#chloe talks shite

[bag-for-life]

Semi-coherent self indulgent ramble about Edinburgh below, mostly because I forget things if I don’t record them somewhere - feel free to ignore…

- Within 10 minutes of getting off the train we spotted David O’Doherty, the first show we were seeing that night, I too loudly whispered ‘look, David O’Doherty, green bike helmet, oh my god’ and was instantly ashamed at having so little cool about that stuff although he either didn’t hear me or just convincingly acted that way - his show was fantastic, one of my favourites, I will always be excited to hear his ‘beefs’ song - shortly after the show while I was at the bar my friend saw him walk past with Josie Long, I was pretty relieved as I’m sure I would have started crying as I told her how much I loved her book

- Show 2: Frank Skinner, I wasn’t sure about this when we booked it, the audience demographic changed massively and it was a huge shift from lovely DO’D, he definitely flirted with some more ‘old school’ stuff about brexit but then moved away from the obvious jokes, enjoyable but not so much my thing, Russell Howard and David Baddiel were in the audience taking the comedian count up to 4

- Show 3: Simon Amstell was the last show of day 1 - very much a work in progress but enjoyed it, different again from the first 2 shows, we were talking to some people the next day who said they had seen him a few years ago and would never go again as he was so self involved, couldn’t argue with that so I suppose it comes down to if you like him in the first place?

- Day 2, show 1 was Daniel Kitson - just wonderful, he makes its look so easy, hard to talk about without going into the premise but so far removed from the work in progress show earlier in the year and I can’t wait to see it again once it’s ‘complete’

- Show 2: Tarot, another work in progress - I absolutely love them and was cackling like an idiot for the whole thing and can’t wait to see finished show, was accidentally too enthusiastic and got pulled into some very mild audience participation regarding Mr Blobby (and my brain just can’t do audience participation) pretty sure my response was shite but it didn’t even dent how much I loved it

- Show 3: Stuart Goldsmith - bang on the front row (at the side at least) good lord he has VERY twinkly eyes… also I think the first proper ‘themed’ show we saw, good but very strong competition based on earlier shows of the day

- Show 4: Last minute scarper to the next street over to see Stuart Laws, the first show where I hadn’t seen them before either live or on TV, great visual gag fairly early on. Really enjoyed it, more low quality audience participation from myself… decision taken not to sit on the front row again if I could help it

- Show 5: Nish Kumar was brilliant and I could have listened to him screaming about the government all night, also the loudest audience of the weekend and everyone in the room loved him. Ed Gamble was in the crowd and got some stick which was fun, it was billed as a work in progress but I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was unplanned and he just ranted for the whole hour

- Last show was an ‘All Stars’ show at the Udderbelly, booked mainly because we couldn’t get to see Chloe Petts’ main show - she was fantastic obviously - also loved Lara Ricote

- Day 3, show 1: Ed Gamble, brings out the mum vibes in me despite only being 5 years younger, I find myself thinking he’s a lovely young man, and so handsome too etc He was very funny despite the smell in the venue and the actual children in the crowd, have tickets for the tour next year and am hoping to see him walk onstage wearing his camping trousers

- Show 2: The same stinking venue (Hive 1) for Alison Spittle who took the step of spraying air freshener around the room, great segment where she made assumptions about people’s lives based on their favourite soups, the show was a last minute booking but fantastic

-Show 3: Paul Merton’s Impro Pals, we booked this based on our shared childhood love of watching him on Have I Got News For You, the friendly posh lady we sat next to told us she didn’t like it when comedy was political so we decided not mention how much we enjoyed Nish…it was fun but very ‘lite’ and we were ready to get shouted at by an angry Scottish man

- Show 4: Frankie Boyle, lots of shouting and calling people cunts, lots of his psychotic giggle, couple of what appeared to be walk outs but who knows really, he only heckled the blokes leaving the room which was interesting, took the Prince Andrew is a nonce joke count up by about 100 and loads of fun stuff about the royals which I enjoyed

- Show 5: Buffy Revamped - the only non-stand up show we saw but it was great fun, crowd was full of very enthusiastic people and some VERY drunk people but he handled them expertly

- Show 6: Ivo Graham - pretty chaotic and I’m not sure if it was because it started late or if that’s just the show/the man, regardless it was really fun and had a great audience participation angle that would have worked really really well if the show was extended over a couple of hours, still a great last show of the weekend

This was my first trip to Edinburgh and it was amazing, the bad stuff I had prepared for wasn’t as bad as expected (the crowds, the queuing etc) although it was obviously expensive and I doubt I could afford it every year, also it totally fried my brain so I’m spending the next week indoors and not talking to any other humans as much as possible

Disappointed not to have spotted a wild Watto and also guilty we couldn’t fit his show in, but I am going to see Search next month and have his book on pre-order so I hope that balances things out in the long-run (see also John Robins but with Howl later in the year and without the book) and I didn’t give up hope of a no more jockeys show until ludicrously late into the weekend

I think our comedian spotting skills were fairly poor - we also saw Paul Chowdry and Paul Williams (separately) out and about and then Amy Annette walking down the street with Nish and Ed after Nish’s show, but that’s it

Thus ends my ramble - pics of the stages etc on my equally ‘not of much interest to anyone but me’ shows I’ve been to blog @mylifeintickets

[bog-water-030]

Bogs Bullshit Save for Sim Noobs

So I've started a new save on the sims 2 and unfortunately I have like one friend who's well versed enough to really get wtf I'm talking about when I yap about it. Then it hit me it would probably be a good idea to explain from zero. THIS is zero. If you know anything about anything in the sims 2 please skip this post.

If i sent this to you, congrats, find a screenreader, you're gonna be here a while.

"Strangetown is a small desert town with few inhabitants. There are two main streets, known as the Road to Nowhere, placed parallel with each other, around which the majority of the town is built. There are also three smaller roads, two of which are dead ends. Strangetown's landscape is barren, with only scattered cacti as flora... Considering the desert setting and references to Area 51 aliens, Strangetown may be located in the state of Nevada." (Sims Wiki)

THE SPECTERS

The Specters live on this god awful graveyard built up of the lovers and neighbours of Olive Specter.

Olive (pictured far left) is painfully in love with the grim reaper and has one child, a son, who was swiftly whisked away by the government, for obvious reasons. She's also raising her sisters only child, Ophelia Nigmos (pictured to the right), and god bless this poor child's soul she is STRUGGLING. Olives late husbands are just as unfortunate as their names suggest. Earl E Demise, Hugh Thanasia, Rigger Mortis. Its. Its really bad. Ichabod Specter is the only one she stuck with long enough to get her name changed.

Ophelia, bless her heart, is living on the community graveyard and these god damn ghosts REFUSE to leave her alone. She has pissed herself several times and it's genuinely effecting her terribly. Ophelia has two secret boyfriends (they both know about each other. I did not choose to make them polyamorous). Johnny Smith (pictured in the thought bubble), a half alien. And Ripp Grunt, the son of a space racist. She's still a teen so she has very little lore beyond being an orphan at first.

THE SMITHS

The smiths are genetically the worst family. Pollination Technician (pictured far right) Smith (yes that is his full legal name) is kind of a slut. He has four kids. Jill (pictured far left) and Johnny (pictured to the right of jill), with his wife Jenny (pictured to the left of Pollination tech). And Chloe and Lola with what would now be considered his own fucking father in law. This asshole who I will now call Paulie, spent his days as a space man impregnating random men all over the globe. And decided, after it all, to settle down with the DAUGHTER OF HIS FIRST LOVE QUEST. hate. Hate him. He also has a lawn in the DESERT. hate Paulie.

Jenny, bless her heart, does not know of her half-sister-half-daughters, she just really likes the colour green. Their two kids are your standard suburban kids aside from the space racist military man next door. Johnny is so sweet and just finished high-school. He didn't go to college but that's okay. He did his best and he's moving out very soon. And Jill despite being a little shite who doesn't do homework, has my heart and I can't wait to see how she turns out. She's just started ballet and she loves video games. Sweet summer child.

The Grunts

The grunts are my least favourite. They suck balls. They refuse to do the dishes. The dad, Buzz, lost his ex-wife to god knows what I think she was electrocuted. His hate for the world is leeching into his poor poor kids and it infuriates me. Realistically Buzz and his eldest son Tank are the only awful ones. Tank is a clone of his father. All he wants to do is join the military. He refuses to shower and keeps bothering the Smith kids. Ripp is the second and he's a dork I love him. I unfortunately cannot stand his father so I haven't played his household much,

The Curious'

The Curious' are a mess. From oldest to youngest it's Pascal Vidcund and Lazlo. Immediately when you enter the lot pascal goes into labour and has one alien child named Octavius. Lazlo cannot get bitches. He's very handsome and a good chef but good heavens he's too forward. Vidcund pissed himself in front of his first love Circe as a teen, and so struggles with women nowadays. Vidcund is obsessed with his telescope. So obsessed that he uses it during the day for people watching. He has gotten beat up by various neighbours. Mostly Olive. He speaks to one woman consistently and its Bella Goth. Despite also being pussywhipped for the woman he cant stop insulting her. She's exactly his type. He's genuinely very interested but he has negative rizz and everything he says is wrong and bad. He's lucky he's hot because if he wasn't I'd kill him.

Pascal is the only Curious brother capable of speaking to women and he is painfully gay. I love him he's the most tolerable Curious

The Beakers

The Beakers are awful. Circe is this money hungry bitch who enjoys the suffering of children, she is pregnant, I worry. Loki is a general asshole incapable of doing anything for himself. He has a maid, a butler, a gardener. I expect he'll want a nanny for his kid. He has a gun capable of sucking the skills out of people and he uses it on his pet human Nervous Subject (Olive Specters kid). Nervous had an AWFUL upbringing. He's a shy, grouchy, slob who's only capable of working out. He constantly smells. He's constantly offending people. His only friend is Pascal Curious and Erin Beaker, and those two are incapable of having enemies. I say pascal is his friend but he's like 2 minutes away from marrying the man. The issue is he's basically nocturnal, he cant stay awake long enough to call Pascal let alone get ready for a real date.

The Singles

So the singles are this 4 person disaster household consisting of the aforementioned sister daughters Chloe and Lola Curious. Alongside Erin Beaker (Loki's sister), and Kristen Loste who has zero lore beyond being gay as shit and in denial. They're a bin family which basically means the sims team couldn't find a way to make them not fuck their siblings so they've been banished to the shadow zone.

Chloe is a mega bitch. She's actively mean to everyone and generally is only nice to get in everyone's pants. She takes after her whore father I guess.

Lola does nothing but work. She has no other hobbies or interests which is to her favour.

Erin is also gay, she's loved by many (except Chloe who ceaselessly harasses her).

Kristen is doing her best but she spends all her time working, eating and sleeping.

The Goths

Bella Goth is a cross neighbourhood sim so while her lore doesn't actually effect her in this save it matters to me. She's a wife and mother of two but has no memory of this thanks to the power of alien abduction. All she recalls is the name on her drivers license. She was originally from Pleasantview, married to Mortimer Goth and raising Cassandra and Alexander, but after her affair partner's affair partners decided they weren't into sharing she was abducted by aliens and dropped in the middle of strange town. Bella has only just paid to put a roof on her shack house. Since she has no memory of her children she's a okay slutting around with no remorse. Unfortunately, I allowed her sluttery without prescribing birth control. She's gotten with (as of winter) ajax, Lazlo, and 3 miscellaneous townies.

#the sims 2 #TS2:Strangetown

[themackenzieboydchronicles]

Mack and Caleb Have Words.

Mackron Fanfic.

Mack arrived at the Woolpack with Chloe, and Reuben and Isla in the twin buggy.

"Who's Aaron smiling at?" Chloe asked.

"Me I hope" Mack replied.

"You two back together then?" Chloe asked lifting Reuben out of the buggy.

"Just friends" said Mack "He's having access visits with Isla"

"Aren't you afraid he'll keep her?" Chloe asked "Coz I reckon Chas would encourage him"

"He's only allowed to see her with me" Mack explained.

"Oh I get it" smiled Chloe "How convenient. You get to see him as well. Still in love with him then?"

"What do you mean. We're just friends" said Mack who was scared Chloe might stop access visits if he admitted he still loved Aaron.

"Oh come on Mack" said Chloe giving Mack a knowing smile. "You forget you talk in your sleep and I heard you in my room swearing undying love to him when I lived with you"

"What would you like to eat?" Mack asked trying to change the subject.

"I'll have an omlette" said Chloe "I heard Ryan's girlfriend is a great cook and she's helping out today coz its Naomie's day off"

"How do you know?" asked Mack

"Village gossip" replied Chloe.

"Well they obviously don't know Gail asked me for a job" said Mack.

"Oh she's wanting to start a family then" teased Choe.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Mack.

"Well you might want to get her pregnant and make it a trio" laughed Chloe.

"Please don't tell me that's what the gossips are saying about me" said Mack.

"Yes" laughed Chloe "You can go work for Kim's stud farm she set up with you at Rob Roy Castle"

"You're really rubbing it in" said Mack.

"Yep" laughed Chloe "You're so easy to wind up"

"Easy seems to be his middle name" said Caleb who was listening to the conversation as he was sitting at the next table.

"Who asked for your opinion" yelled Mack who was angry at Calebs remarks.

"Well you've got a reputation with the ladies that would put the rest of us to shame" Caleb answered.

"Is this creep upsetting you Mack" said Aaron going up to where Mack was sitting.

"Oh the cavalry have arrived" sneered Caleb.

"Just mind your own business" said Aaron.

"Or what?" Caleb replied.

"Your a piece of shite thats what" shouted Mack.

"Oh you've grown a pair now your love interest is here to stick up for you" sneered Caleb.

"Right that's enough" said Chas as Isla started to scream coz Mack was shouting. "You're scaring Isla" she said picking her up to comfort her.

"Give her to me mum" said Aaron who took Isla who stopped crying as soon as Aaron held her.

"Right your omelettes are here" said Chas just eat up and leave"

"It should be that skank leaving not Mack" said Aaron pointing at Caleb.

"Leave it Aaron" said Chas.

"Well that's a turn up for the books" said Bear as Chas went back to the bar "Aaron sticking up for Mack. He must be going soft"

"Well at least they're not half killing each other" Chas replied.

2.7 23.

#caleb milligan #aaron dingle #mackenzie boyd #chas dingle #chloe harris #emmerdale #mackron fanfic

[arcanegalaxy]

do any other autistic people mouth words to themselves? like how some people talk to themselves but not out loud, i guess because i don’t want anyone to hear. it’s just my thoughts, songs or phrases that i have stuck in my head, commentary on whatever i’m watching/playing etc. i always worry about it being weird so it’d be reassuring to know i’m not the only one

#autism #actually autistic #actuallyautistic #i never do it when anyone can see though #i’ve been doing it since i was a kid. idk why #chloe talks shite

[critical-thinking-is-mandatory]

Is there any way someone could rewrite Miraculous Ladybug? The show is very disturbing and predatory to be a kid's show

Sorry for taking so long anon, I had to have bit of a big think about this but I think (and this is only my opinion) but most of the issues stem from the Adrien family business and the A/M dynamic in and out of the suit so hopefully this answers some of your questions anon! :)

I think that as is, miraculous couldn’t be redeemed. To make it an actual, likable and less-predatory show it’d need a whole rebuild, like literally from the ground up, but it’s definitely doable.

