#just out of the blue haven't really spoken since I got too sick to work

[gildedmuse]

My ex-co worker texted me just to let know how hard he was crying over the latest manga issue of One Piece.

Now, I don't work there anymore, we don't talk outside of work, I have not read the manga, I'm way behind on the anime due to illness...

But I am proud to be "that weird One Piece girl" that people go to when One Piece gives them too many emotions.

[that-ineffable-devil]

I...need some input, guys (gn). Some outside perspective.

My mother's husband is in liver failure. Like "added to the transplant list as an emergency" failure. Considering his track record, I don't know how he's making it on the list, but regardless there are rising medical bills.

Now for some VERY simplified backstory:

The Husband: my mother married this man after I was a full grown adult with a kid of my own and I've spent very little time with him. What time I HAVE spent with him has alternated between genial/amusing to "I blocked his prejudiced ass so he'd leave me alone." I haven't spoken to him in over 5 years and generally can't stand him. But I don't want him to die.

The Mother: I only spent the first 7 or 8 years of my life with my mother, and most of those memories are repressed under a thick haze of trauma. We're talking "even the memories I do have aren't in any chronological order and I can't remember how old I was when they happened" kind of repression. My most vivid memories of my mother that don't include physical trauma are when she'd call me (when I was a kid) in the middle of the night, drunk, to either apologize/explain that she wasn't that bad of a mom or yell at me for being spoiled and abandoning her. She claims not to remember these events.

We've tried a few times in my adult life to reconnect, but it always goes sour quite quickly. When I came out to her as trans, she immediately rejected the idea and started sending me "transition regret" videos from YouTube and calling my grandmother to yell at her for supporting me.

I told her off and she stopped that. Ever since, she's pretended like nothing happened and started sending me funny videos as if to bridge the gap she created decades ago, while I've been pushing further away because, at this point, I don't want her in my life at all. I don't want to put in the effort when I know I'll only end up hurt in the end.

But then her husband got sick. And just like when I was a little kid, I feel obligated to be there for her. To hold her hand and support her because, I guess, I don't hate her. I don't like her. I don't even know if I really love her. But I don't hate her, and I DO hate when people are hurting.

Then yesterday, she messages me out of the blue asking me to create a GoFundMe for her husband's medical bills. I haven't read the whole message because I don't know how I'm going to respond yet, but I'm feeling really gross about it. She makes very little money, I know, and I don't think he's worked the entire time they've been married, and I know he doesn't have insurance. Maybe it's a moot point, because I feel like if my grandmother finds out, she'll pressure me into doing it, too, and I have an even harder time telling her no.

So, I guess, tl;dr: My transphobic and emotionally manipulative parent wants me to create a GoFundMe for her dying husband's medical bills for reasons, and I'm not sure I want to since I'm trying to go no contact, but I feel obligated to help her because the man is dying and she's suffering. What do I do here? Am I a horrible person for even hesitating?

[balladofaldelis]

PROMPTOBER 2023 DAY 7: STUDY

I'm behind on posting these so expect three today once I've finished with number 9! Anyway, here's a sweet and short one with Magnus and Lucian.

PROMPTOBER 2023 MASTERLIST

Magnus and Lucian sit on the floor together in Magnus' room, books open on their laps, notebooks floating at their sides, pens scrawling away. This time last year the thought of them studying together would've been a sick joke, but since then an unlikely alliance, dare Magnus say friendship, has formed between them.

They can work together in silence, but usually Lucian ends up breaking it one way or another. This time, though, Magnus finds himself speaking first, tapping his finger on the page. "It's interesting that ice dragons are solitary but enjoy the company of snow elves. I used to see one from Gore Palace - you could always tell when the ice dragon was flying past, it was huge and always on its own. I wonder if they ever get lonely."

Lucian hums thoughtfully, "That's probably what the snow elves are for. Hates the company of its own kind but loves the company of its adoring worshippers."

"Sounds like a life you'd enjoy," Magnus comments with a smirk.

Lucian laughs. "I wouldn't complain. Maybe in another life I was an ice dragon."

"You always have been good at ice magic," Magnus adds, flipping the page. "I don't know how you keep up with it and still seem so... yourself. What's your secret?"

Lucian leans back on his hands, his neatly ruffled hair never once slipping out of perfection, blue eyes meeting Magnus' coolly. "It wouldn't be a secret if I told you. Maybe I'm just better than you, Magnus."

Magnus rolls his eyes. Maybe, once, that sort of thing would've irritated him, but he's more than used to his friend's quirks by now. "I'm honestly shocked you haven't learned humility by now. You're definitely not better than me at that."

"I can be humble," Lucian objects lightly, "but I don't bother with you. I don't know Magnus, would you want me to pretend to be someone I'm not?"

"I'm too used to your manipulation for that," Magnus says, reading over his notes with a groan. "Ugh, how am I misspelling things with magic?"

