be. I haven’t felt that in a long time. I feel envy more often. 70. Are you ready to get out of this town? I’ve been ready for years. 71. Have you had alcohol in the last 48 hours? No. I don’t drink anymore. 72. Do you currently have a hickey? No. 73. Would you rather live without music or without the t.v? Without TV. I could still watch stuff online. ha. 74. Are you one of those people who obsesses over Hollister? I had a brief period in my early 20s where I was into it, but I got over it. It was way overpriced. I do love the signature cologne, though.

[reddiekaspbrak]

Neon Band-Aids - Chapter 1

Hey, y’all! This is the first chapter of my new fic! It’s a little slow moving at first but I’ve got a lot of stuff brainstormed for the next chapters! I hope you like it! Feedback is always appreciated. 

I really hope this is decent, I haven’t written in years but want to get back into it. 

Warnings; none yet 

Words; 1516

Pairing; Reddie (Eddie Kaspbrak x Richie Tozier)

Neon Band-Aids - Chapter 1

Slammed into a locker. Books on the floor, Eddie Kaspbrak on the floor, and his glasses falling close behind. This was nothing new, but still Eddie looked up in fear of who he would find standing over him. Henry Bowers? Belch Huggins? Victor Kriss? None of the above. It was Richie Tozier and his group of friends. Eddie recognized most of them. There was the most beautiful girl in the whole school, Beverly Marsh, president of the Bird Watching Club Stanley Uris, quarterback Mike Hanlon, Beverly’s boyfriend and the running back Ben Hanscom, Bill Denbrough, the kid whose brother died, and lastly Richie Tozier, Eddie’s ex-best friend. It wasn’t as though there were any hostile feelings between the two, they were best friends in kindergarten and first grade, and after that Richie found some new friends, leaving Eddie all alone to read his books at recess and drink his juice box at lunch.

“Hey, are you okay?” a voice broke Eddie from his thoughts. “I’m so sorry, are you alright?” Richie asked again, crouched down in front of Eddie and gathering his scattered books and glasses.

“Huh?” Eddie asked, confused about what had just happened. Hadn’t he just been slammed into a locker and shoved to the ground? And now Richie Tozier was apologizing and picking up his things?

“I said, ‘I’m so sorry, are you alright?’” Richie repeated, but it came out as more of a question. “Seriously, dude, are you okay?” He was getting a bit concerned that Eddie had hit his head a little too hard or something. Richie held out his hand to help Eddie to his feet before handing him his books and placing his glasses back on his face.

Eddie looked at Richie with wide eyes, which was much more terrifying to Eddie now that he could see clearly. “Uh, yeah, I’m good.” Eddie said. His cheeks were pink and he looked down at the ground, embarrassed.

“Okay, good.” Richie sighed in relief. He really hadn’t meant to run into the kid and knock him over. “I guess I’ll uh, see ya around, cutie.” Richie winked before walking off with his friends.

Eddie was annoyed, to say the least. He didn’t need to be embarrassing himself like that in front of the most popular kids in his school, but that wasn’t even what made him the most upset. People at school were always making fun of him for being a nerd, which he knew he was, and being gay, which he also knew he was. But they didn’t know the latter. At least Eddie had told anyone. When Richie called him ‘cutie’, and winked at him, he just knew that he was making fun of him like everybody else. He definitely didn’t think of Richie to be the best person, but he had always thought him a decent human being.

Eddie walked to his locker, careful not to be knocked down by anyone else, and shoved his books in his locker. He took out his notebooks for the last class of the day along with the current book he was reading and headed off to class. He took his seat, front and center as usual, and opened up his book to begin reading when someone slide into the desk beside him.

“Hey,” he felt someone poking the side of his arm. “Whatcha reading?” they asked, and Eddie looked up to see Richie Tozier with a grin on his face.

“Why do you care?” he asked, dumbfounded. People like Richie Tozier never talk to him, they never care what he is reading, and they definitely do not sit next to him in the front row of AP Calculus. Eddie didn’t even know Richie was in this class.

“Just making conversation,” Richie shrugged, trying to hide that he was feeling a bit hurt. “Look, Eds, I’m really sorry about earlier. I swear I didn’t mean to run into you and knock you over.” he said, turning his whole body in the desk to face Eddie.

