#BUDDIES STICK TOGETHER!!! HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE

[babydollmarauders]

luke and quinn’s relationship with media management reader and a blurb about when jack introduced them to each other pls

y/n is really close with luke and quinn! luke met her first when he attended the Devils vs Ducks game in december of 2019, and they hit it off really quickly! since she and Jack had quickly become best friends, he was adamant on introducing her to Luke, but he didn’t think they would get so close!

**

“y/n!” my head snapped up from the tweet i was drafting on the devils account, finding jack with a wide grin on his face. he was speed walking into my open office door, still dressed in his practice gear, with what appeared to be a teenage boy shyly trailing behind him.

“jacky. to what do i owe the pleasure?” i ask, quickly shutting the phone off and slipping it in my pocket.

“i wanted to introduce you to someone.” the smile has yet to leave his lips as he pulls the boy to stand next to him. “y/n/n, this is my brother, luke! luke, this is my new best friend, y/n.”

a shy, albeit awkward, smile adorns luke’s face as he holds his hand out for me to shake. i laugh, bypassing his hand to pull him into a hug instead.

“she’s a hugger, i should’ve warned ya.” jack chuckles as i pull away.

“it’s so nice to meet you!” i exclaim, cupping luke’s face with my hands and squishing his cheeks.

“oh, she does that too.” jack says. luke chuckles, raising his own hands to squish my cheeks in return.

“nice to meet you too.” luke replies through squished cheeks, his words coming out slightly mumbled. i smile wide as we both let our hands drop.

“oh i like you! i’m gonna keep you.” i tell him, making the boys laugh once more.

“he’s here for the game tonight! sitting behind the bench! he’s next to your usual seat.” jack informs me.

“oooh! seat buddies! i’ll point out all the times jack sticks his tongue out in concentration as he hops over onto the ice. and you can help me keep track of everyone’s penalty minutes! oh! and i’ll let you take tonight’s post photos! this is gonna be so much fun!”

luke’s eyes widen as i ramble, sharing a look with his brother. jack just nods his head solemnly, silently letting him know that i am indeed always this way.

“sounds great!” luke smiles, slinging an arm around my shoulders as i start walking out of the office, still rambling. jack stands back, watching us with furrowed brows as we talk.

**

y/n technically met quinn over facetime during the pandemic. but he provided her with advice, which made her immediately think of him as a big brother figure.

**

“hey, jack. you down for some street hockey?” a voice off-screen has me cutting off my rant, willing my tears to stop.

“hey, quinner. i’ll, uh- i’m in the middle of something, do you mind giving me a few minutes?” jack says, and i recognize the nickname for his brother, putting 2 and 2 together.

“oh, no, jacky, go hang out with your brothers!” i tell him, my voice raspy from my crying. “you don’t need to sit here and listen to me cry over something so stupid.”

“is that y/n?” the voice off-screen asks, making me scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. i sniffle, wiping at my runny nose with the sleeve of my hoodie.

“yeah. hey, maybe you can talk some sense into her. c’mere.” jack replies. my eyes widen as quinn plops down on jacks bed next to him, his face coming into the camera view.

“hi. i’m quinn.” his introduction is short and precise, but i appreciate it. “you okay?”

“hi quinn, i’m y/n. although it sounds like you already knew that.” i say, wiping at my wet cheeks. “i’m okay.”

“no, she’s not.” jack chimes in. i roll my eyes at his directness. “tell him whats wrong, y/n/n.”

“yeah, what’s going on?” quinn’s voice is oddly soothing. i can tell he’s keeping it soft in order to be comforting.

“it’s just my stupid boyfriend.” i roll my eyes at myself as fresh tears start to flow.

“what did he do?” quinn asks, his eyes soften as i let out a silent sob. jack seems to understand that i’m unable to speak through my sobs, so he takes over for me.

“she’s been dating this guy for a couple months and she just found out that he has another girlfriend.” jack explains.

“shit, he was cheating on you with this other girl?” quinn’s question makes me cry even harder and jack sighs.

“no.” i manage to say through my cries.

“i’m slightly confused then.” quinn admits.

“he’s been with this other girl for over a year. y/n was the other girl.” jack whispers, obviously hoping i wouldn’t hear but i still did.

“oh.”

“she doesn’t even care that much about the fact that he cheated, she didn’t really like him very much anyways-”

“jack!” i cut him off, but jack ignores me.

“she’s more upset that she was unknowingly the catalyst in someone’s relationship. she doesn’t like the idea of the other girl hating her.”

“i see.” quinn nods. “and you had no idea he had a girlfriend?”

“no idea. he didn’t act like he did! and despite what jack said, he did seem like a good guy! my heart just wasn’t in the relationship. which might make me seem like a bitch for staying with him but i swear i was already planning on breaking up with him!”

“hey.” quinn coos, effectively calming down my anxious rambles. “i don’t think you’re a bitch for staying with him. and as for the other stuff. you didn’t know, y/n. you can’t hold his mistakes against yourself. he’s the one who cheated, not only on his long-term girlfriend, but on you as well. did you contact her and tell her after you found out?”

“yeah.” i sniffle again. “i dm’d her on instagram. she thanked me for letting her know and told me she didn’t hold it against me since i didn’t know. but i know how girls are. we hold grudges, even if we don’t show it.”

“you can’t let yourself overthink, y/n. she said she doesn’t hold it against you. she even thanked you for telling her. i promise, she has no reason to hate you. you are not the one who fucked up. he is.”

it’s all the same stuff jack told me, but it hit different coming from someone with an outside perspective.

“can you adopt me?” were the first words that left my mouth after a few deep breaths. my heart rate was finally seemingly normal and i could feel my anxiety melting away after quinn’s speech.

quinn just laughs, along with his brother.

“i don’t think our age gap is quite steep enough for that. but i’ll have jack text you my number, and if you ever need someone to talk to, you can come to me.”

#faithlynn speaks 🪐 #media management au! #media management series <3 #quinn hughes #luke hughes #jack hughes #nj devils #new jersey devils

[shaikhkhadija]

How to Stay Motivated for Your Fitness Goals?

Introduction:

Staying motivated is key to achieving and maintaining your fitness goals. 

Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall health, finding the motivation to stay consistent can be a challenge. 

This blog will explore effective strategies that can help you stay motivated on your fitness journey.

From setting realistic goals to finding support, these tips will empower you to stay on track and reach your desired level of fitness.

Setting Realistic Fitness Goals:

Setting attainable exercise goals is critical to remaining motivated. Unattainable ambitions can cause frustration and demotivation. 

Begin by examining your current fitness level and setting your goals. 

Break your long-term goals into smaller, manageable milestones. For example, if your goal is to lose 30 pounds, focus on losing 1-2 pounds

per week. 

This approach allows you to celebrate small victories along the way, boosting your motivation to continue.

Creating a Reward System:

Rewarding yourself for reaching milestones is a powerful motivator. Make a reward system that supports your fitness objectives.

It could be getting a massage, buying new workout gear, or indulging in a guilt-free cheat meal.

Assign rewards to specific achievements and make sure they are meaningful to you.

These incentives provide a sense of achievement and give you something to look forward to as you progress on your fitness journey.

Tracking Progress:

It's essential to monitor your progress if you want to stay motivated. Use a fitness tracker or a journal to record your workouts, measurements, and any improvements you notice. 

Seeing tangible evidence of your progress can boost your confidence and motivation.

Take progress photos, track your strength gains, or note improvements in endurance.

Celebrating these victories can help you stay motivated during challenging times.

Finding an Accountability Partner:

Having someone to hold you accountable can significantly increase your motivation. 

Find a workout buddy or an accountability partner who shares similar fitness goals. This person can support, encourage, and help you stay on track.

Together, you can celebrate milestones, share workout routines, and push each other to go further. 

Knowing that someone is counting on you can motivate you to stay committed.

Trying New Workouts and Activities:

Monotony can quickly lead to boredom and demotivation. Keep your fitness routine fresh and exciting by trying new workouts and activities. 

Sign up for a dance class, try rock climbing, or explore different fitness classes. 

Variety not only challenges your body but also keeps your mind engaged. Look for local events, join fitness challenges, or experiment with different forms of exercise. 

The excitement of trying something new can reignite your motivation and passion for fitness.

Establishing a Consistent Routine:

When it comes to accomplishing fitness objectives, consistency is essential.

Establishing a regular workout routine helps make exercise a habit and reduces the likelihood of skipping workouts.

Schedule your workouts at a specific time that works best for you and stick to it. 

Consider your workouts to be appointments you must keep with yourself. 

Making exercise a priority in your daily routine reinforces the importance of your fitness goals and increases your motivation to stay on track.

Conclusion:

Long-term success in your fitness quest depends on maintaining your motivation. 

You can maintain high levels of motivation by setting realistic goals, creating a reward system, and tracking progress.

finding an accountability partner, trying new workouts, and establishing a consistent routine.

Remember, motivation is not constant; it requires effort and commitment. 

Embrace these strategies and make them a part of your fitness lifestyle. 

With determination and perseverance, you will overcome challenges,

achieve your fitness goals, and enjoy a healthier, more active life. Stay motivated and reap the rewards of your hard work!

#fitness #fitness goals #fitness motivation #health

[healthandfitness1000]

The Power of Consistency: How to Achieve Long-Term Health and Fitness Goals

Consistency is the secret ingredient that can transform your health and fitness journey from a short-term effort to a sustainable lifestyle. While quick fixes and temporary fads may promise rapid results, it is consistency that ultimately leads to long-term success. In this blog, we will explore the power of consistency and provide practical tips on how to achieve your health and fitness goals for the long haul.

Set Realistic Goals: Before diving into any fitness routine, it's essential to set realistic and achievable goals. Consider your current fitness level, lifestyle, and time commitments. Start with small, attainable milestones that you can consistently work towards. By setting realistic goals, you'll avoid burnout and stay motivated throughout your journey.

Create a Sustainable Routine: Consistency thrives on routine. Design a fitness regimen that suits your preferences and fits into your daily life. Whether it's early morning workouts, lunchtime walks, or evening yoga sessions, find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Consistency becomes easier when your fitness routine becomes a habit ingrained in your daily life.

Mix it Up: While routine is crucial, monotony can lead to boredom and demotivation. Keep your workouts fresh and exciting by incorporating variety. Try different forms of exercise, such as cardio, strength training, yoga, or dance. Explore outdoor activities, join group classes, or experiment with new fitness trends. Mixing up your routine not only keeps you engaged but also challenges your body in different ways, leading to better overall results.

Track Your Progress: Consistency becomes more tangible when you can see your progress. Keep a record of your workouts, measurements, and achievements. Take photos or maintain a journal to document your journey. Seeing how far you've come can be a powerful motivator during moments of doubt or when you encounter obstacles. Celebrate your milestones and use them as stepping stones towards your long-term goals.

Find an Accountability Buddy: Having a workout partner or an accountability buddy can significantly enhance consistency. Find someone who shares your health and fitness goals, and embark on the journey together. You can motivate and support each other, share tips and advice, and hold each other accountable. The presence of a reliable partner can make a world of difference in staying consistent and committed.

Consistency is the key to achieving long-term health and fitness goals. It requires setting realistic objectives, creating a sustainable routine, embracing variety, tracking your progress, and finding an accountability buddy. Remember, the journey toward sa healthier lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace consistency, and you'll reap the rewards of improved well-being, increased energy, and a stronger, more resilient body for years to come.

#ConsistencyMatters #LongTermFit!nessGoals #HealthJourney #FitnessLifestyle #RealisticGoals #SustainableRoutine #VarietyInFitness #ProgressTracking #AccountabilityPartner #FitnessMotivation #HealthyHabits #StayCommitted #AchieveYourGoals

[puff-mmd]

5/7/23

--

so i was thinking about an au (not canon or anything, just for fun)

where ciro and kaisei meet in high school.

ciro is a transfer student since i feel like his family is more likely to move around with his parent's work and all.

now, the thing about kaisei in school is that he was smart enough to get by, but he was by no means a genius or anything. he often had to study a lot and even then only did about average. in turn, he would study with people he knew were smart to help keep him on track.

so in walks this new guy and it's quickly established that he's very smart. he also…earns rumors about being icy cold. he doesn't seem to want to hang out with people much, plus he's already turned down several girls asking him out.

well, kaisei being a mild-mannered and friendly person (who is also on the hunt for new study partners), "runs into" him in the library one day. ciro doesn't mind the company because kaisei does manage to keep quiet mostly, plus he can somewhat keep up with the information.

(it's also because he thinks kaisei is cute, not that he realizes he's gay yet but y'know. everyone thinks guys are kinda cute right?)

they end up being buddies and hang out quite a bit from there on. people approach kaisei wondering how he managed to melt that icy heart of ciro's, while others approach ciro and let him know that if he keeps hanging around that guy, people are going to start thinking…things.

ciro picks up on he insinuation, and he starts putting thought into it

more thought than he would have expected.

"dating kaisei?? but i'm not… at least i don't think…"

but the more he thinks about it, he takes into account how much he enjoys studying with him, hanging out with him, talking to him…

and he eases into the idea of "ohhhh ok i do like him."

i'd imagine after realizing it, he's a little more nervous around kaisei, and kaisei being more in tune with people's emotions than with books, can tell something is up.

so that's a bit of the background info

now for the cute part

the term ends, and kaisei asks ciro to go with him to a local festival during the summer holiday. ciro, obviously, agrees to go because 1) he liked hanging around kaisei and 2) the thought of kaisei in a yukata Did Something to ciro's brain

they go together and have a wonderful time playing games, winning prizes for each other, eating delicious food, and seeing some other friends for a bit

but the best part is the fireworks, kaisei insists.

he knows a nice little place where not a lot of people go, and that you can see double the fireworks because there's a pond that reflects the sky just right.

they head over a bit early, munching on some snacks and talking about some of the stuff they won.

