#finished typing in the middle of the night but queuing this for later in the day bc of the 2 (two!!) other posts from tonight | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tomtenadia · 2 years

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Meet the Whitethorns - An ALB outtake

Here I am again to the world of ALB. I honestly miss the gang at east station pretty badly. For a wee while I have been working on some outtakes and this is the first one. It’s set three months after their wedding. This is a 6.8k monster with Rowaelin honeymoon in Wendlyn. A few notes: In modern AUs my Rowaelin first girl is called Maya. I did a bit of research for this fic and apparently in Maori culture it means bravery, courage and well...now I think the name is even more perfect.

Secondly, they visit Mistward and in my head I have an exact image of how it looks like. There’s a castle in Italy near Genova. this place is called CASTELLO DELLA PIETRA the stone castle and this is Mistward for me.

Enjoy ❤️

“Why can’t we fly like all normal human beings is beyond me,” Aelin closed up her hiking backpack and turned to her husband who was finishing preparing the few bags needed for their trip.

They had three weeks of honeymoon and had decided to go to Doranelle and meet his family. She had been excited. Alas, her hubby refused the idea of flying commercial so they were going to drive to Rifthold, take a ferry to Varese for the six hours trip and then drive all the way to Doranelle. His excuse was that she was pregnant and she might find driving more comfortable. Aelin knew better. As an ex airforce pilot he could not suffer having other people flying and he did not trust commercial pilots. So in the end she had caved. It was going to be two long days on the road, but they had an hotel booked in Varese for the night.

“I am not trusting the life of my pregnant wife in the hands of one of them,” his strong hand slid on her hips and moved at the front on her baby bump. They had been married for three months already and they had to wait a bit before going away. Aelin was going to take officially over at the academy after the honeymoon. Until that point she did a lot of training with chief O’ Neill and had spent her days learning the ropes of her new job. She was excited. Stepping down as captain had been hard, her team had organised her a big shindig on her last day and at the same time she had appointed Manon as her successor. Asterin was going for the lieutenant exam so that she could then take over on truck. Luca had officially transferred to hazmat and they were now looking for a new candidate.

“Liar. You hate commercial pilots.”

He kissed her neck “Come on fireheart, stop stalling.”

He grabbed all the bags and started walking towards the door. They were still getting used to their new house. Actually, they were still getting used to being married. Aelin still had a flutter in her stomach whenever she referred to him as her husband. It still felt so unreal. They were married and they were going to have a baby too. A deep grin broke on her face.

“Wait for me, buzzard, you cannot leave without your trusted navigator.”

His laughter echoed from outside. She grabbed her small backpack and locked the door behind her and joined him.

“Go in the car, I am done here.”

She took a seat and adjusted the special seat belt adapter that he had bought for her. Apparently he had done extensive research and had found the safest way for her to wear a belt without risking hurting the baby.

“Here I am, the bag with the snacks is behind you,” he placed the two water bottles in the cup holders in the middle “and plenty of water.”

Aelin leaned towards him and kissed Rowan on his lips “what type of music do you want?”

“Rock?”

Aelin connected her phone to the car’s bluetooth and started the music while Rowan fiddled with the sat nav.

“Let’s go, fireheart.”

They arrived at the ferry terminal in Rifthold three hours later. They had stopped a few times to allow Aelin to stretch her legs and have small food breaks. The ferry terminal for Varese was in the south of the city and it was massive. It had a lot of destinations. Rowan followed the signs for the ferry to Varese and queued with all the other cars. They had arrived early and they could now relax.

“Have you updated your uncle?”

“Yes, they are expecting us. Our cottage is ready and told me that they will keep the family at bay for a couple of days so we can adjusted first.”

Aelin patted his leg “I want to meet your grandma. They stew lady.”

Rowan laughed “Grandma Ciara will love to cook for you.”

She turned to him and kissed his jaw “thank you for doing this.”

He chuckled “I love the idea of showing off my wife.”

Twenty minutes later the cars in front of them started to move and they knew they had finally started loading the vehicles.

Aelin was excited.

“See? The ferry is far more fun than the plane.”

“The jury is still out.”

Car deck crew directed them to where to park and Rowan followed the instructions. Once settled, he got ready “just grab the small backpack.”

Aelin got out and he grabbed his hand.

Once on board, Aelin dragged him on the outer deck. It was July and it was a beautiful summer day. Her hoodie was tied around her waist, she had her TFD baseball cap and sunglasses. They walked stern of the ship and Rowan was fascinated by the loading operations. Aelin, leaned against the rail at his side, her head gently against his shoulder. As on instinct Rowan’s arm went behind her back and pulled her closer.

“Is the weather going to be nice in Doranelle?”

Rowan nodded “yes, uncle says they are having a great summer. They are very much inland but he has prepared the swimming pool.”

She looked at him and smiled brightly “can we have some lazy days in the pool?”

He kissed her head “of course, we are not going to explore everyday.”

She squealed “I have a new bikini.”

“Fireheart, we are guests, do not scandalise my family.”

She buried her face in her husband’s chest “I am five months pregnant, I am getting fat and horrible, I can’t afford anymore tiny bikinis.”

Rowan groaned. No matter how much he kept repeating her that he still found her attractive and no matter how much he showed her at night, she still did not believe him.

“You are gorgeous.”

She scoffed loudly.

His hand landed on her bump and caressed it gently “I love all of this. You are carrying our child. You are stunning. Our girl agrees.”

They had discovered the previous week that they were going to have a girl. Rowan had been over the moon and Elide had told her he had showed up at the firehouse with the picture of her scan and attached it to the fridge with pride.

The safety announcement over the tannoy broke the silence and they watched the stern ramp closing and felt the engines becoming alive.

Soon the ropes were removed and the boat pushed away from the pier.

Rowan pushed Aelin to one of the chairs and they both sat down enjoying the sun and watching the city slowly disappear.

“As soon as we loose sight of Rifthold, there is nothing but sea for a few hours, we might want to go inside, it will get cold.” In response she snuggled against him.

It was six hours later when they finally docked. Back in the car they disembarked and Rowan set the sat nav for the hotel in Varese. It was evening already and were both starving.

They still had a couple of hours before sunset.

Rowan skilfully drove away from the harbour area and as they got closer to the city Aelin was speechless. Varese was not like she had imagined it. She could see skyscrapers and it looked much bigger that Rifthold and made Orynth look like a puny place.

“Varese is the capital and it’s probably the richest part in the continent. It has a huge financial district and an extensive city centre. We will have a proper tour one day.”

“Did Ends work here?”

Rowan shook his head “No, but Micheal did. Enda told me that Micheal worked for three years with a super famous company and that for all that time he lived in a luxurious flat in the city centre and had a salary that was huge. All expenses paid and work trips in first class and all those perks.”

“Why did he leave?”

“Such jobs have a downside. Enda told me that he started to be unwell, suffered from ulcers and so many more stress related issues. So he resigned and moved back to Doranelle and got another high paying job but not as high end.”

“And now they have a restaurant, far more relaxing.”

Rowan chuckled “Neither of them have any regrets. Micheal said that investing all the money he saved from his fancy job, in a restaurant, was the best decision he ever took.”

The restaurant had become a success in a very short time. Most nights it was fully booked and Aelin and Rowan or any of the firefighters could get a spot just because they knew the owners.

Very recently a famous food magazine had placed them in the spotlight even more after a renowned chef reviewed their food.

“They have done such a good job.”

Rowan brushed her hair “We have arrived.”

Aelin looked outside and gasped at the tall building in front of them “Fancy.”

They checked in for the night and Aelin was heading for the stairs but Rowan grabbed her wrist “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Buzzard, baby girl and I are not going in the trap.”

He sighed “Aelin, you are pregnant.”

“Exercise is good.”

Rowan shook his head in resignation “Fine, I will see you in an hour.”

Aelin scoffed “We are on the seventh floor. More likely less than five minutes.”

“Not going to happen.”

She glared at him “I can do seven floors with 30kg of equipment in a run. A baby bump will not stop me.”

“I will have the oxygen ready.”

She stuck out her tongue and started walking to the stairs, with her backpack on to prove a point.

Rowan took the lift with all of their luggage and chuckled at how stubborn she was. Had they ended up at the topmost floor she would have climbed to it.

The lift was slow and picked up a few people along the way. He had a look at his watch and wondered where Aelin was. Probably panting halfway through and cursing her stupidity.

The lift pinged at he finally reached his floor. The doors opened and he froze. Aelin was leaning against the wall with a smug face.

“How?” he asked as he egressed the lift with the bags.

She walked to him and gave him a kiss “Training,” her hand brushed his long hair “many years of training, although I doubt I will be able to pull it off once I am much bigger. I was a bit slower than usual.”

A few hours later after a shower, they were getting ready to hit the town for dinner. They had decided to leave the car and use public transport. The hotel was near a subway station. Rowan was familiar with Varese and was the one in charge. He was taking her to his favourite restaurant from the southern continent. According to him this was an institution and had been there for a long time, passed down the generations in the family.

The place was a good six stops away and she loved they had been lazy and took the subway. She had been amazed that it had nine lines. Orynth had three and Rifthold five.

Once they re-emerged Aelin looked around her. They skyscrapers were gone but they still had a lot of modern building around them. They turned a corner and she spotted a firehouse. On instinct she pulled Rowan towards it. It had four rolling doors and Aelin rose on her toes to look inside and see how many vehicles they had.

“I thought you were hungry.”

She told him to shush while she stared. A moment later a woman came out “Hi, can I help you?”

“Hi,” she walked to the woman “I am a fellow firefighter from Terrasen and I was just admiring your firehouse.”

The woman laughed “come in, have a look.”

Aelin grabbed Rowan’s hand and followed.

They stepped inside and Aelin gasped in amazement. The firehouse was huge, it had four vehicles and an ambulance. She was so jealous.

“I am captain Isobel McKenzie.”

“Captain Aelin Whitethorn-Galathynius.” She then paused “Sorry, I mean chief. I am an instructor now,” and she patted her belly “My husband here is a paramedic at east station.”

They all shook hands and the captain showed the vehicles and Aelin was fascinated by the truck for the rescue squad.

“Every company has a rescue squad.”

Aelin was really envious now. In Terrasen for now they only had them in the regional areas but Dorian was working with the commissioner to get them one.

Rowan let the two ladies chat and he walked to the paramedics and introduced himself.

It was a good hour later when he managed to drag his wife out of the firehouse and towards the restaurant.

“Twenty seven houses, Ro. That’s awesome.“

He squeezed her hand “Varese is much bigger than Orynth. That many would be an overkill.”

“Ten, I am not asking much.”

The restaurant was not far away from there and once they arrived Aelin realised a pit had opened in her stomach and was ready to polish off the menu.

And that she did and Rowan joked that he had to apply for a mortgage.

“Rowan, this was amazing.”

He nodded happily “this place is incredible.”

“But now we are walking, I ate so much that now I look seven months pregnant.”

He kissed her head “We can start, but if you get tired we take the metro.”

In the end Aelin begged him to take public transport and rode the last four stations back to the accommodation and she also took the lift and Rowan celebrated internally.

The following morning they had a massive breakfast at the hotel and set off for Doranelle. They had a good five hours journey ahead of them. Aelin had her face attached to the window and was staring at the landscape passing by. Rowan explained to her that they were bypassing Doranelle altogether and were taking a more direct route to his uncle’s place. She saw the city in the distance and her mind went back to when she visited him. When they broke every rule.

Her hand landed on his thigh “I was thinking about when I came to visit.”

He chuckled “Feels like a lifetime ago…”

“A different life… different us.”

He grabbed her hand and kissed it and placed it back on his thigh.

The more they drove away the more civilisation got scarcer. They were surrounded by farmland and forests.

She then looked at the sat nav and saw an ETA of three minutes and excitement started to rise.

“See that in the distance? That’s uncle Ellys’ farm.”

The closer they got, the bigger it was becoming.

Rowan drove along the driveway and a couple was outside waiting for them.

He got out of the car and she followed. The man, his uncle, had hair as silver as Rowan’s and the eyes of a deeper green. The woman at his side had grey hair and deep brown eyes.

“Rowan, darling,” his aunt ran to him and Rowan and she giggled. They really were huggers and he was the odd one. He exchanged a manly pat with his uncle then he turned and grabbed her hand “May I introduce you my wife? Aelin these are my uncle Ellys and his wife Morwenna. They are Enda’s parents,” he explained “His brother was my dad and his sister is Sellene’s mum.”

Aelin extended her hand but she was enveloped in a hug by the family.

“Welcome you both, come in you must be exhausted. I have lunch cooking.”

Aelin followed the woman happily while Rowan and his uncle took care of the bags. Ellys had given them one of the cottages he rented to holidaymakers. They had tried to complain but he had been adamant that they needed privacy.

The house was beautiful and very tasteful. All around the living room there were photos and Aelin started pacing until she stopped at one in particular.

“That is Rowan, Enda, Sellene and Rowan’s dad at one of their camping trips. Rowan and Enda were fifteen, Sellene was seventeen.”

She stared at the image. He had a huge grin while he lifted proudly a fish on a spike. His eyes bright and alive.

“That was their last camping trip. Rowan and his family moved away the following winter.”

“He was a cute teenager.”

“They all were.”

Morwenna took her around a few more photos and Aelin almost burs out of cuteness when she saw a picture of a five year old Rowan and Enda “He is adorable, I know I am hormonal and all but he is so damn cute.”

“Who’s cute?” Her husband decided to arrive in the house in that instant. Aelin grabbed the photo and shoved it in his face “You. You are such a cutie patootie.”

Ellys burst out in a boisterous laugh and Rowan’s ears turned red.

Then on another wall she spotted a photo with a lot of people and the majority had silver hair.

“That was the last clan reunion,” explained Ellys “Yes, the Whitethorn is a big clan.”

“You really all have silver hair or almost.”

Morwenna giggled “It’s a family trait apparently. We found photos of very old ancestors and they had silver hair. The green eyes are not that prominent but a lot of us do.”

They finally took a seat on the large sofa and Morwenna brought iced tea and a few appetisers. Aelin was ravenous. The effects of the big breakfast were disappearing.

“Here, lunch will be ready soon but this will keep hunger away for a bit,” the woman winked at her “I also made chocolate cake for dessert.”

“Rowan, I love your aunt already.”

“It doesn’t take much. Promise her food and sweets and she is yours.”

Aelin lightly punched Rowan and he yelped in protest.

“So, Rowan how is being a paramedic going?”

Rowan had discovered that both Enda and Sellene had kept uncle Ellys informed about what was happening.

“I love it.”

Aelin leaned towards him and kissed his cheek “he is really good too. He finished top of his class and also was kept at my house as a reward. I am so proud of him.”

Morwenna smiled fondly at her nephew “your parents would be proud too.”

Rowan squeezed her hand and in that instant uncle Ellys cleared his voice “have you planned what to do while you are here?”

“I want to explore as much as I can. I want to go back to Doranelle and I need to see Mistward and of course I need to see all Rowan’s stomping grounds.” She grinned deeply.

Aelin stomach grumbled quite loudly and the group laughed and aunt Morwenna stood “I think it’s lunch time.”

“Damn buzzard, do all the Whitethorn cook that way? Because your aunt’s meal was incredible.”

After the meal they had gone to their cottage and while Rowan was unpacking, Aelin was sprawled on the bed in a t-shirt and shorts and her hand was caressing her bump “we are so full.”

Rowan chuckled “It’s a family thing. Wait for grandma…”

She sat up “I want the stew even if it’s in the middle of summer.”

He walked to his wife and kissed her neck and Aelin hummed and in that instant she felt something flutter in her belly and froze “Ro?”

At the panic in her voice he dropped the clothes and sat at her side “what is it?”

Aelin moved her hand once more and then squealed in delight and grabbed his, placing in a precise spot “she is kicking.”

Rowan waited and his expression morphed in one of pure joy as soon as he felt a kick from their daughter.

“She is here, she is really here.” He sat down and pulled Aelin to him, while his hand never left the bump “Thank you fireheart for all this.”

She looked into his green eyes and caressed the face of the man who held her heart. Even after three months Aelin sometimes was still incredulous at the idea that they were finally married. They had been through so much that it felt at times that happiness was not in their futures, but now, looking into her husband’s eyes she realised that they just needed patience “I love you, Rowan,” a gentle kiss on his lips while her hand joined his on her belly “and I am so looking forward to meet our daughter.”

“Motherhood is making you cheesy.”

In response she gently punched his arms and Rowan fell on the bed and pretended to be in pain “You violent woman…”

Aelin then kissed him and straddled him “can I make it up to you?”

A deep laugh escaped Rowan’s lips and he pillowed his hands behind his head “I am all yours.”

The following morning aunt Morwenna welcomed them with a gigantic breakfast and had packed food too for their excursion.

“Ro, three weeks at this rate and I will have a food baby too.”

He grinned at her “I told my aunt you eat a lot.”

It was their first day of exploring and Rowan had decided to start easy and a bit later to allow Aelin to relax a bit.

He dumped the backpack in the car and the food bag too and made sure Aelin was properly settled.

“Do you have everything? Last chance for a quick bathroom break.”

“I think my bladder is behaving at the moment.”

“Good,” a quick kiss and he went to the driver’s side. They had decided to start with Mistward fortress on that day.

The road towards the fortress had started with lowlands until peaks had started to appear in the distance “those are the Cambrian mountains, Enda and I loved hiking there and dad would take us there for our camping trips.”

Aelin grabbed her guide book and started reading more info on the area “is there a long climb to Mistward?”

Rowan shook his head “no, less than a kilometre. They had to place the car park south of it because it was the only location and you will see why.”

Aelin squealed excited and went back staring at the landscape around her.

It took them a good forty minutes to reach the base and start the climb with the car. At the car park she looked up and gasped in amazement. The fortress was perched on the rugged edges of the ridge of the mountains and spread along it in a structure that seemed almost too fragile.

Rowan got out and took her hand “we are climbing slowly. They have steps.”

Aelin grinned “I am a pro at steps.”

Turned out that pregnant Aelin was not as good as she thought and they had to stop a few times. She complained but Rowan just waited at her side and passed her water without saying anything.

Once at the top, Aelin sat on a bench and cursed mountains and steep staircases.

The fortress lay in front of them and she stared at it in amazement.

“It’s a stunning place.”

Her husband grinned “wait to get to the lookout point to be truly amazed.”

Aelin grinned and she patted his leg “I am rested, let’s explore.”

They walked around the grounds and Rowan stopped in a room “There are legends connected to Mistward and Doranelle in general,” his arms went around her waist landing on her bump “It is told that Doranelle was the land of the immortal fae,” he started and Aelin sank back in his chest “The castle in Doranelle was the residence of the fae queen and Mistward was were all the demi-fae would end,” he explained, remembering all of the stories his father had told him “They would have to prove themselves to be admitted into Doranelle.”

“That’s mean.”

“She was a cruel queen and hated all the non purebloods.”

She turned in his arms “are all these stories in books?”

Rowan nodded “in Doranelle we can go book shopping and buy you a book with all the legends from Wendlyn.”

“You are the man of my dreams,” Aelin grabbed Rowan’s hand “Let’s keep exploring…”

He finally took her to the outpost and Aelin gasped at the amazing view. They could see all around them and as far as the Great Ocean. The sight was breathtaking.

Rowan pulled his wife to his chest and his jaw landed on her head “over there there is home, you can’t see it but Terrasen is in that direction,” then he turned their bodies and they stared at the Cambrian Mountains, some of the highest peaks still had some snow “they are almost just as stunning as the Staghorns.”

Rowan chuckled “I love them but nothing beats Oakwald and the Staghorns, they are too majestic.”

“That’s why I said almost.” After their exploring Rowan took her to the gift shop where Aelin ended up buying a book about the actual history of Mistward, then one about all the legends of Wendlyn and one about the fae and the immortal lands.

“You bought the entire shop?”

“They had interesting titles.”

Slowly they made their descent back to the car park and once back down Rowan took her exploring some of the surrounding areas until he noticed Aelin getting tired and he took them both home “You can finish the day in the pool.”

“Whitethorn, that is an amazing idea.”

The following morning they started a bit earlier. The day before they had spent the rest of the day at the pool and in the end his uncle and aunt had suggested a barbecue and the four of them ended up having a great meal near the water. Now they were back in the car and Rowan had decided to spend the day in Doranelle and Aelin was excited at going down the memory lane.

“I want to go inside the castle this time and join a guided tour. The first time I was too busy trying to spend all the time I could with you. This time is different and I want to do all the touristy things.”

Rowan grinned “as my lady commands.”

Rowan left the car at a park and ride just outside and then they took the subway all the way into the centre of Doranelle. As they exited Aelin spotted the castle standing tall in front of her, with all the rivers behind it. The place was just as stunning as she remembered it. Aelin walked to the ledge and stared at the rivers joining behind the castle and her hand brushed her belly “Dad and I started our journey here in Doranelle,”

Rowan’s arms sneaked around her frame and joined hers on the bump “your mum bought a dress that made your dad melt.”

“Shhh… she doesn’t need to know that, we are just sharing interesting moments.”

Rowan kissed her head “This is where I think I started falling hard for your mum.”

Aelin hummed and leaned against his hard chest and closed her eyes, letting his scent envelop her.

They both remained in silence until Aelin pushed away and grabbed his hand “come on buzzard, your wife and daughter want to play tourist.” He grinned and took her hand. He was still getting used to their status but he loved how the word wife sounded on his lips. They had done it. Somedays he still had to shake his head incredulous.

“Using our daughter it’s very unfair.”

She walked to him and grabbed both his hands “because I know that you’d do anything for your favourite women.”

That was true. They were his everything.

Aelin had loved the tour and had been fascinated by the history of the country. She also had fun glaring at a few women eating Rowan with their eyes and making comments that had now been appropriate. Rowan had managed to rein her in and avoid bloodshed.

After the tour he had taken his wife for lunch on one of the river cruises. He chuckled as they queued and Aelin started scanning the boat to make sure it looked safe. He was now used to her firefighter mode kicking in at the most unexpected moment.

“I hope the boat is safe and properly maintained.”

Rowan groaned and apologised to the other people. It was Orynth tower all over again.

Turned out the boat had been safe and they had an amazing small cruise with a superb lunch. Rowan’s phone was filling up quickly with Aelin’s pictures and some with him too. He was going to plaster his locker door at work with their pictures.

It was only later on in the afternoon when his super energetic wife had started complaining about behind tired. He bought her ice cream but eventually he dragged her home with the promise of massages. Aelin had caved very quickly.

The following day Aelin was relaxing by the pool, suntanning and enjoying the peace of the countryside. Rowan had gone out with his uncle on some mysterious errand. She had spotted the two men busy in hushed conversations a few times and was now curious to know what they were planning.

