#out here in the wild wild west we make our own food. and tonight i am cookjn

[lisawn]

endwalker hadesraha? who’s to say

[ladylobotomyy]

Jealousy, Jealousy - Part 2

Hi so a lot of people liked the To Hell and Back series, thank you for the support, it really makes me smile. This was an original idea thought up by @shelikesloki. So thank you so much for the recommendation. If you have any suggestions/requests or want me to write a specific idea then feel free to ask, my dms and asks are open, but for now here’s part 2! Part 3 will be up tomorrow. PLEASE give me some suggestions of what you want to see! This series spans across the beginning of season 8.

Concept from @shelikesloki: After overhearing Morgan and Reid speaking about Maeve, Y/n has trouble with the idea that she's missed her chance with Spencer. But after the team helps save Maeve, will Reid and Maeve even work out?

☾

After the unsub kidnapped a pregnant lady and removed the child from the womb, leaving both the mother and child at a hospital, the team became frantic. At this point the M.O. was non-existent. A completely different victim combined with a completely different type of crime was enough to label anyone and everyone as a potential victim.

With the idea that unsub might be trying to make up an entire family, we focused our eyes onto infants and children that could potentially be at risk. The placenta being completely scraped out of the female adult victim gave Spencer the idea that it could be linked to Placentophagy. I’d had to force myself not to leave the room once he began speaking, knowing he’d be able to pick up on it. I needed to remain friendly with him, at least for now, to avoid suspicion. He needed to think my silence still had something to do with my made up date, not my undying affection for him. “Consuming the placenta, in the wild it’s common for animals to eat their own afterbirth. It’s super rich in nutrients,” Spencer explained. I stifled a low groan in response, nausea rising as Rossi spoke, “So the unsub might have harvested this last victim… for food?”

In the end, with the sawdust present in the victim’s airways, and nothing in the profile that suggested cannibalism, and with one of the most efficient substrates for compost on the earth being sawdust, we’d discovered she’d been using her victims as human fertilizer. Emma Kerrigan, a widow who ran a small juice and vegetable stand at the farmer’s market according to Garcia, living west of town on a 100 acre farm that belonged to her late husband. She fit the profile of our unsub. I’d stayed at the office while Morgan, Hotch and Blake left to apprehend the unsub.

The flight back to Quantico was quiet, most of the team asleep. When retreating to our desks upon our return to Headquarters, JJ had filled me in on how Henry, her son, was too afraid to dress up this year, a fellow classmate had explained to him that the real monsters always came out on Halloween since they wouldn’t need to disguise themselves. I’d stopped short in my tracks, my gaze moving to Spencer unconsciously. It was Halloween. I’d been so caught up in the case that I’d missed that it was Halloween, Spencer’s favorite holiday.

Filing in our paperwork one by one, the team slowly grabbed their things, discussing their plans for tonight and getting ready to leave, JJ’s raised voice from the doorway caught my attention. “Uh- Excuse me, everybody. I have an announcement to make,” eyes fell to her figure walking towards the center of the room. I grabbed my bag and through it over my chest as I powered off my computer, turning to give her my full attention. “As I’m sure some of you are aware, Henry was a little nervous about Trick-Or-Treating this year,” she started. “But,” she lingered on the word for a moment, “He’s decided to go anyway.”

“Great, what changed his mind?” Rossi asked.

“The BAU did,” Jennifer answered, “I told him that he should go out on Halloween and try to figure out which monsters are real and which ones are not.” Warmth swept through the room slowly, Morgan being the first one to speak, “So he wants to be a profiler.” I suppressed an “awe,” as JJ held a finger up.

“Ah, he wants to be his favorite profiler.” There wasn’t time to process her words, however, before the tiny man himself walked through the door holding Penelope’s hand. Converse were the first thing I saw, mini converse. A beaming Henry wore a blue polo, a gray sweater vest tucked into his tan pants. A red tie peeked out from behind the vest, a satchel draped across his chest. I’d recognize that style anywhere. He was dressed as Spencer.

Cheers erupted from around the office, smiles replacing previous frowns as Spencer rose from his seat. “You look great, Henry!” Spencer exclaimed as the mini version of him bounded over to his desk. A laugh bubbled from my lips before I could stop it. Bending down to the boy’s height, Reid pulled his identification card for the office from his sweater, mumbling to Henry as he attached it to him, “Put this on here.” Henry stood still as Spence clicked it on, looking down to inspect it.

“Now it’s official,” Morgan called from the back of the room. Penelope stood just behind the scene, taking a step forward and bending down to whisper in Henry’s ear, “Tell him.” Without hesitation Henry turned to Spencer, smiling before he spoke, “E equals MC squared.” His voice came out softly, Reid’s eyes crinkled, his mouth making an “o” shape. Morgan’s head threw back, he let out a deep laugh, “There it is!” He exclaimed. It was impossible to hide the giggles now, I couldn’t fight a grin as Spencer raised his hand for a high five.

“The monster’s don't stand a chance,” Blake smirked.

Spencer stood, looking over his shoulder to me. My smile faltered. Just for a moment. But that didn’t stop him from noticing. My eyes burned, misty eyed I stood as a thought echoed in my mind. He’ll be a lovely father. That was all it took, five little words to bend my frame, to sink my heart. A warm liquid trailed down my cheek, I turned away from the team as I touched a hand to my cheek. I hadn't noticed I’d begun crying. I was out of the room before I could comprehend my own movements.

☾

The sound of heels clicking on the floor stopped my sob. “Y/n?” A set of black glittery pumps stopped outside of my stall. “I know you’re in there, are you okay?” Penelope’s voice echoed off the walls. “Did you eat something bad? Cause I saw you run and I’ve got a bottle of Pepto-” She stopped short in the middle of her sentence as I opened the stall door.

There was no point in pretending I hadn’t been crying, she’d stay outside until I left to make sure I was okay, and she’d notice my face at some point.

“What happened?” Her voice came out higher than normal, her mouth agape as she stepped back so I could leave the stall. Her wide eyes followed mine as I stepped toward the sink, resting my hands on the cold countertop. My face was blotchy and red, deep bags had formed under my eyes from the lack of sleep. My nose bright ruby. My cheeks were soaked wet, my lips and eyelids swollen as I turned the faucet on. I let my eyes fall to the water in my hands as I washed them, looking in the mirror just made me feel worse, more small and weak than I already felt. I leaned my head down and felt Penelope’s fingertips gliding through my hair, pulling my hair back as I washed the tears off my cheeks. She waited in silence as I turned the faucet off, pulling paper towels out of the dispenser to dry my face. Finally when I’d recovered what little pride I had, I spun to look at her.

I was surprised to find her eyes understanding and calm, rather than wide and expectant. I struggled to find the words, “It’s just- I can’t- I don't know how to-”

“It’s him, isn’t it?” She asked. Heat flowed into my cheeks as I responded, running a hand through my hair, “It’s who?”

“Spencer.”

There was no point in lying, and who was I kidding anyways? I needed someone. My words choked in my throat so I nodded instead. Arms enveloped me as another sob broke through my chest. heaving, I held my hands together to force them to stop shaking. A numbness set through my body, starting first at my legs and then rising upward. I slumped forward into her arms, my eyes shut tight as a strangled groan leapt from my lips.

I’m not sure how long we sat like that before I pulled back, reminding myself that standing in heels was difficult and Penelope was probably having a hard time right now. I muttered apologies to no avail. Pushing my hair out of my face, I couldn’t keep eye contact with her. “He’s- he’s so happy and- and-”

“And you’re stuck crying in a public bathroom,” she finished for me. “You know about her, don't you?” Her voice was low, controlled, whereas mine broke apart with every sentence.

I worked to keep my composure, “Seeing him with Henry,” I hiccupped, “He‘s going to be such a great father, and not that I ever thought of him as mine, but-”

“You wanted that future with him?” Penelope made this easier, I wasn’t the best at talking through my emotions, she knew when I couldn’t find the right words.

“But now it’s hers. Her future. And I know I never acted on how I felt, but knowing it’s completely off the table now- I don’t know how I’m going to sit across from him everyday,” I was rambling with no endpoint now, so I let my voice fall quiet and stared at the grout between the tiles as Penelope draped a hand over my shoulder. “You could take time off, come back when you’re ready, when you’ve made peace with it?” She suggested.

“I don't know if I can make peace with it. He deserves his best friend and I just don't know how to go back to that,” I sniffled.

“Love, you deserve happiness too, you shouldn’t have to suffer just to make it easier for him,” she said.

It was silent for a moment before a thought entered my head. “How did you know it was Spencer?” Penelope rolled her eyes before giving a smile, “Oh come all the talk about letting yourself get hurt, and the cold shoulder to Spencer? It doesn’t take a profiler to pick up on it. Besides who could’ve missed you fawning over him for the past 6 years?” She giggled. I smiled at that.

“You know he hasn’t even told me about her? I’m his best friend and he didn’t tell me,” I chuckled.

“Oh, call the churches, what ever will we do?” She teased.

☾

I made it out of the bathroom 15 minutes later. Penelope had supplied concealer to cover the redness in my face but there was no covering the swollen lips and eyes. Penelope figured no one would notice and for the most part, no one did. When I emerged to the lobby of our building I found most of the team still there surprisingly, still discussing the plans for dinner. JJ and Henry had already left, along with Hotch taking leave to go see his son. Rossi and Morgan however, had taken seats in the benches to the right.

“Hey, mama, where’ve you been, we’ve been waiting on you,” Morgan called as soon as Garcia was in view. “We had some girly issues,” she replied, she’d been smart to leave it at that, Derek immediately backs away from the topic, wrapping an arm over Penelope’s shoulder as he walks toward the parking lot. Feeling someone’s eyes watching me, I scan my surroundings before I notice brown eyes watching me. I know he picked up on what happened earlier, but he doesn’t mention it as he strides forward. “We’re going to head to JJ’s for the Halloween party, I figured I’d ask if you wanted to go too?” He asked, pursing his lips. I nodded, pulling my coat on as we started for the lot.

He pulled the door open for me and I gave a small smile in response. I was done trying to distance myself. This was going to hurt no matter what, and frankly I wasn’t sure I could manage without my best friend. He wasn’t mine, he never was. And I’d just have to deal with that. “Spence?” He hummed in return, the group was only a couple feet away, getting into their cars as he walked me to mine. “About Comic Con,” his eyes lit up as the words left my lips, “Still have those tickets?”

okay that’s part 2, and like always, i hope it didn’t disappoint. and if it did then, again, that’s chill too. and again if you have any suggestions or recommendations just ask, and if you want to be tagged in part 3, let me know! part 3 will be up tomorrow. have a beautiful day loves :)

Thanks again @shelikesloki

Masterlist

Part 1

Part 3

[imjeralee]

Comfort in Despair: Chapter 29 - Deimos

Leon x F!Reader

Disclaimer: Do not own Pokemon

Summary:

Galar is rich in folklore and tales of the supernatural.

As a Pokemon Researcher who specialises in ghost types, this is a great opportunity for you to investigate and learn more about the paranormal.

Along the way, you meet Leon (in the most awkward way possible) who becomes embroiled in your adventures.

^ Basically this story is about ghosts :/

Rating: General/Teen

@marydragneell​ here is the latest update

Deimos

…

…

[There's Nothing Here.]

…

…

Gengar has safely taken you to the Wild Area, carrying you on his back.

The shadow has disappeared along the way, seemingly decided to give up pursuing you, for now.

Your mind has been unable to settle, to register the horrific incidents that had just taken place. Your Pokemon are dead. You were attacked in your own home. Nothing is safe.

A little voice in your mind has popped up, wanting to be heard, and it’s all about giving up. It would be so easy to quit, to surrender and submit to it all - whether it be your fate or destiny, or maybe it had been this way all along and this was how it was meant to be right from the very start, but for some reason, you had resisted it.

For a long time, you had not experienced fear but tonight, it had all come crashing back to you. You realised how helpless you were, how tiny and insignificant everything truly was.

As Gengar descends, having found a suitable place for landing, the cold rush of wind that hits you provides a tiny window of clarity.

No, I can’t give up. It’s only just begun.

You let out a choked rasp of anguish. A loud gasp rips from the back of your throat and a single tear pours from the corner of your eyes. No, no, this won't do. Squeezing your fist into a tight ball, you regather your composure and quickly squeeze your eyes shut, shaking your head before re-opening your eyes.

Whatever it is, you're determined to make it pay.

You will destroy it, if it's the last thing you do.

The change of scenery from the sleepy town of Wedgehurst to the vast and empty expanse of the Dusty Bowl is unfamiliar to you. The Wild Area is so dark and empty, it’s unsettling. You think back to your researching days, when you would spend many nights here on your own, in the dark, in the wildnerness with nothing but a torch, some food and pokedolls…and wonder how on earth did you do it?  

When the pokemon lets you off, Gengar helps you sit down on a rock where you can gather your thoughts. You haven’t spoken since the ordeal and it looks like you’re still in shock. Your face is pale from fright yet your expression is impassive.

He’s worried, and he asks Mimikyu to help whilst he stays by your side: you've essentially run from home in your pyjamas and with no shoes, so she is tasked to find you some warm clothes.

The doll departs and quickly finds a campsite nearby – she spies a young couple sleeping inside their tents and sneakily ransacks their supplies, grabbing a pair of socks, shoes from the backpacker girl along with her coat.

Mimikyu returns with her goodies and hands them to you; she’s surprised you’re not reprimanding her as you usually would whenever she does something bad or wrong.

Instead, you silently don a stranger’s shoes and coat...and then you check the contents of your bag. You didn't pack much, if anything at all. Also, Rotom is missing. You must have left him at home.

Gengar and Mimikyu watch as you come across your radio next, pull it out and turn it round, switching it on, only for a horrific static noise to come blaring out followed by a deep male’s voice iterating the nursery rhyme “Ring-a-round-a-rosie,” repeatedly.

You hurriedly switch it off but the voice continues and seeing how shaken you are, Gengar slaps it out of your hands and onto the ground before he proceeds to stomp on the device, breaking it in half. To top it all off, he shoots it into smithereens with a Dark Pulse.  

“Thanks.”

He gives you a nod of acknowledgement.

Next, you fish Vulpix’s capsule and release her. Once she emerges, your pokemon looks up at you expectantly. Your small team fall into line together and you glance at them all as they wait for your next instructions.

With a deep breath, you release a sigh and close your eyes briefly, then reopen them.

“…There's something after me, and it kills pokemon,” you utter, “Cutiefly and Sunkern are dead. The khira dagger broke and the talismans didn’t work. I don't know what it is. It's not a human, pokemon, spirit...I don't even think it's a demon. I can’t really explain it and I know how it sounds, but…it’s not from this world.”

You had stumbled over your words, your voice trembling. The pokemon, except Gengar, blink in alarm, exchanging glances between each other before they begin to crowd around you.

You step back, shaking your head.

“I’m releasing all of you. It will keep going after me so if you stay, I’ll only get you killed. Go home. You’ll be safe,” you utter shakily, and Mimikyu and Gengar look at you with widened eyes. "I want to thank you all for your help. I've enjoyed our time together, even though it was short."

Poor Vulpix is the most confused, padding up to you and sitting at your feet, looking up at you with her glossy eye. She had just been adopted and now she will be abandoned again. She sits on her haunches as you shake your head sadly before she lets out a mournful howl. Lowering yourself to a crouch, you gently pick her up and embrace her tightly, before letting her back down.

“I’m so sorry,” you whisper.

It’s Gengar and Mimikyu next, and you pick up the ragdoll and hug her firmly before moving onto Gengar.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to find Gossamer Cave.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

You shake your head.

“I can’t let you go on your own.”

“You can’t go with me.”

“But I promised to fight with you, to stay by your side,” he replies.

“I’m sorry, Gengar. I can’t take any risks. This is the only way I can keep you safe. You should go back and be with your trainer.”

"But you are my trainer now."

That makes you hesitate; Gengar's loyalty is touching and you let out another gentle sigh under your breath.

“What if you can’t find the cave?”

“I will.”

“Then we’ll wait for you here,” Gengar replies and you smile weakly at him. “We’ll wait for you.”

Without further ado, you turn your back on your pokemon, heading towards the opposite direction where the path that leads into the Dusty Bowl awaits. The pokemon begin to trail after you - you can hear their little footsteps - but you turn round and shake your head firmly, warning them. Vulpix and Mimikyu joins Gengar's side, watching you leave.

“Are we really free?” Mimikyu asks.

“Free or not, I’m waiting for her here,” Gengar says, folding his arms. “If you want to leave, you can go.”

“Suit yourself, mi.” Mimikyu replies.

…

Mimikyu heads for the tall grass. She’s a little stunned; Gengar and Vulpix are going to wait for you to return, but you had released them because it was no longer safe to be around you anymore.

Unsure what to really do or where to begin, now that she’s a free pokemon, Mimikyu wades through the undergrowth with little idea of where she’s going or where she should be heading to, or where her new or next home should be.

She accidentally bumps into a tough-looking Tyrogue who attempts to chase her away from its territory but she teaches him a lesson in sharing by letting loose a shadowy claw and slapping him away. The weakened Tyrogue has no choice but to let her wander around to her heart’s delight but even then, Mimikyu discovers she doesn’t like living in the tall grass. It’s too primitive.

She dawdles for a long time aimlessly until she comes across a clearing where a bunch of wild Mimikyu can be seen gathered together up ahead. Home! She’s home…

Immersing herself into the group, Mimikyu lifts a claw and attempts a friendly wave.

“Mi mi,” she says, but when they turn round, they only emit squeaking noises and she is greeted with haunting disguises that resemble Pikachu, her most hated enemy.

The disturbing black squiggles that are meant to resemble its eyes...they are so empty and hollow and sinister, it scares her.

Seeing her own kind dressed up as a Pikachu, desperate for attention and love, pretending to be something they’re not, lying to themselves in order to escape their never-ending cesspit of loneliness and melancholy, Mimikyu shakes her head furiously, coming to the realisation that she doesn’t belong here.

Instead of dressing up as Pikachu, they should be dancing around a burning effigy of the electric rodent!

Used to a warm bed and roof over her head, along with three meals a day and drink at virtually no cost, she realizes how difficult it would be to adjust to the wildlife and she does not remember how she used to live before she was taken in by humans.

Now she will need to look for food and drink on her own, as well as a place to sleep for the remainder of her days. She scampers away in fright at the newfound revelation, or crisis, and finds a pond where she sits at the damp, mossy edge, looking at her reflection.

She’s an ugly little ragdoll but a kind-hearted human took her in and she had a family. She had Gengar, Runerigus and Vulpix.

She begins crying, lost and confused and scared, until the shadow of a tree wobbles and a familiar pokemon steps out, carrying a one-eyed Vulpix under one arm.

“Gengar! Vulpix!” she exclaims, looking up as the shadow pokemon floats over to her. “You didn’t leave mi?”

Gengar shakes his head whilst Vulpix begins licking her face. "I knew something like this would happen to you,” he says. “You're not used to wild life anymore, are you?"

“No, mi want a nice home and warm food. I’m sorry for leaving. Let’s go, let’s find her.”

He nods, and together, they return to the main path where they attempt to follow their trainer’s lingering scent.

…

On your own, you have been unable to determine your bearings, where is north, south, east or west; you were certain you were at least on the right path by recalling some familiar landmarks of the region such as the huge, Musharna-shaped rock or Rhydon-shaped tree and you’ve ended up trekking onto uncharted territory, a path no-one had ever stepped foot on and now a sandstorm had whipped up from virtually out of nowhere.

The harsh wind billows from every corner; luckily, you’d packed a pair of goggles earlier to protect your eyes from the sand but the storm is too strong and you find yourself being blown away on one occasion too many. You persevere, pushing your body forwards and to the limit, lifting your arms up to shield yourself, planting one foot in front of the other slowly but steadily.

You hear a familiar buzz closeby before a small, red pokemon pops up and into the air and your eyes widen with shock.

"Rotom!" you exclaim as he bobs in front of you, "what are you doing here?"

"I fell azzleep in your bag, zzzipped myzzzelf up inzzzzide a pocket and juzzt woke up. What'd I mizzz, zzrt?"

You let out a heavy sigh. "Where do I even begin?"

Your phone glimpses around before he flies towards you and buries itself into your jacket for safety, peeking out behind your lapels.

"Where are we, zzrt? Actually, never mind! Let me find out, bzzrt!" his screen goes blank as he attempts to find your location but nothing happens; his screen is a fuzzy, jumbled mess of grey. "Lookzzz like I have no zzzignal. Oh dear, bzz."

"I'm not surprised."

"Can we go home, zzrt?"

"Not yet. Sorry, Rotom."

With Rotom as your remaining pokemon, you plough on. He moves to hide in your backpack, trembling with fear.

You’d been stuck in this sandstorm for what appears to be an eternity, with no end in sight and your feet are beginning to hurt.

Stopping, you glance around but you cannot see anything, only sandy smog that batters you from all directions. Looking behind your shoulders, your footsteps have disappeared too.

“Where are we, bzzrt?” Rotom asks.

“I don’t know. I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Rotom.”

“It’zzz okay, zzrt,” he replies. “we’re in thizzzz together.”

You’ve had your Rotom phone for a while now and he’s been so good to you. “We can do this, Rotom,” you reply.

He nods, and you continue your journey though you realise the storm has grown even stronger and the temperature has dropped and now you cannot even keep your balance as the wind blows you left and right, forwards and backwards. You cry out as you stumble around blindly and Rotom gets blown out of your backpack.

“EEP! Help!!!” he cries out as he’s whisked up and into the storm.

“Rotom!!” you yell, attempting to reach for him but he quickly vanishes from view, disappearing amidst the sand.

“Help!” he cries, though you can no longer see him.

“Rotom?? Where are you?” you yell, throwing your glance around wildly.

It’s silent.

“Rotom?! Hang in there, I’ll find you!”

Breaking into a sprint, you rush towards the direction you had last seen Rotom. To your dismay, you are greeted with nothing but the same dreary and blustering, never-ending sandy winds. Panting, you stop. Your mouth is dry, your mind hazy. You cannot even tell if you’re running in circles, if you’d been here before, if you’re heading back to where you came from.

Surrounded by nothing but billowing winds and sand, you realise how truly alone and lost you are.

“Rotom??” you yell into the vast nothingness.

There is no response, as expected.

“How does Ezra see where he’s going?” you mutter to yourself.

The sudden realization comes to you like a tonne of bricks dropping over your head.

He doesn’t.

Closing your eyes, you are freed from the rampant distraction of the sandstorm.

Taking a deep breath, you take one step forwards. Then another, and another. You let your feet wander on their own accord, taking one step at a time. You hold your breath to focus, concentrating as much as you can on pinpointing the correct path, the way forwards.

Allowing your senses to take over, your body begins to feel weightless and free as your feet carry you through the expanse. You guide yourself, clinging to a weak instinct that lingers in your gut which tells you that you’re heading the right way, and soon, your surroundings grow silent.

You stop walking.

The sandstorm has vanished and everything is still.

Opening your eyes, you blink, your eyes slowly adjusting to the light.

Your shoulders loosen up, the tension eroding away. You have escaped the sandstorm, and into a thick blanket of bluish grey mist filled with floating pieces of tiny pearly lights.

Observing them, you reach a hand out and press your fingertip against one of the lights which chimes and twinkles loudly, similar to the fairy lights of the Slumbering Weald.

Up ahead, a white orb of light bobs towards your direction. It grows brighter and brighter and as you squint your eyes for a better look, you make out the shape of a figure heading your way through the thick fog.

It’s a pokemon - the shiny Lucario you had seen all those years ago.

He stops before you, his red eyes meeting yours; he looks no different than the last time you had seen him, his golden fur grizzled and washed out, his expression stoic and calm. The light is emitting from the tip of his staff, which stops glowing and dies away slowly.

“You have found us," he says, with a brief nod of his head. "Well done. Follow me.”

“Wait, what happened to Rotom?”

“He’s fine,” Lucario replies, “You needn’t worry. Come along now. Don’t fall behind.”

Nodding, you trail after Lucario silently as he leads you through the surreal mist. On this occasion, the journey is a short and straightforward, linear path.

When he stops, you join his side, revealing a familiar sinkhole that’s bathed in swirling fog.

“Gossamer Cave! It’s real!" you exclaim as you peer down the ledge; everything is indeed as you had remembered.

“Yes.” Lucario lowers his staff and points the tip at the foggy cave entrance. “You must go inside on your own.”

You nod. “I am alone.”

He shakes his head and draws his staff near his shadow and lifts, reeling something out; it’s a chubby black blob which unfurls to reveal Gengar. You exclaim loudly with surprise, and the pokemon grins sheepishly at you.

Lucario frowns and shakes his head. “You must go in alone.”

“Can he wait for me outside?” you say, and Lucario growls lowly from his throat.

“Fine,” he grunts out, after a brief while.

You smile with gratitude and thank the pokemon profusely before throwing your glance to Gengar. He grins at you widely and you share an embrace. “Why are you here?”

“I was worried,” says Gengar, and you both quickly pull away to blink with shock, realizing his voice could be heard clearly out loud. It must be this strange place; it’s blurring two realities together.

However, you and Gengar merely grin and throw your arms around each other once more, his stubby arms wrapping around your back tightly.

“Thank you, Gengar,” you murmur, the corner of your eyes brimming with tears. “Thank you so much. Where are the others?”

“They’re waiting for you in the Dusty Bowl,” he says. “Don’t cry. You’re not alone. We’re here for you.”

You nod, and he releases you.

Unaffected by your reunion, Lucario steps in and says sternly, “It’s time. We will wait for you here. Good luck.”

“Thanks, Lucario.”

You pass them and begin to descend the rocky stairs without further ado, holding onto the vines for support. A serious flicker of déjà vu flashes in your mind for a split second and promptly disappears. Déjà vu or not, you have been here before and everything is exactly as it was many years ago. This place has remained untouched and unburdened by humans which prompts you to believe that you could have entered a different dimension, somehow.

Once you reach the bottom, the gloomy and dark entrance of the cave awaits you. The entrance seems bigger than last time; the slit is wider and stretches high above your head.

This is what Ezra was training you for, and now it’s time.

Taking a deep breath, you mentally assure yourself that everything is going to be fine and you are doing the right thing, though your pounding heart seems to tell you otherwise.

Ezra told you an ancient relic can be found here, and it will help you. You trust your mentor with your life.

Stepping towards the dark slit in the wall, you reach into your bag and pull out your torch, switching it on. It will be your only source of light as you navigate through the darkness that awaits you; you shine the light further within and it stretches all the way into the tunnel but to your surprise, there is no dead end in sight.

The tunnel seems to go on and on.

“It’s changed,” you murmur to yourself and as you step inside, a loud crumbling sound permeates the stillness and the entire cave trembles.

You turn round, witnessing the entrance close up behind you; vines entwine together, rocks and mud are pushed into each other by some unknown, unseen force. You're quickly sealed in, and you swallow down.

There's no way out... and you shine your torch around the gloomy walls, listening out for nothing but the casual drip of water from the stalactites splashing over the ground.

The interior of the cave has indeed changed since the previous venture. The left wall is covered entirely with cave paintings of stick figures and you presume this is supposed to be a depiction of early humans.

Stepping closer, you stop in front of the mural and reach over, running your fingertip over the dried paint and rub your fingers together; the paint falls off your skin in tiny flakes.

Following the rest of the pictures along the way, they progress from meaningless stick figures to a series of red handprints along with several names etched beside them, only there aren’t many names that match the number of handprints. You do not recognize the names until you come across Ezra’s name.

These must be the names of people who came here before you, and you glimpse up and around until you spot a rockpool near the wall brimming to the full with a thick, viscous red liquid which appears to be the origins of the paint.

You crouch by the pool and with your other hand, slowly press your palm into the ink, then find a random space on the wall and press your palm flat over the cold, uneven surface. Lifting your palm off, you see your name suddenly appearing on the wall from the stone and your eyes widen.

You decide to follow the rest of the paintings, moving along the wall. The paintings move from showing early humans carrying spears, to humans accompanied with prehistoric pokemon such as Aerodactyl, Kabutos and Omanytes.

The paintings unfortunately come to an end, and the last one shows an unsettling, bizarre-looking blob painted in black by an abundance of red dots that surround it in a spherical fashion.

You scrutinise this picture thoroughly, coming to the conclusion that whatever it’s meant to be, it's similar to the shadow creature that attacked you although this painting depicts it surrounded by humans who are bowing down, most likely in worship. Some of the painted figures are accompanied with small pokemon, too.

You move onto the next set of paintings that are far more colourful; a shining white creature has been painted, surrounded by an ochre ring: Arceus.

There are also early depictions of Palkia, Dialga and Giratina along with a drawing of a large red pokemon which you can only believe is Groudon, followed by an elegant blue pokemon, Kyogre.

It’s a timeline of ancient history, and a faint rumble captures your attention and you shine your torch towards the tunnel that lies ahead.

It had come from deep within.

You grow still, listening and staring into the darkness where the light doesn’t reach.

Holding your breath, you wait for a reply as the ground beneath you quakes and the grumbling from within grows louder and louder until a red light flickers briefly from deep within the tunnel.

Cocking your head to the side, you make a move forwards until your torch wavers, the light flickering on and off and growing dimmer and dimmer.

“Shit,” you curse under your breath, giving the device a few hefty slaps with the heel of your palm.

When you get it working back to proper order, the red light has vanished and your brows furrow in confusion.

There's something down there and there are no other areas of interest here so you must continue to move forwards; you carefully navigate your way into the tunnel which descends to a rather steep path that leads you deeper and deeper into the belly of the cave. Along the way, you are mindful of sharp rocks that stick out from the ground and sides and the more you venture, the colder it becomes.

Pulling your coat tightly to yourself, you plod through until the path expands, revealing a large clearing and as you arrive, your breath lodges in your throat.

The cave itself is larger inside than it looks compared to outside, with magnificent, huge walls that stretch all the way to unknown heights. You’re certain if you shine your torch up, the beam of the light would not be able to reach the ceiling.

A square, stone platform stands in the middle of the cave, with four pillars in each corner. Huge runes have been carved on the stone pillars, and you recognise some of them from Ezra’s teachings. Some are faded but from you can make out, they spell a simple message which translates to ‘He Who Hath Come Hath Thy Eyes’.

You wander towards the platform, standing in the middle. Below, a pentagram in a perfect circle has been etched along with a symbol in the very middle, one you don’t recognise.

The rumbling stirs the atmosphere once again, except it sounds closer now, much, much closer….coming from above…and the cavern walls tremble and you instinctively take a few steps backwards, glancing around cautiously.

You are no longer alone; a shadow swoops down from the ceiling and lands on the platform.

The impact sends you tumbling backwards and you drop over the ground, rolling awkwardly before you manage to regain your balance and with your torch, you quickly gather yourself back up and shine the light on the creature.

It’s a dark blob….and it doesn’t move, doesn’t react to your light shining on its form. It’s still, as though frozen in time but occasionally disrupted with a slight twitch accompanied with a low, buzzing, or humming noise and you slowly rise to stand, pushing yourself off the ground.

It appears to be assembling itself; though its body seems to be nothing but darkness, you can make out wave-like ripples and swirls on the surface that run throughout its body in casual waves…as though it’s unfurling and curling. It moves like a fabric in water though its texture appears anything but smooth.

There’s many thoughts racing through your mind: organic or inorganic? Sentient or not? Malicious or benevolent?

Surprisingly, you do not feel threatened by its presence and as it continues to transform, it begins to twitch violently until two rudimentary appendages bursts out from its back, twisting together and stretching up high into the air. They’re wings, and they divide into four, then six.

A single dot of red light accompanies it, shining brightly in the middle of the dark mass. It soon splits into two, then three, four….five…It continues to divide until there are a total of eight that begin to rotate clockwise in a hypnotic fashion.

They swivel and weave in enticing motions before they group together to form a horizontal line in front of you. Then they quickly assemble into a vertical line and finally, a small, shapeless cluster. These strange lights hover close to your right, peer at you up and down, then hastily retreat and move to your left and do the same. They appear to be curious about you, inspecting you keenly.

It's identical to what you saw in your bedroom.