So, lets start with the most obvious problem hm? Adrien and the Agreste Family Circus.

Number 1 thing: billionaires are bad and gross, there’s no need for them. Personally I’d make Gabriel a skeevy lawyer who’s like, hired in defense of cops and Mayor Bourgeoise (thus still giving the opportunity for Adrien and Chloe to be ‘bffs’. So Gabriel’s not rich, but he’s still got plenty of spare cash to say, go on a trip to Nepal and steal some magical jewelry for nefarious purposes.

Also we can replace the sad dead/comatose wife plot with a divorce because that’s infinitely funnier and can also kinda be used to change Adrien’s situation too. So we’ve got Emelie and Gabriel divorced (Emelie’s also something like an ARA housewife or smth idk instead of an actress - she’s also from a middleclass family so like her family is looking after her and Adrien or whatever i don’t really care) because Gabriel’s started acting Super Weird after his ‘business trip’ to Nepal.

Anyway, Adrien and Emelie moved across Paris so Adrien’s now going to a different school aka Francois DuPont but he spends the weekends with Gabriel (who’s acting really weird). Adrien’s role as deuteragonist is upgraded from “i’m sad all the time and everyone thinks i’m really really really really really good looking” to trying to cope with his parents’ divorce, coming to terms with his new role as a superhero, and investigating his dad’s increasingly eccentric and secretive behaviour. (we can also add in a bit about the different parental abuse he’s been suffering from both parents if we want to appeal to older teens too.)

With that sorted, we can get into Adrien’s predatory and entitled behaviour next. Him not being a rich model is going to leave him as a more normal kinda person, he’s not gonna have an overblown ego from having people mobbing him all the time (also no bodyguard lol). I’d start out with Adrien being a bit like he is in canon, bit of a self-centered prick really, and then have an Origins type scenario where instead of falling “in love” because Adrien’s meek but also really manipulative, Marinette would not take an ounce of his shite <3.

They can start out as kinda enemies via misunderstanding, but occasionally get glimpses of the other that they really do admire. Like Marinette’s creativity and quick mind, and Adrien can have some kind of admirable trait idk.

Which brings me to the next point: Ladybug and Chat Noir.

MAKE. THEM. FRIENDS. friendship should be the basis of their relationship. i want those two to have a boundless friendship that people would be happy to see become a romantic relationship. because of this, Marinette/Ladybug seeing Adrien/Chat Noir as like a kind of bro best friend or almost brother while Adrien slowly develops a crush on M/L would be peak dynamic.

Now that we’re talking romance, once M’s gotten through to A as civilians they could become friends and M slowly develops a crush on A. So we still get the lovesquare but it’s built off of friendship first and foremost. The changing dynamics would be a pretty easy way to build some character development and would show us that Adrien isn’t perfect and Marinette is right quite a lot (as opposed to canon).

So to sum up: most of the show’s predatory business comes from Adrien and his family’s wealth, no billionaires, show us Adrien recovering from a severe case of Major Asshole, Marinette gets to yell at awful people sometimes and FRIENDSHIP. I know this doesn’t even begin to cover the issues in the show but these are the main ones I think.

#ml #ml salt #adrien salt #chat noir salt #marinette deserves better #this is just the tip of the iceberg but still #long post #asks #anonymous #yeah yeah i know i said i was done but it's a good question! #caps lock #marinette #let marinette be righteously angry 2021

[symphonic-scream]

Fj au

Later on, if someone tries to insult andre Chloe defends him. When the people who knew how long he spent just throwing money @ Chloe's problems ask why the blonde gives a whisper full of hope saying "He's trying."

Mhm, he's really trying. In jocks, this is a man who (small spoiler?) Already knows he's being lied to about this girl being his "real" daughter, yet he still loves her and wants to be in her life. I imagine the "throw money at it" mindset comes from his relationship with Audrey, and without much else to go on, it was his only idea on how to show Chloe how much he truly loves her

So they sit and have a talk about it, she tells him what she wants from their relationship and they both vow to try to have a healthy father-daughter relationship. Andre even goes as far as to hunt down the dad's of her classmates to give him "dad" lessons- (I'm totally making a class Dad's club later you can't stop me)

He's not the best but he's genuinely trying, man loves his daughter, he's just real shite at proving it in a meaningful way

#feral jocks au #ml feral jocks au #chloe bourgeois #andre bourgeois

[nitholites]

Assuming someone in the BatFam is the end game:

It's been only a week or so since Tony figured out who Ladybug is

She's captured everyone's hearts, but has to go to Gotham soon

For help, but also because of her internship

The Stark Gala becomes a 'you better live and come back one day, Mari or I STG' party, hosted by Tony Stark, of course

She makes all the outfits of the Starks, her parents, herself, Jagged, Penny, Luka, and Kagami (the last two friends minus Chloe from Paris) and she makes extra in case someone has a wardrobe malfunction

Meanwhile, the Waynes have heard a lot about the newest Stark: MDC

Tim is a fanboy. He's found everything related to his favorite rock star's designer/niece there is to find ("I'm not obsessed! They're just super talented, and I'd like something from them! Stop laughing at me, Dick!")

Dick has no room to tease him, as both him and Jason are pretty much in the same boat

Kor'i and Mar'i love MDC, as well

Every one of the Bats are huge Jagged Stone fans

Like... Nearly rabid

(Damian, Bruce, and Alfred redact that statement)

They're invited to Tony's gala thing (he only started it to surpass the Wayne Gala, like the Lil Shite he is)

The night of the party, only Bruce and Jason go, since the rest of the bats are busy

Bruce, Jagged (who brought Fang), and Tony are all chatting in the middle of the floor, 2/3rds of the group are just talking up Marinette

Jason, meanwhile, accidentally runs into this small, adorable child who proceeds to spill her punch all over his suit

He insists it's fine, but she won't take 'no' for an answer ("I am so sorry, please let me make it up to you" "Kid, it's fine, accidents happen" "No, seriously, let me help")

There's a look in her eyes that insists she do something, and he eventually agrees

Cue to Marinette having a suit jacket that matches and fits Jason because "You look like you're the same build as Mr. Stark (she's all for joining Peter in calling Tony 'Mr. Stark' to get under his skin)"

"you know Tony?"

She shrugs, and doesn't comment anymore on it

"give me your address, and I'll bring this back when it's clean again. I'm moving to Gotham for a while soon, anyway"

He does, she doesn't realize he's a Wayne, and they part when the party ends

Cue the entire BatFam sprinting into Jason's room, chasing after a full on scream

Like, they didn't know Jason's voice could get "so high and squeaky, what the hecc?"

They pause as they see Jason litterally jumping up and down

"What the hell, Todd."

Instead of answering, he shoves the jacket in Tim's face with a shite-eating grin

It takes a moment, but Tim scowls and pulls out his wallet

When the rest of the family only look confused, Tim sighs and explains

"He got an MDC original first."

"...you had a bet on that?"

Jason freezes, eyes widening

"HOLY SH*T, I MET THE MDC! SHE WAS SO TINY, OH MY GOD, BATS, WE HAVE TO ADOPT HER!"

They're confused for a solid minute

"YOU DONT UNDERSTAND SHES AN ANGEL AND HAS BLACK HAIR AND BLUE EYES!! SHE'S OBVIOUSLY A WAYNE!"

It takes all of Bruce's willpower not to adopt her on the spot when she visits them

Like, he almost brings up adoption papers

But he knows Stark would fight tooth and nail to keep this baby

So he restrains himself

(for now)

(he swears if one of his children doesn't marry her, he's bringing the adoption papers to court)

She doesn't stay long, only meeting all the Waynes at the house and going back to her hotel

The next day, a villain goes after Mar'i, near the park/mall/something Marinette is by

Instead of becoming Ladybug, she heccin kicks arse

As Marinette

She gets both her and Mar'i out of danger without a scratch using a yo-yo of all things and meets Batman and Robin as they clean up the rest

She's all like "no, it's alright, I'm sure anyone would do the same please stop thanking me, my family's gonna kick my ass to next year for scaring them like this"

Bats comes up and takes her statement, and she happens to mention the situation in Paris

"oh, this was nothing compared to some of the Akuma I've faced" "What's an akuma?" She paled, eyes widening in shock. "You don't know? About Ladybug, Chat Noir, Ryuuko, Viperion, Queen Bee, Red Wasp, Multimouse, Hawkmoth, Mayura, Carapace, Rena Rouge, and all them?"

She explains a little, giving basic information everyone knew, then shows him the app she made a while ago

The Akuma Alert app that held much more than just akuma-related things

She leaves soon after, and Batman has a goal in mind

Within the day, Diana is furious at the lack of response towards the Paris situation

"This Ladybug was left alone for all this time?! Shame on you all, leaving my mother's successor alone!"

When Ladybug is later spotted (hehe, get it?) in Gotham, the entire BatFam finds her and gets her in touch with the League

She explains how she asked both the League and the Avengers for help, all those years ago, and was pushed aside with warnings not to send in prank calls anymore

Of course, Iron Man has already looked into it, but he's not exactly a detective and the more brains on this, the better

Meanwhile, as civilians...

The normal shipping stuff happens

With the exception that nearly every criminal in Gotham low-key adopts Marinette

They may think she's the next Wayne, but the Angel of Gotham is off limits

And not because the little Wayne chases after anyone who even looks at her wrong with a katana

Not just as Robin. As Damian

Marinette actually meets a few villains on the street

She was going to a commission, carrying some hero, vigilante, and villain themed macaroons when she got lost

(before meeting the Waynes officially, actually)

She was in a park, looking lost when Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn came up

She offered treats, and ever since she's the Angel of Gotham

Once, when on a date with her romantic interest, Killer Croc tried taking the restaurant hostage after robbing a bank

Key word: tried

Marinette calmly slipped behind him, grabbed his tail, and dragged his butt outta there

(he blames the fast French girl and the tile on the floor, which didn't let him get a good grip)

By the time Bats and the police got there, Croc was in tears as this tiny French girl lectured him about manners and interrupting dates

(the BatFam can't think of a funnier time)

When the Joker actually kidnaps her as a way to get to Batman, literally everyone rages a rescue mission

Harley, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze (Marinette reminds him of the daughter he's always wanted, with his frozen wife), Two-Face (Marinette talked philosophy with him, showing him he still had choices beyond the black and white), Killer Crock (who was impressed by the tiny French girl who threw him out of a restaurant by his tail that one time), Batman, Robin, the Teen Titans, Red Hood, Red Robin, Wonder Woman (she could feel Tikki's influence on Marinette and guessed her identity), Nightwing, all the Avengers, Red Wasp (Chloe, with the Bee Miraculous because she earned it back ages ago), Sabine (no one messed with her baby. No one), a teenage boy wielding a potato gun (who let this kid here?), Pepper, Penny (the two women were fast friends, bonding over their husbands' eccentric ways), Jagged with Fang, Audrey Bourgeois, and the entire police force storm the Joker's hideout

He didn't have a chance

Later, they admit it was kinda funny watching the small Sabine beating the crap out of the deranged clown

Fang, who was usually a puppy with scales, didn't hesitate to bite off the Joker's hand, reminiscent of Captain Hook and the Croc

Marinette's fine (or not, depending on how much angst you want in the story. It's easy to have her tourtured and nearly killed in the Joker's clutches {or actually killed and focused on angst from everyone who knew her [possible heavy Lila/class salt]} and see her move past her PTSD) and she gets home eventually

Around this time, she's made the Guardian of the Miraculous

She eventually goes back to Paris with her huge family (or everyone she thinks could keep their emotions in check)

They kick Gabriel's arse, but Adrien gets away with his mother (who was healed by Ladybug)

Possible second book

Marinette's ship becomes the Black Cat

Time skip, fiveish years later, some of Marinette's classmates see her for the first time since she left

They insult and sass her, not changed since school

Her S/O scowls and debunks them easily, defending Marinette

When they don't stop, Marinette's S/O calls Bruce, Tony, Jagged, and the rest of the League and the Avengers to destroy the morons in the class because they know how long they've waited for this moment

Mari puts her head in her hands, but doesn't stop them because she knows how long they've waited for this moment

Three hours later, the speeches and lectures aren't done yet

Lila eventually goes to Gotham or wherever Marinette is, and tries to warn the person on her arm about Marinette's 'bulling tendencies'

That gets another lecture

Or, her class gets a tour at either SI or WE, depending on when in the story you write it (could be both, and the class just doesn't learn or Tony, Pepper, and their kids were visiting WE to talk about Mari Protection Measures when they overhear it)

Lila goes off on how Mari's S/O is actually Lila's, or how she's BFFS with Batman/Iron Man/ Bruce Wayne and his kids/ Tony Stark and his kids/ the Avengers/ the Justice League

Cue the class seeing Mari

Instant bullying

The resident children and billionaire steps up, insulting and embarrassing the class while defending Mari

Lila tries to turn it around, but they're having none of that

First the kids jump at the chance to defend their little sister and/or girlfriend, then the big guns show up

At WE, it's Bruce, a highly protective Jason, and Tim, who has every single sin/mean thing/lie pulled up in a folder

It's thicker than his hand, and hard to hold

It's both in digital and physical form and sent to every single member of Mari's family- blood related or not

At SI, it's Tony and Pepper

FRIDAY steps up, too

Harley shoots Lila with the potato gun mk 3 until she leaves

The class don't know what they did wrong, but they swear to make it up just to get the scary CEOs and relatives

Also, if anyone knows the AU where Marinette was a street kid with Jason and his little sister (I can't remember who made it or what it was called, but I fell in l o v e), that could work with this one too. Jason would be so proud of his Lil sister being so famous and awesome and "how dare you let me think you were dead!! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" "I made you worried?! You up and nearly got killed last I checked!"

Jason swore not to tell her he actually died once. He prays she never finds out.

@tired-butterfly @evil-elf16 @doggiediva13 @krispydefendorpolice @mochegato @legallyspawned @kryptored

[palaugranetes]

I wanna thank u the most. The way u never pushed me away, the times u have seen my darkest moments, the stupid mistakes I've made, my whining, my nonstop "me, my, mine, I" sentences, n so many more... U know my struggle n I made myself a promise n I WILL keep it. I just... I can't thank u enough. I am so sorry fo all the stupid shites I've made fo years to u. Always been a talkative person, I was. But no one ever listened to me da way u did n I just... idk, I took it fo granted. Uk me, I am not oh all sunshine (eventho dis s da nick name/ per name u've given me all those years ago) n positive energy but ik dat I have to work fo my happiness n it feels like I'm doin something u would do, cuz idk... I've always told ya, countless times, how u were perfect n had yo shite together, have already figured out everything u need n I just... I felt like idk u were foo out of reach n I just... I had to hold on tighter else u would see how pathetic I was, how sick my mind was n I couldn't let fat happen. So now Ik my thoughts, feelings n dreams mean nothing. I am workin my way through a healthy n happy life n mind. I try to show my love fo myself, I accept my mistakes n I see how I've learned from them. So I forgive myself. And dis happened cuz u were by my side. U've been w me fo so long dat I just... I couldn't let u down (more than I did). So let me thank u n show my gratitude fo u. I am not dis "romantic" so go ahead n have dis one, while u can... M jokin. Thank u fo bein a part of my life, u mean everything to me, Tonia Love, Chloe (let's make it a lot more cheeky ha?!)

