#i wanna talk about how Price's demon is also called Price and he hates it

[deldeldel90]

 "Be serious, guys," Blaine, the de-facto leader of their quartet, told them — mainly Syrah and Griffin. Saffron was actually working. "This is for charity."

 Syrah, the de-facto goof-off, immediately spoke up. "There's no customers!" 

 "There may be customers." 

 "No customers." Syrah stuck out her tongue childishly. "C'mon, if you really want this carwash to sell, why don't you post about it on Instagram? Don't you have a million followers?"

 "That would be dishonest." Blaine then added, "plus, my father controls everything on that. I can't just — post." 

 "Your dad sucks," Griffin said around a corndog. He was promptly ignored, as that was a topic Blaine was not ready to touch on. Ever. 

 Syrah scoffed. "Hmm. Alright, Blainey." 

 ("Only I call him that!" Griffin piped up, in a tone similar to outrage. Again, he was ignored.) 

 "Okay, Pinocchio," Blaine returned snidely. 

 "Hey! I take offense to that!" Syrah gasped. "My curse and that puppet are completely different. I dunno, I think that was really rude and uncalled for." 

 "And what do those orphans think?"

 "I—" 

 "Wow, Syrah. I can't believe you want orphans to die of starvation." Saffron wrung out a soaking-wet rag into a plastic bucket. "That's horrible." 

 "Would the orphans want me to die of boredom?" 

 "And do you want me to drop dead of annoyance?" Blaine snapped. "And then you go to jail, because you killed me?" 

 "I'm pretty sure annoying people to death isn't against the law," Syrah shot back. 

 "I suppose you'd be in jail then with a life sentence," Blaine told her, tsking. "Maybe it'd be better. You wouldn't steal all the muffins at breakfast then."

 "Those muffins are free…!"

 Blaine snorted. "Free of price, maybe. Just as you are free of morals." 

 "They're delicious," Syrah defended. "Maybe if you came to breakfast earlier with me and Saff—" ("Do not call me Saff.") "Then you could've got some. They've got a big ole basket of 'em, and do you really expect me to just take one? After I'm hungover and hangry?" 

 Blaine scoffed. 

 "You're a thief," he spat. 

 "It's free food. How am I a thief if it's free food—" 

 "EVERYONE! Will everyone stop talking about death, muffins, and general crimes?" Saffron asked. Demanded. "I have a bit of a headache, guys. My brain, it's very sensitive." 

 "Can we talk about this corndog?" Griffin, who was sitting down on a garbage bin and not doing anything of worth, piped up. "The mall down the road sells them! Blainey, we could go—" 

 "Work! We have work!" 

 Of course, Syrah could not just leave it at that. "I think we should form a union." 

 "We— we literally were assigned this by the teachers? You can't form a union." Then, Blaine sneered. "Especially not alone." 

 "Saffron would join me!" 

 "I would not."

 "He wouldn't join you. He would join me. Against you and your orphan-hating agenda."

 "I wouldn't join either of you." 

 ("I wanna join!" Griffin yelled, always excited at the prospect of conflict. He was ignored. For the third time.)

 "Hmmmm. It's so crazy how you're, like, ignoring the facts of the matter. Tyrant behavior, if you ask me." 

 Blaine opened his mouth, ready to respond when —

 Suddenly, a splurt of cold, uncaring water splashed his face. And then kept spraying. For a good few seconds. 

 It couldn't have been Syrah — she, too, was screeching, high-pitched like a newborn baby or, perhaps, a shrieking demon. Whichever fit better. 

 (Which was the demon, for that matter.) 

 Nor could it have been Griffin, who was still eating that disgusting corndog and also too far away to grab a hose.

 So, all evidence considered, and the water drenching him shook off, it had to have been…

 "SAFFRON!" 

 The man in question only said mildly, "I. Have. A. Headache." 

[fu-aki]

Chapter 5

So this is going to be my attempt to summarize part 1 of the beginning part of chapter 5 (episode 1 to 21) of twisted wonderland.

Again, spoiler alert since I’m about to write out everything that happened, and I apologize for my grammar and horrible French in advance.

 You heard someone singing -> it was the scenes from snow white when the evil queen asks the mirror on the wall and snow white singing into the well  -> player choice: a beautiful women was watching from the window…/ I felt like I’ve meet that beautiful person before… -> you woke up from dream -> in the main street, you meet up with Ace and Deuce -> after seeing the statue you realized you’ve seen them in your dreams before

In classroom -> Ace felt it wasn’t weird to have dreams like that when you see those statues everyday -> you mentioned about in your dream “mickey” appeared in the mirror -> Ace and Deuce never heard of that name before -> Ace suggest to take a photo of it with the “ghost camera” you got from Crowley since it can even take pictures of ghosts

Crewel showed up and explained about “nationwide sorcerer training school culture festival” -> it’s a 2 day event with representative students from all the sorcerer training school, a festival with speeches and debates all about magic related music & art topics -> for NRC, all the 4th year students will be send all across country for internship and research study -> they will all come back on that day to share their experience and result -> end of the homeroom -> fight Crewel for the defense magic class

In the dorm leader meeting -> Malleus is not there again -> Lilia mentions how he couldn’t find Malleus anymore after class so he’s here instead -> Idia questions if Malleus is missing meetings on purpose -> Lilia talked about how fairies feels time different from humans, and how Malleus have some troublesome karma on him as well

The meeting starts -> Riddle started reporting everything about the event -> but the “vocal & dance championship” has surprising amount of media focused on it -> Riddle was surprised since he thought it was just a chorus competition -> because of the time change and consideration for different types of music, now it includes singing, dancing, and performance -> and because of how popular it got, it becomes one chance for students to professionally debut -> and now it’s getting extra notice because the famous influencer Vil and Neige are in it -> Lilia commented how Neige is getting really popular online and on TV -> Idia surprised that people in Diasomnia actually go online -> Lilia “kuhuhu, of course, we are still just students in high school, we watch dramas and play games.” -> Crowley “Vila and Neige, 2 world known famous celebrity are going to appear in VDC, it won’t be an exaggeration to call it the highest degree of attention we are going to get in this event.” -> Crowley ask Riddle to make preparation in case of troubles -> Azul offered to help since he learned all about it from magic shift event -> Leona “hey octopus bastard… do you want your flappy tongue to turn into dried food or what?” -> Azul “oh my how scary” -> Riddle refused Azul’s help since he don’t want Azul ask for something later -> Kalim “just tell us if something is bothering you, we’ll help you anytime.”

-> Kalim “I can’t wait for the day of festival~!” ->  Idia “sign~~~… the popular guys just looks so happy everyday. I had to think about the day to announce our research result… if I just step on stage, everyone would be like ‘hey isn’t his hair burning?’ ‘could he be Shroud family’s…’ ‘what kind of dark research is he doing?’ aah I can’t… for person like me to do a speech on stage is just challenge level EX.” -> Riddle mentioned how the rules said student have to go on stage themselves and offer to train Idia for speech after school -> Idia said he’ll manage something himself (whispering) “I really don’t wanna have a farming event with demonic trainer Riddle.” -> end of meeting

In Vil’s room -> Vil “Mira, Mira” -> Mira “what can I help you with?” -> Vil “who is the fairest of them all right now?” -> Mira “the account with the most mention of fair in web currently is… Neige.” -> Vil “Neige…! Finally… this time have arrived.” -> Mira “sorry, I couldn’t quite hear you. Could you please repeat what you said?”

Few days later in cafeteria -> Ace, Deuce, Grim, and you saw the poster for the VDC audition -> the reward for wining the championship is 5 million Madollar to spilt among the members -> Crowley popped up and explained many corporation sponsored this event -> Grim wanted to join for the money so he can buy tuna cans

The song for audition is “piece of my world” -> Ace wanted to try so if he got accepted he don’t need to help set up the places anymore -> Deuce wanted the reward money to help his family -> but he never did singing or dancing before so he didn’t want to join ->

In courtyard you heard someone singing beautifully -> you saw Epel ->Deuce remembered the time he bumped into Epel last chapter -> He asked Epel why is he practice singing here -> it was because Vil told Epel to practice singing to the well so Epel can hear his voice clearly -> Deuce “does Pomefiore have some rules where you have to be good at singing?” -> it was because Epel has to take the audition for VDC and practice for a more lovely voice -> Epel (whisper) “event like that should just disappear…” -> “oh my Epel, are you skipping practice and talking with pigeons now?” -> it was Vil -> Grim “that guy’s leg looks like it’s 1 meter longer than MC’s!” -> Vil “there’s only 2 month left till VDC, Epel have no times play with muddy potatoes like you people.” -> “Epel, you too, if this keep going on you won’t be able to become the ‘red poisoned apple’ let’s go.” -> Epel “…But I actully don’t!” -> Vil “did you forgot the promise with me? Just come here already.” -> Ace and Grim was pretty mad and wanted to fight -> Vil “It’s not bad for a walk after meal. Come at me, I’ll make you into mashed potato.” -> fight time -> you are beat up by Vil -> and he only gives you 5/100 for the fight since you lacked the beauty when fighting -> Epel has to go back with Vil and Vil mentioned how it ends up like this because Epel skipped practice in break

The next day -> Deuce decided to try the audition -> so if they are accepted, Epel might got eliminated and don’t need to practice anymore -> Deuce “as a honor student, I can’t just watch him being forced into the things he don’t like.” -> Ace “I don’t think it’s very honor student of you to call yourself honor student.” -> dance practice time

Kalim and Jamil showed up practice for audition too -> Kalim “honestly you guys are pretty bad at this, you look like a panicked elephant trying to stand on 2 legs! Ahhaha!” -> Deuce “man this really hurts when he’s not even try to be mean.” -> Ace asked Jamil to teach them how to dance -> Kalim “oh sure! Jamil is really good at singing.” -> Jamil “why are you replying for me! … well it is also review for me when I’m teaching someone, fine I’ll do it.” -> teaching time -> Kalim “hey, how about we practice together tomorrow too? Jamil is really good at singing, we’ll show you.” -> Jamil “! You just decided that yourself too…!” -> Kalim “it’ll be fine, besides isn’t it more fun when you have more people for dancing, singing, or partying?” -> Jamil “fine, just don’t expect me to be so kind.” -> Jamil “for now, let’s just clean up, take some mops from the storage room -> Deuce, Ace, Kalim “okay.” -> Jamil “Kalim, you don’t have to do it… sigh.”

Azul showed up -> Grim mentioned how Jamil’s evil plan was streamed worldwide last chapter.” -> Azul “why do you think the merciful me would end my classmate societal life like that?” -> Jamil “…you would.” -> that day Azul was just on phone with Jade -> Azul “different from Leona, I don’t have an interest to beat down someone more than necessary, besides it’s a secret that I’ve finally got, I won’t do anything to make the price fall like that.” -> Jamil “hate to say it, but thanks to Azul’s mercifulness, my parents and Asim family didn’t know the real reason I overblot. But the dorm students…”

Flashback -> Scarabia students questioned why Kalim don’t change the vice dorm leader after what happened

-> Kalim “are you guys worried about me? Thank you! But… he was not the only one wrong this time, I’m also at fault. Besides, is there anyone in Scarabia that have not received help from Jamil?” -> student “that, that is true… if there’s something going wrong we would always just ask him…” -> Kalim “I know right? He is an excellent vice dorm leader. A lot better than me, the dorm leader. His judgements might be clouded back then, but he is still great at his work. He did try to expel me by manipulating you guys but… up till that incident, he has never hurt me even once before. He has many chances to do other much more horrible things to me, but he didn’t. Not once, in 17 years. I won’t call him a good guy but… it’s hard to explain but would you please give us more times?” -> students “…if that’s what you said so…” -> Jamil “…”  -> end of flashback -> Jamil “the chance I had for holiday was once in a lifetime, thought my life would be over if I failed, but in the end it didn’t change that much… surely something to be ‘grateful’ for. So unless I’m fired by Kalim, I’ll continue to serve him. And I’ll continue to show everyone how useful I am.” -> Grim “Jamil… your character really changed a lot after the holiday.” -> Azul “if you are fired by Kalim, Octavinelle will always welcome people like you with open arms.” -> Jamil “thank you for the offer, but no matter what happened I would never go to Octavinelle.” -> Kalim “Hey you guys~ if we don’t head out soon we are gonna be late for class!”

3 days later -> everyone is getting better at dancing and singing -> Jamil reminded them to sign up for audition with Rook in class 3-A -> Grim saw Leona and called out to him -> Leona: angry lion noises -> Grim asked where is Rook Hunt -> Leona “why are you trying to find that weird guy.” -> Rook suddenly popped up from behind -> Rook “hahaha, did I surprised you? Pardon. Conceal my footstep sound was a habit I had. I am Rook Hunt. The hunter of love that set his life theme as looking for beauty, helping beauty.” -> Leona “tsk, there it is, that weird guy.” -> Rook asked where is monsieur dandelion -> Leona “no way we are together 24/7, just take those herbivores and go.” -> Deuce questioned who is monsieur dandelion -> it was Ruggie -> the reason why Rook calls him that is because last spring, Rook saw Ruggie picking dandelion in the sports field. Ruggie plans to eat those since his budget is a little tight this month -> so Rook calls him monsieur dandelion out of respect -> Leona “that guy… is he really fine with eating everything that’s not rotten? He didn’t make me eat dandelions too, right…?” -> Rook “non non, it’s not poison, it’s not good to be picky like that lord lion.” -> Ace brought up the audition for VDC, we almost forgot about that because of what happened -> Rook “I apologize, so you guys are, human species Ace Trappola, height 172cm, from class 1-A with student number 25. Human species Deuce Spade, height 173cm, from the same class 1-A with student number 24. And human species MC with demon beast species Grim, height 70cm. right?”

-> Deuce “how did you know our class and student number!?” -> Ace “and even height too!?” -> Rook “huhuhu. As a hunter, I have to at least know the species and heights about the students.” -> there’s no need to write anything to sign up, you only need to show up to the audition 3 days later in Pomefiore’s ballroom -> Rook ask why don’t Leona try for the auditions too -> Leona “who would go to a game event like that, besides, that annoying Vil is also there. I would never go.” -> Rook “the Vil with the beauty of metropolis, and Leona kun with the beauty of wilderness. If both of you dances and sings together it would definitely be beautiful. The competition between different types of beauty, it’s just tres bien!” -> Leona “this guy really doesn’t listen to other people at all…”

3 days later -> in Pomrfiore dorm lounge, you saw around 50 students who’s also trying for audition -> Cater was also one of it -> since he wanted to go to the event with the famous celebrity Vil -> Ace “isn’t that reason a little too light hearted?” -> Cater “really? I thought everyone is like that, I mean look.”

-> pointed at Ruggie who’s clearly here for money -> Lilia popped up again -> you recognized him as the person who handed you the holiday card -> Grim “he wasn’t the sender?” -> Lilia “the initials are different from mine right?” -> Lilia is here since he’s in light music club and it just makes sense for him to try -> he tried to invite Malleus too but he said he don’t want it to become the exhibition of some kind so he refused -> Lilia “that guy is kind of shy” -> Cater “I feels like that’s a little bit different from shy…” -> Lilia asked why didn’t Cater brought Trey along -> Cater tried but Trey has to help Riddle with all the works

they saw Ortho by himself for audition too and was surprised -> Ace commented on how Ortho looks like an elementary school student -> Cater said Ortho is accepted into this school with Idia, and they always take classes together -> Grim “how much of a brothercon is Idia…” ->Ortho “don’t talk bad on my brother!” -> Ortho explained how everything was approved by the principals, and is not like Idia brought him just because he’s lonely by himself -> Cater “sorry sorry, we kinda got to excited while talking about it since the Shroud brother is like the 7 mysteries of this school.” -> Ortho “I want to apologize for getting too upset as well, I just don’t want you to misunderstand my brother…” -> Cater asked if Ortho is also here for audition -> flashback -> basically Idia made a software with his voice to read out everything he typed -> for the speech since he just can’t talk in front of everyone -> but Idia also got pretty interested in the sound editing world -> Idia “since virtual idol is getting popular, should I put vocal synthesizer in Ortho too?” -> Ortho “sounds fun! I wanted to sing too.” ->Idia “alright~ let big brother handle everything.” -> so to test how far the vocal synthesizer can go, Ortho is here to take the audition -> Ace was surprised that they can just make singing sounds from programs -> Cater said those got quite popular and he likes it too, and wanted to show Grim a video of it -> there was an ad

Neige is promoting in the ad -> Cater mentioned how popular he is getting -> Vil, Rook, and Epel kicked in with sparkling effects -> Vil started introducing himself and explains how he will be the producer for the members appears in VDC

Auditions starts -> Ruggie sung and danced

-> Rook “monsieur dandelion. Such a light step and bright smile. With manliness and loveliness combined perfectly. Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “his way of moving isn’t bad, but his dancing and singing is still messy… next!”

Cater -> Rook “monsieur magcam. Your voice sounds just like the elegant sparkling diamond! I wanted to listen to it forever. Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “singing and dancing wasn’t bad, but I can’t feel any passions… next!”

Lilia -> Rook “monsieur curiosity. Such a lovely form and singing voice with an alluring aura… Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “I don’t know why… but I can’t feel any freshness of a high school student from Lilia. Next!”

Ortho -> Rook “monsieur doll. What a brand-new style…! Your robot dance and singing voice, will be sculpted into my eyes. Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “no matter how genre-less this event is, there’s a limit… next!”

Kalim -> Rook “lord gold! Your dance were just like the breeze that blow through the hot sand! And the singing that make me felt like flying. Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “hmm, it’s a little bit better than the vegetables that’s just rolling around.”

Jamil -> Rook “monsieur mulch. As expected… I can feel your buring soul underneath your cool mask! Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “not bad, he’s the most normal one out of all of them.”

Epel -> Rook “monsieur crabapple. So lovely! Beaute! 100 points!” -> Vil “that kid, misstep again, no matter how good was his rehearse, it would be meaningless if he can’t do good in the real deal. Also, Rook. aren’t you giving out nothing but 100 points? Are you judging seriously?” -> Rook “of course, but it’s so hard to pick a first when everyone are so wonderful. There’s beauty in the neatness, and there’s also beauty in the twisted. Don’t you think so?” -> last group -> Ace, Deuce, and Grim -> Rook “…I see I see.” -> end of the audition -> result will come out tomorrow -> Rook recommend the trio to Vil

Next day, Ace, Deuce, Grim just got off from class -> suddenly an arrow flies across barely missed Deuce’s nose -> Ace realized there’s a piece of paper on the arrow -> Deuce “what!? Is it a challenge to fight!?” -> Ace “stop connect everything to a fight, let me see…” -> both Ace and Deuce are accepted -> you are also asked to go with those two

You all headed towards Pomefiore -> you saw both Kalim and Jamil -> they are accepted as well -> but after going in Pomefiore, students keep showing up asking for fight -> finally you arrived to the ballroom

-> Vil showed up with sparkling effects again -> apparently the students are fighting with you because you are accepted members, it was a warm up Vil prepared for all of you so he can start the lesson right away -> Vil “listen up, start from now on we would be the representation for NRC, and aim for the first place in the VDC. The members that can’t even win a fight like that is not needed. The battle has already started and all of you should be prepared to be whipped to shape!” -> Kalim “I don’t really understand but okay!” -> Grim asks why are him and you here when you are not accepted -> Crowley showed up and explained, in order to practice for the team work, all of the members will live together in Ramshakle dorm -> Grim wanted to refuse -> but Vil and Rook said they will give you all of their reward money since their goal in this event is not money -> which is around 1.42 million -> you decided to accept the deal after all ->Vil “now let’s start the lesson!” -> Ace “I thought the lesson starts when we starts living together?” -> Vil “don’t get a big head, new potato number 1. You are still an amateur at singing and dancing, we can’t waste a single minute.” -> practice time.

 End of this update.

Oh man it tooks me a whole entire day to do this… and to think this is just like part a of part1. The chapters are getting so much longer…

I Honestly felt like I missed up half of Rook’s nicknames since I don’t know French at all, basically got everything from google so please correct me if I’m wrong.

Also, Rook’s nickname for Epel is kinda weird, he call Epel hime ringo which directly translate to princess apple, but it is also a type of apple. In English it’s called crabapple, which kind of feels different then the Japanese text.

Can I just say I love the fact that we can fight Crewel now? And I just love how he call us zasshu while fighting, it probably referenced to like mixed blood dogs and all but it only reminds me of Gilgamesh lol.

Ahhh I really want Crewel to slap me.

[kindahoping4forever]

Yes, Sir // Ashton Irwin

This is definitely the fastest turnaround I’ve ever had for a piece of writing 🤡. Yesterday @spicycal​ sent me a TikTok of Ashton reacting to being called “sir” and as you can imagine, the inspo machine started turning for a lot of us. Pretty quickly, I jokingly pitched a premise to @pxrxmoore @cashtonasfuck and @feliznavidaddycal that served as a sequel to the fic I had just posted, You Were Digging Plants, I Dug You. The more I thought about it though, the more I liked the idea so I ran with it and here we are. Thank you to @cal-puddies for as always, reassuring me I was on the right track and to the anons who excitedly messaged me in anticipation for it. (And to @rebelwith0utacause for implying my writing was worth losing sleep over.)

Warnings: Boyfriend!Ash, Gardening!Ash, Home Repair!Ash, Dom!Ash (we love a multi-faceted man), references to bondage and cumplay, brief degrading language, sex in a public place, unprotected sex in an established relationship

Word Count: 3750

Masterlist // Taglist // Ko-Fi

Let  me  know  what  you  think!

————-

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were proud of what you’ve done,” Ashton accuses you with a smirk.