Not lights, you think to yourself. Eyes.

The creature is huge, towering many feet over you. Unable to tear your gaze away, you throw your glance left, right and up as the eyes return to its main position in the centre and regard you intensely in return.

Not a human.

Not a pokemon.

“Deimos,” you breathe out.

The eyes glow softly in response, enticing you to come forwards.

Taking one minuscule step, you slowly raise a hand - your hand cannot stop shaking – and though your gesture is bold, to touch it, it stays still and your palm lands on a cold but smooth surface and what feels like a cool breeze surges through your entire body, sending tingles down your spine. You let out a loud gasp from the sensation and retreat your palm.

The crippling fear, the loneliness, the agony, the despair...

It has all but disappeared.

"I know why you're here," a quiet voice whispers in the dark.

It's deep but gentle...and it doesn’t sound male or female...or anything at all, if possible.

“You’re the one who Ezra spoke to when he was a child. You taught him,” you murmur. “And you helped him all those years ago, too. It was you.”

"You want to learn how to stop Phobos.”

"Phobos?"

The eyes join together and arrange themselves, moving towards the ceiling; they shift from blood red to a golden glow at once, the eyes growing glossy. You believe it's looking at something.

“Phobos is one of my kin. He revels in chaos, enjoys feeding more than I do, and he enjoys wreaking havoc unto humans and pokemon.”

You're confused. What exactly are Deimos and Phobos? “Why me? Why Rosie...my mum and dad???”

“You and your sister possess aura, and a large amount of it. Your sister was devoured for that reason, and you’re next. Your mother and father were unfortunately fodder along the way. You are correct; Phobos must be stopped, in order to preserve the balance of the universe."

Its glossy red eyes shows your reflection and the expression on your face...you have never seen yourself look so awestruck yet petrified at the same time, and it's as though it's looking at you too, staring right into your soul.

"You...you'll help me?" you stutter out, swallowing down thickly.

"Yes."

You hold your breath.

"You're in pain. And you have been, for a very long time. I can take it all away. I can make it stop.”

Nodding weakly, your mouth quivers as a shaky breath leaves your throat.

"I just want this nightmare to end," you whisper. "What do I need to do?"

"Let's form a pact," it says. "You and I."

...

You emerge from the cave.

Gengar and Lucario head over; the Pokemon are pleased to see you and as you meet them, you and Gengar share an embrace once more.

“What happened? You were inside for a long time. Did you find it?” Gengar asks as you pull away with a nod.

“I found it,” you reply, smiling, “I know what to do. Everything's going to be okay now. Let's go back.”

Gengar nods; he does not fail to notice the distinct shade of your eyes, which is a curious shade of red.

…

EXTRA NOTES: (these are from AO3, I added them incase anyone is confused -

Deimos was actually meant to converse a bit more with Reader, but the more it did, the more it lost the mystery that surrounds it.

Honestly I wasn't sure myself if this was the right direction to go but I didn't think it would be convincing if Deimos turned out to be a pokemon - Darkrai for example, or even a pokemon I made up because I think that would be hard to imagine - so I've kept Deimos as this cosmic entity/eldritch horror that resides in a cave which is only accessible by those who possess an extremely high level of aura.

It's kind of similar to Mirage Island, I guess?? but it will also not appear unless the individual possesses a high level of aura too. Reader is a late bloomer, which is why it took her so long to reach this stage. Deimos and Phobos are kin, but Phobos is evil and Deimos can be considered good. If you have further questions please feel free to ask.

[marvelsdc22]

Into The Wild West Christmas Special

Intro: Hello, lovelies!! I figured since I can’t give you guys the constant updates to this series like I should, I would bring you guys a christmas special!! This is one of the two big ones I have planned, this will be connected to the series in the future, so I hope you guys enjoy!! :)

Note: It’s Christmas time with the gang and while they don’t celebrate a lot of things, they make sure to go all out for Christmas time! What gifts does Y/N and Kara have planned to give to their crushes? Read to find out!

Word Count: 2335

Heading into Valentine with Arthur, you tugged your heavy coat on you just a little tighter “Why did Dutch send us here again?” You asked, looking at him and letting him lead the way “He couldn’t get away, wanted us to come and pick up some things for Christmas dinner” he said, glancing at you as you guys headed for the butcher “Wait Christmas?” You asked, you having lost track of the days as you dug in your pack for your journal where you had made a little calendar of sorts “Yes Christmas, Y/N” Arthur laughed, giving you a small shove before he stepped up to the butcher stand and started ordering what Dutch wanted him to get.

You furrowed your brow and looked around, you had been meaning to get something for Sadie but the days had gotten away from you, raising a brow when you spotted the gunsmith “Hey Arthur, I’ll be back” You promised him, touching his arm to make sure he was paying attention before you headed over to the gunsmith, barely stepping foot into the store when the owner greeted you “Hello there, little lady, what can I get for ya?” He asked, leaning on his hands on the counter and watching as you approached “What kind of pistols do you have?” You asked, looking at him and watching as he gave you a small smile before pushing the catalog in front of you “Take a look”.

After about ten minutes and about 300 dollars later, you carefully put the new LeMat Revolver in your pack, looking around and see Arthur struggling to carry all the items in his hands back to the wagon you guys arrived in, you taking off to catch up to him “Give me some of those, dummy” you scolded, taking some of the items from him to help lessen the load “So, what’d you get?” Arthur asked after the two of you split the items “None of your business” you said simply, giving him a smirk before you both headed for the wagon “We have one more stop to make” he said, knowing you were hiding something, but he wasn’t going to push the matter “Alright, lets get to it then” you said, hopping into the front of the wagon and taking the reins “I’m driving!” You said, barely giving him the chance to get settled in the front with you before you took off.

“Do we have everything?” You asked, loading the last bit of gifts into the wagon “We do, lets head back to the camp” Arthur said, dusting his hands off after tying down the items “I’m driving this time” Arthur said, causing you to pout as you got in the front of the wagon with him “Come on, I’m not that bad of a driver” you said, looking at him and sighing and rolling your eyes when he gave you a look “It was one tree!” You pouted, crossing your arms and ignoring his laugh as he had the horses move forward.

Once you guys got back to camp and got everything unloaded, you looked around and saw Kara and Lena talking with Alex and Maggie, digging in your pack, you pulled out the four gifts that you had gotten them, walking over to their small group “Hey guys… I got you guys something” you said, handing them their gifts and watching as they raised an eyebrow at you “What is it?” Kara finally asked, giving you a confused look and you smiled “Pull them” you said, watching as they all did and a decent sized dagger appeared from the sleeves “Those can be the difference between life or death in sticky situations” you said, watching as they looked at them, each of them having different designs and colors depending on each of them “Thank you… We don’t have anything for you though-“ Alex said, getting caught off by you waving a hand “Don’t worry about it, you guys are one of us now” you said, looking at them and shoving your hands in your pockets “I’ll see you guys for dinner tonight, Merry Christmas” you said, heading off towards your spot and hearing them say it back.

xxxxxx

Kara watched as you headed off and grabbed Sid before you rode off into the woods, knowing you were going to your spot then she looked at the others “We should get her something… She’s done so much for us here” she said, looking over when Maggie spoke up “But what could we get her? We don’t know this world very well” she pointed out, which was a good point since they all had only dropped in a month ago and there was still so much more to see “Lets head into town and split up there” Kara suggested, standing up and dusting herself off, all of them heading for their horses before they took off for Valentine.

After a bit, they arrived at Valentine and hopped off their horses before tying them up “Alright, split up and come back here once you’re done” Lena said, looking at the other three before everyone split up, Kara heading for the clothing store and looking around “Can I help ya?” The owner asked, watching as Kara looked at him and gave him a smile “I was just looking, can I see that?” She asked, pointing at the catalogue and thanking him when he pushed it in front of her, looking through it and stopping when she saw this silver necklace with an emerald pendant in the middle of it “How much for this?” She asked, pointing to the necklace and watching as the owner smiled.

Heading out of the store, Kara secured the necklace in the front pocket of her pack before returning to the horses “Did you find anything?” She asked, looking at Lena, who was petting her horse and watching as she turned to face her “I found some boots that could work, hers are a little rundown” Lena said, looking at Kara “You?” She asked, brushing her hair behind her ear and Kara, unable to help herself as she stared at the movement “No, nothing… Boots work” she stuttered out when she realized she had been staring for too long, Lena was going to be the death of her one of these days.

xxxxx

Sitting down by the river and leaning back against a large rock while you let Sid graze behind you, you pulled out the revolver and ran your thumb along the solid black handle before you reached into your pack for your stuff, pulling out a needle that you had stolen from Tilly, she wouldn’t miss it in the time that you needed it for, setting the revolver on your leg before you set to work, sketching out an intricate design on the handle and being sure to add in Sadie’s initials to it, your tongue sticking out slightly as you worked on the design.

xxxxx

After they bought the boots, they headed back to the camp, seeing everyone running around trying to get everything together for the dinner “Need any help?” Kara asked, looking at Mary-Beth, who gave her a smile “Yes please, help me put these up” she said, handing Kara some tinsel to put around the camp “You got it” Kara said, giving her a smile before she headed off to hang some of it on trees and tents around the camp.

“How’s the decorating going?” Lena asked, causing Kara to jump and nearly fall from the tree she had climbed “Well besides the heart attack you just gave me, it’s going fine” she said, looking to make sure no one was looking before she flew down and landed in front of Lena “So sorry” Lena said teasingly, reaching over and pushing the snow that had landed on Kara’s coat off of her “Sure you are… Everything going well with making the dinner?” She asked, looking at Lena and shoving her hands in her pockets, hoping that Lena wouldn’t notice the blush on her face “Oh, I’m in charge of the drinks, we have a fine selection of beer, whiskey, and rum” Lena said, looking at her and about to say something else when Dutch hollered for everyone to meet at his tent.

xxxxx

Getting back to camp, you heard Dutch calling for everyone to meet at his tent, you staring in awe at the camp since you guys never really celebrated anything, but Christmas was one of the ones that Dutch went all out for, hopping off Sid and tying him up before you headed up to the small crowd, standing behind Sadie and Tilly as you listened to what Dutch had to say.

“Now, I know that things have been a little difficult for us this year… But, we’re going to get through all of this together, I don’t want to hear anything about work or any heists or anything like that today… Today is for us to celebrate our family, the old ones-” he said, gesturing to Hosea “The new ones-” gesturing to Kara and them “The young ones-“ gesturing to Jack “And the forever loyal ones-“ gesturing to you, Arthur, and John “Without all of us, we wouldn’t be the family we are… Now, lets dig in and have a good time tonight” he said, causing everyone to cheer before everyone went to grab food and drinks.

After a few hours, you steeled yourself and approached Sadie “Hey, can we take a walk?” You asked, looking at her and watching as her and Mary-Beth shared a look you’d never seen before Sadie set her beer down and nodded, following you a little ways until you found yourselves over by the cliff on the edge of camp “I got you something” you said, digging in your pack and pulling out the revolver you had gotten her “Merry Christmas” you said, handing it to her and watching as she looked the weapon over, running her fingers over the pattern on the handle “How’d you get this pattern?” She asked, able to see it in the moonlight.

“I did it myself” you said, biting your lip and watching as she looked at you in shock “You did this?” She asked, looking at the weapon once more “Yeah, I thought that you’d appreciate the revolver and that you would like your own design on it-“ you rambled, getting interrupted by her engulfing you in a hug “Thank you, this is an amazing gift” she said softly, pulling back and kissing your cheek before she dug in the pocket of the apron she had on, placing something in your hand before she escaped back to the party, you looking at what she had given you and seeing it was a very crudely made bracelet, but you loved it since you knew she made it, knowing it wouldn’t fit your wrist, so you instead went over to Sid and tied it to his saddle, you would forever treasure this.

xxxxx

Kara watched as everyone split up into partners for dancing, watching as Alex and Maggie slow danced together with Dutch and Molly and Arthur and Mary-Beth “Can I have this dance?” She heard someone ask, looking up and seeing Lena standing there in her large black coat and her long black hair pulled back in a braid, her black cowboy hat off “Sure” Kara said, smiling some and taking her hand, letting Lena lead her to the ‘dance floor’ before resting her hands on her waist while Lena’s were wrapped around her neck.

“Are you doing okay?” Kara asked softly after a few silent moments, having not checked up on her in a few days so she wanted to make sure she was doing okay “Yeah, still trying to find out how to get out of here, are you doing okay?” Lena asked, looking up at Kara since she had slight height advantage on her “Yeah, I’m okay” she assured, giving her a small smile before biting her lip “I have something for you” she said, pulling back slightly and taking her hand, pulling her away from the crowd.

“I saw this earlier and… I wanted you to have it” Kara said, digging through the front pocket of her pack and pulling the necklace out, holding it in front of her and watching as Lena stared at it in shock “Kara… It’s beautiful” she said, running her finger along the emerald gem before turning away from her “Put it on me?” She asked, placing her hand on the pendant when Kara put the necklace on her “Thank you, I love it” she said, turning to look at Kara before she dug in her coat pocket and held a small box out to Kara “I got you something too”.

Kara smiled and took the small box, going and sitting down on a log nearby, Lena following suit and sitting down next to her “You didn’t have to get me anything” Kara said, looking at Lena and laughing when she nudged her “Just open the damn box” she chuckled, watching as Kara opened the box and smiled, pulling out the small brooch that was in the box, it being a jeweled butterfly, blue and red “I love it, thank you” she said, smiling at Lena and pinning it to her pack before the two of them looked up at the stars “If there’s one thing that I love here, it’s that you can see the stars” she said, smiling some and tensing up when she felt Lena rest her head on her shoulder “Me too, makes me wish we didn’t live in a big city” she said, snuggling into Kara’s side and smiling when Kara finally wrapped an arm around her “Merry Christmas, Kara” she said softly, smiling as she looked at her “Merry Christmas, Lena” Kara said, giving her a smile before they went back to looking at the stars which seemed to be even brighter that night.

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End Note: I hope you guys enjoyed!! If you’d like to be added to a Taglist, shoot me a DM or an Ask!! Have a good day/night!! :)

Requests Open

[icarialex]

Discord Threads

Who: Zoey Katz and Kassandra West @kassmeifyoucan​

When: February 12th

Where: Little Icaria, Beach, then Zoey’s doorstep

What: Zoey takes Kassandra out on a date. Before Robin beats Kassandra up and she shows up to Zoey’s a bloody mess.

Zoey

Once they were seated, Zoey decided to reply to some things Kass said as they were walking. “Amaze you? By shapeshifting? It’s not really something I worked hard to obtain. I was just born with it. Comes with the mom being Demeter thing,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. Zoey was happy to talk about her mother. While the two weren’t close, she had a better relationship than many others on the isle. The blonde understood that being a Goddess and a parent didn’t really blend well. Still, she appreciated that her mother seemed to try and check in on her when she could. Quickly getting tired of the idea of sitting across from Kassandra, the blonde moved to sit on her side of the booth and just quickly maneuvered the table settings to accommodate what she wanted. She’d never understood why it was customary for people to sit that way. Dates were supposed to be an intimate affair. Sitting across made conversation easy, but seriously limited touching. She’d rather just turn her body slightly while talking. “Oh,” she asked playfully as she reached for her glass of water that was just placed at their table. “Is that because only you want to see me naked or are you protecting my honor,” she asked over the rim of the glass before taking a sip to hide her smirk slightly. 

.

Now that they were next to each other again, Zoey reached for Kass’ hand and started absentmindedly playing with her fingers. “Me? No, not really,” she said with a shrug. “I stopped by my parents’ house this week for dinner. Even though we literally live less than eight minutes away from each other, they still think me having my own apartment puts me in a whole new world or something.” The illustrator affectionately rolled her eyes as she talked about her dad and step mother. They were such a silly duo, and anyone that met them could see where Zoey got her quirky and affectionate nature from. “I don’t know if I’d call having a woman wrapped in a bedsheet boring, but hey, if that’s your boring I’d hate to see you having a wild time.” She made sure to keep a smile on her face as she made light of the situation. Although it made something stir in her abdomen, she could deal with it more easily now that the two of them weren’t being so odd anymore. 

“Tonight? You seem to give me the lead on most things,” she retorted. Fortunately, she didn’t need to look at the menu really to know what was best on it. She was a big fan of Little Icaria and had been more times than she could count. It was also her dad’s favorite place to take her since it opened. When their waiter returned, she smiled at him as she asked, “Can we get a bottle of the Pinot noir please? Also, I’m going to have the sea bass, and this beautiful woman is going to have the lamb. Lamb medium please, and the sids that they come with is great.” With that put in, she was happy to see him take away their menus. Since she was paying, she didn’t need Kass looking at prices and then getting all unnecessarily self conscious. “I’d order appetizers, but seriously, the plates are such a nice size here that we will not finish our main dishes if I did.”

Kassandra

Kassandra tried not to feel some sort of jealousy at the way Zoey could so easily talk about her Godly parent. Family, really. Not once had Kass ever even mentioned her father to Zoey. Not out of hiding, just out of not really seeing the point. Okay... Maybe a little bit out of hiding. Part of her wanted to say something about her father, give some more common ground to bond over but before she could even say anything, Zoey was doing the unthinkable. The brunette blinked slowly in shock as her friend decided that sitting across from her just wouldn't do. Now she was sitting next to her, their legs touching. As if on instinct, or maybe because she didn't know what to do with it, she moved her right arm so it was laying along the back of the seat. "Hi there." Gods. Who the fuck said that after something as innocent as just sitting closer to someone. Grabbing for her water, she began to drink from it greedily. That is until Zoey asked her if she wanted to see her naked. Kassandra's eyes went wide, almost slamming the cup down as she choked, water going down the wrong pipe for a moment. "The uh... The choice of who sees you naked is uh... Up to you." She  managed to squeak out, clearing her throat with a well-timed cough.

It didn't take long for Zoey to do that thing where she got bored and needed to do something with her hands, Kassandra being brought out of her panic to only fly straight into another wall. The blonde had now acquired her hand and was playing with her fingers causing Kass to bite her lower lip. Instead of thinking about how much her heart was pounding or how ridiculous she was being for getting nervous over absolutely nothing, she tried to focus on Zoey talking so freely about her parents. Once again she wanted to say something about her mother or even Kratos but it was just hard to get the words out. None of them seemed right enough. Or happy enough. Once again, Kass wasn't prepared for the mental whiplash as Zoey talked so nonchalantly about the woman that she'd seen in her room a while back. Clearing her throat once more, she shrugged. "She wasn't boring. That was just... Not memorable." Eyes closed in a wince, ducking her head for a moment. "That sounds awful. I just mean... She wasn't meant to be anything more than a.... Nevermind. I'm just digging myself a deeper hole."

Letting out a deep breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding, Kassandra watched with a slightly shocked expression as Zoey ordered for them both. Sure, she'd offered the idea up to her on a silver platter but Zoey didn't even really look at the damned menu. She must take people out to dinner often. Which, of course meant that this wasn't a special occurrence. This was just something that made Zoey... Zoey. "I'm excited to eat the food. I trust your judgement." For a moment she stayed silent, mind wandering off to other things until she tuned back into the woman sitting next to her. "My uh... My dad likes to joke about how he blessed me with my gifts." She inhaled sharply, pushing past the uncomfortable feeling swirling in her gut. "Honestly, the strength is a pretty nice thing to have as a girl. Especially growing up where I did. My mom never really knew how to deal with the fact that I was super strong. She wanted me to hide it so I did. Wasn't allowed to play sports because she didn't want me hurting the other girls. I snuck them though... Until I broke Spencer's leg and then that kind of stopped." Kassandra looked down at the table, focusing on the napkins and the silverware. "Sorry if I'm not good with talking about my parents. Mom isn't uh... Anyway. And my dad is kind of busy. Ya know... Being a God and all. You might have heard of him? Kratos." Somehow, telling Zoey who her father was didn't feel nearly as scary as it did when she had to tell her boss. "He's kinda cool. Kind of a dick too. Guess that's where I get it from."

Zoey

When Kassandra started nearly coughing, blue eyes went wide as she tried to rub her back. Honestly, she should probably feel bad, but she didn’t. Getting a reaction out of the woman who so often tried to play it cool was fun. She also had no other way of learning if any of the confusing feelings she was feeling were returned. Well, unless Kassandra decided to just broach the subject which she doubted. From what she’d learned of the woman so far, that didn’t seem likely. “Mmm — that it is, and me asking you if you would want to be the one who saw me or just want to defend my honor wouldn’t take away that choice,” she agreed with a nod once she was sure her friend was done choking. “But you mentioned how you might feel which has me curious about what’s going through that pretty head of yours.” Complimenting Kass was becoming easier and easier for Zoey. Words of affirmation were always easy for her in regards to anyone she cared about. 

.

People sleeping around for fun was not an unknown concept to Zoey, and she didn’t judge it. Just because it wasn’t something for her didn’t mean that she thought it was wrong. The blonde just knew herself well. Sex wasn’t something she held in a high regard, and she needed to feel something for someone in order to even contemplate going there. Although, her thoughts towards the act were wavering due to the thoughts plaguing her mind lately were changing, and it had everything to do with the person sitting next to her. “You’re not digging yourself into anything with me,” she said gently as she absentmindedly drew patterns on Kass’ palm. “I don’t judge sleeping around. If that’s something you can do, then awesome. If it makes you happy, then who am I to judge? I just know myself to know I can’t because I am not someone who gets sexual unless I have a connection with someone. Doesn’t make my way of seeing things better than yours or worse. We’re just different.” Zoey hoped that explaining the way she thought about it would stop Kass from thinking it was in any way horrible or shady.

The waiter brought out their bottle of wine quickly and poured them each a glass before disappearing again. “My dad brings me here whenever he wants to go out to dinner. It’s why I’ve tried just about everything,” she said with a light laugh. “His philosophy is that he has to try everything once, so that makes tackling menus a game of sorts until we’ve covered it all. I’ve never ordered for someone though, so hopefully I did okay. We can also just pick at each other’s food since the portions are so big to get a bit of everything if you want.” Zoey didn’t really know the protocol for these things, but she was just going off instinct. Even if Kass didn’t tell her if she didn’t like something, she could rely on her observation skills to figure it out and adjust. “You have enhanced strength,” she asked curiously as she learned more about the woman besides her. “I will officially never feel bad about sitting on your lap or jumping on you.” The illustrator taking leaping jumps to greet people she really cared for wasn’t new. At least she knew with Kass that she wouldn’t have to worry about toppling them both to the floor. “I can’t imagine what it was like growing up in a world where you had to be careful with powers since I grew up here. I’m glad you eventually found your way here though so you can just be yourself. That has to be less stressful.” While her shifting had gotten her trapped in the zoo a few times, that was a very mild consequence in comparison to what could happen outside of Icaria. “School covered a ton of theGods, so yes, I’m familiar with your dad,” she answered with a smile. However, it quickly turned into a frown at Kass’ following words. “You’re not that. You’re sweet, a little awkward, and really silly when you want to show that side of yourself. I really like you, and who you are,” she said with a shrug.

Kassandra

Green eyes found blue as Zoey responded to her with such earnest and honest words. And then her brain melted as she realized that the blonde said that she really liked her. Her mouth went dry and all sensible thought left the damned window as she just held her gaze for a moment that probably stretched on far longer than most would deem acceptable among just friends. "I uh... Thanks, Zoey. It means a lot. I just don't really feel comfortable around people. Not anymore. But with you, I don't know... It's different. You're different." Kassandra's eyes went wide, squeezing Zoey's hand for a moment. "I don't mean that in a bad way! I just meant, like, you make me feel like I can be the me that... That I haven't been able to be in a very, very long time. I actually, uh--I kind of forgot she existed for a while." She wasn't even remotely about to go into how that girl had basically been dead in the water for a decade, not really wanting to ruin this date not date that they were on. Date. Her mind drifted back to the earlier bit of the conversation that had kind of gotten broken away from when Zoey asked about how she felt with her being naked due to her shifting. Everything went blank for a moment, not even realizing she'd started speaking until it was too late.

"I'm pretty sure that if I ever saw you naked, I'd short circuit. Have you seen you?" Her brain slowly caught up with her words, thankful that Zoey couldn't see the hand that was resting on the back of the booth as it was now gripping the material tightly. "I definitely now see what you mean by awkward." She wanted to facepalm but one hand was gripping the booth and the other was currently being held by Zoey, trying to not melt with how she was drawing random shapes and patterns against her skin. "I'm glad I found my way here too. The place is growing on me. And, well...." Kassandra trailed off, her other hand that had been trying to maintain a grip on her sanity moved of its own free-will and found itself placed lightly on Zoey's upper back, gentle circles being rubbed. "You kind of were the reason for all of that. So thank you." She smiled gently, far too gently for her liking, and quickly moved her hand back to its previous positioning. Part of her wanted to down the wine that was on the table and the other part of her wanted to actually give her full and undivided attention to Zoey without anything fogging her mind. The wine remained untouched.

Zoey

Kass’ words had an effect on Zoey, and she was trying very hard to keep it under wraps. Acting on those feelings without even fully understanding what they meant wasn’t smart. Plus, if she did and messed up such a feeling of comfort for her friend, she’d feel terrible. Still, her blue eyes couldn’t help themselves as her eyes looked down towards Kassandra’s lips for a millisecond longer than could be passed as innocent before snapping back up. Words still couldn’t leave her lips which only made the air grow thicker because those green eyes weren’t helping. Never someone to get lost in the physical, Zoey felt herself being drawn further into a space she didn’t understand. Luckily, the waiter chose that moment to bring their food down, and she was thankful. She had no idea how that would have gone, and she needed a moment to catch her breath. After thanking him, she turned towards Kass again. “I’m happy I do that for you, but don’t think this is one sided. You make me very happy. My favorite days lately are the ones where I run into you, or when you find some excuse to come by my shop. You’re different to me, and I guess our different goes together.” Zoey couldn’t even explain it. Could she draw it? Probably, but words? Those weren’t always her best friends.

“Why would you short circuit,” she asked quietly as she spread the napkin out on her lap. She needed to understand if it was just because she was beautiful, or because it was her. That was a large distinction. “I know I’m attractive, but you there are attractive women everywhere, and you’re too smooth typically to short circuit. So, why?” Where her courage was coming from, she didn’t know. It wasn’t like she’d even touched her own glass of wine. She was too busy focusing on the company besides her to even think about it. 

Regrettably, she released the hand she was toying with and moved to work on her fish. There were many bones that needed to be taken out after all if Kass was going to try some. “I find your awkward endearing, if that helps,” she said with a giggle while working on the task at hand. “You don’t have to thank me. You’ve made this place feel even more like home which I didn’t think was possible, so we’re both happy. Now,” she started as she took a piece of fish with her fork before turning towards Kass. “You have to try this. I can’t believe you’ve been in Greece and haven’t tried our seafood. It’s criminal, Kass.”

Kassandra

Did Zoey just... No. No definitely not. She'd clearly seen things. Licking her lips, she was thankful for the waiter showing up at the perfectly imperfect time to bring them their ordered food. As she stared down at her plate, she felt her cheeks heat up, bringing her hands back to her sides in order to grab at the silverware. Part of her began to panic as she looked at the food that was waiting to be eaten, knowing that Zoey would cackle when she told her why she looked so awkward. Luckily for her, the blonde decided to speak up about--Wait. Oh no. Not luckily. Oh Gods. Her cheeks were blushing a deeper shade of crimson once more, fingers tightening on the silverware so much so that she felt them wince beneath her grip. Placing them down as gently as possible on the table, Kass let her hands go to rest in her lap. Like always whenever she got nervous or antsy, she began to play with her fingers, staring down at her lap in thought. She didn't know why this always happened when she was around Zoey. Granted, if she really allowed herself to truly go there, she'd figure it out quick enough. But something in her wasn't ready to admit it, definitely not out loud and certainly not in her own head. Not yet, anyway. So she smiled warmly at Zoey, the facial expression turning into a cocky smirk as she wrapped her hand around Zoey's and leaned over to take the offered fish meat off of the fork. Logically she knew she could have just reached for the fork and taken it into her own hand but this was much more tempting. Pulling away and chewing the food, she looked at Zoey thoughtfully as she swallowed. "I'm sorry that I'm a horrible human being. I will be sure to turn myself into the police under the crime of not ever having seafood in my life." She held up two fingers in a mock 'scout's honor' knowing full well that wasn't the hand signal.

Leaning back so she wasn't invading Zoey's space as much, she took a hold of her glass of wine and almost downed the entire thing. Hopefully Zoey wouldn't notice the absolutely insane move but given the fact that she could feel the heat of her gaze, it was safe to say she'd seen it all. And to make matters worse, just because she couldn't quite put a finger on how she felt towards the blonde didn't mean that her brain wouldn't fuck her over at every little turn. Which is why she started talking. Again. "I realized I never answered your question from earlier. But to answer it now... You're you, Zoey." Her words came out in a smaller voice than she would have expected it to. "There could be a thousand attractive women around and... And none of them would be you." After a moment where everything felt too real and she realized that everything had just stopped in their little pocket of the restaurant did she offer up an awkward chuckle. "Anybody else who didn't think the same is lying." There. Make it seem like some obvious thing that everyone else thought of. Yeah, that's super believable. She could slap herself. For fucks sake. Instead of doing that she chose to focus back on the food that awaited her, picking up at her utensils once more. Her brow furrowed, nose crinkling cutely as she stared down at the dish. "In other news, I regret to inform you but I grew up for the first half of my life being a vegetarian. So uh--I don't exactly know how to eat this." She quickly held up a fork. "I eat meat now! I just, ya know--its always been like. Oh look a burger. Oh look, chicken nuggies. Things that make sense and don't require previous knowledge other than open mouth and chew."

Zoey

If Zoey’s eyes didn’t become a darker blue due to the woman’s actions, she’d be surprised because she felt everything within her become thicker. Perhaps that wasn’t a word many would use in the situation, but it was the only one that made sense. An overwhelming feeling of desire became like a fog that covered the rest of her senses and mind which made it very hard to focus on anything else. Her eyes wanted to drift again, and once again she wasn’t successful at stopping their trajectory, but she did move them up once again quicker. “You’re a tease,” slipped past her lips before she even realized, but she didn’t regret the words when her ears picked up what she had said. How could the woman not see the effect she was having on the illustrator? The deeper breathing, glances, and comments were going to give her away sooner or later. Not to mention the date that she’d somehow manage to slyly get. “I’m glad you’re experiencing it with me then,” she replied honestly once the lust induced fog cleared a bit. “Although, turning yourself in won’t be necessary. I’ll take responsibility for you and correct this atrocity at once.” Playful was always an easier territory for the two of them. It seemed to lead to less trouble. 

Zoey noticed how quickly Kass seemed to drink her wine, but didn’t comment because she went through her own glass a little quickly. She then poured them another. With all the food around them, she knew she wouldn’t feel it too terribly. Thankfully she’d put down the wine bottle before the other woman spoke again because if she hadn’t, she was positive that it would have been dropped. Her food was forgotten for the moment as she shifted her body, so she was almost completely facing Kassandra. “Many people don’t see what you do, and I’m happy they don’t. If they did, what you tried to do would be successful. I’d actually believe your attempt to shrug it off as something less important than it is.” The blonde knew that if she said more, that she would genuinely get emotional or spill her own feelings that she didn’t make sense of herself yet. Zoey almost panicked at the mention of not eating meat until Kass clarified. Then, an endearing smile appeared on her face. “Cut the meat similar to a steak. The big piece that’s like hanging away from the bone is the best. Promise, there isn’t a wrong way to eat it. I won’t even judge if you picked up the bone and ate it like a wing,” she promised with a smile.