She was engrossed in her book when Morwenna joined her on the long chair at her side, a glass of iced tea in her hands too.

“Mind if I join you?”

“No, please.”

The woman relaxed in the chair, releasing a deep breath “that’s all the morning chores of the farm done.”

“Is the farm busy?”

She nodded “all our cottages have a constant turnaround. It’s rare they lie empty.”

“Now I feel bad that Rowan and I used one.”

Morwenna patted her arm “don’t even think about it. I haven’t seen Rowan in a very long time. When he called us I could not believe it. Ellys and I have been counting down the days to thsi visit.”

Aelin sighed, after the wedding they had discussed honeymoon ideas and she had pushed for Wendlyn, she wanted to meet his family. He had caved, admitting that he wanted to resume contacts once more.

“I know about Lyria, about his past. Sellene told me, but promised not to tell him. It broke my heart when she told me.”

Aelin looked at the woman in surprise.

“We are a big family, we look after each other and Sellene was very heartbroken when she came back from Orynth and told us of his situation. I think she was looking for a way to help him.”

Aelin’s hand went on her bump where she could feel her daughter move lightly “he was…” a deep sigh “when I met him, he was in a very dark place. The woman was ready to divorce him and pregnant with another’s man child. She lied to him,” anger rose in her “and he kept blaming himself. Those two women destroyed him. It took me a while to convince him he was worthy of being loved.”

“I have never heard Sellene being that mad at someone.”

Aelin chuckled, Sellene had been such an amazing support.

“Thank you for looking after him and making him happy.”

Her thumb brushed absentmindedly her wedding band “we helped each other. He is caring and sweet and I can’t wait to see him being a dad.”

Morwenna chuckled “I bet he will be like his dad. Involved in every aspect of the child’s life. It pained Alistair greatly when he had to deploy,” she looked at Aelin “he reminds me so much of his father.”

The two women remained in silence for a while, pondering of those words.

“Are you ready for the big gathering tomorrow?” Morwenna was the first one to break the silence.

“I am absolutely excited at the idea of being surrounded by the whole clan.”

Morwenna laughed happily “Nana Ciara is already preparing the stew and apparently a massive feast. She had learned that Rowan married a woman with an appetite and she is delighted.”

“Apparently she is a legend. Sellene, Enda and Rowan filled me up on her.” “My husband might be the head of the clan, but she is the heart.”

The baby kicked hard and Aelin laughed “my daughter is excited too apparently.”

The two women spent the afternoon outside and Aelin indulged in a swim too.

It was later on in the evening when the two men came back to the estate and Rowan joined Aelin. Morwenna went back inside and Aelin was alone soaking in the pool.

“Fancy some company?” Rowan towered from the edge of the pool and at her nod he pulled off his t-shirt, remaining in his swimming trunks. He had probably changed before joining her.

“Come here, your daughter loves to be a little fish.”

Rowan swam to her and stopped between her legs and his hands landed on her bump “you like, swimming?”

He felt a kick and leaned forward to kiss his wife.

“Where did you and your uncle do?”

Rowan chuckled and sat at her side, pulling her closer. He had spoken to his uncle and told him of his plan and Ellys had helped him right away. “We went to see a cottage.”

She turned her head with curiosity.

“What about us buying a house here in Wendlyn? Like a holiday place.”

Aelin squealed in delight “Really? I’d love to.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded.

“Uncle helped me. There is one place not too far from here. I can take you see it.”

“Please.”

They soaked in the pool until dinner time and Rowan told her all about the cottage in the countryside.

When the day of the clam meeting arrived, Aelin was excited and woke up early too. She was giddy and apparently her daughter felt her happiness too and had been a little hellion. Rowan made her a very light breakfast claiming that lunch was probably going to be quite substantial but Aelin ignored him complaining that he could not let his daughter and fat wife starve. Rowan replied with a resigned sigh and a gentle roll of his eyes.

Slowly the clan had started to trickle in later on in the morning. Aelin and Rowan were at the centre of attention and wether he was eager to keep to the sidelines, Aelin transformed in asocial utterly and made friend with all of his relatives. Within an hour she had collected their phone numbers and exchanged social media profiles. He shook his head. He was amazed at her easiness at social interactions, a skill he envied her a lot on some occasions.

“Looks like Aelin is already one of us,” uncle Ellys voice reached him as he stepped closer “Nana already loves her.”

Rowan stared at his wife and chuckled as he noticed her and nana Ciara involved in a deep discussion, probably about food.

“It will be nice to have you and your family here from time to time.”

Rowan smiled at his uncle “Yeah, I want our daughter to learn half of her roots and it’s very important for Aelin too.” “Come on, I can see nana calling everyone to battle station. I hope you skipped breakfast.”

The two men joined the big table that had been prepared outside in the garden. Rowan joined Aelin and together they walked to the main table with nana Ciara, and uncle Ellys and his wife.

Before the meal started Ellys rose for a speech “It gives me great pleasure to have the clan gathered on such a joyous day. We Whitethorns are a big family but it’s always a great moment when we can add one person to this clan,” he indicated Aelin “You are officially one of us now, and so is your daughter. Welcome.”

Aelin nodded and sniffled then stood slowly, a hand on her swollen belly “My daughter and I are very happy to be part of this. I have lost my family a long time ago and I am left with a cousin whom I love like a brother. But being part of this makes me very happy,” she turned to her husband “And I hope to have in the future many more of these gathering as Rowan and I have decided to buy a place here too for holidays.”

Rowan stood at her side with a grin “Aelin and I are in the process of acquiring a cottage not far from here. I have been far away far too long, but no more. I want my daughter to know the rest of her family.” His arm sneaked behind her back and pulled his wife closer.

All the participants cheered and nana Ciara walked to Rowan and Aelin and hugged them both “now let your wife sit down and let me feed her.”

Aelin burst out in a loud laugh and took her seat once more and the old woman arrived a moment later with a gigantic dish full of her stew.

The woman’s green eyes landed on her in expectation and Aelin took a first spoonful of food.

What she was nor expecting was the explosion of flavours in her mouth. Her eyes closer to savour it and images of woods, nature and snow hit her. The stew brought back memorise of summer adventures with Aedion in the Staghorns, the feeling of home. Enda had done a grand job on his version but this, the original, was completely different experience.

“This is the most amazing stew I have ever tasted in my life.”

The old woman nodded in approval and then every one started grabbing a helping.

Rowan kissed Aelin’s head “Told you.”

The meal had gone on for hours and Aelin realised she had missed that tradition. Family really was important for the Whitethorns and she loved it.

She was walking around the garden to shake off some of the food when she spotted Rowan walking towards her with nana Ciara in tow.

“Nana has something she wants to say to both of us…”

The woman smiled deeply and took Aelin’s hands “You are having a girl, isn’t it?”

Aelin nodded and brushed a hand on her bump.

“And have you two settled on a name?”

Rowan looked at his wife “Nothing that we like, we have read a lot of options…”

Nana smiled then her hand went on Aelin’s bump and in that instant the baby kicked hard “There is a name which is local to here in some of the more remote communities, that I think it will be perfect for your little girl,” the woman paused and stared at both of them “It’s Maya. In the language of one of the tribes deep in the Cambrian mountain it means courage, bravery.” With that she left and Aelin looked at Rowan “It’s perfect.”

He pulled his wife close to his chest and kissed her head “It really is…”

The honeymoon had passed in a breeze, far too quick for Aelin’s taste and now they were in front of the farm where uncle Ellys was helping Rowan to load the car. They had explored all they could, Rowan had taken her to some of stomping grounds in teh woods and he went down the memory lane with her.

Now, three weeks later they it was time to say farewell and Aelin stared at all the boxes and extra bags.The family had inundated them with gifts for the wedding and the baby and Rowan had stocked up in foods and spices from home that he struggled to find in Terrasen. Those three weeks had been perfect and she was happy at the idea that they will soon have a cottage all for themselves to get back to. Uncle Ellys had promised Rowan to keep him updated on the works. They were giddy and excited for this new adventure in their lives.

It was a few hours later when they were back on the ferry. The boat had pushed away from the pier and Rowan and Aelin were standing on the stern outer deck and watched Wendlyn slowly gliding away. Rowan moved behind his wife and his hand reached at the front, including Maya in the embrace “thank you for making me do this.”

“I love your family, Ro.”

His face disappeared in the crook of her neck and in that instant their daughter kicked hard, probably to make her opinion heard.

Rowan looked at the sea ahead. Looked towards home and to a life that he had searched for, for a long time. He chuckled, he would have set fire the hangar himself if he had known it would have brought him his dreams and the woman in his arms.

The love of his life.

On a wall of their home, now hang now a picture of the clan Whitethorn with a smiling Aelin in the middle beside nana Ciara and uncle Ellys.

TAGS:

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @whimsicallyreading @elentiyawhitethorn @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck @susumaus98 @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee

#rowaelin fanfic #rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #rowan whitethorn #aelin galathynius #alittlebraver #a little braver #aelin x rowan #rowan x aelin #domestic fluff #rowaelin fluff #rowaelin fic #rowaelin fan fiction

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crmacgal · 2 years

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Paperbacks vs E-books

As a longtime reader, I can honestly say I absolute LOVE books. I love browsing at the bookstore or the library, I love getting emails showing the new books coming out each season, and I especially love getting a new book, opening the cover, and smelling the fresh scent of print on paper. Although I’ve never been a huge fan of hard copies (they are usually too big/heavy for me to carry around in my purse), I certainly don’t turn them away if they’re ones I’m interested in reading. Lately, however, I’ve been reading more and more books on my iPad (using the Kindle app) and I have to say, there are definitely some advantages. For one, I can read into the night as late as I want and I don’t have to keep the bedside light on or mess with those little book lights (they are usually never bright enough for me and I have to adjust them to follow the page). I can also have multiple books queued up in the app for when I’m traveling, or even if I want to bring something to read to an appointment where I might have to wait (think BMV or hairdresser). On the other hand, when it’s late at night and I’ve stayed up waaaay too late reading, I promise you that a paperback (possibly even a hardcover) is a much softer thud on your face than the metal ipad. I think the last time I fell asleep reading my ipad, I almost broke my glasses! Anyway, below are the two new release paperbacks I just finished, along with a little something spooky for the fall season – enjoy!

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The Guilty Couple by C. L. Taylor

Olivia has spent the last five years in prison after being convicted of attempting to kill her husband. During that time, the three things on her mind were how she was going to reunite with her daughter (now 12 years-old), how she would clear her name, and maybe, just maybe, a little on how to get back at her husband for framing her. Although the man she was having an affair with before she was sent to prison has long ghosted her, Olivia still has her very close friends who have stood by her side through this whole ordeal---and now she’s going to count on them even more. I liked this book; it moved quickly, relatable characters, and definitely some suspense. Unfortunately, as I reflect on the book, I see there were a number of holes---places in the story that I would’ve liked a little more detail. And even worse, I was left with some of my questions just unanswered, so that made the payoff a little…well…a little less. It was still an interesting book and I’d likely read more by this author, but it’s going to be a middle-of-the-road type of review this time.

3 Stars

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry

When Margo was a senior in high school, her best friend, the very popular Jessie, went missing. Now, some 15yrs later, Margo has returned to her hometown to help her dad after surgery and the timing couldn’t be better (or worse?), because Jessie’s body has just been found at the bottom of the swimming hole where the HS seniors have always hung out. Now that everyone knows Jessie was killed (and didn’t just run off like many thought), the true-crime documentary series, Into Thin Air, is reviewing the case, and Margo is doing her part to help out. But as the story progresses, secrets from Jessie’s inner circle are uncovered, and Margo realizes she wasn’t as close to Jessie as she might’ve thought. I zipped through this book; easy to read, relatable characters, and a suspenseful pace. I’m not sure how much I liked the ending---in retrospect, I’m liking it more----and I think it’s definitely worth the read!

4 Stars

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The House On The Lake by Holly Hill Mangin

Eve wakes up, unsure of where she is or how she got there, but the more she talks to the innkeepers, the more she realizes she must be on the retreat she was planning to research before seeing if her twin sister wanted to join her for a week. When Eve’s twin, Lyn, shows up and can’t recall how she got there either, instead of being surprised or overly concerned, Eve just assumes Lyn knows more than she’s saying so she tries not to worry too much about how she got to this very strange house, and instead focuses on the fact that she’s been given free rein to “snoop” wherever she wants on the property. There’s a lot more to the storyline, and although it started off a little on the “spooky” side, I definitely don’t consider this to be a horror book. A mystery? Yes, sure. It’s a short read (took me about 4 hours?) and even though I still don’t think everything was explained away perfectly, I don’t think this means it was an unsuccessful story. To the contrary: I’m glad I read it and hope it finds an audience who will appreciate some of Eve’s “interpretations.”

4 Stars

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

#ARCs #NetGalley #CLTaylor #MullinMabry #HollyHIllMangin #suspense

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nutty1005 · 3 years

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“A Dream Like A Dream” Fan Review Report by 十月息

Original Article: https://weibo.com/6574125081/KcrfzBjYL?type=comment#_rnd1619312989712 Original Author: 十月息

(TN: This is the translation of the famous 10,000 character repo on Weibo, so be warned that this is very long article. Permission to translate granted by OP.)

Part 1 – Review of Xiao Zhan’s Acting According to the Script

Finding Patient No. 5 B

At the start of the play, there were many people surrounding the stage, I was very frantically searching for Xiao Zhan. One of the ladies besides me patted me and said, that one with the messenger bag! After that I immediately found him. His legs were really long! So, at the start of the play, watch out for the messenger bag! (That was the look in the waiting photo.) After this, I was following him around using my binoculars, hahaha.

Patient No. 5 and His Wife’s Initial Encounter

This part was very interesting. No. 5 was queuing behind his wife, then still a stranger, and buying movie tickets, and his wife had an argument with her then lover on the phone, and rashly stuffed her other movie ticket and grilled corn cob into No. 5’s hands. When handed the movie ticket, No. 5 was still able to comprehend, but after he was given the corn cob, he was starting to get confused — Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 widened his eyes, stared at the corn cob in his hand, and then turned around and looked around, looked at the people queuing behind him. In the next second, the 7 or 8 people behind him magically took out their own corn cob, as though getting a corn cob at the movies was a perfectly normal thing to do, and if No. 5 did not have one he would be out of place. There was full comedic effect, the whole theater laughed, No. 5 was embarrassed as he turned around and entered the cinema holding the corn cob. Starting from here, we could see that No. 5’s body language had completely corresponded with that of a comedic trope, it was relaxed and lively, and even when he met with unexpected situations, it was clumsily adorable.

Patient No. 5 Eating Sushi with His Wife

This segment was at the stage left, which also happened to be my visual blind spot, so I could only see the projection from the big screen, which was very regrettable. His wife said the the person she just argued with on the phone was a pig, and she did not want to talk about it, so when No. 5 mentioned that person, he used snorting to represent him, “…. that *snort snort*…”, that snorting was in imitation of a pig, it was really too cute! Xiao Zhan had also snorted in “Our Song”, here, No. 5’s snorting was even more lively, to the point that I was stunned, took 2 seconds to react in my brain that, oh my goodness that was actually Xiao Zhan snorting! It was simply too cute!!

His wife had squeezed a large amount of wasabi on the sushi, No. 5 said “no one puts so much wasabi”, (TN: Chinese had their own term for wasabi, jiemo, but Xiao Zhan used the Japanese term instead), I really loved it when he used languages other than Chinese, I just felt that it encompassed so much cuteness, moreover it was with the Taiwanese accent that belonged to No. 5, it was even more adorable. Both of them ate that wasabi laced sushi, and coughed wildly due to the irritation, Xiao Zhan was coughing so vigorously, by the sound of it I thought he was going to cough out his lungs, just exactly as though he really ate a huge amount of wasabi. But amazingly, his voice was exceptionally clear while coughing, perhaps because his voice for lines had became deeper more robust, in comparison, he did not deliberately deepen his voice while coughing, so he sounded literally like a young man.

No. 5 continued to chat with his wife, in this conversation, No. 5’s Taiwanese accent was even more obvious, which once again became part of my adorable collection of “Xiao Zhan’s various accents”, I was quietly punching the air in my mind!

His wife told him that she had never seen her father before, and she was unable to face him, No. 5 then told his wife to close her eyes and give it a try, she was initially unwilling, No. 5 coaxed her gently, and then she closed her eyes. Thereafter, No. 5 started talking in a old man’s voice deliberately, “My girl! Turn around and look at Papa! Papa owed you too much, forgive Papa, I’ve also missed you terribly! My good child! Papa bought a very beautiful doll to meet you!” Everyone could attempt to see how you would sound like when you talk in an older voice deliberately, it would definitely be quite funny, when Xiao Zhan acted it live, it was even more funny, the audiences laughed heartily. What made me even more excited was that this was the only the beginning of No. 5’s story, but I had already heard Xiao Zhan snorting like a pig, Xiao Zhan speaking Japanese, Xiao Zhan coaxing people, Xiao Zhan talking like an old man, I felt as though I was exploring all the different voices of Xiao Zhan! When Xiao Zhan spoke like an old man, it was also very cute!

Almost forgot a very important point, that is from this old man act and the snorting previously, we could actually see that No. 5 was very good at flirting, and it was the sort that was very natural and well practiced! In the instant as he acted as an old man, besides laughing with the audiences, I also thought in envy, good job young man, you are flirting again and again! I just had to say this, Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 was really very charming in and out.

Patient No. 5 Begging The Doctor to Save His Child

This part seemed ordinary based on the script, but you would only feel the amazement when watching it live! When looking at the script, it seemed like only the wife was begging the doctor, but in fact I remembered that it was his wife who stood further away from the doctor as she carried the child, No. 5 was beside the doctor, just like the stage photo shared by XZ Studio. His wife was more emotional from start till end, No. 5 was initially more calm, and even looked back to signal his wife to calm down. But later on as the doctor kept rejecting him, No. 5 started to lose the controlled calmness on the surface: he turned around and kneeled before the doctor, begging pitifully, his voice full of hurt and pain, with an agonizing crying tone. In here, his emotional progression to explosive was not that long, but it was very excellent, that moment he was just a father of a child, with an unbearable pain of loss on his shoulders. The doctor continued to refuse, No. 5 said no more, and the whole theater went silent.

Patient No. 5 Getting His Wife to Pick Up the Phone

After the child passed away, the relationship between No. 5 and his wife drifted apart, and No. 5 contacted that strange disease. At the same time, he started receiving calls in the middle of the night, but no one spoke after he picked up. There was one night, it was rare that No. 5 was at home with his wife, and he picked up that call again. No. 5 yelled into the receiver for a long time but yet no one replied, so he yelled at it, “I’m going to fight it out with you… after all, the telephone fee’s on you!” His tone was incensed, but yet the words he used were exceptionally funny, it was supposed to be a scary suspense story, but it wore the cape of a comedy.

The lines following that were similar. No. 5 finally yelled at the receiver, “Fine, I’m done playing with you today!” Till then it was still quite normal, but unexpectedly before he hung up he suddenly yelled another line: “Good! Night!” This type of contrast continued to add comedic colors to the play, because No. 5 was actually speaking harshly, but in the end he still politely said good night, but yet that good night was still harsh and irate. I believed that no matter how unclear the image of No. 5 was in the audiences’ hearts, in this moment they would definitely feel that No. 5 had a cuteness stemming from the contrast in his personality, he was interesting, cute and lively.

I feel that this was something that was hard to control in performance. On a whole, “A Dream Like A Dream” was a very serious and standard play, and would occasionally use comedic tropes to balance the heavy keynote. Hence when actors were performing, they had to say those random lines in a serious tone, and if done too lightly, the audiences would not feel that it was funny, but if done too heavily, it would destroy the pace of the story. Whereas Xiao Zhan’s performance was simply just right, it allowed audiences to easily understand the funny bits, but yet it did not breakaway from the general tone of the story. I remembered when we studied or appreciated ancient poems in high school, there was this term called “using lively music to contrast sorrow”, in fact “A Dream Like A Dream” was like this. The more amusing the funny parts were, after the audiences were done laughing and continued to immerse themselves in the story, the heavier they would feel.

Following this was the part, which Xiao Zhan angrily yelled at his wife to pick up the call, that many reports had mentioned. There was actually a progression, the script as below, the parts in parenthesis was how I remembered it was acted out:

No. 5: It's your turn to pick it up. (His tone was quite calm）

His Wife: What for do I pick it up? No. 5: It could be for you. (He was starting to raise his voice)

His Wife: How could that be?

No. 5: Secret lover! You should pick it up. (You could hear the anger)

His Wife: Why?

No. 5: Because it is yours. (His tone had already went from questioning to factual) Every time he calls, not long after, you would return, I think he hasn't finished talking to you. (This looked like narration, but in fact when Xiao Zhan said this he was speaking hastily, already at the brink of exploding, his voice was very loud, and was starting to ring in the audiences' ears. In reality when someone hears a tone like this, we would subconsciously avoid it, as we feel that this person would explode the very next second.) You pick it up. (I was starting to shake)

His Wife: For what? It's not mine. (I was starting to fear for his wife, I mean was this not adding oil to the fire? Please don't... I was praying this in my heart, because the very next moment, lightning was going to strike!)

No. 5: PICK IT UP! [TN: The word used was a single syllable, jie.]

Just that word, the tone was so harsh, I could say that I have never encountered this in my life; the sound was so loud, it almost deafened me, the word was echoing within the hall, and gave me a feeling that when Xiao Zhan yelled out this word, he was also resonating with it. My father’s temper was not that good, and he would yell at me when I was a child, his voice was loud enough, but I actually felt that it was not as loud as a third of Xiao Zhan’s. Not only the voice was loud, the tone was very fierce, so fierce that if he was your boss, you would have kneeled before him, if he was one of your peers, you would have felt weakness in my legs and could not even run away if you wanted to. At that time in the theater, I was truly frightened, I felt as though my heart had frozen in my chest, and then there were palpitations, I felt as though all the yelling I had received previously were not worth mentioning. The whole theater definitely had a fright, because after Xiao Zhan yelled it, the whole theater was silent, not just ordinary silence when watching a play, but even the sounds of breathing stopped, the air was scarily quiet.

Patient No. 5 Searching for His Wife among the Passersby

No. 5 and his wife went to watch another movie, just like how they first met. When queuing, his wife went out to pick up a call, and suddenly disappeared, No. 5 started searching for her everywhere. Over here as well, I did not feel that it was very emotional when reading the script, No. 5 was like going through the process of looking for his wife, but when I actually watched the performance, it was another of Xiao Zhan’s highlight.

