#unsatisfied with her flowers but at least she got out

[wajb]

i understand why you felt the barry finale was underwhelming but i also think that's the best the show could be. it was never gonna go out in a blaze of glory or a suicide bomb they were always selfish and afraid to die and barry wasn't redeemable, or maybe he could have been, and maybe he was to most, oh god oh fuck

[postalninja]

For your micro story ask ☺️

33. saccharine

When Prudence had off-handedly mentioned that she would prefer to be given the still-beating heart of her enemies over flowers any day, she'd meant it as a joke. Not that it wasn't true. The usual trappings of romance - chocolates, love poems and the like - did seem excessively trite and saccharine to her. Anyone who truly wanted to catch her attention would need to be a bit more imaginative than that. She'd never really thought of Corazon as an especially good listener, but he proved that he'd been paying attention after a particularly frustrating incident that had had Prudence letting out a string of curses directed at the Roc they'd been fighting. Not only had it dodged three of her Eldritch Blasts, but it had caught her with one of its talons - she hadn't been badly injured, luckily, but it had torn her dress and Prudence hated sewing. Of course, she could get Dob to cast mending on it if nothing else, but it was the principle of the thing! The point was, she loathed that stupid bird, and she was only too happy to see it dead. Then again, she'd been denied the satisfaction of delivering the coup de grace herself, as Egbert had happened to land a lucky hit with his mace, neatly transforming the monster into a lizard no bigger than a dinner plate before he unceremoniously stepped on it, putting a stop to its Prudence-focused tyranny. An unsatisfying end, to say the least. And she'd been stewing about it ever since. She was snappy and irritable as they made camp, so she kept to herself, stalking off into the woods a few dozen feet away so that she could launch Eldritch Blasts to her heart's content until her ire abated. The stump she'd been targeting was entirely blackened and only slightly on fire by the time she sighed and lowered her hands. "Hey, Prudence?" she heard Corazon venture from behind her, his voice uncharacteristically tentative. She turned, her eyes still blazing with irritation. He was leaning against a tree with affected casualness, trying so hard to look cool and unbothered, but tension radiated off of him like an aura. He was inspecting his fingernails intently enough that she wondered if he was expecting them to hand over information. "Yeah?" she called in return, her mouth already curling at the delicious awkwardness she could so clearly sense despite the pirate's best efforts. He strode forward, reaching a hand into his coat pocket and pulling out a folded handkerchief. "I've got something for you," Corazon replied, a tell-tale tremble in his otherwise confident tone as he unfolded the square of fabric. A brief look of distaste flickered over his expression as he picked up the tiny lump of flesh that was smeared onto its centre, his fingertips now sticky with blood. Prudence's eyes widened as she beheld the small but gruesome gift with interest. Even crushed as it was, she could easily recognize a creature's heart. "Is this from... ?" "That Roc, yeah," he confirmed with a shrug of one shoulder. "Figured you deserved a token from it, you know, considering how annoying it was. You seemed annoyed, anyway," he rambled, his gaze flicking anywhere but at her face. "Of course it's lizard-sized and squished, which is unfortunate and probably not nearly as impressive. And I suppose it's hardly 'still-beating' either, but it's the thought that counts, right? I was thinking of casting minor illusion to make it look like it was beating, but I figure you'd know the difference anyway and it might seem disingenuous-"

He cut off as Prudence grabbed him by the collar with both hands, his eyes startled as he finally met hers. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the fight and her residual anger still boiling under her skin, combined with Corazon's anxious energy and stupidly sweet sentiment, but Prudence couldn't help herself. She yanked him toward her until she had captured his mouth in an ardent kiss. It took a moment before he seemingly recovered from his shock enough to reciprocate. The bloody handkerchief fluttered to the ground, the unfortunate lizard heart thumping down with it as Corazon wrapped his arms around Prudence. Stupid or not, she couldn't imagine a more romantic gesture.

[ellethespaceunicorn]

Bright Like The Moon: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: I Was So Much Younger Yesterday

Rating: Explicit, 18+, Minors - DNI

Fandom: Night Hunter

Pairing: Walter Marshall x Black!OFC

Word count: 3K

Summary: Kamaria Mansfield is hired at the Minnesota Police Department as an intern. Detective Walter Marshall is overworked and unsatisfied. Takes place post-film.

Chapter Summary: It’s time to celebrate Faye’s 16th birthday. Also, Walter works out a way for Kam to practice expressing her needs. 

Chapter warnings: crying, Daddy kink(if you don’t like this, turn back now because damn), slight dumbification kink, oral (f receiving), vaginal fingering, p in v sex, creampie, creampie tasting, the term ‘cumslut’ used lovingly

A/N: New Story Art! *cheering and applause* Now, it’s time to get to serious business. Um, I like Angie. And I wrote her like I see her. Also, this chapter gets quite kinky so heed those warnings, please. Un-beta’d, we die like people who tried their best.

Dividers: @firefly-graphics

Support/Reblog banner by me

Cover Art by me, model for Cover Art credits

Cross-posted on AO3

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Kamaria’s POV

Three Months Later

“...Happy Birthday dear Faye, Happy Birthday to You!”

We all cheer as Faye blows out her sixteen candles. Her parents stand by and film their child celebrating with her friends. Angie starts to cut the cake and gives Walter slices to hand out. They work so well together. You’d never know they went through such a rough separation.

Sweet Faye with her curls and her chubby cheeks, looking for all the world like the baby she was. Her purple cocktail dress matches the flower in her hair that I helped her with. 

It was nice to feel like a part of the team, working with Walter and Angie on organizing the party for Faye. But, let’s face it, it was mostly me and Angie doing the planning and Walter nodding along. Angie and I got along well enough, I think she just appreciated that I cared about Faye and that meant more than anything.

Angie says goodbye to the last guests leaving while I finish tidying up Faye’s gift haul. She dozes on the couch curled up on Walter who is snoozing as well. Angie moves a blanket over both of them and comes to help me clear away dishes and any lingering trash.

“I have to thank you for helping out with Faye earlier. She’s in that stage where everything I say is just not ‘cool’ enough,” Angie wipes her hands on a dish towel and looks from Faye’s sleeping form to me, “I remember this time in my life where my little girl valued my opinion above all else. And now it’s like she chooses the exact opposite of what I suggest.”

“Don’t worry. She’ll realize one day that she is so lucky to have a mother who actually wanted her,” I squeeze my eyes closed, deciding to open this old wound, “My mom never wanted to be a mother and she made that abundantly clear by leaving me and my Dad when I was a kid. He was never emotionally available so I had some interesting times in life, to say the least. But, just know that I’m sure she’ll come around. It may be in a year or two, but for now, you have a Daddy’s girl on your hands.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. 

I don’t notice Angie coming to my side until she puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Having a loving mother next to me offering me comfort is suddenly too much to handle and my eyes start to blur from unshed tears. I begin to protest my emotional reaction but then Angie speaks.

“It doesn’t make you weak to cry when you’re upset.” 

Her hushed words are like a soothing balm on a decades-old burn. One shaky breath is all I take before the tears are streaming down my face. Angie’s face crumbles as well and she wraps her arms around me. I realize that it has been a long time since I’ve had a “Mom hug” and I cling to that warmth as I quietly weep. 

When my sobs turn into sniffles, Angie rubs my back in calming circles. We separate and she cups my cheek in a display of affection. I nod and smile in appreciation before taking a deep breath to collect myself.

Walter and Faye pick this moment to finally wake up. Thank goodness for small favors, they missed my little moment. I wipe my eyes and face quickly before smiling at my boyfriend and his daughter. While Faye is none the wiser, I can see the gears working behind Walter’s eyes. He can always see right through me, but he won’t make his suspicions known until we’re alone. Something I truly love about him, he is not a scene-maker.

I walk over to Faye and give her a big hug before sitting down next to Walter and holding his hand. “How did we do on your big day, sweetheart? I’ll take you falling asleep as you had quite a time.”

“It was perfect. It was everything I wanted. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Thank you, Kam.” The grin never left her sweet face. It is all worth it to see her happiness. 

“You’re welcome, love,” Walter cupped Faye’s face and she beamed back at him. Truly a Daddy’s girl.

“Alright, birthday girl. You are welcome to stay up as long as you like. Just for tonight, that is,” Angie walks over to us and kisses the top of Faye’s head before smiling at Walter and me, “I am going to bed. Thank you both for your help today. Goodnight.” She pats my shoulder before heading upstairs.

If Walter notices our non-verbal exchange, he doesn’t mention it.

“Alright, girlfriend. Who was that adorable kid with the curls? He was cute.” I can’t help but make Faye blush and make Walter roll his eyes. It’s like my talent. 

“That was Albert. He’s in my English class. He likes Federico García Lorca and Mission: Impossible movies. That’s all I needed to know.”

“Which means he either knows enough to seem intelligent or enough to actually be intelligent,” I smile and yawn before stretching.

“On that note, I think it’s time for us to get home and for you to get to bed.” Walter ends the conversation without adding his two cents about this Albert kid. Faye gets the hint and follows suit.

“Yeah, I’m tired anyway. Thanks again, you guys.” Faye yawns sympathetically.

Walter and I leave after hugs and final birthday wishes. On the car ride back to his place, Walter decides to bring up his worries. 

“So, did something happen while Faye and I were out?” He broaches the topic carefully.

“Angie was feeling a bit left out of her daughter’s life. I simply told her that she has a Daddy’s girl on her hands.” I smile at the side of Walter’s face and look back at the road.

Walter surprises me by pulling the car over and turning to face me. “You want to try that again, Princess?” The pet name is enough to put my brain in gear and answer fully.

“I told Angie about how my Mom never wanted me. And then I cried. A lot.” I hated how he was so good at getting me to say what I didn’t want to say. But I had to respect his abilities.

“Why do I always have to work so hard at getting the truth out of you, Princess?” He reaches over to hold my chin between his thumb and forefinger, “You’ll work on that tonight, do you understand?”

“Yes, Daddy. I understand.” Suddenly out of breath, I slip into subspace with ease.

Walter’s POV

I love this woman, I do. But there is nothing harder than getting her to face her emotions. Getting her to tell me when she’s dealing with sadness or anxiety is like pulling teeth. I have literally been in the line of fire before. But getting her to admit when she has cried is harder than any S.W.A.T. mission I have ever been on.

We get back to my place and after her shower, I instruct her to stay undressed. I have her sit on the bed against the headboard. While I undress, I deny her the ability to touch herself. I watch her squirm while I slowly remove my last piece of clothing.

My dick throbs between my legs as I lock eyes with her. She licks her lips and fights the urge to reach out and touch. I settle on her punishment and a little piece of me actually feels sorry for her. This one might wreck her.

“Since it’s so hard for you to be honest about your feelings, we’re going to work on that tonight. You have to express when you have needs. All you have to do is tell me what you need when you need it. You must use your words, Princess. Is that clear?” I cross my arms and look down at her.

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good girl,” I smile as the praise washes over her, “How do you feel about restraints, baby?”

She shifts on the bed a bit and plays with her hands. “I like being restrained.”

“Good,” I reach into my nightstand and pull out a silk sash before beckoning her to sit at the edge of the bed, “Put your hands together for me, palm to palm,” She does as she’s told and I tie her hands together. “How does that feel? Not too tight?”

“Feels fine,” She scrunches up her nose and looks up at me, “I won’t be able to touch you, though.”

“Yeah. That’s kind of the point, Princess,” I push lightly on her shoulder so she lays down flat and her hands stretch above her head, “Just lie back and let me work. And you tell me when you need more or less, alright?”

She nods and I raise my eyebrows. “Yes, I’ll tell you what I need.”

“Good girl.” I lean down and capture her lips in my own. I poke at the seam of her mouth until she lets me enter. I lick into her mouth, tasting and sucking on her tongue. Moving my kisses to her jaw then to her neck, I suck and bite at her sweet spot until she lets out that precious little moan of hers.

Trailing my tongue across her clavicle, I kiss down her chest and lavish attention on her breasts. These perfect fucking tits I love so much. I kiss both nipples and knead the soft flesh but don’t go any further until I hear a whine. “Use your words, Princess. What do you need?”

“Your tongue…can you suck on my nipples, please?” Her breathing speeds up.

“That’s my good girl.” I swirl my tongue around one nipple while running my thumb over the other. I suck the pebbled peak into my mouth and tease it with my tongue. Suckling at her for a few moments more, I switch to the other side to give just as much attention. I feel her thighs rubbing together in search of friction, so I kiss down her soft belly, stopping to nip at her hips. 

Pulling her legs apart, I can finally see my prize. I want to dive right in, but this is an exercise to have Kamaria tell me what she needs so instead I kiss at her inner thighs for far longer than I normally would have to prove a point.

“Daddy, please eat my pussy.” She pleads, moving her hips closer to my face. Such a good girl for me, and I tell her as much before I kiss her mound and then slide my tongue up and down her wet slit.

“Fuck! You taste amazing, Princess.” My hands grip her thighs tight before I begin to lap at her like a man starved. Her sweet nectar is more than enough to satisfy me and I want to drink her in and never look back. Her whimpers only make me work that much harder. Sucking on her clit, I let my tongue dance against the swollen bud and am rewarded with a squeal. 

“Need your fingers, please.” Such a polite little thing, isn’t she?

“Yes, baby.” I reward her good manners with two fingers straightaway. She’s soaked and they slide in easily. We both groan and I massage that inner bundle of nerves before returning my attention to her clit. I flick my tongue on her button before working my fingers in and out of her core.

“Just like that, don’t stop!” Her words go straight to my dick and I curve my fingers. Before long, I can feel her channel clamp down on my fingers but I keep working at her as her juices coat my hand.

“Too much, too sensitive!” She cries, her body shaking under me. I lift off her clit and still my fingers before licking them clean and wiping them on the comforter.

“You did so good, Princess,” I kiss up her body and nibble at her neck, “But I’m not done with you yet, baby.” I get up from my spot between her legs and move her to the center of the bed. Maneuvering her on her side, I slide up behind her and lift her leg. I enter her swiftly and we moan in tandem.

I pull back out until just the tip is inside then I slam back in. Gripping her hip, I start a punishing pace inside her walls. The way her cunt squeezes me is like paradise. She was made to take my dick. I was made to claim her pussy.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck,” All she can utter is a string of curses and I feel triumphant that I fucked language right out of her brain.

“That’s right, Princess. Let this dick fuck you stupid, baby,” No sooner do I finish that sentence do I feel her walls flutter around me, “Oh does my baby like being fucked dumb on Daddy’s dick?” The answering whine tells me all I need to know. Adding ‘dumbification’ to the list of kinks my baby girl has.

Pulling out and moving Kam onto her back, I get to my knees and push her legs open, Entering her again, I reach up and hold her bound hands in one fist. From this angle, I can slam into her and stimulate her clit at the same time.

“Need to…touch you. Please…Daddy?” Her words are punctuated by thrusts, the look of yearning in her eyes.

I pull the knot free on the sash. Her hands immediately go to my hair to tug me down for a kiss. I can taste her desire and hunger for closeness. I growl into her mouth and she whimpers back. Her legs wrap around my waist and pull me in deeper. We pull apart from the kiss and rest our foreheads together.

“Tell me what you need, baby girl.” At this point, I am panting. So close to release. I just need to hear her say she needs it.

“Look at me while you cum inside me, Daddy,” This little brat actually smiles up at me as she shatters me.

“Fuck!” The dam breaks and my hold on reality fucks all the way off. My eyes search hers while I empty my balls into her waiting cunt. I keep stroking inside her and the sensation is heightened once I feel her come around me. She could gonna be the death of me, and I’d love every minute of it.

I lean down and slot our mouths together as I pull out. I swallow her whimper at the feeling of emptiness before I look down to see her thoroughly ruined snatch. My cum still leaks out and I can’t help but feel proud to see her so full. I smile down at her before getting up from the bed.

I clean up a bit in the bathroom before fetching a damp washcloth. Entering the room again, I find Kam lazily playing with herself. “Enjoying yourself, Princess?” I reach down and clean her gently.

“I love how sensitive I am right now. It feels so good.” Her eyes roll back in her head as my hand moves over her folds.

“Do you think you can give me one more orgasm, Princess?” I know I might be pushing it, but seeing her so aroused is making it worth asking.

“Yes, please, Daddy. I wanna cum again for you.” 

That was all I needed to hear before I’m between her legs again. I lean down to lap at her slit. Tasting my spend and her juices mixed together is heavenly. Can’t believe I’ve never done this before. By the surprised moans coming from Kam, I’d say she was enjoying this as well. 

After making out with her pussy for a while, my fingers find their way inside her tight wet heat. Curving my fingers as I move them in and out, I’m rewarded soon after with a strangled moan and her walls fluttering around my fingers. I wait until the convulsing stops to remove my fingers. A dirty thought enters my head and I run with it.

“Open your mouth, Princess,” As she follows direction, I lock eyes with her as I put my slick-coated fingers in her mouth until they disappear, “Such a good girl for me. Sucking our cum off my fingers like the hungry little cumslut you are.”

She moans around my fingers and if I didn’t literally just cum a liter, I’d be balls-deep in her again. When I remove my fingers from her mouth, she actually whines in protest. I can’t help but kiss that adorable pout before grabbing the washcloth again to wipe away the evidence of her arousal.

I throw the cloth in the hamper and lay down next to my love. I check her wrists to make sure the sash didn’t dig in too deep before kissing her forehead. “How’s my baby feeling?”

“I feel amazing. Spectacular,” She stretches and cuddles into my chest as I wrap an arm around her, “I think that was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

“I’m right there with you. I probably fried a few brain cells but it was so worth it,” I hold her chin and bring her gaze up, “I’m also proud of you for saying what you needed. Now, we just have to get you to do that out of the bedroom.”

“Practice makes perfect, right?” There’s my little brat.

“Cheeky. But not wrong. We’ll work on it together, yeah?” I say, pulling the comforter over both of us as Kam’s eyes start to close, “Love you, Princess.”

“Mhm,” Her short answer lets me know that she is absolutely fucked out and I’m chuffed, “Love you, Daddy.”

Her fingers work their way through my chest hair, something I’ve noticed as a comfort activity for her. If I was a cat, I’d be purring every time she does it. But if she ever found out how much I liked it, she’d probably use it against me somehow. Little minx.

I listen as her breathing evens out and I’m not far behind. I can safely say today was a good day. Nothing can ruin this feeling.

Can it?

Chapter 9

A/N: Ehehehe, that ending sounded menacing at all, did it…? Well, anyway. This chapter’s song was “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey. “Starving” is about a relationship that’s getting more adventurous in and outside of the bedroom. I really enjoy writing in Walter’s POV, especially the kinky stuff. Hopefully, you enjoyed it too. 

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[atopearth]

Final Fantasy XVI Part 3 -  To Live is to Hope

I'm glad they addressed the anklet on Torgal's leg, I've been curious about it. Nice to know it was from Cid. I'm glad the kids helped stand up for L'ubor because I was just about ready to leave this town to die. But of course it's better for everyone to be alive because then that can truly change the situation of the people and the Bearers. I liked the quest following in the will of Archduke Elwin. I'm sure he must be really proud to see both his sons living as he would have wanted them to, unwavering in their beliefs for a world where Bearers and everyone can live as they will. I like Isabelle, she's very strong, mature and cool. Her story was very bittersweet too, it's a common story but you could really feel how grateful she was towards Northreach and the Veil for taking her and her lover who was a Bearer in when no one else would, and how much they treated her like family and kin that she's willing to give everything to protect this town and it's people. Her strength and resolve throughout the game in caring for this town goes to show how beautiful Northreach is and also why I have a soft spot for this town too.

