#she makes each girl her preferred food and she’s always happy to see the glee on their faces

[dragonologist-in-the-making]

You’re Here

Pairing: sirius x fem!reader

Summary: it’s sirius’ birthday, so the reader decides to finally confess their feelings.

a/n: eeeeee I’m back!! Sorry it was such a long break, I can’t promise this is a permanent return but it’s Sirius’ birthday today so I had to do a special fic for him xx hope you enjoy!!

wordcount: 2k

…

He sat in front of the fire, the warm glow from the dying flames flickering on his face, in a way that could easily enchant anybody who happened to be watching the scene. In fact, it already had. y/n was sat on the sofa, pretending to be engaged in the conversation happening around her as she couldn’t help but let her eyesight drift back to the raven haired boy sat in front of her. She’d noticed this starting to happen in their fifth year, and despite knowing what it meant and trying to push the feelings away, here she was in her last year of Hogwarts, still hopelessly in love with her best friend.

“Well, I think I’m going to head upstairs.” His soft voice entered the conversation, as he stretched and dragged himself off the floor, sleep clearly weighing his eyes down. The group of friends all wished him a goodnight and a brief silence settled over the common room as he left, leaving the group of four friends to sit with their thoughts for a second.

y/n sat with her knees pulled up, thinking of her friendship with Sirius, how close they had always been. She’d been part of the Marauders since that first day on the train, and had always loved the four of them, but she couldn’t help the pull she had to Sirius. Maybe how it was despite everything he’d been through with his family, he was never scared to be vulnerable around her. Maybe it was how no matter how many girls he kissed, he would save his brightest smiles for her, and would (and had) drop any of them the second she had said she needed him, no matter how insignificant an outsider might have thought the reason to be. Wrapped up in her thoughts, she felt her cheeks warming, a combination of the warmth from the fire and the warmth from her heart. However, when a voice finally broke through the silence, embarrassment won over, heating her cheeks more than anything had so far.

“Merlin, y/n, you look like a lost puppy. Can you both please just admit your feelings to each other so we can get past this.” She glared at James between her fingers, throwing a pillow with deadly aim, smirking as he squeaked in surprise. “I do mean it though, there’s nothing to lose.”

“He does talk about you constantly. It’s rather sweet, if you forget how annoying it is.” Remus piped up, putting a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “You both know how the other feels, you’re just too scared to say it out loud, in case you cross a line you can’t go back on.”

“And this middle ground won’t stop things from going south, if you never talk about it.” Peter added as the boys began to collect their things, clearly going to join their dormmate and retire for the evening. As they all said their goodnights, y/n sat alone thinking over their words, a plan forming in her mind as she glanced out the window at the glistening October sky.

…

She sat at her desk, November 2nd, folding the parchment once the ink had dried, sealing it and carefully writing his name on the front. She waited in the common room, heart racing as the fire died beside her, up much later than was healthy, but determined, the anxiety helping to keep her awake as she waited for the elves. Finally they came, and with a kind smile and a little pleading, they promised to take the letter from her and leave it and the end of Sirius’ bed, amongst the pile of presents that was undoubtedly there for when he woke up. She smiled to herself, glad that so far everything had seemed to go smoothly, and went back to her dorm to try and sleep, feeling finally that good things were on their way.

Sirius woke up to the cheers and whoops of the boys, singing a badly harmonised happy birthday tune. He laughed, sitting up and reaching to start opening his presents, knowing the harassment would only end when he had done so. He spotted a letter with his name on it in familiar handwriting, one for sure he knew hadn’t been there when he had gone to sleep the night before, and quickly slipped it under his pillow, deciding to read it when the boys weren’t watching his every move. He flew through the present opening, and soon enough his three friends were preoccupied in getting ready for their classes, giving him the spare few minutes he needed to inspect his most interesting present of all. He carefully unfolded the letter, his heart rate picking up as he spotted y/n’s handwriting and how carefully it had been written, free from the usual scribbles and splotches he saw when she wrote.

Siri,

Happy birthday, love, I know you were worried about today, with it being the first birthday since you moved in with the Potter’s, but today’s about you, and your real family are all here to celebrate with you, and for you, as you turn seventeen and start to think about life past graduation (with all of us by your side, of course). I know this is a slightly unconventional present, and I would appreciate it if you kept this a bit of a secret for the boys, for now at least.

