#our cat brought us a dead mouse last night and then he brought a live mouse and promptly lost it under some debris of our lives

[rantsintechnicolor]

I love podcasts; Biologist Jonathan Losos and his book about Cats on Forum

So. Why do cats bring a dead mouse to you? And then after that they bring you a live one? Do they think you rejected the first one because you wanted the second one more fresh? 

Perhaps Jonathan Losos books will have the answer. Meanwhile, please enjoy this interview.

[libidomechanica]

Our dream

A rispetto sequence

                Our dream. Said it too fine tropes, and hell! Are scarcely was thy nose like one whose lives, other breathe a preciously. This convict lies. Teaching mouth with me.—Let it shouted at once comes or fruits of fresh Rose, and twice their first I was for few or none heard him and fear, At length of flame upon that by this soueraignty he gaine, cloth’d; how waited on; sigh’d, and accept the white-hot.

                Thou therefore to-night: by this thy temple warre. While the linkt a dead man walked before me: to woo: to what win, the non-elect to say that so oft had brought she laid below the plaining, dying, but she. In leave me, and breath.—Not to know pining day, rosebuds bent on the only, causing they be The owl, for sinners gave, and whisper’d, and elm have drawn breaks, in happen.

                In such brain is over dull shade. I wasn’t making thee is thy living that the links o’ gowd, her than one such a pure as the early youth, quick—and suppressed, to have circled till Christ! He did smart, and I thine own sweet smelling of cat or mouse, no, not even as your decay that passeth by; and come to tame, the miles are in that figure discharge you are always was.

                Treble that glow, but left hand because of them on the things in a little smoke occupies me. Sank supine beside the night, and her limbs of filthiness like two eyes bronze, and all thy teares I bleeding like Carmel, and doubts, and you fairest and drank him whom thou art all tree, a corpse! Keep fresh nuptial mirth? The work boots, chill soone ease, yet there is better self, longer friend!

                There ran a stream of passion is good, good Angela the op’ning gowan, wat wi’ dew, ne’er troubled the Duchess paine scuse giue? With the flying nymph pursuit of purple riot: then he spake, and in his lashless men who tramped the street, and all nigh expell’d she coming a good Angela was feel? Walls what cheeks our guardsman walke; with a huge empty of his heard, the Count you?

                Dear song of spite, against or faithless song. He have eaten. Said and abash’d were a garden gay, and, asleep alone Love’s death by force with thirst: for her, thereon as down like the barks, my spouse: I have been at least once from the rose that art in wi’ routh open things have seen they will commerce be a black, but our labor and you more short a spring. And a congregation.

                —The bonie lassie, dinna can, with downcast head. His legs swollen purple-lined palsy-twitched him— no pulses that no justly rout that the little her balmy side, we becoming Garden of old and quickly back? To bear yourselves in your souls to this noon. Thy two breast; and a voice; for sweet, in goodness, the humblest freedom by. A scientific fact: and bone away.

                On the mill: but God’s kindlier than one, and freeze, So, purpose; and his chosen it. I charge us? Forgot, we rot and clear to dust I wanna be your courteous mien turning in jest; and that concerns, misfortune. Yet now that endless eyelids stretch around, we spring. St. And wise man not a friend! She does compile; even the glow’d at words so blinded and span, and pine.

                Can it be right laugh instead, and twice their pride like a mist: they would any meane my wine has a darkling spokes. Man’s foremost thou then sitting each man’s force; but whereof of glass, nor those babes of wedding rich carcanet; or the year. I cried, The world again, my beloved put cross the lilies, drop scents the work boots. Up, a fountains call these stone jaw of a dog the palace.

                An acid-yellow her. At last, so let our painted countenance in the little linnet fond tones lay dense and must hold wolf, for a distant mortally to mine recall. I claps’d her ’tween their convict-clothes, like a zeppelin. Then The Sage behold, his wealth alchemy. That in one’s throw down, and turned the queen-priest thou art: o for few or none heard love. And looks of trifling?

                A famine where you must, fair and weepe; vouchsafe, of conuersation I have dismisse from the tiger-moth’s diurnal chemistries to pray; who laughed to pearly treasure. I wanna be your life, or stars. Witness be, for none heard it— the wilderness, whose left her babes of death all this is my dear souls in parade: the man not a white hiatus of her thinking the floor.

                But with raptured our was wrestled from work and soul failed fortify your dream, yet now we return, some with snow. To whom she empty place, for none hears nor side, all of tears; young; nae pure as a dead leaf, or as a Queen of old romance. Will come to think how to fix without a twinkling rose on St. Word: and the hills where the key to its prey. At which no soft-toned reply.

                ” But I was full of day, and Madeline, St. We brow and could make us feeling a tone of some with odour wineglass will for his death by the Crucifix was constructed wrong, as he, the rat; I know—and with crooked more: their love talked the cheek the doom assign’d. From silken Samarcand to-day, but, dear life is And whitewashed my three or foreheads felt him up.

                Deep as the great Voices and wind, that I see? Behind Salámán heard, twise said I for I am striving hour again a little, some coarse-mouthed Doctor gloats, that are evenings side? Said it be growing, ever perfect, ever raising or gloats, that did yours years. She knew though the late Anything blind the bed to tell me anymore. The bed to wand’ring she weak voice: cause?

                That royal people are two resplendid name in one might, and couple within thy locks of yourself, appear unveil’d, yet ne’er for our neighborhood may stay here, lo! What moved for her courtesie; I bow’d our babes of her loving knows no art, and human senses obiects be; Deale thou looked more, by poets, by paying to each product and influence horrible hammer-blows.

                My love, the breeze went o’er the more fang’d and virgins with pain, so arguing a herd-maid gay; who would injure thus they that made, t’ appeared again become, forget till the smell of a piece. Boats are all night to chide: will murder upon his gardener’s gloves by his desire is nowhere use had or must I do that was blight; lamia, regardless ice and murder me.

                That I passed from either with fetter’d still be spoke a while thronged street. Awake, O now your hands of those every sighs aplenty and stature it. Some kindest use a knife. And the virgins with so difficult, remember pears and watcher’s neck, with unripe cones each other as if by so soon made the bed to me. A rose-bud, young Porphyro! In nothing was dead woman.

                In trembling shut up, nor side, we have made the bed-side, seem like hangman close inquiry; from ours, where you grew upon his charmeth the sculptured stone to spy: her love, and the while, to benumbing you will come do it was the maiden eyes have a rain of sorrows in youth of stains high, and starlike, no seasons’ quality; nor did heard no human voice; the key to its prey?

                Wherein your soul tells him whom Christ’s snow: rather watchful, penetrant, saw them go scraping upon that repose; Thine are red, and on her lust of the deity to vex their head had already wither; thus to banish thee. And whom all to me, my heart burnes; I can’t stop, and defaced the shipping off to the lintel of thing, and lavender’d on Europe’s sagest head.

                And yet must never ship, but throned, in your head, and statue-like I see down into the field, the fools admire. Because there were away, and a mother’s breast, sae early morning. Applause or firebombs, or from careless as she heeded not at my head; the stars like thing blindness; and the bliss to banish that could the step aside: it slays the spring a whole summer heart.

                “And now this dazzling from the things of the fair. I keep us waking is held all the narrative that I was she standing in you what does not that day could shut, and the plants, trunks, foliage, roots, chill soone ease me to sleep, when proud full with upward eyes for me! Doctor said, Alas, poor but fetter’d and my breathe a prayer he saith, some perfumed the pebble, and hath beene.

                What would cause of her in dew limpid as spirits of blue who not dead from child of my life, leaves in it. Like Judaic ground: and the lines of living him as he did in huge vessels, wine come down, and threw warm than wolves, when he comes from every rarely. From vales deflowers: his blood; for there did beam, and thus, through desolate rock, in their artillery at the Silver by.

                We standing up there he stone to brief minutes crawled like pillars they first, thou art everywhere, this soueraignty he gave sweetly doth each nook and rumbled as the vine, as we prisoner had a visor of her heads felt her weal or woe. Yet for a moment to my verse, with strong, as he better after then to you, lawful anodyne; with a grace to receive close her face.

                Day of dark and ready with pain that tents that draweth on their cheek. Look! We bow’d fu’ low unto thee and every Law gave those were angry when she hobbled off with the crimson glory sat she replies, very prison our brand next into his own high roof, made the certaineth: he that are two predatory hawks, we will no other Road enters and doting her text.

   ��            Innumerable, to be a wall, and play. Louder, confident in thee. And the clos’d a wonder while care of each others? Who is the ground, taking at the thou smooth-shaven, with eyelids clos’d the wheels round ball a work heroic touching passion: dust within the dead soul of holes: arsenic, surely she closet alone, lycius, perplex’d at his sight I never bleach.

                Coral is fair as thou believes till you love. And in self might use; such is Solomon’s. The cold philosophy? With the gold, althought of cord and rain. A bundle of the flock, and winter away the boulder. After all, unless rue. About the desire is better mind; it is the liuely foretold; and a sliding bright of a young lion plaid a cruelties.

                That due they seemed as though the man had killed heard, twise said she thou know me: thy breasts are looked so wood1 that an Eleventh to comfort me with grains of power to looked with Stella, since she replies, very night, nor hour again. Some with you were fully at they heaped the vine flourished from out my heart. We did not within those among the world of into my veil from the dead.

                In an aged crone save in warming upon the sky? I don’t know who looked to meet. And so entrance, hate, nor did my sight I saw the ear, will enter is as they be moving showers to that woman is but warld’s continues for your hairs, you in a pool of verse rests with my bare her. Between then forgoing silent music the sky? A bud again; or as sweet skill.

                When I was wonders by her own lute though, by my early in the best with heart sophist’s space, they would find my heavy Saturn laugh instead, and dates, and then then together. Piercing phrase like to all my heart from the summer long been so about Judas had a mother, a lord of thee; tho’ we passed from moats and haste, my head; two, I’m in a day have pleasured my friend.

                And the torches, wonder a vile physician of the avaricious moon, clear: whose among then from her Harp filling myrrh with no know that which love, my breasts. And hairs be wreak’d on Europe, Afric, and looketh toward toe, her wits to view and loss without afar, whatever heere I feel smiles, together, who is leaving at its tip gum, pungent, clear, betwixt two marbled plain!

                And the lurid flows, as my beloved; but, if vext I had not long-shanked men weep to hear, or seek him thy hurts in stormy day, and shine. Into a safe enough. Too much, or Paint must smart, and fill’d her fame on there enthrone, and wings, the will so farre mens eyes which precious moon, or like a young Jeany fair; she never and gourd; to see if they made the bed lay. Wait here.

                Having at they cannot pass protests to call the Gods, who were not, like wet silk stained of reticence with yours years there like two of the wind up the yellow! Yet her hair she notes each moment is on, to be a blessings crost; Close that from Syria, or antichambers, ready yourself be lessons new thou that thou art beat this? Do melt my cheek and eyes appear from Praise.

                In twilight silence on Scotland’s plain the blood and to and fro, ever perfectly-chisled cheeks of your name. Herself in her eyes shows that make a silent light blow more fang’d and wine upon his desk and saw and what the hill to whom alone: and breath of life, the secret smile: perfectly-chisled cheeks; and in his hair black Despair for the voice been to-day, but die you quite.

                And the silver. Whatever there: she sign to do the old and loose that hide the bough of cord and after they are snow be white, nor euer she fresh frown—that is not to pay for, and knave, till I give a smell that shall well in paid his finger is scared but a deceive and lime, and her vice contented not, like thee to the let him to the envious spoil thy adjuration.

                To bind him not: you are a love talke; how cloth. By her and Hermon, from the Heart. Go, happy rose, and servèd me where green figs, and ev’ry glen the growing, the honey and in either care of eight to my face, when he tribe of Reuben? Jackhammer says, O this, but health could merely forms of others throng. Be not soil win of garden, today, I for some say there thy proud heare.

                Well in amber, silken, hush’d, and only tears me, the wide world far beyond a mother’s light I a lessons new thou needs twenty I heard both near touch my honey on her altar of those sad echo did the field, though ne’er than the wa’; the lilac gives again. And to hate or else this veins; then I begin to go with strong, it haue wrought on from its ordinary place.

                The first and ringing a white; of wreathe a precious flames in wind and cause than her bring to dare, and be a blessing their herd increased, until it seem’d a horse will make known. Leaf and when men must reason goodness spent, and plum, and talk, and candle-light thee forth to me, the bed to melt as it his pipe, O my love—which them warm cloister’d in they stripped tight betwixt my beloved?

                Her graunt to myself the hungry, and from work they are your hands of Caiaphas. A story of the burden light bleed in shorn, which none knew that moved through the first she sleep; and saffron; calamus and kept, and by the heap of legends old. Iron pole, hard as Newcastle, his hanged thee from you hast that love among is nothing best of the fraud, the bed the bloody tyrant, Time?

                But when we shed for thy friends, those sad world of the filching full of brown tea—we held some when what cause with all that bare hills which heaven, his locks. That other one more waking comforting her breadth and flows, as your life, and insane distant loved; and studying flood is who builds her for her, a stump—stands shadow loses for there Cupid with the burnt, she look’d so dream, alas!

                And all come into the faint device but we were on the throat shall too precious prison of its earnest glancing grace for his fury tell, motion’d her hand through her wrath is most hie, with thou must reason is there, and I slept. An’ I maun guide it sweet pride. But babble. The language part of his sagacious flame or fan, velvet, or you, and sweetens our gaze, naked of it.

                With my woes I wrate; stella: now a confusion of the wine were alive. These did please, no, not this rhyme? Love is in the old beldame stark and sickness, we brow had no fruits of the rain. Out upon his spirit may not be soon his side the door, and said, and I own, and seas mine reasts: what is held the can explain called love no miracle.—That Time began to pray by thee.

                And curse not, beseech about it, of the hell am I now? If he bends to touch myself— but out of the flowers: then over the lass gang. By thee. There be, while fluent Greek a vowel’d under when she my place. But lets it soon grows, fairer than these walls, that small. For her, knows nor that ken me, do not at my foule stumbling in dumb orat’ries, we have seen me go.

                Wakes an swift dispatch in pursuit of shame on Death and sweet-seasons’ quality; nor did it too much liker that sucked the window and lose name is a doubting called heard the fruit the way, that Christ. Of a life is warm, unnerved angel mind. The moral a fresh-cut hair who for sacred train that’s my penny-fee, an’ few the great set about with happy speed, being power?

                Reason to go on living Despair for the kitchen light laugh’d and fitly set herself should add fresh frown—that purposeth; since on Scotland’s plain: my Love and them now for you to get from human fears numbered my thought, a life has fetter’d Well-a—well-a-day! And quickly make an indrawn break? Mine do over the street, jackhammer says, O this, deare, let her neglected light.

                To come: so, like the smell of words made moan from careless bride; for that the swore, she seem’d he never an end to spy: her than a hearse. Ye living comfort wring him here. For we did this hand up and seas of delight, we could embrace me sighs or fruits of her in deep so little linnet fond tones will make your life, then was Greece and Lycius, perplex’d she be faire ladies, praying.

                That pretense of mine arms akimbo and four- footed in my milk: eat, O friend, but finding- sheet of dirt, out of men I lived, boxes every green Thirst that sits upon the pale cheer, beautiful the sweet pride, my beloved. Thee my wine of his separate Hell. And saw, with spikenard and tell me so straight hole in that ye may man must from out His careless as she did beam.

                ” He answers will not like a thread on their arms. Or stature says: My children most sweetest officious eyes which wanton eyes from here the manners gave, because why such brain. Naked face in the gusty floors, that in the field, the million. And not much. And plays will attend his eased behind it on the heard, twise said? I claps’d her who is leaving and gay; but left hand;—St. Growing.

                The watch her courtesie; I bow’d fu’ low unto me did prove? Or freshness of his hide, wi’ twa whitewashed my heart of gold mighty woes I wrate; stellar, went o’er again. For grammer who bear; why warbling spi’de Ah, happy speed; at self; if the dewy sprawl, still, even in earnest words expression of pride, Thou, sun, art had brought him in a level of a demon, and aspire.

                A garden, today, I forget till day suits, but as thou wake the orator so farre mens eyes doubled that streets, and the merchance! By linkes of spiced daily fires of mine do overflow this wretched him night’s blue affrayed him with you all old vices, where the beside the world for some where green electron never watched to swell her the Sun. A tone of some men were frame?

                As if she went about Judas had or must be took covert nestling in her hollow hole gaped for all the world I left. Even as your vacuum clean leper in his love, till either set? Were t aught me in heaven, that Judas I have to St. Moon-faced my heard it soon faltering when not whether side, wretch! Amid the dusty drill but from elsewhere the bed lay.

                Within another other care na by; i’ll take off a lesson new hoe. And dinna sae uncivil be; gif ye hae ony luve forlorn, while he forth, and twirls. To the bosom wash’d from above thee, Porphyro! About think it some woe, I care I how few the sound overpowers to brings from me. And you, in black as ink only. She builds up such a seneschal?

                That written upon a herd-maid gay; but the shift, the melted, and held in me into the maiden garden, to be purer is this I swerve aside that Dervish-dances at a leap; on which all prince’s funeral, shining ray that had dates, in the moral a freshness of Christ’s eyes, with fear, that dwellers with banner over me was in the bell, and play. With others.

                We banged him out, scoop after to uncover- because thee. Will get my beloved unto me thy center in? But what I am drumming a famish’d mate taste of Bathrabbim: thy tempest-beaten, Joy lost, bliss to come; the lay! The approving spent, and the secret walls approaching passions of grape appeare; I saw the way when not walk my love, called themselves to Time.

                The dewy morning wounds and holes. And wonder, only one desire is not to kill. When the bed to me, the porch, that thee doth she been absent, but track me dead woman hath remain’d him with words—she tents. Of goats, that in one’s the fit to wall. To have scope, have kill the night climber for heave thy lieutenancie to think I should do the noble still he plank, and soon this noon.

                Her love when he feedeth among thee with such a place on Earthly; and my breasts: what the key to every one, the tree: the ungenerous. By her vice comes a gem! And shame and look on the morning Painter multiply herald came on whom my sonnet to your glass. He, for uninvite your house are flout the night giving Despair for the same to strike him lose my poore name.

                On a hue fierce three little wicked with thy hope, each the seem’d the tried, and bene vext, if vext I had date. She slept an azure vein wandering whence remain! No think how to sweet tremble a sort of the world of the voice been to me, Rise up, my lovers met, since there is not silence, O Joy, no longer flowing, ever about me to the miles as tragedy.

                As thy sweetest part, or gemmes impart, and bow and here is not one by one; my pretty follies flung in his heard me. Ah, how to the dream and for the soft adoring comfort or sees; rolled up and more awful rainbow once come lives, the first, the leaves Me, Heaven and round the nak’d since Julia, that went with merry shine age asks ease. That he was not the flock to repay.

                Til the gusty floor. Looking at the morning. Madman on another ankles go into the weak, and i’m always running like one! The braw lass made tuneable with both use a knife. A love away and more fang’d that moved like a year, the heart thou art as still small clouds odorous. And come to the morning life—he said—Oh Darling cheeks; and sent for yúsuf—she be fair.

                An’ has no open kept, and the tried, and back my night to win ye, O: may ill yet either if her the knave, till like the bonie lassie thocht na lang till it were one on an ancient mansions. The turn Romeo boots, bark, we are all night, standing upon the haunting myrrh and by the high couch he laughter! With rope of sheep that I speaks her hands knot under the sweet dreamer!

                Or do you think of. Till loveth: I held herds spontaneous as any shall come the key turns from the tomb for that loved with the ashes of a lifeless step I onward stray’d, my threescore queens, and jet: pensive as sheep that sweet to my scalp and drank—Young man, tall, extremes between, he maddest gambler throat may not back from the compassions howl Her face: inches from behind.

                Were my sister, my spikenard seeming wind. For whether ties by linkes of living low at first, for the holy rite for the rose orbs. It has lost with love, as love, jealous of Innsbruck cast a glory of the man in a suit of sheep when thus they are nothing them with its sweet, but tis an awful rich with you will be glad, too easily impression. And you skill.

                The liuely forms of man was it bleede. Now statuesque sedateness, or stalked no maner grow; but where the Brightens our pray, and although his swords and I never saw a man walked, and make the maggot born in and though but it on? Out upon me as from thee, O my love awaked, as the crust, only movement would find my honeycomb with charms could I seemed to die.

                From the clos’d-vp sense do lie, but by the hands and aye she did my ripe a judgment’s plains and howl, and ev’ry possessing their autumn mild; when the slower, to Do. I’ll ne’er forget till the pleasure; some herbs, waving she with his very Dust of goats, and only that made excuse— e’en the breath in arias of deadly stride of a construct me: I would arise—arise!

                But from whose look’d, thoughts are like a misery in fit magnificence. She walks in beautiful thing image I do the bed to and fearlessly—but what had I Heav’ns so oft has not dreamboat when a voice: cause why sullen springs his belly is as the day, and Giaours throw kerchiefs at a leap; on which this, Time’s fev’rous cheeks; and those companions high; such as fearful things.

                For the prelude soft; nor ride a Warder dared tomb. Beyond here is the only tears as she’s fretful, I have been a Signal out other limbs of filthy darkness, good Angela the other ties by linkes of small mistakable gaze at the westling the ungenerous. Heirlooms of outworn buried all complete a pair who for him. A hears nor clime there be said?

                Against there was was golden chain-droop’d lamp was one breathed pearls hang; the prove, for Man’s grace. Said it to high because it were the trees, voice shall I do. Or heau’ns courtesie; I bow’d our city and nothing at first, for all in prison-yard, and at once from this orphane place. With the day, cash for me, I will come too much, yet ’tis true, you say, forsooth, and the chaff with carved angel mind.

                And by and body marred. In no know when the heart in woe, dear bird, young hart: behold, that it should have gather; thus to ruminate, thin, stick a groan, more press’d up for the slept, say: I mean to wooing music, sole-thought vndertaken by teeth clamping thus, o pious in her e’e; I saw flowers wit. That am glad Lycius, said that chill sooner said, the Lustre was sixty!

                Looking our dear life, climbing the while she is good, the leave there we lay: and spices! The purple, that air how country ants to grievous torment would thee. Told and the midst they had killed with curious care: we knelt for him, but I never quit your hair is the king simple, two people should rob the same: new needles on the cool flesh and Doom: the old saving pining whose orbs.

                Fair is that gray hair, the holy look we like a virgins her face. Wind washing, wherewith hardly knowledge I do hold watery man that soueraigned, and his Prime of splendent suns, we swiftly escape as Nature list’ning day, or gemmes impart, or glutton be, that piece of the misery in my mind—that mansion from staring wave! Moved like pious pleas’d amain.

                Are fairest among birds twitter, so young and do I, then with a friend, but, pale yellow her well to light within thy fingers will not go seek, but hurried age; where were of the unblessed spot will still we done a great very mud cried, gave of other with due respect, and a broken box that which no soft and let there’s joy into God I never miss’d. Little heart.

                To happy country lad is my silver: and in my madness might speaks in the devil sprite this wings in disarray: that was the summer heads the world, but by the great or little smoke, in which dost so charge you, lawful maiden should look’d on her very careless Lycius! And there’s that cometh up from wall is well to his hands dropping soul, there he gaz’d: his but who, ah!

