#right back to my point i painted the damn alice in like. the hour before my aunt's birthday breakfast

[orionangeline]

So y'know how I made a terrible painting for my granmas birthday a few months ago and hated the entire process thoroughly bc I have terrible planning and time management?

Yeah I did it again

Before you get impressed I didn't do the background myself

#my skills are rusty af and people are making too big a deal about me just to be spiteful about it I swear #they KNOW I don't take compliments well its very mean lol #also you can't see it bc of the low photo quality but there are so many mistakes #also I got told I look like a player from the eighties bc I was ok look I let someone from the eighties cut my hair ok what do you expect #like. should I be insulted or? at least I look like I get laid but? i don't wanna? ok I get it my hair is getting shaggy and it's naturally #naturally a lil poofy ok shut up #right back to my point i painted the damn alice in like. the hour before my aunt's birthday breakfast #while everyone thought I was still sleeping #someone call me stupid and tell me to set more alerts for things like that pls #my art #my art sucks #also skin tone is a DIFFICULT color to mix

[lunarsaga]

EPISODE 5: The Band of Seven, Resurrected

WELCOME TO EPISODE 5! So far, episode 6 is up on my Patreon already, and episode 7 is in progress. Support me on Patreon to see stuff first!

IMPORTANT: I am starting to integrate the art into the story a little differently! Instead of just visualizing a moment in the scene, the image will replace the lines it's depicting. It'll work more like a hybrid graphic novel, that way it'll flow better. (So don't skip over the art, read it like you would a western comic!)

Reminder: [Dialogue like this is English!]

EPISODE 5, LESSGO! ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆

It was a bit of a long flight between the bone-eater’s well and the spot where Luna last left her sister and her friends.

They were still headed northeast, still trying to find Naraku. But Luna’s supply of ammunition only lasted so long, and she decided she probably needed more medical supplies if they were all gonna make it past this war with Naraku. So she’d gone back to the modern era for a few days, and called Alice to get her connections with other Hunters in Japan—so Luna could make more Sacred Salt rounds without having to explain to international customs why she was getting a bunch of empty shotgun shells, non-native herbs, and a few other assorted (weird) things she needed.

So she’d gone home for a few days. Thankfully, she didn’t have to walk; Airisu (who still objected to Luna calling her ‘Alice’, but agreed to the simple nickname ‘Ai’) in full demon form could fly pretty fast, but she ran out of steam after about an hour. It took them a full day (including rest time) to get back to the village, and the same on the way back.

But before they joined back up with their friends, Luna had a stop to make.

It ain’t hard to miss, she thought snarkily, he’s like a damn homing beacon.

Finally, among all the green of the forests, she spotted a speck of white. Easy. “There they are!”

Ai set them down just behind the little group of travelers—Rin, the little imp Jaken, the big horse-dragon (Ah-Un, Luna believed?), and heading the line was, of course, Lord Fussy Britches himself. Rin spotted them before they touched down, and greeted delightfully:

“Miss Luna!”

The Hunter’s arrival brought the others to a halt, and for some reason, Luna found a very smug satisfaction in the incredibly irritated, over-the-shoulder side eye she got from Sesshomaru. But she paid him no mind; she was here for Rin.

Luna held out her hand, unfolding her fingers to reveal three beautiful pearls, strung on a little leather cord. Each of them glinted with an odd pink sheen and were warm to the touch; anyone with any sort of spiritual senses might’ve picked up on the soft energy radiating from them.

Luna tied the cord tightly at the ends and moved to slip it over the little girl’s head.

“As if she would ever need such a ridiculous thing!”

Luna swore one of these days, she was gonna drop kick that little frog. “Look, dude—”

“It’s Jaken, insolent human!”

“—I’m just looking out for her. No need to burst a blood vessel.”

“What is she to you?”

Luna was actually shocked to be addressed by Sesshomaru himself. He was still giving her the side eye, but there was less irritation and more of… something Luna couldn’t place. Maybe she was flirting with death, but she couldn’t resist.

She stood tall, chin high, and responded: “What is she to you?”

There was the anger: contained, but frigid and harsh as the Arctic behind those amber eyes. Sesshomaru did not answer her, but Jaken sure did.

“How dare you, human! Your nerve is surpassed only by your stupidity to speak to Lord Sesshomaru that way! Surely you wish for death!”

Only sometimes. “Can it, Kermit!” She snapped at him, “I ask because he’s always leaving her alone, with nothing but you to protect her! You, who are half her size and don’t have much in the way of defense!” She moved her challenging gaze to Sesshomaru again, steadfast. “So I ask again, what is she to you, if you leave her with barely any protection so often? Because to me, she’s a friend and I care about her, so I brought her these as a last resort option, in case you’re not around and she needs help.”

There it was, that unreadable expression again. Sesshomaru was definitely incomparable at hiding his true emotions—something Luna could absolutely not stand. Tense silence hung in the air for a moment, before Luna shrugged, holding her hands up.

“Hey, think of it this way,” She said, trying a sly little smile, “You’re a busy guy. It’s one less thing you have to worry about. And if she never needs them, at least it’s a pretty necklace.”

Man, this guy was good at keeping quiet. But now, the icy glare was gone. Luna swore she could see just the tiniest arc of a silver eyebrow before the demon turned back around on the path they’d all been heading.

“Jaken, let’s go.”

Flabbergasted, Jaken tripped over himself trying to follow. “Y-yes milord!”

Grinning, Luna got back down to Rin’s level. “You take care, okay kid?”

“I will! And thank you so much for these— I don’t think I’ll need them because Lord Sesshomaru always comes to save me, but I’ll wear them anyway!”

“That’s all I ask,” This little angel was definitely gonna need it at some point. “But if you do need me, I’ll always be there for you, okay? I promise.”

The smile on Rin’s face could’ve melted the ice caps. “Thank you.”

Luna stopped her as she started to leave. “Hold on, one more thing. Each one only works once before it shatters, so you gotta save them for when you’re really in trouble, okay?”

“Okay, I will! Bye, Miss Luna!” Rin grinned, waving at her friend before hurrying after the demons.

Luna chuckled, turning back to Ai for a second before something occurred to her. “Hey, Sesshomaru!”

He didn’t turn to look at her this time, but he did pause in his walking.

Good enough. “I heard there was something going down in the Northeast—direction of the Ox and Tiger. Something to do with Naraku. Thought you might like to know.” She didn’t wait to see if he heard or registered what she said; she just hopped back on Ai’s back, and the two of them took off.

“I hope you know conflating bravery with stupid pride is more than likely to get you killed one of these days.” Ai said as she lifted into the sky.

“Oh most definitely,” Luna laughed. “But as much of a pompous man-child as he is, you can tell he cares for that girl more than he’s willing to admit.”

“That may be, but he’ll definitely kill you if you keep disrespecting him.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take, for Rin’s sake.” Luna’s voice was soft, carried off by the wind. “That little angel’s been through enough, she deserves someone in her corner.”

~    ~    ~

Finally catching sight of their friends again was a bit of a relief for both Luna and Ai. It had been a long couple of days, going all the way home and coming back. Part of Luna hoped they’d get just a little bit of rest before whatever shit hit the fan next, but another part knew the odds on that were pretty low. Still, it was nice to be back.

Kagome was the first to spot them as they flew in. “It’s Luna!”

“Luna’s back!” Shippo proclaimed joyfully.

“Hey, y’all,” Luna greeted as Ai touched down. She hopped off the demon’s back as her friends offered their greetings. “What’d I miss?” She asked.

Miroku was the one to answer. “Quite a lot. It seems that we may encounter a new enemy: the local villagers recently informed us of a group of mercenaries called the Band of Seven. The villagers believe these ruthless killers may have been brought back from the dead.”

With a grin on her face, Luna shrugged at the idea. “Undead mercs, huh? Nothin’ we can’t handle.” She held up her fist for her sister to bump it, and as Ai changed back to her human form, Luna noticed their little group was smaller than it should’ve been. “Where’s Sango?”

Kagome bumped fists with her sister, smiling at Luna’s nonchalant comment. “She went off with Kilala. I sensed a Jewel Shard nearby earlier… so I think she may have gone to look for Kohaku.”

Luna didn’t have time to respond. Off in the distance, she heard the distinctive echo of a sound she was all too familiar with.

Inuyasha hopped up onto a tree limb, hoping to get a look at what was happening. He couldn’t see it, but he sure as hell could smell it. “And it ain’t from just a handful of people, either.”

So much for a second to rest, Luna chuckled to herself as she tightened the straps on her backpack and immediately kicked into gear. “What’re we waiting for, then?”

And off they were, charging headlong into danger as always. Luna could sense something was up; more so than usual. The stench of blood was never a good sign in the first place, but there was something else setting off warning bells. Something she couldn’t put a finger on.

The smell got stronger and stronger, until… they reached its source. Despite the amount of nasty shit she’d seen in her ten years of hunting supernatural monsters, there were some things that still turned her stomach, and seeing a single human being standing in a veritable ring of blood and gore was definitely one of them. His black hair was pulled into a twist; his lips were painted red, he had blue tattoos like tear tracks under each eye, and one side of his kimono was tucked up under his belt. The dude was just squatting in the middle of the carnage, eyeballing the barrel of a matchlock gun like it was his first time seeing one (which, hell, it might be, she thought to herself; in this time, they would’ve only recently been invented). He seemed completely unbothered by the dozen and a half bodies of freshly murdered warriors and their horses surrounding him.

Inuyasha was the one to get to the scene just ahead of the others, calling back over his shoulder: “Stay back! Don’t come over here!”

Instinctively, Luna remained in front of her sister, her arm out to try and block her view. Her stomach was churning, and her hand was poised to pull her gun if needed. No way this guy could be human… right?

“Did… that one person do all this?” Kagome’s voice was a shocked whisper.

It was then that the guy in the middle noticed them. He stood, his sword over his shoulder and his head cocked slightly to the side.

“Are you the one I’ve been looking for?” He asked, a grin on his face as he shielded his eyes from the sun. “Are you Inuyasha?!”

“Got a bad feeling about this.” Luna mumbled, “That guy isn't a demon, is he?”

“I don’t think so,” Kagome uttered back to her, “I don’t sense a demonic aura….”

“How’d you know my name?!” Inuyasha demanded.

He got no answer out of the guy with the sword. Instead, the guy squealed: “You’re adorable!”

A dumbfounded silence fell over the group. Luna glanced around at the others to make sure she didn’t just lose her mind—but no, the general consensus among her friends was along the lines of ‘what the actual fuck?’

“I especially love those fuzzy ears of yours!” The guy continued, licking his lips. “I want them~”

Alright, so this guy was nuts. Luna had had enough of ignoring the bad vibe she was picking up from him. She dropped her bag next to Kagome’s bike and readied herself for a fight: detached the ammo bag and shotgun holster from her pack and slung them over her shoulder, slipped her short sword through one of the belt loops on her jeans, and pulled her shotgun to make sure it was in hand and loaded. She kept her eyes moving back and forth between Inuyasha and the dude with the sword during the next exchange:

“Who are you?” Inuyasha demanded, “What are you after? You don’t smell like a living person, you reek like corpses and graveyard soil!”

No answer.

“Inuyasha,” Miroku said in realization: “Could he be—?”

“Yep,” Inuyasha confirmed, before calling out to the guy with the sword again: “Some villagers were talking! They said some disgusting specter rose up from the grave. That’d be you, I presume!”

Right, zombies, Luna thought to herself; if he really is undead, the Sacred Salt won’t do as much as it would a demon… It’d sting, but what I really need is-… She smirked and holstered her gun again, grabbing a different weapon from the bottom of her bag.

“Are you one of the Band of Seven?!” Miroku asked of the specter as Luna was tuning back in. “Answer me!”

After a long pause as the specter seemed to size the monk up, his response was even worse than before. “Inuyasha really is good looking, but you’re pretty sexy yourself~”

Luna snorted so hard she thought she was gonna eject her brain through her nose. Ai whacked her in the arm as a warning.

“No one minds if I suck him up, do they?” Miroku grumbled.

“No.” Inuyasha said, flatly.

“Hold on!” Kagome said, “He’s got a Sacred Jewel Shard! He must’ve been revived with the power of the Shard!”

“So that was what I was sensing,” Luna mumbled, “but why does it feel off...?”

“Where’d you get the Jewel Shard?!” Inuyasha once again attempted to pose a question to their opponent, only to once again receive a weird, adoring response:

“You know, you’re cute when you’re angry~!”

“Shut up!” Inuyasha shouted, jumping forward and drawing his sword. “Alright, dead man, you’d better start talking to me, and I want real answers!”

The expression on the specter’s face shifted from one of reverence to one more sadistic as he regarded Tetsusaiga. “That’s an interesting sword you have there… let’s see whose is stronger.” He lifted his own sword, making an odd motion around his head and shoulders with it as if he were gearing up for something. “Yours or mine?!”

When he brought his arm down, something that looked almost like a bolt of silver lightning shot from his blade. Inuyasha barely had the chance to block it as it cut an arc through the air toward him.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome called out in surprise.

“Stay back!” Miroku threw his arm out in an attempt to shield the others. “It’s some kind of trick sword!”

“That’s my cue!” Ai shifted into full demon form, jerking her head at the sisters and the little fox. “All aboard!”

Kagome climbed on no issue, but Luna glanced at Miroku, who made no move to follow them. “You coming?”

“I’ll be alright, you keep them safe.” Miroku said, resolute. Not about to argue, Luna climbed on the demon’s back and Ai leapt into the air above the fight.

“You gonna be okay holding all of us after that long flight?” Luna asked her friend.

“I’m fine, it’s the same weight as you with your pack on.” Ai sassed back.

“Yeah well, fuck me for being prepared,” Luna laughed, starting to prep the other weapon she’d brought.

Kagome managed to tear her eyes from the confrontation below to try and see what her sister was doing. “What did you bring, Luna?”

Luna grinned as she clicked the last accessory into place, then turned back to show her sister. “This? This is my baby.” She held up her favorite weapon: it was a fully-customized folding compound crossbow as long as Luna’s arm. She pressed a release on the side, and the arms shot into place, making both Shippo and Kagome jump.

“Whoa!” The fox demon exclaimed, “What kind of a weapon is that?!”

“It’s a crossbow, Shippo,” Kagome explained, “It’s kind of like my bow, but the arrows are smaller and it’s easier to fire.”

“Self-loading, too,” Luna smirked as she strung it up, “The ‘arrows’ are called bolts or darts. This thing can shoot way faster than a longbow, and since we’re dealing with Zombie Harley Quinn down there—” She grabbed a bolt from her ammo bag to show it to them, “—we’re gonna need these. They’re tipped with pure silver. Great for dealing with Vampires, Werewolves, The Undead, and The Unholy.”

Shippo reached out to touch it, but Kagome stopped him, shaking her head rapidly. “It’s safe to assume you shouldn’t touch anything Luna has in her bag, Shippo.”

The kid swallowed nervously. “G-got it...”

Below them, the fight continued. Inuyasha could barely avoid each strike of the snakelike sword, and his opponent only seemed to be having more and more fun.

“What do you think of Jakotsu of the Band of Seven, huh?!” He shouted as he swung the sword once more.

“Not too much!” Inuyasha came back at him with Tetsusaiga, but to no avail.

Kagome gasped. “He needs help!”

“That’s what this baby’s for,” Luna grinned, patting her crossbow. “Ai, can you stay out of reach of the sword but get me close enough to shoot?!”

“It’ll take a miracle!”

“Better start praying, then,” Luna lined up the shot, finger still as stone on the trigger. There was a familiar voice in the back of her head; she could hear her father saying: “Aim for where they’re gonna be, not where they are.”

I know, dad. She tried not to sigh audibly as she managed to get Jakotsu’s head in her crosshairs and pulled the trigger, quick as a viper.

And… almost missed him.

The consecrated silver bolt seemed to burn through the air as it shot just centimeters shy of the specter’s nose and grazed his arm, burning a hole in his kimono. He whipped his attention to the woman who shot it.

“How dare you interfere?!” He snarled, rearing his arm back and whipping his blade toward them.

Luna felt her stomach drop.

“You idiot!” Ai snapped at her, trying to fly out of range of the sword as Kagome and Shippo both clung, screaming, to Luna’s back. Just as the sword arched toward them, there was a familiar cry of:

“HIRAIKOTSU!”

And Jakotsu’s blade was then tangled around the aforementioned boomerang. All three riding on Ai’s back sighed in relief when they saw Sango swoop in on Kilala. Ai touched down just as Kilala did, transforming into her human form and unceremoniously dumping the sisters on their asses.

“Are you all okay?” Sango called over to them.

“We’re fine!” Shippo answered.

“Perfect timing, Sango!” Kagome said.

“Some weapon, Luna!” Ai huffed in the Hunter’s direction. Luna just stuck her tongue at her.

Jakotsu was practically red in the face, shrieking in frustration: “What is with all you vile women?! Can’t you see I’m trying to battle Inuyasha?!” In the same breath, he whipped his sword again, toward Sango this time. The movement freed Hiraikotsu, and ended up leaving a small slice on Sango’s arm as Jakotsu pulled it back.

“Stay out of this!” He continued, “None of you will interfere!”

But their “interference” had served Inuyasha well enough: it gave him just the opportunity he needed to rear back and punch the specter in the face.

“Shut up! I’m tired of listening to your pointless babble!” Inuyasha growled.

Jakotsu grunted as he tumbled back, then rubbed his cheek and pouted like a kicked puppy. “That was cruel…”

“Oh, get over it!” Inuyasha snapped, “Now tell me who gave you the Sacred Jewel Shard before I have to seriously hurt you!”

Kagome and Miroku rushed to see if Sango was okay, but she assured them that it was just a graze; she was fine. Her attention was more on the subject at hand.

“I have a feeling that the shard came from Naraku,” She said, somberly. She looked at Kagome. “When you sensed a Jewel Shard earlier… it was Kohaku. I saw the Saimiyosho around him as well.”

“That means that your brother is still under Naraku’s control…” Miroku said. Sango nodded.

Luna had set her weapon down next to her backpack, and came back with a bandage for Sango’s arm. Her mind was going at a million miles an hour, trying to figure out how the hell they were gonna handle this—first an undead band of Ronin, now they have something to do with Naraku. What was Naraku playing at...?

“Gotta wonder what the hell is next…” Luna mumbled sarcastically.

Seconds later, she would regret asking. A cloud of black smoke poured over the cliffside, drifting right toward them.

Like he knew what was happening, Jakotsu got up and collected his sword. “Inuyasha! You should get out of here while you can! Bye!” And with that, he was just… gone.

“What the hell—” Inuyasha broke off with a startled yell when the cloud reached him. “Its poison!”

“But where’s it coming from?!” Miroku wondered.

“We need to move.” Luna reassembled her bag in less than thirty seconds—side effect of doing it so often. “We can figure out what the hell is going on when we’re safely away from here!”

Why do I feel like we stepped into something huge here? Luna thought to herself as the group of friends moved away from the cloud of gas.

#fanfic #inuyasha oc #inuyasha au #the lunar saga #kagome higurashi #inuyasha fanart #inuyasha #sesshomaru #sango #miroku #shippo

[stan-joonies]

Leave Me Like Everyone Else, It's Not Like I Believed You'd Stay

Y/n laughed when she spotted Rosalie in a tree, her face obscurred by leaves.

"I can see you, Rose." She giggled, standing near the tree.

Rosalie cleared her throat unnecessarily before jumping down, the crack of twigs and leaves filling the silence.

Y/n raised an eyebrow as Rose ignored her in favour of staring at her hands.

"Rose?" Y/n's smile dropped. "Are you ok?"