You drop your jaw in mock offense. “What I’ve done?! Ohhhhh, that’s right, that was my other boyfriend’s dick I was bouncing on that day. I’m sorry, baby, you’re correct. This was entirely my fault,” you offer with pouted lips, opening your arms for a cuddle.

“You were a woman possessed and your frenzied demon sex destroyed my relaxation zone,” he teases, pulling you in to first bite and then kiss your pout.

It had been a week since your spontaneous romp had ended in the untimely demise of Ash’s beloved hammock. He hadn’t let you hear the end of it since it happened and now the two of you were finally back outside, assessing the damage.

“I think I have a fabric patch kit in the garage but the framing is definitely fucked,” he mutters, picking over the pieces. “Gonna need new hooks… new spreader bar…”

“Been talking about getting one of those anyways,” you joke with a twinkle in your eye.

He gives you a look and shakes his head. “Jesus, already with you?”

You giggle and raise your arms in surrender. “I’m sorry, Ash, I honestly hate that I’m that girl but the manly man ‘lemme get my tools out and work with my hands’ act just does things for me.”

“Are you sure you want to go with me to get the supplies or are you gonna spontaneously combust right when we walk in the hardware store?” He teases, standing behind you and snaking his arms around your waist. “And you’re not that girl, you’re my girl.”

“Nice save,” you comment dryly and wiggle away from him; he chuckles warmly and you both walk back to the house.

While you’re getting ready to go, Ashton gets caught up taking notes on the hammock repair videos he’s found on YouTube so you end up heading out later than either of you intended. The home improvement store isn’t far but it’s LA so there’s still traffic and the car ride has a slightly tense air because of it.

You can tell how irritated he is by the way he’s relentlessly drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as you sit in the standstill traffic. You reach out and take his hand, both to calm him and to stop the noise. He looks at you appreciatively and gestures at the line of cars in front of him with his other hand. “40 minutes to go five fuckin’ miles,” he grumbles. “There’s no way this is getting done today, the sun’s gonna be goin’ down before we even leave the goddamn store.”

You kiss the back of his hand that’s tightly squeezing yours. “I told you, I’ll help you with everything tomorrow,” you remind him reassuringly. “It’s not a big deal, just relax, baby.”

“You know what would help me relax?” He turns to you with a smirk. “If I could go home and lay in a fuckin’ hammock.”

You finally arrive at your destination and enter the store. After his YouTube deep dive, Ash decided he should install wooden posts to hang the hammock on since your sexcapade uprooted the metal stand’s legs straight out of the ground. He heads over to visit the lumber department and you decide to browse through the garden center, thinking that if you pick out some new seeds for him, it might put a smile on his face.

Ash returns to you less than 10 minutes later, looking more agitated than ever. You raise your eyebrows to him as a silent question and he huffs, “They just happened to have sold out of what I need. Gotta order it, won’t be here until next week.”

You give him a sympathetic frown and rub his back. “I’m sorry I broke your oasis center or whatever you called it earlier,” you say, trying to lighten the mood.

He cracks a smile and starts browsing the seed packs in front of you. “I called it my relaxation zone and I’m sure I’ll forgive you someday.”

You two linger in the garden section, pointing out vegetables that could be helpful to have on hand and having a mild disagreement over which flowers would look best growing next to his sunflowers. 

“My phone is dying and I need it for my shopping list, baby, can you Google and see if we can plant marigolds right now?” He asks, turning a packet of seeds over in his hands.

You pull your phone out of your back pocket, happy to see that he’s calmed down and is interested in making the most of this trip. You chirp emphatically, “Yes, sir.”

Ashton hears your response and lets out a sharp, raspy exhale that you’ve never quite heard before and he immediately tries to disguise it as a cough. You glance over at him curiously but he appears to be intensely examining the package he’s holding so you move on.

“Depends on what type but these ones you can plant through the summer, so we’re good,” you inform him, pointing to the seeds he’s holding.

“Cool,” he breezes and tosses them into your shopping cart. “What about... basil?”

“Yes, sir,” you say again, fingers adeptly typing. You hear a similar noise come from him, though he deals with it much better this second time. You’re sure this wasn’t coincidental this time and you peer at him over your phone to see his jaw clenching in a way you’re very familiar with. Interesting.

“I’m just seeing ‘warm weather’... maybe just get one pack to try?” You suggest, eyeing him, trying to figure out if what you suspect is going on is really going on.

He shrugs, “Couldn’t hurt.” He flings the packet into the cart and moves down the aisle.

Ashton tosses out a few more things for you to look up and while you’re happy to help, you’re also glad for the opportunity to test the theory you now have. You vary your affirmations to him and as you suspect, “Yes, sir” is the only one that seems to get a reaction out of him.

The garden center is located outside and the afternoon sun is just starting to hit the area you’re shopping in. You notice Ash has begun to sweat and if you weren’t in a mood before, you absolutely are now, so you decide to rile him a bit more.  

“That sun is brutal!” You start, dramatically fanning yourself. “You’re lookin’ a little warm too, handsome… unless there’s another reason why you’d be sweating.”

He looks at you incredulously and you stare back innocently, eyes wide and shining; he stares you down as he briskly takes off his black button down shirt, leaving him in a white tank. 

“Are you good or does the sight of any bare flesh in the presence of gardening paraphernalia have you needing to excuse yourself?” He fires back, whipping his shirt into the basket pointedly, glare challenging you to push your luck.

You smile sweetly and answer, “Oh, I’m feeling just fine. But thank you… sir.”

Mischievous grin on your face, you start to make your way to the end of the aisle, scooting your body between him and the shopping cart. Sure, you could’ve gone around the other side but that wouldn’t have given you the opportunity to graze your ass against his crotch to confirm - yep - he’s losing the battle he’s fighting with his cock and he is definitely harder than he wants to be right now.

As you pass by, his large hand grabs your wrist and wraps around it tightly. “Watch it,” is all he says but the low tone he uses mixed with the feeling of his hot breath on your neck has your head spinning.

You lay off your teasing for a while but if you’re being honest, you both seem to enjoy the charged air lingering between the two of you now. Ashton grabs your waist to move you out of his way so that he can look at a display and his fingers dig into your skin just a little too hard, causing you to gasp sharply. You stop to read a tag on the bottom shelf and just happen to catch his gaze as you lick your lips, on your knees in front of him; you hear him curse under his breath as he turns away, adjusting himself.

The cat and mouse game continues and judging by the hiss you get out of him the third time you “accidentally” bump his crotch, you’ve pushed it as far as you can; you know you’re probably in for a long night when you get home but maybe that’s what he needs to take his mind off of how frustrated he is with this project. Or at least that’s what you tell yourself. It’s also quite fun.

You leave the garden section, cart full of various treasures, and start to head for the checkout. “Wait, baby,” Ashton calls out and you stop. “I wanna get a couple of the things I need for the hammock so when I come back for the wood I can just pop in and out of here.” 

He directs you to an area towards the back of the store; you follow him and wheel the cart down an aisle that’s filled with boxes of metal hooks and chains. He sees your eyes taking in the aisle and he makes a face at you. “Whatever obnoxiously horny crack you’re about to make, just do it now so you can help me look for what I need,” he says in faux exasperation, making a “come on” gesture with his hand.

You laugh genuinely, “I don’t have anything to say!” You walk down the aisle and peer into a few of the boxes on the shelves. “I do wonder if we might get a better price on some of these things at one of the other types of stores we frequent,” you say under your breath.

He ignores your remark and starts consulting the notes on his phone. He scans the selection of items and finds the types of hooks he needs, throwing them into your basket. He furrows his brow, unable to find the next thing on his list. 

“What are you looking for, babe? Let me help,” you ask, eager to speed things up.

“We need this,” He states, standing next to you to show you a picture of chains on his phone. 

You examine the photo and quip suggestively, “Yeah we do.”

He lands a light swat on your ass and you squeak. “Your jokes are gonna seem a lot less funny if you keep it up,” he warns quietly in your ear.

You look around and see that this section of the store is more or less deserted. Feeling emboldened by this discovery, you reach to palm him over his jeans. “Yes, sir,” you nonchalantly reply.

The words have barely left your mouth and his hand is already back around your wrist and dragging you to follow him down the aisle. Your logical mind says you should protest that his shirt, your sweater and all your intended purchases are being left in the cart unattended but the decidedly less rational section of your brain, the part that just told you to grab your boyfriend’s dick in the middle of a home improvement store, kind of wants to see where this goes.

You get your answer seconds later when he pulls you into a bathroom tucked away next to the employee break room; it’s small, only a couple of sinks and stalls, and looks infrequently used. Which is probably for the best because Ash does not appear to have any interest in taking you into a stall, at least not just yet.

He presses you up against the door, kissing you deeply with a bruising intensity. He pulls away and you gasp. “You’ve been acting up all day, sweetheart, you can’t be surprised we’ve ended up here.” His hand, large enough to reach across your entire face, grips your chin and turns you to look at him. “Is this what you’ve been aiming for, is this what you hoped would happen?”

His tone is harsh and his words threatening but his eyes glimmer with mischief, desire and excitement. You’re sure the look in your eyes matches his when you unflinchingly answer with a confident, “Yes. Sir.”

He smiles widely and leans in, kissing, nipping and sucking harshly at your neck. You groan against him, involuntarily, and then quickly wonder how thin this bathroom’s walls are and you start trying to recall if you saw anybody in the break room next door.

Ashton pulls back to admire his work on your neck and sees your concerned expression. His face softens for a minute and he asks you, “You remember your word, baby?”

You flash him a brief tender smile, appreciating how attentive he is, that he would pick up on even your briefest moment of apprehension. You nod enthusiastically and then your smile turns devilish as you think to once again answer, “Yes, sir.”

He hooks his fingers in your waistband and yanks you from the door, spinning you around and then pressing your chest into it. You hold your breath and brace yourself for the spank you’re certain is coming but it never does. You’re not sure if you’re disappointed but the way your core is throbbing hints that you probably are.

Instead of smacking your ass, Ash is rutting up against it, breath heavy against your neck, giving you goosebumps. “Feel this, baby? You knew what you were doing out there, you just couldn’t help yourself, could you? Gave you my cock this morning and you’re still begging for it, aren’t you?”

You bite your lip and wiggle against him, enjoying the feeling of his hard bulge pressing into you. “Yes, sir.”

Before you even realize he’s pulled away, that hard smack you’d been waiting for comes down on your ass and you cry out in surprise.

"That’s for being smart.” He presses his body roughly up against yours again and shoves his hand down your shorts, dragging his fingers through your folds, humming at the wetness he discovers there. “We’re on a fuckin’ shopping trip and you’re this wet for me? Even more desperate than I thought… and believe me, you were already very desperate in my mind.”

Ashton yanks his hand out of your shorts and pulls you away from the door, unceremoniously pushing you towards the sink counter. “Off,” he commands, gesturing to your bottoms. There’s not a lock on the bathroom door so he drags the metal trash can in front of the door, wedging it somewhat under the handle. “We already know you clearly can’t keep quiet, can’t have anyone barging in here to see who’s demeaning themself in the bathroom,” he taunts. “That’s only for me to see.”

You and Ash used to play like this all the time when you first got together but lately you’d gotten so caught up in your bubble of domestic bliss, it had fallen by the wayside. Things weren’t boring or unadventurous by any means but it’d been a minute since your last risky public romp or use of any degradation. Combining the two, plus the thrill of jumping back in after so long? Heavenly.

You hop up on the counter in your panties, shedding your tank top and spreading your legs, inviting him closer. “Yes, sir,” you tease with a sultry smile. “I’m your slut, no one else’s.”

He walks over and settles between your legs, kissing you hungrily as he unzips his pants and takes his cock out. “That’s right,” he growls. “Love hearing you say that… In fact, think I want you to see that too.” 

He grabs you down off your perch and spins you to face the mirror lining the sink, your hands fly out to brace yourself as he presses you up against the counter, kicking your legs apart. He makes quick work of tugging your panties down your legs and then reaching over to jerk the cups of your bra down. You watch your reflection as he exposes more of your body to himself and now to you; you don’t even process your nakedness, your only thought is of how blown your pupils look.

Ashton lines himself up and pushes his cock inside you and begins thrusting roughly. You were undoubtedly turned on but the stretch is still a lot and you find yourself gasping and white-knuckling the counter at the sensation. 

He sees your eyes start to close and he yanks your hair to get your attention. “I said I want you to see what a slut you are,” he breathes, already struggling to control himself. “Want you to see what I see, want you to see what everyone is gonna see if that door stop doesn’t hold up and someone comes in here and finds me giving you what you’ve been needing so badly.”

You whimper quietly at his words, at the thought of being caught. “Yes, sir… I love seeing how I look with your cock inside me…” You pant, “I already look so fucked out and we’ve barely started… I just wanted it so much.”

He slaps your ass again and the already loud smack sounds even louder given your setting. “We’re only at this fucking store today because we had to solve a problem created by your greedy little pussy and now that we’re here? You can’t even act right for a couple hours, got me hard looking at fucking flowers, now I’m having to bend you over in a fucking bathroom? How embarrassing,” he rasps at you through gritted teeth.

You love when he’s like this, you feel like you could almost cum from his words alone; you know it’s risking setting him off but you reach down and start rubbing your clit, you can’t help it. Ash immediately notices and laughs darkly. “Aww, baby, that time already? Go ahead and make yourself cum, sugar, the faster that needy pussy gets satisfied, the faster I can get on with my fucking day… until you’re back to begging me for it when we get home, of course.”

You’re aggressively meeting his thrusts now, throwing yourself back on him with pleasure being your only concern. You’d love to respond to his teasing with some sass of your own, rile him up some more but he’s hitting inside you just right and the only thing you can think to do is moan.

Seconds after you let out a particularly long moan, you notice voices can faintly be heard on the other side of the door, a pair of employees walking through the hallway. You catch Ashton’s gaze in the mirror and you can see the question in his eyes, letting you decide if you want to stop; you surprise yourself with how little you care and you stare at his reflection as you bounce yourself against him and rub your clit faster.

An amused smile paints his face and he whispers, “Starting to think you might want everyone to know what a slut you are for me. Is that what you want, baby?” His fingers dig into your skin as he drives his hips relentlessly into yours.

To keep from crying out, you bite your lip hard enough you’re almost sure you’re breaking the skin. You manage to gasp out, “Yes, sir,” before your orgasm completely takes your breath away.

The combination of you cumming around him and your breathless use of that phrase finally does Ash in and he thrusts into you only a few more times before his cock starts pumping you full of cum. Those voices outside the door are still somewhat present and you watch his reflection as he tries not to make a sound, fascinated by the way his jaw almost seems to be clenching in time with the pulsing of your pussy.

You both stand at the sink, catching your breath for a good minute, reality slowly starting to fade back in. You close your eyes and open them again, giggling once your mind finally starts to process the sight of yourself tits out, bottomless and bent over a bathroom sink in a hardware store.

Ashton smiles at the sound of your laughter and pulls out of you, hurriedly reaching for a handful of paper towels to help you clean up before things get too messy.

You accept his help and wryly ask, “You’re not gonna do the whole ‘no, put your panties back on, want you to feel my cum dripping out of you until we get home’ thing?”

He looks at you with amusement in his eyes and replies, “Gross, babe, we still have to go through checkout and everything. Jesus.”

You snort and pull him into you, kissing him sweetly before you both start the process of making yourselves and the bathroom look like nothing happened. 

You manage to exit both the bathroom and the store without anyone catching on; you notice he’s in a much lighter mood and much more affectionate and touchy than he was earlier. You like it.

There’s traffic on the drive home but it doesn’t seem to bother either one of you; you’re excitedly chatting about the purchases you made and trying to decide what to order for dinner.

There’s a lull in the conversation and you can’t fight the urge to comment, “So… you definitely can’t tease me anymore for getting turned on by home improvement because I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna be able to visit that store without getting just a little bit hard now.”

The giggle Ash lets out fills the car and it’s the best sound you’ve heard all day. “I think whatever sex demon possessed you last week got to me,” he shakes his head in disbelief. “I literally had to stop myself from eating my cum out of you. That’s how far gone I was.”

You playfully jab his side. “I can’t even get you to do that at home and you’re trying to do it in a public bathroom? And we call me the slut in this relationship.”

He laughs again and squeezes your thigh affectionately. “Well… we have fun, don’t we?”

You place your hand on top of his, turn to him and grin. “Yes, sir.”

—-

My tag list is breaking my posts atm so apologies if you get tagged more than once/don’t get tagged at all while I figure out what the problem is!

—-

@mymindwide @suchalonelysunflower  @loveroflrh @ghostofmashton @sexgodashton @ashtonangst  @castaway-cashton @boomerash  @megz1985 @ashdork-irwin @angelicfluffs @findingliam-o @abadaftertaste  @myloverboyash @youngbloodchild @irwinsbetch @ashsun @everyscarisahealingplace @wiildflower-xxx  @metalandboybands @another-lonely-heart @realisticnotes @makeamovehemmings @ashtondaddy90 @golden166 @burstintocolor @mfartzzz @babyoria @saphseoul @petunias-pet @youngblood199456 @notinthesameway- @seanna313 @calumftduke @zhangyixingxing1 @stardust-galaxies @Redeserts @zackoid @queenalienscherrypie @xsongxbirdx @justhereforcalum @laura66sos @calumrose @karajaynetoday @valdanvers @Obey-Kaylin 

Click here if you’d like to be tagged for future fics and click here if your name is on my list but crossed out (Tumblr won’t let me @ you)

[mrpenguinpants]

Oh! Sorry for the late reply, but it’s not canon lore, haha. Part of me hopes it kinda was just to give Keqing a bit more introspection but alas, Mihoyo has tens of different characters to make so it’s understandable. I thought of it as a modern au type of thing where Keqing ends up moving in a apartment complex only to be greeted with men she has to babysit as the price JHDJSHDJSJ– It’s a fun little idea, and at first, she hates them all but eventually, walking outside of her place for a free meal becomes an escape of sorts. Ningguang, her dreaded co-worker, makes sure she doesn’t hear the end of it and is like “Please, you’re almost 27 nowz. Get yourself a man already, you have quite the options.”

Also, congrats on getting Xiao! I haven’t gotten him yet but at the end of his banner, I think I can make around 20 rolls so here’s hoping he’ll come with those!

No worries at all, I take FOREVER to reply to anyone. Plus this week was midterms so I’m still recovering from that if you’re wondering why I’ve been so silent. Ahh I see, I still need to read Keqing’s lore but until then 👀 I am fully invested in this. We’ll make a 180k word slow burn fic together. Honestly, I really want to write some Chongyun, Xingqiu, Xinyan, and Xiao interactions. My brainworm mind wants Xingqiu to be the biggest little shit and tells Chongyun that there’s a demon that needs to be exorcised at Wangshu inn. Turns out it’s Xiao but Chongyun being the trusting friend that he is, doesn’t believe Xingqiu would lie to me and fully believes Xiao is a demon. Xiao doesn’t know how to socialize and he doesn’t know how to handle interactions so it’s this entire goose chase. Xinyan comes along because she’s always wanted to see a demon. I can imagine her yelling “DEMON! COME OUT YOU COWARD!” while Xiao is gripping onto the roof beam above them for dear life so he doesn’t get found out. 

Ahh, I get that mihoyo wants to bust out new content but it also makes me sad that it will probably be awhile before we get Part 2 to anything. But oh well, I guess we can always make stuff up for part 2′s before Mihoyo proceeds to shred them apart haha. I love modern au, where everything is fine and happy and no one dies. Especially now since we’re all in self-isolation. It’s not much but being able to write is actually kinda therapeutic. Speaking of which, it’s valentines day today. I almost forgot because well, I’m asexual so no relationships for me, so I kinda forgot feb 14 had any importance haha. But hopefully you all that have partners stay safe if you plan on spending today together and for us single folk, hang out with friends^^ I’m having a movie/game night with everyone and I’m pretty excited. 

---

But getting back on track. I love roommate schneegans. When I first read this with my sleep deprived brain, I thought you meant that she had to live with the same people she had to babysit when they were children. That’d be so awkward but funny haha. I can imagine Childe being such a wholesome kid like Teucer that when Keqing meets him again when he’s an adult she’s so sad. You were such a cute kid, where did things go wrong? This also applies to Diluc (RIP DILUC MAN) and Kaeya. 

Diluc is so socially constipated that he acts rude af because he doesn’t know how to socialize. Reminds me of the type of guy that is thinking of cute puppies but as the scariest resting bitch face. The amount of emotional range he has makes Keqing wonder if he’s secretly planning on burning the apartment complex down to the ground or if he’s slept in the past week. He hasn’t. Man is crumbling so he’s gonna make the world crumble down with him in his woe is me bullshit (jk I love you Diluc). Keqing makes the customary “Hi, nice to meet you. I’m your new neighbor” but Diluc is actually running on fumes (he’s filter feeding at his point) that he looks so scary that Keqing almost runs away. Then the next day she sees him exit his home and he cleaned up so well that Keqing doesn’t recognize him. Assumed that Diluc lived with a brother that was in dire help. So she always offers him weird pick me up items and Diluc doesn’t know how to handle gifts so he just accepts them. He doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about since he lives alone but he assumes she’s some random cat lady. 

Kaeya is such an ass. Like actually awful. Was the kind of guy to pull the fire alarm just to get out of class for the day. Probably does it in the apartment just to mess with Diluc, which inheritably messes with Keqing very fragile beauty sleep, but he always manages to escape with a slap on the wrist. Keqing has lost so much faith in the justice system after that. He seemed like such a nice guy, well in comparison to her first meetings with Diluc, until he found out she had a fear of frogs and proceeded to mail her a package of them. She’s been haunted by nightmares of waking up to one on her face and she’s wondering if she can get away with setting his home on fire and getting away the same way he does from pulling the fire alarm. It seems like poetic irony but as soon as she thinks this Kaeya is messaging her “don’t do it”. She doesn’t know how he got her phone number and she’s not going to find out. 