                My should brooke of Aganippe well, by oft predict that ye stir not under these secret smile. In good faith, some knotty problem scrunched like phantasies. Not an Inch of every one barren amongst the wilderness amends to spare, that held our city and saw, with faery land, I see the laws of your soft blood; for we did not back to you, or a strangle with the valleys.

                Which when the middle o’ my care? None but when weep an’ kye thrice to see; her love to entangle, trammels free; so, when Night ivory-headed tears frozen car seats, expulsions into starbursts by the honeycomb with eyes are curled; at self might never a hole. And now doth proudly make us feel? When not under they seem most I striving, alert. His art can takes his woe.

                Three, fifteen, forty step by steps walk’d in vain; all the brilliant, where the braw lass that made her love to grieved be, that ye stir not under; sweet, inspiration. In a thought the bitter look, and honours like one! The fraud, the stream of the iron porch, windchime wasn’t made no sign, forty feeding lime was tinkling round their luckless round that wad been absence, said that art not to kill.

                Take made purple through the sleep, and you plead you belied, bear twins. But why have shots I wanna be the braw lass made a cunning wind! The ocean gain to vex their churchmen fair! Us by surprise. Though, as though his veins.—The bones, bones dumb— we stane, the lass gang. Ask not this? Her who came thou art go with my chambers he there, the whole charm is fled, in a queer sorrow and ask thus.

                Our nerve-twitch’d, with aged man—at least, the pirouettes of living wall is strongest; the holy hand! Which other one maybe withers with desires I cried out the fields of the Heav’n is much better is, the time of cord and bright is the stems branch’d one that bed; she neither who still the chang’d to cinders are in the hoarse smut of heaven above only, causing if love.

                My grieved to and lime, where grazing, their punish thou art fair, my love, were my Stella, whose or white. That went the world, in the day I die, as your healthy lustre was swaying with interwove with any pleasing sow’d the pain, and perhaps, with banner of David builded for his own bud buried me that cheek, and all the dewy morning. With nimble feet for a magnet.

                The Chaplain’s one so, then two planted quick patter hours, wheresoever, every ill of life is warrior-guests would dry as a precision hooves. She can reach that in vain; all the excitement to me. Then Desire Zulaikha built a Chamber with other still storm from every stone; where thy turns, and the tear fall; she put on convict lies in woe, plods dully on the name.

                Scream. Together, we are two young man, she must have not—to make of the age asks ease. If he bends to speak, kneel, touch is muffled, in chimney nook.—Look at the roes, and down she hurriedly the mark—and if thou art as stiff as been dead, the smile; and am like apples: for my beloved, yea, he is gone, foul dream! A scientific animals; and in the sage, let speak.

                His eye plunged down, sir. Beholding at your shoes is that is none that is not: you are all nigh expell’d the miles when one might shall never yet have pulse, or will notes were dead, long years! She snatch’d the gold, and morbid eye, and in this plan and than the poppied warmth and thy sights cannot speaks in thumb and fragrant boddice; by degrees from work to pray whom we call’d hairs—Alas me!

                Going by, “behold, heart, Love’s great bases form. In her poor but from elsewhere upon too little hear heart was stung, perverse, bound favoured that made tuneable withered garlanded with strong she saw me more be said? Black doth raine; while his distractions, fears. For oak and starlight lumps of the Soul till the tender-person shout a twinkling, blue sky above thereon with bars there!

                Like a peace, or something she wilderness amends the early treasure—the harsh penance only bloom! Hark! By linkes of winter is scared but aye she wounded deer, o’er craggy mountains, skipping into something blueness, richest in marble shaft struck me dead was Hope. Some love is barren still, nor Britain’s heard thing, as she said: The end of an old worship all use a knife.

                And insane distress’ eyes with midnight have no more. Blossom of the hills. Return, that courteous appeared understood, hid from its heart, my Julia, I bring to the voice, and louder, confounded my heart of war with the swamp. Rolled up that made the nipple learnd loud that mainly set. Philosopher had felt her who came to i, that love were thy little heart, nothing can break.

                Whether men; while Porphyro will not here, my beloved is my breaks, in white man in our bridal he shots I wanna be your life is than spurring coldly. With open the lay, when I saw the pomegranate with loss with number of bright is the powerful waves rolling myrrh and smaller. Shafts: there is only her aching banquet-room shone, mice-scaled, and vermeil dyed?

                Without a twinkling, but dare loved, and women in the dead men whose look’d on her and relish tears prevailing; it took on their mates, in search with reverential fuel, making a line—the midnight in leaves Me, Heaven find: but for every word may strake the throat in yon brilliant, when she slept. Let speake doth lap, nay lets, and labyrinth hair, too soon things was an army blanket.

                Why do ye fall so numbing round, save to depart; alas, who, like apollo’s prest, why should redress his through which none a night. Golden Anclets to keep dancing, sweetest part, or gluttoning on to come; the mavis sang, and fears and passion,—my humility He follow’d by my early-rising din past time will rung; nae artfu’ wiles that ere they have warmth of weaning.

                It is not when their busy fear. Gone to his hands of impotent despaire hath beene. Innumerable, against my degrees from her Hair would merely company of his hands our blest— and brassy air we were angry when he crouched, in such a step seemed to meet at all in vain! And Wordsworth nor outward honour. That everything, we are maiden fain would put in dying.

                Kissing a while: Ah! The blabbing stars like one of the beryl: his lips are snow be white have eaten my three more awful maiden’s charm is fled, in a’ its crimson stars. Before each man kills throat shall let they were one of us wish would appeal: more, plainly so, he laid below my head, naked face is penned, whose lessons new thou smooth-sculptured counting fate, be kind to speak.

                Responsive, and our babes do blow endless man! How else of view and yet men are fair moon-white and each other silence led me where not the hideous she. When I tell her, that tents that the curtains high a Bough, as the bed to lie; he barks, with the age asks ease, ye must not to have loves slim shadows and infest within thy face is given the prison walls sudden shut?

[writing-in-april]

Russian Roulette

Spencer Reid x Female Unsub Reader

Thanks to my beta readers! @definitelynotkatesblog and @clean-bands-dirty-stories

WARNINGS: NSFW, SMUT, MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING

Includes: Suicide, Attempted Suicide, Toxic Relationship, Gun kink, Angsty smut -There is no specific dominant person in the smut-

A/N: Please do not read if you are easily triggered or under the age of 18. This was really difficult to write but I am really happy the way it came out! I have a playlist I made for writing this if anyone is wanting it just ask! My requests are open for basically any character you can think of, I want to branch out and write lots of characters!

Word count: 3.2k

Masterlist

——

The warehouse that I had found myself masking my location in was in no doubt the most ghastly place I had chosen yet. I wasn’t sure what drew me to the abandoned depository, maybe I had subtly acknowledged to myself that I was at the end of my rope-I knew I couldn’t run forever. The smoke colored walls matched the ashes dropping from the cigarette I had lit to alleviate my anxiety. The cat and mouse game I had been playing with the team that was on my trail was coming to an end. They had an extra vendetta set out against me since I cruelly betrayed the trust built between us. Polluted air swirled around me as I dug my nose in a book, trying to distract myself from my impending doom.

A noise drew my thoughts away from Catcher in the Rye that I had been reading while sat on a shitty mattress, practically the only furniture in this hole in the wall. My manicured nails snuffed out the cigarette into the bed and discarded the paperback, knowing that this was the start of the end. The double doors swung open as the recognizable silhouette Dr. Reid, his shadow was tall and lanky, with noticeable wild curls that looked as if he had rolled out of bed. He finally graced my eyes with the details of his figure, every step he took had lingering hesitation. It had been weeks since I had last seen him, he looked considerably more tired since he had last graced me with his presence, purple dark rings sat under his eyes, his hair even more disheveled then normal, and his clothes lacked the crisp ironing that he usually sported. I hated that I was the one that had caused his disheveled state, I had found a kindred spirit in Dr. Reid. It seemed like we were made for one another, our interests were exactly aligned, the only major thing that separated us was my penchant for murdering people. He was the first person I had felt connected to since my mother and it pained me to see that my betrayal had obviously weighed heavy on his mind.

“I see you finally found me.” I stated nonchalantly as I stood up, he was standing as far away as he could, from my observation it was evident he was disgusted with me but he was still drawn to me like a moth to a flame. He nodded solemnly, the words that he wanted to speak seemed caught in his throat, so instead his eyes bored into my soul. We stood in contemplation just staring at each other, we were only a few feet away from each other but it felt as if we were worlds apart.

“Was it ever real?” He finally spoke up in a shaky voice, his lip quivering in either anger or sadness. “Did you feel what I felt?”

“I hadn’t been real to anyone in a long time until I met you.” I spoke honestly, though I wasn’t sure if he believed me.

I felt the memory of our first meeting flash before my eyes, a murderer had crashed into my hometown, killing important people with checkered pasts. Politicians, lawyers, and police officers- no one was safe. My job as a therapist put me straight into the cesspit of what I viewed as the worst of humanity, slimy high ranking fixtures of the community. I often felt my skin crawling as sick human beings put on a facade of perfection hiding their nefarious deeds behind closed doors, so I began taking care of them by slitting their throats in the dead of night.

When the BAU rolled into our city they immediately put everyone connected with the victims into protective custody. There wasn’t an immediately obvious motive so the team had collected anyone with an important role putting each person with a specific team member. I had been put with the genius of the team Dr. Reid. The stay in the safe house with him made our relationship blossom, we shared interests, hobbies, and even our backstories (I had edited mine a bit so they wouldn’t catch on). Usually I viewed the world as black and white good or evil and until I met Dr. Reid I hadn’t felt grey before just a dark cesspool of no emotion.

I had never even spoken his first name, I had told him that- “Someone who earned 3 PHDs should have their achievements recognized all the time.” I still couldn’t deny these strange feelings that welled up inside of me, no matter how hard I tried to distance myself.

When I had been spotted by the doctor running from the scene of a crime I could practically hear his heart break and to be honest mine did too. I never wanted him to see this side of me that I kept buried, I had wanted to stop for a while even after that first kill but what had first started out as vigilantism turned into a compulsion to kill.

His screams broke me out of my reminiscing my eyes snapped up to see the doctor holding his gun, pointing it straight at my heart.

“WHY?! Why you?” He broke out of his previous calm facade, letting me in on the anger I had stirred underneath.

“You know the profile Doctor you tell me” I asked, though no answer was given.

The gun was shaking in his hands, his fury boiling over, steam was practically coming out of his ears.

“Pull the trigger Dr. Reid. It’s what we’ve both been waiting for, isn’t it? Let’s skip the reminiscing. So go on. Pull the trigger.” His grip faltered, he wasn’t sure where to go from here, should he take you in? Or completely screw regulation and take out his unbridled rage on the woman who had cruelly stolen his heart by shooting her.

The weapon was lowered, his hands still shook in fury as he put it back snugly in its place. I already knew he had called his team, no matter what he felt for me before there was no way he would risk his career to let me go. Even though I had accepted the cards that had been dealt I wasn’t going to let them take me alive. Tentatively I stepped forward, wanting to gain a semblance of closeness between us before I sacrificed myself, his body was rigid in its place as our chests touched.

I pulled the gun from his his side holster, it was an odd gun for an FBI agent to carry, a revolver to be exact. My fingers gripped the curved cedar handle, dragging it across Dr. Reid’s clothed collarbones, his arms were stiff at his sides unmoving. He was unsure of my intentions with the weapon. He knew logically that I was cornered in this abandoned warehouse with no escape, and obviously I couldn’t do much with a single revolver, that’s why he had only put one round in, reserved only for my heart if the trigger was needed to be pulled. Then I softly, with uncharacteristic tenderness, grabbed the good doctor’s hand with my free hand to guide his large palms to envelope my hand over the gun. He seemed flustered, which was odd to me, his resolve of hatred had never weakened around me until now. Our hands were clasping the gun in unison, the clammy palms of Dr. Reid cradled my own as I reached over and spun the chamber to land on a random spot.

I prided myself on the ability to read people but I couldn’t ascertain the reason behind the evident hesitation in his eyes as I encouraged him to carefully set the revolver snug against my jaw. Was it possible he had developed a care for me or did this just boil down to fear of having an unsub handle his gun. His breathe was mixed with mine, I held my pattern evenly while his had become ragged, strong enough to whisp my hair away from my face. With a flick I unlocked the safety and a genuine smile graced my face, if these were my final moment I was glad I got to spend it with Dr. Reid, he brought me a strange sense of comfort that I had never known before. His whole body was shaking as my forefinger moved to the trigger- he almost looked as if he was going to cry. A resounding click echoed off the dull gray walls of my hiding place, I had momentarily escaped my fate.

Dr. Reid suddenly smashed his lips onto mine breaking me out of the brief relief. My body had grown rigid against his movements, I wasn’t used to emotional connections with anyone and they certainly were never romantic. Just the delicate touch of his hand on my hip was more care then I had ever been shone before.

My cold exterior that I had carefully constructed was now in ruins because of Doctor reid. He was the only one who truly saw who I was, past my trauma and the trauma I caused. I melted into his forceful kiss, the unspoken tension that we had created finally was boiling over. It was full of tongue and teeth, our noses bumping as we poured our feelings into the kiss, speaking without ever making a sound. My back collided with the nearest wall, dust flying off to coat our bodies, his knee parted my legs and rested between my thighs. His spare hand left my hip to cradle my cheek practically engulfing my face with his large palm, raking the soft pads of his fingertips across my skin.

The silver barrel still rested under my chin being held precariously by our joined grip, Dr. Reid’s hand left my cheek, snaking its way down to the waistband of my pants. The tips of his fingers danced at the edge building anticipation in my veins.

He suddenly pulled the gun out from under my chin and set it under his own, my eyes widened in confusion my desire vanishing by the second. I tried to pull our unified hold away from his jawline but unfortunately he was stronger then me.

“I don’t know if I can live without you” he choked out, he had used his profiling skills deducing that I was going to sacrifice myself. He spun the wheel setting the bullet in another indiscriminate position, resetting the stakes all over again.

“It’ll be ok.” I begged desperately trying to talk him away from the ledge, just because I had wasted my life didn’t mean he had to as well. I brought my available appendage and covered the outside of his hand continuing my efforts to pull the gun away from his grasp. He shook his head, tears were freely falling from the both of us, mixing together to form a salty pool. His fingers slipping underneath my encased hand finding the trigger with ease, he pulled it quickly a sickening click resounded through the stale atmosphere. Once I was satisfied that he had survived air quickly left my body releasing the breath that I had held tightly in my lungs.

Mimicking his reaction from earlier I submerged us into another kiss, this one was tinged with my anger from his reckless move. I voiced my displeasure surrounding his actions by biting into his lip, bruising the plush tender skin. A groan escaped from him, the salacious kiss was now tainted with blood from his lips mixing together in gory harmony.

Undulating my hips onto the thigh that still sat between my legs, desire snuck itself back inside of me, rebuilding what had been banished. I suddenly had the urge to remove every cloth barrier that remained between us, I needed him now. Dr. Reid clearly shared the sentiment as he started pulling on the clothing covering my body. I did my best to shuck off his plum colored blazer with my available phalanges while he attempted to snap open the front of my pants. Our hands still were glued the wooden hilt of the gun that was rooted in its spot at the edge of the doctor’s jaw. The buttons of his dress shirt popped around us as my painted nails dug into the cotton, tearing the offensive fabric from his body. With frantic inelegant movement our outer clothing was ripped off our forms, the only barrier that lingered was our undergarments. His nimble fingertips wound around to the clasp of my bra tugging forcefully the clasp broke, freeing me from its confinement.

The lace was discarded in hast revealing my breasts to him he surged forward capturing my nipple in his mouth as my hips ground into his thigh. Circling my bud he glanced upwards, taking in the sight of my flushed cheeks, hair slicked with sweat, and the gun that I had swiftly moved to my temple removing it from his mandible. Excitement prickled in my core as he meandered down to where I craved him the most, he fisted the mesh- the last remaining remnant of clothing covering my body. A tearing noise filled the space, reverberating around us as the mesh separating us was torn away from me, revealing my full form.

His deft fingers gathered the building excitement between my folds, then he brought them to make contact with my clit. He rubbed slow harsh figure 8s against my pearl, I could feel myself getting wetter- which I didn’t think was possible. The ministrations continued for a while, but I was antsy to get his fingers inside of me. A beg almost fell from my mouth when all of a sudden with no warning his fingers plunged into my heat making my body convulse around him. He curled them expertly, nudging them perfectly at my g spot making the pit in my stomach grow and spread throughout my entire body.

Our hold had started to loosen on the gun so I clutched around the revolver tighter tugging our entangled fingers to rest the metal shaft perfectly against my temple. Upping the stakes further I rapidly clicked the trigger, the gun still had not administered its bullet into my brain, making the obscene act even better then before. His eyes held fear for a moment but couldn’t help his reaction to the clicks, a deep seated groan from deep in his chest. The sensations flowing through my body almost became too much to bear as he moved his thumb to my clit. My back arched against the wall as he sunk the blunt edges of his teeth into my collarbone while flicking against my clit with his thumb, sending me closer to bliss. He must have discerned that I was close to the edge and pulled his fingers away, his knuckles bumping against my g spot one last time which pulled a pathetic whimper from my throat while screwing my eyes shut.

I heard the tell tale sign of a belt buckle clinking causing my eyes to snap open, his full body was finally on display for me. My eyes drank in the sight before me, the doctor was just as I had imagined in my dreams, not too thick but long enough that I thought it might not fit. I reached forward to pump his length spitting into my palm as I jerked him off.

“Jump.” He whispered desperately into the shell of my ear, with careful precision my legs wrapped around his naked torso as I locked him in. The gun was the only barrier that remained between us as he lined himself up to my entrance and thrusted in one swift motion, breaching my walls for the first time.

“Fuck.” The soft expletive fell from his rose hued lips on the column of my throat making my toes curl.

His hips snapped into mine starting a pace with deliberate deep thrusts, my free arm wrapped around his neck trying to pull him in as close as possible. My fingers then wound through his messy curls yanking back so I could pepper kisses along the nape of his neck earning a sharp grunt from Dr. Reid as he picked up the pace. I bit the inside of my cheek in concern as he moved the gun to be placed under his jaw again. Tears started to fall again from my eyes as I silently pleaded for him not to pull the trigger, he ignored my pleas and reset the bullet to a random position once more. His rhythm faltered as the gun clicked for the fifth time, I knew we were testing fate too much at this point and that our luck was running out.

He kept the gun in its position while he picked up his momentum resuming his previous pace. My blood red nails dug into any part of him that I could grab onto leaving red streaks down his chest, back, and biceps as he reached parts of me that I didn’t even think existed. Our eyes locked together as his cock brushed against my g spot causing me to clench around him, we both moaned at the sensation hurtling us both closer to release.

I reached my hand down to rub harshly on my clit as I felt my climax coming just around the corner, my eyes rolling back in response to the added titillation. I then dragged our encapsulated hands away from Spencer pulling the barrel inside my mouth, his fingers flexed around mine anxiously as he soft whispers into my ear attempting to save me from myself. We both had somehow sensed that it was the end, I thought it was very fitting to end my life in the arms of the only person in the world I could find myself caring about. He didn’t stop his thrusts but they were now at a slow languid pace trying to savor every last moment he had with me.

“Spencer” I moaned in bittersweet symphony as I let myself kiss his bruised lips for the last time, our tears were falling giving our kiss a salty taste. A feeling of bliss suddenly overtook my body as I came in glorious crescendo. I rode out my high before I accepted my fate, my blood pounding in my ears for the final time. The wall was painted with blood as I pulled the trigger, ending my life with a bang.

*****

The shot rang in Spencer’s ears, it took him a minute to realize what had happened and that the object of his desire was gone. He was still holding the gun as the body of his unattainable love slumped onto him in death, his face speckled with scarlet. Finally the offending object slipped through his fingers clattering on the floor as he cradled her body.

His sobs echoed the empty rooms bouncing off the the walls mixing with the police sirens in the distance.

“He loved and he loved and he lost her, and it hurts like hell”-Fleurie

Tag list for Russian Roulette:

@zhuzhubii​ 

[feysandfeels]

Bless that T Swift/SJM crossover anon!! Can I add some other ones?!

The 1 - Chaol & Celaena after she’s Aelin again (or Chaol & Nesryn.....poor Chaol)

The Last Great American Dynasty - more like the Last Great Terrasen Dynasty lol

My Tears Ricochet - Aelin @ Arobyn

Mirrorball - Lysandra

Mad Woman = AELIN

The Lakes - Aelin talking about Rowan when she’s tired of it all

Not my (Chloe Ting sponsored) ass realizing just now that the original anon meant all the sjm pairings, but since I’m deep in the acotar trash atm I only made those. 

ACOTAR I & II

Apologies jeje. 

Manorian: generally speaking they have such reputation vibes. Immaculate record for immaculate couple.

... Ready for it? - “But if he's a ghost, then I can be a phantom Holdin' him for ransom” // “Younger than my exes but he act like such a man, so I see nothing better, I keep him forever Like a vendetta-ta” // “You should see the things we do, baby In the middle of the night, in my dreams I know I'm gonna be with you So I take my time Are you ready for it?”. Listen do I really need to explain this or do we all just see it?. This song has the electricity, the sexyness, the roughness, the daring aspect that makes manorian be the GOD tier couple that they are. 

I’d Lie - Right, bare with me  but I will lol at this forever because Manon is basically “And I could tell you his favorite color's green He loves to argue, born on the seventeenth His sister's beautiful, he has his father's eyes And if you asked me if I love him, I'd lie”. It’s such a weird song to associate with them but it fits her so well hahahahaha because my girl lives in such denial that I just can’t hahahahahahaaha and like “I don't let nobody see me wishing he was mine” this is MANON FOR DORIAN ALL THE TIME, and everyone is like but we see you wanting him so just do something about it!!!

Rowaelin

Willow - this screams Rowan looking at Aelin: “Wherever you stray I follow I'm begging for you to take my hand Wreck my plans That's my man”. He straight up left Maeve and the blood pact thingy they had for the blond girl he met three months prior. Also “Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dark Show me the places where the others gave you scars Now this is an open-shut case Guess I should've known from the look on your face Every bait and switch was a work of art”, this speaks of the vulnerability shared through HoF about their scars and of Rowan realizng that every step he took was so he would met her. Willow is Rowan’s song for Aelin. 

The Lakes- LET HER GO TO TERRASEN WHERE ALL THE POETS WENT TO DIE, LET HER STAY SO THAT WISTERIA GROWS AROUND HER FEET BECAUSE SHE HASN’T MOVED IN YEARS. 

Elorcan

Hoax - the balance of the deep betrayal and the love, the hurt and the I would choose you again all of the nuances of Lorcan’s betrayal and the shattered illusions that speak of them even in their absences, are in Hoax: “Stood on the cliffside Screaming, "Give me a reason" Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in Don't want no other shade of blue But you No other sadness in the world would dI believe in Don't want no other shade of blue But you No other sadness in the world would do”.

Lysandeon

Paper rings- “The wine is cold Like the shoulder that I gave you in the street Cat and mouse for a month or two or three Now I wake up in the night and watch you breathe”. This song matches their energy so well even if the lyrics don’t all offer exact parallels. They did however play cat and mouse for a month or two or three. “I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings Uh huh, that's right Darling, you're the one I want” Lysandra being accustomed to the finer things in life but she would slum it for Aedion; she is here for thick and thin.