“It’s fine, Richie, really.” Eddie said. He did seem really apologetic; maybe Eddie had been a bit rude.

“So, will you answer my question now?” Richie asked, a goofy grin on his face.

Eddie raised an eyebrow at him. “What question?”

“What are you reading?” Richie asked. He didn’t really care, but Eddie cared, and for the past 6 months, and probably longer, he’d been looking for ways to get back into Eddie’s life.

Richie had never forgotten that he and Eddie had been best friends as children, but 6 months ago it became something he thought about much more often.

Richie was 6 years old, and he was in Eddie’s bedroom. Eddie was hovering over a jigsaw puzzle that was spread out on the floor. It was of Eddie’s favorite Disney princess, Jasmine. He knew this because he listened intently to Eddie talk about his ranking of all the Disney princesses constantly.

“You’re pretty,” Richie said, staring at Eddie as he did the puzzle.

Eddie scrunched up his nose in disgust. “Boys aren’t pretty, Richie. Mommy

says girls are pretty, boys are handsome.” Eddie went back to his puzzle, and Richie felt his little heart break. Eddie was his first crush, and he thought he was really pretty. Eddie didn’t seem to appreciate the compliment, and Richie couldn’t find it in him to argue.

Coming out of the dream of 6 yeur old Richie and Eddie, he shot up in bed, pushing his sweaty curls out of his eyes. He let out a groan, both in confusion and irritation for having been woken at 4:45am. Why was he suddenly dreaming about Eddie Kaspbrak?

“I’m reading The Silence of the Lambs,” Eddie told him, drawing him out of his thoughts. He turned the cover towards Richie to let him see.

“Isn’t that a bit scary, Eds? I can cuddle ya if you get too scared.” he gave a toothy grin that was almost immediately wiped off his face. “I’m sorry, that was stupid. Is it a good book?”

Eddie eyes him curiously. “I mean, yeah, I really like it. It’s definitely a bit creepy, but in a good way. It keeps me interested.”

“Nice!” Richie didn’t really know how to reply; he never read for pleasure. He didn’t really even read for school. He was trying to figure out how to keep the conversation going without sounding like a total loser when the teacher came in and saved him by starting class. He gave Eddie a smile as he turned in his seat to face the front.

In most, if not all of Eddie’s classes, he was the only one to raise his hand when teachers asked questions. Today, Richie had beat him to it everytime. His hand was up in the air before the teacher had even finished asking the question, and he got every single one of them correct. He was doing this to show off in front of Eddie, make him see how smart he really was, and he would smile at Eddie each time he got a question right. Eddie was, needless to say, quite irritated. Richie was stepping all over him, making the teacher forget he was even there. This was Eddie’s thing - being smart, being the teacher’s pet, answering every question, and Richie just took that away from him. However, he couldn’t deny that he was pretty impressed.

AP calculus is Eddie’s last class of the day, and when it is dismissed, he rushes out of the room, gets on his bike and rides home. He throws his backpack down on the floor and engages himself in his book, trying to distract himself from how embarrassed he was from being beaten by Richie at math. Being smart really was a competition to Eddie.

An hour or two later, Sonia poked her head in the door to tell him she was leaving for her night shift.

“Eddie-bear, will you be okay without Mommy here? I know you’re always so good at taking care of yourself, but are you sure?” she asked in the disgustingly sweet voice she always used.

“Yes, Mom, I’ll be fine.” Eddie said, irritation present in his voice.

She eventually quit nagging and left the house. No later than Sonia had turned the car off of their street had Richie drove his own down it and replaced hers in the Kaspbrak driveway. He jumped out of his truck and rushed up to the front door and knocked a few times.

Eddie heard a knock on the front door and became curious. No one ever visited him, and if it were his Mother, she wouldn’t be knocking. He was shocked when he opened the front door.

“Hey there, cutie.” there stood Richie Tozier, a box of mac and cheese in his hand and a goofy grin on his face. Eddie hadn’t realized how long he’d been standing there staring until Richie added, “So, are you gonna let me in, or..?”

Eddie nodded, backing away from the door to let Richie into the house, shutting and locking the door behind him.

