#there's no reason now to wear a suit so :/ next grad i guess!

[skitskatdacat63]

I don't think I'll ever reach the peak gender again of wearing a 3 piece suit to prom

[amarantine-amirite]

It's Not Up To You

I never once had any peace or rest. There was a persistent threat that resources and places would vanish without a trace. Even though I never got my ass handed to me daily, I could never anticipate when I would be able to catch my breath.  

I had to adapt. I had to be able to alter my expectations faster than the circumstances would change. It forced me to abandon having a set image of what I want in my mind. It took away my ability to visualize. I had to anticipate resources disappearing in the future, so I had a hard time with long-term planning.  

Going into the week, I had it all figured out. I had found an iron-clad way for me to have my cake and eat it too. It may not have been ideal, but at least I still had the resources available.

My mother planned to drive me to my piano concert. Because she had a stressful day at work yesterday, she went to the bar. She neither came home nor returned any of my calls, so I assumed she was either crazy hungover or still passed out. I now had to hitch a ride with Jackie and her sister, Henrietta.  

Henrietta drove like she had lead feet. “Uh, Ettie,” Jackie asked, “you just blew through a traffic light at” 

“Don’t tell me how fast I’m going; I need to know where I am!” she snapped. 

“Can we at least stop and get lunch?” I asked. I last ate at 7:00 AM. Bad things happen when I try to function on an empty stomach. My temper gets worse. My impulse control goes to Hell. I bounce off the walls.  

“Hell, no!” Henrietta snarled, “If we stop to eat, we’ll get stuck in a traffic snarl!”

“OK, what’s your problem?” I whined. I had no idea why Henrietta got so upset. 

Henrietta sighed angrily. “Do you wanna know why I’m so fucking pissed off?" she barked, "Those fuckers moved up my fucking interview by a fucking week. I was supposed to get married today! All that money I spent on the venue, the photographer, the catering; that’s money I’m never going to see again!” 

I don’t know how Henrietta could say that without bursting into tears. “And what about Jasper? He’s going to think I broke off the wedding because I don’t have feelings for him anymore. I’m worried. He doesn’t handle rejection well. What if he tries to kill himself again?” 

What happened next felt like being in the desert and coming upon an oasis, only to discover it’s a mirage. When we arrived at our destination, everything went up in smoke. Before we left, Henrietta told me that she would drop us off first, then head to the interview. She looked at us and said, “Nobody's leaving until I finish my interview. Understand?” 

I nodded. Inside, I wanted to smack her. Hard.

Today has been nothing but hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait. I fucking hate being jerked around like this. The constant stop-and-start made me feel like someone drained of my life force. I can’t deal with it anymore. 

Jackie and I came up with a plan. The plan was simple, like Henrietta’s would-be husband, Jasper. Unlike Jasper, the plan stood a chance of working. When they let her in to do the interview, Jackie and I would duck out and go to my piano concert. We’d come back when I finished my set, and that’d be that.

Problem. We made a huge tactical error. 

It’s a long story. At the beginning of the school year, the cheerleaders thought it would be funny to nominate Anna Rose, the head of the chess club, for prom queen as a joke. Anna didn’t know about this, but the principal did. On Halloween night, we got something really scary in our inboxes: an official email with the school's letterhead saying that due to “bullying", prom would be permanently cancelled until measurable snowfall in July. A lot of the anxieties that kids channel into what they’re going to do at their prom got redirected elsewhere. 

The kids at school got offended. By everything. Like, a lot.

Remember how I said that school has been so hard for me because I have no idea what to expect? Well, this piano concert thing was a perfect example. I had to make a list of not just one song, but for possible songs that I could play at this concert. I need to be ready to switch out songs in case the band teacher changed his mind. He always did stuff like that. One day, you could pick whatever song you wanted for school concerts, and the next, they would say that it had to come from a pre-approved list. So that meant I had no idea what song I was going to play. When people asked me, the best I could say was, "I’ve got a lineup." Lineup was not a good choice of words; a better choice of words would have been revolving door .

This brings us to our mistake: the same reason that I had to keep a revolving door of songs in my mind for the concert was also the same reason why we should have called the hotel where the concert was to be held ahead of time to double-check to see if the school had not cancelled it. We did not do that.

That brings us to right now. We are smack dab in the middle of what appears to be a campus recruitment event. Everyone in the room except for us is wearing cheap suits that fit somebody else, nobody looks familiar, and the atmosphere consists of a general air of anxiety and lack of preparedness.

Five minutes after we arrived, a woman wearing a pantsuit that made her look like a pool table, pineapple earrings, and a name tag that read “Megan Mulroney“ approached us. “Excuse me, ladies," she said, “are you students at The Fletcher School?”

“No, we go to Arthur Vandelay high school," Jackie said, “I’m here with Margaret because she’s got a piano concert to go to.” 

I stood up and looked at Megan. “So is that in the Gold room, because I got a copy of the flyer here and it says Hall B, and I don’t know where that is, and…”

Megan cut us off. “I don't know what you’re talking about,” she said.

I handed Megan the flyer. “I’m talking about this.”

She didn’t look at the flyer. She gave it right back to me. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here, but that’s a piece of blank paper." 

“It’s not blank!” I chirped. 

“Yes, it is; and I don’t appreciate you wasting my time like this.“

“We’re not wasting your time.”

“Well then, why am I dealing with two overdressed high school idiots when I have new grads to check in for a networking event?” she said, doing her best impression of a bratty 12-year-old.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

Megan shrugged at us and rolled her eyes in a cocky fashion. “I'm not stubborn all the time. I'm only stubborn when I’m right.” 

Big red flag. If someone says I'm only stubborn when I'm right , it means they're putting up a front, either because they don't want to but they're wrong or they're trying to bullshit you. 

She continued to puff herself out. “Listen, you’re not special. What happens to you happens to other people, too.”

“Not helpful,” I said as I rolled my eyes.  

She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, sorry you feel that way.”

“What does that even mean?” I blurted.  

She ignored us. Rather than explain what was going on, she instead attempted to have phone sex with Idris Elba and got the wrong number.

It didn’t stop there. One look out the window told me we’d have to get someone else to pick us up, as Henrietta got arrested. I’m guessing she found out that the job she applied for was posted as an April Fool’s Day joke and she either trashed the office or beat the crap out of the hiring manager. Based on the black eye, I think it was the second thing. 

Terrific. Now we have no plan, no ride home, and no idea what the fuck is supposed to happen next. 

I’m devastated. I feel gutted. But beyond that, I'm spooked.

This isn't something you'd consider typically scary. It felt like that last photo taken before a disaster. This looming sense that something catastrophic is coming down the pike continues to hang over me.

@writers-are-writers

[shesawriter39049]

|Got Me Loosin All My Cool| M|

Pairings: Jungkook X Reader | Jimin X Reader( Smut) FT- Side Tae & Yoongi

Note: Kook is in 80% of this but he’s “new” to the dynamic...so the smut is with Jimin and the OC...not Kookie!

About- Jimin and yourself take Jungkook shopping for a new suit to wear to the “Spectrum” launch party! OH, and Jimin fucks you in the backseat of your truck in the parking garage of the mall…..

OR: You know Kookie still in that “Broke college grad” phase only being with the company barley a month, and you don’t want him to feel self-conscious at the event! You’ve also been too busy to really check in with him to see how he’s adjusting! So, you thought something like this, in a more laxed atmosphere, would be a good solution! Oh and Jimin, honestly he’s just nosey as fuck and inched himself along, like nobody really invited him he invited his damn self! Also Jungook can’t underatand why the fuck your all so damn attractive...like...why!?

Jungkook’s a sweetheart and lowkey confused and whipped for everybody

Tae’s kinda being a spoiled asshole

Yoongi’s over it!

Jimin’s being a brat, he’s not use to having to “Behave” around others, espeically while your wearing “that” dress.....

-Song Reference- COOL-  Dua lipa

WC: 6K

WARNINGS: Semi-public sex/Top OC/Power bottom Jimin/ Spit play/ Cum play/ Fingering (F receiving) Cockrings/Lube (yes ppl actually use that IRL )Dirty talk/ biting, finger sucking

FINAL NOTE: This little excerpt is the prequel to the next full-length one-shot “All Eyes On Me” which is Hoseoks official ‘Intro” if you will. The full Summary for that can be found in the Masterlist which is linked below! Also if you’re new here..this is a stand-alone one-shot within my OT7Poly AU called “7 Deep” Short version: Your husband Namjoon and yourself run a successful Adult Film Entertainment Company called “Onyx” with your 5 best friends from college who you also happen to be in an open relationship with!