Kassandra

"Babe, you haven't experienced the kind of tease I can be." Kassandra muttered under her breath before nodding decisively and looking at the dish. "Alright I'll try. But if I eat it weird... Blame my mother." With a little awkwardness she began to cut the lamb in a slightly horrific manner and grumbled softly to herself. "Damn thing..." Finally after too many painstakingly long seconds, she got a decent size bite and chewed on it thoughtfully. "Well, I have to say that you've really outdone yourself on this whole ordering thing. This is actually really good." For a while she just ate her food in silence, sneaking glances at the other woman. She wasn't too terribly hungry after the day of nerves, trying to get up the gumption to actually talk to Zoey. Of course she'd offered up some of her food for Zoey to take, happy to return the sentiment. Now she was sipping at her water, refusing to go any further down wine lane. She'd just finished pushing the plate away, one hand on her stomach and the other having returned to the back of the booth. She was about to start talking about the rest of their evening when she noticed that Zoey had some wine on her upper lip.

For what wouldn't be the last time that night, Kassandra's body reacted of its own accord. Without even thinking, she turned her body more towards Zoey, her full attention to those lips that she desperately found herself wanting to kiss more and more. The hand that had been resting on her stomach moved toward's the other woman's face. "Hey you uh... You've got..." Kass trailed off, biting her own bottom lip in concentration as she brought the pad of her thumb up to trace along the curve of Zoey's lip, effectively getting the wine. Her breath hitched as she realized what she'd just done, hand frozen just a few inches away from Zoey's face. Someone cleared their throat, snapping her out of her trance. It was the waiter, asking if they wanted anything to go. "O-oh. Uh, yeah that'd be great. Just a second, I can pay for dinner." And just like that, whatever moment had been happening or almost happened was broken as Kass moved away to reach into her back pocket to grab for her wallet, effectively putting space between her and the woman that was causing all reasonable thought to leave her body.

Zoey

At Kass’ words, Zoey felt her body heat up and fill with anticipation all at the same time. “What if I wanted to experience it,” she said in a bit of a challenge. The artist had no idea what was happening, but she wasn’t overthinking it. All she knew was that she wouldn’t regret it since it seemed she wasn’t navigating the confusing waters alone. If she was, Kass would have let her down easily by now. At least, Zoey thought so. As the dinner kept on, she offered up more bits of her fish to the woman beside her. They were comfortable around each other, and it was different. Yes, she and Theo had always been comfortable, but he was more of her best friend. The atmosphere she was in during dinner was one with an undercurrent of wanting which she wasn’t used to and was growing to like. It was exciting, and she liked not feeling bashful as she took in the woman beside her, “I’m glad you like it.” 

When Kass touched her lip, Zoey felt her breathing stop for a moment. Actually, she was positive every part of her froze. Without even thinking, her lips puckered slightly to kiss the finger. Noticing that the hand stopped in midair, the illustrator reached for it and was about to tug it towards her to pull Kass forward when they were interrupted. She didn’t know whether to groan or be thankful that they didn’t share a kiss in the middle of Little Icaria, but she took the moment to regather herself for what felt like the millionth time. A smirk did appear on her face when she heard the waiter say the bill had been taken care of. He thanked her by calling her Ms. Katz as he handed her the receipt to sign. “I handed my card to the hostess when we got here,” she said without looking up as she calculated the tip to answer the silent question. “I asked you out, so I pay. That’s how it goes before you argue, and unless you have a creative way to shut me up, I’m quite stubborn.” Flirting was so easy with Kass which was weird. Zoey was sweet, funny, and caring, but smooth was not an adjective she’d use. Yet, there she was.

When their to go boxes were returned to them, Zoey took the brown bag and stood up from the booth. “Are you ready, darling,” she asked as she offered her hand to the woman she was struggling to continue thinking of as a friend.

Kassandra

'What if I wanted to experience it'. Her mind was a wreck. Zoey just kept saying and doing things that were slowly killing her. And what's worse is that she didn't know how to take it. On one hand, Zoey could just be a really easy-going flirt. And on the other? Zoey could actually be feeling whatever tension there was that had filled up this whole damned restaurant. Either way, Kassandra was trying desperately to find some sort of balance. It was barely possible, since just looking at Zoey made her want to throw all rational thought out the mother-fucking window and just kiss her until she was breathless and whimpering her name. Swallowing thickly, Kassandra tuned back into the present, brought back to her senses by Zoey standing up from the booth and offering her hand. Had... Had she just called her darling? The brunette blinked and took the offered hand as she scooted out of the booth. She was sure she'd missed something else that was important from the conversation but honestly, after what she'd said earlier? Everything else was a blissful blur.

As they began the walk towards the Inn, Kassandra kept quiet for as long as she could manage, just giving small squeezes to Zoey's hand to let her know that she was still mentally present enough to acknowledge her. It wasn't that she couldn't talk. She just was afraid of what she might fucking say if she did decide to open her mouth. Everything inside of her was screaming at her to do two very different things. Part of her wanted to invite Zoey to her room and have her way with her for the rest of the evening. The part of her that was definitely winning wanted to just do something as equally dumb--like hold her hand and just talk to her until the wee hours of the morning. Like some kind of fucking sap. No. Whatever was happening, or trying to happen, she couldn't let it continue. Right? She didn't do getting hurt. And whatever was happening would definitely lead to heartbreak. Be it her own or Zoey's. And she honestly didn't know if she could handle hurting the other girl. The problem with that is that's what she always did. She ruined people.

Once they got to the Inn, Kassandra took the leftovers out of Zoey's hands. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." She teased before doing another unthinkable, leaning down and kissing Zoey on the cheek. As she turned around, her eyes widened. Why the fuck are you doing this to yourself, Kassandra. She's probably just flirty with everyone and this doesn't mean anything. Do not even remotely think about fa--nope. No. She wasn't going to even think that word. No way. As she made her way into her room, she put the food into her mini-fridge and checked on her puppy. He was fast asleep and she didn't have the heart to wake him. It had only been about an hour and a half since she'd left so he'd be fine. Her eyes fell on a hard-case, wondering if this was really a good idea. Without thinking too long about it, Kassandra grabbed her car keys off the dresser and then grabbed the case, quickly exiting her room. Going out the back entrance, she loaded her car with the item and closed the trunk before getting inside and driving out to the front to where Zoey was waiting. "Shall we?"

Zoey

“Oh yes, because I’m just going to bolt on you,” she teased. Anything else that she was thinking of replying with fell dead on her lips due to the kiss on her cheek. Kass so far didn’t initiate affection, which didn’t bother Zoey, but then she did something to take her completely off guard. It left her only being able to follow the woman with her eyes as she went to her room, which only gave her something equally as problematic to focus on. The blonde wasn’t the type of girl to focus on someone’s butt, yet, there she was staring. Fortunately, Kassandra didn’t turn around. That would have caused her to blush profusely. 

The more time she spent around Kass, the more positive she was of her feelings. Emotionally she knew she was drawn, but the physical aspect was new. Then again, it had been a long time since she’d had a crush on anyone. After her break up, she didn’t really allow herself to go there. Not because she didn’t want to or was hurt, but because she wanted to learn more about herself before trying anything with anyone else. Then, whatever was happening decided to slap her in the face. Fortunately, she was taken out of her inner musings when a car pulled up and Kass got her attention. “And you told me not to go anywhere. You have a get away car and everything,” she teased as she opened the passenger door and slipped in.

“You do know we could have walked,” she teased lightly. Zoey herself didn’t even have a car. The island was so small she never needed one. Her father taught her how to drive since it was apparently a right of passage, but other than practicing every so often, she never used the skill. Since they were heading to the beach, the blonde reached for the bottom of her shirt and lifted it up over her head. She shook her hair out of the braid she had it in and relaxed against the seat. “I have a blanket in my bag. I actually am totally one of those girls that has just about everything in her purse.” It was why she carried what looked more like a satchel or knapsack than a traditional purse.

Kassandra

"I know we could have walked but the idea of you walking back to your place after being in the ocean doesn't really sit right with me. Hence, car." She didn't add the fact that it was much easier to lug around a certain item via a car than on her shoulders. Kass put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot, one hand on the gearshift and the other on the steering wheel. She found herself restricting her movement, not allowing herself to reach over and grab the other woman's hand. This was getting far too close into dating territory, or at least a variation of that and well, Kassandra didn't do that anymore.It didn't take long to make it to the beach, after all, they were on a relatively small island. When Kassandra originally thought of Icaria, she had imagined it being much larger. This? This wasn't at all to the scale she'd whipped up in her head. But in all honesty? It was better.

As they pulled up into a parking spot, Kassandra turned off the car and got out to quickly jog over to Zoey's car door, opening it. "It's the least I can do for the girl that wined and dined me. Also... I'm going to get something out of my trunk and you're not gonna look okay? I promise you it'll be worth your while. Just... Stay here..." Kassandra positioned Zoey so she was staring out towards the ocean before going over to the trunk and opening up the case, pulling out the instrument and strapping it to her back. Walking back over to Zoey, Kass gently placed her hands over the blonde's eyes as her torso pressed up against the blonde's back. "So.. While you go out in the ocean and get incredibly wet, I'm going to stay on the sand. Where its dry and isn't an abyss of death." She didn't dare let her mind focus on how exactly she'd started out that sentence.

Removing her hands, she walked around to stand in front of Zoey, curling her finger in a 'come hither' motion. "And don't worry about me getting bored. I've got something to keep me company in the meantime. Besides, I'll start a fire so you'll be nice and warm when you're ready to come out." Kassandra took this time to sling her guitar into view. Green eyes found blue for a moment, a faint blush spreading over her cheeks. "Before you even remotely say something about me being adorable--hush. I learned how to play when I was younger by the principle at my school. Between that and choir, it was pretty much all my mom would let me do." Instead of waiting for Zoey to start towards her, Kassandra reached forward and grabbed onto the blonde's hand. Interlacing their fingers together, she began to walk backwards for a couple steps, pulling Zoey towards her for a moment until she turned to face the ocean.

Zoey

Zoey shook her head playfully as she got out of the car. “If that impresses you, then I need to have a serious talk with the other people who have taken you out on dates,” she said in mock seriousness. What she’d done wasn’t even that big of a deal. Honestly, she was a bit annoyed with her impulsiveness. If she’d thought things through, it could have been better. Although, the two of them always seemed to have fun together, so it didn’t bother her too much. As Kass went to the trunk, Zoey leaned against the hood of the car by holding her wait up against her palms as she gazed at the ocean. She followed orders even though she was very tempted not to. 

When she was guided towards Kass and then felt the woman press into her back, she felt her body temperature skyrocket. Instead of letting herself feel frazzled, she instead reached back slightly just to squeeze the woman’s hips slightly and pull even the slightest bit closer. “Abyss of death is a little dramatic,” she teased lightly. “Also, you think very highly of my self control if you think I will be able to resist making you wet too.” If innuendo was the game they were going to play, then she’d have to keep up. It was exciting and frustrating. While she had no idea if she’d make a fool of herself, for some reason she didn’t worry about that much. She knew any teasing that came from Kass would be playful, or apparently aimed at making her flustered.

When the woman finally moved to stand in front of her and beckoned her over, Zoey just smirked and moved to remove her shorts first. When she was left in just her bikini, she finally obliged and moved towards the woman. Although, blue eyes shined as she caught sight of the guitar. That was not at all what she expected. “Adorable wasn’t the word I was going to go with. Hot is more what came to mind,” she said with a shrug. When Kass turned to look at the water, Zoey moved beside her and bumped her hip lightly. “Do you want me to go in the water so you can warm up? That’s the only reason I’d go instead of staying with you right now. I would be perfectly content just laying beside you on the blanket and being with you.” She had the blanket in the bag and their dessert. It would be perfectly relaxing for Zoey, but she understood nerves, so she’d go in the water if needed.

Kassandra

The fact that Zoey was basically naked save for a bikini was enough for Kassandra to keep her gaze completely forward. She really didn't need to look like a complete and utter perv by checking out her friend. "Zo, you said you were gonna go to the beach and if that involves night swimming then don't let me take you away from that. Besides, you can lay down near me once you're ready to get cozy by a fire." Not to mention that would give just some time alone to her thoughts where she could mentally scream at whatever the hell was going on with this evening. Her train of thought led her back to when Zoey had mentioned how she'd have to have a serious talk about others who had taken her on dates. Did she tell her? Or did she just avoid the subject. It would probably be best to avoid it all together.

"I've uh... Never actually been taken out on a date." If Kassandra could look into a camera like she was on the Office, she would. Her mouth and brain were not in communication it seemed. "I've been on dates!" She quickly clarified, sighing deeply. "I was just the one that took her out on the dates." Her. Singular. Fuck. Stop giving away so much of your shitty, painful past tonight, West. "Oh look! A fire pit. That's nice, just means I get to light it and we'll be good to go!" Kass was thankful for the distraction as they neared the shore. Letting go of Zoey's hand, Kassandra looked around for a moment before spotting what she'd need. Setting her guitar down near the fire-pit, she walked a bit away to a rather large piece of driftwood. With ease, she lifted it up and brought it over to the fire-pit, setting it down with a loud thunk.

Kneeling down in the sand, she pulled out a lighter and began the process of lighting the kindling. Within a few moments the fire began to roar in front of her and she dusted off the sand from her hands. "Alright, I'll be here whenever you're ready to come out of the water. If you need me, call me. I hate the water but if you need me, I'll brave it for you." Kassandra said with a smirk. That was easy. Playful banter was so much easier than admitting that there was truthfully something going on. But Gods, was she finding herself more and more wanting to do something about what she felt every time she saw the blonde. But for now? For now she'd just sit by the fire, play her guitar, and throw her lust out the window. Cause that's all it was. Lust. Mmmmmmmmmhmmmmmm.

Zoey

“Kass,” she said teasingly in response before continuing. “That was before I ran into you, and I’d much rather be with you than burning off steam because I wasn’t seeing you.” She almost scolded herself for letting that out, but saying how she felt for those awkward weeks was a relief. She felt like a weight was lifted. “Also, you better know getting cozy next to a fire includes cuddling you when you aren’t playing. Just laying that expedition down now.” Still, she wouldn’t fight her on going into the water. It looked like a really nice night, and that didn’t mean she had to be gone long. 

“You hadn’t been taken out on a date,” she corrected lightly. Zoey didn’t know how much more clear she had to be about what her intentions were that evening, but she’d repeat it if necessary. “Whoever she was, obviously was an idiot if she didn’t want to treat you to something special every once in a while. I mean, I’d never taken anyone out on a date before until tonight, but I wanted to because you deserve to be taken care of sometimes too.” Zoey was thankful that she’d said that while Kass was busy setting up the fire because she didn’t know if she’d gotten it all out otherwise. Suddenly, she thought that getting a swim in was a good idea to get her emotions in check. “I could just shift into a water animal, but thanks for your courage,” she teased. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”

As the blonde walked towards the water, she stretched lightly. The temperature was perfect since Khione was no longer angry about her son being taken, and she quickly lost herself in the waves. Her mind was running in circles. Zoey was never the person to initiate things or even have thoughts that could lead to innuendo. She’d never felt the urge to go there. Still, with Kass, she felt like she was practically on fire. There was tension in her lower abdomen, and her mouth, Gods, it just seemed to work on it’s own accord. Before she realized it, she’d swam a good mile away from the shore. Not wanting to be gone too long, she turned around and headed back. 

As she walked back towards where Kass was, she couldn’t help but smile as she wrung her hair out over her shoulder. The other woman just looked so beautiful in the glow of the fire out by the water. She’d left her bag with Kass so she could set the blanket up to make herself comfortable. Zoey sat in front of the brunette. The fire was a nice way to dry off. “Are you sure you don’t want to go in? Your bra and underwear is essentially a bikini. Or we could skinny dip instead in a little while. There would be less people out and about,” she said with a shrug. She’d done it late at night and loved it. Although, her getting caught was much less likely when she could just shift into bird or something that made an easy escape. Plus, seeing Kassandra naked was not something she could handle. She’d surely explode from frustration and would not be able to resist touching.

Kassandra

Words escaped her as Zoey spoke to her before taking off into the night to go swim. For several moment she just stared at the flames that licked the air, not sure how to process anything. Had she meant like... A date date? Or like a friend date. She'd been on friend dates before, some of her former friends from academy calling them 'frates'. Biting her lower lip, she looked up from the fire to the water where Zoey was going out rather far. The woman relaxed some at the distance that was between them, worried that Zoey would suddenly develop the ability to read minds. So instead of thinking of that, she picked up her guitar after laying out Zoey's towel for her when she'd get back from her swim. Fingers began to pick gently at strings, chords falling into a rhythm as she leaned back against the drift wood. "I've watched my wild youth disappear in front of my eyes...Moments of magic and wonder, it seems so hard to find...Is it ever coming back again? Is it ever coming back again? Take me back to the feeling when everything was left to find..." Her voice carried out gently into the night, singing to herself. Luckily no one else seemed to be on the beach as she continued. "Cause it comes and goes in waves, it always does... It always does..."

Eventually that song faded out so she began to play another, followed by another and another. After a while, Zoey began to walk back and Kassandra chose to stop her singing. Gentle strumming remained as she took in the sight of the very, very attractive blonde in front of her. Her mouth went dry, trying to form words until she realized that Zoey had said something about skinny dipping. "As uh... Amazing as it sounds getting buck-ass naked and freezing my tits off, I'm good. I'm not really a fan of the ocean. I think going in at night would make it ten thousand times worse. But I'm glad you had fun. Now c'mon and get warm. I laid out the towel for ya." Kass patted the space next to her, giving a warm smile. When Zoey sat down, Kass took her jacket that she had on and wrapped it around the other woman's shoulders. "Before you even think about asking me if I need it, I'm fine. I run hot. And yes, you heard that right." Her grin was cheeky, trying to push past the feelings that bubbled up in her gut every time she flirted with her. For a while she just strummed on her guitar, not really doing any true tune. "We were sixteen," She started, not sure if Zoey would remember the conversation that they'd kind of had before she had gone in the ocean. "When I took her out on our first real date. We went to this abandoned park and I made a picnic for us. I couldn't take us out anywhere because we weren't out yet. Or at least... I wasn't. I paid for everything with my summer job money and it was great. That was the night we..." Kassandra trailed off, clearing her throat.

"After that though... I never went out on another date. Or at least anything that I qualified as a date. I tried in my senior year. This girl that I had kind of a thing for. Took her out to dinner and a movie. And then found out she... Nevermind. Just a bad experience all around. So I haven't really been on one in uh... A decade?" Her head ducked down, biting her lip as chords began to be played once more, a familiar tune drifting into existence. "Until tonight, that is. Do you treat all your friends to dates?" It was mostly a teasing tone but there was a hidden layer of worry that she'd been imagining the charge between them. What she'd do with that information, she didn't know. Either way, she didn't really wait for an answer as she started to sing along to the tune she'd been playing. "Somebody said you got a new friend... Does she love you better than I can?" Green eyes found blue, holding her gaze for a moment as she continued to sing softly. "Big black sky over my town... I know where you're at, I bet she's around... Yeah, I know it's stupid, I just gotta see it for myself..." Her eyes drifted away as she sang the next lyrics unable to look at her anymore out of fear that she'd go breathless. The fire was easy to look at as the shadows danced along her face. "I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, ohhh... I'm right over here, why can't you see me? Ohhh... I'm giving it my all but I'm not the girl you're taking home, ooh..." Kassandra chose this moment to chance a glance up at Zoey, breath hitching slightly as she sang out the last lyric. "I keep dancing on my own..."

Zoey

Without having to think about it, Zoey moved to sit beside Kassandra and stretched her legs in front of her while leaning back on against her palms. She listened as the other woman talked more about her past and tried to imagine what it was like. Her upbringing was so different. The artist knew how lucky she was to grow up in the home she did. Even though her father had zero idea about what he was doing at first, there was never a question about how much he loved or accepted her. “I’ve never had to do the whole coming out thing,” she said with a shrug. “My only relationship was with a guy. Well, Theo,” she said with a roll of her eyes but an affectionate smile was on her lips. “But my father knows that I don’t really care about gender when it comes to attraction or relationships. I go by what I feel. He doesn’t care who I bring home as long as I’m happy. Although, Theo perplexed him. Not because he wasn’t great. We’re actually still best friends. We just — there was no spark there. We love each other but not the way a couple should.” Explaining her and her ex’s relationship was always complicated. So many people had an idea of exs and how they should act, and well, Zoey and Theo could not fall further outside of that idea. “We broke up about a year ago.”

The question was an out if she wanted one, and the blonde knew that. If she wanted to, she could say she treated her friends the same way and be done with all the confusing, all encompassing feelings. Yet, she couldn’t lie. She’d hate herself if she did. Someone needed to take a leap of faith for Kass it seemed, and she’d hate it if she didn’t. “I don’t take people I consider just friends on dates, no,” she started explaining. “I mean, I may go out with friends to dinner, but I won’t call it a date unless I’m interested in something other than friendship.” There, she’d done it. There was absolutely zero grey area left about what she’d said. Kass couldn’t act obtuse about it anymore even if she wanted to. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. 

The lyrics hit her in a way that made her sad. She’d felt them all too much when she’d seen the other women in Kass’ room. Jealousy. It wasn’t a feeling she was used to, but she was starting to say that a lot when it came to the woman singing beside her. When she finished singing, she took in a breath and let it out slowly. “You really have a beautiful voice,” were the first words out of her mouth. “You’re — you’re kind of a goober.” The blonde couldn’t help but chuckle as she said the words because honestly she was in a bit of disbelief. “For someone who doesn’t do this often, you don’t even realize how good you are at charming someone without even trying.”

Kassandra

Her heart pounded in her ears as she felt herself going into an almost out of body experience as Zoey's words floated around like a damned ping-pong ball in her head. She was interested in something other than friendship? The thought made her chest swell and a blush tinge her cheeks. Was this happiness that she was experiencing? It is. Or at least it was. Because as swiftly as the feelings of euphoria had entered her, they just as quickly were replaced with fear. She didn't let people get close for this very reason. What they had, whatever this was... She'd fuck it up. Just like she always did. First with her mom, then Aurora. Everyone else after that had barely been let in until all Kassandra had done was hollow herself out. No longer did she believe in romance or love. No longer had she thought she was worthy of being something to someone. First loves come and go, she knew that. She learned that lesson well. But when your own mother doesn't even want you.. When your own father doesn't even care until he can make use for you... It was all too much. When had her chest gotten this tight? Was Zoey calling her charming? She couldn't tell, everything around her was fuzzy.

Kassandra's breathing came in soft gasps, eyes wide as the guitar was placed down to the side of her. She blinked in surprise at what was happening, never having experienced this sensation before. Why was her chest so tight? She couldn't... She couldn't breathe. Looking up at Zoey in confusion, she opened her mouth to try to say something but all she did was gasp in air. Oh Gods, that made it worse. Beginning to hyperventilate, Kassandra stood up far too quickly than she should have, not even bothering to dust off her pants from all the sand. Her head swam as she stood tall, not knowing where to go. She was on a beach for Zeus' sake. This wasn't really an ideal place for whatever the hell this was. Her right hand flexed open and closed several times, trembling. "I... I can't... I can't breathe." The brunette managed to choke out, eyes wide and terrified. What the fuck was happening to her?

Zoey

The silence was unnerving, but what happened afterwards was even more. At first she let Kass walk away figuring she needed space after being made to feel uncomfortable, but then the more she looked, the more Zoey saw that she didn’t look okay. Without thinking, she jogged towards her, and it didn’t take long for the blonde to realize that Kassandra was having a panic attack. There wasn’t a lot of time to think about how her vulnerability and feelings had caused it. All she could think about was helping. So, she stood in front of Kass, grabbed her hand, and placed it on her chest. “Breathe with me,” she said as blue eyes locked with green. “Feel my chest go up and down and try to mimic it.”

After a few moments, she noticed Kass’s breathing come more easily. When she was sure that the woman was no longer having such a hard time, she took a step back to give her some space. Now that the major problem was out of the way, Zoey couldn’t help but remember what had caused it in the first place. It was the most obvious she’d been about her feelings and intentions which had led to the girl she felt them for having a panic attack. That was far from reassuring, and she’d be lying if she said that she knew where to go from there. “Are you okay?” That was much easier to focus on than her feelings. Focusing on someone else was always what she was better at anyway. “Do you want to head back? We can always hang out again another time if you’re not feeling great.” Giving Kass an excuse to leave was the nice thing to do. It was the only thing Zoey knew how to do. There wasn’t exactly a how to book for the situation lying around anywhere.

Kassandra

A hand reached out for her own and soon Kassandra's palm was resting on Zoey's chest. Nothing about this gesture was sexual however it was very intimate. More intimate than Kassandra was truly ready for but somehow, someway... It was helping. Zoey breathed for the both of them for several moments until finally her chest didn't hurt, her hands didn't tremble, and she could breathe on her own again. She wanted to thank her for helping her with whatever had just happened but the blonde was moving away from her, her heart sinking like a stone. The look in Zoey's eyes was one she never wanted to see, Gods, those eyes. "No!" Kass quickly spoke, realizing it came out more like a loud plea than the soft tone she wished she would have used. So she tried again. "No... Please. Don't go." Licking her lips, she took the small steps forward towards Zoey, hoping to close the distance that the blonde had put between them. "I'm sorry that I... That that happened. I've never had that happen. Not since my--I'd uh.. I'd forgotten what that had felt like." Another deep breath as she steeled her nerves, closing her eyes for a moment. "The truth is I'm terrified." I'm not good, Zoey. That's what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell her that she was poison. But she couldn't.

Fingers shook for a moment until they made purchase on Zoey's cheek, the backs of her knuckles softy trailing down the skin there until she tilted the other woman's chin up gently. "I wasn't looking for anyone." Those words were probably the most honest thing she'd ever said to Zoey, her chest tightening once more but swiftly deciding to push the panic aside for just one fucking minute. "And then I met you." There. That was simple enough. Right? "I don't know what is happening between us. But you... You scare me. And that's--Gods, that's not on you. That's all on me." She closed her eyes tightly, sighing. "Fuck, I'm not wording this right at all." Kassandra took the last few steps closer to Zoey, eliminating any major distance between their torsos. "I don't know what to do about any of this. I'm... I'm scared to do anything about this. About you. But Gods, I want to." Her forehead rested against Zoey's, unable to look at the other woman. "You make me feel like I'm on fire. You make me... Feel." The older woman could feel just how close they were, could tell that by the sensation of her breath puffing against Zoey's lips as her hand remained cupping her jaw. "Zoey... I... I really want to..." The brunette tipped her head closer, lips wanting desperately to search for the other woman's. She could almost taste--RING.

Whatever spell that had taken over her was broken as soon as her phone started ringing from her pocket. "I..." She rasped, voice low. Lower than Zoey had ever heard it. "I think I need to... To take this." Kassandra regrettably pulled away, grabbing her phone from her pocket as she held it up to her ear. Immediately she winced as someone talked sternly to her for several moments. Eventually she hung up, clearing her throat as she looked at Zoey helplessly. "Nugget woke up and is terrorizing the neighbors. I have to get back. Zoey..." She tried, still in close proximity to the other woman, not quite sure what to do.

Zoey

The blonde was so entranced with the words coming out of the woman’s mouth, and her proximity, that she couldn’t say anything. All she could do was wait with baited breath for Kass to kiss her which was what she thought was going to happen until the blasted phone rang. When Kassandra pulled back, Zoey tilted her head back towards the sky and closed her eyes. She needed to focus on her own breathing so she didn’t scream in frustration. When the phone call ended, the artist looked at her date again and gave a small smile. “Mmm, considering the owner of the Inn had to leave the island and left her sister in charge, who you’re currently with, I’d say you’re safe from too much trouble,” she added lightly to hopefully stop some of the worrying. It was something she’d meant to bring up anyway since she’d be at where Kassandra was staying more often. That was just a fun way to bring it up. 

Zoey stepped forward so they were close again, looped her index fingers in Kass’s belt loops, and tugged the woman forward slightly. “Let’s head back,” she started before leaning forward on her tippy toes and giving the brunette a kiss on the cheek. She lingered for a few seconds to hopefully quell the need she was feeling before pulling back. “This is always going to be scary. Not because it’s me and you, but it would be with anyone. Vulnerability always is. I’d love to promise I’d never hurt you, but that would just put me on a pedestal that wouldn’t be healthy,” she started as she tried to find the right words to give Kassandra some comfort. “You just have to figure out if I’m worth the risk of getting hurt over, and I don’t want you answering that now. Sleep on it. Take your time to figure this out and fight your demons. If you need help, I’m here.” 

With that, she took Kass’ hand, interlaced their fingers, and walked them back to where their belongings were. When they got back to the fire pit, she threw her shirt on again, and worked to get things packed up. “You didn’t ruin anything before you worry,” she said as she worked on folding the blanket. “So don’t let your mind go there.”

Kassandra

"Wait, I'm sorry what?" She was about to press further at the blonde mentioning that she'd be at the Inn more often, mouth feeling like it was full of cotton as she tried to process that. But then Zoey was getting closer again, the brunette feeling a tug on her jeans as she stutter-stepped closer. Her breathing almost stopped as Zoey leaned up on her tippy-toes to kiss her on the cheek. Green eyes fluttered shut from the contact, staying that way for several moments, even after the other woman had pulled back from her. So instead of opening her eyes, she just kept them closed as Zoey talked to her, trying to quell any and all fears from her mind. Whatever was happening between them clearly wasn't one-sided. Kassandra just had to be willing to do something about it. To put whatever this was into words. Fuck. That was a lot to process. Eventually she did open her eyes as a hand slipped into her own, following Zoey back to the firepit. It didn't take long for them to pack up their things, put out the fire and wait for Zoey to get her clothes back on over her beach attire.

The walk back to the car was silent as they walked, fingers still interlaced. Only when she needed to put the guitar up did she finally let go of the blonde's hand, regret filling her instantly. Once she got into the car, she turned on the ignition and took the car out of park, backing up before taking off down the road. The stereo connected to her phone via bluetooth and began to play a song softly through the speakers just in time for Kassandra to get up the guts to do what she hadn't on the ride over; she reached over and interlaced her fingers with Zoey's once more. 'I want you more than I need you and I need you so bad...Are you coming back? Are you coming back? I'm waiting...' Giving a small squeeze to the hand that was in her own, she kept her gaze focused on the road for the remainder of the time it would take for her to get to Zoey's home. When they pulled up, Kass got out of the car again to move around to Zoey's door, opening it up with a small smile. "I believe this is your stop."

Kassandra helped her out of the car despite not needing to, offering her a hand. Sure, it was because she wanted to instigate physical touch, something that she didn't know she craved. Keeping quiet as she walked the short distance to Zoey's doorstep, Kassandra waited until Zoey had reached the step that led into her home. This gave them more of a level-playing height and it honestly was what Kassandra was waiting for. Fingers tugged lightly on Zoey's, getting the girl to turn around to look at her. "You're worth the risk." She breathed out, licking her lips. It was honest and terrifying and she almost shook from the fear of it all. Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss to Zoey's forehead, staying there for a moment too long to be considered just a friend. As she pulled back, she gave another smile and began to walk backwards away from Zoey. "And hey," She started, hands quickly being shoved into her jeans pockets. "The next time you see me on your doorstep... I'll finish what I started." Her cheeks were tinged pink at the implication but she gave a small nod despite this, turning around and heading back to her car until eventually she was out of sight.

[canmom]

Animation Night 12 - Masaaki Yuasa!

tonight we’re gonna watch same animation by this dude!

wait you don’t know anime directors by sight? deplorable! how can you call yourself a weeb~!

So this guy is Masaaki Yuasa (湯浅 政明), who’s widely considered one of the most creative anime directors in the business. he arrived on the scene in the 90s, directing opening and endings for Crayon Shin-Chan, and popped up on a few other shows as an animator for one or two episodes. in 2004 he started directing, with the film Mind Game with our other fave Koji Morimoto at Studio 4°C, and that’s when things got cool.

Yuasa’s style varies in the different projects he works on, but there’s a few recurring points: simple character designs that allow a variety of unusual motions, limited or absent shading, bright colours, sharp editing, experimentation in style. When we watched Genius Party some weeks ago, you may remember his segments - he did the weird surreal one with the baby wandering around! ‘weird and surreal’ is basically what unites a lot of his work, though he can absolutely make it more grounded as needs dictate.

Yuasa continued to work on a number of artsy shows, and contributing to others when they wanted something trippy like the ‘everyone is high off an entire field of marijuana’ sequence in a certain episode of Samurai Champloo, but he remained a rather niche figure. He rose to greater prominence with his series Kaiba, a transhumanist body-swapping story drawn in a very stripped down style reminiscent of the early anime by Osamu Tezuku.