--

"here, try this! i get some of these every year since i never find any as good as theirs," kaisei says holding up the small stick with a ball of takoyaki carefully balancing on the end. ciro takes a bite, the whole thing in his mouth at once, and immediately jumps from how hot the filing is.

kaisei stifles a laugh watching him fan his mouth, as if that would actually cool his now seared tongue.

the blonde reaches over and punches his arm after taking a drink of water to help his burnt mouth, but they both share a giggle about the stupid takoyaki.

"someone should put a warning label on those things."

"but wasn't it good?"

"yeah, after it was done feeling like lava being poured down my throat."

they sit and look out at the pond, a half moon reflected on the still water, lightning bugs flitting around the edges of the water and the sound of crickets and distant chatter filling the night air.

after a few minutes of silence, ciro feels a hand gently slide over his own on the bench. he glances at kaisei, not turning his head but eyeing him just enough to see what he's doing.

kaisei's eyes were trained on the pond in the distance, but anyone could see the anxious feeling welling up on his face.

"hey ciro? can i ask you something?"

"of course."

"how do you, feel… about guys?"

ciro turned to face the dark-haired oni, before reaching over with his free hand to gently push kaisei's hair behind his ear.

"well, i think that i like you," he said quietly. kaisei had at this point also turned to face his friend, and at the gentle confession could feel his heart jump into his throat.

before he could even spill a reply, ciro leaned forward and brushed his lips against kaisei's. he'd never kissed anyone before, and he wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do - so he figured, the quicker the better.

when he pulled away, kaisei still looked stunned, but managed to stammer out, "that was, i… you like me that way?"

"mhm."

"then, can we do that again? longer this time?"

"as long as you show me what to do."

they kiss again, a little longer this time but it's cut all too short by the first firework flooding the sky with light and the air with a loud crack.

despite knowing the fireworks would start soon, it didn't help the two boys from nearly breaking each other's teeth when they jumped from the sound.

holding their mouths, they couldn't help but laugh from their nerves.

"tonight's not been kind to your mouth, huh ciro?"

"hmm.. it hasn't been all bad, at least."

kaisei puts his arm around ciro, letting him cuddle up close and rest his head against his shoulder, and they watch the fireworks together.

[harperhealthaz]

New Week, New Goals: A Guide to Reestablishing Your Workout Routine

We all know how important staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is. However, sometimes life gets in the way, and we may fall out of our workout routine, especially after a vacation. Getting back into the swing of things can be challenging, but with some motivation and dedication, you can return to your workout routine and progress toward your fitness goals. In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how to get back on track with your workouts after a vacation.

Start Slow

It's important to ease back into your workout routine after taking a break. Your body needs time to readjust and get used to exercising again. Don't push yourself too hard on your first workout back. Start with a lighter workout or a shorter duration than you were doing before your vacation. Gradually increase your intensity and duration as your body adjusts.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting goals can help you stay motivated and focused on your fitness journey. However, it's important to set realistic goals for yourself. Don't expect to immediately jump back into your old routine and achieve the same level of fitness you had before your vacation. Be patient and set small, achievable goals. Celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small.

Create a Schedule

Having a workout schedule can help you stay accountable and consistent. Plan out your workouts for the week and make them a priority. Treat them like you would any other appointment or meeting. Schedule your workouts at a time that works best for you and stick to them.

Find a Workout Buddy

Working out with a friend can make exercising more enjoyable and help keep you motivated. Find a workout buddy with similar fitness goals and schedule your workouts together. Someone holding you accountable can help you stay on track and committed to your workouts.

Mix Up Your Workouts

Doing the same workout daily can become boring and lead to a lack of motivation. Mix up your workouts by trying new exercises, incorporating different equipment, or joining a new fitness class. Changing your routine can keep you motivated and challenge your body in new ways.

Celebrate Your Progress

It's important to celebrate your progress along the way. Recognize the small victories and improvements you make each day. Whether it's being able to do an extra rep or running a little faster, acknowledge your hard work and dedication. Celebrating your progress can help you stay motivated and push yourself toward your fitness goals.

Returning to your workout routine after a vacation may seem daunting, but you can get back on track with some motivation and dedication. Remember to start slow, set realistic goals, create a schedule, find a workout buddy, mix up your workouts, and celebrate your progress. Stay focused on your fitness journey, and remember that every small step counts towards achieving your goals.

[warmingqvist0]

If you're trying to get into the social-multimedia- marketing and advertising world, you may have some questions about exactly what is the easiest method to start off. Don't stress guidance is here! Continue reading for many great tips to make your social media advertising a hit, and obtain the most from it for your organization.

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If raising fast product sales can be your primary objective, it could be better to continue to be streamlined on an advertising method making use of social media as simply a instrument. If you want to hop on a level along with your consumers which requires back and forth, get started simple and easy just say "Hello there." You'll be steer through your consumers from that point. Ensure that your content is interesting and distinctive, in order that other social media end users would want to reveal it with other people. Individuals do well by using social networking, but only if their information sticks from other people. In Online Instagram Reels Download are away from concepts, you can find motivation on-line or from friends and relations. Social networks have caused acceptable interaction criteria to alter in a few values, but it really has not yet transformed the demand for professionalism and reliability. Be helpful but keep the color skilled. Don't disagree, just remove the remarks or blogposts that aren't constructive. If you will be getting together with each buddies and business relationships, create two individual profiles for this purpose. Without having to be too intrusive, have normal discussion with your customers. In certain circumstances, it might be helpful to discuss their blog submitting or existing Fb position. Provided that you use a comment to provide that's associated with this issue available, you should communicate inside a pleasant manner to create rapport among both you and your foundation. Produce a RSS feed for your changes and offer readers the opportunity join it. This will likely let them watch your content once they sign to their Yahoo and google account or on their computer desktop computer should they make use of an RSS widget. Dependant upon your audience, you will definitely get essentially success by having an RSS feed. You may setup your Twitter account which means your blog posts are automatically twitted. Which include hyperlinks in your website to other bloggers information which is effectively written and interesting, can help keep the visitors pleased and finding their way back. You will be assisting other writers, and also achieving happy viewers through the informative articles. To acquire a lower leg up on the social media marketing of rivals, take hold of all sorts of social media marketing. A lot of companies believe that social media marketing has matured and feel they only need existence on Facebook or twitter, Tweets and Youtube . com to cover their bases. Knowledgeable social networking internet marketers do not forget that MySpace is still on the market. Apply it additionally increasing newcomers like LinkedIn, SlideShare and Yahoo and google+ to show yourself in which other participants are certainly not. Run exciting and exciting polls on the Facebook or myspace page. This can be the best way to take part your market and involve possible buyers. Facebook or twitter posseses an user friendly function that will help you with creating polls, so take advantage of it. Polls don't must be about information and facts immediately associated with your organization. They may be exciting, interesting, and entail recent occasions. The point of the poll is always to always keep customers curious. Possessing perseverance is key when you start to network by way of social media. People should certainly place rely on in both you and your item. Stay calm and work towards gaining the people's rely on one at a time. You'll quickly have a very huge customer base. If you use your social networking to market a preexisting business, specially the one that relies on-line, ensure you range from the hyperlink to your website. It is surprising the number of people don't add a link to their own website. Receiving those who discover you to definitely click on to your internet site is the best way to bring in these people to all you need to offer. Use these great tips to build relationships with equally potential and recent customers. While you use social media websites to get this done, you will be recommended by how very easily it is actually in order to connect together with your market. Maintain constructing all those connections with the consumers, along with your organization can't assist but to grow.

#Online Instagram Reels Download

[dtkqer]

Y’all dteam is not over 😭 they will stick together and ride it out and as always call each other out when needed. Thats what good actual friends do. They hold you accountable for your actions and make sure you learn from your mistakes

EXACTLYYYYYYYYYY bros will be bros holding their bros accountable. sapnaps loyal and hes his buddy but he did fuck up and its okay to distance for a little bit!

[liibrii]

fem!Miya!Reader & Miya family

Part of the Third Miya Series

Synopsis: Three is a weird number. It's only two units bigger than one and only a unit more than two and yet it seems to be so much more, especially when the three in question are toddlers needed to be dressed for kindergarten.

wc: 2.1k

a/n: baby Miyas, the ultimate serotonin providers 🙃 if you wanna be tagged in future chapters let me know, and as always feedback is greatly appreciated!

Mrs Miya has always trusted her gut feeling and in that moment it was telling her the bathroom was down the corridor, last door on the left, and, just as Mr Miya had told her that morning, eating leftover curry for breakfast was a dreadful idea.

Doctor repeats her words and Mrs Miya's neck becomes completely stiff. If it wouldn't she'd perhaps be able to look at her husband whose face turned ashen pale. “Triplets?“

Well, this will take buy one get one for free jokes on a whole new level.

Doctor's words are just buzzing and the soon to be Miya parents nod and smile and nod and hold on each others' hand as if there's no tomorrow. They're silent on the way out.

Mr Miya turns to his wife. “Do they even sell strollers for three kids?”

Three is a weird number. It's only two units bigger than one and only a unit more than two and yet it seems to be so much more, especially when the three in question are toddlers needed to be dressed for daycare.

You all wear the same colours because Atsumu would throw a tantrum if your jumper wasn't the same colour as his and you would throw a tantrum when yours was a different colour than Osamu's, who in turn would throw a tantrum because his jumper was now the same colour as Atsumu's.

Mrs Miya had read advices that one should always dress their twins (or, in this case, triplets) differently as it is good for their personality development; which is all well and good and a great advice, except that whoever wrote it forgot to take into account that two and a half out of her three children saw being dressed differently as their siblings as a horrific violation of their toddler rights.

Your parents tell themselves one day you'll grow out of this phase, but till then mom stitches little numbers one, two, and three on the edges of your clothes. She did start stitching your names, but with only two pairs of hands in the house and three little sprouts in constant need of attention there was never enough time to finish them.

“One,“ says Mr Miya and Atsumu raises his hands.

“Ichi!“ he proudly chimes.

“Two,“ Mr Miya grabs you before you'd crawl out of the reach of his arms.

“Ni!“ like his brother Osamu too raises his chubby fists, but only halfway.

“And three!”

“San!“ You hug your dad's neck, perhaps hoping that will get you out of having to wear socks.

And heaven forbid they ever messed up which jumper belonged to whom. It was beyond your parents' wisdom how you could tell the number stitched on the edge was not the same they said when counting your heads, but you could.

“Must be yer superpower,“ jokes Mr Miya while changing your sweater that has the wrong number on the edge. He barely pulls it off when Atsumu's chubby hands already grab it and begin pulling it over his head. He screams when his father offers to help, pouting even if he's completely lost between the left sleeve and the opening for the head.

“Alright buddy,“ muses Mr Miya and turns his attention to Osamu who already pulled his socks off so, naturally, now you've mysteriously lost one of your socks too. Mr Miya sighs. Maybe it's time to let his boss know he's going to be late.

Three is an enormous number, when the three in question are a feverish toddler in your arms and two more running around doctor's office. Perhaps it was time to ask the daycare to put you three into different groups. That will cause an outrage, oh ever since the 'One child, one pillow' incident Mrs Miya is well aware of that. But then again, better that than all of you throwing a tantrum when only one got to leave the daycare early.

“One, two, three,“ she counts your heads under her breath, then hurries over to where you just picked up a very interesting small stone that probably fell from the soles of someone's shoes, “San! I mean y/n, sweetie, that's a stone. See, it's rough and cold.“ You whine when she takes the treasure from you but still  listen closely to her words that spark Atsumu's interest too, and he trots closer to see what is happening. Thankfully feverish Osamu has fallen asleep in her arms. Really, the last thing she needs is his firm conviction the stone is just greyish candy. Mrs Miya still lets Atsumu take the stone in his hands. “No,“ she grabs his hand when he lifts it towards his mouth that is already curving into a grimace. “Hey, hey, no need to cry over it sweetie. Yer gonna wake up yer brother and he needs sleep right now.“

“Is he sick?” your tiny voice chimes in. Mrs Miya nods. “Because he ate melon seeds,“ you nod with all the wisdom of a 3 year old. “He's growin' melons in his tum-tum,“ you tell Atsumu whose wide eyes blink twice before he bursts into tears.

“One, two, three,“ Mrs Miya counts your heads while you play around the house. If you hide from her sight sooner or later screaming and crying alerts her something happened. A moment later Mr Miya returns to the living room with a very much red faced and screaming Atsumu in his arms.

“What happened?“ she asks, crouching down to console you, also crying because there's no way you'd let your brother scream his lungs out by himself.

“Ah the usual,“ he places the scissors on the counter, “wouldn't let him shred his shirt. Osamu, no!“ He quickly grabs his other son who also starts crying, shocked that his own father would take the lost sock from him before he got the chance to find out how it tastes.

Ah, just another Sunday.

The good thing about three children running around is they're never lonely. There are always games to play, fights to win, faces to colour. Most of the days all of you exhaust yours (sometimes apparently infinite) supplies of energy by the time evening falls. Mr Miya puts you to bed (one bed, because trying to make you sleep in separate cribs is apparently a disgusting violation of Toddler convention) before he collapses beside his wife.

“Asleep?“ she asks.

Mr Miya hums. “For now.“

The moment they turn the lights off slide door across the hallway open. Light steps cross the dangerous waters of the dark hallway, enter the bedroom and climb over Mr Miya to the safe haven between the parents.

“Bad dreams?“ asks Mrs Miya. In response Osamu sniffles and snuggles closer. Not a minute passes when two more pairs of legs pass through the darkness of the hallway and climb to be beside their brother. You shriek when Atsumu pushes his cold feet on your back, but dad's stern word makes you stop. A few moments later you're all asleep.  

“One, two, three,“ sleepily mumbles Mrs Miya, patting each of your heads.

“Four,“ says Mr Miya and his wife giggles.