It was really sweet to know that Clive tried to take Jill to see snow daisies when they were young because she was sad. He didn't get to show it to her back then but at least now he's been able to fulfil that promise. It's not as romantic as the flower scene in FFVIII before the end but not many things can top the feelings I had back in the day. Anyway, I'm really glad we got this scene because I was like, what about Jill the whole time I was doing all these side quests haha. Glad she got a bit more screentime and it really warmed my heart seeing them hug each other so comfortably and happily. I'm happy that we got the Dion side quest, I think he and I really needed it. Harpocrates also needed it I guess since he never got to watch over Dion any more than the brief time he did when Dion was young, but the fact that Dion remembers and respects him goes to show his importance in his heart. It was cute how Mid also hugged Dion before they left for Origin and he was so surprised haha. But what about Terence? Did he die? I really wanted Dion to get a proper farewell too. I really like Gav's relationship with Clive, so when he started crying, I wanted to tear up too😭 What?! No Torgal for the final battle? That's ridiculous, we've never separated from him, how could we go without him? What is life without Torgal? I mean I should say the same for Jill but I have to admit that I feel more incomplete without Torgal than Jill lmao.0

I knew it was basically impossible for Joshua to live until the end but having to watch him die and Clive absorbing the Phoenix just makes me sad. Little Joshua knighting Clive was the cutest thing ever. As for Ultima, honestly have no feelings for him because he's a pretty typical JRPG villain lol. What, I couldn't believe that was the ending because it was so anticlimactic, I wasn't sure what to feel even when I got back to the title screen. And honestly, what I hate most aren't endings I dislike but inconclusive endings and this is one. It reminds me of Gantz and I'm still salty to this day. I honestly don't care if our main characters really died or not, I don't care if the ending is sad or happy, but I hate that they showed nothing that was an "ending". Everything was just the aftermath of the final battle and then the end. Even that book is just a cop out to make you feel better or something, is it written by the real Joshua resurrected? Clive in his name? Jote in his memory? It could be anything but because they refuse to show it, I don't think I really care either. Just seeing Jill and Gav cry as they welcome in a new life is very unsatisfying. I felt bad for Torgal. How many people he cared about died before him? Anyway yeah, I have no doubt that a world with L'ubor, Martha, Byron and Isabelle and them will be perfectly fine but that doesn't mean I spent 60-70 hours on a journey with Clive just to not see a proper ending for him and I'm just disappointed in this decision. Maybe they're trying for DLCs again or a sequel (EDIT: DLCs coming as expected I guess) but seriously, it leaves a bad aftertaste considering everything that's happened. Dion's implied death was the worst. And the battle where we couldn't play with Bahamut or Phoenix was lacklustre considering how great the battles with Titan and Bahamut were. Anyway, it's crazy how the Bahamut fight was so long, but the ending to an entire game was so short and meaningless.

Overall, I still enjoyed FFXVI. The highlights of the game are definitely the Eikon fights and the side characters. I'm not one to fall for the sway of graphics considering I grew up with the blocks in FFVII but I can very assuredly tell you that the fight against Titan was great, and the fight against Bahamut was pretty freaking cool despite how terrible of a situation it was. In terms of Eikon fights though, I was quite disappointed that Shiva never really got to shine considering how beautiful she was and how cool Shiva always is. Even Garuda had better screentime. Odin had his splitting the sea moment too. As for the side characters, honestly the side quests were tedious at times because running around was annoying and there's only so many times we can kill bandits and fetch materials that are super far away.

I'd say the side quests were worth doing because they really helped towards world building and giving me a better view of how towns and people were. I won't say I liked all of them but Martha and Wade, Isabelle, Eloise and Theodore were great. In terms of main story characters though, my favourites were definitely Joshua, Dion, Gav and Cid. It's funny but this is one of the rare times where I actually loved the younger brother more than the older brother hahaha, I guess I just loved how even though Clive was Joshua's shield, Joshua turned out to be the one to protect him more than he did once they got older. I loved the sibling love and care for each other. I loved Dion's story the most because it was very straightforward and understandable. He was a good guy who cared about his people and his father but wasn't able to stop the destruction caused by Ultima because of these feelings he had for them. Gav and Clive is my favourite relationship because their trust and heart to heart to each other just makes me happy to watch all the time. Cid was cool and a great role model, charismatic and strong in his beliefs, a good way to show what Clive was to become as he continued his journey.

However, I do have to say I probably have more negatives than positives for this game. Personal preference but I wasn't a fan of the combat system. I can understand why there's no "magic system" but the utter lack of debuffs and status changes etc really makes battles quite one dimensional in that your focus is really to combo and dodge/block. Attacks from enemies are basically meaningless because the only difference is how much damage they do and not what they do. Weapons and accessories aren't any better because weapons can only have better damage and stagger but nothing else, and accessories don't really add much change to make me really care what I was using. I mean as I've said, I was using the accessory that does attacks for me so you can take my words with a grain of salt lol but I was just so disinterested in the combat, I couldn't bring myself to bother. Oh and the non-existent party system was disappointing because it never really mattered if you had a party or not, it was just more characters on screen but really, I always felt alone in battle and completely forgot their existence. Anyway, as I was disappointed with Shiva's lack of screentime, I was also disappointed with Jill's presence in the story because her character fell flat for me. She and Clive were cute at times but I kinda wish she had more of a character if that makes sense. Barnabas was also disappointing considering he was closest to Ultima and that he was Odin, so he could have brought more insight and development to those things but nope. I have to say though, the story was very average. I thought the story was going to be more "mature" and go for the exploration of politics, Clive's revenge and fight for forgiveness etc but instead it went down the JRPG killing god route which was very disappointing to me especially considering how boring Ultima was. Oh well I guess. Despite my grievances, I'd still give it a 7.5, it was a nice ride but nothing really hit me, it basically met my expectations which was that even if I don't like the game, the Eikon fights should be cool, and I'd say the game definitely delivered in that aspect with Bahamut, which is kinda ironic because when I first saw Bahamut, I thought he was the ugliest out of all the Eikons hahaha! Who would have thought I'd like his Dominant Dion, and the Eikon fight the most in the end? Odin was the most beautiful but also the most disappointing. Anyway, I'd say the game is worth playing just to see the Eikon fights haha, they are just that visually stunning!

[tokoyamisstuff]

Scandal Ch. 4 - Loki x Reader

Summary: Nothing can stop the wrath of the God of Mischief, when he realizes he had been deceived by the people he trusted more than his beloved wife.

Warnings: Angst, Violence

Words: ~1700

"But what the world fails to realize is a villain is just a victim whose story hasn’t been told.” - Chris Colfer

I Story Masterlist I General Masterlist I

Taglist: @hi-there-x @haloangel391 @misssilencewritewell @babayaga67 @accioremuslupinn @mochimommy2002 @just-someone-who-likes-to-write @damalseer @bethanystan @loser-alert @star017 @nina1800 @queenariesofnarnia @n1fangirlsblog @vengefulsokovian @lunamoonbby @freyagallileaevans​

A/N: This is a rather boring chapter, but we’re far from done!

“She already left several moons ago. It was her own wish, we did not force her.”

“Where to?” 

“Midgard.”

Loki was long back on Asgardian territory, yet his mind couldn’t find peace. Well, how could he, now knowing what Laufey told him?

His world had already crumbled to dust when he left you behind - but if Laufey spoke the truth, his whole existence had been built on lies from the very start.

Not knowing where to search for answers, the prince sneaked into Odin’s forbidden chambers, walking in the shadows protecting him in the midst of night.

There it was: The Cascet of Ancient Winters - the very relic that doomed the fate of your newborn, revealing it’s shameful blood to all of Asgard.

It just urged him to try and see for himself, even if the truth would shatter his heart.

“STOP!”

Loki wouldn’t even flinch at the Allfather’s words, already tightly holding the cascet in both hands.

“Am I cursed?”

The God of Mischief wouldn’t even dare to turn around and look at the person he always ever thought to be his father - for as soon as he laid fingers on the cascet, he began turning into that same shade of blue your son did.

Panic began to rise in the young god, fearing to be killed by the people he loved so dearly shall they lay eyes upon what he truly was. His chest began to tighten, fastened breath turning into a cold mist.

“No” was Odin’s firm but unsatisfying answer, to which Loki only responded by putting down the cascet.

“What am I?”

“You’re my son.” His words came from the heart, not even faltering as Loki turned around to present his Jotun form to the Allfather.

“What more than that?!” he almost growled in between gritted teeth, appearance slowly returning to his usual self.

At that deepest, darkest day in his life yet, Loki would be too blinded by betrayal and rage to see his father’s true love towards his adoptive son.

“The cascet wasn’t the only thing you took back from Jotunheim that day, was it?” The prince took firm steps towards the man that he had known all his life, but had become a complete stranger towards him through that sole moment.

Again, only a “no.”

Loki’s mind was racing, thinking about what else may have been hidden from himself - and what kind of consequences that revelation had for everything he had done up until now.

“In the aftermath of the battle, I went to the temple -- and I found a baby” the Allfather continued, “Small, for a giant’s offspring. Abandoned, suffering, left to die...”

“...Laufeyson” Loki completed Odin’s sentence. So every word the King of the Jotunns had said was indeed a fact.

“W-W-why?!” he almost whined, voice weak and defeated. “You were knee deep in Jotun blood, why would you take me?”

“You were an innocent child-”

“No.” The God of Lies himself had become so sick of being fed those, starting to snap. “You took me for a purpose. What was it???” 

For what felt like an eternity, there was only silence.

The image of that small, blue child in his arms had been painfully burned into his heart back then. But now that he knew the story behind all of this, it held a completely different meaning.

Just like he had been abandoned back on that frozen rock, he had abandoned his own child, as well as the love of his life.

Outcast, abused, left to die...and now, god knows what had happened to you...

That secret had destroyed more than just his own life. It had ruined the only honest happiness he was ever given - you, and his son.

“TELL ME!”

He just needed to know: The reason behind all the pain and suffering he had to endure - and caused to others as well.

“I thought we could unite our kingdoms one day, bring about an alliance, bring about permanent peace...through you.”

That was just too much for Loki to bear. “What?” he reacted with a barely-there voice, every word of his father shooting daggers through his heart.

“But those plans no longer matter.” No matter what Odin might want to explain, Loki wasn’t able to listen to any more, jumping into his own conclusions.

“So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up inside of here until you might have use for me?!” he croaked, afraid of the answer.

“Do not twist my words.”

“You could told me what I was from the beginning!” he now yelled, furious at how virtuous Odin would still defend his own action. “Why didn’t you?”

“You’re my son” he repeated once again. “I only wanted to protect you from the truth.”

“Why, ‘cause I-I-I-I’m the monster people tell their children about at night?!” Loki clenched his fists, fingernails drawing blood to his palm.

“At least when my son was born, you should’ve dropped the charade!” Pure agony was dripping from every syllable, and for a mere second, his eyes were glistering bright red once again. “You’ve forsaken two innocent lives - the most important beings in my pathetic existence - and now you’ve burdened me with their suffering as well!”

That sure was a miracle - how a person so broken from the beginning wouldn’t collapse under pressure that huge.

“It all makes sense now, why you favoured Thor, all those years! Because no matter how much you claim to love me, you could never have a Frost Giant sitting on the throne of Asgard!”

But who cares about the throne, honestly? Not him. Not anymore. Ever since he knew you.

It all dawned to him now: What he could have, if only he had put his trust in you like so many times before.

All his life, he only ever remembers a shadow. At first, he thought it to be the shadow of his brother, or never being enough for his own father. Maybe the other Asgardians looking down on him, making him feel like he doesn’t belong.

Yet in the end, that very shadow was inside of his own mind.

But you?

You had loved Loki with all of your heart, banishing the darkness from his mind through your bright affection.

It didn’t matter to you what anyone thought of him - or even what he thought himself to be.

Because you saw him for what he really was, and he found peace with that.

And he was certain that it wouldn’t matter to you whether he called himself Odinson or Laufeyson - as had you loved his child dearly, ever since he took his first breath.

He could never make up for that greatest of his sins, Loki knew that much.

Or...?

“Where are you going, my son?”

Reluctantly, Loki made his way past the man he now only considered a stranger. Still, when Odin tried to reach out to him, Loki immediately ducked away, startled and afraid for his true nature to hurt anyone.

More than ever before, the God of Mischief despised himself to the core of his being. He was lost, confused, shocked - and still, determined.

“Creating a Kingdom for my family.”

___

[Earth, 2 months later]

On times like these, you thought your mind was betraying you.

Especially when you catched yourself reminiscing sweet, innocent moments - far back in the past, before everything you ever held dearly got destroyed.

You still felt his touch, feather-light on your skin, as well as his scent haunting your memories. And sometimes you couldn’t help but wonder how life would have been, well...if things were different.

Frantically shaking your head, you clasped the book closed and threw it into a corner of the small one-room-flat SHIELD had provided for you.

Your magical pockets were always almost empty, except for a few necessities - and that book. It held the first flower Loki ever gifted you, and you had dried it in between those pages so it would never lose it’s beauty.

But now, remembering meant pain - because Loki Laufeyson would never come back.

For he is dead.

Fell of the Bifrost, as confirmed by Heimdall, who secretly kept in touch with you all this time. So you knew it all: Of his grief and treason, which slowly led him into madness. 

And what did you do in the meantime?! Nothing at all!

You should’ve tried everything, anything to get back and help him go through that time of need, hel!

“Endure it, Y/N...you need to stay strong...for Liam.” After so many times of telling those words to yourself, you doubted them to have any effect on your broken heart at all.

Yet it would never fail to keep you going. For that wonderful child was proof of your love, and now your last memory of him.

Rocking the small Jotun to sleep, tears found their way to your eyes like so many times before, dropping to the baby’s face unnoticed.

So you tried to sing your pain away as you cooed that little wonder to sleep.

“Å eg lengtar så tidt dette landet å sjå, Og det dreg meg så blidt, når eg langt er ifrå. Med den våknande vår vert min saknad so sår, så mest gråta, mest gråta eg kan. Å eg minnest, å eg minnest, å eg minnest så vel dette land. Å eg minnest, å eg minnest, å eg minnest så vel dette land.”

*Translation:

“Oh I long so long to see this land, And it pulls me so gently, when I'm far away. With the waking spring host my missing so sore, so most cry, most cry eg can. Oh I remember, oh I remember, oh I remember this country as well. Oh I remember, oh I remember, oh I remember this country as well.”

[anonymousewrites]

Of Pawns and Players Chapter Six

Chapter Six: Strategizing

            Ren stood watching the servants bustle around the temple where she was going to be married. Annoyed, she looked from her room as they walked in and out with frankly concerning amounts of flowers.

            This is a wedding, not a botanical show, she thought.

            Ren sighed and turned to look at the shiromuku hanging on the wardrobe door. Pure, pearly white and gold embellishments screamed “you’re a trophy, a doll they’re playing dress-up with” at her.

            But not for long. She smiled. Soon they’ll be the ones played when they lose what they worked oh-so hard for. Speaking of which… Ren glanced the new vanity in her room. She had lied about it breaking because she had tripped and let a tray of food hit the mirror. The fools had eaten up the idea that she was a poor, fragile, clumsy woman.

            But they weren’t who occupied her mind. Ren was focused on the curse who had broken the mirror: Sukuna. She huffed, annoyed at herself and the king. Her feelings about their (relationship? partnership?) were complicated to say the least.

            On the one hand, Ren’s logic ruled her mind. She had long ago rationalized that she couldn’t avoid her fate; she was going to die at Sukuna’s hand. She had moved forward. And yet…she was unsatisfied. Not only due to her bothersome feelings, but because Sukuna wasn’t following through. He would get close to finishing the affair his way but stopped before doing any real damage to Ren.

            Is it some sort of game to him? Ren pushed emotions aside; she could not understand his motivation. I know he wants a reaction from me, but surely, he’s gotten as much as he can. There’s not much I can give him. I don’t emote as a normal person does.

            Her ignored but ever-present emotions also played a role in her annoyance. Ren was upset Sukuna kept playing with her because…well, because she liked him. Sukuna was interesting, intelligent, strong, and, Ren had eyes, attractive. Even if he was adamant on killing her, Ren couldn’t help but eagerly anticipate his visits. He seemed to respect her more than others ever had. That was her greatest weakness: her desire for recognition, for being seen as more than just a pretty face, a woman who either belongs to her father or her husband. She wanted to be more, and for once in her life, she felt that with Sukuna. It made her crave more, and when he got close to killing her, it hurt. He wouldn’t just end it. In the deepest recesses of her heart, Ren somehow felt betrayed by someone who never promised loyalty to begin with.

            The only cause I have for grief is because he isn’t following through with the plan, argued Ren. He’s promised to many times, and yet he hasn’t. That is my only grievance. And yet… Frustrated, Ren ran her hands through her hair and took a deep breath. These damn feelings are clouding my judgement.

            “I thought you were above such emotions,” observed a smug voice behind her.

            “No one is devoid of feelings,” answered Ren simply, turning to face Sukuna. I almost didn’t realize he was here. These distractions are becoming troublesome. “You should know.”

            “Are you insulting me?”

            If Ren wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of humor in his voice. “Merely observing how you’re quick to anger.”

            He smirked. “Yes, but not quick to act on it.”

            Ren raised an eyebrow and let out a brief, airy laugh. “I believe that’s debatable.”

            Sukuna leaned on the wall beside himself. “I haven’t killed you whenever you annoy me, have I?”

            As men do, Sukuna said precisely the wrong thing to keep Ren in a good mood. The glimmer of amusement in her eye winked out. “No, but is that not a defect of your character?”

            “What?” Sukuna frowned.

            “Couldn’t your not killing yet me be a sign of…hesitation?” questioned Ren.

            “Careful,” warned the pink-haired curse, red eyes narrowing.

            “I have no reason to be if I’m going to die either way. Somehow it hasn’t gotten into your head that if someone is planning on doing something no matter what, then threatening someone with that thing doesn’t make sense.”

            Sukuna stepped forward, towering over her. “I can still cause you a lot of pain. You seem to forget that.”

            Ren looked up into his eyes angrily. “No, you’re the one who’s forgetting his job. Neither of us gets to see the Gojos suffer if I don’t die.”

            “You’re awfully keen to die,” said Sukuna cruelly. “You’re so desperate, it’s pathetic.”

            “And you’re so desperate to avoid this conversation, it’s pathetic,” said Ren.

            Sukuna slammed her against the wall. “I’ve allowed you to speak impudently to me because you amuse me, but you are not immune to consequences,” he hissed.

            Ren winced and looked up at him. They were incredibly close, near enough to see their reflection in the other’s eyes. “Prove it,” she whispered. “Kill me.”

            Sukuna jerked backwards as her lips brushed his and the weight of her challenge hit him.