The amount of cheese in this.. you really have outdone yourself sjfndnf

[jordanlahey]

“Wake Up.” (1)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Reader x Steve Harrington (Platonic!The Party x Reader)

Summary: Y/n woke up in the middle of the road, having no idea where she is. Once she finds out where or more importantly when she is she just wants to go home or at least she did. 

Warnings: language and alcohol 

Word Count: 2009

A/n: (W/Y/A/F - Where you are from)

Series Masterlist

*Your POV*

‘Come on, 10 minutes left please get a move on.’ I think to myself as I look between my work and the clock. It’s nearly summer vacation and i just want to get this shithole of a year finally over with, then I'll have one more year left before I can start thinking about colleges. I look back at my best friend and she is also thinking the same thing I am, I start tapping my pen against my desk waiting impatiently as I glance up at the clock. ‘3...2...1’ the bell rang and everyone sprung from their seats and threw their papers in the air. Classic. My friend grabbed me by my arm and we ran outside and started cheering. We walked passed all the students, some are crying others are excited. 

“You’re coming to the party tonight right?!” Chloe spoke as we left the school grounds, she loved a good party and its the first of summer vacation. 

“Of course but please don’t let Ryan dj, his music is utter shite.” You groan just thinking about it and Chloe laughs. 

“His music isn’t that bad, you just have different taste in music as him.” Chloe nudged you. “What are you going to wear?” 

“I was thinking a black t-shirt my red and black tennis skirt you know the one that’s kinda tartan like? And my black denim jacket that is a few sizes bigger than me.” I say and Chloe nods. Chloe and I have similar taste in outfits but we plan in advance so we don’t end up wearing the same things.

I get home and greet my mother and father then head up to my room to get ready. I showered and got my clothes on and the next thing was my hair, I decided to have it down and straight and my makeup. I will never understand why putting on makeup feels more like a chore than fun activity so I only do the basics, eyebrows, eyeshadow, liner,  lashes and i’m done pretty much. I have 2 hours to kill before I have to meet Chloe so I can binge watch my favourite series until then.  

*Different POV*

You felt your eyes start to get heavy and you still had an hour and a half till you had to leave and you were struggling to stay awake and by the time the next episode started you were out like a light.

You awoke feeling the cold nipping at your exposed skin and you instantly sat up realising you were outside. You look around at your surroundings and as far as you know you are outside on what looks like a back road in the pitch black it was a long ass road and had a lot of trees at each side it was kinda spooky. You started asking yourself how you got here cause you swore you went to sleep on your bed...Wait! you have a party to get to but you can’t get there when you have no fucking clue where you are. 

You stood up and flattened your skirt down and hugged your denim jacket to keep yourself warm then two bright lights were on you and a car was speeding towards you. You froze in fear then the car slammed on its breaks and honked at you then someone came out the car and stomped towards you. You stared at the car in front of you then someone had came out shouting. 

“What the fuck are you doing!? I could have ran you over!” they shouted, from what  you gathered it was a guy but he had long blonde hair and it was curly, he stomped towards you and his face came into focus. “Are you deaf or something!?” He yelled.

“Holy shit.”  You breathe as you at him, he was fucking gorgeous! His blue eyes were pretty to stare at and he had an amazing face. 

“Holy shit indeed. What the fuck were you doing on the fucking road!” Jesus does this guy ever stop shouting. 

“I would like to know that too. I was in my bed and I woke up lying on the ground.” You say looking around once again. “Can you tell me where the fuck I am.” 

“What are you? Stupid? Dunk? High?” He scoffed and he was starting to piss you off. 

“I’m not drunk yet, in fact I was supposed to be going to a party but I can't now can I? Now tell me where the fuck I am!” You yelled back at him and he smirked at you. HE FUCKING SMIRKED! Not going to lie it was damn sexy. 

“Hawkins, Indiana.” 

“Excuse me!? Is that even a real place?” You cross your arms glaring at him. 

“You tell me, cause that’s where we are.” He said in a calm tone now, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. 

“That can’t be right ‘cause I wasn’t here  when I went to sleep.” The guy is looked at you like you were out of your mind “What am I supposed to do now? I’m far away from home and I don’t know anyone here.” 

“Weren’t you on your way to a party?” the guy asked And you nodded. “Then get in the car.” he threw his cigarette down and headed to his car. 

“Why?” 

“We’re going to a party.”

“I don’t go anywhere with strangers especially when they nearly run me over.” You spat and he sighed in annoyance. 

“Billy, Billy Hargrove and you were standing in the middle of the road Sweet cheeks.” Billy opens his car door. “Now get your ass in the car or I’ll leave you here.” You weighed your options, get in the car with Billy and possibly get murdered or be left on your own and...get murdered. You choose to go with billy and he smiles to himself and speeds off down the street.

You didn’t speak to each other, the only thing that broke the silence was the music and You were surprised that it wasn’t fucking rap music cause it’s shit. You quietly sang along to ‘You shook me all night long.’ By AC/DC. You could see Billy occasionally looking over at you then you stopped singing along out of pure embarrassment.

“What party are you taking me to?” You ask finally, You guaranteed that you won’t know anyone there anyway.

“A douchebag called Steve’s party.” He huffs, you can already tell that he doesn’t like this Steve guy. 

“Y/n.” You say, Billy looks at you puzzlingly. “My name is Y/n” 

“Sweet cheeks suits you better.” He says with a smirk. 

Billy pulled up at a house and got out the car and you followed suit and had a closer look at Billy he wore a red shirt that wasn’t buttoned up all the way, a black leather jacket and blue jeans. 

“You better stick by me cause no doubt you’ll get lost in here.” Billy looked you up and down smiling to himself. 

“What’s the ish?” You grumbled at him. 

“What you’re wearing. You’re bound to get everyone’s attention.” He lit another cigarette. “I’ve never seen a girl wear what you are wearing.” 

“Really? Everyone I know wears something similar.” And looked down at your clothes and followed Billy into the house and you looked at everyone. What the fuck are they wearing it was like you were in some 80’s movie. 

You stayed behind Billy as he maneuvered through the crowd of people, you did get a few daggers from the girls and Wolf whistles from the guys and you were confused as hell even more now. Then you and Billy were stopped by a guy with a lot of freckles and a girl with red hair. 

“Whatcha got here, Hargrove.” Freckles says looking you up and down and you look at him with a bored expression. 

“Yeah Billy where’d you find her.” Red added. 

“On the road.” Billy said and you rolled your eyes.

“Way to make me sound like a fucking prostitute, dick.” You glared at Billy. 

“Is she good at giving head? Or a good lay in general.” Freckles laughs. 

“You pervert and take that back or I’ll kick your ass.” You spat and you heard a bunch of ‘oohs’ fill the room.

“She’s got a foul mouth on her don’t she.” You scoffed and laughed to yourself. “What else does it do.” He looks down and you and you smirk.

“Talks shit about everyone and anyone.” You say in a bored manner. 

“I like this one-” you walked away from Freckles and Red they were getting boring. “Hey I was talking to you!” Freckles shouted. 

“Oh were you? Sorry you were boring me to death and my survival instincts kicked in.” You shrugged and went to find the kitchen. Billy looked at Tommy and Carol and laughed, he was starting to like you already. 

You finally found the kitchen and there were a few people in here you tapped a guy on the shoulder and he also looked pretty handsome. ‘Damn if guys here look like this I don’t wanna leave.’

“Hey where can I get a drink around here?” You asked.

“Here you go.” He handed you a bottle of beer and he looked for a bottle opener.

“Don’t worry I got it.” You used the ring on your finger as a makeshift bottle opener and it popped off without any problems and he looked amazed at you. 

“I haven’t seen you around, are you new?” He started to speak to you. 

“Something like that. I’m Y/n.” You held out your hand and he shook it.

“Steve Harrington. How did you get here?”

“Oh this is your party, uh billy took me.” You answer and he didn’t look impressed. 

“Your his latest fuck buddy aren’t you.” He wasn’t really asking a question. 

“Nope I’m not anybody’s hoe in fact I just met him legit not that long ago.” You sipped your drink calmly. Then an arm draped over your shoulder.

“Fuck off Harrington, she’s mine.” Speak of the devil here he is, You shrugged him off. 

“Oh am I? I didn’t realise excuse me while I got get your name tattooed on my forehead.” Looks like you were hiding behind sarcasm today. 

“Y/n where are you from?” Steve narrowed his eyes at Billy then softened them as he looked at you.

“I’m from (w/y/a/f)” You sip your drink and he nods. 

“What brings you to Hawkins?” 

“This was an accident. I don’t have a clue as to how I got here I fell asleep in my bed and then I woke up on the road and nearly died by this lunatic.” You point to Billy behind you and he looked offended.

“Your fault for being on the road.” 

“Well you shouldn’t be driving like a wanker then shouldn’t ya.” You raised your voice and soon the whole room was looking at you. “Sorry.” you went back to drinking your beer and everyone else went back to partying. 

“Y/n, this is Nancy and Johnathan, guys this is Y/n.” Steve greeted you to two more people and you waved at them awkwardly. 

“You really aren’t afraid to your mind are you, Y/n?” Nancy smiled at you, you kinda liked this girl she didn’t act like Red. 

“You know how everyone’s got that voice that keeps them from saying things they shouldn’t? Well I don’t have one of those so whatever comes out of my mouth will surprise me as much as it’ll surprise you.” I shrug. “Was this an 80’s themed party or something ‘cause y’all dressed like it.”  all four of them looked at each other then back at you. 

“Cause it is? It’s 1984.” Nancy spoke, furrowing her brows. You laughed and shook your head. 

“No, it’s 2019.” and they all shook their heads and pointed to the calendar on the kitchen wall and your jaw hit the floor. “How the fuck did I get here then.?” 

#stranger things fanfiction #stranger things #billy hargrove x fem!reader #billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove fanfiction #steve harrington #steve harrington x fem!reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington x reader x billy hargrove

[caitlinsnow-yayyy]

Why Him? (a kwami swap story)

Very overdue story for my friend @nerdasaurus1200 - a King Monkey and Ryuko kwami swap story! You can probably imagine chaos will ensue from these two swapping... and maybe, a new friendship? 

We shall see! I hope anyone reading this enjoys it :) And Nerd, my friend, I hope this was worth the wait! :D Sorry this took so long lol.

(story under the cut)

Oh, of all the people, why Kim?

Today, Adrien and Marinette had decided that the team wasn't working well enough together, and they decided to have a set apart Saturday for a mandatory team bonding exercise - kwami swapping. Chloe got Alix, Max got Nathaniel, Marc switched with Juleka, Ivan swapped with Rose, who then swapped with Mylene; Alya swapped with Nino, and her own boyfriend, Luka, got to swap with Sabrina. Marinette and Adrien swapped (of course).

Their only instructions were to not leave their partner for the day; they didn't even need to seek out an akuma. They could literally go shopping if they wanted to, so long as they stood together.

And she... had gotten Kim.

"You promise to bring that back in one piece, right?" Kim asked, pointing to his circlet.

Kagami gave him a dead stare. "I should ask you the same for my choker."

"Oh, it'll be fine!" Kim smirked. "This is Le Chien Kim ya got here! Not a klutz."

Kagami, again, deadpanned him. Were these words seriously coming out of his mouth right now? Honestly, of all the people she could've gotten, why KIM?! Kim with the Dragon Miraculous just sounded like an accident waiting to happen.

She just didn't feel like throwing a rubber banana today either.

As if examples of how the others days were going couldn't get shoved in her face any more than what her mind was already doing, Nathaniel, equipped with Voyage, Naruto-ran through two portals about two rooftops away from them. Max, equipped with the Fire Flame power, was chasing him with a crossbow that had a flaming arrow. Somehow they were laughing.

"Let's just get this over with," Kagami sighed. "You go first."

"Sweet!" Kim said. "Alright, LONGG - BRING THE STORM!"

She would be lying if she said the Dragon costume didn't fit well on Kim - his suit was a darker red than hers, and his hair that normally stuck up was now covered with a horn-like design for a mask. Honestly, it kinda looked like Dark Cupid. He had wings imprinted into the spandex on his back, and his sword fell into his hands.

Why was she so scared of this?

"Oh, this is so cool!" he exclaimed. "I shall be known as... Doragon Kaosu!"

"Chaos Dragon - fitting," Kagami nodded. "Alright... guess its my turn. XUPPU, SHOWTIME!"

Kagami had already decided her name was going to be Queen Monkey; she saw no need to be original with her name. After all, it wasn't like she was gonna be the Monkey wielder for long. She was just eager for 6 o'clock to roll around so this could be over with.

"Holy crap," Doragon said once her transformation was up, "you look badass!"

Kagami had to smile at that one - despite the fact that Kim was an idiot, he still had his moments, and was really just a fun-loving soul at heart. No one could deny that. "Thank you, Doragon. Now, wanna take your Miraculous for a test run?"

Suddenly, an akuma flew past - he was some sort of hang-gliding akuma, yelling at the top of his lungs about how hang-gliding school was real and not a joke.

"Oh, oh this is perfect!" Doragon laughed. "I've always wanted to do this..."

"Wait, what are you-"

"LIGHTNING DRAGON!"

Doragon suddenly turned into a lightning bolt, and struck the hang-gliding akuma man out of the sky. Queen Monkey screamed out bloody murder in horror, fearing for her sake and for her life that Kim hadn't even been Doragon Kaosu for two minutes and he had already killed someone!

"KIM!" yelled Queen Monkey. "WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Chill, he's fine!" said Doragon, manifesting back in front of her. "I made sure to check his pulse before I got back. He'll live."

"YEAH, FOR LIKE ANOTHER MINUTE!" Queen Monkey screamed. "OH MY GOD!"

"Chill out, Queenie!" Doragon said, genuinely becoming concerned for her. "Its gonna be fine!"

"Woah, what's going on here?"

Kagami and Kim looked up, and there was another kwami swap duo: Luka, now Blue Heeler, and Sabrina, now Hydra. "Gami? Kim? You two okay?" asked Heeler.

"I just struck somebody with lightning, and Queenie over here thinks it'll kill him," Doragon said, somehow completely nonchalant that he had just struck down someone with lightning.

"O..Oh... y-yeah, that'll do it," Heeler muttered, taking a deep breath.

"Should I use Second Chance?" asked Hydra.

"N-No... I think its probably best we leave you two to work this out," Heeler said.

"Wait!" Queen Monkey whispered to him. "P-Please... I-I don't know if I can handle this..."