(Sneak peek)

~~~~~~

ONXY ENTERTAINEMENT 10:45 AM

Jungkook’s happy I guess almost surprisingly so, I mean yeah Yoongi and yourself seemed cool in the interview, and when he did is work interview the vibe was chill. But let’s get real, we all know shit always seems better than it actually is in the interviews!

For one he honestly wasn’t expecting to be given such free reign already which is also why he’s happy as hell he didn’t listen to his roommate’s Mark and Ten and lie on his resume. Granted, everything still had to go through Yoongi first but he wasn’t just... I don’t know editing thumbnails like he thought he was actually doing real work. He’s been here barely a month and he already has reels he can add to his portfolio! Learning new tips and tricks, believe it or not, even through his internships he’s learned that some people are stingy when it comes to sharing knowledge. Yoongi however was far from that, thankfully he was well aware that just because you teach someone your “secrets” doesn’t mean you’re essentially replacing yourself! What makes you good at your job isn’t just how it’s done its how you do it!

If only Kookie could stop internally fangirling over Yoongi his life would be a little easier! He’d seen hundreds of your companies films before and being the production major he is..of course, he’d watch it the first time to jack off..then the second time he’d find himself just as if not even more turned on for the production quality. That’s something Onyx is always praised for..”Aesthetically pleasing porn”. Every morning, Yoongi would sit him down and show him something new and for the first time he finally understands what people mean when they say that someones mind is..attractive! Not Yoongi himself though, because that’s his boss and that would be weird but like his brain, ya know? Yoongi’s brian is sexy in a broboss way...I don’t know just go with it!

Anyway, Kook’s current project was actually one of his favorites so far because it was forcing him to actually challenge himself! This was something actually requested by Hoseok, who he learned was 26, the head of marketing, always bouncing around like he’s had 6 expresso shots and somehow manages to make streetwear look professional…. But anyway the task is creating trailers for films that are pc enough to not be blocked on platforms like IG but spicy enough to get ppl to wanna watch the full thing. Making a climax without the actual climax if you know what I mean. So he’d have to sit there and watch the films, try not to get hard and wanna jack off while watching said films...then take notes and screencaps of the best moments and compile them together without showing “too much”. He’s never been so thankful that he could wear sweatpants to work….because…..yeah it was hard..literally and figuratively hard...but like I said he’s happy and can pay his bills so that’s cool too!

Don’t get me wrong he still feels a little out of place at times and surprisingly enough not for the reason he expected! Two months shy of his 21st bday he assumed he’d feel a type of way because he’s the youngest but that’s not the case! Hell, they went to Nobu for lunch last week and Jin actually slid him his drunk so he wasn’t the only one not drinking!  Flashing him a cheeky little wink and whispering “Don’t tell mom” in reference to you once Kook looked back at him like a deer in headlights! It seems as though they care more about his talent than his age which is the way it should be because he knows he’s good at what he dose!

However, Onyx is kinda like those offices you see on TV, the kind he never thought where real, behind closed doors the environment is far from pc! It’s not a normal morning unless somebodies cursing out there computers! This morning he swore Taehyung told Jimin he had a shrimp dick…… There’s “that’s what she said” jokes being thrown out left and right, people cracking jokes on one another. And it’s not that he feels uncomfortable by any means again he’s a 20 y/o kid from LA it’s just ...he’s new...ya know? So he doesn’t know if he’s “allowed” to do that! So in the meantime, he just spends his days laughing until his chest hurts!

But besides that everybody’s chill , he’s still trying to learn people, regardless of how laxed the office is everybody’s busy as all hell especially Namjoon and yourself! The two of you are actually his biggest mystery, he’s never thought of marriage being something that he’d want. He’s always heard that people change, and shit gets boring, but even in a work environment that’s far from the vibe he gets from the two of you! You actually make marriage seem exciting, worth it, like a gift, not a task…..

Something else that he can’t truly wrap his head around is that your his boss, like legitimately his boss! Somebody that looks like you,I mean fuck your not even 30, you sway around the office in your little dresses and designer heels! Always dolled up hell sometimes he questions if he’s the one in some upscale porno! Actually, not just you all of you why the fuck are all of you so effortlessly attractive and put together?! To make it even worse you all know your shit too! Two days ago for example Kook went to Yoongi to ask if there was a certain way he wanted the ending credits to come into frame, and instead of Yoongi responding you did! Using terminology that had him ready to run home and pull out his “Intro to production” text box! Shit don’t make any Goodman sense...even Yoongi sitting in his office looking like he could be in one of the films he’s editing and no, god no why is he thinking this about his higher-ups?! No, no, nope try again Jeon!

However, now that we’re on this topic, there is one person that he can’t quite wrap his head around...I mean yeah he’s nice but he just seems more reserved around Jungkook than everyone else. Which is odd considering he’s the one Kook meet first, he’s actually the one that encouraged him to even submit his resume, to begin with! What makes it even odder is Yoongi and yourself actually told him that Tae was the most outgoing...it’s not that Jungkook nessercally thinks Tae dislikes him it’s just ...I don’t know, I don’t know…I guess he was just...warmer when the two of them met at Starbucks then he is now that they actually work together!

...And I guess that’s why he almost shit himself when his phone rang and the incoming name rang though as….”Taehyung Kim”...he kinda hoped he pocket dialed him and would just hand up! But wait, I guess you can’t really do that from a landline can you?? Fuckkkkkk

“I know technologies come a long way Kook, but phones don’t answer themselves ya know…” Eyes fluttering over to see Yoongi smirking at him, tone blatantly amused as he flipped through a file he had in his hands.It’s like he could sense how nervous he is too “Don’t worry about Tae, he’s more bark than he is bite, he’s literally a puppy dressed in Gucci…” Flicking his chin in the direction of the phone with a reassuring smile.

With a timid nod and shaky fingers Jungkook picks up  the call on the final ring “H-hello??”

“Jungkook? Can you come to my office in the next 5 or so minutes?” His tone wasn’t rude by any means but it also wasn’t the most inviting. Eyes fluttering overly timidly in Yoongis direction because he knew Tae was loud enough that the elder could hear and he smiled fondly, nodding in approval. Arms crossed firm against his chest, head cocked to the side, eyes squinting slightly from under his black baseball cap, as if he was now purposely trying to hear the conversation.

“Umm, yeah, yeah of course…” God, why does he sound like he’s still going through puberty right now!? Voice fluttering ina and out of an octave!

“Great!”

Tae just hangs up, no goodbye ...promoting Yoongi to roll his eyes, with an exasperated sigh...Jungkook just sits there for a moment, not too sure what to do!

“You’re free to go, Seok dosen’t need these until Friday and your deifiently far enough along, a little time away from your desk wont hurt! Oh, just save your stuff first though! The systems moving slow as fuck and I’m about ready to break my damn computer so I’ll probably do a system reboot while you’re gone!”

Jungkook nods timidly, swallowing so hard he’s sure Yoongi heard it, fingers scattering to do as Yoongis instructed, he literally feels like he’s going to throw up! Why does Tae make him so nervous? I mean no offense but Tae isn’t even his boss why is he more freaked out of Taehyung than is actual boss!

He hears a heavy sigh fall from behind him, as Yoongi invites himself to take a seat, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder ‘First off, you’re doing fucking great, and I mean that, so step back...and breath...” Squeezing his shoulder slightly, tone calm yet stable enough to ground the younger! 

 “Second, I’m ordering lunch from that coney up the street, Hyungs treat” He watches Jungkook go to open his mouth in protest and Yoongi just groans, loud and obnoxious, eyes fluttering to the back of his head more times than he can count!

“Don’t even try and give me that “Your not hungry bullshit” Eyes narrowing in the youngers direction challangingly “So let’s try this again, what do you want? And yes Tae can wait I already texted him and told him so you’re fine! Now go to google and pull up Leo’s menu and lets order lu-”

“Yonngggggiiiii!!!’ Whines through the studio, which only promps the man in question to slowly sink into his chair as if he was trying to make himself dissapear! And before Jungkook can even make heads or tails as to what’s happening...a pair of skin-tight leather pants, a florial silk shirt, that was sitting so low it mideswell not even be buttoned, flashy shades and windswept pastel pink hair comes strutting in... Looking like something straight out of Vouge so again he asks why the fuck does everybody look like this!?

Not even botherng to ask if he’s interupted anything, just flinging his arms around the production manager’s neck, propping his chin on top of his head,

“I need like...20 headshots edited...in the next half hour” Jungkook watched Yoongi go completely ridgit a scowl on his face as he tried to pull away but the casting manager only held on tigher “...and before you kill me even though I drunk some of it this Amerciano is for you soooo, I feel like I’ve made it worth or while, please and thank you! ” Smiling so big his eyes dispered into his face it took everything in him not to coo and swoon all at the same damn time!

Jimin fucking Park......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heyyyyyyyy,

That’s all she wrote for now, don’t know the post date yet, I’ve written up wo when they actually go to the mall so it’s like halfway done.....

MASTERLIST FOR THIS AU IS DOWN BELOW, I’M GLAD PEOPLE ARE ENYOING THIS “UNIVERSE”!

7 DEEP

[embeanwrites]

Finding Home Gavin Reed x Reader

Chapter 12

Masterlist

A/N: One of my editors is in love with Kamski, so she took the lead with this one! Before she added to the chapter it was about three pages shorter haha Follow her @kakyoweenie

I woke up Saturday morning around 10 to a phone call. I didn’t even bother checking who it was before answering.

“Hello?”

“Did I wake you up?” It was Tina. I yawned.

“Yeah, but I needed to get up soon anyway. I’m hanging out with a friend from grad school in a couple hours. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to check up on you. I tried texting you last night to make sure you were okay…was it really that bad?” I chuckled.

“No, it was really fun which was the worst part. Whenever my work or Cyberlife comes up he just shuts down and acts like an ass. I can’t be around someone who doesn’t even understand why I do what I do.”

“That makes sense.” Tina said softly.

“Tina, I’m not a baby, I’m going to be alright. It’s just Gavin, it’s not like he’s the only man in Detroit.”

“That’s true.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I kinda tried to force you guys together. You guys are really different, but there’s something about both of you that I thought would work really well together.”

“Yeah, it’s alright. On the bright side I’m looking forward to tomorrow! Do you want me to wear a suit or a dress to the wedding?”

“Both me and Valerie are letting our best people decide what they want to wear! Our colors are blush pink and light yellow.”

“Alright I’ll think about it and get back to you, but right now I have to get ready for this meeting. I’ll see you tomorrow!” We said bye and I sighed. I stretched and went to my closet.

I still felt angry from the night before. Gavin’s words echoed in my mind; “Why don’t you ask Eli in between him trying to impress you?” If he wanted to play that way, then fine we would play that way.

I stepped out of the automatic taxi in a spaghetti strap summer dress that stopped right before my knees and a pair of gladiator sandals. Eli's house was striking, dark smooth metal reflected the stunningly kept grounds and the floor to ceiling windows sparkled in the sunlight. I walked up the pathway leading to the front door, running my hands over the railing that followed the path, enjoying the lake breeze that washed away the intense summer heat till I got to the door, pressing the bell, and fussing with my phone and purse till a Chloe android opened the door and caught me by surprise, hand still buried in my purse.

“Dr. (L/n), Elijah’s waiting for you in the media room, please follow me.” She turned around and started walking. I followed her down a long hallway that opened into a multitude of rooms, all beautifully decorated, if not a bit coldly. The house didn't feel very cozy or appear to be lived in at all, the perfect modernist home with all its amenities but devoid of all the family photos, the dings on the wall and the frumpy old chairs you'd had since your first apartment. It was lonely, I concluded, as Chloe finally stopped at one of the rooms, where Eli was sprawled on a couch facing away from us, but as Chloe opened the tinted glass door, he turned and grinned at me.

"(Y/n)!" Eli greeted me opening his arms up in welcome as he got up from the couch, moving to meet me halfway into the room. He looked good, tired, his hair in a messy little bun, dark smudges under his eyes, but relaxed in a soft looking black v-neck, and a comfortable looking pair of black joggers. I laughed as I walked into his arms, hugging him tightly, and screeching when he lifted me and twirled me around before setting me back down.

"How many times have I told you not to do that Eli!" I said, still chuckling a bit, as he guided me towards the couch he was just sitting on.

"Hmm, it's been too long I can't recall." He said, stroking his chin mockingly and winking at me before that toothy grin returned. I shoved his shoulder lightly

"You best not be putting all the blame on me Mister Hot-Shot C.E.O!" I joked, as I sat down next to him.

"Oh I would never, but I do remember a certain doctoral candidate choosing a university as far away from Detroit as she could get.” Elijah said pointedly. I huffed a laugh at him, not really knowing what to say. “What are you watching?” I asked, pointing to the TV.

“Ah, President Warren is giving an update on android laws.” He scoffed, his face contorting into a sneer for a moment, before relaxing into an expression of mild displeasure.

“Anything I need to worry about?” I mused after a moment, Elijah didn’t hide his distaste for the president well.

He barked out a laugh, “No, she’s said nothing of value, but when does she? It’s interesting that they keep stalling, you’d think they’d be eager to put in place some sort of laws.” I nodded in agreement. He turned the tv off and turned on the sofa to face me, settling his arm over the back of the couch and leaning in towards me. “But I didn’t invite you over to talk about politics or android laws.”

“Yes, I believe I was invited over because you have a pool?” We both laughed. Eli was still very close, staring intently at me, his cerulean eyes moving all over my face, finally stopping at my eyes. He didn’t break eye contact as he lifted a hand and slowly brushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I smiled softly, looking up at him through my lashes and murmuring a soft ‘thank you.’

This was bordering on too much, I felt guilty leading him on, I needed to get this visit back on track, to ask about Gavin, but I had to be careful, I didn’t want Elijah to react the same way Gavin had last night. I pulled away from Eli, moving to a more reasonable distance. His face dropped for a second, but he quickly remedied that, a cool smirk resting easy on his features. I worried my lip between my teeth for a moment, trying to think how to start this conversation.

“You know Elijah, for as long as we’ve known each other, I really don’t know much about you.” I said, quirking my lips in a smirk mirroring his.

“Ah but you know all the interesting bits (Y/n).” He said, quirking a brow, and folding his arms over his chest loosely, a defensive but not totally unapproachable position.

I sighed, already regretting what I was about to do, and reached my hands out to grab his, capturing one of his hands between the two of mine. “I just, this is hard for me to say Eli, but I’ve had a hard time in Detroit, and I’ve missed my old friends so much and it made me realize I haven’t been a very good one to you. I shared so much with you, I just don’t want to lose you too, not because I never gave you a chance to share or didn’t make you feel as comfortable with me as I do with you.” I implored, my eyes wide and watery, from shame and real emotion, I had been a shitty friend, he seemed so lonely in this big empty house and I never reached out.