Zhongli was the guy she went to highschool with where she had the fattest crush on. He still looks the exact same just taller and she can feel her inner agony seeping up when she spots him. Then proceeds to internally wail when they both enter the elevator and they live on the same floor. She’s internally begging and pleading that Zhongli doesn’t recognize her, but of fucking course he does and he remembers every little detail. The most deadpan face as he asks her if she still has the zhongli pin that some crazy club made for the student council they were both apart of. What pisses her off the most is that he’s actually genuinely curious and isn’t trying to make a stab at her. She hates him with every fiber of her being. 

Childe seemed like such a cute kid (I fully believe he’s younger than Keqing, you cannot take this away from my cold dead heads) and he mentioned how he was moving away from his family but he misses his cute little sisters and brothers. Keqing felt so much wholesome love in her body until Childe mistaken her as being younger than him and messed up her hair. She almost screamed bloody murder but made the quick correction that she was in fact, much older than him. Which was the wrong fucking move because he became the biggest little shit. Kept calling her old with weak bones, “when are you going to fossilize?” that she’s sure if there wasn’t a law against second degree murder, she would do it right then and there. 

---

I totally went off on a tangent right there haha. But yeah, I can imagine them all going to each other places for free meals and it’s actually some wholesome stuff. Kaeya and Diluc relive their childhood brother antics, Childe comes from a big family so he doesn’t get sad when he eats alone, Keqing gets to take a break and turn her brain off from work, and Zhongli is just happy to spend time with others after being in self-isolation and losing his wife (Jesus, reading this back I am so sorry Guizhong and Zhongli. This got so depressing holy shit). 

“Please, you’re almost 27 nowz. Get yourself a man already, you have quite the options.” LOL I LOVE THAT SENTENCE HAHA. But ty^^ I’m so glad he came home with diluc. I BELIEVE IN YOU!! YOU’RE GONNA GET HIM. BRING YOUR MAN HOME!! I kinda wanna write some roommate hcs in my brainworm style. I’m going to go write that. Hang on. I’ll be back. 

---

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Love from me 💕💕💕 

[rosepetals-flyingbirds]

These Monsters.

With: Geralt x Reader.

Word Count: 2,436

Another town, another search for a monster so Geralt could gain some coin.

Roach walked slowly and Geralt gazed at the new town, it was dirty and smelled weird. Common.

Sometimes he wonders about Jaskier's questioning of retirement. Geralt chuckled at the thought, where could he possibly live after retirement?

"Oh shit! You bloody bitch!" A man yelled and Geralt searched for the disturbance. "Stop meddling."

"I ain't! I'm asking politely and with coin for the dog!"

"Stop caring so much. You and your damn dogs!"

Geralt got off Roach and walked close to the scene. "Don't curse them! Their lives matter more than yours." You yelled.

The man held your forearm. "Oh you-"

Geralt approached and the man looked up at him, he wasn't short, but Geralt was gigantic. "Do we have a problem?"

The man looked at him up and down. "Don't meddle, Witcher." He spat on the floor and Geralt looked at you.

You knew he wanted an answer so you chuckled. "This man refuges to sell me his dog, even though he is a monster that is selling him for terrible people who will kill him for rituals."

"Rituals my ass. There are using them for magic."

Geralt glanced at the man and then noticed the dog that was being held by a firm rope. "Selling?"

You nodded. "Yes."

"Why won't you sell for her then. Its the same price?"

The man rolled his eyes, not believing the annoying you and a Witcher was bothering him. "Its! But this is about my pride."

You laughed in mockery making the man angrier. "What pride? Your assassin!"

Geralt looked at you with gleam with his eyes, you were short, probably couldn't handle a sword for your life if needed, but there you stood causing chaos to save an animal. Then he looked at the man again and extended his hand to grab the dog's rope. "Give her the dog, it'll be for the best."

The man looked at the Witcher's hand and looked offended. "Don't touch my dog!"

You intertwined quickly making Geralt smirk at your ferocity. "Is not yours! You're selling him to slaughter!"

Geralt looked at the man again and gave him a look of knowing. "Give it to the girl, now."

He looked at you, the scared dog, the Witcher and rolled his eyes he took the coins from your hand and marched to the opposite way mumbling some curses.  

You kneeled on the floor and caressed the baby's head. "Hello girl, we will go home okay?! You will be treated with respect."

Geralt could walk away, he should have, but his feet were glued to the spot. Why did you care for such a small creature? 

Fighting with dumb people to save them.

Realizing the broadening figure that still stood near you, you stood up and held the damned rope. "Thank you, for helping me. Honestly, that asshole wouldn't give in and I was desperate."

He hummed and a small smile broke his lips. "You? Desperate?"

"Yeah, because if I stole him then they would kill me, probably anyway. I have stolen others before and... if I die all of this will be hopeless."

"Why do you care so much?"

"They are alive beings, man's best friend! And they betray them and its disgusting!" You saw the pretty horse in a few steps away and by the black bag that was propped by the horse's side, you connected it to the man with white hair and striking eyes. "Is she yours?"

Looking at Roach he nodded. "How did you know?"

"Well, for one she is well treated, that gives away a lot, and I've never seen you before."

"I'm a Witcher, I'm searching for a job."

"You kill monsters." You thought out loud. He nodded and you looked at the curious people that were going outside their houses just to look at him. "If I had enough coin I would give you to kill these monsters." Geralt knew you meant the people and he found that amusing. "Well, I will go now. Thank you for helping me and if you ever need help or a cup of tea, or ale," You chuckled. "I live deep in the woods, you'll probably hear the dogs if you approach."

Smirking at you, Geralt saw you walking away.

                           …

Nearing your house you held the baby in your arms and opened the door carefully, you allowed your other dogs, or as you call them, children, to smell the new baby and you went to cook something for them.

As you prepared the food your attention went to the Witcher you met in town, how he helped you made you smile. 

Yes, he was very very, painfully so, handsome; But the fact that he helped you when everyone else called you crazy was amazing to you. And how his horse was so well treated made you smile believing he cares for the animals too.

You placed the dogs' food in the table waiting for it to cool off and took the new baby to wash her. "Hello you, you have been through some rough time uh?!" She shaked with the water and you tried to go as quickly as you could so you could dry her up.

In the end, you rubbed a towel in her fur and went back to the kitchen placing the food on the floor and watched the nine rescued dogs eating.

                           …

Geralt found a job, a ghoul. It was stealing dead bodies at the local cemetery, and of course everyone was afraid of the 'demon that is destroying our ancestors' as the blacksmith said.

It wasn't easy, and at the end of the fight, he was embraced in ghoul's gut and a wound in his thigh.

"Fuck." He grunted and threw the body in the floor, he watched the almost opened graves but avoided it, he was paid to kill the monster, not to clean it's mess.

He walked back to town limping a bit, the beast's nail perforated his thigh and he needed to find Roach and take one of the potion elixir that helped his witcher magic heal him faster, the one made with veratrum, stramonium, hawthorn, and spurge.

On the way back to town, where he would rent a room he heard a bark, well, a bunch of. He thought of you along the day, the people he met in town where rough, most of them didn't have their teeth, nor education for the matter.

Yet you shone upon them, not only because of the gentleness with smaller creatures, but also how good you looked. 

As if you ran off a castle. 

You did invite him earlier did you not?

Letting a grunt he tried to decide if he should or shouldn't go visit you.

Following the barks he reached a small house, no dogs outside being locked in chains, he peeked inside and saw by the window a dog with white neat fur. So you let them inside too?

A lot of barks erupted as if the dog in the window told the others that a visitor was approaching their home and they didn't know if Geralt would hurt their human or not.

You approached by the window to call the dogs but realize he was outside.

Quickly you opened the door and looked at him up and down, the smell of guts was strong but the injury in his thigh was prominent by your eyes. Even with the dark cloth of his trousers covering it you could see his blood, then it might be disastrous.

"What happened?"

"I found a case."

"I can see that." You smiled but he could see the fear in your eyes, not because of him, which made him feel comfort. "I, uh, can I help you? Do you wanna bath I think I have some herbs ointment here." Geralt looked at dogs howling at him and you shushed them making them stop. "Come in."

"I, I don't want to get your house dirty with ghoul's guts."

You smiled and shrugged. "I don't know what that is but I don't mind."

As Geralt walked in you spoke with the dogs. "Luna, Ásia let him in, he is a friend."

Geralt looked at them and followed you to what looked like a bathroom. "I don't know your name." He spoke with a grunt and you smiled. 

"I don't know yours either." He hummed and you grabbed a towel for him, and searched for a tunic and trousers big enough to fit him. 

Geralt looked at the water buckets and you told him he could use them. Getting back at the bathroom you placed the clothes in a chair. "I don't know if they will fit but I believe it's better than these ones." You pointed to his clothes. 

"My name is Geralt. Geralt of Rivia."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Y/N, Y/N of... here? I guess." Seeing he used the buckets of water you would use before his arrival you pointed to the sponge and allowed him space to clean up. "I will be outside."

Geralt appreciated the gesture and got out of his clothes slowly to not hurt his thigh further, gladly his healing process was way faster and efficient than humans.

You went to your kitchen to fetch something for him to eat, Geralt was a Witcher, he hunted monsters, killed them and with that he automatically helped people too. Why people hated them? 

You knew the dumb tales, and the stares everyone threw at him earlier on made you upset.

He wouldn't hurt you... would he?

Ruby, the most caring dog you had, patted you in the thigh as if asking what was wrong. "Its okay boy."

                       …

Sometime later Geralt opened the wooden door and you looked at him wearing the loosest clothes you had, but even then they were a bit firm in his body.

"How is your thigh?"

Geralt sat in the chair near the table and you placed a wooden cup with ale for him, and as you have placed the bread, fruits in the table ere you sat to make him company. "Better, it will heal overnight." He drank the whole cup and started to eat the bread.

"How?"

"Magic." He answered simply, not revealing how the magic could help him much less where his magic came from.

"You don't talk much do you?" He smiled and looked at the almost destroyed bread he was eating.

"I'm sorry."

"No it's okay, I'm just curious about you. Magic you say uh?!"

"Yeah."

You saw him looking at the fruits as if something was missing. "I'm sorry but I don't have any type of meat here, I don't hunt nor buy it."

"It is okay, you're very generous."

Geralt felt something touching his feet and looked at the dogs surrounding him.

"They like you."

"How?"

"Well, they are not barking and are asking for bread." You smiled.

"Should I give them?" For a moment you swore you saw a glimpse of worry in his eyes.

"No no, they already ate and bread isn't good for them." He nodded and you served him more ale. "So, where you'll sleep tonight?"

"I will find a room in town."

"You'll leave tomorrow?"

He got silent for a while, deep in thought. "Yes."

In that would be the last time you saw him, or any Witcher to be straightforward. "You'll go home?"

"I don't have one."

"Not even in Rivia?"

"Definitely not in there."

"So you go from town to town? All over the state?" He nodded. "I don't know if I would be able to do that." Geralt smiled at your sincerity, almost everyone he met annoyed him about their lives and how lucky he is for traveling, when it isn't luck, its a curse. He was transformed into a Witcher and didn't have the luck of having a home or a family. "Well, I will wash your clothes. Or you want to take them dirty and all?"

You awaited for the answer and Geralt opened his mouth, but shut it quickly reconsidering his words. "If it won't be an inconvenience I would appreciate it."

"Sure thing." Leaving the kitchen you grabbed the stained clothes in the bathroom and went outside to wash them.

Geralt stood up from the chair and moved at the place, the dogs were looking at him contemplating the weird man in their home, he sat in the couch and propped his back, letting a sigh of relief. He was exhausted, days sleeping in the woods because of the search for a job. So finally feeling a warm house with a comfortable sofa was amazing to him.

Half of an hour later you entered your home again and placed the clothes in a made-up line near the fireplace, it was cold outside so it wouldn't dry them with the same efficiency.

You saw three of the dogs sleeping near the fire, two under the table and then the one you rescued earlier in the sofa, near a very tall Witcher. Geralt was passed out, you studied at him and then at the door, he said he would rent a room in town earlier on, but you wouldn't wake him up when he was so obviously relaxed.

Going to your room and finding the other three dogs near your bed, you petted one of them and grabbed a blanket you had made recently, you placed it in Geralt's body and gazed at him seeking for any sign of discomfort.

Finding none you walked back to your room and closed the door. Putting a small dagger you had under your pillow, you sat in bed and caressed your dog, Ubbe. Geralt wouldn't try something bad, you were sure of it, but to be sure you had to at least be prepared.

And as for Geralt, he slept better than he had in days.

                          …

The night passed and he woke up with a lick on his face. Grunting he opened his eyes and saw the dog he helped you buy the day prior, he smiled at the small creature and sat in the sofa stretching his sore muscles, touching his leg he realized the injury was apparently gone. And looking at his surrounds he smiled at how the sun rays swept in the atmosphere making everything look warmer, brighter, and better. 

And adding the place to the way you treated him with nothing but gentleness he smiled. Yeah, people were shitty but sometimes he was blessed by meeting good souls.

And he will try his best to treat you with nothing but.

                      …

[the-trashy-phoenix]

Supernatural season 3 review (part 1)

Link to part 2:

Having also finished the third season, I have to admit each one until now is better than the one before. Of course that’s because you grow fond of the characters, but I honestly think it gets more and more original and involving going on. Starting with the tight link with the previous season, which in this case is Sam’s death. If you’ve never watched Supernatural, don’t worry, these guys die and come back to life on average once a season; if you’re a Supernatural fan, well, you surely know it better than me.

Resuming quickly, in the last episodes of the second season Sam dies killed by one of those guys who, just like him, have some sort of psychic abilities and are supposed to take part to the upcoming war fighting in the Yellow-eyed demon’s (whose name is Azazel, as I learnt reading Carly’s review) army. Dean is of course devastated and can’t just leave Sam dead, so he manages to make a deal (rings a bell?) with the Crossroad demon, who had appeared at some point in the second season: Sam can be brought back but the price for Dean is extremely high, because the demon would make him live for just one more year, after which he will go directly to hell. It’s understandable that he does it because he can’t live without his brother and it’s been his duty to protect and save him since when they were children, but it’s also undeniable that it’s kind of Dean’s way to get partly rid of that sense of guilt he constantly feels because of John’s sacrifice. It reminded me of Greek tragedy, because some plays have a usual pattern, whose main feature is that parents’ faults fall onto their children in an endless chain of guilt and grief from which it is impossible to escape. Dean feels like his life isn’t worth living anymore and it seems more than right to him to give it to his beloved brother, that’s why when Sam wakes up he doesn’t seem to worry about his end, at least at the very beginning. On the other hand Sam now experiences Dean’s same sense of guilt and is mad at him for imposing it to him, even if deep inside he knows he would have done the same thing, but he also can’t understand how his brother could and can accept so easily the idea of dying. In fact he can’t, he’s just pretending once again to protect Sam, who tries to save him, just like he himself did, in every possible way. At a certain point this pretending is revealed and underlines powerfully the lack of communication between the two, just like what happened after John died, when Dean kept hiding his grief because he’s supposed to be the strongest, as a big brother. I do comprehend they lie to one another for the best, but it always turns out to be a really bad choice.

Before proceeding with the episodes and the single characters, I’d like to point out one thing I feel like I delayed too much. I’m talking out about Dean’s obsession for girls (or hot chicks, if you prefer). I know it’s a part of his characterization as the prototype of the heterosexual strong man, but still I think it’s a bit exaggerated at some point, giving the impression he objectifies women. By the way let’s also consider that ten or fifteen years ago maybe there wasn’t exactly the same sensibility we now have.

This time I’ll be more schematic in commenting the episodes, because I think I’ve something to say for nearly each one of them, as they are full of events and of some new interesting characters.

In the second episode we meet Lisa, a sweetheart of Dean’s from when he was younger: he wants to meet her again, but he soon finds out she has a son, who he suspects being his. For how we know Dean we would swear he’ll be terrified by the idea of having a son, but at the end he’s unexpectedly disappointed that child is not his. This is just apparently weird, for we can explain it well considering Dean’s recurrent desire and thought of having a “normal” life and a family of his own, and maybe also all that looking for the hottest girls is nothing but a means of hiding his strong will for a stable life and partner. I have to say this episode is also really scary and disquieting because of the demonic children.

The third episode welcomes a more permanent character, Bela Talbot, a cunning thief who keeps bothering Sam and Dean during their hunts. She’s the typical bad-but-fascinating kind of character: she’s so smart you’re naturally driven to sympathize with her. The boys have a strange relationship with her, as further on, in episode 6, they’re forced to cooperate with her to solve a case and they even succeed in saving her life even if she didn’t really prove to deserve it. It sometimes seems like her mean attitude takes over her just because it’s her nature; so, even though, as I said, the brothers saved her, she steals the Colt, putting them in serious difficulty. No surprise the boys quit relying on her and refuse to save her again in the last episodes: we learn she wanted the Colt for herself because she is soon dying due to a deal she had made years before with a demon that killed her parents. Her story is quite sad, but of course she could have saved herself giving up her dark side and trusting Sam and Dean.

I really enjoyed the fifth episode, in which the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm come tragically true from a girl’s fantasy. It’s funny how supernatural events grow stranger as the episodes go on, and how sometimes the protagonists can’t believe some things actually exist even if they’re used to that. This episode is also a turning point in the general plot because Sam, desperate for saving Dean, kills the Crossroad demon with the Colt (before Bela steals it) hoping to free his brother from his deal, but the creature unexpectedly tells him that another mysterious and very powerful demon holds the contract. Sam is puzzled and he and Dean will dedicate the rest of the season to hunting that one.

I’ll mention episode 7 because we meet again an old friend, Gordon, one of the main villains of the second season who comes back to have revenge, but, as I anticipated in the previous review, he’s finally defeated in the most ironic way. In a sort of ring composition, the episode is about vampires, the same creatures Sam and Dean are hunting when they meet Gordon for the first time, and the hunter gets bit by one of them and he becomes the monster he hated the most. I don’t wanna sound mean, but he actually deserved that.

I liked the episode set at Christmas, first of all because it’s truly the best time of the year (at least for me), secondly because I think it fits perfectly Dean’s situation, being a joyful period, but also full of sadness and melancholy for another year is passing by. Of course Dean can’t but feel it strongly and I think that’s why he gets so emotional, wanting to celebrate as a proper family. We also feel so sorry for the brothers as we see flashbacks from their childhood representing their memories of their sad time on their own following their dad in his continuous hunting.

I can’t but give a special mention to episode 11, which Carly expected, and made me expect, impatiently. It’s just so funny and frustrating at same time, with the same day repeating all over again without Sam being able to stop the loop, and leading him to lose his brother for six long months (kind of a preview of what will happen when Dean will be “permanently” dead) and at the end to bring him back making the trickster (the same one we met in the first season) stop creating alternative realities.

We also see again some other recurrent characters: Bobby, who I analysed in the previous review, in episode 10 in particular, because the boys are called to save him from his own dreams, and to do so they have to enter them (in this way we and the brothers have the chance to know more about him and his past); the so-called “Ghostfacers”, a group of clumsy fake hunters Sam and Dean had met in the first season (and meet again now in episode 12) and have constantly to save from themselves and the hunts they put themselves into; the FBI agent Henricksen, who is “hunting” the brothers as he thinks they’re dangerous criminals. Nevertheless, in episode 12, he has to change his mind and reconsider his opinions about them for the police station where Sam and Dean are kept is attacked by a demonic army and Henricksen himself gets possessed. While deciding how to fight them, they are helped by Ruby, a demon who seems to be different from the others: at first she seems willing to help Sam saving Dean, and help the boys in general (as in episode 12 against the army), but at the end her purpose comes out. But let’s go a little bit back to Henricksen and the police station: they manage to defeat all those demons really smartly (they read out the exorcism formula though speakers which spread the sound all over the place), but when everything seems to be going well, Sam and Dean learn from the news that another demon came at the police station after they left and killed everyone. It is called Lilith, and she’s the real villain of the season, mainly because it’s her who holds Dean’s contract. So of course the final fight is to defeat Lilith, but also to save Dean’s life. That’s when Ruby intervenes again to suggest Sam could use his psychic abilities to defeat her. He’s tempted by Ruby’s ideas because, even if he doesn’t know how to manage his powers, he’s so focused on saving his brother’s life he could be a bit naïve trusting Ruby without really knowing what’s her real purpose, even though she seems to be the only good demon living. On the contrary Dean doesn’t believe her at all. We can’t know how the things would have ended up if they listened to Ruby’s advice, but they don’t and they can’t kill Lilith, so Dean is chewed up by the hellhounds and goes directly to hell. This scene is so heartbreaking because Sam’s pain is nearly unbearable and you find yourself having hoped, or having been sure, Dean would survive in some ways. That’s how the third season ends, with Sam broken into tears, Lilith still strong and free, Dean covered in blood deep down in hell. Hope seems far away. Or maybe we just have to wait for the next season.

- Irene 💕

[skyechaser]

Bumbleby: The Musical 2/??

She did her best to go unnoticed and yet she was seen She did her best to be the star and and yet she found something better.

This idea has been on my mind FOREVER and I finally decided to publish it. This is what the name implies: a Bumbleby story with songs. Most will be from musicals with some degree of adjustment to match the story. I hope you enjoy.

…………….

