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quidfree · 3 years

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prompts,.,, fem tdbk and a date gone very wrong ? ❤️

ohhhh my god anon. pump this shit directly into my veins i love this whole premise let’s go. also all inspired by whatever the fuck horikoshi was doing in this

just so everyone is on the same page here, it is not a fucking date.

it’s lunch. a singular lunch. people do that shit all the time. even katsuki does lunch, sometimes. she went to that semi-shitty diner place with kirishima that one time when the food hall was shut because some dumbass first year exploded into goo or whatever. and todoroki does lunch, too- her and deku were on some shitty lunch date like a week ago, as evidenced by deku’s even shittier selfie of them having a grand old time doing whatever the fuck they do alone.

fuck, not a shitty lunch date. a shitty lunch. whatever.

the point is lunch is a normal non-date thing people do, and the fact katsuki and todoroki are maybe not the usual suspects for it is just circumstantial. it’s not like they planned it ahead of time, or made some big thing about it. they literally arranged for it in public, so obviously todoroki didn’t think there was anything weird about it. and there isn’t! they’re both going to be in tokyo on the same day, and todoroki’s always happy for any excuse to spend less time with her old man, and katsuki sure as fuck wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to avoid her hag of a birth-giver for a few blissful hours, so when todoroki had very nonchalantly gone ‘oh, bakugou, we could do lunch then”, it wasn’t like she had any real reason to tell her to go fuck herself. like, yeah, maybe a year ago, on principle, she would have, but even katsuki can only take so much trauma-bonding before she resigns herself to the reality that she’s stuck with half ‘n half for life, one way or another, and she may as well suck it up and approach civility because said moron is determined to ignore her open malice until she plays along anyways. they’re... you know, whatever. friends. or something. jesus.

the point being that it’s not a date, and the fact that she’s getting increasingly annoyed at her limited wardrobe is just because she would have packed more shit if the crone hadn’t insisted that they ‘pack light’ so they could get cheaper train tickets for less luggage. it’s just annoying that she can’t wear anything that’s not screaming holiday.

it occurs to her as she sits and scowls at her suitcase that her mother has been watching her from the doorframe for some undetermined amount of time, which is criminal mainly because she’s a goddamn hero-to-be and getting snuck up on by anyone is a blight upon her good name. she tries to disguise the ego damage dealt by glowering murderously in her progenitor’s direction.

“what the fuck do you want?”

“you know,” the she-devil says, cocking a hip, “if you want to borrow something nicer...”

“i wouldn’t be caught dead in your shitty clothes!” katsuki snarls, which prompts the witch to immediately scowl back.

“watch your damn mouth!”

“watch your waistline! no way in hell are we the same size!”

“why you little-”

the interruption at least reminds her that she is obsessing over her clothes ahead of meeting todoroki for lunch, which is so humiliating it kickstarts her brain again long enough to grab some normal shit and get the hell out of there.

on the walk she checks her phone again. the previous day she’d had to bite the bullet and make the first move, todoroki’s infamously terrible communication skills making themselves known once more, and their ensuing conversation had been so mortifying she’d nearly cancelled all-together.

to: Half ‘n half

Yo asshole are we still meeting tomorrow or what

I’m busy as shit

from: Half ‘n half

Yes. TS

to: Half ‘n half

What the fuck is TS

from: Half ‘n half

I was signing off.

to: Half ‘n half

SIGNING OFF ON YOUR OWN TEXT

YOU THINK I DONT KNOW YOUR DAMN NAME

from: Half ‘n half

[Pin attached]

Does here at 12.30 work for you?

to: Half ‘n half

Yeah whatever

Don’t be late

And don’t think I’m forgetting the fucking signing off thing

from: Half ‘n half

Glad you can make time for mockery in your busy as shit schedule.

the venue looks like some rich person shit, which she semi-expected, but it means a lot of people give her weird looks as she makes her way inside, probably on account of the shorts and t-shirt she’s wearing if not her general vibe. some old woman actually drags her purse to her, which makes katsuki sorely tempted to bare her teeth and maybe hiss for effect, though she settles for scowling and shoving her hands in her pockets. it’s 12.27, because she wasn’t going to be late but being any earlier would have given off some dubious impression that she’s eager to see todoroki, except now she kind of wishes she’d just come for 12.30 because if there’s some reservation bullshit she gets the feeling she’s going to start fighting with the waiting staff, and then-

“bakugou,” todoroki calls, from inside, raising a hand with unnecessary formality. “you made it.”

“course i made it,” katsuki grunts, absolutely not relieved as she by-passes the suspicious looking waiter to join her outside. “think i can’t ride the damn underground by myself?”

todoroki is wearing jeans cuffed at the ankles and a white t-shirt on top of which she’s thrown on an open button-up with the sleeves rolled up, and she looks casual and normal and incidentally kind of like they dressed to match, but the important part is that she doesn’t look dressed up at all, so katsuki was totally right about the non-date situation, and also isn’t the only one totally underdressed for the shitty venue.

“you look nice,” todoroki says then, completely shattering katsuki’s brief moment of reprieve. “i’ve never seen so much color on you.”

katsuki almost chokes on her own tongue, but the worst part is that the asshole seems completely nonchalant about the weird as shit observation, focused on her stool as she takes a seat on the balcony. which- what the actual fuck? since when does todoroki issue compliments unprompted- of the non-professional variety, at that? and what the fuck does she expect katsuki to say now- return the compliment? say thanks? is this whole thing some kind of exercise in psychological torture?

well, fuck it. she can’t look like a little bitch just because todoroki said something inanely positive. two can play that game.

“yeah. you look half decent yourself. did you hire someone to dress you for the occasion?”

todoroki blinks up at her in surprise, which is totally a win and would make her more smug if she could stop feeling so weird and prickly all over. for a dangerous moment todoroki seems on the verge of blushing, but miraculously the world rights itself and the usual deadpan persists, one brow quirking up in completely feigned ineptitude.

“there was a compliment somewhere in there, so thank you, i think. i thought we were past this vendetta.”

“we’ll be past this vendetta the day you burn your piece of shit hero suit,” katsuki retorts, back on familiar ground, and relaxes long enough to squint down at the menu.

this turns out to be a mistake.

“the fuck? is this whole thing in french?”

“oh,” todoroki says, after a beat. “that makes sense. i thought my english had deteriorated.”

“are you- you didn’t know? you recommended the place!”

“it was the nearest place to our hotel,” todoroki defends, now having the decency of looking slightly put out. “coq can’t mean what i think it means, can it?”

“that’s chicken, asshole,” katsuki hisses, flinging the menu down. “great, now we’re going to have to flag down one of the shithead waiters and ask for a japanese menu. excuse me! hey! yeah, i’m talking to- what the hell, did he just blow me off? hey, jackass! you with the shitty mustache!”

“sorry about that,” todoroki interjects, when mustache asshole turns an offended stare their way. “do you have the japanese menu?”

“we only serve the food in its authentic form,” mustachioed asshole says, with frigid self-satisfaction. “might i suggest google translate?”

“might i suggest my foot up your ass, you shitty-”

“that’s fine,” todoroki says, in a flat tone that implies otherwise. “we’ll make do.”

the waiter sniffs pretentiously as katsuki thinks about all the ways she could beat his ass into next tuesday, running an aggravated hand through her hair when the wind rustles it into her face. she’d half expect todoroki to suggest they fuck off elsewhere, but when she looks back her way she finds an ill-boding gleam of determination in her eyes despite the impassive set to her face, and it’s a testament to how fucked in the head ua has made katsuki that she feels a sort of sick thrill of recognition at the sight. todoroki’s in stubborn bitch mode.

“i’ll have this,” todoroki says, sure enough, pointing to the most expensive item on the menu. “and also this. and one of those.”

the waiter’s eyes nearly pop out of his skull, and todoroki looks unfazed in katsuki’s direction, tapping pointedly at a sleek black and red credit card in her wallet. “bakugou?”

well, if endeavour’s paying....

“sure,” katsuki says, slowly, and then turns her meanest smile the waiter’s way. “i want the frog legs.”

mustache clears his throat, attempts condescension. “we don’t serve that here.”

“you’re a gastronomique restaurant,” katsuki says very loudly, as other clients turn to stare, “and you don’t have fucking frog legs? is this a joke? does this napkin say authentic french cuisine or am i hallucinating?”

“i can ask the chef,” the waiter demurs, casting a nervous glance at the muttering snobs nearby, and attempts an ingratiating smile. “anything else for you, mademoiselle?”

“what did you just call me?”

once the ordering debacle is over, todoroki slants katsuki what may well be an apologetic glance, vaguely contrite frown sitting pretty atop her usual dead-eyed stare.

“i probably should have read up on the place ahead of time.”

katsuki is well within her rights to chew her head off, she thinks, but food’s on the way and she got to yell at the asshole who gave her the once-over when she came in, so she’s feeling forgiving, even in the face of todoroki’s annoyingly doll-faced apology. the bitch really has to do the bare minimum and she looks like a fucking kpop idol.

“yeah, whatever. i always knew you were a shitty ops planner.”

todoroki, who is an asshole, looks relieved at her generous forgiveness for all of a second before she quirks a brow. “between the two of us, i only count one person who has actually spoken the words ‘shoot first, ask questions later’.”

“that was in a training simulation,” katsuki protests, outraged. “and you know damn well the actors were annoying as shit!”

“i did find them slightly too committed to the role,” todoroki concedes neutrally, which totally means she agrees with katsuki 100% and is being precious about it. katsuki scoffs.

“least the view’s decent.”

“the-“ todoroki starts, in weirdly confused tones, until she follows katsuki’s gaze outward and nods in understanding. “oh, the skyline. yes.”

what else katsuki could have meant she doesn’t fucking know: they’re sitting pretty in the middle of tokyo. the only thing the hellhole of a restaurant has going for it at this point is the cityscape.

todoroki stares out into the distance for a good long moment, and with the breeze her negligently loose hair whips this way and that, red and white blur where the two halves mingle. instinctively katsuki itches to braid it flat so it doesn’t tangle. if todoroki asked her she’d tell her to just cut her damn hair into a bob or something- it’s not like icyhot has any attachment to her princess hair, and she’s got the obnoxious bone structure to pull off any length. not that she’d mention this last part. or that she’s given it much thought. it’s just fucking obvious.

if todoroki could keep her mouth shut throughout the rest of the meal, it could be sort of nice. tokyo skyline, and companionable silence, and presumably edible food. worse ways to kill some time, and way less incriminating than anything that may be said otherwise.

“i think this is the part where we make small talk,” todoroki says instead, sadist that she definitely is, as katsuki grimaces feelingly her way.

“no, we don’t.”

“well, we don’t. but this is the part where we should.”

“i don’t even believe you can last a minute of small talk, icyhot.”

todoroki looks pensive, mismatched eyes thoughtful. “...how has your day been?”

“uneventful,” katsuki says, combative, and eyes her watch. todoroki does not give.

“this place seems nice.”

“you don’t even think that.”

“how have you been finding tokyo?”

“noisy.”

“the weather seems-”

“no.”

“you look nice.”

“you said that already, dumbass,” katsuki grunts, palms crackling with sweat, and does not at all read into the way todoroki makes a stupid little movement with her mouth that could ungenerously be interpreted as a pout.

“well, i meant it, so i’m saying it twice.”

“give it up, half ‘n half, just ask me about training.”

“...how is your training?”

“i did this thing yesterday,” katsuki starts, leaning back in her chair, and from then launches into a very technical and barely exaggerated retelling of the batshit insane stunt she pulled off with her quirk the day prior. todoroki’s focused attention is gratifying, in a totally platonic non-weird way- it’s just that her parents couldn’t very well follow why exactly said stunt was as insane as it is, but todoroki obviously can, and also there’s that thing with todoroki where pulling a reaction out of her ice queen act is admittedly more satisfying than most people. it has jack shit to do with the fact katsuki’s got a very minor complex about todoroki paying her her dues, and even if it did then that’s entirely fucking reasonable considering she still hasn’t forgiven her for the sports fest incident.

it is a little weird having todoroki’s sole focus on her outside of hero shit, though. it’s not like they really hang out one on one outside of school or work. it’s kind of- unnerving. yeah. unnerving, to be making prolonged eye contact, todoroki’s expression intent but not intense the way she gets in fight scenarios, frowning lightly because she has resting bitch face but apparently genuinely interested. it’s kind of a relief that todoroki asks questions- moves them safely into a conversation, so katsuki’s not just sitting there talking and sort of dry-throated. fucking waiter, leaving them water-less.

it’s fine. they talk about training, and quirks, and then todoroki pushes her hair behind her ears and leans forward to demonstrate on a small scale this thing she’s trying to do where she melts her ice and refreezes it in rapid succession so it causes what is essentially ice rain, but there’s logistics and shit that need to be worked out for it to work the way she’s thinking it might, and katsuki knows her thermal shit so they start scrawling maths over the napkins, and then bicker over the finer points of first year chemistry, so when the food actually arrives to interrupt them todoroki’s startled blink is weirdly relatable, like she also forgot where they were.

the waiter’s there and gone before they’re really recovered from the brief misplacement, which katsuki registers only when she looks down at her empty glass.

“goddamnit- how hard is it to bring us water?”

“they only offer sparkling,” todoroki says, gravely, then outpaces katsuki’s disgust by placing her hand over her glass, ice rising before she switches hands and melts it down. “tell me if the temperature’s off.”

intensely mollified and trying not to look it, katsuki sips it. “’s fine.”

“okay,” todoroki says, faintly pleased, and tilts her head to look down at her food. “i have no idea what any of this is.”

“moron,” katsuki snorts, except it comes out way fonder than it has any rights to, and from beneath the convenient curtain of hair todoroki’s smiling a little, so she hastily stabs a frog leg and gets to eating before anyone gets any ideas.

the actual meal goes okay-ish. most of the stuff todoroki ordered is extremely pretentious french cuisine, and todoroki secretly has the culinary adventurousness of a five year old, so it befalls katsuki to impatiently attempt every dish and pronounce it edible before todoroki will deign to brave it. she’s still trying to bully an unyielding todoroki into attempting the weird bird soup thing when there’s commotion nearby. it takes the both of them approximately three seconds to spring into work-mode; katsuki’s on her feet poised for a fight before she’s even consciously thought about it, scanning her peripherals, and she doesn’t even need to look to feel todoroki unconsciously covering her back, cool sting of air signalling her quirk at the ready.

the commotion turns out just to be some old dumbass choking, relaxing them both out of their stances as she falls back to let todoroki ahead. they’re both uber-qualified for first aid shit, but she’s self-aware enough to know even todoroki’s bland reassurances are usually preferred to her bedside manner. unfortunately, the whole entourage seems to be braindead, because they’re all crowding the old guy in a panic while he chokes, his wife in shrieking hysterics.

“oh, my god, he’s choking! he’s choking! sugar-plum, stay with me!”

“fuck me,” katsuki mutters, unethically thinking that she would personally prefer choking to being married to someone who calls her sugar-plum, but todoroki’s pushing ahead with implacable calm, so she trudges after her anyways.

“excuse me. excuse me. i need access to your husband.”

“who are you? don’t touch him! help! get this woman off my husband!” wailing hysteric yells, bosom heaving dramatically. katsuki is starting to suspect she poisoned him on purpose or some shit, because no way does anyone talk like that in real life.

“she’s a fucking qualified first aid provider, lady, shut up and let her through!”

thankfully, the woman seems on the verge of an outrage aneurysm, which drags her focus away from suffocating her choking husband to dramatically pointing at katsuki long enough for todoroki to duck past her and reach the guy as he turns purple.

“how dare you speak to me that way? who do you think you are?”

“ma,” chinless moron number one says, clearing his throat. “i think that’s one of those future pros from TV.”

“what?”

“you know, ma,” chinless moron number two adds, glancing nervously between them. “the one that explodes things. you know. from UA.”

katsuki takes great pleasure in watching recognition dawn in the old cow’s beady eyes, but in any event there’s a hacking noise and then the old man’s coughing out a bone into his plate as todoroki steps noiselessly back from the table.

“he’s fine now. enjoy your dinner.”

“god, that was gross,” katsuki says, as they ignore the woman’s sputtering and return to their seats. todoroki tilts her head.

“not really. if he’d thrown up it would have been.”

“not the choking guy,” katsuki scoffs, casting a glance back his way. “his wife. talk about theatrics.”

“she seemed more afraid of us than her husband dying.”

“for good reason,” katsuki mutters darkly, spreading out in her chair. “i hate civilians.”

“i don’t think she recognised us,” todoroki counters, pensive, and absent-mindedly takes a bite of the weird soup before she screws her face up like a betrayed kid. “oh. you didn’t say it was sweet.”

the look on her face thoroughly distracts katsuki from asking what other reason the pearl-clutcher could possibly have to be so terrified at the mere sight of them; instead, she chokes back a laugh, stifling a grin. “what are you, five?”

“i don’t think i like this,” todoroki says, mournful, which makes katsuki grin harder. she can’t help it- todoroki looking stupid is her kryptonite.

“then don’t pick a restaurant where you can’t read the menu, next time.”

todoroki’s midway to looking up, but for some reason her expression transforms instantaneously, which makes katsuki reflexively try to quash her amusement. todoroki always gets weird when she’s smiling.

“next time?”

motherfuck. obviously she didn’t mean next time like next time, she meant next time like- hypothetically, in the future, when todoroki’s on a lunch date with someone else. a lunch non-date. she’s just about stopped sputtering furiously long enough to try and express this sentiment when it occurs to her that todoroki seems- pleased, one eye soft sky-blue when katsuki accidentally meets it, and that draws her up short long enough that she ends up just muttering lamely to herself. fucking todoroki.

on the heels of this utter embarrassment, she downs the rest of her water, scowls in a neat 180 at everything in sight, and wonders for the first time in her life how the fuck extras get through dates. not that this is one.

it’s fine. they’re done eating, and no one’s died, and katsuki is no longer fifteen and thus mostly trusts her ego to lick its wounds and recover from the ordeal. even if they stick around for desert that’s only another half hour of this to endure. as long as todoroki doesn’t make any sudden moves they’ll be fine.

...the problem is, of course, that sudden moves are todoroki’s modus operandi. katsuki has not forgotten the bitch calling them friends on national television in the same breath that she was vociferously denying them being anything of the sort. in todoroki’s fucked up brain, they’re always ten steps ahead of whatever they actually are- considering katsuki’s come around to privately acknowledging she’d take a couple more stakes through the gut for the asshole, in todoroki’s world they're practically hitched.

platonically. platonically practically hitched. this is not a thing, goddamnit. no matter the weird looks aizawa’s been giving them, or utsushimi’s nefarious schemes, or the alarming cardiopulmonary condition katsuki’s been developing of late. she’s not some shitty yuri protagonist pining over the nearest female bishōnen in her vicinity.

admittedly if she was to pine over anyone it sure as fuck wouldn’t be some guy, but that’s besides the point, since pretty damn near every person on earth is just some guy by her standards, regardless of gender. the fact that todoroki is not one of said people is entirely irrelevant.

her internal irritation is so distracting that she misses the tremors nearby until entirely too late, by which point todoroki’s stupidly perfect brows raise an incremental fraction and she goes: ‘oh’.

when todoroki goes ‘oh’, some shit is about to go down.

katsuki turns slowly with an impending sense of doom, and sure enough, the sight that greets her is so nightmarish she seriously reconsiders whether the entire day has been just that.

“don’t freak out,” a giant building-sized deku booms, apologetically, as his hideous giant face stares at them. “it’s just a quirk thing.”

it’s probably a good thing katsuki has gone speechless with outrage, since it permits todoroki’s constantly composed ass to ask useful questions katsuki probably would have coated in a fair amount more threats and cursing.

“midoriya. i didn’t know you were in tokyo.”

“well, i wasn’t meant to be,” deku says/booms like a foghorn, as the restaurant clientele shrieks and stampedes behind them. his sheepish expression is even more punchable when magnified. “it’s a long story. it’s almost sorted out now, though. i just saw you guys from over at the NPA office and thought i’d come ask if you maybe wouldn’t mind lending a hand? i wouldn’t ask but there’s going to be a lot of cleanup and your quirks would be really helpful to-”

“we’ll do it as long as you shut the fuck up,” katsuki yells, to cut him off, massaging her temples. “the monologuing’s bad enough when you’re not about to burst my fucking eardrums, jackass.”

“oh, sorry! i’m trying to be very quiet but this body’s just hard to get used to- thank you so much for helping, i didn’t mean to come bother you on break...”

“it’s fine,” todoroki says, and then seems to realise that her monotone doesn’t reach midoriya’s giant-ass ears and clears her throat, raising her voice to a shout. “it’s fine. let me go deal with the bill and then we’ll go.”

“sorry?” midoriya whisper-shouts, craning his monstrous head closer to them, the sight of which will haunt katsuki for the rest of her life. “i can’t hear what you’re saying!”

“she said she’s going to go pay for our nice fucking lunch,” katsuki hollers, with no small sense of satisfaction, as deku winces and todoroki slinks off. “since you want to come crashing it like a dipshit.”

“sorry, kacchan!” deku begs off, flapping hand gestures creating enough wind to knock over a nearby umbrella stand. “i just thought it would be a lot of help if you came to oversee the fall-out- especially with the building damage-”

“we’re good,” todoroki announces, to katsuki, apparently having given up on matching her in decibels. she’s got that classic hero look on her face, already in work mode, but just when katsuki’s about to do the same and jump into action, the look wavers a little and she frowns vaguely awkwardly. “thanks for doing lunch.”

“huh?” katsuki stutters, thrown, and then scowls at nothing in particular, stalling. todoroki’s the one who paid, albeit indirectly- it’s typically weird of her to be all formal about it all of a sudden, leaving katsuki to attempt to wriggle them out of the awkwardness of the moment. “i didn’t do shit except show up and eat, weirdo.”

“it’s been abnormally hard to show up and eat in the circumstances,” todoroki replies, a little wryly, and more concerningly a little resigned sounding. which is just unnatural, because todoroki may have expanded her range of emotions considerably since first year but resignation is not on her usual roster, and there’s nothing to be resigned about unless she had some kind of vested interest in this whole fiasco playing out any better than it did.

which she didn’t, obviously. katsuki’s been through this. she chose the nearest possible venue and rocked up in jeans and a t-shirt, and- and why is the fact that todoroki never dresses so normally out of class only now occurring to her, again?

she’d said ‘i think this is the part where we do small talk’. the part of what?

“yeah, whatever,” katsuki says, automatically, as her brain plays catch-up, which is the excuse she will forever stick to for what leaves her mouth next. “should have known you’d be a lousy date.”

todoroki goes ‘what?’ at the same moment deku does, ten times louder and more bug-eyed, which reminds katsuki that 1) deku is still there, 2) deku is still as big as his martyr complex, and 3) deku is the fucking worst, and allowing him to trap her into friendship is somehow responsible for this, she’s sure of it.

“can we go handle this fucking mess or what?” katsuki snaps, instead of screaming or breaking deku’s very large nose or maybe self-immolating in abject humiliation, hands erupting into explosions as she jumps onto the balcony railing. maybe if she throws herself headfirst into the debris she’ll concuss herself and turn amnesiac.

“um,” deku is saying, when she turns a withering glare his way. “um, yes! yes! yeah! let’s go do that!”

so she jumps skywards, explosions blasting her high into the air, and very scrupulously does not look towards the sounds of slick ice forming just behind her until todoroki skates into her peripheral vision, hair waving flag-like behind her. ahead there’s a building with a crater clean through it where deku must have erupted from, though when she turns to comment she finds him a fair deal behind them, lumbering pace slowed further as he avoids stepping on anyone or anything along the streets. instead her eyes lock on todoroki’s where the latter is staring at her, face unreadable, and she bristles hard enough to disrupt trajectory, correcting course rapidly before she plummets into an office.

“what?”

“i’m a lousy date,” todoroki repeats, neutrally, over the wind. katsuki grits her teeth.

“and what about it?”

she’s bracing for a lot, but not the horrible, sickening eye-crinkle thing todoroki does, dark eye twinkling even as her expression stays carefully impassive. “you think you can do better, then?”

“hah?”

“next time,” todoroki intones, very precisely, and then dips ahead like a complete coward as katsuki goes a color never previously visible to the human eye, sifting through about fifteen emotions before she decides to stick to outrage.