Three is the number of band-aid packages your parents buy per month. Ever since you've grown for about a chopstick taller, well you only grew for about three thirds of a chopstick because nature thought it would be funny if you got outgrown by your brothers at the tender age of 5, it turned out the tall tree in the park could in fact be climbed, if you climbed on someone's shoulders and then pull them on the lowest branch. Sadly the branches aren't big fans of being climbed on but no amount of scratches and falls could stop you from trying.

“A champignon never stops tryin'!“ proclaims Atsumu after the failed attempt that left bark in his hair and Osamu laughing on the branch.

“What's a champignon?“ you ask.

“It's the person who's the best! It's what I'll be one day!“

Osamu snorts, firmly grabbing on the thin branch he's sitting on. “Champignon's a mushroom.“

“No it ain't!“

A mushroom, you make a little note in your memory, because no matter how much Atsumu protests you're more inclined to believe Osamu when it comes to mushrooms.

Your heads turn when you hear mom calling and waving, waiting for Osamu to climb down before running over to her.

“I win!“ announces Atsumu despite Osamu reaching her first.

“Why, because yer a champignon?“

“Are we all here?“ loudly asks Mr Miya before his boys could jump into each other's hair, “identify yerselves!“

“One!“ calls Atsumu.

“Two!“ calls Osamu, louder.

“Three!“ you call and jump, because being louder than them was never an option.

Four heads turn to Mrs Miya. “Mom,“ she raises her hand.

“Excellent!“ proclaims Mr Miya as three small voices cheer. “Then we can get goin'!“

“Where to?“ you ask.

Mr Miya picks up a stick and starts drawing lines in the sand covering the path. “It's a secret but maybe ya can guess, we'll go down this path-“

“A treasure hunt!”

“Almost. At the fountain we'll turn left, and what lies down the fountain path?“

“Pigeons?“ you try guessing.

Osamu bumps his fist on the open palm. “Ice cream stand!“

Mr Miya nods.

“Last one there's a loser!“ shouts Atsumu who starts running before even finishing the sentence. Osamu immediately follows, both ignoring your shouts to wait up.

Three is a funny number. It only works when the two and one have the third , because otherwise it's just one and two. Like a clover that got munched on by a picky rabbit that tried a leaf and then decided it doesn't fit its taste.

Volleyball sort of became the rabbit munching on the clover. One day teachers simply decided you're not allowed to play on the same team as your brothers anymore. And no amount of crying, screaming and sulking could convince the rabbit to give the leaf back.

“Maybe we can sneak ya in,“ suggests Atsumu one night, “all ya hafta do is wear our clothes. No one will know!“

So you try that and funnily enough, people do notice when one and two together make a three, and what surprises children even more is that parents also notice when they return late from school because they had to stay in detention. And as if cleaning the school hallways for a month wasn't enough, now they have to clean the house too.

It is however enough to discourage you from trying to sneak into practice again, so you stick with only coming to games and waiting for their practice to end so you can walk home together. From time to time some of their teammates stop to say hello or to complain to you about their shenanigans, but that's knowledge you hold to yourself, since you never knew when blackmail material might come in handy.

It's only when Osamu teases they get to go to a volleyball workshop and you don't that you get envious.

“It sounds stupid anyway,“ you try pretending you couldn't care less.

“It would be perfect for ya then,“ Osamu shots back and sprints away as you dive after him.

Maybe you are just a teensy bit envious, still as long as you get to play with them when they are home it's not that bad. After returning from their workshops you don't even let them take their shoes off before dragging them to the volleyball net dad set up in the garden. You stand where you always stand, by the net so you can throw balls for them to hit over.

Atsumu pushes you away. “No, this is my position now. I wanna be a setter.“

You don' mind, and throw the ball towards Atsumu who sends it back into a bit of an awkward place and you end up not even hitting it.

Osamu bursts into laughter. “Ya suck.“ He jumps to avoid the kick aimed at his knee. “We play with good players now so yer gonna hafta practice more. There was this tall player with a cool name! Right, Tsumu?“

“Tsumu?“ you repeat.

“Tsumu and Samu. It's our names but they sound way cooler now!“ proudly declares Atsumu.

Your eyes widen in admiration. “I want that too! What should I call myself?“

“Yer always copyin' us,“ complains Osamu but he gets ignored as the first name Atsumu suggests earns him a ball to the face.

“Oh I know!“ You bump your fist on your open palm. “I'll be San!“

Atsumu thinks it over with the same expression Osamu has when trying to decide which udon toppings to order. “San,... Y/n... San,... It sounds so cool! Whaddaja think Samu?“

Osamu shrugs. “San, let me show ya how to spike the ball properly.“

tag list: @espressons @trashy-simp @nachotrash​

#miya twins #miya twins x sibling reader #miya atsumu #miya osamu #miya atsumu x reader #hqcorenet #miya osamu x reader #miya family #hq #haikyuu #haikyuu x platonic reader #inarizaki #inarizaki x platonic reader #the third miya #libri scribbles #also big thanks to tumblr for destroying the quality of the banner -.-

[thebluestbluewords]

this isn’t done yet but I crave validation so have some rotten four bickering

*

“Buddy system today,” Mal says firmly, “No exceptions. We need to stick together and keep each other accountable. No shouting, no running, nothing that’s going to draw any attention to us so close to the ceremony.” 

“Aw, and here I had all these fireworks ready to throw at Audrey,” Jay says, tossing whatever toy he’s got up over his head. He’s sprawled out on his back over Mal’s bed, and the toy is going to get stuck in the canopy if he’s not careful. “You sure we can’t have a little mayhem, killer?” 

Mal takes a deep breath. Just because she’s strung tighter than a harp doesn’t mean that the others have to be. It’s probably for the best that they aren’t, actually. Keeping most of them relaxed means that there’s more of a margin for error in her own behavior. “If you cause trouble,” Mal says lightly “I will gut you like a fish and use your entrails for hair ribbons.” 

“Rude. At least let Eves weave them into fabric or something, make a cool jacket out of my skin.” 

“It’s too late to steal my mother’s pattern,” Carlos murmurs, without lifting his head up from the book he’s been scribbling in. “Should’a made this plan sooner. Could’ve gotten tips.” 

Mal barks out a laugh. “Hah! I think your mother might have a few words for me if I started stealing her thing, furball.”

Carlos glances up, flicker-fast, just long enough that Mal can see him roll his eyes at her. “The words being what, that’s cool as hell and you’re going to have to pay a hefty licensing fee?”

Mal loves her crew sometimes. “I was thinking more like, stop right there, you bastard usurper, how dare you infringe upon my style and all that I hold dear,” Mal says, voice intentionally low and dramatic. Appropriately evil, of course, but nothing like Cruella’s actual unhinged shriek. “Or like, just wait until my lawyer hears about this, you little spineless magpie.” 

Carlos snort-laughs. “Her lawyer being what, the only person in the house with enough remaining brain cells to open a law textbook?” 

“That’s the one. You wanna see me in court, loser?” 

“I’d kick your ass in a courtroom. Ad litem, the estate of Hell Hall brings against the estate of Maleficent of the Moors a grievous violation of lex scripta, as it has been established sub judice, and–” 

Mal throws her head back, letting her tongue loll out of her mouth and letting just the tiniest bit of magic flow to her eyes, so that she can glow an inhuman green. “You’ve vanquished me,” she gurgles, through her feigned death throes. “The sacred language has burned the devil out of me, I’m normal now.” 

#my fic

[oonajaeadira]

The Mandalorian Tarot: Major Arcana

If you’re following me, you know this is a Mandalorian obsessive account. I love the man, I love the show, I write a Mando-fando that is all about pining and touch. I tend to go all in when I have an interest. 

Another one of my interests? Tarot. A friend challenged me to Mandalorify the major arcana. And because Jon and Dave know their stuff and are good with archetypes (which is all tarot really is), it was an easy fit.

YOU GOT MANDO IN MY TAROT. YOU GOT TAROT IN MY MANDO. TWO GREAT TASTES THAT TASTE GREAT TOGETHER.

But. I can’t draw, so I’ve dreamed them in words and included the Rider-Waite-Smith deck illustrations that I would riff on if I could.

READY? LET’S PLAY.

(All tarot illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith. All Mandalorian images property of Star Wars/Disney.)

UPDATE! @heathenashtattoos​ has taken up where I cannot and is making these cards a reality! I will post them individually and come back to link them to this post as we go.

0 THE FOOL = THE MANDALORIAN / IT IS MADE! --->

The story of the tarot is the Fool’s journey, the arc of becoming. So it makes sense to me that Din would be the fool. Fits even better, since he has tremendous Fool energy in his himbo tendencies, just rushing forward into situations without a lot of planning--he’ll deal with it when he’s in it--ready to rely on others to show him the way or guide/help him to the next step.

If I could draw: Din on the cliff, with his jetpack on, meaning he has no fear of falling. Instead of the bindle-stick the Fool carries, he’d have his pulse rifle slung over his shoulder. Instead of the dog nipping at his heels, Grogu. And, of course, the landscape would be Tatooine/Navaro-esque.

~~~

1 THE MAGICIAN = LUKE SKYWALKER , IT IS MADE! --->

The Magician is someone who is still learning to bend the laws of magic/the Universe, but very adept with their tools. Since Luke is only a few years into his Jedi training at this time, he makes a pretty good Magician.

If I could draw: Luke in his blacks, holding up his lightsaber. The Jedi symbol would replace the infinity sign. 

***

2 THE HIGH PRIESTESS = AHSOKA TANO / IT IS MADE! -->

High Priestess is further along the path of her magic than Magician, and her knowledge is more intuitive, her skills more effortless. Where the Magician is still learning the balance of light and dark, the High Priestess knows the value and pitfalls of both. It was always going to be Ahsoka.

If I could draw: Ahsoka sitting cross-legged in meditation mode, but with eyes open and a knowing smile. Instead of two pillars, she holds her lightsabers up and parallel to each other.

***

3 THE EMPRESS = PELI MOTTO / IT IS MADE! -->

The Empress is the mother figure, the energy in the universe that provides all that is needed and embodies the energy of creation. I can see the argument for Omera being the Empress--mostly because she is a mom and she’s soft and a lot of people see the Empress as a soft female figure, I get it. (And if I were to do a minor arcana, girl would show up as one of the Queens for sure.) But in the end, I gave it to Peli because she’s a recurring character, more relevant in his story, and if Din is the Fool, Peli is more an Empress to him. She’s able to be the provider of his particular needs; services to his ship to get him up flying, contact and location information, and she’s always willing to care for Grogu whenever she gets the chance.

If I could draw: Peli sitting in the dock, against the R4 unit, holding aloft a spanner and surrounded by her pit droids.

***

4 THE EMPEROR = BOBA FETT / IT IS MADE! -->

The Emperor is all about authority. And all I gotta say about Boba is BIG DICK ENERGY.

If I could draw: Just put him on the Jabba throne and let him lounge like a badass.

~~~

5 THE HIEROPHANT = THE ARMORER / IT IS MADE! -->

The Hierophant is the keeper of traditions and a spiritual guide. As the leader of the covert and keeper of the Way, The Armorer fits.

If I could draw: The Armorer, framed by her forge, holding aloft her tools, with Mandalorian acolytes. Instead of the crossed keys at the bottom, let’s just have a mythosaur skull.

***

6 THE LOVERS = FROG LADY AND FROG HUSBAND

This should be obvious and I will fight anyone who says it isn’t the right thing to do. I will die for this.

If I could draw: I would actually depart from the Smith depiction and just draw them embracing or holding each other by the arms and staring into each others’ eyes. Some kind of glowing background? Maybe the egg tank?

***

7 THE CHARIOT = THE MUDHORN

Oh. You thought I was going to say the Razor Crest, didn’t you. Don’t worry, I have plans for our beloved craft, but it ain’t here. The Chariot can be a ride, yes, but it’s about victory. Sometimes it’s about the victory over your inner “beastly” natures. To travel to the next phase in the journey, the Fool must take on the beasts that drive the Chariot and claim dominance over them, and when he does, they will carry him to the next level. Since it’s the victory of the beastly mudhorn that brings Din to his bond with Grogu and becomes his signet, Mudhorn for the win.

If I could draw: Again, I’d probably play on Smith’s imagery, put the charging mudhorn in the middle, and replace the rams with Din on his knees brandishing the vibroblade and Grogu in his pram with his Force hand up.

***

8 STRENGTH = CARA DUNE

Don’t come at me about including Cara. I am glad Gina got shown the door and I lose no love on that bigot. But. Cara is not Gina and to cut her out is to cut out Jon and Dave’s creation and I won’t do it.  I actually love her a lot--she’s got her flaws, but she’s sassy and strong and solid, and I would happily accept a piggyback ride from her any day. She’s also a major player in Din’s story and deserves a spot in it. Strength comes after the Chariot--once you’ve conquered the beast within, you have confident dominion over it and it becomes a companion or a tool for your use. Cara is one with her toughness, she’s used it to do some good and bad shit in her past, and she continues to wield it effortlessly and fearlessly. She is absolutely this card.