            “I’ve had enough of these games, Sukuna.” Ren took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “You refuse to follow my plan, yet you don’t follow through on your own either. You arrive at the perfect moment to kill me, but you don’t.”

            Sukuna waved a hand. “I need you to fear me.”

            “I’m not going to. You’ve gotten as much of an emotional reaction as you’re ever going to get,” said Ren. “It’s time for you to end this.”

            “I’ll end this when I please,” growled Sukuna.

            Ren scoffed. “I’m beginning to doubt your commitment.”

            Enraged, Sukuna stepped forward once again to keep Ren trapped against the wall. Staring into her unwavering eyes, Sukuna spoke in a dangerously low voice. “Do you truly want to reap what you sow?”

            “I gave you a perfectly good opportunity in the maze. You should have taken your chance then if you didn’t want me to grow bolder,” snapped Ren.

            “Are you truly so desperate to die?” As soon as Sukuna spoke, the words hung in the air, a cloud of tension forming. There was something in them resting right below the surface, a quality neither party wanted to address. To acknowledge it would be to acknowledge another level of emotions they both possessed. A level which could bring consequences.

            “What do you think?” breathed Ren.

            Sukuna was struck with the same feeling he’d had in the maze. He was silent, for once. Stepping back, he steeled his expression into one of careful aloofness. “Then I look forward to the ending of our arrangement.”

            “Then you’ve made up your mind?” asked Ren somberly.

            Sukuna tilted her chin up towards him. “I can assure you that any ‘hesitations’ I might have will be gone within a day’s time.”

            Ren didn’t turn as he strolled behind her, disappearing out the terrace and into the sunset. She took a deep breath. This will all be over with soon, one way or another.

[hourglassstationacademy]

Amore wings day:Date Night 2- Duo 5

Flynn was acting at some plays during this day, however he noticed he was struggling to pull of some convincing emotional moments. Maybe cause he was unsure how much emotion was in it. He felt unsatisfied. So there was a student that recommended a booth to him.

His fortune telling with Tarots did make him very curious. A place to choose your destined partner. As he entered it he however already knew that it defenitly won’t be genuine, given the people who run it. Rachel is obvious to know that she only creates fake things, Shadman as Janitor is pretty out of control and Fuwa probably got dragged into it given she believed them.

“Miss Hearts, what a pleasure to meet you.” He still played his role of the unknowing and tried to listen to the instructions. It was at least an opportunity to use his charms on whoever his partner will be, if he knows them, its a plus, if its Rubina, he will have fun to get her out of concept, if its Shadley... well he will probably leave him stranded in the maze.

He pressed to the Maze to answer each question, oddly honest. He was use to play a role, but maybe it be even more interesting to see what come out of it.

Fuwa awaited him at the end of the Labyrinth. “Well it seems we have your results in.” The spotlight appeared, even impressing Flynn himself how much of a show they put into this little attraction, however as he saw his partner he was actually lightly surprised. Akila, also known as a model of Relinookton.

The floor under them collpased, Flynn trying to at least flap out of there before something pulls him down...

As he woke up he was curiously holding the hand of Akila. “A spell I see.”

He was quick to notice what was going on. No Magic, No way to undo the spell, just the partners needing to work to together... he was kinda glad that he got Akila as partner. She woke up and he tried to offer the hand he already was holding. “Why are you? Where are we?”

“Madame Gold, It seems this attraction summoned us here to make it through the maze together, so they forced our hands together via magic and restricted ours...”

She thought slowly....

“I see... how unfortunate... but...” She looked back at the hand he is holding.

“I would recommend you to not think much into this situation.”

As she said that he kinda smiled. This is still his opportunity to practise for his role.

“But Madame... It is my utmost priority to get you out of here safe... “

“I don’t need pretty words, I need actions.”

He was surprised... usually many like his charms... but she was abresive and unaffected by it.

“Got it...” They walked on in the maze a bit in silence.

He remembered some things he heard about her. A person who loves Gossip, pretty things and is much more arrogant at times. He tried to change his approach.

“Listen... I didn’t want to drag you into this situation but I want to at least get us out of here, so I would advice we work together than just me leading the way.”

“Fine..”

Ice broken Flynn, you got this. As he said this he saw something fly towards them, in instinct her pulled Akila close into his wings, trying to dodge the obstacle. Barely dodging it. Which led to them both to fall into the flower bed and him lay on top of her. This situation led him notice something different. Akilas face was pretty red, not only now but before. It wasn’t that she had disgust... she was just silent cause she didn’t want to show the emberassment she was feeling. So these are emotional ways of expressing. He quickly tried to move and offer her a way up.

“Are you fine?”

“Yes... um... thank you.”

“I said I protect you and I mean it. And I would do this again.”

She was looking in surprise and then turning her face away again.

“L-lets leave.”

They found a big bell which was the way out.

“Hey, bird.”

“The name is Flynn Deradelle.”

“Right... I notice often but why the odd nicknames....”

He sighed lightly.

“It makes it easier for me is all I am gonna say.”

“To keep your distance right? So you don’t have to think about their names?”

She got him right. It was his way of keeping his distance.

“Do you want me to keep your name in mind? Or share this.”

“Not really... it just got me thinking.”

He placed his hand at the clock handle to activate it.

And so they got to the exit.

“Lets keep it simple, I won’t tell what happened in there if you won’t, alright, madame gold.”

“Its Akila and I agree.”

As they both moved away from each other both had many thoughts going around their heads. Akila about what she was feeling when she saw him save him and how her heart was racing and Flynn about what he does wrong with Emotions, he felt like he still didn’t know how to convey the emotion... he needed to think about it more.

Akila by @in-that-deep-blue-sea

[hops-hunny]

Alarm

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader

Word Count: 3k

Request: “Can u write a songfic for Fred Weasley based on alarm by Anne Marie? It's ok if u don't want to”

Summary: Based off the song Alarm by Ann Marie aka Fred learns that karma is a bitch

Warnings: cheating, swearing, mentions of sex, small amounts of angst

A/N: I’m sorry this took so long! I whipped this up finally so I hope you enjoy it! I did add a bit extra in the end but otherwise, I did base it off of the song.

You lay here with me, you're shuttin' down

I smell her on ya, I'm focused now

I know what's goin' on in your head, yeah

I know what's happened here in our bed, yeah

(Y/n) lay in bed, deep in her thoughts as Fred wrapped one arm around her using the other to pull the cover up over their exposed bodies. Fred fell asleep rather quickly while (Y/n) dodged the call from sleep. Her thoughts were consuming her. It had all started last week when she found a pair of underwear hanging from Fred’s bed that certainly were not hers. They were much too small and well, she didn’t remember bringing any thongs to Hogwarts with her. And tonight, while he was busy deep inside of her, she was busy deep in her thoughts from the sickly, sweet smell of caramel candies and the stuffy scent of the Ravenclaw common room that was embedded in the pillows that surrounded her head.

Your phone is buzzin', so pick it up

I know she callin', so what the fuck?

I should've known a cheat stays a cheater

So here we are

---------

While (Y/n) was a bright and kind soul filled with optimism and humanity, she wasn’t fucking stupid as much as Fred seemed to think she was. She had started seeing signs way before the more obvious ones. She noticed the first time when he was receiving an influx of owl messages. In the great hall, common room, quidditch practice. Fred had simply brushed it off by saying “Oh it’s just George, love, nothing to worry about.” and at first, she had bought it. She believed his lies, giving him the benefit of the doubt. That was until she got paired with George for an assignment in which he sent his owl to give her a time and place.

 So she waited for the perfect opportunity. While in Fred’s dorm, waiting for him to arrive back from quidditch practice, that same owl from before swooped in dropping a letter on his bed. She was not naturally a nosy person, she wouldn’t want anyone snooping through her things so why should she snoop through his? But, the hearts that littered the outside of the letter got the best of her. (Y/n) looked around the room, making sure she wouldn’t be interrupted, before carely unfolding the letter. 

‘Were we meeting tonight? I couldn’t remember. Either way, I’m wearing that cute little red number under my uniform and as usual, you know where to find me. Take care until then darling, 

Xoxo Marie SinClair’

The girl sat there for a bit, a tornado of emotions brewing inside of her. She wasn’t surprised to say the least. She should’ve known that dirty bastard hadn’t changed. The whole reason she had never accepted any of his advances before was because of his reputation. Everyone at Hogwarts knew of the appetite of the unsatisfiable beast that was Fred Weasley. He couldn’t keep it in his pants if his life depended on it. He got who he wanted, when he wanted and that was just the way it was. 

However, with her, Fred acted differently. He didn’t go for his usual tactics and ways. It was Yule Ball when they had gotten together. She had been crying in the courtyard because her date abandoned her at the last minute. Everyone knew the two were going together so when she arrived and saw him on the arm of some other girl, it drew a lot of unwanted attention. She silenced her crying slightly as she looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching. 

She looked up finding Fred standing there, causing her to roll her eyes.

“Go away, Weasley. I have no time for your usual antics so if that’s what this is, you can simply fuck off.” she snapped, uncharacteristically of her. Even Fred found himself a bit taken back but it didn’t stop him from approaching her. He kneeled before her, grabbing her hands as he looked at her. He took the handkerchief out of his pocket, dabbing her face carefully to get rid of the tears but to also not ruin her makeup.

“You know, what he did was fucking scuzzy. I think he’s a bloody prick for that, abandoning such a beautiful girl. You didn’t deserve that. But, you can’t let him get the best of you! You dressed up all nice and lovely for Yule. We can’t just let that go to waste can we?” He said. (Y/n) looked up at Fred quizzically. She thought about what he said for a moment.

“But, I can’t just go back in there alone. They’ll just look at me even more!”

“You won’t be alone, I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.” He stood up before holding his hand out to the girl. She pondered it for a second before smiling, taking his hand to go back in and give that bastard of a date a piece of her mind. 

Even then she had been skeptical and looking back, she wished she could go back and change what had happened. She was brought out of her head from a sickly sweet smell of caramel candies and stuffy rooms radiating from the letter. That was the first time she had encountered the smell but even then, she knew it wouldn’t be the last.

And there goes the alarm ringin' in my head

Like somebody said, “Don't you trust him, no”

Text in from his ex, what did you expect?

Now you're lyin' here knowin' where he goes

The next morning, (Y/n) snuck out of Fred’s dorm, knowing she couldn’t handle everything on her own. All the warning signs and evidence ringing loudly in her head like an alarm. She walked through the halls, absentmindedly as she searched for her two dearest friends, Hermione and Ginny. She found them laughing about something in the commons as she sat down. She gave them a tired smile as she looked at them.

“Is everything alright darling? You look quite disturbed.” Hermione said as she held her friends hand looking at her. (Y/n) went to speak before choking on her words. She couldn’t hold it up anymore, she began to cry. She spilled out everything that happened, all the evidence. The letters, perfume, even the underwear. They both held the girl, stroking her back softly as they listened to her.

“But I don’t know, I don’t know. Maybe I’m overreacting? Surely there’s a way to explain this.” the (y/h/h) girl sniffled, looking up at her friends.

“Honey, letters from his ex? The underwear? Love, the signs are all there.” Hermione said in a calm tone, holding her friend as she began to break down again.

“I’ll kill him! The bastard. Letters from his ex? God, I wanted to have faith that this time, now that he had a fucking good one he’d treat her right. But, what did we expect? Dogs will always be bloody dogs. Wait till I tell mum!” Ginny exclaimed, pacing around as she spoke. Her raised tone of voice had gotten the attention of one of the twins’ friends causing him to walk over.

“Who are we on about, Fred? No way that Fred could’ve done that. He’s been uh, helping me study recently! Even yesterday night we were together! No way for him to have time to be shagging other girls. Don’t you trust him?” Dean said, softening his voice near the end as he kneeled before her. (Y/n) looked up at him, (e/c) eyes glaring into the brown ones before her. She had had it. She was fed up with all the he said she said bull. 

“You’re gonna fucking stand here, and lie to my face? Clearly you know where he keeps running off to. But you know what? To answer your question, no. Fuck no I don’t trust him!” the (h/c) girl seethed out through gritted teeth before storming out of the common room. Everyone stood there, a pregnant silence covering the room. Hermione and Ginny stood there, shocked but proud that the usually complacent and quiet girl had stood up for herself.

Now he got that itch, yeah, karma is a bitch, yeah

Same way that they come, that's the way they go

Now he got that itch, yeah, rewindin' the picture

There goes the alarm and the sirens go

There goes the alarm

After what went down in the common room that day, the news had obviously reached Fred extremely fast. He had shown up at her door, with flowers as he tried to form an apology and explanation, stumbling over his words. She stood there, staring at him with a stone like expression which worsened his words. While he was mid apology, (Y/n) had simply taken the flowers before turning around and slamming the door in his face, not even bothering to say anything.

The (y/h/h) girl had grown a lot since then, and everyone could tell. They all had expected her to be torn to bits, crying her days away in her dorm but they couldn’t be far from the truth. When Hermione and Ginny had come to (Y/n)’s room the next morning to go to the great hall like they usually did, their mouths were agape and their eyes grew wide. She had done her makeup, skin glowing the light reflecting off the gloss on her lips. Her hair appeared to look a lot healthier than usual too, skirt hiked a bit more than usual. She had grown tired of hiding on the sidelines She’d show him just exactly what karma had in store for him.

------

(Y/n) walked into the great hall, her dearest friends at side as usual, guys and girls alike greeting you as you walked to your spot at the table. She began to butter her toast, looking at Ginny who was holding in a fit of giggles. “Care to share?” the (h/c) haired girl said.

Ginny leaned in. “Well, I heard from a few of the girls in Fred’s year that he’s been having some rather unusual...sensations going on. So, he went to Madam Pomfrey and she asked him if he had been sleeping with anyone new and he obviously said yeah and well...she gave him a bottle of potion and told him good luck! Bloody hell, (Y/n/n) he’s got some kind of itch going on! You dodged a bullet with that one.” She said right on queue as Fred came in, scratching at his crotch region. (Y/n) and Hermione both gasped at the same time, covering your mouths trying your best not to laugh. 

George walked in shortly after, not wanting to be seen with his idiot of a twin. Fred began walking towards the Ravenclaw table, going in for a kiss to the girl he had been seeing. She stuck up her hand in between them before scooting closer to the bloke next to her who wrapped his arm around her, glaring at the Gryffindor boy. He had a defeated look on his face as he walked over to Dean, taking a seat next to him. The (y/h/h) girl couldn’t take it anymore, she began to laugh uncontrollably as her friends joined in.

“Karma really is a bitch, innit she?”

I saw it comin', I let it go

My girls will tell me, "I told you so"

But I was so intrigued by your style, boy

Always been a sucker for a wild boy

I'm better than this, I know my worth

I might be gettin' what I deserve

But I ain't stickin' 'round for the re-run

What's done is done

(Y/n)’s life had improved even more than before. She never cared about her status or popularity, but it was hard to ignore the attention she was receiving. Most of it was positive but some were negatives, spreading rumors that were quickly shut down. Even though the thought of Fred never crossed the girl’s mind, with all the things she kept hearing from people, it was very clear she was the only thing on his mind.

“I swear (Y/n/n)! I’ve heard from around five different people now that he’s been planning something! All I’m saying is you better be prepared for when he approaches.” Hermione said. (Y/n) scoffed, shaking her head. It wasn’t that the idea was unbelievable. She knew it was something that could very well happen but she didn’t want it to. ‘Fred would have some fucking nerve thinking he deserves some kind of reconciliation after what happened’ she thought to herself as they continued to walk. That was until she heard..

“Oi! Oi! (Y/n) wait up! (Y/n)! (Y/n)!” she froze in her spot, turning around with an eye roll. She looked up at the tall boy, eyes piercing into them. He went to open his mouth to speak again but she held her hand up causing him to stop.

“You know Fred, before I would’ve actually taken the time to consider what you have to say. And you know what? I would be lying if I said I didn’t love you. I always loved how different we were. I was, well, quiet, more reserved and you were my fantasy. You were this wild, unruly boy that no one could tame, no one until me. But you know, now I know why fantasies are called fantasies. Because they’re too fucking good to be true.” She spoke calmly as bystanders pretended to not be listening although some did stop to see what would go down. “Honestly, I truly want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without your foolishness, I would’ve never realized my worth. And while all the other girls here may fall at your feet, I personally won’t be sticking around for a rerun. So I kindly leave you with, fuck off. What’s done is fucking done.” She said, looking up at the boy whose face was full of a mix of emotions. Sorrow. Regret. Longing. She flashed a fake smile before nudging Hermione signaling for her to follow.

Hermione stood there for a moment before walking up to Fred, smacking him across the face. “You have some nerve, you insolent pig!” (Y/n) dragged her off knowing that the Gryffindor would keep going if she could but for the sake of her, the people around them, and Gryffindor’s house points she didn’t let her.

Bang bang, two-shots fired

Man down, one fool, one liar

Ring ring, trust gone missin'

House on fire, house on fire

Bang bang, two-shots fired

Man down, one fool, one liar

Ring ring, trust gone missin'

House on fire

(Y/n) didn’t know, but there had been a guy watching from afar since this fiasco began. He had watched her grow and blossom, gaining the attention of many men, no not men, boys who thought they were worthy of the work of art that was (Y/n). Out of respect, he hadn’t made a move just yet, knowing the girl would probably want her space. He thought she was amazing. He loved how she was so kind and sweet, spreading optimism anywhere, but never let anyone walk all over her. He loved how she looked when she was concentrating on her studies. But after watching what just went down? He knew he had to make a move. It was now or never.

“Hey, (L/n). Can I talk to you for a second?” (Y/n) turned around at the feeling of a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to be met with a somewhat familiar pair of brown eyes. Her and Blaise were never really friends. Sure, they talked occasionally, working with each other in potions sometimes. He was friends with Draco but was never openly rude as his best friend. She always saw him as the boy’s voice of reason. He was smart, well spoken, and undeniably attractive. She smiled at him.

“Blaise Zabini? To what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked, watching as he scanned her up and down before meeting his eyes. Hermione nudged her, giving a knowing look before she began to walk off leaving the pair to have a moment alone.

“Well, I’ve been watching you and that dimwitted Weasley boy from a far. I just thought maybe you were tired of dealing with boys and was ready to deal with, well, a real man.” He said, a confident smirk as he took a step closer. He smelled heavenly, like expensive cologne and a smoky smell she couldn’t quite place. “Which is why I was wondering if you’d give me the pleasure of accompanying you to Hogsmeade this week. I was thinking maybe I could take you shopping, then to that little bookstore I know you like, and then if you’re feeling me, dinner? My treat of course.” He said, placing a delicate kiss on her hand. She was taken back to say the least. Sure, she had suitors approach her since her and Fred split, but none of them had done so in such a way as Blaise had. None of them had the confidence or flair.

“You know what Zabini? I think I’d love that very much. Swing by my dorm beforehand. I prefer when they’re early.” 

“Great, it’s a date then! Come with me to Quidditch practice? I’d love to show you off.” He said, holding out his hand. As she grabbed it, her heart fluttering in the distance someone else’s heart was crumbling. 