In 2014, Yuasa directed Ping-Pong: The Animation, which used a kind of sports anime framing to let a number of animators cut loose and do the most over the top wild visuals they could think to apply to the act of pinging tennis balls about. He was one of the first anime directors to fund a film on Kickstarter, in the form of the short film Kick-Heart about a romance between a wrestler and a nun. And at some point he caught the eye of westerners; he was invited to direct an absolutely wild episode of Adventure Time, the episode Food Chain in season 6, where Finn and Jake transform through a variety of forms as they pass through different trophic levels.

To make this episode, Yuasa founded his own studio, named Science Saru. At this studio he made some of the shows he’s best known for here in the west, like the edgy Devilman Crybaby (2018) which goes pretty quickly from superhero show to outright apocalypse, and the absolutely charming anime about schoolgirls making anime, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020), which conveys the joy of animation as an art form like few things I’ve seen, and also the joy of being an autistic girl imagining a complex world rich in machinery.

Science Saru also made the main film we’re going to watch tonight, 2017′s Night is Short, Walk on Girl, which takes the framing of a night out drinking... and just takes it all sorts of places. And Ride Your Wave, which tells a story of a boy and a mermaid getting together with some incredible animation of water.

He’s dropped another show very recently, continuing to distribute with Netflix, a disaster story called Japan Sinks: 2020. No idea what that’s like yet!

You can check out some decontextualised clips of Yuasa-directed animation, by a variety of individual animators, in this video:

So the plan tonight is to survey Yuasa’s work enough to give you a taste, and decide if you feel like watching some more. We’ll watch two of his films (Night Is Short and Mind Game), and the first couple of episodes of several of his series (definitely at least Kaiba, Eizouken, Ping-Pong, and Devilman Crybaby), enough to get an impression for what they’re like. I’m also definitely going to drop in Food Chain. If people are in the mood and there’s time, we can also replay his work in Genius Party. Yuasa’s one of the people who’s really pushing animation in interesting directions so I am so damn excited to share his work.

The time is as usual 7pm UK time on 30 July 2020 (just under three hours from time of posting), the website is twitch.tv/canmom, looking forward to seeing you there!

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - Beauty Within the Fallen ch.III

Summary: Two misfit twins come across an enchanted castle, home of a mysterious beast, and slowly begin to form a strong bond that just might survive through anything. Even evil demons.

AU and artwork belong to the beautiful and very talented @artsycrapfromsai​. Go give her some love, guys!!!

ch.II - ch.IV

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hello? Monsieur Soos? Monsieur Stan told us to find you.” Mabel called out nicely on the stairs. Dipper watched as his sister optimistically roamed the stairs for the keeper of the key and grounds of the castle. There were so many times he wished he was more like her. Mabel was super strong and kind and just outright amazing; no matter what the world threw at her, she was happy and cheerful. Through losing their parents and then their Grandpa Shermie, through being lost in the woods and nearly eaten, through meeting a beast, Mabel was still joyful and out-going. Dipper wished he could be more like that, but sometimes it felt like a dark cloud forever hung over his head; he was the realistic twin, the Debby-downer of the two; someone had to be, and he never wanted it to be Mabel. “Maybe we misheard him.” Mabel pondered when no one was responding to her calls. “Did Monsieur Stan say Soos or Zeus?”

Dipper shrugged. “Or maybe we were sent on a wild goose chase.” “Eck! A goose?!” Mabel gasped with sparkling eyes. “Sup, dawgs!” A voice called from the top of the second flight of stairs. “I’m Soos! Sorry, just wanted to make sure your room was clean. So dusty… anyways, welcome!” Dipper and Mabel peered to where the voice was coming from and saw a hammer standing up on it’s handle. It was smiling with long buck teeth and kind eyes. Split from the handle, like big splinters, were the arms, but it had no legs. Mabel smiled while Dipper just stared. “Hi! I’m Mabel! So you’re Soos?” “Sure am!” The hammer gestured to follow him. “C’mon, dudes, I’ll show you to your room.” Mabel followed with Dipper right behind her. Past expensive, dusty objects and paintings, the hammer led them to another set of double-doors. The hammer pushed them open and the kids awed at the living quarters. Beautiful twin-sized bunk beds stood proudly with the finest silks and pillows stuffed with feathers. A giant window with a balcony displayed the calm fall rain and a huge chest filled with toys and a wardrobe occupied the room, but the space was so vast that it somehow felt empty. The walls were painted gold with knights and kings and glorious battles telling stories on the ceiling. Mabel squealed with delight and ran to the bottom bed and plopped down. “Wowie, zowie! Is this all ours?” “Sure is, dude.” Soos said. “The boss wanted you kids to be safe and comfortable.” “You mean that big scary beast downstairs?” Dipper asked. “That’s the one!” Dipper couldn’t keep his smile at bay any longer. “I have always wanted bunk beds.” “I think he’s nice.” Mabel said from the bottom bunk. “Oh, the dude’s a nice guy.” Soos insisted. “Once you get to know him. He saved me and Abuelita from the streets a long time ago, gave us jobs and a home.” A cart came in, carrying a beautiful china pot that smiled at the guests. “Welcome!” She said with an Asian accent. “My name is Candy. So good to have company with us. Dinner will be ready shortly. Oh, no! You two look cold. Grenda! Grenda, wake up!” She barked. The wardrobe burst open and the eyes on top of the piece of furniture popped open. “I’m up, I’m up! SWEET LORD! Finally, new muses! You two need some new clothes!” Grenda opened her drawers, but moths flew out and she closed up immediately. “Oops. That’s… that happens sometimes.” Grenda opened her drawers again and whistled. “Okay, ladies, let's get to work, up, up, up!” Sewing needles, measuring tape, and thread sprang up from a drawer and began to work, pulling rolls of cloth out from the other drawers and sewing around the twins as they stood still. Mabel giggled and lightly touched the needles in greeting, treating them like butterflies, while Dipper stood rigid and still, afraid of being hurt. “Aw, don’t be so tense, boy.” Grenda giggled. “You like blue?” Dipper took in a deep breath, trying to relax, and he smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I like blue.” Soon the kids were changed into nicer clothes; not formal, but not made from itchy material and much more comfortable than their soak garments. Mabel twirled in her pink petticoat and jacket with golden buttons and she grinned at her brother, who wore a navy-blue jacket over an orange top. He kept his blue cap on proudly and he seemed comfortable. “Tuck your shirt in, scruffy.” The mirror on the wall spoke, spooking the kids. “Be nice, Pacifica.” Candy warned. Dipper had a million questions. He looked at Soos the hammer, Candy the teapot, Pacifica the mirror, and Grenda the wardrobe, and said quietly, “This is impossible. Objects can’t talk or move on their own.” Grenda shrugged, her golden arms free from being folded on top of a drawer. “Well, here we are.” “Abuelita used to say the world’s more full of magic than we know, dudes.” Soos said. “You’re magic?!” Mabel gasped happily, squishing her cheeks with her hands as her eyes shined like stars. “Duh,” Pacifica said as a reflection of her human form shined on the mirror, a pretty girl with long blonde hair. “This castle’s full of weird secrets and magic and mystery and whatever.” “We LOVE mystery, don’t we, Dipper?” Mabel asked, gripping his hand. “This guy is really good at solving them! He figured out who was stealing Manly Dan’s jerky.” “Everyone wanted to blame it on the kids, but no one with a shoe size of five could have made such a deep footprint in the mud unless they were heavier than an adolescent.” Dipper explained and shrugged with a sheepish smile. “And Mabel’s really smart, too. She discovered who was eating all our garbage and leaving smelly trails.” “All signs pointed to the goat.” Mabel said, puffing her chest out proudly. “Then you’ll fit right in, dudes!” Soos exclaimed excitedly. A harsh cough came from the door and an axe hopped in, with a beautiful girl carved into the handle. She dipped the heavy head of the axe and said, “Dinner’s ready.” The kids thanked the axe, at this point used to inanimate objects suddenly being animate, and left for the dining hall. Wendy gave Soos, Candy, Grenda, and Pacifica death glares and followed them out. Pacifica scoffed and her reflection faded away. Soos felt his face turn warm as he hopped on the cart and caught a ride with Candy; Grenda fell back asleep. Mabel and Dipper followed the axe into the dining hall and admired the scene before them. A huge table that could fit thirty stood polish with mahogany, filled with bread water, the best china and dishes the kids had ever dreamed of, and silverware made out of real silver. The axe hopped in front of them and said, “Alright, guys, my name’s Wendy. Basically I’m in charge when the boss isn’t here, and since he’s not here, I’m in charge right now. Follow me?” The kids nodded; Dipper really didn’t want to argue with an axe, in case if turned into an axe-murderer. They sat next to each other at the right hand of the head of the table, where the host would normally sit. Mabel laid her napkin on her lap and Dipper waited for something to happen. Just as Mabel opened her mouth to talk to Wendy, the axe hopped away and Candy the teapot hopped at the center of the table, a surprise spotlight on her. “Lady and gentleman! It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you here tonight! Now, we invite you to relax and get comfortable, as the dining room proudly presents: your dinner.” And magical dishes and trays filled with food hopped out from the kitchen and onto the table. Mabel leaned forward, elbows on the table and chin resting on her knuckles, while Dipper smiled unsure of what to make of this, but enjoying it nonetheless. “Be our guest…” ~~~~~~~~~~ Stan paced on all fours back and forth, his mind racing. He occasionally spoke, trying to think better by thinking out loud, but there was just so much to tackle at once. Stan stood on his back legs and his eyes rested on the journal. Decorated with a golden six-fingered hand, the journal was safe inside a glass case, never allowed to be touched. Still, it was so tempting, but too risky. That book was fragile and Stan was dangerous. The beast growled in his throat and resumed his pacing. What was he thinking, letting those kids stay here, allowing Soos to open the door, even meeting the kids. He should have stayed hidden and let them leave. But he couldn’t just let those kids go out into the woods and die; not even a monster like himself would do that. But Stan needed confirmation that he had made the right choice. Once again his gaze fell on the journal. He ceased his pacing again and stared at the journal. He sighed through his nose and approached it. He slowly, carefully, sat on the floor before the small table that occupied the book, staring at it, lost in thoughts and memories. A few minutes later, Stan found his claw on the glass cover, yearning to touch the journal, but he dared not to. Not yet. Not right now. It was too risky. A page fell out a few days ago. But then his cruel mind made him remember his brother’s pleading words. Stanley, I’m fine. You know I’m still here, right? I’m not just some book you can place on a shelf and walk away. Stanley, I can’t breathe in here. It’s maddening. I am not afraid of you. Stan tenderly lifted the glass case from over the journal and placed it on the ground. His gentle paws, the beast picked up the book and opened it. He smiled tiredly at a blank page. “Hey, Sixer.” Hello, Stanley. A knock came at the door, the one at the entrance of the West Wing; Stan’s advanced hearing could pick it up. He quickly shut the journal, put it on the table, and protected it with the glass cover. “What?” He called when he went to the door, but he didn’t open it. “Hi, Monsieur Stan!” A girl’s voice called. What did she say her name was? Maple? “Are you gonna come down to dinner? Madame Wendy said you didn’t want to. Are you okay? Does your tummy hurt?” Stan raised an eyebrow at the door. “Mabel, leave him alone.” The boy said. “He’ll come when he wants to.” “But Dipper, he should eat.” Stan had thought of hunting for a deer after the little pains in his side went to bed so he wouldn’t scare them or bother them when they were trying to recover and eat. He was surprised and apprehensive when they seemed to not only expect but desire his attendance. “You want to eat dinner with freak-show over here?” He asked suspiciously, not believing it. “Sure! Why not?” The girl called. Her name was Mabel, Stan recalled. “I don’t think you want that.” He warned. “What?! I totally want that! It’ll be fun, now come on! There’s delicious gray stuff!” She added, hoping it would tempt her host to join them for dinner. Stan snorted. He opened the door and looked down at the tiny humans. One could stand on the other’s shoulders and they wouldn’t reach his height. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” “Yay!” Mabel punched the air and laughed at Dipper’s face. “Hah! I win, sucka!” Dipper punched her shoulder and they started back to the dining hall. Stan followed them, giving them plenty of space. When they sat to eat, Mabel and Dipper chatted among themselves about how they loved the musical performance the servants had given. Mabel was careful to thank every single object individually, while Dipper settled for thanking them as a combined team. Stan smiled teasingly at the foolish kids, gushing over a stupid show. “Monsieur Stan, are you sure you’re not sick?” Mabel asked gently over her goblet of water. Stan gave her a skeptical look, expecting a jab at his monstrous appearance. “I’m fine, kid.” He growled. Mabel blinked, unsure as to why he was so stoic and strict. “Really? You’re not eating. Do you not like it?” Dipper also noticed it, privately predicting that the beast would tear into his meal, but he had not even touched his meat or picked up his drink. “Had a big lunch pretty late in the day.” Stan said, waving the question away. “Now quit pestering me about it!” “Oh. Okay. By the way, you never answered my questions.” “Huh?” “What’s your favorite color? Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you like sweet or sour things? Do you have a favorite song?” Mabel asked all in one breath, so quickly that it took the host a minute to gather his answers. “Oh. Um… red, yes, sweet, and no.” Mabel grinned, excited to elaborate on Stan’s answers, and she and Stan gradually had a conversation. It was an odd conversation, with Mabel doing most of the talking and the two knowing so little about the other and having next to nothing in common that it might have been tricky to talk pleasantly, but soon Stan found himself flapping up water with his scratchy tongue as he listened to the girl’s twenty-first story. Mabel smiled and covered her mouth with her hand at the sight, finding it endearing. Dipper would occasionally inject and join in, but mostly he observed. Stan hadn’t realized how quiet the castle had become until it was filled with noise. A grandfather clock out in the hall screamed, “NINE O’CLOCK!”, making Dipper jump and splash water on his face, and Mabel laughed at the little scare. “Right, time for bed, gremlins.” Stan said and pointed to the door. “You’ve got your work cut out for you in the morning. No more softening you up. I want you wide-eyed and bushy-tailed by sunrise.” “But, we don’t have tails.” Dipper sneered with a smile. “Not my problem, runt, now go before you get nightmares from looking at this face for too long.” Mabel didn’t like that last comment, but she decided to let it pass. “G’night, Monsieur Stan!” She said cheerfully and waved to him as she walked out of the dining hall with Dipper right beside her. When the door was closed behind them, Stan sighed with relief; he was starving. Acting on instinct alone, he tore into his food like an animal and spewed it all over his face and clothes. He later huffed in shame and humiliation, and with as much pride as he could muster, he left the table and ventured to bed. Meanwhile, Mabel slipped on her white nightgown and climbed up to the top bunk bed; Dipper had a habit of falling out of bed already, he didn’t need to be six feet up. She snuggled under the cozy covers and was pleasantly surprised to find warm pans between the blankets. “I like it here.” Mabel said sleepily, rubbing an eye. “It’s like we’re in a story of our own.” Dipper smiled up at the bottom of Mabel’s bed, his head resting on his folded arms. “Yeah… I guess so.” There was a long pause. Despite Mabel’s optimism and cheerful attitude, now that there was nothing to distract her, a sudden worry made a knot in her stomach. “Dipper? Do you really think Fiddleford is okay?” Dipper took too long to answer for her sister's comfort, but when he spoke she felt much better. “He’s fought in two wars, survived crazy invention-attacks, and raised you. He can handle anything.” Mabel giggled at the jab he made at her and said, “More like he survived raising you, Dumb-Dumb.” Dipper chuckled, “Goodnight, Stupid.” “G’night, Stupid.” Dipper blew out the candle, but it would be a long time before Mabel finally closed her eyes and fell asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~ The rain had finally stopped, but the cold was even worse now. Even so, it could not he felt inside Gleeful’s Glee-Filled Tavern, where hard-working men and women were relaxing in the comfort of fires and warm beer. Gideon had just finished a musical number that left the policemen crying with happiness and the other girls cheering. His mother shakingly filled drinks and his father collected some money for the performance by the piano. Gideon sat on the instrument to be eye-level with Ghost Eyes. He sighed tiredly. “I don’t understand it, my hench-angel. Why won’t Mabel admit that she loves me?” “Maybe because she doesn’t?” Ghost Eyes suggested into his beer. “I bet it’s cuz she keeps herself so busy.” Gideon speculated. “Think about it, with only old Man McGucket taking care of things she and Dipper have to… wait. What if she’s afraid to love me?” The white-haired boy gasped. “Wait, what?” “It all makes sense now!” Gideon proclaimed. “She’s lost almost all of her family! For someone so young, she’s lost so much! What if she’s afraid to only gain something to lose?! What if she’s afraid one day I’ll be gone, too?!” Gideon stood up proudly on the piano, with his fists on his hips. “Well, I swear by all this is holy and unholy that that will never happen! I will always be there for her, no matter what!” “YEAH!” Ghost Eyes cheered and had the boy sit on his muscular shoulder. “We love you, Lil’ Gideon!” Durland yelled. “Sing more of those funny songs!” “You got it! Ahem, ahem… nooooo oooooone…” The doors burst open, letting in some cold air, as Old Man McGucket came running in. the townsfolk gasped at him. He was dirty and his hair was frazzled and his glasses were cracked, but worst of all his arm was bruised and cradled by his chest protectively, as if it was broken. This man had obviously been through something horrible, his eyes wide and his jaw tight. “HELP!” He cried out. “HELP ME, PLEASE!” “McGucket, what happened?” Blubs asked. “It’s the children!” Old Man McGucket yelled and scrambled around the tavern, informing all of the tragedy. “We were attacked by wolves out in the woods n’ separated! They’re out there somewhere, lost n’ cold n’ possibly hurt! Please! We have t’find ‘em!” The townsfolk muttered among themselves. It was dangerous in those woods, filled with wolves and horrible animals. They were unsure if the children were alive. What was the point of risking their lives for dead bodies, especially the dead bodies of the troublesome Pines twins. “Aren’t these the same kids that built that wretched sound box?” Old Man McGucket paled a shade. “Y-Yes, b-b-but they were only tryin’...” “And are always reading? What’s that boy doing, teaching a girl to read? It’s unnatural.” “It’s beautiful!” Old Man McGucket snapped. “Dipper’s only tryin’ t’help his sister…” “I thought his name was Mason…” “It’s Dipper!” Old Man McGucket’s energy was failing him as he appeared alone in the world. “I… I know they seem different, but… but, please. They’re still only children. My children. Will no one help me find ‘em?” Gideon leaned towards Ghost Eyes’ ear and whispered excitedly, “This is perfect! Mabel needs my help; she’ll see how I’m willing to do anything for her and she’ll finally realize she loves me!” Gideon stood on Ghost Eyes’ shoulder and declared, “I’ll help!” Old Man McGucket turned and stared at the boy. “Ya will?” “Sure I will!” Gideon said and hopped off to walk on a long table. “Folks, I know we’ve had our fair share of whoopsie-daisies in the past, but Mabel and Dipper are still part of our fair town. They need our help, so I say no one should rest until they’re safe at home!” “YEAH!” Manly Dan yelled and punched a whole in the stone wall. “Let’s find the Pines!” Blubs said and the whole town cheered for Lil’ Gideon. Old Man McGucket approached the boy shakingly and smiled. “Th-Thanks ya so much. Ya’ve always been a… a loyal friend t’em.” “Don’t thank me yet.” Gideon said with a smile. “Let’s just get my queen and future brother-in-law back.” And he went off to gather the volunteers. Fiddleford watched the boy leave and he winced. “Aw, banjo polish.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note: I know it seems like I’m a hater of BatB songs since only one is in here, two songs are not from BatB at all, and I teased two BatB songs in this chapter but never delivered, but I promise that more are on the way (or at least obscure gestures to the songs since this isn’t a musical).

I will share that I ALMOST opened the entire story with a Hercules-like intro, with Dipper and Mabel destroying the town with an invention and being rejected by the village, making the scene of Fiddleford trying to convince people to help look for them more compelling, but I backed away since I couldn’t think of a good destructive invention that could be built by two twelve-year-olds in the early 1800s. I’d love to hear some of your ideas, guys!

Pacifica is kinda a reference to the Magic Mirror from Snow White, and while Lazy Susan would’ve made a great Mrs. Potts, I decided to make Candy head of the kitchen and the tea pot and have Lazy Susan be a friend of Fiddleford and Shermie’s and give hand in raising Dipper and Mabel sometimes, one of the few people in town that actually liked them. I will warn you that this story does not focus much on the side characters, rather the development of the main characters.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope y’all enjoy it!

[ericsonclan]

A Life Without You...

Summary: Aasim and Prisha don't come back from a hunting trip and the group begins to wonder if they ever will.

Read on A03: 

Prisha looked down at her hip, double checking to make sure her ice axe was secure for when she headed out with Aasim for hunting today. When she had finished, her gaze turned to Violet who was standing there to say goodbye before heading over to the picnic tables to start her own chores.

“Just be safe, okay?” Violet looked up at Prisha with a small smile even though her eyes held a different emotion. It made sense why Violet was worried; there was never any guarantee in this new world they lived in. They were always unsure whether they would be some of the lucky few and live long lives or be one of the many whose lives were cut short.

“Always,” Prisha leaned forward and captured Violet’s lips in a gentle kiss. When she pulled back she saw that Violet’s smile had grown. “Now I wonder what’s taking Aasim so long,” Prisha looked around the courtyard only to stop when she saw Aasim walking forward hand in hand with Ruby.

“Sorry I’m late,” Aasim gave a small, apologetic smile before placing a quick kiss on Ruby’s lips. “I’ll be back by early evening,” He slipped his hand out of Ruby’s and proceeded to grab his bow and arrow along with a small knife. “You ready?” Aasim looked over at Prisha.

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon,” Prisha stole one more quick kiss before she was out the gates with Aasim by her side. With one final wave up to the watch tower where Willy stood waving energetically, the pair turned their attention to the task at hand.

“So, where do you figure the best spot would be for hunting today?” Prisha’s eyes searched the surroundings to make sure that no walkers were nearby.

“Hmmm, I think that there were some rabbits over by the western part of the safe zone that we haven’t gotten yet. But I figure it would be best to check the other areas first.” Aasim had his bow already out with an arrow notched just in case they ran into any trouble or prey.

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” Prisha stated when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. “Aasim,” she whispered “There’s a rabbit over on my left that looks like it's an appropriate size.”

Aasim stepped around his friend, tiptoeing so as to not make too much noise to startle the creature. Prisha had been right. It looked like the perfect size for tonight’s dinner. Slowly drawing back the end of the arrow and stretching the drawstring, Aasim aimed it directly at the rabbit. With a steady breath he fired the shot, hitting the rabbit directly in the neck and killing it instantly.

Prisha walked forward, pulling out the arrow with a small squishing sound and handing it back to her friend. She then proceeded to sling the rabbit over her shoulder. “Great shot,”

“Thank you,” Aasim wiped away the blood from the arrow as he placed it back into the quiver. “So I figure we go to the eastern section then make our way west where hopefully some more game is nearby.”

Prisha nodded in agreement and the two started up their trek once again. Prisha looked over at Aasim for a second while he was talking about this book he had found in the burnt section of the library.

“Parts of it are burnt to hell, but I think that the main text is still prevalent so I should be able to still get some information from it. I also found a book in there you might be interested in. I can drop it off by your room tonight if you’d like?”

“I’d appreciate that.” It’s always nice going hunting with Aasim. Prisha’s smile grew at the thought. He was such an easy person to get along with. The two of them just naturally seemed to bond. “Oh, so I came up with this new idea with Willy about a way that we could use water more efficiently.”

“Oh yeah?” Aasim paused when he saw another rabbit. At least what he thought was a rabbit. Turned out it was just the way the wind had moved the grass. “Sorry, continue,”

Prisha continued to talk about her plan, adding in bits and pieces that Willy had come up with. A proud smile covered her face whenever she spoke about Willy and his contributions. “He really is a smart kid even if he can be a wild ball of energy.”

Aasim chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth. He sure seems to have a ton of energy for a kid living off the limited food we have. I don’t know how he has so much energy.”

“Me neither,” Prisha shook her head good-naturedly “But at least he puts it to good use.”

The pair continued to talk as they made their way through the safe zone, stopping only from time to time when a trap had snagged some prey or a creature had gotten in range of Aasim’s eagle eye. Soon they were on their way to the far western corner of the safe zone where Louis swore he saw huge, juicy rabbits just begging to be caught last time he had gone hunting with Clem. When they arrived at the spot, they were immediately disappointed to see that there were not rabbits there at all. They were nowhere to be found.

“Well, looks like Louis was wrong,” Aasim grumbled with annoyance.

“Perhaps, or maybe they moved to another location,” Prisha countered. Her eyes scanned the area to see if any of the rabbits were still there and hiding in the grasses.

That was when she spotted that off by the edge of the safezone were over a dozen walkers. They all seemed to be fighting over something. Their hands lazily whacked each other in attempts to get access to the item that had caught their interest. One walker had leaned its head forward, its brittle teeth trying to latch onto the item. It was then that it became clear what they were fighting over. In some of walker’s hands were the guts and meat of the rabbits that Louis had been talking about. The blood seeped through their hands and splashed onto the dirt below.

“Holy shit,” Aasim whispered at the gruesome sight before him. “I guess that’s where our rabbits went. Damn it,” he hissed, a look of anger on his face. It was understandable why. It was so hard to get enough food for the group as is. To have to compete with the living dead over resources made it that much harder and frustrating.

Prisha was about to say some encouraging words when she noticed a group of four walkers roaming towards Aasim. “Aasim, behind you,” Prisha unclipped her ice axe as she tried to determine the best course of action. Aasim was the first to make a move. Notching an arrow into the bow, Aasim pulled back and released it right in between the far right walker’s eyes. That was one down. But as soon as the walker’s corpse had hit the ground the group that had been tearing apart the rabbit’s flesh looked over, their attention now drawn to the larger, more appetizing meal.

Prisha swore under her breath while she ran forward, swinging her ice axe and embedding it in the far left walker’s skull. The walker next to it groaned as it shuffled over on its frail legs to Prisha. Prisha grunted, tossing aside the walker corpse and knocking over the other monster. Aasim took out the last standing one of the group of four. Prisha immediately swung her weapon down, hitting the fallen walker with a heavy thunk. Using her foot, she stepped on the walker and pulled out the ice axe. Aasim and Prisha looked at each other and took a deep breath before analyzing the situation at hand. It was dire. Not only had the sound gotten the group of over a dozen walkers towards them, but also a few stranglers were wandering out from the woods.

“Fuck,” Aasim mumbled, his eyes searching for an exit but not finding any. Everywhere he looked was covered with walkers. Every path that would lead back to Ericson that is.

“This way,” Prisha nudged Aasim’s arm and motioned towards the small gap that led past the safe zone. It was a risk, but surely not any riskier than the situation they were in now. Trusting Prisha, Aasim followed her lead, sending an arrow flying forward to take out a stray walker that was wandering over towards Prisha.

The two ran deeper outside the safe zone. When Aasim dared to look back, he felt his stomach drop at the sizable horde of walkers now following them. “We need to find some place to hide,” Aasim called out to Prisha who had taken down another walker.

“I’m working on it,” Prisha hissed. Clearly the stress of the situation was getting to her.

The pair wandered further until they stumbled upon an odd looking patch in the ground. Leaning over, Prisha pushed away the dirt and grass revealing a metal door. “Aasim!”

Aasim turned his attention away from the walker group that was growing ever closer and ran over, causing the few rabbits on his shoulder to fall off. But that didn’t matter right now. He had to focus on turning the handle on the door. Aasim grunted while his hands turned the metal wheel. It was hot and the pressure on it tight. But after a few seconds he forced it to turn, opening the door wide.

“Prisha,”

Prisha turned and jumped down the opening, landing hard on her feet. Aasim followed behind and using all his might slammed the metal door shut. The clanging sound of the door echoed throughout the chamber. Aasim and Prisha collapsed to the floor, their chests heaving as they tried to regain any of the energy they had lost.

“Well,” Aasim took a shaky breath, “That was close.”

“Yes, but they won’t be able to get us in here. So we should just wait them out.” Prisha’s eyes were trying to readjust to the pitch darkness of the space.

“I just wish it wasn’t so fucking dark,” Aasim tilted back his head and let out a long sigh. Prisha’s hands wandered around in the dark before hitting against some sort of jar.

“Well at least we won’t starve with all this food,” Prisha gave a smile towards Aasim even though he couldn’t see it. Prisha’s face slowly frowned when she shook the jar. “At least I hope it’s food.”

----

Violet looked up from her spot at the picnic table. They sure are taking a long time today. Usually they would be back by now. Her knife cut down, nearly slicing into her finger.

“Oh fuck,” Violet waved her hand, scolding herself for not paying attention when she was cutting veggies.

“You alright, Vi?” Louis leaned over with a look of concern, stopping his own dinner prep.

“I’m fine, it's just…” Violet paused; she was overthinking this. They would be back soon. “I’m fine.”

“Okay, just checking,” Louis turned his attention back on the herbs he was slicing. He suddenly looked over to the gates with a similar worried expression. “I hope Aasim and Prisha come back soon. Usually they’re back by now.”

“They’ll be back,” Violet grumbled “Probably just found those stupid “juicy” rabbits you were talking about the other day.”

“Hey, they looked like they would be really tasty!” Louis smiled over at his friend. “I hope that’s the case. We can finally have a feast and celebrate!”

“Celebrate what?” Violet glanced over at Louis.

“Being alive of course!” Louis gave a playful grin before returning to his task.

Violet didn’t really know what to say to that so she continued on with her task. Soon Clementine and Ruby had returned from fishing and Omar announced that dinner would be ready shortly.

“Hey Clem, how was fishing?” Louis planted a small kiss on his girlfriend’s cheek.

“It was good,” Clementine sat beside him while Ruby sat across from them. “Ruby was unstoppable today. She kept getting fish after fish.”

“What can I say,” Ruby flashed a happy grin, “I guess I’m just a natural.”

“Damn, Ruby, good for you.” Louis smiled over at her. “Better watch out, Clementine, the title of fishing master may just go to Ruby,”

“Ha! We’ll see about that,” Clementine gave a competitive look over at Ruby who returned it. “So, where’s Aasim and Prisha? I’ve been meaning to talk to them about something when they get back.”

“They haven’t.” Violet mumbled, an edge of worry layered in her tone.

Ruby seemed concerned for a second before giving a warm smile. “Well, I bet they’re just having a good hunting day is all.”

“That’s right. There was one time where Louis and Aasim didn’t show up until halfway through dinner. So I’m sure they’re wrapping things up.” Clementine added.

“I guess.” Violet returned to the prep and after a few minutes of silence passed off her finished work to Omar.

“Thanks, Violet. I should be done in just a few minutes.” Omar smiled. And he was true to his word. Within the next few minutes dinner was ready and everyone had gathered around the table.

“Where’s Aasim and Prisha?" AJ looked around the table.

“They’re just running a bit late, kiddo,” Clementine looked over at Violet and Ruby who both seemed to be a bit on edge. “How about we start eating? Before you know it they’ll be back.”

That seemed to do the trick. At the very least it distracted everyone from any worries they might have.

Dinner was quieter that night and even though Louis tried to liven it up with jokes and the promise of a night of card games, it didn’t seem to help much. When everyone had finished eating and the dishes had been cleaned by Omar and AJ, the fear really started to affect people. Not only were Ruby and Violet more worried than ever, but Willy seemed more antsy than usual. Clementine stood by the gates as her own fears started to rise. What if they had gotten pinned down somewhere or worse? She tried to shake those thoughts out of her head without much luck.

“This isn’t normal,” Louis’ voice appeared beside her, causing her to glance up at him. “Aasim and Prisha should be back by now.”

“Violet, stop,” Omar calmly talked to his friend but it wasn’t getting through to her.

Violet had gotten her meat cleaver and was storming towards the gates. “We need to go searching for them,” She tried to move forward but Clementine stopped her.