No. 5 was holding onto the grilled corn cob, and grabbed hold of a passerby, asked, “Sorry, can I ask if you saw my wife?” but this passerby did not hear him. No. 5 continued to run forward, the other passersby were stoic and slow, No. 5 frantically walked through them and seemed especially out of place. He grabbed the next passerby, continued asking, “Excuse me, did you see my wife?” The passerby continued to ignore him. I don’t know how to explain this specifically, as these two lines were similar, but the emotions in No. 5 was obviously changing, the sense helplessness and breakdown that was transmitted through his tone and his body language completely grabbed the hearts of the audiences.

No. 5 continued to grab passersby, asked, “Sorry, did anyone see a lady holding two grilled corn cobs? Her hair is slightly yellow, she’s very pretty, her eyes are very big…” “Excuse me, did you see my wife? She’s of mixed race, she never saw her father, our child died, she’s very upset… I’m really not feeling well… did anyone see?” I believe that even if I did not describe Xiao Zhan’s tone, we could see from the lines that No. 5 had already went from precise questioning to emotional rambling, the lines contained family background information unrelated to the search. In the final questioning, he was already in crying tones.

After countless of his question left ignored, No. 5 finally despaired, he stopped in his tracks, broke down and shouted, “Did anyone see my wife?! She just bought two grilled corn cobs!!!” This howl completely used all his strength and was even hysterical, it was filled with helplessness, despair and utter collapse. This lines actually contained comedy, since who would have brought up grilled corn cob at this point in time? But No. 5 did, and this was similar to what I said previously about “using lively music to contrast sorrow”, the more ridiculous the trope was, the better the contrast could highlight the sorrow in the reality, and in reality most of the tragedies did not happen like a Shakespearean story, but accumulated from the smallest and most ridiculous things.

In comparison to the doctor scene, I felt that this No. 5 broke my heart even more… Because he asked different people again and again, but he was ignored and tossed aside, bit by bit, he despaired and broke down… He used all of his strength but he could not do anything, except cry and howl helplessly…

Patient No. 5 and Jiang Hong at the Laundromat

This was a completely propless performance, with the exception of a laundry basket, there was no props, so Xiao Zhan was performing with the air as he opened the washing machine, took his clothes, folded them and placed them in the laundry basket. But his movements were very natural and ordinary, it was not deliberate, you could understand what he was doing with a look, i.e. that sequence of actions I mentioned previously. The way he folded (air) clothes was very cute, and there was the part that he did not know how to use the washing machine, and was poking poking poking at the air, that was also super cute! Haha.

Patient No. 5 at Jiang Hong’s Apartment

After No. 5 caught his disease, his posture, etc, had started displaying the weakness of his illness, Xiao Zhan very accurately portrayed this point, no matter whether it was his walking speed or his hunched back, as well was occasional coughing and panting, constantly reminded audiences that No. 5 was a terminal patient with not many days left. However in comparison to these, what best displayed No. 5’s illness was when he went up the staircase to Jiang Hong’s apartment, Jiang Hong stayed on the 7th floor, every time No. 5 went upstairs it felt like an ordeal and a massive challenge, he kept holding onto the handrails (which of course did not exist, there were no staircases onstage, he was acting with air), he would rest every 2 steps, panting, and made us feel that No. 5’s health was rapidly leaving his body.

After this was basically the envy inciting scene of the whole play. Jiang Hong’s apartment was very small, No. 5 could only sit on her bed. So we slowly watched how No. 5 and Jiang Hong got closer and closer… Amitabha. I do not want to describe it in detail, ｡･ﾟﾟ･(>д<)･ﾟﾟ･｡. There was this part that was very cute, Jiang Hong said, “No other person ever lived in this space. When I first moved in there wasn’t even space to have a cat, but now there’s a man, when he lies down, he uses up the whole bed.” After the line ended, Xiao Zhan basically laid on the bed in a 大 shape, instantly occupying the whole bed, both of his legs even extended beyond the bed. The audiences laughed at that moment, and I also directly understood even more that Xiao Zhan is really tall! Big sized! Before that when Xiao Zhan curled on his side on the bed, he was still very big.

Patient No. 5 and Jiang Hong’s Couple Details

It was not that moment of intimacy that made me envious, but it was the continued subconscious intimacy that really made me envious. No. 5 and Jiang Hong became a couple, they were like they had been together for a very long time, the intimacy was natural and well practiced. When she and No. 5 walked together, he would hold her hands; when they stood side by side, he would hold her waist; when they spoke face to face he would look down at her, very focused on her eyes, as though only she existed in the world, and would also gently stroke the back of her head, or smooth her hair; sometimes No. 5 would even slightly adjust her collar… etc, every detail was exceptionally natural.

When No. 5 and Jiang Hong went to see a gypsy with spiritual powers, that person told No. 5 to look at the crystal ball like how he would look at his lover, No. 5 turned around, looked up and looked lovingly at Jiang Hong standing behind him, saying coquettishly, “Yup, looking at my lover,” just like a willful boy in his first relationship who is unable to leave his lover. In that moment I became extremely envious.

Patient No. 5 and Jiang Hong at Normandy

This section is completely No. 5’s highlight!

At the start in the town’s hotel, the Grandpa gave No. 5 a flower circlet, No. 5 took it and placed it on his head. This was just right on stage left, which was my blind spot, I could only see it from the blurry screen, I was so angry and regretful! I could only imagine Tang San wearing the flower circlet, when Xiao Zhan wore it live it would definitely look a lot better, I could not see that with my own eyes, that was the biggest regret of my life ｡･ﾟﾟ･(>д<)･ﾟﾟ･｡.

When entering the hotel, the receptionist said it was 1,550 Francs per night, Jiang Hong immediately felt that it was too expensive and tugged No. 5, but No. 5 was instead very relaxed and yet unyielding as he said, “It’s almost the same, it’s all this price! It’s reasonable!” “No matter, I want it, I’m paying.” And then he pulled Jiang Hong into the hotel. That time I could only think, good job dude, that was how an unreasonable boss trope should be like!

No. 5 and Jiang Hong went to have a meal in the hotel, but however the rule of the restaurant was formal wear, but both No. 5 and Jiang Hong were in casual wear, so the host gave No. 5 a tie, No. 5 was to wear the tie and take a seat. In the script, it was No. 5 who tied his own tie, but in Xiao Zhan’s version, he did not continue to tie it himself, instead he raised his chin and leaned his neck over, signaling Jiang Hong to tie for him. My goodness, this part was seriously too sweet, I started complaining in my heart at this dude ｡･ﾟﾟ･(>д<)･ﾟﾟ･｡… I am not sure if everyone watched a behind-the-scenes from “Superstar Academy”, where Xiao Zhan finished a drink (or tidbits, I cannot remember), and he just waved the cup in his hand, requesting the co-actress beside him to take it, and then the actress simply took it. His sort of natural ability to influence the opposite gender really makes me fall head over heels for him.

No. 5 and Jiang Hong were mistaken for Japanese, the two of them went back to their room and started conversing in synthetic Japanese, this was really No. 5 at the peak of his cuteness!!! No. 5 gave Jiang Hong a gentlemanly bow, and said “Hi!” in Japanese accent multiple times, the tone was both serious and flippant at the same time. No. 5 also said “Ah li ga duo” for arigatou. When No. 5 was describing guns to the French waitress, he use the onomatopoeia “Bang bang!”, with finger guns action, super cute. He also said “Duo La A Mong” for Doraemon, “Sa yo na la” for sayonara, and most select phrases mentioned in countless reports were “Ka wa yi” for kawaii and “Da me da me” for dame dame, these phrases did not exist in the script, they were basically his own creation. My description of that scene was basically like this:

When he said “Ka wa yi”, he placed his palms on his cheeks like a flower shape, and dragged the “yi” sound, the tone was slightly coquettish; when he said “Da me da me”, he swished his hands around (similar to a orchestra conductor), his tone was coquettish but also lilting.

After he said these two phrases, the audiences were no longer calm, many of them were sniffing in envy and these sounds filled the hall. I almost fainted at the spot, blanked out and stared at the ceiling, wondering how lucky I was to be able to hear Xiao Zhan said “Da me”, and in a coquettish manner, who was I where was I, I must had been dreaming.

No. 5 also told Jiang Hong “Ah yi xi tie lu”, which was “I love you” in Japanese. This phrase in Japanese is actually very formal, because in normal circumstances, the Japanese would use “suki” to confess their affection, which meant “I like you”, “I love you” was very rare. Then No. 5 placed his arms on Jiang Hong’s shoulders and hugged her, looked lovingly down at her eyes, his expression full of emotion and tease, and said every syllable with a pause “Ah, yi, xi, tie, lu”. That moment I hated myself, I wondered why I had to understand Japanese, why!

Following this is another highlight of No. 5, when he was mistaken as an artist he gave a speech in the restaurant, in the script, there was this big segment of lines, it was slightly different from what Xiao Zhan said in the play, but in general it was the same:

"From that day when a disease that I don't recognize found me, everything changed. I had no choice! Did I know this virus? Why did it come to me? I don't know. But it just came! Just like you said that until now there are still children in Cambodia with a missing limb due to mines! The war had already ended for 25 years! Who placed the mines? Did he know that child? Where did such great hatred came from, that you had to blow up someone you didn't know? How different am I from that child? He is just like you and I, that one day, standing under the sun, standing on the road, and suddenly, bang! It's over! The 'freedom' we yell about everyday is just bullshit! How could we have choices?!..."

I felt that I had to type out this section in full because I felt that Xiao Zhan’s live performance had to be appreciated with this section. Frankly speaking, when I first saw the original script, I felt that here, No. 5 was just someone who was very adaptable to the sudden situations, able to talk his way out, so I did not really look into the contents of this section. At that point in time, there were people who also posted this part online, but I felt that it was making a mountain out of a molehill when we place Xiao Zhan’s personal experiences along side it, No. 5 appeared to be making up a speech without much deeper meaning. When I saw Xiao Zhan himself performing this part, I realized that I was too flippant then: Xiao Zhan really had the ability to help his audience empathize, when he said this section, it felt as though every word struck my heart, as though there were other hidden meanings, especially when he said these two lines “Where did such great hatred came from, that you had to blow up someone you didn’t know?” and “The ‘freedom’ we yell about everyday is just bullshit!”, I really had instant flashbacks to the unpleasant memories of 2020… I always felt that hardship is just hardship, there is never a need for us to be thankful to it, but I had to admit, for Xiao Zhan to walk to this stage, he had went through the trials and tribulations of hardship.

Patient No. 5 and Gu Xianglan’s Kiss

In the script there were no kissing scenes between Young Patient No. 5 B and Young Gu Xianglan (by Xu Qing), i.e. the video clip that was posted by Yanghua Theatre on the 22nd. So that day, the last scene of the upper half, everyone exclaimed (of course, a big part of it was that no one guessed that there would be other kissing scenes besides that with Jiang Hong). In the video clip, No. 5 and Gu Xianglan walked slowed to each other, their shadows overlapped, their faces slowly overlapping into a kiss, it told a story, and that sense was even stronger when watched live. Just that the live performance did not have the later half of the clip, that is after they kissed they slowly separated, during live the two of them kissed using the trick of positioning and then the lights dimmed, and with that, the upper half ended.

No. 5 wore a leather jacket with jeans, Gu Xianglan wore cheongsam; No. 5 was from modern Taiwan, Gu Xianglan was from the 1930s Shanghai. So as they slowly moved towards each other face-to-face, there was really the sense that two eras were slowly merging and overlapping, the feeling was very wondrous, almost as though there was a time and space disorder, yet there was also a sense of revolving fate that merged the past and present, East and West, and created this love story that transcended space and time. I had to say that this additional scene was really fantastic, it had such a sense of story and of fate that it could match the scene of 2 different Gu Xianglans walking in the long corridor of illusion and shadow, which would really stir the audiences’ curiosity and wonder.

Hence, I surmised that the script for this tour had made some changes, No. 5 would likely be Baron’s reincarnation, confirmed when the dying Old Gu Xianglan laid on her bed, holding Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 B’s hands, and directly called him “Henry”.

Patient No. 5 on the Hospital Bed

Over here I really wanted to punch myself, I clearly read the script, but yet I forgot that in the second half, the person on the hospital bed would be No. 5 B! I entered the hall early, and I long saw the doctor at the hospital bed aiding the patient’s breathing, but I really did not pay much attention, I was so regretful!! After the show started, No. 5 started talking, the whole hall started to exclaim as they realized that oh dear, that was Xiao Zhan!

Wearing the patient gown, Xiao Zhan seemed even more ill, looked especially frail, weak, and immediately reminded me of Xianxian in the red undergown, I believe when I said this, everyone would have the image in their mind.

Patient No. 5 with the Dying Gu Xianglan

Old Gu Xianglan laid on the hospital bed, Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 sat by it, his left hand had always been on Gu Xianglan’s back, gently patting and soothing Gu Xianglan, never stopped, I had been staring for a long while. I kept feeling that this was especially “Xiao Zhan”, because Xiao Zhan himself is just that gentle and considerate.

Gu Xianglan narrated her story until she was short of breath and passed away, No. 5’s gaze had never left her, and he held her hand. No. 5 was like just like that, quietly watching Gu Xianglan until she passed away, he did not say anything, but his compassionate expression, slightly furrowed brows, exuded a strong sense of unspeakable sorrow gushing out from his body. As I wrote this part, my mind would sometimes flash back to the scene of No. 5 sitting by the bedside, and suddenly I would feel like weeping.

Patient No. 5 Reading a Letter at Jiang Hong’s Apartment

No. 5 returned to the apartment where he and Jiang Hong lived, and from under the floorboards he found a letter, he was simply kneeling as he read the letter, and kneeled for a very long time. “Hi, the person with the fever…” As he kneeled there, I could only see his back, and I just kept watching his back, listening to him read the first few lines of the letter and after which Jiang Hong continued, I felt that there was nothing else in my heart, I was very upset, but yet my tears were locked in my eyes. I stared at his pointed toes and the long, long legs in jeans, stared at the hands that were grasping the letter. Once again, No. 5 encountered another separation of a lifetime, and I knew that I was going to bid farewell to him as well.

Before the Passing of Patient No. 5

Here, No. 5 A laid on the bed talking, while Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 B stood around 1m away at the left side of the bed, looking at No. 5 A. Here is the most obvious display of compassion from No. 5, because he stood for a long time, so I kept staring at him — his gaze was gentle and sorrowful, looking at the other version of him lying on the bed almost reaching the end of his life, I wondered what he was thinking of? Xiao Zhan’s eyebrows were especially good looking, I kept thinking that if I studied him from a certain distance, the first thing I would see would be his eyebrows, and that was something I did not think would happen when I looked at him via a video on my mobile phone screen. His eyebrows were just too good at conveying emotion, if it was relaxed I would feel relaxed as well, when it frowned I would feel upset as well. No. 5 kept his brows furrowed, it was melancholy and sorrowful, he did not need to have tears in his eyes, he could convey emotions with his brows.

Finally, No. 5 A stopped breathing, and the light on No. 5 B dimmed, he was slowly consumed by darkness, in that instant I felt as though my heart had been drowned by sorrow, I kept on staring at Xiao Zhan, and unwittingly as I wrote to this point, tears started brimming in my eyes.

Patient No. 5’s A Cappella

The lyrics to the song was like this in the script:

Did anyone, see my face before? I think I remembered, I think I forgot, You used to wander in my dreams; I think I remembered, I think I forgot, I used to sing in your story; I think I remembered, I think I forgot.

At this point, all the actors will take out candles, Gu Xianglan A would ring a bell, all the actors will blow out their candles, and the play ends. I wrote on Weibo that this part wrote a cappella: Xiao Zhan sang it at the end, I was literally shaking. It was clearly a cappella, without any instrumental music or sound effects, but it was particularly ethereal and pleasant. It sounded like I went to a tall and quiet church, and listened to the choir’s singing. His voice came with its own bass. There was really this sense of sanctity, which made you feel as though any stray thoughts would be a blasphemy. I was clearly seated at an elevated location, but spiritually I felt that I was looking up at him. It was almost surreal, a dreamlike illusionary existence.

When I was seated in the hall, I was more excited, because I remembered that there was still the curtain call and gratitude ceremony. Now, reviewing this with the script, I am completely immersed in the sorrowful atmosphere of the script, and as I recall Xiao Zhan’s a cappella, I am now especially upset, and I miss him terribly.

Part 2 – Praising Xiao Zhan from All Different Angles

What Was Xiao Zhan’s Role (DUH)

At the start, No. 5 was an architect, a salary man, as he hurried on the streets, the sense of salary man was really obvious. After he met his wife, he started his flirtation mode, which was a humorous and interesting young man. After he had a child and as he carried that child, he was really like a father, I almost yelled “Daddy” in my heart! After that he fell sick, and no matter where and when, he was able to portray the sense of someone who had an illness.

Xiao Zhan’s Lines

Before the start of the show, Xiao Zhan broadcasted the important notice, his voice was like a newscaster, the XFXs around me could not believe it was him. In the hall, the voice was especially vigorous and magnetic, which was quite different from how he was like in previous interviews, overall it was especially pleasant, it felt like he changed his vocalization method, there was probably more technique into it.

Secondly, his pronunciation was very clear and professional, I could hear every word clearly, and when he was at stage left where I could not see him, I pretended I was listening to a radio show. No. 5 was from Taiwan, hence Xiao Zhan specially spoke with a Taiwanese accent, very natural and very cute. His emotions were very very on point! When he was coquettish his voice slightly lingered, when he yelled it was fierce, when he was sad it was sorrowful… When he was joking, it was as though every sound he made had a smile, when he was stern it was very shocking! “Ka wa yi” and “da me” were my top favorite!

Xiao Zhan’s Body and Face

Xiao Zhan’s No. 5, his back was hunched, he occasionally coughed, and we could see that his style of walking was different from Xiao Zhan’s: No. 5 was ill, he frequently had fevers, and he would tire when he went upstairs. From the play, we could say that we could not see the healthy and strong Xiao Zhan at all, we would only feel that he was No. 5 with a terminal illness, that was acting and character portrayal from in to out. But when he bowed with his back facing me, I still could clearly see the lines from his back muscles pushing against his shirt.

His legs were especially long, his proportions were really extreme, I always felt that humans could not grow like this, did he steal Jianguo’s leg length (No). His face was particularly small, especially when viewed from my distance, it was outstandingly exquisite, as though I could pinch it with just a hand. This hairstyle really showcased his ears, which were pointed, completely elf-like!

Besides his outstanding eyebrows, his nose was also super magnificent! Even if you looked at him from the front you would feel that he really looks very chiseled! Even more so from the side! A miracle of beauty!

From my location, I had a lot of chances to look at his 70% side view, as the light shone on that face, it was like a sculpture, I wondered what kind of divinity would be able to sculpt that: that nose line, that lip and that melancholy eyebrows…

Xiao Zhan’s Compassion

The tone that Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 as a whole gave me as a whole was melancholic, or I could say it was his compassion. Previously, I frequently saw that everyone said that Tang San had a sense of compassion, but I feel that the compassion in No. 5’s aura was superior to Tang San’s. Firstly, he himself had a terminal illness, and then he experienced so many changes, the departure of his family and loved ones. Secondly, the inner aura of No. 5 himself came with a bit of compassion.

I saw at the back row, at times when I used the binoculars, his facial features would be slightly blurry, of course most of the time it was clear, so I always first spot the most obvious, the tightly furrowed eyebrows.

Accompanying that frown would be his exquisite facial features, his eyes, especially the line of his nose, it seemed almost supernatural. Hence I would really relate it to the Greek sculptures, as in their expressions were also solemn, as though they were looking down upon the emotions and pain of the world. And they themselves were the representation of human beauty.

I always felt that the reason why Xiao Zhan’s good looks were well accepted by the masses was because his good looks was universally acceptable.

Of course, for Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 to be able to attain this level of compassion, it not only depended on his innate aura, but even more so, his own hard work, which caused his looks to be able to give off this kind of aura. For example, he became even more thin, such that his cheeks were more protruding, and there were possibly shadows on his cheeks, this would make you feel that, truly, his melancholy and compassion was clearly affecting his body.

His aura, his physical shape, was completely in service of the character.

Xiao Zhan’s Acting Skills

I posted on my Weibo that Xiao Zhan’s No. 5 was very compassionate, and then there were comments asking if it was because of his past experiences, such that he was able to portray this kind of compassion, actually it was not that I did not agree completely, but it was something that I did not even think of.

Why? Because when you watched Xiao Zhan’s dramas and movies, it was the same, when you watched his play life, his performance was even more so — just that he was not deliberately acting, you would feel that he did not use any life experience, or very obviously using his experiences to aid his portrayal in the drama. He was not like this, he would give you a very very natural sensation.

Xiao Zhan’s acting was like spring water, naturally flowing down from the cracks on the hill side, and not like cracking a water pipe, which would come gushing out suddenly, it was not like this. Even if it was an explosive scene, it would also smoothly flow downwards like a waterfall tumbling from the top of a cliff.

Although I say that Xiao Zhan’s acting was very, very natural, so much so that you could not see any trace of deliberation, but in fact this did not mean that this skill came inborn, on the contrary, this acting skill required doubly effort to attain.

My Trance

I don’t know how to explain my feeling: that is when watching the play I would sometimes feel hazy, like I would suddenly break away from the play, and then stare at Xiao Zhan, thinking — wow, this is a real Xiao Zhan, a lively Xiao Zhan, and he’s under the same roof as me in this very second, moving and talking…

And then I would go into that trance.

The Ocean of Flowers in the Courtyard

So romantic, star chasing is so romantic, loving Xiao Zhan is so romantic.

The night of Wuhan, I stayed in the midst of the crowds, outside of my windows were the streaking colors of everyday life.

My heart remained sweet, because I knew that in that very moment, I was sharing the same sky with the one I love.

And yet my heart was weak, as soon as I saw that endless brilliance of red, I would feel that my tears would well up.

Walking through the ocean of flowers, I saw countless adoration, gentleness, admiration, well wishes…

In that second, I was in Wuhan, and I had a romance with No. 5 at the ends of the world.

Appendix: 2013 Version of “A Dream Like A Dream” Behind-The-Scenes Documentary Review

(Written on 23 Mar 2021)

Upper Half

Firstly, the documentary emphasized on its star-studded cast on its very first Mainland China premiere in 2000. Besides the well-known famous actor, there was also a renowned female singer crossing domains, as well as some familiar, well-known actors, such as Tan Zhuo, Xu Qing. Xu Qing was going to continue her role as one of the Gu Xianglans in the upcoming 2021 version of “A Dream Like A Dream”. At the same time I also discovered that Shi Ke was in the 2013 version of “A Dream Like A Dream”, she was the lead actress for Xiao Zhan’s “Heroes in Harm’s Way – Blessed Community”.