[[MORE]]

Said blonde shook her head, breathing before looking at the human. The human. Not just a human. The human.

The human that changed it all in the best way possible.

The human that made Emmett do that amazing belly laugh and Rosalie to giggle.

The human who unknowingly fell in love with two monsters, and stayed when she found out the truth.

The human who made two happy vampires even happier.

The human who's heart Rosalie had to break.

The vampire steeled herself, her lips pressed thinly and her shoulders squaring.

"This isn't working." Just those words made Rosalie feel like her insides were aflame. Hands digging their way out of the ground and clawing at her feet, pulling her underground.

Y/n felt like the breath had escaped her, eyes widening.

"What? Rose...What's going on?"

Rosalie gently shook of her hand, closing her eyes and grimacing.

"Me and Emmett thought we were missing something, so we experimented. We thought you were the one we needed but we were wrong. Me and Emmett..." Rosalie felt hands of air trying to choke her. "Are better on our own."

Rosalie wanted to cry in that moment as Y/N's eyes glossed over, lines appearing on her forehead.

"This is a joke right...?"

Rosalie could only shake her head, watching as Y/N broke down, her heart slowly being ripped apart.

Rosalie took a careful step forward, reaching a pale hand to touch her, gasping when Y/N slapped it away.

"Don't touch me!" She exclaimed, h/c brows scrunching up. "You don't get to do that!"

"Y/n..."

"No!" She shouted furiously. "Where's Emmett? He couldn't bother to be here too? I'm not worth the two second trip, am i?" Y/n snarled, crossing her arms over her chest as if trying to shield her fragile heart from more damage. "To think i was this stupid."

"Y/n...you're not..."

Y/n ignored her, rolling her eyes.

"Ever since we got into this relationship. In the back of my mind it was always 'Emmett and Rosalie'. You were always there! My thoughts couldn't escape! Where's Rosalie and Emmett today? Are Rosalie and Emmett having fun? Are Rosalie and Emmett happy today." She let out a sob. "Then i found out...that you weren't what i thought you were. The thoughts got so much worse, so much more negative. Rosalie and Emmett are immortal...will they be there even when I'm old? How would Rosalie and Emmett feel once i die? How can i be equal to Rosalie and Emmett if i die soon. Can Rosalie and Emmett love me equally even if they have hundreds of years together against my fifty? You never left. Those thoughts consumed me. The doubts and thoughts became my daily. But i had the both of you, when you invited me over and we'd snuggle on the couch with Emmett at our feet and we'd watch him play video games, giving him praise when he won. When he was done he'd lift us both and carry us to his room where we'd all hug eachother close. I'd be wearing three jumpers because you both would make me feel freezing. Those moments made doubts go away, if only for a day."

"Y/N," Rosalie encased her in a hug, wincing when, instead of melting into it, she freezes. "You a--were everything. We love you so much. There was no need for those doubts. We love you like you love us and we love eachother."

"But that's still not enough to stay," Rosalie tensed, eyes widening. She didn't even move when y/n broke out of her lax hold.

"I need to find Bella," she quickly turned, running out of the forest and away from Rosalie.

Once she was far away, Emmett jumped down from the trees, quickly taking Rosalie into his arms.

"Why couldn't you be here with me," Rosalie muttered, digging her head into his chest.

Emmett closed his eyes, feeling his heart throb and a familiar emptiness consume him.

"Cause I'd run after her..."

-

Y/N was doing better. When she found out the Cullens had skipped town she was heartbroken, a hollowness consuming her for months on end.

Then, University arrived. A chance to leave the little town of Forks and escape the bad omens lurking in the darkness.

She smiled when she got her acceptance letter. It was far away yet still only a five hour car ride. Bella tearfully told her to come see her once a month, Y/N just as tearfully agreed while hugging the girl's oxygen away.

Y/N remembered driving away, her family waving her off and a sense of lightness came about her. She wasn't healing or living. But she was surviving.

-

With her stomach full, Y/N made her way out of the cheap restaurant and down the dark road. It was swallowed in shadows, rain pouring down and clanging against bins.

Shaking off a sudden chill, she continued walking, her boots clicking against stone.

From her right, a bin tipped over, clashing against the floor and echoing around her. She wanted to stop, see what had caused it.

But Rosalie taught her better.

"No matter what happens, keep moving."

Her voice echoed hauntingly in her head and she followed it, her steps quickening slightly when another bin fell up ahead. Then another. And another.

It was like a horrible, screeching banshee echoeing around her. Her heart was drumming against her ribs cage and her vision became blurry when she forgot to breath.

So when hands slithered around her waist like snakes and pulled her into the darkness, she couldn't scream...

-

When Y/N woke in the barn, seeing Victoria smiling down at her, she jolted up and accidentally smasher a hole into the barn. That earned her being ripped apart and left to slowly reassemble. After that, Y/N chose to brood in silence, actively thinking about her human life and grasping onto them. They were the only things she had now.

When a shirt Y/N recognised was passed around, she hid in shadows, resisting the temptation to snatch it and smell it herself.

That clothing was Bella's. The same Bella who changed her life and now it was the Bella who smelt so sweet to Y/N that she wanted her.

Then, after a month, she met Bree Tanner. A small girl who built up her own resistance, something Y/N admired.

They spoke about their lives before, everyday they became closer, to the point of being sisters.

When Victoria released them, making the mindless newborns follow her by scrunching up a piece of Bella's clothing in her hands, their resistance was put to the test.

They stayed up on trees, far away from Bella.

Y/N watched as her family defeated the monsters, ripping off their heads and throwing them into a fire. But the newborns were vicious, biting and scraping at tough skin.

When Y/N caught sight of Emmett and Rosalie, it felt like a rusty wrench sunk into her heart.

She wanted to go to them, fight with them, but Bree held her back.

"They'll mistake you for the enemy." She informed, making Y/N rethink her options.

When they were all destroyed, a wolf taken away, they jumped from the trees, announcing their presence.

From down here, Bella's scent was much more potent and strong, but Y/N's resolve was stronger.

"No..." she heard someone cry. Y/N looked up, her eyes connecting to Bella's teary ones. "Y/N...what happened."

The vampire looked down in shame, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Victoria caught me, wasn't intentional, but she was ecstatic when she did," she huffed.

Their eyes travelled to her body, where all her scars showed. One thick one on her neck where they ripped her head off. Two on her arms. Two on her legs. Multiple on her stomach...

"This is Bree Tanner," she introduced. "She's my friend."

She tried with all her might to not look at Rosalie and Emmett, who, in comparison, desperately tried to catch her eye.

Then, figures emerged from the forest in billowy black cloaks that masked their faces from view.

"You missed a couple," Jane stated, eyes trained onto Bree and Y/N.

Rosalie snarled angrily, stepping between her and Jane.

"They're with us,"

Y/N sighed, pulling Rosalie back and looking into her eyes.

The world tilted, her dead heart hammering against her chest. Rosalie was even more beautiful then she remembered. Her golden strands of hair framed her face like an antique painting, her porcelain skin glowed from the faint sunlight that peeked through the clouds. Her eyes were black and cold yet they invited Y/N in, almost begging her to come closer and look into them more.

The dam had broke and her eyes immediately searched for Emmett's, who sped to her side and grabbed her by the waist. He was larger it seemed, muscles more defined and his cheekbones higher. His eyes were dark and dangerous but inviting too. His dark hair in contrast to his pale skin created a beautiful painting of a fallen angel. She felt warmth spread through her and caress her slowly mending heart.

Everything was misplaced. Her feelings clashing with her brain and her senses becoming completely overloaded. Memories swarmed her, pushing others out of the way.

The feeling of being disconnected from reality felt freeing yet absolutely terrifying.

But Emmett and Rosalie hugged her, and their bodies were no longer cold to her.

In those arms, the same that had comforted her, the same that had loved her, the same ones thst had broke her, she knew things would happen. Good or bad, she didn't know. But things were coming her way, and she'd be damned if she faced it alone.

Her resolve melting, her arms, with no lack of struggle, snuggled into them both.

For a couple of seconds she could forget the outside world. Just for a couple of seconds.

A white field, burning, suffering. Screams rising into the cool air.

Emmett screaming, Rosalie crying.

A s/c head rolling on the ground, imprinting the snow.

Alice gasped, shaking out of her vision, her eyes going to the three vampires cocooning themselves from the world.

Alice felt sympathy rise up into her chest.

There was only one future...and it didn't see them all in it.

#twilight #twilight x reader #twilight imagine #rosalie #rosalie hale #rosalie hale x reader #rosalie hale imagine #rosalie cullen #emmett x reader #emmett cullen x reader #emmett cullen imagine #emmett #emmett cullen #angst #fluff #new moon #imagine

[ivory-sunflower]

Arty Art Things ✨

Hellooo!

I've decided to post some of the arty things I've done either recently or in the last few years, well the pieces I'm somewhat proud of at least. All my posts tend to be a lot more wordy than they need to be but hey it's what I do here!

Conchúr White

Anyone one who's been on this blog for a bit will have probably have seen me talk about this lovely Irish fella. The pencil drawing is actually a year old as of yesterday, I only know that because screenshots of me flipping out about Conchúr following me on twitter popped up in my memories yesterday. I think I'd sent it to him at about 3 in the morning (I was not in a good head space at that point in time), so probably not what he was expecting to see when he opened his phone in the morning aha

The biro version is much more recent: I got bored while sat at my desk and doing research about university courses, saw a biro, saw my old drawing of Conchúr, had an idea. I revisited my GCSE art techniques and here we are. Again, I put this up on Twitter and now (at the the time I'm writing this) when you google "Conchúr White" it's the third top image of him which is a bit mad really. I think I spent all of about 20 minutes on Conchúr but another 45 minutes on the words behind him. The words are the names of the songs on his EP 'Bikini Crops', he doesn't just really love the idea of Channing Tatum driving him around at night in a daisy print bikini... Well maybe he does but what he does in his spare time is none of my business...

TechDif

So I mentioned that the pencil drawing of Conchúr came from a rough patch in my mental health and this one is no different! In fact this one came from an even worse circumstance so we love to see it. I had a bad, bad time in July and this started as a way of distracting myself from what was going on in my head. Without it, I can't honestly say I'd still be here so even if the final product of this had been a terrible mess I would still love it for keeping me alive. However, it did not turn out to be a terrible mess!

Now that the origin of this is out the way, where do I start with TechDif? Unlike Conchúr, I haven't really talked about them on here (unless you count one brief post about Citation Needed) before so I guess I'll do it here. The Technical Difficulties are a wonderful group of 4 British fellas who have had their fair share of fun online and even before. They did a radio show at university together, which went on to become their Reverse Trivia Podcast, later moving on to a panel show called 'Citation Needed': and a game called 'Two of These People Are Lying'. All of which I would thoroughly reccomend, they're one of my go to things when I'm having a rough time. All 4 of them are excellent! Tom Scott (red top, blue jeans on the picture) has his own YouTube channel which does content aside from TechDif. If you're quite nerdy and like science, linguistics, computers, or any number of other things you may enjoy Tom's channel. He is probably best described as "The Moderator" of the group, much like a tired teacher he tries desperately to keep everyone on track with what they're meant to be doing, but usually it does not end well for him. Then we have Matt Gray (space top, holding an ice cream) who also has a channel away from TechDif stuff, he does techy electronic things and has a series called 'Will it Soft Serve?' where he puts all kinds of strange things through a soft serve machine. Matt brings a very specific energy to TechDif and I can't fully describe what that vibe is but I love it. Matt and Tom also share a YouTube channel where TOTPAL is posted and they had a series called 'The Park Bench'. Moving on to everybody's favourite Gary Brannan: Gary Brannan (SATIRE hoodie, glasses) and can I just say, what a fella he is! He's just excellent! He is the one that will argue and rip into Tom the most (not in a malicious way) and hilarity ensues. There are some episodes where he is absolutely on it, getting all the points and others where he very clearly has no idea and that's where some of his funniest quotes come from. Given how badly I was doing at the time I made this, his response to it on Twitter was so so lovely. I specifically remember one tweet where he said I'd made him happy and although it was probably a flippant comment, it just made feel alright for a bit. Yeah I might be feeling awful right now, but I've made someone else happy so that's a nice feeling. Then last but certainly not least, we have Chris Joel (buffalo check shirt, beard)! I would be lying if I said he isn’t my favourite... His sense of humor is the one I vibe with most, he can get rather dramatic in parts and can chat bollocks like a champion. He has absolutely no online presence away from TechDif and, like Rens from Temples, I fully believe he’s a cryptid and lives off in a tree somewhere. 

The picture took me about 4 days to complete, well 4 nights because I did most of it between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7a.m. - I remember watching the sun come through my window each morning. It’s made up of lots of little pieces, all cut out and stuck on; even the sky and hills are made of separate pieces of paper. Nothing was actually drawn on the piece of paper it’s all stuck on, it’s not how I usually do things but if I messed up one little but I could just redraw it rather than ruining the whole thing. The most tedious parts to make were Chris’ shirt because I had to draw each square individually and then join the as well, and cutting out the ban-hammer in the bottom right was surprisingly hard. Every single detail of the picture is a reference to the podcast/shows, I still have the plan sketch and reference list knocking about somewhere. I listened to a lot of true crime videos while making it to the point that certain parts remind me of different cases: the brandy now reminds me of Peter Tobin, and the big spiral thing reminds me of Tim McLean (very harrowing case) - sorry that fact is a bit morbid but interesting nonetheless. 

I did post this for a little bit back in July, but I received some rather awful messages so I took it down. Generally, Tom Scott/TechDif fans are lovely but there’s been a few that have taken a disliking to me for some reason so I’m hoping they don’t resurface again. I’m in a better head space now though, so even if they do I’m more equipped to deal with it this time.

Hozier

This was a quick sketch I did in April, I was getting bored with lockdown and decided to summon the bog man himself. There’s not really much more backstory than that, no poor mental health story, no fun twitter story - he’s just here. He’s vibing. I will say I’m particularly proud of his nose, I just think it’s one of the best noses I’ve ever drawn. His hand is okay, but I think that the hands on my Conchúr drawings are better. So there is the Hozi-Boi...

The Corpse Bry

I’ve talked about Bry on here before as well, I love him, he’s excellent, top lad. He is a living Tim Burton character, he’s 6′6, very skinny, and his legs are longer than my will to live. I was watching ‘The Corpse Bride’ a few weeks ago and suddenly had an idea and so ‘The Corpse Bry’ came to be. I gave him a little panda friend because the panda has always been his animal - he used to wear a panda beanie all the time and his album had a panda on the cover. Again, there’s not really a fun story behind this one, I guess it’s somewhat fun because it’s the first art I made after finishing my psychology exams in October so it was nice to actually have the time to draw.

James Bagshaw

Ginger talking about Temples for the third post in a row? it’s more likely than you think! I did this one last week, I’d had a bit of a wobbly day and had group therapy on Teams in the evening and I just couldn’t concentrate on what was going on and I ended up doodling Mr James E. Bagshaw, the glitter crying fraggle man himself. It’s a bare-bones drawing that I could definitely work into more but I’m happy with it as it is to be honest. I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit and add the individual bits of fringe to his jacket, just thinking about doing that makes me tired. Maybe I’ll get around to drawing the whole band at some point...

Alice in “Wonderland”

This one is from about 5(?) years ago, it’s not my typical style and was a “study” based on another artists work (basically i just had to copy this fellas work). I’ll be honest, this one has a sketchy backstory that I won’t go in to because it’s not exactly a nice one, and because of that I also won’t say who the artist is that it’s based on. Despite this, I’m still really proud of this one and I’m so sad that I never got this piece back after I got taken out the class. I’ve considered trying this style again, I’ve even joked about doing another Conchúr drawing in this style as a nod to my progression through GCSE art, eventually leading to Conchúr drawn in ink on music manuscript and stained with neon paint and dyes - it would be quite the project!

So this has been quite a lengthy post so apologies about that but life goes on. Similar to the vinyl post, I’ll probably add to this as and when I make more art. Even if no one is reading these posts, I’m enjoying making them so that’s the main thing. It’s just nice to document things and the feelings that go with them. 💕

~ Love Ginger xx 

29/11/2020

#personal✨ #art✨ #conchúr white #Tom Scott #tomscottgo #matt gray #gary brannan #chris joel #techdif #the technical difficulties #hozier #bry #bryontour #bribry #james bagshaw #temples #temples band #templesband #wonderland #cottagecore #ginger #redhead #Aesthetic #faerie

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

Fanfic Junk Drawer #2: Jefferson Meets Carol, Once Upon a Time

Summary: Hey remember when Sebastian Stan played the Mad Hatter on Once Upon a Time and was literally one of the best characters on that silly, silly show?  Well I do and I was obsessed with Jefferson for a long time.

This is my own interpretation of Alice separate from the spin off they tried to do with Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.  If you guys want to know more about her, let me know.  I’ve got a lot of scenes written out between the two of them, I’ve just never gotten around to finishing the whole story and probably never will at this point.

Word Count: 1.8K

Jefferson drove down the road back home, his mind racing. 

The clock was moving.  How could the clock be moving?  The only way the clock could move was if the savior had entered the town. She must have.  There was something different now.  He could feel it hanging in the air, not magic, but rather the promise it was coming.  His mind was going so quickly it wasn’t until too late he noticed his engine was dying.

“Damn it,” he cursed aloud pulling over to the side of the road.

Annoyed, he got out of the car and opened the hood to look at the engine although he didn’t know why.  He didn’t know heads or tails about fixing cars and now he was stuck on a back road, late at night without a phone.  All he needed was some rain.  

Then as if hearing his thoughts the skies opened in a heavy down pour.  

Jefferson hung his head in defeat. The only comfort he had was he couldn’t think of anything sarcastic to make the situation worse.  He was considering going back to town when a pair of headlights illuminated the road.  The driver must have seen him since it didn’t take them long to pull up a little ahead of him.

He was about to praise his luck, but then he realized that with his luck the driver’s curse was forcing them to commit random acts of murder.  He went back to his car and turned on the headlights hoping to get a better look at the driver.  He couldn’t tell much except that the driver was a woman and she seemed to be searching for something.  He waited patiently keeping his head down from the rain until he heard the other car’s door slam and the sound a footsteps on wet pavement.

“Do you need some help?” the woman asked.

He looked up to make a sarcastic remark, but the comment died on his lips.

It was Alice.  His Alice was standing right in front of him, looking at him with her bright blue eyes and holding a bright blue umbrella.

“No,” he said unable to account on how calm he sounded.

“Really?” she questioned.  “Because it looks like your car has stopped working in a middle of a storm.”

She didn’t recognize him.  Jefferson didn’t know whether to be relived or disappointed.

“The engine’s a little temperamental sometimes,” he lied easily. “I just need to let it sit until it starts working.”

“Do you want to wait in my car until it does?”  she asked.  “I’ve got heating.”

He waved her off.  “I’ll be fine.  If it doesn’t work I’ll call someone.”

She tilted her head and gave him an apologetic look.  “There’s no reception out here.”

He fought the urge to groan.  “Of course there isn’t,” he mumbled.

“I could give you a ride home,” she offered.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Well it’s either that or leaving you out here in the rain all night.”

Jefferson wanted to hate the woman in front of him for using logic and caring. But he couldn’t.  

“So you are willing to let a stranger who is having suspicious car troubles into your car in on a back road in the middle of the night without so much as a hesitation,” he said.  “How do you know I’m not a serial killer?”

She smiled.  “And you are considering getting into a car with a stranger who inexplicably comes in your hour of need on a back road in the middle of the night.  How do you know I’m not the serial killer?”

“Fair point,” he said with a small smile.  “So, you’re a serial killer then?”