“I know that. That’s why Louis and I are going.” Clementine looked over at Louis who nodded in agreement. “Meaning the rest of you are going to stay behind.”

Violet’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Like hell I’m staying here while Prisha is out there,” Violet’s voice cracked when she said Prisha’s name. She tried to move forward but was stopped by both Louis and Clem.

“I’m coming too!” Willy ran forward with his bow, his eyes burning with determination and worry. “So that way we can be sure to get Prisha and Aasim back.”

“I appreciate the enthusiasm, buddy, but we need you back here,” Louis looked up and over to the picnic table where Ruby still sat. She hadn’t moved since dinner. It was hard to see but Louis could swear she was shaking.

“This is bullshit! Why can’t I go?” Willy glared at Louis.

“Because we need you to stay back with the others. Everyone is really worried so it's better if you can be here to encourage them.”

Willy followed the direction of Louis’ eyes and saw Ruby. Immediately his face softened.

“Okay, I’ll be sure to keep an eye on the others,”

“Thanks, buddy,” Louis gave an appreciative smile.

Violet tried to push forward again. “I’m still coming with you guys.”

Clementine didn’t move, blocking Violet’s way. “No, you’re not.”

“Why the hell not!” Violet snapped at Clementine. Her eyes were consumed with worry.

“Because it would be dangerous out there at night time and-”

“I don’t care!” Violet yelled, throwing out her hand.

“You’d be useless!” Clementine snapped back, internally wincing at her own choice for words but continuing regardless. “With your eyesight the way it is and how dark it is out there, you wouldn’t be helpful at all. You could get killed.” Violet’s eyes grew larger before her face fell. Slowly the meat cleaver in her hand slipped through her grasp, landing on the ground with a soft thud.

“Vi,” Clementine reached forward but Violet pulled away.

“You better find them.” Violet’s eyes shot up. Her fists were balled as she tried to control the trembling.

“We will,” Louis put a comforting hand on Violet’s shoulder before he proceeded to get ready to leave. After a few minutes Clementine and Louis had gotten their weapons and some torches and set out into the pitch black night, leaving the others back home anxiously waiting for their return.

----

Willy made his way over to the picnic tables and sat across from Ruby.

“Hey Ruby, wanna…” Willy paused, he hadn’t thought this far into the conversation. “Umm…”

Ruby remained quiet. Her hands were fidgeting with one of her sleeves, her eyes watery and laser focused on the table.

“We could play with Garbage! She always makes me feel better!” Willy gave a toothy grin but it didn’t seem to do anything. Makes sense, Willy’s face fell. I'm super worried about them too. Suddenly Ruby got up from her spot and started making her way towards the dorm rooms. Willy scrambled up to his feet to follow her, giving a quick glance back to see how the others were holding up. Violet hadn’t moved from her spot but it seemed like Omar was by her side and AJ had volunteered to do watch duty. He continued to follow Ruby down the hall until she turned and opened a room that wasn’t hers. It took a few seconds for Willy to recognize which room it was. It was the old teacher’s room that now served as their medical bay. Running into the room, he stopped when he saw Ruby take out the first aid.

“Ruby… What are you doing?” Willy moved closer to his friend.

Ruby didn’t look up at him, too consumed with her own task. Her hands grabbed all the supplies that she could find. “I need to make sure we have enough medical supplies when they get back,” she bustled around the place, counting and recounting bandages and other supplies.

“Okay,” Willy took a seat and watched her for a few minutes as the redhead continued the same routine over and over again.

“I should’ve… should’ve made Clem and Louis take medical supplies in case Prisha or-” Ruby’s throat tightened, unwilling to say the name. A short sharp sob left her throat. Willy’s eyes widened as he scampered over towards her. Ruby soon was shaking with her tears. Even though she tried her best to stop them and keep quiet she couldn’t.

“I-I’m sorry. I should be preparing for when they return, but I’m just so worried,” Ruby took a few shaky steps back, falling into the chair.

Willy pulled another chair forward and sat down in it. He wasn’t quite sure what to do. Carefully he took Ruby’s hands in his, causing her to look up at him. “It’s gonna be okay, Ruby. Prisha and Aasim are the two smartest people we know so they’ve gotta be fine,” Willy was hoping the words would also cause his own rising fear to lessen.

Ruby searched Willy’s face for a moment then glanced down at the floor again. “I know, but luck also plays a role and sometimes a person’s luck just runs out. The others were strong and smart and they…” Ruby’s voice trailed off. It took her a few seconds to realize that she had accidentally just brought up Mitch again. Looking up, she saw some tears pricking at Willy’s eyes but he quickly wiped them away before taking Ruby’s hands again.

“I-” Willy’s voice was rough, “We gotta believe in them and stay strong!” his voice cracked at the end. “They're gonna be alright.”

Ruby tried to force a smile only to start crying again.

Willy looked around the room. This wasn’t exactly the most comforting place to be in. There’s gotta be some better place for Ruby. That’s when the realization hit him.

“Let’s go to the greenhouse. We can work on some of the plants and you promised you’d let me name that weird looking one in the corner.”

Ruby gave a sad nod and let Willy pull her along, guiding her hopefully to a place that would give her mind some ease and space away from the nonstop worrying.

----

Violet grabbed onto the next crevice in the wall, pulling herself up with ease. She knew this wall like the back of her hand. It always made her feel safer, calmer. She hoped that it would have the same effect tonight. When she had gotten up to the top, she immediately pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping them securely in her arms. It didn’t seem to help though. Her body was still shaky and the pit in her stomach only seemed to grow more as time passed. She looked out into the forest, seeing nothing but dark brown blotches. She knew it didn’t make any sense but she had hoped that if she sat up on the wall she’d be able to spot Prisha and the others when they returned. They have to return. Violet felt her heart twist, a steady, uneasy pounding consuming her ears.

All of her thoughts seemed to revolve around her never-ending fear. What if they didn’t make it? What if Clementine and Louis showed up and told her the same news that she had heard all those years ago? That two people she cared about had died while on a hunting trip. If I lose Prisha…. Violet buried her head into her knees, trying to stop tears from forming in her eyes. Her throat burned sharply at the withheld tears. She couldn’t believe this was happening again. Although this time felt even worse - somehow knowing that they could be lost already was even more painful. Having to lose someone she loved again, someone she loved so fiercely and deeply as Prisha... Violet didn’t know if she could handle it. She was barely holding on right now as is.

“Violet,” Omar’s calm voice called down from below. “I’m here for you if you want to talk. If not that’s fine too.”

Violet remained silent.

“Just nod if you understand,” Omar added.

Violet gave a short nod.

“Alright, I’ll be right here,” Omar sat down on the ground, leaning his back against the wall. Letting the silence remain. Hoping it would bring some comfort or at the very least make the situation less painful and tense. Violet’s eyes wandered over to where

AJ stood looking out into the night, being ever vigilant as he tried to do his part. He must be worried too. Violet looked back at the forest. Clem, Lou, please bring them back.

----

Clementine and Louis walked through the forest. The only sounds that filled the night sky were the crackling of the torches as the fire swayed in the wind and the small forest animals scurrying out of the pair’s way. Louis lifted his torch, trying to get a better view of his side of the forest while Clementine focused on the left side of the woods. Both were silent for the first fifteen minutes of searching. Each of them were too consumed by their own fear to even hope to speak up.

Clementine’s foot crunched down on a twig, causing a squirrel to scurry away. They have to have made it. Prisha and Aasim are smart. They’re probably holed up somewhere. Clementine kept repeating those thoughts in her mind. But it only seemed to dull the fear, not quench it. It was every present in her mind. She didn’t want to lose anyone else. She didn’t want to lose her family. Her torch flickered in the night air.

“I think we should check the west area of the safe zone,” Louis looked over at his girlfriend. “I… shit. I told that story about how I saw those rabbits the other day and I’m just... I think maybe they headed that way.” And maybe it’s my fault. Maybe they got caught there by walkers or something else because I told a stupid, overly dramatic tale about some rabbits that weren’t even that fucking big. Louis shook his head and cleared his throat. “It may be our best bet.”

“Alright,” Clementine looked around. “But we should cover the other areas first just to be safe. The west part of the safe zone is the furthest away. So maybe they’re closer than we think.” Louis nodded in agreement and the couple moved through the night, carefully searching every corner of the safe zone in hopes that they would find their missing friends.

Once they had covered all the other zones they moved to the western part. Two walkers were still munching on something on the ground. The pair fought over it as one slapped the other’s jaw, trying to get it to release whatever was in its mouth. Clementine and Louis raised their torches to get a better look and saw the torn and shredded carcasses of rabbits. The blood had seeped into the ground, a thin smell of it filled the air.

Louis took out his knife and following Clementine’s example kicked out the walker’s knee before impaling its brain. Clementine immediately took out the other with ease and the couple looked around to see if they could find any more clues.

“God, I hope that’s all rabbit’s blood,” Louis murmured, his voice shaky with concern.

“I think it is, but...” Clementine moved her torch around, lighting up the area. Suddenly she spotted some walker corpses on the ground that had arrows protruding from them. Going over to examine them, she immediately recognized the arrows. They were Aasim’s.

“Is that?”

“Aasim’s arrows,” Clementine responded, pulling them out of the walkers. “They were in a fight, but…” She let out a sad, broken sigh.

"They’re not here.” Louis shook his head, a few tears were threatening to escape his eyes. “Clem, I don’t know where they went. They could be anywhere or dead or... H-how are we going to tell the others?”

Louis’ words made Clementine’s stomach turn. She had no idea.

----

Ruby wandered aimlessly through the greenhouse. Willy’s excited chatter didn’t register in her mind. All she could focus on was the fact that they weren’t back yet and that her head was throbbing. Although it seemed like nothing compared to the nerves in her stomach. Ruby suddenly froze when she made it near the door to the next room. Images of Ms. Martin suddenly appeared in her mind. The frail, rotten form of her mentor that reached out to try and eat her and the others. Her lifeless corpse when it was placed in the grave. What if Aasim joins her? What if he’s turned?

All of a sudden an image burned deeply into her mind’s eye. That of Brody, her face caved in and her eye leaking down her face as she laid on the ground, waiting to be buried. Her unnaturally pale, rotten skin. What if Clem had to kill another one she held dear in self defense? What if they found Prisha and Aasim and it was already too late? What if-

“Ruby,” Willy placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump at the contact. His eyes searched hers and he saw the fear in them, the pain and the sorrow. “I’m sorry. This was a bad choice.” His eyes wandered over to the door as his face twisted into a sad frown. “I can always name the plant later. Let’s go back to the others. Maybe make some tea?”

Ruby nodded half-heartedly, letting Willy pull her along again out of the greenhouse and towards the center of the school. When they had made it over to the picnic table and had settled down, AJ’s voice suddenly rang out.

“They’re back!”

Violet immediately climbed down and Ruby ran over, joining her by her side in seconds. The rest were soon there as well. When AJ had moved to open the door, stepping out of the way to let them in, it became clear that things hadn’t gone well. Only

Clementine and Louis walked in, their faces tired and sad.

“Where’s Prisha and Aasim?” Willy walked forward.

“We didn’t find them,” Louis tried to say more but nothing came out.

Willy shook his head in disbelief. “No, that can’t be true.”

“Willy,” Louis reached out, but Willy pushed him away.

“No,” Willy glared up at him with tears running down his face. “You said! You said you’d bring them back!” Before anyone could respond, Willy ran off towards the dorms.

“Willy!” Louis called out and tried to move forward but stopped when he felt Clementine’s hand grasp his arm. When he looked, all he saw was a short, sad shake of Clementine’s head.

“We searched everywhere within the safe zone but we couldn’t find them.”

Violet felt her heart stop. No, this can’t be real. She felt herself shake violently as a rising urge to vomit overtook her stomach only to be fought by overwhelming sadness that made her heart ache. She felt like all the weight was leaving her body, that at any second she could collapse.

“Vi?” Louis had snuffed the torch and made his way over to check on her.

She tried to speak but nothing was coming out. Suddenly out of the corner of her eyes she saw Ruby fall over, her legs giving out beneath her. Luckily Omar had been beside her and had caught her, holding her in his arms as she sobbed. Everything was silent except the sound of Ruby’s sobs.

“We’re not giving up,” Clementine spoke up. “Louis and I are going out tomorrow again. It actually could be a good sign that we didn’t find anything.”

“How?” Violet refused to look up; her voice was hoarse and rough.

“If we had found anything, it would’ve been their corpses. But we didn’t. They could be alive and hiding out,”

Or they could’ve turned. Violet felt her head pound as her heart throbbed in pain. She couldn’t handle this. She couldn’t stand being here anymore. Shakily she turned around and walked back into the dorms. Her feet dragged across the floor as she struggled to get back to her room. Violet slowly turned the door knob and walked inside before shutting the door, sliding down against it as all the feeling from her legs disappeared. She couldn’t hold it back anymore.

The little hope that she had had been crushed. Tears rolled down her face, feeling hot and damp against her skin. She sat there letting the sobs overtake her body, shaking violently while she clutched her knees close to her chest, trying to stop the pain from consuming her. But it felt impossible. After a while she looked up, her limited sight blurry from her tears, when her eyes fell upon the star mural that Prisha had made. Forcing herself up to her feet, Violet collapsed on the bed, lying down to face it. Her hand slowly reached up and brushed against some of the stars. Prisha… Violet couldn't believe it. Clementine said there was still a chance but those rarely turned out to come true. More tears became to pour down her face as she looked at the stars Prisha had painted for her. Suddenly thoughts came to overwhelm Violet’s mind. What if this morning was my last moment with her? The thought shook Violet to her core as she curled herself up tighter and tighter, praying that it would stop the pain. Would she never see her smile again? Or her eyes? The way they lit up whenever she had come up with a new invention. Her voice, her laughter… Was it gone forever? Violet’s hands wrapped around her head, her fingers curling into her hair as she sobbed.

Another realization hit her that made her heart stop and her insides twist in agony. What if the only time she saw Prisha again was when they lowered her body into a grave? What if Clementine and Louis find her tomorrow and she’s turned? Violet felt sick and weak at the thought. She couldn’t handle this. She didn't want to imagine a future like that or a life without Prisha, but the images kept playing in her mind. Noises started coming from the hall outside, momentarily distracting Violet’s haunted mind.

“Louis,” Omar’s voice suddenly appeared down the hall. Loud footsteps were echoing through it. “I think we need to give Violet some space,”

“We can’t just leave her alone, I-” There was an abrupt pause to Louis’ sentence as a loud thud hit the side of the wall.

“Louis, you’re exhausted. I’ll stay with her tonight. I’ll be right outside her door, okay?”

There was a brief moment of silence when a knock appeared on Violet’s door.

“Violet? You there?” Louis sounded worried.

But Violet didn’t speak up.

“Clem and I are going again tomorrow and we’re going to search until we find them, no matter what.” His voice wavered as the emotion started to build inside of him. “Omar will be right outside, but also know that if you need anything you can come get me, okay?”

There was no response.

“I love you.”

Louis’ words felt heavy in Violet’s chest. This was all too similar to last time all those years ago. Louis had stayed by her door for days and had said those words. But they felt the same as last time: too painful to hear. A tense, sorrowful silence consumed the room for a few minutes before Louis walked away. A soft sound of something leaning against the door indicated that Omar had taken his spot.

“I’ll be here if you need me.” Omar stated in his usual tone even though Violet could sense the sadness underneath it. This night was affecting him too.

Omar leaned his head back against the door. He wished this night would pass and bring forth the day so that they could keep searching. I refuse to believe they’re gone. Omar’s hands curled up into fists. They can’t be. He felt his throat become dryer and painful as his eyes shone with unshed tears. They couldn’t lose anyone else. Every day it was a possibility, but it couldn't happen. Omar’s head fell onto his knees. To lose Prisha and Aasim would be a high price for them to pay. It would hurt too much.

A soft sound emitting from down the hall drew Omar’s attention, revealing Rosie strolling forward. She had a concerned look on her face as she slowly wagged her tail. She must be picking up on everyone’s emotions. Omar brushed his hand against the top of the pitbull’s head who licked his face in approval. Omar gave a lighthearted chuckle before he noticed that Clementine was outside on watch duty. Quietly Omar rose to his feet. He knew how exhausted she must be, but he couldn’t leave Violet alone. His eyes wandered down to Rosie and an idea formed in his mind. Slowly opening the door, he let in the pitbull.

“Omar,” Violet’s voice sounded weary and broken. “I’m not-”

Violet paused when she noticed Rosie walking over and lying down at the foot of her bed. Violet stared at the dog for a few seconds before sliding down onto the floor, gently brushing the top of Rosie’s head. The dog let out a small whine as she laid her head on Violet’s lap. Violet’s hands hovered in the air for a moment, unsure what she wanted to do. Then she wrapped her arms around Rosie. Rosie’s tail thumped against the floor while she leaned into the gesture. Violet felt her face grow hot again from more tears.

Her eyes wandered over to the window where the pale moon shone through. There was no way she was going to sleep tonight even though her entire being felt utterly drained. She knew her body would refuse to sleep. Still, Violet looked down at Rosie whose golden eyes looked into hers. It’s nice to have some company.

----

Ruby felt like her whole body was burning in pure agony while she clutched desperately to one of the pillows in her and Aasim’s room. It smelled like him. Her gut twisted in pain as more fearful thoughts entered it. She wasn’t sure how she was going to get through this night. What if it isn’t just tonight? Ruby’s grip tightened around the pillow. What if I never see him again? The very thought sent a chill down Ruby’s spine as more sobs escaped her lips. Her body felt like it was trying to reject the possibility when it began to tremble again. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

Ruby tried the breathing technique that Clementine had shown the group to help calm down whenever their anxiety rose. But it did nothing. It felt so useless, so pointless. Suddenly a knock appeared on the door. Ruby didn’t bother to answer though. It wasn’t like she wanted to see anyone anyway. But that didn’t seem to stop the person. The doorknob slowly turned and showed Willy standing there, a tear-stained pillow held tight to his chest as he wandered in. His lower lip was quivering when he looked up at Ruby.

“Ruby, I know that it's, umm… I just...” His eyes filled with tears again. “Could I stay here for the night?”

Ruby’s eyes widened for a second before softening. Giving a small nod, she watched Willy shut the door and make his way up on the bed. He collapsed beside her and enveloped his arms around her.

“I know I should be strong for you-” his voice cut off when he let out a sharp cough, more sobs escaping his throat. “But I’m just so scared about losing them.” He couldn’t lose someone else. He couldn’t stand the thought of seeing the graveyard with two new names to add to the list. Prisha and Aasim’s names couldn’t join the others. It hurt too much to think about.

“Aww sug, I’m scared too,” Tears were streaming down her face as she gently rubbed Willy’s back. “I wanna believe that Clem and Louis will find them tomorrow, but-” But what if they’re already dead or worse? The thought caused Ruby’s stomach to turn upside down, an overwhelming feeling of nausea overtaking it.

Willy’s head pulled back as he looked at Ruby. They have to! They can’t be-” That was the moment that Willy broke. His body shook with the weight of his emotions as they came pouring out. Ruby tried to force a smile but soon became too overwhelmed as well. The pair laid down in bed, weeping as they clutched onto each other. Grasping desperately onto the flimsy hope that everything would turn out okay.

----

Clementine wandered down the hallway, hearing the endless crying and sobs of her friends. Inching her way forward, she made her way to her room where Louis was already lying down in bed. AJ was asleep beside him, his face was dry and shiny with tears.

“Hey,” Louis looked up at Clementine. “I thought you were on watch duty.”

“I was but Omar kicked me off. Said that we needed to get all the rest we could for the search tomorrow.” Clementine plopped on the end of the bed, taking off her prosthetic before lying down beside AJ, putting him between the two of them.

“But Violet-”

“Omar said he left Rosie with her,”

Louis still seemed unconvinced but nodded his head. “AJ was really worked up when I got back to the room. Spent a whole twenty minutes unravelling about the whole thing. It was.. rough,”

Clementine’s hand brushed against AJ’s forehead, a small sad smile on her face.

“I can’t blame him. This whole thing...” Louis’ voice got caught in his throat “We have to find them tomorrow.” His eyes locked with Clementine’s.

“We will.” Clementine’s voice was tired yet full of determination “No matter what.”

Louis gave a somber nod. There was nothing left to say. They would just have to wait for tomorrow and hope for the best. Clementine’s arms reached over, wrapping around AJ and resting on top of Louis. Louis soon reached out his arm and did the same.

The couple gave each other one final soft smile before letting sleep overtake them.

----

“Here,” Ruby’s hand shot out. “In case they’re injured.”

Louis accepted the backpack gratefully, pausing when he felt Ruby’s hand shaking.

“Thanks, Ruby. You found something Rosie can use to track Aasim, right?” Clementine asked, looking over at Ruby.

“Yeah, here’s his journal.” Ruby handed over the journal which Clementine held in one of her hands. Leaning down, she placed the item in front of Rosie who sniffed it thoroughly. It was Omar’s bright thinking to bring along Rosie just in case she picked up either Aasim or Prisha’s scent. Rosie sniffed the air and started to make her way to the gate, scratching on it impatiently to start the search.

“Here,” Violet handed over Prisha’s brush. “I….” Violet didn’t finish the sentence but instead turned and walked inside, back to the dorms.

Louis and Clementine shared a concerned look before giving their final goodbyes and heading out. They had decided to head straight to the western part of the safety zone since that was their best lead. It seemed to be the right call as Rosie sniffed the ground, making her way in that direction. Clementine had her bow out at the ready just in case while Louis held Chairles at his side, his eyes searching for any signs. When they had reached the spot where they found Aasim’s arrows, Rosie’s sniffing became more intense.

“Maybe we should let her smell one of the items again,” Louis stated as he looked over at Clementine.

“Okay,” Clementine held out the brush, letting the pitbull get another chance to catch the scent. It seemed to do the trick. After a few seconds Rosie’s ears perked up and she began sprinting off over a hill. Louis and Clementine ran behind her, their hearts racing as they hoped what they would find would be their friends and not their remains.

After a long run that left both of their legs burning, Rosie stopped right before entering a clearing. She let out a low, warning growl signaling that trouble was ahead. Louis and Clementine stopped in their tracks, immediately crouching down to get a better look at what had set off Rosie. It was then that they noticed a pack of eight walkers roaming around a single spot. A small pile of bones laid at their feet.

Louis’ hand reached down and grabbed a small rock. “I can distract a few and pull them away from the others.”

Clementine nodded in agreement. “Okay. Rosie and I will take out the left side then.”

With that Louis threw the rock, hitting a far off tree. It drew the attention of three of the walkers. That has to be enough, Louis hoped as he snuck over to eliminate them.

Clementine looked at Louis who was making his way towards his first walker. She slowly pulled back the arrow on her first target. Steadying her breath, she took the shot, hitting one of the five remaining walkers in the back of the head. The walker collapsed lifeless, drawing back the attention of the three walkers, but it was too late.

Louis swung Chairles with a grunt, braining the first walker with ease. “That’s right, follow me,” he provoked the other two walkers. It also seemed to be getting the attention of the rest. Clementine took another shot, causing another walker’s body to become limp. She let out a sharp whistle to which Rosie barked in response, barreling out and launching herself at the first enemy in sight. Her mighty jaws wrapped around the walker’s face, crushing it in an instant and causing a gush of blood to splurt out and cover her mouth. Clementine notched another arrow and took out a walker’s knee, giving Rosie another chance to attack.

Rosie immediately crushed another head before stepping backwards as the last walker slowly lurked towards her. Clementine ran out, unsheathing her knife and with a small grunt kicked out the knee. The walker fell with a thud. Without giving it a chance to react, Clementine lunged the knife deep into its eye socket, squishing around in its head before pulling it out with a disturbingly wet sound.

Clementine took a deep breath and felt Rosie nuzzle her head up to reach Clementine’s hand. She gave a small smile then turned to see how Louis was doing. Louis had taken out his second walker. Using Chairles he swung upward, making the walker stumble and fall. Louis swung again and again, causing the skull to become nothing but a pile of rotting mush. Louis looked over with his usual smile and gave a thumbs up.

“So, Rosie, where to next?” Louis looked down at the pitbull who sniffed the air thoroughly before making her way to a patch in the ground where some leaves, twigs and dirt covered what looked to be a metal door.

Clementine ran over and looked back at Louis who gave a nod, his weapon at the ready if anything went sour. Cautiously she turned the wheel and pulled back the door, revealing Prisha and Aasim who shielded their eyes from the newfound light.

“Holy shit,” Louis grinned down at them, quickly helping them up.

“Clem, Louis?” Aasim looked at them. “What-” he was cut off as Louis hugged his friend tightly. Prisha was about to say something when she felt Clementine’s arms wrap around her.

“We got pinned down in this old cellar and the walkers weren’t leaving,” Prisha still seemed surprised by the hug as she spoke. “How long were we down there?”

“A day,” Clementine whispered, tears beginning to prick at her eyes.

“A day?” Aasim looked shocked by the news.

“Shit, we thought you guys might’ve died,” Louis felt a few tears rolling down his face. “The others are going to be so happy.”

Aasim and Prisha shared a look. They thought the same thing. They needed to get home as soon as possible. After a few minutes of grabbing food from the hidden storage cellar they began to make their way back through the forest. They moved as quickly as they could while making sure not to draw any more attention from walkers.

----

“I see them!” AJ called out. “They got them back!”

Those words seemed to stir the group sitting around the table. Violet and Ruby ran forward as AJ swung open the gate to let the others in. Prisha and Aasim were the first to walk forward, followed closely behind by the other three. Aasim was immediately wrapped up in a hug. Ruby held onto him, swaying back and forth as she smiled. Happy sobs were escaping her lips as they quivered.

“Aasim, thank god. I thought...” Ruby reached up and placed a few quick kisses on Aasim’s face. “I’m just so glad you’re safe.”

Aasim smiled down at his girlfriend while he wrapped his arms around her, returning the embrace. “I’m really sorry, Ruby. We got pinned down and…. I’m just glad to be home.” he placed a loving kiss on the top of Ruby’s head and rested the side of his face on top of it, swaying back and forth and taking in the moment.

Prisha didn’t even have a chance to look up before Violet had tackled her with a hug, sending her back a few steps. Violet’s arms wrapped tightly around Prisha. Her hands clutched desperately on to her as if she was worried she’d disappear at any moment. Prisha gently wrapped her arm around Violet, holding her close. She felt Violet trembling as she buried her face deeper against Prisha.

“I thought…” Violet’s words were muffled and hoarse. It was clear that she had been crying.

“I know. I’m sorry,” Prisha rested her head gently on top of Violet’s. Her hand softly rubbed her girlfriend’s back.

The two stood there wrapped in each other’s embrace when Willy ran forward and joined in the hug, sending Prisha back again. His eyes were filled with tears as he held onto Prisha. Incoherent words were leaving his mouth as he smiled brightly up at her before sobbing again.

Soon one by one the others joined in the embrace, enveloping Prisha and Aasim in their arms.

Everyone stood together, taking in the moment. Happy to have them back. Thankful that they had made it home.

[stiltonbasket]

Summary: In which Lan Xichen seems to be breaking curfew, and Wen Ning introduces A-Qing and the juniors to their soon-to-be-favorite love story.

Author’s notes: To everyone who was expecting to get to Lan Xichen and the night-hunt this chapter, I’m really sorry ;-; but this chapter ran over and had to be cut off yet again...help me

Excerpt:

A-Qing, to her new friends’ eternal disappointment, has never read a romance novel.

However, it isn’t because she  dislikes the genre, or the thought of romance in general. Rather, A-Qing’s mother (who really had been blind, from what little A-Qing remembers of her) could never teach her to read, and since her poor Daozhang was blind himself he never tried to teach her, either. But Xiao Xingchen—peerlessly gentle and tender-hearted as he was—had always loved the  idea of love, especially between sweethearts who fought the world single-handed to stand by each other forever.

Thus, he told A-Qing and Xue Yang love stories from dawn until sunset on rainy days, beginning with the tale of the cowherd and the weaver girl and ending with the happier West-Chamber romance; once, he even told them the story of his martial sister from Baoshan Sanren’s mountain, who was loved by the heir to Yunmeng Jiang but ran away with his servant to make a life in the wild instead. But none of Daozhang’s love stories were the kind that Lan Jingyi and the others like to read, full of thrilling elopements and duels to banish unwelcome suitors and maidens who defied their cold-hearted fathers to marry the men of their choice. A-Qing, therefore, knows nothing at all about candle-signaling from one’s balcony after dark, or hiding forbidden letters in the wrappings of parcels and packages, and even less about throwing pebbles to summon one’s beloved to their window—which is why A-Qing only lets out a scream of curses into the night when a shower of bone-white gravel strikes her own window a few hours after hai shi, startling her awake so suddenly that she falls out of bed.

“What are you  doing? ” she shrieks at last, looking down to see just who could have stolen into the girls’ leisure courtyard at almost a quarter to midnight. “Who let you in this late—and why are you throwing  rocks?”

But surprisingly (or not surprisingly at all, depending on how she looks at it) the gravel-thrower is only Ouyang Zizhen, hovering a few feet above the ground with one hand on the jasmine vine trailing up the wall.

“A-Qing!” he whispers, cupping his palms around his mouth so the sound carries up to her bedroom. “Are you awake enough to go out? Old Master Lan has a headache, and he warded his rooms against noise tonight, so Sizhui and the others are getting a party ready since he won’t hear us. Come down!”

A-Qing has  several questions after hearing that, but the foremost among them is how on earth Zizhen broke into the ladies’ compound in the first place.“What are you even  doing here, you menace? How did you get past the wards?”

“Hanguang-jun left the sect heir’s jade token with Sizhui before he went to see Wei-qianbei, and it’s keyed into all the wards in Gusu,” Zizhen explains, pointing to the cloud-shaped piece of white jade dangling from the belt at his waist. “Sizhui let me borrow it so that I could sneak in and bring you to the boys’ compound. Will you come? Jingyi and Jin Ling smuggled in food from the Hunan place in Caiyi this afternoon, and Sizhui made cold peach tea with ice in it.”

“Of course I  want to come,” A-Qing tells him. “But there’s always a patrol on this side of the Cloud Recesses, remember? I’ll have to pass them to get out the main doors, and I can’t climb down the wall.”

“Oh, right.” Zizhen frowns for a minute before brightening up like a lantern, leaping up and down on his sword until he nearly stumbles right off it. “I can take you on my jian, then! Have you ever been on one before?”

She has, briefly. Her Daozhang sometimes let her ride on Shuanghua when they went on picnics in the hills, and Xue Yang used to frighten her by snatching her up onto Jiangzai if she didn’t get out of his way fast enough, but somehow the sight of Ouyang Zizhen’s Xiufeng doesn’t remind her those two fraught weapons at all. It’s a simple, straight blade with a plain brown hilt, etched with only the sword’s name (whose characters spell out fair wind, Zizhen told her once) and a simple little inscription that says “To A-Zhen with love, from Mother.”  

Jin Chan and the Yao disciples teased him mercilessly for that, but A-Qing herself thought it was rather sweet.

“I have,” she answers. “But won’t someone see us?”

Zizhen bounces in place again and chews on his bottom lip.

“They might not see us if we’re fast enough, but they’ll definitely see  you since you’re all dressed in white,” he ponders. “Do you have anything in green, maybe? Then you’d blend in with the trees on the way back.”

“Of course I don’t have anything green,” sighs A-Qing, rolling her eyes. “No one wears anything but white here, remember? All I have are the clothes the Lan ladies made for me.”

“Then you can wear my outer robe and take it off when we get there,” Zizhen decides. “Is that all right?”

A-Qing nods and holds out her arms, and a moment later a dark blue gown comes flying  through the window with its belt tied around one sleeve. It takes a minute or two for her to struggle into it, mostly because it’s so much heavier than the clothes she usually wears; her own robes consist of a plain double layer of light embroidered cotton, while Zizhen’s gown is made of thick satin with fine silver stitching around the hems and collar—but she manages to pull it on, just before Xiufeng and its pink-cheeked master draw level with her windowsill.