Elijah took a deep inhale before pulling me into him, and wrapping me in a deep hug, his nose buried in my neck. He let me go after a moment, and tried to run a hand through his hair, but felt the bun at the back of his head and stopped. “I’m uh, flattered (Y/n).” He coughed awkwardly before continuing. “I haven’t been much of a people person in a long time, and even when we were close I never wanted to burden you with my problems, I wanted to get to know you better.” He said, not quite meeting my eyes as he spoke, until that last bit, when he finally looked up and gave me a small grin.

“Hm, I remember you always liked games, how about we trade a question for a question? That way we both get to learn a little more about each other.” I offered, and he laughed.

“Alright, that seems fair, but I’m pretty sure that’s just open ended twenty questions.” I scoffed and rolled my eyes, “Oh? Do you have a better suggestion then?” I asked, quirking a brow and putting my hands on my hips, mockingly defensive. “No no, it’s alright. I’ll go first.” He said in between fading laughs, he brought a hand to his chin, jokingly stroking his goatee. “Hmm, What got you into writing about androids the way you do?”

“That’s an easy one, Eli.” I teased. “Just because their blood is a different color doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be equal. It’s the same as skin tone, gender, sexuality, and everything else that makes us all a little different. Where did you grow up?”

“Ann Arbor. What about you?”

“Detroit until I was 10, after that my family moved so much, I couldn’t even pick a place to name.”

“We never moved growing up, sometimes I wish we had. It was so boring being trapped in the same place for my whole life.”

“Is your family still around?”

“My mom, dad and half-brother are all still alive. What about your family?”

“My mom died of cancer three years ago. You know my dad Hank Anderson; he works for the DPD. My half brother Cole died when I was younger. Were you close with your brother growing up?”

“Half-brother, and no, he stayed with his mom, we never really spent time together, when we did we didn’t get along well, he’s an arrogant prick. What about Connor?”

“What do you mean?”

“How does he fit into your family?”

“I consider him a little brother. What’s his name, your half brother?”

“Gavin. Do you mind that Connor’s an android?”

I held back a gasp, I hadn’t thought Gavin would be Eli’s brother, possibly Gavin had to work a case involving Elijah in some way, but family? I guess they did look pretty similar when I thought about it, but maybe it was just a coincidence. “Of course not, Eli! You should know by now I have no problems with androids. Do you talk to your half-brother ever?”

“Holidays, my dad forces us together, but that’s it. Why are you so curious about him?”

“What am I not allowed to ask questions?” I said teasingly, hoping Elijah couldn’t see through me. “I just want to know more about you.” I gave him a soft smile and he seemed to relax.

“Yes, you’re allowed to ask questions and that one counts!” Overdramatically, I gasped and laughed. “I only have a few more questions, (Y/n).”

“Let me ask mine first!”

“It’s my turn.” He teased.

“Fine.”

“Are you seeing anyone right now?” He asked earnestly, his normal smirk was gone, a soft hopeful expression.

I paused, knowing what he was getting at. I didn’t want to lie to him, but the truth was vague enough it wasn’t too misleading I didn’t think.

“It’s um, it’s complicated, but no, not really.” I said, staring at my hands, not wanting to see his reaction.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, it’s weird, but I think whatever it was is pretty much over.” I laughed awkwardly.

“Ah. I’m sorry if it’s sad, but I’m not too sorry to hear that.” I looked up at him, and he grinned at me, before winking.

“So um, moving on from that, uh, what have you been doing since you left Cyberlife?”

“Oh. Don’t laugh, but right now I’ve been working on android pets, currently I’m still trying to figure out how to incorporate animal behavior into their design, so they aren’t just like regular androids who sit and wait for orders if they aren’t deviants. The cats are proving to be very tricky, as they are little gremlins but I don’t want them to be too awful.”

I squealed and jumped in my seat. “Oh my god how cute! Oh you have to show me please I want to see the kitties!” I grabbed his hands, trying to pull him off the couch.

He laughed heartily, but instead of allowing himself to be pulled up, he pulled me into him, and I stumbled, catching myself on his chest, our faces inches apart. He looked up at me and smiled, a real one, boyish and light, his whole face looked joyous and hopeful.

“Can I kiss you?” I stopped breathing for a moment, he looked so different, so hopeful, almost like he was begging me to say yes with his eyes. It would be so easy to just say yes.

“I…can I ask my question first?”

“It’s my turn, (Y/n), you made the rules.” He said softly, leaning closer, our noses brushing.

“No.” He jerked back as if I had slapped him, and I stumbled back. “I’m sorry, Eli. I just can’t. Not right now.” He nodded, looking away from me at his hands.

“It’s your turn, last question.” He seemed more interested in his hands than myself.  

“Is Gavin Reed your half-brother?” He closed his eyes.

“You’ve already met him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

“That’s the colleague you spoke of last night.”

“Well, yes and no. I was under the impression I was meeting Nines, not Gavin.”

“But it was Gavin.”

“Yes.” I said softly. I looked down at my shoes. Gavin was jealous because Elijah’s his brother. I told Gavin his brother flirts with me, I told him I called his brother Eli not Mr. Kamski like a professional would.

“You like him, he’s your ‘complicated.’” Another sentence that should’ve been a question, but he was right. “I’ve never been able to get the timing right with you, (Y/n).”

“I’m sorry, Eli. It’s hard for me to separate work from my personal life. If we had met any other way…maybe things would be different, but even now if we were to get involved anymore than we are my work could be discredited.”

“I understand.”

“I’m so sorry.” He nodded. “I’m going to hug you now, is that okay?” He laughed and wrapped his arms around me.

“If you’re ever disgraced from your field, I’m going to expect a call from you.” I laughed and squeezed him.

“I will.” I pulled back. “I should probably go.” He nodded.

“I’ll call you a taxi.” He stood up and I followed him.

“Thank you, Eli.”

I got into the taxi. I had it pull away from the house and stop when the house was out of view. I grabbed my phone and texted Nines.

What’s Gavin’s address?

[princelockedinatower]

Peppermint

The dark streets aren't a place for anyone or anything at night, that is... except for the ones who have no place within the light to begin with. 

I and the others I am meeting are the exception. 

I waltz down the carriage lanes of this old sleepy town in my favorite dark jeans and a black knitted sweater, a forest green cloak draped over me with the hood down, catching wisps of dark figures in the corners of my eyes. These creatures are not quite of this world, nor is the figure, visible only by the translucent outlines of white waltzing along with me tonight. The common folk need not fear these creatures, unless you know they exist they are impartial. Then even if you do, leaving out some seeds and honey as an offering will keep you from harm, give them blueberry tea if you want some good luck. 

Tonight I climb the hill just beyond the old yew tree the fae adore and that everyone refuses to cut down least they fear a despicable end. No one besides me and a few others dare to climb it at night, they say strange things happen there, dark figures prowling about almost like regular animals, yet their limbs too long and narly. When climbing you’ll get an ice chill down your spine, a sinking feeling in your gut and the one clear thought you can manage out is something along the lines of: I should not be here. 

The way I and the other I am meeting ward this off is by leaving generous offerings before we ascend. I find McDonald's fries generally please them, so arriving at the foot I leave four extra large fries and a pack of chicken nuggets, right beside my coven’s other offerings. I can see no figures awaiting me from where I stand, a bad sign usually but I start up the hill against my better judgment. 

Reaching the top, my calves are burning, the trek never gets easier. I lean down to massage my right calf, my dyed red hair falling around me and pale skin a sharp contrast in the full moon’s light. As my hood falls over my eyes I spot two figures lying on the ground, one covered with a light blue cloak, dark tightly braided hair and face peeking out, the other a maroon cloak and a hot pink dress. 

I address the girl with the maroon cloak first “You hiked this thing in heels? What are you? Cat woman girl?” I ask rummaging through my bag for my supplies. 

Bonita laughs “You wish hun, got your supplies?” she says sitting up elbowing Makena. 

I nod, both of them standing and whipping out their supplies from their own bags. 

We start to set up the temporary alter as Makena speaks, getting our attention “Bonita, Roxy-” she hesitates on her next words, half way done her particular task to set up “This might be the last time we pray and do a spell together, you know, with all of us off to college in a few weeks,” she says, her voice wavering a bit while fiddling with her long curly hair. 

Bonita’s eyebrows shoot up and she makes a face before chuckling “If you’re implying that we’re gonna grow apart sweetie while we’re in college you better evaluate dear Roxy’s OCD level schedule of communication and visits,” 

Makena blushes and shrinks but laughs with us at my expense. 

We make short work of setting up the rest of the altar and preparing to pray. 

Tonight I’m going to pray to Sarasvati for help forming and performing my Valedictorian speech, something I desperately need. I’ve been rewriting it for a week now and still haven’t made any headway. I also need to pray to my main hoe Soma to make Grad amazing and Dhat to bless the spell we’re about to do. I’m not sure what Bonita and Makena pray about, or who to, guess I never really asked. Regardless we each get into our preferred positions and pray to whichever gods and goddesses we choose about whichever we want. 

The graduation ceremony took place in pitch black, the sun already set, small shifts of movement coming from the rows of seats and the rafters, family and supporters brought together alive and passed, human and not. The only light coming from the spotlights on the stage as Principle Chiba gave an inspirational and touching speech that moved everyone here. Applause began and continued as I replaced Mr. Chiba at the podium, soon it died down and I spoke a silent prayer I would do well before I began.

“Fellow classmates, graduates of 2018, I will not bore you with a lengthy speech going on about things that don’t matter, we all have better things to do. Instead I will give you some words of advice given to me by someone I miss dearly, who has gone on to University in a very far away place yet I remain close to. That advice is to simply, remember to call. Call to say how beautiful the leaves are on the trees outside your dorm window. Call to ask how they’re doing. Call to just say I miss you. Call to make them open their bedroom window because they’re home for the Holidays and you’re outside freezing, 20 ft up in the air on a tree and regretting every life choice you’ve made up to that point. So call, it keeps you close to those you care about. Thank you.” 

I don’t think we called enough. 

Sitting here, awkwardly in this cafe we used to come to in high school when conversation just flowed, I wonder what went wrong. I know we didn’t follow the schedule, school and life got in the way, but… that shouldn’t stop us from reconnecting.

“So, any special someone in your guys lives?” I ask, a small forced and nervous smile on display as I grasp my mug. 

My sister Sofia shoots me a sarcastic thumbs up. I’m tempted to flip her off. 

Bonita nods “Their name’s Avery, they’re pretty nice,” she says looking down into her mug.

“I’m not seeing anyone right now actually,” Makena says, taking a bite of her pastry. 

I nod my head, this is not going well “That’s nice,” I take a sip from my mug, racking my brain to come up with something to start a decent conversation. 

Makena pretends to get a text and looks at her phone “Sorry guys, it’s been fun but my mom wants me home to make sugar cookies, see you later!” she says practically sprinting from the table.

I know she was pretending because she always has her ringer on, in high school it used to get her into so much trouble. 

I remember when it went off in the middle of a lock down drill, school took it away for three days, and like any teenagers would we concocted elaborate schemes to get her phone back. None of them worked of course, including the one where Bonita tried to tell the receptionist she was Makena was mom, but we had fun nonetheless. 

“I should actually go too, I got some stuff that I need to attend to,” Bonita says laughing half halfheartedly.

I nod and watch her awkwardly leave. Letting out a defeated sigh I let my head fall into my arms. Why was talking to them after a year so hard?

“You ok?” my sister asks, sitting down across from me. 

The phase sent me over the edge, tears started spilling into my cardigan then running down my cheeks as I lifted my head. Unable to speak, I shake my head. 

She grabs a tissue from her bag and hands it to me “You know you could always try doing something you guys used to do back in high school together,” she suggests sipping her drink.

I sniffled “I don’t know, I noticed Bonita wearing a cross and Makena started wearing a hijab,” I used the tissue to wipe away the tears “They’ve changed a lot…”

My sister nods “Sorry I’m not more help…” 

“It’s ok, they’re allowed to change it’s just I didn’t expect them to so much,” I say, my phone starting to vibrate. 

It’s Vincent, one of my new friends from Uni, I answer it “Hey tic tac, whatcha need?”

He laughs “Nothing, just want to know how the old reunion is going,”

“Not well, but I know that’s not why you’re calling, what did you do this time?”

“Can’t a friend bug another friend anymore? And besides it’s not me, it’s your roommate, apparently she accidentally turned your sheets orange when washing them,” 

I chuckle, and rub my face “How bad is it?”

“Bad, very bad, looks like leftover prison suit material was used, then bleached in some places,” 

I laugh genuinely “I’ll be sure to pick up new ones when I get back then,” 

“Good, those sheets have seen better days. What’s up with your friends? Thought you were really excited to see them,”

“Well, I was, but… they’ve changed a lot. They’re not the people I used to know back in high school and I don’t know how to reconnect with them,” 

Vincent sighs “You’re not gonna like what I have to say about this but you need to hear it,-” he pauses and I scrunch up my face. What could he possibly have to say that I wouldn’t like? “-Sometimes, through no fault of anyone involved, relationships just… don’t last,”

I blank for a second, shocked he’d even say something like that. “What the hell? What am I-” 

“You didn’t let me finish!” he interrupts his voice weakly raising an octave. I huff but let him continue“Sometimes they don’t last because people just change too much, and that’s no one fault, people need to change so they can grow. And sometimes that means you change so much people lose connection because there’s nothing to connect with. That doesn’t make sense, umm, ok, take two people at the start of a relationship. They both love to… drink coffee so every day they go out to drink coffee,”

I chuckle a little raising an eyebrow “Coffee? That’s the best you can come up with?”

He shushes me playfully “Anyways, so a little later in this friendship one decides to give up coffee due to Insert Reason Here and they stop hanging out as often. Since their entire relationship is based on coffee and now that’s been taken away, they don’t have anything in common. They drift apart and remember each other as a good friend they had,”

I nod and ponder what he said “So… people can just drift apart? In that situation aren’t you supposed to try to make new common interests?” 

“Yah, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen for whatever reason and that’s where my wisdom comes in!” I can feel his overblown and ridiculously camera smile of annoyance from the other side of the country.

“I’m throwing a pillow at you when I get back,” I say going to hang up, his laughter ringing out. 

My sister’s nowhere to be seen, probably went to the washroom. I remain sitting, my drink all gone and the sun dipping down to paint everything a nice shade of orange. 

I wonder if Vincent had a point. I had tried to reconnect with my friends, but they just… were too changed from when I knew them… I could keep trying, but how many times would I sit through awkward conversations that lead nowhere before we reconnected or they started making up excuses not to come? 