“what the hell? you suck at asking people out, icyhot!”

“you don’t have to say yes.”

“what, you think i can’t do better than this mess? you’re on, asshole.”

“i look forward to it,” todoroki says, gravely, and then there’s a collapsed building to handle and shit to do and if anyone wants to ask why katsuki is so especially gleeful in blowing shit up they wisely keep their mouths shut. she just likes the job, all right.

(for the record, it’s still not a date until katsuki says it is.)

#qui repond #qui ecrit #anon #prompts #tdbk #todobaku #fem todobaku #fem todo #fem baku

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squeeneyart · 4 years

Text

Breathe in the Salt - Chapter 20

AO3

Beta reader as always is @thesnadger!

Simon and Martin have a chat.

Martin accepts some advice.

When Martin passed the front gate the world behind him disappeared, replaced by cold, grey mist and stone.

Staring back the way he came only made it harder to remember what had been before, and his head felt the pressure of distance with no point of reference. Something deep inside him knew the perils of walking anywhere but the path leading him to the Fairchild house; to step anywhere else would see him tumbling out and away from the only landmark he had left.

Waiting for him at the front door was the woman who’d taken the sketchbook from him, this time without the veneer of professional courtesy. The hooded jumper, worn jeans, and disinterested wave announced to the world an interrupted day off. If his damp, miserable self was an affront to her sensibilities, she wasn’t showing it, so the wet jacket stayed on.

In his nerves he hadn’t really registered her appearance during their first meeting, too focused on getting rid of the evidence of his crime. She was older, maybe in her 60s, with long grey hair tied back into a low ponytail. He hadn’t seen her about town before, had he?

They walked inside without any chitchat, so Martin glanced about in silence. The interior felt right if his memory served, the same skinny halls and windows stretching from floor to ceiling. The most striking aspect still was the mural at the top of the central staircase. The rest of the house was dwarfed by it, as if the grand building was no greater than his hometown’s silhouette tucked into the corner of the canvas.

Approaching it, the colors were more. More intense, more bold, all the brightness stolen from the world outside siphoned into an impossible sky. Maybe anything would look that much more when contrasted with where he’d been. He was at the top of the stairs standing at its center wondering if there was any distance that could give him a proper view of the whole.

From behind him the woman cleared her throat, though she didn’t seem irritated. He pulled himself away from the spot where he’d stopped to stare, leaving slippery footprints in his wake.

Glancing up at the mural, she only said, “Some things demand attention.”

She led him to the same room from his first visit with its outward wall of glass. Across the room sat Simon, his back facing those large, unbelievably clear windows that now overlooked the fog-covered landscape. Martin heard the woman’s retreating footsteps and the click of the door.

Martin breathed out, keeping a few feet between himself and the old man. He waved stiffly at the windows. “It’s a bit late. I was expecting this to happen last week.”

With that pleasant smile unmoving, Simon motioned for Martin to sit in the chair across from him. “Don’t be ridiculous. That event will be much more exciting. I wanted to put this meeting together, and needed a good mix of quick and fun.”

“Starting to question my understanding of ‘fun’,” Martin mumbled. He took the seat offered to him and crossed his arms over his chest, the rainwater he carried in seeping into the plush fabric. “It seems like I’m always on the losing side of someone else’s.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Simon hummed, leaning back comfortably in his chair. “So you’d prefer something more exciting in your invitations, so you’re not left out? Did my little errand turn you into a thrill-seeker already?”

“No.” A shiver ran through him, not of fear but of an awful, biting cold. The wet of his hair sapped the heat right out of him and pulled his ponytail down heavy onto his neck. “What do you want?”

“Oh, a bit moody today, aren’t we?” The smile was still sitting idly on Simon’s face. “Peter’s been around more often, I can tell. He does that to people, sucks all patience and goodwill out until they’re… well.” He flicked his eyes over Martin with something like pity.

Martin pressed his arms tighter into himself. “So what, you push people into the sky, and he does that?”

Simon laughed without a hint of shame. “Goodness, no. Peter is just like that, no strangeness needed. I’ve often left his company feeling completely drained and irritable, though I’ve found ways to ensure the feeling is mutual.”

“Good friends, then.”

“As much as he can have them.” Simon leaned forward, no hint of bitterness in his voice or expression. “A very close-to-the-chest type, I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

With a sharp exhale, Martin said, “Look, if you’re going to ask me for a favor I’m not-”

“Now, now, I’m not one to drag on a favor forever, and you’ve paid in full. Besides, Peter is much too jumpy right now for anything to be done.” Simon turned his gaze toward the window. “I’m afraid all any of us can do now is wait.”

A jolt of disappointment shocked Martin to silence. All of this dramatic nonsense just to be told to wait and see? He hadn’t had any specific expectations, but deep down he’d believed Simon to be plotting something soon. That even if it was a horrible outcome Martin wouldn’t be left in suspense from every angle of his life.

Whatever shoe was meant to drop, it hadn’t, and it wouldn’t for some unspecified amount of time.

Simon regained his easy tone and continued, “And I greatly dislike this weather, all of these things clouding my view. Soon I’ll be going weeks without a clear day, and it can feel so… so claustrophobic. So little to work with on a day like this.”

He wasn’t the one who needed to walk in it. “You’re not going to explain anything, are you?”

“No, I’m not. You know how these things are. Business.” Reaching into his pocket, Simon pulled out a small envelope. “Speaking of, like a pouting child Peter has been avoiding me, and as far as I can tell you’re the only person who actually sees him.”

With a deep sigh Martin leaned forward, elbows resting on knees. Not only was he getting nothing out of Simon, but- “This is all so I can be a messenger boy?”

“Just the one time, if Peter can be reasonable.”

“I don’t- Wait. Why not trap him like you did me? Just force him to your door.”

With a sudden laugh that made Martin jump, Simon replied, “Not everyone is as easy to find as you. And anyway, it’s not wise to do that to friends, is it?”

It wasn’t a way to keep friends, no, and he took the message from Simon without further comment. On the other side of the room, the door opened to reveal that woman. Not needing prompting he stood, looking back one more time at the other man.

Simon remained seated and swung one more friendly smile in Martin’s direction. “You’ll be seen out, then. I must thank you for your previous help, Martin. The personal significance alone can’t be overstated. It’s not my only sketchbook, of course, but several of my best works had their beginnings in it.” Was that glint in his eye one of creative pride, or was there some joke Martin was missing?

The tiniest desire to stay and hear more itched at the back of his mind, but the dismissal was clear and he let the woman lead him back through the house. Once outside he saw the weather had taken a turn for the worse into a complete downpour. The high wind would certainly blow his hood down, making for a wretched walk ahead of him.

“Ah.” He’d been taken to the Fairchild house on an impossible route, but the way home was entirely real. “I have a long way to walk.”

“Inconveniences all around,” the woman said, shutting the door behind him.

Once he was alone he ripped the phone from his pocket and and bent over it to delete his dramatic messages before they could be seen, replacing it with:

Martin: talked with simon (didnt really have a choice), dont think anything will happen with him for a while

Martin: said all we can do is wait? really cryptic

Then he pocketed it once more and walked out the front gate into the reinstated town.

The greatest relief was finding other unlucky pedestrians doing their best to stay dry along with him. Even without the ability to stop and talk he felt the silent commiseration. It wasn’t joy in the suffering of others but rather the knowledge that other people were there at all to share in the cruddy weather. He could see where a person ahead of him was avoiding puddles, and found residual warmth in the lights of nearby shop fronts. It was the kind of melancholy atmosphere that could make rain a little more bearable.

The walk down the cliff however was designed to kill him, the slope slick with mud and abandoned by an early setting sun. No waterproof phone, glasses blurred and splattered with droplets, Martin made his slow way home in the cold, in the dark. More than once he stopped to make sure he hadn’t gotten turned around by forces supernatural or otherwise, but then the ground flattened and he could finally hear the sea over the rain beating against the ground.

He was late of course, but besides some comments about tracking water into the house and forgetting his umbrella his mother had left him well alone, and even took his word when he described the weather as unsuitable for her health. He was grateful. After the last few days anything worse might’ve sent them into a screaming match to surpass any bouts they’d had in years. Maybe the day had taken as much out of her as it had from him.

Instead, after a necessary change of clothes on his part, they ate dinner and watched television, her in her chair and him on the couch. It was some old game show he vaguely remembered, not something that aired in his childhood but that he’d experienced first as reruns, the saturated colors and fuzzy image granting it a multilayered nostalgia. Someone on the screen had just answered a question and was hoping their spouse would come up with the same response.

In his pyjama pants and old t-shirt he felt little, his feet tucked under him because he hadn’t wanted to waste another pair of socks. It was as if he’d just come out of the bath with his wet hair and drooping eyes and was waiting to be told he was up too late. As if he wasn’t responsible for watching the clock himself.

His phone vibrated in the middle of the program, but if his mother noticed she chose to ignore it. Tapping the phone awake, Martin saw a notification from the group message.

Tim: ok check-in time what the hell

Tim: just saw this

So they hadn’t seen his initial messages. He breathed out in relief and typed out a reply.

Martin: some weird stuff, but everythings fine. simon made it so i had to go talk to him

Martin: whatever simon mentioned before its not coming yet. seems like he isnt in control of when whatever it is happens? also peter is avoiding him so i need to give him this letter

Tim: weird but

Tim: good? more time for us

Sasha: one less thing to worry about. glad it went okay.

Tim: ^^

He’d successfully avoided any panic or weirdness that his original messages most definitely would’ve caused and patted himself on the back for a job well done. No one needed that as a distraction.

Martin: oh right weird topic change but jon mentioned it, do you really all use a cot at work

Tim: oh yeah lol love that thing

Tim: jon is on it right now actually will pass on simon info when hes awake

Martin: youre all still there??

Tim: oh martin dont you know weve Never Left

Tim: we should get going soon tho now that you mention, will drag jon out of the archives while passing on simon info

Martin: good idea

Tim: and keep those eyes down!

Martin bit his cheek and looked past his phone at the television screen. No doubt it was karma for his rash behavior at the lighthouse, having “just wait!” shouted at him from all corners. The universe was making itself very clear. Simon could’ve just been telling him to let something terrible happen, but even if that was true Martin wasn’t in a place to stop anything.

But it was a great quality of Tim’s, rounding them all up and trying to save them from regrettable decisions. The least Martin could do was make that job easier and stay out of trouble. It was also the most he could do, as much as it irked him.

Martin: dont need to tell me twice!

And with that Martin pocketed his phone, accepting his fate of inaction.

When he finally put his mother to bed the goodnight between them was not warm, but it was closer to normal. If he’d been told that one of the most pleasant parts of his day would’ve been watching the telly after dinner with his mum, he would’ve… well, it wasn’t that strange. Really it emphasized how bad the rest of his day had been.

Meanwhile the most pleasant event felt fake, even when he checked his call logs to confirm it. What a strange start to a day, he thought as he laid in bed. At least it made up for Jon not being around that evening, that and knowing Jon was getting some sleep. The man clearly needed some prompting during an intense work period to take care of himself, and Martin silently thanked Tim for doing something about it when he couldn’t bring himself to initiate a phone conversation. He knew it was ridiculous for him to be so nervous about the idea, but…

But.

Hopefully Jon didn’t think he was rude. It was one thing to chat in person, but calling without a specific topic to discuss while the others were hard at work? Because he was bored? Best to let Jon reach out when he felt it necessary, even if it meant being woken up at odd hours on a work day and otherwise sitting on his hands. Eventually this would all be behind them and he could stop being racked with guilt over the thought of making a social call.

Martin’s stomach twisted. Yes, things would be dealt with, and he would move on from this strange period in his life.

He moved to place the phone down for the night when it buzzed in his hand, with a message in another, private chat.

Sasha: we should talk more later about what simon told you specifically. if something big is coming having someone on the inside of things might not be the worst. not saying you should seek him out, he seems perfectly of capable of contacting you, but if it happens again it could be an opportunity

Martin: you think he could be on our side?

Sasha: i think letting people say their piece can lead to understanding, even if the other person is the worst. something is going on between him and peter lukas and the more we know the better

Martin: right…

Sasha: again not saying to run into anything. wait for us etc etc but trust your gut

Martin: so your opinion on staying put?

Sasha: sometimes you cant, thats all im saying

Martin: okay, i think i get it

Sasha: good. now get some sleep, weird things tend to drain you

Martin: goodnight

Sasha: night

Well, she wasn’t wrong. He didn’t believe that Simon was a good person, not with how he’d treated Martin thus far, but that didn’t make him evil, either. And his advice was the same as what everyone else had already been saying: stay out of trouble as best he could and wait for the right moment. Even Sasha still conceded to it being the best option for the present. If Peter told him to wait as well, then Martin would be truly lost on what to do, but until then he would follow the advice of all the people who knew more than he did.

And if Simon called him to his home again, he would try to be less… difficult. And he would buy a better jacket, just in case.

The next morning, he listened to a voice message left shortly after he’d fallen into a blissfully dreamless sleep.

Jon’s groggy voice drifted from the mobile. “Hi, sorry I missed things. Wasn’t expecting Fairchild to be so forward, and my sleep schedule has never been- anyway, Tim convinced me to go back to my flat, but since I slept at the institute earlier I’m currently following a few threads to see if they lead anywhere helpful. I think I’ve reached something, but time will tell.”

He continued after a brief pause. “Seems you’re already asleep, as you should be, so I’ll let you go. Let me know if you have any questions about our other… shared interest. Good night. I hope things stay quiet.”

#tma #the magnus archives #breathe in the salt #martin blackwood #jonathan sims #sasha james #timothy stoker #peter lukas #simon fairchild #fanfic #au fanfic #selkie au #i swear to god theres selkie content its just very slowburn selkie content #jonmartin

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what-kinda-fuckery · 4 years

Text

Hey so, I was one of the star struck falsettos stans that spent the forty dollars for the webinar, and I took notes (like a weirdo). So I decided I would share my funny moments and updates from the cast here!

- Host: Everyone should be keeping their audio off.

Christian: Oh alright!

Host: nO Christian not you

- Christians in Manhattan and his hair is back and he’s wearing a Superman t-shirt.

- Brandon is with his parents in NJ

- Stephanie and Brandon still love each other

- Brandon: Meat should be cooked just right

- Betsy: Stephanie are you in maple wood?

Stephanie: Well thank you for telling everyone where I am (she’s in NJ)

- Stephanie: Are you fucking kidding meee!!!

- Tracie is in LA, she looks like she’s in Costa Rica and I love her dog.

- Anthony’s VOICE IS LOW EVERYONES FREAKING OUT

they’re all talking about Anthony’s clear skin

- Andy Randy is in LA with a fresh haircut his boyfriend did it and he’s watching too much TV

Andrew: I’m watching this is America

Stephanie: SO GOOD

Andrew: SO GOOD

- Everyone’s having hard days

- Christian is acting out tracies dog’s pathetic bark and everyone’s like WHAT are you doing bc it looks like he’s about to throw up

- BETSY IS A WEEK AWAY FROM HAVINGA WHOLE CHILD

Betsy: What else do you do during a pandemic? Have a baby!

Andrew: Can I toss out another baby name? Celery.

Literally everyone: Goodnight Andrew goodbye!

- Christian is living with a girl (?) and playing board games instead of watching television

HE COOKS NOW EVERYONES PROUD OF HIM

Christian: yesterday I made pork filet en croute

Stephanie: I MADE PORK WITH SAGE AND APPLES ON WEDNESDAY

Stephanie: In mean girls they wear pink on wednesdays. In falsettos they make pork.

- I can’t get over Anthony’s voice

Again everyone returning to his literally perfect skin

- Stephanie: When watching four jews in a room in the beginning who’s in China?? I know the answer I just want to hear someone say it.

Andrew, with a thick accent: It was Bryna, in China, with a torn miniscus

- Christian: Did anything interesting make it on to the telecast between me and you? Andrew? Actually I dont remember I need to do my research.

Andrew: There’s been some strange comments about Christian and I- (AT THIS POINT IM WHEEZING)

HE MENTIONED THE TONY BONY

HE SAID IT WASNT A THING

HE DIDNT HAVE ONE

Andrew: No that’s not a thing that happened

Brandon: Andrew i want you to know that it’s okay if it was. It’s a safe space just the seven of us. (Lol)

- Bill Finn would take two steps into the room: “WROONG”

Stephanie: he wanted me to sing the end of I’m breaking down up the octave and I said #notmytrina

Brandon: #NOTMYTRINA

- Tracie what did you do during act 1

Tracie: Betsy and I sat in that dressing room for like an hour and a half

Andrew: You SANG the WHOLE SHOW TRACIE

- Betsy watched parts of the first act to feel like she was there

- Betsy sprained both her ankles at one point during the run and was a trooper anyways

Brandon reenacting Betsy limping during look look look look

Everyone dies laughing

Christians LAUGH makes me SO HAPPY

- Betsys screen is frozen like this: 🤨

Andrew: What if she went into labor??? (This is a common thread throughout the zoom)

- Anthony: I’m getting a lot of glitching so Stephanie is just like “HUH UH UH UH”

- Betsy comes back and everyone is like

YOU GUYS ITS COMING!!!

- They bought Andrew an ice cream for his birthday from the vending machine at rehearsal

- Andrew: The Hawaii crop top

Betsy: I would give anything to have that

- Tracie: it was very hard. Very precise bringing the blocks together

Brandon: Trying to be like oh my god we’re going to a funeral

Andrew: MY DEATH IT WAS MY DEATH

- fan question: What did the blocks weigh?

Stephanie: They were like thick yoga blocks. Not heavy but awkward shaped

Andrew: Significantly heavier when Anthony sat on them

Anthony: I just realized how much I got thrown around

Stephanie: Anthony were you proud of yourself? #proudofyou

Anthony: The one moment I was cringing was father and son

Christian: HERE WE GO *SLAPS TABLE*

Betsy: Anthony’s like BLAH BLAH BLAH blah my line BLAH BLAH BLAH my line BLAH BLAH

Christian: I LEAVE THE PAUSE IF YOU CANT GET IN THATS ON YOU

Anthony: I was blinking in that number like constantly

Christian: THE WHOLE THING LIKE A SALAMANDER

Oh Anthony.

- Andrew: I HAVE A STORY ABOUT CHRISTIAN BORLE. Tech for what more can i say. He was laying on me. We were shirtless in underpants under the blankets.

Christian: SLOWER

Andrew: he leaned over; He sniffed his armpit and said “I hope you like France”

EVERYONE DIES LAUGHING INCLUDING ME

Christian: i haven’t worn deodorant in 10 years true story

- Christian: i seem to remember holding our pillows and blankets pretending like we were partying on fyre island and Andrew said:

Andrew: WHATS YOUR NAME???

Christian: No no it was something like:

WHAT HOUSE ARE YOU STAYING IN??

Andrew: WHAT HOUSE ARE YOU STAYING IN???

Betsy: James lupine I feel like we’re ruining this show

- Andrew: The shenanigans were real but so was the sadness

Stephanie: We’re real and we’re funny what you gonna do

- Andrew talking about how hard the show was to do: Finding some liberty, It’s a hard world to live in all the time. It was a hard time especially for Christian. I would sometimes go home and cry for no reason

Brandon: Building up emotion with nowhere to put it

Betsy: then Lesbians come in and provide all the levity

Stephanie: Although Dr. Charlotte brings in horrible news

Tracie: Everything’s beautiful at what more can i say and I’m like not so fast

- Tracie always had a funny thing to say

- Who broke character the most on stage?

Anthony Stephanie and Christian

Anthony: it was when I said “I don’t want a bar mitzvah” and I spit in your face a lot and you went like *puts arms up* and someone at stage door was like very condescending like it’s not professional

Christian: Oh my bad we’re people sorry

- Stephanie wrote a line in the show “YOU HAVE PAINTINGS OF DICKS”

- James wanted her to cut off her finger during I’m breaking down

And turn around with a bandaged bloody finger

- Betsy’s nose bleeding during something bad is happening

And Tracie was like something BAD IS HAPPENING

Tracie: Christians throwing up right now

Betsy: Bloody Kleenex up the nose THE SHOW MUST GO ON

- Fan question: Stephanie how do you belt with a banana in your mouth

Christian: Practice practice practice

Stephanie: just shove it in your cheek. But Really that wasn’t supposed to happen

Anthony’s nickname in the rehearsal room was little bananas because he had to gather up all the pieces of stuff after Stephanie shoved the table over with her rear. Sometimes he didn’t have enough time to put it somewhere so he would just put the pieces of banana in his mouth and that’s where it came from

That’s why

- Andrew: Stephanie your glasses are very chic

Stephanie: Oh my gosh thank you *shocked*

- Betsy: Bill was like I’d rather DIE than change lyrics for the pbs special

FLaT aS a LaKe

- Cue everyone accidentally talking over each other and saying what at each other for 30 seconds

Christian: what? what? what?

Who is it?

What’s going on?

- If you could play anyone else in the show who would it be

Anthony said Mendel

Tracie said Mendel

Brandon said Trina

Andrew said marvin

Betsy said whizzer

Stephanie said Mendel

And I honestly couldn’t hear if Christian said anything whoops

- Brandon: If someone could at some point explain to me the Mendel eats dirt meme? People have been Asking me if Mendel eats dirt? I don’t think it’s about Trina Trina is not the dirt. I was overwhelmed. Can someone in the Q&A explain this? *A few seconds later* oh It was from a meme generator?

Christian: Greaat.

Brandon: It’s a fan fiction about Mendel eating dirt and getting aroused by it

Everyone: WHAT

- They still get fan art

Someone recreated the whole soundtrack 8bit and also with KAZOOS

- Brandon: CONGRATS CHRISTIAN ON LULOS WIN FOR LITTLE SHOP. If you haven’t seen Christian in little shop it’s revelatory I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass I have not laughed that hard in a while at the theatre

- Christian talking about little shop

Christian has a 12 inch Batman toy in his dressing room and he misses it

- Ticket prices were getting out of control before corona everyones hoping this will make a difference

Brandon and everyone think it should get more accessible

- Brandon: Hear hear I need a refill

- Stephanie: Your hair looks incredible Brandon (it did)

Christian: She’s been waiting to talk about it for 53 minutes

- Andrew: Well Betsy what I’m wondering is have you crowned yet??

Proceed everyone dying

Brandon, taking a picture of the screen: This moment will go down in history as When Betsy was asked if she was crowning

- Everyone mimicking zoom freezing by starting a sentence and freezing halfway through

- Christian: What new Steven sondheim musical are you excited about Anthony *devilish grin*

Anthony having no idea what Christian is talking about

Christian: Come on Anthony you know the answer. Ugh. The minds of the young. You’re smoking pot now aren’t you??

Christian: We have a lot of fun

- Andrew: I’m trying to get people to pay attention to me

- Christians pretending to be frozen

Cue a lot of yelling: Stephanie BRANDON STEPHANIE

NO CHRISTIAN

Everyone accusing each other of being frozen

NO YOURE FROZEN

- Andrew: Let’s all act like we’re frozen

Steph: I see Andrew acting like hes frozen

Betsy: Watching you do that is killing me

- Listening to the cast recording for the first time together

Stephanie: Why was I the a-hole that couldn’t be there???

Christian: That’s a question only you can answer

- Betsys husband came in everyones like BETSY LOOK OUT

Christian: that scared the shit out of me

- What is marvins last name and what was his line of work

Christian: we definitely said it at some point right? (They didnt) but he was in advertising. What was the last name? Gardens? O’Malley?

- Andrew: Betsys gone oh no

Betsy: I’m right here!!!

Andrew: She’s giving birth (again)

Stephanie: Betsy Wolfe is a ceiling

- Brandon: Welcome back Anthony. You’re here now.

Anthony singing merrily we roll along over Betsy trying to tell a story

Christian: STOP SMOKING POT IN YOUR BEDROOM ANTHONY

- Betsy: Steve (Steven Sondheim) comes to the door I call him steve

Into the woods is the reason Betsy is in theatre

- Betsy: Andrew was nervous singing at the tonys for Book of Mormon and he got dry mouth he sang like 😬I BELIEVE and he licked his lips so much during the song.

Brandon: Did you have a boner then too?