“Come on,” he smiles, offering her his hand—and A-Qing takes it, stepping lightly onto the blade and laughing out loud as Zizhen nearly falls over again. “Qing-guniang, don’t laugh! I didn’t mean to!”

“If you do it again you’ll kill us both,” she snorts, poking him in the stomach. “Now hurry, let’s go find the others before the patrol comes round this side of the building.”

[firephoenix39]

Chapter 8: The Way To Texas

July 1st 8:00 am jimmy was setting a course to Texas the HQ was flying pass New Mexico into the south of Texas. So far Adrian was hugging Jingfei who is weeping about her grandmother.

Adrian: shhhh I know I know when I lost my parents I felt the same way just let it out, it's ok I'm here.

Jingfei: (sniffling) I just miss her so much she was the only family I have.

Adrian: I understand I was like that but look your grandma and your parents are in here (points on heart) and here (points on forehead).

Chris and Martin were looking at Adrian and Jingfei and felt bad that both lost their loved ones and wanted to cheer them up.

A minute later Adrian got a text from Adam.

Adam: hey little bro how are you doing.

Adrian: hey Adam um not too good at the moment.

Adam: what happened are you ok?

Adrian: there is this girl that I met when I was with Martin and Chris in China. Her name is Jingfei I love her and she loves me back but in the middle of the night her grandma the only family she had passed away and I've been getting flashbacks from when mom and dad passed. She is really taking it hard on it. We brought her with us cause if we didn't she would be on the streets fending for herself, and I want to help her but I can't do anything.

Adam: wow I'm really sorry to hear that well I wanted to tell you that I'm done with my college courses and I'm out and that I'm free. Is there any place you want to meet up?

Adrian: yeah can we meet at the family ranch in Amarillo I want to visit the place since we own it now. And to see if anything's Change.

Adam: sure I'll take a flight there I'll see you later alright.

Adrian: I'll see you there love you bro.

Adam: I love you too little bro take care.

(End of text)

2:00 pm the radar picked up a big rain clouds and jimmy had to make a quick landing to avoid lightning.

Adrian: what's going on guys

Jimmy: there are some heavy rain clouds in our path and we have to stop.

Adrian and the brothers looked outside and noticed that they are in a desert area

Adrian: are we in texas jimmy?

Koki and Aviva were checking their computer and the map as well.

Koki: it says we are in Texas but the computer can't make the exact city we are in.

Aviva: it's like we've been to every country but at this moment we don't know where we are.

Adrian grabbed his phone and used his maps app and was shocked to discover where they were at.

Adrian: guys we are at the city I was born in, Laredo I've always wanted to visit this place .

Jimmy: wait you were born here? I thought you were born in the last city corpus.

Adrian: I was born here but my parents moved to corpus when I was a year old due to a job opportunity they couldn't pass. It's says here that we are in the west side of the city near downtown . But it looks like that we are in the desert area or "Monte" in Spanish.

Adrian was looking in the city history and found some interesting facts.

Adrian: well here is something you don't know.

It says here that this area was all empty and when my parents were in their teens there was no schools from where they lived and that they had to go into the inner city near downtown and the border. Now there are houses and even schools in the south. Heck the city it's self is booming till this day.

Chris: well it can't hurt to step outside want to look around the area.

Adrian: sure I don't mind going out what about you Jingfei?

Jingfei: sure I don't mind as well.

3:00 pm the sun was blaring hot; Adrian, Chris, Martin and Jingfei were walking around the monte till they heard a strange noise.

Adrian: careful guys it is texas there are rattlesnakes.

Later the snake's rattle sounded closer and Adrian felt something tickling his leg later the trio in front of him saw the snake crawling up to his back and onto his arm

Adrian: what? What is there something on me? I don't feel nothing so just tell me.

Adrian looked at his left arm and jumped but he wasn't that scared he knew that if he was calm so is the snake. He raised his arm to his chest and the snake was making eye contact with him and he allowed him to pick it up and let it go away.

Chris, Martin and Jingfei were surprised that Adrian was able to remove the snake from his arm

Martin: Adrian how were you able to do that?

Adrian: I don't know maybe I just have a spiritual connection with wild animals.

Adrian sat on a log and was just looking at a his phone for any news till he heard foot steps.

Adrian: Chris, Martin ,Jingfei is that you?

No one replied when he looked up there was a Bambi and his mother walking up next to him the baby deer was just sniffing him and allowed Adrian to scratch him so he did and Adrian remembered that he has a bit of grain in his pocket he grabbed it and fed it to the Bambi. Then the mother walks up to him and also fed the mother as well. Little did he knew The brothers as well as Jingfei saw what was going on and thought it was cute.

As Adrian was done feeding the deer they both ran off into the wilderness.

Chris: you know you do have a way with nature.

Adrian: well I always appreciated animals and like to be with them. Chris,Martin can I tell you both something.

Brothers: go ahead.

Adrian: I've never been camping before even when I was young.

Chris: What? You have been missing out on a lot.

Adrian: well I've been thinking can we camp out tonight? I even found a store near where we are at and I can buy supplies

Martin: well sure it's your first time so you'll get to learn new experiences, ok you and Jingfei can get the supplies Chris and I will let the others know

As Chris and Martin head back to the HQ to let the rest know about the camp out plan,Jingfei and Adrian went to the store to get marshmallows, hot dog meat, buns, ketchup/mustard, and even bought a canteen for water. The cost was $15.00 so Adrian gave the cashier a $20.00 bill and  got five bucks back.

It was sundown around 8:00 pm  Adrian founded the crew and helped out the guys make a fire while Jingfei helped the girls with setting up tents. 9:00 pmThey were making hot dogs and as Adrian was cooking his he almost dropped it to the center but caught it in time.

Later Chris ask for a campfire stories and Adrian was the first to tell his story.

Adrian: it was around the time where native Americans were living here,there was a warrior who was born with the spirit of the wolf and he also acted like the animal .(Adrian grabs a powder and throws it to the fire making the picture come to life and show vibrant colors.) so to his people they called him the "Adalwolf" he cared for his people as if they was his pack,he lead them to fight with the different tribes to victory. But then in one battle the spirit took him over and he started to kill the other tribe natives Like the wolf as he was doing it he took to many arrows and started to run in the forest before he died he passed on the spirit to a Hispanic settler. To this day the spirit remains on earth looking for the next person to poses. It could even be me.

Than a in the distance there was a wolf howl and the team got a bit scared and started to go to their tents Adrian and Jingfei decided to share together and they drifted to sleep. 12:00 am Adrian was moving around in his sleeping bag as he was having a hard time to sleep, he was having visions that he was alone on horse back but the horse got startled that he was bucked off on to a cactus as he tried to get off the cactus he was stuck on fell and made him fall on another cactus on the ground and that later he awakes in a teepee and the Native American healer tells his people that he awoken and that the wolf spirit took him over. 2:00 am Jingfei was shaking Adrian to wake him up.

Jingfei: Adrian Adrian wake up

Adrian: what's wrong ?

Jingfei: I hear growling and footsteps can you check it out?

Adrian: ok I'll see what it is.

Then an animal let out a howl and it was to high pitched for a wolf

The noise scared Jingfei and Adrian to death, then the pack howled again and this time they were to close to the tents. Adrian grabbed his shock gantlet and peeked out of the tent. The fire was still lit but was going down and then he saw them there were four coyotes and they were staring at him.

Adrian: Hey Go On Get!!

The coyotes were growling at him and were approaching him slowly, Chris and Martin heard the commotion and open up their tents and saw the four coyotes about to jump on Adrian. As Adrian saw the wild dogs he saw the brothers looking at him and he starts to activate the shocking mechanism to defend himself, the first one jumped on Adrian but he managed to stunned the beast, then Adrian growled so loud that it scared the three coyotes away and even woke up Aviva Koki and Jimmy

Aviva: what happened what was all that noise

She saw the coyote laying on the ground and was devastated about what happened to the poor animal .

Aviva: what happened here!

Adrian: it was self defense four more were going to attack me I'm sorry.

Chris: Aviva don't be angry on him the bright side is that the coyote is still breathing and he'll be alright .

Aviva started to calm down but still was not pleased about the incident. Then Martin noticed something red on Adrian forearm

Martin: um Adrian there is something red going down your arm

Adrian took a look and notice that the coyote scratched him. And that he is bleeding

Adrian: I'll treat it later but Aviva I'm sorry that I did this to him.

Aviva: lets just forget about this alright I'm going back to the tent.

The team went to their tents and as Adrian was tending his claw slashes he and Jingfei overhear Aviva and Koki's conversation.

Koki: look Aviva I know that what the kid did was wrong but think about it if he didn't did what he did he would have been coyote food all life is important.

Aviva: I know Koki but I don't like that animals get hurt I even heard the poor thing whimper look I'll give him tomorrow than I'll forgive him.

Adrian: Jingfei I don't know if what I did was a good idea I mean like I didn't want to do it but he attack me first I mean it's not like I shot it with a gun it was just an electric stun.

Adrian peaked out his tent and saw that the coyote left to find his pack and didn't see no blood from the animal.

Adrian: well I just checked the thing left but still I feel guilty about it well I hope all is well tomorrow.

Jingfei and Adrian snuggle close together and fell asleep.

July,2nd 6:00 am The sun was rising everyone was awake and putting away the camping gear When they were done jimmy set a course to Amarillo.

9:00 am Adrian was getting text from Adam

Adam: hey little bro I'm at the ranch where you at?

Adrian: hey Adam we had to stop for a night due to storm clouds were blocking the way.

Adam: oh I see well I've made it to the ranch I hope you come soon.

Adrian: alright see you soon.

12:00 pm the team had made it to Amarillo and as soon as jimmy landed Adrian took off to find his brother he than saw the house and the three barns.

Adrian's phone goes off and it was a text from his brother.

Adam: hey little bro are you here?

Adrian: hey yeah I'm at the ranch where you at?

Adam: I'm in the old house I'll unlock the door for you.

Adrian: alright I'm on my way

Adrian than walked to the house and went inside as soon as he stepped in he saw Adam sitting on the couch talking with an man in his late 50s as Adam stood up he ran to Adrian and hugged him as he really missed him.

Adrian: it's so good to see you again you would not believe how much I missed you.

Adam: same every day back in college I kept on thinking about you and that we would reunite one day.

Adrian: Adam who is that man ?

Adam: oh this is mom and dad's attorney as soon as I was coming up here I got a call from him that he would meet us here to discuss about the property and to give us the keys for this house and the three barns out side. His name is Mr. Wilkinson.

Mr.Wilkinson: pleasure to meet you two I've been with your parents from when we were in college now I just wanted to say that they left you this property and a good amount of money for the both of you in one of the barns. Here are the keys for the house, the three barns and I don't know what these keys open but you can figure it out .also this letter is for both for you. and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call my office.

He hands Adam a card with his office phone number and left to his car in a hurry as he was late for a meeting. Meanwhile Adrian's creature pod was buzzing and then a hologram of Chris appeared.

Chris: Adrian where are you?

Adrian: Chris I'm so sorry I'm at my family's ranch I'm with my brother in a brown two story house. And next to it are three barns one is small one is medium and large

Chris: alright we're on our way. (End of call)

Adrian: Adam I would like for you to meet some friends of mine.

As Adrian leads Adam to the Tortuga on the way they met up with Chris,Martin and Jingfei .

Martin: there you are Adrian where were you?

Adrian: I went to meet up with my brother and we now own this ranch now. Adam you remember Martin the one in green is Chris his younger brother,and I also want you to meet Jingfei she lived in the fujian province in China.

Adam: it's nice to meet you all I'm Adam Adrian's older brother if you don't know.

Chris: I've had some idea that you were the oldest.

Jingfei: it's nice to meet you Adam I didn't know that you were the oldest I thought Adrian was the oldest.

Martin: Adrian just to let you know Aviva wants to talk to you, you have to go.

Adrian: alright I'll head there now

As Adrian heads back to the Tortuga Adam leads the trio to the house to show them around.

As Adrian was close to the Tortuga He then sees Aviva looking at the house and farm.

Adrian: hey you feeling alright?

Aviva: hey look I'm sorry for bursting out like that last night it's just I don't like it when animals are hurt or killed. Also how's your arm.

Adrian: so far it's still healing but it's doing alright. But I understand I felt scared and sad that this one time some guy and his friends killed a baby seal and recorded the thing that when they showed it on the news I was shocked. they were minding their own business but here comes these men bashing babies in their heads with a club just to make a quick buck, it saddens me. So you have every right to be upset I felt guilty for shocking the poor creature, so can we still be friends?

Aviva: yes we're still friends you know your alright kid.

Adrian: want to look around the house and the barns? my brother and I haven't Opened up the barns there are many surprises waiting ahead.

Aviva: sure I'll let Koki and jimmy tag along.

As Aviva was getting Koki and jimmy, Adrian went back to his brother and saw him outside the small barn. Adam opens the door and inside there was a small chicken coop at first they thought it was empty till Adrian heard a little peep. He rushed to the coop to see that a chick was hatched he showed it to his friends and brother they were filled with joy that the chick hatched. Then Adrian asks Adam if he can open up the medium barn, Adam gave Adrian the key and before he opens up the door he listened for any animals till he heard a familiar noise.

He opens the door and he saw ten cows in the first row and in the back he saw eight horses

He went to the back row and the horses had different pelts the first one was a red with white spots,the second one had an all golden yellow pelt, the third had a all black pelt, the fourth had a all brown pelt, the Fifth had a brown with white pelt, the sixth had a all white pelt,the seventh had a all grey pelt, and the last one was all red pelt. As Adam and the others went to the medium barn they saw Adrian admiring the horses and wanted to choose the horse they want to ride. Adrian: Adam can I have the golden horse?

Adam: sure little bro but you've got to take care of him you hear?

Adrian: I hear you and I promise to take care of him.

Adrian opens the stable to the golden horse, he admired the animal and its beauty.the horse looked at him in the eye and snorted and put his head down to allow Adrian to feel his hair and to stroke him.

Adrian grabbed a pile of hay and puts it next to the animal, the horse started to eat it, than Adrian grabs a bucket and filled the tub with water for the horse to drink.

Adrian: now all I have to do is name you, what about dexter?

The horse snorted meaning he does not approve.

Adrian: ok off the list what about gold?

The horse whines as he likes the name.

Adrian: ok I can tell you like the name well I've got to go I'll see you tomorrow gold.

Adrian closes the stable and heads to the barn entrance. Adam gives Adrian the big barn key and starts to head there before he unlocks the door he puts his ear close to listen for any animals but he heard nothing. He unlocks the door and it was pitch black nor Adrian and Adam can't see. They went inside to feel for a switch. Later Adam found a big lever and flipped it up one by one a light would turn on and they were surprised to their discovery.

There was a red and turquoise 1950 Chevrolet truck than Adam and Adrian saw the two keys and thought that maybe it would turn on. So Adam gave Adrian a key and went to the turquoise while Adrian went inside the red, Adrian puts the key in the ignition and turns it till

Adam: I'll be damned these old trucks works.

Then Adrian and Adam turn off the trucks and as Adam stepped out of the barn Adrian went to the very back and noticed that there was a secret door and Adrian pushed it open it was dark till he found the light switch, he saw a bunch of weapons. He saw a double barrel shotgun, some revolver pistols, a Winchester and Henry repeating rifle, and a bow with arrows.

Adrian: I hope that we won't go to a point where we have to use them.

He picked up the pistol and opened up the chambers and saw that they are all empty than he put it back on the table. Adrian promise himself not to tell anyone about the room except for Adam since they owned the ranch.

Adrian was about to leave the barn before he left he turned off the light to the secret room.

It was sunset around 7:00 pm and everyone was going to the house Adrian sat on the couch and Jingfei sat next to him and wanted to hug him.

Jingfei: hey Adrian I just want to say thank you for not leaving me.

Adrian: I care about you I don't want you to be living in the streets fujian plus I made a promise to your grandma that I would never leave you for another girl or for nothing you are the only one In my world as well as Adam and the brothers.

Adam: hey little bro Um I wanted to ask you if you want to have a room in the first floor or the second floor?

Adrian: hmm I think the second floor sounds nice.

Adam: alright Thanks for letting me know.

Adrian went to the HQ to grab all his clothes and belongings as soon as he grabs them he then went to the second floor of the house and he saw an empty bed room that's has its own bathroom in it he then puts the clothes that are in hangers In his closet and his shorts and boxers in the drawers he then had a mirror attached to the drawers next to his window and in front of the bed was an armoire with two big doors as he opens them there was a tv with a cable box Blu-ray player and a Xbox one inside and in the bottom was two drawers and as he opens the first one he saw that there was big case he pulls it out and saw that there was gold that was worth millions and that there was 50,000 dollars and that there was a golden revolver pistol as well as a golden m1911 colt semi automatic pistol. He puts the case back and closes the first drawer, he then opens the second one and inside there was a belt with a two holsters attached on the left and right side. And there was three boxes the first one said revolver ammo the second one said 1911 ammo and the third one said 12 gauge shells. Adrian reaches deep into the drawer and pulls out a pump action shotgun that was sawed off and was able to carry in the pouch of his horse saddle.

Adrian closes the drawers and decided to shower, after he was done he put on some black shorts and a white tank top and headed down stairs to make himself something to eat.

When he was heading down he then bumps into Chris and wanted to talk to him in private.

Adrian leads Chris into his room and closes the door.

Adrian: what's the matter Chris?

Chris: well I've been wondering is it ok for you and your brother that If we can stay here for a year or two?

Adrian: yeah sure you are all allowed to stay here as long as you want but I mean you all have to help around the ranch of course and not to mention you all have your own horses to take care of as well remember that I helped you out when I first met you all well I'm doing you a very big favor by Letting you all to stay.

Chris: thanks you are a life saver there are times where I would like to stay in one area and not travel at times.

Adrian: I know how that feels you ain't alone ok.

9:00 pm Adrian was in the kitchen going through pantries and fridge to find something to cook till he found some burger patties in the freezer and some buns in the pantry, he then put some oil on a pan and turned on the stove. Than as soon as the pan is hot enough he cooks the burgers. 9:25 pm Adrian was done making the burgers and passed them out for his family to eat. 10:30 pm Adrian was in his room watching some old episodes of Wild Kratts before he goes to sleep to prevent anyone from hearing he connects his Bluetooth earphones to listen and as soon as the episode finishes he heads to sleep.

12:00am Adrian kept on tossing and turning in his bed as he is having the same dream as he and gold were riding till something startles gold and bucks him off onto a cactus and was saved by Native American tribe and discovers that the wolf spirit was in him.

[r3b3lgrrrrrrrl]

A LunaTic and her Gunn (Part 23)

"Work hard to Play Harder"

@creatureofthen1ght-v3

Luna's bouncing around the studio with excitement. She has tons of loose energy from recoding still flying off of her. She gives Colson that One Look slipping out of the studio.

He meets her in the bathroom down the hall, tucked by the room he had offered to her to teach Casi about photography.

Inside Colson's kissing Luna hungrily. She takes his determined tongue willingly. Both still buzzing, each other's hands are running wildly all over the other's body. His dick is throbbing and she's soaked. She has on a tight, maroon slip dress with no bra. He can feel every inch of her. She bends over the sink, coyly, looking over her shoulder while lifting her dress.

He watching her as he unbuckles his pants. "I KNEW NO PANTIES!" He exclaims to her in delight, making his big dick jump. He grabs her ass cheeks, spreading them wide before planting a sloppy, wet kiss on her pussy lips. "Mmm... Peaches" he murmers before biting the tattoo on her ass.

"What?" She yelps, laughing, jumping a bit from his bite. He pulls her close, separating her folds, sliding slowly into her tight pussy. They both moan loudly, together working himself into her. Once comfortable, she grips the sink with both hands. Slamming her ass into his hips. The energy of the studio still radiating of them both, they fuck each other hard. Kissing and sucking wherever they can.

He has one large hand on her hipbone and the other around her throat, guiding her wild bucking. Growing bigger inside her, he pulls her up closer to him, by the throat. Feeling her tighten and buck harder, he breathes deeply into her ear "Who's pussy is this." He demands, loosening his grip on her throat so she can speak.

Legs shaking uncontrollably, she cries out "YOURS!!" as he lets her go to grip both hips, fucking her with long, hard, fast strokes. They explode all over each other, laughing in delight.

Breathing hard, leaning over the sink, they're both seeing stars. Colson's face is against the back of her neck, in her hair. She purrs, wiggling into him. "I love you, Kitten." He says staying inside of her for a bit longer, head drunk from all the excitement.

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

After coming back into the studio with handfuls of beers Luna declares "Let's do something fun!!"

"What 'cha wanna do, Kitten?" Colson asks while watching her in amusement.

"2 ideas...." She responds holding up both her hands, black polished fingers spread wide "1. Magic slushies and Glow Bowling. Orrrrr..." She continues wiggling in her fingers in excitement. "We could be SUPER hokey and hit The Beach, do some day drinking.... Then The Pier for food, games, lights and rides?" She asks the guys beaming.

"What pier?" Colson asks with his head tilted.

"Santa Monica." Rook and Luna respond in unison, laughing as they look at each other in agreeance.

"Isn't that kinda, touristy?" Colson asks scrunching his face.

"That's the whole point. To escape our own ultra-coolness for a moment. Plus, it's what? A Monday, in early May? Dude, we're post spring break/pre summer. It's the best time to go." She shrugs her shoulders, swigging from her beer bottle, as she rolls her eyes. She never calls Colson "Dude."

Rook sees Luna's frustration. He's from LA and loves The Pier. He backs her up, "I say The Pier."

Luna snaps her fingers, shooting a finger gun at him. "Yesssss, Rook! 2 to nothing! WE OUT!" Luna laughs, mocking Colson.

"You're an asshole." He laughs too, scooping her up for a kiss.

"You looooove it." She responds kissing him back as they laugh at their inside joke.

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

Everyone hangs out in the studio together for almost another hour, sharing beers, listening to Butch's infamous stories, fucking around with the track. They decide to leave it be. Give it a later listen with fresh ears.

Walking Butch out Luna slides him an eight ball. "Sorry I didn't have it earlier." She says innocently. She had, she didn't want it in to the studio with her.

"I'll let it slide this time, Luna, but you still owe me a case of beer though." He winks at her

She laughs "I've got you double." She reassures him.

"It's always a pleasure to work with you. Sweetie. Tell Pat I said 'Hi.'" He says with a smile, kissing her lightly on the cheek before heading out the door.

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

They get on the beach by 4ish. There's a few people there but for the most part, it's just the lot of them. Colson, Luna, Rook, Slim, AJ, Baze, Benny and a fistful of giggling girls. They're ok. There's Regular Ones and Fresh Ones. Nice ones and Cunty Ones. Kinda like a Dr. Suess book. Everyone lays out huge blankets, setting up coolers and a Bluetooth speaker. The sun's still pretty high and its unseasonably warm.

Luna slips off her cutoffs, she has on a simple black bikini. Tugging at Colson "Come on..." She whines, trying to use all of her weight to pull him up. He doesn't budge. "Fine!" She sticks her tongue out at him, running off.

"Ok... Ok.." He laughs, putting out a joint to chase after her into the cool ocean.

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

For the first hour or so everyone stays in the water. Laughing, splashing, swimming. Wrestling about, jumping on and all over each other. Enjoying themselves fully. Luna and Colson dominate in Chicken. Baze tosses around another bottle of Jameson. They lose it a couple of times, erupting into laughter. They're loud and playful, like a bunch of teenagers.

Some make their way back to their spot. Rook pulls out his surfboard. Luna and Colson make out in the water.

"This was a good idea..." He admits to her with a tiny smile. With her body wrapped around his, she smiles back, kissing him deeply.

"Mmmmmm...." She thinks "I fucking love him."

"Thank you for trusting me with the song." She says.

"No. Thank you for knowing your shit!! It's 10 times better than it was!!" He lifts her high "DO YOU KNOW HOW FUCKING SICK IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN WE PLAY IT LIVE!!" He exclaims before kissing and pulling her playfully under the water with him.

Everyone continues hanging out on the beach. Drinking, laughing, burning. The boys toss the football. Luna chats with the Dr. Suess characters while listening to music. They play the Bad Things track and get hype all over again. Luna tackling Colson in excitement, attacking him with kisses to his pleasure. They decide to pack up and head to the bathhouse before dropping stuff off at the cars and getting something to eat.

Colson watches Luna as she's the first of the girls to come out of the bathhouse. He loves that it doesn't take her long to get ready. His heart skips a beat, catching her in the sunset, as she throws her leather on over her white T and cut offs. He walks up to her, wrapping his long body over hers. Her deep red lips break into a wide smile as he sings into her ear 🎶And I said My Kitten, you look wonderful tonight🎶 making her heart soar. She absolutely Fucking loves him.

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

They get to The Pier as the lights begin to click on, causing Luna to smile. The Pier's always reminded her of Coney Island, making her miss home for a second. Colson wants to sit down to eat but Luna and Rook convince him that the only TRUE way to eat is walking. They order boardwalk fries, pizza, hot dogs and beers. Wandering around watching the street performers as they eat. It's JUST dark enough outside to really begin to showcase the lights of the pier.

Colson holds his hand out to Luna, producing 2 capsules. "You know wanna hang out with her." He says with a devilish smile.

She grabs one, pops it while finishing her beer. "We're gonna want water now." She states, meeting his deviance. He nods finishing his beer as he takes his.

Colson and Luna stroll along with everyone, his arm draped around her shoulders as her hand rests in the back pocket of his jeans, cupping his ass. They play games. Colson killing the basketball long shot. Appropriately winning Luna an obnoxiously large, pink, stuffed bunny to her delight.

They fit 12 of them onto the water gun racing bench. Colson choosing to squirt Benny in the middle of the game instead. Holding it down for NY, Luna spins her gun around to defend Benny, soaking a laughing Colson. Baze wins to Luna's relief before Colson can retaliate.

Feeling Molly begin to creep around, Colson sees the Pacific Wheel. "Rides!!!!" He shouts, bouncing down the boards, dragging a laughing Luna. They get on the West Coaster first, Colson making them wait to be in front. It circles the entire pier, whipping and winding. As they're getting off a wide eyed Colson screams at Luna "I'M HAVING THE BEST FUCKING TIME!!!!" before running off screaming, bashing into people. Luna's laughing uncontrollably as she lugs her bunny, that's the size of her, struggling to keep up with Colson.

"Here, Brooklyn." Benny says laughing at the sight of her. He frees her from its weight. She beams up at him with sparkling, thankful eyes.

"WAAAAIT!!!" She gleefully runs after Colson, chunky, combat heels clacking underneath her. She catches up to him, swinging her body around him like he's a pole. The others are close behind.

"HI!!" He says, grinning. His blue eyes dancing happily, scooping her up in his arms by her ass.

"HI!" She's says back happily, wrapping her legs around his waist while resting her arms out on his shoulders. "Can I tell you something?" She's asks staring intensely into his eyes.

"Yes." He firmly replies.

"I fucking love you." Her eyes open wide in pure delight. She takes a big breath. "Like love-LOVE you." She breathes out. Biting her lip as if she's never told him she loves him before. With their brains, bodies and emotions jumping and raging with Molly, it feels like the first time.

Pulling her into him tight, he spits out "I fucking love-love YOU." before kissing her deep and passionately. Letting his tongue tell her everything they already know as they both tingle in delight. Swirling while standing still.

"More rides!" Slim slaps Colson on the back, jogging by finally breaking them apart. She smiles brightly at Colson, kissing him solidly before sliding her body down, along his hard cock. She grabs his hand, prancing after Slim into the lights with their group.

They get on The Scrambler, Air Lift and Pacific Plunge and Sea Swing. Colors and life whizzing by them. Molly and rides making their insides and brains jumble and jiggle. They play more games, Balloon Bust, Whack-A-Mole and Planko. Winning a combined total of 3 goldfish for the house during ring toss. Benny still has Luna's bunny. He's appreciating it's furry texture right now. Everyone is laughing, feeling warm, enjoying the atmosphere. Colson's giving Luna a piggy back ride to their next destination, the glowing Pacific Wheel as everyone bounces along. Music floating from each booth. A different street performer anywhere they turn. It's a colorful, kaleidoscope of laughter, love and happiness with a blanket of comfort and safety.

There's so many of them, they have to pile into separate boxes of the Ferris Wheel. Colson, Rook, Slim and Luna in the first. As it begins to go up Luna fires up a joint to Colson's delight. "You really are the fucking best!!" He says as she passes it to him.

"I'll do you one better." She says smiling, lighting another, passing it to Slim, who's across from her. He nods, beaming as he accepts the joint happily. There's a calmness in their box as they get stoned, staring at the sparkle of the moon on the ocean. It's only when Luna looks back at Colson is she flooded with the colors of the pier again. "HOLY FUCK, GUYSSSSS." She says intensely, bringing back their gazes to The Show.

They guys erupt into "GodDamns. And Oh Fucks." The 4 of them watching far above the world as it dances with false colors, giggling and pointing out certain things to each other until the end of their ride. "That was fucking SICK!!" Colson exclaims, throwing his arms up before wrapping them around Luna "I wanna fuck you up there." He says lowly in Luna's ear, grabbing her tits hard, making her flush and giggle.

Floating around a bit more, the guys are fucking around with the performers, Luna's making "bestfriends" with some of the Dr. Suess characters as one does when they hang out with Molly. Luna pulls Colson into a photo booth. Laughing and smiling, they make funny faces, with him kissing her on the cheek and them both throwing up the middle finger separately. She loves them. To her, they are their first tangible pictures together. Still geeking and bouncing around they all decide to head back to the house. Luna doesn't want anyone driving. They uber back to the house. They'll deal with the cars later to Colson's protests.

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

Back at Colson's everyone's still raging. Mod's there with Ashleigh and Tom, the other bodyguard. Dom and Ashley arrive, he's working on a song with Colson. As they head into the studio, Luna still has her tiny wits about her. She collects all keys and hops an uber with Her Ashley, Tom and Colson's Ashleigh. She's convinced them to grab the cars with her.

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

Following behind Tom, with Ashley and Luna behind her, Ashleigh can't help but feel relieved getting the cars back tonight. Colson would've been pissed in the morning and she hates dealing with the backlash of his nonsense when she's not involved in the antics.

"At least fucked up she still has her shit together." She thinks thankful of Luna.

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

Back at the house, Colson and Dom are still working on their song in the studio when Luna and Ashley get back. Luna hands Dom a beer and Colson a bottle of water. "No, beer for me??" He asks as she sparks a joint.

Hitting it she says "Water first, beer after." Handing him the joint with a kiss.

"I FUCKING love-LOVE you, Bunny." He says kissing her back beaming.

"I fucking love-LOVE YOU, Bunny." She smiles at him, heart racing at the birth of another inside joke as he turns back to Dom and her to Ashley "You hear about this fucking bill on the table in AL?" She asks her friend. They're both hugely politically active and as women, this one scares the fuck out of Luna.

Both are in the same room but involved in different things. It doesn't matter though, with One Look, they grin at each other, knowing the other is thinking the same "FUCK, I fucking love you."

Just then Travis walks in.....

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

To be continued......

[hisgirlwonder]

East to West - Part Two

Length: 2.6K words Warning: Sadness, angst, Michael being an asshole, etc Synopsis: Palos Verdes called your name from the moment Michael suggested the move there. Would it live up to your expectations or would it be the beginning of the end? You were soon to find out. Notes: To everyone asking for the second part - here you go! I’ve been so off course with writing after everything that has happened lately. Writing non-smut things is kind of difficult but I tried. I’m building up somewhat of a story before I get into the full on stuff. Enjoy ♥

The dining room is quiet and the only thing to break the stillness was cutlery hitting the porcelain as food is being devoured. Sandy commends you on how delicious it was to which you take a stab at Michael and mention how it was takeaway, side-eying him as you do so. Phil sips at his beer and admits they both enjoy a good burger more than they should. You shoot a very brief smirk at Michael before smiling sweetly at your new friends.

*

“Michael was a little apprehensive about it but I said no babe, I got this,” you tell them with hand gestures and all, ridiculing your husband in the kindest yet subtlest way possible. They both laugh but you know Michael is less than enthused and he clears his throat to derail you from mocking him any further. He invites Phil to join him in the workshop and Phil, of course, obliges. The pair leave the room and head towards the workshop to play with Michael’s new toys.