Blake woke up on saturday unsure of what had actually transpired the day before. There was a book on her nightstand: The Tales of the Fourth Moon I. That could only mean one thing: she had actually gone to the mall with Yang, had the time of her life and gotten a brand new book. The black haired girl could feel her face getting increasingly hot. What was it with that rambunctious blonde that made her feel so weird? She had made the resolution not to get close to anyone. She couldn’t let the get involved with hee. And yet with Yang...

“Are you awake?” a voice made its way to her ears. The question, though it seemed simple and direct, made her think. Was she actually awake? “Blaaaaake” the voice growled.

“Yes, Illya, I am awake” she replied, laughing a bit. “You’re such a kid”

“Well yeah, kinda” her best friend replied. They had met back home, at Menagerie, and had become quick friends even though Blake was a year older. Still, Illya was the most mature of the pair in most occasions. They shared many interests and had actually enrolled together in the… No, Blake told herself, don’t remember those days. She took a deep breath. You are in Patch, in Vale. You are safe.

“Why are you awake this early?” she asked once she had calmed down, rolling in her bed to look at Illya. She was so thankful that her parents were willing to take her in when she left Menagerie. They had actually become like her second family and made the transition so much easier.

“I have soccer practice” Illya answered “Do you recall I made the team?”

“Yes I do” the black haired girl replied with a groan “But what does that have to do with me?”

“Drive me there. I don’t want to walk” Illya grinned into her words, making the face she always did when she was asking for a favor. The more outrageous the situation the happier she’d try to seem.

“It's saturday” Blake said with a serious face “7am on a saturday”

“Pretty please?”

“You are so lucky that you happen to be my best friend” the black haired girl muttered as she raised herself from the bed and walked towards her closet to get a change of clothes. She couldn’t see how Illya’s face had changed its expression.

“Yeah, I am” the redhead whispered, too soft for Blake to actually listen.

There’s a fine, fine line (Avenue Q)

[ILLYA] There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend There's a fine, fine line between what i would wish and what is And you’ll never know what I have inside and I have hidden for so long There's a fine, fine line between love And a waste of time

There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend There's a fine, fine line between “I love you” and “being In love”. I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime But there's a fine, fine line between love And a waste of your time

And I know that you’ll never love me back like I do I don't think that you even know what you're missing out For my own sanity, I've tried to close the door And walk away

There's a fine, fine line between together and not And there's a fine, fine line between what you wanted and what you got So I’ll keep my feelings to myself so I don’t ruin what we have. There's a fine, fine line between love And a waste of time

"So… Are you coming or what?" Blake yelled from the bathroom.

"Rising up!" Illya stood up with a smile. This was good enough.

…………….

“Get out of the car, Illya” Blake asked nicely as her friend refused to leave the vehicle.

“Do I like soccer enough to get to school early every saturday to train?” Illya replied as if she hadn’t heard the other girl talking

“Illya, you made me drive you here. You are going to practice so get out of the car” she said, almost in a growl. She hated mornings. She always had. She was more of a night person. She liked reading and silence, both things that are better done in the later hours of the day. Being awake this early on a saturday was going to ruin her circadian rhythm.

“Fine" the redhead answered as she got off the car “Thank you for the ride, Blake. Seriously” she smiled. It was hard to be mad a Illya. Blake loved her quite a lot for she was the closest thing she had to a sibling.

“You are welcome… But don’t get used to it”

“I already have so we have deal bye” Illya said as she ran towards the field, giving the other girl no time to answer. Blake rolled her eyes and sighted. She was about to drive away when she saw Yang and the world stopped moving. She was training with the lacrosse team not too far from she was parked. It surprised her that the blonde hadn’t mentioned being on the team during their afternoon together at the mall. Yang had told her about her younger sister Ruby and their dog Zwei. She even told her that her mom had walked away and her father had remarried. So why not mention lacrosse? As she debated with herself mentally a certain blonde had noticed her presence.

“Hey, Blake!” Yang shouted as she waved her hands in the air. Her voice brought the alluded one back to reality. “Wanna see our practice game?” she offered. The black haired girl blushed ten shades of red and she didn’t even know why. What was the deal with her? “Blaaaaaaake!"

“Oh… I’m sorry I… I have to get home” she replied finally as she started the car. “Bye!”

“Okay…” the Golden Dragon said under her breath as she watched her drive away. Why had she made such a proposition? And why hadn’t Blake stayed? They had a very good time the day before and, even is she was the one doing most of the talking, she had taken a liking to her. They could be very good friends or maybe…

“What are you doing talking to the new girl?” she heard behind her back. She turned around to see Emerald, one of Cinder’s minions as she liked to call them. If she wasn’t such a great player Yang would really hate her.

“I’m being nice… What’s the problem?” the captain replied.

“She’s a complete loser. Don’t bring her to our practice” this time it was Cinder who did the talking as she walked towards both girls. Yang despised her. When they met it elementary school they had actually become very close friends and they had trusted each other with very personal issues. The blonde had told her about her family situation and her struggles with reading. Cinder, on the other hand, had told her about being adopted and how her biological parents had treated her like shit as a kid.

Everything changed when, in seventh grade, Cinder entered the lacrosse team. She quickly became one of the best and ended up convincing Yang to sign in. The blonde had played several sports in elementary and middle school but hadn't been in any official team yet. It didn't take long before the Golden Dragon awoke. Yang was simply too good and the team was quick to notice and celebrate. Cinder, on the other hand couldn’t deal with Yang being better than her even thought she had been the one that suggested her to try out in the first place. They had been rivals ever since and the animosity between the two was palpable. When Yang had made captain Cinder was the only one not to congratulate her.

“Chill out, fire demon” the blonde replied, making emphasis on the nickname.

“Don’t call me like that or I might have to…”

“What’s the deal girls?” coach Ironwood yelled before blowing on his whistle. He was getting pretty fed up with his players losing priced training time. There was a tournament getting closer by the day.

“Sorry, coach!” Emerald replied as she ran back to practice. Yang and Cinder stared at each other intensely.

“If you want to preserve your current popularity status I’d recommend staying away from Belladonna. She doesn’t belong with our crew”

“Why do you have to be so mean?” Yang asked. Cinder snickered.

“It’s not personal. It’s just the way things are” she said “And there are things not even the Golden Dragon should be doing. That girl is fucking weird”

“Shut up, bitch, you don’t even know her” hearing that demon talk trash about Blake was enough to make her really mad.

“Make me you retard” the dark haired girl spat. “I may be a bitch but at least I know how to read”

“I’m not going to say it one more time get back here or I’ll suspend you both from the team!” the couch yelled once more, his voice cracking with anger. Yang turned around and started running back to practice. She was livid with rage. She and Cinder had an unspoken agreement to keep each other’s secrets secret. Still, the dark haired girl had no problem in bringing it up when it was just the two of them.

“Thank you for blessing us with your presence” Nora joked as Yang got closer to the rest of her teammates.

“What was the deal with Cinder?” Pyrrha asked raising an eyebrow.

“The usual” their captain replied “She’s a bitch”

“Who was that girl you were waving at?” Nora questioned.

“That’s Blake” the blonde answered “She lent me her library card the other day”.

“Oh I know her!” Pyrrha exclaimed suddenly “She’s the girl that got transferred from Menagerie” That made a lot of sense. Every since the island of Menagerie had gained independence from Vale, many people had started hating its inhabitants for rejecting their country. Now that their new government had decided to reunite with its motherland a civil war had started. It was pretty understable that Blake had no time to take her books with her. She had probably ran away in fear. It also explained why Cinder hated her so much. She was quite the xenophobe even if she wouldn’t say it explicitly. Yang had seen her be rude to Sun and Velvet, two other students transferred from Menagerie, several times.

“I don’t want to sound mean but why would you want to be friends with her with all the trouble it would cause you if you already have us as friends and we are honestly the bestest of best friends?” Nora asked in a single breath. Yang laughed.

“She’s nice. That’s all” she lied. She might not be that good at school but she was pretty good at identifying her feelings. Years of therapy after her mom abandoned her had taught her that. There was more there than she wanted to know. She had just met Blake and most of all Blake was a girl. Patch could be a very beautiful town but it was pretty conservative. When she was a freshman there was this girl, Coco, who decided to come out of the closet. She was pretty cool and popular and had been for very long so she thought she could actually be herself. Once the truth was out things rapidly changed. No matter how strong Coco was or how high she had been on the social pyramid, the bullying just got worse and worse with time. One day somebody broke a glass bottle on her head in the school’s parking lot. Her family left town two days later. All Yang had to do was remember she was straight. She had to be straight even if a part of her knew that she had always liked girls. She couldn’t do this to her family, to her reputation. Then why did she want Blake to see her practice? Why did she want to ask her out so badly?

…….

“Here you go, Mis Xiao Long” Goodwitch said as she handed her back her essay once the class was over. “Better luck next time” Yang looked down at her paper and her eyes shot open immediately at the sight of a big red D minus. She had failed.

“But.. I…What did I do wrong? I did the task!” the blonde asked with a frown.

“It is not about doing the work just to hand in something. You have to actually think and make valid arguments” the teacher explained with a severe tone “I gave you one extra day and yet you barely did any work”.

“I can’t fail this class. I can’t fail any class or I won’t be able to play the tournament”

“I fail to see how that is my problem” the woman replied as she started gathering her things.

“Please let me do some extra work. I’ll do anything” Yang begged, tears starting to build up in the corners of her eyes. Why was she such a pain in the ass? Why couldn’t Goodwitch be like the rest of the teachers that gave her passing grades for being the team’s star? “Please” she repeated. The blonde woman let out a sight.

“I’ll give you one more chance” she said finally rolling her eyes “I’ll give you a passing grade on the essay if you do the assignment one more time. Double the word count and the bibliography. You have until friday”

“Thank you so much” the Golden Dragon replied. She wasn’t really sure how she would tackle this challenge but at least it was another chance. She walked back to her place to get her books when her eyes fell on Blake at the back of the class. Yang knew getting close to her could bring her trouble for more than one reason. However, she really needed help with the essay. She couldn’t fail world history. She’d just have to see her outside of school and control herself when they were alone. Piece of cake.

“Hey, Blake” she called as she walk towards the alluded girl. The black haired girl raised her face to look at her.

“Oh, Yang… Hi” Blake replied with a timid smile.

“What are you doing after class?” she asked with a playful grin.

“Well… I was going to do homework and read the book you gave me”

“Would you please help me with the new essay I gotta do? I need to do some extra work to bring my grade up or I’m going to fail” Yang asked, her usual confident tone completely gone. Blake was unsure how to answer. She didn’t want to get close to anyone. No one could know there were people she cared about. It was enough putting Illya and her family in danger she wouldn’t bring other people into her mess.

“Sure” Blake answered and she didn’t even realize she had until the word left her mouth. What was going on with her? She hadn’t felt that nervous around someone since…

“YES! Thank you so much! Could we meet at your place? Mine is kinda crowded with my sister, my stepmom, my uncle, my dad…”

“Not… Not really. I live with Illya and her family and I don’t want to intrude by bringing guests” Blake said as her body once more shrunk in embarrassment.

“Oh, okay” the blonde replied “We’ll just study at my house. Give me your number and I’ll message you the address. Could you drop by around 6?” she proposed. She didn’t want to be seen walking home with Blake so meeting later was probably a good call. Blake looked up, her mind settled on saying no. Don’t do this, she repeated in her mind. Don’t say yes. It's too much. It's too dangerous. Its too...

“Sure”

Fuck.

[twelvemonkeyswere]

AFFC - Jaime III

aka Bear Pit Pt 2: That Time Jaime Takes a Long Ride that Proves his Compassionate Nature and That He Will Defend Brienne Even If She Is Not Around or in Immediate Danger

Thoughts on Jaime / Brienne:

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

“His hand shone dully in its light. No good for throttling eunuchs, but heavy enough to smash that slimy smile into a fine red ruin. He wanted to hit someone.”

→ HA! “a fine red ruin”. Get it, huh, huh? Because Red gets ruined? HA!

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

1/3 time Jaime actively mentions Brienne in his thoughts:

“Payne was as rusty as his ringmail, and not so strong as Brienne, yet he met every cut with his own blade, or interposed his shield.”

→ We do mention a lot how Brienne constantly says ‘he ain’t Jaime tho’ but Jaime is just the same: ‘Payne ain’t Brienne but he’ll do’

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

2/3 time Jaime actively mentions Brienne in his thoughts:

“Jaime found himself wondering if Brienne might have passed this way before him. If she thought that Sansa Stark had made for Riverrun . . . Had they encountered other travelers, he might have stopped to ask if any of them had chance to see a pretty maid with auburn hair, or a big ugly one with a face that would curdle milk.”

→ I’m a sucker for Jaime having Brienne’s same train of thought and thinking about her journey constantly. As others have pointed out, he is startled by his wondering and has to remind himself how ugly she is, right? The fact he wants to ask about Sansa (his vow) is nice, but the fact he also wants to ask about Brienne (his special interest), is very nice.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

3/3 time Jaime actively mentions Brienne in his thoughts:

“He passed beneath the covered bridge… before he realized where he was headed.”

→ Don’t fucking @ me. The bear pit is a direct, unquestionable straight line to Brienne and as soon as he gets a chance he, unbidden, goes to her memory.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

So Bear Pit Pt 2:

““Naked? No.” He wondered how that wrinkle had been added to the story.”

→ Kingslayer’s whore?

“The Mummers put her in a pink silk gown and shoved a tourney sword into her hand. The Goat wanted her death to be amuthing. Elsewise . . .”

“. . . the sight of Brienne naked might have made the bear flee in terror.” Connington laughed. Jaime did not. “You speak as if you know the lady.”

→ a couple of things:

what I LOVE about this moment is that Jaime is here genuinely trying to make some conversation and casually doing disrespectful impressions of the man who almost kills them and he’s actually concerned with explaining the truth and HE IS DISREGARDED by Connignton because Connington is an ass and THEN Connington disrespects his wench and it just.fucking.activates.him.

Jaime remembers the dress clear enough to describe it in material and color (this man is definitely not my father)

what was after that ‘elsewise’? ‘Elsewise, she would’ve killed it? She would’ve won? I would not have needed to jump in?’ Jaime respects (and admires!) Brienne SO FUCKING MUCH I wanna believe he was going to sing his praises here.

“That took him by surprise. Brienne had never mentioned a betrothal.”

→ He's SO OFFENDED lmao Heaven knows how much shit he talked during their walk across the Riverlands and he is like, Brienne surely would’ve mentioned something of SUCH importance but he also senses that if she DIDN’T it was because of REASONS and gosh does he make Ronnet spill the beans.

““I was the second. My father’s notion. I had heard the wench was ugly, and I told him so, but he said all women were the same once you blew the candle out.”

“Your father.” Jaime eyed Red Ronnet’s surcoat.”

→ Jaime taking notice of who Connington dad is because HE’S GONNA CUT A BITCH

→ (and also because he is trying to unravel why they would betroth Brienne to this idiot and he discovers it’s because they are poor and were going to use her to elevate his status and you can just feel his disdain, I fucking love it)

““The bear was less hairy than that freak, I’ll—”

Jaime’s golden hand cracked him across the mouth so hard the other knight went stumbling down the steps.”

→ the first time I read this I fucking TRANSCENDED because I wanted to smack each of Brienne’s wrongdoers myself. Jaime stood his ground as much as he could but the moment he insults Brienne with “freak” (and insults her bush, which we know he was gladly impressed by) he just fucking reacts. And my favorite bit is…

“You are speaking of a highborn lady, ser. Call her by her name. Call her Brienne.”

→ FIRST, Jaime hasn’t referred to Brienne internally as “wench” or anything else but Brienne in a fucking long time.

→ SECOND, this shows just how much he respects her as a woman, as a mf lady, and how much he’ll demand others will treat her as such.

→ And THIRD, it shows how much he respects her, PERIOD. We love a man who loves and respects his beloved.

Thoughts on Jaime:

Clearly even though Loras is young Jaime thinks he is worth his salt. And it’s not until Cersei brings up his gayness that Jaime doesn’t really anger. Even Cersei points out that Jaime’s “perception” of manhood has changed but I think it has to do more about Jaime respecting Loras and him self-actualizing his identity.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

More on Cersei:

“Cersei slapped his face. / Jaime made no attempt to block the blow. “I see I need a thicker beard, to cushion me against my queen’s caresses.” He wanted to rip her gown off and turn her blows to kisses.”

→ this looks terribly like conditioned behaviour because Jaime previously mentions he has to “beg” for her “affections” and that means “coaxing” her into changing that. Same thing happens when they are discussing the unmentionable knife and he sits her on his lap to stop her from being angry. which actually leads me to…

“Softer words might have swayed her, yet of late the very sight of her made him angry”

→ He balked her on purpose, though he seems to miss her somehow still (he’s horny, too) he gets angry at her and doesn’t let that impulse govern him at all. But he does allow himself to anger her because he doesn’t want to have to treat her kindly. It’s almost like he’s realizing how hateful she actually is.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

FUCKING KILL ME BRUH

“It had been long years since Jaime had named any of his horses; he had seen too many die in battle, and that was harder when you named them.”

→ Jaime: traumatized horse girl. Poor man.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Symbolism?

“Glory wore trappings of Lannister crimson; Honor was barded in Kingsguard white”

→ I’m sure this is symbolism but heck if I can put it into words. Like, it seems clear (?) they represent two sides of Jaime, the need to uphold the Lannister name (glory) and the dedicated vows of his knighthood (honor) but… that’s as far as I get.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Paralelism: 

Jaime’s “price” for going to the Riverlands is Ilyn Payne (a counterpart to Brienne’s Pod) and Ser Addam (a person from his past, like Brienne’s Hyle). I like their parallelism. Like, they’re accompanied by someone who reminds them who they were and what they have/are becoming while on a quest caused by their vows.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Jaime is not stupid:

“Robb Stark took me unawares in the Whispering Wood,” he said. “That will never happen again.”

→ besides this man turns trauma into learning points.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Jaime cares about others:

“Jaime had given stern commands that no man was to depart the column without his leave.” → He protects the land as they go, he scoffs at the “bored lordings” who could trample and attack the stock and farms along the way.

Little Lew Piper brings blackberries, Jaime orders him to share them with the other squires and fucking Ilyn Payne.

Feeling sorry for the horse and bear.

Pia!

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

More Paralelism:

I love this bit that calls back to Jaime’s first chapter ever:

“Riding at the front of the host with Ser Ilyn silent by his side, Jaime felt almost content. The sun was warm on his back and the wind riffled through his hair like a woman’s fingers.”

→ It’s like a more toned down “alive and drunk on sunlight.”. Instead of feeling alive, he feels almost content. Instead of drunk, warm. Instead of Cersei's fingers, a woman's. And it’s about being free from a former entrapment behind enemy lines.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Goldenhand

“Men shall name you Goldenhand from this day forth, my lord,” the armorer had assured him the first time he’d fitted it onto Jaime’s wrist. He was wrong. I shall be the Kingslayer till I die.”

→ I swear to God if they give him the nickname AFTER he dies I’m going to fucking scream (fingers crossed he won’t die)

“The golden hand was the occasion for much admiring comment over supper, at least until Jaime knocked over a goblet of wine. Then his temper got the best of him… After that there was no more talk about his hand.”

→ These fucking people omgggg fucking bootlickers. Besides he lets the common folk/his men see him as he is but has to pretend for "polite" company. I like that the hand is almost a second thought like, Well I suppose I ought to wear the hand to dinner.

→ He also says they’ll call him ‘Goldenhand the Just’ eventually because he is willing to impart justice even to the men who served his own house (he hangs a man in Lannister red for being a bandit), and if that doesn’t show AGAIN he is willing to do the right thing if necessary… well.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Jaime’s shames:

“They have lusty wenches in House Hayford. These are love bites, lad.”

→ Jaime Lannister, famously monogamous, thinks a fake hickey excuse is less shameful than his shortcomings. But also he needs to appear commanding.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Jaime, Horsegirl (contin’d):

““These are demons in the skins of wolves, sent to chastise us for our sins.”

“This must have been an uncommonly sinful horse,” Jaime said, standing over what remained of the poor animal.”

→ this line is not just funny but shows just how much Jaime has an affinity to the innocent.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

About Hoat:

since the description of how he died (tortured, cut up in pieces, fed his own flesh, then defiled in death) happens right before the goddamn Bear Pit Pt 2 I had completely forgotten about it. Jaime hears the tale, sees the head, and hi satisfaction at his death seems to curdle. I just like that of course, we know Jaime is not cruel. And that even though Brienne told him to “live and take revenge,” he is NOT finding pleasure in a death he might have gloated on if he were different.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

About Pia:

“She is a font of corruption,” said Ser Bonifer…

“I expect her flaunting days are done,” he said, “but if you find her that objectionable, I’ll take her.” He could make her a washerwoman, he supposed. His squires did not mind raising his tent, grooming his horse, or cleaning his armor, but the task of caring for his clothes struck them as unmanly

→ So first, this is one of the reasons I like Jaime. He is actually very very compassionate, and actually defends Pia. Second, does this seem to suggest he would’ve personally taken care of his clothes if he had two hands? Or just that this seems like an excuse to bring her in? Also, I love how the squires will do the cleaning but draw the line at washing clothes.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Jaime internally calling Ser Bonifer “Baelor Butthole” is infinitely amuthing to me.

[moonasheschevalier]

Svtfoe ended and that’s good.