She shrugged.  “Only in my spare time.”

“Do you mind if I ask how you do it?”  

“Get into the car and I might,” she said nodding her head towards the other vehicle.

His smile quickly faded.  Could he handle that?  It was taking everything in him not to pull her into him arms again and never let go. He shouldn’t even be talking to her. What was he doing?

She must have seen his hesitation because she recovered quickly.  “C’mon I can at the very least drop you back home.”

Home, no, just a house where he just happened to live.  Home was with Alice and Grace before everything went to hell. This woman couldn’t take him home. This woman, no matter how much she looked Alice and talked like Alice, she wasn’t Alice.  She was a different person with a different life in her head. She wasn’t Alice.  Yes, he could handle a few minutes in a car with a person who wasn’t Alice.

“Thanks,” he said slamming the hood of his car.  Not Alice smiled in her victory extending her hand to shake.

“I’m Carol by the way.”

Carol.  The name seemed so wrong on her.

“Jefferson,” he said shaking her hand.  It was surprisingly warm despite the rain.

Carol smiled and then let go of his hand turning to her car.  Almost immediately Jefferson missed her hand in his. Shaking it off as best he could he took the passenger’s seat beside her as they turned back onto the road.

“So which way am I taking you?”  Carol asked after a moment.

“Just a little while up this way,” Jefferson answered shortly.

There was a small pause between them.

“I haven’t seen you in town much,” she said trying to start a conversation.

He shook his head.  “I don’t normally go into town.”

“Nothing worth seeing?”

“Something like that,” he shrugged off.

“Nobody worth seeing?

The question threw him off guard for a moment.  “Something like that.”

“Why do you stay then?” she asked cautiously.

“What?”

“If you don’t have anyone or anything holding you here then why don’t you go someplace different?”  she asked. “Some place with something.”

Words could not describe the irony of that statement.  There was so much keeping him here, but at the same time pushing him away.  His wife and child were here, but the mere sight of them went through him like a knife through the heart.  

“It’s a long story.”

“How long?”  she asked.

“A long story,” he said, “a very, very long story.”

“We’ve got time.”

“Not that much.”

Carol looked like she wanted to push the matter further, but realized it was really none of her business.  “Fair enough.”

There was another long pause.

“So what…”

“What do you…” Carol and Jefferson started at the same time.  There was a beat between them before they both laughed awkwardly.

“You first,” Jefferson said.

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Carol said still a little embarrassed.

“Apparently you were.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything important.  I mean I…,” she stumbled trying to find the words.  “You know those moments when you’re talking and you start thinking about what you’re talking about and then suddenly realize you can’t think or talk about anything at all?”

Jefferson gave a sad smile.  “Sometimes,” he said in spite of himself.

Carol Alice looked at him strangely before smiling and looking back towards the road.

“What brings you all the way out here anyway?”  Jefferson asked.  “I take it wasn’t just to help me.”

She chuckled lightly.  “No I’m afraid not.  I was just going to drop off some paintings at a friends’ house when I saw your car.”

“You paint?” he asked, more out of politeness than anything.

“Yeah, I mean I don’t making a living off it, but I do paint.  I mean I love painting and all, but…”  She stopped herself before she started rambling.  “So what do you do?”  Carol asked.

“Turn up this way,” Jefferson said.

“What?”

Jefferson pointed to the road.  “You need to turn up this way.”

Carol looked confused for a moment, but look forward to see a small road that only seemed to fit one car.  Soon enough they pulled up to the house.  Jefferson smiled slightly at Carol’s reaction upon seeing it.  It was rather grand with Victorian pillars and a stair case leading up to the front door.  It was only two stories tall but there were at least ten windows per floor and it seemed to tower over the woods around it.

“Ok,” Carol said, “I’m going to put my money on trust fund baby or white collar criminal.”

“Well, your half right,” Jefferson said.

Carol turned to him and raised an eyebrow.  “On which one?”

Jefferson didn’t answer and only smirked.  

Neither of them said anything for a long while and neither of them looked away. Jefferson tried to will himself into opening the door and walk toward the house, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.  The way Carol was looking at him reminded him so much of Alice whenever she was trying to figure something out.  To the outside eye it might look like she was completely oblivious when in reality she was focusing on every detail.  

After what felt like an eternity Not Alice broke the silence.

“It was nice to meet you Jefferson,” she said extending her hand.  

He managed a half smile.  “You too.”

He took hold of her hand and the familiar warmth crept into his fingers. Unlike before Carol didn’t pull away and despite himself Jefferson found he didn’t want her too.  He opened his mouth as if to speak, but he couldn’t find the words.

What was he going to say to her?  He wanted her to come in the house.  He wanted to talk to her some more.  He wanted to get her to remember, but at the same time he couldn’t.  Alice had enough problems with all those worlds bouncing around in her head, who knew what would happen if Carol’s reality were suddenly torn apart.  It would probably be a million times worse.  Carol couldn’t remember, for Alice’s sake.

“Thanks for the ride,” he finally managed pulling his hand away.

Carol’s smile faltered at the lost connection, but stopped herself from reaching for him again.  “You’re welcome,” she said politely, “maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah,” he said, “maybe.”

Carol looked confused, but before she could say anything Jefferson was quickly stepped out of the car and made his way up the stairs to his house.  

He didn’t turn back even as he heard her engine start and the wheels of the car pull out of his driveway.  He quickly walked through the door and slammed it behind him.  Leaning against the door he breathed heavily as if he just ran ten miles.  He couldn’t live like this anymore.  He needed to be able to see his daughter again, kiss his wife, and never let either of them go.  He needed them to remember.  He needed everybody to just wake up.  

Running his hands through his hair he made his way to his room trying his best to forget who had driven him to his house that night.

What he didn’t know was the woman formally known as Alice was driving down the road wondering why the strange man she had picked up on the side of the road seemed so familiar and why it made her so sad when he didn’t look back.

#jefferson ouat #jefferson #jefferson x reader #jefferson x alice #jefferson ouat x reader #jefferson ouat x alice #ouat #once upon a tiime #alice #my oc stuff #junk drawer

[noorakardemmomesaetre]

Through the Snowfall - Chapter Four

Or Read It On Ao3

Pairing: Betty Cooper x Jughead Jones

Summary: The Coopers and Andrews have rented the same cabin in the woods every holiday season since their kids were two years old.

And with Archie and Betty leaving for college in just a few months, Betty is determined to make this Christmas a memorable one…by telling Archie how she really feels.

What she doesn’t plan for is Archie bringing his best friend.

Or the way her gaze is suddenly lingering on the wild dark curls peeking out from beneath a crown beanie rather than the ginger spikes she’d set her sights on so long ago.

Chapter Four: Sunrise

Betty awakens the next morning feeling more well-rested than she has since their winter "vacation" began almost two weeks ago. Turning over to rest her head against her hands, her smile widens when she finds her best friend also awake, a magazine opened beside her.

"Anything interesting in there?"

"Pretty big news," Veronica says, her eyes widening as she turns her attention to Betty. "Brad and Angelina are on the outs again."

"Haven't they been on the outs for a while?" Betty asks, slowly sitting up and raising her hands above her head to stretch.

Veronica shrugs, sitting up as well and tilting her head as she looks at her best friend. "You look exceptionally glowy today, B. Care to share what's got you feeling so relaxed?"

"Well." The sight of her robe has flashbacks of last night playing in Betty's head and she can't help the warmth that spreads from her heart to the tips of her toes at the memory. "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about-"

"Good morning ladies!" The door swings open revealing a pajama-clad Archie and Betty decides next year she's putting a lock on the damn door.

Veronica's cheeks look as though they've been kissed by fire as she slips into her purple satin robe, playfully avoiding Archie's appreciative gaze.

"What are you, the king of interrupting huge moments?" Betty snaps playfully as she moves past him towards the peppermint mocha she knows is waiting for her in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, were you about to kiss her too?"

He's only teasing her, but her heart hammers beyond her control at his reference of last night and she smacks him on the arm as her mouth drops.

He winks at her before turning his attention to Veronica and smiling. "Morning, Ronnie. I made pumpkin spice pancakes, if you're interested."

Betty leaves them to chat about how Veronica can't possibly believe that Archie is capable of cooking anything, let alone festive pancakes.

There's something about the way Jughead looks when he's seated casually on the couch in his pajamas typing on his laptop with the ferocity of someone who can't get the words out fast enough. She debates going to grab her peppermint mocha, but he looks so handsome and vulnerable sitting there surrounded by Christmas lights and warm blankets she can't bring herself to move.

So, instead, she leans against the last post of the staircase and watches him completely immerse himself in whatever it is that he's writing about so passionately.

"Feeling inspired?"

He immediately looks up in surprise and the smile that tugs on the corners of his lips when he realizes it's her makes her heart swell as large as the Grinch's at the end of his movie. It's warm and familiar, not guarded as it usually is, as if he's truly happy to see her standing there.

And it makes her think thoughts of a future with him that make her both extremely happy and absolutely terrified all at once.

"I think I am," he finally says, glancing back down at his laptop. "All thanks to you finding that word I'd been looking for last night."

"Is that all that inspired you about last night?" she asks it so quietly she's afraid he'll ask her to repeat herself, but his eyes soften and she knows he knows what she's asking.

But then something sad creeps into the gentle features of his face and before she can ask him what's bothering him, her mother waltzes into the living room.

"Elizabeth, your mocha is getting cold and I need you to be ready in half an hour. It's one of our last days to take advantage of the snow!" She claps her hands together loudly and Betty wraps her hands tightly around the post she'd been leaning against. "Actually, you should really be drinking green tea. It increases your metabolism and we all know how much you could benefit from that. I'll put on the kettle."

Betty's surprised Alice hasn't turned to Jughead for affirmation. Not that she would get it as Jughead's eyebrows are currently so furrowed beneath his beanie, she's afraid they may permanently stay like that.

"I'll have the mocha, Mother, leave it."

"Elizabeth!" her mother whips her head around as though she's been smacked. "I don't know what has gotten into you lately, but your defiant attitude is unacceptable and frankly, intolerable."

With that, she's turning on her kitten heels towards the kitchen and Betty tries not to let the fact that she can hear her mother turning on the kettle negatively affect her mood.

"Ah, your mother is...

He'd closed his laptop while her mother had been speaking and he's now so close to her she can't help the way her gaze falls to his parted lips.

"Heinous? Monstrous? Downright awful?"  

"Elizabeth!" He mimics her mother quietly and the amusement in his eyes rivals the giggles that threaten to spill from her mouth.

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

"Ronnie! Let's go down the bigger hill today," Archie is saying as they all make their way to their usual sledding stop. Their parents are coming up behind them, thermoses of hot chocolate between their hands as they chat about their plans for New Year's.

Veronica glances at Betty, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, and something like guilt tugs uncomfortably on Betty's heart.

"I think you should take Betty this time-"

Archie jokingly groans, turning to pout his bottom lip at Veronica. "But Betty can't handle even the baby hills and it's our last snow day! No offence, Betty."

Betty rolls her eyes and grins at her friend, though if she's being honest, it is embarrassing to constantly hear how terrible she is at sledding when a certain someone is also here.

Veronica, still completely oblivious to Betty's change of heart, shakes her head. "Archie, you can teach her! I think Betty would really like -"

"Actually, Betty, weren't we talking about you riding with me last night?"

Veronica stops speaking and all three of them turn to where Jughead has managed to drag his sled behind him. He's dusting off his snow-covered his gloves when he glances over and shares a small smile with Betty.

"Oh," she breathes, her mouth parting before she tears her gaze away from his towards her best friends. "Right. I think Jug and I are going to try a few hills together today."

"Really?" Veronica asks uncertainly, glancing between Jughead and Betty. Archie pumps his fist in the air and grins when Betty sticks her tongue out at him.

"Let's go, Ronnie! The slopes are melting!"

"Why do I doubt that?" Veronica says with a huff that makes Jughead chuckle. Betty smiles at her encouragingly before she heads in the direction of the redhead already seated comfortably on his sled.

"You don't actually have to ride with me," Betty says to Jughead quickly and he looks over at her, tugging his beanie over the reddened tips of his ears. "I'm really terrible and I understand-"

"I'm not really into going fast, Betty," he responds softly, and she suddenly finds it hard to look directly into the electric blue of his eyes. "I like taking my time."

He motions for her to follow him as if he hadn't just dropped the most thought-provoking double entendre Betty's ever had the pleasure of having directed at her. She's still trying to comprehend that he might actually possibly maybe like her a little bit when she realizes they're suddenly surrounded by toddlers and their parents.

These slopes make the bunny slopes look dangerous and she arches an eyebrow in Jughead's direction.

"I'm trying not to be offended."

He laughs and the preciousness of the sound is drowned out by the screaming children heading down the small hills around them.

He settles onto the sled and holds his arms out. "Come on, Betts. I gotta know what level we're starting at here."

She rolls her eyes but can't deny the invitation to wedge herself between his legs and against his body so she moves towards him.

They fit together so comfortably it takes her by surprise and she can't help but attempt to take in everything about him in this moment. The way he smells like pine soap and cinnamon. His warmth wrapped around her like a cozy Sunday afternoon blanket. The way his breath feels against the cove of her ear as he leans in closer.

"Ready?"

He doesn't wait for her response before they take off down the hill and not even twelve seconds later they're rolling off the sled together, her sense of balance the bane of her existence at this point.

He lays flat on his back, releasing her as laughter ripples off him in waves. He covers his mouth with both of his gloves as his face threatens to split with how wide his grin his. She can only glare at him for so long before giggles rack her own body.

"Really Jughead? I thought you weren't going to be an ass about this."

"I'm not, I'm not!" he says through chattering teeth and a bright smile as children whizz by them, seemingly unaffected by the speed of the slope. "It's just - now I understand why you were making snow angels the other day."

She smacks him in the chest with a handful of snow that flakes onto his face and it doesn't take long before he's up and chasing her between kids flying past on their saucers, only the sounds of her shrieks intermingling with his gasps of laughter ringing through the trees.

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

Betty admires the way that Veronica dresses to the nines for every dinner at the cabin. She's still wrapped in a blanket from her hot shower after the fun she'd had in the snow earlier while Veronica paints her lips a dark plum color that compliments her striking raven-coloured hair.

"Did you have fun with Archie today?"

Veronica pauses, setting her lip gloss down before turning to face Betty. "B, you know I would never do anything to come between you and Archie, he's just so insistent-"

Betty raises her hand to silence her best friend. "V, I don't like Archie."

"What?" Veronica's mouth falls open and her perfectly sculpted eyebrows furrow as she stares at Betty. "Did he do something I should be made aware of-"

"I mean," Betty continues, shaking her head to dismiss whatever negative thoughts have swarmed her best friend's mind. "I don't like him like I thought I did. Like you do."

Betty winces when Veronica closes her eyes and takes a deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth like she does whenever she's completely stressed. "Betty, if you're insinuating that I'm trying to steal the man of your dreams-"

"Veronica!" she interrupts, biting her lip to keep from laughing. "It's okay. I know you like him and honestly, I think he's good for you."

Veronica tugs her bottom lip between her teeth as she narrows her eyes at Betty. "You think he's good for me?"

"I do." She's being more honest with her than she has been this entire trip. More honest with herself too.

"Ohmy," Veronica says suddenly, her eyes wide as she moves to sit on her knees. "Ohmygod."

"What?"

"You're over Archie," Veronica says slowly before excitement lights up her eyes and she continues, "because you're into Jughead."

"Oh no," Betty says quickly, shaking her head. "I'm not into-"

"Really?" It's Veronica's turn to interrupt and her expression is so etched with disbelief it almost makes Betty laugh. "You, the girl who turns bright pink every time he turns a corner, are not into Jughead?"

"Okay, it's freezing all the-"

"You, the girl who has an inside joke with him every morning - don't think I didn't notice! - are not into Jughead?"

"Friends have jokes, V, I-"

"You, the girl who hangs onto his every word like he's some gift from a higher power, are not into Jughead."

She catches the pillow Betty's just thrown at her as she squeals excitedly. "You are so into him!!"

"Ladies, I hate to break up the party," Fred is standing outside of the closed door and it makes Betty grin that he's too afraid of what he'll find to open it - typical dad, as he continues, "but Alice and Mary have started dinner."

"We'll be right out, Mr. Andrews!" Veronica says before turning to Betty who is now a shade of red she knows she can never play off.

"It doesn't matter how I feel Veronica," she says quickly, holding up her hands in case Veronica throws the pillow she's gripping tightly. "He's not into me. Not like that, I'm sure."

How could he be? she thinks, though her heart entertains a small strain of hope.

"You're delusional if you don't see it," Veronica scoffs as she stands and slips into her fave pair of milanos.

"All I see is you drooling every time Archie enters a room."

Veronica almost falls off her heels as she turns around to glare pointedly at Betty before they burst into giggles.

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

Archie and she have managed to contribute over two hours of volunteer time at the recreation center, hanging ornaments, streamers, and dangling snowflakes.

"Really going all out this year," Archie mumbles, wiping a bead of sweat that has trickled down his forehead as he climbs up a ladder with another large sparkling snowflake.

"It's not called the Snowflake Soiree for nothing, Archie, dear!" Alice calls as she heads over to the poinsettia display to berate the poor, unfortunate soul setting it up. Though they only come once a year, Alice has somehow managed to become the leader of the annual soiree and is not shy about making her status known.

Betty's busy fluffing the fake bundles of 'snow' her mother had purchased to ensure it looks as Winter Wonderland on the inside of the hall as it does on the outside. She catches Archie's eye and rolls hers, to which he sighs and shakes his head.

They do this every year and every year they make a pact to fake food poisoning the next year. It's yet to work out for them.

She reaches for one of the snowflakes as he moves the ladder and she motions for him to climb up so she can hand it to them. Efficiency, her specialty.

"So, Archie," she starts casually and he nods at her in thanks as he reaches for the snowflake. "You like Veronica, huh?"

"Huh?" She's afraid she's knocked him off balance when it takes a second longer than usual for him to stand atop the ladder. "Ronnie?"

"Yes," she confirms, pointing a little to the left for the snowflake position before continuing in a teasing tone, "Ronnie."

He makes like he's going to drop the snowflake above her head and she flips him off in return only to immediately get yelled at from across the room by her mother about the importance of ladylike manners.

"I hate you."

Archie laughs, climbing down the ladder and wiping his glitter-covered hands against his jeans. "Did Ronnie mention something to you?"

"Would you care if she did?"

He leans against the ladder and his smug smile makes her want to push the ladder out from behind him. "Of course I would care if she did, Betty."

"Because you like her?"

"Are you going to tell her if I do?" He's smiling, a true happy smile, as if talking about Veronica is enough to brighten his entire day. And Betty's more than sure it is.

"You should invite her to go to the Soiree with you."

"You think she'd go with me?" he asks earnestly, before running his fingers through his hair and Betty cringes, knowing his hair is now full of glitter he won't be able to get rid of for weeks. "She's way out of my league."

"I think she'd like to go with you."

His face lights up and seeing her best friend so happy makes her even more excited about how happy Veronica will be when he asks her.

"You're a good friend, Betty, thanks for that." He wraps his arms around her in a bear hug and she giggles when he squeezes her so tightly she's fighting for air. When he finally releases her, she pretends to rub her arms and he laughs, but it's who has walked in that makes her heart stop.

Veronica grins excitedly when she spots the two of them, turning back to nod at whatever Alice is motioning too.

But when Jughead sees them, his smile is guarded and his wave half-hearted.