If I could draw: I would put her maybe sitting on top of the downed ATST. I’d replace the infinity symbol over her head with the one on her cheek (Rebel Alliance).

~~~

9 THE HERMIT = KUIIL

The Hermit is a loner, yes, but in his solitude he looks within, learns from all he’s been through, and becomes wise. He holds aloft a light of wisdom and truth. This was always going to be Kuiil.

If I could drawn: Just our buddy, looking out over the Arvala-7 landscape, holding aloft an in-universe working lamp. No need to get fancy. He would want it to stay simple.

***

10  THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE = IMPERIAL SYMBOL AND STORM TROOPERS

The Wheel is fate. You win some, you lose some. Sometimes you’re on top, and sometimes the Wheel crushes you beneath it. You are helpless to its roll and where you’ll land. Storm Troopers are such a sad bunch. They are keepers of Imperial Law on the ground. On a good day, they capture a Rebel or hold off an attack. On a bad day, their Moff just blasts them to make an example.

If I could draw: The wheel would just be the Imperial symbol and there’d be Troopers on and under it. Maybe the one on top is just standing there, looking authoritative. The one underneath has been blasted. Some Wheels have two more figures--one on each side--and I’d add those too. The one on the down-going side would be falling, arms flailing, blaster shooting (if only sound were available, there’d be a Whilhelm scream), and the one on the up-going side would just be dangling by one arm, along for the ride.

***

11 JUSTICE = COBB VANTH

Well, it just feels right to make the Marshal into Justice. But it’s not just a literal translation of making sure the right thing gets done and the bad guys are punished. Justice is about wiping away emotion and making decisions with bare truth, looking at every side of the situation and understanding what is really there. And I think Cobb fits this well. He doesn’t want to give up his armor because of what it means for the protection of his people. But he’s willing to consider it, if there’s another way he can protect them. Emotionally, he doesn’t want to deal with the Tusken Raiders, but he does it because he can see it’s the best course of action. He flies into battle with the Krayt Dragon. He gives up his armor without a fight. He makes a fair trade and sees the balance in it because he walks away from the emotion and chooses the best course of action. Cobb Vanth for Justice, errybody.

If I could draw: Cobb in the Fett armor, but with the helmet at his feet. In one hand, a bottle of spotchka. In the other, the Tusken mushroom drinky thing; he’s holding them with equal balance.

***

12 THE HANGED MAN = MIGS MAYFELD

The Hanged Man is not just about a dude who’s hanging upside down. (If that was the case, I would have just gone with Gor Koresh and called it a day.) Hanged Man is about changing your perspective to see things in a new way so you can grow. Many times, this growth also requires sacrifice. Over the two episodes we see Mayfeld, we know he goes from Imperial sharp shooter, to traumatized deserter, to merc, prisoner, and exonerated friend. He’s seen some shit, given up a lot, and he’s willing to see how he can be a help to others and find redemption for himself.

If I could draw: Hear me out. Take the image of Mayfeld hanging upside down from the Crest hatch into the prison ship. Mirror that above with an image of him in his Imperial Ground Transport gear. Flip it all upside down so bad Mayfeld up top, good Mayfeld on bottom, images mirrored but inverted, hence “looking at things a new way and getting everything a little topsy-turvey.”

~~~

13 DEATH = MOFF GIDEON

Death is about transformation, so it’s not always the most sinister card. But Death does not discriminate. It comes for us all, constantly stalking, and it will strike you down to serve its needs. You need to face Death to get to your redemption. But really, Gideon is our big baddie here, so why the hell not.

If I could draw: I would forgo the Smith illustration and go for the Marseilles tradition on this one. Gideon and the Darksaber replaces Death and the scythe.

*** 

14 TEMPERANCE = IG-11

Temperance is the transformation that comes after Death. Once Death has chopped your physical being into pieces with his scythe, Temperance is there to take all your pieces and put them back together into something new and better. It’s also a card that asks you to re-evaluate your priorities and see if you can find better motivations than you previously had. IG’s death and reprogramming speak loudly to me on this.

If I could draw: IG pouring the tea.

***

15 THE DEVIL = THE CLIENT

Here’s another baddie card that’s all about your worst faults, about excess and giving into the stuff that will eventually kill your soul. The Client holds on hard to the Empire, doing whatever he’s ordered to do to be one of the top dogs. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Gideon takes him down like he’s nothing.

If I could draw: The client, wearing his Empire bling, with chains around Doctor Pershing and a rough-looking Storm Trooper.

***

16 THE TOWER = THE RAZOR CREST

I don’t know about you, but Chapter 14 killed me. And not because the Dark Troopers flew away with Grogu. We all knew Din would never stop at getting him back. But when the Crest was destroyed, it was like someone punched me in the soft parts, and I made a lot of severely anguished noises. The Tower is the most tragic card in the tarot. It’s when forces beyond your control make a very big (and usually negative) impact in your life and everything changes. You are left to pick up the pieces and survive any way you can with the skills and resources you’ve been blessed with.

If I could draw: Just that moment of the ray hitting our beautiful Crest, just as it begins to break apart, maybe with Din, Boba, and Fennec watching in horror in the foreground.

~~~

17 THE STAR = GROGU

The Star is hope. It comes after the biggest tragedy in the deck to tell you that not all is lost. There is always something there to live for. C’mon, kids. In this series, there was only one choice.

If I could draw: Just Grogu. Maybe drinking his soup. Or maybe he’s levitating his metal ball overhead, reaching up to it with a smile on his face. *coos*

***

18 THE MOON = BO KATAN KRYZE

We all like Bo Katan, sure. But remember my Clone Wars/Rebels fiends, she was Death Watch, and they were terrorists. She sided with Maul to take over Mandalore. Sure, she’s come a long way and her path is a bit more honorable now, but she’s got an agenda, which makes her hard to trust. Since the Moon is about more feminine energies and has themes of illusion and deception--things look great in the moonlight, but maybe not as they really are--Bo Katan’s our girl.

If I could draw: Head and shoulders profile, double-imaged so you see her face, but her Nite Owl helmet superimposed in profile over it. Nite Owl signet on the bottom. Possibly flanked by her two Nite Owl cronies.

***

19 THE SUN = GREEF KARGA

Everything's sunny when Greef’s around! He’s the feel-good gramps that’s going to make any situation A-Ok! If you’ve got a problem, Greef can sort it out...or he knows someone who can! The sun is always gonna shine on you and take you back.

If I could draw: Just Greef smiling and being cheesy with the halo of the sun around him. 

***

20 JUDGEMENT = FENNEC SHAND

This card traditionally shows the resurrected rising from the grave, ready to be judged. Fennec’s got a lot to answer for in her life, but she is being given a second chance, and my number one girl crush is going to do new and wonderful badass things with it.

If I could draw: I’d either just show her opening her gut pocket to show her new works, all full of aura, with her looking down at it reverently. OR I might do a scene of her being rescued by Boba.

~~~

21 THE WORLD = THE HELMET

Din’s helmet is the world he lives in. But it’s also a symbol of The Way. The World represents completion, a wholeness of self and being, the end of the journey. And since Din is our Fool, his journey is an exploration of his morals and honor, what it means to walk the way of the Mandalore, and what the meaning of the helmet is for him. He may choose ultimately to keep it on and go all-in on Mandalorian-4-lyfe (Child of the Watch style), or he may understand that the helmet is just a symbol and the honor was in him all along; he can wear it or not wear it and it’s all the same.