In the documentary, besides bringing more attention to this play, the star-studded cast also brought another challenge, because the group’s actors had to spend more than a year to break into this 8 hour play (that time when “A Dream Like A Dream” first came into Mainland China, everything had to be started from scratch, there were a lot to adapt, hence the timeline would be longer, 2021 version had the previous foundation, and therefore did not need this long for preparation), and singers would have to take a few months to prepare for their fan meetings and concerts, television and movie actors would have to take a few months to film their dramas. In rehearsing this play, the actors would have to reject many invitations, their “loss” in revenue could be up to millions or even more.

Xiao Zhan’s rehearsal period for “A Dream Like A Dream” appeared to be an empty period to the external world, but plays truly needed wholehearted participation into practice time.

Director and playwright Lai Shengchuan said, plays are even a greater challenge to these stars, because their capabilities, their acting skills, would be obvious to the audiences after 2 or 3 shows, and this will dictate the success of the play in Mainland China.

Hence for the first entry to Mainland China, all the preparation from all angles had to start from zero, the 2013 version encountered many difficulties in terms of location, props, etc. While the cast attracted a lot of attention, the strict control behind the stage, for example, prop preparation was actually done by a Year 4 Journalism student; the rehearsal initially started in a crude empty factory. Then, the in-charge of Yanghua Theatre, Wang Keran, was the main in-charge for bringing in “A Dream Like A Dream” into Mainland China, he and his team’s office was in a simple 3 bedroom apartment, he directly said that bringing in this play was to raise the influence of plays but he could not bankrupt the backstage, hence cost also had to be tightly controlled.

For the 2021 version, the documentary gave me the most anticipation was the process that in the 2013 version, the actors and the directors went through a lot of breakthrough and recreation process during their rehearsals. While rehearsing, Xu Qing gave a totally opposite view on her role to Lai Shengchuan (on Gu Xianglan’s love to Baron), the understanding and identity from the actors themselves were in fact the most important part to character creation. Finally, Xu Qing’s persistence convinced Lai Shengchuan, who specially added some scenes in Act 9, and allowed the character Gu Xianglan to be more logical. Lai Shengchuan was a renowned Asian Theatre master, “A Dream Like A Dream” was his 3rd script after his 10+ years of experience. Even so, when meeting a brand new acting crew, the script might still display its inadequacy or limitations with the times, etc. At this moment, it would require actors to use their acting experience to improve upon it, and perform character and scene recreation. We could say that, Xu Qing was a good actress who had her own opinions and thoughts, and was persistent about them, Lai Shengchuan was a good director who progressed with the times.

It just so happened today that Xu Qing praised Xiao Zhan, I believe that with my narration on this part, everyone would understand how much weight Xu Qing’s praise carried — there is no praise that is more encouraging than that from a fellow actress who is persistent and serious.

I believe that Xiao Zhan is also a hardworking actor who will seriously analyze his scripts, and have his own opinions and thoughts. Hence, I really look forward to fireworks that Xiao Zhan and “A Dream Like A Dream” would create, as well as the new soul this would bring to the role, Patient No. 5.

Lower Half

Firstly, the documentary introduced the costume designer for “A Dream Like A Dream”, renowned designer, Ye Jintian. Ye Jintian was the costume in-charge for many movies and dramas, the most famous ones were “A Better Tomorrow” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, he also won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for the latter movie. 2021’s Costume Design Executive was still Ye Jintian. When rehearsal conditions were unable to reach the performance conditions, actors would have to use costumes to find their entry into the character, and as such, it showed how important costumes were to the play.

The premiere in 2013, was such a major cultural event, in the press conference before the first show, they exhibited a shorter segment of the play. Lai Shengchuan wanted people to focus on the story itself, but the media placed their attention on the star-studded cast, the 8 hour long performance, the ring shaped stage, and other gimmicks etc. Lai Shengchuan said, that was the misguidance of the media focus. I felt that, that was unavoidable, since it was a challenge, it was even more so an opportunity, because everything would increase the attention on the play itself eventually. Lai Shengchuan hoped that people would not watch this play for entertainment or escapism, but instead, use this story to face their problems directly, to think about the meaning of life and death.

Surprisingly, the documentary then emphasized on the participating well-known singer’s influence. It said that she had millions of passionate fans, many of them entered the theater because of her, whereas in Lai Shengchuan’s vision, the audiences for “A Dream Like A Dream” were those who had watched many other plays before. We could even say that such a young and influential singer’s addition then truly changed the audience composition for such an elite form of art. On this, Producer Wang Keran expressed that it was something the production team was happy to see, because marketization was the nutrient for such highend art. Moreover, “A Dream Like A Dream” was 8 hours long, they had 400 over sets of costumes, as well as many innovative stage art design, the cost was very huge. Hence, the show for this type of play became a gamble, a gamble between art and market. After all, theater workers would have to eat, and audiences only cared about results, and they would not analyze the difficulties behind it.

The 2021 version that Xiao Zhan joined was built upon the mature experience of 7 years of public showing from the 2013 version, and definitely had lesser problems, but due to Xiao Zhan’s commonly known qualities, the 2021 version would carry the same mission as the 2013 version: using the actor’s huge influence and interest, attract more “first time goers” for theaters, and use the market to nourish the play. To Xiao Zhan personally, this was the rarest and best experience for an actor.

I would mostly skip through the following interview of the famous actor, but there was an important phrase within which he generally said, “To return to theater is to remove the burden of a celebrity.” I felt that this point was suitable to Xiao Zhan.

That time, the production company for “A Dream Like A Dream” (should be Yanghua Theatre) was actually not rich, we could see that the theater scene was still in its infancy. The Stage Designer Zhang Zhelong, was also very competent, he created many aesthetic and unique stage effects for “A Dream Like A Dream”, the most famous was the handover between 2 Gu Xianglans, 2 graceful figures, the former slowly absorbed into the light, blurry and vague, just like a dream. The 2021 version’s Stage Designer is still Zhang Zhelong.

Finally, it was the interview with the well-known actor Jin Shijie, who acted as Baron then. He said that now is the era for speed, everyone could use an electronic device to watch many shows in a night, they could even watch new technologies such as 3D. But, plays were like they carried many ancient rituals. You would need to leave the house, take a car ride, queue, and then sit in among a group of strangers, and watch the stage in the dark, and finally return home. These process were complex, but yet it also seemed especially ceremonious — hence Jin Shijie said that the stage was the most primitive. Whereas for me personally, I like this type of primitive art, this is a form of art that up close, without any misplacement in time and space, and the most realistic.

#xiao zhan #sean xiao #xiaozhan #肖战

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roseyful · 3 years

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Mars Red: Edge of the Nightmare - Review

Now, my Tumblr has been a bit quiet lately (been queuing a lot of things so then it wasn’t too quiet during my absence), but it has been for a good reason; last month I was approached [on my private twitter account] and asked if I would be able to playtest a game and write a review, and of course, being someone that enjoys games, especially those that follow an otome style, I had to say YES.

So its proud to say that after a while of playing the game, I finally get to write this review.

Now before I get into the game itself, I would like to take the moment to give appreciation to the team for being so helpful during my time of playtesting the game and before that, as not only would they let us know when there was an issue and the date had to be pushed back, they were so polite and helpful whenever I would run into a problem. That’s something you’d want to see in a gaming company and I’m so glad that my first experience with this company is one with positive results. I personally found no issues with the team themselves, and I do hope they keep this up after the release. Thank you favary for being so lovely and patient with me, and other beta testers.

Mars Red: Edge of The Nightmare was the game that they asked for me to play, however when I originally looked at their website, I couldn’t help but notice that the concept was originally one of a ‘Sound Theatre’, and while I couldn’t figure out what that was, I eventually was lead down a rabbit hole and ended up looking at the other things that Bun-O Fujisawa has worked in. Very interesting stuff, just like the game. However, it’s best to look at his other stuff in your own time.

Please note: I will be keeping this spoiler-free for the sake of letting people go in with no idea of what’s going on besides what I mention and on the website.

Story

The game is set in the early twentieth century in Japan, or better known as the Taisho, in which the website also says ‘[is] influenced by Romanticism’, in which vampires rule the night, as they could only feed off blood and those that stepped into the sun would surely die. Keen senses, incredible physical abilities, and yet they were still vulnerable. You see that very early on with the main character that we play as; Yutsufusa Yuki, a vampire whom became one against his will.

I will be honest, I did not like Yutsufusa when I first started playing, as I felt like he was a bit too willing to die, but that is something that you can overlook when you get further into the story. Yutsufusa is obviously one of the youngest in the group, due to the fact he wears the more ‘modern’ [at the time] clothing out of everyone, well, there is someone else who wears similar clothing but he’s human.

You control Yutsufusa throughout the game, influencing his voices and living his life through his eyes, him acting as the reader insert as you learn about the other characters and begin to grow a bond with them. While the story is a bit slow at first, it does start picking up around the middle-end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2 after you play the prologue, as you begin to assist “Code Zero” in their work to rid the world of vampires that wish to feast on humans..

Be mindful that there is an anime, however, Yutsufusa does not appear in it, as it focuses on the other main characters, so if you have watched the anime already be sure to remember that they’re either two separate timelines or different points in time. I do not want to confuse anyone with this.

The main cast is quite an interesting bunch, as it covers a wide range of personalities, and sometimes even time periods as you play through the game and unlock things; you might say you might learn a bit of history from it if you end up looking up some of the references I’ve found in the game. This is a great reflection on the idea of ‘immortality, and even has moments where said immortality leans into a few jokes (such as knowledge of birds).

If you’ve played games such as ‘Ikemen Revolution’, you may be familiar with the ticket system. Every day you’re allowed a certain amount of tickets to progress through the story, however, if you run out of tickets and you must read more, then you’re able to progress the story via using ‘amber’, the game’s currency that you can use for different functions. However, this is not needed, as every day your tickets will be replenished. I personally found myself not even needing to use my amber, as I would always wait for the next day. There are mini-stories that you can get if you finish a chapter within a certain amount of time, but I personally don’t find them to progress the story a lot after I read the first one I got. Then again I had other things to occupy my time while I wanted as well. If you wish to reread chapters, you get a bonus third option of currency; coins. Coins can be used to reread chapters in the place of amber or tickets, which means that you can grind out coins via the exploration option in order to see more options (looked at a bit later).

I personally found the story to be engaging, between the use of minigames (or investigations, covered a bit later), it broke up the reading with fun activities that progressed the story.

Is the game an Otome?

No! I was shocked as well when I saw the all-male cast since I was wondering if I was playing a boys love game, but in the end, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this is actually a detective game. While it may carry the usual look of an otome, with the story and choices of how you speak influencing the endings of chapters, the game more feels like one of finding new friends and solving kick-ass investigations than finding romance. It’s refreshing.

This is especially true between the minigames in which helps influence the story that is all very unique in their own way and do not seem repetitive once you get into the flow of how they work.

Minigames

The minigames come forward in two forms; investigation, interrogation, and infer. Investigation sounds exactly how you’d expect, as you have to poke around and look at things, which you can review in a little notebook that sits in the top right of your screen in the case you need to review what you’ve looked at. When I was first launched into this section for the first time, I had a little trouble remembering exactly what I needed to look at (as I was given a set of things to tap), however, I do have to thank the team for thinking ahead and adding the option to be able to watch ads in order to see what you need to do. This was one of the two times I’d have to watch ads, as they don’t shove them in your face every few seconds like most mobile games do which is rather nice. Sometimes you gain information or items that you have to use later, so it’s a good idea to keep track of what you look at.

Interrogation acts as a question-based information gathering, in which you talk to NPCs in order to gather information to use in the investigation. Like Investigation, these points are put into your notebook for later.

Infer takes the first two investigation segments and combines the information, as you now get interrogated by one of the main characters, and you must respond back with the proper information in order to make sure that this segment is successful. You are able to read back on the notes from the other segments at this point by pressing the button with the book icon in the upper right corner, as this aids you in selecting the right answers. When I first came to this section, I did feel under pressure due to it, but it was interesting to see the negative answers from the character if I got it wrong.

Exploration is another part of the game, that while outside the story, there are parts that require a certain amount of story points in order to clear ‘point blocks’. This is where you get the coins from and frankly is good to use once you have finished using all your tickets for the day and want to use the rest of the time to grind coins. During the exploration, you set up 2 characters, a place, and a set [in real life] time of how long you want them to be out and about. Depending on the number of points earned, you may earn something called a ‘mummer’, which reveals more about the characters you chose to send out, and even get dialogue of the characters interactions (which can be pretty funny in itself) that shows the dynamic of the two characters- are they friends? Are things tense? You get to learn more by sending them out together.

Artstyle

As an artist, I was incredibly pleased with the art of the game, as the characters do not look the game, there are different body types and ages (from teen to elder), you never had to look at the same face twice for two characters. I will be honest, I do wish the characters were a bit more ‘animated’ with their expressions (such as body movement when they’re feeling certain emotions), however other than that, the sprites are magnificent.

The backgrounds are also really interesting to look at and even tell so much story before you even start investigating within the investigation sections. The design team also needs props, because while a few characters are wearing similar outfits, they’re all wearing them in different ways which shows their character and even the way they probably fight. Though I will say I am a bit biased towards Takeuchi, then again, I really enjoy fun and loud characters in general, and his hair is interesting in a sea of mostly black, purple, silver or blonde hair. Maybe will make a fanart of him in the future if I learn to draw his eyepiece. (on that note, please release the full sprites for us artists to reference, we’d love you eternally for it haha).

Oh no, it’s a-

Yes, its a bit of a gacha game, however, you do not need to actually play the gachas in order to progress through the game; it mostly just unlocks bits of story for those that want to have extra stories, or just want that extra dose of dopamine (haha, me). As someone who plays gacha games ever since they turned 13, I was glad that this game isn’t actually gacha centric, and thus is very free-to-play friendly due to this.

Who would I recommend this for and would I recommend it myself?

Personally, I think this is a game that suits the niche of those that enjoy a good mystery and even play those ‘find an item’ games, mixed in with those that enjoy reading otomes and history. Maybe even someone that enjoys theatre since there’s a character that does theatre. Would I personally recommend it? Yes, I would. The game is very interesting and engaging, the staff behind the game are so lovely.

Once more, here’s the game’s website link ❤️: https://marsred-game.net/en/

#Mars Red #Mars Red: Edge of The Nightmare #otome #game review #otome review #mobile game #mobile otome

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mimiwrites2000 · 4 years

Text

Betrayal

Aruani week 2020 - Day 2 - Betrayal

AO3 ~~

Pairings: Armin x Annie

Rating: Mature

Words count: 4223

Summary:

They met in an alley, a narrow, foul-smelling passageway, in the middle of a cold night

A few months later, he found himself walking to that place, the place where his life crumbled and was reborn, and just like last time, she was waiting for him.

a journey of lies and deception, desires and emotions

He walked down the street, one street-light bulb was flickering on and off with blips. Loud, tall buildings contouring both sides of the road, fluorescent squares of college students’ rooms queued in lines, inundating the moon’s light. The music gashing from cheap speakers leached out from the opened windows, belching ear-deafening tunes by another random mainstream singer, disturbing the serene night. The startling, overabundant alcohol aroma could be smelled from where he stood, mixed with a suspicious scent of sweat and other things he didn’t want to think about.

It was surreal how this exact same place, a few months ago, was vacant, deserted, abandoned enough to commit a crime and get away with it, a perfect place to find a victim bleeding to death.

He turned right and stepped into an alley, so narrow, invisible to anyone who didn’t know it existed, dumpsters crammed in crocked lines, a black cat jumped from one, sneering at the unwanted invader. A tiny circle of an igniting orange made him aware that he wasn’t alone, that yet again, she was here before him.

“You’re late,” she said, letting out a breath of smoke, he smelled strawberry, adding another aroma to the blend, this type of cigarettes that he never heard of before, with fruity flavors, masking these deathly pillars with sweet, sweet aromas, feigning a compelling innocence.

“I’m not, you’re just early,” he retorted, stepping towards her. Red cascades leaked through the cracks in the concrete walls, smearing the ground, his ears picked up the whiny voices of a victim, calling for help- he shook his head; the red and the voices vanished, he knew he was hallucinating, maybe depriving himself of sleep for the past three days finally exacerbated his senses, or maybe awakened old memories from the depths of his unconscious mind, memories that he tried to bury and forget they existed.

In the reflected light of the moon, he watched how her fingers delicately curled around the pillar of paper, her scarlet-drawn lips circling around the tip, before another cloud of fatal fumes left her lungs. The sting aroma of iron sliced through the air, red, thick moisture oozed from between her fingers and from her eyes, trickling down her pale cheeks before dripping onto the ground, mixing with the excess stench water of botched trash bags, its intense color fading.

He shook his head again, and the blood disappeared, the artificial-strawberry smoke infiltrating his nostrils. He forced his attention back on why he came here in the first place, he promised himself to finish the business, easy and quick.

She lobbed the burnt cigarette on the ground and stomped it with her leather boots, leaving it crinkled-dead on the ground as she took her time striding to him, her arms crossed, and her hips swaying.

He didn’t move, but his eyes caught the rim of her red and black checkered knee-length skirt move from side to side as she inched closer to him. If he doesn’t say anything, he will lose again to her, he will surrender to her touch and get lost in her eyes, so he greeted her: “Annie.”

“Ah, I see you’ve discovered my real name,” Annie mimicked, a smirk in her voice, even though her face was as stoic as a stone, “didn’t like Maddie? I thought it suited me.” She halted two steps away from him, looking straight into his eyes, the only resemblance between them, those ocean blue eyes.

“It wasn’t hard to know who you truly are, you’re not exactly secretive,” He was trying hard to not glance at her lips.

“I am, I am,” Annie contradicted, “you just did your homework of digging into files, or did you…” she took another step, close enough to feel his breath on her face, and she heard his heart racing in his chest, “or did a little friend of yours help you?”

“I don’t need help from anyone,” unlike you, he almost spat out, but he held himself from doing so, he still had a lot to glean out of her, one step at a time.

Annie raised an impressed eyebrow at him, with a fake preaching voice she praised: “Look at your smart ass, I wonder what else you know, you’re smarter than you let on,” She eyed him up and down, he was wearing a dark blue suit with the jacket on, even though it was a hot, humid summer night, but the upper buttons of his shirt were left undone, no tie to be seen.

“I’m a respected scientist.”

Annie hummed.

“I graduated from Harvard.” He added.

“Same goes for me.”

He snorted, an actual, authentic laugh, she was a professional liar, one who slipped lies as if they were nothing, she could concoct anecdotes that never existed, she could fathom a smile that was no different from a candid one, hiding her poisonous fangs behind her lips, she could cry tears of pain that she never went through, she could feign the role of a victim, lay on the ground in this same alley, drenched in her own blood, crying in soft, hurt moans, praying someone would peak into this unseen passageway. She would mistake a drunk man to be her knight in shining armor, or two college students whom hormones were out of control to be two angels who descended from heaven to save her.

Annie clicked her tongue and pouted: “Someone didn’t do their homework good.” She ran her tongue on the inside of her upper row of her white-pearl teeth, an apprehensive expression on her face, but he couldn’t tell if it was fake or real, “I remember you, you used to wear glasses.”

He froze, his heart skipped a beat and shuffled through the following three.

“You were always rushing from one class into the other, you must’ve had a busy schedule.”

He swallowed.

“No wonder we graduated in the same year, even though I’m a year older than you.”

He remembered, and he wished he didn’t.

He took a step backwards, this closeness to her made his mind buzz with timely-wrong thoughts, things he shouldn’t think about when he was in the presence of this woman.

He cleared his throat, he tapped the heels of his feet on the ground, shifting his weight from one foot to the other: “Technology? Really? Is that what you wasted four years studying?” he knew his words were in vain, he knew exactly why she majored in that, she was the living proof that computers will take over humanity in no time.

That a time will come when privacy will be a fantasy humans can only daydream about, that holding a phone is no different than holding a bomb, a place where all your info rests unbothered, until the delicate fingers of a hacker taps some keys in a remote place, and everything you once had, is gone.

Same goes for teenagers, business companies, doctors, or maybe a conservative, illegal lab.

“I missed my graduation,” Annie dodged his question, her head lolling to the side, her lower lip curling outward.

She’s faking hurt, again, he had to remind himself, otherwise he would trust her external emotions, “Let me guess, you were busy hacking into a bank or something?”

Annie gasped and put her hand on her chest, right above her heart: “How dare you?! I was beside my father before he died.”

“That’s a lie-”

“How can you be this heartless?”

The crack in her voice, the blip on the last syllable, all was an Oscar-worthy act.

She sniffled, though no tears were seen, before she shook her head and scrounged: “I thought you were the good person.”

For a moment, he wanted to strangle her throat and shake her until everything he needed to know was out of her, to shake off all this charade she was putting up, this charade that got worn out and had holes in it, or maybe it was already shredded from the beginning but he was too blind to see it. He blamed her hands, her soft touch, her moist lips, he blamed her, she was the one who blocked his vision, the one who blurred his world into a dizzy, vast rollercoaster loop, a never ending one.

But this was the end of this wild ride, and he was getting off of it soon enough.

Annie didn’t wait for an answer, she walked past him, but he was quick to react.

With one swift motion, he pushed her to the wall, slamming her back into it, she gasped, and before she could fight back, he held both her wrists above her head, “In a hurry to see Reiner and Bert?” he sneered through his teeth.

Even if it was swift, he glimpsed panic flash in her eyes, and he knew he hit a nerve.

“Looking for your next victim?” He hit the nerve again when he felt her pulse quicken underneath his grasp.

“Says whom? The one who plays with chemicals?”

For the first time since the beginning of the meeting, he heard her tone change dramatically; abhor soaking each syllable, her voice was choked behind her teeth, her breath was hot on his face.

“You can’t get enough, Arlert,” She seethed, venom dripping from her tongue when she said his name, hatred enveloped her first phrase.

Arlert rose his eyebrows, he was trying to keep his cool, to not lose it, so he focused on one thing: “You finally said my name, my real name that you knew from the start, from that night.”

That night, when he found her in this alley in a puddle of red, her limbs twisted in pain. He wanted to call 911, but she didn’t let him, she begged and pleaded with him to not call anyone, tears of implore mixing with tears of pain, merging with the trails of blood on her cheeks, before her eyes rolled to the back of her skull, and her body slackened against his own.

That night, he carried her home, he showered her in his bathtub, cleaned her cuts and washed dried blood off her cheeks and out of her hair, cleaned her clothes in his washer, and tucked her in his blankets, on his own bed.

“Huh,” Annie ’s voice brought him back from the far lane of his memories, “you’re used to being called Mr. Arlert, aren’t you? The way they call you at work.” her nose was pointing to the sky, “do they pay you enough?” she asked, “do they?”

“It’s rude to ask people how much they earn.”

“Or maybe it’s rude to ask people how much they get for altering humans’ genes?”