Fred felt like an utter fool and idiot as the gorgeous girl got more and more distant as the pair moved down the hall. He felt like his heart had a bullet in it and he was left to bleed. He had lost the best woman who would ever enter his life. He felt a tear drop down his face as his heart clenched.

“Come on mate, give it up. I told you to slow down but you thought you were hot shit. Let her live her life, you clearly already lived yours.” George said as he began to lead Fred the opposite way.

There goes the alarm

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

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Tagslist: @sarcasticallywitty15​

[aaesuki]

pairing: osamu x reader

genre: angst

cw/tw: cheating

summary: the red flags were all laid in front of you, but maybe you just didn’t want to acknowledge them

The first sign was the sweet smell of flowers that started to permeate your house.

Osamu had brought home a small bouquet of red-pink dahlias.

“Is that for me?” you joked, taking the bouquet from his arms. The dahlias smelled sweet.

“A flower shop just opened across the street. I went to welcome the owner and she gave some flowers as a thank you.” Osamu ruffled your hair and kissed your forehead. “I’m gonna to take a shower, then we can eat dinner.

You placed the flowers in a new vase your mother gave you next to the bed stand and a picture frame.

The second sign was when he forgot his lunch.

“That’s odd,” you thought “Osamu doesn’t usually forget his lunches. I’ll make him some and bring it to him at the shop.” The thought of seeing him hard at work put a smile on your face while you started preparing the rice. Osamu was never light on his criticism of your onigiri, but he ate it nonetheless.

As you finished up the last onigiri, you quickly shot Osamu a text telling him that you were going to bring him his lunch. After everything was neatly wrapped up, you got into your car and drove to the shop.

~

“Good afternoon!” the workers greeted you. It seemed like Osamu had hired some new people. The young boy at the register didn’t appear to recognize you.

“Osamu forgot his lunch today so I’m bringing it to him.” One of the older workers raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“He went out for lunch with the lady that works in the flower shop. He didn’t say you were coming though.”

“Ah no big deal. I thought he just forgot to make lunch. I’ll just leave it here.” When you went to place the small lunch box on Osamu’s table, you noticed that he didn’t bring his phone with him. His phone lit up with various texts from Atsumu, telling him that he was stopping by later, Kita, informing him that his granny wanted some of his onigiri, and from a name you didn’t know, agreeing to lunch. That must’ve been the flower lady. 

You felt a bit wary, but went home when Osamu didn’t return to the shop after 20 minutes.

~

The recognizable jingle of Osamu’s key told you he was home. 

“I’m home.” he said as he hung up his coat. 

He started walking to the bedroom when you spoke up. “You didn’t tell me that you didn’t need lunch today.”

“I went out for lunch with the girl across the street.”

“Could’ve at least told me. I just wasted an entire two cups of rice,” you rolled your eyes. Something was wrong. You haven’t felt so on edge in a long time.

“Whatever, I’ll tell you next time,” he brushed you off. 

“Next time?” you wanted to snap. But you told yourself that you shouldn’t feel skeptical just because he found someone to eat lunch with. “A very pretty and polite someone,” you thought bitterly “Probably has an obnoxious giggle too.”

“I think I’ll go to bed early today. I already ate dinner,” he said as he got ready to shower.

Osamu slept on the couch that night.

The third sign was the peculiar charges on his credit card.

There were payments for a dress, a teddy bear (even worse, it was pink), and an expensive diamond necklace, none of which you had received in the past month.

Your hands became slick with sweat, your heart beating quick. Suddenly, everything clicked. The wilted flowers that were always being replaced, the small lunchbox that hadn’t been used in two months, the nights alone in bed, the short, clipped replies. You didn’t even remember the last time Osamu looked into your eyes.

Tears started rolling down your warm cheeks as you realized: he had fallen in love with another. 

The formerly warm, cozy house was now filled with muffled sobs and quick breaths. 

Was it because you weren’t pretty enough? Were you not nice enough? Was he so unsatisfied with your relationship that he felt the need to find love in another woman’s arms?

Osamu wouldn’t be home until 10 pm. You had time. You walked to the bedroom and started packing your clothes when you saw the picture frame next to the vase. It was a picture of you and Osamu on your first date. You remembered feeling nervous and pleasantly surprised that you had landed a date with the Miya Osamu. You carefully took it out of the frame and ripped it into pieces. Seeing the scattered pieces made you feel oddly satisfied.

After you packed all your bags and drove them to your friend’s house, you waited patiently for Osamu to return from work.

~

Before Osamu even walks through the front door, he knows something is wrong: the lights are on. He sees you on the couch, but instead of your pajamas, you’re wearing a thick jacket.

“Where are you going?” he tries.

“Osamu,” you look down at your hands and start playing with them “Do you still love me?”

Osamu stops in his tracks. Did he? “Let’s talk this out. No need to be suspicious.”

“Answer the question, Osamu,” you stand up. “Why are you buying her gifts? Why are you coming home so late?”

Panic settles into Osamu’s chest. The only thing on his mind right now is making you stay. “I only gave those to her as friends. Please, just sit down. Of course I still love yo-”

“Do you still love me or are you just desperate?” you finally did it. Osamu, oddly, was crying and grabbing onto your wrist. But he doesn’t say anything. The pain in your chest is unbearable and you feel the sting of tears forming in your eyes. You shake your wrist from his hand. A deep breath. “There’s no point in this relationship if you don’t love me anymore.”

With the silence that follows, you close the front door shut.

[melaninsaiyin]

The one where Goku tries his best (wc. 1200+)

Oh Goku, your sweet kind and caring Goku. He always has the right intentions, but always just barely missed the mark. But you couldn’t blame him really. All he wanted to do was show you love and appreciate you. It wasn’t his fault that somethings just managed to go over his head… a lot of the time.

Example A would be if you needed him to grab you something.

“Flower. Don’t forget flower when you go to the store hun. I need a lot of it”

Or at least you had said something like that. To be honest Goku wasn’t exactly listening as closely as he should have been. He was just so excited to head out and pay a visit to some of his old friends that he left the house with a hasty ‘yes yes of course’ as he pressed his lips to yours one last time before he took off to the sky. The request for flower sitting at the back of his mind.

Next thing Goku knew, sunset was already quickly approaching and he was waving goodbye to Roshi, Krillin and his family. The day was filled with smiles and laughter after reconnecting with Master Roshi, Krillin and his family that he had almost complexity forgotten your request. With sky darkening behind him, Goku asked for directions to the nearest flower market, thanked his friends one last time and took flight.

Hmm how many should I get, Goku thought, she did say a lot. Unsatisfied with any of the suggestions the florist provided for large bouquets, Goku suggested just taking home a majority of what was on display. The shop keeper stood in shock, jaw basically dropping at the demand, but made no complaints as the strange man handed him enough money to pay for nearly a months rent of the shop. And with the obscene amount of flowers in his hands, the onyx haired man made his way to the sky on route to his home.

“Hun?” He calls out to the house, his view obstructed by the various flora. “Im back with the flowers you asked for.

You pause to blink at him. One. Two. Three times before you sighed and started picking them from his hands as you place them in vases around the house. One at the bed side, one on the dining room table, a couple around the living room with you as you think to yourself oh my Goku. My sweet, sweet Goku who means so well.

“I meant flour. Like to bake with.”

-

Example B would be when he tries to surprise you

You would first notice something was off at the very beginning. When Goku began planning he would start sneaking around in the mornings when he thought you were still asleep and at night after you started dozing off in his arms. You had so much faith in your loving husband that you never questioned if there was ill intent to his sneaking out so you never mentioned it. If he was trying his hardest to keep something hidden from you, you were going to wait until he revealed it to you as a courtesy.

Of course it became harder to ignore his attempt to surprise you when he started asking all these questions out of the blue with his horrific timing. You could be in the middle of a shower and he would peek his head past the curtains, eyes only locked on yours despite your soapy naked figure, and he would be asking you if you preferred to have onigiris or takoyaki. How could food be on your usually insatiable husbands mind while you looked like that? It was a wonder. 

Eventually the reason for his wild behavior the past few weeks was revealed as you stepped in you kitchen after waking up alone in bed, the sleep suddenly leaving your eyes as you took in the banners and balloons and the table full of onigiris. Happy Birthday To The Most Beautiful Wonderful Love Ever the banner read as your eyes stayed wide, your voice stolen from you from the sheer surprise of it all. And there he stood, with his stupidly big grin, eyes shining bright with pride at his big show of love. He would move first, grabbing one the stuffed rice triangles, and offer it to you with a quiet murmur of an I love you.

All you could really do was kiss his cheek, then his mouth and whisper a soft thank you and you grabbed the treat and brought it to your lips. The two of you enjoyed the meal happily together and lazily napped the rest of the day to your request. And sure Goku was confused the following day when your friends called the house phone to wish you a proper happy birthday but you couldn’t be bothered that he got the day wrong with how much effort he had clearly put in.

-

Example C would be if you we’re trying to tell him you were pregnant

I would assume that after you found out, you would want the moment to be special because Goku puts so much effort into trying to make every little thing special for you, so the least you could do was return the sentiment. 

The first attempt would be while the two of you sat and enjoyed dinner alone together. As you brought him his second bowl of rice, you would drop a tiny shirt that you say Daddy’s munchkin or something similar. He would look at it and blink and say with his trademark grin, “Well that’s not going to fit either of us!” 

You looked at him with disbelief, before remembering that this was your Goku. And for how smart he truly is, you would somehow need to be more obvious in letting him know that he had a child on the way. After that you would take care in mentioning how you felt like you were eating for two or mention the baby names your mom had been messaging you the past couple of days. But it would seem that your husband was struggling to take a hint.

Of all the times for him to pick up on what you had been tell him for the past few weekends was at Bulma’s. She had invited the two of you to a casual dinner at hers with Vegeta solely for the reason of keeping well in touch after realizing Goku’s habit of disappearing for years at a time. Before asking Bulma had popped open a bottle of red wine that the two of you shared often any time you go together. But as she reached to fill your glass you quickly waved her off, stuttering out that you were fine for tonight. Your husband furrowed his eyebrows next to you before turning his whole body towards yours.

“If you’re worried about getting home I can always drive back if you don’t feel good enough.” But you were quick to wave off his concern and utter that you really didn’t want a glass one last time. Bulma simply shrugged and topped off the rest of her glass before putting the bottle away, ignoring Vegeta’s huff at the possibility of dealing with his wine drunk partner. However, Goku was still stuck on your refusal. You always had a glass of that wine whenever you got the opportunity because you had mentioned how you could personally never stomach paying that much for a single bottle. 

And then suddenly it hit him. 

The tiny shirt, the mood swings, the spontaneous vomiting and the wild cravings for octopus and mochi in the middle of the night.

“Your pregnant.” “Yes.”

[hoodharlow]

Mr. Hood [Teacher!Cal AU]: Chapter 2

Chapter 1

AN: So I made it to another chapter in this series. Buckle up folks bc it’s gonna get wild. 

Requested?: no 

Warnings: smut, petty remarks from calum

Word Count: 3600 words 

"Mina, apurate. The meeting has already started." Odalis said impatiently to her daughter in the stall.  

"Ya voy." Mina sang-song.

Odalis knew she should've made her go to the bathroom before leaving the bakery. Now she was late to the meeting for Mina's field trip. She wasn't sure how, but Aubrey roped her into being one of the chaperones. He was going to be, but because Johnathan got called to an emergency work trip, he cancelled.

Overall, she was dreading seeing the other moms. Most of them judged her because she was always working and never helped during fundraisers and all those other PTA activities. Odalis on the other hand didn't like them because one of them started a rumor that she's only Aubrey's surrogate and not really Mina's mom. Because it was completely reasonable for one fifteen year old to ask another fifteen year old to be their surrogate. 

She just can't handle them being up her ass critiquing and giving her disapproving looks. Maybe the box of cheesecake brownies would make up for her tardiness. She knew those moms love her baking. They all conveniently act friendly towards her during Valentine’s day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Mina walked out of the stall and gave her an unsatisfied look. She pointed at her chef's jacket and Dickie's pants. "Why didn't you freshen up? You can't meet Mr. Hood like that." 

She’s been insisting Odalis meet her new  teacher so she can date him because her teacher choked on his coffee when she presented her family tree to the class. That family tree project was cursed. 

It was a month ago when she was barely coming home from her night with Calum that Aubrey called her to ask if she could watch Mina because he got called into work. The day was fine. She had a little spa day at home with her, and they watched the first three Shrek movies. After dinner, Odalis was fixing Mina's homework folder when she saw the family tree project. A lot of tears were shed that night, most my Odalis. By the time Aubrey picked her up, the project was finished.

"Why are you so adamant about me meeting Mr. Hood? You know what? I'm not getting into it, hurry up."

She stepped out of the bathroom and paced around until Mina came out. They made their way to her class. As predicted all the moms sent her daggers as she slipped in the classroom. She bumped into a tall figure making her drop the brownies. She silently cursed and apologized to the person as she scrambled to pick up the pieces.

"Just take a seat." the person said.

She immediately recognized the voice. 

It was Calum's. 

Odalis set the box on the table and took a seat next to Mina in the back. 

"As I was saying," Calum continued, looking away from her and back to the other parents. 

Odalis wanted the ground to split open and swallow her whole. Of course she would sleep with her kid's teacher. 

Her phone silently lit up. It was a text from her friend Ashton. 

That was quite an entrance. The message read. 

She looked up and scanned the classroom. She spotted Ashton's bright smile. He waved at her and turned to wave at Mina who returned an enthusiastic wave to him. Her phone lit up once more. 

You're chaperoning?!? I'm about to order a 'MILF of the Year' trophy. 

Odalis rolled her eyes at his message and went back to pretending to follow along to what Calum was saying.

"He's so handsome. I wonder how he's still single." She heard the lady next to her whisper to another mom.

"I know. You can just tell he's good in bed." The other agreed.

Odalis tried paying attention to Calum and the whole itinerary for the day while those two debated which position Calum is best at, but she couldn’t. She itched to tell them that being on all fours while he takes it from behind is a religious experience. Especially when he's whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

She shifted in her small seat, hoping to get some sort of relief in between her thighs. As she watched him, she tried to distract herself from the more filthy thoughts that filled her mind but failed. He talked with his hands, which were not helping the situation at all. There was also his teacher's voice. He spoke more articulate and precise whereas at the bar he was more relaxed and carefree. He sounded so demanding, yet caring. She couldn't explain it, but just from watching him in front of the classroom she knew he belonged there. 

About half an hour later, she noticed everyone got up. She followed suit, and walked over to Mina, who was in Ashton's arms. She glanced back at Calum as he smiled and nodded to whatever the swarm of moms told him. 

"Mina, recoge tus cosas." Odalis told her. 

Her daughter huffed and Ashton set her down. She went back to where she was coloring and picked up her book and crayons. 

"What are you doing here?" Odalis asked Ashton, reaching over to give him a side hug.

"My mate's the teacher. He needed another chaperone for the trip." He explained. He leaned in close her ear. "You didn't hear from me, but he slept with one of the parents here. So I'm here to see that shitshow unfold."

"Oh god, I'd hate to be that parent." She laughed awkwardly.

***

"Fuck! Right there Cal! Yes!" Anya screamed, as Calum took her from behind. In a matter of seconds she was a moaning mess.

“Shit." Calum grunted. 

He closed his eyes, hoping he finally would cum. But all he pictured was Nelly and not the girl in front of him. He frustratedly pulled out of Anya and dumped the condom in the trashcan next to his nightstand.

"Did you—"

"No." He snapped. He dropped his shoulders. "Sorry, I just have a lot of shit in my head right now."

"Don't worry about it. One good thing about you, is that you make sure I finish at least twice." she teased, making him playfully roll his eyes at her.

Calum pulled on his sweats and got out of bed. Thankfully, Anya knew when her time was up. She didn't mind much, it came with the territory. She knew that someone like Calum wasn't in the cards for her. She picked up her clothes and went to the bathroom. 

He gently knocked on the bathroom door. “I’m going to go take Duke out. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Help yourself to anything.”

“Okay, I’m gonna hop in the shower real quick.” She responded. 

He grabbed his hoodie and exited the room. Duke lifted his head from the couch. His tail wagged excitedly as he watched Calum get his leash. He hopped off the couch and hopped on the small bench under the key holder where the leash is. 

After struggling to get the raincoat on Duke, Calum and him were on their way down. Once they reached the lobby, Duke gave him an annoyed look after seeing that here wasn’t any reason for him to be in the raincoat. They spent fifteen minutes wandering around the same tree until Duke decided he rather pee on the small flower garden bed. If Ashton saw him now, he’d drop dead.

They went back inside just as it poured. Calum pressed the elevator button and waited. He answered a text from his best friend sent him, asking if he was still coming over to his girlfriend's belated birthday party as he rode back up to his room. By the time he arrived at his apartment, Anya had left. 

Calum checked his calendar when he put Duke’s leash back on the key holder. The day of the field trip approached faster than Calum anticipated. It was weighing heavily on shoulders that he couldn't fuck it up. While he was getting ready, Dr. Tellez, the principal and his boss, called him telling him that she was going to meet them at the museum for a bit. 

He finished buttoning the last button of his shirt when his phone rang. He patted his pants, cursing that he couldn't find it. He threw all his clothes off the bed and patted the duvet, nothing. He got up and surveyed his room. He spotted it on his night stand. 

He saw Crystal, Ashton's girlfriend and one of the other third grade teachers, on his phone. He'd been avoiding her and Ashton since the meeting. When they went to their friend's house, Ashton badgered Calum the whole ride there, wanting to know which parent he slept with. "'Lo?" He answered. 

"Hey, my car is out of juice. Can you stop by Delicias and hook me up?" Crystal said through the other side.

Delicias was Odalis' bakery and there's no way in hell he was ever going there. 

"Can't you ask Ashton?" He asked.

"I'd ask Ashton, but he rode with me. Odalis is here, but she looks busy and I don't want to annoy her."

Calum silently cursed and rubbed the top of his nose. "I'll be there in a bit."

"Thank you! I'll go make Ashton buy you coffee and breakfast. They make the best bagel sandwiches ever."

Calum bid her goodbye and threw himself on the bed. Duke jumped on the bed and nudged him.

"I know mate," he sighed. He pulled Duke and scratched behind his ears. "Today's gonna be a shit show."

In less than ten minutes he pulled up to Delicias and parked next to Crystal's car. She already had her car ready for Calum. 

"Thank you so much." She said after a few minutes. She tested her car and instantly it roared to life. "Oh look, there's Ashton."

Calum looked up and made a face as Odalis and Mina were with him. Odalis was already looking at him when he met her eyes. She quickly averted her gaze and nodded to whatever her daughter was saying. 

He still couldn't wrap it around his head that Odalis was Mina's mom. But it made sense, personality wise, and everything Mina told him about her made sense too. Which was why seeing her small cutout on Mina's family tree project was adding salt to his wound. 

When he woke up the following morning, he was surprised to find her side empty. He knew their encounter was a one time thing, but he was hoping it would have ended later, after a quick round and breakfast. That day he holed up in his room. His friend Luke had come by around noon to drop Duke off. Calum told him what happened the night before only for Luke to call him a dumbass. 