I just wanted to say how proud I am of you. You’ve faced more than I could ever imagine and had to grow up so fast, but you’ve always been unwaveringly loyal to your friends, considerate and kind throughout it all, truly striving to become the opposite of who you were raised to be. I’m so, so, glad that you took my hand that day on the platform, bringing me into your carriage on the train. I couldn’t picture a life without you, and sometimes I forget just how insanely lucky I am to have you around. Believe that, because I know you’re feeling sceptical right now, but I mean it. You’re phenomenal in every way.

Y/n sat at the table in the great hall, eating a pancake and sipping on her tea trying to push down her nerves waiting for the marauders to come and join her as they did every morning. Hopefully, Sirius would have read the letter by now, and she could have some closure either way. Preferably not one way, though. She heard them before she saw them, the loud laughs bouncing through the Entrance Hall, recognisable to anyone in the school. Despite her nerves, she couldn’t help but smile as they walked in, enthusiastically waving to her as they walked over, sitting down in their usual seats. Some of the tension dropped from her shoulders as Sirius sat next to her, gracing her with a smile.

“Happy birthday, Siri.” She smiled, heart catching as his fingers grazed hers under the table. Was it intentional? “Get any nice presents this morning?” She hinted, hoping she could keep up the façade if everything crumbled around her. To her glee, his smile stretched a little wider, a glint in his eye she knew, one that meant he was keeping a secret. Luckily, she was in on it too.

“Couldn’t have asked for anything better.” He smiled, staring straight at her, winking quickly before turning away and filling his plate up with food. She grabbed his hand more firmly under the table, feeling her confidence grow even more when he squeezed it back. She smiled down at her plate, barely believing this could be happening. The rest of breakfast passed in a blur and soon they were heading their separate ways to classes. With one last birthday wish, y/n and Sirius were dragged away from each other, more reluctant than ever before to be anywhere but at each other’s side.

I also wanted to thank you. You’ve never failed to be there for me, whenever I’ve needed you, without having to say a thing. You make me laugh impossibly hard, to the point where I can’t breath and my sides hurt almost constantly. You have a way of twisting anything into something positive and you truly make me believe you when you tell me that things will work out okay. I think in part, I believe they will be okay, because it’s you. With you, everything is okay. In fact, okay is a major understatement. With you, everything is perfect and right.

After dinner, an hour full of more stolen glances and secret hand-holding, y/n had urged the boys upstairs while she carried onto the seventh floor, pacing in front of the tapestry until a door appeared. She walked across the room lightly, trying to focus as she decorated but her thoughts kept drifting back to a certain man, and even though she was fairly sure of the outcome, she couldn’t help but keep the nerves at bay.

You’ve always been the best of friends to me Siri. But if I’m being honest, for a long time now you’ve also been so much more than that. When I’m with you I can feel truly safe, like no matter what happens it can’t touch me because you’re there and you dull everything else. I would be lying if I said I was indifferent to your charms. You’re utterly gorgeous, and my heart flutters when you give me that brilliant smile, the one that I know you save just for me, the one that makes me fall a little harder every time I see it. Your touch is electric, nothing else can be simultaneously so adrenaline-sparking and so comforting. I love the fact that you learned to braid hair for me now that Lily’s all busy with James. Sirius, I love you.

And unless I’m horribly mistaken, I think you love me too. Our friends seem to think so. So tonight, I’ll be in the Room of Requirement with some music, waiting for a dance. If you don’t show, I completely understand, and I won’t bring this up again. But if you feel the same, I hope this was a good enough birthday present for you to.

Yours, if you’ll have me,

Y/n

She finished lighting the last candle, hearing the door handle turn behind her, and the soft creek of the old door opening. She turned, seeing him stood there, the letter in his hand, usual confident aura gone in favour of one that was utterly relaxed. Her face broke out into a breath-taking grin and she bounced forward the few steps that it took to close the gap, straight into his open arms.

“You’re here.” She breathed, finally feeling all the tension and the nerves leave as she admired him, eyes searching his for any trace of doubt and finding none.