Her comment threw Arlert off, and in a second, their positions were switched; his back pressed into the wall, the ragged stone digging into his skin through the thick fabric of his suit.

His heart was beating against his ribcage, each beat sending painful jolts into his veins, and he finally saw the fang sticking out from beneath her smirk, that fang that she kept well hidden from him.

His knees shook under his weight that seemed to amplify under her glare, her hands on his shoulders screwing him in his place, and he wasn’t scared because she exposed him, he knew before-hand that she sneaked into each notch of his files and belongings, that she most likely memorized every substance in the countless drugs he made, the names of his crewmates, and the names of the hostages that were experimented on.

After all, one hostage must have meant something to her.

She had enough time to dive deep inside of him; to uncover every secret about him, she had four full months to do so, and she didn’t waste a minute of them.

She slept in his bed for these four months, had three meals on his dining table daily, she no longer was a guest, he got too accustomed to her presence that he couldn’t imagine how he managed to live on his own before.

But here he was, imprisoned in her cage-alike arms.

Annie glided down her hands down his chest, and even though she was no longer pining him down, he couldn’t get himself to move, to shift a limb, or unclench a finger from his clutched fists beside him.

She rubbed small circles on his shirt, watching how the fabric dented under her fingers, and she imagined them on his bare skin, trailing shapes on his chest, on his back, on his cheeks and running through his short, blond hair.

Beneath the shirt, thunder-shaped fire was kindled on his skin in the trace of her finger tips, the skin burned and charred, but he didn’t move, he didn’t run even after she pressed her thigh into his, and he felt a cold, hard thing pushing into his flesh.

Annie waited for a reaction, a flicker of an eyelid, a twitch of a lip, a quick breath, but nothing.

She smirked, so even after he knew she was armed, that she had a gun in her hand reach, he kept his I’m-cool act up, “You’ve got guts,” she said, not backing away from him, but she did lean her weight off of him.

Arlert almost breathed in relief; her body against him was making his already fucked up mind buzz with horrible thoughts that he shouldn’t be occupied with while his life was on stakes.

But he didn’t get to relish in it; Annie stepped on her toes and bent closer to his face, her hands resting on his shoulder once again, though this time her touch was soft, delicate, like a feather, and even though he knew it was hopeless, a tiny candle of hope was lit inside of him, a tiny farfetched wish that maybe, he could get her back to him.

The sirens in his mind belched and ordered him to turn his head away from her, to do something about her, to not surrender, but he was too frozen to oblige; and when Annie brushed her fingers against his lips, these sirens were too loud to comprehend what they were shouting anymore.

“You’re not running, you’re too used to it,” Annie looked into his eyes, and something flashed inside of them, a thing so intense, a thing that was her only fear. She escaped his gaze and averted her eyes, leaning towards the lob of his ear, a smirk pulled on her lips when she got a shudder from him, and she was itching to weaken him further, to make him crumble and bow to her, to melt him into a puddle underneath her feet and watch her reflection in it staring back at her.

She pressed her lips against his ear and whispered: “You got used to that.”

“Stop it.” Arlert teemed from between his teeth, his fists clutching tighter, he thought his fingers’ bones would crush under the pressure.

“You liked it when I called out your name,” she pressed her frame into his, her voice dropping lower, her cheek rubbing against his, “when I moaned your name-”

“Stop it.”

“In your bed.”

His back was as stiff as the stone behind it, the heel of his feet digging into the solid concrete ground beneath, his teeth gritting into a powder, and his breath was quick and shallow, his ears drumming each time his heart sent blood circulating in his veins.

His hands on his sides sweating and on fire, they were near the edge of sprouting up and engulfing her frame, to run them all over her back and in her hair, to feel his skin against her, her body arching into his, pressed into his, his fingers emitting notes from her that were music to his ears.

Just like that night.

“Armin,” Annie whispered, so low, her voice breathy, her fingers trailing down his neck, “Armin,” she planted an open-mouth kiss on his neck, and he trembled, “Armin,” her fingers reached the short hair of his undercut, “Armin.”

“Stop.”

She stopped.

But her hands on him lingered.

Armin, who squeezed his eyes shut, was trying to control his breathing, trying to slow it into a rhythmic melody, but it was impossible with Annie this close to him, he wanted her to step away from him, to let him breathe.

But he also didn’t want to let her go, if anything, he wanted to wipe that ridiculous red lipstick and break the tie holding her hair up in that small, tight bun, he wanted to repeat what he did the morning preceding that night, bring her breakfast in his bed, feed her with his hands, and listen to her story, pausing every now and then to wipe her tears with his fingers, until her tears were spent and her story was told.

He shook his head, all of it was a lie, he couldn’t let himself fall into that deep hole again, it took him long enough to pull himself out from it, it was all a lie.

Annie withdrew from Armin, and he couldn’t hold back a tiny sigh of relief, but when he opened his eyes, he wished he didn’t close them in the first place.

Her hair was down, and the blood-red lipstick was smeared around her lips in a failed attempt to wipe it off, leaving a trail of smudged red on her sleeve.

He really shouldn’t have closed his eyes, he shouldn’t have given her another chance to deceive him, to curl her snake-tail around the last bit of his senses.

When he looked into her eyes, they were dead, prosaic, and they didn’t suit her shoulder-length golden hair, her angel-sculpted face, these were the eyes of a criminal hunting the only good memory he had of her.

And he wanted to lurch his fingers into her eyes sockets and embowel them of these foreign eyes.

Without breaking eye contact, she reached beneath her knee-length skirt and pulled out the gun he felt a minute ago and pointed it right between his eyes.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” Annie said, watching Armin’s eyes widen, the truth that he’s living his last moments sinking in.

Armin closed his eyes, feeling the cold metal pressing between his eyebrows, and counted.

One

Two

Three

Blue

Four

Soft

Six

Golden

No, five

Gracious

Seven

Eight

A click of a gun

Nine

“I really loved you that night,” she confessed.

Ten

The cold metal was no longer on his forehead, and when Armin opened his eyes, Annie was pointing the gun to the sky.

And the look in her eyes, a sad blue streaked by darker ocean-like hue, and maybe it was a trick of light, but he could swear he saw them glistening with tears.

“I really did,” She said, before she pulled the trigger, a wire shooting from the gun barrel, clutching into something above with a clink, and in a second, she was no longer standing in front of him.

A minute, five minutes, an hour, or maybe a couple, Armin lost track of time and sense, and he wasn’t snapped out of it until he heard the sirens of police echoing in the distance.

His legs were numb, and his throat was dry.

Armin walked out the alley the exact moment the cars pulled out next to it, he was tired, so tired, he just wanted to go back home and sleep for three days straight, but he knew he won’t be getting any rest for some time.

“Put your hands up!” A female voice commanded, and Armin acted like he was told.

Multiple uniformed police officers bolted out the car, one of them got closer to him, her gun already pointed at him, but the moment she got a clearer look at who he was, she dropped the gun and placed it in the waist belt she was wearing.

“What exactly happened in there? Are you ok?” She said, she gestured for the other police officers to go into the alley. Even though she was much taller than Armin, she had to bend her back to get a look at his tilted down face.

“I’m sorry, I failed, Mikasa,” Armin said, he finally looked up, his eyes looking straight into hers, and he didn’t realize that he probably looked like shit until he noticed her frowned eyebrows.

“We thought something bad happened to you,” Mikasa sighed, “the mic, we could no longer hear you and-”

“What?” Armin asked, his hands already reaching into the fold of his jacket’s collar, before his fingers touched the small circular device.

“We didn’t lose connection, but the sound suddenly got muffled and- oh.”

Mikasa got her answer as Armin held up the tiny, wireless device, now covered with dough-like substance.

“Shit,” Armin hissed and wrangled the tinkered-into-uselessness device to the ground, he ran his fingers over his sculp, tugging at the roots of his blonde hair, he turned around from Mikasa and huffed, not only did he fail to rat out Annie to the police, a wanted hacker that they couldn’t catch for years, but this hacker knew all about his plan from the very beginning.

She knew he was mic-ed, and she knew he was there to betray her.

Just like she betrayed him.

“What about the tracking device?” Mikasa inquired, crossing her arms.

“What about it?” Armin regretted the question the moment it left his mouth.

“You tell me, we found it two miles from here down the street, and we were in full panic mode because we had no idea the whereabout of you and her.”

“Oh…” Armin’s mind was short-circuiting with all the excuses he prepared for this question, but unlike when he first thought of them, now they sounded lame and unreal.

“Besides,” Mikasa took a step closer to him, looking around, making sure that her words were audible to only him, “what’s going on between you two?”

Answers rolled in his head one by one.

Lovers? No, too cheerful, too innocent.

Friends? Friends don’t strip you and fuck you senseless.

Enemies? That’s a strong term to describe what they had.

“I was behind her father’s death,” he didn’t choose to say it, nor did he think of it, it just slipped off his tongue.

Mikasa’s eyes widened, she blinked, and crooked her head to the side, as if waiting for Armin to tell her it was all a joke of some horrible sense of humor.

When he didn’t budge, she inched closer to him and whispered: “Does anyone know about it?”

Armin shook his head.

“Let’s keep it that way, you already have enough on your shoulders, and you breached our contract; you get her, we let you go, but if you don’t…” Mikasa sighed and pulled out the cuffs hanging from her waist, and Armin, without questioning it, held out his hands to her, “Armin Arlert, you’re under arrest for helping out a wanted criminal, and for illegal experiments in an unauthorized lab.”

Armin let out a slow, long breath; even though his life technically was over, and his career had turned into dust, a sense of relief washed over him.

All of it was over.

No more stressing out about being caught, no more pressure to keep working from the shadows.

He knew this would happen one day; he knew it too well.

It was just a matter of time.

Guilt gnawed at his stomach as he saw disappointment in Mikasa’s eyes, his childhood friend taking his hand and guiding him to prison, the place where he would most likely spend the rest of his life in.

How ironic.

She opened the passenger door of the police car for him, he got in and before she closed the door she whispered: “Don’t worry, I got you.”

Mikasa tapped on the car’s roof, and the wheels started spinning; Armin in the backseat, his hands cuffed, and a police officer taking him to wherever next was to happen to him.

Armin threw his head back and let out a groan, he fluttered his eyes shut, trying to let the events of this one night to sink in, this was all just a nightmare, an actual real life nightmare that he was trying to avoid it for the past nine years or more, but here he was in the back seat of a police car, alone, waiting for whatever the next days held for him-

Wait

He was alone.

In the backseat.

Who in hell would let someone under arrest alone in a car with just one police officer, who had their hands full with driving?

Armin looked into the rear mirror and was met with piercing blue eyes, already watching him.

Ones that were similar to his own eyes, but female features framed them.

Armin’s jaw opened; this nightmare was only getting ridiculous with each passing minute.

There was no way Annie Leonhart was in a police officer attire and driving this car.

But she took off the hat, flung it outside the window, and her golden locks flew around her face, and Armin wasn’t mistaken; it was her, and her only.

Annie put a shushing finger on her lips, before she turned her gaze back on the road.

Armin slanted back in the seat, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

UM HELLO

ok wow I'm so excited that I've finally shared this with yall, it's really something new to me and certainly out of my comfort zone

I really hope you liked it and I hope I delivered the story in an understandable, clear way, because as I said, this is new to me, feedback is appreciated!!

OK HELLO GUYS COME JOIN ME ON TWITTER UWU

sometimes I post art there, warning: I'm not good at it

one last thing, this was written for Aruani week 2020 on tumblr, go through the hashtag and see what others created! really awesome art so I highly recommend

ok that's it have a good day/night

byyeeee

#Aruani #armin arlert #Annie Leonhardt #annie x armin #aruaniweek2020 #aot fanfiction #aot #snk #uwu I'm nervous

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originofjaehyun · 4 years

Text

Interlude: No More Drama | Part 1 | Elevator (127F)

Interlude: No More Drama Masterlist

Word count: 2,180

Warnings: Suggestive, cigarettes, and it gets pretty hot passionate towards the end lol. Plus, I didn’t proofread this.

Part 1 | Elevator (127F)

“Can’t take it anymore, just follow me”

“Cheers to the happy couple!”

Soojung raised her glass high, followed by your friends and of course you. Hanbyul and Mingyu, your highschool (best) friend, have been dating for years and after constant whining from the rest of the gang, they have finally become husband and wife last week.

You weren’t feeling it that night though, for one reason to another. You decided to come because Hanbyul has been your best friend as far as you can remember, and bailing the night out is definitely not an option for you. You raised your G&T as the other follows with the same drinks.

“To a happy marriage!” Soyou continues.

“To a happy marriage!” the rest follows.

You drink the liquid on your glass, regretting that you actually participated on the cheers when it is your third glass of G&T, after two shots of tequila and a glass of wine. You drink with your eyes wide open when you locked gaze with a man just across your table that happens to sip a drink that coincidentally at the same time with you. You are tipsy, that you are aware, as you tried to make a guess on what drink he’s been holding. From the color, it is probably a whiskey highball, but you decided not to attempt on making any more guesses as your vision went blur and you started to talk nonsense, saying how much you love the couple.

You are able to hold your drink, but Soyou, who is self-proclaimed the event organizer for the night determined that the night is still young as she suddenly brought another bottle of gin. Your drinking resume has been quite clean, and this night is definitely not that night where you want to ruin it.

“Where are you going?” Hanbyul asked you, as you briskly tried to leave the place without spoiling the mood. Everybody is queuing as they wait for their turn to pour their serving of gin.

“Cigarette break, I felt quite tipsy already. I’ll come back when I sobered up.”

“You definitely not going back home sober, my dear friend.” She retaliates.

You laughed, “More like I can’t, Hanbyul. I know by the time I came back you’re going to fill my glass to the brim.”

“But another gulp of alcohol would force me to vomit everything out. So I’ll pause for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

You brought your phone and your pack cigarette. You walked towards the balcony, and you regret your choice of clothing immediately. It was one of the nicest bars in Seoul, where it is located on a rooftop at one of the high-rises in the middle of the city. You can practically see the skyline of the city from here, and for that reason, Soyou booked the party here because she said there’s no way we’re celebrating this big of a celebration at some mediocre bar. Semi-formal attire is needed if you want to enter the bar, so you decided to wear a black halter top that leaves a one-third part of your back exposed, paired them with white cigarette trousers and a pair of black mules. The wind at this height is really harsh, but you really need a fresh breeze anyway.

You tucked your phone on one of the pockets of your trousers, slip the white stick in-between your lips as you franticly tried to find your lighter that is nowhere to be found. You must’ve left them in your bag and now you have to walk all the way back to your table.

“Looking for a lighter?”

The owner of the voice standing right next to you, with a lighter on his hand. His voice was deep and velvety, like a rich and smooth hot chocolate.

“Oh!” You flinched because you didn’t realize a figure was there next to you.

“Actually, yes. Thanks.” You took the lighter out of his hand, as you flick it and revealed the color of amber.

He chuckled, revealing dimples on both of his cheeks, enough to make your heart flutter. He dressed up very neatly, a high profile, you must say, so him having a set of dimples that are so adorable is definitely unexpected. “No problem.”

He took back the lighter as you returned it to him, while he took his own cigarette out of his jacket and light up the white stick and puffed out smokes out of his lips.

Fuck, that’s hot. You thought to yourself.

“Sorry?” He said while taking the stick out of his mouth with his index and middle fingers.

Realized you probably blurted the words out instead of keeping it inside your brain, you inhaled your cigs, making a few seconds of silence. “Oh, nothing.” You lied, as you don’t want to come off as a flirty woman that flirts with anyone. Though you know he would probably hear of those words millions time already. He might not be the hottest person in the world, but he is most definitely the most attractive man you’ve ever encountered.

“I swear I thought I heard you said ‘Fuck, that’s hot’. Am I hearing things?” He repeated your words. As he saw your ears turned bright red, he knows he’s not just hearing things. He lets out a devilish smirk. “Is that for me?”

Seeing there’s no way you could escape his teasing, you just admit the truth, “There’s no one else nearby right?” as you take another sip from your cigs.

His eyes widened with your directness. He pushes the smoke away before letting his words out of his mouth. “For the record,” He said while inhaling another sip, “You’re just as hot.”

You felt your face is like on fire. Not sure because of the alcohol that starts to kick in or because a very handsome man just told you that you’re hot. Before you guys could continue to converse, your phone starts to vibrate and you saw your best friend name on the screen.

“Hello?”

“[Y/N]? Where are you?”

“I told you I’m smoking outside. I’ll be there in a minute, I’m halfway done.” As you saw the light is already midway from the cigarette you’re holding.

“Ok, later can you please help me bring Soyou’s bag downstair? She’s so drunk right now and passed out at the toilet. Mingyu and Seojun helped me carried her down, I think Seojun will have to drive her back. The rest are still upstairs, but they’ve been jugging down that fucking bottle of gin like crazy and I think you are the soberest person. At least you picked up my phone.”

You can’t help but laugh. “Hanbyul, I’m this tipsy and I’m the soberest? You better not hire Soyou for the next event you’re going to hold.”

“I know right? There’s no need to rush, finish up your cig. We’re already inside Seojun’s car anyway.”

After saying your goodbye, you took another sip of your cig as the person next to you starts to open up another conversation with you.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, except my friend just passed out.”

“Do you need any help?” He said, genuinely concerned.

You smiled at him, “I’m good, I just need to bring her bag downstairs to the car. Also, didn’t you come here with your friends?”

“So you were watching me?” He smirked again.

“Well, you hit me first, sir.” you scoffed.

He pushed his cigarette butt to the nearby ashtray, “So I wasn’t wrong when I felt we locked gaze inside. Come on, let me help you out.” as he used his eye gesture to tell you to finish up your cigarette.

You’re a bit iffy with this man. Why would a stranger help you out anyway? You didn’t realize you knotted your brows together.

“I just can’t leave a woman alone, it would leave a bad taste on my mouth. Also, it seems like the rest of your gang are having the best time of their life to give you a helping hand.”

You took a peek inside and confirmed that what he said was true. Soojung and Yerim are already flirting with don’t-know-whos, while Junhoe making sure the table is still occupied while he continues to drink. You couldn’t help but sigh at the sight.

“Let’s go.” He nods his head at the direction of your table, making sure you followed him.

He told you he would wait in front of the elevator, as you go back to your table to take Soyou’s bag. You told Junhoe briefly what Hanbyul said to you and he just nods in agreement.

His eyes sparkled as he saw you walk, approaching him. That gaze sends a shiver to your spines.

“All good?”

“Yea, they’re having a blast when their friend is practically blacked out.” You said in a sarcastic tone. Both of you are laughing with your remarks.

Then you saw the buttons are not lighting up, meaning he hasn’t pushed it to make the elevator come and pick you guys up. Maybe he was a bit tipsy too, so he forgot? You thought to yourself while spreads your arms out to push the button. He stopped you before you could.

“Are you having a blast, too?” He asked while holding your hand, and you swore to high heaven it is as seems like he has watched you since the beginning, how you didn’t feel like partying tonight, how off you were during that party.

“It’s my best friend’s wedding celebration, how could I not?” You said, but your tone was contradicting with the sentence. Realizing there’s no point lying to a – technically a stranger you just met, you actually feel liberated to just tell him the truth. “I just don’t feel like partying tonight, but I can’t skip this or else she would kill me.”

“Do you want to have a good time?” He said, straight to your eyes. By then you know exactly what he meant. You weren’t sure, you never did this before. You are always very careful with your previous relationships, making sure you know who the person you’re dating and their background and you’re not the type of person who would freefall without knowing you have a safety net underneath. But somehow, probably the alcohol really pushed a side that even you don’t know, makes you want to taste him back. You give him a nod of approval. He smirked, but you are sure his gaze is able to gobble you up.

“I’m going to press the button and when the elevator comes and it doesn’t feel right, you can push me away.”

He pressed the button and as if he doesn’t want to lose any more second, he pulls you closer to him and kissed you. It was gentle at first, but as the numbers go higher, he got more and more passionate with his kiss. You pulled him closer, as you put both of your hand on his cheek, welcoming every inch of his lips. He knows you want more, and you can feel his tongue starts to slither inside your own, exploring it with all his might. You embraced it, and every time you did you left a small soft moan, enough to make him want you even more. He lowers his hands that were originally on your hips, squeezing your ass, making you moan louder. Not that you care that much, the music was loud enough to cover your moans. There was no one in front of the elevator, it was the peak of the night and all of the attention was to the DJ inside.

You didn’t want to be the only one who feels good, and you started to touch him too. After destroying his well-styled hair, you move your hands down to his pecs, and you can tell he keeps himself fit, as it was rock-solid. As you move your hands lower, you can hear him hissed in pleasure, but refuses to let go of your lips. He wants to consume you and drained every essence of you. Delighted that he feel what you’ve felt, you pressed him closer, pulling the belt on his trousers, ready for more.

Ding!

The sound of the elevator coming separated you. It was an abrupt way to end a kiss and both of you can’t help to giggle. You sound so cute to him, and he gently stroke your head, cleaning up the mess he made to your hair.

“That was awesome.” He said, eyes stare at you lovingly.

“I share the sentiment.” You said as you fix his hair too while waiting for the elevator to open. Once you start walking inside of the elevator, he follows you while chuckling.

“You know, I never learn your name. Mine is Jaehyun, by the way.”

“Don’t you think we messed up the step?” You sneer. “It’s [Y/N].”

Both of you are now inside, and as he about to press the button to the parking lot, he looked at you and you know exactly what he had intended.

“One more time.”

#jaehyun #jaehyun scenario #jaehyunxreader #fluff jaehyun #smut jaehyun #nct #nct fic #nct fluff #nct 127 #interlude no more drama #jaehyun fic #nct scenario #jung jaehyun #jeong jaehyun #inmd #neo zone #elevator #elevator 127F

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black-streak · 5 years

Text

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting (but Sundays are meant for rest) - The Beginning

Part 1

So I came up with this partially fleshed out idea on discord and decided to try writing a prequel of sorts to my HCs? Anyways, Mari is like 20ish and Tim is around 25 here. Pre-relationship.

~---~

Marinette would forever be grateful that she had memorized the layout of the manor back in her first few visits. Otherwise she would have been absolutely lost by now; her sleep addled mind unwilling to give a single thought as to where she was walking. The only thought she could process was a cry for coffee whispering like a mantra through the back of her mind.

Turning a seemingly random corner, she found herself in the side kitchen standing in front of the coffee maker, already holding a fresh pot of the heavenly smelling life elixir. Okay, that's a bit dramatic, but whatever, it's 3 am and she's entitled to her theatrics.

Pouring a cup into her favorite mug, having had it appear before her despite not recalling retrieving it, she held it close and made way to the sit-in table, slumping down into the closest seat.

It took about 10 minutes and half her mug down to realise she wasn't alone in the room. Turning her head slightly, she spotted Tim typing away at his laptop, his own mug just to the right of her arm.