Andrew: GUYS DONT BE DICKS

Stephanie: It’ll be like dry mouth, boner

Andrew: BETSY YOU FUCKIN BITCH ITS ACTUALLY NOT THAT BAD

Stephanie: Bets maybe we should wrap it up

- Brandon sings MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

EVERYONE TELLING HIM TO STOP SINGING I took a video it was beautiful might post that later

- “Tracie Thomas from Lent!”

Tracie having stage fright

Tracie: Billy porter said “oh child we all forget the words” and walked away

- Anthony said WHO SHAT THE BED in four jews once

Anthony: That’s my contribution. Steph got her line, I got who shat the bed

- Steph: We lost andrew oh no

Christian: Um, we lost andrew ten minutes ago. Yeah when Brandon started singing

- Then Betsy sang a song by Bill Finn beautiful

- Steph: Wear your masks and eat pork on wednesdays

That was it!! I hope you enjoyed and people who were there if I got anything wrong that’s my human error it was hard to note everything I wanted to. Smooches! Byee

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shieldsurf · 5 years

Text

nobody asked but i feel annoying when i infodump on my irl friends so heres my expert opinion on every single main series pokemon professor :)

professor oak: i dont like him sorry. its the blue stan in me. it also annoys me that pokemon is trying to make him a new mascot or whatever so they keep rolling out generic ass clones of him. i miss when spinoffs/supporting applications would get their own new professors

professor elm: i think hes sweet :) he seems like the nicest of all the professors but in a very subdued way. he's just kinda quiet and nervous but if you're having a rough day he'll invite you to his personal office for tea. he's like your gay english teacher that you stay to talk to after class every day. but i do think it's funny as fuck that he got robbed by a 12-13 year old and his immediate response was to call ANOTHER 12-13 year old

professor birch: big. dad. energy. the khakis the short sleeved t shirt the stubble. it's all there. he's probably the really goofy but surprisingly emotionally aware & insightful type. its also very funny how he got attacked by a wild dog and just ran around screaming for god knows how long until a random preteen showed up. in short i like him and i think he and brendan are sweet :) they probably go fishing together and birch helps him w his math homework at night

professor rowan: underrated!!!! has a very good theme!!!! i like him a lot he gives makes me think of like, a really stern and strict college professor who's actually really nice in his own grouchy, professional way. and like always has your back & goes and gets you fantastic internship opportunities without even telling you. but on the flipside his email responses are probably monosyllabic and he just does whatever the fuck he wants because he's tenured so his university can't do shit about it. like he just fucking gives u & barry rare starter pokemon in platinum because he feels like it! he doesnt even know you??? king

professor juniper: i loooove her 🥺 she also has a good theme song. she just seems like a really chill person. super go with the flow and fun, always trying to be positive and confident. probably listens to classic rock. but she also has big soccer mom energy, but like, a cool soccer mom, the one that brings the BEST team snacks to her 8 year old's saturday games and takes her out every friday like clockwork to get ice cream. and is like the neatest science teacher who schedules cool field trips for her rowdy class of 6th graders. i don't know why her dad is there but he's cool too i guess. he has a good theme song too and Cedric is a cool name. pretty fly for an old guy

professor sycamore: probably my favourite professor LMFAO has one of the best character themes of any pokemon character period. very few fans of him have Taste however. he's not some suave sexey smart guy get real he's like, a huge fucking mess, very book smart but otherwise an idiot, can't dress himself, gay as hell, pays his scientists well but he cant manage finances for shit so he ends up eating ramen every night. a literal trainwreck but every few years he'll publish some crazy research that blows everybodys tits into next tuesday so everyone respects him. chronic child adopter (first dexio and sina, then serena, calem, shauna, tierno, trevor.... jeez dude)

professor kukui: YEAH. YEAH!! he's just good!!!! i like him. outgoing eccentric dudebro who's actually really smart. he's funny, the whole masked royal thing is dumb as hell but i like it, also he and burnet are so CUTE as a gen 5 nut who bought all the weird spinoffs and minigames on my 3ds, it was AWESOME to see burnet back and with a man that treats her like a QUEEN. back to kukui he's the fun uncle type who takes you and your cousins out to do shit that your parents would kill him over but you love him so they can't do anything about it. he's actually crazy responsible though despite the fact that he lets his pets beat him up for funsies he would NEVER do anything that would put someone else in danger. also hes the only professor that's also a unbelievably talented trainer imo

professor magnolia: i thought a cool chill old lady professor would be cool but unfortunately with magnolia there's not a lot there :( she does seem like a cool grandma though. but i still would've liked an unassuming but secretly badass and no-nonsense old lady prof. as for the other magnolia, sonia, i think she's neat also but her arc could've been written better. instead it felt kinda forced :( she has a cute design tho its Unfortunate that a large portion of pokemon fans are weird nerd men in their mid to late 20s. i don't have a lot to say about these two they just got done really dirty compared to how cool and interesting a lot of the other swsh characters are

#pkmn #long post #shut up #txt #you can ask me more if u want!!!#nobody will but im Offering

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mrsthunderkin · 5 years

Note

Since you don’t have an anon switch on here I’m going to have to pull up my big girl pants and ask this openly. So if Kanu was eating ice cream or something and some of it dropped on his chest persay (cause of that open shirt oml) what if it got reeaaaallly close to his Core and Cassandra (either not knowing better or being a little sh*t) LICKS the ice cream. But accidentally “accidentally” LICKS HIS CORE. What would Kanu do? I’m curious (Same to selsam and his girl if you’re up to it) LV U!

Okay 1. I didn't know I had anon turned OFF which I just corrected. Also it explains why I havent gotten a lot of asks since like 80% of my usual asks are anons.

2. You are NOT a totally innocent shipper, case in point: THIS ASK

3. Kanu actively avoids icey things since it can trigger his migranes and also I have it in my head that Gordanathi are VIOLENTLY lactose intollerant, BUT for the sake of this ask and the answer, I'll entertain the icecream idea u3u

Most humans know about the core thing, its been about 50 ish years since the Gordanathi moon colonization. They dont know A LOT but they know enough to know that Gordanathi Cores are pretty sacred to the individual. Which means Cassy knows how important Kanu's Core is. He's also given her an in depth course in the taboos and proper ettiquet around them (for professional and intimate purposes).

That being said-after their relationship takes off of course- should Kanu have dropped something drippy and melty on his chest onpurpose, and should she "innocently" lick off said drip and "accidentally" lick his core. He just freezes and shudders. In certain situations having someone touch your core is an act of love, but in ooooother situations, its potently sexual. This would be one of those situations. And because he stops and doesnt react much, Cassy would stop and worry if she had gone too far, but Kanu comes back to it and tells her that she shouldnt have stopped.

Aaaannnnd I'll let your imagination take you the rest of the way~

Extra since I forgot: if Elise did this to Selsam it would completely WRECK Selsam since he's a PROPPER Gordanathi Gentleman and such contact is INAPPROPRIATE BUT IT FEELS SO RIGHT AND HE'S ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED

And Elise eats it up

#thunderask #Kanu and Cassy #wink wonk #i am so sorry if this didnt make any sense I'm still on cough syrup #so im a little wonkydonk

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isitandwonder · 5 years

Note

i go back and forth with, yea the dude is dating this girl, so what. to wow its kinda funny all this is happening now right around the release of their movie. and the editor or whatever of cmbyn says that yesterday and today theyre wandering around together and shes wearing his shirt. idk, maybe its both their together and their playing it up. or its all fake. or its real. dont get it lol best to keep it light tho and realize the only real love is btwn him and armie lolol

Oh,nonnie, you asked (or maybe not lol):

What is truth? That question is keeping philosophers going since the old Greeks. Can we ever know what another person truely thinks and feels? What do we really know about people we interact with personally? We live in our cave and stare at shadows. So how can we assume anything about people we really don’t know at all?

Well, there are a few approaches. One is that you admit that you know nothing, that everything you believe (not know) is made up in your head anyway, so you can built YOUR OWN FANTASY. And it’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you stay aware that IT IS A FANTASY. You can’t prove or disprove a fantasy because it’s all in your head anyway, it’s highly subjective and made up.

And we are not curing cancer here, this is fun, so believe what you want if it helps you getting on with your life.

And isn’t it nice if you write or draw about THIS FANTASY and post it in fan spaces and find likeminded people with similar FANTASIES and you share them and a fandom grows and everyone has fun and is happy?

So, if, in this regard and context, for you, A&T are the greatest love story that ever happened, or LRD&T are the greates love story that ever happened, or Tim is secretly a shapeshifter, or a vampire, or is boning Glen Close - FINE! Knock yourself out. Believe what you want. Only, don’t insult or ridicule those who SHIP/dream/believe something else. Because no ship (aka FANTASY) is better than the other and there’s no truth to be found in a FANTASY. You either believe it or not and believe something else. It’s totally subjective and - as a FANTASY- there’s nothing wrong with that.

Trying to prove a fantasy is what leads to insanity. Believe me, it’s not that I wasn’t tempted at one point. Only, you know, I’m a scientist. And in science, when we start an experiment, we have a question or an assumption that we want to prove, not already an answer.

Because I don’t have to prove something that I know is true. You still with me? When I start to look for clues that A&T are together, lead by my knowledge (not assumption or question if) that they are together, of course I will only prove what I started with in the first place and ignore/disregard everything that speaks against my knowledge because I’ve known the truth from the beginning and will produce a narrative accordingly. This is called confirmation bias.

In that context, even the absence of proof is proof for something - and at this point, you can’t argue with people who work like this because they have made their mind up long before they entered the argument. They had the answer before the question. For them, there isn’t an argument at all, because they KNOW. End of story.

True, sometimes the dog NOT barking is evidence. But for that to work there has to be a dog in the first place. If you don’t know that there is a dog, it not barking proves nothing.

So, again, can’t we know anything about anything? Well, there’s a thing called probability. Not all arguments are equally valid, some are more reasonable than others because we have experience, context, and from that we draw conclusions re the probability of things.

But lets first look at the evidence presented in favour of certain theories. I’ve been on this train for over 2 years. I saw a lot of the things going round in fandom and taken as proof for or against something now as it happened - and I have to say, many things got taken out of context and were blown up to much more proportian and meaning than at the time things happened. Pics have been cut in certain ways so people have been removed to make them look more intimate. Things no one has ever seen or knows anything about are suddenly taken as facts (a marriage contract, for example) just because they’ve been repeated so often by fans that they’ve been talked into existing.

These proofs are often photographic ‘evidence’. But pictures lie. And can be manipulated. What we see in them depends on lighting, angels etc. If you take a pic or vid out of context it can look as if it shows something totally different than it originally did. So never base anything solely on a single picture you didn’t even take yourself. Always ask for the context it has been taken in. Is it a fan snapshot? Is it a directed photoshoot? Has it been made during an official promo event? These things matter to determine the validity of the things show in these pictures.

For example, look at this:

Isn’t that a lovely pic of A&T? Doesn’t T look totally shagged out, bathing in the afterglow while Armie tells the world: ‘Look, he is mine!’ This is the photo as I saw it on tumblr.

This is the original:

As you can see, Tim is probably laughing at something Petra Collins says to him. This changes the whole context. And these things happened quite often in the early days because we were shippers, we knew that we were wearing our shipper goggles, we spun a FANTASY, quite aware that what we were doing was playing freely with the facts. It wasn’t about proving something, it was about illustrating a fantasy. Taking these things now as proof for anything is absurd.

Same goes for interviews. These can be cut and edited in certain ways. Watch a whole press conference, not just the part your shipper heart loves if you want to get the whole picture (or live in the one sentence that makes your shipper heart flutter if this is just about your FANTASY).

As said in the beginning: no one on here knows these people and their circumstances. We didn’t even go to school with them, worked with them, or are their neighbours or in any direct contact with them whatsoever. So we base our judgement solely on currated content provided by them or people close to them, and public appearances that happen in a certain context like a movie premiere, and on very random public sightings by people we also don’t know and whose statements we can’t verify.

We can’t really built anything about their private lives upon these things, can we? It’s all highly speculative.

Okay, after having discussed the reliability of our evidence, lets move on to how to sort it. There is this thing called probability. In theory, everything is equally likely over an infinite period of time. But in reality, humans are able to learn from experience. And experience teaches us that some things are more likely than others.

Then there are facts. Facts are things we know to be true because they haven’t been falsified yet. For example, Armie is married. I know, there are many rumors going around about the state of his marriage, but as long as he’s not publicly divorced he got publicly married to EC and that’s the only thing we can work with. Otherwise, our already pretty sketchy footing slips away completely if we only work with hearsay, specualtion and gossip, and we end up with a fantasy again.

So, in our case: do we really think that friends, family, spouses, girlfriends, colleagues, ex-colleagues, ‘the press’ and random people on the internet are all conspiring since June 2016 together to hide that two actors - who to large parts of the world are totally unknown - are in a relationship, when, on the other hand, we have photographic evidence from multiple independent sources - and in Armie’s case even a marriage certificate and 2 children - showing that they are both with someone else?

Okay, but we’ve discussed the unreliability of photos. True. But it’s not just one cropped pic showing T with LRD. There are many, taken over a long period, by different people, professionally and privately. That makes them being a fact much more probable because why should all these people, who took those pics and reported sightings and don’t know each other and do gain nothing from their lies, lie? Isn’t it much more probable that what these pics show us is the truth?

On the other hand, what solid evidence do we have that A&T are a couple? We don’t even have one photo showing them kissing outside of a movie they made together 3 years ago. Compare this to pap and private pics of T&LRD kissing, that have been taken over a period of a year by different people. What does probability tell us here? That something we’ve never seen is more likely to be happening than something we’ve seen on different occasions, documented by different people independently for 12 months?

Isn’t it more likely that a man who’s never been seen out in public romantically involved with another man, who is married for years and has 2 children - is straight?

Isn’t it more likely that another man, who’s never been seen out in public romantically involved with another man either, who’s only other relationship the public knows of was with a girl, who - if he talks about his private life at all - talks about kissing a girl or wanting to impress a girl, who’s been photographed at different occasions by different people kissing a girl - is straight?

Leave aside what you want them to be and look at the facts, as sketchy as they are.

If you look seriously at what little facts we have - there is nothing reliable connecting A&T romantically that can’t be explained by them being friends and having filmed a movie together over 3 years ago. Everything else is subjective, projection, hearsay, wishful thinking, a fantasy, shipping, gossip, rumors.

Documented facts show us that their reality is incongruent with our ship. And if we start to disregard those facts it leads to sending hate to these very people because fans who took a ship for something real feel betrayed. So, please, sort facts from fantasy, take a look at the facts (not at projection, hearsay, wishful thinking, a fantasy, shipping, gossip, rumors) and draw your own conclusion.

What do you think is more probable when you look at proven facts? Probable, not true. There’s the possibility that I might get proven wrong someday. But, to me, all real evidence points towards T&LRD and AH&EC.

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taltos-seidmadr · 5 years

Text

I was tagged in a “Answer questions, tag people” thing by @apocalypticglitter so now I must oblige my civic duty! Thank you for tagging me!

Answer 17 questions (+1 because 18 is my favourite number) and tag 17 people (if you can)

Nickname: Sithi Sun sign: Sagittarius Height: I’m like... Three stacked cans of whoop ass. In a trench coat huge sweater. Hogwarts House: the valid one aka. Hufflepuff (Don’t @ me) Last thing I googled: BULL FROGS?! This is @mkingamess ‘s fault. I was curious how big they really are Favourite musicians: UHHHMM this is a super hard question for me to answer tbh cause my taste in music fluctuates daily. I will give a shoutout to some musicians/albums that I can think off the top of my head and imo don’t get enough recognition:

If you are into industrial metal/EDM type of shit, Hatari is really fucking lit. Some may know them from the Eurovision already. I just accidentally stumbled into them via the Discover Weekly on Spotify like half a year before the competition

The Magic Got Killed by Too Tangled - literally the two most attractive voices in the world, listening to this always makes me feel painfully bisexual

The self titled and only album of Fear and the Nervous System is is a curious experience. I have literally never heard anyone in my life sing with as much harrowing intensity and passion as this singer, to the point that I don’t even know if I would call it singing anymore... but it does work and fold into the instrumentals very well, creating a rather unique mood. Genuine “Let me wallow in my depression for an hour before I move on” kind of music. It might click with you, might not. But I do think it’s very underrated.

Pagans in this corner of tumblr I think would enjoy the shit out of Faun, they got many good songs but my absolute fave is Egil’s Saga

Song stuck in my head:

youtube

Probably best young scrolls track to date. Spits more fire than the Red Mountain, yo.

Following: around 300 Followers: just passed 1k(?! That’s a lot?! Should I do like, a giveaway or something) 🤔 Amount of sleep: What a weird question... I slept about 7 hours last night. Lucky number(s): 3, 7, 8, 18 Dream job(s): illegal back-alley cyberpunk prosthetics designer/repairman (dont have the qualifications or the technology but one can dream) bog body that starry-eyed semi-feral singers write songs about (possibly attainable?) village cryptid (probably already achieved the status but unfortunately not getting paid for it) artist (I’m doing this one, so hooray!) Wearing: I’m in my sleepwear already lol. It’s a pair of wide comfy black pants, and a big moss green shirt with a geometric pattern (there used to be gold and silver paint on it but that unfortunately faded out, now it’s just black). Favourite songs: My answer is same as above really... Idk harrass me in my askbox maybe I will recommend you some songs. Instruments played: I could play a little guitar at a time, but I’ve forgotten most of it.

Hey, this is only 15! I will add 3 more:

Something that I’m not good at but thoroughly enjoy: Videogames, hands down. My motoric skills and reaction times are less than desirable, lol. Nevertheless I’m a huge gamer and I just love to immerse myself in imaginary worlds. My favourite Halloween costume ever: I once recreated this dress from scratch with a fairly acceptable degree of accuracy My favourite myth of the god(s) I worship (if doesn’t apply, your favourite folk tale): I fear this is going to be an unoriginal answer, but seriously... could anything top Thrymskvidha?

Fun facts:

When I was born, I almost died.

In spite of my entire family being devout Christians, I remember believing in some form of reincarnation at such an early age that I had no business knowing what the word reincarnation even means. I was in fact very convinced at a time that I’m either one of my great-grandparents on my mother’s side, or from the generation before that. (Now that my religion is what it is, honestly I don’t really know if this is true or not. But I thought this back then for some reason.)

I’m left handed.

Before moving to Germany, I sang in choirs my entire life, some of which were fairly professional level, I guess? We would go to international competitions and stuff.

I don’t know if this was a weird coincidence or the spirit world itself shifted reality around me to protect me, but I somehow never heard the Frozen theme song in its entirety. In my life. Not one time. Not even when it was on the radio non-stop. If I managed to catch it somewhere, it was always when it was just about to end.

I used to want to be a professional animator, but when I grew up and researched about the profession more, it didn’t seem like it was worth the hassle. Regardless I’m still obsessed with animation, I watch cartoons all the time and I would like to teach myself how to animate even if just on an amateur level.

I have no idea how to tie a shoe with only one bunny ear. I was taught the two bunny ears method and that’s all I’ve ever known.

Some things that I associate with Loki that have absolutely nothing to do with the lore or anything include snow, a very specific shade of blue, roses, cherry (but only the scent or flavor, not the fruit) and various forms of iridescence.

Like probably all kids who are into metal, I also dreamed of becoming a rockstar a little bit, but more interestingly, in my fantasy I was going to be blindfolded on stage and I thought that would be my schtick as a performer, for some reason. Of course the cloth would have to be sheer in order for me to be able to see just enough to orient myself on stage. It’s somehow both hilarious and bone-chilling to look back on now, that another and actually kind of obvious solution to the orientation issue never occurred to me on my own

The green shirt mentioned above is the only green piece of clothing I own.

I don’t believe in astrology. :/ (Sorry...?)

When I was a kid, I entered a nationwide contest to write a faux folk tale and my tale made it to the semifinals.

The only “what is your favourite” type of question I can give a straightforward answer to is what my favourite book is. It’s The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (who would have thought!)

I knew I was nonbinary my entire life, but I only learned that there is a word for it when I was 25.

Besides my native Hungarian, English, and a little German that I speak, I also learned Japanese and Norwegian (in highschool and during university, respectively) both for 3 years each, and I was on roughly B1 (low intermediate) level in them at my best. I don’t remember much of Japanese, and I only understand a little Norwegian when it’s in front of me to read, but once German is no longer the priority, I would like to relearn them at least a little bit.

One of my completely useless talents is that if we talk to each other and I have a drink in my hand, I will somehow supernaturally detect it from your brainwaves when you are about to tell a funny joke and will attempt to drink just beforehand. This has happened so often that I can now suppress the instinctive urge to try to swallow the drink halfway wrong and choke on it. If you were planning to assassinate me this way, it would not work.

The reason why 18 is my favourite number is because my life seems to be entwined with it in a weird, almost supernatural way. For example an unnaturally large number of things that are important to me (including my birth) happened on the 18th of a month.

Since there is no Halloween party I’m going to this year, I don’t have a specific costume but I will definitely take my make up kit regardless and go absolutely feral with it just to be in the Halloween spirit a little bit.

Whew man... it was really tough to come up with 18. I’m more boring than i thought.

I tag:

@mkingamess @ragnarokfox @forest--walker @quietdedication @spellbookofthelostandfound @ast-heljar @cloudy-skyes @d-em-t @suilebhride @edderkopper

Anyone who wants to fill this out can consider themselves tagged as well. Tag my name in it too so I can read it.

#sithi's posts

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theoriginalsfan124 · 5 years

Text

The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be

Chapter Three

I had no clue what to do. Do I run or wait til he gets here? For a brief moment I wanted to pull out the gun that I found, and shoot the walkers running behind Noel-before succumbing to the realization that the pistol is still laying in the green backpack.

-Son of a bitch,-I cursed under my breath.

Slowly, I started panicking. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know how to help him. He'd saved my life on that street back in Atlanta-without his instructions, God knows I would've been one of the walking corpses by now. I wanted to help him, I truly did. But I froze in one place, losing the feeling in my arms and legs.

-Start the car!- Noel yelled, still running.

I snapped out of it and ran to the drivers side of the van. I jumped in the car and tried to get it to start.

-Please, not now, - I pleaded, while the car refused to turn on.

I kept turning and turning the key and the truck kept growling, without actually starting. I wanted to scream and keep hitting the steering wheel, but I had to keep it together and focus, because Lord knows our life depends on it.

Soon, Noel jumped inside the car, slamming the car door closed.

-Why the hell did you not start the car yet?! - He yelled at me.

-I’m trying!- I screamed back.

-Try harder!

-Stop yelling!

-You stop yelling!

Noel pulled out his pistol out of his belt. Up until now he was the only one with a gun, now another one was laying in the back of the van.

-I’ll give you more time. For the love of everything that’s holy, hurry up, because I only have five shots, - he said, before getting out of the car to shot the incoming walkers.

I heard a body hit the ground.

Four shots left.

Three.

Two.

One.

-YES!

The van had finally started and I almost cried out of joy.

-Come on! - I screamed to the shooter outside.

He opened the car door and hurriedly got in, breathing heavily as he closed the door. He managed to get his backpack off and threw it in the back, before leaning back in the seat, and finally letting himself breathe. I'd stepped on the gas, and we quickly drove out of that God damned town and away from that herd of walkers. I kept checking in the rearview mirror, watching the herd get smaller and smaller by the second. They tried to keep up, but a car was faster than they were. When the walkers had completely disappeared from my view, I let myself relax a little. We were out of deaths reach, at least for now. My heart was still racing like crazy, my lips were as dry as the desert and I held the wheel so tightly that my knuckles went white.

-Son of a fucking bitch, - Noel cursed as he pressed his bleeding arm tightly.

-God...-I said as I glanced his way. -Did you...?

-No. I cut myself.

-Is it deep?

-I didn’t check. I was a little occupied, - he gave me a dirty look.

-How did this even happen?

-I was walking, fell, and cut.

-Very descriptive, - I said sarcastically.

-Jesus Christ, can you just shut up? he muttered angrily.

My lips formed a straight line. For a second I got mad at him, before acknowledging that he was in pain. I know first hand that people in pain tend to say many nasty things just so the pain would pass. I looked at him once more and understood that most likely we’ll need to stitch up the wound. I stopped the car at the side of the road.

-Why did you stop?