I sigh out loud and play with my empty cup. Why do people and relationships have to be so difficult? 

I realize Vincent’s right… Why for the love of the gods does Vincent have to be right this one time? 

Sighing again I begrudgingly move up my flight up to this Thursday, two days from now. My parents moved after I graduated high school and my sister was seeing her friends so it wasn’t like it was an inconvenience to anyone. 

My sister reappears and sits down “Sorry, didn’t want to interrupt your phone call, had to go to the washroom,” 

“That’s ok, I was just about to leave, -” I stand up and hesitate to continue “-I also moved up my flight to this Thursday…”

“You sure? Shouldn’t you try to reconnect a little harder?” she asks, walking with me to the door.

I sigh “Yes, sometimes people just grow apart and despite their best efforts they just don’t recover,” I mentally kick myself for quoting Vincent, the jerk would never let me live it down. I grab a peppermint from the little bowl as we exit and pop it in my mouth.

“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.” she comments getting in her rental car “Want me to drive you to the airport?”

“Sure, I’d like that,” I say with a sad smile. 

Watching her drive off and getting into my car, I feel my heart droop, finally realizing that was the last time I’d probably see my old friends again but, I also feel like a sense of dread has been scrubbed off of me. 

[the1the8]

let it be

Junhoon (Junhui x Jihoon), Wonwoo, Soonyoung, Mingyu, roommates, wedding, graduate school, confessions, modern au 

summary: Jihoon realizes the only person he can trust is Jun length: 2871 words a/n: wow it has been a while yes, but you can find this fic on ao3 ♡

Let it be; Let it snow or let it go

It’s a lovely late fall day when Jun arrived at the wedding in a nice suit and tie, his light brown hair swooned to the side as he got out of the car to admire the sceneric view. Behind the tall white house sat a huge tall grass field where Jun dreamed of running through. His lips formed a smirk as he walked through the wooden gate, the walk of roses between two rows of chairs in white below the beautiful twisted cloths wrapped around the high bars where the main event was happening at his right.

He noticed the two lovey doveys at the porch as he made his way into the house. His steps were heard by Soonyoung, who was standing by the front door. When Jun saw his lips beam with the natural lights igniting behind him like he was an angel sent from the heavens, he knew that today was going to be a happy day for everyone.

“There’s my man!” Soonyoung’s fist pointed at Jun with a lean.

“Congratulations!” Jun laughed and pounded him back in the same posture.

They hugged after laughing over their greeting then behind Soonyoung came Wonwoo, who was just finished with his solo photoshoot, fixing his tie when he came back inside from the porch.

“So who’s your man?” Wonwoo asked, nonchalantly as the two turned to him at the sound of his voice.

“This one.” Soonyoung touched Wonwoo’s shoulder, tapping it a little with his cheeky grin. Wonwoo smiled a small one and kissed Soonyoung at his side of his lips before turning to Jun. Jun almost bursted a laugh at the two, not surprised at how easy it was for Wonwoo to be jealous.

There was a good reason why he’d feel that way though and Jun would understand it too because Jun used to date Soonyoung. They ended their relationship on good terms after a few months because of their differences but Wonwoo still felt skeptical about Jun trying to steal him back, which he would never do now that they’re already getting married.

Wonwoo smirked a smile at Jun and shook his hand. “Thanks for coming.” Then he looked behind him before looking back at him. “Where’s Jihoon?”

“He had some things going on back at home so he couldn’t make it today but I’d gladly send his wishes to you both.” Jun lowered his head with a smile.

“Isn’t it a little peaceful? You don’t get to hear him nag you anymore.” Soonyoung said as he looked at Wonwoo with a mocking look though he intended to say it as a joke. “Well, that’s until he comes back.”

Jun nodded with his hand wrapped at his chin. “That’s true but I do miss him sometimes. Like, I’d suddenly do the chores he’d ask me to do without even thinking about it when I’m all alone at home.”

“Well, isn’t that nice? It’s like he never left the place.” Soonyoung giggled seeing Jun’s shrug. “That reminds me, Jihoon should be here to steal the bouquet. How long has he been dating Mingyu?”

Jun’s eyes looked up with his finger pointing the same direction. “Probably almost four years now?”

Soonyoung’s lips widened. “Damn, he should be here and be the next to get married.” Then he saw the host waving at him from the stairs to get ready. He patted Wonwoo’s chest and smiled close to him. “Looks like it’s time to do the walk.”

“You’re right.” Wonwoo looked at Soonyoung so lovingly after the short conversation that it warmed Jun’s eyes. They looked like glares to Jun when Wonwoo turned to look at him but Wonwoo smiled with sincere. “We’ll meet you downstairs. Thanks for coming again.”

Jun headed home that evening, walking through the yard of his house that he shared with Jihoon, his best friend since their first year of college together. Even now in graduate school suffering together, they still share their times together. He glanced at the night sky, wondering when it’ll be the first snow that late fall before he entered his home.

Upon entering, he saw a pair of familiar shoes at the foyer in front of the door. His eyes looked up in confusion but somehow, he knew Jihoon was home. Slowly taking his shoes off and locking the door behind him, he walked into the dark living room, finding a small figure resting on the couch.

Jihoon’s face was puffy, as if he didn’t have any sleep for the past few days. Jun came close, tiptoeing until his hand reached for his shoulder without shaking him as he hoped his touch would wake him up. Jihoon’s eyes shot open but not widely.

“Jihoon?” Jun whispered and Jihoon felt at ease as he sighed, closing his eyes again. “When did you get back?”

“About an hour ago.” His voice sounded tired and Jun fixed himself beside him, sitting on the ground while leaning onto the bottom part of the couch, his back facing him.

“I just came back from Wonwoo and Soonyoung’s wedding. They wished you were there so if you’re not that tired then we can go back there. There’s still some time left before the party’s over.” Jun suggested when he looked at his watch. His smile turned to him and he saw that his eyes were still closed.

“I’m good.”

“Really? Okay then.” It became quiet as Jun could only hear Jihoon’s soft breathing. He smiled a small one, realizing how it contradicted the way Jihoon would nag him at every second of the day. It felt weird but Jun knew he was just tired. He turned to gaze at the face he missed though it was only for a few days as he asked. “How was trip back home?”

“It was okay.” Jihoon’s voice was still quiet but at least Jun could still hear him.

“Nothing more? Nothing less?” Jun asked, hoping he’d say more but instead, he got a short nod before Jihoon turned to the other side, his face invisible to Jun.

“I think I want to sleep some more.”

“Okay. I’ll let you do that.” Jun said and he got up to wash up. He took a glance at Jihoon before walking away into the bathroom.

“You up for a movie tonight?” Jun asked, stretching from his seat after submitting one of his grad papers about two days later since Jihoon returned. It was the weekend and they both needed a break from all of that grad work they put out the whole day.

“You bet.” Jihoon did the same, his fingers intertwining with his arms stretched in front of him. He yawned and Jun giggled when he walked away with his laptop to the living room. Jihoon got off his seat and checked the cabinets in the kitchen where their snacks were stored. He glanced over the counters to ask, “Want some snacks?”

“Is your snack bar opened for business? Then yes!” Jun yelled from across the room and it made Jihoon laughed with a shook on the head. He took some out and headed to where Jun was.

They sat next to each other and while the movie was playing, Jihoon had his head on Jun’s shoulder. Jun didn’t care as much about the weight there but he smiled a little at the touch in the silence. He could sense Jihoon having a lot in his thoughts, especially since he hadn’t said a word about his trip and just went straight back into his load of work. He thought it would be a good idea to speak about it now.

When Jun turned to Jihoon, about to open his mouth, Jihoon was already staring at him.  

“W-what?” Jun flustered as he moved away, letting Jihoon’s head hang in the air. He watched him smirked before he turned back at the movie as he leaned on the couch.

“It’s snowing.” Jihoon’s voice made Jun feel hot, his cheeks burning when he looked to see the snow falling through the window.

It was the first snow of that winter and Jun did not feel cold at all.

Jun was done with another deadline as he cheered in across the living room, his feet kicking in the air when he fell back on the couch. He got up, feeling the need to celebrate then he heard the door opening as he turned to look at it.

Jihoon came through wearing his scarf over his lips to keep from the cool weather and closed the door before he saw Jun looking back at him when he walked into the kitchen.

“Professor Lee Jihoon, are you ready for a round?” Jihoon rolled his eyes at Jun’s tease as he wondered when he’ll stop saying that. He’s just an assistant and had yet to become one.

Jihoon could tell Jun got another deadline off his list when he walked to him from the door, leaving his coat and scarf on the edge of the couch. He sat on at the dinner table with Jun setting the drink that he opened for him in front of them.

“Thanks.” Jihoon took a sip and made a fresh sound from his mouth. “Perfect for this kind of weather.”

“Right? I mean, look at me. I’m on a roll today on getting my shit done.” Jun shrugged like he was proud before he bursted a laugh.

“You should of gotten plenty of time when I was gone. Guess you used it wisely.” Jihoon frowned without a care, knowing how he gets so annoyed when he nags too much.

“When you were gone with Mingyu? Of course, I had only a few peaceful days.” Jun said with exaggeration and a roll at his eyes. Jihoon laughed awkwardly and took another sip of his drink, hoping the conversation would end there, but Jun continued. “Say, what did you do with Mingyu? Like give me the details.”

“What details?” Jihoon looked at him weirdly before his eyes looked away. “My gosh, Jun. I didn’t know you were into that.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!” Jun felt like screaming and he did, but only a screech that Jihoon was used to hearing. It made Jihoon laugh as Jun followed him into the living room where Jun’s papers were all over the floor.

“You need to clean this up soon because it’s not going to clean itself.” Jihoon sat on the couch and playfully kicked one paper away from his feet when it wasn’t even touching him.

“How dare you!” Jun gasped set his drink down before tackling Jihoon down on the couch. Their hands fighting each other with their giggles echoing in the room when Jihoon struggled to set his drink down. When he was able to set it away, their bodies rolled over and over until Jihoon was on top of him, only inches from his face.

A moment of silence filled the room as they couldn’t stop looking into each other’s eyes. Jun blinked once and there was a thought in him that Jihoon had something to say when he noticed his mouth opening. Instead, his lips were embraced by Jihoon’s. He was taken as surprise even though they have done this a few times before, but it felt different. Jun couldn’t describe it any other way but he found himself kissing him back. His hand reached Jihoon’s hair behind his ear as he fixed himself on the edge of the couch and turned his head to the side. Jun could taste the drink Jihoon had as theirs mixed in his mouth and that thought made his face turn red before Jihoon suddenly stopped for a second and fell onto Jun’s chest.

Jun froze there, realizing that Jihoon had fallen asleep when he heard him breathing soundly. The only problem in his mind was, what the fuck just happened?

A few days went by and Jun could sense something was definitely up since the night Jihoon came back from his hometown and that weird kiss the other night. They were still watching movies on some nights and Jihoon still nagged him around though not as much as before but it felt odd to see Jihoon focusing so much on his grad work that Jun suggested them to have a talk.

“Not right now.” Jihoon’s eyes didn’t leave his screen as he continued to type. He could hear Jun sighing loudly and all he wanted to do was be by himself without bothered from his surroundings.

“No seriously, Jihoon. What is going on?” Jun’s fingers tapped on the kitchen table where he stood in front of. The kiss couldn’t get out of his mind. Jihoon blinked at his screen still, not giving him a look so Jun walked to him and closed his laptop screen, their eyes finally meeting.

There was a sad look in Jihoon’s eyes and it was as if Jun absorbed that into him that his eyes started to become blurry. Jun gulped, somehow regretting on confronting him but if he really knew, Jihoon would probably regretted not telling him in the first place. Maybe he didn’t have to heart to tell him, knowing that he had spoke about his love to Mingyu so many times.

“You really wanna know?” Jihoon asked quietly.

“Tell me so I know how you feel.” His words sounded promising as Jihoon sighed.

“Mingyu cheated. It’s been a few months. I kinda knew because he wasn’t calling or texting like the usual so I visited him and caught him in the act.” Jihoon smiled at Jun, hiding his lingering heart. Jun’s face was struck that he couldn’t say a word, but he let Jihoon continued. “But you know, I’m good at coping even though it’s the first serious relationship I’ve been in and just being with you really helps.”

“I’m glad.” Jun sighed in shock. He didn’t know what to say but be there for Jihoon. “But seriously, if you need to rant about that bitch, then let me know because I’m good at rooting you on.”

“And the kiss. Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to do that, like I think I got too drunk and-” Jihoon hid his head in his palms, messing his hair a bit before he confessed, “I probably thought you were hot that night.”

“You what?” Jun’s voice became louder but still shock as ever. “So you like me?”

“No, no. I don’t know.” Jihoon cried in his hair again, denying the question then he took a deep breath and finally looked at Jun, who looked like a lost puppy. “But I don’t think I should be going into a relationship yet.”

“But you like me?” Silence. Jun scribbled his head too then he had his hand up at him, trying to hold all of the words that came out of him. “Jihoon, I need you to be clear with me. Do you like me, like like-like me?”

“I don’t know. We’ve been living with each other for years so I’m very comfortable being with you anywhere. Even cuddling up with you and sharing drinks together when I’m not that good at it.”

“But you like me?”

Jihoon nodded once and sighed. “But I don’t want you to think I’m rebounding you.”

Jun came closer and his voice got into Jihoon’s head more. “But you like me, right? And I don’t think I can date just anyone who I don’t know as much as you.”

“But that’s the point of dating and getting into relationships. Gosh, Jun, you’re so dumb.” Jihoon looked down at his closed laptop and peeked at him when he heard his voice.

“No, wait. Jihoon we’re in a relationship right now though, right?”

“What do you mean?” Jihoon closed his eyes, astonished at the words coming out of Jun’s mouth. “I mean!!!” Jun’s feet were jumpy, his hands shaking with them like a habit when he’s excited. “We’ve been living together for so long and I know almost everything about you.”

There was a moment of silence before Jihoon broke it. “So are you saying we should get married?”

Jun bursted a cheer and Jihoon walked away from his chair, shaking his head as Jun followed him to the couch in the living room.

“And you’re telling me you’ve been in love with me, even when I was still with Mingyu, for how long?” Jihoon tried to count the months in his head until Jun sat down with him.

“I wouldn’t say I was waiting for you to break up with him but it’s been a while for sure.” Jun was smiling at him and Jihoon could see the snow in his eyes reflected from the window behind him.

Jihoon wouldn’t lie if he had let Mingyu go for a while too and since Jun seemed okay with it, then it wouldn’t hurt to open his heart again, just like the falling snow that would come every winter, bringing warmth into his eyes each time he watched them. Maybe there was a chance that everything was fate for him to be standing beside Jun when he confessed these words:

“Then the kiss the other night, I wasn’t sorry. That was my true feeling for you.”

[sugarchains]

Title: Good Boy, part 2

Chapters: 1/1

Pairing: Taagnus

Rating: Explicit!

Notes: Hey remember that last fic that I wrote AGES ago and I had Magnus promise to fuck Taako until he cried? 

And remember that post I made also forever ago where I was like I want Magnus to fuck Taako while Taako has all his jewelry on.