- This show was called “Star vs the Forces of Evil”. Basically there were no forces of evil. Never at all. Perhaps only... Glossaryck or every human being in the show. It’s not even the irony. - Every so called “villain” wasn’t really a villain, but some “positive“ characters were pictured as total a*****es suddenly. Why? Cuz obviosly the writers needed a temporary solution to the sh*t-we-got-no-villains-problem. Nicely done... by ruining some other characters totally. Like Moon. (Ludo who suffered from the abuse, Toffee who just was protecting his people but never betrayed his kind, Mina who was just an insane one who needed some mental help and was ignored betrayed by Solaria in the end; While the whole HMC were abominations, and Moon? No matter how hard you try to show through flashbacks that she’s good what she did in the end was so gross and completely OOC that I want to forget everything I know after the finale “arc”). Some people say “but that’s good!11 that means the things aren’t always just black or white, there’s always something in between“. I suppose some people don’t understand the difference between “not always b/w thingy“ and “bad writing/complete OOC/rushed endings/horrible examples of teens behavior and bad messages to the young audience“. - Magic as a source of all the problems/war conflicts? Yeah, sure, just as a nuclear weapon or any weapon that people use in wars to obtain power/ destroy the enemy in the real world, our sweet real human world. Oh, by the way, those worlds in the shows? Just collided. Is there any like nuclear Glossaryck to kill so the humanity might live happily ever after? - Like mewmans won’t fight with monsters in the future. Like there won’t be any fights/wars between real humans, mewmans and monsters. And don’t forget demons. WHAT A HAPPY ENDING. - Seems like Glossaryck wanted to commit a suicide all these years. - I just love how Solaria did not give a f*** about Mina.  - Those ghosts-queens never did anything except helping to destroy the magic in the end. Where were they? They could’ve helped their flesh and blood every time they’ve got stuck in the Magic Dimension. Ghosts-Queens were used in the end just as what, a good looking but totally senseless scene? Or just to make a point to the fans for buying useless svtfoe books? (Actually I prefer the books over the second half of the last season so they are not so useless tbh). - Where were the creators of the show with the “Toffee was right” when a lot of Toffee fans were attacked by the toxic part of the fandom? All this madness all the deaths of the mewmans/monsters could be avoided but Glossaryck never tried to talk out the things normally with others. But, of course, better to destroy all the audience who ever shipped Moontoffee with the “He killed my mother“ bs. Now we all know that Glossaryck was there all along knowing everything not telling anything.  - Svtfoe crew did see that people liked Moontoffee ship, nobody hated or was against the canon MoonRiver, we all were ok with AUs but... you know, you better treat your audience nicely. Instead the creators destroyed every reason to like those two characters, the shippers were treated by the fandom badly for shipping pairing that had an “abuse”. Kinda. Now it’s Moon is the baddy and Toffee is a gooddie. Lmao. - Oh, remember the time when we wanted to see more Janna and Jackie...and just to get them in the end for... I don’t understand for what.  - “The Marco Harem” thingy makes me wanna ship only yuri ships.  - The “shipping drama” you call it? Let’s call it a “shipping bs”. - All ships were ruined and butchered. Ecxept St*rco. Well, they were ruined too, and became most gross canon I ever know. Probably MoonRiver are close to it now too (does River even know?)... I suppose nobody hated the shipping more that the SVTFOE crew did. - All ships: Jantom, Manna, Tomstar, Kellco, Markapoo etc., were used to keep the audience till the end at least with something. Cuz the main story became such a huge mess that without shipping, the greatest distraction tool in the history, that was impossible to watch the show. - It’s good that Star is bisexual, it’s bad she still ended up with a guy. What is worse - with a wrong guy. Who, thanks to the wonderful writing skills of the writers, was a liar and cheater. - It’s good that Jackie got a girlfriend, it’a bad that’s wrong gf. It should’ve been Star. - In the end we got forced St*rco. But with at what price? Personally I can’t stand Marco and Star both now, after all the crap, lie and pain they caused to their exes and their families. I’ve been waiting for a latin lead character in a show like this for years and now both characters dissapointed me greatly. - The Beach Day episode had no sense. Two worlds collided JUST BECAUSE. And no apocalypse happened, no one got killed, nothing was destroyed. Two worlds should’ve been staying separately forever, as Marco and Star. But two cheating and lying teens wanted to be together so badly so f*** the logic. - The happy but bitter and well handled ending was possible. I remember “His Dark Materials”, trilogy of fantasy novels by Sir Philip Pullman, where in the end [SPOILER] Lyra and her boyfriend are separated forever, because it’s impossible for them to live in the different world/universe. But they promised to remember each other. The Beach Day photo and the memento point of St*rco love could be just as beautiful as in “His Dark Materials”.  - It is stated that Svtfoe takes a great resemble of Sailor Moon which had a lot of its own flaws. Instead of taking the best from SM, Sv takes the worst, like UsagiSeya love which was better and so more realistic than UsaMamo (Tomstar = UsaSeya; St*rco = UsaMamo), making even a worse copy of UsaMamo canon you can’t stand. - Want a better example? Miraculous Ladybug. The way this show handles shipping and caring for its audince is so better and different from Sv! And despite Adriaenette are the endgame and everybody knows that, it’s a good ship that isn’t rushed, which gets a proper development in every episode. And you know what? I can ship them and Alyaenette, and Lucanette and feel absolutely great about it.  - There are so many other problems with SVTFOE, I wish I could remember and mention it here, but there’s no point, the show is dead, thank goodness. I was kinda done with show after they butchered Toffee/Moontoffee, and now completely done after they forced St*rco and ruining them too, killing off all the amazing development of Tomstar. And, most importantly - destroyed a lot of characters (MHC, Gloss, Moon etc). - Tbvh, the show had so much potential and instead they just used the shipping and handled it horribly on every possible level. - Svtfoe was an amazing, great explosion of the ideas, beautiful designs, characters (Eclipsa’s family) and worlds. Now I can thank this show only for one thing: for the creativity of its fandom. Your OCs are magnigicent, people, and your stories about them are so much... better than the canon. - TEENS ARE NOT THAT DUMB. And I’m saying it as a grown up, dangit. P.S. That’s an opinion, and if you feel personally attacked by it - don’t, I wanted to rant, and so I did. You enjoyed the show? Good for you, don’t waste your time on trying to prove me being wrong. The show is dead, this opinion doesn’t affect anything or anybody from the crew. Cuz as far ad it seems to me, they’ve been/blind deaf enough all the time.  Also, if anyone considers it as a disrespect towards show creators - it’s a critical response nothing more, nothing less.

[rcyvlbvbcs]

Can’t Fall in Love Without You | Ming Fa and Helena | @helenaofaustria​

Circles - Post Malone

I'll be the bad guy now, but know I ain't too proud I  couldn't be there even when I tried You  don't believe it, we do this every time Seasons change and our love went cold Feed  the flame 'cause we can't let go Run away, but we're running in circles Run away, run away I dare you to do something I'm  waiting on you again, so I don't take the blame Run away, but we're running in circles Run away, run away, run away

[Tay suggested this one and it started this whole project. I love it because they really are wrapped up in each other even now and there’s nowhere to go but nothing to be done.]

Gravity - Sara Bareilles

Set me free, leave me be I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity Here I am, and I stand So tall, just the way I'm supposed to be But you're on to me and all over me Oh, you loved me 'cause I'm fragile When I thought that I was strong But you touch me for a little while And all my fragile strength is gone

[Just your standard romance song. They’re always going to come back together no matter what.]

Sugar Burn - Jaymes Young

I tried so hard to escape you But I found out there's nowhere to run It's too easy to love and to hate you Oh, my healing has only begun When you rolled, your heart is hardly beating But it's hard to know when you're young  I'll never forget loving you sweetly Your sugar still burns on my tongue

[So all that’s really sweet but it also hurts. There was an epic romance only to have it fall out from until them. I think of this one very much for Ming Fa’s POV.]

What a Time - Julia Michaels & Niall Horan

I feel a little nauseous and my hands are shaking I guess that means you're close by My throat is getting dry and my heart is racing I haven't been by your side In a minute, but I think about it sometimes Even though I know it's not so distant Oh, no, I still wanna reminisce it

[This first thread is going to destroy me.]

I Can’t Fall in Love Without You - Zara Larsson

I can't fall in love without you Please don't fall in love without me I hope you're sorry Can't find the words to say Hope you're always worried Worryin' 'bout me Don't you think I give a fuck? Give a fuck 'bout who you fuck? But I hope you can't get it up

[Yeah, that’s it. You get the gist.]

Bruises - Lewis Capaldi

Counting days, counting days Since my love up and got lost on me And every breath that I've been takin' Since you left feels like a waste on me I've been holding on to hope That you'll come back when you can find some peace 'Cause every word that I've heard spoken Since you left feels like a hollow street I've been told, I've been told to get you off my mind But I hope I never lose the bruises that you left behind Oh my lord, oh my lord, I need you by my side

[See Sugar Burn comment and also my love for Lewis Capaldi]

King - Years&Years (Acoustic)

Don't you remember how I used to like Being on the line? I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name Is it worth the price? Cut cover, take that test Hold courage to your chest Don't wanna wait for you Don't wanna have to lose All that I've compromised to feel another high I've got to keep it down tonight And oh, oh, oh I was a king under your control And oh, oh, oh I wanna feel like you've let me go

[I just love this song. And I’m very interested in the idea of Ming Fa being trapped in this love. It’s something that’s stayed with him for almost 20 years and he’s stuck under the weight of it. Not that he’s worked on moving on or anything.]

Wildest Dreams - Talyor Swift

I said no one has to know what we do His hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room And his voice is a familiar sound, nothing lasts forever But this is getting good now He's so tall, and handsome as hell He's so bad but he does it so well And when we've had our very last kiss But my last request is Say you'll remember me Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset babe Red lips and rosy cheeks Say you'll see me again even if it's just in your wildest dreams Wildest dreams

[I imagine this as a song from the early stages of their relationship. What it would have been if it had stayed as a summer romance between a tourist and a prince.]

Strangers - Fletcher

No time's the right time to reach out but here I go Always scared to love, wouldn't be enough never be enough, we were way too young The way we ended it, you know it makes me sick How two people once could be so in love now we never talk, never talk about All the things we said and couldn't take back Swear I never meant it, and I hate that I hurt you What I know right now, I wish I knew then I'm trying to but I still don't understand We started out as strangers, now we're strangers again The things I love about you, I'm supposed to forget And every time I think about you, it don't make any sense We started out as strangers, now we're strangers again

Sad Beautiful Tragic - Taylor Swift

In dreams, I meet you in warm conversation We both wake in lonely beds in different cities And time, is taking its sweet time erasing you And you've got your demons, and darling they all look like me' Cause we had a beautiful magic love there What a sad beautiful tragic love affair

[Don’t touch me.]

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

And then I can tell myself What the hell I'm supposed to do And then I can tell myself Not to ride along with you I had all and then most of you Some and now none of you Take me back to the night we met I don't know what I'm supposed to do Haunted by the ghost of you Oh, take me back to the night we met When the night was full of terrors And your eyes were filled with tears When you had not touched me yet Oh, take me back to the night we met

[*cries*]

Empty Space - James Arthur

I don't see you You're not in every window I look through And I don't miss you You're not in every single thing I do I don't think we're meant to be And you are not the missing piece I won't hear it Whenever anybody says your name And I won't feel it Even when I'm burstin' into flames I don't regret the day I left I don't believe that I was blessed I'm probably lyin' to myself again I'm alone in my head And lookin' for love in this stranger's bed But I don't think I'll find it 'Cause only you could fill this empty space I wanna tell all my friends But I don't think they would understand It's somethin' I've decided 'Cause only you could fill this empty space

[Ming Fa is always looking for Emilia. There is a gaping hole where she used to be.]

First Time - Jessie Ware

All I want from you is devotion Tired of going through these emotions Running all the red lights Just to see you tonight Make it right Make it feel like it's the first time we fell in love Nothing like the first time that we touched Everything we've lost I needed the most Baby, now's the time to pull me in close And don't hold me like you already know me I'm not leaving till I get you to show me To fall in love just like, just like the first time, the first time

[This is at once a song for when they were dating, when Helena left, and for right now.]

False God - Taylor Swift

We were crazy to think Crazy to think that this could work Remember how I said I'd die for you? We were stupid to jump In the ocean separating us Remember how I'd fly to you? And I can't talk to you when you're like this Staring out the window like I'm not your favorite town I'm New York City I still do it for you, babe They all warned us about times like this They say the road gets hard and you get lost When you're led by blind faith Blind faith But we might just get away with it Religion's in your lips Even if it's a false god We'd still worship We might just get away with it The altar is my hips Even if it's a false god We'd still worship this love

[I’VE BEEN CRYING ABOUT THIS SONG ALL DAY. This is the last year of their relationship. Helena knows that she can’t stay and Ming Fa knows that something is wrong.] 

[soranokuma]

The Words

Link: AO3 | FF

Warning: Angst, Character Dying

Characters: Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng

Relationships: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian

Summary: The last word of the man he loved was: Get lost. And, it's engraved on his chest, not allowing him to forget.

A/N: Day 3 of @wangxianweek : Soulmate AU. Enjoy! (Psst! Wanna take me out for a coffee?) Special thanks for @ineffableboyfriends for the awesome art and inspiration!

P.S: Could be part of a series? (Most likely) Follow on AO3 if you want to keep updated. Or follow me on Twitter!

Part 1 | Part 2

It was the end for him. He knew it was coming as the sharp and cold pain spread onto his chest. He smiled, knowing everything would be over soon. Knowing that it would be the last of him. The last of the Yiling Patriarch — the damned demonic cultivator.

And, the last of a man named Wei Wuxian.

He laughed, small and quietly at himself as a scornful smile decorated his face. This was where he began when the souls of the deceased entered him forcefully, taking every inch of his body, and trying to control his mind... It was only fitting for him to also die in here, the Burial Mounds, the place where he took refuge and sealed his soul for the dark path.

The pain disappeared after it finished writing the last stroke on his chest. Just right underneath the sun’s brand, it said:「我爱你」

I love you, was what it said right on his left chest.

Another fit of laughter came out from him. Who would, in their right mind, love him? Who had even said such a confession to him? But, what he really wanted to ask was: “Who would love a murderer like him? Love a person like him who walks in a thin line of sanity and insanity?”

Who could love Wei Wuxian, the demonic cultivator?

No one could come to love him, was what he decided. No one because no one really did. He knew how much Madame Yu hated him, disliked him, maybe even loathe him. After all, he took away the only person she could have, uncle Jiang was the man whom she loved yet hated at the same time. It wasn’t a surprise that he was hated despite hiding it all beneath his smile.

His heart sank even more as he thought of shijie and Jiang Cheng. What he did to them was unforgivable, and that was when he knew what Lan Wangji said was right. He couldn’t control it anymore. The changes in his temperament, the price he had to pay while walking in this heretic path. But, at what cost did it really come with?

They were able to push the Wens, even ended the clan’s life. He promised Madame Yu to protect his brother, or used-to-be brother, with his life. And, this was what he did. He did just as he promised even it meant that he had to be killed by those he loved.

He earned it.

Wei Wuxian had paid the price and now, the consequences were coming for him. But, it was okay because he was ready for it. He was ready for this sad life to end. What was life really when you had to hide in such an ominous place? Even such a place was no fit for the small boy he was taking care of.

Maybe, just maybe after he died, he finally did something right. Even if that one thing was only to transfer his golden core to his brother.

Maybe, just maybe that he could die peacefully then.

He was too late. He knew he was because his chest hurt and nothing work to hold in the pain he felt. The pain should already overwhelm him, made him collapsed to the ground and cried. Cried as his heart ached for the one he loved, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t, not right now, not when he was about to arrive at the Burial Mounds to see the last of Wei Wuxian.

To see the last of the person he loved.

His hand twisted the white robe he was wearing as the word burnt him more and more. Each stroke was like a piercing hot sword that burned his skin and stabbing him alive. Yet, he endured it. He had to endure it just a while longer until he got to where he was supposed to be.

But, still, he was too late. Lan Wangji knew it when he saw the back of a man in purple clothing holding a black flute and sword.

“Wei...Ying.”

The name that he could only call, that could only come out from his mouth.

His heart tightened and his face tensed. Wei Ying was the only name he could call of, the only man he could think of as he looked around his surrounding to find nothing.

“Jiang Wanyin,” he finally called out. The desperation in his voice was clear; his mouth, his whole body was trembling as he desperately tried to focus on finding the remains of his love.

“Wei Ying. Where’s Wei Ying!”

It didn’t sound like a question. It sounded like a command like Jiang Cheng had to show him the remains of his brother...but what was there to show? There was none for Lan Wangji to see of Wei Wuxian. His brother was no longer in this world, and there was nothing left of Wei Ying to see.

Jiang Cheng didn’t answer at all. He said nothing as he turned his back from the cliff where he had last seen of his brother. Everything to his core hurt, but he couldn’t show anything. Not a single tear ran down his face as he walked past Lan Wangji.

The golden core inside of him. The flute in his hand and the black sword on his back. Everything screamed the name of Wei Wuxian but he couldn’t show it. Jiang Cheng had to and tried to keep his face as tense as possible. He couldn’t let anyone see it.

He couldn’t let anyone see the way Wei Wuxian talked and even gave himself up for good. His brother was gone, yet he wasn’t allowed to mourn. He wasn’t allowed to cry for him even as his brother’s golden core lived inside of him now.

“You’ll be the leader of Jiang sect and I’ll be your subordinate,” was a lie.

“Wei Wuxian, you’re such a liar!” Was what he wanted to scream to the world but couldn’t.

He had to keep it in, just like the pain of losing his parents and shijie. Now, even his brother was gone and he had to do the same.

“Jiang Cheng!”

Lan Wangji never raised his voice, not to anyone else but Wei Wuxian, but for today, he had to. He had to know where Wei Ying’s remains were…

“Lan Wangji!” was what he got in return. “What else do you want to see from Wei Wuxian?”

He screamed. His throat ran dry from talking some senses into his brother but to no avail. And, now he had to deal with Lan Wangji…

“What do you expect to see from him, Lan Wangji. He’s gone!”

The word pierced his heart, but it was the truth.

“He’s dead! There’s nothing of him to see anymore.”

His face betrayed him as tears ran down his cheeks from those purple eyes. He couldn’t hold it anymore, and he didn’t have to. After all, he had no one to nag him for showing such emotion. His parents were dead, his shijie died in the hand of his brother, and now his brother was also gone. Everyone else except him. Jiang Cheng was left to deal with everything by himself.

“There’s nothing, Lan Wangji…” he sobbed.

Everything was taken away from him, except him.

“There’s no remains to see. Nothing to cremate,” he said in a calmer voice now.

“Go back to Gusu, Lan Wangji. He’s gone...forever.”

With that, he fell to the ground. His knees went weak as he heard the last word Jiang Cheng said before leaving him by himself. “Wei Ying. Wei Ying,” the name that kept crying out from his mouth. His chest didn’t hurt anymore but his heart was. It broke into pieces and there was nothing that could assemble it back to how it was before.

His Wei Ying was gone, and he didn’t even see the remains of him. Lan Wangji didn’t get to say his farewell to the man he loved more than anything. And, it hurt him. His heart was pierced over and over again.

「滚」was what written on him.

The last word of his soulmate to him was: Get lost.

How fitting the word was because now, he truly was lost. To live in a world where his love wasn’t — he was lost. He was totally lost without the bright smile and the loud voice of his love toward him.

Tears were seeping through his eyes as he closed it with the palm of his hands. What else was there to do for him? What else was there for him to do when he had nothing to live for anymore?

He lifted his head, stood up, and walked toward the direction where Jiang Cheng stood before he left. The sun had set, leaving behind the dark orange color for him to see. He bowed despite the tears running down his face. At least, at the very least, if there were nothing for him to see of Wei Ying, he should bow for him. He should even though his heart was crying out, unwilling to let go of the love he had harbored for years.

“Wei Ying…” his voice still trembled. “I love you. I really do.”

And, that was it. That was the end of the man Lan Wangji loved.

[yanjunmyworld]

Let's make a deal

Gif credit: evanism88

Pairing: Y/N x Demon King Yanjun

Genre: Supernatural

A/N : sorta want to make this a mini series wjat do you think? Also tumblr deleted my 1st draft when i tried to post this last week so i finally managed to rewrite it! Also spooktober is my fav month ever!

Peoples square park one of the more tranquil areas amongst the bustling cities of shanghai.

It was a little slice of nature that was like a labyrinth. Every path would take you to a different place maybe a: lotus pond, a waterfall, a group of old people playing chess amongst the trees. The possabilities were endless. It was my favourite place to go and clear my head.

When i was younger i met a elf there. Not the legolas kind,  but a smaller version. My parents never believed me of course but after the time we spent together, he gave me a piece of rose quartz stating that i would need it for protection in the future. Since that day it had always hung on a necklace around my neck.

However today wasn't one of those lucky peaceful days.

I wasn't exactly the most co-operative when it came to my parents wishes of me getting married at the age of 26. I was getting 'old' and should settle down according to them i was past my prime. The match makers deemed me impossible to work with and thus they have resorted to last ditch efforts. The peoples marriage market. Every friday to sunday in peoples park there would be parents lined up for miles with umbrellas detailing everything about their children from their appearances to qualifications. Not that i wanted to be here but if i didnt come along i was gonna be kicked out of the house. And no one wants to pay rent prices these days. Hours passed and boredom was drilling into my soul. My phone was dying so no more watching Mack Daddy performances for me.

I waited until my parents were distracted with another couple and quietly slipped away from the crowd.  I hastily made my escape to the waterfall in hopes of some momentary peace.

I walked up the small slope and perched myself down on a rock out of the view of the public and listened to the sound of running water, surrounded by the vivid green scenery. I could see why the fae liked it here, it really was beautiful in a world full of buildings.  I closed my eyes trying to clear my mind when i got a eerie feeling something was watching me. My eyes flickered open as I checked the surrounding area. To my surprise nothing was there so i shrugged  it off as my imagination. Once again i closed my eyes and this time i heard a rustling in a bush. Once again my eyes flickered open, but this time i saw a something red sticking out of the bush. It looked like a tail. You know what they say curiosity killed the cat and so i started to approach it. I saw a figure crouched down in the greenery with what was a red  pointed tail.