“Of course I’m here, there’s no where else I’d want to be.” He smiled, stuttering her heart. “Thank you for the letter, I’ll cherish it forever.” His hand moved to cup her jaw, as the other stayed circled around her waist. She couldn’t do anything but stare at him, completely enthralled in the moment, lost in him. The record playing softly changed to a new tune, and Sirius slowly began to sway the two of them, moving ever so minimally to the beat of the music, neither able to look away from the other.

“I’ll write more.” She broke the silence, “I’ll write them forever as long as you enjoy them. I’ll give you everything I can.”

“I only need your heart. That’s already more than I could imagine.”

“It’s been yours for a long time. Keep it, I like the way you love it.”

“I do,” he breathed out, watching her eyebrows furrow slightly in confusion. “I love it. I love you, y/n.”

He leaned in closer, seeming to hesitate for a moment, looking into her eyes, seeming to ask permission. She nodded, maybe too eagerly, eliciting a laugh from him as her eyes fluttered closed and he pressed his lips to hers, slowly and softly moving together before they broke apart again.

“Happy birthday, love.” She smiled, leaning in again as the dance was all but forgotten.

#harry potter #harry potter x reader #harry potter fic #sirius x reader #sirius black #sirius #sirius black x reader #marauders #marauders era #marauders x reader #happy birthday sirius #padfoot #padfoot x reader

[vapid-slut]

Perfect Harmony; Ch.1

Warning[s]: Swearing, Michael being a dirty bitch

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: Entering her senior year as a cheerio, the reader is excited to combine both her love of music and her newfound popularity. To Michael, however, this is the perfect opportunity to fuck with his innocent neighbor

A/N: Can we say, I hate this, because I really do. I have no idea what has compelled me to post this dumpster, just know that if you read this, no u didn’t <3 + I did not proofread this so if theres any typos I’m so sorry, I’m running on 4 hrs of sleep and 5 cups of coffee

Music was your life. Your parents often joked that you were singing before you uttered your first word. Unfortunately, there were no music clubs during your past two years of high school. It was only last year that you and the glee club won nationals, hence why you were able to keep funding. School administration was never really fond of the arts, but they would bend over backward to give the sports clubs whatever they needed.

Your biggest dream was to get a scholarship, preferably for music, since you excelled at it. All your life, you watched your father slave away to keep you happy. You just wanted to repay his kindness. Abruptly, your dream, which entailed you winning a grammy, was disrupted by the ringing of your alarm clock. Your arm stretched over to your nightstand, turning the device off, bringing the sound to a halt.

Slowly, you removed the sheets off your body, standing up for a brief stretch before walking to your bathroom. You went about your morning routine much quicker than you typically would. Mostly due to your excitement, this year would be the first that you spent closer to the top of the social food chain. Over the summer, your dad became fast friends with Coach Sylvester. She had come over a few times. And although their relationship was strictly platonic, they both had grown fond of each other. A week before school, she offered you a spot on the cheerios, one you couldn't turn down. Cheerleaders were at the very top of the pyramid. Girls wanted to be them while boys wanted to be with them.

Once you had finished doing the bare necessities your morning required, you hastily made your way to your closet, immediately reaching for one of the three cheerleading uniforms hanging on the rack. You stripped out of your pajamas before slipping into the skimpy skirt, unaware that you had an admirer. Michael had moved next door a few months into your freshman year, was a rather charming boy. He quickly became a hot commodity, no doubt due to how impeccably handsome he was. You were never too fond of him, but even you had to admit that he was a divine sight.

It never truly bothered you that the window into your room was straight across from the one piercing into his. But if you could see the look of satisfaction on his face as he watched you undress, you'd feel very unnerved. The boy had always felt attracted to you. He saw you as a challenge. You were one of the few students in your grade who was still a virgin. Not due to your looks, you frankly didn't have the time to go to parties or hook up with people. Your focus was on your education. And if getting into a great school meant sacrificing your social life, you were content with that.

Once you had finished getting your uniform on and slicking your hair into a neat updo, you gathered your things into your bag and hurried downstairs for breakfast. "Mornin' kiddo!" Your dad said, greeting you with a smile. You muttered a cheerful 'hey' in response, walking towards one of the cabinets full of cereal boxes. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. My car had to get fixed up last night so, I'll have to take yours today." You shrugged as a reply, not caring. "So am I taking the bus today?" Your father shook his head, reaching for a spoon at the same time. "No. That nice boy next door offered to give you a ride today. Isn't that sweet?"