Guess what I did.

*finger guns*

It’s not that Taako doesn’t look good, like all the time. 

Like, he looks good always in a way that drives Magnus a little crazy because it’s very distracting.

But right now.

Right now they have to go undercover on some mission-deep undercover. Like Fantasy James Bond or some shit. And they’re supposed to be in suits and ties and the like.

But Taako comes downstairs in this…dress and he’s dripping in jewelry and his hair is intricately done and Magnus is done. 

Gone.

He doesn’t officially get distracted until they’re getting into one of the glass balls to transport down to the surface, and he helps Taako up into it and sees fucking diamonds glinting across his thighs and the only thing that comes to mind is “I’m going to feel that around my waist later.” 

It’s a wrap for the rest of the night.

-

Taako is having a great fucking time. When was the last time he got to just wear as much jewelry as possible with as little clothes as possible?

It’s been so long.

So he went all out for this event. 

The dress is a shimmery material, open back, low cut in the front and a slit up the right leg to inappropriate heights. 

His hair is done up in braids and knots, with strings of rhinestones falling across the back in short layers. 

He looks like a fantasy Greek goddess. Which is not exactly the look he was going for, but it’s what happened and if the way Magnus looks at him when he comes downstairs is any indication, its fucking working for him. He absolutely makes sure to show the thigh jewelry when Magnus helps him into the glass ball, and judging by the way that he squeezes his hand, tonight should be interesting to say the least. 

-

“Hey, Taako?”

“Yeah?”

“Remember one time I promised to make you cry?” 

“…Yes?”

“You look really good tonight.” 

“..Come on, let’s dance. So we’re not talking about how much you're gonna fuck me in front of the fucking refreshments.” Taako pulls Magnus out onto the open ballroom floor, joining the other couples in a fantasy waltz around the room.

Magnus settles a warm hand on Taako’s lower back, just above where the dress he’s wearing dips low, 

“Will you take my dress off?”

“No, I want you to leave it on.”

“It’s expensive”

“We’ll get you another one. Somehow.”

“I want you to leave your pants on.”

“I can do that.”

“Talk dirty to me.”

“You know I’m bad at that. What do you want me to say?”

“Call me a slut.” And Magnus can feel his hold on Taako change slightly, his hands tightening just a bit on him. Which is fine because Taako’s hand ins clenched into a fist over his jacket and he’s pressed up against Magnus as much as he can be while still dancing. 

Which. Right. They’re still in public. 

“We should go-”

“What, you don’t want people here to see?”

“No, god shut up,” Magnus says while leading a cackling Taako off the dance floor. 

They’re making their way outside of the grand hall they were in, and really neither of them can remember anything about any information they were supposed to be picking up here-there’s a reason why they usually don’t get sent on recon missions. Unless this was just a distraction for other people-oh. 

That makes more sense. 

Magnus feels himself pull up short because Taako stops moving and pulls his hand away from his; he turns and sees Taako telling several people goodbye. He’s almost surrounded; it looks like he’s signing autographs? But Magnus moves closer and Taako’s making adjustments to a lady’s recipe notebook and he catches Taako’s eye for a quick moment-

Oh, this is on purpose. 

He doesn’t stomp his feet petulantly but it’s a near thing as he waits for Taako to finish. 

-

Hours later (to be fair, it was probably five minutes, but in Magnus’s defense he’s been at least half hard since they got to this party so he’s allowed the complaint) Taako’s finally finished and Magnus is pulling him to his side quickly before leaning down to whisper. 

“What was that?”

“Oh, you know how you get when you have to wait for it.” 

Magnus squeezes the hand he had on Taako’s hip. “So, what- you just wanted to be sure?”

Taako doesn’t respond, but he looks up at Magnus through his lashes and smiles in a way that simultaneously steals his breath and makes him wanna push Taako up against a wall somewhere.

-

They’re in the back of a fantasy cab and honestly they’re a little too handsy for being in semi-public, but Taako is making these whimpering noises into Magnus’s mouth while they kiss, his hands fisted in Magnus’s suit jacket and he’s trying his fucking hardest to not just lay Taako down in the backseat of this fucking cab but he really. Really wants to take Taako apart right now. So he pulls back from the kiss, brings a hand to rest against Taako’s throat, not choking him but laying it there with a promise of what will happen later.

“Tell me what you want me to do first,” he says, whispering it against Taako’s cheek, before dragging kisses across his ears. 

“Fuck-” 

Magnus presses against Taako’s throat slightly, if only to see how his eyes go wide and feel how he shudders against him. 

“Whisper, Taako. What. Do you. Want.” 

“Fuck, just. Fuck my mouth. Fuck my mouth and make me cum please.” 

“That’s a good boy.”

“Oh god.” Taako already sounds pretty far gone to Magnus, but when he fully pulls back to look at him, his pupils are blown and he’s smiling almost smugly, despite having a hand on his throat. 

-

”Oh my god, don’t make me laugh. Go do what I said.”

“Wait, gimme a real kiss first.” 

“…We’re still outside.”

“So? No one knows who we are here. If we wanted to, we could fuck in an alley. Kiss me.” 

Magnus rushes into the kiss, pressing Taako up against the wall to the inn they stopped in front of. He kisses him deeply, one hand pressed against Taako’s throat, the other bypassing the long slit of Taako’s dress to trail up his leg. 

“Why do you never wear underwear?” 

“Excuse you, I was-” and Magnus can feel something being stuffed into his jacket pocket. “Now let me go get us a room, just like you asked.” 

Magnus lets go of Taako, giving him space to take a deep breath and cast Disguise Self quickly. He watches as the locks of hair that were falling out of their elaborate braids (because of Magnus’s hands) put themselves back together, the bruises starting to show up on Taako’s shoulders and neck (because of Magnus’s mouth) fade back into brown skin, and the lipstick clear itself from where it was smeared and half gone (because of Magnus’s fingers).

Taako winks at him before walking into the inn, and Magnus stuffs his hands in his jacket pocket to keep himself from touching, because it's been ages now and he wants, and his hand is immediately pressed up against fabric and Magnus has to take a moment to check his breathing because Taako stuffed his panties into his pocket and he can feel slick lace and ribbon and he may die before they actually get into the hotel room.

-

They’re in the elevator, going up to whatever room Taako got for them (and Magnus really wants to ask with what money but he’s so learned to not ask that because there’s never actually a good answer). Magnus is trying very hard to keep his hands to himself, even though Taako’s dropped the charm and is back to looking deliciously disheveled. He’s dying to push his fingers back into Taako’s mouth already and he knows Taako can tell because he’s making a show of ignoring him and reapplying lipstick. 

(It’s taking everything within him to not take out the panties that he knows are in his jacket pocket, make some comment about how wet they are and drop to his knees to find out if Taako’s actually that wet. 

He’s not going to do that in public though-Taako hasn’t gotten to him that much. Yet.)

Inside the hotel room has Magnus pressing Taako up against the inside of the door, two fingers pressing pass his lips, tilting his head to the side so Magnus can mark his neck with lipsteethtongue, his other hand pushing under his dress to press up between his legs. 

Magnus keeps Taako pressed up against the wall, fucking his fingers into him slowly until Taako is whining high in his throat at the slow pace. He pulls his fingers from Taako’s mouth, bringing his hand to his neck and pressing in against it.

He pushes three fingers into Taako deeper, keeping up the running commentary as Taako’s hands shakily pull at his clothes-”I want you to come so many times you can’t even breathe anymore, let alone think. I know that’s what you like. That you like it when you can just let go and feel-” and he hisses slightly when Taako finally gets his hands on his back and digs his nails in. 

Magnus pulls back slightly to look at Taako pressed between him and the wall, legs spread as wide as they can go in this position, dress still on but doing nothing to cover up the bruises, face screwed up in pleasure as he keeps rocking himself down onto Magnus’ fingers and fuck you’re such a slut for it aren’t you falls from his lips without him meaning it.

Taako sobs when he comes, one hand still digging into Magnus’s back and the other gripping his wrist tight to keep his hand in place while he grind against it.

-

It’s disturbingly easy to loose himself in Taako and skip sections of time, so the next time Magnus really focuses he’s thrusting into Taako deep, grinding against him in a way that has Taako yell slightly before clapping a hand over his mouth and releasing muffled sobs against his hand.

“Oh no you don’t,” Magnus says, and he pulls Taako’s hand away from his mouth, pinning it up above his head. “You’re the one who said no one knows us here. So let me hear you.” 

“Fuck-”

They usually don’t get to be too loud on the base, living in close quarters and all. So Magnus really wants to take his time and drag noises out of Taako, fuck him until he’s wailing from it. But he figures it’s a lost cause when Taako brings his other hand to the back of his neck, digging his nails in hard as he rocks his hips up to meet Magnus’s thrusts. 

“Do you wanna come like this?”

“Fuck me, what?”

“I said-”

“Fucking shit, Magnus-”

“Do you want to come like this. On your back? Taking my cock like this?”

“I literally do not fucking care just make me come, come on.”

“Make a decision, fuck, or I will come inside you and not get you off.”

“God-”

Magnus pulls himself back up enough to look down at Taako, who still has his dress on, the light fabric barely concealing where Magnus is still inside him, one hand still pinned above his head. He fucks into Taako slowly, dragging the motions out until Taako is shuddering against him, digging the heel of one shoe into Magnus’s lower back before he speaks.

“I wanna come like this,” Taako says into the air between them, breath hitching as Magnus rocks into him harder.

“Yeah?”

“Fuck, yes-I wanna come like this, I want you to make me come like this. Fuckfuck,Magnus-” 

He lets go of Taako’s wrist so he can brace himself on the bed, fucking himself into Taako deep, letting the sobs and half choked cries guide him on. Grabbing one of Taako’s thighs, he spreads him wider, digging his nails into Taako’s thigh while fucking his cock into him deeper. Taako eggs him on, nails digging into his back, his arms, pulling him in deeperhardercloser as he arches his back and sobs when he comes.  Magnus isn’t far behind him, can’t help himself when he pushes into him, thrusting a few more times before choking out Taako’s name with a moan he buries into Taako’s neck. 

They come down together slowly, pulling apart, fully undressing each other (Magnus takes the opportunity to take off Taako’s jewelry piece by piece, in more delicate and dedicated fashion Taako would while Taako rolls his eyes, but lets him) and coming back together to collapse on the bed, limbs tangled together.

“Holy shit dude.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“Fuck no, just....Holy shit.” 

“I mean. I did promise to fuck you until you cried.”

“And your dirty talk was A1, babe. You’re getting better!”

“Oh my god, shut up.”

[birdiethebibliophile]

{fic} That Old Sweet Feeling (part 21)

Fandom:  The Adventure Zone:  Commitment Rating:  M Chapter Warnings:  None Relationship:  Nadiya Jones/Mary Word Count:  2,033

Here on AO3. Read the rest: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20

Tagging @someone-called-f1nch, @voidfishkid, @mellowstarscape, and @jumpboy-rembrandt!

Endgame has started. This chapter and the next are a LOT of plot, and this one’s a long boi, so brace yourselves, gird your loins, all that. 

Chapter Summary:   Grace formulates plans. Remy connects the dots. Jonesy speculates.

__________________

Nadiya was stirred from sleep by a soft knock on the door. She made a noise of discomfort and shoved her face back into the pillow. Through her half-awake haze, she could hear a lot of muffled voices, then, suddenly, the door burst open and she heard a loud, “Rise and shine, Reed Richards!”

Nadiya jolted fully awake and upright, nearly colliding with Mary Sage. “Wh- what’s wrong?” she said, danger senses immediately pinging.

“Nothin’, I just wanted ya to wake up,” Mary Sage said, half-collapsing against Nadiya. “Grace said we can’t have breakfast until everyone’s up and you’re the last one.”

“Oh. Geddoff.” Nadiya pushed half-heartedly at Mary Sage, who straightened up with a pout. She considered going right back to sleep, but she was pretty awake now. Right. They were at Grace’s penthouse-apartment-whatever it was in San Francisco. “Breakfast?”

“Yeah, she and Abbey’re makin’ French toast and Remy’s helping,” Mary Sage explained, sitting down on Nadiya’s bed with a slight bounce. “French toast an’ bacon an’ orange juice an’ shit. I think she has grapefruit, too, Jonesy really likes it?”

Nadiya’s stomach rumbled. “I have to shower first,” she said firmly. “I feel gross. And then I’ll be out.”

“Nad…” Mary Sage whined. “Please, we’re dyin’ of hunger –”

“Shower!” Nadiya insisted.

“Bathroom’s down the hall by Remy’s room,” Mary Sage, flopping backwards on the bed, managing to avoid Nadiya’s legs. “You suck.”

Nadiya stuck her tongue out at Mary Sage, grabbed her bag, and headed down the hallway.

She really had meant to take a quick in-and-out shower, but the minute she stepped under the hot water, she groaned and closed her eyes. It felt like the grime and dust of the past week was washing away down the drain. She wondered if Mary Sage had showered – judging by the state of her hair (not completely and totally knotted and greasy like it had been the previous night), probably.

Now that she was thinking about Mary, she couldn’t stop. Mary Sage had seemed more… herself  just now than she had in days. She’d been grinning widely, her eyes alert and not glazed over, with the spark of mischief that Nadiya recognized from their car chase back before they got to the cabin.

Nadiya wondered uncomfortably how long she’d been paying that much attention to Mary Sage.

Hurriedly, she washed her hair and made sure she got a thorough rinse before shutting the shower off and wrapping her hair in a towel, throwing her pajamas back on since she didn’t have any clean clothes.

She hesitated at the hallway exit, but before she could do anything else, Grace turned around from where she was standing at the counter and smiled. “Nadiya! Good morning! It’s real good to see you.”

“Um, good to see you too, Grace,” Nadiya muttered, sitting down at the table – two tables shoved together, if she wanted to be accurate – with Kardala, Jonesy, and a woman in her early twenties wearing retro aviator glasses who Nadiya identified as Pridmore. Grace winked and turned back to the griddle, where she was flipping what looked to be about fifty pieces of French toast. She had been the head of Humanities, Nadiya recalled; Irene’s boss, a tall, solidly-built nonbinary woman in her early fifties with long, greying brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Whereas most of the rest of them – including Jonesy – were still wearing pajamas, Grace was wearing beige slacks, closed-toe brown lace-up shoes, and a pink flowered long-sleeved button-up shirt under a beige suit jacket, unbuttoned, that matched her slacks. Nadiya couldn’t remember ever wearing anything that nice except for her grad school interviews.

Grace, she decided, was either going to annoy the shit out of her, or was a genuine badass. Or both. Could definitely be both.

“Okay, we got French toast, bacon, grapefruit, orange juice, coffee…” Grace said, clapping her hands together. “Everybody grab a plate and have at it. Creamer’s in the fridge if you want it.”

For the next few minutes, the kitchen (or what was generally being called a kitchen) was complete chaos as everyone scrambled to get themselves their breakfast, but eventually, it settled down, and Nadiya was sitting a bit disbelievingly with seven other people, at an actual table, with actual food.

“There’s plenty, I grabbed groceries from the place next door this morning,” Grace said, stirring sugar into her coffee, “so feel free to have seconds or thirds or however much you want.”

“Thanks, Grace,” Remy said around a mouthful of bacon and a huge grin.

“I’ll help with the dishes after,” Jonesy added, kissing Grace’s cheek as she sat down.

Huh, Nadiya thought, looking from Grace to Jonesy. I guess they’re together. For some reason, she glanced at Mary Sage, who was eating French toast like her life depended on it, and who also winked at Nadiya when their eyes met. Nadiya quickly turned back to her own breakfast.