"Hello...?" I called out

The figure looked up at me with bright red eyes and a sharp shaped face. He had a slight panic upon his face before speaking in a low tone.

"Oh shit"

And with that he dissappeared.  I wasn't sure if I was imagining it or what but it felt very surreal. I headed back to my parents so that they wouldn't hunt me down and resumed my place behind the umbrella.  Not long after my mum started talking in an enthusiastic tone.

"Hey handsome young man are you here looking for a wife? My daughter would be perfect for you."

"Baobei why would this young man be looking for a wife, I'm sure a good looking man like him will be surrounded by women."

A familiar low toned voice spoke up.

"Actually I am looking for a wife, i just haven't found the right girl yet...until now."

I glanced up to see who my mother was making a fuss off. He was tall around 6ft i would presume, decked out in a black suit with a red shirt underneath. His face was sharp in all the right places and his deep brown eyes alluring. He flashed a quick smile that revealed his dimples. This guy was too good looking to be true. I didn't trust it. His voice reminded me of the thing I heard earlier. Could they be the same?

He quickly got into a deep conversation wih my parents  bringing up his qualifications for them to   inspect and then turned his attention to me.

"So beautiful, what do you say, wanna make a deal with me?"

I couldnt shift this uneasy feeling I had.

"Who are you?"

"My names Yanjun. Lin Yanjun and you my angel?"

"First of all not your angel, most likely your worst nightmare. Secondly my name is y/n"

"Fiery too, everything I've always dreamed of."

He started to walk towards me closing the distance between us but with every step closer he took the hotter my rose quartz started burning. I quickly lifted it up from my chest, blowing down towards the red mark upon my chest.

"Clever little fae,protecting the angel of this place."

"What are you talking about, how do you know of the fae?"

"You could say im acquainted." He smirked

"You're that thing from earlier, the one spying on me with the red tail."

"I have no idea what your talking about." He spoke smoothly but his face suggested otherwise.

"Oh really? The  whats that red thing behind you."

"WHERE"

he started to turn around in a circle which was quite amusing considering he was trying to play it suave.

"What are you?"

"I'm about to be your fiancee either way what does it matter?"

"Stay away from me. You demon."

"I did always love a challenge. How about we make a deal. If you don't fall in love with me in one month i will leave you alone. If you do, you have to be my wife for all eternity."

"What makes you so confident."

" well i know your bored of this mortal world i can show you everything you've dreamed of. Also i am the great Lin Yanjun, king of demons. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position right now."

"Then i accept your deal but only because i hate vain creatures like you. Looks like i won't be falling for you anytime soon. Plus you cant touch me, I'm never taking this quartz off."

"We'll see about that my darling. I've watched you for a very long time." He smirked as his eyes flickered a deep red.

"Because that's not creepy at all."

"I look forward to our first date. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7pm."

Had i really just made a deal with a devil and of all people it was the king of hell? What is wrong with my stubborness. Well there's no way i will fall for him. Hes too arrogant. Although handsome but i can't let his looks affect me. Either way this was going to be an interesting month.  Maybe i can use him to find the elf boy again. All i know is for now this quartz is never leaving my side.

[howlingwind]

JASON DEAN MORGAN who strongly resembles CODY CHRISTIAN, has been spotted in Pandæmonium. The CISMALE is a TWENTY THREE year old HUMAN, and has been in Pandæmonium for SIX MONTHS. I hear they’re INDEPENDENT & LOYAL and REBELLIOUS & REFRACTORY. If you’re lucky you may catch them working at THIRD RAIL COFFEE as a BARISTA or at a RAILWAY LOADING DOCK as an UN/LOADER.

draws major inspiration from the character jason morgan from general hospital because i’m a nerd. tbh the name was kind of a coincidence tho bc i was gonna name him something else but it got taken then used jeffrey dean morgan as a namesake but didn’t like jeff as a name so lol

very abrasive personality. a cold, icy exterior that’s pretty hard to penetrate.

had an accident (more about that below), he’s probably brain damaged tbh. but not in the unable-to-function way but more in the fly-off-the-handle way.

actually extremely intelligent but hates flaunting it, and hates work that has anything to do with it. he’d rather do manual labor or serve coffee for minimum wage than sit at a desk making bank.

it’s rare that you find him dressed in anything other than a t-shirt, and jeans, maybe a leather jacket. between his wardrobe, hair style, and a typically calculating/observational expression, he might come off as very terminator-y at times.

loyal as a dog. more loyal. would do absolutely anything for someone he cares about, or who he feels he owes a debt. always repays his debts.

despite a miraculous recovery from injury, he’s always been an atheist. at least as long as he can remember. to him it wasn’t god or any other divine intervention that got him back on his feet, it was his own perseverance. his family being very devout also made him eager to turn his back on religion. since coming to town, running into demons, befriending an angel, etc he really doesn’t know what to believe anymore. for most people, walking, talking proof would be enough to convince them, but he’s still skeptical.

not afraid of stepping outside the bounds of the law to benefit himself or someone he cares for.

if he gets close to someone he’ll probably let them call him jay but anyone else he’ll probably ignore, squint at, maybe give them a dirty look lmao

at birth he was named jason dean price, but he changed it after renouncing his family and leaving his hometown. he came up with the last name morgan because it was the first name of an old friend who never tried to pressure him into being the person he used to be before his accident.

starting to develop a taste for danger and adrenaline rushes.

interests include motorcycles, handguns, shooting pool, working out, and red heads

unlike a lot of the town’s residents, he doesn’t really have any bias or prejudices against any particular species. the whole supernatural thing is really interesting to him, and obviously he’s wary of demons and all the species that would wanna kill and/or eat him but he’s just really fascinated by it tbh

for jason, life began at twenty years old. that’s when he woke up, tubes down his throat, bandages around his head, a brace on his neck. he was immobile, and he didn’t remember a thing. he was constantly visited by friendly faces that with sad, unfamiliar eyes. his family apparently. they told him all about his life. how he’d grown up an heir to one of the wealthiest families in upstate new york, how he was such a bright young man who’d been destined for great things. he was a med student, graduated high school at just fifteen, on the cusp of finally getting his doctorate. he was going to be the greatest neural surgeon in the country, inherit a large share in an international conglomerate, basically have the world in the palm of his hands. now he couldn’t even ball them into a fist. they told him about the accident, how he’d gotten into the car with his drunken older brother and they’d crashed into a tree. they told him he soared through the windshield, skull first into the trunk. he should have died on impact.

jason’s dedication was truly a sight to behold. a young man who should have never walked again or formed a coherent sentence, so determined he seemingly willed himself to heal. he fought with every fiber of his being to become whole again, and it took so damn long, but he did it. you’d never know what he’d been through if you looked at him. the scars were hidden by his hair, he could speak just as precisely as before, and move just like he had before, maybe even better. it was miraculous, how he came back from that. the problem was, jason dean price never truly came back. he wasn’t the same person. he couldn’t and wouldn’t live up to everything everyone around him wanted him to be. he didn’t remember being a son, a brother, friend, he didn’t remember a damn thing and he couldn’t stand the way they all pressured him to be someone who didn’t exist anymore. they tried to control him. what choice did he have but to rebel?

it started out mundane. dressing in leather jackets, getting drunk, buying a motorcycle, driving said motorcycle into “the estate” just to piss his family off… eventually, he grew to despise his old family so much that he packed a bag and took off forever, legally having his surname changed to morgan, and in search of a new life. jason ended up riding to the town of pandemonium, unaware of the town’s not-so-secret secret. the sun was starting to set on his first day in town when a bar caught his eye, a dozen motorcycles parked in the lot, rock music blaring out into the street. it was the type of place that practically called out his name. from the moment he walks in, it’s all eyes on him. black eyes, red eyes. yellow eyes. and one truly disturbing pair of white eyes, practically boring into him, looking at him like he’s lunch. that is, until suddenly he’s standing outside again, and there’s a blinding white light shining out from inside the bar, the only person to emerge being a young red-haired woman named ariel. the archangel. and jason’s life would never be the same.

[redheadshenanigans]

Locked in - A Destiel Season 14 moment.

Dean is still hosting Micheal, Cas and Jack want to speak to him but there is a price Micheal asks for their request. Secrets will out but will Dean be whole by the end?

Rating: Serious angst, be prepared to be tormented /some swearing/kissing Word Count: 3317 Relationship: Castiel/Dean Winchester Characters: Castiel, Dean, Jack, Michael

Dean had been pacing around in his skull for weeks. It was exhausting.

At first, he'd fought and struggled but now he spent most of his time in here.

Watching Michael 'experience' life was, well boring. Sometimes it was disturbing, shuddering, he flashed back to the loofah incident. So, they'd come to an agreement, and he had retreated to a mental version of the bunker. Dean would hang out here, at the moment it was the kitchen. Michael didn't bother him. Dean was still Dean, so he still went rooting for weakness in the angels' form but so far, no luck.

Today was like any other, Dean hadn't slept and that was since being body snatched. Yes, he chastised himself you volunteered. To fill the time, he'd taken to speaking to versions of Sam, Cas and Bobby in his mind and it kept him sane. Which he was sure was relative at the point.

Cas's voice was a whisper at first. Dean thought he'd imagined it, heart racing when he realised that Cas was there with Michael. Panic consumed him. The path to the archangel's eyes, his eyes was like a spiral staircase. He bolted, moving faster than he had in weeks. Dean filtered back into his body and hated the feeling. It was like squeezing into clothes that were already filled. He couldn't speak through his mouth, couldn't move his body, and couldn't yell. He couldn't scream at the Angel to get outta dodge before Michael tore him a new hole.

He was, helpless and there was nothing worse for Dean, nothing.

Dean observed the scene before him. Cas and Jack were standing there in the motel room, negotiating with Michael. Dean did the only thing he could; he watched and begged Michael not to hurt them.

"I warn you, Jack has regained his grace and we are not defenceless," Cas said, it was a threat.

Jack stood there scowling, his eyes brighter than usual which meant he was close to the edge. Those deep and soulful eyes shone like the sun was igniting behind them.

"Where is the other one?" Michael asked, "Samuel?"

"That is none of your concern," Cas replied with a hard sneer.

"Very well. What exactly do you want?" the archangel asked.

"We want Dean back."

It was like a slap to them when Michael laughed in response, dry and sarcastic. They expected it but still...

"Well that will happen, how do they say here, ah yes...Over my dead body." He smiled, twisted, an awful thing that drained the colour from Cas's face. Dean didn't know Cas could go that shade of white.

"But, if you insist..."

Dean felt Michaels grace shift but nothing else.

"No, stop," Jack yelled as Cas stood there looking ill, frozen.

Dean could see blood and was certain it was his, what had Michael done to him? He couldn't feel a thing which meant it was all for show, yet Dean screamed in anger anyway.

"Do you know how loud Dean Winchester is screaming inside his own mind?" Michael taunted the men but looked bored.

"Shut up" Cas breathed out between gritted teeth.

"Do you know what he thinks about in the deep dark recesses of his mind?"

The archangel moved towards Cas.

"Stop." Said Jack, "That's close enough."

"I won't harm him Nephilim, not any of you"

"Why?" Cas asked, confused.

"Because brother; Dean and I made a deal. He is pliant and I leave you three and whoever else he puts on his little list, alone. Dean makes the vessel strong, and so I placate him by letting you, people, be. I don't like the buzzing he makes when he's upset, it's, for lack of a better word, annoying."  The Archangel was elegant yet menacing. The pressed suit was perfect and fit Dean's frame like a glove.

Cas and Jack exchanged a look and they relaxed but only a fraction.

Dean was pacing behind his own eyes, what the hell was Michael doing?

Michael moved closer to Cas. He was inches away from the angel now and Dean flinched, not trusting Michaels intentions one bit.

"Castiel, I know why you're here," Michael spoke as he pulled away. The casual pacing around the room was a disarming technique. Michael wanted to talk and that was dangerous.

"I just told you why." Cas's growled out, the sarcasm ignored by the Archangel.

"No, you told me what you wanted, which I am willing to give you- fleetingly of course." Dean could see the hope in Cas's face.

“No”, he screamed, knowing it was a trap. Whatever the price was it'd be too high.

"Let's say, three minutes." Michael picked up one of Sam's knives and played with it like it was a toy.

"I'll give you three minutes to speak to Dean."

"Why would you do that?" Jack asked because Cas seemed to be in shock.

"I want you to listen to what I have to say first."

"How do we know you'll keep your word," Cas asked.

"I can bind it," Jack said out of the blue, confusion filtering over his face.

"How?"

"I don't know, I just know I can."

"Fine, I will allow it one condition, that you hear me out. I ask that you don't interrupt until I'm done and only then will I release Dean to speak to you."

Cas stretched his palm out and Dean saw Michael do the same.

Jack placed his hands over theirs, the glow that came was pure and white. Both angels turned away as Jack whispered,

“As agreed, and so it must be or death will reap the defalcator.”

Dean felt a shudder in the angel's grace, whatever Jack had done was solid, permanent.

His heart pounded at the realisation that he was going to be able to speak. But what price would they pay for his moment of freedom?

Dean knew Michael; he wasn't like the other monsters they'd fought. The cunning was in his truth. He would pick at their emotions until they were raw and then he'd keep on going.

Michael, cleared his throat, "May I begin?"

Cas nodded, rigid, waiting for the betrayal but it never came.

"I will ask again. Castiel, how well do you know Dean?"

"I don't see what this has to..."

"Please, as part of our agreement, humour me?"

"He's family," Cas replied looking sad.

"Do you know what Dean thinks about in this tiny little mind of his?"

Hey, thought Dean, you wanna live inside me you asshole.

Dean felt Michael’s grin, like a shadow in his mind and heard his voice as it echoed, 'just wait Dean, just you wait'

Not good, Dean thought.

"Pie and whiskey?" Sarcasm leached from Cas as he answered, Dean was kinda proud.

Michael laughed, "Oh poor Castiel, how wrong you are." Picking imaginary lint from his coat, "Dean, shall we tell Castiel a few, truths?"

Dean went cold, oh god, this was not happening. He watched from behind his eyes as if from a balcony, arms crossed and terrified.

"Do you know much about humans? Because I know much," he sounded proud, "I know what hurts them, what heals them, what drives their tiny little lives."

Taking a forced deep breath he continued, "It's actually a hobby of mine. I got bored with the confusion of their constant hypocrisy and decided to study them. Father loved them so much and I wanted to see what he saw."

Cas shifted on his feet, not sure where this was going but certain he wasn't going to like it.

"There are a few things that drive them; the first are their base desires. Food, lust...you get my meaning. The rest is complex. It's actually somewhat interesting. Father did well in creating these endless puzzles for us to play with, sadly it's lost on most of my siblings."

"They're not..."

"Don't interrupt me Castiel," Michael added, his tone was light, bored and it was terrifying.

Michael's hands played with a book as he said, "Secrets...Secrets are the keys to the human soul. They push them, drive them and they also destroy them."

"Secrets?" Jack asked, intrigued. Cas glared at him, and Jack frowned, chastised.

"Yes. The best way to understand these things is through their secrets. Let's take Dean, for example. Dean Winchester, raised a hunter, by a father obsessed with a dead wife."

Dean was shaking inside his head, enraged.

"Do you know what John Winchester did to his eldest son? What all that aggression and need did to Dean's confined human psyche?" Michael changed books.  

"It caused a conflict. It caused what the humans call 'emotional damage'. Dean was kind, caring and full of love but his father twisted it into something fractured. Something mutated, something that would never work in the real world. He damned his eldest son to the eternal torment of the worst kind. The loveless kind. Walls to high for anyone to climb over and if they did, well there were pits full of demons waiting."

He paced, flicking at the pages of the book as Dean seethed inside his own mind.

"Dean could have been a lot of things but his parent's actions broke him of any other desire. He can't love people that aren't family because they can choose to leave him. Though before they can do so, he always finds a reason to leave them. Had you noticed? "

"He's a hunter..." Cas added, knowing that's what Michael wanted.

"Yes, and a good one, I've spent a lot of time with him Castiel and I can appreciate Dean's talents."

The pauses were annoying, it was posturing but he was in no rush.

"...but the hunt is an excuse." Michael waved a flippant hand and started again. "Dean can't settle with someone weak or with someone that needs protecting. He's always been the protector and deep down he hates it. Ultimately that role...well, it always leaves him- shall we say, dissatisfied. Maybe irritated? No stressed...well you can take your pick." He emphasised the K with a click.

Dropping the book he raised a pamphlet for a theme park and examined it.

"...and he can't be with a hunter because, well they remind him of mommy."

Cas looked confused and Dean went still.

"So Castiel, what is a boy to do?"

Cas stayed quiet.

Dean, confused as all hell didn't know what to think. He felt nauseous, nothing the archangel had said was a lie. Sadly, he did feel that way...shit he was so fucked up.

"Dean loves his family." Cas's words were soft, strained.

"Yes, Dean adores his family. He would kill for them, die for them...he's in here right now begging for you to leave so that he can keep you safe."

Cas took a deep and shuddering breath and Dean realised he had been, this whole time. Whispering it like a mantra, over and over. 'Don't hurt them.'

"But, I wonder...and I'm just theorising here..." Michael turned his fingers, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you understand why Dean has never settled down?"

"You said, didn't you? Is that what you want? I know Dean won't give up hunting to be happy because he's not selfish, he's brave and kind..."

"You're not wrong Castiel." Michael interrupted him and Cas looked shocked again. "What I want you to see is the reason, why..."

"I don't understand..."

"Are you really that ignorant?" the Archangel posed.

Cas didn't know what to say.

"If Dean can't love someone, what’s the word he uses- ah yes, a 'civilian'? If he can't love someone who is not a hunter because they may leave, they may die, may get hurt..."

He paused to gauge Cas's reaction.

"And, if he can't be with a hunter because of his mommy issues...and the only people in his life that are strong, loving and capable around him are related to him biologically..."

"Sam and Mary..." Cas added.

"Yes. Who can Dean love? Who can Dean trust to be there, always? Maybe love in a way that is not appropriate for family members?" Michael pondered. "Knowing the human psyche Castiel...knowing that they reach for love like a lifeline. Do you think Dean would ever be whole without a partner? Someone to love as an equal? He has such a huge capacity for it...doesn't he?"

Dean was panting now, pacing in his own mind. The shaking was starting. The helplessness, rage and denial were all brewing inside him.

Cas nodded again.

“Please, Michael, please don't do this" Dean begged, he knew where this was going now... this would destroy his world.

At that moment, Dean understood that is what he wanted. To alienate Deans people, his friends, his family.

"Dean has a secret Castiel. Dean's secret is so large, so hidden that I had to ferret it out from the most repressed place. The most repressed I've ever seen in a human psyche." Michael laughed, "He has been pushed so far into the archetype. He's been moulded so much by his father. By their trips to diners, and bars."

The disdain in Michaels tone was audible.

"Then also by human television and culture which left its own mark. The expectation of being a 'man' and a hunter, the pressure from his father, it made him who he is. But he had to find a way around it all, he was desperate. Dean has found a way to love and without having to really think about it, it's ingenious actually.  Dean has found a way to be in love with someone that avoids all of his human issues...

Michael looked at Cas, Dean was on his knees now inside his head, slow tears streaming down his face. He was trembling with panic.

"Dean loves something and that something is hard to kill, something that he...reveres."

Every time Michael said 'love' Cas flinched like he was being slashed by a blade. Cas didn't understand, why didn't Dean mentioned this person?

"He respects powerful things, he’s... relieved by durability. He adores his work but what he loves more is people who understand how much he needs his work, to feel whole, to feel safe. He wants people, a person, who can keep Samuel safe. He loves a great many things...but Dean has needs. Dean wants... things."

Michael looked out of the window.

"Do you know what Dean wants Castiel, more than any of those other things? What he desires more than cheeseburgers, more than sex? More than his brother, more than anything really?"

Cas shook his head lowering it to his chest, riveted now even as he abhorred it.

"Dean's longing...his vast overwhelming need is to be... taken care of. "

Cas's head snapped up in surprise. If there was on one thing he was expecting, that wasn't it. Dean was always the carer, the general and he wanted to be cared for? "Dean wants someone to look after him Castiel. Someone to love him without asking anything in return. He wants them to give without needing anything in return. Dean wants' someone who will fight for him, endlessly. When he despairs, for someone to hold him and reassure him. Someone to worship him, to crave him. Not superficially...but in the way of two bonded souls. Just one person who is his, that's all."

Dean broke a little more and curled up in a ball. The wracking sobs made it hard to breathe. It was like someone cracking open his core and bearing it to the world, worse, to Castiel.

Cas was shaking, he was so angry that Dean's innermost thoughts were being exposed. He knew his friend would hate this.

"Dean could only ever love something... other. His mother, unbeknownst to her, had a mild gift of prophecy.”

Dean looked up at that, confused.

“The thing that Dean would love, the only thing that could love him the way he needed? A love that would be unconditional."

Michael paused, thoughtful. "...and what do human know of unconditional love? Petty, short-lived apes that they are..."

He stared at Cas and flicked his hand again casually.

"I digress, do you remember Castiel, what Dean's mother used to say to him before bed, every single night?"

Cas choked, his mouth going dry as he found the words, "Angels are watching over you."

"Do you know what Dean's secret is Castiel?"

"No..." Cas whispered, denial filling his tone.

"Dean is in love with something that is not and never has been human. Is it ingenious isn't it? Such a splendid solution, a very inhuman solution and so ironic for a hunter." Michael rubbed his finger in some dust as he met Castiel's eyes.