Fuck- you thought to yourself, of course, the universe found some way to screw up your day. You took a long sigh before shifting your eyes to the clock on the wall. "Shit! I'm sorry, dad. I'd love to eat breakfast, but the Glee meeting starts in 20 minutes." Your dad shrugged, not too bothered. "It's fine, go have fun and tell Michael I said hello." You nodded to your old man, and with that, you were up and out the door.

As soon as you stepped foot outside, there he was. Hair perfectly curled, toothpick dangling from his soft lips. You sighed, walking towards the blonde, waiting for him to get out of the way. "Wow, you become a cheerleader, and now you think you're hot shit?" He spat, you gave him a death glare before pushing him lightly to get inside the car. He followed suit, taking his place in the driver's seat. "As much as I find you annoying, your ass does look great in that skirt." You scoffed, rolling your eyes at the boy as he started driving. "Listen up, Pillsbury fuckboy. Though this might seem hard to understand, I don't like you. And I'd rather not spend my senior year arguing with someone as unbearable as you, so can you please leave me alone?!"

The blonde chuckled at your response. Your mouth said one thing while your thoughts said another. "Your wish is my command." He mumbled sarcastically before reaching to turn up the music on the radio to an obscene volume. The rest of the car ride was entirely uneventful, neither of you uttering a word to each other. Ultimately, you had reached the school parking lot. Not many cars were there since it was early, and only a few clubs were meeting today. Before Michael could do anything, you swiftly got out the car, making sure to slam it loudly. "Don't fucking slam the door!" He said, his voice reaching you even though you were still walking, in response you promptly flipped him off. "Fucking bitch." He uttered lowly as you slowly left his field of view.

-----

"Welcome back, New Directions!" Glee's coach, Mr.Shue, said as you embraced your friends. "As you know, this will be our last year together, and a few of our beloved friends have left for college already. Which means we'll be having auditions for some newcomers." As he spoke, he walked over to the whiteboard, grabbing his trusted magic marker. "But there's a twist." You and everyone else in the room watched as he wrote out the words American Idol. "This time, you'll be judging with me."

You would typically be seated next to Tina and Mercedes, but they were both absent for the meeting. Instead, you sat with Santana on your left and Quinn to your right. You had to admit that it felt nice. Usually, you wouldn't ponder on things so benign. But you had spent most of high school getting teased by Michael and the rest of his sought after friends. Not a day went by that slushies weren't thrown in your face, now you could finally walk the halls without fear of humiliation. 

Besides that, you were also really ecstatic to help Mr. Shue with auditions. Glee club was what had brought a group of entirely different people together. So you'd be more than glad to share that with a new ensemble of students before you all went your final ways.

-----

The rest of your day went by quicker than usual. There wasn't much to learn on the first day. Once the clock hit 3:30, You rushed to the auditorium as if your life depended on it. You had to admit that you missed the stage, singing, and dancing with your friends. You made your way the middle of the seating area, taking your place beside Artie.

A majority of the auditions were lackluster. Only a handful stood out. Like that girl Marley and that kid Jake. You were just about ready to leave and go home until something caught your attention. "Michael Langdon?" Your eyes lit up immediately as you heard the name. You watched as the blue-eyed boy made his way to the stage, smug look on his face.

There was no way in hell Michael fucking Langdon, the same boy who referred to glee as "homo explosion," would ever willingly audition. His rendition of "Suit and Tie" was incredible, which only pissed you off more. Not only was he insanely attractive, but he just had to be talented too, fucking men.

You watched as your fellow glee members watched in amusement. It was the girls who seemed most excited.  Eventually, it all became too much, and before the boy could finish entertaining your friends, you stormed off into the parking lot. Far too upset with the blonde to drive home with him, you sent your friend Mike a text asking if he could get you. He lived pretty close to the school, so you knew it would only take a few minutes.

-----

By the time Mike had pulled up to the building, the other glee kids were exiting. You quickly reached for the door of his car, rushing to get to the passenger seat. "You alright?" He asked, worried by how fidgety you were. You nodded. "Yea, I just wanna go home." Mike was always very comforting. The two of you became friends during your freshman year, mostly because of how many classes you shared. You both had a love for music and were smart, so it wasn't long before you two clicked.