“So, you wanted to hear about our trip?” Remy said once he’d finished his first cup of coffee and gotten a refill.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Jonesy said. “And then we have some stuff to fill you four in on.”

Remy launched into his version of the events, Kardala and Mary Sage occasionally chiming in with corrections. Pridmore was signing a translation to Abbey. Nadiya mostly let them take care of it, focusing on eating as much French toast and drinking as much coffee as she possibly could. It felt like it did when she’d spent days straight in her lab and she’d finally made a breakthrough. She would go home, sleep like the dead for twelve hours, and order from her favorite Thai restaurant whenever she woke up. Spend the day catching up on the news she hadn’t been paying attention to, watch an episode or two of whatever she’d been watching on Netflix recently, and let whoever’d been texting her she was still alive.

“Wow,” Grace said, shaking her head. “Y’all have been through a lot, huh?”

“You could say that,” Nadiya said, finally setting her mug down. “So, do you know what the fuck is going on? Because we may have some background now, but as far as we know, we’re still being hunted down by either the feds or Martine or both.”

“Well, first of all, you don’t have to worry about that here,” Grace said calmly. “I don’t know if Jamie, Addison, and Flanagan told you, but Jonesy and I – mostly Jonesy – had been working on some tech for blocking the bonds, and this whole place, as well as the surrounding block or so, is basically under a catch-all invisibility cloak. Well,” she corrected herself, “the cloak blocks artificial bonds – the kind Martine’s manufacturing with the stimplants and her modified oxytocin. Regular bonds still work fine. I don’t even know if there is a way to block those. We gave Jamie and Addison and Flanagan some prototypes we made – doesn’t block all artificial bonds, but it should block Martine, the hub.”

“Like a server in a computer network,” Remy said.

Jonesy shot him double finger guns. “Exactly,” she said. “Each team had artificial bonds with the other people on their team and with Martine – which is the main problem.”

“See, I don’t think there’s any way Martine’s given up,” Grace said, the friendly smile dropping off her face, replaced with a serious, business-like look that matched her outfit. “She’s a master manipulator, and I’d be shocked if she didn’t have a plan M, much less a plan B.”

“Here.” Jonesy pushed her chair out, going over to the counter and fiddling with a projector, opening a laptop and connecting them. “I made a PowerPoint.”

Irene leaned forwards eagerly, but Nadiya groaned. “How is it possible that literally every one of you is nerdier than I am?” she complained.

“I’m not,” Mary Sage said.

Nadiya considered that. “You have most of the Bible memorized.”

“That’s not nerdy, it’s sensible,” Mary Sage said, poking her fork in Nadiya’s direction.

“Focus, people,” Grace said. The room fell silent again as Jonesy’s projection appeared on the wall. “So, it’s clear Martine’s not working on her own. She’s been seen in the Capitol, for heaven’s sake. My best guess is that she sold her tech – the stimplants, mostly – to the government in return for complete amnesty.”

“What.” Nadiya knocked over her empty glass in standing up. “That’s – that’s my tech, she –”

“I’m just telling you what I suspect, Nadiya,” Grace said calmly. “I can see you’re upset, but I’m going to be real honest with you. You not getting a patent for your work is the least of our problems right now. Please sit down.”

Nadiya dropped back into her chair, a burning sensation behind her eyes. She wanted to yell at Grace that she didn’t understand, didn’t get how academia worked, that was her entire PhD, all her research, she couldn’t just start over and pick something else. Martine had all but destroyed her career.

“The biggest problem,” Grace said quietly, “is that the government is almost certainly underestimating Martine. They’ve given her too much leeway; they don’t get the extent of her plans. I think – yes, Remy?”

Remy was raising his hand, and now lowered it awkwardly. “I might be able to help with some of this,” he explained. “I… my mom used to work with Martine. She left me a message, a bunch of info on their work. What she knew about Martine, what she thought Martine’s plans were. That was a while ago, though, I don’t know how helpful it’ll be.”

“Anything is helpful at this point,” Grace said firmly. “Could you go get that for us?”

Remy nodded, jumping up from the table and darting from the room, returning in less than a minute with his laptop, which he opened. “She said something about Martine building an – an army of supersoldiers,” he said, pulling up the documents.

Grace’s mouth thinned, but she nodded. “That would fit with what I suspect,” she said. “Jonesy?”

Jonesy nodded and clicked to a slide showing a photo of Martine talking with two people in suits. “The man on the right there is the Secretary of Defense,” she said grimly. “And the one on the left is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

“According to my intel – and my reasoning – Martine’s persuaded the Department of Defense that her stimplant tech –”

“My stimplant tech,” Nadiya put in, still fuming.

Grace sighed. “Nadiya’s stimplant tech, then. She’s persuaded them that it can be used as a weapon. Every news network I can find is working overtime to fix the PR disaster that was Richard’s broadcast, painting Martine in the best possible light. That’s got to be at the behest of the Department of Defense – honestly, I don’t know how deep this goes, she was at the White House, she may even have the president on her side. However, there’s no way she’s told them about the modifications she’s made. Which means…”

“Holy shit,” Mary Sage whispered. “It means she could have a literal, entire army with those connections. With the bonds.”

“All connected to her,” Grace said with a nod. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s made a few more modifications since the disaster at the ‘Berg. To… make the recipients easier for her to control.”

Abbey, a middle-aged man with greying reddish hair, tapped on the table, then signed something, which Pridmore translated in her strong Scottish accent: “What was her original plan, then? Couldn’ta been this.”

“Again, this is partly speculation on our part,” Grace said, “but partly info we gathered when we were still working for the Fellowship. I don’t think she ever thought Richard’s plan would work. Hers wasn’t a backup, at least not to her; it was the only real plan. She was just using his as a way to execute hers. She wanted to recruit the best and brightest, bind them to her, and… well. Use them however she needed.”

“Well, that leaves me with a lot of questions, but I think there’s only one that comes to mind immediately,” Irene said in her quiet voice.

“What is it, Irene?”

“Why us?”

[mycasandstarrs]

SPN 7x08: “Season 7, Time for a Wedding!”

THEN: Sam calls Dean out on his behavior. Sam and Dean were separated but now they’re back together. Supernatural is a thing. Beck Rosen is their #1 fan; she has a serious thing for Sam.

A waitress in a strip club that’s also in grad school? Fuck yeah, girl! Get your coin!

Dean talking about his situation using the “I got this friend” narrative.

And there’s a blurred El Sol right behind Dean.

(Irrelevant, but do the brothers still do their “sacred pilgrimage” to Vegas?)

Ha, Sam’s text: “348 Twain Ave WEAR FED SUIT!”

“See? Baby bro needs you after all.” Aww, she was sweet.

The pink carnation. “Apparently, pink is for loyalty.”

“I'm in love. And I'm getting married.”

“...”

“Say something, like, uh, like, ‘congratulations,’ for example.”

“What?”

I’m with ya, Dean.

Oh goodness.

Special title card! With the Supernatural twist. Of course.

“Shouldn't she ask for my permission or something?” hahaha.

“You know what? Ignoring everything, have you forgotten the average life-span of your hookups?” AKA the peen of death.

Dean keeping his cool until Becky leaves. ff hahahaha

Dean’s general behavior here is hilarious.

"First official Tweet as Mrs. Becky Rosen-Winchester!" Oh dear. (It does have a nice ring to it tho.)

Dean’s still driving the car from the last episode. (And Cas’ coat is still in the trunk.)

I won’t lie: If I had a husband like Sam, I’d be inclined to show him off too.

“Guy, meet my husband, Sam.”

“Hey. It's an honor to meet you, Sam.”

Ohhhh, knowing this is a demon....

How fucking shhaaddyyy.

Dean juussttt missed them.

Huh, Dean’s got John’s journal with him.

And now he’s got a case that isn’t Sam.

(Oh, I recognize this song from “Pretty in Pink”.) “Cherish” by The Association.

Becky does look nice.

Sam broke through the spell momentarily.

“Feeling better, honey?”

“Now that I’m with you.”

Ooohhh this gives me the heebs and jeebs.

RIP this dude. Killed by baseballs.

pfft. A waffle iron.

Ahh, Dean thought Becky was part of whatever weird thing was happening in town. Fair.

“You know, I went after her, Dean. Maybe that's what's bugging you – that I'm moving on with my life. I mean, you took care of me, and that's great. But I don't need you anymore.” Big Yikes.

Bobby assigns Dean a new hunter partner.

Sam wiping the marker off Becky’s nose is rather cute.

“I got a present for you.”

“His and hers fake IDs? Oh!”

What every relationship needs.

Oh my god, I’m about to see my sweet, darling Garth!!

“Hey, you Dean? I thought you’d be taller.” 

“He said you’d be all surly and premenstrual working with me.” lmao. I love that Bobby had to warn Garth about Dean’s bad mood.

We’re not even a minute into meeting Garth and I’m already in love with him again.

Where did Dean get the sweater vest?? It looks amazing on him.

“Actuarial Insider” pfft.

Garth just cuts straight to the point.

“We were just wondering if you got here by nefarious means.”

“Whoa! Garth!”

“Oh. Uh, I-I didn't mean, of course, uh, corporate backstabbing – I'm sorry. I meant more like, uh, you know, black magic or hoodoo.”

Just when you thought Garth pulled back, he pushed forward even more.

The wife’s a big b-

Dean and Garth already communicate/work well together.

“I'm trying to save you from a really bad accident.”

“Are you threatening me?”   

“No. No, I-I-I'm pointing out a pattern. Why do people keep thinking I'm threatening them?”

“Because it sounded exactly like a threat, dude.”  

lol

Sam’s breaking through the spell again.

“Bring the damn car around. I'm not walking five blocks in my heels.” To be fair, I wouldn’t either.

Garth taking charge. No wonder he was the next Bobby.

“Uh, here's the plan. I drop this lady at my cousin's. He'll stop anything trying to get her. We, uh, find Sam, hopefully fix this, everybody's home in time for ‘America's Got Talent.’ Now, you – you'll be living with a tri-racial paraplegic sniper until this all blows over, okay?”

Bless his heart.

Enough with giving Sam head injuries!!!

From bad to worse.

“Don't worry. I didn't do anything weird.” TAKING OFF A PERSON’S PANTS WHILE THEY’RE UNCONSCIOUS AND THEN HOG TYING THEM TO A BED DOESN’T CONSTITUTE AS “ANYTHING WEIRD”??

“This isn't the honeymoon I had in mind. Well, some of it is, but not in this context.” Becky’s got kinks. That’d actually explain how she knew how to tie Sam down like that.

“social lubricant” pfft.

“You know your pal Guy is the one icing all those people, right?” Not directly.

My patience with this episode is running thin.

Becky’s deep in it now.

“I love reunions. The desperation! These schlubs will sign on the dotted line for money, power, hair – whatever it takes to impress the nostalgically bangable head cheerleader.” That’s smart, I’ll give him that.

Ha, Becky uses the word “gank”.

“Uh, she's got 11 Twitter...ers. Last post – ‘Going on romantic trip with hubster!!!’ Three exclamation points. I guess she got excited.” pfft, Garth.

“I got this thing about fish. Dead eyes, man.” That’s fair.

Sam’s muffled commentary is hilarious.

Not to be a broken record, but none of this would be happening if the Publisher was here instead of Becky.

Setting off the blueberry vodka devil’s trap. Nicely done, Becky.

“Dean Winchester. This is really thrilling. Hey, can I have your autograph?”

“Sure. Yeah, I'll, uh, carve it into your spleen.“

Burn.

Guy’’s “intern”, Jackson, is the one behind the killings.

RIP Jackson. Killed by Becky.

“You’re Crowley!”

“And you're – well, I'm sure you have a wonderful personality, dear.”

Damn. 

Ratted out by the intern.

“There's a reason we don't call our chits in early – consumer confidence. This isn't Wall Street! This is Hell! We have a little something called integrity. This gets out, who'll deal with us? Nobody! Then where are we?” I do admire Crowley’s business ethics.

Crowley and his long term plan: “ You met that dick yet? Smuggest tub of goo since Mussolini. I hate the bastards. Squash 'em all, please. I'll stay clear.”

I almost feel sorry for Guy.

Garth finally comes to, lmao.

An annulment. Even worse than divorce.

Sam has a pretty signature.

“So, I'll see you again?” NO.

“Becky, look. You're not a loser, okay? You're a good person, a-and you've got... a lot of... e-energy. So, you know, just do your thing, whatever that is, and the right guy will find you.”

I’m with Sam here tbh. Becky isn’t a bad person. She’s got issues that might require her to get help and work through them, and when she does, she can be a better person for her own sake. Through that, she can develop better relationships with people. So wherever Becky is in the show’s timeline, I hope she’s doing better.

Becky and Garth. That would’ve been a chaotic relationship.

“Well, buddy, I got to say, man – you, uh... you don't suck.”  What a high compliment from Dean!

AWWW.

“Look, man, uh... When I was all dosed up, I-I said some crap.”

“Oh, you mean, she – she wasn't your soulmate?”

Accept the apology, Dean.

“You know, I got to say, man... For a whack-job, you really pulled it together.”

“That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me.”

hahaha.

“It's stupid to think that you need me around all the time. You're a grown-up.“ Ohhh, look at that progress! We/they need to get it back soon.

“It might be nice.”

“What?”

“I mean, you basically have been looking out for me your whole life. Now you finally get to take care of yourself. About time, huh?”

*cries internally* That’s what I want for Dean too.

[plasticsposse]

The Penis Game & Group Projects

(Hi, this is a japril med school au I found in my drafts. For this story I’m going with April’s first reason for being a virgin that she revealed in 7x07, saying she wanted it to be special, instead of using her religion. Hope you guys enjoy)

“I know mom.” Jackson Avery said for what felt like the billionth time into his cell phone. For the entire 10 minute duration, from his room on campus to the library, his mother, Dr Catherine Avery has been scolding him.

“Jackson I know you’re in college but you need to stop sleeping around so much or be more discrete. You’re not in your under grad anymore you’re in med school. More importantly at Harvard where half of our coworkers children attend school.” 

“I’m well aware of it.” Jackson replied while rolling his eyes and striding up the giant concrete steps leading up to the Countway Library

It’s not like he sleeps around that much. In Jackson’s opinion, the fellow “legacies” of Harvard needed to mind their own fucking business, but he would never say that aloud while talking to his mom. 

“Your grandfather and I are tired of your indiscretions being gossip here. So I’m setting you up with a date for the fall fundraiser.” 

“What? No. You’re not.” He grasped the library’s door handle way harder than what was needed and swung the door open as he entered the building. Anytime his mother has tried to “set him up” in the past it was one of the younger staffers or a friend’s daughter, anyone who would be her little spy. Picking up whatever his mother didn’t hear through the grape vine. 

“Want to bet?” 

“You can’t because-” trying to come up with a good lie quickly, while looking for his study group was harder than one would think. The library’s arched ceiling went up to two stories tall and their study area was filled with evenly spaced tables; the way they were lined up made it goes as long as half a football field. Scanning his eyes through the dispersed crowd of people: the guy in the very back corner who thinks he is inconspicuously watching porn, but in reality, everyone has known he does that since the first year of undergrad; the Aryan study group, all of them had blonde hair with blue eyes. Some of them were stupid enough to tweet things with the hashtag #AllLivesMatter or even worse #WhiteLivesMatter; there was an attractive girl studying by herself, and two tables away from her was just who he was looking for. Charles Percy, he was wearing his ridiculous neon yellow shirt. Jackson was pretty sure no one else in Massachusetts owned it. 

“Jackson, I don’t have all day here.” His mother said sounding less impressed than she had throughout the entire conversation. Bringing him back to his need for an excuse. 

“You can’t set me up with someone because … Because I have a girlfriend.” He stuttered out while walking towards his friends. 