[fuckingthefictional]

Dating Reggie Mantle would include (Part 1):

M A S T E R L I S T 

So in school you were in no way popular

You like to stay under the radar

Attention just wasn’t your thing. 

Literally you got up, went to school, did the work to the best of your ability and went home. Simple as that.

You didn’t really have friends you just never found anyone to fit in with

Cut to the end of a school day when Principal Weatherbee asked you to stay behind and come to his office

ShitShatFuck

So when the bell rang you gathered your stuff and went to meet with Weatherbee

You were shaking soosososo much me

But when you walked in you found Reggie Mantle sat sulking, Coach Clayton pacing and Principle Weatherbee tapping his fingers on the desk.

Lmao when they all looked up Reggie was fckin speechless

Who were you? How were you so beautiful? How had he never seen you before??

Turns out you weren’t in any trouble, it was just the small problem that Reggie couldn’t continue playing football for this season unless he got his grades up

THats where you came in. Tutor Girl to the rescue Did anyone get that reference

So you came up with a plan that everyday you’d tutor him for at least an hour. 

At first you just met up in the library after school, or if he had practice you’d find yourself sat on the bleachers doing homework or extra credit work while you waited.

But slowly you and Reggie began to get to know each other

dare i say  f r i e n d s 

So soon enough the library was replaced with places like his house, your house and occasionally pops.

It became a tradition that every study session you had together, he’d turn up and as a greeting he’d give you a cheesy ass pick up line

“hey y/n are you a camera because every time i think of you i ca only picture us together.”

“I’d say God bless you, but it appears that he already did.”

“Do you know what this shirt is made of...Boyfriend material.”

I’m no Mathematician but I know I’m good with numbers. If you give me yours then you ca watch what i do with them

“Reggie I know you’re not a mathematician, that’s why you’re failing math.”

it makes you laugh every. single. time

Reggie would suddenly stop being a huge flirt and playboy with every girl he laid his eyes on.

oooooooof protective!reggie is so apparent

Like he will automatically go into protective mode if anything happens to you.

Like Chuck once wolf whistled and made an overly sexual comment about you when you were trying to put your books in your locker.

And what happens? Before you could respond Chuck’s body was being slammed up against the locker next to you

“If you say anything to her ever again Clayton...You’ll be a dead man. Stay. Away. From. Her. Got it?”

“What stick’s been pushed up your ass Mantle? Are you jealous?”

Reggie punched him point blank in the face and stormed out of the school entrance. Leaving you to run after him.

“Reggie! Reggie wait!”

Why were is legs so long, you’re only a smol person

When you finally caught up with him e was still fuming. He was red in the face his fists were clenched and he was about to snap. 

So you gently take his hand in yours and ease it out of a tight ball.

It was instinct I swear

You’d guide him to your car and you’d drive him towards pops.

“Reg you stay here, I’ll be gone for 5 minutes okay?” When he began to interject you just kissed his cheek and opened the car door, before locking it again.

Where did you go? To get some lunch for the both of you? Why? BEcause the best way to Reggie’s heart like any teenage boy is food. Bonus points if its from pops.

Afterwards you drive back towards your house, it would be empty and your parents were on a 4 week long work trip. 

You guided Reggie up into your room and sat him down on your bed.

“Reg, what happened. WHy did you snap like that.”

“I couldn’t just stand there and watch you get harassed by that asshole. I couldn’t hear him say those things about my girl. I couldn’t watch you become apart of his stupid game and that fucking playbook.”

“Reggie... what do you mean playbook?”

“It’s some stupid game that the rest of the jocks play. They rank girls they’ve slept with and give them points and shit.”

“Reg, please tell me you’ve neve-”

“No y/n/n, I would never. I may be a player but i was raised better than that. Could you imagine if my mom found out. My ass would be 6 feet under before the playbook could even be exposed.”

You giggled at that. Reggie may seem thick skinned but when it came to his  mother he became a momma’s boy without hesitation.

A few moments later you noticed your hands had intertwined and your legs were touching.

“Did you say that I was “Your girl”?”

“What if I did?”

“Well maybe I’d like to officially be your girl.”

You just looked at each other and then lips fused together.

You found your hands melding with his silky locks and his hands crawled up your back eagerly.

soon enough it became a solid make out session.