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

well, we've almost made it to the end of this little journey, which means Christmas is right around the corner! 🎄❄️

I hope you're all having a lovely holiday season! I know that hearing your thoughts throughout this fic have made mine that much merrier so if you'd like to leave a comment or kudos, please do! ❤️

#bughead fanfiction #bughead #bughead holiday fanfiction #riverdale events #comet: traditions #betty cooper x jughead jones #through the snowfall #a little bit of a tropefest #mixed with as much of a slow burn as five chapters will allow lol

[swanqueeneverafter]

Sins of the Past Pt.1

Storybrooke. Present. Night. (Working as a cab driver, a weary Henry Swan-Mills glances at his rear-view mirror at the kissing couple in his back seat. With the realms of story united, Henry's clientele is large and varied. From drunken Musketeers to sight-seeing visitors from the Land Without Colour, the former Author has driven them all in his cab.)

Swan-Mills House. Morning. (Descending the stairs, Regina is distressed by the various boxes that are strewn across the floor. Just as she is about to raise her voice however, Zelena walks into the hall, carrying baby Maria.) Zelena: "And here's your other Mama looking ready for business." Regina: (Smiling:) "How is she doing?" Zelena: "Just fine, now that her Aunty Zelena's here, isn't that right, Poppet?" Regina: (As her sister continues cooing at the baby:) "Thanks for coming, Zelena. My meeting this morning shouldn't take long." Zelena: "Oh don't worry about that, Maria and I are going to have a wonderful time, isn't that right?" (Shaking her head at her sister's infatuation, Regina turns to see Emma walking into the room looking slightly frazzled.) Emma: (Followed by Ella:) "Just give me five minutes to put on a new shirt and find my keys and we'll be outta here." (Stopping only to give her wife a quick kiss, Emma runs upstairs to go change.) Ella: (Calling after her:) "Thank you! (To Regina:) I’m sorry to put you guys out like this, I'd take the bus but-" Regina: (Cutting in:) "You can't risk being late for work again. (Smiles:) We know and it's absolutely fine. I'd drop you off myself but I'm headed in completely the other direction. (Glancing at her watch:) Speaking of which, I'd better go. (To Zelena:) You're sure you'll be all right?" Zelena: "Yes, now go! Maria and I have the whole day planned."

The Woods, Just Outside Storybrooke. (Will Scarlett travels quickly through the woods, clutching a stitch at his side but continuing to run at top speed.) Dun Broch. (Regina stands over the slain body of a unicorn, Queen Merida by her side.) Regina: "What were you thinking? Even in my darkest days, I could never kill a unicorn." Merida: "Me? This is not my doing. Unicorns are rare and mystical creatures. There is a legend that says bad fortune will come to anyone who slays one. Neither I or any of the men I command would be stupid enough to kill such a sacred animal." Regina: (Scoffs:) "You have too much faith in a man's intelligence. So, what do you expect me to do about it?" Merida: (Nods:) "I thought you could speak to him." (Confused, Regina turns to see a cloaked figure standing a short distance away.) Anhora: "Are you looking for me? I am Anhora, Keeper of the Unicorns." Merida: "Is it you who’s responsible for turning our water into sand?" Regina: “What?” Anhora: "You alone are responsible for the misfortune that has befallen Dun Broch." Merida: "Me?! You think I’d bring drought upon my own people?" Anhora: "When the unicorn was killed on your lands, a curse was unleashed. For this, Dun Broch will suffer greatly." Regina: (Stepping forward:) "Now wait a minute, I'm an expert on curses and I know they rarely, if ever, solve anything. Why don't you just lift the curse and we can all talk about this rationally for a moment." Anhora: "The curse was not my doing." Merida: (Drawing her sword:) "Undo the curse or you will pay with your life." Regina: (Chiding:) "Merida!" Anhora: "Only you can do that. You will be tested." Merida: "Me?" Regina: "You're the Queen, blame comes with the job." Anhora: "Until you have proven yourself, and made amends for killing the unicorn, the curse will not be lifted. If you fail any of these tests, Dun Broch will be damned for all eternity."

Storybrooke. Outside The Sheriff's Station. (Sitting in a squad car, Lily turns to her father who is joining her for a ride-along.) Lily: "Okay, are you ready for this?" Hook: "I was born ready." Lily: "Dad, I'm serious, this isn't going to be like your pirate adventures. Most days this job is about keeping the peace." Hook: (Smirks:) "Trust me, love, things might have been a bit quieter around here recently, but when magic’s around, there's always going to be trouble sooner or later." Main Street. (Ella sprints down main street, trying to get to work on time as Emma looks on from outside the Dark Star Pharmacy. Hoping her future daughter-in-law makes it, Emma turns and is knocked down by a still speeding Will Scarlett.) Emma: "Ahh! (Landing hard on the ground, she looks up to see Will barely give her a backwards glance before disappearing around the corner:) Yeah, you better run!"

(Wiping her hands, Emma hardly notices when her parents arrive beside her, rushing her her aid.) Snow White: "Emma, are you okay?" Emma: (Wincing:) "Yeah, I'm fine." David: "Here, let me help you. (Helping his daughter to her feet, concerned:) Are you sure you're all right." Emma: "Yeah, just a bruised ego is all. (Starts to walk:) Ow. And a bruised butt, I think." Snow White: "That really was quite the fall you took. We saw you as we were coming out of Granny's." Emma: "Well, that's what I'm here for. To protect, serve and amuse." David: "Emma-" Emma: (Sighs:) "I'm sorry, I don't mean to unload on you guys. It's... it's just been a stressful morning." David: "You know we're here to help anytime." Emma: (Nods:) "I know, thank you. (She hugs them both in turn. Pulling a piece of paper from her pocket:) Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get everything on this list and get home before Zelena paints Maria's bedroom green." Storybrooke Library. (Will stands expectantly as Belle looks over the book he's just returned.) Alice: (Pulling ten dollars from her pocket:) "You still don't get this until I'm satisfied." Will: (Grins:) "I know." Alice: (To Belle:) "So?" Belle: (Turning over a few pages:) "Well it hasn't exactly been returned in mint condition." Will: (Laughs:) "No offense ladies, but I'd challenge you to find one book in this entire building that'd fit that description." Belle: "Hm. And did you enjoy the book?" Will: "Oh, yes. Very much." Alice: (Sceptically:) "What was your favourite part?" Will: "Well, there was the beginning, the middle and the end." Alice: "What about the octopus, didn't you find that part scary?" Will: (Scoffs:) "Octopuses aren't scary - Kraken's are scary." Belle: (Smiles:) "There isn't an octopus in this book, Will." Alice: (Taking the ten dollars off the table:) "Ha!" Will: "Oh, come on! I still got the book back in time, so what if I didn't read it?" Alice: "Reading books is the whole point! I want you to broaden your horizons, lose yourself in an adventure." Will: "But we've both lived real adventures! Look, reading books is fine if you're locked up in a tower with no chance of escape, but there's no replacement for living life. In fact if you ask me, it's you two who should be broadening your horizons. (Backing out of the library:) Put the books down, girls. Let your hair down once in awhile, you'll thank me for it." (Belle and Alice smile at each other as Will leaves the Library.) Mr. Cluck's Chicken Shack. (Sneaking in through the back door, Ella grabs her apron and ties it around her waist, attempting to start work without her boss realising how late she is. Taking a fresh pair of gloves from the box, Ella turns to find her boss standing in front of her.) Louis: "You're late. Again." Ella: "I ran here as fast as I could, but my-" Louis: "I don't give a crap! I'm paying you for 39 hours. (Another employee - Carl, drops a tray load of chicken on the floor:) Really, Carl? That's coming out of your paycheck." Ella: "Hey, Louis, lay off. It's just chicken. You don't need to be a jerk about it." Louis: (Puts down the cooking tongs:) "Apologize. Now! Or get out." Ella: "I can't, because it's true. You're a jerk." Louis: "You think you know me so well, huh? I know you. Former princess living with her prince boyfriend in his mother’s mansion. No real skills other than that temper. You need this job. This is the best you can do, and you know it. So, yeah, you're gonna apologize. Right?” Ella: “Never.” (Ella takes off her apron and storms out.)

Elsewhere In Storybrooke. (Placing a tray of dirty dishes down, Henry takes a moment to catch his breath.) Tiana: (Walking over to him:) "Henry, are you feeling okay? You look exhausted." Henry: (Forces a smile:) "I'm fine, just needed a second." Tiana: "I don't know, between your working two jobs and Ella working at the shack most nights-" Henry: "It'll be worth it when we've got our own place." (Henry picks up the tray and walks to the kitchen.) Tiana: (Following:) "Is there a rush on that? Emma and Regina can't be hurting for space. I've been to the Mayor's mansion and there's like thirty-seven rooms." Henry: "Ha-ha. There's not quite that many, but that's not even the point. My moms don't want me to leave but they've got Maria to look after now and... well there are other reasons." Tiana: "Such as?" Henry: (Begins placing dishes in the dishwasher:) "Such as wanting to carry Ella over the threshold of our own home? Such as being able to afford the wedding and honeymoon of her dreams?" Tiana: "Henry, you know Ella's not interested in those extravagant things." Henry: "But that doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to have them if she did." Tiana: "I'm impressed." Henry: "Thank you." Tiana: "I meant how you stacked the dishwasher. (She smiles and walks away, over her shoulder:) Very impressive." Dark Star Pharmacy. (Having gathered everything on her list, Emma is attempting to casually ask for Mr. Clark's professional opinion.) Emma: "What's your best cream for cuts and bruises?" Mr. Clark: (Scanning the items from Emma's basket:) "Depends on the type of injury and how bad it is." Emma: "Well I won't know how bad it is until I get home." Mr. Clark: "Then I can't help you." Emma: "Look, I'm not going to sue you for bad advice if that's what you're worried about. All I'm looking for is a good, effective cream." Mr. Clark: (Takes a sharp intake of breath:) "Again, I'd have to see the injury in question, just to be sure." Emma: "Trust me, that's not happening." Regina: (Entering the store:) "What injury? Is it Maria? Did Zelena call, is she hurt?" Emma: "No! No, it's nothing like that it's just... (Looks to Mr. Clark then back to Regina:) Delicate."

Mr. Clark: "If the injury is in a delicate area, I give you my word as a professional I would be happy to-" Emma: (Grabbing Sneezy by the shirt:) "I'm not pulling my ass out here in this store for you or anyone else, you got that? (Emma releases the man only to notice that he hasn't moved. Looking to Regina she sees that the brunette is using her magic to turn the store sign to 'closed' and drawing the steel blinds down:) Er, what are you doing?" Regina: "You're hurt. Show me." Emma: "Regina, it's nothing, I'm fine." Regina: "Show. Me." Emma: (Looking at a now frozen Mr. Clark:) "What about him?" Regina: (Considers:) "Let him be 'Sleepy' for awhile." (With a wave of her hand, Sneezy collapses behind the counter, fast asleep.) Emma: (Shaking her head, begins lifting her skirt and turns towards the counter:) "You'll take any excuse, won't you?" Regina: (Innocently:) "To care for my wife? Of course I will. (Hisses as the injured area is exposed:) Oh, Emma." Emma: "That bad, huh?" Regina: "It's definitely going to bruise." Emma: (Shrugs:) "I've had worse. (Stiffens when she feels Regina's hands on her hips:) So what now?" Regina: "Well I'll need to clean the affected area before treatment." Emma: (As her breath quickens:) "J-just make sure you do a thorough job." Regina: (Sliding to her knees, bringing Emma's skirt and underwear with her:) "Don't I always?" (Unable to answer, Emma merely closes her eyes and gasps as Regina gives her the due care and attention only she can provide.) Will & Tiana's Apartment. Storybrooke. (While cooking in the kitchen, Tiana smiles as she hears the door open.) Tiana: "Hey, sexy. Dinner's at- (Sees Ella standing there:) Whoa, whoa! What're you doing out of work so early?" Ella: (Simply:) "I quit." Tiana: "What?" Ella: (Jumps up to sit on the counter:) "You know, Louis, he's-" Tiana: "Yeah, I know what Louis is. He's what you grin and bear so that the singles in your savings jar don't get lonely." Ella: "I'll figure something out." Tiana: "What's Henry gonna say? You know, he's already out there working two jobs. So now-" Ella: "I know, I know, but hey, who's side are you on? You think I should work for that bully all my life?" Tiana: "Of course not. I just see how hard Henry's working and-" Ella: "Oh, way to make me feel so much better." Tiana: "You're right, I'm sorry. Wanna stay for dinner?" Ella: "No, that's okay." Tiana: "Drinks?" Ella: "Oh god, yes." Tiana: (Laughs:) "Then get your butt off my counter and pour the wine." Ella: (Salutes:) "Yes, Ma'am." Swan-Mills House. Night Time. (Emma lays on her stomach on the bed, Maria gurgling contentedly beside her. Regina enters from the bathroom, a tub of cream in her hand.) Regina: "There they are, my two favourite girls." Emma: "This is so embarrassing." Regina: (Smiling:) "Oh hush, you don't hear Maria complaining." (Emma turns her attention to her daughter while Regina applies the cream to her exposed backside.) Emma: "Isn't there a spell that can heal this sort of thing?" Regina: "Do you know of one?" Emma: "No. Do you? (Silence:) Regina?" Regina: (A long pause:) "Now where would be the fun in that?" Emma: "I knew it!"  

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

[moonscarsandstars]

Lily: I can’t believe they actually went through with it, honestly.

Alice: I know, it’s just stupid.

Dorcas: the article said they were schoolkids. 

Dorcas: they’re literally our ages, okay?

Lily: i get what you mean, but it’s a little much, don’t you think?

Lily: I mean, I’d expect some backlash if i put whipped cream all over the store’s windows.

Alice: Where’d they even get that much whipped cream from?

Alice: That shit’d cost a fortune.

Alice: I mean, have you seen the size of the freakin shop?

Lily: Ik, it’s a waste of time, money and food.

Remus slowly scrolled through the chats from earlier that evening.

He realy had no idea why the store had a night shift- well, he did; technically it was a 24 hour shop- but other than the occasional contraceptive, no one ever came anywhere beyond eleven.

Lily had tried to convince him not to take the shift. She told him that they had an important class at seven, but he refused skip the shift.

The truth was, he really wanted to buy a hardcover version of Wuthering heights, but it was way beyond the pathetic amount of pocket money he had, and his parents would rather buy the store he was working in than yet another book.

So here he was, running on two cups of coffee, wearing the store’s shirt, and scrolling through his phone in the flickering lights.

The store was relatively empty.

Except for the dishevelled stranger who’d suddenly rushed in, hair flying all around him.

He looked around frantically, before locking eyes with Remus, and promptly stalking towards him.

Remus’s heart sped up, and fear pulsed through his veins, as the man neared him with an intense gaze. But as the man came close, the fierce look in his eyes seemed more weary, and shadows hung under them.

But damn, this man was hot.

He looked no older than Remus himself, with wild, black hair- shoulder length- that wildly flailed around his face. He had black studs on his ears, and sharp cheekbones. Those eyes, however, were a whole new thing. They were hypnotic, and Remus couldn’t bring himself to look away.

There was something familiar about him, though Remus couldn’t put his finger on it.

“How- how can I help you? Remus hoped he didn’t notice the stutter.

“Hi, d’you have thermocol and citric acid?”

“What?”

The man didn’t seem to hear him, as his gaze lingered for a second or two- though it felt like hours- before he shook out of it. His focused expression dropped, and he looked much more relaxed.

“Oh- chemistry project. I- uh- was busy earlier, and this was only shop open near me. Yeah- don’t ask me what old sluggy expects us to do.”

“Sluggy?”

“Slughorn. Can’t blame him for wanting us to refer to him by his first name,” said Sirius, imitating him for the last part.

“Poor bloke must hate his parents.”

“Yeah,” said Sirius with a chuckle.

Remus noticed the man’s eyes slip to his lips unconsciously, and blushed faintly. He didn’t seem to notice, and his gaze lingered for a second again, before he Remus waved a hand in front of his eyes.

“S- sorry- I really need sleep. Anyway- yeah- citric acid and thermocol?”

“Oh,” Remus stretched out his hand behind him before continuing. “I think if you searched there, you might find the thermocol. It’s in the ‘art and crafts’ section.”

“Thanks.” 

And with that, the man rushed back to the ‘arts and crafts’ section.

Remus smirked after the man, feeling butterflies he didn’t realised existed fade away.

He switched on his phone, and swiped to their group chat. 

That’s when it hit him.

The boys in the article. Who put whipped cream all over the roof. Of the store. This hot man was one of them.

Remus started chuckling to himself, earning him a weird look from the man who’d just appeared with a huge slab of thermocol.

“What’s so funny?”

“Looked at my future,” mumbled Remus earning a dry chuckle from the man. “Anyway, the citric acid is most probably at the pharmacy.”

“Thanks.”

As Remus watched the man jog off, he escaped the till he was standing at, quickly making his way to the refrigerated section. Skimming over it, he found what he was looking for, and quickly made his way back at the till.

Not a moment or two later, the man came from the pharmacy with a bottle of citric acid and a hairbrush.

“Highly doubt ‘Sluggy’ wants neat hair as a part of his experiment,” mused Remus.

“Oh, don’t you know? Taking care of your hair is punk rock, no matter what James says.”

“I’m going to assume that James is your partner in crime.”

The man let out a chuckle, before it fell from his face in confusion.

Remus produced a bottle of whipped cream from below the till, earning him a loud bark of laughter, that even drew a grin from Remus himself.

“Has the whole world heard about it at this point?”

“Nah, Lily’s just way too obsessed with the headlines.”

“Oh my god.” Sirius stopped dead in his tracks, the grin still painted on his face. “Isn’t Lily the part time bartender- redhead?”

“Yeah? How did you know?”

“James is the bloke with messy hair, glasses, and heart-eyes for her.”

“That’s James? She’s been mooning for him forever now!”

“You’re kidding. James would start singing.”

“Really not. I’ve seen her taking the till whenever he comes in.”

“Oh no, poor girl. She could do better than James.”

“Sure she could, that’s what I keep telling her. But no, she’s stuck on him.”

“That’s really the saddest thing I’ve heard all day, and believe me when I say this has been a strange day.”

Just then, the man’s phone started ringing. He mouthed “sorry, one sec,” before picking it up.

It was then that Remus realised.

He was head over heels for the man.

And he didn’t even know the man’s bloody name.

As the man put the phone back in the pockets of his jeans, Remus resisted the urge to pull him over the counter and do things he’d be fired for.

“What’s your name?”

“Sirius. Sirius Black.”

“The star?”

“Why thank you, I am a star,” said Sirius coyly, before continuing. “Yeah, like the star. My biological parents were into the whole star thing, I mean, my brother was called Regulus.”

Remus was confused by the word biological, but decided not to press further.

“Anyway,” Sirius said. “As nice as this is, I need to go now.”

“Oh, right.”

Remus collected the items, and scanned the barcode. It was a robotic process really, one he could do in his sleep. He collected the bill, and held his hand out for the cash, stuffing it in the counter.

“D’you want the receipt?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Remus collected the bill, before an idea struck him. As Sirius fumbled with the items, trying to stuff them in a plastic bag, Remus found a pen, and scribbled down his number onto the bill.

“Here you go,” he said, holding it out and turning around to hide a grin.

It was barely a few moments after he’d left the building, that Remus felt his phone vibrate. He opened it, grinned widely as he saw the notification.

(501) 961-806: never thanked you for the free whipped cream.

#sirius black wears earrings you can fight me on this #yknow the ones #studs #cause he says #'theyre punk rock' #'no they arent' #'shut up james they are' #marauders #marauders era #wolfstar fluff #wolfstar meet cute #wolfstar #sirius black #remus lupin #sirius x remus #sirius black x remus lupin

[lovemesomesurveys]

What kind of pants did you wear today? Leggings of course.