"You must be tired," Lucian points out. "I mean, really Magnus, with bags like that under your eyes you've got to be losing sleep on purpose."

"I didn't bring you here for you to tell me not to study..." he complains, but staring at his work he knows his friend is right. He likes to get things done before others, handing in his work early to the respective teachers, but he's got plenty of time until this is due. Perhaps having an early night for once won't hurt. "You're like the devil on my shoulder sometimes, Lucian."

"Revenge for you being the angel on mine," Lucian shrugs, reaching out to close Magnus' book for him.

Despite his unique personality, Lucian has his little ways of showing he cares about his friends, especially Magnus. He's thankful; he was particularly worried, coming to the academy, that he wouldn't be able to make any friends. Growing up in a palace and being averse to social situations left him disadvantaged in the 'talking to normal people' field, though he'd gotten a little extra experience in the 'talking to rich, snooty people' one. Then again, he's not sure if any of his friends qualify for either.

He gets up, putting his notes and book on his desk with all the rest. He puts himself down on the side of his bed, watching as Lucian gathers his things too. He stands there for a moment in thought, casting his eyes towards the window. The curtains are open, leaving them a perfect view of the palace from the academy, beyond the blood forest. "What was it like in the Palace? You haven't spoken much about your time there. If I didn't know better I might think you're hiding things from me."

"Totally," Magnus smiles, laying back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. In the palace his had been black, the room moody and cozy. "I miss it, sometimes, but I think I belong in a place like this, of magic and study. The palace is more a place of science and medicine. There's nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't... me."

"Makes sense - I can hardly imagine you being anywhere outside the academy at this point," Lucian shrugs.

"I guess it was meant to be," Magnus smiles. His mind wanders to his father, wondering if he'd be proud of him now. He quickly changes the subject. "Now are you done keeping me up?"

Lucian smirks as if he's about to go 'yes, actually', but politely he makes his way to the door. "I can keep you up some more tomorrow, if you're game."

"Aren't I always? But this time, I'm finishing my notes," Magnus says firmly, sitting back up to watch his friend go.

Laughing as he turns the handle, Lucian shoots one last charming smile back his way. "If you say so. Sleep well, Magnus. I'll see you tomorrow morning, before class. You better be up."

"Ughh, I will be!" Magnus protests. Lucian heads outside, closing the door quietly behind him, and with a smile to himself Magnus gets out of his day clothes and finds out his pyjamas. Spending time with Lucian always leaves him in good spirits, so he thinks tonight he might not only sleep early, but sleep well too.

dividers: by saradika

[angelsswirl]

Vellichor

The One With Maya's Confession

Notes: If I don't write Vellichor chapters on slap happy whims at 3 am then who am i? Back to Jisoo next chapter! Only 4 (?) more chapters left in this series.😱 Also no one said anything so I assume we like the new format.

Rating: T+

Word Cnt: 1.5k

"They said, 'All teenagers scare the livin' shit out of me'. They could care less as long as someone'll bleed."

Lia eyed Maya oddly, she was letting Lia win at Mario Kart and she never let Lia win at Mario Kart. It was a sort of unspoken agreement they had. Maya won Mario Kart games on the Switch and Lia won FIFA games on the Playstation. It was the only way they could justify purchasing both high-end consoles.

If you asked Lia, she'd tell you that her and Maya had been forced into friendship almost like some sort of medieval betrothal. Their parents were best friends (though that was kind of hard to tell with the way Jisoo and Irene talked to each other) and they were the firsts born, so in their minds it was only natural that their offspring be besties too.

And sure, 19 years later it had worked out for the better. They really were best friends. They told each other everything (within reason).

When Lia had lost her virginity to the Cheerleading captain her junior year, she had practically called Maya before it was even actually over.

And when Maya had gotten peer-pressured by Ryland and Jesse to go to her first house party, then proceeded to get drunk like there was no tomorrow, she called Lia to come pick her up in fear that her mother would definitely murder her. Okay, she called Lia to come get Ryland and Jesse too, but it was mainly about her!

So, Lia knew that look on Maya's face. That look that said I have something I desperately need to get off my chest. That look that said listen and don't comment when I'm done. And it was serving to irritate her that Maya was holding out on her for so long.

"Just say it." Lia murmured just as a blue shell upended her go-kart.

Maya pursed her lips. She listened for their parents. Jisoo and Irene were busy in the bathroom of Lia's and Maya's apartment attempting to fix something they definitely did not know how to fix. She heard Irene curse and knew they would be in there for at least 45 more minutes.

"Hey uh, would you be mad if I slept with your sister?" Maya mumbled, she scratched at her chin awkwardly.

"No, but Taylor would probably beat your ass. And I'd just watch because you'd deserve it and it would be funny." Lia audibly giggled as she imagined the sight.

"...Not Ryland."

Lia's go-kart slowly came to a stop on the screen. And suddenly, Maya was winning again as she desperately pressed accelerate as if she would be able to physically drive away from this conversation.