-You’re bleeding... We need to patch it up, - I gently said as I took off my seatbelt.

-I’m fine, - he muttered.

-You’re sleeve is soaked blood.

-I’ve been worse.

The farther we go, the more I think you were a serial killer.

-Hate to disappoint you, but I wasn’t.

I climbed over the seats to the very back, where the bag with my personal belongings was. From the very bottom of it, I took out a soft and clean towel and brought it back to Noel.

-Take off your shirt, -I ordered.

He teasingly raised his eyebrows.

We need to patch up the wound, God, - I blushed.

He carefully, but quickly, took off his sweater and rolled his t-shirt’s sleeve up. The wound looked pretty nasty, but I’ve seen far worse. I gently pressed the towel to the cut to stop the bleeding.

-Keep it pressed tightly, I need to see if we have anything to disinfect the wound with.

Noel did as I said - pressed it to his wound and sat in place gritting his teeth. I searched though the stuff he had found, and prayed that he'd found something useful for this situation. I unloaded almost all of his backpack, my hands still shaking a bit, but my breathing was now even. In this brief second, I felt like I was back home, back in my old life - riding in the back of the ambulance, saving lives and taking care of people. No matter how much it hurt, there was no sight of that life left now; there was no one in need of saving apart from myself.

-Fudge balls, - I kept muttering.

We had nothing to disinfect his wound with. Time to get creative, I remembered the vodka bottle I had found earlier, I fished it out of the green backpack and went back to Noel.

-We have alcohol, which we are gonna use to clean the cut.

-Give me that, I’ll do it myself, - he extended his hurt arm towards the bottle.

-No, - I turned it away.

-I’ve done this before. Well-I needed to do that before.

-Unless you were a doctor, nurse or paramedic, I doubt you know how to do it professionally.

-And you do?

-I’m a paramedic, I think I can handle it.

He got quietly and carefully pulled his arm, the one holding the towel in place, away. I took his arm and examined the cut. The cut was on the upper arm, but only slightly lower than the shoulder-however, it was too bloody to tell if it was deep. I gently gripped his arm and examined once more, only to come up with the same conclusion. I took the vodka bottle in one hand and opened the screw, then I took the rag and held it in my other arm

-I would advise to hold onto something, - I warned him before pouring the liquid.

He had no time to react before I turned the vodka bottle sideways and poured its continents directly on the cut. At the speed of lightning, Noel grabbed onto the car door and clenched his teeth together. Red liquid poured on the car seat as I tried my best to clean around the wound. Then, I tried my hardest to clean the wound itself.

-Okay...okay...it’s done.

Noel let go of the car door and unclenched his teeth.

-Holy shit, -he said breathlessly.

I took a look at the now clean wound. The cut was deep, and needed stitches to properly heal. Noel got lucky, because I had found a medical thread with a needle. I brought my finding out of the back of the van, and handed him the half-full vodka bottle.

-Why?- he glanced at me.

-It’s too deep, needs to be sutured, - I showed him my tools.

-I’m not an expert, but I think this'll hurt much more.

-Try not to move and grab onto the car door again.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I couldn’t be nervous, because then I'd make mistakes-and besides, I’ve done this before-but back then I had anesthetics and walking corpses didn’t try to eat us. I put the thread in the needle, grasped his arm with my left hand and punctured one of the sides of his wound.

-Holy son of a motherfucking bitch! - Noel yelled out and grabbed onto the handle with such force his knuckles turned white. -This is much worse than I remember!

-Wait... You’ve done this before?!

He didn’t answer me. I pierced the thread though the wound and I punctured the other side. Out of instinct, he hit the car's panel with his palm, and I jumped up a little from the sound. The half-full bottle was still resting on my lap, so he grabbed the bottle, unscrewed it and took a large gulp of it.

-It’s not working as fast as I would like it.

I looked at him apologetically, but continued my work. He took another swing of the drink and tried do swallow as much as he could. I could see, he didn’t like it, but the pain was a lot to handle, to not try to ease it even a little. For a second it looked like he would shatter the glass bottle in his hands.

-Almost done.

-I’m not going anywhere, -he remarked.

This time I stabbed without mercy.

-Holy-! You did this one on purpose, - he furrowed his eyebrows.

I smirked and for a moment he did too. Sadly, the last puncture had to be done and his face twisted in pain once more. Once I was finally done, I took a role of bandage and bandaged his now stitched up wound.

-It’s done, completely now.

He twisted the cap of the bottle closed and put the vodka on the floor.

-So...you’re a paramedic.

I nodded my head and put everything away. We’d never know which one of us would need it next. The past couple of months we'd walked on eggshells, going to sleep not knowing if we’ll ever wake up. Danger and death were around every corner, and it was a miracle we'd made it this long without getting hurt.

-Let me through, - he asked as he turned to me.

I scooted to the drivers seat again. Noel managed, with great difficulty, to climb over the seats to the back. He was significantly taller than me, my head only reaching his chest, and bigger than me too. He kneeled next to his bag and pulled out a clean t-shirt and a long-sleeved black hoodie. Slowly took off his bloody t-shirt, not wanting to accidentally hit his wound. I cursed the hormones in my head - I was staring at his muscular back like a creep- and I could feel my cheeks burning up. In all honesty, I wanted to punch myself in the face. But then I noticed a pretty big scar on the left side of his back, just a little above his waist, about where the left kidney is located.

-Caroline,- it was one of those rare occasions, when he addressed me by my name.

-Huh?- I tried to act normal.

-Here, - out of his backpack, he pulled out a grey jacket, by the looks of it, it was the fall type. -I found it in the school.

I looked at him confused.

-I searched the school in town and conveniently, the herd was there.

-I dont know whether I should hit you or call you an idiot.

-I think a 'thank you' would be enough.

I smiled gently.

-Thank you, -I said, taking the jacket out of his hands.

For a moment we stared at each other in silence, not knowing what else to say.

-Uh...Could you open the back? I doubt I’d be able to squeeze myself to the front though the seats.

I left the vehicle and jogged to the back of the van, then I opened the door, letting Noel out. After he was out he headed to the passenger side of the car and I took the driver's role again.

-I think we should drive even further away from the town, before we stop for the night, - he suggested.

-Agreed. I want to put as much distance between us and that herd as possible.

We rode in silence, both lost in out thoughts. It got dark soon-winter was coming, and fall was right at our doorsteps, so the days were getting shorter and the nights longer.

-We’ll need to stop in another town soon, we’re running low on gas. Besides, fall is approaching, we need warmer clothes. -Noel spoke after a while.

-We can try stopping at the highway, there’s lots of abandoned cars there. We could suck out the gas out the cars and scavenge for supplies.- I suggested.

-It’s a graveyard.

-Still...

-It’s too close to the city. You and I know that cities have a shit load of walkers. What if a herd comes?

I stayed quiet. I most certainly didn’t want to encounter another herd. We got off fairly easily this time, but the next time we might not be so lucky.

-Does it hurt a lot? - I tried changing the subject.

-No.

-And here I thought you’d speak more than two sentences a day.

-Not a talker.

-I came to this conclusion right at the start.

-But here you are, still talking non-stop.

-You didn’t have any friends, did you? How sad.

-How original, Caroline. Let me clap for you.

-You probably were a mama’s boy too.

-My mom died ten years ago.

That made me instantly shut up. I glanced at Noel. He was just as calm as he was before our little banter/argument, he showed no emotion whatsoever.

I-I-I’m really sorry... I didn’t want to - I stuttered.

-It’s fine.

-Really I-

-I just said it’s fine. I’m not sixteen anymore, that was a long time ago.

So Noel is twenty six now. It seemed that I was a couple of years younger than him.

-You said that with no emotion.

-Really? It seems I've numbbed myself to it, - he shrugged his shoulders.

-Oh God... Were you really not a serial killer? -I tried lightening the mood.

-I’m sure to someone I was...

-What-?-

-Not today.

We became lost in silence again. After a few more minutes of driving, I stopped the car. This would be where we'd be sleeping tonight, on the side of the road.

-I think we’re far enough from the herd-besides, we have to save gas.

Noel nodded and leaned back in his seat, relaxing a bit.

-Today’s my shift. Why don’t you go lay down in the back?- I suggested.

-I’m not sleepy, - he responded. -If you want you can go lay down instead, I’ll keep watch.

-I’m not sleepy either.

Silence again. I was so curious to know who exactly Noel was before the world went to shit. But from the months I’ve known Noel, I knew that I wouldn't get anything out of him if he doesn’t want to tell. My head was buzzing with questions: what did he work as before, how did his mother die, what’s his last name for crying out loud?! Sadly, I wouldn’t get the answers unless he decided to tell me.

-I worked in Atlanta...- I started.

He opened his eyes and looked at me.

-I opened my mouth for nothing. You probably don’t want to hear it.

-I’m listening, aren’t I ?

-I’m from Atlanta. I was born there, I finished school there, then university, got a job there. I finished paramedic courses in university, because I’ve always liked helping others.

-Is that why you stayed in Atlanta for the first weeks?

-Maybe....Maybe I just clinged to the idea that all wasn’t lost.

-Were you in the hospital when shit hit the fan?

I nodded. Seeing this, he looked at the distance and got lost in thought.

-You know, everyone thought this happened suddenly, but it went on for a while-until it got so bad that no one could control it. Believe me, you wouldn’t want to see what was going on in the hospitals, - I shook my head.

It hurt to remember, but I wanted to say this out loud, to finally get it off my conscious.

At first we responded to calls, but then there were so many callsiit was impossible to respond to them. People flooded into the hospital, and we started running short on doctors-people must have felt that the end was near and wanted to be with their families. I don’t blame them, I wanted to home to Glenn, too-but the paramedics were called in to work in the hospital itself. I couldn’t just leave people behind, so I was one of the few that stayed until the end....We knew there was no cure, no way we could fix this, or heal them, and that’s why we dosed them with sleeping-drought or morphine-and when they fell asleep we....God, they didn’t even give us normal guns, just those things-those contraptions- that they use to kill bulls in slaughterhouses...- my voice started cracking

- In the end, we were running low on morphine and medicine overall, and there were no more civilians left in Atlanta anymore. We couldn’t even get rid of the bodies properly, the whole internal diseases division was flooded with walkers. Soldiers barricaded it and kept it shut-when a person died, we didn’t wait til they turned, we took them there...and we... we fed them to those walking corpses.

I took a deep breath, it hurt, it really hurt-but I felt a little better. Noel listened to every word, not saying a thing.

-The last day, the soldiers didn’t let us leave the director's office without any explanation. There was only five of us left: me, two nurses, one gynecologist and the director: some left to see their families, some got infected and died, and some just couldn’t take what the world was becoming and ended it for themselves. One of the softer soldiers told the director that the hospital was actually going to get bombed, that’s why they didn’t let us leave. The director didn't waste a second after learning this, and lead us out though the old, now-unusable doors in his office. We got in an ambulance and drove the hell out of there. It wasn’t any better in the streets; they were everywhere. We separated, each going our own way. I have no clue if they're alive or not. I tried to find Glenn, but he was gone; he'd left the city.

It seemed like a rock was lifted off my chest. I couldn’t and I didn’t want to keep it inside anymore. I remembered this everyday and it hurt so much. I just wanted someone else to know, to understand. Noel stayed silent for a couple of more seconds, piecing everything together in his mind.

-How did you know he left the city and didn’t die? - He finally asked.

-I was in our apartment. He took all the crucial items with him : clothes, food, water, but he also took all the photos of me, his sisters and all of us together. He’s alive, I just know it.

-He’s your boyfriend?

-Gross! No! He’s my brother-well-not exactly, we’re not actually brother and sister. Frankly, we aren’t related at all. We just hold each other as brother and sister.

-So that’s why you stayed in Atlanta. To find him.

-Yeah....

I lowered my head. Right now, my knees seemed so interesting. I thought about Glenn, about where he could be, and I prayed that he'd survived. Maybe I shouldn’t have poured my heart out just like that to Noel-he didn’t ask for it. After a few moments of silence, I felt a big warm palm on my shoulder. I raised my eyes. Noel’s hand was on my shoulder and when he saw me looking, he half smiled. I understood he didn’t really know how to express his feelings very well, but this gesture, and the jacket, meant that he cared about me, at least a little. For a few minutes we looked at each other wordlessly, and my mind went blank; I stopped thinking altogether. He raised his palm from my shoulder and placed it on my cheek. I didn’t even realize when he'd started leaning towards me, as I was leaning towards him. One second our lips were millimeters apart and the next they were touching. Somewhere deep inside my mind I knew I was going to regret this, but for now, I didn’t care.

———————————————————————Thank you to the lovely @lunastarward for being my beta reader. Love you ❤️

#the day will come when you wont be #caroline callas #noel aijima #zombie apocalypse #inspired by various zombie shows #walkers #zombies #au #zombie apocalypse au #paramedic #romance #gore #death

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riseandshinelittleblossom · 6 years

Text

Cordonian Nights Ch 3

Next installment of the Cordonian Nights AU.

Summary: Ember finally reveals her history with Maxwell.

WARNING: mention of miscarriage which may be an emotional trigger for some.

Disclaimer: I dont own the characters, except my ocs. Credit to PB

Tagging: @fullbeaumonty @blackwidow2721 @cocomaxley @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @bobasheebaby @leelee10898 @brightpinkpeppercorn @speedyoperarascalparty @ao719 @katurrade @hopefulmoonobject @ritachacha @stopforamoment @choiceslife @gibbles82 @dancetothestoriesinyoursoul

“Em, hold that thought.” Whitney said flagging down the waitress. “We're gonna need another round of mimosas.” She said.

“Make it two more. Things are about to get heavy, I think.” Blair piped up, rubbing Ember's back.

“ Okay. Before I start I think it goes without saying I expect there to be no grudge holding against Maxwell. Deal? We all have to see him and work with him, so I've not said anything before now to keep everyone professional at the sins.”

“I make no promises.” Sky commented, sipping her drink. Whitney and Blair both glared at her.

“What? Bitches, I can hold a grudge. I’m just sayin.”

Ember could feel their eyes like lasers burning holes through her in anticipation.

“Whenever you’re ready, Em.” Allison told her.

Ember took a deep breath, gathering her ginger locks and pulling them over her shoulder.

“Ok, so about ten months ago I found out I was pregnant. I told Maxwell, and he seemed really excited. I think it made him feel obligated to propose though, because about two weeks later he did.”

“Wait, what do you mean ‘were pregnant?’ What happened?” Whitney questioned, shaking her head in confusion.

“Well...I lost the baby.” Ember’s hands fell to her lap, and she stared into them feeling as though she’d been hit in the stomach.

A sympathetic chorus of “I'm sorries” whirled around her head making her dizzy. She closed her eyes to steady herself before taking a long pull of her mimosa.

“How did we miss that, guys?” Allison asked slumping back in her chair. “We should’ve known something was up with you, Ember.”

“Well do you guys remember when I had that really bad stomach flu? Maxwell told me you all stopped by to check on me. Really I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. Especially after the D&C. I was devastated.”

“Em, I don’t know what to say.” Blair stated, her face awash with a mixture of sympathy and betrayal.

Ember looked at her, silently pleading with her to not be angry. This was the first thing she’d ever kept from Blair in their entire twenty-year friendship.

“Oh, sweetheart. You did this all alone?” Sky piped up gripping the redhead’s hand.

“Why didn't you tell us? We could’ve helped.” Allison’s voice, dripping with sympathy.

“I wasn’t alone. I had Max, and he never left my side. He fed me, held me..hell he even bathed me.” Ember shook her head, embarrassed. “But I didn't want him. I didn't want anyone. So I pushed him. I pushed him as far away as possible. Yelled at him. Called him unspeakable things...it wasn’t my finest hour.”

Whitney cocked her head slightly. “What do you mean you pushed him?”

“I told him that I needed some space; that we needed to take a break. Told him it wouldn't be forever, I just needed to fix my head.”

Allison spun her engagement ring on her finger, lost in thought. “Makes sense. What did he say?”

“He said he would give me everything. Whatever I needed. But also that he didn’t understand why it had to be us taking a break. At least I thought it was only a break.”

“And Maxwell didn’t?” Sky asked, scowling.

“He just went buck wild. You all have seen him. That’s when all the partying started. All the booze and the women he’s had…” Ember’s voice trailed off, cracking at the end.

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Maxwell!” Sky huffed crossing her arms over her chest with an eye roll.

“Em, have you tried talking to him? Explaining how you feel?” Whitney pressed, passing a napkin towards Ember. She accepted it, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She took a deep breath and fanned her face. ‘Enough with the water works.’ she thought.

“Well, no.”

“I’m gonna kill him.” Sky seethed

“I’ll help.” Blair declared

“The fuck you guys will! There won’t be anything left of him when I’m finished with him.” Allison snarled.

“Simmer down, guys. His behavior is not okay, but he was grieving too. ” Whitney said.

“I thought that may have been the case too, but then it dawned on me...what if...whatif i never meant as much to him as he means to me?”

“I don’t think that’s possible,Ember.” Whitney told her.

“I’m sure it's not, I mean we all saw they way he looked at you, the way you still look at him. You guys were together for seven years,hun.” Blair said.

“He just seemed to be over me so easily. I mean, I broke things off but clearly he’s made his choice.”

“Wait,” Sky waved her arms, making a “T” with her hands. “You guys haven't hooked up again have you?”

Allison elbowed Sky, giving her a stern look.

“No, Sky, we haven’t.”

“Good. Stupid fucker.”

“Yeah, he doesn't deserve you.” Blair agreed.

“If you still want a relationship with him, you’ve got to tell him that. His behavior isn't necessarily his feelings.” Whitney explained as Sky rolled her eyes again.

“Bullshit Whit! Just be mad with us. She needed him and he just bailed. Even if she told him to go, Max should’ve known better.”

Ember drained her second mimosa, reaching for her third. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Its awkward when we’re alone. And I’m not sure I’m ready to hear him tell me that it's over for him, ya know?”

“But what if it's not over for him? And even if it is, would you rather sit here and watch him continue to throw himself at everything in a skirt? Wouldn't you like closure?” Whitney asked.

“And still get to sit here and watch him throw himself at everything in a skirt?” Ember rolled her eyes, lip quivering.

“I hate that Whitney's always right, but she is.” Blair quipped, opting against the second mimosa since she was driving.

“I know. I promise I will talk to him eventually.”

“And when that time comes, honey, please know that we're all here for you.” Sky said, giving Allison a side eye.

“Yeah, Em. You never have to walk alone again.” Allison reassured.

********************

The sun was just starting to set as the ladies parted ways; Sky was meeting Liam for dinner and Ember was heading to Blair's for some extra cheering up.

Allison grabbed Whitney pulling her aside.

“I need a favor outta you.”

“Anything, Allie. What's up?”

“It's just you've always been the level-headed one and I need you to make sure I don't completely lose grip.”

Allison motioned toward her car and they both got in.

“Where are we going, Al?” Whitney quirked a suspicious brow.

**************

Maxwell laid across his couch, staring at the ceiling. Sunday nights were always the hardest for him. With the Sins being closed, he didn't have to work which left him ample time to think, always about his Emmy.

He sat up and grabbed his glass, the few fingers of scotch he'd poured almost gone. He refilled it, taking a sip just as he heard the knock.

“Open up, Maxwell. I know you're home.” He heard Allison's voice.

He crossed the living room and opened the door to find Allie and Whitney.

“Hey guys. Wanna come in?” he asked stepping aside. Allison marched in purposefully, Whitney pausing to give Maxwell a quick hug as she entered.

“Are you fucking stupid, Max?!” Allison began spinning on her heels to face him.

Maxwell looked puzzled, cocking his head to the side as he closed the door.

“It's nice to see you too, Allie.” He said.

Whitney stared hard at Maxwell. He wasn't wearing a shirt, which was rare, but something caught her eye. There was a shiny smudge on his left ribcage, and she stepped closer, reading the words “All the days of our lives, til I'm ninety-nine” in small, delicate script. Just below it were the letters “E.N.M.”

“Ember Nicole Madden.” She muttered. “Max, is this new?”

Whitney reached out, her fingers grazing the slightly raised skin.

“Hey! That tickles.” He chuckled, batting her hand away.

“Til I'm ninety-nine. Wasn't that you and Ember's song? ‘Til I'm ninety-nine’ by Nathan Angelo? I remember because Em always played it on the jukebox at the Sins. Drake would always poke fun and ask her 'whatif you both live to be one hundred?’”

“Yeah. That's our song.” He gave her a half smile.

“Eyes on me, Max. I'm not done with you! How could you be so stupid? Parading around with other women, drinking, acting like a moron? Did you not take Em's feelings into consideration?” Allison shouted, starting to pace.

Maxwell blinked, unable to comprehend why the woman before him was so angry.

“What are you talking about? Em's feelings? She broke up with me remember? This is what she wanted.”

Suddenly he felt very defensive. He could feel a rage bubbling within him, just below the surface.

“Yeah, because she was hurting. She lost a child Maxwell. Your child. You really are a clueless idiot aren't you?” The woman scoffed. Whitney shot her a warning glance and she took a deep breath.

“Wait, what are you…? Did you just find out about this?” He asked, finally finding some clarity. If he was honest with himself he was surprised that this conversation hadn't happened sooner.

“She told us about what happened. She ended things to clear her head and you got into the pants of the first easy bimbo you laid eyes on. And then every time you parade one around, you break her heart even more. Get your head out of your ass Maxwell!”

“Yeah. She lost a baby, Allie. But I lost a baby and her. Did that ever occur to you? Did it ever occur to her? Em just needed an out. You didn't hear the things she said to me...she wanted out of that relationship. She asked for space, so I gave it to her. Even though it killed me to walk away...and besides who I sleep with is none of your business or hers.” Now Maxwell was shouting, Allison taking a step back, unprepared for it. Maxwell always rolled with the punches, was always down for anything, but he rarely raised his voice.

A part of him was glad that he and Ember had surrounded themselves with people that cared for them so much, but another part was pissed off that she had clearly only told the ladies half of the story.

“Now I have to live with that everyday. Somehow I couldn't be what she needed.”

“But that's the thing Maxwell, you walked away too easily. You were both hurting, I get that, but you made her feel like you never cared at all. And it may not be my business who you sleep with, but if you want her back, it's damn sure hers. She loves you, Dumbass.”

Allison threw her hands up in frustration, Whitney placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Maxwell raked his hands through his hair before he continued. “Loved. You mean she loved me right?”

The words were sorrowful, barely audible as they fell from his lips. He could feel tears stinging his eyes, allowing a few to roll down his cheek because he was so exhausted from holding them back all these months.

“I walked away because she asked me to, Allison. I would've moved heaven and Earth to take away her pain, but she didn't want that. She didn't want me anymore. So yes, maybe I walked away too easily, but I never meant to hurt her. I'd die first. I'm just trying to deal with things the only way I know how: forget. I thought she's been forgetting about me too…” he choked out.

“I should smack you upside your head. No Maxwell, she still loves you. You'd see that if you'd open your damn eyes and stay sober for five minutes.”

“Then why are you here and not her?” He spat. He knew her intentions were good, still he really wanted to slap her.

“Because, A. She is stubborn and she thinks you've moved on and B... she doesnt know I'm here... so don't tell her or I will kick your ass.” Allison sighed, poking his bare chest at the finish.

“I... I wish she would have told me. I mean look around you, everything is exactly like she left it. This is her living room. Its still her home. I haven't moved on, I'm surviving.”

Whitney's eyes darted around the room, then met Allison's who did the same. The couches had been Ember's in college.

Allison remembered going with Ember to pick out the chandelier which hung over the small dining table.

Whitney nodded towards the framed photo collage hanging above the mantle.

There was a picture of Em and Max playing beer pong. One of them waving wildly at the camera, smiles smeared across their faces. The two of them kissing at Drake and Whitney's wedding reception after she'd caught the bouquet.

Maxwell looked over at the frame, wiping a hand down his face.

“Look, Allie, I...I uh.. appreciate you caring enough about Emmy to come here like this, but if you're done reminding me how much I screwed up the only good thing about my life I'd um...I wanna be alone if that's okay.”

Allison's heart sank. She had been so busy being angry with him, the thought that Max may be hurting just as much had never crossed her mind. She could see now that he was, and she crossed the floor pulling him into a tight hug.