How old is your television? I got it last year cause the one I had before went kaput.

Do you have a laptop or desktop? Laptop.

When did you last talk on the phone with someone? Yesterday.

Are you currently sleepy? Yes. I’m always sleepy.

Do you own any television series box sets? Yeah.

Have you ever been in a fight with your best friend? Yeah, we have our bickering and disagreements.

When did you last receive a hug and who was it from? It’s been awhile cause of this whole social distancing thing.

Was the last movie you watched a horror film? In theaters, yes. At home, no. I recently watched Alice in Wonderland. 

Do you own a lot of tee shirts? Yes, I’ve gotten a bit carried away. I just love graphic tees. 

Do you plan your outfits ahead of time? Nope. I just throw on another pair of leggings and another graphic tee, ha.

Have you ever spent the night in jail? Nope.

Do you handle pain well? No.

Have you ever been so nervous you threw up? Yes. D: 

Where is your favorite place to go when you’re depressed? My bed, where I spend majority of my time.

In high school, were you in trouble a lot? I was never in trouble.

Do you enjoy your hairstyle? No. I like the color and length, I just don’t know what else to do with it besides throw it up in a ponytail, bun, or braid. I never was any good at styling my hair. I also just don’t have the energy or motivation to do anything with it. Such a waste, too, cause it’s so long and I could do a lot with it.

Do you have long hair or short hair? Long.

How much make up do you wear on a daily basis? None anymore. It’s been 2 years since I’ve worn makeup.

Do you have a leather jacket? I have 2 pleather jackets.

Do you have weak upper body strength? Yes. :/ That’s only been the case these past few years. I used to have great upper body strength, but I lost it cause I spend majority of my time in bed due to health stuff. I’m not at all active like I used to be when I was in school and had a social life.

Do you think hugs are awkward? They can be.

Do you think facial hair is gross? I just like some scruff, I’m not a fan of beards and whatnot.

Would you ever dye your hair an unnatural color? I’ve been dyeing my hair red for the past 5 years.

What color was the last cup you drank from? It’s a clear glass cup.

Have you ever been to the zoo before?  Yes.

What instruments do you know how to play? None anymore. :/ I used to play some piano, but it’s been over 10 years now since I last played. I’d be very rusty.

How late did you stay up last night? Ugh, for some reason lately I haven’t been going to sleep until after 6 in the morning. 

How late do you plan on staying up tonight? I’m sure I’ll probably be up past 6 again.

Have you ever done hard drugs before? Nope. The only drug I’ve done is weed.

Has anyone ever been weirdly obsessed with you? My first ex came off that way for a very long time after we broke up. He couldn’t accept that we broke up and I just wanted to be friends. We’re talking years after we broke up. We’d seem to get to a decent point where it seemed like he accepted it and we could just be friends, but then he’d go right back to it again. I finally just had to cut the cord.

Do you own a Snuggie? Yes.

What is your favorite band of all time? I couldn’t choose one favorite band of all time. However, Linkin Park is band that I have high up on the list. We go back to my middle school days. Hybrid Theory and Meteora are still so damn good.

Would you consider getting a tattoo any time soon? Nah.

Are there any paintings on your wall? Yes.

What movie did you last watch with someone? My mom and I watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood not too long ago.

Are you afraid of airplane rides? I recently travelled via plane for the first time in over 10 years, which for me felt like the first time and I was very nervous. However, it really wasn’t bad. It was also only an hour and twenty minute flight, ha. 

What do you think is the best smell in the world?  I don’t feel like typing out this list yet again. <<< Same. I’ve answered this several times.

If you’re reading a book, what page are you currently on? I don’t feel like checking.

Do you think people are intimidated by you? I really don’t see why anyone would be intimidated by me.

Do you have a job you like? I don’t have a job.

Have you ever lived with a roommate before? Nope.

Do you like candles?  Meh. I prefer wax warmers. <<< Those are nice, my mom has one. However, I’m lazy and will just reach for a can of room spray haha.

What will you be doing in the next ten minutes? Another survey.

How many scarves do you own, if any at all? Zero. 

Where did you last sleep? My bed.

Do you have Netflix? Yep.

Do you enjoy dancing? I enjoy bobbing my head to the beat and maybe moving my arms/hands.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

[lovelyshawnn]

Boxer!Shawn (Part 1)

Loosely based off of the book Beautiful Disasters. Summary: Y/N and Boxer!Shawn attend the same college and she finds herself somehow sucked into his life and falling for him.

Part 2 Part 3

Shawn Mendes.

He was the 6’2 bad boy with muscles that resembled a perfectly sculptured Greek god in your biology class. He had an intimidating expression etched into his face permanently. Every girl swooned at the sight of him, and boy did he know it. It was evident in the way he walked, the way he held his head up high, the way he smirked cockily when he could feel their eyes trained on him, he knew damn well the affects he had on the girls around him. His ego was one of the things that you disliked most about him, which was the reason why you felt your heart drop to your ass as your professor called out the assigned pairs for the next big project.

“…Johnson, Alice with Keegan, Pat…Y/L/N,Y/N with Mendes, Shawn…”

Your mouth opened slightly in shock upon hearing your name next to Shawn’s. Your eyes flickered towards Shawn’s seat a couple rows ahead of your seat, right before his head full of perfectly brown curls turned around to make eye contact with you. He looked you up and down, eyes traveling your body before he flashed his signature smug smirk, accompanied by a flirtacious wink that made you want to strangle him and and kiss him at the same damn time. The next 6 weeks was gonna be the longest 6 weeks of your life.

Once the professor had signaled the end of class and suggested we all get to know each other and not wait until the last day to finish the project, you started to pack up your stuff. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Shawn’s tall body walking towards you in his black leather jacket that hugged his figure in all the right spots, accentuating his thick biceps.

“So, library tonight at 8, honey?” Shawn asked nonchalantly, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning on your desk. Your heart fluttered at the nickname, but you had to remind yourself that this was Shawn you were talking about. Gets-any-girl-that-he-wants Shawn. Your face formed a scowl, not wanting to give in to his charming ways and being one of the dozens of girls that fell for him. You slung your backpack over your shoulder and crossed your arms before replying,”How bout 7 instead?”

His face broke out into a devilish grin.

“Its a date,” he said before smoothly walking past you and towards the exit. You rolled your eyes at how typical this was of Shawn. “Its not a date!” you called out in annoyance even though he was already halfway out the door. He turned around to flash his pearly whites once again before disappearing into the hallway.

~

“Shawn Mendes?! You lucky bastard!” Your roomate’s voice rang in your ears as you told her who you were paired up with for the big biology project. Your roomate, Emma just so happened to be your best friend for the past 2 years. “Lucky?!” you scoffed, “I might as well fail the class now because Mendes can’t keep his dick in his pants!”

She rolled her eyes at you as she plopped on to her bed,”He’s still cute though. And have you seen his ass?” You bit your lip trying to stop the laugh from coming our of your mouth, knowing she was 100% right about his perky butt. You glanced at the clock hung on the wall in your shared dorm room, noticing you had 5 minutes left to meet up with Shawn at the school library. You packed your bags and waved bye to Emma before making your way through the halls and trying to convince yourself that this wasn’t going to be a total disaster…right?

You were currently waiting for Shawn at the library on campus, chipping at the paint on your nails. It was 15 minutes past the meetup time that you two had agreed on before Shawn came walking in through the entrance door, hood on and head hanging low, and sat across from you with not so much of an apology or a “hello.” You scoffed to yourself and rolled your eyes, not surprised by his Mendes manners. You had already planned out how to equally split the work in the 15 minutes it took for him to get here, so you told him what he needed to do in which you received a quiet “okay” before he grabbed his laptop and got to work. You guys worked in silence for the next hour, nothing said in between you two before you decided you needed a quick break and stood up to stretch.

“I’m gonna go get a snack from the vending machine. D’you want anything?” You asked, hoping to ease the tension in the air and break the deafening silence. He looked up at you for the first time that day to shake his head no before looking back down at his notes. And that’s when you saw it. Had you have blinked for a split second, you wouldn’t have been able to see it at all. There was a small gash on the top of his forehead, gleaming with bright red blood. Your eyes widened as you realized why he had been so quiet and had his hood on the entire day. You hesitantly took a step closer, slowly pushing the hood off of his head to get a better look. Your actions were shaky because you were nervous as to how he would react. Your nerves were calmed when he didn’t fight you back and his big hazel eyes peered up at you. He seemed defeated, as if he was caught in the act of a crime and saw no point in trying to fight it. You didn’t want to press him with questions, knowing there was probably no chance that he was going to answer them anyway.

“Come home with me. I have a first aid kit there,” You said while letting out the breath you didn’t even know you were holding. You were already shoving your belongings into your bag, ready to leave for the day. Shawn quickly reached out to place his big pale hand ontop of yours, halting your movements. “No,” Shawn spoke with an almost demanding tone, “I’m fine.”

“This isn’t a debate. You’re coming home with me because if what I learned from all my nursing classes is true, that open wound can lead to infection, Shawn.” You stated with a hint of sassiness in your voice, completely done with his hard exterior bullshit for the day. He stayed quiet, swinging his hood back and following closely behind you as you led him towards your dorm.

You used your key to open up your dorm room and gestured Shawn to come in, closing the door behind him. You were lucky that Emma was staying the night at her boyfriend’s apartment and that you wouldn’t have to see her gawking at Shawn in your shared room.

“Sit.” you stated, patting your bed before reaching for the first aid kit you kept on your bookshelf. You placed it right beside Shawn’s lap and rummaged through it to find a sterile pad to wipe the blood off. He was still taller than you even when he was sitting down. His gaze landed on anything but you, eyes shifting across your room. You stood between his legs, letting the room fall silent as you worked on his gash. You could feel his hot breath fan against the skin of your face, but you didn’t mind. In fact, you were trying to hide the blush forming on your cheeks from the close proximity that you were in with Shawn.

“How do you know how to do this?” He asked quietly, barely above a whisper. Your eyes flickered to his for a quick second before answering, “I took a Red Cross class to get cpr/first aid certified, it was my first step to becoming a nurse.”

“Why did you want to become a nurse?” His sudden curiousity took you by surprise. In the whole two hours that you spent with him in the library, he hasn’t shown any interest towards you or your life ever. “I like helping people.” you stated simply. He gave a small hum as a reply, signalling his acknowlegement of your words.

His hand shot out to grasp at your thigh as he let out a small wince as you applied a bit of pressure on his wound. His big hands were warm, sending electricity through your body at his simple touch. You bit your lip, trying so hard not to get too infatuated with the way his hand felt on your jean clad skin. “Sorry,” he said quickly releasing his hold on your thigh as he realized his action. You gave him a tight lipped smile before reaching over to his hand and bringing it back to your thigh. “Don’t be. I’m not finished yet anyway.” You saw his body relax under your care, but his relaxation didn’t last long before his body tensed up once again, eyes closing shut, face scrunching up, and grip on your thigh getting tighter.

“Okay, okay, I’m done. You’re okay.” you assured him before gathering up all the used supplies and tossing it into your trash bin. He got up from his seat on your bed, inspecting the bandage you had put on him in the mirror. He turned around to face you and uttered out a quiet, “Thank you.” His eyes gazed into yours, not a speck of his bad reputation was seen, just genuine appreciation towards you.

“Its no problem,” you smiled back. The silence fell upon you two once again until you felt the curiousity of how he got that gash getting to you. “Shawn?” you asked.

“Yeah?” he replied. The way he looked at you softly made you want to retreat the question in fear of ruining the moment, but your concern got the best of you. “What happened?”

Just like that, it was like something switched inside of him. There was no trace of his once soft expression on his face, it was replaced with his usual stern expression. “I, uh, I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” He rushed to grab his stuff, quickly exiting your room in the blink of an eye.

You sighed heavily, burying your face into your hands. You regretted asking him the dreaded question that you knew deep inside he wouldn’t want to answer, but you thought for just a second, that things between you and him were going to change. You were stupid to believe that he would actually open up to you just a tiny bit. You shook your head as if that would help get the thoughts of his smile out of your mind. You weren’t going to fall for him, it was just you helping out a friend in need…right?

authors note: hi!! this is my first fic so its not the best but i rlly hope you like it!! pls leave any kind of feedback or like this post to let me know what yall think HAHA part 2 will be coming out soon ((:

#shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes imagines #shawn mendes au #shawn mendes au imagine #Boxer!shawn #boxer!au #shawn mendes fanfic #shawn mendes fanfiction #shawn mendes x reader #shawn mendes oneshot #ashwarren32 #@ashwarren32 #nervouscafe #@nervouscafe #rishlo #@rishlo

[fallout2282]

The Office of the President, Hall of Congress

Shady Sands, New California Republic

Yulia Arteaga sat in her office chair, fiddling with the Two Headed Bear Flag pin between her fingers. She unclasped it, bringing it up to her chest so that she might wear it at her heart, as was customary. It was a gift from her predecessor, a symbol of office. She wanted nothing of Kimball’s and she refused to watch as her staff moved his portrait into storage, replacing it with a painting to rival it, depicting her own visage. She stood for four hours so that the artist they commissioned, someone from her home state, the Boneyard, could accurately transfer her image to the canvas. She wore the pin in the painting too, a detail added afterwards. It had originally belonged to President Tandi, the Great Mother, before being passed along to Tibbett, Peterson, Kimball, and now her. It was a symbol of office, no matter what she wore, as long as she carried that pin it was like she like she radiated with the commanding aura of high office. Her predecessor, now retired against his will to some ranch outside the Hub, preferred old world style suits where as Yulia was often accused of looking something like a cross between a field hand and a factory worker. She liked the brahmin leather vest her Bear Flag was now pinned to, and the earthy tones of her checkered button up and slacks. She wore the same outfit in the painting. The artist thought it fitting, she was the young populist who was taking California by storm. Her majority in Congress was secure, now that Chief Hanlon won the race in Redding and was now Senator Hanlon. She was going to need the allies in the months to come as it became apparent making peace was far more complicated than making war. A detail Kimball neglected to mention when he handed over the keys to the Republic. Her train of thought was interrupted when the door to her office flew open.

“Yulia! You’ll never believe it. Dennis Crocker agreed to stay on until the drafting process for the treaty is finished. It’s just like you said, maybe he really is different from those other Kimball holdovers after all. He thinks you should meet with Chief Executive-” It was her aid, Maxim. He had been with her since her days as a labor organizer in Adytum. He managed her campaign for an Angel’s Boneyard council seat and didn’t even ask for an appointment to some cushy job in the bureaucracy. Although, being aide to the president came with similar guarantees of job security and long term financial security. 

“It’s Madame President now, Maxim.” She made the deals, led the censure, and cast the first vote of Kimball’s downfall. She earned her position. Now she just had to keep it, and that meant any deal with New Vegas had to insure the lights stayed on. At least until the project she arranged with the Followers of the Apocalypse was complete. It would be funny if it wasn’t so frustrating. The Mojave Campaign was Kimball’s war, and he lost his job over it. Now it seemed most of her job was picking up the pieces, when she had campaigned on an extensive program promising to fix the many problems at home. 

“The answer is no. I’ll give it my signature, but Crocker can shake that man’s hand. He knows if the deal screws us, I’ll screw him harder. I like the good Ambassador, but if he expects to come back to a career he has to earn it. Speaking of which, draw me up a list of candidates to take his place once the negotiations are finished. If his plan does work I’ll want him running for a seat here in the next election. I know Thaler’s will soon be up for grabs, and he might act like a friend, but we all know he didn’t vote with us when we got rid of Kimball. His days on the council are numbered.”

“Yes, Madame President. My apologies Madame President. I will send out word to the State Department to have a list drawn up at once. As for Councilman Thaler, we should avoid alienating him until after the vote tomorrow. He has been more than supportive of the Crimson Caravan inquiry. Alice McLafferty was forced out of her post in the Mojave branch, it’s practically an admission of guilt on their part. If he thinks we intend to endorse someone else for his seat, he could end up voting with Senator Morales. And if Morales rallies the governors then they will certainly shut down the investigation and shut down this investigation” her aide said with great uncertainty. She couldn’t blame him for his skepticism. Aaron Kimball was wildly popular until he wasn’t. All Yulia had to do was alienate the wrong person and she could lose her majority. Then it would be all over. 

“Have a little more confidence in me, Maxim. I didn’t win the Presidency for the novelty of it. I intend to hold on to this seat for as long as I can. The people aren’t so fickle as to turn on me yet. Thaler will vote for me because if he doesn’t again, then it is a certainty he will lose his seat. I might have been a councilor for Adytum, but I was born in Shady Sands. Now I represent all of California. And it’s about some time someone stood up to the merchant houses. And don’t call the representatives from Hub that, their heads are already big as it is” She was right, and Maxim knew it too when she said it. Yulia had always spoken truth to power, and now she was the power. Not the only one, granted. That’s just how it was in democracies. Still, that wouldn’t stop her from using the authority she was given to hold her colleagues to account.  

“We can discuss tomorrow’s vote later. There’s still a lot of other work to be done. Have we received a report from General Hsu yet? What’s the status of the withdrawal?” Military matters were the one aspect of governing she was new to. She had coordinated with the military in the past, back in Adytum during one of the multiple operations against the raider gangs that are pervasive in the Boneyard. Yet she only ever acted as a point of contact then, now she was Commander in Chief. 

Maxim cleared his throat, “Slowly, but surely Madame President. The General and the Ambassador were able to convince the new management in New Vegas to allow a handful of our forces to remain at the Dam and watch over our civilian personnel that will stay there. Long term arrangements haven’t been decided yet, but the General is unsure of the prudence in leaving the Dam in the hands of those... robots. He seems uncertain if we even have a choice in the matter. You’ve already seen the projections. A renewed conflict is not likely to be in our electoral interests. As for the full withdrawal to Mojave Outpost, we are expecting the last of our forces to be safely within the border in three weeks time.”

“Sooner we conclude this business the better. What of the Legion? The rangers set out after the battle to scout their territory and I’ve yet to see a report land on my desk. I would hate to leave our new friends on the Strip defenseless against such savages.” Yulia folded her arms, leaning back against the desk. 

“The robots were actually quite thorough in their assault on Fortification Hill. The military seems to think the enemy was quite completely demolished. Caesar had died three months earlier, reportedly of a botched attempt to remove tumors from his brain. As for the rest of the Legion’s leadership, they are all believed to have perished in the battle.” Now he was just rehashing what she already knew.

“What about the east? Arizona... New Mexico. Those places. I recall from the archives we sent scouts out that way decades ago. There are people out there. The Legion’s people. What will happen to them?” That was the real question. If Kimball had succeeded, if the NCR had annexed New Vegas, would they have been next? Would the NCR have kept going? Just like the old world. That she didn’t like to imagine. 

“Our commanders speculate what is left of the Legion will converge on Flagstaff. That I suppose you would call the Legion’s capital. It’s also where Caesar left his heirs, supposedly. General Hsu has assured us that the Legion isn’t a threat to the Mojave, let alone us here in California.” Maxim knew as much as she did. They would both be left to wonder until the rangers they sent east reported in. It could be months, and that’s if any of them managed to cross back over the Colorado. 

The Mojave Campaign began decades ago, back then the NCR only had to contend with the same raider tribes they had been fighting and beating for generations. Jackals, Vipers, Khans, all scattered to the wastes. The war with the Legion only began in 2277 when their warband attempted to seize Hoover Dam the first time. All the while her country was being bled try. More lives and more money than she could imagine. Costlier than every other war fought in California combined. Not mentioned in official reports, the rumor was General Lee Oliver died not at the hands of the Legion, but after the battle had already ended. Thrown off of the side of the dam by one of the robots that now defended New Vegas. She chose not to ask if it was true when she received her first briefing from the military, after all it allowed blame for the defeat to fall squarely on Kimball’s shoulders. And he deserved it. She wouldn’t make his mistakes. 