If I could draw: The World usually depicts a circle or sphere of some kind, the symbol of perfect completion. The helmet is close enough, so it takes up the center. Traditionally, there are four symbols in the corners that give more meaning to The World, and I would replace them with The Razor Crest, Grogu, the Mudhorn Signet, and the pulse rifle or blaster. These represent his home, his foundling, his clan, and his religion, all of which make up more of the whole; what it means to him to be Mandalorian.

~~~~~~~~~~

Challenge accepted and faced. 

Adira dops her witchy mic….

#the mandalorian #mandalorian #tarot #mandalorian tarot #star wars #din djarin #luke skywalker #ahsoka tano #grogu #bo katan hate gang

[jackie5656]

We Promise

With;Newt

A/N: Heyyy. Are we shocked I have another way-too-old for me obsession with yet another fictional character? No. Are we shocked he’s a blonde? Absolutely. Anyways, I’m having a maze runner marathon after not having watched it for years and well, here we are.

Warnings: Probably cursing bc it’s me. Nothing else really.

The chatter amongst the other gladers in the cafeteria is a bit overwhelming, still not being fully accustomed to the new atmosphere. It’s still hard to believe there’s a new world to become accustomed to anyway, seeing as all you’ve ever known was the green fields surrounded by cold concrete. Beside you, Newt raises his brows to silently question if you’re okay, not having to speak to you to know your mind is buzzing  uncontrollably. You give him a small smile when he squeezes your hand  underneath the table, the two of you giving your full attention back to the pair in front of you. Mihno and Thomas sit down beside Newt as they continue on about their own experience. 

“There was this big loud explosion, and these guys came out of nowhere. Started shooting up the place.”

“It was intense.” His buddy adds beside him as you all continue to focus on their story intently. The calloused hand holding yours runs it’s thumb across your knuckles. Newt’s had a habit of always having to have somewhat of a hold on you, and with all that’s going on your’re thankful for his comforting touch. 

“They pulled us out the maze and brought us here.”

“And what about the rest? The other people you were with in the maze...What happened to them?” You add abruptly, curious as why only two of the boys from the same maze sit before you. 

“I don’t know. I guess...WCKD still has ‘em.” He shrugs solemnly as he speaks and your stomach drops at the thought of the other boys you left behind in the glade. You blink hard to push away the image of little chuck laying lifeless on the chilling grounds of the facility...Alone and stiff amongst the broken glass.

“How long you guys been here?” Newt follows up, taking his hand from yours to cross his arms on the table. No doubt unsettled by the information like the rest of you.

“Not long, just a day or two. That kid over there, he’s been here the longest. Almost a week.” You turn your attention to the scrawny, hooded boy across the cafeteria curiously.

“His maze was nothing but girls.”

“Really?”

“Some guys have all the luck.”

“Tell me about it.” You murmur without thinking, chuckling softly when the group laughs. Winston attempts to chuck a fry at you before Newt catches it. Tossing it accurately at his head as you smile cheekily, shrugging when Frypan teasingly nudges your shoulder. It feels good to have the mood lighten up a bit considering the past couple days. Still, an instinctive type of uncertainty lingers in the air around you. 

“Good evening gentlemen, ladies.” Janson’s accented announcement ceases the ongoing conversations around you. Taking your attention away from the unsettling feeling for just a few moments

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

The heavy door of the quaint dorm groans as it’s opened, Frypan leading the group into the room. Bunk beds align the walls in rows, and you watch amusedly as the boys argue over top bunks. 

“I could get used to this.” Winston pronounces, shuffling deeper into the mattress as he speaks.

“Yeah, not bad.” Newt comments, surveying the room contentedly.

“Alright, I’ll escort you to the girl’s dorm.” The broad-chested guard declares as he attempts to lead you out of the room. You back away from his advance as you shake your head in protest. Mihno’s the first to jump down from his bunk beside you, and you don’t hesitate to latch onto his forearm as the man tries to grab your shoulder.

“Whoa, whoa wait a minute. Why is she not staying with us?” Newt protests in a panic, hurriedly making his way to step between you and the guard. The rest of the boys have crowded around too, various shouts of defiance make the burly man increasingly aggravated as he reaches for you again.

“Can’t I stay with them? We’re from the same maze!” You exclaim incredulously, face contorting in pain when Newt pulls the man away from his harsh grip on your wrist, opting to place his own there instead. 

“Boys and girls are not permitted to dorm together, now let’s go!” His booming voice has the rest of you even more riled up instantly, Frypan and Thomas attempting to push the bastard out of the doorway in a chorus of shouts. 

“What’s going on? Break it up!” Janson and a couple of other guards rush over to separate the fight. The rest of you settling down when he spreads his arms out to create more space between all of you. 

“Everyone just calm down, now what seems to be the issue here?”

“You can’t separate us! She stays here.” Newt is the first to say anything, breathing heavy from the altercation as Janson looks to you with narrowed eyes. 

“Girls have a separate dorm just down that corridor, I’m sure you’ll be just fi-”

“That’s bullshit! She was one of the first to be placed in the maze and now you’re gonna separate us?” Mihno exclaims passionately beside you.

“I promise I won’t be any trouble. Please, just don’t take me away from them.”

“We promise we won’t be any trouble.” Newt corrects, shooting a pointed look to Thomas who nods knowingly in agreement. 

Janson studies each of you before sighing. Scratching the side of his head whilst giving a curt nod. “Alright, fine. But I don’t want to hear of another incident from this group or you go to your assigned dorm. Understood?” He’s shaking his head as all of you nod eagerly, quite obviously reluctant to comply with the request.

“Are you two together?” He motions to you and Newt, taking into account the death grip the boy has on your arm as you continue nodding. 

“Yes, but-”

“No sharing bunks. And get to bed, now.” He finishes sternly, one of his men slamming the door shut before you can reply. 

A conjoined breath of relief comes from all of you, and you let out a small gasp when newt tackles you into an embrace.

“Are you alright?” He mutters worriedly into your hair, kissing the side of your head when you nod. 

“Y/n, your arm. Minho announces softly, concern lacing his tone as Newt pulls away from you. Hands lifting your arm to inspect it. Your eyes widen when you're met with redness, skin already beginning to bruise from the assault to it. 

“Bloody hell, did I do that?” Newt inquires, softly rubbing the abused skin with a deep frown. 

“No, no it was mostly him. Your death grip didn’t help either though.” You add teasingly, laugh faltering when his frown deepens as he caresses the skin. “Hey, I’m kidding. Thank you, all of you guys.I’m surprised you didn’t let him take me.” You offer a grateful expression to the rest of the boys as they being to settle in their beds. 

“Oh, I considered it.” Frypan a counters playfully. Grinning when you stick your tongue out to him. 

Newt sighs in front of you, still studying your arm as the rest of the boys fall into a different conversation so you can talk to him without an audience. 

“Hey, I said I’m fine. You could never hurt me.” You place your hand on his cheek, placing a peck on the corner of his mouth to reassure him. Heart lighting up when the action brings a bashful smirk to his lips. The taller boy takes hold of your hand to kiss your palm, the action sending tingles down your arm as if it’s the first time he’s done it. 

“Slinthead better get what’s coming to him.”

“He will, now let’s get to bed.” 

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

You let out an exasperated sigh as you stare up at the ceiling above. Jealous of the rest of the guys who sleep soundly around you. Newt, having totally followed the ground rules Janson gave the both of you, snores softly on top of you. You run your fingers through the blonde strands atop his head to pass time, careful not to move too much in your restless state. 

“Y/n, are you awake?” Thomas whispers softly from the bunk beneath you as you nod, realizing he can’t actually see you. 

“Yeah. Can’t sleep either huh? There’s a shuffling sound before you see his head pop up from his new position on the bunk’s ladder. 

“I can’t stop thinking.” 

“About Teresa? Didn’t they say she was getting some more tests? You inquire quietly, wary of waking Newt or the others. 

“Do you really believe that?”

“Well, what else would they be doing.” Thomas doesn’t respond right away, eyes dancing around the room before looking back to you.

“You’re not the least bit unsettled by this place?” 

“Of course I am. It all seems a bit...Too good to be true.” 

“Exactly, but I don’t think he others would understand.” 

“Maybe. But Thomas, this is the most Newt has ever slept in years. Usually, he’d be pacing the room debating on what supplies to ask for next and taking inventory. Or Minho would be mapping the maze over and over in his head, Frypan thinking about a meal that won’t make us wish we had more than the limitations of the glade. This isn’t home Thomas, not at all. But we’re sleeping in warm beds, with a good meal in our stomachs. It’s been a while” You chuckle sadly at the end of your rant, studying the brunette as he nods thoughtfully. Eyebrows raising in question when his lips curl into a small smirk. 

“I guess you’ve never seen Newt drool before. Must be fully out of it for once.” Thomas motions his head to said boy, the two of you laughing softly as you observe him. 

“Exactly. As much as this place feels a bit off, it’s great to see him finally relax. He’s always carried so much weight on his shoulders Thomas.” You note sadly.

“I know, I wonder if-” He’s interrupted when a distant rattling sounds throughout the room.

“What the hell?” You sit up on your forearms when a soft creaking sound following the rattling comes from below. Thomas and you exchange a worried glance before someone calls out. 

“Psst. Hey, down here” You’re not sure if you’ve imagined the voice as the whispers stop as soon as they’re spoken. Thomas jumps down from the ladder, confirming he’s heard it too.

“C’mon follow me.” There’s rumbling again, as if someone has tunrd around in the lower vents and begun crawling away. 

“Thomas, who the shuck was that?” Your heart is racing, but the look in Thomas’ eyes when he pops back into view slightly reassures you. 

“It’s that kid from the cafeteria, he says he wants to show me something.”

“What kid?”

“The one from the all girls maze.”

“You’re not gonna go, right?”

“Y/n, you agreed something was off about this place. He’s been here the longest, he’s gotta know something we don’t.” 

“Alright, fine. I’ll cover for you. Be careful.” 

“Thanks, I’ll be right back.” Thomas disappears from view once more, and you run your hand over your face as the sounds of them going through the vents fades. Hopefully, the two of you are just paranoid. Realistically though, with all you guys have been through, whatever Thomas finds will confirm your suspicions. Letting out a deep breath, you close your eyes. Hoping to get some rest before he returns.

#maze runner #newt maze runner #minho x reader #newt x reader #thomas maze runner #the maze runner #wckd #fiction #imagines #the maze runner imagine #scorch trials #death cure #tmr gally #tmr #tmr thomas #tmr teresa #tmr newt #tmr minho #minho maze runner #fanfic #tmr fanfic #the maze runner fanfic

[poutybinz]

𝐁𝐅!𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍 ..!%+

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐎𝐔𝐓.

very simply. you both were on the phone talking and laughing about...well, everything and once the conversation lulled he pulled the question. “hey, so, i really enjoy being with you and i think you’re amazing. so, do you wanna go out?”

taehyun knew for a while that he liked you and honestly speaking because you two were friends first, that’s what made it so easy to him. he didn’t feel like he needed to have some grand “proposal” (for lack of a better term). he was him, you were you, there wasn’t a need for the theatrics.

when you said yes, he couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the night. literally fell asleep with a giant grin on his face, he was so giddy.

𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆.

dating taehyun is like dating your best friend, because that’s exactly what it is! as i said before, you two were close friends before dating so in reality not much changes in terms of your relationship.

you’re the type of couple that makes fun of each other all the time, but will also very quickly put up the dukes if someone else dared to try and hurt you. taehyun is quite protective of you, he takes it very seriously when someone comes at you the wrong way. while he knows you don’t need him standing up for him (actually, he thinks it’s very attractive when you fight for him), but he isn’t gonna let it slide.

he doesn’t verbally tell you that he loves you a lot, he prefers to show it by taking care of you. he’s the kind of boyfriend that buys you something you’re very clearly eyeing. like if you’re walking around a mall and he sees you staring at a shirt he’ll get it for you. will make sure you’re eating, especially if you’re going through any depressive episodes. he’s great because he will always hold you accountable.

if you tell him you want to stick to a workout plan, he will make sure you’re doing it. he’ll even help you cook up a meal plan, he’ll call you to give you reminders, he’ll even workout with you! he’s such a great workout buddy, it’s fun to go on jogs with him and observe nature. taehyun’s just great to go anywhere with, honestly. a fun travel buddy, takes the best pictures of you. you both have a photo you took together during a picnic saved as matching lockscreens.

even though he likes to give you shit (playfully), he’s truly so in love with you. he definitely tells the other members how thankful he is to have met you. even tells his mom that he might’ve found the one.

𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒.

so, taehyun can be a bit of a know it all.

you don’t fight very often, you both try to make an effort to talk things out even if there’s a small disagreement but these things do happen. mostly because taehyun swears he knows what’s best for you and goddamnit even if he is right you just want to do things your own way.

he means well, it’s him being protective of you, but it’s intensely annoying sometimes. he can also be a little petty at times, avoiding conversation or saying something slick under his breath when you’re having an argument. taehyun also the type to laugh at you during an argument which makes you even more angry.

however, in the end, taehyun always makes an effort to apologize. if he’s in the wrong, he has no problem in admitting it (even if sometimes he can be petty). taehyun isn’t going to baby you, though, if you’re wrong he’s going to call you out on it. not in a malicious way, but he believes the key in a healthy relationship is holding each other accountable and admitting when you’re wrong. he does make sure to remind you that he loves you no matter what.

𝐏𝐃𝐀.

taehyun doesn’t do pda. at least that’s what he likes to think.

taehyun’s the type to lowkey make fun of other couples who are all lovey dovey (ahem- soobin) in front of everyone because he thinks it’s ridiculous. that is, until he met you.

suddenly he finds his hands sneaking into yours when you’re walking together, he finds himself craving a kiss from you when you’re hanging out. he finds himself wanting to wrap his arms around you and play with your hair while you tell him about your day. so he does just that, and he does it in front of everyone. (everyone meaning the group members, he wouldn’t dare do it in front of the managers. he’s too slick to get caught.)

𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋.

dating taehyun feels warm. it feels like nostalgic afternoons spent laughing with loved ones at a mall, or long drives and ongoing conversations laughing about everything. taehyun is comfort personified.

taehyun’s definitely the kind of person you see yourself being with forever. sometimes when you’re cuddling with each other while watching movies you catch him staring at you with this soft, “i want to spend the rest of my life with this person” face and everytime it makes your heart flutter.

you really live for those moments.

let’s give it up for the birthday boy! （＾Ｏ＾☆♪

#s: bf!txt #i hope u guys enjoy this 🥺 #i planned on doing it in ‘order’ but it’s taehyun’s bday so #we gotta do this for the bday boy !!!! #txt scenarios #txt drabbles #txt imagines #txt timestamps #txt headcanons #txt fluff #txt x reader #taehyun scenarios #taehyun drabbles #taehyun imagines #taehyun timestamps #taehyun headcanons #taehyun fluff #taehyun x reader #bf!taehyun

[poshwife]

Hi aya! can you give me some advice about gym anxiety? I feel so intimidated every time I go in and I just feel paralyzed and awkward

Hey love!

I would start by first and foremost planning and writing down your workout. I’ve been working out consistently since August but I still do this at times because it just helps me know the plan. Eventually you get comfortable enough to start freestyling n I’m getting there but some days I just want an efficient and quick workout and I go back to that. Always plan your routine if you’re anxious (if you need tips with this let me know!)