“Max, I'm sorry. we all love you. This whole thing with you guys...it broke our hearts too. We just want to fix it. So fix it, Max.” She told him as she and Whitney headed for the door.

*************

Leo was staring at a stack of spreadsheets. Liam had always been the business side of the business, but now that he and Allison were engaged Leo was trying to take a more active role in his finances. Which, if he was understanding correctly, didn't look good.

The Seven Deadly Sins was drowning, floundering thanks to Enigma; and he had no back up plan. The Sins was the plan. If it went under….well he didn't wanna think about that.

He shuffled the papers, making a mental note to meet with Liam and Blair in the next few days. Checking his phone he saw a text from Allison. She and Whitney had gone to run an errand but she'd be home soon.

He smiled to himself just thinking about her. All that he wanted was to be able to take care of her. Glancing back at the spreadsheets he sighed lacing his fingers together and laying them on his head.

He wondered for the hundredth time if he should ask Allison to push back the wedding. Her parents were paying for the ceremony, sure, but what about afterward? Could he really stand before all of their family and friends and vow to honor her and care for her knowing that he didn't have a way to do that if things didn't work out with this bar?

********************

*6 years ago-Drake and Whitney's Party*

After a few drinks, Allison's attitude had softened towards Leo considerably. They found themselves in the VIP booth with Maxwell and Ember.

“I've got to say, I'm a bit surprised that we haven't met before now. I mean Max here follows Liam like a puppy, and Ember is always with Max. Are you guys not close with each other?” Leo asked, desperate to learn more about her.

Allison threw her arm around Ember's neck. “Me and Em and Whitney and Max all had Cordonian history together sophomore year.” she beamed.

“Yeah. We had a study group. Drake and Max were close and so were Blair and I so we'd all meet up after school. Sometimes Liam would come.” Ember shrugged.

“Yeah, Mr private school, Liam.” Allison giggled.

“You remember how bad you crushed on him?” Maxwell asked with a laugh and Allison blushed.

“That was a loooooong time ago, Max. Liam is too stuffy for my taste. We’re just friends.”

Leo felt an inexplicable tinge of jealousy hearing that Allison had once been attracted to his little brother.

The way her chocolate locks framed her face is the low club lighting captivated Leo. He was beyond intrigued by her, and he couldn't wait to learn more.

“So Leo. What do you do? Who's Leo in the daylight?” Allison asked, leaning her face on her hand, propped on the table.

“In the daylight? Leo sleeps. I live the night life.” He chuckled gesturing around the room.

“Right now I'm a bartender by trade, but I have big dreams.”

“Yeah, Leo and Liam want to move to Ramsford to open their own bar.” Ember stated, laying her head on Max's shoulder with a yawn.

“An entrepreneur?” Allison asked. “You know that's risky. Most small businesses fold up within the first five years.”

“Not my bar. I'm telling you...you laugh, but it's gonna be great. I'm gonna ride that wave to retirement.” He quipped while Allison giggled.

“Yeah? You sound confident. I'll make you a deal. If your bar is still open after a year, I'll come work for you. Any position you choose.”

Leo quirked an eyebrow. “I am confident, but I'm also right, so I'll take your deal, Allison Morgan. I look forward to working with you.”

*******************************

Ember and Blair stood in the middle of Blair and Ollie's living room, almost too drunk to accomplish even that. They were giggling when Ollie opened the door, music blaring from the TV as karaoke style lyrics displayed across the screen.

“Go on now go! Walk out the door! Just turn around now cuz you're not welcome anymore! Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye? Think I'd crumble? Think I'd lay down and die? Oh no not I. I will survive!” They both belted loudly and out of key into hairbrushes.

Ollie laughed. “What's all this?”

“Ollie!” Blair shouted, clumsily making her way to throw her arms around his neck. His hands roamed over her curvaceous body, settling on her hips as he planted a chaste kiss on her lips.

Slowly the smile melted from Ember's lips. “Hey Big Ben.” She said. “I...uh I think it's time for me to go.”

She gathered her phone from the table.

“Aw Em, you can stay.” Ollie said.

She shook her head. “You guys have been apart all day. It's your turn to enjoy Blair's company. I'll just call a cab.”

“No. C'mon Em. At least let me drive you since I ruined your party.”

They approached a red light and Ember bit her lip. “Just keep straight here, Ol.” She said and Ollie gave her a side glance.

“Your flat is that way.” He hurled a thumb to his left.

“I don't wanna go to 'my flat.’ Can you please take me to Maxwell's?”

Ember thanked Ollie, exiting the car and promising to call him and Blair in the morning. She faced the building swaying a bit from the alcohol as she fiddled with her keys.

She reached Maxwell's apartment, sliding the key in the door. She was shocked when the door unlocked and she let herself into his darkened living room.

She crept toward his bedroom, the path there memorized long ago. She pushed open the door and stood in the doorway, listening to the sound of his bathroom faucet running.

Maxwell, obviously hearing the loud creak of the door opening, exited the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and his eyes went wide as he held up one finger. He stepped back into the bathroom to spit and rinse and he reappeared patting his mouth on a towel.

“H-hey, Emmy. What are you doing here?”

She slapped her hand with the house key, her eyes roaming around his bedroom- their bedroom- exactly as it had been when she left.

“You didn't change your locks.”

“Why would I? You're always welcomed here.” He scoffed shaking his head. “We're still friends, right?”

Ember parted her lips as if to respond, but instead she said nothing, her hazel eyes meeting his across the distance between them. She stared at him for a long time, both of the silent. Her eyes wandered the smooth plains of his muscular chest- lingering on his brand new ink for just a moment- down his defined torso and lower the familiar bulge in his boxers briefs causing her to involuntarily lick her lips.

“I'm up here, Emmy.” He laughed motioning upward with his hand.

She shook her head and walked over to him, her steps slightly wobbly. Without warning she shoved him against the bathroom door, her lips crashing against his feverishly.

He deepened the kiss almost immediately, his tongue sliding over her lips to find hers. She tasted like orange juice and champagne and Maxwell couldn't get enough as he spun her, pinning her to the door with his body, cupping her face in his hands.

After a moment he pulled away, resting his forehead on hers. Her eyes were still closed as he whispered. “Emmy, what are you..?”

She placed a finger over his lips to quiet him finally peering into his questioning eyes. “I've missed you, Max.” She said stepping out of her heels, now dwarfed by the man before her. She kicked them aside and grabbed his wrists pulling him towards the bed. “I want to show you. Make love to me, Max.”

He reached up and twisted the skin of his pectoral, wincing audibly and Ember cocked her head to the side.

“Yep, not dreaming.” He commented, his hand tangling in her hair as his lips claimed hers once more.

He breathed her in deeply as they tumbled onto the bed, bodies tangled with one another. He hesitated.

He'd been waiting for so long to hear her say those words to him again, but it didn't feel right.

“Emmy, we can't do this.” He rolled to her side as she sat up, her face scrunched in confusion.

“You'll fuck any bimbo with a pulse except me, is that it?” She hissed, sitting up and flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Maxwell's face fell. He gently took her hand and placed a kiss on her inner wrist, rubbing his face against her fingers.

“Sunshine, I would love to do this, don't get me wrong, but...I don't want you to regret it. Clearly you're…”

“I'm what, Maxwell? What am I?” She shouted as her face flushed.

“Drunk, Emmy. You're drunk. Look, I'd give my left arm to feel you like that again, but not tonight. Not like this.” He shook his head, rising from the bed.

Ember averted her eyes, ashamed of herself. “I'm sorry. You must think…”

“I think it's definitely time we had this discussion so,” he began turning down the blankets on what used to be her side of the bed. “ I want you to stay. I'll take the couch. We can talk over coffee.”

#cordonian nights AU #maxwell beaumont #trr au #leo rys #the royal romance au #trr fanfic

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caribbeanempressblog · 6 years

Text

Striptease

Plot: Reader is a stripper who render her services to yoongi all is well until the bloodlust takes over

Mostly Angst

Word count: 3097

Vampire yoongi x reader

"Hey Y/N feel like making some extra dollars tonight" Otis your boss called to you as he shove his head through the door of your dressing room. You frowned you had just finish your shift and was packing up to head home.

"I don't know Otis I'm pretty tired" you replied stifling a yawn. "Can't one of the other girls do it?"you asked motioning to the three other women in the room with you. Their shoulders heave in a I don't know either way but before they could say anything Otis was in the room now, eyes big with excitement hands clasped together in a plea. You looked at him through the impossible large mirror that you was seated in front off.

"Because sweet girl you're my best dancer and the most trustworthy besides its one of those high profile client" he continue oblivious to the cross eyed he receive when mention of you as the best dancer.

You sigh again, you was all too familiar of those high profile client. Politicians, judges, idol, celebrities the list goes on of people who pay ridiculous amount of money to have the company of strippers. Yes that is what you are a stripper since the age of 18 having left your abusive father and alcoholic mother behind in search of a better life. You wouldn't describe this as better but you had the money you needed to survive and you did it on your own terms. It was a rush for you becoming someone else when you're on stage. You loved being in control having the power to leave men drooling in your wake bringing them to their high only to leave them high and dry. You was afterall a exotic dancer you liked that name better not a sex worker. Otis interrupted your thoughts.

"2000 big ones" he said grinning. You almost choked as you spun round to face Otis eyes wide in disbelief, the other girls pouting at not being selected but they said nothing.

"Ok you got my attention" you replied "who is it"

"Some big time music producer. The less you know the better"

You eyed Otis the bulky man who stood in front you his yellow T-shirt which was two sizes too small clung to his arms and highlighted his beer belly. His denim jeans hung loosely around his waist. His bald head shone in the light and his lips was curled into a excited smile.

"So are you in"

You sighed again "2 grand how can I say no"

"Yes that's my girl. I'll have the car drop you off be ready in fifteen" with that he exited the room. You turned your attention back to mirror guess you wasn't going home tonight.

Fifteen minutes later you was in the back seat of the club car. Everytime one of the dancers was hired for a private session Otis will always have the car drop them off. It's for safety reason he would say dont want anything to happen to my girls which is why when you arrive you would have to confirm your location. Otis didn't tell you which hotel you would be meeting said client only you would be shocked,knowing Otis he probably was right. You chuckled as you looked down at you outfit.

You wore nothing under the black leather coat that fell mid-way up your thigh besides the black and red lace underwear you had chose. A black thigh high boots that made up the rest of your outfit and red lace gloves which came with the panty set. You adjusted your red wig on your head the thing that allow you to become vixen. You smirked at the stage name you had chosen for yourself. Were you really a vixen? Probably not but you liked it.

You looked out the window at the moving building. You knew you had to get out of this life it wasn't for you anymore. Your life was changing so was your body so you had to change with it. The only reason you had decided to continue was because the money was good and you needed the money. You were scared of what the next few months would bring but you had to be strong.

"Y/n we're here"Jerry the driver remark to you pulling you from your thoughts.

"Oh" was all you could say as you realize you was now parked outside one of the most luxurious hotel Mecca had to offer. You blink in disbelief as you eye the ridiculously tall building that went so high you couldn't see all the way up from the top.

"Are u sure this is the right place?" you ask Jerry as he open the car door to let you out. You grabbed your bag from the seat and got out into cold night air.

"Sure is" Jerry said with a smile. He was a kind man with a mustache.

"Be safe out there"

"Sure thing Jerry" you smiled as you watch the little man entered his car and drove away.

You took a deep breath and made your way to the hotel entrance.

You had to check in.The receptionist would have the information you needed. You tried to not draw any attention to yourself as you made your way to the from desk but the red wig and leather draw more than a few eyes to you. You wasn't oblivious to the scowl of wives as their husband eyes rest on your figure for far too long. Like you cared.

"Good evening miss. How can I assist you today" the receptionist asked cooly. She was a pretty blond.

"Mr Yoongi Min is expecting me" you replied that's all the information Otis had given you. You fidgeted with your glove hand as the pretty blond type something on the computer. You couldn't help but notice how professional she was being and you was thankful.

"Your ID please" she said with a smile. You fished it out of your bag and handed it to her. She checked it over with her computer then handed back to you. You muttered a thank you as she handed it back to you.

"15Th floor room 405" she said with a smile. Another thank you then you made your way towards the elevator that would take you to the 15th floor. You got on with three other people as you tried your best to not draw attention to yourself as you press the button to the floor.

It seem like a lifetime before you reach the floor people had got on and off at the lower floor leaving only you. The elevator ding signaling your arrival.You got off and look both ways down the long hallway searching for the room door. You decided to go left after a short walk room 405 appeared before you. You didn't want to waste anymore time so you took a deep breathe to calm your beating heart and then knock lightly on the door. You waited unsure of what awaited you behind the door. You give yourself a once over satisfy without yourself.

Just then the door open, you looked up and came face to face with a devilishly handsome stranger. You open your mouth to say something but could only stare, you were pretty sure your mouth was hanging open but you didn't care. He wasn't traditionally good-looking but he made the grade. His hair was like that of a Raven his skin like winter snow and you couldn't help but think of snow white. His pink lips was curled into a sly smirk that did wonders to your inside. He wore a crisp white shirt that was tucked away in black pants a pair of socks was the only thing on his feet.

"Well hello there" he drawled pulling you from your thoughts putting a blush on your cheeks.

"H-hi" you stammered. Shit wasn't you suppose the one in control.

"Come on in" he said as he moved to the side to usher you in.

You entered quickly looking around the room. To say it was top class was an understatement. Four piece sofa was in the middle carpeted floor but the view was the main attraction with the curtain drawn you could see the whole city. The lights make for some impressive display.

You scowled yourself you was here for one reason and you was getting carried away you didn't like it. You turn your attention back to your client who was now seated on the one seater sofa eyeing you intently. You watched him watch you from head to toe. He face was placid he gave no approving look and you found yourself feeling disappointed. Maybe it was because you were use to men falling at your feet but not this one. You couldn't tell what he was thinking and it excited you as well as scared you. you wasted no time in laying down the rules.

"I don't do hook-up or blow jobs no touching I dance you watch. If you feel the need to jerk off don't do it infront of me. I like my cash upfront half now half when I'm done" you ground out hotly. "Understood".

He watched you in amusement. "Understood" he drawled. Not noticing the dangerous gleam in his eyes. If only you knew how much danger you were in.

You looked at your reflection in the mirror one last time making sure you were presentable.You had phone Otis to let him know you were here. You took a deep breathe and made your way into the living room. Yoongi had already given you your advance money. Yes he had ask you to call him that you can't imagine why it's not like you were sticking around for small chat. When you said he could call you vixen his raise eyebrows didn't go unnoticed either. Vixen he had repeated and good Lord his voice and that smirked left you feeling a type of way. You just wanted to get this over with. Never had a client unnerve you like this Min Yoongi.

He was still sitting on the couch from before but now he was typing away on his phone he looked up when you walked back in eyes following your every move.

He had gotten you the metal chair you asked for earlier since there was no pole the chair was to be your prop. You couldn't do as much tricks as you would with a pole but you intended to give him his money worth. You made your way to the chair and sat on in directly in front of him not too close but also not to far.

"Did you pick a song" you asked him. You had asked him earlier to choose one. Since it's his service the options was his not that you mind you could dance to anything even the raindrops.

"It's something I'm working on it's not perfected yet" he replied connecting his phone to a nearby speaker that was unto a table right by the sofa.

"That's fine"

You took a deep breathe and close your eyes waiting for the music to surround you. After a second a song started to play something latin something sexy. You smiled and open your eyes as the music begin to flow through you. You began to dance right away. You swirl your hips seductively in the chair meeting yoongi chestnut gaze he was watching intently. You got up now hips swinging from side to side. You love dancing it was dream to become a professional dancer sadly that didn't work out but you were happy it was still part of you . Still under the intense gaze of yoongi you spun around still being carried by the music. You moved to take off your coat now undoing the strings at the front. Sliding it off your shoulders you flung it to the side and continued to move.

You heard a sharp intake of breath. "You've got a nice ass" he growled. You smirked and turned to look at him. You almost faltered as you made eye contact with him. There he was his black hair in his eyes he had undo a couple button on his shirt giving you a eyeful of his snow white skin. His eyes was dark now with desire,lust you weren't sure. His tongue came out to wet his pink lips several times it was like he was thirsty or something. Yet no warning bell rung in your mind you continue dancing. You got down on all fours now hips swaying from side to side as you crawled towards him. He followed your every move like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. His eyed dipped to your cleavage which was practical spilling out your lace bra it had grown tenfold in the past month. His gaze made its final rest on your expose neck. He swallowed hard and wet his lips again. Honestly what was with this guy why did he look like he was dying of thirst? You brushed it aside and continued. You was right in front of him now if he was to reach out he could touch you. You got up spreading his leg in the process. His eyes fluttered closed and he swore under his breathe when your hand connect with his thigh.

"Look at me yoongi" you said seductively. His eye jerked open to meet yours. You were still standing in front him in nothing but you lacy panty and bra. You sway from side to side in front of him moving your body in a seductive manner. You watched as fist his hand in the sofa you had no doubt he was trying hard to not touch you his jaw clenched in stifled control. The song had changed now something slow and you were thankful because you were running out of breathe. You inhale deeply, your body wasn't what it used to be. You turn away from him so your ass was directly in his gaze now.

"Fuck" he swore. Then the music suddenly stop.

"W-what" you asked turning around to see what happen. You heart beat accelerated as you came face to chest with yoongi. You didn't have time to react before he was pulling you into his arms.

"You really are a vixen aren't you" he growled. You looked up at him trying and failing to get out of his grip. One hand on your expose lower back and one clasping your two hands together in a tight grip. His hand on your skin felt like the cold night air .you wondered why his hand was cold since the heater was on. You shivered from the contact.

"Get the fuck off me" you hissed trying to keep your voice from shaking. You were definitely scared, every fibre in your body screamed you were in danger. The way he was looking at you like you were an all you can eat buffet and he was a man starved set your pulse raging. What the fuck did you get yourself into? You thought franticly was he going to kill you? Or even worse rape you? An acid bile form in the pit of your stomach and you swallowed hard to try and stifle it.

His hand moving up your back jolt you from your thoughts. You shrink from his touch fighting against the tight grip he had on your hand.

"It's no use fighting me you won't win" he said with a devilish smirk. You didn't doubt it but you were going to fight until your last breath.

His hand came to rest on the nape of your neck his impossibly long fingers tilting your neck to expose your jugular.

"I just need a little taste" he growled low licking his lips again and eyeing your neck. You watched in horrid fascination as his canines lengthen right before your eyes. You open your mouth the scream but nothing came out. Fear blocking the air from entering your lungs. You've heard stories recently of people turning up dead no signs of injury said for two puncture wounds on the neck. So this is what happen to those people and you were about to be one of them.A fluttering kick in your belly pulled you from your thoughts. You had to find a way to escape. It seemed futile but you had to try. Pushing back down the nausea the threaten to consume you with a deep breath you gather your courage.

"P-please y-yoongi don't do this" you voice was shaking like a leaf in the dead of winter.

But he couldn't hear you over the blood pulsing in your veins.It was the only sound his heightened hearing could hear. His eyes was now a shade of black the blood lust taking full control. His grip on your neck tighten and before you could react his mouth was on your neck canines pressing into your delicate skin and began sucking. You whimpered in pain.

The pain was like nothing you felt before a deep tingling you felt all the way down to your toes. You heard him groan in satisfaction against your throat as he let go of your hand to bring them to your naked waist to press you closer to him. You vaguely registered his manhood now pressed against your lower stomach. You will your hand to push him away but it dropped lamely at your side knees going weak. You would off crumpled to the floor if not for his strong hands holding you in place. You eyes fluttered close as he continued to drain you, you willed yourself to not lose consciousness. Is this how you die? You wondered. In the arms of a Vampire? for the first time you acknowledge what he was this beautiful handsome man was this creature, this beast. You guess it could of been worse more horrible than this but maybe you should be thankful. Another fluttering kick in your belly pulled you from your haze and you remembered you wasn't alone you had to live you had to fight somehow. But how what could you do?

You willed you hand to move it felt heavy and useless but it obeyed and came to rest on his chest pulling at his shirt with all your might.

“P-please stop” you said weakly voice hoarse you didn't recognize your voice your brain making futile effort to put the words together.

“The baby I'm pregnant”.

#yoongi vampire au #yoongi x reader #min yoongi #bts yoongi #angst #vampire #bts suga #min suga #suga

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starry-kfics · 6 years

Text

roses [p.jw]

word count: 6,552

warnings: language, i dont know how guns work, gangs and mafia mention, alcohol mention, smoking mention, death

author: krys

extra info: spy au request ;)

“You know who to call"

♡

The buzz of the doorbell welcomed the latest customer and pulled you out of an oncoming drowsy haze. Putting on a sweet, customer service smile, you took a deep inhale through the nose to bring feeling back to your senses. You immediately recognized the patron, and with a glance to the wall clock on your left, you confirmed the shopper's identity.

'Coming to the store by schedule.' You noted, sniffing a bit as you casually watched your usual customer, Mrs. Lee, go straight to the refrigerators to grab a pack of beer. You took another glance to the clock. 'She came in at 3:30 today, so she's going to be a bit more talkative than usual.'

You pretended to busy yourself before the middle-aged woman strolled up to the cashier. Throwing another grin, you scanned her case of beer and the green lighter she also placed onto the counter.

"Everything worked alright for you Mrs. Lee?" You carefully asked the woman as she pulled out her wallet. You cringed internally when the disgusting, crusty leopard print design came into your view. As much as you cared about your few regular customers, you despised the ugly hand wallet Mrs. Lee kept with her. It seemed to never match with what she was wearing, and it tended to cause her vicinity to smell like smoke. The only good thing about it is that the wallet looked so revolting and noticeable, no pickpocketer dared to steal the cash-filled coin purse.

"Yes, thank you for asking, darling." Mrs. Lee replied as she searched for the right credit card, her deep voice very familiar to your ears. "I would also like a pack of the Rosettes, please." Expecting her request, you speedily brought out her usual pack of cigarettes, and added up her total.

"Today seems a bit chilly, isn't it?" Mrs. Lee brought up surprisingly. She never started conversations- you usually did due to an unspoken sign of submissiveness. Mrs. Lee's character was somewhat of a matriarch, if not then a position higher than that.

Professionally going with the flow, you politely chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Every time someone opens the door I can feel an even colder draft come in. I hope that those working outside don't get sick." You said as you took Mrs. Lee's card and swiped it, returning it when the payment was made.

"... You are so kind, (Name)-ssi. I wish more people could be like you." Mrs. Lee inclined in a stern tone as she put her wallet away in her large, fur coat. You had no words to respond with, only opting to smile embarrassedly as she took her plastic bag. You knew that Mrs. Lee didn't like her beer to be handed back to her.

Mrs. Lee made direct eye contact with you, and for some reason you felt like cowering away in fear. "I almost feel jealous when you mention the door opening often. Promise me that I am your favorite customer, (Name)?" You nodded earnestly to the woman, and she let her lips curl into an innocent, yet unsettling smile.

Waving off the regular customer, you once again leaned against the counter. You took pride in having regulars at your little convenience store. You owned the place, and even held residency on the second floor. You think the only reason why you got it is because the space was located on the border of the bustling city and the crime-filled slums, in which teemed with felons and gangs. Also, because one of the windows was busted, but you managed to fix that up your own!

Another buzz from the doorbell initiated the appearance of another customer. You don't think you had ever seen him before, since you were sure that you would remember someone who was that good-looking walking into your store. He wore a baggy, green bomber jacket, and a white t-shirt tucked inside black skinny jeans. His light brown hair was long enough to slick back to show his forehead, and you noticed that he wore an earpiece.

You shuffled a tad closer to the cashier. You had your fair share of misfits to enter your store, since it was the closest shop near the slums that wasn't owned by a gang. Earpieces meant business. Especially when they are owned by sharp-looking, handsome individuals. Sharp-looking, handsome individuals with business always spelled out trouble.

The patron took his time walking through the few ailes, and if you ceased all movement for a few heartbeats then you could faintly tell that he was communicating to someone on the earpiece. His voice was ever so quiet, as if he has done this many times.

He strolled to your counter, him scratching his face as he subtly observed the rest of the store- including you. You rung up his ice cream and bottle of persimmon juice. What gang could he possibly be from?