“I can’t tell if we were lucky, or unlucky. We won the battle and still lost the war.” She chuckled at the irony, at the sheer stupidity of it all. “We saved the damn... dam, and it doesn’t even seem like we’ll be able to keep it. First we get strung along by the seemingly-immortal Mr. House, and now we’re negotiating with a former Vault dweller with a gambling addiction? We clearly didn’t play our cards right, even though for all intents and purposes we had a winning hand.”

Maxim nodded in agreement, ever willing to play the sycophant. “Poor governance ultimately makes for poor policy decisions, Madame President. I believe you will lead us towards a much brighter future. One where the people of New Vegas are our friends, not subjects.” 

“Friends? We’ll just see what terms Crocker wins for us. I’ve no intention of getting us into another war, if that’s what your concern is. Still need to see about making states out of the territories up north before I go looking for more outside of our borders. Congress can’t deny the territories real representation forever. We give Arroyo and Klamath statehood, and I won’t have to worry about losing my majority for as long as I’m President.” She sighed, “First we need to see about officially ending this war and bringing our men and women in uniform back from the front. Once the withdrawal is complete we’ll set up the podium in front of the statue of Tandi in Republic Square. It won’t just be to welcome the troops home, but another state of the republic address.”

“Very good, Madame President. I also brought that report you requested last week. It took some time for the rangers to compile it. This one’s complete at least. I thought you would want to have a look at it before the committee did.” On the desk next to Yulia, her aide placed a folder that was so full of paper that it was nearly as thick as some of the books in her office. 

Yulia took one look at the folder’s contents, thumbing through the various pages of eye witness testimony collected in the Mojave and official statements by other officials in the NCR. This one file alone would could take up the rest of her afternoon just to read. “One question, Maxim.” She pursed her lips, her curiosity piqued. 

“What’s that Madame President?” “Who the hell is this Courier?” 

#fallout #fallout new vegas #fnv fanfic #fnv headcanon #fallout fanfic #NCR

[binary5tar]

Paint the Roses White - Ch. 3

Written by: @i-live-so-i-love​ and @kimlinebiased

AO3 Link Here!

Relationships: main VMin, side NamJinGi, side HopeKook


Genres: fantasy, angst, smut

Tags: Alice in Wonderland AU, smut, fluff, angst, alternate universe, bottom!Taehyung, top!Jimin, violence, abusive parents, shapeshifter!Taehyung, barebacking, alcohol use, side HopeKook, sideNamJinGi, implied drug use, more tags added as necessary

Summary: Jimin’s life sucks. He’s miserable, beat down, and tired. That is, until a mysterious boy with purple hair and a dangerous smile slides into his life and turns it upside down. The White Queen is ruling and drinks are on the house in the Hat Trick Lounge. Caterpillar is missing and the Prince of Hearts is ready for a war, if only he could figure out where his damn rabbit ran off to again…

Word Count: ~10.1k+ (updated biweekly)

A/N: If you’d like to be tagged in chapters, please send either @kimlinebiased or myself a message or DM off anon - we will add you to a tag list so you never miss an update! Alternately, you can subscribe on AO3 for an email when a chapter is posted!

A/N2: We are anticipating a biweekly upload schedule! This may vary on the day week to week due to just general real life things, and if anything big changes we’ll try to let you know.

Jimin woke up face first in the dirt. He groaned. There was a sharp sting in his upper arm and his muscles ached like he’d run a marathon. Memories of the last few hours flooded his mind. He shot up, looking around. He was on a dirt road through a forest, it stretched on in either direction as far as he could see. Off in the distance he could just make out a blonde figure disappearing over the horizon.

“Hey!” Jimin called after him.

Panic clutched at Jimin’s throat. He had no idea where he was or how he got here because what just happened couldn’t possibly have happened. He had no idea how to get back home. There wasn’t even anyone around to ask for help. Tears burned behind his eyes. Worst of all, he had let Taehyung down. He’d lost the drive.

He wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand. He didn’t have time to cry over it right now.

He poked at the hole in his dress shirt. The red stain spreading looked worse than it was. The bullet had only grazed him and not even that deeply. Since it was ripped and stained anyway he tore the sleeve off and tied it around the wound. It was the best he could do for now.

He took a deep breath and stared down the road to his left where Rabbit had disappeared. He could see a smoky haze in the sky; the other way was nothing. He shrugged. Something was better than nothing.

As he walked along the path he took in the trees around him. They were different than he was used to. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. The leaves were a little too green and the branches never quite angled the way he expected. Still, they were pretty and it let Jimin relax a little.

An odd crunch under Jimin’s foot made him pause and look down. He lifted his foot and underneath were shards of the dark pearl Rabbit used to bring them here. Jimin’s stomach dropped. Would he be able to get home without it? He crouched to pick up the pieces. Maybe it could be fixed.

As he stood up a woman’s voice behind him made him turn.

“Oh Oyster! Come and walk with us!” She stood in the middle of the road, closer than he would have expected. She was dressed head to toe in black, her black and purple hair pulled into a high tight ponytail. Her wide set eyes glittered, a cruel smile curving her red lips.

Before Jimin could respond another voice spoke from the direction he had been facing a moment ago.

“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk.” She was dressed the same at the other woman in all black, the same smile across her face.

“We’ll talk of many things,” the first woman said. She had gotten closer, nearly in arms reach away now. Jimin could see a collection of knives along her waist.

“Of shoes and ships and sealing wax.”

“Of cabbages and kings.”

They circled him threateningly. Jimin crouched, prepared to defend himself but not liking his odds against their knives.

“Of why the sea--” The second woman dropped her stance and put her hands on her hips. “Hyuna, can we just kill him and be done now? I’m bored of this already,” she whined.

“You’re bored of everything, Jiwoo. There’s a reason you’re called a walrus.” The one named Hyuna clapped her hands and made a barking noise.

“That’s a seal, you fool. I still want to kill him.” She drew a long ivory dagger from behind her, raising it threateningly.

“Whoa! Kill me?” Jimin squeaked, raising his hands in a weak defense. “For what?”

“Don’t play dumb. We know what you are.”

“I’m Jimin! Park Jimin. Please! I just want to go home.”

Jiwoo hesitated. She glanced at Hyuna.

“You can’t be. It’s impossible.”

“Please!” Jimin tried again. “I didn’t mean to come! I just wanted the drive. See?” He held out the broken pearl. Hyuna swore, yanking the shards from his palm.

“You fool!” She hissed, her eyes glinting dangerously. It reminded Jimin of Taehyung. “Why would you break this! It was the last we had!”

“You know why he broke it,” Jiwoo said, wiggling the dagger. “He’s an Oyster.”

“I’m not! I’m just a guy!” Jimin cried.

“His hair,” Hyuna said softly, her dark eyes searching Jimin up and down. Her nose twitched, catlike. “And he doesn’t smell like the Oysters.”

“Could be a disguise. They know about us.”

Hyuna stepped closer to Jimin. She tilted her head, her eyes widening a little as she searched his face. Jimin couldn’t hide the gasp that slipped from his mouth when her eyes shifted in front of him, tiny, catlike slits taking the place of her previously round pupils. She blinked, her eyes returning to normal. “I can’t figure out what he is.”

“I’m just a guy. Park Jimin. I was born in Busan, I-- I live alone with my dad, I work in a call center for Christ’s sake. I just want to go home. I didn’t mean to get tangled up in all this! Taehyung gave me--”

“Taehyung!” Jiwoo cried. “What of Taehyung?”

“I-- We--” Jimin’s cheeks burned hot. “I met him,” he mumbled, not wanting to risk outing Taehyung by accident to these two women.

“We shouldn’t kill him,” Hyuna said. Jimin sighed in relief. “Yet,” she added, smirking at him. Jiwoo pouted, a strikingly innocent expression on her beautifully deadly face. “Why?”

“There’s something wrong here. I can smell it. We should take him to the Hat Trick.”

“Then can we kill him?”

“As soon as the Prince gets a good look at him, yeah, we’ll open him up and take out the pretty pearls.”

Jimin’s stomach twisted painfully at the delightful noise Jiwoo made at Hyuna’s promise. Much to his relief, she sheathed the dagger, but withdrew a set of handcuffs. Jimin stepped back, wondering if he had a shot in hell of escaping.

“It’s gonna be best if you just come with us, Oyster,” Hyuna warned. Jimin felt the prick of a knife along his side. He tensed. “We’re not the untrained kittens you’re used to dealing with.”

Jimin swallowed audibly. “Just put the knife away. I’ll come,” he whispered.

“Knife?” Hyuna chuckled. She raised her hand, revealing sharp claws in place of her previously blood red manicured nails. “The knives are just for show… My paws work so much better.”

Jimin cried out in surprise, stumbling away from Hyuna, and directly into Jiwoo’s arms. “Gotcha!” She teased, laughing as she slapped the cuffs on his wrists. She grabbed the center metal links and began to walk, all but dragging Jimin along behind her.

Hyuna followed along behind them, her steps so silent that Jimin could scarcely hear them. As they walked toward the hazy end of the road that Rabbit had disappeared from, Jimin couldn’t help but wonder if he was being led to his salvation… Or his doom.

Jimin wasn't sure how long or far they walked. The road seemed to never change. At first he had tried asking questions but Jiwoo snapped at him. He may need his tongue to answer questions, but he didn't need all his fingers. He didn't think it was worth risking whether she was bluffing since they weren’t answering them anyway. So he remained silent.

Jiwoo and Hyuna occasionally chatted as they walked. Jimin guessed they were close, sisters maybe from the undertone of bickering.

At no sign Jimin could see, Jiwoo turned and hauled him into the bushes. Jimin dug in his heels, suddenly terrified they were dragging him into the woods to kill him. “Wait- I thought you were taking me to someone? To answer questions.”

“We are, stupid Oyster. Didn't you see the sign?” Jiwoo gestured impatiently behind him.

Jimin turned and there was now an incongruous neon sign reading “Hatter & Hare’s Hat Trick Lounge”.

Further down Jimin could see other signs: “Mock Turtle’s Fashion Boutique”, “Lobster Quadrille Dance Studio”, “Golden Nile Crocodile Spa”. When he looked back the way they had been going there was still nothing.

“Let’s go.” Hyuna pricked him in the back to get him moving.

Jimin stumbled through the brush until they landed on a path narrower but parallel to the one they’d left. This one wound through the trees in loops and branched. Some paths continued further into the woods and some ended abruptly. His guards led him down the closest path. As they approached a wooden door popped into existence, light brown and inviting. Jimin blinked. He could see around it to the other side but Hyuna knocked, clearly expecting an answer.

“Why is a raven like a writing desk?” a voice called through the keyhole.

“Jae, if you don’t let me in, I swear to god I will cut your fucking balls off.”

The door opened and a heavy drum beat poured out. A tall man with round glasses leaned against the door. Behind him was a dark room with distant flashing lights. Definitely not the woods Jimin was standing in. “What’s the point of a secret entrance if you don’t have a secret code?” Jae said, exasperated.

Jiwoo dragged Jimin through the door and shut it. The woods disappeared and Jimin was now in what was clearly a storage room of some kind. Wine barrels lined one wall there were rows of shelves with boxes of varying sizes.

“Who’s this? New recruit?” Jae nodded at Jimin.

“An Oyster Hyuna wouldn’t let me kill.”

Jae’s eyes widened.

“I’m not an Oyster. I don’t even know what that is. I’m just a guy!” Jimin tried to insist. The others ignored him.

Jae looked him over. “But his hair.”

“And what about yours?” Jiwoo cocked her head, annoyed.

Jae ran a hand through his fading pink hair. He opened his mouth to retort but Hyuna cut him off.

“Enough. Go get Jin so we can sort this out and be done? Grab Taehyung if he’s around too.”

Jae nodded and left with a backwards glance at Jimin.

The beat of the music from the other room was almost hypnotic, a rhythm that Jimin could feel in his bones. He took the opportunity to look around the room, searching for any clue as to where he might be. The wine barrels were stamped with varying numbers that Jimin couldn’t make heads nor tails of. There was a strawberry sweet scent all around them, implying at least some of the alcohol was fruit flavored. The boxes on the shelves were labeled with various words, glasses, bottles, corks, labels, etcetera. What was clearly the name of the place, the Hat Trick Lounge, was emblazoned on the high wall above the barrels.

Jae returned, a bottle of light pink liquid with a label of a jumping rabbit in his grip. “Jin wants you to take him to the lounge. He and the rest are there.”

“Who are the rest?” Hyuna asked.

“Hatter and Rabbit. Taehyung’s off chasing mice or whatever the hell you Cheshires hunt.”

Jiwoo swiped the air in front of Jae’s face with her claws. “Come a little closer and I’ll show you what we hunt.”

Jae rolled his eyes, smiling good naturedly. Jimin wasn’t sure how he wasn’t wetting himself in the presence of these two.

“Hush your hissing, Jiwoo. Doesn’t become you. Go on.” He nodded toward a door Jimin hadn’t seen before. As they passed, Jimin looked at him pleadingly. Jae smiled and shrugged helplessly. He knocked back another sip of his drink and wandered into the darkness on the other side of the room as Jimin was pulled through the door.

Jimin found himself in the middle of a room with no door and no windows, save for a rose colored glass roof that allowed sunshine to filter through. The centerpiece of the room was a rich cherrywood table, littered with the same rabbit labeled bottles that Jae had been holding, as well as a few half full bowls of brightly colored cookies and sweets. There were two leather loveseats and an easy chair surrounding the table, broken in and worn to the point that stuffing was sticking out in some places. On one of the easy chairs was occupied by a tall, slender man. He wore a hot pink baseball cap, bright orange hair sticking out wildly. The sides of the cap pushed his ears down so they folded over, adding to the overall crazy appearance that his flashy, patched and stitched together clothing already implied.

The love seat next to him was occupied by a strikingly beautiful redhead. He wore a leather jacket and a pair of jeans ripped in various areas to show his knees and thighs. Jimin’s eyes widened when he realized the man’s hair matched his own in vibrance and shade. He paid Jimin and his captors no attention, his focus on Rabbit, who had his head in the redhead’s lap. He was stroking his fingers through Rabbit’s soft white hair, his plush lips curled up into a quiet smile.

“You!” Jimin cried.

The two men on the couch looked up and Rabbit’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“You! What are you doing here?” Rabbit asked, sitting up.

Jimin scowled. “What do you mean what am I doing here? I followed you.” He took a step toward the couch but a hand wrapped around his injured arm painfully tight, claws digging into his skin. “Give me back the pen drive and send me home!”

Rabbit looked more confused than ever. “Followed me? How?”

Jimin opened his mouth to retort but the redhead cut him off.

“Namjoon, who is he?” He spoke calmly and quietly but there was an air of command to his voice.

Rabbit, who’s real name must have been Namjoon, turned back to the redhead. “Park Jimin,” he answered with a significant look. “Taehyung’s boyfriend.”

Jimin blushed. “I’m not- we’re not-”

The redhead stood up and stuck out his hand. “A friend of Taehyung’s is a friend of mine...usually.” His full lips curved into a smile. “I’m Kim Seokjin. Most people around here just call me Jin.” Jimin shook his hand awkwardly in the handcuffs, slightly bewildered.

”Oh, we can take those off.” Jin gestured for Hyuna to uncuff him.

Jiwoo pouted. “He’s really Taehyung’s boyfriend? We don’t get to kill him?”

Jimin blushed again at her phrasing. It had only been one night.

“He had the drive with all the information on it and he was trying to protect it with his life.” Namjoon smiled at Jimin. “He’s on our side.”

Jiwoo made an unhappy hissing noise.

“Sorry, you’ll have to find someone else to sharpen your claws on. Rook and Bishop might still be out there,” Jin suggested.

Once Hyuna was done uncuffing Jimin, she grabbed Jiwoo by the shoulders and steered her out a door that appeared as they turned. “Come on. Let’s go find Solbi-unnie and Adora-unnie for a drink before we head out.”

“Sorry about them.” Jin said once the door disappeared again. “They, uh, enjoy their job a little too much. Especially Jiwoo. But they are good at it.” He gestured for Jimin to take a seat.

Jimin hesitated. “How do I know I can trust you? If you’re friends with Taehyung, where is he? Can I talk to him?”

“I’m sorry Jimin. He didn’t realize how close he was being followed when he gave you that thumb drive. He’s still in hiding trying to shake of a couple Oysters.” Jin hurried to add when he saw Jimin expression, “he’s okay. He’s let us know that he’s safe. He just doesn’t want to risk coming back to the hideout and giving us away until he’s sure it’s safe. Sit please.”

Jimin finally did.

“You look like you need a drink.” The orange haired man leaned forward to pour some of the pink liquid into a clean glass and hand it to Jimin. “I’m Jung Hoseok, the uh,” he flicked the brim of his cap and grinned, “hatter of Hatter and Hare’s Hat Trick Lounge.”

Jimin peered into the glass considering whether it was safe to drink. It smelled sweet and refreshing. “So he’s hare then?” Jimin nodded at Namjoon.

All three burst into laughter.

“He wishes,” Hoseok muttered, shoving Namjoon playfully. “No. Hare is-”

“Hoseokie-hyung! Why did you miss my dance?” A tall half clothed young man with pink hair and fake pink bunny ears on his head appeared behind Jimin. There was still no door so Jimin wasn’t sure where he came from.

The man marched across the room and climbed into Hoseok’s lap, straddling him. “You said you’d be there,” he pouted, wrapping his arms around Hoseok’s neck. “You never miss a dance.”

Hoseok rubbed over the man’s bare thighs and shiny pink shorts. “I’m know baby. I’m sorry.”

“Jungkook.” Jin’s voice cut into their not so private moment. “We have a guest.”

Jungkook turned, cocking his head at Jimin. His eyes narrowed, his nose scrunching. The action lifted his top lip enough to reveal the peek of his front teeth, giving him a very bunny like expression. Jimin couldn’t hide the smile that slid onto his face despite everything. The guy was cute, he had to admit.

“Who’re you?” Jungkook asked.

“I-- Park Jimin.”

“I’m Jeon Jungkook. JK.”

“Or the March Hare,” Namjoon added, jutting his thumb toward the wall. Jimin spotted a calendar hanging. It was open to March’s image, which just so happened to be Jungkook in his bunny ears and nothing else. A basket full of goodies was the only thing hiding his goods from view.

“March. Got it,” Jimin said.

“Is he why you missed my dance?” Jungkook asked, turning his attention back to Hoseok.

“Unfortunately no. I wish it was that simple. Some business to discuss with Jin-hyung.”

The pouting smile disappeared from Jungkook’s face. “Resistance information?”

Hoseok nodded.

“Fill me in?”

“Of course. Entertain our patrons?”

“Always. Jae-hyung is cracking bad jokes for now, it’ll only be so long before the guests start throwing fruit at his head.”

“Ah, well, better go soothe the crowd then. Keep those ears cocked for any Queen news, yes?” Hoseok stroked one of the ears playfully. Jungkook nodded, his strikingly innocent smile returning.

He slid off Hoseok’s lap and leaned over, pressing a kiss to his mouth. He turned and bowed to Jimin. As he darted out of the door that disappeared in the blink of an eye, Jimin couldn’t help but notice the way the young man had stared at his hair. Even in this world, he seemed to stick out. With one exception.

“Is your hair real?” Jimin asked, turning his attention toward Jin.

The air in the room seemed to thicken a little. “Yes,” Jin answered after a moment.