You go in there and you have to believe the truth…this is the only truth, absolutely no one cares about what you look like or what weights you’re lifting or what exercises you’re doing as long as you’re there because EVERYONE was a beginner at some point, everyone had to start somewhere. You may feel judged or like you’re clueless, but trust me, everyone is too busy looking at their pump in the mirror to be concerned with yours. So, focus on you because no one else will.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who looks more experienced, people at the gym are so much more apt to help you than you think because they were also in your place at some point. And don’t be afraid to ACCEPT help either, someone could be saving you from an injury due to bad form if you’re willing to listen to their pointers (if you’re a girl and it’s a creepy dude obviously not the case but regardless, accept sincere help when it’s given because people pay lots of money for that)…

Approach people who make you comfortable and become gym buddies so you can hold each other accountable to continue going and sticking to your goal/health because it’s hard to do alone. Say stuff like “Hey I couldn’t help but notice you were doing a good job with (the exercise) there, do you mind if we workout together sometime?” or etc etc like it’s so fun knowing a bunch of gym people you’ll love going because of them it’s just gym class but you don’t have a pedo couch telling you to walk the mile because you’re fat you know? anyway yeah

Watch a lot of videos on workouts and how they’re done correctly. Form and balance are essential if you’re doing strength/weight training so pay attention to those physical cues and try to imitate them as best as you can.

If you have any other questions please don’t be shy!

[boognish-worshipper]

Midnight City AU

this is an au where the main characters are all young adults!! (or millennials ig? they’re in their 20s basically) i gave a rundown of what’s what on a diff post,, i’m also splitting it up into diff chapters,, so this is gonna take a looooong time to finish. i’m posting this before i nitpick my writing to the max

it’s basically a lot of references to that point in time, artists, pop culture etc. all the chapters are named after songs from that era (including the name of this au bc i love midnight city and what better way to describe LS ‼️), and the lyrics r usually connected to what the chapter’s about, or about a character dynamic :D i hope this isn’t too cheesy, or sounds off ig. any typos in this were probably over looked bc i constantly reread my writing and rearrange stuff and make sure it sounds good 🥳 hope y’all enjoy !!! i’m also including a tag to find the chapters under :)

//Chapter 1: Crimewave

Trevor would never, ever admit it, but he had fallen into the category known as “post-hipster”. This was a strange era that began culminating, taking LS by storm. Whether he liked it or not, he could never avoid it. Even if he swore up and down he wasn’t like them, it was practically a paradox. Saying he wasn’t like them just made him a branched off version of the thing he denounced. Each aesthetic that was churned out as the 2010s rolled in were tied to a style, a sound, and Trevor couldn’t care less. It’s not like people liked what he liked. He didn’t belong to anything in particular, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t like them. If anything, he just became another obscure genre in the mix.

One of his favorite music groups was a Canadian duo called Crystal Castles. He enjoyed a good number of their songs, developing an interest for electropunk and pop punk. There was something unique about the sound, and it made Trevor feel special, like he discovered some sort of hidden treasure. He was into pop punk groups like Paramore too, but it was something about them that was just different. People knew Paramore. He often lingered around Sterling Lake, where other post-irony hipsters and classic hipsters resided, careful not to fully associate with them. After all, he apparently despised them, even though he participated in their strange… “culture”. If you could even call it that. From time to time he would find himself discussing his favorite artists with whatever semi-normal person was there, making a couple friends himself who weren’t the snooty kind he’d grown used to.

They all loved talking about how exceptional their taste in music was, a wide variety of people hanging around with their own cliques. Some liked Fall Out Boy, while others liked Blink-182, and then there were the weirdos who liked groups like Radiohead. Most of those guys were whiny, proclaiming how misunderstood they were. He knew maybe one Radiohead song at most (he definitely, definitely never cried to “Creep” and even if he did, so what) but never found himself willingly getting into their music. Then you had the nosedivr crowd, which consisted of mostly girls, and the occasional hipster guy that defected. Their taste was.. alright. Consisted of artists like Lana Del Ray and Marina and the Diamonds, who were their idols. He found almost everyone there besides the few friends he made kind of edgy, and not in the cool way. But he figured all hipsters and guys like them were kind of uncool. Don’t even get him started on those other indie rock types. God. He still came back as often as he could though, establishing some kind of routine. Most people there avoided him anyway, which he preferred. He had enough troubles with them in the past. There was one day he grew tired of the people gawking at him, and he launched a hipster right into the lake. So yeah, nobody within their right mind so much as looked in his direction. That was just how he rolled.

Today, he sat on a nearby bench in Sterling Lake’s park, watching some ducks float on water. His usual friends had been there too, seeing his clowncore buddy Wade with his cousin Floyd. Wade was extremely different than the pretentious fucks around them. He had a shit ton of piercings, and ICP was his favorite music group. Floyd on the other hand, fit right in. Almost too much, like it was something he was forced to do. But he did genuinely enjoy Weezer, of all things you could enjoy. Wade started waving at Trevor, while Floyd hid behind him. All he did was awkwardly wave back, turning his attention back to the lake. He liked Wade, but the clown stuff he wore sometimes spooked him. He didn’t pay much mind to his relative. Looking back across the water, he saw someone new, observing the area. Some dude a little above the average height, hands in his pockets walking around. He seemed a bit lost, and Trevor figured he should help if he was. After all, what was this guy doing here? New people didn’t show up often.

“Hey bud, you lost or something?”

“Oh uh, nah not really. I’m just looking for this girl I met a while ago, said she hangs out around here?”

“What she look like? I’m here pretty often.”

“Uhh kinda short, dark brownish hair? Wears fishnet stockings, high waisted shorts or whatever those grunge people are into.”

“Let me guess, she into the Neighborhood?”

“How’d you know?”

“Yeah, that’s Amanda, she’s a bit of a regular. Not too fond of me I must say.”

“How come?”

“She’s just petty towards me.” He said with a shrug. He didn’t feel like relaying his encounters with her if the guy was dating her or something.

“Oh… well d’ya think you could help me find her? I don’t really know anybody else here. I could actually use the help, since you know her.”

“Eh sure, why not.”

It’s not like he had anything better to do. The two began to walk around the park, gravel and dirt crunching beneath their feet.

“So.. what’s this place about?” The strange guy asked.

“Hm? Oh, it’s just one of those places the hipster folks meet up I guess. Don’t understand it much myself, nor do I really like them.”

“Then why do you come here?”

“Dunno. It’s relatively peaceful, those freaks keep to themselves.”

The man, who was only a smidge shorter than Trevor, glared up at him.

“Hey man, don’t call my girl a freak.”

“Ehh I don’t really count her in with the generic skinny jean wearing hipsters. More of a.. what is it called.. nosedivr type. Whatever that stupid website’s called. Why do you think she dresses like that?”

“Huh.. Never really thought to ask her.”

As he thought about the stuff Amanda wore, he took note of how the man next to him was dressed. He sported an olive jacket with a black turtle neck, and a plain pair of jeans. He wore beat up black converse to top it off, and a pair of Rimmers sunglasses sat upon his head. He looked simple, yet distinguished with the way he presented himself, hair neatly combed back. He figured the two would look nice standing next to one another. They would’ve made an attractive couple, if they weren’t dating already, the kind that turns heads. Trevor wasn’t like them. He wore a black beanie over his mullet, and his favorite pair of red Dix sunglasses rested on the bridge of his nose. The rest of his fit looked disheveled. He had thrown on a wrinkled top, solid black with little surf boards and cars along the bottom- he was a sucker for Hawaiian shirts. His pants were tan colored but had some bleach stains, with old combat boots on his feet.

“Yeah, we may not like each other but I don’t really consider her a freak like those guys.”

He jutted a thumb in the direction of a circle of guys huddled around a phone. The man holding the phone had strawberry blonde hair and a clean outfit on. An expensive looking outfit.

“Who are they?”

“The people here I absolutely cannot fucking stand. The genuine hipsters.”

“Oh.. and you’re..?”

“I’m my own kind. I’m not like these losers, all uppity and shit.”

“Right. Gotcha.”

They walked around a bit more before finding the group Amanda was with. She sat on a bench, chatting with a few girls who dressed similarly to her. All of them had black incorporated into their style. She herself had a black jumper on, tucked neatly into the front of her jean shorts. Just like the guy described, she had fishnets on under them, skater shoes to match. Loose braids fell on her shoulders, and a small black choker was wrapped around her neck.

“Oh, there he is now! Babe! Over here!”

She narrowed her eyes upon seeing Trevor standing next to him.

“Hello, Trevor.” She huffed.

“Relax, I was helping your boyfriend or whatever look for you.”

Her face softened slightly, but still kept a small glare in his direction. She pressed her lips together tight before replying.

“Thanks, I guess.”

“Yup.”

The man turned to face Trevor, sticking out a hand.

“Hey, thanks for showing me around. Trevor, is it?”

“Don’t wear it out.”

He shook his hand, noticing how soft it was. It was in stark contrast to his own, which was rough and calloused.

“Name’s Michael. I’ll see you around most likely? Thanks again.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Amanda huffed again, nudging Michael’s shoulder.

“Let’s go hun, Bean Machine closes soon!”

“I’m comin’ I’m comin’!”

The two sauntered off, hand in hand. Trevor stood dumbly, watching them walk away. He was right. They did look good together. He wondered if he would actually see this Michael again, kicking a rock. He went back to the bench he originally sat at, putting his earbuds in, listening to some Crystal Castles again to pass the time. The beat thumped in his ears, and all he could think was how much better this shit was compared to that club music shit that played on every radio station in a 5 foot radius. He sat there, scrolling through his own secret nosedivr account, reblogging some photo of a lit cigarette. Right before a hand touched his shoulder causing him to jump.

“What the fuck- Oh. Ron.”

Ron was another friend of Trevor’s, a guy he had met outside one of the iFruit stores talking about how “they’re tapping the phones they sell in there!” and all that conspiracy nonsense. He was a paranoid guy, but Trevor kind of liked that about him. Those were the kind of freaks he liked. He was shorter than Trevor, sort of frail in stature. He wore a bright red windbreaker over a faded tourist tee that read “I went to Liberty City and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!”, along with khaki colored cargo shorts. It didn’t help that he wore some goofy looking bucket hat, and socks with sandals. He dressed like someone’s middle aged father.

“Trevor! Have you seen Wade around anywhere?”

“Last I checked, he was with Floyd.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“Uh no, but my best bet is they went to that vinyl shop Floyd’s girlfriend works at.”

“Will ya come with me to find him?”

“Now why the fuck would I do that? What do you need him for?”

“Well I- I uh- um..”

“I uh! I uh! Spit it out Ron!”

“It’s about the Merryweather Night Club.”

Merryweather was a big organization that had a wide range of private clubs all over the country, and complimentary body guards to suit. They were all expensive as fuck, and anywhere they settled jacked up the prices of everything else. A lot of neighborhoods became gentrified as a result, and people actually considered it a good thing. What a fucking joke. Trevor of course couldn’t stand it. He hated bullies, and Merryweather was no exception. He’d been wanting to dismantle the club since they settled in LS, seeing as they only amplified the fake feel of the city. Let’s just say he’s gotten into more than a few scuffles with the club. And let’s just say it ended with someone getting stabbed as a result. The guy had it coming to him anyway. Between bouncers and the clubbers, they didn’t like Trevor or his kind loitering around the joint. It didn’t stop him from plotting some sort of revenge though. Ron per usual was on board, his reason being Merryweather’s violent history that had been swept under the rug. They were rather forceful relocating people who had lived in certain neighborhoods for years, Ron being one of their victims. Wade only decided to tag along because he wanted to be included.

“Ah fuck, what’d those bastards do now?”

“They’re throwing some big party!”

“…What fucking for?”

“All I know some guy’s coming to visit, somebody they labeled important and he’s-“

“Woah woah woah wait, Ron. Who?”

“Steve Haines.” He breathed out, careful not to be overheard.

Trevor’s eyes widened, his gaze shooting over to the posse he had poked fun of before. Steve was talking to the group, all of them doing that fake laugh they always did. God, even their humor was pretentious.

“Those fucking hipsters!” He hissed.

“I abhor them, you know that-“

“I know. I know. But, that Weston guy’s gonna be there with him-“

“Weston? Devin Weston?”

If Trevor hated hipsters, then he utterly loathed rich daddy’s money boys like Devin Weston. He had only gotten that stupid fucking night club because his father paid Don Percival enough money to let Devin do whatever he pleased with the Merryweather body guards. It was an elitist club, and they only allowed the best of the best in there.

“What the fuck’s going on there?”

“Something to do with those guys he hangs out with. I think they’re doing something major, expansion maybe-”

“And him and Devin are working together or..?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t hear much after that, that’s why I wanted to grab you and Wade and-”

“Then let’s fucking go get him, Ron!”

The two rushed out of there, heading for the vinyl store to look for Wade. Trevor knew a shit storm was coming, and he absolutely couldn’t wait.

//the next chapter’s gonna be longer i promise lolz

#gta v #grand theft auto v #michael de santa #trevor philips #young trikey #franklin clinton #lamar davis #lester crest #amanda de santa #steve haines #midnight city au

[reidgraygubler]

a different type of high (pt 7) spencer reid/reader

Title: A Different Type of High (part seven)

Request: no

Couple: spencer reid/gen-neutral!reader

Category: angst, with the tiniest bit of fluff

Content Warning:  mentions of dating while recovering an addiction, mentions of drug use, attending narcotics anonymous, struggling with sobriety, withdrawal and symptoms of withdrawal, mentions and allusions of sex, Swearing, mildly ooc spencer, spencer’s pov,

Word Count: 3,202

Summary: The team confronts Spencer about how close he and reader are getting and are worried about their health and safety.

A/N: there won’t be an update next week, i have a very special/important announcement coming later today that’ll explain why. This is also the last part before the fun parts begin >:) so im also going to take the quickest break for a week and a half. But don’t worry, other things will be post! anyways, thank you all for the love and support! check out my masterlist!

last part   series masterlist  next part

{***}{***}{***}

I looked down at the person sleeping beside me. Their small body was curled into my side and one of their arms was languidly thrown across my body as if I was a stuffed animal. Part of me wondered if they were scared I'd disappear. I wish I could tell them that they didn't have to fear, I wasn't going anywhere unless they wanted me to. Well, other than work, I won’t be leaving them.

I tried to not let my thoughts be just about them, and my worries and fears. But it was hard. They were the first good thing to happen to me in a long time.

I’m sure their thoughts were consumed by me too. In fact, I know their thoughts were filled with me. They’re an addict. They have an addictive personality, and I’m their new addiction. They probably don’t even realize it either. Of course, why would they? They probably don’t even realize it. They live in their own little bubble, with their own rules, and I’m just a part of it. I was glad I was a part of it too. Because, I’m also an addict, and they’re my new addiction.

"Hey," their soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked down at them with a smile. "What're you thinking about? You got that look in your eye," they smiled as they tried pulling the blanket over their body, and tried to hide into my side. 

"Nothing special," I retorted, feeling a warmth spread through my body as they continued to cling to me. "Why? What are you thinking about?" I asked, resting my hand on their back. They rolled so my hand was on their stomach. 