"Dean is in love with...you."

If angels could hyperventilate, Cas was sure this is what it felt like.

"You're wrong." Cas spat.

"Don't do that Castiel, you know I loathe lies." It was calm and controlled, "and you love him. You have since you ripped his soul from hell. Does he know that? Let me check...no. Oh, joy. Dean, are you listening?"

Michael seemed to be genuinely enjoying this moment.

"Castiel fought several hundred Demons to get to you, not the one or two he implied. He created a wall inside your mind that protected you from your memories until you could handle them. He killed and came out bloody and injured for you. And the best part Dean. The best part was that as his hands, his pure celestial being touched your bare soul. Castiel was lost, he had no other choice but to love you. He saw all of you, as broken and battered as you were and now he needs you as much as you need him."

Dean looked up at that and saw the truth in Cas’s face. Dean's world narrowed to the angel in front of him. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. His eyes fluttered closed as he took a deep heartwrenching breath. How was he supposed to speak to Cas now?

Castiel was in shock, or as close as angels could be. Had he known that what he felt was love? Maybe? How was he supposed to even look at Dean now?

"Now, my story has reached its conclusion and I only want one more thing before I hold up my end of this...deal."

Cas wiped's a single tear from his face.

A ragged, "What?" escaped Cas' lips.

"A kiss..."

"A...a kiss?" Cas felt wounded as he looked into Dean's deep green eyes.

"Just one, with feeling and then I'll let Dean out...although he's a little, shaky right now."

Michael sounded jubilant and it turned Cas' stomach.

"You want to kiss me?" Cas was having difficulty with the concept.

Dean moaned to Michael, "Please don't do this." The archangel ignored him.

"Just one." Michael moved into Cas's personal space and Dean saw his hand rising to his angel’s cheek and shuddered.

Cas nodded.

"Like you mean it Castiel." He added with a touch of force and Cas nodded again.

Then Michael did something so heartbreaking, Dean felt parts of his soul splinter. The feeling in his body returned, but not the control and then he kissed Cas. The move was slow but hard and the feel of Cas' lips on his was like heaven. Dean’s lip fell between Cas’ and he sucked it lightly opening Cas's mouth with his tongue. Smashing them together like a wave. Dean's hand rose to match the other and he gripped the shorter man's face. His whole body trembled with the feeling. Cas kissed him back with a need and skill that Dean had never expected. It consumed him, consumed them both. The kiss broke, it was sudden, sharp and then Michael appeared next to Dean in his mind.

The angel, a mirror image, smirked and said, "You have three minutes."

-fin-

[enniewritesathing]

Based on this article. This is a SUPER long read, so... it’s behind the cut (RIP mobile users, maybe), and just some stuff... rambling even, lol. But, it’s an info dump, some insights, silliness... etc...

On Preparation:

Brian: “Oh, lord. I don’t know who’s crazier during training -- me or John.”

John: “It’s both of us.”

B: “Yeah... listen, when fight week is here in this house? It feels like every seam is going to burst. It’s chaos, it’s anxiety, the tension.”

J: “Ah, sorry. Hey, you told me to take it outside, so I did. There’s a small gym in the backyard. Pads, mirrors, the treadmill, I even hooked up the soundsystem. I’m usually in there twice a day. Three times if I’m lucky.”

B: “I usually don’t see him for days at a time. Sometimes it works out, because I’m on rotation shifts at the hospital. Then I worry that I’ll see this [jerks thumb at John] dumbass on a stretcher. It’s one thing to push yourself, but to the point of injury. Again.”

J: “He’s never going to let me live that one down.”

B: [matter-of-fact look] “He almost died.”

J: “And you call me dramatic? Brian, I didn’t [in mocking tone] “almost die”. I’ll tell that story later. I have a bunch. Before he kicked me out of the house, I’d practice in what’s now the green room. Wait-- what about when we were living at ina’s house? You wanna...?”

B: “No, what do you do now.”

J: “Ah. Well, wake up in the morning, around 4. Go out for a five mile run. Come back, stretching, then drills for three hours. If I’m lucky, there’s breakfast, full of carbs. 30 minute rest, then back to more drills. Then, shadow box with the mirrors for... [makes vague hand gesture]. When I’m at that point, it’s easy get lost in it. After that, more drills, cool down run, stretches, meditate, then dinner. Repeat until three days before a fight. It’s all meditation at that point. I’m not worried about making weight or anything like that.”

B: “Y’know, I didn’t realize we had that many mirrors until I watched.”

J: “I didn’t either. How many do we have?”

B: “I counted twelve. And they’re [makes wide armed gesture]. Sometimes, I have to pull him out of whatever he’s got going on in his mind. That’s how intense he gets. It’s amazing.”

J: “Really? [raises eyebrow] You said you watched...”

B: “Well, duh, I’m gonna watch. You’re so focused... a couple of times, I watched for an hour and you didn’t notice. Like I said, I don’t know where he goes in his mind. There’s a certain... energy that he has. It’s also the same energy that makes me a little anxious and it drives me a little crazy because I keep... visualizing something’s going to happen during the fight itself. I know-- I know it’s weird to think that far ahead, but I think about all the things that can go wrong.”

J: “Except the times... yeah.”

B: “Yeah. I have to get in that mindset when he’s getting ready for a fight, but I am not... I never feel ready and honestly, I never will.. But, when I watch him shadowbox, the way he moves and how sharp he is, how he flows, hell, the way he looks. He fights beautiful. That and those shorts you always wear... [smiles] hmm. I love it when he wears those and he has his hair down, and he’s all sweaty--”

J: [slightly embarrassed] “Babe, please.”

B: “But behind the beauty is something... I’d say even demonic.”

J: “Oh my god. You’re like the third person to say that. My opponents, I understand. But my own boyfriend? Demonic?”

B: “There’s a better word for it -- ah, scary. There are a couple of photos we have that’s in his uncle’s gym that... scares me. Because it’s like looking at a stranger or a peek at something you’re not supposed to see. I admit the one where you’re just standing there, just covered in blood is my favorite... but the one that scares me is...”

J: [thoughtful look] “Which one? I have a lot of them.”

B: “Over the trophy case. The one with you screaming and your eyes are super wide and hair wild. You looked possessed.”

J: “Oh! Yeah, yeah, that one? That’s probably the scariest I’ve ever seen myself. It’s like ‘holy shit, what did I become?’” And it’s only for a few seconds I’m like that. The funny thing is I don’t remember doing it and I don’t remember that fight...”

B: “Hell, when your eyes do ‘The Thing’.

J: “Oh, like this? [he turns to Brian. His eyes widen slightly for a moment and Brian shirks]’

B: Augh! Yes, that one. I’ve watched your opponents shrink during the staredown. You scare the shit out them before they do anything.”

J: “Really? Am I that scary?”

B: “Let me put it this way, if I never knew you like I do, I would say yes. Since I do, and I know how you work, then no. I realize that you’re a different person in the ring. I don’t know him other than what I see. The John in the ring is vicious and sinister. Dominant. I would say a monster. [sees John frowns] But that’s the only time I see that John. This John is the John I know and love dearly, and I guess no one sees that side of him, or even think that he’s even capable of it. He’s a very sweet person, so of course for me it’s scary at first, then I have that mindset.” [shrugs]

J: [stunned look] “Uh... wow.”

B: “It’s the truth. That’s what I think of you-- well, John in the ring.”

J: “Well what about... John in training?”

B: “Him? Oh jeez [counts on fingers] loud, ornery, obsessive... sometimes, I don’t even bother you when it gets close. He’s a jerk.”

J: “Ornery?”

B: “When he has to make weight, John doesn’t like it when I eat or --god forbid-- cook around him. I have to air out the house so he won’t get upset at not eating delicious food. He made me eat out on the porch a couple of times. He’s an asshole when he’s hungry. Imagine that for two weeks. The little things set him off. It drives me nuts. And it makes me want to wring his neck.”

J: “Yeah... I can’t lie on that.”

B: “The only good that comes out of it is that this [gestures over chest] looks great. [John looks exasperated] Oh, don’t give me that look. You said the same thing about my legs and ass when I ran track.”

J: “You’re rarely this... forthcoming with your thoughts.”

B: “Oh, sweetie, you should hear me when I’m at work. I brag about you all the time. Are you blushing?

J: “N-no?”

On Traveling:

J: “When I was younger, travelling was exciting. New places, new people, new cultures... Now? [sighs] It can be rough. Especially if it’s a overseas trip. I usually fly out the week before so I can get over the jet lag.”

B: “It’s rough when I can’t go.”

J: “It sucks, but it’s a sacrifice -- totally because Brian’s a nurse and honestly... it would be selfish of me take him out of a place where he’s needed, y’know?”

B: “He’s a little more nervous --just a teeny bit-- when he has to go by himself. I’m not there to calm him down. When I drop him off at the airport, it’s like... watching a warrior going to battle. Of course, I know he’s coming back, but it doesn’t make it less... dramatic?

J: “It is when we kiss.”

B: “Really?”

J: “I mean... I think about it the whole trip there. It’s a nice thought...”

B: “Ah. We got fussed at by security a couple of times because they’re not too keen on ~romance~. We’re not making out or anything like that.”

J: “That old guy?”

B: “Ugh, him. It’s always him too. I make it a point to piss him off when John comes back and I leap into his arms and give him the biggest kiss I can manage.

J: “Anyway, when we do travel together, we always fly if it’s far enough. Brian brings just about everything.”

B: “No, I don’t; I just like to be prepared.”

J: “Everything. I pack my clothes, my gear, headphones... that’s it. Brian packs like ten outfits knowing full well we’re not gonna be there that long and other things that are just...”

B: “I also like to have options. [nods. John sighs.] One time we flew to Japan-- I checked the weather before we left and it was cool -- John insisted that we didn’t need coats or anything like that, but I packed a few hoodies just in case. [beat] It was snowing when we got there. John only wore some short sleeves and jeans.”

J: “Okay, okay, so I got caught...”

B: “We got caught in the middle of a blizzard”. [gives a very pointed look]

J: [glares] “I like sitting at the window seat. Brian, though? A couple of times he’s had to swap seats to the emergency row because his seat is small.”

B: “Until we started springing for first class seats. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it. It’s one thing being tall, but when you’re wedged between two people... you get a little claustrophobic. In first class? Not a problem. We can sit next to each other and still have room to ourselves to sleep.”

J: “He’s really cute when he sleeps on the plane. Brian hates turbulance, so I hold his hand or, y’know, stroke his hair or something. The flight attendants always ask if he’s alright. They think it’s cute.”

B: “When we get to the hotel... we always get raised eyebrows. I mean, you see him, and then you see me, it’s like the beginning of a bad porno. ‘Twink Gets Stuffed By...’ eh, you get the idea.”

J: “I wouldn’t call it bad. I mean, bad would be out in the woods with Mother Nature and mosquitos joining in.”

B: “Or bears.”

J: “Or bea-- Brian.”

B: [laughs] “There’s this voice that he puts on too. I can’t describe it other than you remove the bass. Kinda like... when you talk in Filipino or something else.”

J: “It’s my friendly voice. When you have a voice like I do, it’s commanding and authoritive or something. So, to not frighten anyone, I speak higher. That’s it.”

B: “It’s too...”

J: “Fake?”

B: “Oh, absolutely. The rooms are always nice, so there’s that. One time we got a Junior suite... Best bed I’ve slept in.”

J: “It better be. I looked up the price of the bed. It was four thousand dollars.”

B: “No wonder rich people are always smiling...”

On ‘The Myth’:

B: “That myth is... It really depends. We’re still trying to find that sweet spot. A month is excessive.”

J: “A month is complete and utter bullshit.”

B: “See, it’s not a big deal for me because my wants are low to begin with; a month is no problem. Extra sex? Bonus. But John? I have never seen him so sexually frustrated on purpose in my life.”

J: “Not even--”

B: “No, because while it’s cute when you beg a little, I usually throw the bone after. This is like on a scale of one to one hundred, it was... a ninety-seven. You were like a cat in heat. A month long tease. And John doesn’t like being teased much. It pisses him off.”

J: “No sex for a month before a fight was the goddamn worst. I don’t know if it affected me because, that was the fastest fight I had. Knockout in 34 seconds in the first round. Caught ‘em with a liver shot with my knee.”

B: “It was a beautiful knee. Right after when the ref calls it, he looks like me like “Get your ass ready.” Soon as we got back to our hotel, I had very little warning... [looks at John] “I told him to hold back until we get home... he didn’t.”

J: “Hoo, yeah, no, I didn’t. I couldn’t wait.”

B: “It was a mess. I’m glad we had all those pillows around. I may have screamed.”

J: “Oh, don’t worry, it was a good scream.”

B: “I couldn’t walk straight for a week.”

J: [a rather pleased smile]

B: “A month is too excessive. For me on the receiving end. A couple of days? I can buy that.”

J: “A couple of days is fine, but... a month? Who the fuck thought that was a good idea? I thought I was going to pop...”

B: “You did. Repeatedly.”

On injuries:

B: “Injuries. [long sigh] They’re terrible. They’re terrible in general, but when it happens right in front of you, you just hope that they’re going to be okay after. When John fights, I just hope he wins with minimal scratches. That goes for his opponent too.”

J: “Injuries... they can and will happen. Do I want them to happen? Absolutely not because there’s nothing worst than training for half a year or whatever, and you get hurt and lose because of it. I’d rather lose by points and hell, a knockout before losing because of that. It sucks. And while I do fight hard, I never have the intention of injuring someone on purpose. Does that makes sense?

B: “Like, legal cheap shots?”

J: “Yeah. Those piss me off because that pretty much says, “I don’t know how to fight so I’ll do this instead.” It’s like in fighting games, you use that one power attack and nothing else.”

B: “What about the... ones that are pure bad luck?”

J: “The Benni fight. God, that was rough. [John leans back] I broke his leg. I know it sounds weird, but I’m glad it was a clean snap, they’re so much easier to put back together.”

B: [nods]

J: “The way he looked, his scream... I cried behind that. Obviously, I asked about him after he, uh, got to the hospital. Visited him even, and I apologized like almost every other word. He told me not get upset over it because -- it happens. It was an unlucky moment.

B: “He took that fight pretty hard and John started to hold back because of it. No one else recognized that, but I did.”

J: “Brian got on my ass about it. I mean, I’ve hit hard. I’ve broken someone else’s nose or, slashed their face with an elbow, knock a tooth out; you can bounce back from that easy, you name it, I probably did it, and I don’t mean to. But breaking someone’s leg? [he shakes his head] That’s life changing.”

B: “I did. Now, you wanna talk about the Shapiro fight or... both sides of it.”

J: “The Shapiro fight is the fight I [looks at Brian] almost died. It’s more of ‘getting into deep shit’. So, during the second round, my defense was absolute shit and he got a knee in when he clinched me. I heard two, maybe three pops. There’s a brief pause and he lets go. I’m ready to strike and... I remember feeling something hot [lifts up shirt, points to three lower ribs] around here and I couldn’t breathe. I was on the floor. Ref’s counting. It’s a dull pain, but nothing I can’t get back up from.

I get up. Ref gives the okay. When I took a breath, it felt like I got stabbed. I didn’t let Shapiro know by my face, but I guarded more. By the time he picked up on it, the round was done. I told my uncle ‘I broke something’. I was starting to feel dizzy. He asked me if I wanted to go on. I should’ve said no, and have him throw in the towel. My pride wouldn’t let me [laughs]. It was stupid of me--

B: “--and probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen him do--”

J: “--that’s fair. Third round starts. I’m barely holding it together. I set up a combo ,ends with a Superman punch. Boom. He goes down. Thank god I knocked him out... I don’t remember the rest, other than telling my uncle, ‘I can’t breathe. I’m gonna pass out. I’m gonna pass out--’I took this huge gasp [exaggerated gasp]... and then next thing I know, I’m at the hospital.”

B: “Before the third round started, I heard John and my heart sank. I knew he was going to go for it. I wanted to scream at him ‘don’t you do it’. He looked like hell. He looked like he was going to pass out the whole time. Honestly, I wished he did. After the fight, John was in trouble. He was hyperventilating, shaking. He passes out. I’m going crazy because he’s not moving. We get to the hospital. John’s broken 3 of his ribs, and one of them punctured his lung.”

J: “I was out for a month and a half. To say that Brian was pissed at me is an understatement. But saying that I almost died? C’mon, man. That’s too much.”

B: “You scared the shit out of me. And given what I see everyday at the hospital, that escalates quick. Hell, you really scared your mom.”

J: “She cursed me out. I’ve never seen her so angry in my life. Brian had to hold her back from trying to beat the shit out of my uncle.”

B: “Your mom is like a tiny wolverine; she wanted to fight everyone. I mean, she was right in feeling that way. Especially... y’know. You’re her only son now. I know that calling it, especially with something that, is a blow to your ego given what you said earlier. It sucks. I get it, but you live, so to speak, another day. Less recovery time.”

J: “Brian took it harder than I did, and I’m the one that fought. It made me reevaluate things when I saw him cry. Full on, soul baring cry. And one thing I promised to myself is to not make Brian cry over me. He starts crying, I start crying too. Like every time he looked at me, he’d just turn away so I wouldn’t see him.”

B: “The Shapiro fight was the stupidest thing he’s done. Other fights? I can live with.”

J: “That’s because you love the scars. Everyone loves them. The bad about mine is that, you can barely see them. My tattoos cover a lot of them up. If you’re good enough with elbows, you can fuck someone up. They are the sharpest point on your body. I got cut a couple of times. [pulls back hair] de la Rosa got me with this. Pissed me off more than anything else because I have a lot of hair and it takes a while to wash it. It kept it from really bleeding enough for a stopppage, so there’s that.”

B: “A lot of his opponents try to go for his face. Obviously.”

J: “I think they’re jealous. I always hear ‘I’m gonna bust up your pretty face’, ‘I’ll make you bleed’, so on, so forth. I never take it as an insult because, hey, they think I’m pretty.” [shrugs]

On defeat:

B: “When John loses... and he does, he takes it personally. Not as much as when we were younger, but he does.”

J: “I’m still working on it.”

B: “I have to let him mourn, but at the same time, I have to pull him out of it. That’s been... sort of my role in this. I give him three days. That’s enough time to cry together, mope together, emotional together... everything. The fourth day? I have to step in. Remind him that he’s come this far. It’s a learning opportunity. Great fighters have losThat’s all .”

J: “When I was younger, before Jake died, I promised I’d win every fight. I thought that, y’know, if I win, he’d get better. That... wasn’t the case. [sniffs] Even after he died, and I’d lose, I’d... beat myself up over it. Like I broke my promise to him. I take them very seriously.”

B: “He does.”

J: “When I’m beat, it’s usually by points. The worst defeat I’ve had was by 8 points.”

B: “The... Santiago fight?”

J: “Yep.”

B: “Ugh, those judges were awful. That whole fight was awful. Not as awful as getting knockout out. [shudders] It’s like you see his soul leave his body.”

J: “Oh my god, Brian.”

B: “I’m-- okay, of course when you’re knocked out, you don’t realize it. That’s the scary part of it -- he doesn’t quite fall at first, because, i-it’s a delay. His body keeps going. You look at his eyes, he’s not there. [he takes a breath] When he does fall, it’s quick. It’s like... a fish gulping for air. It’s for maybe thirty seconds and then he’s back up. Ugh...”

J: “It’s one thing to see it on tv, but when you see it up close, yeah, it’s uh... it’s brutal. I only remember what happens after. When I’m knocked out, it’s... different.”

B: “I can’t stand it... I was gung-ho at first, but, when we became boyfriends and watching him fight... it’s just scary. I’ll go for support, but it’s getting hard for me to watch him. I’m scared that...”

J: [grabs Brian’s hand] “I don’t hold it against it when he doesn’t want to go with me.”

B: “Not any more.”

J: “I can’t trust anyone else to braid my hair like you do...” [kisses hand. Brian smiles]

B: “Among other things.”

On Watching the Fight:

B: “I can watch most of it. When we started dating? Oh, I could barely stand it. I peeked through my fingers. John knows I’m there in the corner. I try not to yell. I can’t guarantee it when Noelle [John’s mother] is with me though. She’s contagious. I know you can’t hear us.”

J: “I do. You have a distinct voice.”

B: [shocked] “Really? Oh, boy, I’ve said... I’ve said some wild things.”

J: “He’s a shit talker. Like, I barely do it, but Brian? Oh my god. I don’t know which fight he said something about...”

B: “I said that the opponent moved as fast as my grandmother. [beat] She’s been dead for twenty years.”

J: [hearty laugh] “Jesus Christ, Brian!”

B: “I know, it’s terrible, but it was the truth! He was moving in slow motion. John took him out in the first round.”

J: “I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten you in trouble.”

B: “The key to great shit talking is knowing when to stop. It’s an art form. But the one thing I always love, no matter what, is his entrance.”

J: “Oh, are you going to gush again?”

B: “Yes, John, yes. I am. You don’t get to be humble again! When he’s announced, [in ‘radio’ voice] ‘Johnathan V! R! Davidson!’ [in normal voice] in so many languages and he walks out. Music’s blarin’, crowd is going apeshit. You can see the fire in his eyes. You can feel just the raw and absolute power he has when he stands there!

J: [noticibly blushing and trying to keep it together]

B: “The way he walks down the path... the swagger and confidence! It’s like he’s won the fight already and it hasn’t started. John... [sighs lovingly] John, you’re extremely sexy. I don’t throw that word around lightly. I should tell you that way more often!”

J: [his face is beet red]

B: “I don’t know what my favorite colors on him. Any color is good on him. I would say... man, a tie between all black and all white. Probably white. You can see blood better. Mm! And the way John moves during his war dance? It’s hypnotizing. [looks at John with a lascivious smile] Did it get hot in here or is it just me...?”