Nesraq: 

Gorgeous - “Of your magnetic field being a little too strong And I got a boyfriend (Chaol), he's older than us He's in the club (palace) doing, I don't know what (Yrene....) You're so cool (Sartaq really is the coolest), it makes me hate you so much (I hate you so much)” // You make me so happy (dude Nesryn loves spending time with him and he feels valued), it turns back to sad (fuck what about Chaol.. we promised each other it give it ago), yeah There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have (because he’s the prince and I’m not royal) You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad”.

Chaorene: 

Dancing with our hands tied - even if the lyrics don’t create perfect parallels, I think the main theme of the song being two people that want to be together, but feel their relationship has a lot of baggage would fit them well. Yrene has to get over her hate for Adarlan (even though she has every every every right to hate Adarlan) and Chaol has to get over *himself*. “I, I loved you in spite of Deep fears that the world would divide us So, baby, can we dance Oh, through an avalanche? And say, say that we got it I'm a mess, but I'm the mess that you wanted”.

 Sam x Celaena:

I know places - them trying to run away so they could find a safe place to be in love? indeed. Me crying right now because they never got to? you bet: “'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes And guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes And we runBaby, I know places we won't be found and They'll be chasing their tails trying to track us down Cause I, I, I, I know places we can hide, I, I (...)”.

Dorian x Celaena: 

The Way I loved you - To Dorian from Aelin... with love, friendship love that is. Because she recognizes the potential in him, in them, she knows he would be good to her and she knows that she indeed fell for him hard enough to want him for herself, but it just doesn’t feel like *that* anymore.

Red - From Dorian’s perspective: “Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street Faster than the wind, passionate as sin, ending so suddenly”// “Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted Was right there in front of you Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words To your old favorite song Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword And realizing there's no right answer”. They were literally a crash and burn. But neither of them can actually bring themselves to regret it. It was fun while it lasted and in its way it brought them closer. 

Chaol x Celaena: 

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - self explanatory, this is them through QoS. My Celorian ass is here for this pettiness I will take no criticism.  

Forever and Always - “Was I out of line? Did I say something way too honest, made you run and hide Like a scared little boy I looked into your eyes Thought I knew you for a minute, now I'm not so sure So here's to everything coming down to nothing Here's to silence, that cuts me to the core Where is this going? Thought I knew for a minute, but I don't anymore” This was essentially Chaol’s thought process wondering why him an Celaena don’t work anymore and feeling like... a “we were supposed to be together 5ever what happened.... besides me not doing much to prevent her bff’s death and working for the dude that orchestrated the murder of her nation ?”

August - if I’m being honest this song fits them too not my fave song from folklore being for my least favorite couple in this story but if I gave Feylin some of my all time favorites I can give this one to them, but like “But I can see us lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time 'Cause it was never mine And I can see us twisted in bedsheets August sipped away like a bottle of wine 'Cause you were never mine Your back beneath the sun Wishin' I could write my name on it” Even though Chaol was ready to leave it all for her (he would literally cancel plans.. his life plans in case she’d call) she knew that this was an impossibility, their time was brief and it slipped away like a bottle of wine. She could never be his, because she was not entirely herself with him being Aelin meant opening up a lot of things and if Chaol had a hard time getting past a lot of Celaena’s traits then we can imagine the work, literally work he would have to do to accept Aelin... you know what, we don’t have to imagine it... it’s right there in QoS and ToD, anywho, he could never write his name on her back because she was never his, because he did not accept her for all that she was. 

Aelin x Dorian x Chaol: 

Long live - “I  said, remember this moment, in the back of my mind The time we stood with our shaking hands The crowds in stands went wild We were the kings and the queens” // “Will you take a moment? Promise me this That you'll stand by me forever But if, God forbid, fate should step in And force us into a goodbye If you have children some day When they point to the pictures Please tell them my name Tell them how the crowds went wild Tell them how I hope they shine Long live the walls we crashed through I had the time of my life, with you” // I’m emotional right now and I need to cry it out.

I’m not 100% sure on the Chaoyrene one... but I think it’s good enough for me to post this hahaha

Anywho, I hope whoever asked for this enjoyed it 💛💛

[snowdice]

Espionage and Iced Coffee (Part of the Cuffed Universe Series)

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Remus/Logan (Logan/Remus/Virgil for the universe)

Characters: Remus, Logan

Summary: Remus catches Logan for the first time. Nothing about it goes as expected.

This is a Cuffed Universe fic.

Previous fics in this series:

Tea, Cookies, and Handcuffs 

Matboards and Subway Sandwiches

Extras:

Moving Day

Notes: Non-consensual drug use mentioned, morally grey Logan, cop Remus, fighting, blood, biting, fear of death

This was… surreal. Remus spent a split-second gawking at the familiar figure standing at the ice machine for the motel he was staying at. This, Remus had not been expecting. True, he had taken to staying at places like this when trying to track down Logan because he knew it was the type of place Logan stayed at when on the run, but it had been more about getting into the right head space. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon the man himself while wearing sweats and a t-shirt 10 minutes before he was planning to go to bed.

He’d lost Logan’s trail once again 2 days ago when Logan had ducked out of the research lab he’d been working at for the last month (with a few electronic souvenirs) and had yet to pick it back up. It hadn’t been a surprise after the last 6 months, but it had still been unbelievably frustrating. Logan always seemed to be 2 steps ahead of Remus and 5 steps ahead of everyone else.

Remus had taken it upon himself to personally track down ‘Logan Berry’ after he’d been drugged and left on a kitchen floor by the criminal. His boss seemed inclined to give Remus free reign especially after he’d managed to catch that first trail a couple of months into the investigation where no one else had gotten anywhere close.

‘Logan Berry’ was good. There was a reason he was called “The Ghost of the Dark Web.” He could easily disappear in a moment from the internet and, as Remus had quickly found out, real life. He could fade into the chatter of everyday life in a moment and he could do it incredibly well. This had been made clear as Remus dug into the identity of Logan Berry.

The thing about Logan Berry was he looked so real. It’s why when he’d originally been sent to look for the hacker and eco-terrorist, everyone had thought he was looking for Virgil. Virgil who had no one in his life but dead parents and a roommate, lacked a college degree, and worked a bunch of odd jobs, many of which had paid cash. It was a laughable thought now that Remus had gotten to know Virgil and contextualized his history, but at the time he’d seemed like the obvious cover story for a cybercriminal.

Logan Berry, on the other hand had two living parents that lived in the next state, had spoken at many colleges around the world, and had a string of connections from his undergraduate professors through his PhD advisor. Clearly, he was real.

He was not real.

Remus would find with a bit of digging that the nice couple whose names were on Logan’s birth certificate had never had any children. The degrees and references were mostly fake, though he had actually presented at many colleges and he did seem to know his stuff. Remus had a theory that he had gotten a degree under a different name at some point.

The only person who seemed to actually know him as more than as a passing acquaintance was Virgil, and Remus was convinced at this point that Virgil was completely in the dark when it came to Logan’s criminal activities.

Knowing all of that, he was sure to have slipped away and created another just as good cover within a week of the drugging incident. The trail had run cold. Or, so it would seem, but Remus was nothing if not stubborn. He’d found just the lightest trail after months of looking in the form of a name Virgil had mentioned in passing once. That name had ended up being an alias of Logan that had gone dormant two days after Logan fled the first time, but it had given him something. He’d dug his teeth into that something and had managed to track Logan down, but he’d slipped away into the night once again. That had set off a vicious game of cat and mouse between Remus and Logan that had spanned the last four months.

The cycle had been doomed to repeat again when he’d lost him a couple of days ago. In defeat, Remus had retired to this little motel in a nearby town to regroup. When he had, he had not anticipated this.

Logan’s back was to the door giving Remus a few precious seconds to think. He darted back to his room next door to grab his wallet, car keys, and handcuffs. Everything else, he could come back for later. Remus heard footsteps as Logan left the ice machine area. He walked past Remus’s open motel door, likely to return to his own room. Remus dashed out behind him and grabbed his arm. One of the cuffs locked around his wrist before he could even think to react.

There was a single second of shock as he jerked his head around to look at Remus. Then, in the next second, a bucket of ice was brought down onto Remus’s head. He did not let go of Logan’s wrist as the other man was surely hoping he would. Instead, he gritted his teeth and yanked him closer.

They wrestled for a few minutes; Logan was not a fair fighter. He instantly went for the eyes, nose, and groin, but Remus somehow managed to subdue him. The other cuff snapped closed around his previously free wrist, but he was not finished. He reared back and bit Remus’s shoulder as hard as he could, drawing blood. Remus shoved his head away with a curse and began the process of dragging him to Remus’s car. He fought to get him into the car, and, not wanting to give him free range of the backseat of his personal car, Remus struggled with him until he was hooked to the interior grab handle.

The small town they were in didn’t even have a police station, so Remus started his car, intending to drive to the slightly bigger town 10 minutes away. Logan spent most of the drive cursing, rattling his restraints, and contorting himself to try to kick Remus despite that risking killing the both of them.

“Would you stop that?” Remus snapped. The answer was a sharp kick to the back of his seat. “I’m going to ask them to put you in one of the dog kennels instead of the jail cell if you’re not careful,” he threatened.

“What?”

“Yeah… the county sheriff department and the pound are in the same building. We are not in the city anymore. Guess it makes sense though. Doggy jail. People jail. Eh.”

There was a pause. “You are taking me to a police station?” Logan asked.

“Well, I’m not taking you to a Chuck E. Cheese,” Remus scoffed. There was a heavy silence following that statement. Remus glanced back at him. “What?”

“I just… After the circumstances of our first meeting, the ferocity with which you have pursued me, and the fact that we’re driving into the countryside, I had assumed I wouldn’t survive this encounter, at least on your whim.”

“What?” Remus said. “Jesus fuck, dude.”

There was nothing but sincerity in his tone when he said, “It is a reasonable prediction from what I have observed.”

“Well, I don’t know what you think you’ve ‘observed,’ but while you’re lucky I don’t drug you out of your mind and make you ride in the trunk, I’m not going to murder you and throw your body in a ditch.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he asked, and the tone of his voice had Remus’s foot lifting off the gas. The car rolled to a stop at the side of the road.

He reached down to put the car in park. “I’m not going to hurt you,” Remus said. He turned in his seat to meet Logan’s eyes. “Look, you’re a bastard and I’m pretty pissed about the whole drugging me thing, you being two steps ahead of me for months, and the fact that you bit my shoulder a few minutes ago, but this is just an arrest.”

There was something jagged in his eyes that spoke of being wronged, and Remus wondered for the first time in his single-minded mission to bring the man down if there was something more to his story than just being a ruthless hacker and competent criminal.

“Hey,” Remus said softly. “How about something to drink?”

“Is this the drugging me out of my mind portion of the day?” Logan asked skeptically.

“Nah,” Remus replied. He leaned over the center console to the cooler he kept under the passenger seat. “I’d use a needle for that, much faster.” He sat back up. “How do you feel about iced coffee?” He shook the bottle at him.

He arched an eyebrow. “Aren’t you supposed to be taking me to a police station?”

“Always time for a nice drink.”

“I believe that ended badly for you last time,” Logan pointed out.

“I’m trying to be nice, Logan.”

“Fine,” he agreed after a moment, still eyeing Remus cautiously.

Remus gave him a toothy smile and opened the top of the iced coffee bottle with a pop.

“You first,” Logan insisted. Remus rolled his eyes and took a sip himself before offering one to Logan.

“So, where’d you disappear to in Detroit, anyway. I’ve been curious. I thought I’d lost you permanently there.”

“I have safe houses all over the country,” Logan divulged as he watched Remus take another sip. “You’d never find them.”

Remus hummed and offered him another drink. “I bet you thought I wouldn’t find you either.”

“Lucky break,” Logan replied, “and only after months of being a persistent gnat.”

“Mosquito please,” Remus requested. “At least let me be able to do some damage.”

“So, you’re a malaria carrier?” Logan asked.

“Yellow Fever. I’m a classy mosquito.” He almost chocked on the sip he was taking and Remus grinned. “Careful, if you get snot in the coffee… I’ll probably still drink it, honestly.” Logan gave him a look that teetered somewhere between amused and disgusted.

“You should probably be more careful about what you drink,” Logan said sweetly, leaning close to him so their noses almost brushed.

“And you should probably learn to not be so cheeky,” Remus said, poking him in the cheek for emphasis. He startled at the action, but then smiled a bit.

They continued bantering until the drink was finished, and then Remus tossed it into the backseat opposite Logan.

“You should get a garbage bag for your car,” Logan said, frowning down at the trash.

Remus rolled his eyes.

“I hope you know this doesn’t mean I’m not going to screw you over at the first opportunity,” Logan said lightly.

“Looking forward to it,” Remus said.

“Don’t bother.” He was vaulting over the center console into the front seat in the next moment; somehow, he had picked the handcuff lock. He went straight for the pressure point on Remus’s collarbone, but he managed to jerk back and away. Remus struggled to get the car door open and they went tumbling out. They rolled around in the grass for a few long moments before…

Click.

“Shit,” Remus said, doing his best to pull himself and the wrist with the one cuff on it away from him, but the next second he was on his stomach with a knee pressed into his back. The other handcuff snapped around his other wrist.

“How?” Remus spat.

“If it’s any consolation, I would have still gotten free without stopping. You just allowed me more time and a stopped vehicle.”

“Go fuck yourself,” Remus grumbled into the mud.

Logan rolled him over and helped him sit up. Remus glared at him. He just turned back to the open car door and searched it for a few moments before coming back out with Remus’s phone in hand.

He walked over to Remus and looked at him for a moment.

“I’m unsure if your kindness will continue if we ever meet again,” Logan said. His eyes flickered a bit and he leaned forward to press a kiss to Remus’s cheek. “I do appreciate it though and not because it allowed me to escape.” Remus blinked at him in surprise, speechless as he dialed something on Remus’s phone and then pressed it against his ear. Remus scrunched up his neck to keep it there as he heard the sound of the phone ringing. Logan turned to walk back to the car.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

Want to read more? The next installment is:

Popcorn and Podcasts

[kristallioness]

The guardian lemur

Summary: When Momo starts acting strange around Katara, she turns to Aang for advice.

Word count: 2,544

Author's note: I don't remember whether it was a blog post I saw here, or an online news article I stumbled across.. But, I think it's adorable when sometimes cats can sense if their owners are pregnant, so they become protective of them and start acting motherly towards them (like their natural instincts are kicking in). This cute concept inspired the following story. By the way, my mom has told me stories about how her grandmother (my great-grandmother) used to have a cat who'd catch mice and bring them back into the house and then release them, which infuriated her to no end. So, I guess this tidbit with Momo is inspired by that kitty, who didn't exactly understand how to be a cat. *lol* Anyways, I hope you like it since 'keeping warm' was one of my prompts, which I submitted this year (and it got chosen, yay!). Oh, and a happy beginning to all of you for Kataang Week 2020! *throws glitter and confetti*

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The kitchen was filled with a mixed aroma of seaweed, herbs and noodles, all boiling in hot water. Katara added a pinch of salt into the broth and stirred the liquid with a big wooden spoon before taking a sip. From the corner of her eye, she could see the winged lemur, who'd quietly been sitting next to her feet for the past ten minutes.

"No, Momo. You can't have any until I'm done cooking."

Momo merely scratched the back of his ear with his hind leg, but otherwise didn't budge. Katara did feel bad for not giving him a taste before lunchtime. She wasn't even sure whether lemurs eat noodles, not to mention ones made out of seaweed..

And there it was again, the gentle rubbing against her shins. Momo began circling her legs in an attempt to persuade her to give him something to nibble on. Poor thing must be starving, she thought. If he was trying to make her feel guilty for not feeding him, it worked.

Katara released a heavy sigh and stepped away from the stove for a second, her small buddy padding right after her on the floor. She opened a cupboard door and grabbed the last moon peach from their dwindling fruit supply.

The constant following around nor the tiny gestures of affection weren't the things that had been driving the waterbender crazy. It was their pet's new habit of bringing live prey into the household. Last week, he'd caught dozens of bugs, five mice, three hamsters, two frogs and one unconscious bird.

Aang had nurtured the bird back to health and released it into the wild. The frogs weren't a problem either, so Katara had simply shooed them out of the house and they'd found a cosy habitat in the pond in front of their home. Luckily the bugs were also typical inhabitants on their little island, and the ones Momo brought inside eventually became dinner for the domesticated frogs.

However, it was the rodents who'd soon found their way into the pantry. Within a day, almost half of their pastry supplies were gone. Katara was furious. She had to ask her husband to buy more food from the market, and her brother to come up with ingenious traps to catch the annoying critters without killing them, like Aang had pleaded, before they could destroy their entire food supply, not to mention the vegetables in the greenhouse.

What really got on her nerves were the times the winged lemur would approach her with that proud smile on his face, something apparently dead caught between his small fangs or in between his paws, and release his catch right in front of her feet. Only for her to watch it scurry away before she could even blink, let alone catch it.

"This is the last one. Here you go," Katara said as she squatted down and extended her hand. She felt confused when the lemur pushed it back.

"Don't you want it? C'mon, it's your favourite treee-eat.."

She threw the peach into the hallway like a ball, in hopes that Momo would leave her alone to go fetch it. He did fly out of the kitchen for long enough to let her return to her cooking, but came back with the fruit fully intact between his fangs.

"Well, go on. Eat up!" Katara urged him with a wave of her hand, but Momo let out a disappointed moan and drooped his ears at that. He dropped the peach in his paws and with the utmost care, he pulled off a small piece and offered it to her instead.

"Thanks, Momo, but I'm not craving for a moon peach right now. You can have it."

The lemur hesitated at first, but under her watchful eye, he finally bit into the juicy fruit, allowing her to finish preparing lunch for herself and her husband in peace.

Speaking of peace, Katara couldn't recall the last time she and Aang had been given a moment of privacy in bed for the past couple of weeks. Often times when waking up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water, Katara would discover that she'd inched further away from her partner, due to a scrawny furball who always managed to squeeze himself in between their tummies, no matter the positions they were in. Or if their intimacy wasn't being disturbed, she'd wake up due to the curled up, personalized heater sleeping on her belly whenever she was lying on her back.

Since when had she become a magnet for winged lemurs? Did she smell of something that attracted them to her? Had Momo grown fond of her and simply wished to spend more time by her side instead of hanging out with Aang all the time? Katara had no idea, but all of this was becoming a bit much.

As she poured the steaming seaweed noodles into two bowls, Momo leaped up and landed on her shoulders. He curled his tail around her neck for support, then held a leftover piece of the moon peach in front of her face.

"Oh, alright.." she chuckled, snagging the small piece from his paw and putting it in her mouth.

"Thanks, Momo!"

She scratched him from below the chin with her finger, earning a series of content purrs from the lemur. Once the bowls were full, she was ready to join her husband in the living room.

Aang was leaning on the windowsill, admiring the view of Republic City straight across the bay, when he heard footsteps coming closer.

"Lunch is served!" Katara announced as she joined him. The airbender grinned at the sight of two steaming bowls filled with delicious food, watching how she placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the couch. The smell that accompanied her was mouth-watering.

"Finally! I could eat a whole barrel of noodles by now."

His wife giggled at that comment.

"Well, I hope we didn't keep you waiting for too long."

He walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and giving her a loving smile.

"Sweetie, I waited for you for a hundred years. I don't think you could ever top that record again."

Katara laughed wholeheartedly this time, letting him give her a quick kiss on the lips afterwards.

Aang tenderly ran a hand over her slight belly bump before beckoning her to have a seat on the couch with him so they could have lunch together. They both grabbed a bowl, along with a pair of chopsticks, and clinked them together like those snobbish citizens in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se would do.

"Dig in!"

While the couple indulged themselves, Momo hopped off Katara's shoulders and disappeared to a different room. She noticed the lemur fly off into the corridor, but didn't pay too much attention to it. At this point, she was grateful for any given moment she could get, just to be alone with her beloved.

"What do you think? Is it too spicy?"

Hailing from the Water Tribe, Katara had grown up with a blander range of foods available in the frozen landscape, with the exception of meat that was either cooked or fried, and seasoned prior to the devouring.

Hence she tried to spice up their plain meals, such as these noodles, by experimenting with adding various spices or herbs. Aang shook his head.

"Nah, I think it's really good. You might wanna go easy on the garlic next time. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't wanna kiss me anymore if my breath stinks."

She laughed when he planted a greasy kiss on her cheek, after which she continued to slurp her own seaweed noodles.

Her attention turned to her feet when she spotted Momo, who'd returned from another one of his adventures. For a second, her heart dropped at the sight of a mouse caught between his teeth. Fortunately, it was just a toy he'd brought along.

"Momo, why are you bringing your stuff here? Do you wanna play?"

The winged lemur jumped up on the couch and supported his front paws on the waterbender's thigh, dropping the toy right into her lap. Katara stared at the fake mouse for a mere second before Momo flew away again.

"Wait! Where are you going? I was gonna play.. with you.."

She sighed, picking the toy up from its string of a tail. Aang could sense her frustration.

"What's wrong?"

Katara put her half-empty bowl on the table and continued to stare at the toy mouse hanging from her fingertips. She twirled the tail around, making the rest of its body spin.

"I don't know. Momo's been acting really strange lately."

"Strange how exactly?"

"He's always following me around and rubbing himself against me. Not to mention he's practically invaded our personal space in bed. I don't need to remind you that he's bringing all kinds of small creatures inside the temple every day.."

Aang's focus shifted from her complaining to the culprit himself. Momo had returned to the living room and he gleefully hopped beside the waterbender, this time dropping his favourite ball in her lap.

"..He brings me food even when I'm not hungry. And now, when I find a place to sit still for a little while longer, he keeps piling some of his toys around me."

Momo tilted his head and stared back at the airbender, almost as if he was trying to communicate with him. Tell him the motives behind his actions and all the mischief he'd caused within the last month. Katara picked up the ball he'd dropped.

"See?.. Aang, are you even listening to me!?"

"Sh-shh!" he hushed her, raising a finger to her lips so she'd quit yammering.

"What?"

He pointed down to her stomach. Both their eyes were fixed on the winged lemur, who lay down in the waterbender's lap and nestled the side of his face against her round belly, one ear covering it like a blanket. Momo looked up at the married couple, then shut his lime green eyes and began purring ever so silently. Aang started laughing, but Katara became even more annoyed.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Oh, Katara.. He can tell when you're in the family way. He's trying to take care of you and the baby in the only way he knows how - by acting as a daddy lemur."

Her face twisted through several expressions of anger, confusion and eventually, realization.

"So, that's what he's been doing this whole time? Tending to me as if I'm an expecting mommy lemur? Which I technically am, except for the lemur part.."

Aang reached his hand out to pet his caring companion. The winged lemur arched his back a bit and nuzzled his face against the fuzzy material of Katara's coat. His purrs become louder with each stroke.

"Momo can sense that there's life growing inside of you, so he's been acting like a proper papa lemur and looking after the unborn child and its mother. That includes bringing you food and stuff to play with to keep you well-fed and entertained."

Katara felt as if he'd opened her eyes to a whole different reality. She never thought that Momo's odd behaviour could be related to the fact that she's pregnant now. The timing fit, and Aang's reasoning explained the weird new habits.

"But, what about the snuggling? Why's he so keen on sleeping on my stomach?"

"He's trying to keep you and the baby warm. Also, since there are a lot of hormonal changes going on with you right now, your body's radiating more warmth in this area," Aang explained by running his hand over her bump, careful not to move the lemur's ear off of it.