"You," they beamed, sticking their head out from under the blanket. A bright smile grew on their lips as they looked at me. Their hair was a mess and covered their eyes just right. The light from the lamp on the nightstand lit them up just right, showing each imperfection on their face.  A blueish-purpleish spot on their neck caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw it.

"Good things I hope," I watched as they sat up, the blanket pooling around their waist. I tried not to stare at their bare body, but they made it hard as they stretched their arms in the air before turning to look at me. They leaned closer to me, a sly smile growing on their lips.

“Only the best thoughts of you fill my head,” they whispered before not so gracefully pressing their lips to mine. I laughed as I rested my hands on their shoulders to try and steady their body. 

“That’s good, I think,” I raised an eyebrow as I looked back at them. They smiled before slipping out of the bed and grabbing the shirt I wore from the day before.

“I’m going to the bathroom… Don’t go anywhere,” they looked at me before leaning across the bed. I looked up at them with a smile before kissing them softly. “Promise,” their whisper was soft and innocent, as if they were asking their parents a promise not to break. 

“It is my apartment,” I furrowed my eyebrows as I watched them walk away. They looked over their shoulder and right at me before slipping into the bathroom. I pressed my head into the headboard behind me as I waited for them to finish up. It’d be a matter of moments before they returned and I’d have to tell them I’d have to leave for work. I knew they wouldn’t have anything better to do today, other than hanging out at my apartment. Which, I was fine with. They could stay here for as long as they wanted.

“So,” their voice came from the bathroom, causing me to look towards them. They were walking out of the bathroom, looking down at the ground as they walked. I wondered what was going through their head, and I wondered what it was like to be in their mind on a good day. “What are the plans today,” they finally looked up at me with a smile. Their smile was quick to vanish when they saw the pout on my lips. 

“I have to go in today,” I wrapped my arms around their body as they sat beside me. They looked up at me with sadness in their eyes. “Will you be alright without me today?” I asked as I lifted a hand to hold their head against my arm.

“Can I stay here?” they looked up at me through their eyelashes and a pout on their lips. I looked back at them and nodded. “I have some errands to do anyways… But, can I stay when I’m done?” 

“Of course you can, I have no issue with that,” I whispered and nodded. They looked at me and smiled before pressing their lips to both my cheeks. They were quick as they moved to straddle my legs and wrap their arms around my neck.

“Thank you, Spencer,” they spoke in a soft whisper. I returned the smile and rested my hands on their hips. “I wish you didn’t have to work today. Wish we could stay here… together,” they whispered as they played with the hair on the back of my neck.

“Oh, I’ll be home before you even know it,” I looked up at them with a small smile on my lips. Their pout slowly turned into a smile as they looked at me. There was a certain joy and excitement in their eyes as they looked at me. And, I wondered what it was that they saw in me. I was in no way, shape, or form perfect. I don’t want to make it seem like they are, because they aren’t. But, some parts of them are. Maybe in another timeline, they were absolutely perfect, and nothing bad was happening to either of us. 

“You look like you’re thinking too hard, Spencer,” they laughed at me. I looked at them and shook my head. 

“I was just thinking that I should get ready for work. I want to get coffee on the way and I don’t want to be late,” I lifted a finger and poked their nose. Their nose wrinkled as I withdrew my finger from their face.   A sneaky smile grew across their lips before they stuck their tongue out at me. 

“I can’t believe you’d rather leave early and get coffee than hang out with me a little bit longer,” they placed a hand over their heart, feigning pain and heartbreak. I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Hurt, really, truly hurt by your laughter, Spencer,” they sighed, dropping their shoulders and tilting their head to the side. 

“Maybe next time, if you wake up early enough, you can come with me to get coffee,” my hands ran up and down their arms as I looked up at them. They sighed before falling into my body, becoming a heavy lump as the seconds passed. “But, I seriously have to get ready,” I groaned as their weight stilled on me.

“But, what if you didn’t have to get ready and go in,” they spoke into my chest. I sighed, resting my hands on their back. 

“C’mon, I can’t be late,” I tried to get them off me. And with a deep sigh and cry, they climbed off my body. “We can blame Hotch,” I laughed as I stood up. 

“Stupid boss. Making you go to work,” they grumbled as they grabbed their jeans. I watched as they tried to reach for one of my cardigans. Part of me almost told them not to take it, but I knew they’d put up a fight and win it anyways. So, I let them.

“Just this once, I do like wearing my sweaters at work,” I watched as they slipped the sweater onto their arms. They looked at me and smiled, hugging their arms around their body. 

“I’ll bring them back, promise,” they replied, watching as I got dressed.

“Part of me doesn’t believe you,” I looked over at them as I began to tie my tie. They stepped up to me and smoothed out my tie as I tried to reach for a different cardigan.

“That’s fair, but… Think about it, Spencer, this is the first sweater I’m stealing from you,” they smiled as they began to button the cardigan I was wearing.

“I am thinking… And… Still waiting for the jacket I gave you the first night we met,” I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at them. Their smile faltered slightly as their fingers continued to button my sweater. It was obvious they were trying to keep their eyes off me, looking at my sweater instead of looking at my face. 

“Well, you see, I…” they closed one of her eyes as they tried to come up with a lie. I lifted my hand and brought it up to rest under their chin. “Okay, okay, I still have it… I just… don’t want to give it back,” their words trailed off as they spoke. I smiled and pulled my hand away from their face. “But, if you really want it back… I can return it,” they sighed as they looked up at me. I looked down at them and cocked my head to the side.

“I’ll think about it. Now, I definitely don’t have time for coffee,” I smiled before pecking their lips. They smiled before allowing me to go put pants on. 

“That was my plan the whole time,” they smiled before leaving the bedroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

They were in my kitchen, and they were probably acting like it was our kitchen, like it was our home. I was honestly okay with that too… Hell, they even slept in the same bed as me (and done a little more than just sleep in said bed some nights). They basically lived with me at this point in time, without them having their belongings here. The thought of asking them to move in with me had passed my mind. But, a part of me wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Although, I’d love it if they lived with me. We’re each other’s distractions. Accountability Buddies, as they would put it. 

Maybe I should just ask them? The worst they would say is no, right? But, I know them enough to know they wouldn’t say no.

Just as I finished putting my shoes on, the sounds of clatter came from somewhere out of the room. I could only assume they were in the kitchen, making what I could only hope was coffee. Knowing them, they probably felt bad about delaying my leaving. I don’t blame them. I felt bad for leaving them. But, they didn’t have to go out of their way to make me coffee...

“You still like a lot of sugar and cream, right!?” Their voice carried from the kitchen to my room as they shouted. I raised an eyebrow as a loud crash, followed by a list of profanities, came from the kitchen. “Everything is okay!” They shouted. I furrowed my eyebrows as I finished tying my shoes. When I stood up, I looked at my reflection, making sure I looked acceptable for the workday, and once I was pleased with how I looked, I made way for the sudden disaster in the kitchen. I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to seeing what mess they had made.

“Made you coffee,” they smiled at me as they held up a plain white porcelain mug. I smiled before taking it from them and bringing it to my lips.

“You’re the best person in the world,” I looked at them as I took a sip. Part of me almost included ‘In fact, you’re my favorite person in the world,’. But, I figured that was for a different time. They smiled before stepping in front of a pile on the ground. My eyes looked between the shattered mug, and their ‘I’m not guilty’ expression. 

“I’ll clean it up,” they muttered once they realized I saw the shards of a broken mug, “Have a good day,” they bounced up to me before pressing their lips to mine. They hummed as they wrapped their arms around me to hold me close.

“You too,” I whispered before pecking their lips one last time. They looked up at me as I succeeded sliping free from their grip and to leave. I looked down at my watch. At the rate I was moving, I’d be only a few minutes late. Hopefully no one at the office will be mad that I’m late. They shouldn’t care too much, right? There have been times Derek was late, or Emily… It shouldn’t be too much of a problem… I hope.

When I finally did arrive at the office, I dropped my empty mug off at mydesk, before finding my way to the conference room. And, just as I had thought, everyone was already there, and the briefing had already started. 

I tried to not feel embarrassed that everyone stared at me as I took a seat beside Jennifer and Emily. But it was hard when their stares felt judgemental. They hadn’t treated me any different since I told them about my problems and addiction. In fact, they 100% supported me. I just think they were happy that I was getting help instead of suffering in silence. I didn’t have it in me to tell them that I suffered for the better part of a year after Tobias Henkle, I just got scared. 

“Sorry I’m late,” I muttered as I sat. Aaron looked over at me with a mildly worried look in his eye. “We slept in a little and then I started running late.” I made up, even though it wasn’t a total lie. 

“Says the mark on your neck,” Emily looked down at the table, her eyes scanning the file she had. I glanced over at her, feeling a flame grow over my neck. I found myself looking down, my hands instantly went to my neck to cover the marks that were put there last night by a certain someone. 

“Oh! My man! You getting some?” Derek looked over at me with a smirk. I looked up at him with wide eyes, my hands slipping away from my neck. 

“Shut up,” I muttered before looking back down at the table. I sighed deeply before flipping the case file. “Frankly, it’s none of your business,” I glanced at him for a moment before looking back down at the file. 

“Spence,” Jennifer looked at me, her voice soft. I had to hold back from snapping, because I almost did. Just because she’s my best friend, doesn’t exactly mean she, or anyone for that fact, gets to ask about my sex life or what happens at home.  

“I don’t know what you guys want me to say,” I shrugged as I looked at everyone, “I’m obviously not going to lie, but, I don’t want to tell you that. That’s private,” I wrinkled my nose as I spoke. The room fell silent for a moment before Jennifer spoke.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with-”

“I don’t know what you're talking about, Jennifer,” I looked at her with a mild annoyance on my face.

“You’ve gotten pretty close to them, that’s all,” Jennifer looked over at me. I lowered the file I was reading and looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. Derek was the next person to look at me.

“I never said anything about a relationship with them… With anyone actually,” I spoke sternly. 

“So what? We just hang out with each other. We’re each other’s accountability partners. That’s it,” I stated, feeling the lie burn up my throat and through my teeth. I could sense that they knew it was a lie too. So, no one said anything for a moment. Until Emily did.

“Spencer, you know this. People who are recovering from an addiction shouldn’t be in a relationship. It can be dangerous for both people in the party,” Emily looked over at me. I looked back at her, trying not to attack her as I’ve done in the recent past. But, she keeps talking to me like she knows me. She doesn’t know me. Not like the other members of the team. Not like the person at home knows me. 

“They… they make me feel better,” I whispered, my words trailing off before looking away from everyone. I could feel their stares and silent judgments drilling into my body. No matter what I would say to them, they’d have a comeback. “We’re just friends,” it was a lie. Everyone knew that it was a lie too. I’m not sure what we were, but we weren’t just friends. I didn’t want to risk losing them though. I didn’t want to tell the team that they'd further judge me. 

“I think that’s a conversation for another day,” Jennifer looked at me, almost like she was reading my mind. I looked back at her, feeling my heart slow to a near stop. I hoped she’d forget about having a conversation about this. But, it’ll probably be on her mind for the rest of forever.

However, I was grateful the pain-staking conversation came to an end when my phone began ringing. I was quick to pull it out of my pocket, only to see that it was my home phone calling me. I furrowed my eyebrows for a moment before realizing who it was calling me.

“Excuse me, I have to take this,” I looked back up at each individual person before stepping out of the room. 

“This is Doctor Spencer Reid,” my voice was low as I spoke. I didn’t want anyone around to listen in on my conversation, though it’d be one-sided for that person.

“Hey,” their voice was just as low as mine, and I could tell something was wrong, “Hey, I... I, uh… I know you don’t like it when I call… When you’re on, uh… You’re at the office. But I think… I think someone was followin- Spencer, I think someone’s trying to break in,” their voice was shaky and that confirmed there was something wrong. 

“Spencer, what… What do I do?” 

“Don’t… Listen, don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. Okay?” I tried to not let a shakiness grow in my voice. But it was clear something was wrong. I swallowed roughly before shaking my head. 

“Spen-Please.. Please hur-” and then the line went silent. I furrowed my eyebrows before pulling my phone from my ear, looking at the screen that once had an on-going call. 

I quietly whispered their name after I pressed my phone to my ear. When it was quiet, I took a deep shaky breath before turning to re-enter the conference room.

“That was… Someone… Someone broke into my apartment… While…” my words trailed off as I looked at the people around the table. Everyone looked at me as they realized what I was saying, without actually saying it. “I don’t know if they’re okay… Please… Help me,” 

series taglist: @shameleswhorehourstm , @itsametaphorbriansblog , @bxtchboy69 , @sammypotato67 , @seninjakitey , @thatsonezesty13 , @thebluetint , @honestlystop , @herecomesthewriterwitch , @mediocrity-atitsfinest , @honeyboysteezy , @aluna190 , @mggsprettygirl , @vampiracontessa , @takeyourleap-of-faith​ , @cielo1984

tags that didn’t work: @mediocrehamiltrash @exilereid 

if you want to be apart of the series taglist, please let me know :)

#shadow writes stuff #masterlist #matthew gray gubler #spencer reid #criminal minds #mgg #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x reader #doctor spencer reid #doctor spencer reid fan fiction #doctor spence reid fanfiction #doctor spencer reid fanfiction #doctor spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid x you #a different type of high

[aslanjadecarlyle]

ghost of you (asheiji)

This oneshot is birthday gift from me to myself

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You May also find this oneshot on my AO3 account: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33681853

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In which Michael makes an imaginary friend.

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Warnings: post-canon, grief/mourning

Michael is eight. Eight years, five months, and four days, to be exact. He’s too old for imaginary friends.

But, his friend that shows up in his parents’ living room one day can’t be imaginary. He can’t be, because Michael recognizes him.

“Ash!” he squeals.

He’s not sure what Ash is doing here. According to his parents, Ash had “gone away for a long time,” and they’d both had tears in their eyes when they sat him down to talk about it. That was just a few days ago. But, Ash is back. He hadn’t been gone for very long.

He’s back, and he’s right here in Michael’s living room!

The older boy looks surprised. And pale. He looks very pale, but it only makes the green of his eyes even brighter as they widen. “Michael?”

“Hiya, Ash!”

As Ash’s eyes soften, they are sad, but calm. “You can… you can see me?”

“Course I can, silly!” Michael grins as he jumps to his feet. “Oh boy, just wait ‘til I tell Mom and Dad that you’re back. They’ve missed you a whole lot.”

“Wait, Michael,” Ash calls out.

Michael, who’d started for the hallway, stops in his tracks. Confused, he turns back to the older boy.

“I don’t think telling your parents about me is such a good idea,” Ash says softly.

Michael juts his lower lip out in a pout. “Why not?”

“People don’t…” Ash pauses. Hesitates. “People don’t… normally come back from where I went to.”

“Where did you go?”

Ash hesitates again. Michael frowns.

“What’s wrong, Ash?”

“Nothing, buddy,” Ash says. “Just… I went to a place that you won’t have to worry about for a long time.”

“Oh. When I do have to worry about it, then will you tell me?”