"Hey, you're gonna do just fine," Heeler reassured her. "It'll probably take some getting used to, but-"

"I-Its not that," Queen Monkey said softly. "I-Its...w-well... he's an idiot."

"You don't know that," Heeler said gently. "Reckless? Probably. Chaotic? You bet! But give him a chance, okay? Please?"

Kagami looked up at Luka... damn those soft eyes. It always made her crack and she hated it! Well, okay, no, she didn't hate it. But she just wished... oh, never mind.

"Fine," she crumbled.

"Thank you so much, Gami," smiled Heeler. "Seriously. Thank you."

"M-hmm," Queen Monkey nodded, trying to appear as sincere as possible. Truth be told, she was still dreading the rest of the day. Hydra and Doragon then wrapped up whatever they were chatting about, and then Sabrina ran off with Luka to go continue their own kwami-swap adventure.

And thank the Lord, the paramedics arrived to take the hang-glider akuma guy away for proper treatment...

-0-

4:00

Oh, just one more hour... one more!

And then, she would have Longg back, and Kim would be back with Xuppu. Like it should be. She was excited to finally get back to normal...

"Hey, Kagami?"

"Hmm?"

The two were currently resting on a rooftop, having just caught another akuma in the trusty akuma-catching portable butterfly nets that they had been supplied with. How they worked was beyond them, but hey, they worked; hopefully Mister Bug didn't mind a surplus of akumas to purify.

"Do you... do you hate me?" Doragon asked.

"What? No no, no!" Queen Monkey said, sitting upright. "Of course not!"

"Are you sure?" he asked, seeming... genuinely troubled. "You sure do act like it."

"No no, God no! I don't hate you, Kim!" Queen Monkey said. "Its just... its..."

"Hmm?" Doragon asked, looking down.

"I'M JEALOUS! I'm jealous, okay?! That's it!" she blurted out. "Its just... you're able to be so reckless and chaotic all the time! And yet, somehow, you can... I don't know, control the chaos? I wish I could do that, for crying out loud! I've always had to be perfect, nothing could be off! Being Queen Monkey has given me a sweet release, and I've really enjoyed it, and you make an excellent Dragon wielder but my pride wouldn't let me admit it! There! Are you happy?"

Queen Monkey then took in deep breaths of air, never having vented like that before... it was new.

And honestly, it felt good to get that off of her chest.

Suddenly, Doragon put a hand on her shoulder, and smiled sadly.

"Wanna know something?" Doragon said. "I'm... I'm kinda jealous of you too."

"Huh?" Queen Monkey said in shock.

"You're able to create a plan on the fly, and you never have to just wing it," Doragon said. "Not only that, but you can be picture perfect when needed. I'm always this big mess of chaos, never really able to control anything but. Though I do wish, at times, that I could be a straight shooter; like you! So yeah, I'm kinda jealous of you too..."

Queen Monkey chuckled. "Well then... uhm..."

"Don't know what to say?" asked Doragon.

"Read my mind," nodded Queen Monkey. "Uh... so... I guess, uh, we're even? Of sorts?"

Doragon shrugged. "Guess so... but really, I'm glad you don't hate me."

"God, how could I hate you?" asked Queen Monkey. "Honestly, though at times, you are a moron - its hilarious. You're hilarious. I'm not only jealous of your ability to control chaos, but your sense of humor is so natural flowing and witty - I could never do that! That's a gift!"

"You kidding me? Of course you could!" Doragon laughed. "And your stoicism... the ability to keep a stone cold glare going for more than five seconds. I'm envious of that, because I know I couldn't do that for shite!"

"Oh come on, you could!" Queen Monkey exclaimed. "See, the trick is to..."

The two wouldn't count on it, but they'd spend the next hour chatting and talking like they were best friends. They'd talk similarities, their differences, what was going on in their romantic lives, how they thought of their powers on the norm, etc.

After the conversation, honestly, the two honestly weren't even ready to swap back when Mister Bug sent out the signal for them to come back.

-0-

"So, how was that day, guys?" asked Mister Bug to the currently present heroes. Lady Noire still had her arm hooked around his; those two were madly in love. It was almost sickeningly cute.

"SO MUCH FUN!" Tourterelle (turtle!Alya) exclaimed.

"Yeah, this was a sick day!" Red Vix (fox!Nino) added.

"AWESOME!" Sun Screamer (rooster!Max) yelled.

"I had so much fun!" Trotter (horse!Nath) exclaimed. "This may actually be the best team bonding exercise idea ever! Thanks you two!"

"Honestly, we didn't get much action," Mr. Stripes (tiger!Marc) chuckled.

"I mean, I guess I learned how to tap dance," Madame Hoofer (goat!Juleka) shrugged with a smile (she failed to notice Rose's sudden blush). "Just what happens when ya get bored, y'know?"

"Its difficult to be intimidating like this," Pink Boar (pig!Ivan) said sadly.

"Oh, you're always a sweetheart to me!" Bluebell (ox!Mylene) smiled up at her boyfriend.

"So cute!" Mouselia (mouse!Rose) said, holding her hands together.

"We had a lot of fun," Blue Heeler (dog!Luka) smiled.

"Yeah, it was actually pretty fun using Repetition as a power!" Hydra (snake!Sabrina) said, equally as happy.

"Psh... It was okay, I guess," Madame Cottontail (bunny!Chloe) shrugged.

"Oh come on, you loved it!" Hornet (bee!Alix) said, smirking smugly.

"Well, we're glad you all had fun!" Lady Noire smiled. "Uh... Kim? Kagami? How'd you all fare?"

There was tension - everyone could feel it. A commonly shared feeling of dread was shared at the start of the day when it was announced that Kim and Kagami would be swapping Miraculouses... but everyone was caught off guard by the two nodding and smirking at one another.

"When can we do it again?" the two asked.

"O-Oh!" Lady Noire gasped, not expecting that answer. "W-Well... uhm, we hadn't thought of doing this again!"

"But, m'lady, you do have to agree - this has been a very successful day," Mister Bug said.

"You're very right, my bug," smiled Lady Noire, nodding. "Well... how about not next Saturday, but the Saturday after? Same swaps? Everyone cool with that?"

A simultaneous nod went around the group, and Lady Noire and Mister Bug settled it - every other Saturday would henceforth be known as "Kwami Swap Day".

"Pound it?" asked Doragon, sticking out his fist.

Queen Monkey nodded, returning the bump. "Pound it."

It hadn't been expected, no, but it wasn't any less welcome because of that.

This friendship would be one for the ages, for sure...

#miraculous ladybug #ml fanfiction #kwami swap #mister bug #lady noire #miracuclass #le chien kim #kagami tsurugi #xuppu #longg #king monkey #ryuko

[futurewriter2000]

Attraction

A/N: Ugl, I know this is not requested or a serie but it’s kind of personal to me and none of my favorite writers didn’t want to write it. So I wrote it myself and here is the result. Hope you like it <3 (also sorry for not posting much. I just have my first job and its really exhausting me) 

PAIRING: Fred Weasley x reader 

TAGS : @siriusly-loves-snuffles, @slither-in-a-half, @nadinissavage, @shadyladyperfection, @geeksareunique, @ashkuuuu, @xinyourdreamsx, @maralisa124, @loserslytherpuff, @chloe-geoghegan1, @heritier-de-la-ravenclaw, @musekala, @moonysmilkshake, @crispyfrenchfrieschrusis, @unicorn-sparkles123

xx

He was funny. So humorous, flirty, kind and sympathetic. His smile was always present on his lips and his comments never disappointed you. He was, what you would call, a crush.

To be completely honest you didn’t even know he was a fellow Gryffindor until your fifth year. Yes, you knew he was your classmate but you were distracted by everything else to notice him. You’ve grown to like the boy since the fifth year. You’ve grown to like him quite a lot. To you, he was your muse because nobody could ever be so damn perfect and flawed as Fred Weasley was.

He was tall and handsome. His body was in perfect shape and it kept being like that due to Quidditch. His arms looked slim but they were strong, following into perfect broad shoulders. He usually wore sweaters or hand-knitted jumpers but when he wore a normal T-shirt, that was when his fit shape really showed. His hair was always messed up. How could it not? He was always up for some trouble, always inventing new things, things he was passionate about. And the way his light brown eyes sparkled with mischief everytime somebody mentioned trouble. How he looked at you with those big round eyes, confused yet in the light they showed a light color of hazel. It matched his ginger hair perfectly. They were flaming red yet the dark smoke always seemed to cover that color. To be honest, you never saw his hair clean or combed but when it was, it seemed confusing because you weren’t used to that Fred.

He knew you existed. You have been his classmate for years and you always seemed to help George with his Herbology. George was kind and nice, a tad crazy like his other half, and he was assigned your Herbology partner in 4th year when he was creating a ruckus with his twin. The kind and loving professor Sprout lost her mind that day completely, separating them and having a close eye on them both. George got a bit better with Herbology since you became his partner, but he was awfully distracted by his twin on the other side of the classroom. He wasn’t the only one though.

You and Fred didn’t talk much to each other. You were always talkative and comfortable around others but when he was around, you completely froze. You couldn’t concentrate on anything else. He just walked in and took away your focus with his presence. You always said you shouldn’t like a boy like him. He dated many girls, snogged with one of your closest friends at the Hufflepuff win party, Angelina Johnson. Though you told yourself you weren’t having feelings for the boy, hearing that, hurt. Of course, nothing else happened with Angelina except a one-time snogging but you knew he always had eyes for her. Sometimes when the two of you talked it was mostly arguing. He seemed to pull some of your nerves with all the talk and no action. As he talked awful of your classmate in Divination, a Ravenclaw snitching on him, you had to defend him. Yes, you weren’t close with the Ravenclaw boy anymore as you were before but he was still someone you cared about.

Fred, however always saw you as a classmate and nothing more or less. He knew you and Angelina were friends but at times even a Gryffindor like him isn't brave enough to face a girl he snogged a month ago. He had fancied Angelina for a few months now but he didn’t have the balls to go to her and ask her on a proper date. Maybe he wasn’t looking for a date. Maybe he was looking for someone to snog. Someone he liked and that was Angelina, not you.

And it broke your heart whenever you thought about it. Fury was what you felt when you knew Angelina had that chance but thought of Fred just as a one time mistake. You envied her because you would do anything for that boy to be yours. Maybe a snog was what you needed, to try and solve the puzzle that has been bugging you all this time. Do you have real feelings towards him, or is it just the attraction?

Attraction worked so oddly. You were drawn to Fred, feeling the chemistry, the pull, the appeal, the magnetism... But as you sat with his twin, who appeared to look just like him, same shoulders, same eyes (maybe slightly rounder than Fred’s), and the same messy ginger hair with smoke among those strands, all you felt was... normal.

“ I should have never taken this stupid class.” he complained for the hundredth time in one whole hour, tilting his head backward and running his hands down his face.

It was late, yet you were determined to learn him all the magical properties and usage of plants you’ve learned back in the First year. “ Too little too late, don’t you think.”

“ This is garbage. I promised Fred we’d plan that prank together and now he’s doing it all on his own. “ he huffed and dropped his head on the table, face down. “ I don’t want to do this.” he whined, turning his head towards you and begging with his puppy dog eyes.

“ Fred can wait. Your exam can’t. Now trust me when I say this is as painful for me as it is for you. I am fluent in Herbology and professor Sprout loves me..or she did until you were assigned, my partner. Now, I just have to finish this year until I leave this-”

“ Leave? “ he shot his head up, feeling slight pain poking his in the head before focusing back on you. “ What do you mean leave? “

“ Oh shite. “ you cursed under your breath, throwing your head on your palms and rubbing your eyes. “ Why do I ramble so much? “

“ You’re leaving? “

“ It’s just, my parents are moving to America and I am transferring to Ilvermony for my last year. “ you looked up at his dark brown eyes, simpering at him. “ I mean not that anyone will miss me...”

“ Don’t say that. I’ll miss you. You’re my Herbology partner, you help me with ...well you know, Herbology. “ he kept the serious look in his eyes. “ Plus, you will never be able to tell Fred you fancy him.”

“ Ha! “ you scoffed of laughter, leaning back on your chair and crossing your arms over your chest. “ I don’t like your brother, Georgie.”

“ Oh, please. You give him almost as much attention as I do. Plus you become all stiff and quiet when he is around.” he argued back, causing your mouth to fall agape before closing.

“ Pff. I am not stiff. I am loose and comfortable and you know it.”

“ I do know it. But not when he is around. Like, I don’t get it. Why don’t you just ask him out? “

“ Because I don’t see myself as his girlfriend. Yes, I feel some sort of attraction towards him but it’s confusing. I am attracted but I don’t like him.”

“ You don’t like my brother? “ he asked, slightly offended, causing your head to drop in defeat. You tried to explain but he just doesn’t get it.

“ Okay. Get this through your thick head, Georgie. I do not want to date Fred Weasley. Yes, he’s an okay person but he’s not serious. Not that I want him to be but at times, his jokes and pranks or whatever the two of you do- all I’m trying to say that I just think he is not right for me.” you sighed, lowering your head before looking back at the boy in front of you.

He crinkled his nose and grinned. “ I love it when you call me Georgie. “

“ You’re unbelievable.” you giggled and lightly punched his arm.

“ You’ve got my attention. The first girl who doesn’t want to date my brother. “ he winked at you, causing your cheeks to blush.

“ You get your attention to this stupid plants I have to teach you.” you replied with a scold, pointing your index finger at the book full of plant photos.

“ AHA! So you do think this is stupid. I freaking knew it. “ he crinkled his nose once again at you but you only pushed him away.

“ Just shut up and learn. ”

----

The whole gang was in the common room, laughing and hanging out. There was Katie, Angelina, Fred, George, and Lee. The famous five.

You always envied them. They were a nice group of friends but you were always the kind of person who picked their friends carefully, meaning you had trustworthy and amazing small circle of friends.

So as you passed them by, a letter in your hand and your focus on the girl's dormitory, George noticed your presence and immediately ran after you. “ Merhaba, (y/n). “ he greeted you, wrapping his arm around you and turning you around towards the group.

“ Weasley? “ you quirked an eyebrow. “ Learning Turkish I see.”

“ My new passion.” he replied, walking you back to the group.

“ So I see your brain is working just fine. If you can learn Turkish, so can Herbology.”

“ Ugh!.” he groaned, rolling his eyes. “ Not today, please.”

“ Yeah, whatever. What do you want? ” you slipped away from his hold.

“ Come join us! “ Angelina chirped, cutting in before George could speak and jumping over to you with her every move being followed by Fred’s eyes, which you took notice in.

“ Yes, darling. Come join us! “ George shouted and threw himself on the armchair which Angelina sat before.

Though you wanted to join them, you still felt like you were forcing yourself to hang out with them. Angelina always told you that you should hang out with them more but you couldn’t trust them. They just weren’t your type of friends you’d feel comfortable with. Of course, you felt comfortable with Angelina and Katie as well as George but you always got an odd vibe from Lee and Fred. You somehow knew you weren’t welcomed here, though they both tried to be nice and polite to you. “ I wish I could but I have this letter to read and reply to.”