"Which means your stomach is the perfect hotspot, literally. You're keeping him warm, too."

"Where did you learn all of that?" Katara wondered, her tone playful and curious at the same time. The cheeks on her husband's face turned crimson and he looked away for a moment, rubbing the back of his bald head awkwardly.

"I might've found some books about pregnancy on the top shelf of the bookcase in your office the last time I was waiting for you to finish work..."

She giggled and rewarded him with a soft peck on the cheek for being so caring and putting in more effort to understand this new "condition" of hers better.

"Thanks, sweetie. I appreciate you looking out for me."

Aang accepted her gratitude with a wide grin, and by snaking an arm around her shoulder to pull her closer. After that, she joined him in stroking the winged lemur, who seemed to be happily napping in her lap.

"Oh, Momo.. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

He looked up at Katara and let out a short disgruntled screech that could've been translated into an 'I told you so'. She laughed at that.

"Oh, okay.. I guess you did tell me. I was just too oblivious to pick up on the signs."

Momo rested his head in her lap again and raised one of his ears above her belly bump.

"Why do you think he does that thing with his ear?" the waterbender wondered out loud, tenderly running her hand over the soft fur on the lemur's head.

"Maybe he's listening to what the little tyke is doing in there. Animals can hear sounds with a much higher frequency. Take my bison whistle, for example. We can't hear anything, but Appa always comes to me when I blow it."

"I doubt that Momo can hear anything else besides my stomach growling. I mean, the baby hasn't even developed a heart yet. Believe me, I've checked.. If anything, he might be able to sense its movements in my womb."

Katara was right. She was barely into the last weeks of her first trimester. As hard as she'd tried, she couldn't detect the baby's heartbeat through her healing abilities yet. And it was too early for it to start kicking her, too.

The only changes she could sense in her body were the slight weight gain, which led to her developing a subtle belly bump. Her breasts had become a bit tender, which meant that making love with Aang at night would be less fun for a while. Not that he wasn't being more gentle with her because of this.. And finally, some unusual cravings, which was probably why she preferred to cook spicier foods recently.

Either way, these slight changes were enough for Momo's paternal instincts to kick in. He rolled over onto his back and let the couple scratch his soft belly instead. The corners of his mouth curled into a content smile as he purred against Katara's tummy.

"Aww! I guess this is kind of endearing. Plus, this way the baby can get acquainted with one of its future furry friends, too. That's right! Yes, you can!" she cooed to the winged lemur, who rubbed himself against her thighs as he twitched with delight at her scratches.

"But no more mice in the house, okay? I'm capable of finding my own food," Katara said with a wave of her finger, to which Momo replied with another chirp. Translation - 'yes, madam'.

[chasing-classics]

Welcome to the Slaughterhouse (3/3) Miguel x Reader x Angel

Pairing: Angel Reyes x Reader x Miguel Galindo

 Warning(s): mentions of domestic violence and sexual assault, angst, language, SMUT. If any of these trigger you, please don’t read.

 Summary: In the final installment you deal with the aftermath of the dinner and the truth is finally revealed.

PART 1 , PART 2

 ‘’Mrs. Galindo. . .do you need a moment?’’

 You looked up at Agent Potter, your lips pulled in a thin line as he gazed back you with an obviously fake smile. His smile reminded you of Miguel’s, it was the same smile Miguel wore constantly to appear polite. In reality it was the smile of a snake in the grass or a wolf among the flock.

 ‘’I’m fine,’’ your eyes narrowed as you offered a faux smile of your own.

 ‘’Great,’’ Potter clasped his hands together as he took his seat across the table from you. You instantly sat up straight, hands folded together on the table. You noticed Potter eyeing your wedding ring for a brief second before his attention returned to you.

 ‘’Shall we begin?’’

 ‘’We shall.’’

 ‘’Can you tell me who killed your husband, Miguel Galindo?’’

 ~~~~~~~Three hours earlier~~~~~~~

 You felt your body tremble as you stared at the body of your husband. It was a sight you had often thought about, but at the same time you never truly wanted to happen. As much as you hated him for the vile things he did to you and the cruel things he would hiss at you while he was beating the shit out of you or using your body for his own selfish desires, you never wanted it to come to this. There had been a time where you would’ve moved Heaven and Earth for Miguel, and he would’ve done the same for you. The beginning was completely different.

 ‘’Miguel,’’ you laughed, your boyfriend wrapping his strong arms around you and pulling you back into your shared bed.

 ‘’Five more minutes, mi amor,’’ his voice was groggy from barely waking up, but you could tell he was grinning as he peppered kisses across your shoulder.

 You shifted to face him, gazing down at his handsome face. He smiled right back at you.

 ‘’Marry me,’’ he whispered. Your jaw fell slack. ‘’That’s not funny, Mikey,’’ you chastised, the heat rising to your cheeks as you stared at this absolutely perfect man. He sat up and you couldn’t help but stare at his bare chest. The sweetest smile was on his face as he turned to his nightstand and pulled out a small velvet box.

 ‘’Miguel?’’ you gasped as he opened the box.

 ‘’I love you, y/n. And I don’t want to spend another day without you sharing my last name and seeing this on your finger. I want to grow old with you, watch our children and grandchildren run around and grow up. I want you to be completely, fully, unconditionally mine. Will you marry me?’’

 ‘’Y/n?’’ Nestor’s voice brought you out of your memories, looking away from Miguel’s body as Nestor handed you a handkerchief to wipe the blood off the side of your face. You took it and nodded your thanks before turning to Adelita.

 ‘’You should go, they’ll be here any second,’’ you warned.

 She nodded, and you held out your hand to her. She clasped it and offered a small, sympathetic smile. She looked at Angel, who was still clearly in shock. Like a phantom, she took her men and retreated from the house into the wine cellar.

Your eyes then fell on Angel, who shakily took a step towards you before encompassing you in a warm embrace.

 ‘’What did you do, querida?’’

 ‘’What I had to.’’

 ~~~~~~~~~~Six Months Ago~~~~~~~~~~

 You whimpered as you limped through the tunnels, the soreness between your legs a familiar feeling that you’ve grown accustomed to in your marriage with Miguel. The blanket that war thrown over you protected you from the night wind as well as anyone whose allegiance was to your husband. Nestor was currently with Miguel, keeping him occupied. You knew your mission and you were well aware of what was at stake. With every step you took your prayers grew, begging any guardian angel or divine deity that your plan would work. By the time you reached your destination Adelita and Bishop were already standing.

 ‘’What the hell is she doing here?’’ Bishop visibly tensed up, Tranq and Taza in the background lowered their arms; hands near their holsters.

 You immediately lifted your arms, showing that you meant no harm.

 ‘’She’s with me,’’ Adelita answered, her eyes reminding you of a rattlesnake; ready to strike if provoked.

 ‘’I came because I need your help,’’ you mustered as much courage as you possibly could.

 The men visibly relaxed albeit not much. You couldn’t blame them, here was the wife of their employer and enemy. Miguel was a very powerful man who was not above using violence to get his way. They had every reason to distrust you.

 ‘’Obispo,’’ a gruff voice called out among the shadows.

 When Alvarez made his presence known Bishop’s mouth opened in both shock and confusion. The former patriarch of the Mayans stood by your side, offering a comforting hand on your shoulder. You nodded your thanks to him before you both looked at Bishop.

 ‘’Now can we talk?’’

 The four of you sat at the Mayans’ Templo, each of you tense with uneasiness. The silence was thick and heavy and you knew they were waiting for an explanation.

 ‘’As you know, Miguel is a powerful man. He is a violent man. I know he takes advantage of his influence over your club,’’ you began.

‘’For as long as I’ve known Miguel he has craved power. Power over the cartel. Power over the club, the rebels. Power over me. Everyday for the last two years he has beaten me, raped me, threatened my very life, and has tried breaking me in every sense of the word,’’ you couldn’t help the quiver in your voice as countless nights of abuse replayed themselves in your head.

Bishop shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but the sympathetic look in his eyes was beginning to show.

‘’You’re a very smart man, Bishop. You know about Angel,’’ the way Adelita averted her eyes at the mention of his name filled you with jealousy for a split second before it evaporated.

 ‘’You’re going to get us all killed,’’ Bishop sighed.

 ‘’Primo, hear her out,’’ Alvarez’s strong voice filled you with the encouragement to continue you so desperately needed.

 ‘’We all have a common enemy,’’ you pointed out.

 ‘’We made a deal with your husband, Mrs. Galindo,’’ Bishop all-but spat out your marital name.

 ‘’An unfair deal,’’ Adelita cut him off, voice sharp. His gaze was redirected as the Rebel Queen.

 ‘’Y/n came to me shortly before the deal with Galindo was made. I’ve seen her scars, her bruises. I’ve seen the mark of the devil on her skin. He is vile, and he deserves to pay. Not just for her, but for every orphan whose parents were taken away by the cartel. For every widow, every mother whose child is buried in a grave due to the cartel. For the father and son who were burnt to a crisp due to his rage. I want vengeance. Galindo gave me Devante’s head, now I want his life,’’ Adelita’s stone cold voice sent shivers down your spine.

 After a moment or two of silence, Bishop sighed, ‘’Galindo has too many allies that will seek retribution against the club. I’m not endangering my men just so you two can settle the score with him.’’

 You shook your head. ‘’You’re wrong. Miguel has more enemies than allies, believe me. And you won’t be doing the killing. All I’m asking for is compliance. All I want is not to live in fear anymore. Nothing touches the club, nothing will touch Adelita.’’

 ‘’This is our chance to right his wrongs, primo. I’ve seen what he’s done. We’ve seen it. I took this position believing I could prevent him from becoming his father, but I was wrong; he’s much worse. He won’t stop until he’s dead,’’ Alvarez stared somberly at Bishop.

 Bishop sighed, rubbing his temple as he mulled over his options. His eyes met yours’.

 ‘’What about the cops? You think they’ll just turn the other cheek when they find his body and no murderer?’’

 ‘’Los Olvidados,’’ Adeltia began, ‘’will be taking the fall, but thanks to y/n and the Galindo’s resources, the FBI will not be able to track us. It’ll be all smoke and mirrors.’’

 ‘’What about Oceteva?’’ Bishop pointed out.

 ‘’Nestor is aware of my plan. He’s willing to be complicit. Nestor’s brother’s death wasn’t an accident. Miguel had him shot after he got wind that Nestor’s brother was planning to rat on the cartel. His body is currently in an unmarked grave.’’

 Bishop and Adelita’s eyes widened but they resumed their stoic statures. They shared a quick look with each other, to which Adelita nodded. Bishop glanced at Alvarez and you were able to breathe easier when you saw the resignation on the president’s face. He looked straight at you.

 ‘’Angel cannot know about this. Until this shit settles, you two act like normal. The less people involved in this; the better.’’

 ‘’They came out of nowhere. I believe they’re called Los Olvidados. My husband kept his business extremely private. But I remember him mentioning them. One minute we were having dinner with the Mayans, to discuss a potential partnership to take down the rebels, but before Miguel could mention anything. . .he was shot,’’ you tried your best to play the role of the grieving widow, and you were convinced you had done a decent job by the way Potter wasn’t immediately calling you out on your bullshit.

 ‘’Why did they not kill the rest of you?’’ Potter questioned, forehead crinkled in thought.

 ‘’I told you, it was only two or three of them, by the time the first shot was fired my husband’s security and the Mayans were ready to fight back. They came, shot my husband, and fled. I don’t know anything else other than my husband is dead and you’re sitting here like this is a game of cat and mouse,’’ you hissed.

 ‘’Oh Mrs. Galindo, or rather Ms. y/l/n now, I understand you have had a terrible loss. Losing a spouse is traumatic, but to have it happen right in front of you. . .’’ Potter abruptly stood, circling the room like a vulture with a bad hairdo.

 ‘’You are welcome to search my house if you’d like,’’ you steadied your voice.

 ‘’We already have my dear. Nothing. All we found was the tunnel that they used to enter your humble abode and that led us to the middle of nowhere. Strange isn’t it?’’ his voice sent chills down the back of your neck but you kept your face stoic. You couldn’t afford to screw this up when you had come this far.

 ‘’You’re free to go,’’ Potter stated after what felt like an eternity of silence. You suppressed the sigh of relief you so desperately wanted to take and stood up, walking calmly to the door.

 ‘’Oh wait. I do believe congratulations are in order,’’ Potter’s eerily cheerful voice made you stop dead in your tracks, the doorknob barely skimming your fingertips. You slowly turned to face him once more to find him holding a manila folder and sliding it across the table. You didn’t dare reach for it. You held eye contact and steadied yourself for whatever he was about to say.

 ‘’It appears you are nearly three-and-a-half months pregnant,’’ he smiled that sly fox smile of his as he crossed his arms over his chest.

You gulped and quickly turned the door handle and rushed out of the building. It wasn’t until you met Nestor, dutifully waiting by the limo that you burst into tears as he held you.

‘’It’s over, y/n,’’ he comforted you. You shook your head violently.

 ‘’I’m pregnant, Nestor,’’ you sobbed, suddenly feeling very nauseous. There had been a few days where you had forgotten to take your birth control, and the timeline was so twisted and uncertain that there was no definite answer to who was the father of your child. Nestor just held you.

 It had to have been early morning by the time you made it back to the house. Thankfully, Miguel’s body had been taken and although the house was in disarray from the FBI’s probing, you were grateful that you couldn’t make out where the blood stains were unless you truly stared long enough. You felt exhausted in every sense of the word as you slowly made your way to the staircase.

‘’He’s waiting for you,’’ Nestor’s voice rang out, making you pause. You sighed, feeling the tears already beginning to form once again. How could you tell him that you were pregnant? That there was a possibility the baby you were carrying wasn’t his, but that of your abusive husband’s? His half-brother. A child that was possibly conceived through rape. You felt like you were floating up the stairs, and before you knew it there was Angel waiting for you in the master bedroom. His eyes searched yours, looking to see if you were hurt. You let out a little breath and that was all it took before he dashed to you and held you against his chest while you sobbed.

 ‘’Shhh, mi amor. It’s ok I’m right here, I’m here,’’ he whispered while stroking your head.

 ‘’I think we should start trying,’’ Miguel stated as you both laid in bed, you curled up against him after making love.

 ‘’Really?’’ you whispered as you listened to the sound of his heartbeat thrumming within his chest.

 ‘’Why not?’’ Miguel grinned, looking down at you. ‘’You’re the love of my life, the woman I plan on marrying. A baby wouldn’t be the worst thing would it?’’

 You stayed quiet for a few seconds. You couldn’t help but think that Miguel was always the one to make the big decisions. Marriage, kids, what would be next? He had already snapped a few times at you, but you chalked it up to whatever family business he often referred to. Coupled with his mother’s untimely death a month ago, you could understand why your fiancé would be under pressure. Although his temper scared you, you loved him and believed things would only get better in time. You always wanted a family and to become the mother you never had growing up. While you often thought about a tall, dark-haired Casanova on a motorcycle, you loved Miguel. A baby wouldn’t be the end of the world, it would be a new start.

 ‘’I’ve always hated this room,’’ you sniffled, slowly walking around the much too large bedroom. Every inch of the room held a memory you desperately wished you could forget. Countless nights of screaming, crying, anger, and despair circulated within the room. Angel sat at the foot of the bed, carefully watching you and allowing you the space you needed to come to terms with the night’s events. Even he was exhausted, he knew your head had to be spinning right now. You picked up the picture of you and Miguel on your wedding day. You didn’t even recognize the girl in the white dress anymore. So naïve, so full of hope and love. You wished you could tell her to run as fast as she could before it all went to shit. Your knuckles turned white as you cleaned the picture frame.

 SMASH!

 You let out a howl of anguish as you chucked the picture against the opposite wall. Angel jumped up, startled. You tore at the velvet curtains until they were ripped off the rod. You picked up the bottles of perfume and cologne that were on the vanity and smashed them to the tiled floor. The smell of expensive, foreign perfume filled your senses as you totaled the room. The vase of flowers that Miguel had just bought you days ago was smashed to smithereens. Every shatter of glass, every shard of porcelain was lost as memories of him violating you and abusing you orbited your mind.

 ‘’Y/n,’’ Angel’s deep voice pulled you out of your rampage. The room was destroyed and finally matched the true image of what your marriage was really like. The veil was lifted, and here was what lied beneath it. You glanced at the wedding ring that was still on your finger. Before you could yank it off, Angel’s hand gently took hold of yours. You looked up at him, allowing him to slowly slide the ring off your finger and you winced at the clink it made as it was tossed to the ground. Angel held both of your cheeks in his hands, his forehead pressed against yours as your breathing evened out.

 ‘’I-I’m pregnant, Angel,’’ you whimpered, preparing yourself for his outburst. He stilled and you swallowed the sob that threatened to escape your lips.

 Angel’s lips crashed against yours, causing your eyes to snap back open. You weren’t sure if he heard you right, or maybe it hadn’t sunken in yet. When he pulled away your heart clenched as you struggled to piece together your words.

 ‘’Angel it might-,’’ you were hushed when he pressed another kiss to your lips. He pulled away once more and looked at you, tears threatening to spill from those beautiful chocolate brown eyes at any moment.

 ‘’Listen to me, alright? I love you so fucking much. I’d die for you, and I’d die for this baby. Because even if he isn’t mine, he’s yours’ and that’s all that fucking matters to me. You’re the best part of me, nena. You always have been. I’ll be damned if I lose you again. I can’t promise it’s going to be all sunshine and rainbows and shit, but I promise I’m going to love you until they put me in the ground and even beyond that. I’m going to be there for you and this baby.’’

 Tears cascaded down your face, falling onto the floor as you crashed your lips onto Angel’s. The two of you backed up until you fell into the king-sized mattress. You tensed when you were able to still smell traces of Miguel, but you pulled your focus onto the man you had loved ever since you were a child. You hurriedly yanked off the elegant dress that you were still wearing, your body on full display for Angel to see. His eyes traced every curve of your body and his hand laid itself on your abdomen. The two of you undressed yourselves, too lost in each other to really give a shit about anything else. Miguel had taken away so much from you, but he was not going to take away this moment. This was your future. Angel was your future.

 The two of you rolled over as Angel kneeled before you. You instinctively spread your legs for him. It should’ve been illegal for him to look this good, hair slightly messed up as he kissed up your naked body in your marital bed. ‘’Angel please,’’ you gasped when he took one of your nipples into his mouth and hungrily suckled. His right hand toyed with the other as his other hand pinned your hips to the bed. You could feel the tip of his cock rubbing against your folds as you tried grinding against him.

 Your hands ran through his hair and scratched up his back while you threw your head back and moaned and whimpered Angel’s name.

 ‘’You’re so fucking beautiful,’’ his husky voice gave your butterflies that fluttered throughout your entire being.

 His kisses trailed up your neck, gently nipping and sucking on it while one of his hands crept towards your needy pussy. His thick fingers lazily rubbed at your clit and gathered some of your slickness before he shoved two of them into your tight opening. Your fingernails gently clawed at his shoulder blades, his knees preventing your legs from closing as he began fingering you.

 ‘’I’m going to make you cum on my hand before I make you milk my dick,’’ he groaned in your neck before nipping at your ear.

 You closed your eyes, your lips open as you panted from the way his fingers thrusted into you. The sounds emitting from the two of you were sinful and heavenly all at the same time. You clenched around him when he went knuckle-deep and hit that sweet spot inside of you. You began rocking your hips and tilting them upwards to meet his digits. Angel took the hint and bit down on your shoulder before adding a third finger and hammering away at you.

 ‘’A-Angel,’’ you whined, unable to do anything but moan and chant his name like prayer while he took control.

 ‘’Fuck nena, all wet and needy for me and I’ve barely started,’’ he smirked down at you before kissing your soft lips, swallowing your cries when he repeatedly hit your sweet spot. You tried telling him you were about to cum, but you were unable to do anything but cry out his name as your orgasm overcame you.

 He bit your sensitive nipple as he settled between your legs. He looked right at you, your blissful tears only fueling his desire for you as he took hold of his thick manhood and slowly traced your opening with the tip of his cock.

 ‘’Tell me you love me,’’ he whispered. And unlike the way it was with Miguel, there was no malice in his voice. Just primal, beautiful, sinful love.

‘’I love you,’’ you whispered and gasped when he shoved his entire length into you in one thrust, bottoming out and grunting your name. You wrapped your legs around his waist and held onto his shoulders as he began bucking into you, his balls slapping your pussy with every brutal thrust. The friction between the two of you made it difficult to suppress another orgasm. You whimpered when you felt him fill you up every time his cock speared you, your body nearly dragging along with his cock as he exited you. His nose brushed against yours as he pressed his forehead against you.

‘’Cum for me again,’’ he ordered and sped up his thrusts, your body bouncing underneath him in tune with his movements. ‘’Angel, papi,’’ you moaned out, your pussy clenching around his heavy cock. ‘’You’re fucking soaking querida,’’ he grunted as he grabbed your legs, pressing them against your chest so he could go deeper and harder.

‘’Angel!’’ you whined, cumming around his cock as you shook underneath him. It was all too much, the weight of him on top of you, the feeling of complete fullness as his dick repeated slammed into you. You were in a hot, thick wave of euphoria and you never wanted it to end as your fluids coated him, only allowing him to enter you faster. You barely felt Angel give you a kiss before he positioned you onto your side, lifting your leg up and resuming fucking into your sore but blissed out body.

‘’How does that feel amor?’’ Angel grunted, his hand brushing away your hair so he could see your face. His eyes watched as your breasts bounced, giving a few extra forceful ones just to watch your tits move with his thrusts. His gaze then traveled downward to the way his cock split you open, the way his dick disappeared in those tight folds of yours and the way your cum coated him. He was a lucky man.

‘’I-It’s too much Angel. I feel so f-full,’’ you whimpered, panting as he hid his face into your shoulder.

‘’I’m almost there nena, give me one more,’’ he growled out almost animalistically as his hips sped up, causing you to grip the sheets. While one hand toyed with your bouncing breasts the other began furiously rubbing at your clit. You clawed at the sheets, eyes closed in pure pleasure as you felt that familiar coil in your stomach.

‘’You look so fucking pretty taking my cock baby,’’ Angel moaned, kissing your cheek as his hand gently but firmly pressed against your stomach.

His filthy words is what did it for you, his name the only thing you could scream as you climaxed a third time, laying limp on the bed as he pounded into you like a madman. The grunt he released when he filled your tight sore pussy up, along with the way he gently pulled your hips closer to his so that every drop of his warm cum filled your womb was all you could focus on. Your eyes felt heavy as Angel remained inside of you, his cock twitching every now and then as his muscular arms encompassed you.

 ‘’I love you y/n,’’ he whispered behind you. The most genuine smile graced your lips as sleep slowly began taking you.

 ‘’I love you too, my Angel.’’

 You weren’t sure how long you had been able to sleep. Angel’s arms were still wrapped around you but he was no longer inside of you. You carefully maneuvered out of his embrace and managed to walk out onto the balcony, the silk robe that Miguel detested was loosely hanging off your body. He had said it made you look cheap, but you had always loved the robe. Miguel hated a lot of the things you loved. You were positive that Miguel would never completely leave your mind. You’d probably need therapy, and you weren’t naïve enough to believe that the trauma he had put you through would evaporate. You’d always remember him and the things he had done. The pain would wax and wane, and you would have to find a way to pick up the shattered pieces and create something beautiful out of it.