J: “Brian... mahal...”

B: “Oh, fine. How about this: it make me feel super gay for you. Most days I’m regular gay. But then? [scoffs] Holy shit. I feel blessed.”

J: “Didn’t know you had levels...”

B: “Well, now you know!

On Children:

B: “That’s... hmm.”

J: “Hmm... I think if we have kids, we’ll teach them how to fight. For defense and discipline. If they want to be like papa, great. If they don’t, great. I’m -- we’re not gonna push that on them. It wouldn’t be fair.”

B: “How did you and Jacob get into fighting anyway?”

J: “My uncle and aunt babysat us and we’d watch him going through his drills in the gym and given that we were both two wild and impressionable five year olds... my dad was actually the one to be cautious. Ina, on the other hand, she was for it. She practiced Arnis and, y’know, she was one of the top women in the nation, so...”

B: “That’s where he gets his competitiveness from.”

J: “It was more like ‘let’s see where this goes’. I think... that’s a good approach to it, right?”

B: “Yeah. A healthy approach to it.”

J: “But... if they choose to follow my path... that’s going to be hard. We’re gonna be the dads that have like, journeys watching our kids fight.”

B: “I don’t think I could take it. I have a hard enough time watching you fight.”

J: “It drove my dad crazy when me and Jake fought each other. Maybe... maybe we can wait until they’re teenagers. I mean, I’ve been fighting since I was five. That’s fucking crazy when you think about it. Well-- wait, I didn’t start competing until I was seven.”

B: “No, you had it right. You’ve been fighting your whole life.”

J: “It’s... gotten me through some tough times. A good outlet, if nothing else. I think I’d be a totally different person if I hadn’t started fighting. But... yeah, you’re right.”

Closing:

B: “Our relationship is uncommon for a lot of reasons, but I feel like it’s unique. There’s not a lot of... [thoughtful look], what would you say, John?”

J: “Uh, I’d say, it’s not for everyone. It requires a lot of communication and it also requires to really know and understand each other. We get into battle mode when I have my date. It’s the same thing I did for him when he went through med school; I made sure he was ready for tests and exams and whatever I could do to help him succeed. Brian makes sure that... I don’t do stupid shit when I’m training, he pulls me out of what place I go to. We’re so used to it, it’s second nature.”

B: “I’m there for him when he gets anxious, to listen to him. I’m there to get him through an injury he might get.”

J: “Yeah, Brian doesn’t... like to bring his work persona home, but, I dunno. I like him.”

B: “Oh yeah?”

J: “He’s sweet and gentle, doesn’t patronize me... doesn’t call me an asshole when I do something dumb.”

B: [laughs]

J: “Like everything, we just take it one day at a time. It’s a process. There’s ups and downs, plot twists, disappointments... it’s revealed flaws that we have, but it’s also made us stronger together. It’s a journey. It’s given us opportunities that neither of us probably never thought about.”

B: “Like paying off student loans, this house, not eating ramen every other night...”

J: “Sleep.”

B: “Oh, my god, sleep.”

J: “So, like I said. It’s a process, we’re taking it day by day. I don’t have a better person to be with than Brian. Love you.” [leans in and kisses Brian on the cheek before pressing his forehead against his.]

B: [smiles] “Love you too. [beat] Don’t think you’re getting out of doing the dishes tonight.”

J: [laughs] “It was worth a shot...”

[tumblunni]

I had some sudden more ideas for npcs in the monster petshop game, and a bit of worldbuilding and stuff!

I was just consideringwhether maybe this should be a fantasy setting with different non-human races, or one that’s just all humans. I dunno, games with catchable monsters seem to ALWAYS be just humans, that’s weird now I think about it! I guess its so the line between sentient magical beings and the pet ones isn’t blurred, but in my petshop idea the monster pets can all talk anyway so that’s not an issue. Tho I dunno if it’ll be to the same degree as in the Monster Rancher anime where monsters are all so similar to humans that they can live their own entirely separate lives without a human partner, and like.. start shops and hold property and stuff. Seriously that worldbuilding is so surreal and cool, you get to see stuff like a giant golem running a little metalwork jewelry store in the background of a crowd scene. I wanna see the story of that guy! Tho it gets a bit confusing cos some monsters can’t talk, and some monsters seem to have more petlike intelligence, and those two things don’t often coincide. I still cry forever about that episode with the guy who abused his giant worm monster, and how with its design and how it doesnt talk you’d probably assume its a mindless evil monster but its actually just a quiet sad good guy and like.. how its full sentience level is revealed by it choosing to refuse an offer from the bad guys to join them, and dying trying to save the life of its abusive trainer. And how it actually does succeed in making him realise how wrong he was to treat it like an animal, and to treat animals like mindless toys! And how he breaks down crying and then how he cradles the lil baby worm and promises to do better this time, and then how his original worm comes back to life way WAY at the end of the series and I CRY FOREVERRRR ... Anyway, sorry, where was I before I got distracted?

OH YEAH! Fantasy races! Which really should be called species, but I guess it stuck cos they’re often used as metaphors/replacements for actual racial diversity, especially in traditional fantasy. IM GETTING DISTRACTED AGAIN!!! So yeah that thought led me to an idea for a particular fantasy “race” I could add. But then it somehow developed into... I dislike designing overly humanlike fantasy races, like seriously what is the point of even bothering if they look identical to humans except short or with weird ears? So I thought.. what if this “race” is actually a disease instead?

MORE LONG THOUGHTS BELOW THE CUT!

So, I was thinking they could look like just normal humans but with a greyish skin colour, odd coloured eyes, and some sort of flower growing on their head. They’d be like ‘flower spirits’ but in kind of a negative way? They look like humans because this is a sort of magical genetic condition that turns humans into this. Though they still get predjudice because people are afraid of ‘catching’ a disease that isn’t actually contagious through touch or anything, but people are happy being ignorant fucks and excluding them from society ‘just in case’ their paranoia comes true.

But anyway! The details! At any moment an inherited carrier could manifest symptoms, and rather literally manifest a glowing flower from their forehead. It grants you enhanced magical powers, but at the cost of your life being tied to that magic. The flower is like if your soul has been forcibly pulled outside your body in a very fragile form! You have to tend to it like a normal flower, and you also have to sorta feed it by doing enough magic or absorbing the energy from magical objects. (So these guys’s magical power is to negate other magics.) If left untreated it will eventually be fatal, and if the flower wilts it’ll also kill you even faster. If you fail to take care of it, it drains energy from your soul instead, which leads to the grey skintone and general weak health. But even if you keep the flower alive it’ll eventually grow too big and you’ll be unable to drain enough magic to keep up with its energy consumption. By the time the story begins, medical technology has actually advanced enough to find life extending treatments for this, even if we don’t have a complete cure. You can’t get rid of the flower but you can take medicines to slow it’s growth. I mean, really the problem is just that this thing outpaces its host, its a really impractical parasite! It ends up killing itself by getting too greedy! (Which makes me think probably the predjudiced slurs around these people would be like... ‘you got that disease cos of your greed/sin/etc’. Even though its just genetic.) And then I think the final breakthrough to save people from this disease wouldnt really be a perfect cure, just to regress it to a budlike inactive state. You’ll always be physically marked as a victim of this disease, and you’ll always have the ‘demonic’ magic-draining powers. And it’ll probably be a long time before people stop treating the sufferers like shit, even after this...

So umm.. yeah. Its kinda gonna be like an analogy for the horrible HORRIBLE way the AIDS outbreak was handled by the government, and how it happened because the victims were ‘undesireables’. And how in this post-outbreak world the whole thing’s practically been covered up, lessened, forgotten. And people still deny it, and still treat gay people like shit, and its taken so damn long to make all this progress and just... gahhhh... How pretty much every LGBTQ person who’s that old lost a dozen friends, how people got so desperate they used to hold ‘die-ins’- protesting by literally saying ‘leave me here on the doorstep’ when they were about to die. Make the politicians see exactly what they’ve done! And similarly the massive MASSIVE quilt full of patches commemorating everyone who died. God... And seriously just HOW LITTLE EDUCATION there is on this subject! Even amoungst modern LGBTQ communities! How eager we are to sweep things under the rug, even if its LITERALLY a rug made of dead queer folk! *sigh* umm.. sorry for the heavy subject matter there.

So yeah, this would be a ‘race’ in this setting, or rather a minority group, but in fantasy terms its a ‘race’ but.. whatever. Dumb language rules! Very small community of flower disease folks, treated like demi-humans. And this leads to a bunch of new ideas for npcs that could deliver this plotline! Of course, the main one would be an actual member of the flower disease folks.

I’m imagining her as just an absolute sweetheart shy gentle giant sort of lady. She’s introduced being this terrifying presence walking into the town, your protagonist being the only one who doesnt understand why everyone else is being all hushed whispers and closing all their shops. Since you come from a sheltered rich kid background, you’re very out of touch with common issues and had no clue this disease even exists. (Even though rich folks are the ones who had the power to help them, are the ones who refused, are the ones who spread the propeganda and then tried to cover up all their own failures...) So you’re the only one who treats this seemingly terrifying vagrant as a normal person, even though it’s (initially) just because you didn’t know the situation. Because of this, she ends up seeing you as a friend and coming back again. And then its up to the player whether you fall for all the predjudice and decide to cut all ties with her from here on, or whether you continue to stand up for her rights and try and change the way society treats her.

ANYWAY, her personality once she opens up to you would be the total opposite of her imposing appearance. She’s a chronic sufferer of self-hate issues, who’s been living completely alone in the forest for a long time, after being kicked out by her family and having no-one to turn to. I’m thinking she constantly speaks like... shy equivelant of Fuujin from FF8? One word sentences, but whispered instead of yelled. And like.. “.......ah..............s-....sorry........?” *questioning inflection of silence* “......uhhm........?” *unfurls hand hesitantly from under cloak and points at loaf of bread* *counts out coins meticulously, making sure to spread her hands and show she’s wearing gloves, she’s keeping them in a pouch, she hasn’t touched them* *places them on the very edge of the counter and backs away slowly, assuming you’re thinking the worst of her* *won’t take the bread directly from your hands, just in case* *struggling to speak again* “... th-.... ah-...... t-thank....... you.....” *mumbles her way out of the store quickly and awkwardly* This is kinda how she’s had to deal with buying supplies from EVERYONE EVERYWHERE. This tends to happen with like the one store in town that’ll take pity and throw her some food, at a greatly inflated price. She’s just had to like.. keep trying. Wear them down. If she keeps coming to a town repeatedly they’ll eventually get frustrated enough to give her what she wants.... or they’ll call the sheriff to chase her off. Either way she finally gets a yes or no answer on that place, and can tick it off on her cross country map of spots to find actual supplies. So she like.. CAN NOT function in a regular shop environment anymore. Probably the first hint that she isn’t really scary is how she’d totally freak out at you treating her normally! She’d be TERRIFIED!! There’s no way she’d actually agree to talking normally, she’d adamantly refuse to taking anything for free, seriously WHAT IS YOUR DEAL, ARE YOU A DEMON??? *sobs into the complimentary bread* It’d be a few visits before she actually opens up to you, and even then she’s very monosyllabic. She literally hasnt talked to anyone for years, she’s become so hardened to loneliness and cruel treatment that she can’t remember how to react to kind people anymore. And her voice is so hoarse both from this and from.. well.. the disease. She hasn’t even had the minimal treatment that’s available nowadays... for the rich, at least. So along with her sidequest being to help everyone understand her, you’re also searching for a doctor who’d treat her, and trying to save up the ridiculous amounts of money it would take. Its far easier if you succeed at destroying enough of the town’s ignorance, and make at least a few friendship links between her and your other sidequest pals. You can start having a town-wide fundraiser to get her the lifesaving medicine! Tho probably that leads to its own sidequest of having to track her down after she runs away, worried that she doesn’t deserve it and she’s just gonna cause more problems for her new friends. NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Anyway, the general structure of her as a customer is that she kinda accepts ANYTHING, and doesn’t have much money to do it with. She’s very lonely, and only built up the courage to come to this town on that first day because she heard about your petshop that sells to lower class citizens, and the idea of getting her own monster friend was like a ray of hope in her life! If you decide not to chase her away from the town, she settles in the nearby forest where all the stray monsters live, and becomes like the scary local cryptid. “I totally saw an eight foot tall woman feeding the crows!!! What the fuck!!!” She has a problem with sacrificing herself to protect all these wild animals, they’re just SO BEAUTIFUL and MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING!! She’s always going hungry cos she gives all her food to them, and then they start to love her in return and she gets a veritable army of feral pals that’ll defend her from anyone who tries to burn her tent down again. So she starts off desperately trying to buy a monster from you, any monster, and then after she gets her first one she starts befriending the forest monsters with its help, and becomes your biggest customer of monster supplies instead. She wants to give all these wild babies the closest life to a normal pet as possible! But she also still will buy literally any monster from you, ever, anytime. Doesn’t matter that she already has fifty, she can always take care of more! Though you do get better results if you give her ones high in defense stats and etc, cos its tough to live out there in the forest, even if your trainer is going hungry to ensure you get the best snacks. Oh, and she’d probably be ABSOLUTELY OVER THE MOON if you could sell her a monster that also has flowers or flower patterns. (Tho i think protagonist would be worried it would be insensitive, but she actually does like them cos they make her feel less lonely) She’s also an incentive to help out with your cookery crafting skills! Cos initially she’s having trouble being able to access any of the other shops in the town, she’ll just buy whatever spare food you have lying around. Even your absolute worst failed dishes are like heaven to her! So you can get more exp from cooking and also make a profit from it, thus helping you get better at crafting fancy dishes for your sweet monster pals. (And your strange tall pal!) Oh, and it’d probably also be an element that people in the town try and ‘politely’ advise you that you shouldn’t sell to her ‘for your own safety’. Because of the flower people’s magic draining powers, there’s the very real worry that one of them could be buying monsters from your store just to drain them dry and slow down their own death. But it sucks to assume the worst of her before you even know her, and honestly even if someone was doing that it’s dishonest to frame them as evil and predatory when seriously they are only committing a crime TO SLOW DOWN THEIR OWN DEATH! I bet that would be the most terrifying depressing situation for them, having to kill a small animal cos you’re having an attack of your symptoms and you just desperately don’t want to die...

And now on to the other supporting npcs I thought could be useful to this plot!

I thought of maybe there being bakers cos... well, the first scene I thought of while planning her personality was her trying to buy a loaf of bread. SIMPLE BRAIN PATHS! WOO! But somehow these bakers ended up gaining a way bigger plot role than I intended O_O I’m imagining them as some sort of Super Duo, just cos this plot idea requires one who starts off sympathetic to flower lady and a boss that provides an obstacle in this. I’m thinking maybe the good guy baker sneaks bread out to flower lady, and their greedy boss is all like ‘no! There are laws in place! Food waste must be destroyed! No giving to the homeless!’ (THIS IS AN ACTUAL THING THAT EXISTS. Almost every major fast food company does it! You can get arrested for stealing food from the bins, or for being an employee who tries to give the food to someone, even if it’s excess food that would just be binned anyway.) But then I ended up humanizing the grumpy boss instead of having them JUST be an enemy. I started imagining this as a family business, and the grumpy boss is their grandma? And then i thought maybe that would be a good vehicle to deliver the backstory worldbuilding about this disease, and now I am REALLY SAD about this grumpy grandma! I was thinking maybe she’s actually someone who lost a lot of friends in the initial outbreak of flower syndrome, and used to protest against it, and became all bitter and depressed after what happened, which is why she’s such a cynical mess nowadays. I think maybe the plot would work better if its like.. the grandkid baker just THINKS that grandma would object to serving a flower disease customer, and then when grandma actually sees who’s been ‘stealing’ her profits, she breaks down crying. Nobody in her family even knew she was so close to the tragedy, she’s been keeping it secret cos even though she isn’t infected she could still be ostracized for being part of that community and all. I’m thinking its gonna just be a very direct analogue, I’m gonna say that LGBTQ people were demonized as the ‘cause’ of this disease back when it was poorly understood. ‘Its caused by greed and sin’ = people pick whichever subjective ‘sin’ they wanna blame... So grandma shows you all her quilt that she’s been keeping secret, full of patches commemorating everyone she knew who died, and tells you about how the tragedy went down and how she got her start as such a cold and untrusting person out of the fear of ever loving anyone again in case she lost them. And everyone gets to have ALL OF THE HUGS, even though hugs can’t erase what happened :( But finding a family that can support her can help flower lady right now, grandma is determined to find a way to save this one person and make up for everyone she couldn’t save! They help you on your quest to track down a doctor, and they give flower lady a place to stay as part of their family, no matter what anyone thinks! And then i think maybe after flower lady manages to get her medicine, grandma actually leaves on a journey with the doctor, to learn how to become a doctor too. She was in medical training when she was younger, before she had to drop out of education due to all that happened. And she just ended up inheriting the family bakery, even though she personally sucks at baking and hates it. (Which is why employee/grandson does all the work and stuff) So now she sees this as a chance to redeem herself, you help convince her that its not too late! She’s gonna use however many years she has left to help people! if she has to be cursed with outliving everyone, she’ll use this long life to make a difference! So its sad cos grandma has to leave on her journey, but grandson takes over the shop and flower lady is employed as an assistant. And they keep in touch with grandma in the mail. (You can sell them a good carrier pigeon monster to help!)

Another npc there could be is... another greedy guy!! I started thinking him up cos i was just wondering about who could be a friend to the grandma. I mean, the npcs have to have relationships and rivalries between each other, its not like the protagonist is the only one who matters, lol This idea i have is (for some reason) someone who looks like a younger AZ from pokemon, wearing a cowboy hat. Kinda? He’s a travelling merchant and ssssssort of the same greedy archetype as grumpy grandpa, but sort of not? He’s an even more huge penny pincher than her, but he doesn’t seem to have his heart in it. He’s constantly desperately wringing any potential money out of anything, overcharging as much as he possibly can, getting himself hurt doing silly get rich schemes. But then he’s not really a jerk about it. He’s very friendly and cares about his customers, unable to actually scam them even as he announces his intentions to do it. He’s constantly betrayed by his own kindness, and ends up giving away free stuff to anyone who has a sob story! He also never seems to actually really spend his money on himself, its not like he actually has any of the luxury he’s always rambling about. I mean, he does indeed seem to have a genuine greed and a few lofty dreams, but then he just puts all his profits in his savings no matter how much it hurts him to do it. *crying over a fancy hat as he dumps his purse in the Swear Jar*

So anyway, his connection to this plot about the flower disease is that his Secret Reason For The Greedy is only revealed if you befriend both him and the flower lady. After you progress the story enough to get her first Happy Ending of getting adopted by the baker family, her second Happy Ending of finally getting the medicine, and her third Happy Ending of becoming the new assistant baker after grandma moves away, the plot still stubbornly continues because really no ending is an ending, yknow? I’m thinking this sort of formula could work really well with a game that has no real overall plot, and is more of just a slice of life theoretically endless thing. When you’re playing Monster Rancher there’s never really any huge changes in the town you still always have the same shopkeepers and nobody even ages. And even though Animal Crossing has villagers moving in and out, its also kinda the same, there’s never any real character development or shifting of the status quo. So I’m thinking having changing generations of the town and continuity between them could be a good way to keep stuff engaging even as you keep playing the same sort of gameplay forever. Maybe some people move away, maybe some people move in, maybe some people get married or have kids, who knows!

So yeah, after the status quo change of the baker grandma moving away and flower lady leaving her homelessness tent to become a full time resident, thats’s when this new sidequest starts. Stuff still isnt instantly perfect for her, she’s still facing predjudice from some people, especially now she’s in a rather public position as an employee. All the controversy over having her work with food, even though SERIOUSLY, DUDE, you can’t catch it from just touching someone who has it! I think she’d feel absolutely terrible, she’d be worried that she’s causing her benefactors to lose business because she’s here. And she’d also have just normal social anxiety adjusting to doing her first job ever, and having to do so much talking. She was homeless since she was very young, she even has trouble with complex mathematics cos she never finished school. Another reason merchant guy could be a good friend of the family, he could help tutor her on this stuff! And general shopkeeping techniques, cos both her and grandson are both super good guy pushovers and all. (”Don’t worry, I’m a wimp too, and even I can manage to be greedy with these five simple steps! ....that’ll be 50 dollars.”) But the main plot for him and flower lady is how he finally reveals his secret reason for being so greedy. One day he just comes along leading a little girl by his hand, and lifts her up so she can see the lady at the bakery counter. “Daddy, she’s got flowers like me!!” He’s been sending all of his profits home to pay for his kid’s medical bills, and he finally decided to let you know once he met someone else with the same condition. He’s been keeping it a secret because people hate flower sufferers so much, and he desperately needs to keep up the trade route with this town otherwise he can’t afford to look after her. he’s so damn relieved to be able to stop lying to you, and to finally introduce his lil bundle of joy! And to let her see someone else with the same condition, for the first time in her life! And then the lil girl could become friends with tall flower lady, and be all like ‘you look so pretty!’ which is something nobody’s ever said to her since she got sick, and just... HEARTWARMING TIME And it could help flower lady keep hope even though predjudice hasnt completely stopped in the world. At least now she’s found some good people, and she can see that her bravery in working at this job is inspiring young sufferers to feel that their life isnt completely over. So they all send off another letter to grandma together, and have a nice family dinner with this other family, and with yours too. :3 (...also, merchant guy apologizes for lying to his close friend grandma for so long, and they laugh at how they both had so much in common and never found out until now! And she is HELLA EXCITED to meet his daughter when she comes back ^_^)