George immediately got back on his feet and grabbed the letter in his hands, turning it around in his hand. “ From Pistachio? “ he puzzled, looking confusedly at you.

You heard a laughter come from the couch, the loudest was, of course, Fred’s. “ Who the hell is Pistachio? “

“ She’s a friend. “ you grabbed the letter from George and stepping further away from him as possible before turning to the group. “ She actually one of my closest, childhood friends and Pistachio is just a nickname I gave her when we were kids. It just stuck like that.”

“ Oh, so you do have friends.” George teased and was immediately hit on the shoulder.

“ I also have a crazy mind and a bad temper, so don’t tick me off. “ you growled at him but he only crinkled his nose at you again and grinned. He always looked so cute when he did that.

“ I haven’t seen that bad temper yet. I have to step up my game if I ever do before you leave.”

“ Leave? “ Angelina furrowed her eyebrows at you, frowning. “ You’re leaving.”

You hit George once again with the letter in your hand, latter followed by a stronger punch. “ Thank you, Georgie.” you gritted your teeth, turning to Angelina and simpering at her. “ I’m just gonna finish my last year there. I’m leaving right after the end of this school year. “

“ But- you’re my fashion buddy.” she pouted and you chuckled.

“ Better not find another one until I come back. “ you tried to cheer her up and succeeded.

“ Well, we have two months left together so I won’t leave your side. “ she spoke with determination.

“ Great.” you smiled at her before noticing the confused look Fred was giving you. “ What? “

“ You called him Georgie. I’m usually the only one allowed to call him that.”

“ Well, she’s allowed as well.” George beamed. “ She just says it so sexy.” he winked at you, causing you to roll your eyes.

“ Always so confident when around your friends, aren’t you George.” you smirked at the boy but he only sent you a grin.

“ No. Say it.” George grinned again. “ Correctly.” he added as he stood up from the armrest.

“ I won’t.” you scoffed, crossing your arms once again.

“ Come on. For me.” he fluttered his eyelashes at you, causing you to roll your eyes and walk away.

“ Bye, Georgie.” you started walking upstairs, George gasping dramatically before falling back on the couch. Stopping, you turned around and waved at the others, your eyes locked with Freds. “ Night guys. “ and you were gone.

After you disappeared, Angelina turned around with a lovely twirl and hopped back to her spot. Though she knew everything was fine, she couldn’t help herself but feel odd. She glanced at Fred and his eyes weren’t on her anymore. They were set on the stairs you walked on a moment ago.

A lack of attention was missing but she brushed it off, turning it into some teasing. “ Distracted much, Fred.”

Fred shook his head to her, watching over to her with a confused look in his eyes. “ Hm, what? “

“ Don’t tell me you like her.” Katie spoke, getting Fred’s attention.

“ Like who? (y/n)? No, of course not.” he quickly denied even though he felt completely focused on you.

“ Ha. Even if he did like her, he wouldn’t have a chance with her.” George laughed, creating a few confused faces around him.

“ Why not? “ Katie furrowed her eyebrows.

“ Yeah, why not? “ Fred repeated after her, sharing slightly different but still confused expression as the others.

“ Shortly put, your not her type.” George replied.

“ Really? “ Angelina spoke in disbelief. Of course, she has always thought you were into Fred. Something about you was always different when he was around. It was in both, Fred and you. She could have described it as chemistry but it really wasn’t. Sometimes the two of you didn’t speak to each other at all or when you did, the conversation was short, teasing or smiling at each other.

“ Yeah. She said she could never see herself dating him.” George continued, not even thinking twice about what he spoke.

“ Auch. That must hurt, Fred.” spoke Lee, smiling at him.

“ Not him, just his ego.” Katie joked around, getting a mocked glare from Fred.

“ Bog off.” Fred brushed them off and laid on the sofa, faced at the ceiling.

There was always something about you he couldn’t figure out. He loved your eyes. They were always smiling with your mouth curved into a wide beam. He also loved your honesty. Getting into argument with you was challenging. You just didn’t give up on it. When he was complaining about the Ravenclaw boy, he was so surprised you raised your voice at him. You were right in that argument but what, he was 16. An age where every boy acts like he is ten years younger. The two of you were quite alike but different in so many ways. He envied George that he got along with you better than him. You seemed to get along with pretty much everybody, including Angelina, Katie and sometimes he even sees you laughing with Lee. Why not him?

And why, everytime he sees you with George, playfully punching each other and laughing, whispering and giggling, he catches himself staring at you with a glare? Why do you make him so mad all the time? Especially now when he found out you would never go on a date with him. Why not?

----

He could hear your giggle from another side of the class. Knowing George was right beside you, it seemed to be a lot louder. The way you snorted when you tried to hide the laugh which wanted to escape your mouth. Or the way you warned George to stop making jokes in class. It drove him mad.

His eyes were up on the board, wanting to copy the notes professor Sprout wrote. They were stuck like that for the whole period. His eyes focused on the board while his ears on the giggling which came from two students in the back.

“ No, George. Don’t. “ your whisper seemed to become louder. “ Georgie, please.” you continued, your hands preventing George to pour the potion over the gorgeous plant. “ I swear to God, give me the potion.” you started to warn him with a sharp edge in your voice, causing Fred to smirk.

And all of a sudden there was a loud blast, causing all students to cover their ears and turn around at the pile of smoke. And there the two of you were, both with wide eyes, staring at the dead plant while the dark amber smoke covered both of your skin. Letting out a few coughs, the two of you looked at each other and burst out laughing.

The class laughed as well, pinching their noses and grimacing at the smell. Fred laughed the loudest, he always did, but seeing you as George wrapped his arms around you, that laugh soon disappeared and his smile turned into an angry frown. He grabbed you tightly, laughing, while you tried to get out of his grip, losing all the balance and falling off your chairs. It was a ruckus but professor Sprout laughed along, shaking her head and trying to keep a serious face.

“ Will we have to switch seats again, Mrs. (y/l/n) and Mr. Weasley? “ she asked as she walked to the two of you, helping both of you to stand back on your feet.

“ He is just so unreasonable.” you lightly punched him in the shoulder, crinkling your nose at him and pinching his while he mimicked your expression. “ Stubborn like his brother.” you smiled, switching your gaze at the other twin and noticing the forced simper he gave you. It gave you another uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach but you still kept the smile on your face.

Fred however quickly calmed down after his eyes met yours. But they changed as soon as they landed on him. Firstly, they were so joyful and after they observed his expression, they changed and looked away from him.

“ Class dismissed. You two, come with me.” professor Sprout ordered you and George.

The two of you quickly made your way towards her desk, snickering and whispering to each other.

Fred made his way to his desk, grabbing his books and making his way out but he couldn’t go without glancing back at his brother and you. And while he waited for his brother, which he told himself he was doing, he couldn’t help himself but replay every single moment the two of you had together.  The day the whole class went ice skating and you seemed to skate better than him, which revolved into a lot of teasing. The glances the two of you caught each other giving and the lovely-

“ I cannot believe you got me in detention! “ your voice echoed through the corridor while punching George on the shoulder once again.

“ Auch! It hurts. You want to kill me, woman.” he rubbed his hand over the painful spot

“ Oh, you-”

“ So you think I’m stubborn, huh? “ Fred cut you off, leaning forward and looking at you with those big round brown eyes.

You felt your breath get caught up in your throat and your heart raise its beat. “ Annoying, sarcastic yet still humorous too. “ you pointed out with a smirk while he only watched. “ There is a tad of arrogance but we’ll let it pass. More or less idiotic yet it’s fun watching you get embarrassed because of it.” you winked, walking alongside them.

“ I think this is the nicest you have ever been to me. “ he let his hand touch his chest, fluttering his long eyelashes at you.

“ Thursdays are my nice days. “

“ But it’s Wednesday? “ Fred grinned and you returned the gesture.

“ Guess, today is an exception.” you smiled and noticed your friend waiting around the corner. “ Anyway, I have to go but see both of you ..” you lifted your hand to look at your imaginary watch. “ Sometime else.” you smiled before running over to your friend and greeting her with a hug.

Boys waved at you and walked in the opposite direction. And though George was talking to Fred, Fred could help himself but think about something completely else. You.

“ So what did you mean yesterday she doesn’t want to date me? “ he blurted out of nowhere, causing George to snicker beside him.

“ Really, Freddie? “

“ What? “

“ Are you seriously considering dating her? “

“ What?! No.....maybe.”

“ Oh my god! “ George started to laugh, holding on to Fred’s shoulder and grabbing his stomach. It was all funny until George straightened his posture and looked Fred dead in the eyes. “ Yeah, no.”

“ What? “

“ Freddie. She likes you but she’ll say no. Trust me on this.”

“ She likes me? “ Fred smile turned into a more wide beam before George slapped his head.

“ You’re such a twat. If you really want to know why she doesn’t want to date you, go and ask her yourself. Just stop bugging me about it.” George lifted his hands in annoyance as he walked away. He stopped and turned around once again. “ And do it before she leaves. “

---

And he did. He was determined to talk to you before you leave.

“ Oi! ( y/l/n )! “ he shouted as you tried to climb the stairs.

Thinking it was George, you smiled to yourself and turned around only to find a different twin standing in front of you. It was easy for you to separate them. It was all in the energy Fred gave you that George didn’t. That feeling, that attraction. “ Fred? “

“ (y/n). Hey, hi. “ he felt a bit nervous. “ I need to talk to you.”

You smiled as he only stood there and watched you. “ Yeah. So, talk.” you giggled, looking at your feet before back up into his gaze.

“ Private..”

You looked over to the empty common room, stretching your neck to see over his shoulder and around, hearing him chuckle. “ You’re right. That couch over there looks like a curious lil shit.” you grinned at him and he returned a nervous smile, confusing you. “ Are you okay? “

“ Yeah, yeah. I’m fine..” he mumbled, feeling his hands getting clammy and his stomach twist in a knot.

Why was he nervous all of a sudden? He never got this nervous around a girl before. And what did he even want to tell her?

“ Sooo.” you swayed on your tiptoes, trying to break the awkward silence. “ You wanted to talk to me about..? “

He breathed in all the air he could manage so that his lungs were full but still nothing came out.

“ Fred? “ you quivered and put your hand on his shoulder, worrying about him. “ What’s wrong? “

“ Why don’t you want to date me? “ he blubbered out, causing your eyes to pop out.

“ Wait, hold on. How-” you stopped after pondering it in your head. “ That little snitch.” you narrowed your eyes at the empty, shaking your head in fury.

“ You really thought George wouldn’t tell me? “

“ I don’t understand why you would care. Why are you asking me this exactly? “

“ I- I don’t know. Maybe because I want to know why? “ he mumbled quietly, where shyness took over his usual confidence.

“ Because I just don’t see myself with you.” you replied more harshly than you intended to.

“ Why not? “ he started to raise his voice as well.

“ Because...”

“ Because of what? “

“ You know what. It doesn’t matter.” you brushed him off and left for your dorm.

“ IT DOES MATTER! “ he shouted and you twitched at his hoarse voice. He realized the way your fingers clawed the fence and he didn’t know if it was because of fear or anger. “ I’m sorry, I just... I just don’t understand us.”

“ Us? “ you turned around with a glare.

Angry. You were angry. Good to know.

“ There is no us, Fred. There never was and apparently, there never will be. “

“ And why do you think that? “

“ Because you don’t like me, Fred! You don’t like me the way I like you! “

“ And that is why you don’t want to date me? Because I don’t share the same feelings for you! “

“ YES! THAT IS EXACTLY WHY! “ you yelled furiously yet desperate. You rushed back to him, glaring at his round eyes that always seemed to make you melt and tonight was no exception. “ I know. I know you like Angelina. I know that I am nothing but a classmate to you who hangs out with George a lot. I know you don’t think about me every night before you go to bed and I know that you don’t become jealous or angry everytime I am with another guy. “ you voice started to become more shaky and weak. “ I know, Fred. “

And somehow, he was hugging you. His arms were wrapped around you, squeezing you tightly, while yours sneaked around him and pulled him closer. Your head was laid on his chest and you could feel the beat of his heart calm down.

It was the first time. The first time the two of you were close and it felt so right. It felt warm and comfortable, something the two of you never were around each other. Both of you felt it.

“ I do. “ he spoke softly, breaking away from the hug and cupping your cheeks. And as you looked up with your red glimmered eyes, he simpered softly and brushed the falling tears from your cheeks. “ I do get angry and jealous when I see you with George or any other boy. The Ravenclaw and how the two of you connect with only a look. You just get along with others so well but with me... “

“ You’re judgy.” you simpered and he let out a laugh.

“ I’m not judgy. “ he defended, his eyes watering as well.

“ You act judgy. “

“ Well, I’m not. “ he laughed and got a hold of your hands. “ I’d love to give us a chance but ...”

“ But I’m leaving. “ you sighed and glanced down at your hands.

“ Can’t you stay? “

“ It’s not that easy. I already have a summer job, an interview with the Ilvermorny headmaster and my parent-” your rambling was stopped.

He kissed you softly on the lips. A soft and slow kiss that made your heart explode in your chest. His thumb supported your chin and he smiled into it. Brushing his lips against your, he looked up into your eyes and tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. “ I can wait. “ he whispered, giving you another soft kiss and interlacing his fingers in your hair.

“ A promise is only a promise if it’s from the heart. “ you smiled sheepishly, causing him to snort of laughter.

“ Cheesy. It suits you.” he spoke in a low whisper, his forehead leaned on yours. “ Wait? “ he moved away. “ Is today Thursday? “

#fred weasley #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley x reader #george weasley #george weasley imagine #george weasley x reader #weasley twins #harry potter imagines

[albionscastle]

First Impressions 11

I literally just ran this chapter out in a day, which is totally unheard of for me, but when the mood hits you......

Trigger Warning: mentions of domestic abuse, rape, anxiety.

In this chapter the boys are back across the pond, Jack is in denial, Maya takes a trip and Lizzie finally stands up for herself.

Fic Masterlist

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 11

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER?

LIZZIE

The morning after the wrap party Lizzie woke up feeling like she was hung over. Her head pounded, her throat was all dry and scratchy and she felt sick to her stomach. How had an evening that had begun so well turned bad so quickly? How had any of it even been real it was so ridiculous. A glance at her phone showed that was 8am, far later than she usually slept and she moaned, knowing she was going to feel like shite all day. Shooting off a text to Charlie to see if his evening had turned out any better, she lumbered into the shower, hoping that the steam would at least help to clear her head.

She had to at least make herself presentable for Sunday dinner or there would be consequences. One thing that Lizzie was most certainly not in the mood for was her mother’s inferences and comments about her life choices or the way she looked. Mary and Kate would be there today and she wanted her time with her sisters to be as pleasant as possible. Of course bribery was always a good option too and so she spent the morning baking a few of Chloe’s favourite things, just in case she needed the distraction.

From past experience it had about a 70/30 chance of success, which were odds she could live with.