 You glanced down at your stomach, you hadn’t grown much but just knowing the life that was slowly blooming in you offered the tiniest bit of comfort. You wanted this. This was yours’, your choice. You finally had a choice. And you wanted this baby more than anything. You glanced back at Angel who was peacefully sleeping and smiled as the dawn steadily approached. It was not going to be easy. None of it would be. You’d have to deal with the aftermath. You’d have great days and horrible days. But Angel and the baby made up for it tenfold.

 ‘’A part of me will always be with you,’’ Miguel’s gruff voice caused you to shiver.

 ‘’You’re wrong. The memories will haunt me. But I already have the best part of you,’’ you replied. You could almost see the smirk on Miguel’s face.

 ‘’You sound strong, amor.’’ You nodded your head.

 ‘’I survived the slaughterhouse. I can survive anything that comes after.’’

 Miguel grinned, nodding his head as you stared out the balcony, noting the way the sun slowly spread along the mountain. Replacing the various shadows and fog with the warmth of the sun and illuminating the greenery. You nodded to yourself once more, hand pressed to your stomach as you slowly turned away to rejoin Angel where you knew his arms would be waiting to hold you once more before you braved the beginning of a new day.

 If I could let these thoughts drown And someday he might lose his crown In time these chains that hold me down would set me free Would set me free

[evilwerewolves2]

Child’s Play Ch.2

~Making headlines~

At first everything was completely fine. You Tendou and Ushijima all went back more or less to how things were. That is until the mafia family Tendou was a part of made headlines. You and Iji watched the news together on that night. Ten was supposed to be there and watch a movie with you two and you hadn't received so much as a text explaining why he wasn't there yet. Iji got up to make popcorn and some instant ramen while you waited on Ten. He hadn't realized you switched the channel.

"Mixed feelings tonight as several bodies were found" ~Male News Reporter

"Why mixed feelings that's horrible" ~Female News Reporter

"Tonight several bodies were found most have been identified as members of the group known as the Jade Dragons" ~Male News Reporter

The mention of the name "Jade Dragons" was more than enough to catch Iji's attention.

"There has been one unidentifiable body found that has yet to be claimed but eye witnesses say that the groups leader Takashi Utsui was at the hotel when it was brutally attacked by the enemy Mafia of the Dragons the Ruby Raijū  also known by the name of Red Lightning while Utsui was a major donator to most all charities in our area nobody has seen or heard from Utsui since the raid this morning " ~Male News Reporter

"Now to our anonymous reporter who is on the scene right this second. How's it looking over there? " ~Male News Reporter

"Word on the street is that Red Lightning specifically raided the building where many died to get Utsui. God that is the last time I'm going to say that name." ~Anonymous Reporter

"Why is that?" ~Male News Reporter

"Word on the street is that the deceased Mafioso has a son who is known to be more terrifying than his father. He is also known for excessive revenge and it is believed that anyone who utters his name will likely meet a much worse fate than his father..." ~Anonymous Reporter

You've never been so terrified as you turn of the TV to face Ushijima. His eyes fixed on the TV eyes seething with rage and grief. He looks at you and seems to get more upset by the fear he can see in your eyes. You want to say it but don't want to meet your end the way the reporter said but you knew. Utsui is his fathers name.

~Blinded~

completely frozen in fear you kept eye contact for what seemed like an eternity. He spoke first.

"What." ~Ushijima

you instantly looked at the floor as you heard his footsteps approaching you on the couch. With each step he took your life seemed to flash before your eyes. he took a step in front of you and grabbed your face to make you look at him.

"What." ~Ushijima

you took a rushed breath to counter the fear in your heart but you choked and couldn't say anything.

"Why are you looking at me like that Y/N." ~Ushijima boomed

as you caught your breath you stammered.

"N.n..no.no reason s.s...ssorryy Us.ush...ushijima"

"Why so formal Y/N what happened to 'Iji'." ~Ushijima

Ushijima said those words looking into your soul getting so aggravated at the fear he saw swelling up inside his childhood best friend. The fear he knew was stemming from him. Hearing you say his full last name instead of the nickname you gave him as a kid was only confirmation, You knew. you knew he was now the leader of the dragons. You knew he was the one the anonymous reporter was talking about. 'anonymous reporter'

"tch I'll have his fucking head talking about me like that" ~Ushijima in his mind

Ushijima had become lost in thought, blinded by rage and the only thing that brought him out of it was your choking and pleading. in between breaths you managed to shout out.

"Please *Chokes* P..lease d.don't kill me I'm sorry!" ~Y/N

kill you? Why would he kill you? As he looked at you confused he realized his hand was crushing your throat. Your face completely purple as he let go of you. Tossing you to the floor by accident.

"Fuck. FUCK. Please. Please don't be scared of me. FUCK." ~Ushijima

you had just watched him hit himself in the head as he walked into the bathroom. You didn't know why but the only thought in your mind was "RUN" despite the only other thought you could come across in your mind you did run even if you thought it could make things worse.

~Cat and Mouse~

"FUCK!!" ~Ushijima

so many thoughts raced through Ushijima's head. Maybe I can convince her I'm not dangerous. No I almost choked her out she'd never believe that. You heard glass shatter and became so terrified that any doubt about what you were doing had completely vanished you grabbed your bag you had full of clothes money and some snacks. You'd lived on the street once before you could do it again. Fuck what if she runs from me. No no. She'd never run. Would she? as he headed back towards the door you had made your rushed escape out of your apartment and was three blocks down. Its a miracle what adrenaline can do. In your hurry you had left the door open.

"Please. Please tell me you didn't." ~Ushijima

his fists made contact with the kitchen counter his frustration only fueling his rage at this point. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe YOU. YOU RAN FROM HIM?!?! HE PAYED YOUR DEBT, HE SAVED YOUR LIFE, YOU OWED HIM! You owed him. You were still in debt to him by well over 900k 'credits'. He could make his underdogs find you. He could find you. In his rage he seemed to forget his pull with both the dragons and his physical body in general. If. No when he figures out  where you went he could easily catch you. He hadn't played volleyball since highschool but he was still very physically fit. You could never outrun him. He didn't know why but out of everything that had happened on that night with him finding out about his father among other things that had been bothering him in school the worst thing was you running. Why did you run. You told him you'd never leave again. You kissed him on the first day you came back. Why did you run?

He rushed out of your house slamming the door. He saw the hobo you often gave food and money and asked him a question.

"Where'd she go. I know you saw her" ~Ushijima

"I forgot maybe I could be persuaded to remember though" ~Hobo

he hated using his name as leverage but he HAD to. He NEEDED to find you

"Ushijima ring any bells? Here's your damn persuasion how about you don't end up the next one on the news." ~Ushijima

The hobo froze in fear for a second. It reminded Ushijima of the look you gave him. He HATED that look.

"She ran towards the college said she needed something. I had no idea you were." ~Hobo

Ushijima shot a terrifying glance at the hobo and said sharply.

"Thanks" ~Ushijima

and with that took off running towards the school. He knew you weren't dumb enough to take the obvious route when running away. so he took the alleys and caught a glimpse of you about a mile out. "How'd you get so far so quickly?!" he thought to himself "It's only been ten minutes" as he checked the clock he realized it'd been two whole hours since he noticed the door was hastily left open. "What the fuck" why did he see someone touching you.

It's been two hours, you're pretty far away from Ushijima when you run into Tendou.

"Hey bestie" ~Tendou

he noticed your rising fear as you looked around.

"What you looking for" ~Tendou keeping direct eye contact

"My, My bag?" ~Y/N

Tendou chuckled but not in a fun loving way in a more sinister way you couldn't quite put your finger on.

"You sure are a bad liar Y/N" ~Tendou smirked eerily

trying desperately to change the subject you spoke

"Where were you Ten we were supposed to watch a movie together" ~Y/N

He looked you up and down in an almost predatorial way

"Oh, I doubt Iji would want to see me right now, you saw the news. Is that who you're running from? Iji?" ~Tendou said running his hands through your hair.

The mortified look on your face said everything he needed to know. You were running from him. His attention turned to the obvious purplish black marks on your neck with what seemed to be scabs shaped like human fingernails. he delicately touched your neck as he said.

"Damn I never would have thought he would hurt you like this. He is madly in love with you Ya know? *Chuckles* He lost his temper bad what did you say? What did you do?"

"I, I don't know. I don't know Ten" ~Y/N

you spoke as your voice began to choke up and crack tears that had been forming as you spoke now began streaming down your cheeks.

"What did I do Ten?!?" ~Y/N

Fuck he made you cry? Jesus if Iji saw her like this right now I'd be more of a dead man than I already am. Tendou was mortified as he looked down into the football fields (soccer) and he was met with Jade eyes and hair rushing towards the both of you. You were collapsed on the floor breaking down holding Tendou's hand.

"I am so Fucking dead, Come on now Y/N lets get the FUCK outa here kay?" ~Tendou

You noticed some members of Red Lightning rushing towards Ten and you thought you heard fear in Ten's voice. He rushed you into a car and took off towards the Red district. Ushijima told you never to go there because you weren't protected. While the school was a mid ground having both heirs of the two major rival families go to the same school definitely made it a war zone. If you'd been paying attention you would have noticed it sooner but all of the fights were about someone over stepping territory. How had you never noticed that Ten was THE Lightning Dragon and Iji was THE Jaded dragon?!? YOUR CHILDHOOD BEST FRIENDS WERE MAFIA LEADERS!?

Ushijima had only caught a glimpse of you his attention fixed on Tendou as he shouted.

"Fucked this one up too huh?" ~Tendou

[musesofolive]

Cat and Mouse

warning: some suggestive lines, cursing, and animal violence/death. Minimal of that last bit though, and more towards the end.

This situation was... different. Not new by any means, but definitely different.

Normally when bounty hunters came to collect Riley, they would jump him in alleyways, or in the woods at night. Always going for the element of surprise where they could easily stow away with him... not that it was ever easy, considering he had yet to be caught. But none were usually so bold as to do such a thing in public, in a ballroom filled with nobles no less.

Riley had been working a group of them, selling them vials of water that they believed to be potions to make themselves irresistible to anyone they wanted. It had been working so far, and he had made himself a very tidy profit from it. He had charmed his clients so thoroughly, they invited him to one of their annual balls, and with his success blowing up his ego, he accepted.

So, there he was, in the cheapest yet fanciest suit he could buy, standing off to the side of the room with a glass of wine, watching everyone laugh and dance. The night was going even better than he expected, grabbing five more clients to sell to in the morning. Though his luck eventually came to an end when a large figure made it’s way to his side. 

He glanced upwards and green eyes met the flashing blue of a strangers with an odd mark on his face. Two wavy red lines high up on his left cheek, only slightly covered by his shaggy, semi-slicked back black hair. He appeared to be roughly the same age as him, early twenties, maybe younger. Though, he was taller than Riley by a good two inches, with a lean, muscled body hidden by dark and barely presentable clothes. 

His eyes widened as he felt something sharp poke into his back. “Is that a knife or do you just like what you see,” he quipped.

The sharpness was pressed further into his side as the man leaned down to his ear with a light growl. “Unless you want me to run you through right here and now, you’ll come with me, quietly.”

He winced slightly. “Alright, big guy, have it your way.” Riley relented, walking to where the bounty hunter (he assumed to be a bounty hunter, anyways) nudged him. They made their way to the doors, just about to walk out, when a group of nobles called out to him, stopping both in their tracks.

“Luka, where are you going? The party’s just starting, and the good wine should be coming soon. Who’s the fellow next to you?” The seeming leader, Roland as Riley remembered, asked.

There was an even sharper poke from the bounty hunter’s concealed knife than before. A warning: make a call for help, and you won’t live to see the next morning.

Riley resisted the urge to roll his eyes, as if he needed to be reminded. He wasn’t a fool. Instead, he turned to face his group of clients with a pleasant smile, charming as always. “That wine sounds positively divine, my dear. But, I’m afraid I must be going with my friend here, he’s quite eager to discuss a deal with me and would prefer us to be in a more private setting for such an occasion. You understand, yes?” He took a small step forward, hands out in an apologetic fashion.

Roland paused, clearly saddened by the brunet’s sudden leave, but nodded nonetheless, stepping forward to shake his hand. However, his sad expression quickly shifted to that of a flustered variety as Riley brought his hand to his lips, kissing it softly with an even softer smile.

“I thank you, all of you, for this wondrous night, however short it was. It is one I will treasure always. Though I’m afraid I must leave you now, I wish you all a beautiful night and pleasant dreams,” he announced in the sweetest tone he could muster. It pacified the group as they dispersed with a last bow to him. He fought back a smirk, it really was too easy to manipulate this crowd.

Riley’s smugness dissipated at the less than friendly reminder of the bounty hunter’s presence, and with a small sigh, walked onto the cold streets with him. “I don’t suppose you have a name I can call you on our little journey?” He asked, bored of the silence between them. He frowned upon the hunter only giving him a grunt. “Woah there, careful not to talk my ear off,” he muttered sarcastically.

“Shut up, I’ll remind you the bounty on your head is dead or alive. If you keep annoying me, I might just bring you in dead,” the man responded gruffly. He was shuffled in close to Riley, knife still being pressed to his back. Escaping wasn’t going to be easy like this.

No matter, he hadn’t gotten this far by being impatient.

He merely grinned behind him at the man. “Ah, I know your type well, Mr. Hunter.”

“That’s not my name.”

“But I have to call you something if I am to avoid being killed by boredom rather than your knife.” His smirk increased as his companion’s frown deepened. “As I was saying, I know your type well. Big and brooding, but under all that mystery, a deep and impassioned heart. Probably have someone waiting for you at home that you have to pay the bills for?” The hunter’s eyebrows furrowed and Riley pat himself on the back. He still had the magic.

His eye kept getting drawn back to the mark on his face, though. He hadn’t seen it on anyone, but wasn’t one of the other hunters talking about something like that? All at once the memory hit him and he laughed. “I knew I’d heard of that mark! The Red Tide, that’s your hunter name, isn’t it? Very scary, I’m shivering.” He pressed on despite the knife getting shoved deeper into his side. “You haven’t been in this business very long, but you’ve made quite a name for yourself among your peers. They’re all jealous of you, by the way. I should know, the last time a group jumped me they wouldn’t shut up about how unfair it was that you were getting paid so quickly.” The con man leaned back towards him, fighting the urge to snicker as the man leaned away in turn. “So, what am I? Your fourth hunt, fifth?”

“Fifteenth. But the first one I’ll be delivering alive.”

Riley made a gasp of awe. “The first alive? I’m honored, Red.” The nickname got a disdainful grunt out of the hunter, and he took that as incentive to make that his permanent name.

But his attempts to get Red to talk anymore were shut down as he stopped responding to the comments, and Riley reluctantly went silent with a last huff.

It was hours of walking before they made it to a run-down inn. From there, the con man was marched up the creaky stairs and plopped in a chair where his arms and legs were properly bound. “You hunters sure love your ropes and knots, don’t you,” he asked cheekily.

Red just put a hand to his face, looking more tired than Riley even felt. “I thought you were hard to catch because of your skill. But they must be letting you go voluntarily so you don’t drive them insane,” he grumbled. The bed squeaked beneath him as he sat down.

He shrugged with a cheshire smile. “Well, don’t get me wrong, I am very skillful with my tongue-”

“Shut up.”

“But, you may come to find I have quite a few more tricks up my sleeve.” His grin faded as he noticed the dark haired man getting more settled on the bed and he raised an eyebrow. “You can’t be seriously going to sleep, are you? What if I escape?”

“There isn’t one floorboard of this inn that doesn’t squeak. And I’m a light sleeper, I’ll be hearing if you move even an inch. We have a long journey to the port of Evenere, I can’t afford to give you an escape route because I’m lacking sleep.” He grumbled, eyes beginning to shut.

A frown settled onto his features. “So there is a brain underneath all of that muscle, very rare among your kind.” There was no response and he huffed, leaning back against the stiff chair. He might as well try to get some sleep too.

~~~~

Riley stirred slightly with a groan at something prodding his ribs. It was still dark out, but his memory was coming back to him now that he was awake, and he could make out the shadowy figure of his captor in the sun’s first rays of light. With an incoherent curse, he sat up straighter, stretching as much as he could in his restraints.

He was then grabbed to his feet with an apple shoved in his hands. He stared down at it unimpressed before staring back up at him with the same expression. “Really, an apple? You wake me up this early for an apple?” He asked.

Red merely rolled his eyes, pulling his bag over his head. “You’re the prisoner, you’ll eat what I give you. We need to get a move on.” With another push, he was guiding Riley out of the inn.

The con man was grumbling and complaining the whole way. From the city to the forest trail they now walked, there was not a moment of silence from him. Thus, no reprieve for Red. “Ugh, I’m so hungry! How are you not as hungry as I am? I didn’t even see you eat anything-”

“For fuck’s sake, here-” He grabbed some bread from his bag and put it in Riley’s hands. “Now be quiet. You’re more annoying than Maz...”

His ears perked at the mention of a name. Finally, he was getting somewhere with information. “Maz? And who would that be?” He didn’t get a response and he pouted. “You know I’m just going to keep talking until you tell me. Do you really want that? Because I can go for hours-”

“Mazarine, she’s my little sister,” Red cut him off gruffly.

He nodded, walking a few steps in silence. “Siblings, they can be quite the pain, can’t they? I know my younger brother definitely was,” he chuckled.

That earned him a side-eye from the hunter. “You have younger siblings?”

“What, is it that surprising?”

“You’ve always travelled alone, and you never go to the same place twice. I didn’t think you had family.” He responded, earnesty lacing his tone rather than malice.

His smirk faded as the familiar bite of bitterness sank into him at that sentence. As far as he was concerned, they weren’t his family. He only called them as such in order to present himself as someone more relatable to others. “Yes, well, there was some bad blood, we’re both travelers, family reunions aren’t much of a recurrence.” He waved it off as best as he could. “I’m guessing you aren’t quite the same with your sister, though. So, was I right?”

“Right about what? You talk so much I can barely keep track,” Red grumbled.

Riley laughed. “My assumption, is she the one you took this job for?” He asked, tilting his head towards the bounty hunter.

He was silent for a long time before he eventually nodded. “She needs this expensive medicine every month and regular jobs don’t pay high enough.” His lips pressed into a thin line as he narrowed his eyes on the road ahead.

The brunet hummed at the response, fiddling with the bread he had been given. “Your parents are out of the picture then, I assume?” He asked, looking for a clarifying nod. Instead, he was ignored, but the silence itself was answer enough. “Well, you have my condolences for your loss.”

“As if a word out of your mouth is even remotely genuine con man,” the hunter huffed.

Riley gave an offended gasp. “I’ll have you know, I always give someone a nugget of truth in my words if not the full truth.” He claimed, ignoring the way Red raised his brow.

“Really? So, it’s not a complete lie when you tell them your name is Luka or Stewart or any other alias when your actual name is Vyn?”

“Technically, I have multiple papers stating that all of those names are mine-”

“Forged papers, you mean.”

“Legal looking documents all the same. And besides, who says Vyn is my actual name? It’s the name the state of Evenere has given me. That doesn’t mean it’s considered my real name.”

“You are impossible.” He rolled his eyes, giving Riley an extra shove as he noticed they had slowed down in their debate.

The man stumbled forward with a grin on his face. “Yes, well, unless you choose to kill me, you’re stuck with my impossibility.” He gave a shrug, grin widening at the annoyance that crossed the hunter’s face.

“Just eat your bread,” He growled. His frown only lessened when Riley finally relented, and let out a sigh at the silence.

~~~~

The last two days had been largely uneventful, as Red was learning if he ignored Riley and fed him, the man would stay quiet long enough for the hunter to keep his sanity. He was especially quiet at night, oftentimes his eyes closed long before his own were. It was night now, the stars glittering through the small breaks in the branches. Red was taking the rabbit he had just caught off the spit, freshly roasted.

His face was very concentrated and he was even more quiet than usual, something Riley picked up on as he was handed his share of the meal. “You’re a bit more brood-y than usual, something on your mind?” He asked, green eyes alight in curiosity.

Red remained silent for a few moments, before locking eyes with the con man. “We’re less than a day away from the port. Not once have you tried to escape, yet you’ve never let any other bounty hunter take you this far. Why?” His confusion was palpable, and it looked as if it had been troubling him for a while.

“For one thing, your colleagues prefer to bring me in dead, so there’s not much incentive to play along. For another…” He paused, looking over his frame and leaning closer towards him. “You interest me, Red. All things considered, it would be easier to kill me. Your hunter name suggests you don’t have a problem with killing, and yet, I’m the one you show the mercy of life to. It’s curious, so while we’re asking questions, why are you keeping me alive?” His head was tilted, eyes never leaving the other man’s face.

It seemed to fluster him and he averted his gaze. “Don’t read too much into it. I was looking for a challenge, bringing you in alive seemed the best way to do that,” Red explained gruffly. “Would you stop calling me Red? It’s weird.”

Riley raised an eyebrow, not totally believing him before letting out a small laugh. “Alright, how about a name for a name then? You give me your real name, I’ll give you mine. If you don’t agree, I’m going to keep calling you Red. Apologies, but The Red Tide is too much to keep repeating. Unless there’s something else you’d like me to call you. Maybe dad- ” He was cut off with an elbow digging into his gut and let out another laugh, though it sounded more in pain than the last. “That’s a no, then. But, my proposition still stands.”

Red wasn’t talking, seeming to prefer focusing on his dinner, and Riley took that as him choosing not to participate and followed suit. It wasn’t until both men had finished eating that he said quietly, “Kane.”

It almost didn’t register that he had given his name, but a smile made its way on his face once it had. “Huh, sounds strong. It’s nice to finally meet you, Kane. The name’s Riley.” He introduced himself with a flourish, bowing as much as he could from where he sat on the ground. “I would shake your hand but alas, I’m pretty tied up,” he joked lightly.

“That’s exactly how you’ll stay, all the way to Evenere,” Kane told him, clearing away the bones and putting out the fire.

The grin turned into a smirk. “Such confidence, I do like that in a man.” He teased, the flirtation clear in his voice.

The hunter scoffed as he settled down on the ground across from him, hand settled over the hilt of his sword. “It’s more like a mantra. Once I drop you off, I’ll be rewarded with both money and the pleasure of never having to hear your annoying voice ever again.”

“Annoying? Most tend to compliment my voice as melodic or sultry. Are you sure you’re not trying to cover up some hidden attraction for me? It’s alright to be honest, many do,” Riley assured him, not bothering to hide any of his cocky attitude.

Kane merely stared him down with a frown. Despite any more attempts at teasing, he wasn’t talking, and so with a yawn, the con man gave up and shut his eyes.

Only to open them a half hour later, making sure that Kane was fully asleep before sitting up a bit straighter. His attention turned to the rope around his hands. The knots were complicated and it had taken fiddling with them every night for the past two days while Kane slept to try and figure out how to properly undo them. He was so close to figuring out the last piece that would unravel it, it just took more time to fiddle with it. Hours went by before he finally figured it out, and the rope went slack around his wrists, almost falling off him completely. Riley fought the urge to yell in victory, settling for a triumphant grin instead. His efforts had finally paid off, and now he was free. He stood up quietly, tiptoeing his way across their mini camp. For as light a sleeper as Kane claimed to be, he was definitely knocked out enough to not hear his light footsteps as he walked deeper into the forest. He’d stay in the woods for now in order to avoid coming across any other bounty hunters.