Calum ended up sleeping the rest of the day and was unprepared for the following day when Mina proudly presented her project. Of all people he was not expecting Odalis to be on there, not to mention his neighbor from a few doors down was also on the poster. Not only did he sleep with his student’s parents, but his neighbor's daughter. Mina just had to put Odalis' father on her poster as well.

"Hi, Mr. Hood!" Mina greeted him when they approached him and Crystal. Calum waved to her.  She not so subtly pushed Odalis to the front. "This is my mom, Odalis." 

"I didn't get a chance to introduce myself the other day at the meeting. I’m Mr. Hood." He told Odalis with his hand stretched out. “Nelly right?”

"It's Odalis actually." She corrected him. 

"Oh sorry, you look like someone I met before with that name." He apologized sarcastically. She gave him a sardonic smile before rolling her eyes.

"I have to go back to work." She told Ashton, ignoring Calum's last comment. She leaned in and gave Ashton a side hug and waved to Crystal. She tucked her hair back. "Mina, let’s go back inside and wait for grandpa."

“You’re not going to the museum?” Crystal asked her. 

“No,” Odalis shook her head, she quickly glanced at Ashton. “I got a last minute order from an annoying customer.”

After Odalis and Mina drove off, Ashton smacked Calum upside his head. 

"You two fucked!" Ashton yelled at him.

"Wha-what are you talking about?" He stammered, rubbing where Ashton hit him.

"I've known Odalis for almost six years. You think I don't know about ‘Nelly’? I was the one that called the cops when the creep showed up here, and I later suggested that she go by a fake name."

"Ash—"

"Don't Ash me. She's like my little sister. I can't believe you fucked my little sister!"

"I didn't fucking know!"

"Ash, fucking calm down." Crystal said calmly. "Here have some tea and go wait in the car."

"Fine, but at the museum I'm paired up with you and not him." Ashton slammed the car door shut, emphasizing his anger toward Calum. Though once inside he happily sipped his prickly pear and hibiscus iced tea. 

***

Calum hadn’t heard from Ashton in two days, which was long for Ashton. So he was surprised to hear from him when he got a text from him on Valentine’s Day morning, that he better show up for Crystal’s surprise birthday party later in the evening. He planned on responding that her party was about two months late, but he didn’t want to risk getting uninvited. 

He slipped his leather jacket over his hoodie and was on his way out. In less than fifteen minutes he pulled up to Ashton’s condo. He was locking his car when a bright red blur hurried past him. 

It was Odalis.

His eyes followed her as she stalked a few boxes with her bakery’s logo on top of a hand truck. She wore a short scarlet red satin dress with a bright red turtleneck sweater. She looked beautiful, plain and simple. 

Calum was going to approach, but hid behind his car when someone walked up to her. He couldn’t see who it was, but from her laugh, he hated him. He grabbed Crystal’s present, a charcuterie set he ordered from Crate and Barrel. He slipped inside and made his way to Ashton’s yard. Grabbing a beer from the cooler behind the makeshift bar, he made his way to greet Crystal. 

“Happy belated birthday, love.” He said, pulling her to hug. 

“Thanks Cal!” She squealed. It was obvious she had a little bit too much to drink. She looked down at the wrapped box. “Is that for me? You got me a present?”

“Of course it’s your birthday party.” He smiled. 

“You’re like the best co-worker, Cal.” She gave him another hug before taking the present and went to her friends. They all cheered as she showed off the box. 

Calum finished off his beer and went over to Michael and his fiance, Hunter. He pulled Michael into a hug and gave Hunter a side hug. He didn’t miss a beat and congratulated them on their engagement. He told Hunter about how nervous Michael was a few weeks ago when he got the guys together to tell them about how he planned to propose. The trio chatted for a while. Ashton eventually joined them. The only person missing was Luke.

“Luke is absolutely smitten. He hasn’t left her side.” Hunter said, sipping some of her piña colada seltzer.

Calum turned back to where she was looking and found Luke talking to Odalis. He frowned seeing her smiling at Luke. Part of him wanted to go up to them, but he couldn't. Ashton would have his head for ruining Crystal's part and serve it in the charcuterie board he got Crystal.

"I'm gonna go get food." He told them. 

"I moved all the food inside and just left the desserts buffet." Ashton told him. 

Calum nodded and went into the kitchen. He grabbed a plate and served himself. He read through some emails from the PTA moms about the upcoming bake sale while he ate.

He went to the bathroom in Ashton's guest room. He heard the bedroom door close as he peed. A hushed voice filled the whole room. After finishing his business he waited a few more minutes until they hung up. He quickly flushed the toilet and washed his hands. His eyes met Odalis' when he exited the bathroom. 

"Following me around I see." she said. 

"I was taking a piss when you got inside. Maybe check if the room's being occupied before coming in, Nelly." He said, leaning against the door.

"It's Odalis." She corrected him.

"Could've fooled me— actually you did." he sarcastically laughed. 

Odalis was quiet. After finding out he was Mina's teacher, she forced her dad to take her place as chaperone. She didn't know how to feel. Part of her wants the earth to swallow her whole, but the part of her feels relieved to see him. She missed him for some odd reason. There was something about him that attracted her to him. 

"You okay?" Calum asked her. He waved his hand in front of her face when he noticed her zone out. 

She blinked a few times and then met his gaze. Her eyes dropped to his lips. She longed to have his mouth on her. She spent nights just getting off at the thought of his kisses. How he kissed with so much determination, how he'd smiled on her lips when she moaned as he fucked her senseless.

Odalis got on her tippy toes and leaned in. It took Calum a second to kiss her back, he surprised that he was kissing her once more. Without breaking their kiss, he grabbed the back of her thighs and picked her up. Pushing her against the door, he locked it. 

She pulled away and  slipped off her sweater. Odalis pushed his jacket off him and helped him out of his hoodie and shirt. She slid her hands over his chest and up to his face. She couldn't believe he was in front of her. 

Their kisses led them to the bed. The last few layers of clothes shed as they got reacquainted with their bodies. 

"Can I have a taste?" Calum whispered in her ear. Odalis looked up at him with an unreadable expression. "I don't have to, of course. Whatever we do is up to you. If you just want to make out then we'll just make out. But if you want to have sex, fine by me. I want you to know that you're not obligated to do anything. We can stop and just act like—"

"Just be gentle." She said, stopping him from rambling.

"Wait, seriously?" His face lit up. 

"Yes." she softly giggled. 

Odalis wrapped her arms around him as she deepened the kiss. She let out a soft groan when Calum pulled away from her lips. She watched him kiss her body as he made his way down. 

He looked up at her when he reached her dripping core. 

"Ready?" he asked. 

Odalis nodded her response, partly speechless that he was actually going to go down on her. 

"Use your words, sweetheart." 

"Yes." 

Calum nodded and opened her legs to him. He kissed up her thigh, gently nipping her and repeated with her other leg. He smirked to himself, hearing how restless Odalis got. 

She let out an inaudible gasp of pleasure when Calum licked her. She tried closing her legs, but Calum's grip on them kept her in place. He moaned at her taste and savored her, taking his time with his tongue. He pushed one of her legs to her chest, giving him better access to her. 

"I'm gonna insert a finger in you, okay?" He asked. 

"Yes, that's okay." She panted. 

Calum continued to eat her out for what seemed an eternity, but Odalis wasn't complaining. He inserted another while he pressed his thumb on her clit. Odalis felt something build up in her. She felt pleasantly overwhelmed with Calum's fingers and tongue. Calum felt it too. He sped up his fingers and circled his thumb on her clit roughly. 

"Calum!" She moaned out, not caring who heard her. Calum lapped up her release. He dropped her legs down and laid next to her.

Odalis didn't wait another second. She pulled him back on top of her and kissed him. They continued to kiss, teasing touches here and there, but nothing too intense for either of them. That is until Odalis thrusted her hips to meet his hips. They rolled around shuffling to get a condom from the drawer in the nightstand. 

"Please, Cal, I want you so bad," she whined. He bit back a sarcastic remark and just gave her what she wanted. She gasped loudly as he slid into her without a warning. 

Calum buried his face in her neck. With a few slow and deep thrusts he began to take her  at that slow and deep pace. Her fingers clawed at his shoulders and back. His head was buried in her neck, praising her with sweet nothings.

“Cal, fuck,” she panted, gripping his biceps as she met his thrusts. 

He pulled his hips back, pulling almost all the way out of her. He slammed into her without a warning and slowly retracted his cock once again. He continued to take her like that until she was a moaning mess. Calum slowly circled his thumb over her clit, nearing her to her climax. She clenched around him, his name was at the tip of her tongue. All she needed were a few thrusts. But then she felt empty. She opened her eyes and saw Calum getting up from the bed. 

"You owe me a date, sweetheart."

Taglist: @another-lonely-heart ​​​ @sunshinebabycal ​​​   @calumscalm ​ ​@karajaynetoday ​​ @cherryxwildflower ​​​ @myloverboyash ​​​  @idontneedanyone ​​​ @findingliam-o ​​​ @5-secondsofcolor ​​​ @spicylftv ​​​ @sexgodashton @2fangirl4u @fckingpernico ​ @calpops ​

Special guests: @be-ready-when-i-say-go and @kindahoping4forever bc I named Michael and Ashton's significant others after them

[ketchupqueenboiiii]

Young Justice

A/N: Some cursing and poorly written fight scene. I will be making this a multichap fic, reposting it to its own work. Also name is a WIP.

@maribat-2k20

Whoosh.

Thump.

Clank-Clunk.

Repeat.

Happy Harbor doesn't make her very happy. But it doesn't make her that sad either. No different than New York City. But at least her Mama was there. The mother-daughter duo had made amends and Audrey invited Chloe to live with her in the city. It was nice, until Chloe got antsy. She itched to get out there and fight. But New York wasn't her turf and there were no bad guys to battle. Chloe also wasn't too keen on going to school in New York.

She was completely fine with video calling her Mari-bug, thank you very much. But even Mari saw that she needed to get back into the game.

"Bee, you can't have your only interaction being with your over-worked butler, your work-acholic mother, and your ex in Tibet." Mari's voice was hoarse from being out of breathe.

"You're just phrasing it weird. You're my best friend more than my ex. And Jean-Paul is not over-worked. He has off on Wednesdays and Sundays." Chloe responded flippantly and continued to file her nails on her sofa, which was placed right in front of the 85 inch flat screen mounted the wall of her room. She had linked her phone to the screen and webcam so she had a good view of her friend.

Mari gave her a unimpressed look while drying her head. She wore a pink sleeveless workout shirt with red flower designs sewn in and matching capris. She was also bald now. A guardian-in-training thing, Chloe was told when she first got the frantic call with the news. Her clothing choice was impressive since she lives in a temple in the mountains. Surrounded by snow.

"Chloe, you're lonely and you miss Sabrina. I can feel it from here." The pink clad girl said, before taking a sip from her matching water bottle.

"I'm not lonely, I have those trainers I practice with and I talk to Felix every now-" Chloe argued. But then was interrupted by her friend.

"You know, I think you should go to Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. And use Pollen and Stompp." She smiled as she cut off Chloe, tilting her head to the side with a content look on her face.

What. Chloe thought, head turning so fast to the screen she should have gotten whiplash.

"You should go. My instincts tell me that your gonna find something there. And as a Guardian-in-training, my instinct is usually right." Apparently Chloe said that thought out loud.

"Mari, I can't just leave. Mama has work in the city-" Chloe tried.

"Stop with the excuses, Chlo. Audrey has a headquarters in Happy Harbor, so she could just move her work there." Damn her preparedness and reasoning. Chloe stayed silent as she glared at her friend, even though it hasn't had an effect on Mari since they were ten-year-olds.

"And lucky for you, I already called Audrey to confirm it and she agrees that it's a good idea." Mari does a little dance, smirking with a wiggle of her shoulders and eyebrows. Fucking dammit, Mari-bug.

"I'll give it a chance." Chloe grumbles, a little peeved.

"Then get packing, honeybee, 'cause your leaving in three days."

Sometimes Chloe can't believe she still listens to her Bug's crazy plans.

~

Running across the roof tops in the middle of town. How inconspicuous. Was Mari trying to get her captured?

Now Chloe just felt stupid. She opened the screen of her top and prepared to arrange for another call with Mari when she felt a shift in the air. Someone was approaching, but she couldn't see anyone there. That wouldn't mean much though, since she had experience with invisible enemies.

Enemies, really? Even in death, you show her no respect. Sabrina should have-

Opponents. Invisible opponents. Chloe steadied her breath and banished the thoughts for another time. Faking ignorance, she tapped randomly on her top's screen.

The invisible entity came closer. And closer. Just a little closer. Almost within reach.

She grabbed a horn from her headset that doubled as a weapon and swung at the mysterious invisible person in one smooth motion. She grinned in satisfaction when she felt it hit something and heard it yelp in surprise. Or pain. Either was good.

Chloe looked over in time to see a green-skinned red-head girl lying on the ground, clearly disoriented by her surprise attack. Chloe's smile fell a bit when she envisioned a different red-head in her place, one much more familiar, thought only for a moment.

A memory of her faults and another thing that she lost.

She was quickly thrown out of her spiral when she saw two boys fall from out of a random place in the sky. Her instinct was to catch them and moved to do so before she saw the insignias on their chests.

"M'gann!" They yelled, probably because of the girl on the ground. Also, ever heard of code names?

Both boys wore a different emblem on their chests. After focusing on them, she recognized them to be the ones worn by the Superman and the Flash. So they must be their sidekick squad. The girl was probably Martian Manhunter's apprentice, since green skin and invisibility.

The boy with the Superman logo glared at her as a red and yellow blur came at her. The Flash's sidekick probably. And damn did whatever he did to her stomach sting.

Good thing she's an expert on stings. Her inner Adrikins was beside themselves laughing while every other part of her wanted to shake her head in exasperation.

Fighting a speedster was like fighting blind. Not something she particularly excelled at. All she could do was dodge as best as she could, which meant getting hit every eighth strike.

Chloe planted her feet and recalled everything Mari had told her during her probation and training period. Mari may not have been properly trained then, but she learned the ropes fast enough to teach everyone else;

"Every team's bound to have some variation of these core members. You need to be able to identify them. The heavy-hitter.

Probably Super-kid. For her, sometimes it was Adrien and others it was Rose using Stompp.

The strategist.

Redhead One or Redhead Two? Definitely not. Speedy over their just ran up to her and kept whooping her, it didn't seem like he had any other objective. And Mari, duh.

The one light on their feet.

Redhead Flash, obviously.

With the power of subjection, you must incapacitate the biggest threat. To you, the people, a team member, or the entire mission.

Looks like Redhead Flash is getting stung today. Serves him right, that hit was gonna bruise.

"Venom." She thinks, and thrusting her stinger-armed hand into where she predicted the boy would be. And she's right he comes to a complete stop, and, to her amusement, the momentum of his running caused him to face plant into the ground with a crack. His wrist probably, since a venom kept you from intentionally moving but allows movement by external forces.

Namely gravity and the concrete of the rooftop.

"Kid!" Exclaimed a young voice, probably from the figure falling from where the Redhead Flash and Super-kid fell from.

Super-kid helped up Redhead One and turned back to glare at Chloe again. She just smirked and armed herself with a top in her left hand and a horn in the other. To be honest, it look like an escrima stick.

A silent challenge hung in the air, each daring the other to move first. Though it actually gave her time to think up a plan. The most practical thing would be to jump off the side of the building, making it look like a retreat and then swing in to take him from behind. Yeah, that should work.

Chloe made a scene of contemplating fighting and running away, narrowing her eyes in thought. She ran to the edge of the roof top and jumped, briefly loosing herself to the nostalgia. Of the wind in her face and the adrenaline in her veins. It's been way too long since the last time she felt felt them.

She threw her top at the ledge of the roof, willing it to change into a grapple and swung her legs routinely. After doing this exact maneuver countless times before, she instinctively moved with just the right amount of force at just the right time. They used to call it the 'Mari Go Round', named after the girl who taught her the tact and the American nickname for a carrousel. Also because the swing takes you in a full circle.

Chloe straightened her legs in preparation to slam into his back, hopefully pushing him of the side of the building or at least give him some kind of injury with her heels. But he turned at the last minute and smacked her out of the air with his forearm. The bruise forming on her leg tells her that he has both super strength and invulnerability, since normal human strength wouldn't have sent so far and normal human arms would have broken if they tried to pull that trick.

The newest guest started throwing stuff at her. So Chloe quickly rose and jumped to the next building. She needed time to think.

Chloe wasn't here to fight the heroes, she here because Mari told she'd find something here. Maybe a lost miraculous, or guardian artifact. Or maybe someone-

"Boo." The young voice happily said, followed by giggles.

"Merde!" She shrieked, throwing one of her own boomerang weapons at the voice. Her eyebrows furrowed when she heard the unsatisfying noise of them imbedding themselves in the concrete.

She heard a fwuop and whoosh noise from the sidekick squad's direction, directly behind her. Not a good move on her part. She turned her head to see a net and inch from her face, leaving no room or time for escape.  She hit the ground with a thud, unable to get up due to the weight of the net. It likely was made for non-human threats. Not that Chloe wasn't human, but she was magically enhanced and that made her a lot stronger than one.

She felt hands pick her up and set her into a kneeling position, unknowingly giving her an  advantage. She quickly broke off the heel of her boot and hid it in her hand. They surrounded her, but were weirdly silent. They made faces at each other, like one would to convey emotion into words.

Redhead One tried to touch her forehead, and Chloe definitely wasn't having that. She summersaulted backwards into Super-kid, successfully knocking him down and allowing her to cut some of the net with the sharp side of her heel. Her legs were free now, and as she multi-tasked cutting the rest of the net, and dodging what ever the new guy was throwing at her and the now flying Redhead One, she ran and jumped as safely as she could.

Who was she trying to kid, that's what she'd tell Mari when this was over. Literally none of the stuff she does is safe.

Chloe landed on a roof top the one they fought on and she was so close to  getting the stupid weighted-net off her. As she finished cutting the last bit of the net and she reached for her top, she was bound again. This time by a... rope? Something like her weapon, just it was without a top or yoyo at the end and was... gold.

Oh, fuck.

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Do you have any headcanons for Madame Red and a fem reader having to keep their relationship a secret?

you can’t even believe how disgustingly soft I am........

ANNE

She’s really no stranger to having to hide things, now, is she? It’s a toss-up as to whether or not you’ll know about her other activities, but for the most part, she’s near fully open with only two people ― you and Grell. And that’s only because Grell makes it impossible for her not to be. You, though… you, Anne chooses to share everything with despite the fact that you have to hide everything else about your relationship. Not only does she really, truly want to be honest with you, it’s also a way to make up for the fact that you can’t do anything romantic in public. “You’re such a good sport about this, sweetie. I love you, and I owe it to you to give you as much of me as you’re willing to take.”

… That doesn’t mean it’s easy for the two of you having to hide everything. There are always times when one of you will want to take the other’s hand or give the other a kiss on the cheek, and you can’t. If anyone else is around, you have to shove your passion down and pretend as if she’s not the woman you’re in love with. It’s hard. Thankfully, though, most people are accepting of close physical friendships between women; nobody judges you for hugging each other, at least. You can hold onto her for as long as you want when you first meet or when you part and no one will bat an eye.