It seemed to be working this time too, Lizzie thought halfway through dinner. Lydia was still sulking of course, but everyone else seemed to happy enough while they planned for Thanksgiving. Chloe was insisting that everything be absolutely perfect for Tom to celebrate his first one, and while Lizzie thought some of her ideas were a bit over the top, she couldn’t fault her excitement. This would be the first time that any of the girls had brought a significant other to the celebration. Mary and her girlfriend had spent last Thanksgiving in Oregon and Colin had always insisted on spending the day with his family. None of hers had ever been invited and it wasn’t until after she’d gotten away that she realized how he had been isolating her. All told, Maya and Mary bringing someone home for the holiday was a huge deal for all of them.

Glad of the diversion, Lizzie had a great catch-up with her sisters, both of them happier than she had ever seen them. Maya was beaming every time Tom was mentioned (a lot), and for the first time in a long time, Lizzie was pretty content with how things were turning out.

There was a knock at the door after dinner, Kate and Mary having already left, the remaining family members watching a movie.

“Of course you can dear! Come on in, she’s in the living room.” Chloe was saying.

Lizzie looked at Maya who simply shrugged, apparently she wasn’t expecting Tom. Maybe it was one of Lydia’s friends. Then she looked up and her heart plummeted to her feet as she saw Colin standing there, flowers in hand while her mother beamed with pleasure.

“Lizzie, Colin wanted to have a word with you.”

Her heart was now thumping in her throat, the familiar breathless feeling rising from the pit of her belly. She couldn’t believe that her mother would ambush her like this, was she truly so blind to the situation and to Lizzie’s feelings? Or, and much more likely, had Coloin managed to charm her into believing that things were far different than they actually were? For the first time, she regretted not telling her parents about Colin’s abuse. Her mother might have a pain, but she would never have allowed Colin through the front door if she knew what he really was.

With everyone looking at her expectantly Lizzie stood up. It was time to end this, but not inside her parent’s house. She felt a hand on her arm and it was, surprisingly, Lydia.

“Do you want us to stay?” she whispered.

The girl had her moments but she was always, always there for the sisters if they needed her. Deep down, Lydia was a good egg.

“No. But thanks.” she patted Lydia’s hand. “I’ll speak to Colin outside.” she spoke firmly. “The rest of you need to stay here.”

Her look, especially toward Colin and Chloe brooked no argument and she stalked past them both and out the door. It took moments only for Colin to follow, narrowing his eyes when he noticed her stretched on the swing leaving him unable to do anything but stand.

It was up to him to start.

Lizzie watched him fiddle with the flowers, seeing him realize there was no way she was going to accept them. He was on edge because already he could see that things weren’t going according to plan. If he was smart, he would cut his losses and run.

Colin had always been too self-absorbed to be truly smart.

“Eliza, I’m sure you realize by now why I’m here.”

“I heard work.”

“No. Well yes but that’s not all of it. Anne could have sent me anywhere but I chose to come here.”

Yeah, ok, she thought wryly.

“I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

“I’ve decided to give you another chance. I’ve come to understand that you were young before and perhaps not ready to be thrust into the life I was planning. Ann thinks I have great potential and we’ve agreed that it would be advantageous to have someone to help me entertain clients.”

No way was he seriously saying this, utter astonishment at his audacity had replaced fear and she opened her mouth to respond, only to be cut off as Colin continued.

“You would be responsible for dinner parties - under mine and Ann’s supervision of course. She’s very big on entertaining potential client and her eye is absolutely impeccable. Then of course you would be expected to entertain personally on the day of, serve appetizers during my meetings, be charming and naturally you would put the company forth, first and foremost.”

“I’m confused Colin, are you offering me a job?”

“Yes and no, Ann did ask me to look for someone to fill the role and I thought that as my wife you could perform the duties required,” his eyes slid over her like a snakes, leaving no doubt about his double meaning. “It would save the company money and Ann is quite keen on frugality.”

Lizzie barely concealed the shudder that wafted down her spine, she was so stunned that she couldn’t even speak.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but with training you could do well. Also, I don’t like to brag but the home Ann helped me pick out is perfectly suited for entertaining and is really quite awe-inspiring. Especially for the smaller names, like your Scottish friend.”

Lizzie didn’t miss the way his lips curled on a snarl as he spoke those words, a glimpse of the Colin that she knew well. Instinct had her screaming RUN in her head, this would be the moment when he would accuse and then hurt her. But things were different now, she was different, even if he wasn’t.

“No.” she said it firmly, almost surprised that she’d said it out loud at all.

Colin’s eyes flashed, his polite mask slipping for a second before he took a deep breath, concealing the monster once again.

“I see. Driving the hard bargain to hold out for more. Well, there could be travel involved. Ann’s main office is in London. There would be certain red carpet events, parties no doubt where I could wrangle a plus one, if you are doing well of course. You’d have an allowance naturally, and a driver, anything you could want.”

“Except freedom, Lizzie thought darkly.

“Still no. Not interested.”

“Eliza, don’t be stupid!” Colin snarled. “This is the best offer you are ever likely to get. I gave you time to grow up and pursue your pointless degrees, time to understand and appreciate what I have to offer you, now it’s time to think.”

“I am thinking, and my answer is still no. It will always be no.”

“Why? I don’t understand.”

“You know why, Colin.” Lizzie ground out.

Was he really so narcissistic that be believed himself innocent? Or worse, justified?

“Are you seriously dredging up the past Eliza? I think we are beyond that now. You were young and did enjoy pushing me.”

“Pushing you?” Anger now overrode all of Lizzie’s better judgement and she stood, facing him without backing down. “You punched me in the ribs for saying hello to the postman. How exactly was that pushing you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” he snapped. “I never laid a hand on you unless you incited me. You knew how I felt about you talking to other men, flirting with them. You were mine, young and out of control, I was trying to shape you into a grown up.”

“He was 73, and what about the time I didn’t scrub the counters with both kind of bleach so dragged me by my hair through the house and locked me in the basement for two days. Was that justified?”

“All you had to do was what I asked, you brought it all on yourself, you needed to learn and you needed to be punished when you deliberately went against my wishes.”

“Oh I learned alright. I learned that I am a million times better than an abusive sack of shit like you in every way. I said no and I meant no, Colin, now get off my parent’s property before I call the Chief and your dirty secret gets out into the open.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Colin had gone white, unconsciously backing up toward the steps.

“Oh, but I would. You come near me or my family again and I’ll make sure that the illustrious Anne deBourgh knows all about how much you like to hit women.”

“You bitch!” Colin was down the steps and onto the path, only feet away from his car.

Lizzie smiled triumphantly, raising her hand in a mocking wave.

“Buh bye now.” Colin didn’t say another word, instead he turned and got in his car, peeling away before Lizzie could make good on her threat. She waited until he was out of sight before collapsing onto the swing, her breath struggling in deep, gasping gulps. The enormity of what she’d done wasn’t lost on her, at one time she hadn’t even dared to look at him sideways and now she had told him to go to hell. Part of her somehow still expected to feel his fist in her ribs for even daring to speak out. That part had her eyes darting around in panic, certain she would see his car still there and him towering over her.

It was several minutes before she could pull herself together enough to breathe properly and she gratefully sucked the late fall air deep into her lungs. Her hands had almost stopped shaking and, while her legs were still a bit wobbly, she was able to stand again and slowly make her way to the door.

One unwanted confrontation down, one to go.

The expected scolding from her mother didn’t come as she closed the door behind her. Curious, she thought as she entered the living room, seeing only her father.

“Dad?”

“Kitchen. Everything ok?”

Lizzie smiled at his concerned look and nodded, leaning over to kiss the top of his head.

“It’s fine, I sorted it out.”

Watching as he turned his attention back to the t.v. Lizzie was once again glad she had never told her parents the truth about Colin. It would break her father’s heart to know that someone had hurt her - and that he hadn’t been there to stop it. A moot point now, she mused, making her way to the kitchen. The bastard was gone for good now, at least she hoped so.

Any thoughts about Colin fled as soon as she saw the state of Maya, who sat silently at the counter, fat tears streaming down her cheeks with her phone sitting in front of her. Chloe spotted Lizzie and before she could even open her mouth to Maya it began.

“Oh Lizzie, what a sad state of things! Just up and gone like that, what are we going to do?”

She was actually wringing her hands as she  paced up and down the room.

“Maya?” Lizzie asked softly, her hand on her sister’s shoulder.

Maya choked on a sob, handing Lizzie her phone before dashing away to her room. Looking down she read the message on the screen with horror.

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Subject: Sorry

Maya, love I’m sorry to bail like this, I thought there was more time but I’m needed in London tomorrow for auditions. I can’t blow them off. I’m sure you understand. Thanks for everything, you are a wonderful girl and I had a great time with you.

Tom.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she growled, reading the email. An email of all things! “He has some fucking nerve.”

“Maybe she can catch him before he leaves?” her mother asked hopefully.

“I don’t think so Mom, if I had to guess I’d say he’s already on the plane, probably even in London by now. If he was too cowardly to say this face to face then he’s left town already. Bastard.”

“What about Colin? He’s involved in that world, with them, I’m sure he would look him up if you asked.”

“Colin is not, and will never be involved in this, Mom.” Lizzie stated.

“I know you just got back together but considering the circumstances, I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“I turned down Colin’s rather insulting proposal Mom. It’s done and I don’t want to hear anymore about it.”

“But…”

“No Mom! I mean it, it’s done. Give it up because I am never going to marry Colin Ryan.”

“I can’t believe you Elizabeth Bennett. Why are you so intent on throwing away your future?”

“Why are you so intent on throwing me at a man I despise?”

“You’d have stability, social standing, money, everything you need.”

“No, that’s just everything you want, it’s not what I want. I never cared about money or social bullshit.”

Lizzie moved past Chloe and down the hall.

“We are not done talking about this young lady.” Chloe snapped.

“Yes we are Mom. We are done, if you so much as mention Colin to me again then I’m out, I mean it. I can’t keep going through this with you. I love you and if you love me then you’ll trust me to make my own choices about my life!”

Lizzie didn’t realize how much her voice had risen until the shocked look on her mother’s face registered. She had never, even as a teen, ever yelled at her Mom. Lydia’s head poked out of her door with a worried frown and Ben stood in the hallway looking sad. Though angry tears threatened to spill over, Lizzie clamped her jaw shut.

“Come now loves, I think that’s enough excitement for one day. We’re all tired from last night and can do with a break.” Her father’s soft voice diffused the anger, as always. “Let’s go watch West Side Story shall we?” this he said to his wife.

“But…” sniff. “You hate musicals.”

“How about we see if I’ve changed my mind?”

Chloe allowed herself to be led away, Lydia retreated back into her room and Lizzie knocked softly on Maya’s door, not expecting a reply. Her heart twisted at the sight of her sister sobbing into the pillow. In twenty years she had never seen Maya once cry over a man.

She wanted to wring Tom’s neck.

“Hey May May, what do you say to a quiet night at my place? I have ice cream.”

Maya’s favourite feel better cure, and Lizzie knew that she would much rather be away from Chloe’s histrionics while the wound was still so fresh. She gathered a few of her sister’s things into a bag, patiently waiting until maya was ready to move.

“Dad.” She whispered from the kitchen, her father appearing almost immediately. “I’m taking Maya to my place for a few days.”

“Ok, go out the back door and I’ll keep your mother occupied.”

Lizzie nodded, heading for the kitchen door.

“Oh and Lizzie….” she turned to see a gentle smile on his face. “For what it’s worth, I never liked Colin, I’m glad you got rid of him.”

Shocked, Lizzie squeaked.

“Mom thinks he’s the second coming.” “I’ll take care of your mother, you take care of Maya. I love you both.”

“Love you too Dad.” Lizzie bundled Maya out the door.

It was only 6pm and today felt like the longest day of her life, all because of a couple of selfish, stupid bastards.

She was done with all of them.

JACK

The familiar sights and sounds of London were like a balm to his troubled soul, Jack thought happily as he trotted up the Tube steps. Everything that had bothered him for the past few months seemed to have dissipated and he could finally relax. Three days back and he had fallen back into his normal rhythm, better than he had been since Lisa if he was honest. He’d even made arrangements to have his flat painted while he was in Scotland for the holiday. He told himself that he’d only been waiting until he had the time to manage it, and he believed it.

How could he not?

Tom was still moping around, but Jack figured that was to be expected. He usually pulled himself together after about a week and there was no reason to think that this time was any different. In fact, the kid had nailed the audition so well that they hadn’t seen anyone else. It was a leading role and a big one, so more than ever Jack knew he had done the right thing by extracting Tom from the Bennett girl.

Safely back in his flat, Indian takeaway on the coffee table he turned on the telly for a night of vegging.

He choked on his curry, spraying rice all over the place when Saturday Night fever immediately appeared on the screen.

The curry was bloody hot, he thought as he cleaned it up, coughing and spluttering through a bottle of water. He should have been more careful.

He changed the channel anyway and with a suspiciously small bite of his food he settled in to watch…

Strictly Come Dancing with a disco theme.

Fuck no! Agitated now, Jack threw down the remote, going over to his media case. He grabbed an old horror flick, jamie Lee Curtis was a legend and he deemed it safe enough. He’d seen Prom Night a couple of times already but that didn’t matter. Relaxing back into the couch cushions he finished his food, scrolling through his phone mindlessly.

Until… “Ya haf tae be fucking kiddin me!”

He’d forgotten about the dance scene, the whole fucking disco soundtrack to the film it seemed. Disgusted, he simply clicked it off, opting to just sit in the dark.

The Universe was conspiring against him that was for bloody sure.

His phone vibrated with an incoming text, probably his best mate Andy wanting to go for a beer. Jack was so not in the mood. Ready to type the negative reply he was surprised to see the message was from Calum. It wasn’t like him to be awake this late when they were prepping a new production. Worried for a second he quickly opened it up.

CAL: hey asshole, what the fuck? Are you holding out on me?

Confused Jack’s brow furrowed.

JL: what are ye on about?

CAL: This! I thought you said the shoot was mindless misery, but you sure don’t look miserable!

What the hell is he talking about Jack wondered, totally confused now.

Another text, this one with an attachment. Tapping to open it he was unprepared for what he saw. Someone at the party had been taking photos, for whatever reason people did he vaguely remembered that. They had captured him dancing with Elizabeth and the moment they had caught...mid argument as he held her tightly, no space at all between them. The breath left his body in a woosh. He was stunned.

His phone rang, Calum.

“No response eh? Knew ye were holdin out.”

Jack’s mouth was dry and he had to take a gulp of water before he could even answer.

“Where did ye get tha?”

“Just Jared, that’s not the point. Who’s the girl?”

“No-one, just a local lass.”

“Uh huh.” Calum drawled. “That doesna look like a no-ne photo ye ken?”

“It was just a dance Cal, she’s no-one special.”

“Then why does it look like ye’s are seconds away from needin a room?”

“Bullshit. Beside we argued the whole song.”

“Ye say arguin, anyone else who looks at this is thinkin horizontal foreplay. I mean it Jack, the two o ye look like yer about tae go at it right there.”

“She doesna even like me, hates me in fact.”

“Fine line between hate and I wantae jump yer bones, Jack, and she wanted tae jump ye bad. Tell me ye sealed that deal.”