Clothes were thrown, curses were moaned.

so after this you just cuddled for the rest of the day. And Reggie just became the biggest teddy bear. He’d just stroke your hair and whisper sweet nothings into your ears.

“Hey Y/N/N what if I never want this to end, what if I want you to be in my arms and never let go.”

“Then hold me tight and don’t let me slip.”

“Then will you be mine?” 

“Always.”

When everyone at Riverdale high found out about your relationship, they immediately expected it to last for no more than a week

You were suddenly cornered by Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge at lunch where they asked if you needed help getting out of your ‘relationship’

“Why would I need to get out of a relationship with Reggie?”

“Because nobody would willingly get into one with him?!”

“Then you obviously don’t know the real Reggie. And since you’re both so great at relationships then you should have no problems fixing your own which by the way are both practically crumbling beneath your feet.”

Turns out the entire football team heard it, plus a few cheerleaders. 

That’s when your earned a new type of respect, you were more than just “Reggie’s new girl”. You had fire.

And that is how you and Cheryl became friends. Cut to a few months and you’d be more like sisters. 

You would become Cheryl’s second in command. You even joined cheer. Something your boyfriend found incredibly hot

Every single football game you’d be cheering on Reggie. And to everyone’s disbelief Cheryl even let you wear Reggie’s jersey when you weren’t performing. 

Cheryl being soft is everything to me

She just deserves happiness

Lets just say that the whole idea of you and Reggie only lasting a week was cut down completely 

Because you lasted longer than anyone else, or any other couple.

Dates at pops are a must.

Whenever he is working out you sit on his back and quiz him on different subjects. 

His mom adores you, like Reggie gets high-key jealous of the attention you get.

“I feel left out!”

“Reggie, Sweetie- I have spent all of your life with you. Just the two of us. I think you can take a couple of minutes of me hugging my future daughter in law.”

Blushing and snickering ensue.

In fact Mrs Mantle lets you stay over whenever you want. SOmething Reggie absolutely  loves

Like its so obvious that you’ve changed him for the better which is something his mom is so happy about. Because before he was indulging in drugs, partying and sleeping around, but now he has actually settled down despite only being in high school. 

Reggie would 100% teach guys on the football team how to actually respect their girls. Because “Treating your girl like a dick isn’t a good thing” and “you should be treating her like a princess every minute of the damn day.” 

Basically you having a good influence on Reggie would have a knockoff effect on the rest of the football team.

Just Reggie Mantle Man I need him

Mantle the Magnificent indeedy.

[lizord-lord]

Locked Heart Ch. 2

(Alright, now you’ve seen how this hell started, time to continue the ride! We had both these written already and I’m impatient, so today and today only you get two chapters!! This is not a good thing!! Reblog if you enjoy pain and suffering!!) (For those of you out of the loop, this is a fic that @patton-croc-agenda and I came up with a while ago and decided to co-write. She wrote the first chapter, but this one’s mine! And yes, we are sick fucks who wax poetry about logicality and patton and then turn around and smack you with this. Welcome to authordom  > : )

Previous: Chapter 1

Next: Chapter 3

Summary: After making the mistake of letting a vampire into his home, Patton wakes up to find himself in a strange room he doesn’t recognize, and no means of escape.

Pairings: Eventual Logicality, Prinxiety

Words: 3,761

Overall Warnings: This fic will at some point contain: Assault, kidnapping, graphic depictions of death and violence, mentions of/explict sexual content (the more explicit scenes can be skipped), negative/possibly suicidal thoughts and a relationship that can possibly be interpreted as Stockholm Syndrome (though we do try and flesh the relationship out, if the idea of such a thing even slightly triggers you maybe give this one a pass). Warnings will be posted for individual chapters as well.

Chapter Warnings: Kidnapping, imprisonment, negative thoughts, fear spiral

Cold clenched at Patton’s heart-not electric, breath-stealing panic, but thick, miasmic dread. Stifling horror.

There was nothing he could see in the darkness beyond the five or so feet illuminated by the digital clock on a nightstand beside him, and the sliver of carpet visible by the light from under the door.

A door.