“I’ve never seen another person with hair like mine unless it’s been dyed. Even then…”

“Well,” Jin smiled a little, glancing over at Namjoon. “That’s likely because I’m not a human. Not really.”

Jimin snorted. “Very funny. What is this stuff?” He asked, tilting his glass a little.

“Wine. We make it ourselves. Strawberry flavor.” Hoseok said. Jin reached out, snagging his own glass and taking a sip.

“We’ve no reason to poison you, Jimin. You weren’t meant to get involved, but you aren’t in danger.”

“Well your hitmen out there made it pretty clear that wasn’t the case.”

Jin shrugged. “As I said, they’re just… Excitable. They have a lot of justice to seek. Unfortunately, their revenge tends to come at… Inopportune moments. They won’t harm you, not without my approval.”

“What’s so big shot about you?” Jimin asked.

“Hey.” Namjoon’s tone was sharp and warning. Jin smiled still, setting a hand on Namjoon’s thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Relax, baby. He doesn’t know. Taehyung told him nothing. For good reason. He likes you - he clearly wanted you protected… He’ll be disappointed that you ended up here.”

“Easy fix,” Jimin said, “send me home.”

“We can arrange that. Not right away though. The Oysters may still be looking for you and I don’t want to risk sending you, or any scout I send with you, falling into their hands. Please. For your own protection. You saw what they were like.”

Jimin touched his injured shoulder. “I did.”

“Then stay with us tonight at least. We’ll send you home tomorrow. My word is everything in this room.”

“That… Might not be so easy,” Namoon said softly.

Jin glanced over at him. “Why not?”

“I… Lost the pearl.” Namjoon’s voice was soft, his head hung.

“Namjoonie,” Jin whined, putting his hand on his forehead. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“No. I was in such a rush. I thought the Oysters were coming and I just took off, I-- I’m sorry, Jin-hyung.”

“Well, I’m sure it’s still on the path. It’s relatively unused except by our troupe. We’ll just go find it. Send Hyuna - she’s got a bloodhound’s nose.”

“The pearl?” Jimin squeaked. “Small… Shiny… Black?”

“Yes.” Jin said hesitantly.

“It’s… Those girls already have it. I had it when they found me.”

“Excellent.”

“Not so much,” Jimin said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I sorta… Stepped on it. It’s shattered.”

“No.”

Jimin winced. “Can it be fixed?”

Jin slumped down, burying his face in his hands. He made a small noise of frustration. Namjoon’s shoulders slumped, his entire body seeming to sink in on itself. “We’re fucked,” he mumbled.

Jimin glanced around, panic rising in his throat. “What’s going on? What’s so important about the pearl? Someone, please--”

Hoseok sighed softly. He rose and paced to the other side of the room. He took off his pink cap and donned a black fedora with various colored feathers.

“The pearl is the key to your world, Jimin-ssi. Without it, we can’t get there.”

“Well, can we get another one?”

Hoseok turned back to Jimin. “No. They are in limited supply… And the royals that we are at war with have them. The Rook and the Bishop, the Oysters you met… They’re assassins of the Royal Army. We are their enemies.”

“The Royal Army? The-- Where am I?” Jimin asked softly, almost dreading the answer.

Hoseok smiled, broad and bright as sunshine.

“Oh, rude of us, accept my apologies. Welcome to Wonderland.”

#kwritersworldnet #bangtanarmynet #vmin #ptrw

[myrainydayloves]

Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked

In an attempt to soothe Apollo’s nerves, Annaka goes for a late night evidence hunt. She encounters all sorts of midnight enemies like gangs, poker games, and troublemaking ex-boyfriends. All part of business as usual. TW: Knife fighting and light strangulation. 

(TWO FICS IN ONE NIGHT??? YEAH! Uh no serious. You might see some familiar characters in here but that’s bc it’s my self insert world and I’m not bound by the rules of copyright)

There were three things Annaka was looking forward to when she walked into the Wright Anything Agency at two-thirty AM. One, the leftover Chinese food Phoenix had left in the fridge for her to eat when she got home from her mission. Two, her favorite chair being unoccupied and ready for her. And three, a blanket she had thrown in the dryer before she left. She would finally be able to catch more than an hour of sleep before waking up the next morning to help Phoenix again.

So the anger that coursed through her when she walked into see Apollo sobbing over the papers on his desk in her favorite chair, with an empty Chinese food takeout container next to him, and curled in her blanket was immense. If he hadn’t been fully bawling, she would have honestly strangled him to death. But he was sobbing uncontrollably, head buried in his arms as he gasped for air between bursts of tears.

“Apollo?”

He looked up, snot running from his nose and his eyes bright red from tears. “A-Annaka?”

“What the fuck happened?”

Apollo burst into tears again, head rolling back as he cried so hard he was almost a human fountain. “I’m gonna...I’m gonna lose this case!”

“And?”

“And an innocent person is gonna go to jail and I’m never gonna be able to get another case and I’ll be stuck here! Cleaning toilets for the rest of my life!”

She walked over to the crying young man, picking up what few non-tear soaked papers there were to read them. “Oof, Yeah. Simon’s really painted you into a corner…”

As Apollo sobbed even harder, she looked through more of the papers before pointing to a sentence. “All you need to find is proof this guy bought the poison right? Then your client goes free?”

“But there’s nothing! No one knows where he could have gotten it and my client is a chemist!”

With a hum, Annaka resigned herself to more work. “I’ll get you the info. You stay here and take a nap on the couch, okay?”

“I-Okay…”

There’s no rest for the wicked, Annaka thought as she walked down the stairs and onto the LA streets. Her heeled boots echoed through the quiet as she walked to her bike. She threw herself on her trusty motorcycle, turned the key, and settled into her business. There was nothing like the bass of some pop song bumping through her helmet as the street lines shot past her. She weaved through the streets as easily as a needle through cloth.

And the paved streets that housed the Wright Anything Agency degraded into potholes and cracked streets. It was a sign she was entering a whole new world rather than the squeaky clean one Apollo knew.

She slammed on the brakes midway through a tunnel, stopping the bike so that next to it was an unassuming door into the tunnel proper. In the dark, Annaka coughed.

“It’s rude to keep a lady waiting,” she said to the door. “Plus, I need someone to park my bike and I’ve got something I need explained.”

The door opened to reveal an eye patched man with silver hair leaning against it’s frame. “So the witching hour brings old devils to my door.”

“Cut it, Niles. Is Nyx in tonight?”

“What’s it to ya?”

“Need to know where and when she sold poison to this guy,” Annaka said, climbing off her bike to show him the photo. “Got a defense attorney crying his eyes out cause she’s too good at her job.”

Niles clicked his tongue before whistling. A young girl appeared sporting a wrench and a grease stained shirt. Without a word, she took the keys from Annaka to park her bike and Annaka walked in. Gracious as the Chester Cat, Niles opened a hatch for Alice to fall down into.

And she did.

Landing on her ass in front of the ruler of LA’s biggest gang was something she was unfortunately very familiar with. Annaka rubbed her butt as she stood and Niles slid down the ladder behind her. The boss raised an eyebrow; he was as he always was, refined and poised but unequivocally dangerous. He had been enraptured in a game of poker before she had tumbled down and now looked at her over his cards.

“Little Princess,” he said with a wave of his hand. “How are you?”

“Good and you?”

“Business is booming. Scalped tickets to Prosecutor Gavin’s concert sold for three times their worth.”

“Well considering they’re worth nothing, I’m sorry to hear you’re still in the red.”

The boss laughed and patted the seat next to him. “So cutting Little Princess. How is your lawyer friend?” He jerked his head to the unnamed dealer. “Deal her in.”

“Still better at poker than either of us.” A king of Spades and a three, she sighed inwardly at her luck. “Call and can I get a drink?”

“Of course, Annaka!” Cried a pastel pink haired girl from the darkness. “Your usual Shirley Temple?”

“Yeah, Thanks Felicia.” She tapped the table. “You making a play or what, Xander?”

“What?” The boss asked. “Call.”

A well dressed man next to Annaka sighed. “I’ll fold. There’s no point trying to play when such a beautiful woman is at the table. I’ll only fall more in love with every raise.”

“Stuff it, Laslow.”

The dealer laid down a pair of threes and an ace. Xander raised a hundred chips. Annaka called. Laslow sighed and took the cherry from her Shirley Temple. Xander called. Annaka called. Laslow presented the stem of the cherry which he had tied into a knot with his tongue.

Xander had nothing. Annaka had the high card. Laslow had a handprint carved onto his cheek.

“Info,” Annaka said as Laslow rubbed his stinging cheek. “Nyx sold the man in this picture poison. In front of what security camera did the sale happen?”

“What makes you think we did it-“

“Standard procedure. You help people who help themselves. If the guy was smart enough to cover his face then Apollo’s screwed. But I’m betting he wasn’t.”

Xander hummed and leaned onto the table so he could pick up a lock of her hair. He rubbed the curl between his fingers in a move that was less power and more praising. Finally he patted her head.

“Annaka. If you ever get tired of dealing with boys and lawyers, there is always a place for you by my side.” Xander cracker the first smile of the night. “We have boys for you to play with too, you know.”

Annaka smiled back. “I don’t need to join to play with Laslow, Big Bro.”

He laughed dryly, amused but exhausted by his retainer. “The camera on 38th on the side of the LA bank.”

“The one that over looks the farmer’s market? Since when do we sell produce? Fuck that’s smart. Thanks, Xander.”

She scrambled up the ladder at half past three am and rode to the bank. In the dead of night, it was more than destitute. Which was good because Annaka had a feeling she was gonna need to pick the lock.

After a few minutes fiddling with the lock to the security entrance, she entered to see the camera room empty. Judging by the cup of coffee on the desk, that meant someone had gotten to the guard before her.

And only one person in this city could get the drop on Annaka.

“Well well well, I never thought I’d see you in the flesh again. Have you gain weight?”

Izaya.

Turning slowly to meet the knife pointed in her direction, Annaka smiled. “Gained as many pounds as you lost inches off your dick.”

“God,” he said, gliding forward to thrust the knife at her chest. As she ducked, he slashed downward, barely catching her left ear. Pain was the word on her mind but the blood would have to wait.

“You have-”

Izaya cut the edge of her denim jacket.

“Always thought-”

A slice aiming for her eyes missing to connect with the metal racks behind her. Izaya scowled as she rolled to the other side of the room. Annaka flicked her skirt up to reveal her own set of precious knives and he rolled his eyes.

“That you’re so cute.”

“You used to think I was.”

“I still think you are.”

“Then I have reason to believe my thoughts!” Annaka ducked under his blade and aimed her own stab at his ankles. Jumping, he laughed.

Now that they had swapped positions in the room, Annaka blew a piece of hair out her eyes and demanded, “Whatever video you took from the camera, I need.”

“Now why do you need something like that?”

“Polly’s needs a-”

Izaya shot forward as she started to answer. She barely had enough time to meet his knife inches from her face. He pushed with all his strength and Annaka’s arms shook under the pressure. Ducking away, his momentum carried him past her. Burying her heel in his back, she helped push him into the racks.

Before he could get up again, she jumped on him, pinning him down with her weight and driving her knife into the ground next to him. “Stay down,” she hissed.

His mouth curled into a beautiful sneer and his knife clattered to the ground. “Do you end up on top with Apollo? You seem used to thi-”

Annaka wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing against his throat. “I know this is the only human touch you’ve felt this week but I need the video, Izaya. No more games.”

His hands flew to hers to uselessly try and loosen her hands. She tightened her grip on his throat until he slapped a pocket of his jacket. Still keeping one hand wrapped around his throat, Annaka searched the pocket before producing a thumbdrive.

“This better have what I need on it, Izaya.”

“It does,” he choked out.

Releasing him, Izaya coughed and gasped for air. “D-damn...when’d you get ruthless?”

She stood up and offered his a hand. After taking it, she hauled him up and dusted him off. There was no room for hard feelings in the underbelly of this city. Next time, it could be his hands strangling her. Izaya examined the bruises forming around his neck in the reflection of his phone screen with a certain appreciation.

“I gotta jet. You need anything?” She offered.

Izaya shook his head. “I’m begging you. Come back and work for me, Anni. There’s nothing in this city that could stand against you and I together.”

“Sorry, but the sunshine is calling my name.” Annaka tossed him his knife. “See ya ‘round.”

In a few seconds, she was back on her bike riding toward the Agency. Before she walked in those, she gave herself a once over in the window. Her ear was still bleeding. Izaya had gotten her pretty damn good. There were probably stitches in her future. Annaka would be sure to send him the bill for that and the jacket he’d now ruined.

“Dick,” she muttered, pulling out bandages from her bike’s seat.

After quickly wrapping herself up, Annaka checked her watch to see the numbers flash 4:42. Apollo was fast asleep on the couch and she set the thumbdrive on his desk, slapping a little post it note on it. Then, exhausted, she fell into his chair and let her head roll back.

“Fucking ridiculous,” she mumbled. Just before she started to recollect herself so she could drive herself to the E.R, Annaka’s phone rang. Her hand unfortunately brought it to her good ear and she growled out a, “Go for Annaka.”

“Annaka! My case! The file! It’s gone and the window is open and I think someone broke into my apartment but they got away before I could kick their butts! But my case file is gone!” Athena wailed, deafening her.

Annaka sighed, hit end call, and stood up. Looks like E.R was gonna have to wait.

#after verdict #writings #I wrote this in like four hours but it bangs #there;s a knife fight #it;s cool

[missing-fanfics]

A Strange Request at a Piano Bar

Include the following in your story:

⟡carnival ⟡sprained ⟡mask ⟡oxidation ⟡awkward ⟡apple ⟡juvenile ⟡controversy ⟡twirl ⟡sassafras

A/N: ello Sarah here. I know they’re kinda out of character I’ve never write Jamie or Charlotte before so I apologise. This does not follow any plot in any of the books. You can read this and even if you only read half of the first book. This whole ‘case’ that they’re working on isn’t real. I was just stringing a case together based on the ten words seen above.

Word count: 2.2k

Warnings: swearing and reader being a cheeky bastard.