“Don’t be crass Cal.” Jack snapped. “And no, nothin happened with Elizabeth. At all.”

“Then yer a bigger idiot than I thought big brother.”

“Gee thanks Cal, nice tae know yer so supportive.”

Calum laughed. “Jack ye knob, ye really are so easy tae rile up. But seriously man, what’s the deal?”

“There’s no deal, I saw her a few times with mutual friends. We didna take a likin tae each other, that’s all there is to it.”

“If that’s what yer tellin yerself then ok, I won’t push. Anyway got tae go, early start. I’ll see ye at home. Love ya.”

The bugger hung up before Jack could even get a word in. He was never going to hear the end of it now. Looking at the picture again he tried to coolly explain it away. Not that it mattered at all, he was never going to see the woman again so what was some random picture taken at a party? Even if someone was curious, it wouldn’t be hard to figure out that he and Elizabeth lived on different continents and had no connection between them other than having attended this party.

What was he even so prickly about?

Looking at the picture again, Jack tried to see it through Calum’s eyes. As usual he had been making a stretch. Sure they were awfully close, but the dancefloor had been crowded and he had just dipped her the final time. That was why his arm was around her, rather than just a hand on her back. It also explained her fingers on the back of his neck rather than his shoulder.

His memory of the moment wasn’t as vague as he would have liked, and he could feel her breath on his neck as they quarrelled. The way she refused to be the first to look away, and how he’d smiled seeing the way her eyes flared. Calum wasn’t altogether wrong, Jack admitted bitterly. There had been some kind of weird sexual tension between them during that dance, He’d known it then. Fuck, he’d even fantasized about taking her off to a dark corner. When he looked at the photo with that memory in mind he could see why Calum had been so certain. Even though Elizabeth would be the first to deny it, want was etched clearly on her face as they sparred.

He felt almost viciously vindicated, he may not have slept with her but he at least had the small satisfaction of knowing she wasn’t as unaffected by him as she would have liked. It was almost a victory in his eyes and he went to bed with a smug smile, the picture safely saved onto his phone.

He felt somewhat less victorious on what would have been Thanksgiving. Spending the day with Tom had been more of a chore than anything as the younger man was impossibly more morose than ever.

“Should I call her and at least wish her a happy holiday?” he questioned over tea.

“Tom really, don’t ye think that's a little unfair? You’ve left, it’s over and done an thers no sense in draggin it out. It’s no fair tae anyone.”

“I know, I know.” Tom sighed sadly. “I just feel so awful for running out the way I did. I miss her.”

Jack was convinced that Tom’s feelings were stemming mainly from being denied the girl rather than truly missing her. Granted, he’d never seen him quite this upset over a girl, but again, the lad had a way of bouncing back quickly.

“Ye only miss her cause ye got used tae havin her around all the time. I know it’s a shite situation but ye haf tae admit, there was no way tae make it work out. Yer just savin the both of ye the grief of ending it much later.”

“I know you’re right and you do make sense, you do. But I still hate feeling like this.”

“Mate, jus give it time, yeah. Once ye get started on this new job ye’ll soon forget all about it.”

Jack flinched at the dark look Tom shot him.

“I know in the end that you are right, Jack. I’m convinced that you pushed me because you care, I Know you do, and I’m glad I have you as a mate. But don’t ever tell me I’ll forget about it, because I’m not going to. Maya was special and she didn’t deserve what I’ve done.”

For the first time, Jack felt something akin to guilt scratching its way to the surface. It was a feeling he didn’t like and he tried to push it down again after he and Tom went their separate ways. He’d never seen his friend so resolute and for a split second he second guessed his actions.

No. he told himself firmly as he pulled his coat tighter around his body, he’d done what was right. Chloe Bennett was nothing but a gold digger and he couldn’t let Tom get trapped like that. Not to mention the embarrassment of the family in general. He couldn’t fault his reasoning or his actions, and while he was sorry that Maya may have been hurt, he still didn’t think she was invested as Tom believed. In fact she was probably having a great day with her family, Tom all but forgotten.

So sure was he of that fact that after dinner he opened the Instagram account he’d created while in America. The one that he told himself was so he could be himself on the internet, anonymous, not created so that he could friend Elizabeth Bennett. He actually did follow other people, he justified, scrolling through his feed. He followed Andy on both accounts, as well as random celebs and travel blogs, not at all designed to get a certain someone and her private account to agree to become mutuals.

Nothing of Elizabeth showed on his feed and he cursed the lack of chronological order on social media. He couldn’t pretend he was just just scrolling for no reason if he had to actually go to her profile from his friends list. However, if he told himself he was doing it to prove to Tom that Maya was fine then he could justify it. Right?

To his legitimate surprise he saw that she had only posted once since Charlie’s birthday. In fact not a thing up until a few days ago, a quote: Women can fake orgasms, but men can fake whole relationships. Actually there were two and with some trepidation he swiped to the next one. For every tear you make her cry, there’s another man waiting to make her smile.

Confused he looked at the comments and all he got was a vague response from Elizabeth to any inquiries, “Not me, my sister.” That was it, no explanation, no response to any other questions, she didn’t even mention which sister.

Not that it could be any sister other than Maya, unless Lydia was hiding a secret boyfriend.

Doubtful.

Elizabeth was clearly upset, he thought, but did she speak for Maya? And it wasn’t fair to lump all the blame on Tom, wasn’t Maya pushed into it as much as Tom was pulled? In fact if anything it was the bennetts who’d been fake. Right? A more insidious thought came to him, perhaps Elizabeth was talking about herself, the quotes could be aimed at Colin or even Wick if he’d done another number. In fact the more he thought about it the more he was convinced it was indeed Elizabeth. Colin had obviously made her cry, and he’d certainly faked his whole personality. The orgasms were probably a dig at his lack of prowess in the bedroom.

He allowed himself a chuckle at that thought.

Immediately he felt an inexplicable feeling of both guilt and disgust. Guilt that he’d been so blase about an abuse victim and disgust at the thought of Colin’s hands and body all over Elizabeth’s. How was he even to know if intimacy between them had been consensual or forced? The feeling of rage that began to swell at the mere thought of something like that happening to Elizabeth was indescribable. He wanted to kill the bastard, literally strangle him for ever touching her in anger or abuse. If it had been up to him….

It hadn’t and it wasn’t, he was forced to tell himself. He hadn’t known Elizabeth when she was with Colin and now, as mere acquaintances it wasn’t his place. Besides, she had shown everyone that she was more than capable of standing up to her ex now. Even if she was reduced to medicating herself to do so. She was strong, stronger than she knew and she was brave.

It was as he was thinking that, that his phone pinged a notification. She had posted something. He quickly refreshed her page, not even realising how eager he was to see. A photo, her and her sisters sitting at the table, a huge dinner spread out in front of them. Elizabeth was smiling devilishly as she held a carving knife, Lydia even had a tiny smile. He saw Mary stealing a roll and Kate smiling down serenely. They really were all beautiful girls, he admitted, even more for their diversity in both looks and personalities. Then he saw Maya and frowned. She was smiling but even he could admit it didn’t reach her eyes which looked red and swollen.

She looked sad and Jack felt something tug sharply at his heart.

Had he done that?

The next few hours were punctuated by several more posts from Elizabeth in which he saw them playing Uno, apparently dancing in the kitchen as they cleaned. There were short videos of pie eating contests and one of Mary singing, her voice clear and pure.

Maya wasn’t in any of them except the first.

He finally nodded off to sleep sometime after 4am, his dreams uneasy and conflicted as his subconscious asked him again and again….

Are you sure you did the right thing?

LIZZIE

It was another week or so after Thanksgiving that Lizzie realized Maya wasn’t doing any better. She was strong, she still went to class and she acted like she was ok, but her sister knew better. Her eyes were swollen from crying and there were shadows under her eyes. Maya was hurting more than she would let show. After another family dinner listening to their mother’s thinly veiled accusations or lamentations at her daughters’ inability to hold onto a decent man, Lizzie had enough and a plan began to formulate.

A few days later her and Maya sat on her couch eating from a tub of ice cream and watching some cheesy disaster movie starring The Rock. Maya’s books were sprawled out on the table as she studied for mid-terms which were a mere day away. There had been no mention of Tom since Thanksgiving.

“Liz?”

“Uh huh?” she answered around a spoonful of turtle tracks. “Do you think I’m stupid? For falling for Tom?”

“No! May, don’t even think that.”

���But he left, what am I supposed to think?”

“I’m pissed at him, he did dirty leaving you the way he did, but hon, he was just as mad about you as you were about him. I’m sure of it.”

It was the one thing in this whole mess that she was sure of.

“Then why?” Maya sniffled.

“I wish I knew.” Lizzie admitted. “Maybe he was scared, I’m pretty sure his friends had a lot to do with the decision.”

“I’ve heard from Caro.” Maya admitted, Lizzie’s heart jumped with hope. “She said that they’ve been really busy with work and auditions.”

“Did she say anything about Tom?”

“No, just that she really sees him. She did mention that he’s spending a lot of time with his new co-star.”

“Of course she did, spiteful bitch.” Lizzie spat.

She’s not like that Liz, she’s just trying to warn me without hurting me.”

“Bullshit Maya, no way has Tom moved on like that. Caro is obviously just trying to get you away. She’s made no secret of how she feels about us.”

“She was always good to me and I consider her a friend.”

Lizzie bit her tongue before she launched into a rant about what a poisonous snake Caro was. Now was not the time to have this particular argument.

“Maya, what if you were to go to London?”

“Don’t be silly Liz.”

“Just hear me out. You’re out of school for a month and Aunt Sharon is always complaining that she never sees enough of us.”

“She’s not going to want and extra body at Christmas, not with the new baby.” “What if I told you she would be ecstatic to have you. Also Trinity and the baby moved in with the boyfriend.”

Lizzie saw the idea forming, the hope in Maya’s eyes and tried not to smile.

“You can email Caro and meet up, and you know where Tom likes to hang out….”

“I could see him.” Maya whispered.

“And put this nonsense of you two being apart behind you. Besides a change of scenery will do you some good.”

“I can’t ask Mom for the money.”

Lizzie whipped out the box she’d been hiding, placing it in Maya’s lap.

“Merry early Christmas.”

Maya looked at her suspiciously, fingering the bow.

“Liz, what did you do?”

Lizzie simply whistled innocently, waiting until Maya lifted the lid and looked inside.

“Before you get mad, Charlie’s dad had a bunch of miles he wasn’t going to use so I only paid maybe a hundred bucks for that.”

“It’s a plane ticket. To London. For Friday.”

“Yes it is, and Aunt Sharon is going to meet you at the airport.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“You deserve a break May, you need one. Plus you need to go and see about that wayward man of yours.”

“But you’ve dreamed of going to the UK since you were little, I can’t take this from you.”

“Ok, first off, I’m giving, you are not taking anything. And who’s to say I don’t have my own plans formulating. I want this for you May, you need to know once and for all exactly where you stand.”

“What if he doesn’t want me?” Maya whispered.

“He does, I know it. And if not, well then he’s an idiot and he doesn’t deserve the greatest girl in the world.”

Maya cried for about half an hour before she finally turned in. Lizzie laid down feeling hopeful, all they needed was to be in the same room and everything would be fine. She wasn’t wrong about Tom’s feelings for Maya, she just knew it. She did hope that Maya didn’t forgive him too easily though. Scared or not, leaving with nothing more than an email was a dick move, and so was ghosting. She was going to him a piece of her mind the next time she saw him that was for sure.

Drifting off to sleep she just hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

Christmas came and went with no word from Maya about seeing Tom and Lizzie was starting to worry. What if he wasn’t even in London? Or worse if she was completely wrong about his feelings? She would never forgive herself for giving Maya hope, or Tom for deceiving them. At one point, just before New Years, Lizzie had one crazy moment  and entertained the idea of trying to contact Jack and see what he had to say about it all. Thankfully she’d talked herself right out of that one, the only way that she knew to reach him was through Twitter. The thought had been insane for more reasons that she cared to admit.

There was still a few weeks before Maya was headed home so she just had to trust that things would work out in due time. While preparing herself for the possibility that it might not.

New Year’s Eve was usually spent with Maya and/or Charlie so she was faced with a quiet night in with Jane Austen and some fudge. Maya had already called when it hit midnight in London, the expected awful jokes about Lizzie living in the past ensuing. She seemed happier but she couldn’t tell how much so through the phone. At least she wasn’t spending the New Year crying into her pillow.

By 11:30pm she was almost falling asleep, fudge forgotten as her head lolled. No way was she going to make it till 12…..she was officially old now. With a bitter chuckle she stood up, turning off the t.v. and putting the fudge away. The sudden knock at her apartment door made her yelp and jump in surprise. Charlie could be seen through the peephole, looking unusually sober for his favourite party day of the year.

“Charlie! Is everything ok?” she opened the door, tugging him inside as he pulled her into a tight bear hug.

“You know I love you Red, more than anything right?”

“Of course I do silly, what’s wrong?”

Pulling back her best friend cupped her face in his hands, eyes full of trepidation.

“I have to tell you something.”

JACK

It was the week of Christmas when he saw her. Completely out of the blue, walking out of Harrods with with two teenagers and a woman who looked so much like Chloe Bennett he swore he could hear her voice in his head. He barely jumped back in time before she could see him, but he was a hundred percent certain that Maya Bennett was in London.

So he followed her, watching her laughing with her Aunt as they walked toward the Tube. The kids, twins by the look of them, were surprisingly well-behaved and looked to be a few years younger than Lydia, but he could see the resemblance in the girl. They looked like a typical happy family out doing the Christmas shopping and he found himself breathing easier. Here was proof that Maya was just fine, though her being in London couldn’t be just mere chance.

He moved closer, remaining out of sight but close enough to hear them talk.

“What are you planning to do when you graduate, Maya?”

The Aunt’s voice was a good deal quieter than her sister’s.

“I’ll intern for the summer with a law firm in the city then to Law School in the Fall, I just have to decide where.”

“Where were you accepted?” this from the boy.

“Harvard, Yale and Oxford.”

Jack’s face mimicked the nephew’s in astonishment. It was no easy feat to be accepted into any of those schools, let alone all of them. He was impressed despite himself.

“That’s a decision I wouldn’t want to be the one making.” the Aunt whistled.

“Let alone paying for,” Maya sighed. “I have scholarships but the rest is one me so I have to go where it’s cheapest.”

“Mum, couldn’t we move to Oxford so Aunty May can go there?” the girl asked in all seriousness.

“Oh love,” Maya hugged her tightly. “I would never want you to do that, not for me.”

Jack lost the rest of the conversation as the crowds grew thicker and he struggled to keep up, eventually losing sight of them.

“Shite.” he muttered.

He had questions, and he wanted to hear more about her plans as they clearly didn’t include Tom. The fact that she was moving away from home pleased him, at least she seemed to be forging her own path and not following her mother’s. Good for her, she was a lovely girl and he was feeling very generous now he was assured she was doing well.

JL: Hey caro, I just saw Maya Bennett coming out of Harrods.

CA: She’s in town for a month visiting family.