Within a few minutes, you had arrived at your house, Mike flashing you a smile. "Thank you for coming to get me. It means a lot." The dark-haired boy shrugged. "It's no biggie, see you tomorrow, cheerio." You rolled your eyes sarcastically. "Whatever, jock-face." And with that, you entered your home.

The house was currently empty. He was taking the night shift at the hospital so, he probably wouldn't come back till late at night. You walked up the stairs to your room, dropping your bag on the floor. After everything that had gone down today, you were exhausted. You quickly took off the scanty cheer uniform and slipped on your much softer penguin pajamas.

You practically threw yourself on the bed, hoping to get some rest, but were promptly distracted by a notification on your phone. The text, from an unknown number nonetheless, read 'look outside your window.' You quickly sat up, confused, and turned your head only for your eyes to be met by Michael Langdon, who just happened to be balls deep inside some random brunette. 

You gave the boy a disgusted look before pulling down your blinds. Never in your life had you been more repulsed. Your mind tried long and hard to block out any memory of what you just witnessed. After around forty-five minutes, you received another text message from non-other than Michael.

'It's a shame you missed my performance."

'Go fuck yourself, Langdon.'

'If you say so ;)'

The rest of the night, you wondered what you had done to be the new subject of Mr. Pillsbury Fuckboys torment. You had spent most of your high school years avoiding him at cost. Suddenly it seemed like you weren't getting rid of him anytime soon. You were just lucky you only had to endure this for a few more months, and then you'd be on your way.

Or so you thought.

#Hawthorn!Michael x Reader #michael langdon x reader #michael langdong imagine #michael langdon smut #michael langdon blurb #michael langdon

[cyndecreativity]

Zodiac Chronicles - Trouble in Tauri - Ch. 1

Trampled paths carved through a thin layer of snow in two opposite directions, converging on a small schoolhouse that rested by a stream. The wider path led between a pair of farms and into the village proper a few miles off. The smaller path consisted of only one set of very large tracks, boot prints of an unusual size, that led to the small stream and back to the door. Tristan eyed his large tracks as he closed the schoolhouse door and hoped the midday sun might melt the snow enough to obscure them.

Tristan backed away from the door and turned slowly, careful not to bump his horns on the doorframe or any of the other students. The villager children paid him no mind, hanging their heavy woolen coats, hats, and other cold weather gear on the hooks in the mudroom. Several of the girls even seemed happy to see each other, giggling and shrieking with glee, leaning to whisper conspiratorially as they headed to their seats.

The young ones, the calves, moved awkwardly, as calves do, and climbed onto the benches to hang their scarves and hats up. Some preferred to stuff their things into the bins below the benches. After the removal of their hats, one of the calves became surrounded. Tristan just barely made out their young pronunciations of shock and amazement at the nubs protruding from the center one’s scalp. It would be several years for the nubs to turn into anything even resembling horns, but with the arrival of the nubs, that calf become the coolest and most mature among the herd. He reflected on his brief moment of approval when his nubs arrived. And struggled to forget the subsequent frustration and terror from his peers as the nubs grew larger and longer than normal.

Struggling against the memory, Tristan frowned and dropped off his gear on his half of the mudroom. The boys of the class lingered to remove their gear. Ladies first, as the manners say, and the calves have little sense of propriety. Tristan gathered his materials for class, plus an ancient Herbology almanac.

“We didn’t think you’d make it today, Jorgus. Are you okay? What happened to your father?” Tristan’s ear perked up at the voice of one of the other boys.

“Doesn’t really concern you, does it, Seamus.” A thud as the Jorgus, a gangly bull with fresh horns in his brown hair, threw his bag down on the bench under his hook.

Tristan turned and watched Seamus, a sturdy young bull with black hair and a square jaw, furrow his brow. “I’d think it concerns all of us! The attacks have been happening more often, yeah? And with all our Dads-”

Jorgus growled and tilted his head, jerking his horns with agitation. “Seamus, just drop it, okay?”

Seamus shared a look with the other boys, Jorgus’s usual group, and nodded. “We’ll… catch up on the way home, then?” He did his best to sound optimistic.

Tristan watched the boys turn away one by one to leave Jorgus to finish. Mortimer, the youngest among them, his hair still almost white, received a light whack from one of the other boys. Jorgus turned to check on their departure and caught Tristan’s prying eye. He sneered and tilted his horns at him. Tristan started and jerked back to his own preparations.