Lia turned her head toward Maya slowly, "Peyton? My baby sister? My kid fucking sister, Peyton Kim? Who is a baby and a child and evil and younger than you? And - and a kid? That Peyton?! My baby sister?!" 

Both of them are losing at Mario Kart now.

"She's only a year younger than me. She turns 18 literally next week! Why are you so mad?" Maya claimed exasperated.

If Lia knew Maya's "We Need to Talk" look, then Maya definitely knew Lia's "Take a Five Second Headstart" look.

Maya stupidly doesn't take her headstart.

She isn't exactly surprised when Lia tackles her to the carpeted floor. She is surprised by her urge to fight back. She had never really been a fighter, but this feels different. This feels like she's fighting for her omega, which is stupid and out of left field and Peyton isn't even her omega, but she just can't help herself when her fist flies in the direction of Lia's temple.

It missed of course. Like she said, she's never been much of a fighter.

"Maya." Her mother's growl is enough to get her to stop squirming underneath Lia. She mewled and cowered a fair bit. She may be an adult but her mother's growl was literally never not going to terrify her.

Jisoo does the same thing to Lia, but she's just so mad and pent up and everything seems to be falling apart around her that she completely disregarded it.

Jisoo had to more or less put her in a headlock and yank her away from Maya to get her to relax.

"What the hell are you two fighting about?" Jisoo asked as she put Lia on the couch.

"Yeah, Maya what are we fighting about?"

"..."

"That's what I thought." Lia shook her head. She shrugged her mother off of her and hurried out of the front door.

Lia drove around for what felt like a good two hours before coming to a stop in front of a semi-familiar house.

She walked to the front door and knocked hesitantly.

Wendy opened the door with a surprised smile, "Oh, hey Lia. What are you doing here?"

What a great question.

"I-I-I don't know?"

Wendy's eyebrows furrow before she steps to the side. Inviting Lia in silently. Lia doesn't know how to express her gratitude without saying it.

Even though she should be, considering how often he does it at games and practice, she isn't expecting for the small ball of pent up boy energy to come flying at her legs in an attempt at a hug.

"Uh, hey kid." Lia patted him on the back awkwardly. Luckily, he doesn't seem to sense anything is off.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Wendy asked. And Lia could only blink in answer. Wendy was so nice and pretty and considerate and gorgeous. And Lia isn't sure what she ever could have done to deserve to bask in this woman's presence.

"Um, a glass of water would be nice." And Lia didn't plan on drinking it, but she didn't want to be rude. Wendy nodded and gestured for her to sit on the couch in the meantime. And Lia did without question.

Immediately, Kyle seemed to be bored with her presence and went back to doing whatever it was kids his age do when their parents aren't looking.

Wendy handed a glass of water to Lia and sat next to her on the couch.

"Do you want to talk?"

Lia counted the number of ice cubes in her glass exactly six times before speaking.

"I think my life is falling apart." Lia said, counting the ice cubes once more.

Wendy raised an eyebrow at the statement, "How so?"

"Oh. Easy! For starters, my parents haven't spoken to each other in a week and a half. My career was ripped away from me. And I think I just lost my best friend. Somehow, I can't help but feel like it's all my fault." Yes, she originally wasn't going to drink any of the water, but now she feels like she needs to down a few gulps after that revelation.

"Well, those first two things I can almost guarantee aren't your fault. Your parents problems are not yours. And by the way you've talked about them before, I think they'll be alright. Eventually. Also, you had no way of knowing you were going to get sick. Now as far as the last one, I'm going to need more information to explain it away."

"She slept with my sister and like any great alpha big sister, I attempted to kill her."

Lia frowned as Wendy started to laugh hysterically.

"Please don't laugh after I call myself a great alpha."

Wendy swiped at a stray tear, "Sorry but that's hilarious. You got mad at your best friend for sleeping with your sister? The sister who you said yourself has had a crush on said friend since she could walk? You're mad about the inevitable?"

"But-but she's my baby sister!"

"She's not your baby sister. She's your younger sister. Who is pretty much an adult and can make decisions for herself."

"But-"

"No. You've known both of them your entire life. You know that if they decide to date that your sister will be fine. And if something goes wrong, which I'm sure it won't. Maya definitely knows now that Peyton has an older sister that is willing to go to jail to protect her. On that note, I'm sure Ryland's mate knows that too."

"So, what you're saying is that one was my fault?"

Wendy rolled her eyes, "That's not the only thing, but sure."

Lia's nose scrunched up.

"What's this really about, Lia?"

"...I just feel like things are moving without me. Like I've got very little control over what's happening to me."

"That's not true. I'm sure you have the best control. Over a bunch of things that are meant to be controlled by you."

"You're just being nice."

"Maybe. But I'm also right. In fact, I'll prove it to you. Kyle has a boy scout meeting soon. You should stay over."

Lia thinks her throat just closed up. Despite, the fact that she cannot breathe, she manages to push out a response without any hesitation.

"Okay."