Then there were two.

**

“Such a beautiful view,” Sandy notes in an effort to perforate the silence. You’re on the balcony, leaning over the edge, and admiring the world before your eyes. You were in agreement with her and proudly claim the second seeing the house you knew it was the one.

“Phil told me you’re into art. You know, I think you should come to one of our art classes. It’s really great for meeting new people and it means we can spend a little more time together.”

“I think that would be a fantastic idea. I’ll get your number off Michael and we can organise something.”

“Oh, Y/N, you should meet Jim and Medina. I mean, Jim is busy a lot of the time but I really think it would be good for you. I understand how lonely it gets.”

You laugh to try and hide and distract yourself from what she just said. I understand how lonely it gets. Did she, did she really? Nobody else seemed as unhappy and mismatched in their marriage as you were. You paint a fake smile on your face and distract her with a joke about how it sounds as if you need an appointment to see them.

“Basically. But, onto more important things, tell me about you. I want to hear it from your own words and not a man’s perspective.”

“Well,” you begin, peering down at the band on your ring finger before continuing, “My mother would say I was a wild child. You know, the free-spirited, chameleon soul, lover of the arts and nature, type.”

“Wow. That’s beautiful. Can you promise me one thing? Promise me you’ll never lose that.”

“It’s just so hard being married to a person who seems to against everything that fills your heart with joy.”

Sandy wraps an arm around you and squeezes you in reassurance; almost like she knew what to do or say when you needed it most. Most people would spin some overused line and compare it to their own lives, but not Sandy. You already knew she was different.

“I’ve been trying to put my finger on it since I saw you and I’ve finally figured it out. You remind me so much of my Jim. If you need a buddy I’m sure he’d love to help you get acquainted with Palos.”

She pulls away and moves back to where she was, looking at you to take in everything you’re feeling. There’s another moment of silence but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Sandy rubs on your arm but doesn’t make a fuss because she doesn’t want you feeling embarrassed.

The tender moment is broken by Michael and Phil returning. Phil shoots Sandy the same look Michael gives you when he wants to leave a place without being rude. She picks up on it because she looks at her watch and says they better be going. A hand grabs of hers grabs one of yours in some kind of display of solidarity and looks at you in a way where you know exactly what she was saying. Her lips stayed shut, but her eyes said I’m here if you need me.

You try to show her your gratitude but Michael interrupts, saying he’ll take them out and tells you to go to bed because you seem tired. He wasn’t wrong – you were tired but it wasn’t for lack of sleep.

**

As the dishwasher is loaded with the last of the dishes, Michael tries to play nice by commenting that he knew you’d like them. This was him trying to uphold his dominance by enforcing he was right but you won’t give in and speak with enthusiasm about going to the class.

“See what I said? It’ll be good for you.”

Another comment about how he was right. Another comment to try and reiterate the fact that he was in charge and that you were still under his thumb. Refusing to give him the satisfaction of blowing up in his face right now, you throw a dishwashing tablet in the cutlery basket then close its door and turn on the machine.

“Sandy also suggested that I hang out with Jim because we’re so similar,” you admit, all the while trying to simmer yourself down.

“Really, Y/N? He’s nineteen.”

“I’m only twenty-five. What’s your point?”

You’re wanting to laugh and scream at yourself for thinking the rest of tonight would be even a little relaxing. Michael glares at you in disappointment. You bite the inside of your lower lip to stop yourself from clenching your jaw in anger.

“Can’t you grow up? I didn’t know I was going to marry someone who had no purpose.”

These few days had been full of all kinds of insults, both in actions and in words, and this one happened to struck deeply because Michael knew finding your purpose was what mattered to you. You didn’t want to give him the joy of seeing how bad so you leave the room before saying or doing something you would regret.

**

Let’s meet at my favourite spot on the beach in an hour. Let’s see if you can guess where it is. – J

The elation you felt from first reading that becomes intercepted with dread when you see it was sent almost an hour ago. You send him a quick reply and rush to jump out of bed; almost slipping over as your feet met the ground. After you’re dressed and look mildly presentable, you grab the acoustic guitar sitting near the bed and run down the stairs towards the front door, scoop your keys out of the bowl, and away you go.

The drive to the beach didn’t take too long thankfully and you weren’t that late. You figured you’d try your own favourite spot and, sure enough, there he was; standing near the benches by the food stands. You tap him on the shoulders with a finger and he turns around, greeting you with that same smile when the two of you met.

“Someone’s prepared,” you tease, pointing at the basket and rolled up blanket on the seat.

With the blanket under his arm and with his other free hand picks up the wicker basket, he jokes that some people need to be while others sleep in. You pretend to act shocked he’d say something like that to you but if you were in his position you’d joke the same.

“Before you ask, I don’t want any help. Go walk over to that tree and I’ll be over in a second with this stuff.”

**

“Fruit?” James asks, holding out a plate in front of you.

“You did all of this for me?”

“Bold of you to assume I’m not a man who likes a picnic by the beach,” he playfully teases.

The two of you laugh and begin conversing like old friends who had known each other for a while. Things were going great until he brought up the M word. You can’t help him for not knowing that marriage was a difficult subject for you but he was soon to find out.

You give your best attempt at trying to convince him it was great but he says you won’t be winning any Oscars.

“Look, I’m not here for you to sit and listen to me complain about something that isn’t anything to do with you. But, if you must know, I’m with someone who hates everything I love. Before you ask, we got married because we were young and I guess it felt like the right thing to do.”

The last of the fruit is quickly finished and you’re not looking at him but you can feel him looking at you. When you look up, you see those big eyes on you like you’re the only thing that mattered in that instant.

“Alright, your turn.”

“It’s nothing really. My parents, mostly my dad, want me to go to college, but all I want to do is surf and play music. I don’t care what I do as long as I have those two things.”

“You sound exactly like me. Maybe one day we’ll have everything we’ve dreamed of. Until then, we’ll have guitar lessons and hopefully meeting strangers who change our lives.” This was the queue for the two of you to play music instead of moping around over your lives.

**

James tells you to sit on the seat so he can pack everything up and you try to help but he refuses. His excuse for not letting you do anything is because you just gave him a guitar lesson. He comes over where you’re sitting with a fifty in his hand and shoves it in your shirt pocket as he’s walking over in the direction of the shops. He spins around on his heels when he’s a few paces ahead, walking backwards, pointing to you and shaking his finger, then spins back around. You run to catch up and realise just how natural things felt with him. Why did it not feel like this with Michael? Since arriving in Palos Verdes you forgot what two people enjoying their time together was like.

While you’re standing outside the café on the beach James asks you if you want some real food. You sling your guitar over your shoulder by the strap and admit that you guess it would be okay; you were being playful but your stomach was thankful.

“At least let me hold something,” you beg, looking at James trying to work out how he was going to open the door with one hand holding the basket and the other arm around the blanket. He gives in and hands you the blanket.

The moment after you sit down in a booth by the window the smell of food fills your nostrils and shows you just how hungry you are.

“My assumptions tell me you want a burger and fries, right? But you also want cheese on there. Maybe a van- no, chocolate shake? I know you haven’t read the menu but I have a gift for reading people.”

“You shouldn’t make assumptions…… but yes, you are correct.”

James rises to his feet and you try to give back the fifty dollars. He pushes your hand away and tells you that he wants to pay; his excuse was that he invited you here.

When you watch him paying at the counter you realise that you felt strangely at peace despite being in a place full of people; as if being with James calmed the rest of the world around you.

“This is perfect and exactly what I needed.”

“Do you want to talk?”

“You’re not going to let up until I do, are you?”

He smirks and shakes his head. It felt good albeit weird that someone was caring about you enough to allow you to unload onto them. You didn’t want to ruin the moment but you were bursting at the seams to get it out.

“He just... He just… He makes me feel like dirt. Like I’m nothing. I don’t understand where I’ve gone wrong. We used to be so happy but maybe I’m kidding myself.”

“Really?”

The waitress brings over a tray with your food and shakes on it. It appears that the two of you got exactly the same food, which was no surprised, and your stomach rejoiced as you took the first few mouthfuls of your burger.

“Really. The most recent issue is that he doesn’t want me hanging out with our friend’s kid because we’re a few years apart in age.”

You take a minute, sip down some of your drink, and continue.

“Oh, and that I needed to grow up. Apparently, I act as if I have no purpose because I want to play the guitar and like the beach.”

James reaches a hand out to comfort you and it feels so foreign. It’d been forever that Michael had actually touched you out of compassion or care. The last time he properly had a hand on you was when he tried to pull you back by your wrist and you didn’t dare entertain the thought that maybe, just maybe, one day he might hit you.

“Don’t let him make you feel bad. I know it’s easier said than done but he’s not worth your heart hurting.”

You try to force the emotions that are coming up back down and detract the conversation; focusing it elsewhere and pressing about what might be bothered him.

“Well…” he begins. Your eyes stay fixed and watch as James picks up a couple of fries out of the basket in between the two of you and dips it in his shake then eats them like it was no big deal. “There are a few things.”

It makes you laugh because you always thought you were the only one who did that. You follow suit but instead of dipping them into your drink, you dip it into his. You cheekily wink and he has this facial expression that says you’ll keep.

“Parentals are all about me getting a degree, and working in the business world. But that’s not me, you see? Like I said earlier I’d love to run the place I’m working at and give surfing lessons on the side.” He pauses briefly to click his fingers before resuming, “Or give drum lessons. Did I tell you I play them? Yeah, I’d love to teach that. I’ve been playing for almost ten years now.”

It was eerie how the situations were almost mirrored. Sure, he wasn’t dealing with a husband but he did have two very loving, very caring parents by the sound of it and sometimes that could be more stressful than a marriage where one person refuses to talk to the other.

“You know something, Y/N? This is all so surreal but it reminds me of something one of my friends taught me.”

“And what is that?”

He starts to speak a language that you recognised; how the universe brings humans into each other’s lives for a reason. You wondered why he came into yours but deep down already knew.

Taglist: @avesatanormalpeoplescareme @sensitivethot @sammythankyou @taintedaffairs @langdonsdemon @sacredlangdon @queencocoakimmie @violett124 @1-800-bitchcraft @wroteclassicaly // Also adding in: @sodanova @itsyagirl01, @hannahdanyelle, @katerina-marie

[honeybunchesofposts-blog]

Solace Part 3: Interogattion: Rafael Barba x Author!Reader

Warnings: Rafael being a boss ass bitch, like a couple cuss-words? The f-bomb maybe? I don’t really remember. Honestly I write the warnings before I write the actual story. Maybe a little bit of angst if you squint.

Summary: This wasn’t how you were expecting to spend your day after yoga. Instead of sitting in a coffee shop online shopping, you were sitting in an interrogation cell for 5 hours until Rafael dropped in from visiting his mother. @miamorbarba might love this chapter

Walking out of your local yoga studio that wasn’t ravished with hipsters, or hot moms, you didn’t expect to be picked up by Rafael’s SVU team. The winter air nipped at your bare shoulders as Fin and Sonny stood questioning you, a coffee shaking in the younger officers hand.

“Maybe we should take this to the station, clear things up a bit, and it won’t be so cold there,” Fin placed his hand lightly on your shoulder and you were complacent enough to follow him to the back of the squad car, noticing how Sonny’s left hand hovered around his pistol.

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

“I’m not going to talk without my lawyer present, and he won’t be back for a couple of hours. He’s out of town right now,” Folding your arms across your chest and leaning back in the metal chair, you were thankful Rollins had brought you a sweater, a shiver still running down your spine from the temperature of the slate grey room.

“Darling that sucks for you, I can do this all day, I grew up in Staten Island, I have superb perseverance and I don’t give up too easily,”

“That’s fantastic,” you leaned forward and placed your cuffed hands on the table, “But once you’ve survived what I have, you don’t know the definition of perseverance,” leaning back, Sonny glared at you before Fin walked in, patting him on the shoulder.“Can you tell us where you were last night?”

“I was at my apartment, watching Christmas movies on Hallmark and pigging out on Chinese food,” once you’d seen the two detectives raise their eyebrows you shrugged and bit your lip, “yesterday was my cheat day. I tend to go a little wild on my cheat days, that’s why I went through three rounds of yoga today and two rounds of pilates,” you cracked your neck and stared straight ahead.

“Your apartment security system says that no one has entered in the past month,”

“Yeah? And?”

Sonny looked at you and sighed, “You just said you were at your apartment watching Christmas movies,”

“Well, it’s not my apartment, it’s my boyfriend’s. I always keep an apartment in my name in case anything happens between my boyfriend and I or if anything ever happens to the apartment or apartment building,”

“You really need to clarify these things, they count on your statement,” Sonny glanced over at you and your cheeks turned a bright pink.

“Can I ask what you guys are charging me with? I really still don’t know why I’m here?”

“We think you’re linked to a series of murders that have been happening to wealthy socialites in the Upper West Side,” Fin looked up from the folder in his hands, casually glancing over to read your facial expression.

“Wait what? What makes you think that?!” All color drained from your face and you had to push the urge to vomit down. Murder? They honestly couldn’t think that you were capable of that kind of crime. Stabbing someone for taking your food? Yes. Hitting Rafael for putting himself in danger? Hell yeah. But murder? That was impossible.

“We have photos of you ar galas with everyone who was murdered, just hours before they were found. We can only assume you were the last person with them,” Fin laid photos out of the crime scenes out in front of you.

You were searching the faces of the victims, all of them bringing back what were now melancholy memories. Your hand scanned over a well-built young woman the same age as you, hair tied back, dressed in an elegant emerald gown.

“There’s no way I could have done this. Not now, not ever.” Your hand was placed over the woman in the emerald dress, “I could have never brought myself to hurt another human, especially Noah,”

“You know this woman?” Sonny looked at you skeptically, knowing you were an author, he always assumed you surrounded yourself with these people at parties to promote yourself and your works.

“Yeah, Noah and I met in high school, but we didn’t become close until college. She wanted Wall-Street, and I wanted a quiet life. To settle down after a bit well-off, not having to worry about constantly being beat out by co-workers or prove that I was still better than everyone,”

You smiled and shrugged at them, “we moved to New York together, found apartments a couple blocks from each other and proceeded on with our lives. Coffee on Monday, Pilates on Tuesday, Book Club on Wednesday, Yoga on Thursday, and Bars on Friday.” Moving uncomfortably in your chair, you wanted out of the room that seemed to get smaller by the second.

“So, you’re admitting you knew one of the victim’s routines,” Fin looked from Sonny toward you and folded his hand on the table.

“I refuse to say anything further until my attorney has arrived,”

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

Rafael turned from his mother’s house with dishes stacked in his hands, knowing how happy you were going to be tonight with some of his mami’s homemade cooking, his bliss and daydreaming were soon interrupted by his cellphone ringing. It was Olivia. “Hello?”

“We’ve caught a suspect. I know you’re at your mother’s but it’s urgent. They aren’t speaking anymore and maybe you could ease them into some sort of deal.”

“I’m on my way, get all detectives out of the room until I arrive, it might help sweat the suspect out.” Rafael pulled away from his mother’s house and hung up his cellphone, trying to get to the team as soon as possible, while staying within the boundaries of the law.

Arriving in the bullpen, Carmen was waiting with a cup of coffee, Olivia must have notified her and everyone was preparing themselves for Rafael’s own form of interrogation, “What has been said and what do we know?”

“We know that she was last seen with the victims hours before they were found.” Olivia started.

“She also knew one of the victims by name and had a personal routine with them, making them a perfect target,” Fin stood and paced around his desk a bit.

“She said she was at her apartment last night, but after we mentioned security, she quickly changed her story to her boyfriend’s apartment,” Sonny had to lightly jog to keep up with Rafael as he made he way toward the interrogation room.

Staring through the window, Rafael saw you pacing back and forth, biting on your thumb nail, and chest heaving, he willed you to calm down so he could sort this all out, knowing how any innocent person would be stuck in an interrogation room.

“She said she was at her boyfriend’s? She’s clearly innocent. Let her go,” Rafael turned away from the window and waved his hand in the air.

“Rafael you can’t do that, she doesn’t have a lawyer and she doesn’t have an alibi for her story. Sonny protested with Rollins nodding her head along, crossing her arms over her shoulders.

Rafael pinched the bridge of his nose, he knew one day the team would know the intense relationship between you two, he just didn’t want it to be like this, “She’s not acting like a guilty person.”

“And she’s not actin’ quite innocent either Barba!” Rollins raised her voice, her hand dramatically falling from the air slapping her thigh, which pioneered everyone else to start bickering to Rafael.

“Oh Dios Mío, dejarás de pelear! Her lawyer is standing right in front of you! She’s innocent because her boyfriend’s apartment is my apartment! I’m her alibi!” Rafael slightly raised his voice, tugging at the pink and grey striped tie he wore.

“Wait, that’s your girlfriend?” Sonny stopped mid-step away from everyone and pivoted on his heel.

“Barba has a girlfriend? I didn’t know you could get them tiger!” Fin went to slap him on the back before stopping and stepping away, “We better go get our big lawyer man’s girl outta shiny bracelets then.”

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

Sitting down to dinner that night, Rafael had opted for the couch instead of the dining room table, moving his leg so you could sit, you placed a kiss on his cheek before taking your place on his lap.

“What did my big bad ADA tell the SVU detectives?” Leaning down to munch on the delicious food Lucia had made earlier that day.

“

Only that I was your alibi. Now Olivia wants us to come over for dinner,” before you could open your mouth Rafael continued, “it’s not going to happen. I’m not ready to share you yet.”

The movie Rafael missed last night played in the background as you stared at him in amazement, moving further into his chest than seemed possible. This was definitely not how you planned your day to go.

[pjbehindthesun]

chapter 16: road dogs and glass eyeballs

Friday, October 26th, 1990

“I still can’t believe you came to see me off, Luce! You sure Jeff didn’t mind? Doesn’t his flight leave soon?”

“Nah, we said goodbye this morning.”

“You really should have stayed in bed with your man and snuggled like the adorable otters you are.”

My friend giggles, although I’m not quite sure where she’s managing to come up with the oxygen, since my brother basically has her in a stranglehold as we all stand on the curb a little ways off from the Greyhound bus in the very early hours of the morning, getting ready to say goodbye. I’m trying hard not to think about the goodbye part.

She eases herself free and kisses his cheek. “Yeah, but I know he’s getting back in a few days. You? Who knows when you’re gonna grace us with your presence again.”

“Yeah, well, Portland’s a lot closer than Asheville.”

I interject, “we’ll come down and see you once you get settled in, promise. We’re due for a road trip.” Lucy bounces on her heels in affirmation, but Alex lets out a huff of disapproval.

“Don’t listen to ‘em, man, these two will suffocate you if you let them. Especially this one,” Alex ruffles my hair, “just go live your life, enjoy it. We’ll see you around.”

His words feel like a boot print on my chest. I swallow hard, as if that’s going to wash away the tread marks.

“But, call when you get in anyway, okay?” I curse the little quaver in my voice, which I know is what’s making Alex roll his eyes.

“I will, I will,” Patch sighs, but with a loving smile quirking his mouth.

The hiss of the bus’s air brakes makes me wince, and we all turn to watch the rest of the small group of passengers start climbing on board, or hugging their loved ones, or fussing over luggage in the storage bay. Luggage… oh right, I’d almost forgotten…

“Hey, kiddo, I forgot, I have one more thing for you in the car…”

“For fuck’s sake, Cora,” Alex ribs, but I walk past him unblinkingly, leading my brother back out to the parking lot where I can talk to him in peace.

Patch’s forehead wrinkles questioningly as I open the hatch of the Rabbit and thrust a bike wheel into his chest.

“Here, hold this, I had to pop it off to fit the whole thing in the back…”

I wrestle my bike out of the tight space and frown back over at the bus. “Huh, I thought there was a bike rack on those things, but I guess not… well, a cable lock will keep the wheel and the bike together in storage until you get there. It’s a quick release attachment, you know how those work?”

“Cora, slow down, what…” Patch’s shoulders shake with a soundless laugh as he watches me fidget with the bike.

“What do you mean, what?”

“You’re not giving me this thing, are you?”

“That’s the plan.”

He shakes his shaggy head. “No can do, C, it’s a sweet idea but it’s yours.”

“Yeah, well, it was also my idea for you to leave your truck all the way back in western Carolina in the first place, and I don’t like the idea of you all on your own in a new town with no way to get around.”

“They’ve got buses and shit, Cora.”

“Humor me, you brat,” I finish working the bike lock key off my key chain and thrust it into his hand. Something in his face contracts, and he pulls me into an embrace.

“Love you, C.”

“Love you more.”

“Try to be happy, okay?”

“Mmhmm,” I affirm, squeezing him tighter.

We rejoin Lucy and Alex on the curb, help Patch stow his one small duffel bag and new-old bike underneath the bus, and start to hug our goodbyes. None of the words being said seem to want to stick in my numb, fuzzy brain. The only things immediate enough to feel real are the last little squeeze he gives my shoulder before climbing onto the bus and the look of excitement on his face as we wave him off.

Lucy wraps her arms around my neck from behind in a fond hug, leaning her head against mine. “He’ll be alright.”

I swallow hard again and nod, not willing to unclench my teeth just in case that’s the only thing keeping me from crying.

“You two are unbelievable. He’s a grown man, he’ll be fine,” Alex grumbles.

Without even turning my head, I know exactly what kind of glare Lucy’s giving him. But instead of arguing with him, she lets go of me and turns me around. “So, I gotta head back and get to work, but it’s movie night tonight…”

“Oh, right.” I’d lost track.

“...but I feel like heavier artillery’s in order. Night out?”

I glance at my boyfriend to gauge his reaction. “Oh, I don’t know, I mean, Alex is leaving Sunday morning, I probably ought to --”

“No, hey, it’s cool,” he cuts in, “I can go game over at Brian’s, you girls have fun.”

Lucy smiles and starts to chatter about what we might do for a girls’ night while we walk back to the Rabbit, but I’m stuck on Alex and his eagerness for a night apart so soon before a whole week of nights apart. We really are done here, aren’t we? What are we even doing?

***

“So, have you decided what you want to be?”

Cora’s rummaging through the thrift store’s bargain bin of hats as she asks me about Halloween. There’s a thing next week at the Tavern with a drink special if you show up in costume, and I’d talked the guys into it the other night. Cora took a little more convincing, but I think the prospect of sitting home in an empty house finally got to her, and she agreed to play along. Normally, I don’t think Alex leaving town for a week would have her feeling quite this down -- after all, they’re pretty good at managing time apart for her research trips -- but it’s obvious how intensely she’s already feeling the void left by her brother. She’s keeping it together admirably, but everything about her is more subdued since this morning.

“I have absolutely no idea,” I tell her as I pluck a fuzzer off of a pair of red velvet platform heels. “I was thinking I could just recycle the flower child from last year, I still have the fringed vest.”

“Oh come on, we can do better than that. What’s Jeff going as?”

“Larry Bird.”

“Typical,” she snorts. “I’ll only acknowledge it as a success if he wears the super short 70’s shorts.”

“Oh, bet on it,” and we crack up loudly enough that the only other patron in here on a Friday night looks up from his careful inspection of a broken camera to figure out what we’re laughing at.

We poke around the racks, trying various things on for size, debating costume ideas for the creatively and budgetarily challenged, and ultimately settle on plans for us both. Pleased that I managed to incorporate the velvet shoes into my own idea, we pay for our finds and walk the few blocks to the bar where we’d planned to have a drink. On our way, we catch up on each other’s lives. Her frustration with her advisor Jim, who keeps forgetting to send in a recommendation letter for her fellowship application. My annoyance with Greta for piling more responsibilities on my plate after someone else in our department quit. Her excitement over finally getting a chance to listen to the new Neil Young album. The stray cat that I’ve been seeing in our building parking lot, who looks ready to have her kittens and who I’ve been leaving food out for. Where we’d actually go on a road trip, not just to Portland to visit Patch but throughout the whole West. It’s a steady, comforting rhythm that’s rudely interrupted by a sleazy guy about our age who’s already three sheets to the wind when he catches up to us on the sidewalk as he walks the same direction.

“Damn, where are you fine ladies heading tonight?”

I have to try not to laugh as I watch the loathing seep out of Cora’s every pore. Half the fun of going out anywhere with her is watching her destroy buffoons like this one, who only seem to materialize when we don’t have our usual herd of guys in tow. But she’s in a quieter mood tonight, so I decide it’s my turn.

“Just out for a walk,” I respond in a neutral tone.

“And may I app..ccompany you?” he hiccups, I guess trying to seem gentlemanly but failing miserably.

“No thanks, it’s a girls’ night tonight, just want to spend time with my best friend,” I throw an arm around her shoulder because I could have sworn I just heard her growl.

He clucks his tongue. “Ahhh, I get it, I get it, that’s *hicc* that’s beautiful. I just,” he slurs, and at the sound of Cora grinding her teeth I have to look over and stifle a laugh so the asshole won’t notice, “I’m out here looking for the same thing as everybody, y’know? Just trying to find love, my girl, my one and only, my road dog…”

“Your road dog.” Cora repeats in monotone, no longer able to resist the temptation.

“Yeah!” the guy enthuses. “My road dog, you dig?”

“I do not.”

“Like, my best friend, my road dog, the one I wanna travel this wild and crazy life with *hicc*, you know how it is. Well, I don’t wanna bother you no more, you girls be good,” he gives us a sleepy grin and disappears around the corner while we continue straight.

“Calling a girl a dog is a special kind of pickup line fail,” Cora cackles.

“Points for originality though, I kinda love the whole road dog thing.”

“You do?” she shoots me a withering glare.

“Yeah!” I stop on the sidewalk and drop to one knee, holding her hand while she looks at me like I’ve totally lost it.

“Cora, my darling, my dream, would you… be my road dog?”

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” We hold hands and skip the rest of the block.

***

Sunday October 28th, 1990

“Hey, Red, guess I missed you, uh… hi, it's Stone, obviously, what other rude motherfucker would call you at this hour? Anyway, uhm, I just… wanted to say hi, and fill you in on our New York happenings… oh, Kelly had a thrilling brush with the law today, it's a long and pointless story and I really wanna bore you with it if you're around. Call me, okay? The number here's… shit, hang on, what is it again?...”

Why does the sound of his stupid, rambling voice make me grin like such an idiot? It probably helps that no one’s watching, I guess. I wouldn't be caught dead smiling at Stone like this in person because I know I’d never hear the end of it. Someone has to keep him in line.

I grab a notepad while I listen to him look up the number in his room and read it to my machine. I didn't miss his call by much, it's not even 7:30 here yet, so I figure I have time to shower before I call him back. He’ll probably be up late anyway because of the time difference that he obviously forgot about. There's no reason to rush, and I’ve got the whole apartment to myself now.

But I’m rushing anyway.

After I shower and throw on whatever sweatpants and shirt are closest, I fold my legs up and sit on the couch with the phone, wiping away the occasional stray drip of water from my sopping wet hair, and dial the number he left. He answers on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Okay, bore me.”

I'm greeted by the laugh he makes when he's feeling particularly pleased with himself. “Hey Red, you got my message?”

“Obviously, idiot.”

“Hi to you too,” he sasses. “Jesus, where are your phone manners? I’d make a crack about you being raised in a barn, but in your case it's probably true and I wouldn't want to make you relive the trauma, so…”

“Ooh, etiquette lessons from the most obnoxious, sarcastic piece of shit I’ve ever met? Gee golly mister, sign me up.”

“I think my rates are a little steep for you, Red.”

“Oh really? What do you charge?”

“If you have to ask, you can't afford me.”

“I’ll cry myself to sleep tonight.”

“Is this you using your manners? Try again.”

“Hi, Stone.”

“Hi, Cora. Sorry to bug you so late, is this a good time?”

“I called you, man.”

“Fair.”

“And it's way later there than it is here, anyway.”

“Ah, fuck it, I’m still on Seattle time, this trip’s not long enough to adjust. Whatcha been up to?”

“Mostly studying for that exam I’ve got on Tuesday, but I needed a break, so I just got back from a run and got your message.”

“You know, I thought I could detect a rank, sweaty odor as soon as my phone rang…”

“Well either you should call your doctor about those olfactory hallucinations, or you should tell Jeff to throw those damn hats in the washer already. Anyway, it’s not me, I just showered.”

“Ah.”

He’s quiet for a beat, so I decide to prod him. “And what are you up to?”

“Nothin’. Being lazy in bed.”

“Aww, that’s kinda cute. Tell Jeff I said hi.”

“Jeff’s out with Kelly tonight, so it’s just me.”

I shift my position a little on the couch to distract myself from the odd little thrill that just shot down my spine.

“Just you, huh?”

“Yup, you got me all to yourself,” he jokes, pouring the seduction on thickly.

“You’re a pig, Stone, it’s not like I asked 'what are you wearing’ or some seedy shit.”

“T-shirt and boxers,” he says bluntly.

“I didn't ask! ...where the fuck are your pants, dude?”

“It’s almost midnight and I’m in bed, why the fuck would I be wearing pants? This is what I always sleep in.”

“Again, for the record, I did not ask.”

“Why, what do you wear to bed, a Victorian nightgown?”

“New subject, please.”

“Oh my God do you wear a nightgown??”

“NO!” I laugh, my cheeks reddening.

“Then what? You're not getting out of this without telling me, Red, I told you mine.”

“I DIDN'T ASK.”

“I'm gonna have to get a look at this nightgown when I get back, I feel like it's got to be fuckin’ awful if you're trying this hard to avoid telling me about it. Like, high neckline, ruffled hem, puffy sleeves…”

He sounds way too gleeful for me to believe he’s ever going to drop this, so I brace myself to rip off the band-aid. “Icantsleepinclothes,” I mutter.

“Excuse me? Didn't catch that.”

“I can't sleep in clothes. I go to bed naked.”

“Oh… oh.”

“Yeah.”

“No nightgown then.”

“Uh uh.”

“Well okay then.” He’s quiet for an excruciating pause, and then, “point of clarification, are you in bed now?”

“I am not, you pig. I am studying on my couch, fully clothed.”

“You're no fun,” he baits me.

“NEW TOPIC,” I shout, mostly just to drown out my own laughter to avoid encouraging him.

He fills me in on their trip so far, which has included a case of mistaken identity that landed poor Kelly in jail for a few hours while he and Jeff were occupied in meetings. Overall, though, the trip seems to be leading to a productive resolution with the old record label people. I forgot how much I love talking to him like this, aimlessly. Even when we lose the thread of the conversation and sit together in silence, it doesn’t feel weird, it just feels peaceful.

“I had a dream about you last night, you know.”

“Yeah? Good dream, I hope?” His words are innocuous enough, but I can hear his smile permeating his voice, that stupid challenging smirk.

“Ugh, not like that kind of dream, gross,” but I'm smiling too as I tangle my fingers in the phone cord. We're both talking in quieter voices all of a sudden, too, even though there's no one to overhear us and nothing of consequence being said.

“Oh yeah, disgusting. Absolutely revolting,” he cackles in that breathy, almost silent way he has when he thinks he's being utterly hilarious.

“You wanna hear about it or not?”

“Definitely.”

“Be nice, then. I should warn you, I have extremely weird dreams…”

“Ooh, a disclaimer,” he says in a scandalized tone, “now we're gettin’ to the fun stuff, lay it on me.”

“You're a pig.”

“Mmm, so you said.”

“I just mean like surreal, kind of psychedelic, but very vivid. Nothing’s straightforward in my dreams, ever.”

“I'm dying to know how you dreamed of psychedelic me, then.”

“Well, I guess it wasn't technically a dream about you…”

“Tease!”

I'm so stupid for blushing, ugh.

“Pain in the ass. You weren't really in it, you were just the first person I wanted to tell about it when I woke up.”

“...aww, really?”

“Really.”

“...Cora… that's so sweet…”

“Maybe you should reserve judgement until you hear it.”

“Well, I’m all ears.”