Well..at least he was in a house..but what house? It must be Logan’s, right? The vampire had brought him to his house to-to-

To what? Patton bit his lip, suddenly feeling the need to tug the blanket tighter over his suddenly very exposed-feeling shoulders. Why was he here? Did the vampire want to keep him so he could use him as food until he grew bored? No..brushing fingers over his neck, he found neither side was marked. Then again..he’d been very curious about-about whatever Patton had done last-last night? Earlier? He didn’t know. Was he here to be studied? Tortured? No-no don’t think like that. Halting the train of thought did not however halt the shiver that went up his spine.

Okay. He didn’t know where he was, why he was here, or even if he was alone, but curling in on himself in the dark and panicking was surely useless..he had to do something. Doing something always helped with fear.

Patton turned towards the nightstand first and squinted. The clock on it glared back at him with red numbers reading 11:37am. So he had been out all night.  He could at least be thankful to get some extra sleep, his late bedtime often led to groggy mornings..but that was all the good he could see in his current situation.

And this ‘situation’ was only getting worse.

For when Patton slowly, carefully slid off the bed - apparently the vampire had had the courtesy to remove his shoes at least, along with his jacket and glasses. The jacket he didn’t bother with, but he fumbled on the barely-lit nightstand for a moment to find his glasses and place them on his nose. Well. Now the pitch-blackness was presumably clearer. Not that he could tell, as it was pitch-blackness.

A light switch would be a good next step. Taking a small breath, Patton padded to the thin strip of light under the door and placed his hands on the wall, groping in the dark and running his fingers over the smooth, likely wood wall to find-there.

He flicked on the light-and winced, his headache flaring up at the sudden brightness and forcing his eyes shut, purple and blue blotches dancing over his eyelids. More carefully this time, he opened his eyes, a bit at a time.

The room was..furnished, and yet still barren. Like a hotel room-or more likely a guest room. His shoes were by the foot of the queen-sized bed he’d woken up in, jacket neatly folded on the nightstand. Across from the bed was a dresser, bare of any baubles or decorations but also free of dust. There was a large bookshelf shoved into the far left corner, with a leather armchair next to it.

No windows. The light he’d turned on was a simple yet elegant chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling-which was the same dark wood as the wall he was currently pressing his palms against. Overall it was..too big. Too dark. He found no character in the room-the closest thing was the carpet, which unlike the flat color of most everything else, was at least a striped pattern of cream and wine red.

Patton turned around, back to the door-but as he reached for the handle and turned it, it refused to go all the way.

Locked.

The cold already swirling in his bones locked tight around his heart once more-to be completely honest he wasn’t surprised, but that didn’t mean he could be calm about this! Patton tugged on the handle again, until he heard a thud or three from his manhandling of it, but he didn’t care.

He was trapped. And there was no window, no other way out..what was going to happen to him? He felt tears pricking at his eyes, hot in contrast to the ice shooting through his muscles and making his hands shake.

Even as he glanced frantically around the room for anything he could use to pick the mocking, cruel lock in front of him, he knew it was a lost cause regardless. He didn’t know how to pick a lock. His hands were still trembling as he pulled them away from the door, color returning to his knuckles (had he really been gripping the knob that hard?) as he stood still and alone in the room..as unfeeling as the one who had put him here, as indifferent to the terrified tears streaming down his round cheeks.

Patton sunk to his knees, his back pressed against the cold wood of the door, eyes still wide and wet as he curled into the fetal position, staring blankly at the wall. The wall he only wished had a window. To escape, to know where he was, to see the sun…

Most people Patton met considered him a ‘human ray of sunshine’. He tried his best to think positively, to see the best in situations, to not get unhappy emotions overtake him or even affect them.

But even optimists had their limits. And the closest thing he could grasp to a silver lining in this was..well, that he wasn’t dead. That was a rather low bar.

Okay, it was a very low bar. Maybe..well, Logan had been nice enough to put him in a nice room and make sure he was comfortable? That was a good thing? It didn’t make Patton feel much better. Neither did the hot tears or the panic gripping his heart.

He didn't even last five minutes with his roiling thoughts, The tears came faster, thicker, and soon his glasses were foggy and wet as he sobbed into his knees.

It lasted...well he didn’t know. Felt like hours, but it likely was only about half of one. It lasted until he ran out of tears, that was the only proper measurement.