"I would also like to purchase these cigarettes." His strong voice made the butterflies in your chest lift your focus up. You looked at the picture taped on the counter he was pointing to, and you sharply exhaled through your nose in amusement. He chose the Rosettes. No one ever bought them due to them being too pricey for a low-quality smoke. You only kept them in stock because Mrs. Lee asked you.

"You don't look like the type to smoke," you remarked as you added the cost. The man's eyes were trained onto his wallet. It was of a dark brown color, and the material seemed to be new leather.

'A wallet like that is the kind that pickpocketers aim to steal... Unless... He has confidence in himself that they wouldn't get away from him...'

The customer looked up and softly smiled. "A lot of people don't look what they seem." You let a charming grin make way onto your lips, and you take his cash, pressing a few buttons on the cashier.

You took a few seconds before you responded. "Well, maybe we're looking at them the wrong way to come to that conclusion. Here's your change.” You made eye contact with the customer and smiled. “Have a nice day!" You hastily handed the bag to the customer.

He lifted an eyebrow. "That was quick. What's the hurry?" You slightly tilted your head to the side, your eyes lighting up.

"Your pal on the other end of your call sounds like he's getting impatient. I can hear him yelling your ear off from the other side of the counter." The noise emitting from the earpiece ceased once you said that, and you let out a breathy chuckle.

"Tell them that I said hi, and that they should shop here as well.” You sniffed and glanced to the clock on your side.

“Be careful walking out; I have a gang that likes to come in about five minutes. You don't want to meet them." The customer stared at you for a few more moments before breezing out the store. You let out the breath that you were unconsciously holding.

Myungjun annoyingly clapped his hands when Jinwoo opened the car door. He plopped into the driver's seat and glared at his partner.

"Shut it, or else you're not getting your juice." Myungjun opted to obnoxiously smile as he took the plastic bag from Jinwoo, placing the cigarettes in a ziplock bag.

“‘Rosettes.’ Hopefully we can track down the blackmailer after testing these with the buds we found in Mr. Choi’s office.” Myungjun uttered. Jinwoo nodded as Myungjun carefully stowed the bag away in the glove compartment before taking the rest of the contents out.

“This is the only local store that sells the brand, so if they do match up, then our blackmailer has visited the store before.”

‘Or works there.’

"You two had an interesting exchange there," Myungjun quipped up before taking a sip of juice. Jinwoo's eyes burned holes towards the entrance of the convenience store as he snacked on his ice cream.

"Next time, don't flood the comms with your incessant 'shot-calling.' I don't need to know every single movement update your software gives you on my surroundings." Myungjun scoffed and caressed the closed laptop resting on his legs to his chest.

"Be glad that you have someone here watching your back. My advanced software allows you to know where the trouble is coming so you don't have to be apart of it. That's the job, after all." Myungjun pouted, careful to place the bottle of juice away from his high-class equipment. Jinwoo internally rolled his eyes and pulled the car away from its hidden, secluded parked space.

"We're coming back here next week. Same day, same time. I think we found ourselves a good hook of information." Jinwoo reported, his eyes trained on the road. Myungjun hummed in agreement. "Yessir."

This schedule goes on for nearly a month. You picked up on the routine quickly. First, Mrs. Lee comes in and purchases her usual pack of beer, any other necessity, and Rosettes. Then, the sharp-looking, handsome individual comes in about two to ten minutes after, usually buying a snack, permission juice, and Rosettes as well. This pattern was terribly confusing to you, because you could not figure out why it commenced in the first place. Ever since it has been recurring, Mrs. Lee has been nicer and nicer to you, and the mysterious man has been starting more casual conversations with you. You weren’t complaining, however, because that meant more business and more time to stare at your sharp-looking and handsome regular when he knows you’re looking but acts like he doesn’t know.

Mr. Sharp-Looking-And-Handsome was currently patting himself down, looking for his wallet in his jacket of multiple pockets. There was a group of students and a few stray thugs roaming around in the store.

This was the fourth time that he had visited your store that week. You sighed and handed the plastic bag to the man. He never gave you a credit card whenever he purchased, so you could never pick up his name. That only made you more suspicious of him, and yet you didn't mind his company one bit. You two always made delightful conversation when you could, and your mysterious customer was really good at making you talk.

"Here, just take your items. I can hear your friend again on the earpiece. The volume isn't even that high." You informed with an amused smile. Your customer shook his head, rejecting the offer.

"I can't take it for free, I know I have my wallet somewhere in here-" You cut him off, waving your hand as you leaned over the counter so the man would be forced to take his bag.

"You're a regular here and my regulars have perks. If it really pains you, then you can come back tomorrow and pay me back." The customer paused for a moment, before shooting you with a grateful smile as he took the bag from your hands.

"Ever since I started shopping here, you really like to point out my earpiece." The customer reported as he took the bag. You smiled as you restocked the cigarettes under the counter.

"I have good hearing because I need to listen for mischievous activities in my shop. I do have a camera, but lately it has been malfunctioning so I have to stick with my senses." You saw the customer nod in response in the corner of your eye as you continued to organize the little boxes. His companion on the ongoing call was silent once more.

"I guess I have a knack for spying on others. I was thinking to get the camera system uninstalled to save some money and electricity, but I need it in here by law." You stood back up to place an empty box off to the side. "I guess it's for safety precautions as well. If something big happens in here then the government has footage to put on the news or something."

"So you're not scared of all of the criminals who come into your store?" The customer asked almost suddenly. You shrugged and leaned against the counter, resting your chin on your hand.

"I'm used to them by now. I don't ask questions and I seldom give information when they ask, so I consider my shop to normally be a neutral zone," you replied, examining the customer. "Also, what name do you go by, since I have known you for nearly a month and yet I don't know many details about you."

"Well, what details do you know about me?" Asked Mr. I'm-Avoiding-Questions-And-Sharp-Looking-And-Handsome, a calming smile pairing with his question. You pressed your lips together before continuing.

"Well, I can tell that you are a trained talker since you just avoided a personal question about yourself in a very smooth manner. You wear an earpiece, which is highly suspicious around these parts, and you always buy Rosettes when you come in. Patterns are always noticeable." You unfolded your arms and used them to hold yourself over the counter, getting right into the personal space of the man across from you. "But..." You said in a quiet tone, your voice cracking from the lack of effort to make noise. Your head was so close to your regular's collarbone, you could've placed a kiss on his chin if you looked up.

The man was frozen, watching you with curious eyes as you leaned back into a comfortable position. "You don't smell like a smoker and I highly doubt your Earpiece Friend is one too." You shifted your weight onto one leg. "You aren't who you seem to be, aren't you?"

Before Jinwoo could respond, his breath got caught in his throat when his Earpiece Friend suddenly screeched into his eardrums.

"WAIT THERE'S ANOTHER GANG COMING IN AND BY THE INSIGNIA ON THEIR BACKS I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOOD JINWOO JINWOO JINWOO JINWOO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE-"

The buzz of the doorbell welcomed the latest customers and pulled you out of your serious moment with your regular. Your breath hitched in your throat when you recognized the infamous callsign on the matching jackets.

"HEY! Look-y what we got here. It's a group of rats." Called out a harsh voice from the new group. The stray thugs who were in your shop formed into a defensive blob against the new group.

Just when innocents were present in your store, a gang fight just has to break out.

“This isn’t going to end well,” you mumbled darkly to your regular, your body ready to jump to action at any given moment. Your regular stayed quiet, observant of the escalating situation.

“Do you really want to start something right now? Are you that pugnacious to pick a fight in here, or are you so inexperienced and hungry for a fight that you don’t mind being plummeted by us?” The leader of the thugs jeered in a descending tone, her eyes seeming to burn the jackets and their owners with a menacing glare. The students who were also in the shop fearfully darted behind a rack of cans, and you could hear their frightened whimpers from the other side of the store.

The situation took off when the leader of the matching jackets pulled out a gun, causing the thugs to quickly reveal their firearms as well. There was a short window of heartbeats when all was still. You managed to get around to the other side of the counter as the two gang leaders had their stare down, but before you could intervene, your mysterious regular was quicker to react.

“I don’t think you guys would want to start a fight right now,” your regular began as he took one nonchalant step forward. The leaders of both groups shot their heads towards him, watching his every move.

“Those cameras in the corners can pick every single identification detail on all of us here, so I suggest that we put our guns down and take this outside.” Your regular’s tone was emotionless and stern, which you were surprised that he was capable of being such a frightening man. All the reason that the two leaders of the group glared at each other as they slowly lowered their weapons, causing the others to follow.

“H-hey!”

Your sudden exclaim caused one of the more jittery gang members in a jacket to flash up his gun in response to the sound. Jinwoo glanced in your direction to notice that one of the thugs has taken the opportunity to get to the unsupervised cashier, in which you were attempting to defend with a counter in your way.

With lightning speed, Jinwoo had short-distance sprinted towards the gunman, grabbed his armed wrist tightly, and twisted the gun out of the gunman’s grasp with another hand. Without looking back, Jinwoo aimed the gun out to his side, effectively stopping the burglar-thug in her tracks.

Without wasting any time, you swiped the bag out of the thug’s arms. Jinwoo narrowed his eyes before pulling the trigger, a harmless click being the only result.

Jinwoo tossed the empty gun to the thug, who caught it effectively. He coldly faced the other two groups.

“I think it’s time that you both leave. Now.”

With just that short statement, all of the members of the respective groups filtered out of the store, being careful to not brush the enemy on the shoulder. Jinwoo stood a ways behind the two retreating groups to be sure that no more funny business happened on your property. All of this happened in roughly two minutes.

After the humming of a rugged van and multiple bikes droned out into the distance, he turned back to find you conversing with the shaken up students. His chest flipped ever so slightly when he noticed their bright auras were now long gone, you trying to offer them free bags of chips to bring their liveliness back.

“I can escort you guys back to your school if you are scared to walk around outside,” your regular brought up as he walked up behind you. The students all nodded their heads earnestly, and you shot a warm, thankful smile to your mysterious patron, in which he tried to ignore so the butterflies in his chest don’t break through his professionalism.

“That would be absolutely wonderful if you have the time.” You turned back to the students. “I am so sorry that you guys have to see that. You can pick out more snacks before you go home if you want, but consider this the only time I’m allowing it.” The students each breathed out their thanks to you and your regular as they quickly made their way towards the chip aisle, some holding each other close for emotional support.

“And you-” You started as you turned towards Mr. I-Just-Stopped-A-Shootout-From-Happening-While-Still-Staying-Sharp-Looking-And-Handsome, “I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t here.” You let out a breathy, relieved chuckle. “We would have been goners if you didn’t jump in and negotiate and do whatever that disarming move was. I think I really owe you my life for that one.”

Your regular shot you an eye-smile that warmed your entire heart. “I’m glad that I was able to keep you and the store safe.” He sighed as the two of you migrated back to the counter. He stopped abruptly, which nearly caused you to run into him. Your patron turned around.

“I think that you should really invest in a better camera system- I know a guy who could help you with that. I’m surprised that you don’t have something better than this simple stuff, since you are so close to a mafia-heavy area.” He was currently standing in front of you, eyes slightly widened in concern as they traversed the background of the store before settling on you. “We can’t risk another moment when you or the store can be superseded by bad people. Me not doing anything to help is basically putting you in danger.”

It was as if your customer’s personality had completely changed, comparing his earlier performance to his current actions. You actually found it a bit cute that your regular was fretting over you after this one small event. You dared not to inform him about the multiple times you had to “dismiss” perpetrators of bad behavior from your storefront. This was one of the first times in a long time that someone has actually cared about you and your location genuinely, and it made your heart race with affection on the inside.

“And what about your room on the second floor? When you’re not looking, thugs could sneak up and steal your belongings in a breeze if you don’t have a strong enough security system. We should start on that so that none of your belongings get taken.” Your customer continued to ramble on, his voice in a higher pitch that usual. What caught him off guard was your glazy smile that warmly formed on your face.

“I really do appreciate how you are trying to look after me after this scare,” you started to cut him off for good, “but I believe that I will be able to handle myself. I mean, look how far I have gotten at this point!” You giggled lightly to lessen the tension, which influenced your patron to let a small smile break through as well.

“I am fully capable of fending my store for myself, but if you wish to put a new camera system in here with the intentions of you paying it yourself, then by all means, go ahead. But, for now-” You grabbed the forgotten plastic bag that was by the counter, and handed it to your patron. “I guess that you will have to stay here a lot more to watch out for any bad guys.” With a wink, you went back behind the counter. It was silent for a lengthy amount of heartbeats, until your regular spoke up in a quiet, low voice.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that?” You inquired. The patron cleared his throat and with a fully neutral, but caring expression began again.

“My name is Park Jinwoo, and… I am a spy. I was hired to track down an infamous blackmailer, and I was assigned to be here for a month because my employer thought it was you. But after knowing you for nearly a month, I don’t think that you are as bad as my employer says you are.” There were barely a few seconds until you spoke up.

“You’re a spy?” You seemed to say this more than ask it, which threw Jinwoo off.

“Yes, I am a professional private spy, along with my friend, who is on the other end of the earpiece I constantly use.” You nodded without saying anything else. Jinwoo noticed that Myungjun was quiet on the other side, which was not too abnormal.

“I think after all of this time of coming to your store everyday, you should be aware of this by now. The main reason I am telling you, however, is so that you may be able to help me find the blackmailer. You said yourself that you have good hearing, so you can be our ears while my partner can be our eyes.” He produced a small, plastic, light gray rectangle with a sleek, square button from one of his pockets, and placed it on the counter in front of you.

“You can use this to alert me if anything goes wrong. I am about 73% sure that our target already knows of this compliance, so be sure to press this button if you’re in trouble, alright?” You were still quiet, only allowing nods and wayward eyes to be your forms of responses. Jinwoo smiled. He reached a hand to clasp onto your bicep in an affectionate manner.

“If need any help at all, sense some suspicious activity, or just want a friend to go out and drink coffee with, you know who to call.” And with that, the Sharp-Looking and Handsome Park Jinwoo was out the door with his plastic bag and a trail of students following him.

You picked up the calling device and rolled it around in your hand, your eyes taking in every detail of the remote. You huffed in amusement.

“Haven’t seen one of these in a while.”

It has been about another month now since Jinwoo had revealed himself to you. The only thing that has changed in the routine since then was that Mrs. Lee was coming to your store less frequently. You didn’t mind at all, because this possibly meant a chance to finally drop the nasty Rosette brand, but you also felt like there was a hole in your heart from missing one of your long-term regulars.

Though, you had Jinwoo to fill that hole up. Jinwoo seemed to be more drawn to your store after revealing that he was a spy. He always tried to visit every day of the week now, and would spend time with you in the store until you kick him out for “scaring off customers and being a distraction.”

When Jinwoo got back to his car after completing a small side-mission, he was surprised to find a panicking Myungjun talking feverishly to the console tablet, but was soon filled with dread when he noticed who his partner was talking to.

“Mr. Park, so nice of you to finally join us.” Mr. Choi greeted once the spy entered the driver’s seat. Jinwoo nodded and held his tongue, allowing his current employer to speak.

“I was just telling Mr. Kim here how it has been… let me see- two months since I have paid you for this assignment? And what progress have you made today?” Mr. Choi asked with a forceful, quizzical tone, his hands folded in front of the camera. He was iconically wearing a business suit with an eye patch wrapped around his head, and Jinwoo could tell from his background that he was in an office looking over the inside of a busy factory.

Jinwoo cleared his throat and took a healthy inhale. He wasn’t given enough time to mentally prepare himself to talk to the temperamental Mr. Choi. “Sir, I would like to inform you once more that it is crucial that we are careful when going into the field, since our target is-”

“Our target is a liar, a bitch, and a fucking piece of trash, and I am fully aware of these things because each second I am losing my shares and property one piece at a time. My money is being drained like bathwater, and what do I do everyday? Sit in my little office and call you two shitheads, only to be told that you are pussying out of doing your job.” Jinwoo could tell that Myungjun had fearfully glanced in his direction, but Jinwoo didn’t looked back. Mr. Choi had been exploding more as the days turned into weeks, and Jinwoo was using all of his people skills to keep their employer at bay.

“We are close to being able to approach our target, and I believe that we will soon be able to retrieve your stolen information. It will only take a few more days-” Jinwoo tried to negotiate, but Mr. Choi wasn’t having any of it.

“You have been saying that for the past month, Mr. Park, but I’m afraid that I have waited too long. I’m going to our main point once that damned blackmailer gets there on schedule, and I’m going to take matters in my own hands. Back-up help is welcomed.” Mr. Choi bitterly informed the spy duo.

“W-wait, that’s not smart-” “Mr. Choi, please think of the consequences-!” Both Myungjun and Jinwoo yelled towards the tablet, but their employer ended the call. Myungjun’s eyes were wide, and his mouth was slightly ajar.

“What are we going to do, Jinwoo? The real blackmailer is probably already in transit to the store, and we are on the other side of the district. If the blackmailer and Mr. Choi clash right now…” Jinwoo and Myungjun fearfully made eye contact.

“I gave (Name) my Caller, so once they press that, the emergency boosts will be activated, and I will be able to drive us there in time.” With that statement, Myungjun seemed to jump in his seat immediately.

“You told (Name) our identity?! Jinwoo, when was the last time you went over the definition of a spy?! We can’t have an innocent citizen involved in this mess! You just put them in more danger than they already have been for the past two months!” Jinwoo pressed his lips together tightly, giving a few heartbeats to get the car started and going before responding.

“I trust (Name). They have experience in dealing with conflict.” Jinwoo said, driving as fast as possible without crashing or catching attention of the police. Myungjun quickly and clumsily slipped out his laptop, typing in several streams of input before stopping to carefully observe the store cameras.

“I don’t see anything happening right now. The store is empty, and (Name) is just sitting at the counter… Wait... ” Myungjun trailed off.

“Oh my god... This is a clip of footage from earlier. It’s just repeating. The blackmailer already knows.” Jinwoo felt his stomach drop, and he gripped the steering wheel to prevent himself doing anything drastic. Just then, the green distress light on the console lit up, and Myungjun was quick to press it.

“(Name) made the call. There is an even amount of chance that either our blackmailer or Mr. Choi are the cause of the distress signal, since Mr. Choi doesn’t know what the blackmailer looks like, so (Name) is in double the danger. Hopefully it’s him, or else the bigger storm has already hit.” Jinwoo announced in a straight tone. His heart and mind was racing laps all over as he thought of all of the possible situations you may be in at that current moment. He didn’t want any blood to be apart of this mission, especially from someone who didn’t deserve to be apart of this in the first place

Jinwoo got to your store in record time, him and Myungjun out of the car in a flash. Jinwoo noticed one car outside the store, which nearly calmed his rushing heart.

The buzz of the doorbell welcomed the latest customers and pulled away Jinwoo’s luck. Mr. Choi was present in the store, his back to the entrance and a gun stretched out in front of him. However, a woman was in the store as well, standing a ways away from Mr. Choi, and her gun firmly placed on the side of your head.

“Jinwoo, so nice of you and Myungjun to join Mr. Choi, sweet (Name), and I. Did you come here to pick up another pack of Rosettes? You have good taste.” Mrs. Lee asked the spy. Jinwoo felt immediate distress from the sight of you. You weren’t struggling in her arms, and the supposed blackmailer didn’t seem to have to keep a death grip around you to stop you from running. The woman either had you completely petrified in her arms, or you were ahead of the game and did not move in fear that she would start using the gun that was to your head.

“Silly me, I haven’t formally introduced myselves to you all. Hello, my name is Lee Boyoung, and I like to hack into people’s private information for fun. I’m sure Mr. Choi here is very familiar with my work.” Boyoung smiled innocently. “I have been visiting sweet (Name)’s store on a schedule for nearly a year now, so I guess you can say we are close.” Boyoung hugged you closer when she said that, you incredibly stiff.

“I am going to need an explanation for all of this, right now.” Jinwoo vocalized in a firm, hostile tone, deathly careful of each action he carried out.

“Of course, I was just about to inform Mr. Choi here about this whole inconvenience. My thanks for getting here now, since reiterating things are not my passion. Those little… What do you call them? Callers? Are quite effective. ” Boyoung said. Mr. Choi still kept his stance, his raised arms not showing any fatigue, but his conscious radiating curiosity.

“Let’s start off with an apology. I’m sorry to lie to you all, but I actually don’t like Rosettes. They were my father’s favorite brand, however, so I have been ceremoniously purchasing them to mix with his ashes- his request, not mine. Well, soon enough, all of the other drug stores in this district have been dropping the Rosette brand, so I had to go out and search for another source. And guess who was the only one close enough to this district who sold Rosettes?” Jinwoo met eyes with you at that very moment. He admired the fact that you were effectively keeping your breathing in calm cadences, but your eyes held all of your true emotions. They held all of the terror and dread that they could hold, and Jinwoo had to hold his breath to stop him from jumping in right then and there to save you.

“I didn’t think much of this dingy place when I stepped in, but once I saw sweet (Name), I knew that I won the jackpot. I found a small, unnoticeable corner store that sold Rosettes, was visited by many gang-related individuals, and owned by an unbiased ex-spy? It was like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” Boyoung gave her signature, sickly sweet grin, licking her teeth before going close to your ear and softly purring, “You can explain your story for the rest of them, (Name). I feel I set everything up for you.”

You took a deep breath, as that was the only voluntary move you dared to practice. It was as if you were already prepared for the confession to be gutted out.

“I… I used to do undercover private work around the two districts.” Cue Jinwoo and Myungjun’s eyes widening and their stances slacking ever so slightly. “I decided to stop before the consequences of my job overruled my life. I wanted to start fresh with my real identity, so I came here and made this place my home, with the intentions of never getting involved in anymore messes.” Boyoung chuckled from your tight comment, but didn’t say anything.

Jinwoo stayed quiet and frozen. He didn’t want the words “Why didn’t you tell me?” the first ones he said to you. He didn’t know what to ask at all. He knew that he should have seen the signs from before, since no true civilian would dare to start a business in this area. He might have been able to protect you better.

“I’m sorry that I led your little bloodhounds to this place, Mr. Choi. I should have chosen a far better location.” Boyoung mentioned, her head tilted to the side to feign innocence.

“That means that you purposely led Mr. Choi here so that he would think (Name) was you.” Myungjun said quietly. The pieces were now starting to magnetize together in Jinwoo’s brain.

“And when (Name) proved that they were hard to claim for your own gang, you made Mr. Choi storm down here to take out what you couldn’t take in the first place!” Jinwoo finished off. Boyoung hummed in affirmation.

“See, putting the puzzle pieces wasn’t that hard. You put your money in a good place, Mr. Choi.” Boyoung remarked. That caused whatever switch that turned off the man to start him running again.

“My money? You mean the money that you have stolen and are mining from me right now? I’m here to get my property back and revenge.” Mr. Choi nearly snarled out in a sharp tone, him taking a few steps forward. Boyoung quickly shifted the gun to your back with lightning speed, causing you to tightly press your lips and furrow your eyebrows together as if you were keeping back a whimper. Jinwoo felt like hell watching you fearfully stand between two guns, his mind running through millions of options at once. Boyoung didn’t tie you up, so you would be able to disarm her, if you knew how. If only you knew now.

“Calm down there, Mr. Choi. You don’t want to have this innocent’s blood on your hands, do you?” Boyoung tested.

“No, but I want yours.” With that statement, Boyoung snorted out a chuckle.

“You don’t even care if I do anything to (Name)? How about you, Jinwoo?”

Jinwoo stayed unwavering. “You’ll regret it if you do anything drastic here, Boyoung.”

Mr. Choi glanced towards Jinwoo, his eyes narrowing. “What kind of spy are you that put us in this situation? We’ve had the lying bitch right in front of us and yet this whole time you’ve been flirting with some random person?” His facial expression grew more wild in rage. “How do I not know that you four have been plotting against me this whole time? What if this is all just a set up against me and my personal information?”

“Sir, that’s not what we’re trying to do-” Myungjun tried to start, but he was immediately cut off by Mr. Choi.

“Fuck you! Fuck everyone! Everything that I own has been draining out of me for the past three months, and I want it all to STOP!”

A gunshot rang out. For the next dozen heartbeats, Jinwoo couldn’t tell who made the first shot. All was frozen, until there was a gasp and a fall.