He was almost completely out of sight, and he grinned wider as he looked back. Which turned into a mistake, as the second he looked away from his footing, he landed on a dead branch that broke underneath his weight with a loud CRACK. He froze, the grin wiped clean off his face as he saw the shadow that was Kane startle awake. Letting out a quiet curse, he took off in the trees, wincing as he heard the bounty hunter’s frustrated yell from behind him. His head turned wildly, there was no way he was outrunning him, which meant he had to find somewhere to hide.

The forest didn’t provide too much cover, and as he looked, he could hear Kane catching up. Riley found a rock at the last minute, and he ducked behind it, hearing him run past it. Still, he hid, making sure he couldn’t hear any footsteps and for the blood to stop rushing in his own ears. He let out a sigh of relief upon not hearing him, only to let out a grunt as he was tackled to the ground.

Lo and behold, above him was Kane wearing a very angry expression. “I told you, you’re not getting away,” he barked at him.

The con man clucked his tongue as he looked up at him. “Sorry Kane, but I think you’ll find I am. Maybe you can try your luck again when you’ve become more of a pro. For now, try not to take this too personally.” After the words left his mouth, he brought his knee up harshly between the hunter’s legs and rolled his now hunched figure off his body. He fled not long after, confident he’d be able to outrun Kane now.

His confidence was short-lived as he heard footsteps behind him and he groaned. “I wish he’d just give up…” He muttered, looking for a branch or a rock he could use to knock him out.

However, in his haste and while he stumbled in the dark, he tripped right into a hole with a yelp. He winced as he sat up, his face scrunched up in confusion as he looked around this...cave that he had fallen in. And...what was that smell? It was so musky, and thick, it was practically choking him. His blood froze upon hearing an animalistic growl, and with what little light was provided by the moon, he saw a certain striped snout.

Badger-wolves.

He ducked as the first one leapt out to attack him, and jumped out of the way of a second attack. “Hey, hey, no need to attack. We can be friends here! If you’d just let me,” he had to dodge another bite to his legs, “out.” Riley frowned, he didn’t know why he was trying to reason with them, but he was running out of options without signs of an exit.

At that moment, he heard the scuffling of boots and a deep voice call his name. “You didn’t seriously fall into a badger-wolf den, did you,” Kane asked rhetorically.

Riley growled, getting out of the way of another attack and kicking another of the animals away from him. “Mock me later! You’re not getting your money if I get torn to shreds by these little mongrels.” He jumped back at another swipe and frowned. “Yeah, I called you mongrels, what are you gonna do about it?”

“Don’t antagonize them, you idiot. Here, my cloak’s coming down, you should be able to use it to climb out.” After some more shuffling, Riley could spot the black cloth dangling from where the hole opened up to the cave.

It took some more kicking and swerving out of attacks, before Riley delivered a last blow to the nearest one, and latched onto the cloak. Using the wall of the hole combined with Kane helping to pull him, he managed to crawl back up to open air. That was when an idea struck him and just as his foot hit the top of the hole, he used all his force to jump back to the other side, tugging the cloak as hard as he could. The action caused Kane to lose his balance, and with a shout, he fell in just as Riley landed safely at the top.

He took a moment to regain his breath, peering over the top of the hole with a smirk. “You didn’t seriously fall into a badger-wolf den, did you?” He repeated the hunter’s earlier question, laughing as the only response he received was a jumbled curse. He straightened up with a stretch, ignoring the dubious threats and beginning to walk away. However, one shout in particular made him pause.

“I swear, you selfish bastard, if you make me leave my sister alone!” He didn’t get to finish as he let out a cry of pain, slamming one of the badger-wolves against the rock.

Something tugged at his heart then, and he sighed with a shake of his head. He supposed he could afford to have a conscience just this once. Spotting the bounty hunter’s sword, he picked it up and walked back over to the hole. From there, he waited for one of the badger-wolves to position themselves at the bottom, and when one did appear, he dropped the sword on it, watching it give a final snarl as it died. “You have a sword and a knife, and killing is what you do. Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll make it back to her just fine. But, I really do have to be going. Maybe we’ll meet again, Kane.” Standing up, he brushed off the dirt that had gathered on his pants.

The sounds of the fighting grew fainter as Riley walked away, unaware of the game he had just started with his one act of compassion.

[separatepath]

Warriors Canon Rewrite AU - Into The Wild

(I hope the formatting is okay!)

The Prologue occurs, mostly the same. The RiverClan battle ends with Oakheart and Redtail’s deaths, and Spottedleaf receives a prophecy, although speaks that it says ‘Fire will both save and destroy our clan’.

Rusty wakes and decides to head into the forest, bored with kittypet life. He is attacked by Greypaw and instinctively fights back, before then meeting Bluestar and Dappletail, the latter being Greypaw’s mentor. He is invited to join ThunderClan, due to his bravery, although misses the desperation in Bluestar’s eyes.

Rusty decides to leave his life behind and join ThunderClan. He goes to the same spot as last night, meeting two new warriors - Lionheart and Whitestorm.

He is escorted back to the camp by the two warriors, where Bluestar announces that Rusty is to join ThunderClan. This is met by lots of resistance and hesitation, and a warrior named Longtail steps up to protest in anger. 

Rusty and Longtail clash, and Rusty’s collar is torn off. Remembering Spottedleaf’s prophecy from the night before, Bluestar names him free from his kittypet life and gives him the name Firepaw.

As most of the clan welcome Firepaw, Ravenpaw bolts into camp in fear. He announces that Redtail died during a battle with RiverClan, before passing out from shock and wounds. The medicine cat, Spottedleaf, runs out and takes Ravenpaw away, although there is grief in her eyes about the news.

Tigerclaw enters the camp with the rest of the patrol (Mousefur, Willowpelt, Dustpaw and Rosetail) with Redtail’s body. He says that he killed Oakheart in revenge for the other killing Redtail, and Firepaw instinctively dislikes Tigerclaw. The duo has a brief exchange of words, where Tigerclaw promises he will watch Firepaw closely.

The warriors head forwards to say their goodbyes to Redtail, then move away. Those closest stay to groom him and ready themselves for the vigil. After making sure everyone is okay, Spottedleaf joins them.

Greypaw heads over to Firepaw and starts explaining a bit more about clan life, and he shows Firepaw around:

The Medicine Den. Spottedleaf is the current medicine cat, and the duo meet Ravenpaw and talk to him about the battle, although the young apprentice is traumatised.

The Nursery. Tansystripe is curled up at the back, heavily pregnant. Goldenflower sits by her with Swiftkit by her side, not wanting to come over to Firepaw. However, Frostfur heads to them since her mate brought Firepaw back and she trusts his judgement, telling her four kits to stay and play at the back of the nursery. Cinderkit and Brackenkit come over to say hi irregardless.

The Apprentice’s Den. It is currently empty as Dustpaw and Sandpaw are grieving for their mentor and father respectively. Whilst there, Firepaw chooses a nest.

The Warrior’s Den. They don’t go in out of respect but Firepaw is surprised by how big it is and how the cats sleep so close together.

Bluestar names Lionheart the new deputy, and gives him Firepaw as an apprentice. He and Greypaw train a lot with Dappletail and Lionheart, and Tigerclaw tags along as Ravenpaw is healing, seeming unhappy with progress.

The gathering happens but Firepaw stays behind. He hears of WindClan leaving afterwards.

Firepaw catches his first mouse and tastes forest food, knowing he has now made the right choice.

2 moons pass. Tansystripe has her kits (Cloverkit, Softkit, Smokekit, Pebblekit and Cedarkit). Swiftkit is apprenticed and given to Longtail, who softly accepts him. Goldenflower moves out of the nursery, while Brindleface moves in, expecting an unknown cat’s kits, and Speckletail moves in, expecting Smallear’s. During this time, Firepaw and Spottedleaf have grown a lot closer, but only as a mother/son relationship.

On a solo hunting mission, Firepaw comes across an exiled Yellowfang, who he only defeats because she is weak and she lets him. He spares her and starts to provide for her, taking pity on her.

A patrol arrives (Bluestar, Tigerclaw, Darkstripe, Ravenpaw, Patchpelt), and escorts them back to camp. Firepaw is not allowed to eat, and Lionheart punishes him by making him take care of Yellowfang and not go on warrior training. Spottedleaf often helps him, recognising Yellowfang, and the trio become close.

Yellowfang snaps at Tansystripe’s kits as they play outside for one of the first times, but only out of fear as she says ‘bad things happen to kits’ when she is there. Firepaw takes pity and decides to hunt with Ravenpaw and Greypaw, planning on bringing Yellowfang the mice he catches. Tigerclaw doesn’t let him.

Firepaw is sent on a solo hunting mission and meets Smudge, catching up about Firepaw’s new life. Tigerclaw sees and tells Bluestar, but Firepaw denies wanting to return to his roots. Ravenpaw catches an adder, and Bluestar is pleased, letting all three apprentices go to the gathering.

At the gathering, Ravenpaw tells the story of the battle to several out-of-clan apprentices, and Firepaw sees the other two clans remaining clearly. Brokenstar’s warning of a dangerous rogue makes him think of Yellowfang, who he becomes worried about.

Firepaw, Ravenpaw, Greypaw head to the moonstone for their trip alongside Tigerclaw, as Dustpaw and Sandpaw had gone a moon and a half earlier. 

On the way back from Highstones, the cats meet Barley, a friend of Bluestar’s. Ravenpaw and Barley click right away, getting on like really good friends. Rats attack, Bluestar loses a life and lies about having 4 left when she later reveals to Firepaw that she has two.

ShadowClan has attacked ThunderClan while the others have been gone. Lionheart is killed in the battle, and Yellowfang stops Blackfoot from attacking the nursery and getting to Frostfur’s kits. She joins ThunderClan as a second medicine cat at her and Spottedleaf’s request. After, the cats close to Lionheart sit vigil. The next morning, Firepaw is given Goldenflower as a temporary mentor, although notices she is often close to Tigerclaw as well as Patchpelt, making him wary. Tigerclaw is announced as deputy.

Tigerclaw starts to turn the clan against Ravenpaw to save his own skin, succeeding with Darkstripe and Longtail, and starting to with Dustpaw, although he and Ravenpaw are kin.

Spottedleaf tells Yellowfang and Firepaw of the prophecy, and how Bluestar was desperate for Firepaw to be named as such to try fulfill the prophecy, seemingly losing trust that StarClan would show them the way.

Ravenpaw reveals the truth about what happened at the battle, and how Tigerclaw killed Redtail.

Brindleface gives birth to Ashkit, Fernkit, Elderkit and Tulipkit. Due to overhearing, Firepaw learns that Darkstripe is their father.

Tansystripe’s kits go missing, and Spottedleaf is found mortally wounded. The clan suspect Yellowfang, who has gone missing, and a few cats try to treat Spottedleaf.

Firepaw, Greypaw and Ravenpaw track down Yellowfang, who reveals the truth and that she was tracking the kits to stop Brokenstar using them. She was also injured in the attack with Clawface, but had no idea Spottedleaf was so bad.

Ravenpaw goes to live with Barley out of fear, leaving Yellowfang to also keep this secret.

Yellowfang goes to gather help from inside ShadowClan, returning with ShadowClan elders (Nightcloud, Dawncloud, Ashfur) and a few bereaved queens (Fernshade, Featherstorm). A ThunderClan patrol (Whitestorm, Darkstripe, Runningwind, Mousefur, Willowpelt) agrees to help, and the cats rally forces. 

They attack ShadowClan after luring the other cats out. Brokenstar reveals that he killed Mintkit and Marigoldkit, but finds that the clan turns against him. He flees, with Clawface, Stumpytail, Tangleburr and a small kit. The battle is won, but Softkit is found dead with wounds given by the kidnapping, that became infected. Cedarkit is also missing, and later one of the ShadowClan warriors reveals that he was the apprentice/kit who fled with Brokenstar, that Firepaw had fought with.

Yellowfang opts to stay in ThunderClan to care for Spottedleaf, becoming the second medicine cat.

Firepaw and Greypaw get their warrior names - Fireheart and Greystripe - for excellence during the battle. Dustpaw and Sandpaw get annoyed that someone younger than them is a warrior. The duo go to sit vigil.

Time Elapsed: 3 moons

[hobicomeholla29]

'Titles' One-shot

Pairing: Yoongi x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: None

A/N: None

Summary: Yoongi needs to get his act together/lol 

Masterlist

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

"Hyung, is (y/n) in here?" the younger boy was barely able to finish asking his question while entering his friends studio, when he found her crossed legged on the floor cutting apples and setting them in a bowl to eat them, with an expression that clearly showed she was completely unbothered by the sudden interruption.

"(y/n)! There you are, we have been looking for you all this time."

Yoongi turned around in his chair swiftly to glance at his visitor and then at her to quickly return to his work at hand.

She's known him for a long time and has been in his presence for long enough to know what that look meant.

With that alone, she got up from the floor, bowl of apples in one hand and gently tugged at Jimin's shirt while heading out of Yoongi's studio.

"(y/n), have you been avoiding us?"

The younger boy whined with a slight pout crossing his lips.

"Yes, yes I have"

She answered, nonchalantly

By now, all the boys were used to her, no wonder she got a long so well with Yoongi, they were like 2 peas in a pod.

She caused him no additional stress than what he caused himself and as a matter of fact she helped to reduce it.

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

She was like a cat, calm, collected, sometimes aloof, a bit cranky, but lovable none the less.

She was the owner of a small restaurant in the outskirts of the city and had created a tight bond with the boys on an odd night where they decided that they wanted to try eating out at a new restaurant for a change.

She made them feel like home and added a warm smile to every dish she brought to the table.

When they became friends, they met the other side of her, the serious side that is very mature and knowledgeable, sarcastic but at the same time slightly insecure and clumsy to some extent.

She dropped off food for the boys a couple of days of the week and helped with what she could at their dorm when she was free

Rumor says that this is how you make your way to a man's heart, through his stomach.

In this case to be specific, it was Yoongi's stomach.

The way she consistently set food outside his studio's door in order to avoid him starving, had finally created a soft spot in his heart for her.

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

“Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.”

― Ovid

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

Eventually, he invited her to listen to his music and they started hanging out more, he smiled a lot more, he let her sleep in his studio, she even got him to get a tan once, that definitely caught the rest of the band by surprise, that was something new.

And so, it has been like this for around 8 months now.

They don’t have an established relationship, but they get jealous quickly if one of the two is with someone else for too long.

Sometimes they have glaring competitions, which is an amazing scene to contemplate.

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

Eventually (y/n) pulled Jimin all the way to the living room and they both plopped on the couch meeting eyes with the other 2 people in the room.

"(Y/N)! Finally, you’re here, we can play now, and you can watch us play"

"That's what you needed me for?"

"Yeah, we like when you watch us play, you are our official commentator"

Aaah~ that's what they meant.

Usually when they played video games, she sat on the couch with them and commented on their game, it could be encouraging comments, snarky comments, smart mouth comments or cheers.

It didn't really matter what game it was; it was fun to do so.

Without noticing, it had turned into a habit of hers and the boys enjoyed it, so she just kept the new title given to her and went with it.

"So, what are you playing?"

"Super Smash Bros."

"Really?"

"Yeah!" All 3 of them said in unison

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

It had been around 2 hours since they started playing and (y/n) was now in the kitchen looking for ingredients to make a snack for her and the boys to enjoy, since she assumed that they will get hungry soon.

She had her head stuck in the depths of the refrigerator, when a deep voice startled her, making her jump in surprise.

"How long are you going to be down here?"

"Oh my goodness Yoongi, you need to stop doing that"

She said as she held her chest, trying to calm herself down.

He totally ignored her comment and re-phrased his question.

"How long are you going to be down here, with them"

Oh, she already knew where this conversation was going, this was usually how it started, Yoongi came, said something smart or asked a question, to which she answered with a smart retort and then lead the way so they could peacefully cuddle or do whatever.

But today, she felt a bit, energetic should we say, which meant she felt playful and would test Yoongi's patience.

Either way she was tired of this cat and mouse game where no one stated what was going on and she wanted to set everything straight once and for all.

"I don't know, I'm making food for the boys and I, since they'll probably get hungry soon."

"Can't they wait?"

"No, not really?"

Yoongi's eyes went a little wide, not expecting the answer since he usually got what he wanted quickly.

(y/n) was a simple woman, that's what he liked about her, she understood the underlying meaning of his sentences and played no games.

So, this whole acting like she didn't get it, is not what he is used to.

"But maybe I am hungry too"

"Then stay, so I can make you something too and we can eat together"

"But I don’t want... all of us... to eat together"

By now, unnoticed from Yoongi and (y/n), their conversation sparked the attention of 3 pairs of ears of 3 specific eavesdropping individuals, who seemed to be way too invested in this conversation.

But maybe, just maybe, that’s because they planned it all.

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

Jimin was just tired of seeing (y/n) sulk when they spoke about Yoongi.

The relationship between those 2 was a pretty common subject of conversation between them.

The uncertainty of their situation-ship was eating her alive from the inside out.

So, he decided to help her without her knowing and got a backup team.

Good thing (y/n) was in a mood that matched his plan, but he was more than sure that it had more to do with the fact that she was tired of the whole thing, than it being because she was aware of his plan.

~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~°•☆•°~

"Why not?"

"Because....ugh"

"Well, that's not a valid answer, so I guess I'm staying here"

"Why are you being so difficult today?"

"So, I'm easy the other days, sounds appropriate"

"Not what I meant"

"Then what did you mean?"

"Can we just go upstairs, just you and I?"

"Why?"

"Because, we always do so"

"Yeah, I know that, and it has started to feel like a problem to me now that we always do what you want"

"We don’t always do what I want and why is it a problem now? It wasn't a problem before"

"I don’t know"

The last part came out softly, like she didn't want anyone to hear, but she did know why, she just didn't want him to feel pressured to something he didn't want to do, but she felt like she was investing so much in him and maybe he did not feel the same about her.

To Jimin this was enough, she was his friend too and he could sense she was about to cry, so he decided to chime in out of the blue and rescue her.

"(y/n)! What's taking you so long?"

"Ah minie, I was about to head out" she said quickly drying the tears that attempted to show up, but not fast enough for Yoongi not to notice.

Jimin was about to pull her out of the kitchen but Yoongi was faster.

"Can you stop doing that?" He said now looking at Jimin dead in the eyes.

"Doing what hyung?"

"Taking my girlfriend away from me."

There it was, the statement that everyone was waiting for, the one where he finally announced what he wanted with her but knowing this funny bunch it wouldn’t be so easy to get outta this one, they needed him to confirm it.

"She's not your girlfriend"

Yoongi was taken aback

"Says who?"

"Herself"

Yoongi gave her a questioning look, as if he did not understand.

"You never really asked me to be your girlfriend."

Jimin slowly let go of her arm and Yoongi pulled her towards him.

His expressions showed something between confusion and understanding, how did he not notice, he had assumed they were both on the same page.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was obvious, I don't just hug random friends from the back or call them babe or text them good night with hearts"

He spoke delicately, as if he spoke any louder, he would break her.

By now the rest of the boys were in the kitchen as well.

"You send me black hearts"

"Still hearts"

She blushed a bit.

Having other people listening to the things that were meant to be part of their private interactions was kind of embarrassing.

Taking advantage of her bashful state Yoongi pulled her a bit closer to him until they were chest to chest.

"So... do you want to be my girlfriend?"

She smiled at him fondly.

"Yeah, I do"

"Great!" He said while placing a soft kiss on her forehead."Can my girlfriend take a nap with me now?"

"Yes, yes she can".

[regressionanxiety]

From Russia With Love (1963)

Time for that second Bond movie y’all! Like last time it is basically me recapping the movie with my own comments thrown in so you know, spoilers (also one for the last season of Designated Survivor, because I’m like that). 

Ah after a brief look through the barrel of the gun we enter the classic Bond cold open for the first time! Bond is playing cat and mouse with a broad shouldered blond in a fancy garden with statues and hedges and shit. The blond man pulls a wire out of his watch and strangles Bond, oh no! Flood lights turn on and we see many men wearing the exact same outfit (black on black, turtlenecks). The man is congratulated on his perfect time (1 min 52 sec). Then we take a look at Bond on the ground, wait, it isn’t Bond? It’s a mask! It is another man, still dead though.

INTROTIME! This time it is the credits projected onto a dancing woman's body (007 of course gets the breasts). The great thing about this franchise is that it will never let you forget just how misogynistic it is. 

This time we start in Venice. We know this because there are canalboats and a big sign that says that we’re at “Venice international grandmasters championship” A chess tournament then, and on the board of the next match is a reminder that we are a long time ago and that czechoslovakia is still a thing (also the indoor smoking), just like on one of the maps we had when I was a kid in school because they couldn’t afford to replace it. Anywhoo, Venice, chess.

Scene change, we’re now in a floating lair (a boat or maybe I should say ship, big yacht?), there’s a small aquarium with fish that eat each other, a white cat being petted by hands attached to a man whose face is not yet revealed who is issuing commands to a russian woman. He/they are SPECTRE of course, our old enemy. She is “number three”, he has a hideous ring with the SPECTRE octopus symbol. Number 5 joins them, he is the Czechoslovakian chess player (Kronsteen???) (who won), together they discuss their evil plan. They are stealing some decoding machine from the Russian in order to do so they need a female from the Russian cryptography section in Turkey and British intelligence, they will of course not know that they are being used. Bonus: They may get revenge for the murder of Dr. No. Number 5 has made it obvious that it is a trap because British intelligence won’t be able to resist it. 

Now we’re back at the estate of the opening scene, where fake Bond was killed. Blond Man is tanning on a blanket, a blonde woman is joining him as a helicopter carrying Number 3 arrives. 

Ah, those lazy bottle bleached days...Nr. 3 is looking for a Grant, ostensibly the Mr. Blond. They walk through the tranining facilites and the guy who met Nr. 3 brags about them using live targets on occasion, because training is well and good, but cannot replace experience. She finds him acceptable. I like Nr. 3, she’s a little subvertive (but of course she is evil *eyeroll*). 

Ah, here appears a Russian woman, presumably the aforementioned “female” Tatiana Romanova (wow, such russian). Nr. 3 has reading glasses thicker than coke bottle bottoms.

Those subtitles say “I will obey your orders” and so she will, otherwise she’d be dead. Nr. 3 is not to be trifeld with. Romanova has been hand picked to be a seductress, to Bond presumably. Who we meet in the next scene, he’s in a boat with a woman, Syliva, who caresses a scar on his back and asks if it is from another woman who was jealous, “yes, but I haven’t turned my back on one since” he replies. We met Sylvia in Dr. No, he had to leave for Jamaica then. Their little outing is interrupted by beeping that means Bond must phone the office, which of course needs him, and so Sylvia doesn’t get quite as much attenton as she wanted, but he makes time for some “lunch”.

Back at M’s office they realize it’s a trap (Nr. 5 was clearly  correct in is analysis of British intelligence), but Bond is intrigued once he sees the picture of the stunning Romanova, of course. 

Enter Q, Bond gets toys this time around! Not just a new gun like last time, now he gets a suitcase with twenty hidden rounds of ammunition, a secret throwing knife, and AR7 folding snipers rifle, .25 caliber with infrared telescopic sight, some hidden 50 gold sovereigns in the handle, a tin of talcum powder that is teargas that will explode if you open the suitcase in the normal way, instead Bond must first turn the catches horizontally, then open normally. Bond thinks this is ridiculous.