Even as his sobs faded to faint hiccups, Patton didn’t lift his head. He felt miserable, like curling into an even tinier ball and disappearing. What was going to happen to him? The thought that kept plaguing his mind, and he still had no answer. Suppose he’d have to wait and find out..in the meantime, Patton took a deep, shuddering breath, and picked himself up off the floor. He didn’t really feel better. But he felt better. At least a good cry could numb the fear. Not that it fixed anything-but he couldn’t succumb to dread. He was better than that. Patton pulled his glasses off and leaned on the door for support as he rubbed them hard with the hem of his blue polo, then wiped away the tears lingering on his puffy eyes with just as much vigor. Once they were back on, he moved back towards the bed.     He checked the clock. 12:06.

Thinking..thinking about what would happen felt like a terrible idea. Patton disliked wallowing in despair. He bit his lip hard-and squashed down the fear fluttering in his chest like a nasty bug.     What would come..would come. Unless he escaped, he could do nothing. Fearing it would only hurt him.

He let out a shaky breath, then moved towards the bookshelf. Might as well get something to pass the time, right?

The bookshelf was full. As in full. As in some books barely even fit full. Most of the ones he saw were nonfiction-history, astronomy, and what looked like a couple math textbooks, but there was some fiction from what he could see. Mostly mysteries and what looked to be fantasy, but there was also a book of fairytales that looked..pretty out of place in what he could only call an intellectual’s collection.

Well, he’d have to thank whoever put it there..Patton didn’t think he'd read through the classics in a while, but not like he had anything better do do now-no, bury the thought.

He reached out and, with some difficulty due to the size of the book, pulled it from its shelf. It was much heavier than expected, but he that’d mean it would last him some time. However much he needed..

Patton brought the book from the shelf to the armchair, noting the softness of the leather upholstery as he sunk into it and placed the book on his lap, and opened it up to page one. The Princess and the Pea stared back at him, in that curly, squared lettering that so many fairytales started off with (absentmindedly, he wondered why that was the thing to do) and he leaned back a bit more in the chair. Blue eyes flickered up one last time to the door, and then fell back to the pages.

1:30

2:46

3:19

4:28

5:11

6:53

7:20

8:04

The hours ticked by. Patton had grown restless and hungry quickly, putting away the book of fairytales in favor of searching the drawers as a distraction. All he found was spare clothes,a tissue box, a couple empty notebooks, three pencils, a ball of lint, some loose beads, and at one point a spider- which had caused him to spend the half hour between three and three-thirty on the other side of the room pressed against the wall, until he talked himself up enough to dash across the room and smack the little demon with the tissue box.

That had not been fun.

He’d gone back to the book after that, and finished it not long after-although he’d shifted positions both on the chair and in the room more times than he could count in the process, wishing he’d at least been given a glass of water, and though Patton really didn’t feel like reading more, it wasn’t like he had much else to do but worry and mope. Curse his short attention span.

But, at 8:09 pm, he heard a noise.

Footsteps. The sound of shoes clicking against a wooden floor-and Patton’s breath caught. This was it. Whatever was about to happen next, whatever he’d been brought here for..well, he had about five seconds to prepare himself. The footsteps stopped. He heard the rattling of a key being inserted into a lock, the click of it being turned-and then saw and heard the door swing open.

Unsurprisingly, Logan stood in the doorway. He looked much more put together than last night, hair neatly slicked back, a tie around his neck, and glasses straight on his nose. More pressingly however, his eyes were dark brown and not the chilling crimson of the night before. He looked normal. Stiff, but normal, and that only further prompted Patton further to press himself back into the pillows on his bed and clutch the book he’d been reading to his chest protectively. He was not about to let a pretty face play with his empathy again.

“Ah, I see you’ve made yourself at home.” Logan’s voice was casual and unconcerned as he turned to close (and to Patton’s dismay, lock) the door again, slipping the key in his left pocket. “That is preferable, we do have a lot to discuss and wasting time is never the best option."

…..Discuss? Well that was good right? It meant he wasn’t going to immediately harm him..Patton bit down on his lip, watching closely as the vampire moved to sit down on the leather chair he’d been occupying earlier. There was silence.