Faking an injury or illness so you can sneak into her office, who? There’s a little privacy there, and if you’re convincing, sometimes you can have a makeout session while she’s at work. You can get yourself up on the exam table, have her lock the door, and she’ll happily kiss you. She may even get a little risque and let her hands roam over your body… obviously, expecting you to do the same. If you went to all this trouble, you must be aching for her. Though she probably won’t let it get much farther than that seeing as she’s still got other patients to attend you and the thrill of the risk isn’t worth actually getting caught, she won’t leave you completely unsatisfied. After all, she has to come home at the end of the day. Provided you’ve kept the spark going, she’s all too eager to pick up where the two of you left off.

Often she takes you shopping simply so you can dress each other up in different cute outfits. To anyone else, it looks like two friends having a nice day out together, but rest assured that whenever you disappear into fitting rooms to help her tie ribbons and laces, she’s going to steal a kiss or two.

You know she’s been through a lot in her life, and you know about almost every single bit of it. There are times she can’t sleep, where she wanders the house making sure that all the candles and lamps are put out. The image of that fire is burned into her mind and it makes her paranoid. Sometimes she can’t do anything but lie in your arms and cry, with both arms around her stomach, asking you ― if you want to be with a woman, there are plenty of others, so why the hell do you want a broken woman? On more than one night, she’s had to practically throw you into the carriage and drive to the Phantomhive estate so she can make sure that Ciel hasn’t been taken from her again. She’s frayed at every edge, and some days, your love might be the only thing that’s threading through and holding her together.

You, unfortunately, have to deal with Grell. Quite a bit, particularly if you don’t have a career of your own. Grell is home all the time playing butler for Anne, avoiding their own work, and because of your proximity you’ve become their new favorite toy. Sometimes they give you a cup of tea and make pleasant conversation. Sometimes they pretend as if you don’t exist. Sometimes they complain that you’re making Anne too soft and taking away the brutality that they love about her. At some point you’re going to have to seek out a job just to get the bloody hell away from them.

Flower language, like, to the umpteenth degree. Anne likes to mix and match which she sends you on any given day. If she’s feeling incredibly passionate, you’ll get a lot of justicia to remind you of your perfect, feminine beauty. Very soft and you’ll get bridal roses to declare her happy love. When she wants to be cheeky, you get honey flowers and yellow acacia as a display of sweet, secret romance. On some days, she will physically hand you milk vetch, its message very clear: Your presence softens my pains. Although she doesn’t expect anything back, she’d be delighted if you give her any flowers in return.

She introduces you to Ciel as his “other aunt”, but reminds him that he must keep that a secret. He’s the most precious thing in her life, aside from you, and if anyone can be trusted with this, he can. Though he’s awfully dour for a young man, he never treats you differently than he would anyone else. When Anne starts bringing you more often when she visits him, it’s a positive sign that she’s very much settled into the relationship; you’re part of her family now, wife in all but name.

[jess-rewatches-prodigalson]

Face Value (S2, E7)

My time-stamped thoughts for this episode. As always I reference Malcolm’s mental health. A lot. So if that’s going to be a trigger for you, don’t keep reading.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

0:05 - Hold your horses. Malcolm taught at Quantico?!? I mean, I realize that he probably just did the occasional guest lecture (like most profilers?) but I’m still stupidly proud of him. <3 

0:50 - ngl Malcolm’s a good lecturer. Take it from a university student.

1:13 - “It’s okay. We don’t know what you did and it’s not that mu-....BREATHE” Holy shit. I’m torn between ranting about what a great actor Tom Payne is and losing my mind because this scene is heartbreaking. Look at Malcolm. I swear he’s reminding himself to breathe - not Ainsley. He’s completely panicking but he’s trying so hard to be strong for Ainsley. This boy is an absolute treasure. Brother of the CENTURY. 

1:41 - “You’re right Ainsley. I screwed up.” NO NO NO NO NO. Can you hear the sound of my heart shattering?!? This scene is so much more devastating the second time. When you know Ainsley is putting ON A SHOW HERE. Look at Malcolm’s face. He’s devastated. He blames himself for AINSLEY’S actions. He’s starting to genuinely believe that he’s no better than Martin Whitly. Malcolm’s depression/anxiety is through the roof in this episode. I honestly won’t be shocked if Malcolm has a complete mental breakdown in the next few episodes. Hell, I don’t think I’d be surprised if he tries to OD on his meds. This boy is in crisis and I’m terrified for him. 

1:44 - “I think I did too.”.....this line is interesting. Is this part of Ainsley’s act or is she showing some regret for putting Malcolm through this much emotional torment? She can clearly see that this whole situation is literally destroying her brother’s already fragile peace of mind. 

1:55 - “Today could be the day!”.....the day that everyone finds out about Endicott and Ainsley.....seriously, Malcolm’s daily affirmations this season have done nothing but feed his anxiety. 

2:04 - OF COURSE. A call from Martin. Malcolm is going to have a mental breakdown. It’s just everything. All at once. I’m getting secondhand anxiety FOR him. 

2:35 - hahaha Martin is a crazy, evil, pain in the ass but damn is he entertaining. 

2:55 - 1) Ainsley looks adorable in Malcolm’s hoodie. 2) Ainsley straight up leaves his loft later in this episode. Did she hid a change of clothes in the loft before Malcolm got home last night? Or does she actually leave her big brother’s apartment in his clothes? 

3:05 - “Getting hit by a train might be better.” Yep. Malcolm is entering a dangerous territory. I know depression is different for everyone but for me, when I start joking - out loud - to people I love about death in passing....things are bad. Like I’m getting suicidal bad. I know Malcolm has a morbid job and he talks about death all the time but this feels like Malcolm is starting to consider suicide as an option. 

3:34 - I can see Ainsley’s “You were trying to control me” perspective. BUT honestly? Take a step back and listen to the desperation and fear in Malcolm’s voice. Anyone with half a brain cell can HEAR how scared Malcolm is and how deeply he loves his sister. Ainsley has known Malcolm her entire life. If she was functioning on all cylinders - she would know that Malcolm is just being a protective big brother. He’s not trying to control her - just help her. But this has been a theme for Ainsley since season 1 when she brought up visiting Martin during family dinner. She seems to believe that Jessica and Malcolm think that she’s a “fragile flower” and that she can’t take care of herself. I understand how that could be frustrating but I also find it concerning that Ainsley doesn’t seem to understand that they aren’t treating her that way because they think she’s weak or stupid but rather out of love. Ainsley acts like a petulant child about this sort of thing (anger, whining, eye-rolling). Ainsley acts very entitled a lot, in the sense that if something doesn’t go her way she just throws a hissy fit (think reporting and/or any Whitly family squabble). Ainsley is messed up. Unlike Malcolm, she doesn’t seem to have any self-awareness when it comes to her behavioural eccentricities. Malcolm actively tries to improve his mental state. Ainsley just throws a hissy fit when the world doesn’t bend to her will.....and this stream of consciousness Ainsley rant just became wayyyyy longer than I had anticipated (sorry). 

3:41 - “Promise me.” See that look? Ainsley is pissed at Malcolm. This girl’s anger is concerning me.......what if (crazy thought) the season finale is Martin escaping Claremont to stop Ainsley from killing Malcolm? 

3:43 - I wish I could be happier about this hug. Malcolm is finally getting a hug but.....he instigated it and he’s not the one being comforted sooooooooo I’m still unsatisfied. 

3:49 - “Hey, you look...terrible.” SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS DANI!! God. I love how concerned she is about Malcolm. IDC how you feel about Brightwell. If you don’t think they’re good friends - you’re a moron. 

4:05 - This is the moment when I went....oooohhhh yeah. LDP directed this episode. That’s probably why he’s not in this scene. 

4:10 - JT is a GOOD husband. Give him a medal. Seriously - last season he was going to watch the Taylor wedding live with Tally (who was going to wear a hat <3 ), this season Mr. Masculine casually throws out stats about the Housewives. hahaha I don’t even care if JT genuinely enjoys the Housewives or not. I’m just so utterly delighted at the idea of him watching it with his wife and having a good time with her. <3 JT is the definition of a good husband and I’m HERE FOR IT. 

4:34 - .......seriously? I thought Edrisa had realized that this crush is unrequited last season? I love Edrisa but her obsession with Malcolm is getting a little creepy. Like “13 year old in love with the 40 year old math teacher” creepy. It’s sort of cute but also like - gurl. No.

4:38 - Ok. Dani’s reaction to Edrisa hitting on Malcolm saves the scene for me. Lol.

4:51 - Ugh. That is a really creepy corpse.

4:56 - Look. We’ve all obsessed about it already but I have to bring it up: MALCOLM STILL HAS THE BRUISE FROM THE ELEVATOR. SOMEONE GIVE THE MAKEUP DEPARTMENT A MEDAL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING MALCOLM’S PHYSICAL TRAUMA.

5:21- ......ok maybe I’m projecting my cynicism here but anyone who has framed newspaper clippings about themselves in their office is seriously egocentric. Maybe it’s just me - but that’s a massive turn off and takes someone out of the running for “angel” status.

6:10 - I’m sorry for every time I thought Jessica was a crazy rich lady during season 1. Birdie is so so so much crazier.

6:36 - “Only the men you date.” Bitch. OMG. Who says something that backhanded and cruel to their sibling?!?!? ......oh wait. I remember how this episode ends :|

7:15 - THANK YOU. I’ve been wondering about the status of Martin’s medical certification since I watched the pilot. SO happy to find out that he couldn’t weasel his way into keeping it.

7:37 - Like most of you, I’ve been creeped out by this whole Martin/Capshaw interaction since it was released as a promo clip. Seriously - it’s creepy. There’s an upsetting amount of subtle flirting here. I’m not sure what it is about Capshaw but her whole energy is just really unnerving to me. I immediately hated her in the promo. Istg Capshaw is an undercover serial killer or something. AND IF SHE BECOMES A LOVE INTEREST FOR MARTIN I WILL LOSE MY SHIT.

8:06 - Oh yeah. She’s either romantically interested in Martin or she’s a psychopath on the DL and is playing him.

8:12 - YAY!!! The Yankee mug returns!!! <3

8:34 - “Sometimes the most monstrous people are the ones hiding in plain sight.” Ouch. I know the writers like to project Malcolm’s emotional turmoil on the case of the week but hearing those words come out of Gil’s mouth?!? Ouch. That hurt Malcolm. Bad. It wasn’t even directed at Malcolm but damn. This is not helping his mental health. At all.

8:41 - Gil. Is. Concerned. <3 :) .....pretty sure Gil also suspects about Endicott and Ainsley by now too. .....hmmmmm maybe that comment about monsters was Gil’s way of trying to get Malcolm to confess (or to gauge Malcolm’s reaction)?  

9:15 - I feel so bad for Malcolm here. He’s literally juggling everyone’s problems. Ainsley’s murder situation. Jessica’s personal drama. But is he dealing with his emotional problems? No. He’s too busy being a good son/brother. SOMEONE PAY ATTENTION TO MALCOLM. HE NEEDS A HUG.

9:35 - Deer. In. Headlights. Well....at least Dani knows Malcolm’s about to have a mental breakdown. This boy just got more information to help him crack a murder case and he looks confused, startled, and lost. He’s usually excited and motivated. This Endicott situation is slowly killing Malcolm. I don’t know how much longer he can struggle under the weight of the guilt.

9:48 - Look at this. Ainsley is pissed off that Malcolm isn’t paying attention to her. We know that this whole 2nd murder was a sham so WTF? Is she really just that hungry for attention? That sounds like Martin Whitly to me - the narcissistic psychopath who needs attention like an addict needs cocaine. Also AINSLEY’S acting here?!? We know that she’s lying to Malcolm but holy shit. She’s a really good actress/liar? What else has she lied about?!? 

10:05 - Ok. So just when did Ainsley remember? I honestly think she’s known since at least 2x01.

10:20 - Look. I understand that Ainsley is pissed that Malcolm is trying to ‘control her’. But did she even listen to the desperation and fear in his voice? This boy wants her to stay in the loft because he’s scared of who she might hurt if she’s out in public, unsupervised. He’s not trying to abuse or hurt her - just protect her. Is he misguided -maybe? Should he have called the cops on Ainsley right away - probably. But he didn’t out of love. Ainsley doesn’t even seem to realize how much this whole situation is hurting Malcolm and that’s the biggest problem. She doesn’t show any remorse at killing Endicott. She’s just pissed off that Malcolm lied about it. SHE KILLED SOMEONE an she (outwardly at least) feels no remorse. This girl is a psychopath (sociopath?) and this will NOT end well for Malcolm and Jessica.  

10:27 - This whole scene was awesome btw. Tom Payne flawlessly communicated Malcolm’s panic, fear, anger, and desperate attempts to stay calm. And Dani’s blatant concern (and suspicion) of Malcolm and his mental state.  AND Ainsley being a little brat. Ugh. So beautiful.

10:45 - I love this scene. I love the fact that they have the type of friendship where Dani’s not afraid to call Malcolm out on his crap (trying to hide things from the team). I love that Malcolm isn’t offended that Dani called him out. He doesn’t lie. Ainsley is lost at the moment. Malcolm is more honest with Dani about how the whole Ainsley thing is affecting him than he is with anyone else. I love that Dani still looks suspicious and concerned. I love watching Dani piece this whole thing together. I’m honestly at a point where I think Dani is going to know about Endicott before Gil. I love that Dani gives Malcolm honest, judgement-free advise. Because she doesn’t like seeing how much pain Malcolm is in. I love that Malcolm isn’t completely shutting her out. <3

11:00 - “What if she already has?”.....yep. Dani is totally piecing the Endicott situation together. 

11:09 - “I’m overthinking it.” THIS. There is a split second where you can see the betrayal on Dani’s face. She knows Malcolm is hiding something and she’s hurt that he doesn’t trust her enough to let her in. She’s also probably hurt because she views this as a lie - which brings back 1x20 memories. 

11:35 - “Even when they’re as beautiful as you.” Ugh. I love this so so so so much. Look at how Dani absolutely lights up at Malcolm’s unintentional compliment. I relate to Dani in the sense that I’m a woman in a male dominated field (engineering). I can’t tell you how often men that she works with have probably objectified her, belittled her, and sexualized her. Malcolm isn’t doing this. He doesn’t call her hot. He doesn’t comment on her body or how she dresses. He doesn’t even acknowledge that she’s a woman. He just calls her beautiful. But he does it in a way that you can tell he’s being genuine. He doesn’t expect anything in return for the compliment. He’s not trying to play the long game. He’s just thinks she’s beautiful. He doesn’t even realize that he said it. BECAUSE Malcolm is in profiler mode. He’s focused on the murder - not Dani. He mentioned that Dani’s beauty off-handedly because 1) he believes it and 2) it was relevant to his profiling train of thought. BUT LOOK AT HOW MUCH IT MEANT TO DANI. <3 <3 <3

12:00 - Why is Chabra exiled to the corner of the room?!?! Someone explain this tomfoolery. Is it literally to just get across that Chabra is not the alpha in this corrupt plastic surgery business?!?

12:16 - Ew. Please never say YOLO. Ever. It’s cringy when kids say it but it’s so so so much worse when someone over 25 says it. 

12:18 - hhahahahahahaha OMG. Dani’s face after he says “yolo”. 

12:31 - Yep. This dude is an asshole. DO NOT try to convince Malcolm to get plastic surgery. The dude has enough problems without adding dysmorphia to the mix. 

12:41 - Yep. Chabra is the little puppy that follows Donahue around and does the grunt work.

12:50 - LOOK AT THE NOD DONAHUE GIVES CHABRA when Chabra denies that stock has gone missing. Can you arrest someone for being a rich, corrupt, asshole?! Ugh. Hate him. 

13:20 - Ugh. I really want to know more about Dani’s past. Who in the NYPD tried to belittle, micromanage, or sexualize her just because she’s a woman?

13:30 - “I want Donahue to be the bad guy.” PREACH SISTER.

13:48 - “Easy. We just isolate him with our own alpha males.” hahaha OMG. LET”S GO. I was so pumped when this scene cut to JT and Gil. BUT I was also a little sad. Malcolm doesn’t consider himself to be an alpha male (I mean, he’s not) but it really just drove home to be that Malcolm sees himself as broken. Gil has been Malcolm’s positive male role model for years. But Malcolm doesn’t think he’s anything like Gil. Malcolm thinks he’s broken where Gil is whole, weak where Gil is strong, and bad when Gil is good. It just sort of broke my heart. 

14:00 - hahaha Chabra is just a wimp. Watching Gil and JT play angry cop, calm cop was so so so good though. <3 

14:05 - This was the moment that I remembered LDP was directing this episode. I’m not usually someone who notices camera work or anything but this was a really cool shot. 

15:00 - Oh c’mon. Seriously? Edrisa’s crush has gone too far. She knows he doesn’t like her romantically. Everyone knows it. Please stop this. I’m getting secondhand embarrassment. 

15:16 - Did Edrisa think they were going to do it in the morgue?!? Those flowers?!? Like wtf. I can’t. 

15:29 - I’ll give props to Malcolm here. He’s being really kind to Edrisa here. BUT HE NEEDS TO TELL HER HE’S NOT INTERESTED BECAUSE SHE’S CLEARLY NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE. 

15:33 - Ugh. Look at how uncomfortable Malcolm is. This is upsetting.

16:08 - “What?!? How do you -” Panic. Pure panic in Malcolm’s eyes. Damn. This boy is spiralling. Someone needs to find out about Endicott. Malcolm can’t keep trying to protect Ainsley and Jessica alone. It’s literally killing him. 

17:14 - “All she could see was the ugliness she felt inside.” “That’s a sad way to live.” .........the parallels between the plastic surgery, dysmorphia, and vengeful crime of the week to Malcolm’s current mental health and Ainsley’s crime is slowly killing me. I’m honestly getting annoyed that the other characters aren’t picking up on all the subtle references Malcolm’s making to the fact that he thinks he’s a monster. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO COMFORT HIM. THAT’S ALL. WHY IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK FEDAK!??! 

17:30 - Another point to the Dani/Malcolm friendship. She takes out the gun and pushes Malcolm back. Is she trying to protect him? Technically, yes. BUT she’s just doing her job. I love that Malcolm respects Dani enough to let her take charge and do her job. I love that he’s secure enough about his masculinity to let her. 

18:15 - Yikes. This woman is 90% plastic. Cosmetic plastic surgery is terrifying. 

20:16 - Another reminder of the woman’s ward. Either Sophie Sanders or Ainsley is going to end up in that ward soon (I’m still half-convinced that Sophie is going to appear out of the woodwork and take the fall for Endicott). 

21:49 - “...convinced her that she would never have a career unless she looked the part.” <3 Look at how disgusted Gil is when Dani tells him that. Gil is a good man and I love him forever. <3 

22:33 - I love this. Dani and Gil are both concerned about Malcolm and communicating it in looks. It won’t be long until there’s a team intervention for Malcolm’s mental health (or at least, that’s my headcanon - if someone wants to write me a fic about it I’ll love you forever).

22:44 - WTF GIL. WHY AREN’T YOU ASKING MALCOLM WHAT’S WRONG?!?! IS IT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY KNOW AND YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT IT YET?!?! 