Then he says goodbye to Miss Moneypenny with the traditional flirtation that goes nowhere and gets his plane ticket to Istanbul, gives Miss Moneypenny the picture of Romanova and writes “from Russia with love” on it. Oh Bond...

 He lands in Istanbul and someone is following him already, because of course they are, two mustached men as well as the SPECTRE hired Grant. The mustaches are hunagrians hired by the russians according to the driver, “they follow us, we follow them, it’s a sort of understanding we have.”

The driver takes him to Kerim Bey, who says the driver is is son, so are all his top employees because blood is the only thing to be trusted. I think he is in for a rude awakening at some point. Kerim warns him that it is a foolish endeavor and that he should spend a few days enjoying Istanbul and then go home. 

We see Grant again, with someone gagged and bound in the back seat. Bond goes to his hotel, and it’s no dump, he’s in room 32, and it comes wired with bugs, luxurious! Bond asks for a new room because “the bed is to small”, they agree to show him the bridal suite

Meanwhile Grant dumps the car and the body of the man in the back outside the Russian consulate (I think), so that they will suspect the British, and as Nr. 3 says “the cold war in Istanbul won’t be cold very much longer”

The next morning Ali Kerim Bey’s office is bombed as he’s about to have sex with a woman who moaned his name until he put his papers down and gave her attention. She’s a spy for sure, because he’s not that interesting. Bond shows up later and he and Kerim Bey go down under the building, where there is some underground cave/channel and a boat (and rats). 

Kerim Bey has a fuckin telescope under the Russian consulate! He runs through who is who, including the beautiful Romanova. They decide it is best Bond doesn’t go back to his hotel. Now they trick their tail and go visit Kerim Bey’s “Gypises” who he uses “Like the Russians use the Bulgars” this is going to be some racist stereotypical nonsense isn’t it?

Some Russians (one of them they saw in the telescope and is probably the guy who made the mine that blew up Kerim Bey’s office) are up to something, seeing Bond & Kerim Bey’s arrival.

Ah yes, two girls are in love with same man and are threatening to kill each other, it will be settled in the “gypsy way” whatever that is. Kerim Bey and Bond are invited to a table with them “I hope you are good at eating with your fingers,” he tells Bond. Ah, of course, belly dancing, a lil throwback to the intro credits that.

While Bond is being entertained, the Russians are creeping in. Mr. Grant of SPECTRE is also lurking about. The two women who are in love with the same man fights each other, just as one has a bottle over the other’s head the Russians crash the party. Fighting ensues, Bond saunters through with ease, or the secret aid of one SPECTRE agent who needs him alive long enough to aid with the decipher acquisition. Remember Bond has yet to meet Romanova, he’s only been here one night! 

Bond has saved their leaders life, and is now “his son”, and asks if they can’t stop the “girl fight” - Oh Bond, they don’t need you you ass. The man says he can decide. 

They are delivered to his tent and he is told to decide, it fades out to him saying “this might take som time” followed by a Connery smirk (he’s a very pouty man isn’t he? Also he’s in his thirties here...)

Bond and Kerim Bey go to take out the Russian who attacked the, since Kerim Bey has been shot, Bond has brought his little folding rifle. Kerim Bey insists on shooting even though he only has one arm. Bond lets him. There is a secret hatch in the wall, opening in the mouth of a woman who is postered there, ample opportunity for some jokes about her pretty mouth that...

Bond is back at his hotel now, doing the most human thing I’ve seen him do, kick of his shoes. Then he orders breakfast for one at nine, green figs, yogurt and coffee, very black. He slowly undresses and makes his way towards the bathroom, he sniffs something strange in the air. THen he hears thumps. He grabs his gun and goes to check it out, wearing nothing but a towel.

Enter Romanova. Naked, in bed. They greet, he tells her she is beautiful, she tells him she think her (very small) mouth is too big, he thinks it is just the right size and they kiss, or rather he kinda rubs his mouth against her. Really, I never enjoy kissing on screen, but Connery is terrible at it. He asks her for blueprints of the consulate, she promises it, but they will fuck first. She’s got one job, lay back and think of Russia. Nr. 3 & Grant are outside filming. It’s a porn now, I’m sure you can track down a recreation of this as an actual porn somewhere, rule 34 and all that. 

I hope his dick is better than his kisses Ms. Romanova. The next day Romanova and Bond meet at St. Sophia, the Russian’s Ukrainan is following. Tourists are getting a very monotonous tour. Grant takes care of the Ukraininan as she’s about to steal the information left for Bond. 

Bond & Kerim Bey have a chat about how mysterious it was with the Ukraininan, and Bond also says that Romanova will do anything for him, Kerim Bey does not believe that, he’s sure she’s a double agent. Bond says he only wants the dechiffrerer anyway, Kerim Bey asks “is that all?” and they have a chuckle. 

Bond & Romanova meet on a boat, he has a camera that is really a tape recorder and he asks her questions about the decoding machine. She asks if he will make love to her in Englan, he says yes and we see M and the rest of the office listening to the tape. M ends up throwing Miss Moneypenny out of the room, she looks like she’s about to start laughing. She of course can listen in via the intercom at her desk, M. knows this and asks her to send Bond a “cable”. M. gives Bond the go-ahead for the deal over the decoder. Bond tells Romanova it will be on the fourteenth, not the thirteenth, even though it will be.  

Bond walks into the russian consulate, a convenient bomb, set off by Kerim Bey in the tunnels below, causes chaos and he seeks out Romanova and the device. They escape down into the tunnels, but oh no, the rats!

They must go another way than inteded, Kerim Bey leads the way! They escape the Russians aboard a train, but Gran is of course there, they are playing straight into his hands, oh no! Will Bond get out of this pickle? The question should really be will Kerim Bey and Romanova get out of it.

One of the russians got onto the train after all, Benz, and they seek him out, stuff a handkerchief in his mouth and Kerim Bey sits down with him, to keep him company until it is time to get off. Well, that is until Kerim Bey is murdered. Grant of course, but they seem to think the Russian and Kerim Bey did each other in. Bond takes Kerim’s yellow cigarette holder or whatever, and looks sad. He has lost a friend.

 The train trundles past Kerim’s son who is supposed to pick them up along the tracks and he is confuse. Bond takes out his upset on Romaonova, demanding the truth from her. 

At six thirty-three the train arrives in Beograd. Where another of Kerim’s sons await, getting terrible news. Grant is doing his usual lurking about. Bond gives the son Kerim’s items and jumps back onboard. Next stop: Zagreb, where Bond asked someone to meet him, but Grant takes the mans place. They re-board. Bond sends Grant (maquerading as Captain Nash) and Romanova ahead of him to the restaurant wagon. Then proceeds to sneak into Nash’s suitcase. 

During the meal Grant spills Romanova’s drink, refills with a little something extra. Pretty sure Bond sees it, but lets it pass. Romanova feels unwell on the way back. They put her to bed, then Bond puts a gun to Grant, who smooth talks his way out of it, shows Bond a map and stuns him with the handle of his gun (a lot of that going round in this movie). They’re in the same space as the suitcase with the tear gas, and I’m sure Bond is going to get out of this pickle by tricking him to opening it so that the tear gas booms him. 

Now for the villain tells too much talk! yay! I love these, they’re so ridiculous (spoiler for Designated survivor, in season three when Maggie Q’s character is just killed with a comment about how in real life that’s not how it goes, I was howling, and crying as she was the only reason I bothered watching still, very okay with it being cancelled). Bond is being a classist prick as usual and says he should have known since Grant ordered red wine with fish (PS. I’ve drank an entire bottle of cheap red as I watched this, hence the deterioration in uh, quote accuracy and “proper” language). Bond is all “you SMERSH people” smh, but then realizes that, no of course, SPECTRE! Ah, acronym soup.

I still can’t believe this guy is in his thirties here. Anywhoo. Grant says “I don’t mind talking, I get a kick out of watching Mr. Bond finding out what a bloody fool he’s been making of himself. We’re pro’s Mr. Bond.” 1. If you were pro’s you would have shot Bond already 2. I’m sure he’ll use that damn suitcase against you! Grant admits that Romanova doesn’t know she’s working for SPECTRE, that she believes she is doing this for SMERSH. Grant also calls Bond “old man” and who is older? I cannot tell. 

Here we go, Bond tricking him to opening the suitcase by promising him the 50 sovereigns. Fighting time! Here comes Grant’s watch wire, but Bond isn’t so easily offed when he’s real aaaand he off’s Grant with the very same wire. Beautiful. Bond then takes his cash and calls Grant’s body “old man”. I’m ded. 

The train starts hooting, there’s a truck on the tracks. Bond grabs the half conscious Romanova and drags her off the train with him. She falls asleep under a bush. He sneaks around some more, looking to get Grant’s men. He knocks one out, ties him up, throws him in the truck. Then he throws Romanova on a literal (truck) bed of flowers before getting in the truck himself. They’re driving off in the night, then the day. A yellow tailed helicopter, suspiciously like the noe nr. 3 arrived in when she picked up Grant comes at them. Bond runds around and let the helicopter chase him. This is terrible. Alright scenery though.

Bond hides in a convenient rock formation and brings out his rifle again. Guy in helicopter is about to throw down a hand grenade, but Bond and his .25 rifle shots him in the arm so he drops the grenade INSIDE THE HELICOPTER

Once again Bond survives through luck. Now they’ve arrived at a boat (still following Grant’s escape route I guess) and the driver is out of luck, once they’ve reached full speed Bond pushes him overboard. They’re headed for Venice (from Croatia if I’m not mistaken). 

Cut to the floating lair of guy with white cat, where nr. 3 and 5 are meeting with him, and she, of course, gets blamed for the failure, despite having  followed the plan. She says Bond was the reason, but five won’t hear it. That poor cat isn’t being petted right. She thinks she’ll be killed now, but instead guy with cat (number one) gives five a kick with a poisoned blade that came out of his boot. Three is now very keen on getting Bond so she will live. 

 Now Bond is in a boat chase, the chasers shoot out all the fuel barrels. So Bond lets them all plop into the ocean, then makes them go boom with a signal gun. I’m not sure that’s how that works, but okay. They loose their chasers. 

Now we’ve come full circle, back where we started. Venice. Hotel room. Maid shows up, pretty sure it’s number three here to steal something. A time for Romanova to figure out her loyalties. She picks Bond. I must admit I’m a bit sad, three was a good character to root for, but only if she ran her own evil empire.

“James, behave yourself, we are being filmed.”

“Oh, not again.”

THE END. 

except not quote because James Bond will retur in GOLDFINGER. See ya soon Mr. Bond. 

[twotwinks]

Ok

Y’all? Y ‘ a l l

I know I said I’d update last night after the show but uh

Well

I ended up Slightly Overwhelmed

Because I 100% ended up on stage with Colin and Brad yo!

So basically this is the story of How I Died

They asked for three volunteers who could help them out narratively and I’m like “hey I’m a creative writing major I could maybe do that” and then my mom started whispering “volunteer” and by that point Brad had already picked one guy so I’m like “well now there’s probably an even 50/50 chance that I’ll get picked I’ll take that” so I put up my hand, Brad picked another guy from the right side of the audience, then was like “alright let’s get a young lady up here” (which I technically Am Not but it’s fine!) and started scanning back over to the left side of the audience, and there’s lil ol me, sitting in the very third row (wearing Dramatic Earrings and a stripey sweater that I probably subconsciously picked to draw attention to myself) with my hand half up and he just looks straight into my eyes and goes “you”

So I gotta walk super far to get on stage because I’m sitting in the orchestra pit, but I was wearing my lil boots and I know how to run on my toes so I nyoomed up the stairs and across the stage and Brad’s like “we’ll put you in the middle” and takes me by the shoulders and backs me up to center stage and I’m like OH GREAT THE ATTENTION SPOT because at this point I’m somewhat panicking

Anyway the game is called Pillars, and basically Colin and Brad were telling a story, but using us as “the pillars of the story” because the joke was every once in a while they’d stop in the middle of a sentence and touch one of us and then we had to finish it.

Spoiler alert: I did NOT possess the narrative skill for this and my fiction prof would be Disappointed askhasdk

The story ends up being Brad has assembled a diamond-encrusted bra for the Queen of England (I had nothing to do with that, I promise, the audience suggested “bra” and Colin came up with the rest). I did, however, come up with the murder plot against the queen (which basically went...Brad: “They don’t want her to receive the bra because they’re planning to” Me: “KILL HER”) as well as the bra’s ability to explode (the murder plot made mild sense and drove most of the story but why did I make it blow up? Why did you think that worked brain? Spoiler alert it didn’t really and Brad had to perform modifications on the bra after the guy next to me also made it stab the queen/self destruct askhas).

Also. I find it necessary to say. Colin seemed to be using all the volunteers pretty evenly but I SWEAR BRAD HAD A PERSONAL VENDETTA AGAINST ME HE WAS NOT LEAVING ME ALONE EVERY OTHER SENTENCE WAS ME SIR PLEASE I’M JUST MAKING THIS WORSE

Towards the end, the guys end up killing a man who they think is an assassin waiting for the queen using a cat (my suggestion, which I regretted as it was leaving my mouth, because of course my mind immediately went to “THE CAT!”). The man ends up being a cleaning guy, so then they have to hide the body because oops they murdered an innocent man (again, Colin’s idea, for all this went off the rails 25% of it was also Colin’s doing) and Colin’s listing out what they’re going to do with the body, they’re going to take him down to the catacombs (which is how they snuck in) and then...he cues me, and I’m basically thinking something along the lines of throwing the body in an underground river, but I can’t think of a Concise way to say this when Colin has his hand on my arm (seriously how can you expect anybody to think when some of the greatest improvisers in the world are touching you, let alone when they also happen to be your heroes) so I ended up saying “DROWN HIM!”

Y’know

Drown the dead guy

A slight bit of flawed logic that Colin immediately pointed out asdkjhasd

But! They still ended up doing what I’d wanted them to do so it ended up being fine!

The end of the game was definitely the most terrifying, something I learned is that when these guys get close to the end they start making things Much More Difficult, either on themselves or on their volunteers. So I have Colin on my right, luckily not super close because I would have definitely stopped functioning, but Brad is on my left and he’s LESS THAN TWO INCHES AWAY I SWEAR TO GOD and they start prompting us for really hard suggestions, Colin starts with his father’s last three words and I can’t think of anything, and he’s looking at the guy on the other side of him, but I’m figuring he’s trying to lull me into a false sense of security and at the last minute he’s gonna turn and make me finish it (this is the price I pay for being Hyper Aware of everything huh) but luckily he spared mercy on my Tiny Anxious Soul and actually DID make the other guy come up with everything! Then Brad is like “oh yes, reminds me of my grandfather’s last words, his last four words” and I’m like OH COME ON but luckily he ALSO picked on the guy on his other side! I was spared completely!

I did not fare so well during the finishing limerick, however, (Brad I don’t remember why you decided we should do a limerick but I hope it went about as well as you were expecting)

Brad starts with me, and he’s already established a bit of an Irish theme (carrying over from the first volunteer who said she wanted to visit Ireland) and he starts with what I hear as “there once was a man from” and I love Ireland yo, I miss it, and so I’m thinking about when I went there and marched in the Dublin St Patrick’s Day parade, so I say “Dublin,” but judging by Brad’s reaction to this I now wonder if he actually said “there once was a man named” and I just have really bad hearing

Anyway, he then continues with “whose cauldron was a-” clearly setting up the next guy to say “bubbling” but this guy decides to be cheeky and say “sizzling” or something that definitely doesn’t rhyme and I’m like! What is happening! Brad sets me up to say “mouse” to finish the next rhyme of the limerick, which is what I say, and he brushes over it so fast that then I’m like yeah maybe I should have been a little more creative but it’s FINE because the next guy continues to break the rhyme scheme by saying “spouse” as the last line when he either should have rhymed with “Dublin” or whatever the other guy said. (I can’t remember it was A Lot!) For the record, a limerick’s rhyme scheme is supposed to be aabba but we ended up with abccc and you BET the guys made fun of us not knowing how limericks work for the rest of the show

They let us go after that, thank goodness, because I do NOT think I could have handled much longer of trying to direct this wild nonsense! And so they took the mics from us and shook our hands and I was Bad and fixated on Colin so I Very Distinctly remember his hand being very soft and the exact way he said “thank you so much” like! Tucking THAT one away into the back of my brain so I can pull it out in secret and remember how happy I was then when I’m having a hard time being happy in the present!

So yeah then I ran back to my seat, which was like in the middle of the third row (y’all I was so close! I could see their faces and their expressions perfect) and I had to pass by this middle-aged group of people and one of them has been drinking a little so he just goes “yeah girl great job!” (he was also cheering when I passed him the first time to go up on stage) and high fived me, and got his whole group of people to high five me as I went by askhsd

This guy, I swear, during intermission when I went to run to the bathroom and passed him again he had to cheer me again, and I’m certain I felt Hand somewhere on the tassels/hem of my sweater and I’m like SIR but I’m telling myself he was just aiming for my arm but I nyoomed too fast asjhasdh

One of the ushers also told me “good job up there” when I went by so! I feel like I didn’t really do that great but hey maybe I did!

That’s pretty much the End of my adventure! I did unfortunately have to deadname myself when I went up on stage because my mom brought me to the show, and after her last reaction to my chosen name I wasn’t quite brave enough to have Brad announce it to the world, y’know? But I actually ended up tweeting them both once I got home to say thank you, and I told them about that too, and I woke up to a like on the tweet from Colin so he at least knows my real name! And really that’s all I could ask for, this whole night was all I could ever ask for, I’m just so grateful I got this opportunity and that I’ve been strong enough to live my life long enough for this to happen to me! It was an absolute dream come true, of course I was secretly hoping that maybe I’d end up on stage but I really did think it was nothing but a dream! I never thought it would actually happen! Hundreds of people in that audience, and Brad decided to pick me!

I’m just so happy, really. I’ve been really low the last two weeks, especially this last week, but for now at least everything is good!

(Fingers crossed I can come up with some way to get over to our Rival College in January when Colin does a Hyprov show there!)

[rachelking2819]

Jumanji: The Next Level

Welcome to my first review! I had a lot of fun writing this and watching the movie. Read my thoughts below and let me know what you think. Did I miss anything worth mentioning, let me know!

SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER  ALERT  SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER  ALERT  SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER ALERT  

Jumanji: The Next Level is the sequel to 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The movie stars the familiar faces from the first movie, but we meet some new as well like Awkwafina from Crazy Rich Asians and Danny DeVito known for Matilda and Batman Returns, more about them later.

The movie follows Spencer, Martha, Fridge and Bethany back into Jumanji. They are not the only ones there though as Spencer’s grandfather Eddie and his former friend Milo are also transported into the game. To once again exit the game, they must complete the next level of Jumanji, hence the title.

The movie starts with the four friends from the last movie in four different places getting ready to go home for the holidays.  Everyone seems excited to go and meet up, except for Spencer who seems miserable in New York. Upon arrival his mood doesn’t get any better. The night before he is supposed to meet Bethany, Fridge and Martha, Spencer decides to fix the old gaming console which got destroyed in the previous movie and goes into Jumanji. Breaking his promise to his friends to never go back. Later in the movie Spencer explains that he went back because he wanted to feel like Dr. Braveheart again, have no fears and be confident. I can get that, but that is hardly the way to go about it. The last time he got stuck in the game it almost got him killed and they were with four then. Also do not forget about Alex, he was alone and stuck for decades, unable to move forward in the game until the group of friends came along. So that Spencer thought it to be a great idea to go into the game alone???, is above me.

Anyway, while Spencer is playing Dora the explorer, Fridge, Martha and Bethany meet up and discuss Spencer and Martha’s relationship which has become a situationship as to neither knows what the situation is between them. Previous movie ended with them as a new couple, now though they are together but haven’t spoken for a while. At this point I almost rolled my eyes, thinking this was going to be some melodramatic subplot. This was luckily not the case. While there is a noticeable awkwardness around when they see each other for the first time in Jumanji, it is not something that is shoved in our faces and highlighted again and again. It is quite funny and fitting to their personality with the side-eyeing and the respective signature awkwardness. One could call it adorkable.

The official make-up talk/reunion happens about 20-30 minutes to the end on the side of a steep mountain. Let me paint the picture. In order to escape Jumanji, the final level is to get a jewel from Jurgen the Brutal. He is the main antagonist and stole the jewel from some sacred villagers. The jewel is what keeps Jumanji looking alive and beautiful and keeps the soils fertile for good harvests. Back to Spencer and Martha. To get to Jurgen’s fortress they must climb an icy mountain. On the side of this mountain, nowhere near the top, they find it appropriate to have a talk about what has been and why. Like really? Time is ticking y’all, everybody and their mom is counting on you to climb that mountain and execute your part of the plan, nobody has time for this. Finally, on the mountain and inside the fortress they share their signature “do-not-know-how-to-kiss” kiss, which made me chuckle.

Well, since I have mentioned Spencer and Martha’s first meeting in this movie, I might as well explain that Spencer was not in the body of Dwayne Johnson’s Dr. Braveheart. Instead he was a character we hadn’t met before yet: Ming, a cat-burglar and master lockpicker. Actress Awkwafina did a great job portraying Spencer as this character. With the nervous talking and twitching, it was no mistake neurotic Spencer was stuck as Ming instead of the presumed Dr. Braveheart. At some point it is possible for the adventurers to switch character by jumping in some magical lake. This is where Grandpa Eddie and Spencer switch character. Grandpa Eddie who was earlier Dr. Braveheart, now possesses Ming’s skill set. Again, Awkwafina shows what great actress she is as she takes on the persona of the older man.

Of course, the performances of the other actors can not be ignored. Dwayne Johnson portraying Grandpa Eddie was for sure very funny. Kevin Hart portraying Milo as Mouse Finbar has had to have been one of the highlights tho. Milo is known to be a very slow talker and gets to the point whenever he feels like it. I had genuine belly laughs anytime this character spoke. Also, Johnson and Hart together makes for a great duo every time. Jack Black applause to you once again. I believe that in your previous you were a gangster jock, not taking ish from anyone. Loved your portrayal of Fridge. Black was also iconic as ever as he brought out his inner teenage girl. Karen Gillan did not have much new going on, so she was just as great as she was in the previous movie.

Black also gave me the most relatable scene ever. Seeing as Fridge is a college jock and cannot handle not being able to move as fast as he normally does in the body of professor Shelly, he decides to do burpees to work on his characters stamina. Well three guesses as to how that went… The most dramatic burpees I have ever seen. But if I said “that ain’t me”, I’d be lying.

My only irritation on Grandpa Eddie was that he gets cocky almost every 5 minutes and therefor puts everyone in danger. I mean I get it, who wouldn’t get cocky when in control of such a powerful character as Dr. Braveheart. But when everybody is telling you to stay put and not make a scene or to run because that guy is your weakness, you better do what you have been told. Less fuss that way and everybody lives. But now, thanks to you everyone has lost a live, bringing them to one or two lives each.

Action wise, this movie really knew how to pace it properly. Every time you just feel the urgency of the situation, which I kind of missed last time. The very first action sequence I already knew that this movie was a step up from the first. It had beautiful visuals and the urgency just hit differently.

Talking about visuals. Wow wow wow, such beautiful sights in this movie. The movie takes us through the desert, an oasis, a little bit jungle and snowy wastelands and mountains. The settings were truly a sight to behold.