“Why am I here??” Patton suddenly burst out, jerking the book in his hands like he wanted to throw them into the air. His breath hitched soon after-what if that was a bad idea, what if that got him in trouble, but Logan did not seem to react. He shrugged and crossed one leg over the other, lacing his fingers together.

“Well, you are a ‘human’-who possesses magical abilities. And frankly, that is impossible. No pure human would be able to possess supernatural talents, at least not without knowing it, they’d have to have been cursed or enchanted or sold their soul  to some other entity. So either you were lying about being unaware of your abilities, lying about your species, or have something about you even you do not know..” Patton swallowed. He had a feeling his next words needed to be chosen wisely.

“I-I wasn’t lying. I haven’t sold my soul or anything and I mean as far as I know I’m not cursed, I’m just a cook! A very human one too! I mean-I guess I thought I was..”

Thankfully, Logan seemed to accept that as an answer. He nodded slowly, but didn’t respond, like he was considering something. There was another few minutes of tense silence (at least on Patton’s part) before he spoke again.

“Well, then the best option to see what you are would be to see what you can do. Show me.”

“Show you?” Patton’s eyes widened in surprise, “You mean-so something like that light? Now?” The vampire nodded. “But I can’t! I mean I don’t know how..like you said, I wasn’t aware I could do anything like this. I wouldn’t even know where to start!” “Well then you’ll have to figure it out,” Logan replied simply, “Magic can be activated in certain ways-there are a few basic ones, though they do vary. It does so from person to person, unfortunately the supernatural is not an exact science.”

A hint of annoyance had seeped into his otherwise businesslike tone, but he continued anyway. “Get up and try.”

Patton bit his lip. But he laid down his book on the bed and stood up anyway, now facing the chair where the vampire sat.

What was he supposed to do? Last time he’d just...been scared, and said he wouldn’t die..

He found himself worrying at his lip, feeling small under the scrutiny. Should he try something like that again? Maybe? “I-I won’t die?”

He pushed his hands out in front of him as an extra measure-but nothing happened. Of course nothing happened. Patton was just standing there, in the middle of the room, saying words with no reason or heart, holding his hands out, with an incredibly unimpressed vampire staring at him.

God he sounded stupid. Patton’s cheeks went hot with embarrassment, dropping his hands as a means to hug himself instead, mumbling an apology to Logan. “I- I’m sorry..that-um, that was a dumb idea I just don’t-don’t know what to do..” god he was stupid.

Logan’s gaze flicked him up and down, and he nearly winced. Was there going to be a punishment for fail-no, don’t think like that!!

“I’ll try aga-” he began, but before he even got the third syllable out of his mouth, there were hands twisting in the fabric of his blue polo and his back was painfully slammed against a dark wood wall. Red eyes were back in his face, fierce and glowing and predatory. Naturally, Patton screamed. His heart must have leapt out of his mouth because the same fear from last night was back and he tried to squirm, to scramble away, but those eyes met his and suddenly his muscles went slack. Trying to move them felt impossible, like his brain no longer controlled them, all he could do was twitch. Was this his punishment? He’d be drained if he couldn’t do what the vampire wanted? Or just hurt? Or even killed?

“P-please..” he stuttered out, thank god at least his mouth still worked, “Please I-I can try-I can try, just please don’t-”

But as soon as he was grabbed, he was dropped. Patton hit the floor with a grunt of pain, his limp body crumpling under him-and then his strength returned. Looking up, eyes still wide with fear, he saw Logan was back to brown-eyed-business-as-usual. As if nothing had even happened!! He didn’t know whether to be grateful he wasn’t hurt (well okay there might be a bruise on his shoulder and knee, but he could deal with that) or angry that he’d just-just been grabbed and shoved up against the wall! He probably looked a bit of both, but Logan didn’t even seem to notice. Instead, he just looked mildly disappointed.