“Okay…” I take a deep breath and slump deeper into the couch, trying to figure out the best way to explain my weird little world to him. “So, the first thing to understand is that in the dream, the Earth isn't really a planet in outer space, okay, it's… it's a glass eyeball in a jar…”

“This is what made you think of me??”

“Damn it, man, have a little patience,” I laugh.

“Patience is my middle name,” he deadpans.

“Well, they can’t all be winners. Wait, what actually is your middle name?”

“Carpenter. You didn't know that?”

“No, asshole… wait, really? Stone Carpenter Gossard?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Your parents really went all in on a theme, huh? Respect.”

“Yeah, well, the hippie streak runs deep.”

“Clearly. I like it, though. Anyway, if you're such a know-it-all, what's my middle name?”

“It's, uh… fuck, I don't think you’ve ever told me.”

“Which means you have to guess!”

His groan of irritation gives way to a low little laugh. “Hmm… let me think…”

After a long pause, I’m pretty sure he's striking out. “Admit defeat, Stoner, you got nothing.”

“Give me a chance… okay, Cora… Cora…” Move along, nothing to see here, just Stone sighing my name, that doesn't affect me in the slightest, nope… “Cora Something Shaw…”

“Compelling, but incorrect.”

“You're impossible.” His grin broadcasts itself through the phone again. “Well, in order to suit you, it has to be something short and matter-of-fact… nothing flowery…”

“You're getting warmer.”

“...and you’re a good little Catholic girl,” ...nope, that doesn’t affect me in the slightest either, Jesus if you save me right now I promise I’ll believe in you again... “so it's probably some saint bullshit… Maria? Theresa? Anne? Joan?”

“Ha, colder. Except for the monosyllabic part.”

“Okay, I give, what is it?”

“You got closer than I’d like to admit, to your credit, but you forgot the hippie dad.”

“In my defense, I didn't know you had a hippie dad. This isn't the paterfamilias asshole, is it?”

“Nope. That's the stepdad. My actual dad is a whole other story.”

He’s quiet for a beat before speaking up in that same tender, vulnerable tone I heard for the first time at the cafe, when he’d asked if he could call. The tone I've been wanting to hear again ever since, against all my better judgement.

“I’d like to hear it sometime.”

“Hmm. Maybe when you get back. So, any last guesses?”

“I give. You got me.”

“Really? You're folding? That's damn disappointing, Stone.”

He chuckles. “If this is the worst way that I manage to disappoint you, we’re in good shape. What's your fucking name, huh?”

“Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes…”

“Hang on… monosyllabic… Lane? Cora Lane Shaw?”

“Ding ding! That's me!”

“Huh. It suits you. Very strange.”

“Hey, thanks,” I sass him.

“No, no, I mean it… like, I’m sure they couldn't have known when they named you, but it's the perfect song. The surface seems wholesome enough, but the closer you look, the more… ‘off' it seems, the more interesting and cryptic it gets…”

“I can deal with being interesting and cryptic.” I bite my lip in, which is stupid because there's no reason to hide how hard I’m smiling when I’m by myself.

“Well, good, because that's you. Speaking of which, back to eyeballs…”

“What? Oh, right… okay, so we're all living on this glass eyeball suspended in a jar, right, just sitting forgotten on a dusty shelf somewhere in a warehouse or something… and the jar is filled with some kind of gas, I guess that's our atmosphere, and stabilized by electromagnetic fields so the eyeball can float.”

“Right, okay…”

“Well, it was supposed to be a sterile environment, but something went wrong, or someone screwed up, I don't know, but something started growing on the eyeball. So all the life on Earth we’ve ever known… dinosaurs, trees, amoebas, dogs, cats, humans… that’s all we are, we’re all just eyeball fungus.”

He's silent for a long time, and I imagine his face looking the stupid smug way it always looks before he launches into a typical sarcastic takedown, but when he finally speaks again, his voice sounds so sincere, almost childlike.

“How do day and night work inside the jar?”

My smile splits so wide it's hurting my cheeks. “I... I don't remember. I’d have to go back in the dream and look it up.”

“You can do that??”

“Sure, I do it all the time… can't you?”

He lets out a soft laugh. “Baby, I think our dreams are such entirely different animals, I couldn't begin to relate.”

I don't give a fuck whether he can relate, or about much of anything else, except wanting him to call me that again... “Well, uhm, you’ll have to tell me some of your dreams so I can be sure. I showed you mine…” holy shit, did I just say that?

“Hah. I don't have anything to offer on this scale of creativity. I don't even remember most of them, and the ones I do are just your typical, mundane, playing-a-show-in-your-underwear-type stress dreams, shit like that.”

And now I'm picturing him in his underwear for the second time tonight. Fantastic. Doesn't he know my subconscious don't need any outside help objectifying him lately? Focus! What were we talking about? Oh yeah...

“Anyway, one thing I do remember is that the stars are not real.”

“Oh, inside the jar? That makes sense. What are they, do we know?”

“It’s a scientist’s dream, of course we do. A long time ago, people got sick of having nothing to look at at night. So someone climbed up there and pasted a bunch of random stuff on the inside of the jar for the people-fungus to look at and dream about. But over time, the sticky stuff wears off, right? and the pictures fall down, and someone has to climb back up there and paste the ‘stars’ back into place. So, somewhere, there's a real Stairway to Heaven, just for that purpose: for the one person whose job it is to climb up and put the stars back up when they fall.”

The silence stretches on long enough that I fear we’ve been disconnected. “...Stone? You there?”

After what feels like an age, his voice drifts over the line, barely above a whisper.

“And this is what you woke up wanting to tell me?”

“Yeah… it's stupid, I know…”

“It's not stupid at all, it's… that's beautiful.”

“No, it's definitely stupid, all my dreams are. I just woke up and... you were the first person I thought of who might possibly understand.”

“...I love it, Cora.”

“Really?”

“Mmhmm. Really.”

After another long pause, I ask, “You okay over there?”

“Yeah, never better. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“How your brain must work, if that's the normal dream output you're used to. It's gotta be pretty wild in there.”

“I mean, I think it's just nonsense most of the time, odds and ends that get mixed up from my waking life and jumbled into stories.”

“Yeah, but like, that's a pretty intricate story. And you remembered it! I'm jealous, I wish I remembered more of mine.”

“I guess the thing about being an artist is that all your creativity comes out when you're conscious, huh?”

“Mmm, maybe. So, uhm… tell me another one? Please?”

Damn him, when did he get so endearing? “I don't know, this exchange is feeling a little one-sided… I think maybe I need to limit you to one dream a day, especially if you don’t have any good ones for me.”

“Aww, come on.”

“Nope. Go to bed, call me tomorrow, maybe I’ll have a new one for you.”

“I’ll settle for an old one, they're all new to me.”

“You’re getting greedy.”

“Oh, unabashedly,” he laughs. “Come on, just a short one? Maybe your dreams’ll rub off on me and I’ll have a better one to tell you tomorrow.”

“Uhm… well, there is this great one I’ve had several times --”

“Oh, god damn it,” he grumbles.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I just forgot, I might not be able to call tomorrow night, we have a dinner thing. Fuck.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, well, hopefully anyway. If everything goes well tomorrow we were gonna go celebrate a bit. And if not, I guess drown our sorrows.”

“Aww, poor thing, getting wined and dined by record execs, what a terrible burden it is to be cool.”

“Yeah,” he sighs, “but this is pretty cool too.”

“What?”

“This. Just... having all kinds of time to sit and talk to you about nothing. Kinda like when you were in Alaska, remember?”

“Yeah,” I bite back another grin, stretching my legs out and savoring the softness of his voice. “It's almost like I like you best when you're three thousand miles away.”

“My band needs to make it big and start touring aggressively, then. Just think how likeable I’ll be from Australia.”

“Better yet, I oughta launch you to the moon, you’ll be irresistible.”

“There’s a thought,” he murmurs. “Want me to hang the stars back up while I'm up there? It's no trouble, it's on my way.”

“Yes, please.”

“You got it, baby.”

Silence is definitely the safest policy because I have no idea what might come out of my mouth in response to his sleepy, affectionate whisper. I decide instead to focus on restoring my breathing, which has gotten a little too fast, a little too uneven, like we’ve been running from something. Or towards something. I don't even know which way we're running. How did a phone call become so reckless?

Thankfully, Stone doesn't seem to have much to say either. His breathing comes more evenly over the phone than mine feels, so I try to follow along with it. Soon he starts to breathe deeper, and slower, and I wonder if maybe he's falling asleep. I open my mouth to ask if he's still there, but the image of him asleep in bed with the phone to his ear is so sweet that I can't bear to disturb him, although don't want to hang up on him either, because the thought of him waking up later to nothing but a dial tone is even worse. The textbook I was studying from earlier is still on the floor, so I decide to read a few pages, but it feels more like mindless word recognition when my mind's so far away.

Consider the case of an initial excess hydrostatic pore water that is constant with depth…

How is it that a person can feel such a potent mix of relief and anxiety at the same time? Relief, because even if we haven't come out and said it all yet, there's the feeling that we no longer have to. We both know where we stand. All of a sudden, there's this sense of security, out of nowhere on a quiet, sleepy phone call, which somehow feels so much more intimate than swapping dirty penguin jokes. Flirting can be pretty impersonal, almost war-like, where you're both trying to gain the upper hand. But it's not everyone you want to fall asleep with, wake up with, and tell all your dreams to.

...shows plots of the friction angle θ vs. plasticity index PI of several clays as compiled by…

And anxiety, because this is all going too far, too fast… like being trapped in a speeding car, except we’re both flooring the gas pedal, and no one is keeping their eyes on the road. What are we going to hit? Or whom? Someone's bound to get hurt. There's an undeniable violence to falling this quickly. So who's it going to be? Me? Him? Alex? Shit, Alex… how did I let this get so far away from me? Not like Alex seems to care how I spend my time anymore. Alex, who didn’t even come home Friday night, who stumbled in yesterday morning, hungover as shit, saying he’d fallen asleep at Brian’s place. I don’t even know who he is anymore...

... Comprehensive failure conditions or yield criteria were first developed for metals, rocks, and concrete…

“Ow, shit!”

“Cora? Wh-what's wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say around my finger, which I’ve got in my mouth to stop the bleeding. “just a paper cut.”

“Aww.”

“Sorry to wake you.”

“Mmm? I wasn't asleep. Is it bad?”

“Nah, just a flesh wound. You were awake all that time?”

“Well, maybe I dozed off a little…” his voice gets gravelly as he stretches himself out, making the image of him in bed even harder to resist. I don't want to hang up, it's pretty much the last thing I want right now, but I know it's essential that I do.

“I should let you go, you need to sleep.”

“I do not.”

“Go to bed, Stone.”

“Waaaay ahead of you,” he chuckles. “I'm awake, though, I’m good.”

“Go get some sleep.”

“Nooo,” he whines, “you were gonna tell me another dream! Please?”

His indignation makes me giggle. “Okay, just a short one. Or even better, what if I tell you just the first few minutes, and then you can dream about it tonight and we'll compare when you get home to see whose version is better?”

“I already told you, I don't remember my dreams.”

“I know, idiot, that's why I'm gonna loan you one of mine.”

“Okay, yeah,” he chuckles, sounding drowsier by the second, “hit me.”

“Okay, just, leave it the way you found it, okay? It's one of my favorites.”

“Promise.”

“Something tells me you'll like it too, there's ice cream involved.”

“Now we're talking.”

“Okay. There's this ice cream parlor, but it's not down here on Earth, it's floating up in space.”

“Are we still in the jar?”

“No, that's a totally different dream. Anyway, there’s air, you can breathe normally, but you're out in the night sky, among the stars. And the parlor is an old converted train car, still has all the old booths and the sliding windows and everything. And on the very back stoop, where the train car would have been connected to another one once upon a time, there's a rickety old wooden chair. Just one. It’s hot up there, so close to the sun, but there's a good solar breeze. You're sitting in the chair, leaning back, your feet up on the railing, eating an ice cream cone --”

“What flavor?” his voice is thick with sleep.

“Dealer’s choice. You're listening to the music on the radio, and watching the vastness of space, and that's where your dream starts.”

“Mmhmm, got it,” he murmurs. “Are you gonna be there?”

“No, dumbass, I’m lending it to you, I’ll be in another one.”

“We’ll see about that. G'night.”

“Goodnight, Stone.”

With reluctance I hang up, set my work down in a haphazard pile on the floor and stretch out on the couch, staring at the ceiling with no intention of falling asleep. Why do I miss him so much already?

***

Her voice is still sounding my name in my ears as I drift down further and further, or is it up, higher and higher? until another sound replaces it, followed by another, and another, as I acquaint myself with my new surroundings. The creaking of the chair underneath me. The drip of ice cream in my lap, prompting me to hold the melting cone out to the side where it drips onto the floor instead, sizzling as it lands. Elton John’s Rocket Man playing through crackly speakers. The gentle rocking of the train car, like a boat on idle water. I take a taste of the ice cream. Blueberry. Weird. I like it. Why’s it so hot up here?

As if to answer, the roar of the sun’s fire rises in my ears. It’s right there in front of me, how’d I miss it? I shield my eyes reflexively but end up whacking the bridge of my nose with the sunglasses I didn’t know I was wearing. Huh, I can stare right at it, they must be protecting my eyes somehow. Can’t say the same for the soles of my feet, which are gonna have blisters tomorrow from being propped up on the railing facing the sun. Time for a change. I balance the ice cream cone precariously between my knees and grab the railing on either side of me with sweaty hands, trying to rock the train car and steer it away from the sun. Inch by inch, the damn thing eventually lurches away from the blazing star, and now I’ve got a beautiful nebula to look at. Much better.

Swirls of gases, some purple, some orange, some red, some colors I don’t even understand, are entwining gracefully before me, shielding the stars with their dance. I crane my neck to keep watching it as the train car continues to gradually float around its central axis, turning me toward the blackness of space. One of the red plumes curls sinuously towards me, seeming to follow me, and I regret turning away from it... how do I stop this damn train from turning, shit, come back...

Grumbling in disappointment after I’ve lost sight of it, I frown at the vastness of space in front of me. The longer I stare, the less it seems like a dark vacuum filled with stars and the more it seems like a thick blanket covering an immense light, which peeks out through holes in the fabric. As the train car finally turns fully opposite the sun, the blanket of space folds in on itself, clothing a figure, and suddenly the stars are freckles and the nebula swirls back into view as a cascade of red hair, and Cora’s smiling enigmatically at me as I watch her step onto the train. I don’t dare make a sound as she climbs into my lap, nuzzling my neck and tugging at my shirt… I’ve never been seduced by a space goddess before, I’m not sure of the etiquette, should I say hi? Before I can think of something witty to say, a solar flare blinds me.

“Oh hey man, sorry, didn’t know you were asleep,” Jeff says, switching off the hotel room light he’d just turned on.

[iknowthekoolaidflavor]

Waking Up in Vegas

Part 1  Part 2

Pairing: Daveed Diggs x Reader

Prompt: The reader spends a wild weekend in Vegas with her best friends, but what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay there.

Word Count: About 2.3k

A/N: Sooo this is my first time writing a rpf or anything outside the Teen Wolf and Supernatural fandom, but let me know what you think because this makes me nervous!

Tagging: @imaginebeinghamiltrash

There’s no need for this gif, I just like it.

The sun was shining through the window punishing me for whatever I did the night before or to remind me why I should’ve refused that sixth shot. Judging by the intensity of my brain pounding against my skull, it must have been seven. As soon as I had any strength to pull my eyes open, I quickly squeezed them shut once more. Maybe I could try again later, when my head doesn’t feel like it could explode at any moment.

The night before, I went out with my best friends, Gina and Ava, we ran into another group of friends who were visiting from out of town as well and became our drinking buddies for the night.

I was still in Vegas.

I reached down, to pull the covers over my shoulders and tugged slightly.

A sharp intake to breath, followed by a groan came from under me, “Highly doubt that’s what you’re looking for”

Finally realizing the “blanket” was a grown man and my hand was still between his legs, I jumped to the other side of the mattress, lost my balance, and fell off the bed entirely. Somehow I managed not to scream.

“Are you alright?”, he panicked making his way to my side to help me

He pulled me up, reassuring me that everything was fine. There was very little space between us. Bits and pieces of the night before resurfaced as I got a good look at his face. Running into him and his two friends, taking shots as a group, bar hopping, then separating ourselves from everyone else. In the corner of the bar, we ignored the world around us and made out like teenagers.

The more I remembered about being on my own with him, the faster the blush spread across my cheeks. We were standing next to the bed, staring at each other like the night before as if nothing else mattered in this moment except the two of us. I finally averted my gaze and looked down. If my blush wasn’t bad before, it most certainly was worse now.

We were both still naked.

I jumped back grabbing the blanket to cover up and squeezed my eyes shut.

“You’re not wearing any clothes”

“And neither are you”, he laughed as he found his boxers to put on, “It’s not like we didn’t see it all last night”

“Do you even remember anything?”, I asked nervously shifting back and forth

“We ran into you and your friends and bar hopped. Around the time we reached the third bar, things got a little fuzzy. You can look now”

“Do you remember the dancing?”, I asked as I began searching for my bra

He pulled it from under his jeans on the ground and tossed it to me, “We didn’t dan...oh. I asked you to dance and surprisingly you said yes”

“We drank..a lot. You shouldn’t be that surprised”, I stated as I motioned for him to turn around so I could put it on

Our clothes were thrown all over the floor and furniture, a bottle of champagne knocked off the table along with a lamp, a bouquet of flowers were scattered across the floor, and a condom wrapper was on the nightstand.

My heart was beating out of my chest as I took him in. He was gorgeous to say the least. A knowing smirk spread across his face and I felt my cheeks burn from embarrassment for a second time.

“What if they’re still asleep?”, a voice mumbled from behind the door

“Then we wake them. We do have to get back home you know”, another said

They knocked three times before they hesitantly pushed the door open.

“Daveed? (Y/N)?”, a man I recognized as one of his friends stepped in with his hands over his eyes, “Are you up yet?”

“Rafa, put your hand down. We’re decent”, he answered

“Thank God”, Rafa sighed as he moved his hand away and looked at the state of the room, “Seems like someone had an eventful night.”

“One that we can’t seem to remember entirely”, he mumbled

“Maybe we shouldn’t have gone to that third bar”, Ava said as she walked into the room, looking around the same way Rafa did

We all nodded in agreement.

“Adrienne and I are gonna get dressed in our room. After that we’re all going out for breakfast...brunch...we’re going out to get food! So be ready”, Rafa said as he turned to leave the room

“Those flowers weren’t here when we got the room, right?”, Ava finally asked

Rafa turned on his heel and marched right back in, eyeing the floor, “Aww Diggs that’s so romantic”, he cooed

“Get out”, he laughed as he threw a pillow at him

I don’t remember much, but I definitely don’t recall getting flowers either.

Daveed sat next to me, across from us, Rafa sat next to Adrienne, while Gina sat across from Ava. Gina was chatting animatedly about our upcoming proposal for work, but I could barely hear what she was saying. Daveed and I were in our own little world, talking about what ever came to mind.

His gaze never left mine and that shy smile never wavered.

What I would give to remember the rest of the night I spent with him. His eyes lingered on my lips for all of two seconds before Rafa started to call our names.

“Attention lovebirds!”, he laughed along with everyone else, “Our food is here”

We both looked at the plates in front of us, wondering when it got there. We were so caught up in each other, we never noticed. He gave me another shy grin before picking up his fork and directing his attention to his food.

“Are you excited for your proposal (Y/N)?”, Adrienne asked after a moment of silence

“What proposal?”, Daveed nearly choked, “I didn’t know you were here for a wedding"

“Smooth”, Rafa mumbled as Adrienne began to laugh at the expense of her friend

“No. Gina and I are working on something to get Tollville Industries to sign with our marketing company. If we get them to sign, the company gets more recognition and of course money, but we get--”

“Promotions!”, Gina sang, “And on top of that I get to see my girlfriend everyday because we’ll finally be working in the same building!”

“We live together”, Ava said as she tried not to smile

But their grins said it all. All three of us were beyond excited and terrified for this presentation. If we fail, our boss, who didn’t have any faith in us in the first place, will never let us hear the end of it. We needed this more than ever.

The excitement seemed to be rubbing off on the rest of the table as they begin to smile as well.

“That sounds amazing. Isn’t Tollville one of the top industries for--”

“Yup. Which is also why this may be one of the most terrifying moments of my life”, I mumbled

“You’ve got this. There’s plenty of time to prepare. It can be terrifying when you have all eyes on you, but trust me you forget about it soon enough and all is well”, Daveed said softly

“Is this coming from a previous experience?”

“Experiences”, Rafa chimed in, “We’ve been running this workshop that’s a cross between poetry and theater. We do performances all the time”

The rest of conversation went on about their workshop, how they put it all together, and how they met and became friends in the first place. Daveed’s smile started waiver once the check came. Our time together was coming to an end.

A part of me wanted things to work out, but this was a one night stand there’s nothing to it. You have your fun, say your goodbyes, and move on with your life. This may have been my first one, but I’m sure I know how they work. And that’s what I needed to do given that he lives on the west coast and I live in New York.

After leaving the restaurant, Rafa and Adrienne said their goodbyes and waited for Daveed.

“I guess I can’t say ‘I’ll see you around’ then”, he said softly

“I guess not”

He looked at me and smiled. The look in his eye told me he had something to ask, but couldn’t get it out.

“What?”, I asked

“This was just supposed to be a one night stand. I know this, but I want to ask for your number anyway”, he paused, “If that’s alright with you”

I grinned as I pulled a pen from my purse and scribbled my number on his wrist.

“Hopefully I’ll see you around”, I stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek, “Bye Daveed”

“Goodbye (Y/N)”

We went our separate ways with them heading back to their hotel while we headed to the airport. I knew this could be a risk, but there was no harm in being just friends, right?

Three Weeks Later

I hadn’t heard anything from Daveed since we left Vegas, which I chose to keep in the back of my mind. Getting this proposal prepared for next week has slightly taken over my life. The late nights and early mornings with Gina and Ava started getting to me by the time Wednesday rolled around. At least today was Friday and I had two hours left.

I finished the rest of my coffee, which did little to wake me up. Trying to resist the urge to throw my computer through the window proved to be a challenge given my sleep deprivation and apparent immunity to caffeine.

The research I was conducting had hit a dead end just as my office door was pushed open.

“(Y/N)!”, Greg chirped, “You’re still here, great! I need you to get all the info from the meeting we were in not too long ago. Margaret took notes on it and it’s a mess, no one understands it. So I need you to organize all of it, tables, charts, the whole nine”

“That was from three weeks ago. Why doesn’t Margaret just organize it herself? They are her notes”, I said trying to keep myself in check

“(Y/N), you’re not listening. I told you to do it. Besides I gave Margaret the rest of the day off”, he grinned, knowing exactly what he was doing, “Make sure it’s emailed to me by midnight tonight. Have fun”, he sang as he practically pranced out my office

It was now four o’clock. I was supposed to get off at five, yet here I am organizing someone else’s notes because my boss is a dick.

Maybe I should keep my computer and just toss Greg out the window instead.

I grabbed Margaret’s notes off and got to work. By five everyone, including Greg, were leaving the building. I was nowhere near finished.

“Make sure everything is on my desk by Monday morning so we have time for practice runs”, Gina grinned, “What’s wrong? Aren’t you supposed to be getting off at five too?”

“Not anymore”, I groaned, “Greg decided that I needed to organize Margaret’s notes from that meeting from three weeks ago because no one can understand them. It’s damn near twenty pages and she has the tiniest handwriting I’ve ever seen!”

“That bastard can’t do that!”, she said as she started to remove her coat, “Give me some of her papers. We’re gonna get this finished so you can get home and sleep”

“Gina, that won’t be necessary”, Greg said, magically weaseling his way into my office, “This is a solo project for (Y/N). You two have been so busy working on your little project, that you seem to forget that you have actual work to do. Leave (Y/N) be, she can handle it herself. If she can’t, then I don’t understand the purpose of us hiring her in the first place”

She shot a glare at Greg before making her way out the office. As Greg made his way out, he gave me a sickening grin. I should have thrown him out the window when I had the chance.

By nine thirty, I ran out the office after emailing Greg what he needed. If I didn’t get a drink, food, and some sleep soon, there would be hell to pay.I grabbed all my things, practically running out the building to be free for the weekend.

After getting the mail, I made my way into my apartment, kicking my heels off in the process. As the stress of the week started to dissipate, there was finally enough energy to go through the bills. One envelope stood out from the rest. It was the size of a normal sheet of paper, with an address from Las Vegas. It was probably a bill from the way we left the hotel room.

Reading the address was all it took to get my mind on Daveed again. There’s no reason I should be thinking of his warm brown eyes or that shy smile that made me feel things I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t be smiling and thinking about him, when I know he isn’t thinking of me. He asked for my number and never called. Lesson learned I guess.

I opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. It had a gold embellishments with the names being the only thing written in cursive, but everything else could be read clear as day. A part of me thought it was sent to the wrong house until my eyes landed on my name along with the same man I met before leaving.

‘This certifies that (Y/N) (Y/L/N) and Daveed Diggs were joined in marriage before witnesses. This day, November 18, 2017’

‘Witness: Ava Nichols’

‘Witness: Rafael Casal’

Holy shit.

[everythingtimeless]

Historical Hour With Hilary: 1x11

You know the drill -- earlier installments are here. Otherwise let’s head to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893, as Wyatt and Rufus attempt to catch up with Flynn and Lucy, and run afoul of the Devil in the White City.

This installment ended up, by accident, perfectly timed, landing right as the USA is marking Columbus Day weekend. Christopher Columbus (and his legacy) are in fact central to our discussion, as while it is usually known as the “World’s Fair,” the real name of the setpiece event in 1893, scheduled for 1892 and intended to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the “discovery” of the New World, was the World’s Columbian Exposition. It was an absolutely massive event that impacted every level of American society at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, and its cultural, physical, and mental effects on the collective American psyche cannot possibly be overstated. It’s going to be hard for me to get everything I want to say into a single relatively brief intro to this event, so I’m going to have to pick and choose. But of all the places and times the show has visited thus far, I’m inclined to say that none of them have matched this for sheer long-lasting significance. It encompasses a history from the fifteenth century until this very minute in the twenty-first, and is a perfect (and unsettling) synecdoche for how that history has been deployed and used.

It may make the most sense to start, therefore, with Christopher Columbus. When he set sail in 1492, he was -- as most people know -- attempting to find a new passage to the wealth of the Indies. Why was he doing it? Well, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, as you might also know, were Catholic. Very, very Catholic. Therefore, as Columbus’ own journals record:

[I hope to find] those things [money and gold] in such quantity that the sovereigns, before three years [are over], will undertake and prepare to go conquer the Holy Sepulcher; for thus I urged your Highnesses [Ferdinand and Isabella] to spend all the profits of this my enterprise on the conquest of Jerusalem, and Your Highnesses laughed and said that it would please them and even without this profit they had that desire. (see p. 51)

Yes. Let’s start there. Columbus was sent to raise money for a new crusade, which had preoccupied the Christian world incessantly since their inception in 1095. The last “official” crusade had taken place in the late thirteenth century, but the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 had sharply revived interest in crusading plans. 1492 was also notable as the year that the Islamic kingdom of Granada in Spain was finally destroyed, the Inquisition against Jews and non-Catholics was at its peak, and Spanish observers -- upon receiving word of Columbus’ “discoveries” and that of a new people, the Native Americans -- immediately made the connection that it was time to conquer the Indians instead. Ferdinand and Isabella quickly asked Pope Alexander VI (aka Rodrigo Borgia, who you have probably heard of) to ecclesiastically sanction their possession of the new world. Alexander obliged in short order with three papal bulls known as the Bulls of Donation: Inter caetera, Eximiae devotionis, and Dudum siquidem. These papal documents formed the theological and legal basis for the immediate and overwhelming Spanish (and soon French, English, and Portuguese) extortion and exploitation that was to follow.

I would have to write a much longer post, as noted, to get in everything I want to say about Columbus. I cannot overstate how terrible he was, how much he contributed to the legalization and establishment of centuries of native genocide, and the way in which he was reinvented as a towering American hero. Not coincidentally, the American love affair with Columbus was at its peak in the 19th century, as the fledgling American government was applying all-out extermination policies to its own Indians. In 1823, the Supreme Court ruled on Johnson vs. M’Intosh, which is still cited today as the legal precedent that allows the United States to exist on former Indian land, and was in fact the entire reason it was issued. Chief Justice John Marshall referred directly to the “doctrine of discovery” set out in the Alexandrine papal bulls, and his friend and associate justice, Joseph Story, made the link explicit: America in its modern state existed because of the papal bulls given to legitimize Columbus’ conquest. (see pp. 82-84). Nobody would have denied this, either. Idealization and adoration of Columbus was everywhere. The big festival to celebrate the quad-centennial was no accident. And nor was the White City.

The White City of the Columbian Exposition was literally intended to represent American exceptionalism, the triumph of the invading whites over the last of the Indians, and the pursuing of colonization and imperialism at the turn of the century. In 1890, L. Frank Baum, better known as the author of The Wizard of Oz, wrote a famous celebration of the Wounded Knee Massacre: 

The nobility of the Redskin is extinguished [. . .] the Whites, by law of conquest, by justice of civilization, are masters of the American continent, and the best safety of the frontier settlements will be secured by the total annihilation of the few remaining Indians. Why not annihilation? Their glory has fled, their spirit broken, their manhood effaced; better that they should die than live the miserable wretches that they are. (see p. 111).

Excuse me, I just gotta go.... scream really loudly for a second.

Okay, I’m back. The World’s Fair! It’s one of the best-documented cultural events of probably the entire 19th century. It cemented the groundwork for modern capitalist consumer society and the celebration of American racism alike. It attracted acts from Harry Houdini to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show with Annie Oakley, to the world’s first Ferris wheel, to more. It was intended to awe and surprise the average paying customer and to celebrate their feeling of exceptional patriotism, and boy, did it do that. Major forerunners of famous brands got their start at the fair. Like so:

The cultural legacy of the Fair is [...] still as pervasive, today, coloring every aspect of daily modern life--from museums to the Pledge of Allegiance to hamburgers and Disney World.

The Columbian Exposition was the venue for the debut of consumer products which are so familiar today--including Cream of Wheat, Shredded Wheat, Pabst Beer, Aunt Jemima syrup, and Juicy Fruit gum. The Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building was a showcase for American products, and showed them to advantage. [...] The Fair also introduced picture postcards to the American public, as well as two staples of the late-twentieth century diet--carbonated soda and hamburgers.

But it was not merely the Fair's product introductions which had an impact on the face of modern America. The Exposition provided the United States with a new holiday, Columbus Day, and a new method of inculcating patriotism in schoolchildren-- the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet nothing "says more about the power of the White City than that it inspired the Emerald City. Children's writer L. Frank Baum never forgot the fair and transmuted it into Oz.”

Yep. Good ol’ L. Frank Baum again. Man, I’m depressed.

Given all this, it’s perhaps not too surprising that there was a Devil in the White City, which is the title of Erik Larson’s fascinating (and terrifying) 2004 book about the fair, its immense cultural impact, and two men involved with it: one, Daniel Burnham, who designed it, and the other, H.H. Holmes, the man behind the “Murder Castle,” which was set up as a hotel for guests at the fair, and where he became one of the most notorious serial killers in American history (and perhaps even first popularized the idea among the public). If you don’t feel like sleeping tonight, you can check out the details, but Holmes (born Herman Mudgett) was just as sick as presented in the episode, if not more so. (Oh, and they literally just exhumed his grave in Philadelphia a month ago, in September 2017, to find out that he was still mostly preserved. So that’s definitely not going to loose a terrifying poltergeist on the world or anything.) That is one historical figure that We Do Not At All Object to Wyatt offing earlier than scheduled.

Whoof. This was intense. Let’s uh... drink a Coke or something. Chill out.

In expanding the field of the culture that would produce McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, the exposition helped to popularize and legitimize the mix of diet and political economy that were converging to transform the United States into what Eric Schlosser has described as the “fast food nation.”

GOD DAMMIT.

Next week: We head to 1882 and the Murder of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford... or perhaps not quite.