'When the hell did he get there?' She couldn't remember hearing any footsteps or the coffee pot pouring but then… she also didn't remember turning it on…. 'He's been here the whole time, hasn't he?'

Turning back towards her own, she finished off the cup and got up to retrieve the pot, moving over to fill both of their mugs before returning it to its holder only to drop back into her seat beside him, leaning closer to see what he was working on.

"Thanks."

Jumping slightly, she just blinked at him for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

"Couldn't sleep?" Tim glanced at her, inquiry quiet and half incoherent in its murmur.

Humming softly she considered before truthfully admitting, "Rarely can."

"Damian asleep then?"

"Probably."

"You're not sure?"

"Didn't want to check his room and bother him if he was. Plus, he'd be cranky if I woke him for no reason."

That seemed to catch Tim's attention for whatever reason, because he turned his eyes off the document to look at her fully now.

"You don't sleep in his room?"

"Nah. I tend to cuddle in my sleep and he can't stand being confined like that. Puts him on edge, I think."

That only prompted an even more perplexed look from him. Unable to process that with so little sleep, she turned back to looking over his shoulder, trying to read what Tim was working on. Giving up, she looked back up to him.

"Whatcha working on?"

"Eh, just some last minute paperwork for a new deal WE is suppose to be negotiating next week."

"... At 3am?"

"You judging me," he asked, lifting one eyebrow slightly in amusement at the hypocrisy.

"You said the deal is for next week."

"It is. But if I get it done now, it's one less thing to stress over at the last second."

"But if you read it on a sleep deprived mind, you're less likely to recall anything you typed up. Meaning you'll have to reread it…. And depending on how dead tired you are, might have to rewrite it. Who knows what sleepy you thinks makes a good deal?"

"Hey! Sleepy me is perfectly capable of working without my brain's input."

Leaning over the counter to rest on her crossed arms, Mari tilted her head slightly to pout up at him.

"Yes but perhaps it'd be best to do so tomorrow and get your brain's input at the same time to save time? Come on, just put on a video or something mindless. I'll keep you company."

Her logic was sound. There was no argument Tim could give that would actually work in his favor on the matter, but hearing a slight sigh of defeat still gave her an immense sense of victory. Peering over at her, he decided turnaround was fair.

"Alright… but if we're not going to work, you should be trying to sleep. Im cutting you off." He said, pulling her mug out of her reach only to find it empty. Sighing, he moved to set it in the sink only to see her take up his own, carrying it over as well.

"In that case, so should you," she smirked, washing out both mugs and setting them to dry before taking up his laptop, grabbing his wrist, and tugging him towards the living room.

'How did I not see that coming? That was the obvious outcome… when Was the last time I slept,' Tim wondered, not really paying mind to Mari as she situated them both on the couch, turning the screen to face them both from the coffee table, youtube pulled up and a vine compilation being queued up to play.

…..

Half an hour later, the two were passing jokes back and forth, sleepy giggles and references whispered into the dark room, laptop forgotten and asleep before them, both too out of it to think of moving back to their rooms. Only to be broken up by a mewling yawn, Mari slumping further down, sleep finally pulling at her.

It didn't quite hit Tim that something about the situation was slightly off till Marinette curled into him from where he slouched into the corner of the couch, head dropping onto his chest.

Ah, Fuck. Damian was going to kill him.

Nudging her slightly till she hummed to him, he tried to gently wake her back up fully.

"Mari, shouldn't you go back to your room now?"

It had the opposite effect.

Mari sprung up, eyes wide, blush flushing up her cheeks, seemingly not having realized she had been cuddling up to him till just then.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable! I keep forgetting you guys like warning beforehand. Either way I should have asked if you minded though. That was so invasive of me and the last thing I want is to invade your space when it's not warranted or wanted. I promise it won't happen again Tim, I'm so sorry."

Finally stopping to take a deep breath from her rambling, Tim jumped in, panicking to think he was causing her distress.

"No no, Marinette, it's fine! You're a very tactile person and frankly I don't mind it. I just know Damian wouldn't like finding you cuddling up to me, or anyone for that matter, especially in the middle of the night when he thought you were in your room, that's all."

That seemed to stop her in her tracks. Settling back down, she fixed him with a thrown look.

"I mean… I know Dami can be protective at times, but I don't think he'd be that upset by it. Maybe a touch put off, but I think he'd tease me more than anything?"

Now he was thrown for a loop. This went against everything he knew about his little brother… that could only mean bad things.

"... Really."

"Yeah, as I said, he knows I'm a cuddly person when I'm tired. Plus, your his brother. At least he knows and trusts you. He'd just make fun of me for being so clingy. Sorry again about that by the way."

Narrowing his eyes, Tim couldn't see a hint that she was lying, but still he had to push to be sure. The last thing he needed was Damian to feel like his position was being threatened. That's what sparked their rivalry the first time after all.

"Hmm... I took Damian to be the possessive type. Especially over someone he was seeing. Trust me, Mari, he's not going to like his girlfriend cuddling anyone. Especially not me."

"Holy Tikki, what?!"

"Tikki?"

" You think… you think Dami and I are dating?!?!"

"Be quiet, you're going to wake someone up!" He rushed out, trying to cover her mouth, only for her to evade, eyes blown wide with shock but still aware enough to dodge his grip.

"No, hold up. You seriously thought we were together?" She spoke in a startled tone, grabbing at his hands to make him stop reaching at her face and concentrate on her words.

Finally giving up on keeping her quiet, Tim actually started processing her words.

"You're… not?"

"No! Of course not! Did he say we were?"

"Well no but… I just assumed. He doesn't like anyone and yet acts like your his personal sunshine."

Giggling, she shook her head, settling back into the couch at his side.

"Yeah, that's only in front of others. Says no one needs to know what a chaotic being I am. His words not mine."

"Oh. So you guys really aren't..?"

"Nope," she chuckled, popping the p, slowly curling back into his side.

Stopping abruptly, she pulled back a bit and glanced up to him, blush dusting the top of her freckled cheeks.

"Is.. Is this okay?"

Now assured that he wouldn't be promptly attacked just for letting Marinette near him, he couldn't see why not. Plus, she obviously took comfort in it and needed sleep. Who knows if she'll find any alone in her room. Wrapping an arm around her and tugging her slowly down, he nodded.

"I already told you I don't mind. Plus, your warm."

Humming her thanks, she burrowed herself under his chin and promptly passed out, Tim following only moments after.

…..

Tim woke up late in the morning, having slid down the cushion and twisted up his limbs with Marinette's who was still half on top of him. By some stroke of luck, they hadn't been disturbed by anyone thus yet. (Dick had already passed through and took a picture to send to the group chat. Who knew the way to make Tim sleep was to pass out on top of him?) Feeling her shift, he looked down to see bleary blue eyes blinking back at him from under messy bangs. A small smile lit her lips and she moved up giving a light kiss to the underside of his jaw, before slowly getting up.

"Thanks Tim. Probably the best sleep I've had in a long time. We should nap sometime…. Maybe watch a movie first," she suggested, flushing but sending a coy, eager look his way.

Nodding, he could only think one thing.

'Welp. She's going to be the death of me."

#timari #timinette #dc x mlb #maribat

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necros-writings · 5 years

Text

My Characters, Alive Ep. 3

(Otherwise known as the story that makes me question Ethan's heteroromantic status.)

"Hey, John, would you like to see the stars?" Ethan asked as he poked his head through the doorway of his living room.

John, without looking up from a particularly difficult lock, replied, "Sure, if you've got the cure for my blindness. Or an upgrade for my doohickey."

"Nothing so wonderful as that, but I do have something."

Cautiously, John put down the lock and his picks and looks over at Ethan. "What's this 'something' you have?"

"Come and see." Ethan ducked back into his workshop. Then looked back out at John when he didn't immediately follow. "Come on!"

"Alright alright, I'm getting up." He left behind his things and followed Ethan into the expansive room that was tinker's workshop. John had been back there so many times that if the device in his ears that allowed him to perceive the world was suddenly removed, he could still have found his way though it. But now Ethan was leading him somewhere new. He was sure there hadn't been a room before. "Ethan, what is this?"

"You'll see, just give me a minute to find the right...." He trailed off, standing before a monitor and typing away. "That should be right."

"What should be.... right..." John trails off as he beholds just what Ethan wanted to show him.

Many years ago, John had told Ethan he was blind and that he 'saw' the world around him through specially made implants in his ears that were tuned to the natural vibrations everything experienced constantly. The sounds were fed to the visual center of his brain and, with many centuries of constant training of his brain, he could perceive everything around him for, at most, 60 meters. Of course, the distance depended heavily on how fast he was moving. Walking cut it down to 50 meters. Running to 25. Being in a car? He was lucky if he could tell how many people were it with him. At around the same time, John confessed his love of the stars. He told his friend how, when he was very young, he often snuck out and sat out on a nearby beach just so he could stare up at the stars, so plentiful and bright that some nights it may as well have been day. It was what he missed most about his sight. Seeing the stars.

Months later, as an early birthday present, Ethan finished the final version of his first ever hard light projector. Which he fit into a phone, since the range was limited to just a few centimeters off its screen, and gave it to John, who was now able to use one of the humans' smartphones for the first time. Ethan was still sure John had cracked one or two of his ribs during the resulting hug.

Ethan though, being a man of natural curiosity, desire to tinker, and a need to push further, continued his work on hard light projection, ultimately culminating in a room made entirely of the projectors, capable of minutely detailed projections, accurate to the nanometer scale. And so the second ever time he turned it on, the first being a test to ensure it wouldn't explode like he thought it might, Ethan Landless decided to give his best friend in all the multiverse his stars back.

Finding out the exact coordinates of John's planet had required asking the man's brother, who Ethan may have had to bribe a little to get him to talk about their home. Then Ethan had to work out how everything had shifted in the many, many, many long millennia and then wind it back to about when he thought John was young. And then it was a matter of queuing up the simulation and pressing a button.

"It's... they're.... how did you...." John stood stock still in the room, unable to believe it. All around him were the very stars he looked up at from the little beach near his home when he was a boy. His beloved stars, and just a little bit of home, had been returned to him. And so John cried for the first time in two thousand years.

"Oh shit," Ethan said in a very rare case of him swearing, "John? I didn't... if it's too much... shit, I didn't think.... I'm so sorry, I can turn it off!" And Ethan reaches quickly for the button, only to be stopped by John and pulled into a hug, the man still sobbing.

"Thank you, thank you so much. I haven't... Creation help me, I've not seen them in so long," He got out between heaving sobs. "And you've put me right in the middle of them. You have no idea what you've given back to me."

"I think I can guess, given you could probably water crops for a year going like this." Ethan replied, smiling at the shaky laugh it pulls from his friend.

"Thank you so much for this, Ethan. You've.... Creation save me, you've given me something amazing. I don't think I could ever thank you enough for this."

"Your friendship is all the thanks I need. Besides, it's sort of an early birthday present. When I finished, I uh.... couldn't wait for another two months."

"Creation bless you, Ethan, you're a wonderful man." John still hadn't stopped crying, but now the flow of tears was more comparable to a faucet left on rather than Niagara Falls. However, he was no less overcome with emotion, as after that last sentence, he fairly well forgot how to speak any other language but his native tongue, leaving Ethan to listen as his friend rambled on in a language that greatly resembled song.

"Just thought you deserved to see them again. Wasn't anything wonderful about it." He murmured, gently rubbing John's back.

John laughed tearfully and replied with a phrase in his language. Ethan had only ever learned standard greetings and a curse word or two, so he had no idea what John just said to him. So as the two friends sat on the floor of the projection room, surrounded by the constellations of a world long gone, the words "I love you, Ethan Landless" were allowed to fade away.

#necro's writings #my writing #original fiction #original writing #short stories #I've apparently not used my personal writing tag in a very long time #but here have this

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smolbeandrabbles · 5 years

Text

Sway Pt.5 - Danny Rayburn x Reader (Bloodline)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Here / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10

Author’s Note: This is it! The infamous chapter I wrote twice!! To make up for it, I’ve added in a bunch of stuff that wasn’t there before like more Jase/Javi/Danny banter. I actually LOVE their dynamic... Yeaaah I wrote a scene based on another scene because I couldn’t HELP it. The gifs will prove that! Valentine’s Day doesn’t even necessarily have to be the setting for any of the following to happen... Only, it was near Valentine’s Day at the time and it all made a lot of sense in my head. So, celebrate Valentine’s Day a month late, why don’t you? (haha...) + Bonus. I made a Gerry reference. 😉

Disclaimer: As started before, I own nada by my OCs. I took some lyrical liberties with ‘Slow Dance in a Parking Lot’ by Jordan Davis. Sue me! Please don’t actually sue me. I finished Bloodline and it actually hurts, so, I’m going to be “stealing” a bunch of ideas/lines... Here is the very first scene stealing moment, though.

Premise: The Premise is Valentine’s Day, need I say more? I tried not to be horribly Cliche...

Word Count: 7748

Warnings: Drinking, Sexual Pre-Amble (a-la-pt-4). The knowledge this will never be as good as the version I actually deleted? I had a breakdown in the middle of my living room over that, it deserves a warning

…And I don't care what song comes next I'm falling right here, don't want a safety net. In a slow dance with you Spinning you around by the restaurant sign Moving our feet over the painted white lines Getting close to you Making the most of whatever we got Even if it's just a slow dance in a parking lot

----

I want to wear his initial On a chain round my neck, chain round my neck Not because he owns me, But 'cause he really knows me Which is more than they can say

Danny couldn’t believe that another month had flown by. As he flicked the calendars in the restaurant to February. You’d been dating since the previous summer. And things were getting serious. He couldn’t remember the last time that he had been in a relationship this long. But, he was glad for it. Jason whistled as he turned over the calendar in the kitchen; “Busiest day of the year ahead Danny! You gonna leave us in the lurch!?” Danny turned to him, confused “What?” “Valentine’s Day! C’mon man, what are you doing with Y/N!!” He turned back to the calendar, eyes wide, oh. God! “…I wasn’t going to go anywhere… I was gonna come… here… Oh my God!” “Danny!!!” Jason couldn’t believe it “Did you forget about Valentine’s Day!?” “When was the last time I ever did anything on Valentines!?” He turned to Jason “It’s always been just another day…! Crap! She’s gonna kill me!” “Probably!” Jason laughed Javier poked his head through the kitchen window at the commotion; “What is up!?” “Danny forgot Valentine’s Day.” “WHAT!?” Javier laughed “NO! Danny! THE most important day for any girl in a relationship!?” “Stop it! Both of you! What am I gonna do! I can’t leave you all – you’re right, it’s traditionally one of the busiest days of the year…! God, can I really bring her here again??”

Whilst he mulled this over in his head, half in panic, Javier disappeared from the window, and then waltzed through the kitchen doors. The grin on his face obvious with what he was going to do; “…How are you gonna approach that one?” “He’s got 14 days…” Jason folded his arms, just as intent on hearing Danny’s plan – that he had about 5 seconds to come up with… Danny put his head in his hands “I’m just gonna have to owe her big time…” He thought on it “No, maybe… Maybe I can make this right… I’ll go a little off menu… Something she’ll really like. Then in a few weeks when it isn’t so busy I’ll take her out…” “It’s almost booked up!” Javier turned to the book to check it out, and became concerned with how busy he would be that night; “I’ll find somewhere for her! It’s my place!” “…Well, You got two weeks!” Jason pointed back to the calendar he had just changed. “Don’t forget the gift! Girls love gifts!” Danny made a noise like they weren’t making it any easier, which they weren’t. Javier almost tutted “Can you imagine? Poor, poor Y/N... She'll be expecting a long-" "Loooong!" Jason chimed in, with an eyebrow wiggle "Romantic night...!" "So romantic!" Jason put his hand over his heart as Javi put an arm around him and continued; "Michelin star restaurant, Miami skyline view, Danny's money paying... The works Valentines... As only she deserves. But picture this instead..." He held his hands out emphasising the two words of the restaurant name; "Viva Caputa. Again! And two measly hours of her boyfriend’s time." Danny looked like he was on the verge of anger at their teasing, and Javier narrowly missed the towel that was thrown his way. "You two are SO not getting paid this month!" "What!! DANNY!!" "OH! NO!!" But he cracked a smile and laughed anyway "You fuckin' deserve it! Overtime. Neither of you are getting on dates either!" "Oh! Just another romantic evening with Danny Rayburn - lucky us!!" Javier laughed at Jason's statement as he left the kitchen: "We’ll be Danny's dates! We’ll actually see more of him than she will..!" "Javi, don't you have tables to wait!?" "I'm going!" He called back as the doors swung closed behind him. "Good cuz I don't pay you to stand and chat!" "You just said you weren't paying us." Danny gave Jason a warning look "You can get back to work and all!" Jason beamed; "I love you too Danny!"

* You rolled your car to a stop outside his restaurant later that day; “Hey!” “Hi.” He hopped in, unsure how to broach the subject “…So…Uh… I was thinking…” “Yeah? Go on…” “…Valentine’s Day’s coming up.” You looked across to him, you knew that… Of course you knew that. You just hadn’t expected Danny of all people to be talking to you about it. He didn’t seem like the type to be taking you on a Valentine’s date. And you had to be honest, that was fine with you… You weren’t sure you’d mind not doing anything. “Yes?” “…Well… It’s… one of the busiest days in the business… And I can’t leave those guys all alone in there…” “And that’s fine…” “SO I was wondering…” he bit his lip “…If you wanted to… or you wouldn’t mind, coming down to my restaurant.” Before you had chance to reply he continued quickly “I’ll do something off menu, it’ll be exclusive. I know you… So… I think I can get that right… I just, I’m sorry. I’ll have to make it up to you…” You smiled, Danny Rayburn was so full of surprises; “Ok. Fine, I’ll come down to your restaurant “…On one condition.” He looked across to you, suddenly nervous about what you might say, and swallowed hard “…Anything.” “…Don’t buy me anything. Please? We’re not doing gifts it’s too… cliché… We’re not… No. Please, don’t buy me anything… I don’t need anything either…” “What!? So you’re not going to get me anything!?” He faked hurt, his mouth open “No! Shut up! That’s not what I said, I said – you can’t buy me anything! I just won’t get you something either then it’s fair!” He took out his mobile to call back to the restaurant. "Are you sure!? This is your last chance before they pick up! All I can promise is a good table and me for a couple of hours, not even the whole evening - You can back out!" If you weren't with him you didn't want to be out on Valentine’s Day at all. You couldn't believe when it would be so busy he'd even take a few hours out for you... "Danny I don’t care!" You forgot the rest of your sentence, and paid for it. He gasped in pretend shock "You don't care!?...AND I’m not good enough for a gift!?” He laughed, turning his attention back to his mobile as you heard Javier pick up; “Unbelievable!” * You studied yourself in the mirror. Was red too much of a Valentine’s Day colour? Were you about to become the cliché you’d sworn you weren’t!? You had to be honest with yourself you weren’t even sure you’d be wearing red, if it wasn’t for the fact that you had gone out and brought this dress specifically for tonight. It was the same cut as the one you had worn the first time you had frequented his restaurant. And the split up the side showed off your Miami tan. You had gone all out tonight to look flawless. Not for yourself. But for him. Your hair and makeup was perfect, your heels just the right height, and you felt good. The final touch, as ever, was your favourite perfume… You wondered if Danny would remember it from before… Gathering your things together you walked confidently down to your car, loving the sound of your heels striking the floor. You turned up your music loud as you made your way to his restaurant. You weren’t sure about the alcohol involved in tonight for you to be driving… You’d either have to take it slow, or take a cab. It didn’t matter; you could simply collect your car tomorrow… No-one would mind you leaving it overnight. When you arrived in the parking lot you weren’t surprised to see it packed. Luckily for you, dating the man who owned the place had its privileges. Tonight it really paid off; as only the staff parking spaces were free. You knew Danny had a car but, he didn’t have it with him tonight… You rolled your own neatly into his parking space and took a deep breath. Time for your big entrance. When you rounded the corner to the front of the restaurant they were queuing out of the door. Surely this wasn’t people who had reservations!? It was crazy; even for Valentine’s day you’d never seen Danny’s this busy. You smiled to yourself, quite proud – he was going to do well tonight. You walked past the line, which continued inside, where Javier caught you;

“Amorcita! Come, come! Right this way!” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this busy!” “Trust me… neither have we…” He took your hand and led you; “You look stunning… By the way. Danny doesn’t know what he’s missing by not taking you out!” “When it’s this busy, you best be glad he’s here…!” You followed Javier to a table in the back of the room, where it was quieter. Danny had clearly carefully chosen this spot… “You better like this table! You will not believe the number of times I have had to set it and re-set it!” You could imagine, it was for you - Even perfection would not be good enough for Danny tonight. You smiled gently as Javier sat you so you faced the kitchen; “Now you can at least look at your man whilst he’s working… Though how dare he, when you look this good?” You laughed “Well, Javi, let’s face the facts… We’re both going to be in agony waiting…” He smiled; “I’ll let him know you are here. Trust me, I’ve never seen a man more excited about creating off the menu pieces… He’s been looking forward to this for two weeks… Can I get you your usual drink?” “Oh. No. Javi… That’s okay… I don’t want to get too… drunk?... Tonight… I’m driving.” “Oh… Well, you know, I’m sure Danny’s got something in mind that goes with EVERYTHING he’s made…” He checked his watch; “You think he’d come say Hi…” “He’s busy Javi… But please do let him know I’m here…” He nodded, and left to remind Danny EXACTLY what time it was.