Jamie Watson x fem!reader x Charlotte Holmes

Platonic pairings only, sorrrrry.

~~~~

I realized two very prominent things as we slipped into the loud building, that Holmes’ Forever Ever Cotton Candy perfume was nauseating in close quarters and Y/N was wearing clothes three sizes too small. With Holmes’ ‘Hailey’ get up and Y/N’s outfit combined, we passed as obnoxious teenagers.

The bar itself was rather dark. From what I could tell a teenage girls party was taking place. Y/N found this out hours ago and made me ruffle my hair and force me to sag my pants. I fit in with the crowds of carefree teenagers just as well as she did in her awkward tube top.

“Come on Jamie, lets flirt with some strangers for information. She won’t be jealous.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Don’t act so shy it’s not like Charlotte’s paying attention” she said giving me a sly smile. I grit my teeth and glared at her. Holmes payed attention to everything and Y/N knew that. With a wink she twirled away, already blending in with the other girls in the bar.

I groaned inwardly and pinched the bridge of my nose. Holmes was a handful by herself, adding Y/N into the mix was just tourture. I know we needed her though. She was subtle and could move through a crowd like it was water. Also her hacking skills had saved our asses on numerous occasions. Holmes was the brains, Y/N was the eyes, and I guess that makes me the braun. Fantastic.

“Hi!” Someone exclaimed grabbing onto my arm. I raised an eyebrow and turned to face a tall redhead. She was grinning from ear to ear and I groaned inwardly again. Damnit.

“Hey, I’m Jack” I said remembering my aliases. I wasn’t Jamie Watson, the idiot trailing after two genius women, I was Jack Markens a socially conscious and cool young man.

“I’ve never seen you before Jack” the apple haired girl said drawling out the name as if it should affect me. I played into her flirting and forced myself into looking her up and down with a stupid smirk on my face.

“I’m just visiting some friends.” I said flattening my English accent even more. I didn’t want to take any chances in fucking up my already paper thin aliases.

“I hope nothing serious?” She said twirling her red hair around her finger. I wasn’t going to stand here as she clung to my arm and say I didn’t think she was attractive. That being said she was the kind of girl old Jamie would’ve trailed after. The kind of girl I would’ve done stupid shit for. Nowadays I only do stupid shit for two very specific girls.

I looked around in a way I hoped was casual, “I’m never looking for anything serious.” Her eyes widened in delight as she pressed herself closer to me. God I hated myself.

“Well in that case Jack, let me show you around. I’m Roxie.” She said in a sultry voice. I smiled in amusement at her name.

She tugged at my arm and dragged me to a rowdy table full of teenagers dressed and acting like idiots. Roxie squealed and ran over and hugged a blond boy, I cleared my throat awkwardly.

With a loud ear splitting ring of interference, the piano bar hushed as everyone stared at the stage. A younger man smiled sheepishly as he moved his microphone around trying to fix the problem, a clipboard clutched in his hands.

“Well sorry about that folks! Now that I’ve got your attention, I'd like to make some announcements. Today is two very special ladies 18th birthdays: Georgia!” The crowd cheered looking to a girl in a big dress and a tiara. Roxie screamed loud enough to irritate my ears, at I assume her friend.

He waited until everyone settled down and looked at his clipboard. “And Hailey!”

We were in the bar for maybe twenty minutes and in the time Holmes had managed to become quite popular with the other parties juvenile acting friends. They shouted just as loud for her and I looked around trying to find Holmes and Y/N.

“We’re going to be doing something a little different tonight. Please welcome one of our birthday girls and her best friend onto the stage!” The man yelled again and the crowd yelled back again. I furrowed my eyebrows as Roxie grinned at the blond boy and dragged him over to a group of girls. I took that as my que to leave and I shuffled back slightly trying desperately to get away from all the screaming girls.

Holmes and Y/N scrambled into the stage, with an eccentric bow Y/N shimmied to the piano bench and sat down. Holmes embraced her ‘Hailey’ persona and grinned at everyone. She accepted the violin the man handed her with a blush and a giggle. These two were going to be the death of me.

“Sorry for the strange request, my name is Y/N and this is my best friend Hailey. Hope you enjoy us!” Y/N said into her microphone with a wink in my direction. The crowd exploded at the two pretty women on stage. With a nod at one another they started to play a duet. I couldn’t help but wonder when on earth they managed to practice songs together, just the idea of them alone in the music room made me uneasy.

As they played the bar transformed into a carnival. The throbbing lights spun like a merry go round and the once unwelcoming sent of sassafras seemed to melt into a sweet aroma. Holmes looked right at home on stage and I stopped for a moment to watch her. Y/N made eye contact with me again and raised an eyebrow in warning.

I cleared my throat and remembered our carefully crafted plan:

1. Mingle

2. Y/N and Holmes will play

3. In our different vantage points we’ll look for any meaning behind the mask logo of the bar that was spray painted in my room with braille engraving underneath it

4. Maybe have a few drinks

That last one was added by Y/N with a grin. She kept trying to get us all drunk, much to my misfortune and Holmes’ annoyment.

My mind wandered to when I stumbled into my dorm room to find the threatening mask logo spray painted in a cherry red colour. Someone had hacked away, “we’re all mad here” in braille on a chunk of wood under my desk near it.

Y/N figured out the mask was the exact same as the logo for this piano bar and here were were. Trying to find a connection to the Alice in Wonderland quote as well as the break-ins throughout our terrible school.

With everyone busy staring at my only two friends, I slipped to the back of the room. It was quieter back here and the beautiful lights and music didn’t follow me. Taking out my phone I scanned the crowded wall trying to find anything that resembled braille or red spray paint. Hell even a Cheshire Cat would make all this mean something. The wall of stickers was mainly bullshit companies and photos of past patrons. I sighed deeply, but continued to search the wall.

I followed it into a back room. The lights were off and I crouched down just in case anyone was to burst in. I figured through the filing cabinets looking for anything that related to Alice in Wonderland.

Who knew that a theif was such a damn Disney fan? I sighed and sat against the wall as I searched through the files.

Holmes and Y/N burst in both after a few silent moments. Both a little sweaty with matching grins on their faces. They rushed over to me and I stood up quickly to meet them.

“We found out absolutely nothing, but had a good time and that’s all that matters.” Y/N said doubling over as she gasped for breath. Holmes’ glittery outfit shimmered from the lone windows light and her grin melted off her face.

Charlotte Holmes in all her impassive face, was back.

“Did you find anything?” Holmes asked me as she tugged on the bottom of her mini skirt. I blinked at her, momentarily distracted.

“Uh no.” I said crossing my arms. Holmes sighed and started to look around the room. Y/N caught her breath and stood back up smiling smaller now.

“Should’ve seen us Jamie—” Y/N was cut off by footsteps and voices echoing from the hallway.

“Hey who turned on the lights in the back room?” It said and the footsteps started becoming louder. I looked at Holmes in alarm and she looked back momentarily frozen.

Y/N looked around frantically and decided jumping out the damn window was the best option. With little time to waste she yanked it open and dived into the alleyway. I winced as I heard a small yelp from her.

Holmes and I looked at one another as we scrambled to follow her and with only seconds to spare we both leaped out the window as well.

I crashed to the pavement and groaned as I landed flat on my back. Holmes has rolled as soon as she hit the ground and stood gracefully afterwards.

“Took you guys long enough.” Y/N smirked resting against the wall in the grimy alleyway. I sat up and shoved her and she responded with a delighted laugh. She cradled her wrist and Holmes looked down at it.

“You most definitely sprained that.” She said making Y/N shrug. I shook my head and moved to sit across from them against the opposite wall.

“Gotta admit it looked cool though.” Y/N said with a grin. Holmes and I shook our heads at her eccentricity.

Holmes crouched on the pavement with a small magnifying glass in her hands. Y/N leaned against the brick looking casually down at her phone. I knew better than to assume she was scrolling through Instagram. With a few almost bored taps, she disabled the security cameras facing the alleyway.

“Watson what do you make of this?” Holmes asked her voice completely calm for someone who just vallied out a window. I sighed and looked to where she was pointing. The loading dock at the back of the piano bar was clipped shut. Pink hazy graffiti covered it in what I can only assume was a flamingo. A thin line of red paint was hastily painted over an awful path of rust.

“Someone tried to fix their rusting problem and then made a flamingo?” I said completely not trying to be helpful. Y/N smirked down at her phone and before cocking her head at the wall.

“Ohh, I thought it was a weird melted bright pink gun.” She said crossing her arms. She grinned while looking back at me. “This is why you’re the right hand man.”

Holmes looked between us with a deadpan expression. She cleared her throat and turned back to the wall.

“The oxidation down here was covered by the red paint. This red paint is the same pigment and, I suspect, the same used in Watson’s dorm.” Holmes said standing quickly and started rummaging through her Hailey bag. Y/N crossed her arms.

“So? It’s covering a line of rust not a secret door.” She said looking at me with her eyebrows furrowed. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Holmes to elaborate. She stopped searching through her bag and with a wince pulled out a pocket knife.

“Let’s look at what’s underneath.” Tossing the bag to the ground, she pulled the knife open and started scratching at the paint carefully. After a few silent minutes she brushed away the paint dust to reveal a decent sized hole in the wall.

She blew more paint away to reveal braille above the opening.

Y/N laughed as she knelt down to look at it. With careful fingers she ran her hand over the metal braille on the top of it. The braille very closely resembled the one carved into the underside of my desk.

I looked closer and ran my fingers over it too. Holmes sighed and took out her phone to take pictures of it.

“I wonder.” Holmes mumbled to herself and started to reach into the hole in the wall. I couldn’t help but grimace as I thought of all the disgusting things that could be in it.

Holmes’ posture stiffened as she pulled out a gun wrapped in a plastic bag. The three of us stared at it in shock.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say there's some kind of controversy going on.” Y/N laughed out before wincing and cradling her wrist again.

#jamie watson #jamie watson x reader #jamie watson x charlotte holmes #jamie watson x reader x charlotte holmes #charlotte holmes x reader #charlotte holmes #fanfiction #write the story

[madelainesvixens]

CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT: CHAPTER THREE | FORSYTHE

Tuesday, September 29th

8:58

After an all nighter with Alice Smith, FP had trouble waking up for school on Tuesday morning. His dad had banged on his door, yelling at his son to wake up and FP almost didn't hear him. He was that tired. Not because Alice had worn him off in bed - he had an excellent stamina. It's just that with school, football practice/games and working a Pop's, keeping a regular sleeping schedule wasn't easy. Now that he had to up his grades, it was going to get tougher.

FP sat down behind his Math class's desk, rubbing his face with his hands in hope to wash his fatigue away. The bags under his eyes were darker than yesterday but they've seen worse.

''You look like hell, man. Did you have any sleep last night?'' Fred said, taking a seat next to him.

''Thanks, Andrews. You look good too.''

Fred glanced at his best friend again and pulled his eyebrows. It was hard to believe FP Jones was a ladies man with this appearance. His hair were unruly and although his white tee shirt was covered by his heavy, yellow and blue varsity jacket, Fred knew it came from FP's bedroom floor and not his dresser. Oh FP...

''Are you in tonight?''

''Yeah. Five to closure.''

Fred raised an eyebrow. ''You think you're gonna hold up?''

With a snort and an eye roll from FP as response, Fred dropped the subject.

.

12:21

FP walked down the aisles of the library, checking the numbers until he found the aisle 224. He had been drinking water from the fountain when a hand hovered the back of his jeans, squeezing once through the fabric, when an invitation to aisle 224 in ten minutes was purred into his ear. FP's lips had turned into a smirk, recognizing Alice's perfume and soft voice.

To the teenager's surprise, the library wasn't vacant during lunch hour. Students occupied the seats, books set on the tables right next to their lunch. The librarian had smiled at FP as he had walked through the doors and he politely returned it.

221.

222.

223.

224.

A smug smirk curled on FP's lips when he saw the biker blonde waiting for him at the end of the historical aisle, red and black mesh shirt giving him a good view of her bra. Her leather jacket was on the floor right next to her bag, a pack of smokes threatening to spill from the pocket. Alice made eye contact with the Bulldog and bit down her bottom lip seductively. ''Took you long enough,'' she pointed.

''I've never been here before.''

''I don't come here often either. It's not really my scene.'' FP crossed the distance between them, joining Alice at the end of the aisle. ''But, I'll let you on a little secret: 224 is my favorite.''

FP plucked a book from the shelves, reading the cover and huffed amusedly. ''Historical politics?'' he asked with an arched eyebrow.

Instead of replying, Alice grabbed him by the collar of his tee shirt and pulled him closer, crashing their lips together. FP kissed back, one of his hands coming on her lower back, pressing her against him while his other snaked up on Alice's side, feeling her skin under the thin top. Her dark painted nails curled into his tee shirt, grazing at his chest before let go of it.

FP moved his lips lower and grabbed her leather clad thigh as he kissed her neck, a soft moan leaving her lips, right before capturing them in a kiss.

No wonder aisle 224 was Alice's favorite. No one ever needed books from the historical politics aisle and it was in the far back of the library. Perfect for secret make out sessions.

FP's jacket joined Alice's on the floor before he hoisted the blonde up, her skirt ridding up, and backed her against the shelf, praying to god it was sturdy enough and wouldn't betray them. Alice smiled through the kiss, very on board with their new position.

While it was exciting to make out in the library, it was very restrictive. They had little space and couldn't make any sounds...or else they'd risk getting caught.  

The teenagers pulled away, both panting and stared into each other's eyes with lust. ''Are we going to have sex here? With all those nerdy virgin ears around us?'' FP questioned, a thrill of excitement running through his head at the thought of fucking between two shelves. Alice stole a kiss from him. ''Do you think you'll be able to keep quiet?''

Although no one ever talked about it, there was indeed a written rule saying having any type of sexual activities on school grounds was prohibited. It was common sense. And, if it came to Mr. Featherhead's ears that two of his students had sex in his library, they would both get expelled. With their current financial situation, FP wasn't sure his dad would appreciate that. It wouldn't look great on his college application for sure.

Alice chuckled. ''You'd be surprised of all the things I excel at, Jones.''

At that, FP felt his pants tightening, creating ideas in his head. What 'things' was she talking about? Was it her blowjob skills because he'd love to experience more of that. FP thought that Vixen sucked him good two weeks ago but, now that Alice Smith's lips had been on him, he's not sure anyone could beat that.

''But, no. We're not going to.'' She freed herself from FP's grip, booties touching the tiled floor. ''You'll have to wait until tonight...you know, for our Science assignment.''

Knowing his dad would be having another night shift tonight, the coast was clear to invite Alice over but, FP had other obligations he couldn't cancel. Not even for a good fuck. ''I'm working until closure tonight.''

''That's too bad, uh?'' Alice bent down to grab her bag and jacket, giving FP a perfect glance at her ass. He chewed down his bottom lip at the sight. Fuck, he wanted to tap that. Her leather mini outranked the cheerleaders's uniform without hesitation. Icing on the cake: he bet that Alice was wearing some skimpy underwear and not obligatory biker shorts. ''I guess I'll see you in class then.''

.

Friday, October 2nd

21:52

FP didn't hear of Alice until Friday. Friday was also a game night...and, be default the night his old man chose to invite his buddies at home for a drink.

It was almost ten when FP came home from the game. He was supposed to drop his bag, change and go to Mantle's for an after-game party but his plans were cancelled as soon as he stepped inside, the strong smell of whiskey filling his nostrils.

''Dad?''

No response. His truck was outside, he was home.

''Dad?'' he tried again but still nothing. FP toed off his shoes and walked down the hall, following the alcohol odor. ''I'm home. We won against Greendale, I-'' FP stopped himself mid sentence as he stepped into the living room. ''Shit.''

Forsythe was passed out on their couch, a bottle of whiskey smashed on the floor, the brown liquid spilled around it. He must've passed out holding it.

Dropping his bag on the floor, FP sighed and went to the kitchen to grab a cloth and the trash to clean up the mess on the floor before his dad would wake up and step on the pieces of glass. Last thing they needed was for Forsythe to get injured because of his drinking habits. How would they pay the bills? Certainly not with FP's part-time job a Pop's.

Having to clean up behind his dad became part of FP's routine. Every Friday nights he'd come home to empty beer bottles scattered around and a drunk father - sometimes passed out, sometimes not. On night he was still awake, Forsythe didn't have a clear mind. He'd pick up fights over silly things and once even hit his son. Sometimes, some of his dad's buddies were still there when FP came home and FP was quick to understand how pigs they were. Swearing left and right, talking shit about their wives and even puking on the floor. Honestly, it was nothing to be proud of.

FP was in the middle of cleaning up the sticky top of the table when the doorbell went off.

The teenager stiffened and stopped his cleaning. Who was that?

He checked the clock on the wall, realizing it was ten-thirty. Fuck. That must be Fred. FP had told him he'd meet him at his place in fifteen minutes. Fred must've been sick of waiting and decided to come and see what's taking so long.

The doorbell went off again, and again, and again. FP furrowed his eyebrows. Fred never pressed the doorbell repeatedly.

The raven haired boy set the cloth on the table and answered the door. Instead his fellow Bulldog and best friend, a beautiful blonde stood on his doorstep.

''Alice?''

In any other situation, FP would've been happy to see her but his father was passed out on their couch and his house reeked of alcohol.

''Are you going to let me in, or?'' Alice asked, arching an eyebrow. ''If I stay outside any longer, my left boob is going to freeze off.''

FP hesitated for a few second and reluctantly let her in, opening the door to his darkest secret, the one tried to cover it all up for years.

To his surprise, she didn't make any comments about the strong smell of whiskey nor his father's passed out figure of the couch. She knew better than to stick her nose in the Jones's businesses.

Alice took off her jacket, setting it on the arm of the lazy-boy chair. It was no surprise she was cold, she only wore a bustier and an open wave knit sweater under her jacket. Not a very smart choice for an October night. ''I thought you'd be at Mantle's party. I took a chance by coming here.''

''I intended to go but...yeah.'' FP nodded at his dad.  

He returned to the table he wasn't finished cleaning. While it was rude to clean while having guests over, he didn't really have a choice. He knew very well his dad won't clean up when he'll wake up from his deep sleep.

''You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm not gonna judge you over your dad's alcohol problems, FP,'' she said, picking up two empty bottles from the floor and carried them to the kitchen.

FP heard the clinking of the glass bottles and whirled his head around, seeing the blonde carrying bottles. ''What are you doing? You don't have to clean up after my dad.''

''Neither do you. You're not his damn servant,'' Alice pointed. ''He's an adult and should be looking out for you, not the other way around.''

Ever since his dad started drinking on the daily, a lot of his responsibilities had fallen on FP's shoulders because all his old man cared about was his six pack of beer he'd be downing the second he gets home from work. Most of the time, their fridge was empty bare from a carton of milk. Home cooked meals had been replaced by take out boxes and their weekly father-son dinner at Pop's had been replaced by FP getting a job at the infamous diner.

What would Forsythe do without FP? He could barely take care of himself, let alone do the laundry or cook.

''If I don't, who will?'' FP snapped.

He sighed, regretting it immediately. Alice was trying to help and he yelled at her. Wow, he's acting like his father when he's had too many beers... Guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree, uh? That thought made the teenager froze. No. No, no. FP had sworn himself he would never become him.

Alice narrowed her blue eyes at him. ''Hey! Do not talk to me on that tone,'' she warned. ''If I wanted to get yelled at, I would've stayed at home.''

''Sorry,'' he apologized. ''It's just-'' FP pinched the bridge of his nose and, recognizing the gesture as a sign of stress, Alice joined him on the floor. He sensed the proximity of her body and looked up. ''If I don't clean up and cover his track, our nosey neighbor will call the child protective services again and I might get taken away this time. They've had an eye on my dad for a couple months and if I get taken away, he will have no one. I'm all he has, Alice, I can't leave him. What will he do without me?''

If the situation was in reverse, FP could easily go to Fred's. They've been best friends for a long time and his dad loved him. When they were kids, they used to have sleepovers every weekends and would spend the whole summer together. Still today, the Andrews invited FP for dinner at least once a week and FP couldn't be more happy to skip a take out meal. Mr. Andrews was more of a father figure to him than his biological father was.

''No one knows. Beside you.''

Alice offered him a soft smile and put her hand over FP's in support. ''Consider your secret safe with me.''  

NEXT CHAPTER (X)

#falice #call it what you want #call it what you want chapter 3 #fp jones #fic #riverdale fic #falice fic #Alice Cooper

[enixamyram]

Robin tries to woo Alice by singing some boy band song to her.

   Alice sat in the living room, a chess board set up in front of her on the coffee table as she played a quiet game with herself during the early morning that day. It was nice and quiet in the early hours and she didn’t plan to do anything too special, giving her time to relax. In fact she planned for it to be a nice and easy day with her love at her home. Speaking of which where was-

   Suddenly Alice heard a guitar playing behind her. It was the one Robin had brought from the other world when she moved here. One that definitely didn’t fit into the kind of you’d find around here (what with its shape and odd painted coloured surface) but that Robin was very attached to none the less and Alice often heard her playing to herself every now and then when she wanted to relax. Only this wasn’t that because the music wasn’t the same gentle tune, but rather something sharper, building as Alice turned just in time to see Robin appear in the doorway, guitar in arms and little smile on her face.

   Before Alice could say anything, her love began to sing. Her voice was clear and beautiful as ever, even though she didn’t always like singing. Normally, whenever she played, she encouraged Alice to be the one to sing along for her, which was what made her sudden burst right now so odd.

    “You're insecure,   Don't know what for,   You're turning heads when you walk through the door.”

   Alice blinked at her. “Wait what?” What did that mean? She wasn’t that insecure was she? And why was she turning head just by walking in?

   Robin ignored her. “Don't need make-up, to cover up   Being the way that you are is enough.”

   “I have no idea what is happening right now.” Alice mumbled, but then shrugged and sat back in her seat, watching Robin walk around the furniture and continue singing loudly to her.

   “Everyone else in the room can see it,   Everyone else but you...   Baby you light up my world like nobody else,   The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed!”

   Her voice had grown even louder and stronger, in a way that was almost catchy enough for Alice to start dancing to but instead, Alice paused. She reached up and gently touched her hair. She never flipped it! ... Did she?

   “But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell,   You don't know, oh oh,   You don't know you're beautiful.   If only you saw what I can see,   You'll understand why I want you so desperately,   Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,   You don't know, oh oh,   You don't know you're beautiful, oh oh   That's what makes you beautiful!”

   Alice was caught between smiling and frowning at this point. These were some strange lyrics that Robin had written for her. And she assumed they were for her. After all, she was singing it to her so she must have written it with her love in mind. But what made her decide to add the part about flipping hair? What did that even mean? The rest of it was lovely though, so Alice tried to ignore that one line and focus on the rest.

   Robin moved so she was standing directly across the coffee table from Alice now, continuing to play and sing with a happy smile on her face. “So come on, you got it wrong,   To prove I'm right, I put it in a song.   I don't know why, you're being shy,   And turn away when I look into your eye eye eyes.   Everyone else in the room can see it,   Everyone else but you.   Baby you light up my world like nobody else,   The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed!”

   There was that damn hair line again. Alice found herself playing with a strand while watching Robin. She kept smiling but inside she was trying to figure out when she had done it. And was she really as shy as Robin was singing? She’d been shy when they first started dating, but so had Robin. Was she still acting shy even now? She began to nod her head along with the strumming of the guitar, smiling as Robin went on, repeating the chorus of how beautiful she was and once again trying to focus on that instead.

   “If only you saw what I can see,   You'll understand why I want you so desperately.   Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,   You don't know, oh oh,   You don't know you're beautiful, oh oh.   You don't know you're beautiful, oh oh,   That's what makes you beautiful!”

   Robin finished with a loud long note, almost shouting and playing the guitars last tune before the music cut off and she stood in front of her, watching and waiting for a moment. Robin was taking deep breaths, a little flushed from the effort of singing and playing and very close to panting but otherwise undisturbed by her own little display. She grinned at Alice and raised an eyebrow.

   “So? What do you think?”

   I think you think I’m more insecure than I am, Alice thought. And you apparently think I flip my hair a lot and can’t look you in the eye which is really weird... And you think I’m beautiful.

   Alice once again decided to ignore the rest and focus on the last part. It sure was a weird song for her to sing to her but it was also very sweet. So standing up, she climbed over the coffee table and over her chess board and dropped down in front of Robin, leaning forward and kissing her hard. She wrapped her arms around her and rocked until Robin had to hastily lean the guitar against the wall behind her to avoid dropping it without breaking the embrace. Afterwards they began stumbling towards the bedroom, all without pulling apart the whole way.

   Some weeks later, Alice discovered the song wasn’t actually personally written by Robin for her. Robin hadn’t realised Alice had assumed it was and, upon finding out, she was left feeling guilty. She hadn’t meant to make Alice think that way. She forgot she didn’t know pop culture and was worried her love would be disappointed with the truth. But instead Alice stood a little straighter and smiled.

   “So that’s why you included the hair flipping!” Alice grinned, turning back to the washing in front of her, quite cheerfully. “I knew I didn’t do that kind of thing really.”

#Curious Archer Short #Alice Jones #Robin Mills #That's What Makes You Beautiful #Anonymous