22:49 -.....soooooo does this mean that Gil already knew that Birdie existed?!? How often did Birdie appear after Martin’s arrest?!?! I WANT DETAILS.

23:06 - Holy shit. Look at that little smirk Ainsley shoots Malcolm when he first walks in and sees her. Ainsley is maliciously toying with Malcolm and I DON”T LIKE IT.

23:14 - Jessica is concerned. I promise you Ainsley and Malcolm have rarely - if ever - fought like this in front of her. I was raised in single parent home after my abusive dad left. I know how that changes the sibling dynamic. No matter how genuinely pissed off you are - you don’t stress Mom out more. If you’re just annoyed with each other and doing regular ‘sibling squabbling’ - then you whine and argue in front of Mom. But if you’re seriously angry with each other - you deal with it when Mom isn’t home to see it because no matter what - you both appreciate how hard Mom is working to keep what’s left of your family together. 

23:28 - “Malcolm. Looking more like your father every day.” BITCH. Did she just say that because she watched Malcolm go off on Ainsley? Sure, Malcolm was a little controlling (probably similar to a situation Birdie witnessed between Jess and Martin back in the day) but HOLY SHIT. That is your nephew. Maybe he’s having a bad day. Maybe being told he resembles a serial killer is really damaging to his already fragile pysche. I don’t like Birdie. AND I DON”T LIKE THAT JESSICA DOESN”T STAND UP FOR MALCOLM HERE. 

24:00 - I don’t like this. These Martin+Capshaw scenes are really hard to watch. Martin is still acting like Martin - manipulative, egotistic, manicA. But he’s also acting like a professional doctor (an asshole doctor but still). It’s really disconcerting to watch Capshaw take his medical opinion seriously. Plus - there’s something about Capshaw that creeps me out. I just haven’t figured out what it is yet. But I’m pretty sure she’s a bad lady.  

24:16 - “What bit should I use?” - See this? No. Just...no. I don’t like how she’s taking Martin’s medical advise to heart so readily. 

25:04 - Why was Martin allowed to watch the procedure?!? He’s clearly getting a sick amount of pleasure from the blood and drilling. Look at the way Martin grins at Capshaw too. Martin is planning out an entire scheme to manipulate Capshaw into helping him escape. You can see the metaphoric lightbulb above his head. 

25:29 - This meal. Seriously. Was I the only one who got a glimpse of the meat in a red sauce and thought “human meat”?!? No wonder Malcolm’s main food group is liquorice. 

25:44 - Poor Jessica. She is not having a good time. Jessica’s behaviour in this scene is really interesting though. Jessica repeatedly shoots apologetic looks at Malcolm. She looks at Ainsley with fear. She looks super uncomfortable. She’s not saying much because she desperately wants a relationship with her sister but she also doesn’t want to belittle her son’s career. She’s proud of Malcolm - in her own way. 

26:00 - “The family trust fund would run dry.” hahahahaha YES MALCOLM. THROW THAT SHADE. hahahaha

26:23 - “Most of the time anyway” Wow. Uncalled for. I know Ainsley is mad but this isn’t cool. I have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that Birdie has been approached by Europol about the Endicott murder. I have this terrifying notion that Birdie is trying to collect intel so she can sell the information to Europol. If I’m right (which I’m probably not) this comment will not help Malcolm’s case.

26:41 - hahaha look at how annoyed Jessica is. Is she annoyed because her children are openly fighting in front of their Aunt when Jessica wants to portray the “perfect, undamaged family”? Or is Jessica annoyed because what Ainsley just said was out of line and she’s scared of Ainsley right now?

27:02 - “Why would you do that? I told you I would handle everything.” This. This is why I will argue that Ainsley is way out of line. Yes, Malcolm is sort of trying to control her. BUT listen to his words, the desperation and fear in his voice. Malcolm is trying to protect Ainsley. Ainsley has every right to be annoyed with him but if she was functioning at an adult mental capacity she’d be able to see that he isn’t being malicious. 

27:35 - The fact that Birdie is a backstabbing, lying bitch is so frustrating to me. Look at how badly Jessica wants to have a healthy relationship with her little sister. Jessica just wants a girl-friend to confide in and drink with. I’m heartbroken that Martin stole that from her. 

28:05 - I know LDP was directing this episode but JT or Dani should’ve called Malcolm. Why? This conversation between Gil and Malcolm (WHEN GIL IS WEARING HIS COAT) just makes me wonder - where is Gil going? JT is at Donahue’s apartment. Dani and Malcolm are going to talk to Chabra. Where is Gil going?!? 

29:07 - ....how did Donahue get the coke into the cheetah? Was there a release thingy (like in a piggy bank) that Malcolm just elected not to use in the panic of the moment? 

29:14 - “What else would you hide in a cheetah?” hahahahahaha

29:40 - “No. No. Only if I got the dose wrong.” Yikes. Malcolm is operating in full panic mode here. This is not good for his mental health. 

30:08 - “This is the worst cooking show ever.” hahaha this was hilarious but cooking show? What? Do I not watch enough of those? Because I don’t see the link. 

30:38 - The moment when Malcolm looks at Dani with fear. He thinks he just killed Chabra and he’s terrified that Dani is looking at him with hatred. :( 

30:46 - The two seconds when Malcolm thinks he killed someone. Look at his face. That boy is broken. Again - if he doesn’t have a full on mental breakdown soon I’m going to be so annoyed with the writers because NO HUMAN CAN WITHSTAND THIS MUCH TRAUMA THIS QUICKLY - WITHOUT ANY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT - AND COME OUT FUNCTIONAL. 

31:03 - “I do not miss drugs.” :O Dani :( Sweetie <3 Ugh. This line was heartbreaking because it hurts to remember that Dani had a drug problem. But it’s also really great. She was just in front of 1 gram of cocaine. She didn’t grab for it. It didn’t reawaken the urge to use in her. She was strong enough to say “I don’t miss this life” and say it OUT LOUD in front of Malcolm. <3 Friendship. She’s starting to trust Malcolm more. This is good....until she finds out about Endicott. 

31:45 - Wait. If Birdie knew about Endicott and Jessica.....does she know about Gil?!?!

31:49 - “Trust but verify.” That’s such a heartbreaking way to live. I hate that she has to live in a world without trust because of what Martin did. I want Jessica to be happy. So so badly. 

32:06 - .....how did Jessica find out about the book?!!?! Seriously.

32:17 - “Mummy”. Mrs. Milton is alive?!?! What. OMG. So....but how? Jessica is living in the Milton family home. Jessica is rich. But Birdie has been cut off from the family money. However, it’s clear from this conversation that Jessica and her mother aren’t on speaking terms. So how did this work? When did Jessica move into the Milton family home and why? Where is Jessica’s money coming from? Did Jessica invest her trust fund money smartly and make a fortune? Does Jessica still have access to the Milton family bank accounts?!? AND WHERE IS JESSICA’S DAD?!!? I WANT MORE INFORMATION FEDAK. 

32:49 - Malcolm is his mother’s son. Look at this. Jessica is so hurt by what Birdie has done. However, Jessica sighs, takes a breath and helps her little sister out at the cost of causing herself pain. Malcolm would do the exact same for Ainsley. He has. 

33:40 - “And do we need to talk about last night?!?” Gil has been different this season. Less soft. More strict. 

33:51 - Look at how Gil stares at Dani here. He’s annoyed and concerned. Concerned because she was in close proximity to drugs last night. Annoyed because he created a monster. Gil put together is badass, sarcastic daughter with his unstable, awkward son and they are creating a headache for him.

34:41 - “even for consultants?” hahaha

36:50 - The irony that our killer of the week is a woman who is in pain, feels disfigured, and murders in revenge is so so thick. 

37:18 - “It’s enough to drive anyone insane”.....like the emotional pain that Malcolm is currently suffering from?

38:42 - “The best revenge is letting him live like this.” The moment Malcolm realized that Ainsley was manipulating him. Look at the hurt and fear on his little face. :( 

39:00 - Ugh. I can’t tell who’s manipulating who in this whole Capshaw+Martin relationship but it’s all gross. I swear if they become romantic I will puke. These two are a psychopathic match made in heaven. 

40:08 - I could write essays upon essays about this final scene but I need to sleep. So it’s going into point form without time stamps:

First off - Halston Sage and Tom Payne give us an AMAZING performance in this scene and they deserve an Emmy for it. Seriously. 

Look at how Ainsley walks into the room. She’s self-satisfied. She feels no remorse. She’s pleased that Malcolm has been suffering. 

Look at how utterly empty Malcolm is when he greets Ainsley. This boy is in shock. He’s so deeply hurt and he just had one of his greatest fears confirmed - Ainsley is like Martin. 

“Do you have any idea what you put me through?!?” This. Yes, Malcolm is upset and hurt but there’s a part of me that genuinely thinks this question isn’t rhetorical. There’s a part of me that thinks Malcolm is desperately trying to get Ainsley to admit to feeling remorse so that he can convince himself that his baby sister isn’t gone forever. 

“Do you?” Ainsley is mad. She has a right to be. Malcolm did lie to her. He probably should’ve told her the truth. HOWEVER, if Ainsley was a functional adult - she would’ve just confronted Malcolm about it. She has every right to be pissed but her behaviour has been downright petty, juvenile, and cruel. 

“Underestimated me. For months.” Is this the root of Ainsley’s anger? She mentioned something similar in 1x6 when Jessica and Malcolm tried to stop her from visiting Martin. She resents Jessica and Malcolm for treating her like a child. For trying to protect her from Martin. On one hand, I understand - that’s probably suffocating and frustrating. On the other hand, Ainsley’s acting like a child so....why wouldn’t they treat her like one?

“I have given up everything for you!! I don’t even know who I am anymore.” This breaks me. Malcolm is screaming through tears. He’s so utterly broken (this doesn’t count as a mental breakdown Fedak....you better give me more). Malcolm is rightfully frustrated that Ainsley doesn’t acknowledge that he literally threw out his moral code to protect her. That when this gets out - his relationship with his only real friends since he was 10 years old (JT and Dani) will probably want nothing to do with him. Malcolm probably thinks that Gil will abandon him WHEN the Endicott thing comes out. Malcolm has thrown his fragile mental health down the drain to protect Ainsley. He thinks he’s a monster. Yes. Malcolm made the choice to protect Ainsley. Ainsley doesn’t have to be grateful. She doesn’t have to respect his decision. But acknowledging that his decision was made out of love would sure help. Malcolm wanted to be a good big brother so badly that he threw away his sense of self.

“Protect me? Or control me?” Wow. Okay. I get it. Ainsley feels controlled which is bad for someone who likes being in control. But Malcolm was never trying to control Ainsley. Malcolm was trying to control a situation. Not a person. Is what Malcolm did right? No, lying to Ainsley wasn’t a great choice. But telling her the truth also wasn’t a great choice. He was damned either way. 

“For someone who spent the last few decades trying to recover from being gaslight; it’s ironic how quickly you resorted to it.” Uncalled for. Was Malcolm gaslighting Ainsley? Technically, yes. HOWEVER, one of the main criteria for gaslighting is that the gaslighter is aware that they’re gaslighting someone. I honestly don’t think Malcolm realized he was gaslighting Ainsley - look at his face when she mentions it: he looks heartbroken. BESIDES. How is AINSLEY NOT GASLIGHTING MALCOLM RIGHT NOW?!?! “That’s exactly what Dad would say.” She’s trying to convince Malcolm that he’s just like Martin. She’s made him believe that she murdered a second person. She made him an accomplice to her fake murder. She knowingly continued with this ruse after he came clean and told her the truth. And he was nothing but supportive and protective. Malcolm helped her hide a body. Why is Ainsley playing the victim?! 

Look at the torture on Malcolm’s face right before he apologizes to Ainsley for lying to her. This boy is being gaslight and he doesn’t even realize it. 

FURTHERMORE I DON’T RECALL AINSLEY APOLOGIZING TO MALCOLM FOR MAKING HIM 1) HIDE A BODY, 2) LIE TO THEIR MOM, 3) LIE TO GIL, 4) AN ACCOMPLICE TO A SECOND (FAKE) MURDER, 5) LYING TO MALCOLM ABOUT THE SECOND MURDER. She just says, “Maybe it was a little over the top.” Come on. No. 

“I appreciate that.” SERIOUSLY. Ainsley doesn’t even have the curtesy to say “I’m sorry too.” or “I know you did what you thought was best”?!? Her response feels bitter and angry. She doesn’t forgive Malcolm. She’s still livid despite the fact that her brother is literally breaking apart in front of her. There’s no questioning the genuineness of Malcolm’s apology. That’s sincere pain and remorse. 

This whole scene is super disturbing because Malcolm is on the verge of tears. He’s visibly upset. Yet - Ainsley is channeling a quiet, disassociating anger (similar to what she looked like right before she murdered Endicott). She’s completely consumed by anger. She’s not acting rationally and it’s really disconcerting to watch the contrast between the two siblings. 

“I had to make sure that you were never going to mess with my head again.” .....you know, a functional adult human (hell, even a half-functional adult human) would just verbally confront their sibling about it. They probably wouldn’t fully trust or forgive their sibling right away but they wouldn’t pull a stunt as cruel and malicious as Ainsley just pulled on Malcolm. The problem with Ainsley’s behaviour vs. Malcolm’s is this: Ainsley is intentionally hurting Malcolm out of anger. Ainsley wants revenge. Malcolm reacted out of fear and panic to protect Ainsley. Malcolm just wants to be a good big brother. Neither of them are perfectly in the right but Ainsley is so so so out of line. 

“You need to lighten up. We got away with it.” Ainsley is a serial killer. Say it from the rooftops. This is the first time she’s shown an emotion other than anger/disassociation all episode. Ainsley is happy that they got away with it. Malcolm is crumpling under the guilt and grief but Ainsley is happy. 

“No one does this murder stuff better than us.” Holy shit. I can’t. Malcolm looks so so so heartbroken here. He just realized that his sister is gone forever. AND AINSLEY damn. This girl needs some serious help. She’s going to kill again. She liked it the first time. I bet you she slaughtered the pig just to get her fix. She could’ve boughten the pig’s blood from a butcher shop or something but I bet you she killed the pig herself. And I bet you she liked it.

Hoxley is a flamboyant gay and a cocky profiler. That’s just a fact. 

I can’t. Alan Cummings will always be the villain from Spy Kids to me. I don’t know how I’m going to take Hoxley seriously. 

Yoooooo Endicott’s head is creepy af. 

Damn. This isn’t good. Hoxley is going to ruin Malcolm’s life. I can feel it. 

Okay. I loved this episode. I have a lot of feelings about it (obviously). I’m so bitter that we have to wait until April 13th for the next episode. See you guys next time. If you read this far - thanks for hanging out. 

[nitaescence]

Beauté de marbre

pairing : sculptor!Tae x reader genre : artist!au word count : 3.8k

summary — Taehyung, a formerly renowned artist, slowly reconnects with his art and catches himself falling for a girl whom sculpting leaves indifferent. That is until the day he discovers she is the critique’s daughter who caused his downfall after her libellious review on his latest work.

warnings — clay play?? oral, unprotected sex

moodboard

“Why did you step too hard?” Laughs Taehyung.

“It’s not my fault.” You pout watching him grab with one hand the big piece of clay that you’ve just sent crashing to the ground. “You set the speed too high.”

He slams the clay hard on the wheel, startling you.

He huffs, “right, my mistake.” He wets his hands and bends over you, “wan’ me centring it for you?” You nod with a small pout. He steps on the pedal and the turntable begins rotating at a nice pace. “Scoot forward a bit.”

You allow him to sit on the large stool behind you and focus on his hands expertly pressing the rough ball of clay up and down repeatedly. The muscles in his arms bulge a little in his attempt to get a perfect rotational symmetry.

He carefully retreats his hand when he hears you whine as your way to show your will to take over.

“You good on your own?”

You nod while wetting your hands. “You can go now.”

Taehyung stands up, takes two steps back and rubs his cheek with the back of his wrist, observing you trying to make a centred hollow. “Don’t need to go any faster.”

His lips stretch in a crooked smile when you don’t answer, totally focused.

His eyes travel down your back to the short shorts half-covering your enticing curves when you sit up. He chews his gum again while ogling your thighs and legs involuntarily tensing, making him twitch in his pants.

You catch him staring and whine, “go!”

He grins cheekily. “‘Right… I’m leaving you alone.”

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

His desire got the better of him and half an hour later, you hear him shuffling back in his workshop where you are still busy making pottery.

You haven’t changed your position on the stool and so he decides to sit back behind you. You feel his hand sneak between your legs to lean on the small free space you left of the chair, molding his chest to your back.

He nuzzles your hair, “are you done?”

“Hm, I finished the first ball,” you explained without averting your eyes from the ball of clay flattening under your fingers.

Taehyung finds your creation sitting on the small table on the left. He pulls away from you to take a closer look at the small vase. It isn’t the best one but to him it looks perfect.

“What’s wrong with you?” He wonders to himself. “At this rate, Jimin will ask you to teach instead of me.”

You smile at his words, remembering the small workshop adjoining Jimin’s flower shop he works in as a pottery teacher.

He puts the object back on the table and rests his head on your shoulder.

“Aaah,” you sigh and stretch your neck and shoulders. “I can’t do this.”

“Why, why, why?” He asks when he feels you resting against him. “Are you giving up?”

You nod, sulking. He chuckles looking down at you. “What’s wrong? What are you trying to make?”

You sit up and smile embarrassed, “I don’t even know. I just want to shape the walls with the same thickness but I’m just making the hole larger.”

“Want me to help?” He leans forward as well and rests his arms on your thighs. You nod. “Let’s see.”

He wets his hands and you withdraw yours.

“Let’s just start again. It’ll be easier that way.”

He nimbly prepares a third ball until he’s about to open it. He guides your hand on the wet clay and together you start hollowing it until the hole is big enough for your hands to go in.

“Put your hand here and the other one here,” he mumbles as he places you. “Keep track of the pressure you apply with your fingers.”

“No,” you cry when you feel him letting go, making him whine in return.

“You’re doing good.”    

He keeps one hand on yours and makes circles with his hurting shoulder.

“See? You’re learning fast.” He kisses the crook of your neck.

Without you realizing it, you’re left shaping on your own.

The heady scent of your hair stirs his initial motive and has him pressing his half hard-on against your ass as his coated hands trail along your thighs.

“Tae…”

He hums in response, relishing the rush of blood you’re causing, swelling him rapidly. You’re feeling it and your hands are getting weaker.

“I’m gonna mess it all over again.” You whimper while he’s lifting up your shirt and smears clay on your naked breasts.

“Forget about it, I want you.” He moans in your ear when your ass rubs his cock . His hand cups your jaw to guide and trap your mouth in his. You welcome his dominant tongue and melt in his touch but part to grunt after he’s begun to rub your clit over your shorts, nudging harder the tent in his pants.  

You feel yourself getting wetter but his fingers regrettably become unsatisfying. You take your feet off the pedal just in time when you’ve eventually realised the wheel’s picked up in pace.

A yelp of surprise leaves you when Taehyung effortlessly lifts and puts you down on the table nearby, growing quickly impatient as well. He helps you out of your clothes and undresses himself while you’re kissing him and painting his chest, neck and the hair at his nape.