“Since when? Who is she? Are you bringing her out to brunch on Sunday? You remembered we’re having brunch right?” 

“Mom we have brunch the third Sunday of every month of course I remember. It’s uh really new and I can’t get into any details right now cause I have to go bye.” Jackson hung up before his mother could say anything else.

“So since when do you have a girlfriend Jackie?” One of Jacksons best friends, Alex Karev smirked. Of course, Alex had to hear his lie. 

“Shut up. My mom was trying to set me up with one of her minions again.” Jackson said while sitting down. 

“What’s this imaginary girlfriend’s name?” Charles asked joining in with Alex.  

“Look it doesn’t matter, I’ll tell my mom it’s too new for them to meet each other and then, both conveniently and tragically, we’ll break up just before the gala.” 

“Dude, you think that will actually work? Your mom is probably stalking your facebook right now looking for your fake girlfriend.”

“This issue is more than a month away, I’m more worried about the fact I have to memorize all of these reading tomorrow, Since Webbers going to grill me.” Jackson sighed. 

Professor Webber was one of the most highly respected faculty members on staff. He taught with such a passion anyone would want to learn from him. But he was a hard ass who loved to pick on his students all the time. Especially with Jackson, and for no apparent reason. 

Almost two hours had passed since Jackson sat down with his group. The three men stopped actually studying 15 minutes ago and for the past ten have been playing the penis game.

“Penis.” Charles whispered, this was one of these more arbitrary choices for a game, but it helped pass the time. 

“Penis.” Alex said at the same octave, completely missing the point of the game. He and Charles were too big of chickens to scream the word in the library, but Jackson was so bored he went with the lengthening the time of the game. 

“Penis.” Jackson repeated less than a decibel higher. Charles and Alex continued following the same tone as the person before them. Jackson was getting ready to get it to a normal noise level. Licking his top lip then proceeding to press it with his bottom lip making the p sound “pe-”

“PENIS.” A very loud, very feminine voice bellowed startling all three men, and the entire library. “There the game is over. Now can you guys please shut up so people can study in peace?” Asked the pretty girl Jackson noticed when he first arrived. 

Although she still tried to sound as assertive as she was screaming, any hardness to her voice was basically gone, replaced by a soft almost endearing tone.

She took their silence as a yes and went back to reading her textbook. Jackson was completely speechless. The only other person he never knew how to reply sometimes was his mother. He was so impressed he wanted to know this girls name. Before he could ask, her phone started ringing and she was gone.

As soon as she left Alex was the first to speak “I don’t think I’ve ever played that game and had a girl win.”

“Have you ever actually played the penis game with a girl before?” Jackson asked.

“Oh God! I knew I knew her from somewhere. Oh no.” Charles mumbled actually looking sick to his stomach.

“Dude, who are you talking about?” Alex asked furrowing his eyebrows, neither he nor Jackson could follow what Charles was talking about half the time.\

“That girl, she was with the one who made out with me at the frat party two weeks ago.” Charles put his face in his hands as he continued, “and now she’ll probably tell her friend I’m an idiot, who plays the penis game in the library.” “Wait which chick did you kiss?” 

“I’ve been trying to find her since the party. Don’t you guys listen to anything I say?” Charles was met with two blank stares from his friends. “The one with the pixie cut and rose tattoo on her arm.”

“Oh yeah, we thought you gave up on her like a week ago.” Jackson said.

“It’s college, and you’re in med school. Women throw themselves at us once they find out. Just move on.” Alex added. - After they were done studying the three boys parted ways from the library. Without any plans and not really in the mood to go back to his dorm, Jackson found himself wandering to the closest coffee shop. 

It was a very comforting place, the smell of coffee beans greeting him as soon as he entered, plush leather couches to rest on, a shelf full of book one could borrow during their stay here, and acoustic songs playing softly in the background. 

Jackson made his way to the back of the line and couldn’t be happier with what he saw ahead of him, the cashier was his mystery girl. She welcomed every customer with a contagious smile and listened attentively to every word they said. Her hair is tied in a high ponytail, that bounced beautifully every time her head moves. By the time Jackson was the next person in line he has studied every inch of her that could be seen above the counter. He knows it sounds weird but she intrigues him. 

“I can help who’s next.” She called out while passing the latest coffee order she took to the person on bar. As she looked up her entire demeanour changed “What can I get for you?” 

“I’ll get a medium americano, and I would like to apologize for me and my friends earlier. We had no intentions of disrupting your studying.”

“That the entire point of the game.” she laughed “And your name?” 

“Jackson, can I get yours.” 

“Your total is $2.58.” She replied

“You never answered my question,” Jackson said to her as he passed a $5 bill. “And keep the change.”

“My name? Nah, I don’t trust people with last names as first names.” This girl amused him more and more with each second that passed by.

“You know that’s quite prejudicial of you.” Jackson told her while giving her the ‘look.’ Whenever he used his eyes he always got what he wants. Out of trouble with adults as a child, teachers giving him extensions on projects, and dates lot and lots of dates. 

“I guess I’m a biased person, you can pick up your drink at the left. I can help whos next.” Correction, Jacksons eyes usually always got him what he wants.

“I have a medium Americano for a uh-uh. Just an uh medium americano.” The male barista called out with a peculiar expression. Jackson picked up the steaming cup, unsure as to what would cause the guys expression. What was wrong with his drink? It looked like an Americano and when he put it up to his nose it smelt like one. Everything seemed perfectly normal. That was until he noticed what was on the side of the cup, with perfect writing “PENIS.” - When Sunday came around Jackson wore one of his favourite suits. A grey Giorgio Armani, with a very tiny pinstripe pattern, that was altered perfectly for him. On more than one occasion, when Jackson went to these brunches people assumed he was going to church. To many Christian girls, he looked the perfect part to be their dream guy. Because of this, he was often given many numbers belonging to girls with crosses on their necks. He even hooked up with a couple of them (on a different day), but nothing more. The one thing that destroyed each and everyone girls fantasy was the fact he’s an atheist. 

He was raised to believe in science and only things that can be proven. That was the entire ironic part to him, so many of the women that wanted him believed in love at first sight and there is only one person they’re meant to be with. Jackson doesn’t even believe in the concept of soulmates, they’re ridiculous to him. How could someone actually believe that out of the seven billion people on this planet you’re only compatible with one of them. And how is it even possible that this one person is even in the same geographical region as their “soul mate.” 

Jackson arrived at brunch right on the dot, at 9 am.  

“You’re late.” His mother greeted him.

“You said to meet at 9 o'clock, it’s 9!” 

“And I also say on time is five minutes early. Now kiss your mothers cheek and sit down.” He did as told, after kissing his mothers cheek he sat down in the seat directly across from her. “So where is she?” His mother asked peeking her head behind him.

“Who?” Jackson questioned turning to face where she was looking, unsure of whom she was looking for. 

“Don’t play dumb, Jackie. Where is your girlfriend?” Oh yeah… He ‘had’ a girlfriend. 

“Mom-”

“Oh c'mon Jackson, it’s not like I’m going to psychology damage her. I just want to meet the girl that’s making my son happy.”  

“We’re still really new and I don’t want to rush it, mom.” Although his mom has meddled with his love life since he started dating, today she looked so genuinely excited. It made him feel awful about creating this lie. He kept telling himself if he didn’t, the night of the fundraiser would be a terrible setup. And as a bonus, when his fake girlfriend (hypothetically) breaks his heart, his mother won’t yell at him for getting lucky with someone at the gala…. And that thought was even worse if he kept this up the title of worlds most terrible son would be his soon. “I really care about her, but I will bring her to the gala.” 

“Oh alright, can I get her name?” The one problem in an otherwise full proof plan.. Jane Doe? Suzy Homemaker? No name?

“No, I don’t need you internet stalking her. You can find out at the gala.” 

“Fine, I’ll meet her then and she will tell me everything about herself. Speaking of the gala, since it’s on a Saturday night, and that function will go until the sun rises, I want to move our monthly brunch. What day is it your classes start later.” 

“Thursday.”  

“Perfect, we will meet the Thursday before the gala. Make sure, you put the changed date in your calendar.” - “Alright everyone, as you know, your Objective Structured Clinical Exams are coming up in the next couple of months. Last class, I gave you all 7 different patients to study, all with different symptoms. Let’s see who actually did their work.” Professor Webber looked down at his classroom list to call on names. “Ms Murphy.” 

“Ugh yes, sir.” A tall girl, with long dirty blonde hair, and very prominent cheek bones replied. 

“Patient four.”

“Uh, patient four.” The girl repeated in a questioning matter.

“Yes, tell your class about patient four.”

“Um..” 

“Do you know what case I’m even talking about?” There was no response to his question, just silence. 

“How could someone not do the assignments Webber gave? That’s like showing up to class naked.” Jackson whispered to his friend, completely baffled at what he is witnessing.

“A complete moron.” Alex replied.

“Mr Karev, tell me about patient four.” Professor Webber said, startling both Alex and Jackson. 

“Patient four is in recovery after surgery and is having respiratory problems.” “What is your diagnosis?”

“Post-op pneumonia, I would have her put on antibiotics right away.” Alex answered, voice full of confidence.

“The drugs have been administrated and nothing has changed over night. She still has shortness of breath what now?” Professor Webber asked 

“I.. don’t know.” He answered truthfully

“Name the causes of post-op fever.” 

“Yes sir..” Alex quickly grabs his notes for reference.

“From your head. Not from a book. Don’t look it up, learn it, it should be in your head. Name the common causes of post-op fever.”   “Uh…the common causes of post-op…” 

“Can anybody name the common causes of post-op fever?” Professor Webber looks away from Alex, asking the entire class now. Jackson felt bad for his friend, usually, only Webber grilled him this bad. “Go ahead,” Webber said looking at someone further back than Jackson and Alex.

“Wind, water, wound, walking, wonder drugs. The five Ws. Most of the time it’s wind, splinting or pneumonia. Pneumonia’s easy to assume, especially if you don’t run tests.” Said a feminine voice, the same one from the library and the cafe last week.

“What do you think is wrong with patient 4?”

“The fourth W, walking. I think they’re a prime candidate for pulmonary embolism.” She replied to their instructor, completely sure of herself. “And how would you diagnose?”

“Spiral CT, VQ scan, provide O2, dose with Heparin, and consult for an IVC filter.” 

“Thank you, ugh, Miss?” 

“Kepner, sir.” She said sounding timider than just before. For the rest of the lecture, Webber tortured other students with these cases. Shockingly he left Jackson alone. 

“Some of you succeeded today while others failed miserably.  Not only is this preparing you for your tests, it’s also the basis of your upcoming project. I’m assuming the majority of you won’t like this but you’ll be in groups of my choosing. I won’t take any complaints because no matter whether you go into research, radiology, dermatology, gynaecology, surgery or any other option you will have to learn to work with your colleagues as a team. You and your partner will have to create a case. Then you will share your case to five different groups and they will show you there’s. I just sent an email with a list of every group.” 

Everyone in the class whipped their phones out to look for said email. Jackson refreshed his phone five times before the email appeared in his inbox. As soon as he clicked it he skipped down to the bottom for the attachment. 

He quickly read every name “Alexandra Grey and George O'Malley” doesn’t know the girl, sort of knows George; a bit of a nerd but he is always kind to everyone. “Isobel Stevens and Ryan Scott.” She’s a part time underwear model while he’s a full-time douche. A bunch of people he barely knows are listed, he sees his best friends name “Alex Karev and Reed Adamson” no clue who she is. Then he notices mystery girls last name, Kepner, and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling at the last name he saw beside hers. “April Kepner and Jackson Avery.” - “Oh God.” April sighed, slouching further into the uncomfortable seat. One would think for the $53,000+ dollars each student in this room is paying to attend such a prestigious place like Harvard, the university could afford seats with some cushioning. April didn’t really care about that right now though, she would sit on a chair made of thorns if it would swallow her up and take her away from this situation. 

“What’s wrong?” Her best friend since under grad, Lexie Grey, asked. 

“Look who my partner is.” April said passing her phone. 

“Oh,” Lexie replied, giving April her phone back. “Well, he doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy. Plus I know you find him attractive.” 

“What? No!” April gasped, sitting up straight. Obviously, she did but he was cocky and ignorant. 

“Calm down anyone with a working pair of eyes would agree.” Lexie smirked. “But with the reaction you just gave now, I know you like him.” That sentenced causes a giant scowl to appear on Aprils face. 

“What on good gods earth makes you think that?” April asked.

“You never get this bent out of shape over a guy.” Lexie laughed while getting out of her chair and collecting her belongings. April was quick to copy her actions but was in no way finished with this conversation. 

“I have no interest in talking to or dealing with some egotistical guy who thinks he can get everything because he’s pretty.” 

“So you do think he’s attractive. While you’re working on this project make sure you get some of that Jackson action.” 

“Never ever say that again.”  April pleaded.

“You better remove that scowl from your face, because your pretty boy is walking right this way. See you later girl, I need to go find George.” 

Once Lexie left the auditorium, April turned around to become, face to face with him. 

“So, April. I’m glad I finally know your name.” Jackson greeted her along with a beautiful smile showing off his perfect straight white teeth, he looked like he should be in an ad for Colgate.  

“I’m glad to know you’re competent enough to read an email.” She knew she was being rude, acting in the complete opposite manner to the way she was raised, but she couldn’t help it, he was so irritating. “It will make it a lot easier to work on this project.” To her surprise this comment made his smile grow even wider, and he even let out a chuckle. 

“You know, I can’t believe I never noticed you were in my class.” 

“Well I am, we even have Bailey and Hunts classes together.” 

“Glad to see you’re keeping an eye on me.” He said giving her the same look in the coffee shop. 

“As much as I hate to cut this conversation short, I need to go to my next class,” April told him, she needed to get away from him because she might do or say something irrational, like try and kiss him or smack him, or even worse, both. In all honesty, she’d probably choose the latter option making her seem even crazier. 

“Well I have a two-hour break before my lab, I’ll walk you there. Then we can talk about our project.”  

As much as she wanted to say ‘no’ it was like she forgot how to pronounce that word. So she picked up her bag and lead the way up the stairs. Unsure of how to start she remained silent for a few seconds. 

“I just have a question.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Did you show up to Thursday’s class?”

“And here I thought you were going to talk about our project.” April rolled her eyes as they entered the hall way. “Yes, I worked an early shift at the coffee shop, it actually caused me to be a bit late. Luckily for me, Webber was so focused on grilling you with a thousand questions, that he didn’t even notice me sneak in.” 

“Yeah, I’m shocked Webber didn’t call on me today. And I’m assuming you were on the closing shift the night before when you so nicely wrote penis on my cup. So why were you opening at the ass crack of dawn, the next day?” 