Patton remained there on the floor as the vampire mumbled something too quiet to hear, waving a hand in some gesture as he moved back to the chair. When a minute passed and he didn’t move, Patton slowly got to his feet, frowning. “What was that for?” “Well, you seemed to have an idea that recreating last night’s events would activate your magic. Your approach didn’t work, clearly, so I thought I’d try it out for myself.” Patton stood, stunned at how casual Logan’s tone was. Like he’d just tapped him on the shoulder instead of slammed him into the wall and scared him out of his skin. “So-so you attacked me??” “That is what I did last night, so yes. This time however I had no intention of actually harming you.” Well-well that was good, but...but...how was he being so casual about this? You don’t just attack someone! Even if you are testing a theory! Patton wanted to protest, but he opened his mouth and nothing came out. He just...how was he supposed to explain you don’t just slam people into walls??? The vampire however, did not seem to notice his horror.

“But, it seems that putting you in a position of distress does not trigger anything..that’s a shame. We’ll have to try a different approach.”

“.....what approach?” Patton asked, voice hesitant as he slowly got to his feet. His mouth was dry. Not just from thirst. If that was the starting point, what could come after?

Logan just sighed. “Unfortunately I do not know at the moment. I have no firsthand experience with spellcasting, so I’d have to do some research..”

Patton had just opened his mouth to ask another question when his stomach gurgled loudly. He immediately ducked his head, embarrassed-but the vampire’s reaction was far from what he expected.

“Ohh...shit.”

Patton glanced back up, surprised-even more so as he noted Logan’s grimace. “My apologies, I haven’t brought you food or drink this whole time...I should have alerted Virgil so he could do it-” he stood up from the chair, adjusting his glasses on his nose. “I will be right back with bre-dinner, with dinner.” “Can’t I come down?” Patton burst out, but all the hope in his voice was crushed at the next words. “No, you’re to stay in this room for now. I’ll show you to the bathroom when needed of course-but there is no need for you to come down to the kitchen.” He pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door, stepping out and closing it behind him as Patton’s shoulders slumped. The click of the lock echoed in his mind.

Well..at least it didn’t seem like he was going to be treated cruelly..though the fact that he had yet to see Logan’s temper still hung heavy on his mind. Though the name he’d mentioned flashed through Patton’s mind again, who was Virgil?

Thirty minutes later, Logan opened the door again and handed Patton a tray. There was a bowl of beef stew on it, along with some bread and two large glasses of water. He scarfed it down eagerly-probably narrowly avoiding hiccups in the process, but wow he had needed that so bad, so bad. When the soup was gone, he gulped down one glass of water, but placed the other on his nightstand. He’d probably be needing it. “...thank you,” he murmured quietly, but there wasn’t much gratitude in his tone. If Logan noticed, he didn’t show it, only taking the empty tray from Patton’s hands and placing it on the nightstand. He didn’t sit down or leave, just standing there until Patton looked up.

“I assumed you might need to use the restroom?” Oh. Come to think of it, he really did.

With a sigh, he nodded and stood up, following as Logan made his way to the door and unlocked it. Would he have a chance to run? Probably not, he didn’t know the layout of the house and judging by the speed at which Logan had slammed him into the wall, he would never make it. So he took a breath-instead trying to employ his typical optimism. He’d get to see a little more of the house, maybe find out where it was located? That turned out a false assumption. The bathroom was right down the hall, and from what he saw there-there were no windows. On his way, all he spotted was a few more doors breaking up the dark wood walls before Logan opened one that led to the bathroom and he stepped inside.

The bathroom was unremarkable. White walls-the first wall he’d seen that wasn’t made of wood though, a large shower, and of course the toilet. Though, after using it and going to the sink to wash his hands, he did notice something personal. A makeup case, white with gold lining, leaning against the left wall, a pot that looked to be some sort of hair product, a comb likely tossed carelessly onto the counter, and a brush. That last item was what confirmed his suspicion that this was not the bathroom Logan used-as the hair caught between the bristles (wow that was a gross thing to have to observe, but he didn’t mind for the sake of figuring out a little more about his situation) was not dark chocolate in color, but a tawny brown just a bit darker than his own curls. Maybe it belonged to this Virgil?

Unable to find much more in the bathroom besides a random thing of black eyeshadow, Patton exited the bathroom. Logan was waiting outside to lead him back to his..room. There was a long moment of hesitation as he stood in the doorway, but he didn’t really have another option. At least the room was comfortable. He made his way to the bed, sitting down on it and halfheartedly watching Logan retrieve the tray and take it outside. The door closed and locked behind him, leaving Patton once again a prisoner to these walls and his own thoughts.

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