You glance down and feel yourself clenching instantly at the sight of his painfully hard erection standing thick and throbbing in front of your bare sex. You desperately need a taste of him.

Taehyung catches your lips again and gently lays you on your back, following you in the motion not to break the kiss.

You moan in his mouth, he breaks apart to nibble on your neck as he steadily humps his leaking cock against your sensitive entrance and clit.

“It’s so slippery,” he grunts against your skin, gripping firmly on the edge of the table to rub himself harder. The clay has dried on your hands but you’re still able to feel the softness of his hair when your fingers interlace it.

Bottom lip trapped between your teeth, you claw his asscheek, your hand acting as an incentive to him.

“Baby…”

He cranes his neck to gaze down at you, a subtle frown adorning his gorgeous face. “What’s wrong babe?” He smirks at your frustrated look, “can’t take it anymore?”

“I’m fucking going crazy...”  

His eyes travel down naturally when you arch your back to leer at your chest pushing up directly in his face. His open mouth waters. His deep voice leaves him in a restrained whimper, “baby… Fuck…I can’t hold it.”

He supports himself above you, high enough to be able to visually guide his cock inside you without his hands.

You feel your pussy clenching expectantly every time his swollen tip brushes or pokes at your drenched entrance.

“Fuck,” he groans disgruntled. “I can’t put it in.”

“Let’s just go shower.”

Taehyung pulls you back to him to kiss and grope you while you wait for the water to get to the ideal temperature.

He washes his hands and turns you around. You crane your neck to the side to kiss him again while his palms rub your breasts clean. His fingers start playing with your pointing nipples and your hand presses on his nape.

“Let me suck on them,” he whines, turning you back to him.

Your smile falters the longer he keeps abusing the sensitive skin and you don’t want him to stop anytime soon. He grunts when you tug at his dampen hair.

You whine his name in despair and he doesn’t need more to eventually grant you some relief. His fingers blindly look for your throbbing heat, running his tips along your slit and rubbing tiny circles on your neglected clit.

He’s pleasing you just the way you love it but you don’t give him the time to even slip a finger inside you when you tell him to stop.

Just as he is straightening himself up, you drop down on your knees and take his cock in your mouth.

“____-” He moans helplessly, throwing his head back. “Baby, stop- I… I wanna be inside you-”

You shove his pulsing shaft as deep as you can, gagging on it soundly. Caught out, his mouth freezes open a couple of seconds before you pull out of him loud groans and cusses. He’s throbbing dangerously hard between your lips and he immediately forces you back up on your feet.

Satisfied, you look up at him and he chuckles. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.” He kisses you while walking you back against one of the walls. “Put me inside you.”

Moans come pouring out of you when he doesn’t let you adjust to his girth, relentlessly fucking you open.

His mouth is hovering yours, you can’t look away from his frowning face as you feel yourself getting close.

You move your hand away from his tensed up chest to rub your clit and trigger your orgasm.

Taehyung kisses you when he feels you tightening even harder around him. The leg he’s holding up begins to shake and he decides to hold you in his arms, impaling you all the way down.

“Huh… I love you.”

His ardor doesn’t ease up, overstimulating so much so tears start brimming your closed eyes.

As long as he would have liked this to last, he isn’t able to hold himself back anymore.

“I’m gonna cum.”

You try to get a grip on yourself and tap on his hand so he’ll let go of your legs. He frees one but is unable to stop his thrusting. He nuzzles your neck.

“Tae, don’t cum inside me.”

“Why not? I wanna fuck my cum in you- Shit… I can tell it’s turning you on” He whimpers in a small pout, his climax pending. His cock is brimming.

He nudges your nose. “Let me get you swollen with my baby, so you have a reason to move in with me.”

You smile coyly, “tempting but… We can’t... A- at least, not now.”

Taehyung lingers his gaze on you, fucked out and reluctantly pulls out with a curse.

You kneel down a second time and watch him guide his cock in your mouth with a push of his thumb at the base of his pulsing shaft. He’s breathing hard again when the warmth of your mouth welcomes him hungrily.

You look up and start bobbing your head, dragging your tongue and lips along the wet, veiny skin three times before the first spurt of cum shoots inside.

He lets you jerk him off, coating your breasts and chin with his sticky sperm and you can’t help but giggle at the endless amount that keeps being squirted out with every forward motion of your hand.

You suck his sensitive tip clean, overstimulating him which has him jerking in surprise.

He helps you up and you never look away from him while you scoop with your fingertip some of his semen and bring it to your mouth.

“What a waste.” He bites his lip, staring at the mess on your skin under heavy lids. “I wanna go again.”  

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

Spent, you’re both lying still on his large bed, resting in the darkness.  

You chuckle to yourself when a thought pops in your head.

Taehyung nudges you sleepily, “what is it?”

“Do you remember how angry you were when Jimin told you who my mother was?”

“Yeah… Your bruises lasted a whole week.”

You giggle quietly again. “I really had no idea.”

He doesn’t hear you immediately, too enthralled by the sight of your fingers slowly interlacing over and over again.

“About my mom…”

You feel him nudging his nose in the crook of your neck and breathing in quietly.

“I really don’t mind it… That’s behind me now.”

You look over your shoulder and see him still holding his weight on his arm, slightly leaning over your body as he gazed down at you. You barely distinguish each other in the darkness of his room yet neither one of you looks away.

You roll over to lie on your back and bring his hand between you. “How come your hands are still that soft?”

“They’re not,” he chuckles lightly.

“They are.” You object, observing it as you move it closer to your face. “They really are. I like them.”

You make Taehyung smile lazily the longer he feels you touching him. His long fingers trap both of your hands and he kisses them. “Your hands are the soft ones. They’re baby soft. It’s hard to believe you’ve done anything with them. They’re cute.”

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

You peek one eye open and close it as soon as you notice Taehyung’s face right in front of you. You slowly drape an arm around his neck and he hugs you to him in return, rubbing his face in your hair.

“What are you doing?” You mumble against his skin.

“Me? Nothing.”

“Liar.”

“You look cute sleeping.” He glances down at your frowning face when you push yourself apart from him. “What ? You don’t believe me?”

“No.”

“How can you be so sure of that, hm? You can’t see yourself sleeping…” You hide in his neck again, making him crack a smile. His hand travels down your back to smack your ass. “Silly baby…”

You don’t hear what he says at first when he speaks again.

“I think I want to sculpt something again.”

“Really?” You perk up, delighted. “That’s great. What do you have in mind?”

He gives you a childish smile. “You. You’re the only thing in my mind.”

You frown discomfited while your brain processes his words. “What? Are you serious?”

His eyes look away as he combs his fingers through your hair, dreading your reaction.

“I mean only if you’re okay with it of course.”

“I… Well, uhm- I think I am but... I’ve never… posed for anyone before… I don’t know if I’ll be a good model.”

His eyes light up. “You’ll see it’s nothing too complicated. You actually won’t have to pose for a long time.”

“How do you exactly see me?”

His hand caresses your cheek. “Like you are right now but... not in bed.”

The thought makes you smile reluctantly.

“Well I wasn’t thinking of you completely naked… I think if we used some sort of silk shawl or veil… I was thinking I could make it seem like it’s swirling around you or something and it could be covering some parts of you, like your face...”

He watches you ponder his suggestion. You seem intrigued.

“I was actually sketching you. Earlier. That’s when I got the idea. I’ll draw a draft so you’ll see what I mean and make up your mind.”

You both remain quiet. You observe him gazing down at your body, tracing it above the thin sheet barely covering you, surely thinking about the different ways he’s already picturing you.

You’ve never seen him like that before.

“You hungry?” His voice snaps you out of your daydream. “I prepared some toasts and fruits and other things...”

You nod while shifting to lie on your back and stretch longly, giving him access to your bare breasts and he doesn’t need to be persuaded to cover them with loving kisses.

You cup the back of his head and the next second he’s hovering over your face, claiming your mouth in a sloppy kiss.

“You don’t mind if I get to eat breakfast first.”

You bite your lip, “please do.”

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

You disrobe entirely in his room and put on the kimono you had brought with you. You walk toward his studio where you hear some rummaging coming from. You peek your head past the door and note he is almost finished preparing the set.

Classical music is playing in the background, setting a comfortable atmosphere. Taehyung has his back turned to you and is holding something.

You subtly clear your throat, earning his attention instantly. His short ponytail swings when he looks back before he reveals his bare chest and arms flexing while he nimbly finishes adjusting the heavy camera. You shamelessly feast your eyes on the sight of him and you share a smile with a knowing look.

He shortens the distance between you but keeps his focus on his camera for another couple of seconds. You are looking around patiently in silence. You’re able to see from your spot in the workshop different pieces of paper.

You walk closer to the table they’ve been put on and take one of them. A subtle smile curves your lips when you recognize yourself or rather the sketched version of you. Some of them have been left in shades of grey and white, others display a few pastel colours here and there.

You put the paper down.

Your chest is thudding loudly from within after you’ve caught a glimpse of the different veils bunched nearby.

“Okay.” He mumbles quietly and sets the impressive device on the worktable. “So first I’m going to take some pictures in the position I want you to be in. I need you to be super still because I need different viewing points of your body in that exact same position, ‘right?”

You smartly nod and he smiles again.

“I’ll tape up the veil on several parts of your body… I don’t really know how else to do it.” He admits with pouting lips.

“I think it’ll be fine that way… It’ll just have to not be heavy.”  

He agrees and walks away to fetch the fabrics while you keep your motivation there.

“I brought different ones, the color isn’t important.” He trails while coming back in front of you. “Ready?”      

Without hesitation, you let the kimono open itself, the soft fabric now able to slide down effortlessly along your body to pool around your feet. You look up at him.

If the sight of your bare body takes his breath away, he doesn’t let it show.

You notice the subtle squeeze his jaw makes while he’s getting an eyeful of you. Your lips part to let air rush in after he has gotten even closer, now towering over you.

Your face is instinctively pulled in when only a few inches separate you. The tips of the fabrics in his hands tickle the skin of your lower stomach. A light chuckle escapes him. You seem hypnotized.

“What is it?”

He’s looking down between you, faintly frowning. “You’re not going easy on me…”

“Too much too soon?” You giggle.

Your mouths are impossibly close but neither of you gives in. Taehyung reluctantly pulls back just in time.

A crooked smile adorns your lips while you watch him decide on the best fabric to don your enticing body and astutely find the spot where it will get taped up invisibly to you.

His fingers are barely brushing your skin, placing and replacing the veil around the tip of your feet and calf, in front of your crotch, winding it around your ribs right below the swell of your breast where a path of shivers awakens the skin. The other end of the fabric rolls up your nape to hide your face.

“Can you hold it for me?”

You raise your arm carefully to grasp the veil above your head, unable to see anything and waiting for further instruction. You hear him taking something you guess to be the camera.

“Shift your weight on your right foot.”    

White light flashes in short seconds three or four times. You try to remain as still as possible as he keeps on photographing you.

“You’re doing great,” you hear his voice behind you and light flashes again. “You cold?”

“I’m okay. Is it as good as you thought it’d be?”

He hums agreeing. “You can drop this now.”

You lower your arms and Taehyung circles your front to let you take a look at some of the pictures. He keeps a hand under to help hold the heavy camera.

Like any other photographs of you, you don’t think much of yourself but you trust his eye.

“I think it’ll look really great,” he speaks softly in your ear and gently presses himself against your back. “When I’m done with it I want myself to desire that body as much as I desire the real one.”

You are feeling everything but cold.

“I want people to feel that attraction and feel miserable because they’ll never be able to have you.”

You chuckle to yourself as you finish scrolling through all of the pictures. “You don’t have to be so dramatic, you know. What’s the next step?”

He brushes your hair to the side to kiss your neck. “Build a clay form of you.”

“And you’re able to do that from simple pictures?” You wonder as he takes the device from you.

“It’s the easiest step… but-” his hand grasps onto your hip to have your backside pushing against his twitching crotch, tearing a quiet grunt from him. “It’s preferable to have the model present.”

“Then... what are you waiting for?” You grin lightly, pushing back deliberately.

He whines and eventually takes the veil off of you and cups your breast. “There’s no rush-.”

“Hmm, that’s not very serious of you mister big artist.” You mock, looking back to face him.

“I told you, you weren’t making it easy for me...”

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

You walk in the room he’s reserved expressly for sculpting where he’s spent most of his time the past three months. The floor is covered with white residue and dust. The sculpture stands in the middle on a pedestal, imposing. Taehyung’s crouching, polishing the feet and ankles and doesn’t hear you at first.

You’ve never imagined once in your life you’d be facing a marble version of you, naked moreover but the final result is quite pleasing to your eye. You’ve never given much thought to anything art-related, your mother never managed to get you as much interested as she may have hoped for you to get.

You slowly walk around, make eye contact with him and guess his smile behind the mask he’s wearing.

“Is it nearly done yet?” You watch him standing up and removing the protective gear to join you.

“Almost…” He muses while redoing his loose bun. “I think by the end of this week it’ll be good enough.”

“Good enough?” You frown at him and look back again at his work. “Tae… I don’t think it can get anymore accomplished than that.”

He’s silent and still and it arouses your curiosity. “Is something wrong?”

“What?”

“You were having like... a weird moment- you were just staring…”

“Oh no, it’s nothing…” He answers a little flustered, getting rid of his dusty gloves. “I was just… fantasizing.”

“About what?” He shakes his head to himself but it’s too late. “Come on, tell me. I wanna know.”

“I was just thinking about sculpting your body… .”

You smile, waiting.

“But like... pregnant.”

Taehyung pouts at your sudden burst. “Why? Why are you laughing? You asked me, I answered you…” He turns again to gaze up at his creation. “You’d be fucking gorgeous.”

Your laughter calms. “I’d be fucking big.”

“You’d be fucking perfection.” He instantly counters.

“‘Right…” You start walking away. “When you’re done fantasizing, come join me. The pizza’s here!”

[writingsweetroll]

Our Troubled Youths - 1

(This story is a continuation of the end of telltales the walking dead game. It follows the end of the "Loved Louis" route. So if you are not interested in the continuation in this route please read something else.)

You follow the journey of Willow, the daughter of Louis and Clementine. Its been 14 years since the delta battle, and everyone had settled down, literally. People had families, relationships and even their own homes. Life had really grown into something better, even different communities became friendlier...at least that what it seemed like behind closed doors.

[ART MADE BY ME]

The leaves crunched under my feet as I ran from the crazy beast. I look behind me and smirk at the dumb looking animal as it got slower and slower. I stop and turn around. "Is that all you got!?" I yell out. The thing  whimpers and runs away. I chuckle at its cowardice. "Yea! Run away!" I then hear clapping behind me, I turn to see Clem. I smile and run up to her. "Did you see that? I totally beat that thing. I'm so uh-" I paused, contemplating if I should say it. "Bad--ass?  Like y'know, you when you had that second leg." I chuckle trying to save myself from swearing in front of her. Before I could even hear a response the world underneath me started to crumble, and a faint 'Willow' could be heard.

"Willow! Wake up dude!" I jolted up at the sound of Carsons voice. I gave him an annoyed glare. "Yes?" Carson leaned against my door frame. "No need for the attitude Willow" He mentioned in a joking tone. "Just telling you dinners ready, and guess what were having?" He said, giddy. I sigh and respond, "You have been hanging around my dad to much Carson. Just tell me and stop messing around." He giggled. "Well we're having your favorite....carrot soup!" I throw my head back in annoyance, "Again?" At this point, Carson and I are on our way to the main court yard. "Yea, Mom said the other vegetables aren't in season yet, whatever that means. Oh also, speaking of which, she wants to talk to you later." I look up at him with confusion, "Ruby? Why?" Carson opened the entry door to the courtyard. "I don't know. Wouldn't tell me."

I stop and breathe in the nights air. I always loved this courtyard. It's covered in Ivy, and flowers, there's tables everywhere with candles on them, gardens and trees growing everywhere giving the courtyard a earthy vibe. Tonight made it even more beautiful, because on special nights like this one, since it was Maria's birthday, the fairy lights were on, and it made the place light up. Not to much, just enough so only the inside of our yard could see it. I walk towards the tables. Man, Dad did mention that they didn't have generators back when everyone were teens like me. What the heck would you do without them?!

"Thanks Omar, and Mark!" We all shouted in unison. I sat between my parents as we watched Maria opened her chocolate bar, our tradition when it came to 'milestone' birthdays. I remember when I was 5, and I got my first chocolate bar, it was heaven. We all clapped for her as she took her first bite.

I started to eat with my family...except one of them. "Hey...where's AJ?" I asked. Louis sighs and rests his jaw onto his palm. "You know him, he never sits down and just relaxes. He's doing another perimeter round." Violet interjects. "You can't blame the kid, he's been through hell." Violet widens her eyes and then turns to Clementine. "I didn't mean anything by that. I just mean-You know, I-" Louis cut her off. "She means you did everything you could my sweet. Its hard raising a kid, especially when you were only 11 years old. Some of us are just built different, like we handle trauma in different ways." Clementine gave Louis a smug look. I laughed at it, cause that face was certainly rare. "When did you become so, educated and sophisticated ?" Clementine asked, with her last words becoming royal. Louis shot back, "When did you become humorous. Tryna steal my thunder?" We all laughed, our mood being brought back up. "By the way Clem, how's the new leg?" Violet asked. "This ones actually a lot more comfortable then the last, who knew AJ was such a builder?" At that, Violet and Clementine got lost in conversation. Unsatisfied with the same meal for the 5th time now, I sighed. "Hey, Willow." I look over to my dad who had whispered to me. He pulls out a round object out of his black coat. "I know how much you hate carrot soup, so, I got you something." My eyes lit up at the fresh apple in his hand. I gasped as I grabbed it. "I thought these were out?" Louis chuckled. "Yea well, don't tell Ivy, but I found her secret munchie stash, and she had this apple and I borrowed it." He winked at me. I took a bite and sighed in relief. Apples were by far my favorite fruit. Just then AJ came into the yard, a dead squirrel in hand. He tossed it into the barrel full of others animals to be skinned.  

"Those fuckers are way to fast" he muttered as he sat down. Clem glared at him. "AJ...could you be less vulgar at the dinner table? If Ruby heard she'd chew you a new one." It looked as if AJ was about to argue back but decided to be quiet with a nod and a 'sorry'. "AJ! Its my birthday!" He turned to her and laughed. "I know silly" he ruffled her hair. "You told everyone like 5 times today." AJ then grabbed something from his backpack, "Actually I have a gift for you Maria." He pulled out a Disco Broccoli figure, and handed it to her. Clem gave him a sad look. Maria thanked AJ and ran off to play with the other kids.

"Ok, so, Willow, Carson, and Brent--You're on trading duty tomorrow with the diamonds group in the morning. Ruby, my sweetie cute roll"--Everyone sighed in annoyance. Sure it was cute that they were still in that honeymoon faze but it got annoying fast.  Aasim cleared his throat. "You will be on garden duty with Mark. Sally, and John will be teaching the kids and Violet, Ivy, will be tending the generators and defenses." We all agreed and headed to our rooms. I said my goodbyes to my parents and left to my dorm. I lay down onto my bed, listening to the sound of the soft chirps and leaves flying in the wind. Autumn season was always my favorite.