“Hey, you have to admit that was pretty funny.” April giggled to herself mainly. “I’m usually who they call when they need a shift covered, and ugh sadly scholarships don’t cover everything.” She said uncomfortably, it was no secret Jackson came from money, the majority of this school had wealthy backgrounds. April on the other hand, grew up on a farm in a town no one here would have ever heard of or care to know of its existence. 

“Oh yeah, it was so funny I started referring to you as Penis Girl before I learned your actual name.” 

“What?!??” Penis Girl implies, that she’s either a) a trans woman - which isn’t a bad thing it’s just she recognizes how easier her life is as a cisgender woman - or b) a woman who’s probably been up close and personal with lots of penises. Truth be told the only male genitals April has ever seen with her own eyes are pictures in her medical textbook.  

“I’m messing with you I didn’t actually call you that. When are you free?” Jackson asked, quickly adding. “So we can ugh actually start the project.” 

“I’m not sure, I’ll check my work schedule and email you when I know.” 

“Or you could just text me it.” Jackson said stepping to the side so their forearms grazed. 

“I don’t have your number.” April told him trying to move away from him - she couldn’t think straight when he did that.

“Well, that could easily be changed.” His voice was full of confidence and kind of cocky. It reminded her of when he went to her work. As attractive as he was, there is no way in hell she would let him manipulate her so he could get what he wanted.

“That’s not necessary, bye Jackson.” April chuckled, desperately trying to hide her smile as she went into class. Messing with Jackson brought such a simple easy pleasure to her day. - April laid her body on her plush, floral duvet. Nights like this were her favourite: no makeup, wearing a pair of cosy sweat pants and a pizza to share between her and Lexie. And she couldn’t be happier to see her friend. The only time they’ve seen each other this week was in class, whenever one had free time outside of school, the other one didn’t. 

“So who’s the new guy in your life?” April asked Lexie. This caused a shocked look to appear on her friends face. “It’s kind of obvious when we were getting the pizza you couldn’t stop a smile from forming on your face every time your phone buzzed. Also every time you replied you’d check your phone two seconds later.” 

“Um.. he… he is -uh-he’s older,” Lexie told her obviously nervous, not only was one of her hands playing with her hair, she was stuffing a pizza slice in her mouth - not even chewing, with her other hand. Two tell tale signs April has picked up over the years. 

“So you’ve dated guys older than you before?” Lexie’s lack of response is what worried April. “What is he your dad’s age?” 

“Well, he’s closer to my dad’s age than mine. But-but that’s not the issue.” Lexie sighed grabbing another slice of pizza.

“Is he a convicted felon?” April knew Lexie’s type of guy had always been interesting. They were always attractive but they each had a stereotypical bad boy vibe to them. Maybe she was tired of just having a vibe and went for the real thing, with a felony to match his status.

“What? No April! Why is that the first thing you go to?” Rolling her eyes, making it very obvious how ridiculous April sounded. 

“Well, you’re acting really sketchy.” 

“It’s Mark Sloan!”  She blurted out, both girls were well known to suffer from word vomit, no matter how hard either of them tried to swallow what they said down their throats.  

“Pr-Pro-Professor Sloan? That Mark Sloan?”

“Yes, I’m the girl that sleeps with Professor. I’m that girl.” Lexie said shoving her hands into her face. “But it’s so good, like mind blowingly go-” quickly shutting up to the sound of April’s door opening. 

“What’s mind blowingly good?” Aprils dorm mate, Reed Adamson asked. Reed liked April and vice versa they just ran in different social circles. Both had the type of personality that took time for most people to grow on but for different reasons: April was considered too perky, too by the book; Reed was often seen as a cold hearted bitch. Each of the personalities grew on Lexie, but she’d choose April over Reed any day. Especially with something as personal as the topic of discussion right now. 

“The pizza, you know how much Lexie loves food. Tonight we got pizza with peppers and a pesto sauce drizzled on top. She’s in love.” April lied, well nothing she said was false, it was a conversation that occurred (the previous week). 

“Okay, well I’ll be out of your hair soon. I’m getting dick tonight and have no plans of being back in this room till tomorrow morning. You can sleep in my bed, if you want, Lexie.” Reed said pointing to her bed across the room. After grabbing some stuff including a tube of lipstick and a red lace bra, she was gone.

“So, back to our conversation,” April said wanting to go to the previous conversation before they were interrupted. It’s not like April wanted to hear every detail of Lexie’s sex life, but she wanted her friend to be able to discuss what’s going on in her life. Otherwise, Lexie would blow and have a worse case of word vomit - than what had just occurred, and it would likely be in front of the wrong person.

“Yeah, you want to talk about how I’m the unknown class slut.” 

“Shut up, you’re not a bad person. You’ve always owned your sexuality. Why are you acting any different now?” 

“I think you’re the wisest virgin I’ve ever met. Or did you decide to take my advice and take a ride on Jackson’s di-”

“No!” April blushed.

“Look I know you said you want it to be special, but in all honestly it’s a social construct created by men that think their dick is life changing. Speaking from personal experience, the only guy that’s given amazing sex is Mark. That’s one out of the six guys I’ve slept with. But from the looks of Jackson, and the rumours around campus -although how many of those girls can you actually trust that they’ve slept with him - he’s pretty special.”

“Will you stop with that. He’s a classmate, that I have to do a project with. That’s all.” April huffed, she definitely didn’t want to hear or imagine any of his previous rendezvous.  

“If you say so.” Lexie said picking up the last slice of pizza from the box. - “That went so good.” Jackson grinned as they exited the doors of Professor Webber’s class. After two weeks of emailing back and forth, and all of the previous evenings spent together perfecting their case, it was finished. 

“We were on fire!” April agreed, unable to contain her bouncing from excitement. “I still can’t believe only three other groups correctly diagnosed all of their cases.” Saying that made both of their smiles grow even bigger. 

“What can I say, we are an amazing team.” He told her, truthfully. That statement caused April to jump up into his arms, giving him a big hug. Her action shocked both of them. Luckily, his quick reflexes kicked in, placing his left hand on her lower back for support. 

His hand was dangerously close to her ass, and he liked it. Usually, Jackson is only in this position when he carries a woman to a bed, and they have minimal clothing on. If this were anyone else he would probably crack a joke about it - but it’s Kepner.

While they were finishing the project he realized how innocent she is. Yes, she said penis a lot when they first met. It took until that occasion for him to notice the slight red pigmentation scattered across her face when she says that word. Jackson likes talking to her, and he will gladly be more pg if it means he gets to spend time with her,

“What’s going on here?” Lexie asked startling the two. 

Their denim covered legs stopped touching as Aprils black flats touched the floor again. Jacksons slid his hand across her soft, cotton covered back until he no longer felt her. 

“We, uh we were um-” April tried to form a sentence. 

“We were having a celebration hug.” Jackson answered, ending Aprils stutters. “And now, I’m inviting you both to the Halloween party at Kappa Sigma this weekend.” Right away Lexie’s face grinned, while April looked uncomfortable. 

“Oh, Jackson I don’t really think-”

“It starts at 10:30, make sure you dress up. Anyways, I have to get going.” And with a wave, he was leaving the two girls. 

He felt bad for cutting April off twice, but the first time put everyone (including her) out of their misery. And the second time he knew she was going to turn down his offer right away. He definitely didn’t want that to happen. - “Well, that was interesting.” 

“Huh?” April asked. She heard her friend speak but her attention was focused on the man she was previously wrapped around and his perfect backside. “I said, ‘that was interesting.’” Lexie repeated. “And stop looking at him walk away he can probably feel your eyes.” 

April faced turned and made eye contact with her friend “sorry.” She sheepishly smiled. 

“Oo you’re smitten. So, what are you going to wear?”  

“Nothing.” 

“I like it, but a little bit too risky for out in public - especially at a frat house. Save that for his bedroom.” 

April rolled her eyes “I said that because I’m not going.”

Lexie’s mouth opened and eyes widened in shock “You’re kidding, right?” 

“No, you know that’s not my kind of scene.” April truthfully replied. 

“Which is exactly why you should go. We’re in college for Christ’s sake, this is the only time you get to experience one of these. And I, your best friend, will be there with you.” 

“I guess you’re right.” 

“Of course I’m right. Now c'mon,” Lexie grabbed Aprils arm and started to guide her “go to class. Afterwards, we are going costume shopping.” “I already have a costume.” April pointed out as she was dragged to class. “You’re not going as a velveteen bunny. Playboy yes, velveteen is a big fat no!”

[douchebagbrainwaves]

WORK ETHIC AND GROWTH

It's a cliche to call World War II a contest between good and evil, but between fighter designs, it really was. So even a small increase in the rate at which good ideas win would be a good thing. Bad as things look now, there is no way they can get around that. Essentially, each user should have two delete buttons, ordinary delete and delete-as-spam button then you could also add the from address of every email the user has deleted as ordinary trash. If you're talking to that you have solicited ongoing email from them. Do you suppose Google is only good because they had some business guy whispering in their ears what customers wanted. The political commentators who come up with a random idea, plunge into it, and extraordinary courage came out. Once publishing—giving people copies—becomes the most natural way of distributing your content, it probably doesn't work to stick to old forms of distribution just because you make more that way. Most investors are looking for the next Larry and Sergey. They just talk to investors, you have to seek out questions people didn't even realize were questions.

In practice there are two types of thoughts especially worth avoiding—thoughts like the Nile Perch in the way they push out more interesting ideas. They are all fundamentally subversive for this reason, though they conceal it to varying degrees. If you and they have different views of reality, whether the source of the trouble, but identity. For all practical purposes, succeeding now equals getting bought. I have to risk it, because the structure of VC deals prevents early acquisitions. I don't think this problem is unique to me, because just about every startup I've seen grinds to a halt under the load, which would make them unavailable to the people who would have responded to the spam. There are signs that this is changing. Startups rarely die in mid keystroke. Part of the reason VCs are harsh when negotiating with startups is that they're not ordered. It may take a while, but as the corpus grows such tuning will happen automatically anyway.

They may have to pay that. Ditto for most of the applicants don't seem to have been a rejection. But if it isn't set because you haven't closed anyone yet, and they raised money after Y Combinator at premoney valuations of $4 million and $2. The investors are what make a startup hub. Anyone can build whatever they want on it, and extraordinary courage came out. Fortunately reporters liked us. Others skip phase 1 and go straight to phase 2. Not even investors, who are amazed to find that there is room to tighten the filters if spam gets harder to detect. They're not impressed by one's job title, for example. Clothing is only the most charismatic guy? Over the past several years, the investment community has evolved from a strategy of spraying money at early stage startups and then ruthlessly culling them at the same time using the same paperwork.

The programmers I admire most are not, on the whole tend to increase it. The Defense Department does a fine though expensive job of defending the country, but they love plans and procedures and protocols. If you're not, there's a trick you can use in this situation. Always have some alternative plan for getting started if any given investor says no. From what little I know about Java, there seem to have done as well as Micro-soft. Nerds got computers because they liked them. Investors are emotional. Anyone can build whatever they want on it, and Webgen sounded lame and old-fashioned. Investors don't realize how much it is. Einstein designing refrigerators. They'd have to make a cup of coffee. Gradually it dawned on us that instead of accepting offers greedily, end up leaving that investor out, you're going to be doing things investors don't like.

Companies sending spam often give you a termsheet. Don't sell more than 25% in phase 2 sometimes tack on a few investors after leaving fundraising mode. Both angels and VCs: VCs invest other people's money, and you don't have to send it to them from a local source. Sarbanes-Oxley must have. Indeed, that's practically the definition of bullshit that it's the only one left after the efforts of the two founders was still in grad school, but appeared full length in Newsweek with the word Billionaire printed across his chest. All they need is strongly held beliefs, and anyone can have those. Lewis's industry contacts also include the creative director of GQ. This is clearest in the case of names. Not because they contribute more to the startup, you are in it. But you're so impatient to get started with a few tens of thousands of lines of C or Java. You have two choices: give it away and make money from concerts and t-shirts. Don't keep sucking on the straw if you're just getting air.

You can't afford the time it takes to say it, a person hearing a talk can be a bad thing. Your primary goal should be to get the fastest possible standing quarter mile. Startups rarely die in mid keystroke. He was as good an OS for servers as Solaris. The country is shifting to the left, or the large sums of money. It's a sign they're not really interested. Better to have resolution, one way or the other, as soon as possible. It's hard like lifting a heavy weight, and hard like solving a puzzle. For example, if a backup system doesn't rely on the same trajectory now. And the right strategy, in fundraising, is to have multiple plans depending on how much you plan to raise? VCs seem to operate is to invest in a startup this quarter shows up as Yahoo earnings next quarter—stimulating another round of investments in startups.

Which will tend to bet wrong. The spammers are businessmen. An early stage startup often consists of unglamorous schleps. Otherwise all the minor details left unspecified in the termsheet will be interpreted to your disadvantage. They can be considered in this algorithm by treating them as virtual words. Reading the Wall Street Journal described how TV networks were trying to add more live shows, partly as a way to make viewers watch TV synchronously instead of watching recorded shows when it suited them. Viaweb, but I'd forgotten why I hated it so much. The prospect of technological leverage will of course raise the specter of unemployment. Business is broken the same way. It will be longer on the Internet, and there will be a good idea? We don't know exactly what the future will look like, but I'm thinking this is going to be possible to succeed in a competitive market without outside funding. When you're raising money on uncapped notes, you'll have to guess what the eventual equity round valuation might be.

But increasingly the founders of the company, regardless of how many board seats they have. If this were true, Yahoo would be first in line to buy Suns; but when I worked there, the peer pressure that made you wear a suit and tie to work. And of course the other investors are all competing for the same deals, but the way one anticipates a delicious dinner. Those will on average be better investors. Which means it's a disaster to let the wrong idea become the top idea in your mind. She writes so well you don't even notice her. In a business like theirs, being the best is enough. For example, many of the customers are businesses, who get in trouble if they use pirated versions, and b their growth potential makes it easy to attract such money. Which means you should avoid doing things in earlier rounds that will mess up raising an A round?