Ash cringes, but he nods. “Of course.”

Michael smiles, eyes sparkling again. “Okay!”

“Michael?”

At the sound of Jessica’s voice, Ash freezes. As Michael looks at him, he puts a finger to his lips.

Michael nods.

“Yeah, Mom?” he calls back, going into the hallway. His mother is coming down the stairs.

“Are you talking to someone?” she asks. She’d just gotten out of the shower and she’s wrapped in a fluffy robe, her hair still dripping wet.

Michael shakes his head. “Just me. I made up a new game.”

“Oh. That’s nice.” She smiles, but it’s small and sad. All of her smiles have been sad since Ash went away.

As she turns away to go back upstairs, Michael says, “Hey, Mom?”

Jessica pauses, then turns to face him again. “Yes?”

“I miss Ash.”

At that, Jessica’s eyes mist over. She stares down at the floor and tries to hide her sniffling, but without much success. “I think we all miss Ash, sweetheart.”

“Will he come back?”

Jessica tries to hide the tear that escapes down her cheek, but she’s too late. Michael sees it. “Probably not, Mikey.”

Michael’s eyes widen. His mom hadn’t called him Mikey since he was a little kid.

“Okay, Mom. Okay.”

“Michael, if you…” Jessica pauses. Takes a deep breath. “If you want to talk about Ash, or anything else, your dad and I will always be here to listen.”

He nods. “Will Dad be home soon?”

“He has another hour at work, but he’ll be home after.” She ruffles his hair, but he doesn’t cringe away like he normally would.

He nods. “Okay.”

After she goes back upstairs, Michael returns to the living room. Ash is huddled in a corner on the floor, knees drawn up to his chin.

“Are you okay?” Michael asks, voice squeaking a little.

“I will be,” Ash mumbles.

“How long will you stay?”

Ash lifts one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “I don’t have anywhere I need to be. I can stay awhile.”

Michael’s eyes light up again. “Oh, yay! Will you play with me?”

Lifting his head, Ash manages a small smile.

“Of course, buddy.”

*

Ash keeps his promise. Ash stays.

They’d been almost caught a few times, but Michael is starting to think that neither of his parents can see Ash, which is weird. They’d had no problem seeing him before he went away.

When he asks Ash about it, Ash says he doesn’t know. He says that the place he went to changed him, and maybe grown-ups can’t see him anymore.

Michael accepts this answer, but he’s still curious about where Ash went. Whenever he asks, all Ash says is that it “was a bad place.” He’d tell Michael more about it when he was older.

Michael didn’t like this answer.

He was almost eight and a half. Eight years, five months, and twenty-three days, to be exact. He thought he was plenty old enough.

But, even though he gets frustrated, the frustration usually fades quickly. Ash was sticking around, and they still played together. That was enough, for now.

It took a lot of concentration for Ash to play, though. He could hardly roll a car across Michael’s bedroom floor without focusing absolutely all of his attention on it. Michael thought maybe he was sick, but Ash said that the place he went to made him weak. Not sick, just weaker than he used to be.

Michael hadn’t realized it before, but Ash was good at keeping secrets. He wished he was as good at keeping secrets as Ash was.

Because one night, about two or three weeks after Ash came back, Michael accidentally lets their secret slip.

He and his parents are sitting around the dinner table. Salmon, green beans, and rice tonight — one of Jessica’s favorite meals. Max and Michael normally preferred burgers and fries. But, it’s still good. Everything Jessica cooks is delicious.

Max is talking about work, and Michael, in typical eight year old fashion, zones out.

That is, until Ash’s name comes up.

At the mention of Ash’s name, Michael perks up. Forgetting the promise he’d made, he pops a piece of fish into his mouth and says, delightedly, “We’re going to play a new game later!”

Talk ceases. Max and Jessica both turn their attention to their son.

“Who are you going to play with, bud?” Max asks.

Michael smiles. He thinks it’s funny that Ash started calling him ‘buddy’ like his dad does. “Ash! He can’t play a lot of games anymore, but he said he’s gonna teach me a new one. One he can play.”

The clinking of silverware stops. Both adults freeze, then glance at each other.

“You’re going to play a game with Ash?” Jessica asks.

“Yeah!”

“Where did Ash come from?” This time, it’s Max who speaks.

Michael shrugs. “He came back. You guys acted like he’d be gone forever, but it was just a few days.”

“A few days? But it’s been weeks…” Jessica glances at Max.

A frown is settling deep in Max’s brow. “How long has he been back, bud?”

Michael shrugs. “You guys talked to me, told me Ash had gone away. But then he came back again a few days later.”

Jessica sucks in a breath.

“All right.” Max inhales deeply, nods. Then, he smiles. “How about you finish dinner in your room, huh? A special treat.”

Michael’s eyes light up. “Can I watch TV?”

“Of course, bud.”

Jessica helps him prepare a tray, then Michael takes his food to his room without complaint.

When he arrives in his room, Ash is waiting for him.

And then he remembers his promise.

“Oh!” Michael gasps. He stands there, tray rattling as his hands start to shake, and his lower lip quivers. “I’m s-sorry, Ash.”

Ash, though, only smiles at him. “It’s all right, buddy.”

“Are you gonna leave?” Michael’s eyes fill with hot tears. “I’m sorry!”

“Nah.” Ash leans back, crossing one Converse-clad foot over the other, “I won’t leave.”

“Really? You’ll stay?” Michael sniffles, but manages a smile.

Ash smiles back. “Yeah, I’ll stay. But, playtime is going to be a bit delayed, all right? I need to check something.”

Michael nods. “O-Okay.”

“Finish your dinner, huh? I’ll be right back.”

Ash leaves Michael, still sniffling but calming down, in his room, and ventures out. He knows there’s no reason to be overly cautious or sneaky, but old habits die hard

(pun intended)

as he creeps down the hallway.

He finds Max and Jessica talking in the kitchen. He stands, totally exposed but unnoticed all the same, in the doorway, and watches.

Jessica has her head in her hands and her shoulders shake. Her tears are silent, but he knows she’s crying. Max has a chair pulled up next to her and he’s got his arms wrapped around her.

“Maybe this is his way of coping,” he mumbles.

“B-By thinking he can see Ash? Max, Ash is, Ash i-is—“

“I know.” Max cups her face in his hand. He attempts to wipe the tears away, but they come too quickly. “I know, Jess. But, I don’t think he quite understood when we tried talking to him. Maybe this is his way of… processing.”

“He’s too old for imaginary friends, Max!” Jessica snaps.

But, she’s not angry. Not at Max.

She’s angry at the world.

She’s heartbroken.

“This will last a few weeks, maybe a few months,” Max predicts, “but he’ll grow out of it. Maybe it’ll help if we sit down with him again. Explain things… properly.”

“Y-You mean, tell him—“

Max nods.

“Oh, but Max—“

“I know,” he mumbles, pulling her into a hug, “but, is it really fair to let him continue to believe that Ash could come back someday?”

“I, I—“ Jessica hiccups, sniffles. She rests her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I’ll talk to him after school on Friday,” Max mumbles, rubbing her back.

“Okay,” she whispers. He holds her tight. “But, what if…”

“Hm?”

“What if… it doesn’t help? What if he still thinks he can play with Ash?”

Max sighs deeply, presses his lips to her forehead. “If it doesn’t pass after a few months… it may be a good idea to take him to a child therapist.”

“Max,” she whimpers.

“I know. Shh. We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.”

It is then that Ash chooses to take his leave. He returns to Michael’s room with hunched shoulders. He can no longer feel pain, but he’d swear his heart would be aching in his chest if it could.

Michael, though, is thrilled (and incredibly relieved) when Ash returns.

“You came back!” he exclaimed, hopping off his bed. His plate, now empty, sits on his dresser.

“I told you I would.” Ash smiles, but it’s small and shaky.

“I’m sorry,” Michael says again.

“Don’t be. You kept the secret for a long time.”

“Can they see you now?” Michael asks.

Ash shakes his head.

“But—“

“They know, but it’s still probably a good idea not to talk about me too much, all right? Sometimes grown ups think ghost stories are silly.”

Michael frowns. “But, you’re not a ghost, are you, Ash? Ghosts are dead people.”

Instead of answering, Ash says, “Hey, how about I show you that game now, huh?”

At the mention of a new game, Michael grins.

“Okay!”

Questions forgotten.

*

When Michael comes home from school on Friday, he doesn’t come straight to his bedroom. Instead, Max calls him into the living room. He says he needs to talk to Michael about something important, but assures him he’s not in trouble.

Ash could observe, but he knows that he’d only be distracting Michael.

So, he sits on Michael’s floor.

And he waits.

Michael is gone for a long time.

But, finally, his bedroom door creaks open. He pokes his head into the room first, lip quivering, eyes flooded.

“Michael—“

“You lied to me,” he whispers.

Ash stares down into his lap, fiddling with the zipper on his coat. “I’m sorry, Michael. I—“

“I said ghosts were dead people, and you said you weren’t a ghost!”

Technically, Ash hadn’t. He’d changed the subject. But, he knows what Michael means. He’d been lied to for weeks.

He felt betrayed, and it was because of Ash.

“I’m so sorry, buddy. I…” Ash hesitates.

Michael stares at him, heavy tears down his cheeks. His eyes are red and swollen.

“I can leave, if you want,” Ash offers, quietly.

He doesn’t know where he’d go. But, Michael doesn’t have to know that.

“No,” Michael whimpers.

“What?”

“I don’t want you to leave!” the boy cries. He sits on the floor, school bag still heavy on his back, and sobs. “Don’t leave, Ash. Please don’t go.”

Ash had thought it selfish of him to stay.

But, looking at Michael, eight years old and already having to deal with more than any boy his age should, he thinks it’d be much more selfish of him to leave. At least, for now.

“Okay,” Ash mumbles. “Okay, buddy. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

“Ash?”

“Yeah, buddy?”

“C-Can I hug you?”

“I’m… not sure, Michael,” Ash admits.

“Can I try?”

Ash hesitates. “All right.”

Michael hurries at him, arms outstretched. But, he passes right through Ash like he’s made of smoke.

Ash shivers. Michael hangs his head low and sniffles.

“I’m sorry,” Ash says.

“I wish I could hug you.”

“I know.”

They’re interrupted by Jessica, who knocks on the open bedroom door. Michael looks up at her from his position on the floor, then looks away.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” she murmurs.

Michael ignores her.

“I don’t think… I don’t think it’s good for you to be alone right now, Mikey.”

“I’m not alone,” Michael says. He looks next to him, at Ash. “I have Ash.”

Jessica looks directly at him.

Ash’s green eyes are wide and bright.

But she does not see him.

“I’m so sorry, Mikey. Please… come watch a movie with us? It will take your mind off of…”

“Go with her,” Ash whispers.

Michael freezes.

“Go on, buddy. It’s okay. They just want to take care of you.”

“You’ll stay here?” Michael whispers, believing himself to be quieter than he is. Jessica’s eyes widen.

“I promise.”

“Okay,” Michael mumbles. Slowly, he gets to his feet. “Okay, Mom. Can I pick the movie?”

Jessica tries to smile.

“Of course.”

*

Michael turns nine tomorrow.

And Ash has stayed through it all.

Since learning of Ash’s death, Michael has tried to quiet down around Max and Jessica. He still talks about Ash sometimes, but, though the subject is still a sensitive one, they have dropped the idea of taking him to see a child therapist.

Ash and Michael still play sometimes, but mostly Ash has become somebody to talk to. Every day, after he comes home from school, Michael tells Ash about his day.

Ash can’t help but compare his nine-year-old self to Michael, and he’s so grateful he would cry if he could. Michael had gone through a lot in the past year that no eight-year-old kid should have to go through, but it was nowhere near the inferno that had engulfed Ash’s childhood. And, most of all, Michael had parents who loved him. Who supported him. Who helped him however they could.

Something that Ash himself had never, ever had.

They’re in the kitchen. Ash is leaned against the refrigerator, arms crossed over his chest, easy smile on his lips. Michael is helping his mother frost his chocolate birthday cake, but he keeps sticking his fingers in the frosting whenever she turns her back. Max is decorating in the living room, but pokes his head into the kitchen every once in awhile to sniff the air.

“Why does Michael get to lick the spoon?” Max whines.

“Because,” Jessica huffs in exaggerated annoyance, “only one of you is turning nine tomorrow.”

Michael sticks his tongue out at his father.

Max grins, about to retort, when the doorbell rings.

“Ah!” Max grins. “I believe our special guest has arrived!”

“‘Special guest?’” Michael echoes. He and Ash exchange a look, but Ash shrugs.

“You stay there, boy!” Max orders before hurrying to the door.

When he returns, Ash’s jaw drops.

“EIJI!” Michael screams.

Eiji smiles.

“Hiya, Michael.”

Michael runs across the room, knocking Eiji back against the wall in a hug. Laughing, Eiji wraps his arms around the boy.

Ash is frozen.

He can’t stop staring.

It’s only been six or seven months since Eiji left for Japan, and, apparently, he’d come back earlier than that for the funeral. But, this is the first that Ash has laid eyes on him since… the hospital.

Since he was alive.

Eiji’s hair is a little longer, a little shaggier — it looks like he’s trying to grow it out — but, otherwise, he looks the same as he had six, seven months ago. He—

No.

Not the same. Not quite.

His eyes are dark, dark and sad. He’s laughing as he hugs Michael back, but there is a heaviness behind those eyes that wasn’t there before. Because of…

Because of Ash.

“Eiji, Eiji,” Michael repeats over and over, like it’s been a lifetime since they’d seen each other, “You came from Japan?”

“I did,” Eiji says. His voice is soft.

“You came for my birthday?” Michael squeezes tighter, afraid to let go.

Eiji laughs as the air is squeezed out of him. “I did, yes. But, not only reason.”

“Huh?” Michael finally lets Eiji go as he takes a step back and looks up at him.

The gentlest smile pulls at Eiji’s lips. “I been thinking of relocating to New York. Permanently.”

Ash’s mouth falls open.

“You’re moving here?!” Michael demands.

“Well,” Eiji says, “I sure going to try.”

Ash continues to gape at a man who cannot see him.

What happened to going back to Japan?

“It’ll be wonderful to have you around again, Eiji,” Jessica gushes, wrapping him in a hug and gently squeezing, “You are always welcome here.”

Eiji holds Jessica close as he hugs her back, sturdy and comforting. “I appreciate you very much, Jessica.”

Jessica is shaking her head as they pull apart.

“You boys,” she murmurs, voice thick, “did not deserve any of what happened to you.”

Her own traumas go unspoken.

“I hate to interrupt,” Max says, stepping in as soon as he realizes Jessica is becoming overwhelmed with emotion, “but, I think we still have some presents to wrap. Can you watch the cake for us, Eiji?”

Eiji laughs. “Of course.”

Wrapping his arm around Jessica’s shoulders, Max leads her out of the room and takes her upstairs.

Michael waits until they are out of earshot before turning to Eiji, big smile on his face. “Guess what!”

Eiji smiles. “What?”

“Someone else is here for my birthday!”

Snapping out of his Eiji-induced trance, Ash’s eyes go wide. Pausing, Michael looks at him. Ash looks very scared for a moment.

But, after a moment, he nods.

“It’s okay,” he whispers.

Michael grins.

“Huh? Another guest? When will they come?” Eiji asks.

“They’re already here!”

“What?” Eiji crosses the kitchen and looks out into the hall. “Where?”

“Right here!’

Eiji turns to look back at Michael, who’s pointing at the wall.

“Ah, I get it. Is your friend invisible?”

“Yes!”

Eiji chuckles. “Well, then. What his name?”

“It’s Ash!”

The laughter cuts off as quickly as it had started.

“Your imaginary friend… is Ash?”

Michael scowls. “He’s not imaginary. He’s dead!”

He says that so excitedly that Ash can’t help but laugh. He covers his mouth with his hand.

Eiji is starting to look a little pale. “Don’t be silly, Michael. There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

“Yes, there is!”

Shaking his head, Eiji leaves the kitchen. Michael and Ash both follow him into the living room.

“Don’t you believe me?” Michael asks.

Crossing the room, Eiji goes to Jessica’s bookcase, picks a seemingly random book, and begins to flip through it. “You’re very imaginative, Michael. You should be an author when you grow up.”

“I���m serious!”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Eiji repeats. He takes his book and sits on the floor… just like Ash does. Leaning against the wall, he pretends to read.

Michael looks at Ash, exasperated.

Biting his lip, Ash looks back at Eiji. His head is bowed as he skims the page.

Michael bites back a giggle as Ash moves closer to Eiji. He stands right in front of him, and Eiji shivers.

This, though, is where Ash falters.

In the months since Ash had shown up in Michael’s house, he has not been able to muster the strength to touch a living human.

Ash looks back at Michael, who nods his encouragement. He turns back to Eiji, who is still pretending to read though his teeth have started to chatter.

Slowly, very slowly, Ash bends down. Then, he leans forward and wraps Eiji in a hug.

Michael is all but holding his breath.

At first, nothing happens.

Then, Eiji gasps. The book falls from his hands, into his lap, and his head jerks up.

He stares directly into wide, bright, beautiful green eyes.

Ash’s smile is very soft.

“Hello, Eiji,” he mumbles.

“Nice to see you.”

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