Epilogue

Jinwoo hated writing reports. He didn’t hate it because it was too meticulous to recall all of the details, but it was because he didn’t want to be reminded of all of the details. The rush of emotions aren’t the same when you keep trying to recollect them.

The swing of the door announced the arrival of a new incomer into Jinwoo’s office, causing him to pause his writing and to close the news report tab on the mysterious death of the jailed blackmailer Lee Boyoung.

“You’re still writing that thing?” Myungjun asked, leaning against the door.

“I keep deleting paragraphs and rewriting them. I feel like I’m not getting all of the right information from the situation.” Jinwoo replied, running a hand through his messy hair before fixing it again. Myungjun let out a passive “aish” before shifting feet.

“Well, the sun is going to go down soon, so we should get going while there is still daylight. I don’t know when the gates clos-”

“The cemetery gates close at 7:30.” Jinwoo answered in a straight tone. Myungjun nodded slowly.

“Do you want to get the same roses?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting in the car. Don’t take too long.” With that, Myungjun closed the door.

Jinwoo sighed and leaned back in his computer chair. He rubbed his fatigued eyes and stretched.

‘The report could wait, I’ll just finish it once I get back.’ Jinwoo thought to himself just as he thought to himself before leaving for the cemetary each time for the past three months. He’ll get the report done sooner or later.

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brokenwinchesterr · 7 years

Text

Some Things Never Change- Seth Rollins x Reader

This is my piece for @fan-fiction-galore and @thewriterformerlytaggedas 31 Little Wrestling Fics writing challenge. I’m not gonna lie. There was a few times I thought about dropping out because I had homecoming this week and tbh it kicked my ass. I had one day last week when I came home from planning where I just cried. It was such a cluster fuck and the people who were helping plan the dance we were doing weren't doing their part. I ended up doing most of it and I paid for most of the shit anyway. Regardless I made it through and I'm pretty proud of this. I also edited it but I'm not sure how good I've done so please let me know if something is fucked up and ill fix it!

I hope you all enjoy and please leave me feedback! I know deep down this isn't my best work but I really enjoyed writing it and I think it turned out pretty good.

Pairing: Seth Rollins x Reader, if you squint really hard Bayley x Corey Word Count: 4,448 (this is a lot more than planned) Warnings: Language, bullying I guess ( Corey is a real asshole) A/N: okay THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT. So as mentioned above Corey really is an asshole. I wrote him like that because in real life I hate him. I have never hated anyone like I hate him. Now I'm not trying to force you all to hate him and I’m not trying to say fuck you if you like Corey. I’m trying to avoid issues of people who like Corey by warning y'all.

IF YOU LIKE COREY AND DONT WANT TO SEE HIM GET KINDA SHIT ON DONT READ THIS!!

I’ve warned you all.

The life of an athlete was a though one. Constantly traveling and putting their lives on the line could be stressful. Being a professional wrestler was seemingly more taxing than any other athletic job because it's not just being an athlete it's being an actor. That meant that days off were rare. Days off when everyone could just hang out and have fun together as themselves were rare. That's how they all got themselves into this mess. They were in the town of Appleton; a place in Wisconsin, exploring some ruins of a house which is supposed to be haunted. That's according to some locals anyway. They had been sitting in silence until Sami spoke up.

" Whose idea was this anyway?" Sami asked. Seth immediately pointed at Y/N who had her head buried in her phone. She was trying to find the exact location of the house which was not an easy task.

" Literally everything about this is illegal!" Sami exclaimed, concern written all over his features.

" You're completely right, Sami, but it's the season of halloween and we have to be spoopy.'' Y/N responded looking up at him.

" Spoopy?" Bray asked, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror. Y/N nodded. He just raised his eyebrows in response, and shook his head, before turning his focus back to the road. They had somehow managed to coerce him to driving; Sami sat in the passenger seat (though with a lot of protest. He always claimed Bray freaked him out) with Seth directly behind him, and Y/N to his left. Behind Y/N was Bayley, who felt the need to continuously play with her hair. She claimed it was 'as soft as a baby's butt.' To Bayley's right was Corey Graves, a long time friend of Seth's.

They had been on the road for quite a while until it was becoming clear that the long drive was getting to everyone. By everyone, mostly Y/N and Corey. Tensions were at an all time high between the two who were, for some random reason, arguing about the show Supernatural; something Corey had never even seen before. So of course, Y/N being the die-hard fan she is began to get irritated because ,'' who was this idiot to say it's shit when he's never seen it before.''

" You know a show is shit when the bump it for another show.'' He shot back, talking about when the twelfth season of Supernatural got bumped for the first season Riverdale.

She took a breath, ready to destroy his claim, but she paused, and instead said," Y'know what Corey? I'm not gonna argue with you. I'm just gonna let you keep blowing smoke out of your ass because it's what you do best.'' You could hear in her voice that she was tired of the constant issues from Corey. She looked over to Seth, giving him a look that said,' I told you he was going to be a problem.' Bayley suggested they play the quiet game, and for the rest of the ride, they sat in silence.

Once they got into town, Y/N suggested that they should pull over because she still had to find the actual address of the house. She decided to call an old friend to see if he knew where it was located. Scary things and adventuring were his specialties.

"Hello?" Spoke a gruff voice through the phone.

"Elton! Hey I'm so glad you answered," Y/N responded," I have a huge favor to ask you."

" Sure what's up?"

" So I managed to drag some friends to that place in Wisconsin that I was telling you about. We made it to the town, but now I'm not sure exactly where to go and I was wondering if you remembered where the actual house was?"

" Oh, um yeah, give me a sec to grab my computer."

There was a short pause, some rustling, then some barking, which Y/N assumed was from Circa, Elton's dog, and then he was back on the receiver with a," Sorry. It was buried under a bunch of new shirts."

Elton owned a clothing brand and he was currently in the process of creating new products. It was something he'd been working on for a long time.

" You'll have to tell me all about the shirts another time, but right now I really need to know where the house is."

" Alright. So, when you first pull into town, your gonna want to take an immediate left. It's not gonna look like it's a road, but I promise you, it's there. Then the road is gonna continue for a few miles and then it'll come to a 'T'. Go right. Follow the road and you'll see the house. It's fenced off and it's a little bit of a hike to get to it, but honestly it's not that bad. I'm not sure how you're gonna get through the fence but I'm sure you'll figure it out."

" Awesome! Thank you so much Elton! I don't know what I'd do with out you.'' Y/N spoke a smile beginning to grace her features. She truly loved and appreciated her friends.

" You'd probably die.'' he responded with a chuckle.

" True. True.''

"Be safe, and I'll see you soon, yeah?"

" Of course.'' Y/N answered as she hung up the phone. A lunch meet up was already in her schedule.

" So what's the deal.'' Seth asked.

Y/N let out a breath," He said it's an immediate left on a road that doesn't look like a road but is actually a road. I'm assuming it's back the way we came just 'cause we've already been driving for quite a while.''

" There was a little opening between some trees not to long ago.'' Bayley spoke up.

" Then that's probably it! Great, now let's get back on the road.'' Sami said jumping into the conversation, while motioning at the car. Everyone loaded up and they began the shortish drive to the house.

Surprisingly they had made it without very many problems. The only thing was Corey’s constant talking, but when is it not a problem for Y/N.

" It looks more like ruins of a house than an actual house. I was expecting this huge thing.'' Seth said, motioning with his hands, leaning against the car door he just closed.

" Well appearances don't always matter.'' Y/N replied to him, poking his chest to punctuate each word.

" Are you trying to call me ugly with out actually saying it?" He responded pulling her in for a hug.

" Why would I do that?'' Y/N looked up at him.

" You never know.'' A small smile appeared. He leaned down and just as his lips were about to meet Y/N's, they heard Corey's voice." Alright lovebirds if we're gonna do this I'd rather it not be dark, so can we hurry it up?"

Y/N let out a screeching noise and looked to Corey,'' No one gives a fuck. Literally. We got here like, five seconds ago. Plus, we have no idea how we're gonna get through this fence yet.''

" We could probably hop it to be honest.''Seth said, running his hands up and down Y/N's sides.

" Um, I don't know Seth. Some of us are kind of short.'' Bayley said, speaking of herself and Y/N.

" We'll help.'' Sami responded.

Seth was the first one over, with Y/N passing the ouija board through the slit where the fence panels connected. Sami had a backpack that he through over next, and looked to one of the girls.

" Who's going next?"

They looked to each other and the fence. It was pretty damn high.

" Hey, both of you look at me.'' Seth spoke through the fence, sensing the fear. '' Its just like climbing a steel cage. You can do it.''

" I'll go.'' Bayley said after a few moments of silence. She looked as nervous as she was for her Mania match. Sami stood at the fence ready to boost her while the other three stood back to catch her incase she fell. When she reached the top it didn't take her long to drop onto the ground of the other side of the fence.

" Wow. I don't know if I'll be able to handle a real ghost if I can't handle this.'' She added, wiping the sweat from her hands. Sami pulled himself up and over next, leaving Y/N, Bray, and Corey on the other side.

" Your turn.'' Corey said, ready to boost her.

" Fuck you.'' She responded as she put her foot in his hands as a rest. Once she had almost steadied herself at the top, she felt Corey's grip on her leg release, and had she not had a good center of gravity she would have toppled to the ground. Instead she had managed to shift herself so she fell towards the other three in the group.

" Fuck.'' She spoke, feeling Seth's arms steady her on her feet.

" Corey what the hell?" Seth asked.

" I-I'm sorry, I don't know what happened.''

" He nearly passed out.'' Bray said finally.

" Why though?"

" I'm not to sure."

"Let's just.. get everyone on the same side of the fence please.'' Bayley said turning to face the house on the hill, as the other two men made their way over.

The outside of the house wasn't very bad. Of course, it was run down, the paint was peeling, and most of the grass and brush were dead, but it was two stories plus an attic, had a decent sized yard, and was probably the talk of the town before it was haunted and abandoned. To Y/N, all the caution tape and signs were no big deal, just a part of exploring, but of course, Corey couldn't keep his mouth shut. He went on a whole rant about how they could get arrested for this and how lucky she was that he didn't call their boss and complain that she was doing illegal stuff. Once they had managed to make it to the door Y/N sprawled out on the steps and groaned.

" This is my life now," Y/N started, speaking in a melodramatic manor, " I have climbed this hill and now I will die upon it."

" C'mon you're fine.'' Seth responded pulling her up into him and pressing a kiss to her forehead. He had been keeping her close ever since the incident at the fence.

'' We were only hiking for like twenty minutes.'' Sami said questioningly, shaking his head.

" Do we really want to do this?" Bayley asked. She was the only other female on the roster willing to come with them to the supposed 'haunted' ruins. They were going to bring Dean as well but with some last minute plans with Renee they 'settled with Corey' as Y/N would put it. Everyone else was too scared.

" We'll be fine, they don't seem to angry.'' Bray spoke, stoically. Bayley and Y/N locked eyes, sharing a worried glance.

" Good to know buddy,'' Seth said patting Bray on the shoulder and walking to the door. Corey remained at the bottom of the steps. Before Seth could even reach to open the door they began to hear noises coming from inside the house.

" God damn it, why are we doing this!'' Corey finally snapped,'' and why the hell did you bring a Ouija board, you know how I feel about that shit!" he said motioning to Y/N, who held it in her hands. Him and Y/N didn't get along to well, that was for sure established, if she was with Seth and Seth and Corey were friends then that made her and Corey friends, kind of. They shared a mutual hatred that Everyone knew about and that was how their relationship worked. Hell even people who didn't know them knew it. The vibes they had when they were around each other were absolutely toxic. Couldn't they keep their feelings at bay for one night?

" Because it's Halloween time, stupid.'' She replied as if it were obvious, " we're at a haunted house, and it's gonna get dark eventually. Why else would I have it?''

" The house is not haunted.''

''Bet.'' Y/N began.

" Alright, Alright, enough you two.'' Seth spoke locking eyes with the woman he called his girlfriend. She shook her head mumbling a whatever and pushing past him reaching to open the door.

" I wouldn't do that just yet,'' Sami spoke hurriedly, before Y/N could open the door, " I agree with Bayley. Are we really sure we want to do this?''

" I'm 100 percent sure. I don't know about y'all but I'm going in. We just did all that hiking and not to mention the fucking fence.'' Y/N said forcing her way around Sami and into the house.

" I don't want to leave her here a lone.'' Seth answered, shrugging. Bray said nothing and walked in behind Seth.

" I want to see if this house is really haunted.'' Corey responded, following closely behind the other two men.

" I'm with you on this one Sami but these are our friends.. Do we really want to leave them here alone so the could possibly get hurt?'' Bayley asked walking up the steps and standing next to Sami.

Sami just shook his head and said," C'mon.''

The inside of the house was dirty to say the least. When you walked in, immediately to the left was a flight of stairs, to the right of that was a door, probably to the basement, and a broken-looking table. There was definitely a lot of random clutter in the house before it became abandoned. To the direct right, was what seemed like the living room, and when you walked into it and went left, the kitchen was attached at the other side of the room.

Everyone was mostly looking around the living room. There were a lot of pictures considering how long it had been abandoned. Y/N had decided that she wanted to go explore the upstairs floor. When you walk up the stairs it runs directly into a corridor with quite a dew doors on each side. She was assuming that the people who built this house either had a very large family or they had a lot of stuff. She noticed there were quite a few pictures on the walls here too. They were all of the same man. He was always wearing a party hat and had some other person or pet in the photo with him. Just as she was about to enter the first room she heard her name being called from downstairs.

" They're ready to play the ouija board." Seth said to her.

" Alright then.'' She said plopping onto the ground in the middle of the living room.

They all filled in the circle around her,watching as Bray set the planchette on 'G'.

" If you don't want to play or don't believe, leave the circle.'' He spoke solemnly.

Corey stood up leaving Bray, Seth, Bayley, and Y/N sitting in a weird-square formation.

" Be careful when asking the questions. If you're joking or don't want to know the answer don't ask it,'' Y/N added,'' follow my lead to start.''

Everyone placed two fingers on the planchette and Y/N said,'' Ouija, we are here,'' while moving the planchette in three circles.

" Okay. It's ready.''

" Who wants to ask the first question?'' Seth asked looking around the group.

" I'll go,'' Bayley spoke. Y/N looked at her bewildered. '' If I'm gonna do it, might as well go all in.'' She finished shrugging. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind and heart.

" Are there any spirits here that would like to talk to us?” Bayley asked, a small quiver to her voice.

They sat for a few seconds, waiting for something to happen. Just as Y/N was about to say something she felt a movement under her fingers and she shut her eyes, afraid to look down. Was this really happening? When she opened her eyes the planchette rested on 'yes'.

" Fuck,'' Seth whispered in a faulty voice,'' I don't want to do this anymore.'' He took his fingers off the planchette.

" No! You're not supposed to do that!" Y/N screamed, nearly removing her fingers as well.

'' Why? What's gonna happen? I can't just put them back on?'' He asked, fear evident in his features. Y/N could tell he was trying to mask it, but she knew him all to well.

" It don't work like that.'' Bray responded.

" Well, why the hell not?" Seth asked. Y/N was about to respond when a groan sounded from somewhere around the house.

" Old houses make noises. It's normal,'' Y/N said. Another groan was heard,".... right?''

" Of course they do.'' Corey said. But it wasn't in a sarcastic or rude way. That gave a little shock to everyone. It’s crazy what fear does to a person.

" Am I gonna die now or something?'' Seth asked.

" No, you should be fine. I'm not entirely sure though.'' Bray responded.

" Let's just ask another question.'' Bayley said quickly.

" When did you die?'' Y/N asked, trying to relieve some of the tension in the air. It was thick like butter. The planchette remained still, and then flung itself off the board and into the wall

" It didn't like that question.'' Seth exclaimed.

The front door which they left open was slammed shut, causing many photos to fall of their places on the wall. Everyone looked around waiting to see what would happen next. Crashes could be heard from the kitchen where leftover dishes and cutlery were crashing to the ground.

" Upstairs!'' Bray shouted, grabbing the Ouija board and throwing it at the wall. The group watched as it broke to pieces." Go!"

Everyone bounded up the stairs and Sami had made a hard right into the first room. Everyone stood, trying to catch their breath.

Seth opened his mouth to speak but the only thing that was heard was the sound of the door slamming.

The next thing Y/N knew, she was being thrown into a wall; the force of the collision had her seeing stars. She heard the fearful screams of Bayley as other object got thrown around the room. She had heard that playing the ouija board wrong angered spirits, but to this extent? It was a little much. What had they done wrong? Corey was the only one who didn't want to play and he didn't. The weren't being intentionally disrespectful and even though Bray was pretty weird when it came to demonic stuff she believed him when he had said that they weren't too angry. Why was he wrong? By the time she had regained her bearings, things had calmed down. Bayley wasn't screaming but she was sitting in a corner, letting the sobs overtake her and Corey had wandered over to her to try to calm her down. You could still hear objects being thrown around the rest of the house as different doors continued to slam. Sami looked as if he might have started crying. Y/N was looking around the room and noticed immediately that things were wrong. Bray was lying in the center of the room in a heap. Y/N also noticed that Seth was no where to be seen.

' He's probably in a different room.' She though, more like hoped, to herself as she raced over to Bray's side.

The last thing she needed was to have to explain that she got him killed because they went to a literal haunted house. She had noticed that Bray had blood running down from his nose. The moment she placed her hand on his chest to feel for a beat, his eyes shot open and he looked around, frantically, as if he were expecting more damage than that had actually been done. He knew one thing for sure. They had to get out of that house. She helped pull him to his feet and ran to the door. It was closed. In her head she was praying it wasn't locked. What would they even do if it was? No one would be around to hear them scream, let alone to save them. She breathed a huge sigh of relief when the knob turned. She looked behind her to see everyone up and ready to follow her next move. Bayley was clearly leaning on Corey, while Bray stood on his own, leaning his weight to one side of his body. Sami stood in the back ready for whatever may come, with his arms wrapped around himself.

What had Y/N gotten herself and her friends into? She was about to cry herself when the checked every room on the second floor and saw no sign of Seth. Everything in the living room and kitchen looked the same, except for one thing. The door that lead to what they thought was the basement was closed. Sami and Corey had gone to check the other side of the first floor, after leaving Bray and Bayley sitting on the floor of the living room. Y/N remained in front of the basement door. She knew deep down that they were going to have to go in there. There was no other option. To her, it didn't matter what the others thought. If they wanted to leave they could. She was not about to leave a man who she had spent the better part of a year with. He wouldn't leave her.

Soon Y/N felt the presence of the guys behind her.

" We need to leave, now. Let's just go down there, not let our fear get to us, and grab Seth.'' Corey said.

" What if he isn't down there?'' Sami asked.

" Are you fucking ser-" Y/N started.

" No I don't mean it like that. I just mean what if he actually isn't down there.''

Y/N was at a loss for words. She didn't want to think is he wasn't down there. He had to be.

" We'll cross that bridge if we get to it.'' Corey spoke reaching to open the door. He took a breath and swung the flat of wood in. It was dark, and seemingly cold; way colder than the rest of the house. Y/N had never appreciated Corey more.

" We got this.'' Sami said pulling a flashlight out of his bag. Corey grabbed the flashlight from him and took the lead. As the trio descended down the steps Y/N automatically had an uneasy feeling. She was ready to go home and curl in a ball.

The basement was full to the brim. There were shelves upon shelves of survival stuff. MRI'S, medkits, canned food, jugs of water. What the hell was this? One thing in particular Y/N noticed was a random door in the wall. Corey and Sami had checked everything during the time she was looking around. This guy must have been a real doomsday prepper.

" Nothing.'' Corey said, looking at her with an underlying sadness. This was his best friend. Y/N motioned to the door she had just been staring at.

" That's the only place we haven't checked."

" Then let's get to it.'' Corey responded, reaching for the door. Sami grabbed a steel bar from one of the shelves. Y/N looked at him.

" What? Just in case.''

'' What are you going to do beat the ghost to death?"

" Maybe.''

Corey shook his head heaving the heavy metal door open. Y/N peaked her head in and let out a gasp. Seth was in a chair with a party hat strapped to his head. Just as she was about to step in, a man appeared. He was wearing a party hat just like Seth's. Y/N recognized him to be the man from all the pictures from upstairs.

" Want to join the party?" The thing spoke. Y/N nearly let out a scream before she felt some one pull her by the back of her shirt. She looked to Corey who had pulled her out of the doorway and away from the ghost. Sami had decided to chuck the steel bar and it 'hit' the ghost. The bar clattered to the ground. It faltered for a second and disappeared.

" I can't believe that actually worked!'' Sami exclaimed as Corey pat him on the back. Y/N ran over to the chair where Seth was beginning to stir. He groaned and opened his eyes looking at her.

" Hey. Oh my god. Hi.'' Y/N started babbling. " I thought you were gone.''

" No. I'm okay.'' He responded, letting out a groan, sitting up in the chair.

" We should go.'' Sami suggested.'' I don't know how long that ghost is gonna be gone for.'' He picked up the steel bar. Just in case. Y/N helped Seth rise to his feet and he placed his arm around her shoulder. They made their way up the stairs in silence, and as soon as Bayley caught sight of them she was up and asking a bunch of questions.

" Can we do this in the car? I wanna get out of here.'' Seth said as his grip tightened on Y/N.

" Oh yeah, of course. Sorry.'' Bayley replied. She pulled Bray up with her and then they set out to leave.

Y/N breathed a sigh of relief as Sami swung the front door open. She clung to Seth like she hadn't seen him in years, afraid he'd get taken from her again. Maybe actual haunted places were a no go. She was glad that at least everyone was a little closer than before.

Once they had made it back over the fence and into the car, everyone paused and took a breath.

" That was the fucking worst idea ever.'' Corey griped.

" I know, and I'm sorry. Looking back on it, I probably should've picked a fake haunted place.'' Y/N responded. Sami started the car and let out a little laugh.

" Now this is something I thought I'd never see. Y/N and Corey getting along. Sort of.''

" Ha Ha. Fantastic. Relish in it somewhere far away from here." Bray spoke up from the back.

" Okay, Okay I'm going.'' Sami said.

" What if we went to fright fest at six flags?" Y/N asked.

" NO!”

#31 little wrestling fics #seth rollins imagine #seth rollins #bray wyatt #Sami zayn #Corey graves #bayley #seth rollins x reader #wwe #wwe imagine #brokenwinchesterr #bucksvseverybody #literally this was harder than it should have been #homecoming kicked my ass #fml

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barblebapkins · 8 years

Note

all 👏 the 👏 asks 👏👏👏

at first im like “i wanna answer ALL of these!!!” but when it finally happens its more like “i have to answer ALL of these,,,,,”

Fresh milk - What is your age?

i am a 22 year old yungman

Teeth - What is your gender identity?

male

Honey - Do you have a nickname?

online, its barble, booble, bibble, barbie, ect ect. irl, i’m usually just called Ry, tho a new manager has started to call me Ry-Bread and i fucking hate it so much

Breast - Do you get along with your mother?

i wish i did, i’ve tried to fix stuff with her so many times but she always manages to ruin shit again

Angelhood - What is one of your favorite memories?

staying up until like 7:30 am watching all of the 2012 berserk movies with two of my friends, i was emotionally scarred and dead tired the entire next day

Tranquil - Who do you laugh the most with?

probably my brother, lil shit is fun to hang around with

Adieu - Who do you dread saying goodbye to the most?

anyone really, i love all of my friends and family, wouldn’t wanna lose any of them

Wax - Can you keep a secret?

of course what kind of person cant

Tinderbox - What do you cherish most?

my computer but really, all of the people that call me their friend/loved one. as introverted as i am, i thrive off of people being close to me.