JL: You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?

CA: Because it was trivial, the girl sent me 2 emails to let me know where she was staying...I ignored them.

JL: What do we tell Tom?

CA: Nothing, he doesn’t need to know. No chance he’ll run into her, she’s staying in fucking Camden lol

Jack could hear the snobbery even through her texts and he bristled. Not everyone could be as well off as Caro’s family. He hadn’t exactly grown up rich himself and he had no quarrel with anyone making an honest living.

Choosing not to answer Caro he instead finished packing for his trip home. He’d ignored her none too subtle hints to invite her as well, apparently she thought that because they agreed about Tom it made them a pair. The very thought of it made him shudder.

He wondered if Elizabeth was in London with her sister, then quickly pushed that thought aside. She almost certainly would have been with them today.

Also he didn’t care. Not really.

He didn’t care when, after everyone else was asleep on Christmas Night he snuck out to the lounge with his phone. Sitting on the couch with only the tree lights for illumination he gnawed on a roast lamb sandwich and pulled up Elizabeth’s Instagram. Curiously there were no expected shots of food and presents, just one photo of Elizabeth laughing, playing a card game with a table of young men and women in military uniform.

Puzzled he checked to see if she’d enabled location and then he looked the place up. What an Elks Lodge was he had no idea but he quickly discovered  what was happening. Apparently Elizabeth was spending her Christmas Day volunteering to host a holiday for navy recruits in basic training. His curiosity was piqued and as he clicked on previous years events he saw Elizabeth in eight years of them, minus the two she’d been with Colin. The whole family did it he realized as he poked around. Honestly surprised and inexplicably proud, he added this to the list of things he had discovered about Elizabeth Bennett. A list that was leaning very heavily towards the positive. He shouldn’t have been surprised, since he’d met her he’d seen her volunteering, taking care of her sisters, loving people and the way the town had rallied around her after the fire should have told him everything he needed to know.

She was simply a good person with a big heart.

“What are ye doin lurkin in the dark son?”

Jack started at the sound of his father’s voice.

“I didna wantae wake anyone.”

“Don’t worry, ye didn’t. What’s weighin on yer mind?”

A hand reached down and Jack silently handed his dad the phone.

“Ahhhhhh.” Gordon nodded after a few moments, handing the phone back. “That the same lassie from Cal’s photo?”

“Aye. Elizabeth.”

“I thought ye didna like her.”

“I don’t.” Jack protested, flushing under his father’s knowing gaze, even in the dark. “Much.” he muttered.

“Well, she’s pretty. What’s the deal?”

“She doesna like me.”

Gordon laughed.

“Gee thanks, Da.”

“I’m sorry lad. It’s jus the fairer sex have been all over ye since ye could walk, I never thought I’d ever see ye hung up on one who wasn’t.”

“It doesna matter anyway, we’re too different, and her family….”

“Never thought I’d see a son o mine bein so judgemental.” Gordon scolded.

“Da, ye weren’t there, it was awful.”

“Was this Elizabeth like that?”

“No, not at all. She’s quite lovely actually.”

“She challenges ye and ye’ve never experienced tha before. Yer in fer a ride ma boy.”

“It’s done Da. It doesna matter anymore.”

“Then why are ye still cyberstalking the lass? Ye want my advice?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Aye, ye can ignore me at your peril. Find a way tae see her, if ye still feel what ye are feelin now then take a leap. If she matters to ye then don’t let her go, give her a chance tae like ye. They usually do. Now go tae bed or yer Ma will box yer ears fer sleepin through breakfast.”

Jack nodded absently, contemplating his father’s words.

“Son?” he looked up. “I saw that picture too an fer what it’s worth, I think yer in with a chance.”

Doubtful, Jack thought. Then he remembered little details….his jacket around her shoulders, dinner and the tree in her apartment, the way she’d hugged him, given him water when he was sick, shared her last potsticker..

In fact, the more he thought about it, the more his heart pounded with excitement. Maybe he was wrong about her feelings for him. At the very least she didn’t hate him and he already knew there was that tension between them.

Maybe there was hope for him after all, he smiled to himself as he fell asleep.

#jack x reader #jacklowden #jack lowden #jack lowden blurb #jack lowden fanfiction #jack lowden fic #jack lowden imagine #jack lowden x reader #pride and prejudice au #trigger warning

[arcanegalaxy]

i feel like my gender is part girl, part ???????

is it okay for me to identify as demigirl

i’m stressing myself out trying to determine if i meet some kind of criteria

i can’t help but worry that i’m just a cis girl convincing myself that i’m something else but i seriously don’t think i’m 100% girl

#demigirl #demiwoman #nonbinary #gender #gender identity #i like being feminine and i don’t experience dysphoria so im just #aaaaaaaaaaaaa #you don’t have to have dysphoria to not be cis right??? help #demigirl just kinda feels right to me #part girl part [incoherent mumbling] #chloe talks shite

[ckm-writes]

#Smut #crack #Fat Amy centric

[nethersphereadventure]

Day 1182

Okay so I already done fucked this so let's go again here reee to deleting things.

It's been 3 1/4 years since I started this and so much has changed. Let's start at the beginning shall we. Last time we were here I was stressing about exam results and my place in the world. Here's my thoughts kinda ordered but also really not.

Leaving home; Well, the first and biggest event was leaving home to go live w my dad. Tbh I think the less said the better

Relationship; My longtime crush asked my out and I was crazy enough to not initially accept him! We all went together as family members to go see Cosmo Sheldrake which was incredible multigenerational experience even if I was exhausted

Swimming; This was not the greatest of days. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't even get out of bed to go on a day I'd really looked forward to with my 2 best friends. I think I worried them but just ghosting out but I was really touched how they completely turned my day around. It was also during that period which we absolutely abused free cinema tickets to go see mamma Mia 2 and into the fade (weird German movie)

We got Harry and Peter

Prom, picnic: I'd had my hair and nails done with mog and it was insanely hot. well it all started with morrigan and finn coming over to watch the handmaiden. They stayed the night and it was lovely but I felt like absolute garbage the next day, which was when we were supposed to go on a picnic but I ended up on my dad's bathroom floor for most of the day. I still felt a bit woozy the day after for prom but I just had to keep drinking and I was okay despite nearly flashing many people including my tutor and head of year. I stayed at mogs but didn't go to the after party bc of the obvious shiteness. I had a lovely or not so lovely chat with finn on the floor. We all eventually passed out in a spoon train only to be awoken by Joanna throwing malteasers at us through the window.

Budapest; this meant I ended up going to London twice in about 3 days. The first trip was with finn and Dom to go see flight of the conchords. It was fantastic. Then came the trip to buda. We travelled to Lucy's House where we had amazing pizza and a fitful night's sleep. Then caught a taxi and an insanely early bus to Heathrow. We made it and the ended up having to pelt across Munich. When we arrived in buda the first mishap was Radley getting yeeted off of the bus by the driver and they had to sneak back on. Then we went to our lovely apartment and then did all the usual things of sightseeing, looking at museums, going to the baths and ruin bars as well as cat cafes. The house of terror and the hospital in the rock were really amazing experiences. Also surprisingly there were some really cool thrift stores! Then we came back and ended up getting stuck at Heathrow by missing our bus by like 2 minutes. Luckily radleys dad picked us up for the long journey back home.

Our birthday happened at some point maybe hereish?

Exam results; I was insanely stressed about these. I couldn't sleep the night before. Morrigan messaged me in the morning to say she'd gotten her results before ucas was technically supposed to open so of course I checked. I was able to tell my dad before we even left the house and he cried. We met my mum down at school to collect my actual results and then went for tea. I got a monkey card which was honestly the most exciting thing.

Greenman; we actually had tent poles this time and I married an alien.

Camping; we met up with some people we haven't met up with for ages and we basically had freedom to fuck around in Lyme Regis and the surrounding areas. I got a load of cool free badges from a vintage shop owner because I helped him sort them. There were so many other cursed shops it was great especially the penny arcade where we spent a lot of our time. Also I lost the end of my toe to a wall in Lyme Regis which was real exciting. On our way back the worst happened and I had to pee in someone's driveway.

Greenbelt; I've already kinda talked about this but I've never been to a place where I know so many artists. It was so nice to be independent but also have a great time with my dad and rest of the family. It was the first time we'd been there alone for a very very long time.

Uni prep; this was wild and I couldn't do it and kinda had a breakdown which included spreading my stuff all over the living room. Finn came over and calmed me down so much.

Coming to uni; my dad brought me up here to Manchester with all my badly packed stuff. We moved in and he gave me this real cute necklace and painting which made me cry which set him off. We set up my room and he left. I just sat down and didn't know what to do with myself. So I did the thing only a normal person would do and knock on every single door in my block in the hope that someone would answer and one person did! It was Emily. I felt so awkward the first time just like sat with her. Luckily I encouraged her to go around again and I met more people. When my family came up to see me we even dragged Dan and Albert out with us.

Freshers; this was incredible. I met so many people at jcr events in Vickies. It was so sweaty and crowded. There were two biggish events for me. The first one was the palaver of deansgate takeover. I forgot my ID. I tried to take the bus back but it took me to the wrong accommodation. Then found somebody willing to buy me an uber and come to my accommodation where we luckily picked up chloe as well. We then finally made it in. This was the night I met Gabriel. Secondly was the night I boycott the festival and met up with randoms in Plymouth . It was great fun even if we don't really talk. However this was all a little marred by Finns breakdown at freshers. We were all so worried.

First semester was just a time of getting familiar with everything and messing around, learning how uni and essays worked. I went to Swansea to surprise Finns for the weekend and he almost cried. Also travelling back from mogs at 2am we just got left by the bus driver which was interesting to say the least.

Christmas and New year: this was a crazy time, we had a really nice few Christmas days. The first actual one was with mum. We basically just ate and watched TV throughout the day. Then there was one where we met up with the cousins which was indeed lovely. Grandma went into hospital on new year's eve, we kinda knew it was the beginning of the end. This meant my entire new year's was nervous but I felt surrounded by friends still.

Now. The here and now. Everything this still crazy. I feel a load closer with my flatmates. We've laughed, cried and gotten drunk. We've danced all night and done all manners of dumb shit. There's been love and slightly less anger. We had an amazing dinner dance the other night and it was truly fantastic to be there with people. After was a also really good fun and we cuddled together until about 7am. Beside my flatmates I've met many great people through our Friday drinks. Aurora, zillion, luke, Danny, jess, gabby and karin etc. I've also got to see kash, aoife and phoebe again. Finn came to see me in Manchester for an entire week so he also met them. It snowed loads and was wonderful. We cooked, slept, messed around, watched films whatever and it was great.

The future-- for me in the short term its relatively simple. I just need to write essays and pass my classes and it's all gucci. However the day after tomorrow is brexit and the who really knows?

[due4amiracle]

Day 323

It’s... been a while hasn’t it? Ha. Stress + Acthar = i fall off the face of the planet and stop existing. Regardless, i’m here again. So. Let’s see what has happened in the realm of me.

Listo:

Wash 2 plates/bowls/pieces of silverware, 2 chapters, Dailies, Vamp shiz, 2 anime eps.

Wash 2 plates/bowls/pieces of silverware - Nope🚫

2 chapters -  WELL if i haven’t been fuckin’ readin’ some shite. The Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill. All the gods above and below know i love me some trashy vampire nonsense. But damn if this doesn’t take the cake. Books 1-3 -  3🌟. It has... had... a LOT of promise. Good shit. Then we go to Book 4.  4🌟 Ok ok now we’re talking, MC is coming into her own, starting to grow up (she’s fuckin’ 27 years old, stop acting like a goth tween). Okok. And then. Book 5.  2🌟 2 steps forward, 54729 steps back. Holy shit. Still reading. Book 6.  3🌟Starting to rebound. Ok. That’s good. i’m glad. But now i’m on book 7, of 13. Oh, oh gods above and below save my soul i’m starting to get SO tired of this MC. She gets treated like the smartest person around, pointing out the most obvious shite. The MC’s... love interest/boyfriend/whatever treats her like shit, uses her insecurities against her, in the most TOXIC kinda ways, and goddamn if they don’t just “uwu i wub u so much i forgiiiiive you” stop just stop, stop. You have 5894379 more important things to do. MC was 54927597x more mature and grown up when he was out of the picture. Just stop. Fix your city. Deal with the shit going on. Fuck. Gonna finish the series. Because that’s what i do. But goddamn if i drop down to a godforsaken 1? DNF fuck it, move on, i have over 500 books to read, this is in the way. UwU♡ ✔

Dailies - Waifu Did mah dailies! Also, level 43 BP now~! AND! Tree lvl 24! New MONTH! new weeklies! ♡ω♡. FFXIV did mah dailies~ MSQ +0 -> 74, BTN +0 -> 80, CUL +0 -> 80, WVR +0 -> 80, GSM +0 -> 77, FSH +0 -> 65, MIN +0 -> 74, ALC +0 -> 69, LTW +0 -> 65, ARM +0 -> 65, CRP +0 -> 64, BSM +0 -> 65. Vath 0/0 Rank 8/9 Bloodsworn, Vanu 1650/1730 Rank 7/9 Sworn, Moggles 300/1730 Rank 7/9 Sworn. 5 MSQ quests. Just started Securing the Saltery. Did not play today. UwU♡ ✔✔

Vamp shiz - 0 words written! Up to 9511. 1687 words for pt6. Always the grind for the next part - but none today. However - i did a Different Other Thing. 681 words in said different thing. Needed a break from Thomas. It’s fine. i’ll finish this for Feb and go back to Tommyboi for March. ✔

2 anime eps - Mob Psycho 100 II! 7&8 done! Nope🚫

Other things - Manhwa: Survive as the Hero’s Wife 2 chapters of this read Nope🚫! In other news: Did my daily Cozy Grove and still loving it! Unsleeping City 2 episode 7 done Nope🚫. Stress... seems to be over? The other day, checked the account for reasons and... my check was there. Yes, that account that they swore up and down would not work could not work impossible has my fuckin’ full ass check. So. Yea. That let us breathe. That was lovely. It... well. It’s up for debate whether it’s done done but. Ya know. For now! Uhm. Acthar happened, today was day 5. So that’s a thing. Inspection happened, passing marks no problems. Really tired of Tumblr losing my fuckin’ tags tho. i know i haven’t posted in a few days but GODDAMNIT STOP FORGETTING MY TAGS YOU BITCH. Ugh. Whatever.

Food: A Liquid: A Pain: C Brain: C

Tomorrow: Wash 2 plates/bowls/pieces of silverware, 2 chapters, Dailies, Vamp shiz, 2 anime eps.

Ever Onwards and Upwards!

#Multiple Sclerosis #ADHD #OCD #Arthritis #Spoonie #Daily #Genshin Impact #Genshin Waifu #Waifu Impact #waifu #longform #Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill #Cozy Grove #Acthar #Acthar day 5 #inspection done #stress over? #Food: A #Liquid: A #Pain: C #Brain: C #migraine #arthritis pain #joints ache #aches and pains #exhausted #overwhelmed #understimulated #hashtags #ugh