* Javier made sure all of his tables were happy before he made his way back over to you. “SO, whilst Danny is busy. I’m going to be your date!” You laughed; “Why?” “Sorry… Why…?! Because you are the most beautiful girl in the room. And everyone knows it.” You had to admit, whilst you had been sitting here alone, with your thoughts, nearly everyone in the room had been staring at you, glancing over and whispering about the mystery girl who had shown up here dressed to perfection without a date. Who was the guy? And when would he be showing up? It had only made you smirk to yourself. You wondered how they would react when they realised it was Danny? That man sure deserved to show you off tonight; what was wrong with being the eye-candy on his arm just this once? You wanted to prove that he could get the girl – and you had dressed up for him. Not for anyone else. Still, you were flattered by Javi’s compliment “Thank you…” He placed a bottle of your favourite coloured wine on the table, and by the label clearly an expensive one; “Danny says nothing less than the top shelf will do tonight. So he’s really treating you. As I knew he would…” Javier smiled “You’re really good news for him… You know?” “…SO many people tell me that, like’s he’s bad news.” “He’s had his ups and downs. Especially in his love life. They are quite some stories…” He lent on his hand; “But the way he talks about you… man… it’s something else…” You were determined not to blush, so you expertly changed the subject “What about you? Shouldn’t you be out with someone special tonight?” “ME! You’re the best I got. I’m single.” “Single!? NO!” You pulled out your mobile “Are you serious?!” He nodded and then got suspicious as you typed something into it “…Why?” “…Because, honey, do I know the girl for you…” “OH, really?! Matchmaking?” “Yes really… And you’ve already kinda met her….” If you could do a little matchmaking in Danny’s restaurant, why not? After all, it was your interaction with Danny here that had got you together. He raised an eyebrow, and took a breath “Is it the crazy one?” “Define crazy…?” You grinned, knowing both your friends had been flirting with him “Y’know the… order everything off the menu, drunk on Friday night, don’t ask me any questions, staring at me a lot, type crazy one.” “…Would you have a problem if it was…?” He chewed his lip for a moment and then smiled; “I dunno… I think I could go for a little crazy.” You laughed, and wrote her number down on a napkin; “Her name is Amanda, and she’s very dear to me. Be nice.” “What are you doing?! You have got to be kidding? I have to wait two days for you to call my number and you’re just giving yours out to Javi?!” Danny shook his head and folded his arms as he stopped at your table. He had changed out of his chefs’ whites into a black button-up shirt, his attempt to look smart for your date. It worked, in a Danny kind of way. “No…” You looked at him innocently “…I was simply doing a little matchmaking…” “Is that so…” He smiled and leant in to kiss your cheek. He turned to Javi, who stood to take his leave “When you’re ready, my good man, Jason knows how it goes…” “Alright! I’m on it!”

Danny slid into the seat that Javier had just vacated and blew out a breath; “You look… I just… Words… honestly fail me…” You smiled “Well… I just wanted to look good for you.” “For me!? Darlin’, you needn’t have you always look good. Tonight you look…” He made a motion to indicate he couldn’t find the right word. “And everyone is quite rightly staring at you…” “At you…” You leant on your hand, “…I like that…” “Oh. Really…” He reached for the bottle Javier had placed on the table and poured you a sensible glass full “Yeah. It’s about time people knew I was yours…” He chuckled, “Alright… Sweetheart… Well, you’ve clearly made one hell of a point…” He placed his hands together “…Now in advance, I apologise that I can’t stay. But I sure as hell want to make these hours count…” “Baby that’s ok…” “And when I leave, I don’t expect you to stay… It’s going to be a long night. And I’ll be here helping them out until closing. So…” He took a sip of wine, and made a face like he was pleased with his choice “…Please, feel free to leave at any time.” “No… No… That’s ok… I want to stay… I have my car… You can just come back to mine tonight…” He smirked suddenly and leant towards you; “Oh? Is that where this is heading…? A little cliché for Valentine’s Day don’t you think…?” You suddenly realised what you had said; “Danny no! I didn’t mean it like that-!” “No need to be shy about it Y/N… It’s just you and me…” His eyes flicked to the cut of your dress. You were still determined not to blush, lowering your voice to a whisper; “Stop it! You can’t talk like that! Not here!” “Why not? It’s my restaurant… My rules… No-one cares… Why, baby? Don’t you want me?” You had to look away from his intense stare… But you bit your lip… Wondering if that was where your night might end… You ran your finger lazily around the rim of your glass whilst he took another sip of his “I didn’t say I didn’t want you…” You looked back into his eyes, pouring some sugar of your own; “I just said you can’t talk that way here…” He was right. He knew you. Every off-menu dish he’d created was something you’d talked endlessly about or a variation of something off his menu you truly loved. You realised that every time he’d seen you eat he’d studied you – to the letter. Everything went well together, and everything paired with the wine he’d selected. You were beyond flattered. He continued to flirt with you through the entire meal and you felt like the only girl in the world. Even though your aim had been quite the opposite. He was way too good to you for the man his family made him out to be. “…Oh. Yeah. Just one thing…” He shuffled around in his seat and began rummaging in his pocket it got you curious “…I… Kinda broke your rule…” You could swear your heart was about stop beating and instinctively put your hand over it in relief. You opened your mouth as he placed the box on the table, It was small, black and wrapped intricately with silver ribbon. By its size and shape that he wasn’t about to get down on one knee in the middle of his own restaurant, especially after the previous conversations you’d had here. He followed your train of thought; “Geez! Don’t die on me! Give me SOME credit! I am in NO way sickeningly cliché enough to propose to you in front of my whole restaurant... on Valentine’s Day. Besides I’d never live it down!” He was right, Javier and Jason would never let him hear the end of it. Then he laughed, like he couldn’t resist it “Maybe I’ll do it when we’re alone later!” Still, the joke didn’t ruin the way you felt and you almost had to stop yourself from crying; “Oh! Danny!” “Now it’s not much… But I wanted you to have something…” He slid the box towards you; “You can’t open it until I’m gone… though, ok?” “…You didn’t have to.” “I know. You made that clear. But I wanted to…” He smiled, and poured himself another glass. He looked around the restaurant. It was in a lull period, before the next sitting, and he was glad he’d get to sit with you for a little while longer, at least until you had finished.

When the restaurant started to get busy again, you knew he had to take his leave. “I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.” “No. No… Baby, go do your job…” He stood and rounded the table to kiss you again. It didn’t last nearly long enough; “I promise not to make you wait too long…” But you didn’t mind. You could at least watch him working. “Thank you, for coming here!” “I love coming here!” “I know but… I wish I could have taken you out…” “You’ll get the chance.” You winked “I get to see the guys too…” “True…” He smiled “…See you later. And honestly… Go… Don’t sit here on my account!” Although, he knew you’d wait there forever if you had to. On his way back to the kitchen he was stopped by another long-term patron. You loved to see Danny laughing, but as he did so he nodded and looked across to you. You couldn’t help but smile until it hurt. This was what you wanted. You wanted them to realise what he had. The man Danny Rayburn really was. And that look of adoration on his face, that was for you… And it wasn’t the only time he was stopped...

* “How you doing? Can I get you anything else? Another drink…? Coffee?” Javier came over to clear away the plates; “Was it good?” “Incredible.” “I told you he was excited…” “I’ll uh... Take you up on coffee, Javi, that would be great. Put in a shot of Bailey’s too.” “Well, that sounds like an idea…” “Oh. And, the check.” “The check-!? Danny will NOT let you pay.” Javier looked taken aback by the very idea. “Javi, He can’t do that again. Let me.” “…Amorcita… I don’t know… Half this stuff was off menu I don’t know if I can…” “Just do your best… Please… Let me pay.” He still seemed hesitant “Look. If I drink any more… Those can go on the house, just… Let me pay. Let me pay all of you, too, with all the hard work you guys do? You deserve it.” “Okay… But this was all your idea…” “Thank you…” You handed him your card and he went off to get your coffee too. When he came back you had pulled the box closer to you; “Here you are… And your coffee… Call me if you need anything else…” “I won’t hesitate… Thank you Javi…” You scribbled out your signature and pulled delicately at the silver ribbon until it unravelled. You were curious… It wasn’t anything so cliché as chocolates or flowers by the size of the box… What would Danny break your one rule in favour of? You lifted the lid gently and had to smile, touching your hand to your chest. The fine gold chain winked in the gentle restaurant candle light as you lifted it delicately from the box, it ran smooth through your fingers as you studied it. Sitting on the end, however was the exact answer to your question. Small, plain, but with symbolism that could not be understated, was a delicate cursive initial. D, for Danny.

The next time the restaurant buzz died to quiet you realised how late it must be getting. As you looked up from your phone you witnessed Jason leave the kitchen. If Danny was letting his staff go, it must have been near the end of the night. Jase caught your eye and wandered over; “Y/N! Have you had a good evening.” “Letting Danny go for a couple of hours was very kind of you Jason… Yeah. I’ve had a great time… I guess it isn’t over yet!” “No, but, should be soon. The kitchen is winding down, Danny said he can take care of the dessert now. Which, for Danny is a big thing. You know he hates baking right? Says it’s all about Chemistry… but cooking… That’s about feel!” He rolled his eyes and you hated to laugh at the way he imitated Danny, but that was exactly something he would say “…Like he doesn’t know what Chemistry is. When he has you…!” He grinned, “I dunno. Anyway, if Danny can handle it, we’re almost done. He won’t keep you waiting much longer.” “How you spending the rest of your evening? You got someone special?” “Yeah, my girl’s pretty understanding. I’ll take her out properly tomorrow… But I’m sure there’s enough evening left to make something of it. Make sure you do to, when he’s finished, alright?” “I will. Now get on to your girl!” He smiled “See you soon Y/N!” He walked away, but then turned and call back down the restaurant “It looks good on you! By the way!” You realised he was talking about the necklace, and you looked down. Its length allowed it to be more visible the deeper the cut of whatever you were wearing. You guessed that was the point, people were more likely to stare at you if you were wearing something that showed your skin. So, it was best to show them that you were already taken. At least, that’s probably how Danny’s feelings went – you didn’t think he was so insecure. He just as likely wasn’t one to put up with another guy putting his eyes on you.

Your phone eventually buzzed and you couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the text; Are you at Dannys!? Maybe… 😉 Did you give me NUMBER to the waiter we had?! And If I did? C’mon. Amanda, you were so into him… I can’t believe you!! Have fun – you’re welcome! At that moment, you heard laughing and the kitchen doors swung open again to more staff leaving. Including Javi, now out of uniform, who interestingly had his phone in his hand. He waved to you, but Danny caught him; “OY! Who said anything about you leaving your tables aren’t all clear!” “What!? C’mon Danny! There’s one left!” “If all your tables aren’t done, you don’t go!” “But she’s…” Danny gave him a significant warning look, making Javi sigh and wander over to you. You nodded to his phone; “Anything I should be interested in.” He grinned “Yeah, matchmaking service… We’re heading out for drinks.” “Wow. You move fast! I thought she had a date.” “It clearly went well…” He gave a wink and then looked to the table. Every other table was neatly cleared and stacked, awaiting usage tomorrow. You were the only one left down this end of the restaurant “So, Danny won’t let me go unless my tables are clear… So… I guess I’m not drinking until you leave…” You got up slowly; “No, let me help you – don’t want you to miss a date I basically initiated…!” You smiled, content to help him carry things back to the kitchen, still chatting excitedly about his plans. Danny sighed; “She can have some of your pay check for that!” “Aw – c’mon! It’s clear now!” How many times was Danny going to threaten to take away his pay check this month?! “Yeah, alright! Off you go!” Danny turned to you; “Sit down Darlin’, at least I can watch you from here now…” He gave a wink as you sat yourself at the bar, Javi came back around and could not resist wrapping his arms around you and kissing your cheek; “Goodnight Amorcita!” Danny shook his head “…Don’t bother coming back tomorrow!” He yelled after Javi, who laughed “You don’t mean that! You love me really!” That had you and Danny laughing; “Good luck on your date! Let me know how it goes!” He waved to you “I will Y/N!” Turning back to Danny you realised the kitchen was now empty besides him. And the two tables left were finishing up their drinks and paying their tabs. Danny was essentially just clearing away; “Give me half an hour sweetheart and I’ll be done…” “What’s thirty minutes more?” You shrugged. You loved watching him work, you were a little disappointed you’d missed out. Still, watching him clear away meant you were one minute closer to having him in your arms again. *

Finally he waltzed out of his kitchen, bag over his shoulder. He didn’t come to you immediately, instead walking to the back of the restaurant, checking everything was clear and ready for tomorrow and flicking off lights as he made his way back to you. “OK… We can go…” He took your hand in his as he helped you off the bar stool and you wrapped your arm around his. He liked that. You could tell by his smile. Once outside it wasn’t as cold as you would think, even for February. He kept your hand in his as he locked the door; “So, you like it?” You noticed him look across to the necklace, now flashing in the streetlights. “Like it? Danny… I love it…” You got the feeling now it was on, you would never take it off. “Really?” He smiled; “Good… It looks better on you… I’m almost proud of myself. Bet you’re glad I broke that rule.” “…Yeah. This once…” He pocketed his keys, and walked you to your car. You felt alright for driving, thank goodness. You hadn’t had too much to drink and you had eaten enough. You were just about to pull your keys from your bag when he stopped. You weren’t paying attention, so you were pulled back by his arm. You were about to voice your question when he looked at you; sincerely. “Dance with me.” “…What?” “I didn’t get to take you out properly… Dance with me…” You looked around; here? In the middle of the restaurant parking lot? Was he serious? “Danny, there’s no music? Without music?” He shook his head “We don’t need music. You should know that.” When you still didn’t respond he sighed, letting you go he put his bag down, and held his hand out to you, taking up what you recognised to be an awkward version of a Waltz stance. You took a breath, and smiling, you put your hand in his. He placed his other hand gently on your waist and pulled you closer to him. Placing your other hand on his shoulder you laced your fingers together, and he began to sway you. “You’re crazy… you know that?” “And yet, you’re the one dancing with me…” He smiled, as you relaxed into his arms, resting your head against his chest as he continued to rock you. Bringing your hand in, he placed it against his heart; and you quickly realised that you were dancing to the rhythm of his heartbeat. He kissed your hair, and then your forehead, brushing his cheek against yours to get just that little bit closer to you. The way he enveloped your body with his was protective; and you felt safer now than you had ever felt in anyone else’s arms. The only sound was the cars that occasionally drove passed on their way back from Valentine’s Dates of their own. You wondered how many passengers in them looked over and saw the two of you, moving in a circle under the yellow glow of the floodlit parking lot – and thought you were insane. But you couldn’t have cared less… You were lost in his motion, in the way he held you - as strong as it was delicate – his attempt to show you he would hold you forever but that he would never break you… Any part of you. And you knew that included your heart. You thought it was dangerous for him to make that promise; but you badly wanted it to be true. Your rhythm came to a gentle stop, but he continued to let you get lost in his embrace. Your fingers tangling themselves in the fabric of his shirt, telling Danny you wouldn’t let him go either… You looked up to him; and his blue eyes glowed in the wake of the lighting. He kissed your forehead, the bridge and tip of your nose and finally your lips. You wound your arms around his shoulders and let the kiss linger as long as he would allow. Full of further unspeakable promises. He broke it, finally and chuckled; “Let’s go home…”

* “UGH!” Danny collapsed on your couch. Now changed into a grey vest top and shorts he ran his hands over his face and through his hair; “That was HELL! Never let me do something like that again!!!” He tipped his head back, making you laugh; “Well. There’s always next year.” “Oh GOD! I’ve only just gone though this year! Remind me to take the day off!” “I wouldn’t let you do that to them!” He made a sound that was painful; “God. I need a drink…” “What a great idea… I like your train of thought…” You wandered over to one of your cupboards and pulled down a bottle and two tumblers. He raised an eyebrow in curiosity; “Is that… whisky? Girl, I like the way you think.” “… I think you’ll find Woodford Reserve brands itself as Kentucky Bourbon…” You looked across to him “Is it a two or three fingers type night?” He laughed; “Three, at LEAST!” You poured him a generous two and a half, and poured nothing more than a dribble for you. A night cap. That was all you wanted. You put the bottle away and handed him the glass. You loved the way Woodford tasted. It wasn’t sweet, it had a savoury quality but by God did it have a burn, it was that that made it your favourite. You took a sip, he studied his glass and then looked back to you; “What? No ice?!” You pointed to your fridge “You have legs!” He puffed his cheeks and narrowed his eyes but he clearly wasn’t about to get up; “Cheers…!” He swirled it before taking a sip, you watched the way he rolled the liquid over his tongue before swallowing, and the breath he let out as it burned; “Oh-! That is good!” You nodded your agreement as he sat back. Now he really allowed himself to study you, he already knew what you were wearing was gorgeous. The deep-V neckline, now complete with his very own initial. The split up the side showed your beautifully tanned legs, giving him just enough but leaving him wanting so much more… it hugged your figure well too. He hadn’t forgotten your little conversation back at his restaurant… Now he was just wondering if you would act on it, or not. “You are so, damn, beautiful…” His voice was quiet, and it edged on sinful promise. You took another sip and looked back to him, then wished you hadn’t at the look on his face. The look in his eyes. Your heart began to pound in your chest. “…Don’t look at me like that…” “Baby…” He shook his head, running is fingers over his lips in a way that sent shivers over your skin; “Why not…” “Because I…” You had to look away, look to your balcony, then to your wall…To anything but his eyes – you couldn’t hold that stare. You noted how deep the breaths you were taking were… Your stomach and your heart and your HEAD were all in agreement on this one. It was Valentine’s Day, why not act on this…? Eventually your eyes had to wander back to his. He was leaning back casually on your couch, and had you locked in his intense gaze. He tapped his finger against the side of the whisky glass that he was holding casually by the rim – he was waiting on you and you knew it. He read you too well, and Danny was always hard for you to resist…

You realised that you too were tapping your glass, but for a different reason; the nerves were building up inside of you… You somehow tore your gaze away from him again. And it fell to your glass; gripping it so tight your knuckles were white… If you were going to do this, then it was your house. And your rules. Decisively you tipped the glass back to finish it and set it down. Walking over to him, slow, confident, with purpose. You would make him wait for you… brushing your hair back you gave him a look to let him know that you were going to be in control here. He ran his eyes back up you again, and by the time they reached your eyes they were dark blue. You sank yourself down onto his lap, straddling him. Locking your legs with his, your feet barely touched the floor as he was sat so far back. You ran your tongue over your lips and took his glass from him, taking one sip for yourself you placed it on the table beside you. He gave an almost defiant whine; you pulled him to you by his top; “My house… My rules…” He seemed to agree with this as you pulled him into a kiss; tasting like whisky that lingered on his tongue he ran his hands up your smooth thighs, hitching your dress just a little higher as you wound your arms around his shoulders to deepen the kiss…. You were now locked in a completely different form of dance…. He hummed gently in approval at the way you ground your hips into his. Continuing to run his fingers over every inch of skin he could get his hands on; he kept his voice low, almost a whisper as he kissed your neck; "You know, now would be a perfect time to start a playlist..." You almost laughed, digging your nails gently into his biceps; and catching his lips with your again; "That would just make it something else..." He squinted slightly; "Darlin'... We've always been about something else..." He ran his hands through your hair, kissing your beautifully tanned skin over and over "...That is why we work so well..." You accepted his kisses with kisses of your own, but he certainly wasn't affording you breathing space; and soon he had you breathless again. Not only that, but he had the situation back under his control. Kissing you wherever he wanted, he offered resistance and held you back from kissing him - that made you whine in discontent - which is exactly what he was looking for; by the smirk on his face. "...That's it baby girl..." His voice, seductive, was back to giving you that shiver; only this time it ran through him too... So he let you kiss him... running his hands back down your body they lingered for a second at the ties on your dress, before he thought better of it. You felt him shift under you, and then he swept you up. You gasped, leaving his lips and gripping his shoulders tight. He cleared his throat, as he began to walk you towards your bedroom; "Mmmh.... There isn't nearly enough room here to do everything I want to do to you tonight..." He let his husky whisper linger for a moment, with a sinful wink. Trouble was, whatever that promise was... You couldn't wait.

** You woke up without him, and you weren’t sure you liked that. Looking around for any signs of where he might be you were disappointed not to find any. Surely, he wouldn’t have gone off to work already? Considering how late it was last night!? And if he did, wouldn’t he have left a note? You hopped out of bed, pulling on a shirt and shorts of your own and wandered out into the corridor. You almost breathed a sigh of relief when you heard sounds emanating from your kitchen and echoing down to your bedroom. Guess it was finally time you took him up on breakfast… You shuffled down the hall and stood watching him for a minute. He was adsorbed in everything he was doing, moving from one thing to another – he hummed to himself. “Mornin’…” “Good morning Sunshine…” He turned to smile at you “…How are you?” You suppressed a yawn; “Good. Yeah… You’re making me breakfast?!” “Figured that you couldn’t say no to this…” He teased… but then made a face “Actually, I’m trying to make you breakfast… uh, note to Y/N… Please actually stock ingredients!” “Uh, note to Danny, you don’t live here. I will have in this house what I damn well like!” He shook his head “You’re lucky I can make what I’m making! Nothing in your cupboards constitutes a balanced meal, I’m shocked you’re still alive!” “…Well I usually spend all my time at work! When do I get the chance to eat here? Let alone cook.” “That’s no good for you either. And you have an extremely sweet tooth, I’m worried.” You shrugged “It doesn’t bother me!” “No clearly…” he opened another cupboard and lamented “…C’mon… You’re killing me here!” “Well, I didn’t ever expect my boyfriend to be a chef..!” “Well, your boyfriend thinks he needs to take you grocery shopping…” You leant on your counter with a smile; “So… Do it!” He turned to you “…OK… I will… If it gets you eating better, I will.” You shook your head at him, until he pointed to the breakfast bar; “Now sit! I’ll be done in a minute.” “Don’t you want me to help?” “No, Darlin’, this is for you. Sit.” He insisted. Finally you understood what Danny meant as he set everything out for you. Everything was simple, and most of it was leaning towards the sweet side of breakfast. You stared at the pancakes for a minute; “Are there sprinkles in the pancakes?” “Yeaaaah...” You scoffed; “Alright, international house of pancakes...” He narrowed his eyes at you and tapped you with his fork “I’m just trying to make things interesting! And with your limited amount of ingredients I worked with what I had...!” You pointed to the sauce “Syrup?” He looked like he was about to give up on you entirely “... Caramel. Easy to make butter, cream, sugar. Surprised you had those to be honest.” “Ah. You’re being very resourceful...” You clearly weren’t awake yet, pointing out to yourself that there was actually already a syrup bottle on the table. “God, please let me take you shopping...” “What today?” He hummed tilting his head one way and then the other “if that’s what you wanna do, Darlin’...” “I kinda don’t wanna do anything… But… I feel like you’re only gonna complain at me if we don’t…” He didn’t quite nod his agreement, but he took your hand in his and rested it on your knee “…If we do… Then at least I can cook for you more often.” “Are you really THAT worried?” “Yeah. I really am.” And you had to smile, because not only was he being sweet – he was also being serious.

What Danny really admired about you was the way you ate. As a chef that was important to him, and it was important you liked what he made you. But the way you thought about every bite you took impressed him. He couldn’t help but love you more as he watched you eat; “What?” “…You… You just… Amaze me, sometimes…” But he pointed to your plate with his fork “Just, less sugar. Next time. Please?” You got this innocent but defiant look on your face as you tilted your head “…Well, I can’t get ALL my sugar from you…” He laughed, and then leant towards you to brush sugar from your lips with his own. It was a good move, and was rewarded by you pulling his shirt to bring his body closer to yours. He deepened his kiss and all that did was threaten for you to take it back to the bedroom. You pulled away, savouring the taste of his lips on yours for just a moment longer; “Hmmm…” He agreed satisfied “I guess you’re right.”