Paper - What is your favorite novel?

the other survey asked me this lmao, i havent read a full book in a long-ass time, but the best one i’ve probably ever read was Green mile

Box office - What is your favorite film?

again i havent been caught up on movies in a long time, but i love love love UP and a few movies from the MCU

Stage - Do you have a talent?

hahaha

Tiger - What is your bravest moment?

probably uh like, when i first got my job at five guys???? i 100% lack confidence in myself so when i finally applied and got accepted it was like the biggest step i ever took in my life

Treasure - What is your brightest characteristic?

my charismatic, attention-drawing presence /s

Morale - Is your castle made of glass or stone?

what???? this question is so unclear?? i guess it means how fast i am to give up and be defeated, in that case its more like a castle of air

Wolf - Do you have an inner monster?

i have a somewhat short temper which doesnt mix well with how easy it is to make me uncomfortable, and i’m super paranoid about everyone around me at all times and what they think about me lmao whoops

Seven - Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, or Pride?

sloth i guess cos i havent done anything with my live

Trick - White lie or deceit?

another weird question, this is like “is it worse to lie a little or lie a lot” ?? white lie i guess

Illusion - Do you have a secret?

who doesnt

if you want me to tell you, i’m not gonna u FOOL

Heart - Are you in love?

i was a few months ago, not anymore

Mary - Are you a virgin?

DONT CALL ME OUT LIKE THIS YOU PIECE OF SHIT QUIZ

Bedroom - How would you define your sexual orientation?

i dont even know anymore dude. i’m teetering on the edge of ace and demi, tho i don’t know a lot of people that consider demi a true, full orientation.

Pink - Panties, bloomers, or lingerie?

this question makes me think this quiz was made with feminine identities in mind.

Rope - Do you have a fetish?

i dont know?? not that i know of

also “Rope” DSKVLHJSK

Tobacco - Do you smoke?

ew nah

Wine - Do you drink?

sometimes, not often at all though. when i do, captain morgan and coke 👌

Whisky - Do you drink alone or socially?

i prefer to drink alone, or at least not out in public, cos the people i’m with usually try to persuade me to drink more than i’m comfortable with.

Poison - Do you have an addiction?

video games, and since i started working, i’ve also been spending a bit more on said games than i mean to. it’s killing my car savings a bit.

Taboo - Do you have any tattoos?

nope, don’t ever plan to. don’t see the use in it

Metal - Do you have any piercings?

see above

Stitches - What kind of clothing do you wear?

i used to wear a lot of collared shirts and clean, dark blue jeans cos i liked looking professional-ish, but i got over that and just wear a lot of t-shirts now

Eau de toilette - What is you favorite scent?

anything baking honestly

Murmur - How do you deal with drama?

if it’s my place to resolve it and i feel that i could, i try to, otherwise i avoid it cos i dont need more of that shit in my life.

Hiccup - What makes you nervous?

more than anything? people giving me weird looks or making sarcastic comments. it always sets off my “WHY DID THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT/SAY THAT TO ME WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT ME DO THEY HATE ME DID I DO SOMETHING TO THEM OH MY GOD” alarms

Gazelle - Do you participate in the arts?

nop. rarely i open photoshop and Shitpost™ but thats about the extent of it

Anomaly - What do you find unique about yourself?

who knows??? maybe other people see something but i sure dont

Cedar - What is your favorite season?

i like the more mild seasons, like spring before it gets too balls hot and buggy, or autumn before it gets too fucking cold

Balm - Who was the last person you kissed?

probably my dog because i LOVE her, other than that probs my mom

#thanat0ast #sorry this took like 4 hours i got sidetracked #long post

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married-world-blog · 5 years

Text

UMageba uqobo lwakhe

Nathi did not come home last night. I’m not angry but I am a bit hurt. From the day that we got into this marriage, I’ve never gone to sleep with him not being home. I feel so lonely and so confused… I’m not sure if I should make breakfast or not. He probably went home with Pay-Pay. They are probably fixing things. I’m glad I left. I have been more humiliated in my life. Nathi must never invite me to anything with his friends. I’m almost ready for class. I’m just preparing my lunchbox for the day… Gluten-free bread with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, and a burger. I pack biltong to snack with. I pack bottled water, and some mango juice. I pack my handbag and school bag and go put them in the car. As I attempt to walk out, the intercom goes off.

I answer, “Hello”

“Makoti yithi sisi. Please open”, my mother-in-law responds.

Jesu. Where am I going to say their son is? I open for them to come in. I try to dial Nathi but his phone is off. This guy mara.

His parents walk into our little townhouse. “Sawuboni makoti wami omuhle” my mother-in-law greets me. I look at them and smile. I greet them and tell them to take a seat while I make them a cup of tea. They excitedly cooperate. I notice that I’m not wearing my maxi dress or skirt and am not covering my head… that’s coz I’m on my way to school but I guess that’s none of their business. After i serve them tea, I excuse myself to go and dress up appropriately.

“Awu kahle makoti, before you go… uphi uNkosinathi?” My father-in-law enquired. I feared this question.

“Uyasabenza baba”, that’s the quickest thing I can come up with.

“Uyasebenza? Hai bo. It’s not even 7am yet. What time did he have breakfast if he is already at work?” He asks. These people are asking me difficult questions and no o e has given me a memo on how to answer these questions.

“The medicine world is very unpredictable baba'” I try again.

“There’s something that you are not telling us makoti”, baba says. I excuse myself one more time to get dressed and this time, they let me go.

I get to the bedroom and dial Nathi again. This time, the phone rings. He answers after three rings sounding very exhausted. I hear Patience in the background screaming and yelling for Nathi to hang up the phone or she will kill herself.

“Nkosikazi”, he answers his phone deflated.

“Nkosinathi your parents are here” I say.

“Shit”, he says.

“Please just get here”, I say.

“I’m on my way”, he says.

I hear Pay-Pay screaming “You are not going anywhere Nkosinathi”. I hang up. I change.

…

I am preparing a meal in the kitchen while Nathi’s parents are in the TV room waiting for Nathi as if they will beat him up with a belt the minute he walks in.

He walks in…

Shirt torn and full of blood…

Eye swollen…

Lip busted…

Pants torn…

No shoes.

Yho, bamuqhudile lo lapho ephuma khona.

I am actually worried about him. I want to help him get clean. I take a step towards him because I’m the only person he is looking at.

“Nkosinathi awusalali endlini nomkakho?” His father barks. Yho, I take a step back. Nkosinathi is silent.

“I asked you a question!” The father barks louder. “Yini le oyisebenzayo kuze kube yilesikhathi?” His mother asks. Why are they treating him like a child?

Yho, and then Nkosinathi pulls white-kid tendencies and walks out of the room while the parents are still yelling at him. His parents are shocked. Nkosinathi shuts the door. “Please excuse me” I ask his parents and then follow him into the master bedroom where he is. I walk in, close the door, and lock it.

“Did you call them?” He asks me. I guess that’s a fair question.

“No” I tell him. There is silence between us.

“You want to talk about what happened?” I ask him.

“I tried to break up with Patience an she did this to me” he says.

“Let me help you get into the shower. Let’s hear your parents out and then we can talk later”, I say. He let’s me help him undress. It is uncomfortable but he has seen me naked so now we are even. He is not even moved. He gets into the shower and I put his clothes in a bag with the intention to burn them tonight. I go get him a new outfit in the room he sleeps in. I catch his mother furiously cooking in the kitchen. I get him one of his tracksuits, underwear, and a white t-shirt. He is lotioning himself when I get back. I hand him his clothes. I want to sleep with him. Seeing him naked is foreign to me. I’ve never seen a naked man before. I look away. And then I think about the fact that his dick has been inside of Pay-Pay, and I dread the STDs he could be carrying. He gets dressed and then throws his arm around me, leading me to the TV room where his parents are now eating. Must be nice. We sit next to each other.

“Nkosinathi, you busy running around with cheap Joburg prostitutes while we found you a decent wife? Is that why she is not pregnant yet? You busy impregnating other loose skanks and hoping I’ll accept those illegitimate bastards as grandsons?” His mother. She’s got me thinking though… what if Nkosinathi has a child somewhere out there with one of the Pay-Pay’s of the world?

“Nkosinathi, kwalaphi ngane yami? Ubukhosi cannot end with the two of you. The legacy must live on. Why must you ways take years to understand your duty as inkosana yakwaButhelezi?” The dad. Nkosinathi is not even invested in this conversation. He is actually falling asleep next to me.

“Nkosinathi, ulalele or are we talking to the walls?” His mom. Now he is out. I shake him trying to wake him up, but he doesn’t respond. I dont think he is sleeping. I think he has a concussion. I ask his parents to help me get him to hospital. His dad carries him to the car and I drive to the hospital. We left his mom at home.

We get to the hospital and his dad carries him to reception. He is attended to immediately. Everyone notices and announces that its Dr.Buthelezi so the hospital jumps. I beg to come with but Dr.Moagi asks me to let them do their job. This is Khosi’s husband, Tshepo. I am comforted. He tells one of the nurses to give me water with sugar to calm me down. I sit next to baba.

An hour passes…

Another hour passes…

Khosi arrives. “Hey girl” she says as she lays her hand on my shoulder.

“Hey”, I respond. I introduce her to baba. Baba dismisses her. Wow.

“Any news?” She asks me.

“Not yet”, I say. And then I cry. I don’t know why, I just do.

Another hour passes by.

Khensani walks in with her husband and Pay-Pay. I start breathing heavily.

“What did you do?” I ask Pay-Pay.

“Uska tlong phaphela wena.” I don’t even know what she’s saying but I can feel myself lose my shit.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Now I’m loud and angry. She is quiet and scared.

“What makes you think you can talk to me?” She finally says back to me.

“Have you forgotten who you are talking to? I don’t care what you have with my husband, but his last name is next to my name. I am Nkosinathi’s wife. It is very clear to me that you are the one who has forgotten why you are talking to”, I say.

“You are his wife by some ancient arrangement. It does not give you the right to involve yourself in my relationship with Nkosinathi”, she says.

“Yaz uyamangaza. You are disrespectful like the side trash that you are, but you are so stupid. Side trashes are usually smart and they usually know their place. I don’t know what happened with you kodwa they usually know when to walk away. You did all of this because he broke up with you?” I throw their details in her face. Now we will see who knows more truth between her and I.

“We had a misunderstanding, we didn’t break up. I don’t expect you to know or understand what that feels like because your marriage is something out of a kindergarten storybook”, her.

“That’s another thing… side trash usually know the details of the marriage, the schedule of the man, and all the wife’s insecurities. Wena, zicimile nje izibani. Are you sure you were in a relationship? Or were you just scratching an itch and now he is done with you?” I say. Her silence… I feed off of it and I feel so powerful doing so.

“Yaz Patience, you have dismally failed at being the next option. You were supposed to be the one that brought back fire and fight in my marriage. But all you did was put my husband in hospital. I am disappointed, I must say. I thought that at the very least, you would have been the second wife. Kodwa ke, uhlulekile. Let him go”, I reaffirm my position. All the friends surrounding us are shocked. They are at a loss for words. They feel sorry for Pay-Pay, but nobody felt sorry for me when she bullied in front of them yesterday. Actually, they can all eat dust.

“I am not going anywhere, uNkosinathi indoda yami”, Pay-Pay informs me.

“I will tell you where you are going – to prison”, I say. The effect of this is that movie moment when a sudden tambourine sound comes out of nowhere to indicate that the game has changed, and shit can only go down from this point. Pay-Pay is now teary – shit scared. The friends – shit scared and nervous. Yes, Nkosinathi’s wife has arrived. “Nkosinathi would never let that happen”, Pay-Pay still has the balls to say to me.

“Patience, uNkosinathi is lying in some ward surrounded by medical professionals so that he can talk to us again – thanks to you. What you have done is called assault with intent to cause grievous harm. There are probably more legal terms to describe what you have done but when I get a lawyer, they will fill me in on those terms, and that will get you a good four or five years in jail – AT LEAST. Nkosinathi cannot protect, he couldn’t even protect himself. Guess who will be making that decision in his behalf? His wife… Mrs Buthelezi. Yim lo!” I say as I point at myself. I continue, “The doctors will bring me results that explain the extent of the damage that you have caused to my husband, and then we will throw you in a cell with all the other animals that are just like you… and then we call it even”, I conclude. I am probably bull-shitting my way through law right now but she is so scared, she does not challenge one thing that I am saying. Khosi rubs my back, I assume trying to calm me down.

“Patience, do not mistaken my kindness and calmness for stupidity. I may be a lady, but I am still a Zulu woman. NginguMageba uqobo lwakhe. And if that means nothing to you, go watch a re-run of Shaka Zulu and you will be able to see the kind of blood that runs in my veins. Do not test me. Uzobona unyoko”, I conclude. Dr Moagi finally comes out of wherever he disappeared to. He is also taken aback by the scene before him. I look at him. He is not sure who to address.

“Yes doctor”, I grab his attention.

“Can we speak in private?” he requests. I call baba who has been on the phone with mama, and we disappear with Dr Moagi, leaving behind Pay-Pay and the crew.

“He is going to be okay. There was some slight hit on his brain and that is why it was taking so long for us to work on him. But I will have to keep him here for a few days”, he says.

“Thank you. Can I see him?” Me.

“Yes, but before you do…” Dr Moagi. Baba and I look at each other. “We have to report what happened to the police as an assault case”, he says.

“Then do it”, I say.

“Thandeka, he loves Patience. He will never be okay with her going to jail”, he tells me.

“Nayi ingulube yasinonela bo. Uzokhuluma ngothando likmakhwapeni kwinkosikazi yendodana yami? Iphi inhlonipho wena mfana? Uyasangana yini?” Baba barks. Thank you baba, I thought I was the only one who picked up something wrong with that statement.

“Baba, ngenkulu inhlonipho…” Dr Moagi tries but baba cuts him saying “Vala loyo mlomo wakho sdididi sendoda ndini. Yiko ingane iyisiyoyoyo kangaka. He keeps iziyoyoyo as friends. Uyathanda wena ukuthi lo mngani wakho othi uyam’thanda ashayiwe umfazi? Umagosha nje waseGoli? Bophisa le ngane uhlukane nathi wena. Futhi suka endleleni yethu. Asambe makoti”, baba pushes Dr Moagi out of the way and we make our way out. I stop, turn around, look at him and say, “If you do not do your job, I will not only report her to law enforcement myself, but I will also report you to the powers that be for failing to carry out an instruction as instructed by law and policies in medicine”.

0 notes

themoneybuff-blog · 6 years

Text

Are you a shopaholic? How to fight a shopping addiction

Yesterday, I mentioned that because I grew up poor, I inherited a faulty money blueprint from my parents. They didnt know how to handle money effectively, so they couldnt teach me how to handle it effectively. I entered adulthood with many of the same bad habits theyd had when I was a kid. I was a compulsive spender, for instance. I had a shopping addiction. I had no willpower, no impulse control. Even when I had no money in the bank, I still found ways to spend. I took on over $20,000 in credit card debt before I turned 25!

Nowadays, I mostly have my spending under control. Im no longer in debt, and I force myself to make conscious decisions about what I purchase. (Conscious spending is one of the keys to overcoming emotional spending.) Having said that, I know that if I relax for even a moment, Ill be right back in my old habits. Ill find myself at the grocery store buying magazines to soothe a bruised ego, or shopping for music in the iTunes store because I had a stressful day. How do I know Ill relapse if Im not careful? Because I do from time to time. When I was prepping for my big talk at the end of June, for example, I felt super stressed and my shopping addiction kicked in. I spent an afternoon browsing on Amazon, putting things in my shopping basket. (I even ordered a few of the things, although I knew I shouldnt.) Emotional spending is comforting not just for me, but for a lot of other people too. Though Im a recovering spendaholic, Im still a spendaholic. Im always one step away from compulsive spending. My story is not unique. What Is a Shopping Addiction? People who have a shopping addiction suffer from whats known as compulsive spending. According to the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery: Compulsive shopping and spending is described as a pattern of chronic, repetitive purchasing that becomes difficult to stop and ultimately results in harmful consequences. It is defined as an impulse control disorder and has features similar to other addictive disorders without involving the use of an intoxicating drug. The organization offers the following list of warning signs of a shopping addiction: Shopping of spending money as a result of being disappointed, angry or scared.Shopping/spending habits causing emotional distress or chaos in ones life.Having arguments with others regarding shopping or spending habits.Feeling lost without credit cards.Buying items on credit that would not be bought with cash.Spending money causes a rush of euphoria and anxiety at the same time.Spending or shopping feels like a reckless or forbidden act.Feeling guilty, ashamed, embarrassed or confused after shopping or spending money. Many purchases are never used.Lying to others about what was bought or how much money was spent.Thinking excessively about money.Spending a lot of time juggling accounts and bills to accommodate spending. Ive experienced all of these. In fact, I used to suffer from many of these at the same time. It felt awful. An addiction to spending is a scary, dangerous thing. As with other addictions, victims feel lost and out of control. People who have never suffered from a shopping addiction cant understand the problem, and you may have a hard time explaining it to them. They dont know what its like to see something and feel the urge to buy it now. They dont know the lure of the shopping rush and the subsequent nausea from the guilt have having spent too much. Overspendershave confused and confusing relationships with money, write psychologists Brad and Ted Klontz in Mind Over Money. On one hand, theyre convinced that money and the things it can buy will make them happy; yet theyre often broke because they cant control their spending. Fortunately, Ive learned some ways to cope with emotional spending. Though Im still tempted, I dont spend nearly as much as I used to because Ive developed habits that help me do the right thing, even when the right thing is difficult. How to Fight a Shopping Addiction Based on my own experience and based on conversations Ive had with others here are seven strategies you can use to fight a shopping addiction: Cut up your credit cards. If you have a problem with compulsive spending, destroy your credit cards now. Dont make excuses. Dont jot the account numbers someplace just in case. Dont rationalize that you need them to help your credit score. If credit cards fuel your emotional spending, youre better off without them. (You can always get new cards once youve learned better habits.)Carry cash only. Dont use your checkbook or a debit card. Inconvenient? Absolutely, but thats the point. If youre a compulsive spender, your goal is to break the habit. To do this, youve got to make sacrifices. Spending cash is a way to remind yourself that youre spending real money. Plastic (and to some degree checks) make this connection fuzzy.Track every penny you spend. You may not even be aware of how much youre spending. Back when I let my emotions rule my financial life, I had no idea how many books I was buying, for example. But once I started tracking every dollar that came into and went out of my life, patterns became clear. When you see your spending patterns, you can act on them.Play mind games. For some people, money isnt an emotional issue. Theyre able to make logical choices and not be tempted to otherwise. Theyre lucky. For most of us, however, it doesnt work that way. If youre in this majority, find ways to play tricks on yourself. You might train yourself to use the 30-day rule, for instance: When you see something you want, dont buy it right away; instead, note it on your calendar for 30 days in the future. If you still want it in a month, consider buying it. Ive found that I can keep myself from buying a lot of stuff by simply putting it on my Amazon wish list. I come back later and wonder why I was ever tempted!Avoid temptation. The best way to keep from spending is to avoid situations that tempt you to spend in the first place. If your weakness is books, stay out of bookstores and avoid Amazon. If you tend to overspend at big department stores, stay away from the mall. Stop going to the places where you normally spend, especially if youre under emotional stress.Remind yourself of larger goals. Ive struggled with my weight all my life. Whenever Im tempted to eat something bad, I ask myself, Will this help me or hurt me? The same question can be asked when youre about to make an impulse purchase. Will your new toy bring you closer to your goals or move you further away? (If youre not clear on your larger goals, try drafting a personal mission statement.)Ask for help. Theres no shame in asking for help if youre having trouble with your spending. Talk to a close friend or family member, and ask for support in breaking the cycle of compulsive spending. You may even want to seek professional help. But remember: If you ask for help, dont get angry when your counselors call you on your missteps. Listen to what they have to say. Each of these techniques can help curb your shopping addiction to some degree. Different techniques will appeal to different people. Theres one other strategy that Ive found to be very effective for myself: When I find myself tempted to buy something, I force myself to stop for a moment and ask myself some serious questions.

What to Do When Youre Tempted to Buy Lets say youre in the mall or at the Electronics Emporium. Theres nothing you need to buy, but youre killing time while your spouse finishes an errand. As you wait, you browse. You admire the Thneeds. Look! Theres a new one! Its bright and shiny and you think it will make you happy, so you pick it up, walk to the register to purchase it. Wait! Before you buy, think about the following questions: When will I use this? When you buy compulsively, when you spend on impulse, you tend to acquire a lot of stuff you never use. Look around your home. Do you have unopened CDs or DVDs? Unread books? Unplayed videogames? Do you have clothes that still sport their price tags? Do you have a collection of money-saving gadgets gathering dust in your closets and kitchen drawers? Before you buy something new, ask yourself when youll actually use it and be honest with yourself.Do I have another one like this already? If so, whats wrong with the old one? I use this question in a variety of situations, especially when Im tempted to buy clothes. Kim gets frustrated with my tendency to acquire new t-shirts, for example. You already have five blue t-shirts, she told me recently. Why do you need another? This is also a great question to ask when faced with the urge to upgrade. Do you really need to replace your iPhone?If I buy this, where will I put it? Its surprising how often this question prevents me from buying something new. For the past few years, Ive had limited space to store stuff. First, Kim and I were on the road in an RV with no storage. Next, we moved to a smaller house. If I force myself to think about where Ill store whatever it is that tempts me, thats often enough to make me decide not to buy it.If I buy this, can I pay cash? Would I pay cash for this? When I was in debt, I bought almost everything on credit. I figured I could pay for it later. All of my cash went to pay my credit card bills. I was dumb. Ive since realized that if something isnt worth saving for, if its not worth buying with cash, then its almost certainly not worth buying on credit.Can I buy a good-quality used version for less? I used to be a new snob. I believed that things were only worth buying if I could have them in new, pristine condition. Now I know that great deals can be had on gently used items. This is true of cars, of course, but its also true of games, electronics, clothing, and more. Make a habit of checking Craigslist first and taking a look at your local thrift store.Do I know anyone who already owns one I can borrow? I overheard a story the other day. Evan was preparing for some yardwork and making an inventory of his tools. He decided he wanted a chainsaw. He called his friend Lee to ask for advice on which one to buy. Why do you want to buy a chainsaw? Lee asked. Do you have a lot of trees to clear? Evan admitted that he did not. Then why dont you just borrow mine? Lee asked. When done respectfully, borrowing is a great alternative to buying new.Can I wait to buy this? One of the best things Ive done to fight my shopping addiction is to teach myself to wait. For the past decade, Ive used the afore-mentioned 30-day rule. When I find myself in the Electronics Emporium holding the latest game for the Nintendo Switch, I put it back and tell myself that I can buy it in 30 days if I still want it. The key is to make yourself wait to make a purchase, to not give in to your desire to buy in the moment.Why do I want to buy this? And why do I want to buy it today? Its true that many times Im inclined to buy something because it would fill a need in my life. But just as often I find myself wanting to buy things because Ive recently seen an ad. Or, worse, a friend has shown me some cool new gadget. In these cases, Im not filling an ongoing need; Im simply trying to fill a sense of lack created by comparing myself with others. If I can figure out why I have the urge to buy something, I can sometimes make the urge go away.Are there better options available? This is a great question to trick myself into taking more time. If I find myself browsing Amazon tempted to buy a compound miter saw, for example, I can sometimes talk myself out of it by realizing that I have no idea whether this compound miter saw is the best model. Instead, I go research compound miter saws (or whatever) via Consumer Reports and online review sites. I try to find the best option. Most of the time, the process gets overwhelming: There are so many compound miter saws with so many different features! I lose interest and I save myself some money.What would my partner say if I bought this? Kim isnt opposed to everything I buy, but shes often able to detect compulsive spending when I cannot. Sometimes if Im tempted buy a new toy, I try to put myself in her shoes, to view the purchase through her eyes. If, from her perspective, the purchase seems reasonable, then I consider it. But it looks foolish, I often change my mind. Ive used all of these questions to learn to control my shopping addiction. I dont ask myself all of these questions every time I shop. Each is useful in certain situations. And these questions dont stop all of my purchases. But Ive found that if I give myself honest answers, they can prevent a lot of spending. Additional Resources For more information on coping with compulsive spending and shopping addiction, explore the following web sites: Finally, consider seeking professional help. There is no shame in obtaining psychotherapy for problems that seem bigger than you. Ultimately you must look inward to overcome any form of addiction a therapist is like a trained guide who can help you find the way. The good news is you can overcome this. You can break free from emotional spending. The bad news is that it takes work. It wont happen overnight. Youll make mistakes, and youll backslide. When you do, dont give up. Dont beat yourself up because you bought a new purse or played a round of golf at the new course. Youre human. Keep focused on your long-term goal, and resolve to do better next time. [embedded content] https://www.getrichslowly.org/shopping-addiction/

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