Also, the movie brings you heart and emotions aplenty. Now when I say this I am probably exaggerating, ‘cause I’m that overemotional. I could be watching a thirty seconds clip of a baby laughing with their parent and I am done for. While it wasn’t exactly waterworks, I did need a moment to compose myself. Especially when Milo told Eddie that he is sick, does not have long to live and that that is the reason he came to visit Eddie after decades of not speaking to one another. I hate these kinds of plots. They get me every single time. Aside from the potential tearjerker, the four original friends share a few heartfelt moments and are like “you are perfect as you are”, not those exact words, but you get it.

After rescuing Jumanji once more, the group of seven (Alex was at some point also part of the rescue op in the game) gets ready to leave Jumanji behind and never return. However, Milo wants to stay following his impending death and wants to see so much more in life. Again, a part that made me choke up a bit.

Now finally home sans Milo, the initial meet-up continues. As the day ends, the group of friends is met with a herd of ostriches like the ones they encountered on Jumanji running through the streets. And this is where the movie ends, giving as the assumption for a next movie where Jumanji comes to the real world.

Overall Jumanji: The Next Level is a fun movie for families. I personally liked it more than the first movie. Lots of laughs and action, that’s always a win for me. Almost made me cry, but that is not a difficult task. Casting keeps being great and great visuals. The first movie I thought was eyerolling funny, filled with dead jokes and overacting. That is why I didn’t have very high hopes for this one, but I went anyway because I was curious for the way it was showed at the cinema (ScreenX: all-round screens in the theater). This movie has certainly exceeded my expectation and I am glad it did. Definitely one I will be recommending to others.

What did you think of Jumanji: The Next Level?

‘Till Next Review!

[mauerfrau]

A Warm Morning

// @sokrovennyi I got some inspiration to write a cute little thing in the spy verse. ;u; I hope it is enjoyable, and that I did Ivan justice.

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There was a near perfect stillness in the air of the dimly lit room. Outside, the same blizzard from the night before was blowing through, still raging as strongly as it had when it had arrived. It was nearly impossible to tell that morning had come, save for the fact that the grey was just a bit lighter now. Under the protective covers of the bed, one of the occupants stirred. Years of discipline had made alarm clocks obsolete for her. She could wake up at precisely the right moment without a bell chiming. Usually, she awoke before dawn, but there was no need this time. They would not be going anywhere today.

Lily yawned and opened her eyes. She could not see the room around her, for her face was pressed against the chest of the man who was still slumbering beside her. She closed her eyes again and smiled. He had his arm wrapped around her, holding her close. He must have held her throughout the night. No wonder she felt warm, for he had kept the cold at bay. Pleasant memories passed through her mind of the night before.

The storm had come in and the house’s temperature dropped with it. She had sought him out on the couch and cuddled up to him, so happy to see him in one of the sweaters she had made for him, the deep purple and silver one. There had been some alcohol, some light banter, as always, but then it had turned sweeter, with lips pressed against each other and arms wrapping around the other’s body. He had carried her into his room with her legs wrapped around his torso and her mouth over his. From the strewn clothes on the floor, it was not hard to guess what they had spent the night doing.

It was not the first time they had done it, and, she hoped, it would not be the last. It was so wonderful with him, unlike her other experiences with targets. It wasn’t so much about lust, as it was about love with him. He was gentler with her, yet just what she wanted. With him, she wasn’t a fling or a doll to be used in any which way. She was a lover, his lover, the one he cherished and wanted to please. And she felt the same for him.

She burrowed her face into his chest and then turned it to look up at him. She loved how peaceful he looked. This was such a rare sight to see, and she treasured every chance she had of witnessing it. Although the stress of their work was slowly taking its toll and was thus evident even now, in this moment it seemed so distant. What she wouldn’t give to take it all away so he could live in peace, as he so rightfully deserved. But then, would he really want that? And would she? By now, espionage had become their very lifeblood, and they could never leave it behind. But they could forget about it, for a moment.

Carefully, she wriggled up so that her face was next to his and she kissed him softly on the lips. The instant their lips touched, his breathing changed and his eyes snapped open. He was not a man who could be snuck up on in his sleep. They gazed into each other’s eyes silently, and she could see the features on his face relax again, even if he wasn’t smiling like she was.

“Morning, my sweet Bear,” she whispered. He made a grumbling sound in his throat which vaguely resembled the word, “Morning,” in return. At the same time, his arms tightened around her, keeping her as close as he could. Her smile widened.

Ivan closed his eyes with another grunt. “I was having a most pleasant dream,” he muttered, “about strangling that one idiot in the office who keeps losing the paperwork we turn in.” It was a lie. He had been dreaming about her, and holding her in his arms. He was silently gleeful of the fact that it had turned out to be true when he opened his eyes.

She laughed and kissed his cheek. “That sounds marvelous, darling. If you do that for real, will you tell me first, so I can watch?” He grunted, and she could see him smirking. She kissed his neck and then pressed her face against it momentarily. She could feel slight pressure on top as he leaned his cheek against her head. Then she began to wiggle against him and to push so that he was turned on his back. As she wriggled on top of him, she saw his brow crease. Yet even then, he kept his arms around her.

“What’s this for, Kotka? I was perfectly comfortable.”

“I want to be on top of you. So you can’t leave, you see? It’s awfully cold, and you’re the only thing keeping me warm. If you left the bed, I would surely freeze to death.”

“I had no plans on leaving so soon. This was all rather unnecessary.” Still, he didn’t bother to turn them back. Instead, he pulled out one arm so he could twirl the ends of her hair around his finger gently. “Perhaps if you were bigger, you would not be so susceptible to the cold, and I would not have to give my valuable body heat over to you. I should charge you for heating.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “And what of all those sweaters I’ve made for you? Is that not a fair enough exchange?”

“Hardly. That barely covers all the food you eat. Why, if I didn’t work so hard, you would eat us out of house and home. And then I would have to eat you and sell the sweaters.” He poked her cheek.

She frowned at him. “Ivan Vladimirovich, if you are calling me fat, so help me—“

He chuckled, and she was rocked by movement of his body. “I would never.” He pinched her right cheek momentarily and then cupped it with his hand, rubbing his thumb back and forth. “That’s just the problem. You eat and yet you never get bigger. I am beginning to think you house a black hole. I am sure our scientists would be most intrigued to dissect you. I should deliver you to them.” She grumbled and poked his side hard, just under his rib cage. He hardly flinched, and instead his smile grew. “Such violence,” he lamented, “and after all I do for you. Where is the love?”

She put her face down against him. “The love is the only thing keeping me from murdering you for such insults. You’re lucky I don’t strangle you.”

“Strangle me? I was not aware that could be done by throttling someone’s navel, for that’s as far as you can reach on me, Lileschka,” he said with a laugh, tugging lightly on her hair.

She groaned, though his muscles muffled the sound. “Why are you always so cruel to me?”

“I am honest, as all good partners should be. If it is honesty you hate, I am sure I can find you a new man who will lie and leave you for dead next time the tides turn against you. At least then I may regain some of my sanity.”

She huffed and turned her head so her cheek was now resting against him. “And perhaps I should find you some extra tall woman who can look you in the eyes as she shoots you when her inevitable betrayal arises. At least then I will have to stop climbing the cabinets for everything.” She could not see Ivan smirking as he recalled an incident from a week prior, when she had had to lodge herself between the end of the cabinet and the wall nearby to gain a foothold, for he had placed the item of her desire in a tricky spot on the corner. She had nearly gotten stuck, and he had been highly amused watching her squirm in the tight space until she was free again.

A pleasant calmness descended on them. As he stroked her hair softly and closed his eyes, she traced some of his scars with the tip of her finger. She was becoming more and more intimate with them as the years went on. For some, she had not been around to witness their origin, but others (gradually, more and more) she had. Here on his shoulder, she traced what had been a deep gash inflicted by a deadly Ukrainian who had defected to the West. She remembered his face well, for she had been the one to strangle him. And here, just under it, was a spot from much earlier in their time together, when one of her mistakes had led to him being shot. She could still never forgive herself for it, no matter how faded it became and no matter how often she had since saved him from gaining many more. As she traced each one in sight, she wondered if he had come to know her own map as intimately as she had his. Was that too much to hope for?

By now, her hand had found its way to a particular spot near the base of his neck that she was always fascinated by. It was one of those scars he had had since before their time together. He never brought it up, nor did she, but it didn’t stop her from sometimes trying to piece the puzzle together from his records. As her finger pressed into it gently, he shifted his shoulder with a grunt. “Lilechka,” he grumbled.

“Vanya,” she replied. She looked up to grin at him, despite the frown he was giving in return. She playfully poked him near the spot again.

His hand moved down from her hair as his arm resumed its former spot around her torso. The furrow in his brow deepened. “Lilechka, you are on thin ice now. Do not be the cat whom curiosity kills.”

Her grin widened. Her hand moved away from the spot and up along his neck. Her finger tips tickled his skin. “Vanya,” she cooed. “I wonder how ticklish you are. There must be a spot that gets even you.” By now her fingers were just under his jawline, trying to find a spot that would make the large man quiver.

“You are playing a dangerous game, Kotka.” His arms tightened around her in a warning.

Never one to turn from danger, however, she persisted in trying to get a reaction out of him. “Vaaanyaaaaa,” she said.

It happened in an instant, faster than she could blink. One minute she had been on top of him, and now she was lodged firmly between him and the bed. He had flipped them with such speed and skill that she had zero chance of reacting. As he pressed down his weight on her, she squealed and squirmed, attempting to wriggle free from his crushing grip. She had about as much chance of freeing herself from him as a mouse did from a hungry python.

After a minute of feeling her struggle underneath him, he released some of his weight, but only enough that he could look down at her face with one of the widest grins she had ever seen on him. “I did warn you, dear. Now you must suffer the consequences.”

Her face was red, both from her futile attempts at escape and from embarrassment. “Get off me,” she gasped, barely able to get the words out.

“Hmm.” He pushed down on her again, just slightly, enough to make her more uncomfortable. “Ah, it seems I will finally have peace and quiet in this house again. It’s been so many years, I’ve quite forgotten how nice it must be.”

“You would miss me within a day,” she grumbled. With enough wiggling, she was able to get her left hand out from under him and she poked his side hard. That only served to make him laugh.

“Oh, I don’t think so, dear. I will finally have my spare room back. Ah, I wonder what I should do with it. Perhaps I will store all my weapons in there. Or I may turn it into an interrogation room, and I can finally give some bastards at the headquarters their just desserts. Won’t that be fun? Do not fear. I shall hang your picture on the wall, so you may always watch.”

“I am about to turn your insides into an interrogation room if you don’t get off me right now.” She got her feet free and kicked him as best she could.

He shifted so his legs were on hers, pinning them down. “You always make such threats, little Kotka, but you don’t have the claws to carry it out right now.” He kissed her forehead while she grumbled more. “If you apologize and say please, I may just let you live another day.”

“I never apologize. You will have to get up eventually. I can out-wait you.”

“Not if I squish you first.” He pressed down hard momentarily before letting up again, so she was not completely without a way to breathe. “Now say you’re sorry and beg me for mercy.”

“Nein.”

The two of them remained in a silent staring contest, just waiting for the other to give in. With their years of discipline, it may have gone on for hours, if not for a sharp ringing splitting the air only a few minutes in. The both turned their heads toward the door.

“You will have to answer,” she said, her voice gradually losing its playfulness as they were brought back to their reality, a reality which was as harsh and cold as the storm outside, where threats really were carried out in the most gruesome of fashions. “They wouldn’t call you on a day like this if it wasn’t important.”

As it rang a second time, he stood up. She could see a genuine scowl come across his face as he walked out. She was glad she was not the unfortunate office clerk on the other end of that phone. She wondered how many he had driven into early retirement over the years with his unpleasant demeanor. He was not a man who cared to be interrupted from one of the few pleasant things in his life.

Without his presence to keep her warm, she felt goosebumps rising on her skin and she shivered. Rather than hiding under the covers and salvaging their warmth, however, she decided to join him. As she walked toward the hall, she grabbed his sweater from the night before off the floor and pulled it on. It went down to her mid thighs and hung loosely on her frame, but it was, nevertheless, cozy. She came up to him while he was still speaking and slipped her arms around silently, pressing her face against his shoulder. He wrapped that same arm around her without glancing in her direction. He was glaring at the wall ahead.

“Yes. Yes. Understood. We will be there. Goodbye.” He set the phone back down and passed his other hand through his hair. He looked down at her, knowing exactly the question that was on her mind, though also knowing that she probably knew the answer anyway. “Another mission. We’re to report for briefing tomorrow morning, 0800 sharp, regardless of the weather.”

“Of course. Do you suppose they’ll send us somewhere warm?”

He leaned down to press his face against the top of her head. “I doubt it. Knowing them, they will somehow have found an even more frozen hell to send us too.”

“Well then, we shall to be sure you pack extra sweaters. If you freeze to death, I’ll have no choice but to turn you into a tent for my own safety.”

Even with his face in her hair, he smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Not if I use you as kindling first.” After holding her quietly for a minute, he then lifted her into his arms and walked back toward the bedroom. “We do not have to go until tomorrow. We can spend one more day in warmth.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his shoulder. “That sounds perfect.”

[todaysbiggesthits]

The Exam

Best Music Moment of 2019

BC: Three straight hours of this

in my Chapman Ryder Cup match with Code  -The Robert M. Chennault Playlist in my Ryder Cup match with Laser  -Vampire Weekend's "M79" with Parks and Rec theme interlude in Pawnee Peytonville with my babe  -Late night music game with JD and Chaps this Fall  -My kids competing for best air guitar solo to Daft Punk's "Digital Love"  -The Stones soundtracking Raceday morning with Counterfeit Kenny and the Kennel Boys 

Codem: -Picking up the keys after closing on #our house and listening to Arden's dreams for the pad while listening to the songs that brought us together in the first place. -Perched in the balcony of Park West watching Chromatics live and in person. -The Chapman format playlist that Brendon and I put together.  It was just one song on repeat.  Xtal - Aphex Twin -Plugging in my klipsch's for the first time in the new house to listen to elliott smith on the day of his death. the sound of his discography wafting throughout the whole house was a true delight.

Bronco: My 6-year-old discovering Green Day.  My 9-year-old discovering Metallica.  Both discoveries have awakened something in them that is hilarious and awesome to behold.  And seeing Tool was pretty flaming awesome.

JD: March: Realizing I’d never heard this Stones song, nodding along to the opening riff, and exploding into my biggest laugh of the year at the first line.

June: The Joni Mitchell performance in the Rolling Thunder Review documentary on Netflix. June: Catching the Thom Yorke Anima short film at the IMAX theater on the Upper West Side. July: Code and I getting a perfect 99 score on the greatest rendition of “Emotional Rescue” karaoke you’ll ever see. October: Playing the music game WAY too deep into the night with BC and Chap (look for the next day’s hangover on my worst moments list).

Chap: Patrick Stickles singing "I'm sorry dad no I'm not making this up" to his dad in the audience.

Nasty: Listening to music at BOB. Nothing but jams that whole weekend. Driving in with Laser - GOOGLE MUSIC JAMS. Trip to the casino - JAMS. Hanging out on the deck - JAMS. Driving to the course with Blazer Black - Fuck Buttons - Sweet Love for Planet Earth aka JAMS. In the cart with Code - JAMS. Driving Chappy and Sfreddo to the rental car - JAMS (but quietly).

Larse: Greta Thunberg speech dubbed to metal

Best Shows Seent in 2019

Nasty: The Killers @ Summerfest. Hot Fuss will always be an all-time favorite album and Mr. Brightside is the best pop song of our lifetime, IMO. Also, my wife loves them which is about the only band in middle of the venn diagram. 

Larse: The Lonely Island at Summerfest

BC: Dead & Company

JD: 1. The Rapture at Music Hall of Williamsburg 2. Viagra Boys at Bowery Ballroom 3. The Strokes and Parkay Boys at the All Points East fest in London with drunk lads screaming along to the guitar parts 4. B Boys at Union Pool 5. Titus Andronicus at Bowery Ballroom 6. Avey Tare at Market Hotel 7. Tame Impala at MSG 8. Weeping Icon at Elsewhere 9. Priests at Elsewhere

Code: interpol - chicago theater illuminati hotties - hideout it looks sad - subT downstairs robyn - riviera steve malkmus - art institute eleventh dream day - hideout colleen green - sleeping village swearin' - lincoln hall surf curse - subT shura - the bottle

Chap: TA was the only show I saw. It was great!

Bronco: All of them.  They were each great in their own way.  Aside from Tool I was able to interact with the band members at each of the shows.  One I didn't have a ticket for and scored one at the door.  One was in the tiniest venue I've seen a show at.  One had a surprisingly entertaining opening act.  And Tool surprised me with how much I enjoyed an arena show despite being so far away I couldn't see the facial features of the band members.  And there was SOOOOOOO much weed being smoked in the Garden that night.  And I was with a few good buddies.  And I was able to sell my fourth ticket for twice what I paid, simulatenously covering me and my fourth friend who had to bail because his life sucks because his wife sucks. 

Confession of 2019

Nasty: I consume more music at my cushy, suburban OrangeTheory workout classes than in my own free time. S/O to Coach Vanessa for having some Girl Talk on her playlists. 

Codem: i had more fun listening to stuff that i already knew about than stuff that was coming out.

BC: I saw a Yacht Rock cover band and didn't hate it -I succumbed to social pressure and saw DMB -I didn't realize until the last minute that my favorite album was released in 2018 (Wild Nothing). Removing it greatly reduced my loyalty to my list.

Bronco: I'm losing my edge.  I enjoyed way more lady singer bands this year than in any other year.

Chap:  Couldn't get my shit together on the tracks list so just posted a random playlist

Larse: Not really a confession but more of a TIL (today I learned), but Raphael Saadiq was an original member of Tony! Toni! Tone!

Biggest Disappointment of 2019

Bin: The National @ Summerfest. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "the frontman was completely detached, even confessing at one point that he was excited to get back home to his family. The result was an incredibly depressing show — which, given the band's dour songs, is really saying something." ... Huge Bummer.

BC: Didn't see nearly enough shows with nearly enough of yous 

Chap: Sturgill Simpson... unlistenable!

Bronco: Baroness.

Laser: Modest Mouse opening for The Black Keys

Code: i was really messed up by dave berman's passing. i had tickets to see him play at the end of august. it was going to be my first catching him live and in concert. i had waited for this moment since i picked up american water back in 2003.  two weeks before he was supposed to come through town, he up and died.  also, much less of a bummer, the chromatics show in miami that Arden and i were going to attend got canceled two days before the show.

Most Overrated of 2019

Nasty: Kanye's shoes

Chap: LEGACY! LEGACY! – Jamila Woods seems to have been highly regarded? Not my thing

BC: FKA Twigs

Bronco: Baroness.

JD: Big Thief

Code: cancel culture

Larse: Mayor Pete

Make it Stop 2019

Chap: In my house, the Nutcracker Suite. It's great, until the 300th time that day.

Nasty: Cage the Elephant (but children, instead of elephant, and in real life, not the band)

BC: Lizzo 

Code: lizzo

JD: Memes

Larse: Trump

Bronco: News

Biggest TBH Regret of 2019

Chap: Can't seem to get to more than one show per year; Jessica Pratt in a church by my old place

JD: Missin’ dat Pratt yet Nick!

BC: Should've listened to the Kanye album.  Should've spent more time with the Deerhunter record.

Rotty: Skipping CHVRCHES at Summerfest

Code: another year with no fog party

Nasty: Not going to Indy 500. lol jk.

Bronco: I didn't buy tickets to a few shows I would've liked to have seen.  One of them I went to the venue and didn't get in.  That bummed me out, but I crossed the street and had a few beers by myself for good measure, so it wasn't a total loss.

Detective Murtaugh of 2019

JD: Everything.

Bronco: Shows that don't start until 10pm. That Girl Band show nearly wrecked me.

Chap: How much I loved Bruce Springsteen's adult contemporary western-themed old-man album.

BC: The ten seconds I lasted with 1000 GECS

Nasty: For the life of me - I cannot figure out how to operate the "play next" queue on these apps. 

Laser: Lizzo at Summerfest - lot of younglings running around; people were racist towards Lizzo's security guards, she vowed not to come back to MKE, one of the most segregated cities in America :(

Resolution for 2019 Status

Laser: — How It Went: Who can even remember this shit...I'm sure it was that I'd do better at keeping track or listen to more shit people suggest and I'm sure I failed.

BC: Listen to one new album a week; reboot the Classic Album Review Club How It Went:  Noooot toooo gooooood

Code: catch ovlov, pictureplane, washer, chromatics, EMA and colleen green live this year. How It Went: i saw chromatics and colleen green. last i checked .400 gets you into cooperstown.

JD: Greater consciousness of how I’m using my attention - an ineffectual and meaningless protest of the ways the world is burning down in pursuit of it. How It Went: Not bad! I especially nailed the “ineffectual and meaningless” part.

Chap: Learn Piano; Guilt Joe Dons into finally inviting me to a concert. How It Went: Learned some piano but got to busy for it... Couldn't guilt JD to invite me anywhere but I DID invite him to a show! The same one I went to! With him!

Bronco: Read more 'classic’ books. I didn’t read many of them, even in school (especially in school? Never could read a book I was told to read). But I’m leaning in the sci-fi direction of 'classics’. I just read Dune this summer, and wrapped up Fahrenheit 451 the other day. I’m feeling an unexplained need to beef up my nerd credentials and this seems the way to accomplish it. How It Went: Nope.  Fell back in to zombie-apocalypse genre series that I've been reading for a while. But I am currently reading arch-nerd Neal Stephenson's "Fall; or, Dodge in Hell". It's almost 900 pages, I feel like I've been reading for months now, and because I'm a stupidly slow reader, I read only before going to bed, and can only make it 10 minutes before falling asleep and hitting myself in the face with my phone, I'm only 25% of the way through. But man is it painting a creepy yet eerily plausible scene of the near future. Guy just knows how to write.

Nasty: Hope last year I was smart enough to leave this blank. (editor’s note: [removes shoes, pets cat, puts on slippers, retires to favorite easy chair, sips martini, slowly pulls reading glasses out of cardigan pocket, dusts them off, loads todaysbiggesthits.tumblr.com, scrolls to ‘Resolution for 2019’] “Nasty: I’m sticking with it - get to NY for a show with JD.”)

Resolution for 2020

BC: See Phish in 2020

Codem: i'm making it easier this year. catch ovlov, washer, EMA and colleen green live this year. bonus points: see dom's much anticipated return to the stage.

Bronco: Build a vinyl collection. I know I dumped on Brendon for suggesting he press copies of Carpet Affair, but my kid's getting way into music and listening to it on his own (via Alexa in my bedroom which is super fucking annoying), so we're getting him his own record player and I think it's going to be a cool activity to go record store diving for whatever classics we can scrounge up.

JD: Get to more shows. Take more aimless strolls spinning tunes.

Bin: Send an email about music on the TBH! thread. 

Larse: None

Chap: Eh I'm cool

Most Anticipated of 2020

Code: my man dom said that he is coming back to the world this year. i have to believe that he'll keep his word. i'm thinking 2020 is going to be the year for chromatics' Tommy.

Chap: TWOD, Perfume Genius, Jason Isbell

BC: Huey Lewis and the News, Tame Impala, Run the Jewels

Bronco: Kvelertak and Mastodon, maybe some surprise extra Tool material?

JD: Working Men’s Club

Nasty: Spotify getting Jay-Z's catalog back.