*** Later that morning you found yourself on a short road-trip; because he was serious about taking you grocery shopping and apparently no other day would do. But now he was driving you, humming along to the radio. It was another nice day, and he had the windows down and his shades on. He looked hot, you had to admit, he was just something else and you were damn proud that he was sitting here beside you. You couldn’t resist texting Amanda, knowing you wanted all the gossip from her night with Javier. It wasn’t like they didn’t ask for every excruciating detail of every date Danny ever took you on. You always remained mysterious about it; Danny showed too much of himself to you and all of it was for you to keep. Not to tell anyone else. Did you wake up with a 10? I didn’t wake up with anybody Amanda! I’m shocked! What happened!? I’m taking it slow. How’s your 10? Well, he’s at least a 12. But yeah, I woke up with him 😉 Ugh. You are beyond lucky. I know. I knnnnow x You were laughing, which got Danny curious. “What?” he nudged your arm when you shook your head “What’s so funny!?” “Nothin’! I’m just…” you waved your hands “Complimenting my awesome boyfriend.” “OH!” He smirked; “IS he now!?” “Well he better damn well think he is too.” “He, uh, I guess he thinks he could be. I mean… He has you.” He let you take his hand in yours; “Well… He takes good care of me… Which is what matters. As he’s proving right now.” “Yeah well. Someone’s gotta do it!” He laughed “Of course I’m happy to do it…!” “Well anything to stop him complaining.” You could tell he was rolling his eyes behind his shades; “Eh….!! I’m not sure he’ll ever do that.” “Shame…” You shook your head “I love him anyway…” “He wants you to know…” he laced your fingers together and looked across to you “He loves you too.”

* You were both tangled up together on your balcony in the late afternoon sun, having the best of lazy days. Your head against his chest as he stroked his hand absentmindedly through your hair… You knew you could stay like this forever… Hell, maybe after your next move you would get that wish. “Danny…” “Hmm?” He blew out smoke in answer, taking another drag of his cigarette as you shuffled around, producing a box tied up in blue ribbon. “I’m actually kinda glad you broke your promise, Because… Now I get to give you this…” He shook his head, “You didn’t have to get ME anything…” Although his eyes flicked to the necklace you were still wearing proudly… He rested his cigarette in the ash tray and took the box from you, “Are you sure?” “Yes!” “…Seriously you didn’t have to.” “I wanted to, too. Anyway, this one is important…” He looked to the box, pulling the blue ribbon slowly he met your eyes again. Would this be as important to you as that necklace was to him? he wondered. You sighed; “Danny! Just open the damn thing the suspense is killing me!” He gave it his full attention as he lifted the lid gently. Then looked a little confused as he was presented with a set of keys; “Are these… The keys to your apartment…?” He lifted them from the box and studied them with careful interest. “…You’re giving me the keys to your apartment?” “No…” You were careful with your choice of words, “Well. No, yeah that’s what they are, but that’s not what I’m asking.” He turned his attention to you out of curiosity… You took a deep breath. Only your parents had keys to this apartment besides you. But, you’d already made up your mind on this one. Danny wasn’t just someone you were seeing, he was the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. And it wasn’t Valentine’s Day, or whisky or heck even sugar talking. This was pure and simple; it was the way you felt and you had to let him know it. You looked at him with nothing but adoration; “Danny… I’m asking, please, and in the most real… honest, wholehearted way I can… For you to move in with me.”

@stcphstrange - Protect this one with your life! It’s been through a lot!!

#Danny Rayburn #Danny Rayburn x Reader #Bloodline #Ben Mendelsohn #danny rayburn x you #Linzi Writes #Linzi Queues Things #Sway #5 #Liliana #Valentines Fic!

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anadventureinwriting · 6 years

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Tragedy of Jupiter Station - Chapter One

Chapter One

Beep Beep Beep Beep…

The familiar sound of a communicator alert pulled Olivia from the middle of a deep slumber. Burying her head back under the covers she listened to the sounds of her partner stumbling out of bed to the comm. Olivia lost track of the conversation, drifting in and out of slumber, until;

“Gotta go babe, that was the hospital, they need all hands on deck.”

Rolling over Olivia mumbled something incoherent, the sound of someone moving around the room fading as she drifted back to sleep, not knowing that what she awoke to in the morning would test her skill and resilience like nothing she had ever experienced.

Colonel Olivia Robinson woke later that morning to her usual cacophony of alarms mingled incoming communication alerts. Years of serving on a deep space exploration vessel had trained her to react fast to any sort of alarm, and she still hadn’t quite managed to shake the habit, so when the first alarm roused her, she had already run through a dozen or so emergency protocols before she even made it out of bed.

Five years ago Olivia was just a Commander. She was the First Officer aboard Earth’s flagship space vessel, the titan class SS Prometheus. She served under the best Captain in the fleet, Captain James Robinson. As well as being the type of Captain you could find in ancient Earth fiction - strong, handsome, commanding, fair and just - he was her brother. Over a decade Olivia’s senior there was a time when the very last thing she wanted was to follow in his - large - footsteps. That changed with time and when she finally joined United Earth Air Force’s (UEAF) command training academy she had already made a name for herself, one not in any way connected to her famous brother. It was her name, not her his, that was stamped all over the engines, and their patents, that powered Earth’s greatest achievements to date.

Olivia served on the Prometheus for ten years, right up to the day it was decommissioned and memorialized on Earth. Many of the crew considered each other family by that day, having served together under Captain Robinson for most, if not all of his long career. They had been through a great many highs and lows together, but nothing could compare to the day they landed on Earth for the decommissioning and farewell to the Prometheus. That was the day Earth lost a legend and Olivia lost a brother.

Unknown to most of the crew James had been battling a slow decline for months. The hard work of off base doctors, strong medication and an unshakable determination had helped him to hide his condition from the crew. Only one person on the Prometheus had any idea of the Captain’s suffering, his oldest friend, Dr Alex Harris; Archaeologist and Anthropologist. In the last five years, Olivia often found herself wondering if James had ever planned to tell her, if he even would have, without the pushing of Harris, who felt that the sister he damn near raised deserved to say goodbye. As things were James waited until he had mere hours left to live before coming clean, and expressing his wish that Olivia take the promotion she was going to be offered when they made it back to Earth. Her reaction was unexpected to say the least. To the shock of her brother (and probably many of the crew who all thought they would be able to continue serving together under her), Olivia vehemently refused to even consider taking the position - Captain of her own ship - a stranger would have thought her crazy but the few who truly knew her well, knew that she was planning on leaving the military following Prometheus’s decommissioning even if most had no idea why.

Olivia had another intimate connection on the Prometheus. The ships chief medical officer was her partner of years. Doctor Abigail Kelly had been recruited to the UEAF from the Royal Melbourne Hospital where she had just finished her residency. Olivia had met Abigail when they were both new to the academy. Abigail’s quick thinking on that first meeting had kept the sleep deprived Olivia from destroying a perfectly functional coffee machine early one morning when it didn’t want to give her her morning caffeine fix. The two bonded over that first cup, and soon were meeting every other day for breakfast/lunch/dinner or whatever else took their fancy. Neither woman was the type to shout about a relationship from the rooftops so when the brass assigned Olivia and Abigail to the Prometheus, confident that no one knew they were a couple, they decided to continue their now against regulations relationship, waiting for the day when they would be able to be together publicly.

Olivia and Abigail wed days after they touched down on Earth. Their families complained at the speed thinking the two women were rushing into something, or that it was a reaction to Olivia’s grief. Their families had no idea however that the speed was just because they were ready and finally able to be together publicly, and they had already had one ceremony. Only two people in the entire Sol system knew this, but Olivia and Abigail were already married. In a far off corner of the universe a group of aliens had recognized the bond between the Commander and the Doctor and in accordance with their customs had invited Olivia and Abigail to take part in a bonding ritual. Unfortunately for the humans - or fortunately as it turned out - Dr Harris misidentified the ritual as a symbol for the friendship that the aliens wanted to one day share with Earth. Harris took it as a sign that first contact was going very well and so the Captain encouraged his First Officer and CMO to take part. Days later, Mingala, the ships token alien crew member approached first Abigail and then Olivia to extend their well wishes and present the two with a ceremonial vase that on their world would house two seeds the growth and life of which represented the couple’s relationship. It certainly took them by surprise; they’d had no idea that Mingala had picked up on the relationship they’d been successfully hiding for almost a decade. Though confused by the need for secrecy, Mingala agreed to keep the quiet but insisted they keep the vase.

During the course of their time on Prometheus only one other person knew that Olivia and Abigail were involved; Abigail’s closest friend the Xenobiologist Doctor Manu Tapiata. If Olivia had encountered the two Doctors together without knowing at least one of them first, she would have thought they were locked in a vicious rivalry. To this day the time she’d had to explain to the Prometheus's youngest crew member that they weren’t really trying to kill one another after he saw Abigail throw a - sheathed - scalpel at Manu is one of the highlights of her career. Abigail and Manu learned to keep all sports related conversations to their quarters after that. That the crew were sick of hearing about all the All Blacks wins, a large number of them had told Olivia in confidence that they couldn’t wait for the day the Wallabies won just to put Manu back in his place, was simply an added bonus for all.

Dragging herself from memories Olivia glanced at an ornate vase in the corner of the room and with a fond smile queued up a program to filter her incoming messages as she readied herself for what was beginning to look like a busy day. As her coffee brewed she started skimming through her messages. They all appeared to be communications from the base hospital to command informing them on the status of a night-time medical emergency. Logic dictated that the emergency they were discussing was the same one that had pulled Abigail from bed in the small hours. Olivia was about to dismiss the incident as well in hand when a message time stamped hours earlier caught her eye. All thoughts of coffee aside, Olivia yanked on the last of her uniform, grabbed her datapad and started dialing even as she raced for the door.

#TragedofJupiterStation #ToJS #chapter one #original fiction #scifi stories

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sebspocketsquare · 7 years

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Wake Me Up

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Reader Warnings: uhh, language, but I think that’s it. A/N: Here’s a repost of one of my favorites from my old masterlist. Second part is queued up.

“I promise you’ll like him. I met him when I took an acting class in the city last year - he’s really sweet.” Your friend Piper promised as she scrawled out a phone number on the back of one of her business cards for you. “Piper, I just don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be texting strangers, you know?” You replied, scrunching your nose up at the numbers written on the small bit of paper that now lay in your hand. “Y/N, please. It’s about time you talked to a nice guy. Just give it a chance. If you’re not feeling it after a couple of days, just stop texting him. It’s not like I’m asking you to outright go on a date with the guy.” She began rambling and you held your palms up in defeat. “Alright, alright. I’ll text him. What’s his name?” “Sebastian.”

You held onto Sebastian’s number for a few days, nervous to talk to him, but also unsure of what to say. ‘Hi, this may seem creepy, but my friend gave me your number’ or maybe‘Hey, I promise I’m not a stalker, but Piper told me I should text you.’ You were never very good at initiating conversations. You were sitting at work when you finally plucked up the courage to shoot him a text.

‘Hi, is this Sebastian? Piper gave me your number..’

You let out a quick breath as you pressed send, your heart skipping a beat when the read receipt confirmed it as delivered. You quickly locked your phone, thrusting it into the pocket of your jeans as you went back to your clipboard, checking inventory for the third time this month. For some reason, the numbers just weren’t adding up. You’d suspected that your fairly new co-worker, George, was stealing, but you weren’t positive about that quite yet. You felt your phone buzz in your pocket and heat sprung up to the tips of your ears as you tried to calm your breathing. Is was probably just Piper, right? Confirming your dinner date at 8? Your phone buzzed again and you bit into your lip as you tried to pay attention to the numbers on the page in front of you. Focus on work, Y/N. That lasted for about two minutes, when your phone buzzed yet again. Pulling your phone out of your pocket, you were surprised to see that you had three messages from Sebastian.

‘Yeah, hi!’ ‘You must be Y/N. Piper told me a little about you.’ ‘I was starting to get worried that I wouldn’t hear from you.’

You smiled to yourself at how eager he seemed, trying to form the perfect reply in your head, when another message came through.

‘Did I scare you off already? :(’

You chuckled softly to yourself as you typed a quick reply.

‘No, not at all. I’m just at work, sorry! Piper didn’t tell me much about you, just your first name and that you’re nice. :)’

You shoved your phone back into your pocket, satisfied with your response. You found yourself nervous for his reply, but tried to shake it off. You didn’t even know the guy, there was no reason to get too excited yet, right? Your phone buzzed in your pocket at the same time the door alarm went off, signaling that someone had entered the store. You silently cursed before putting on your best smile and greeting your customer, putting the possibilities of the new message in the back of your mind. Forty five minutes and several pocket buzzes later, you were finally able to check your phone.

Piper: ‘hey, bitch. Did you text him yet?’ Piper: ‘I’m telling you, don’t sleep on this one. Text him.’ Piper: ‘NOW.’ Sebastian: ‘Oh, good! You can get to know me on your own, then. :)’ Piper: ‘Did you text him yet?!’ Sebastian: ‘Piper just told me that you were pretty, a dog lover aaaaaand a complete nerd.’ Piper: ‘I’m gonna text him and ask him if you did.’ Sebastian: ‘But i’d like to get to know you for myself, if that’s alright.’ Piper: ‘YOU DID! YOU LITTLE SLUT <3′

You rolled your eyes at your friend, replying to her with nothing but the middle finger emoji, before looking back at your conversation with Sebastian.

‘I’m an open book. You can pretty much ask me anything.”

You decided to reply, chewing on your lip as you set your phone down on your work desk, checking the time and seeing that it was just about closing time. Grabbing the red folder that your boss kept behind the counter, you began to fill out the nightly paperwork while you waited for the next few minutes to pass by. You were pulling your keys out of your purse to lock up when you felt the all too familiar sensation of your phone buzzing in your pocket. Quickly walking over and walking the door, you pulled your phone out and bit back the smile that formed on your lips when Sebastian’s name appeared on your screen.

‘Wanna play 20 questions?’

You wrote back almost immediately.

‘You go first.’

You finished your night paper work faster than ever before, that night. Pulling your phone out of your pocket once you had set the alarm and were standing outside of the store. He hadn’t replied yet, and you felt a small pang of sadness in your chest. Were you getting attached to him already? This was never a good sign. Sliding your phone into your purse, you promised yourself that you wouldn’t look at it again until you were home and changed into more comfortable clothes. You wouldn’t let yourself get too attached this time. Right?

The drive home seemed to take so much longer than usual. You practically ran to the door of your apartment, and then made a beeline straight for your bedroom to change, ignoring Piper speaking to you from her spot on the couch. “Y/N? Are you okay?” She asked, poking her head into your room just as you were pulling a soft, grey sweater over your head. “Yeah, Pipes, I’m fine. What’s up?” You wondered, turning to look at her in confusion. She bit into her cheek, shrugging. “You seemed to be in a rush or somethin’..” She mumbled and you had to hide your smile from her. “Nah, just really wanted to change into my PJs.” You replied, turning and fishing your phone out of your purse, smiling when you saw that he had replied.

‘Well, I guess my first question would be: how old are you?’ ‘Wait, shit.. Sorry, was that rude?’

You couldn’t suppress the giggle that appeared in your throat, catching Piper’s attention from the doorway. “What are you laughing about?” She asked, taking a few steps towards you. You quickly locked your phone, your eyes shifting nervously. “Oh, nothing. Just a cat meme.” You lied, and Piper narrowed her eyes at you in return. “A cat meme, my ass.” She mumbled before turning and walking out of your bedroom. You let out a small sigh before sitting on the edge of your bed and pulling out your phone to reply.

‘I’m 24. How old are you?’

You checked your emails and chewed on your chapped lips while you waited for his reply. What if you were too young for him? When his reply came a few moments later, you took a deep breath before opening it.

‘I’m 34. And that doesn’t count as a question, sweetheart.’

Your cheeks burned at the nickname he used, and your heart fluttered at his lack of a reaction towards your age. Did ten years not bother him? It took you a moment, but you eventually came up with a good question for him.

‘What type of music do you like? Be aware: this will greatly affect my opinion of you.’

You locked your phone, humming softly as you headed into your kitchen to see what Piper had ordered for dinner. “Chinese food again, Pipes?” You asked when you saw the array of take-out containers on the counter. She mumbled incoherently from the couch, her mouth stuffed with sweet and sour chicken. You smiled to yourself, grabbing a container of vegetable lo mein and a set of chopsticks before sitting on the couch beside her. “How was work?” She wondered through a mouthful of food. You shrugged, pulling your chopsticks apart so you could enjoy your food. “Just another day. You know, nothing too exciting.” You replied before spinning a mouthful of noodles around your chopsticks. “Have you been talking to Sebastian?” She asked, wiggling her eyebrows at you suggestively. You couldn’t stop yourself from rolling your eyes as you felt your face heat up. “A little.. not too much.. Pipes, you said you met him in an acting class.. is he an actor?” You asked her, slurping down your noodles. She adverted her gaze, chewing on her lip. “He made me promise not to answer any of your questions..” She said softly and your eyes widened a fraction. “Why..? He isn’t like.. famous or something, is he?” You prodded, but she didn’t budge, suddenly finding her chicken more interesting than you. “Oh, my god, he is, isn’t he? Piper! Why would you want him to talk to me?” You screeched, leaning forward to set the takeout box on the coffee table. She rolled her eyes at you, scoffing. “You make it sound like you’re the worst person on earth.” You shrugged, staring down at your hands. “Pipes.. I’m just an ordinary girl, okay? I don’t have anything to.. you know, offer him.” You replied softly and she let out a long sigh. “Y/N.. I don’t think you realize how special you are.. I’ve known you since we were kids.. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” She told you and you felt your eyes start to tear up. “Just.. Talk to him, please. He is honestly one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and the fame hasn’t gone to his head. Give him a chance.” Just then, you felt your phone buzz from under your thigh, and you pulled it up, seeing his name flash across the screen. “Is that him?” Piper wondered and you nodded, chewing on your lip. “Y/N.. You don’t have to marry the guy, or even meet him in person if you don’t want.. Just get to know him.. the realhim, before you decide to just write him off.” You opened up Sebastian’s message, sighing softly to yourself.

‘80s music mostly, but I’m a real big fan of Sinatra.’

You smiled before looking up at Piper, who was already smiling at you. “Just give him a chance, Y/N.” “I will.”

Hours turned to days, and days turned into weeks as you texted back and forth with Sebastian. Before you knew it, a month and a half had gone by, and you’d been talking every day. You learned that you two had more in common than you initially thought, and that Sebastian was quite a flirt. It was your day off after a 6 day work week, and you were sitting on the edge of your bed, leaning down to tie your running shoes when you felt your phone buzz longer than usual. You scrunched your nose in confusion as you fished your phone out of your pocket. Sebastian was calling you. You quickly cleared your throat and took a deep breath, trying to calm your nerves before answering the phone. “Uh, hello?” You squeaked, hearing a heart-warming chuckle from the other end of the line. “Did I scare you?” He wondered, and you couldn’t deny the butterflies that filled your stomach at the sound of his voice. “No, I uh.. I was just about to go for a run.” You said quickly, closing your eyes and letting out a long breath as he chuckled again. “I didn’t know you liked running.” His velvet voice spoke again, making your insides knot. “I um.. I usually like to go when I’m stressed.. Takes my mind off things, you know?” You babbled and he hummed in response. “What’s my favorite girl stressed about?” He asked, and you could hear papers shuffling in the background of the call. “Just work, you know. The usual.” You lied, not wanting him to know the real reason you couldn’t keep your thoughts straight - him. “Well, I have a surprise for you.” He spoke and you felt even more nervous. “W-What’s that?” You stammered, biting into your lip as you stood up from the bed. “I’m in town.” You almost dropped your phone in that moment. It must have taken you too long to respond, because he spoke your name, his voice laced with concern. “Hmm, what? Sorry, I spaced out for a minute.” Was your reply, your cheeks turning an all too familiar shade of scarlet. He laughed again, the sound, music to your ears. “I was wondering if you’d like to meet.. tonight?” He asked, and you could hear the hesitation in his voice. You took in a deep breath, steadying yourself before you answered. “Like.. face to face?” You practically whispered, earning another melodic laugh from him. “Yeah.. I think it’s about time, don’t you?” You stayed silent for a moment, your heart and breathing both erratic as you weighed the options in front of you. Were you ready for him to see you? “Y/N, I know you’re probably nervous, but I promise that you have no reason to be.. We’ve been chatting back and forth for almost two months now.. You’re not gonna scare me off.” He tried to be comforting, but the sound of your name leaving his lips only made you more anxious. “Please?” You let out a small sigh, nodding to yourself. “Okay. Yeah. Where did you want to meet?” You asked softly, and you could practically hear the smile in his voice as he spoke to you. “Is Piper still living in her old place? There’s a coffee shop a few blocks from there - The Daily Grind?” “Yeah, I actually live with her, now, so I know where that is.” You replied, your voice shaking slightly. “Awesome.. so we’ll say 6?” You looked down at your watch, seeing that it was already 4:30 and your chest tightened. “Yeah, I’ll just go on a run tomorrow morning.” “Alright.. I’ll see you at 6, then?” He clarified and you hummed softly. “Sebastian, how will I know its you?” You asked and he chuckled. “Text me when you get there, and I’ll come outside and meet you.. just do me a favor?” “Of course, anything.” You replied almost immediately. “Please don’t freak out.” His tone was almost… sad. “Oh, Seb..” You whispered, feeling your heart drop. “Promise me you wont?” He asked, using the same tone as before. “I promise.”

The next hour flew before your eyes and before you knew it, you were walking towards the Daily Grind, dressed in one of your favorite skirt and sweater combos. You’d put on a little bit of eyeliner and mascara, but not too much.. You didn’t want to overdo it, especially since you never wore much makeup to begin with. You were about a block away when your phone buzzed.

‘I’m here. Just sat down. How far away are you?’

You chewed your lip as you typed out your reply, your stomach doing flips.

‘I’m on my way.’

Your reply was simple, but you figured it would do the trick. As you got closer and closer to the shop, you grew more and more anxious. By the time you were standing in front of the shop, your hands were shaking. You stood in front of the giant window of the store, peeking around at the customers sitting in the booths before you pulled out your phone, texting him to let him know you had arrived. When you saw a man in a corner booth stand up, phone in hand and a smile on his gorgeous, chiseled face, your heart stopped beating for a moment. He was wearing a navy blue baseball cap and a baggy, grey hoodie, trying to hide, but you recognized him almost immediately. Sebastian was Sebastian Stan? As in the Sebastian Stan? Tj Hammond? Lance Tucker? Bucky Barnes? He was walking towards the door, shoving his phone into his jacket pocket, and you could feel your feet carrying you away from the store before you could stop yourself. As you turned around to walk in the opposite direction, you heard footsteps behind you, and then a familiar voice. “Y/N?”

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