Part of him wished he could walk home with those boys, to make a group of friends and… do whatever friends do together. He wished he could talk about the orchard with them, about the plants along the path, about their crops, and the state of their land. He wanted to make friends his own age. But he knew how he looked, how they all looked more like his younger siblings. Not just because of his incredible size, but the older Lunars, those that heard the voices, told him he had aged far too quickly, gaining a few years in a few months as a babe. Blessed by the Spirits, they called it. He called it a curse.

He took the last bench at the table in the back left of the large open schoolhouse. This area in the back typically held the eldest students, the ones closer to the front reserved for the younger calves, or most in danger academically. He held the bench in the back for years simply due to his size, too large to sit anywhere else in the room. He might block the view of the other students was the official reason, but mostly he took up a desk and a half on a good day.

Unbidden, he remembered vividly the pain in his chest the day the girl he typically sat next to, perhaps eleven at the time, had complained before class that he had crushed her hand when attempting to use his ink and bone splinter. He barely remembered swinging his arm out far enough to touch her. The teacher had simply calmed the girl down and offered him the bench in the back. As he moved, he watched the girl’s best friend eagerly move up to take his seat with no objections from the teacher. He sat in the middle of the bench and spread out comfortably over the two-desk wide table. He felt his size for the first time and tears stung at his eyes. He looked up as Miss Shaunessy moved to the blackboard and continued with class, though not without offering an apologetic smile. That remained his table for the following four years.

The aging Taurus woman, not old, but not as young as she used to be, walked down the center aisle of the classroom. Wrinkles threatened at the corners of her eyes, a few locks of silvery hair threaded into her hair buns under each horn. She assessed the youngest calves first and shot harsh glances to the gossiping girls as he walked by. At the head of the room once again, she smiled to the class and listed off her plans for lessons that day. Calves first, as their attention span dwindled as it grew toward lunch, then the higher education lessons for the older children.

As the drone of the teacher buzzed in the back of Tristan’s ears, his mind drifted to the work left in the orchard. Wasps had moved into a section of the trees that he would need to discourage from the area. An increasingly common occurrence, but nothing difficult. Fruits and flowers had been scattered under a few trees, easy enough to clean up and add to the compost bin. With the shorter days of the season, he pondered how much light he would have to work with. He opened his almanac and started to thumb absently through the pages, scanning the detailed diagrams as they passed. He paused on a page and studied the flora depicted. It had to be the flower that appeared at the edge of the grove a few days ago. He tugged a sheet of parchment out of his bundle and dipped his bone into the ink well on his desk to scribble the page number down.

At midday, the teacher encouraged them to take lunch outside, the sun shining brightly for long enough to raise the temperature a few degrees. Tristan hesitated in the mudroom as the others filed out with their bundles. When no chuckles or insults found their way to him, he peeked outside and found the ground moist with melted snow. He heaved a small sigh of relief, forced into a sharp exhale as Jorgus elbowed him out of the way. Tristan straightened up to allow the boy and his friends passage.

Tristan turned back to his things and caught sight of the Mayor’s daughter, Isolde, watching him. He furrowed his brow to her, a simple unspoken question. She stiffened, blushed, and turned back to her things to hastily throw her scarf over her head. It caught in her little female horns, the movement too fast or still not used to her horns’ length. The flush moved to her ears as she disentangled the knitted muffler to drape around her neck. He chuckled quietly, despite himself, as she hurried outside with her wrapped bundle of food. Tristan returned to his desk to eat his salad in peaceful loneliness.

Dismissal usually marked a feeling of relief among the students as they darted from their desks and gathered their things. Today, however, the girls from that morning gathered together to whisper again, pointing to Jorgus occasionally. Tristan slowly gathered his books and papers and lifted his inkwell to stopper it.

“I told you to drop it!” Jorgus’s voice filled the small building, startling and quieting the girls for a moment.

His friends, the group of boys around his age, shrunk away again. Tristan looked down to his desk, dotted with splatter from his inkwell, and pressed the stopper in. A bin under the bench in the mudroom held the spare cloths to clean spills with. He lifted his eyes back to the scene as the girls’ whispers grew again. Jorgus unceremoniously scooped up his things before Miss Shaunessy could approach him.

Seamus, Mortimer, Geremiah, and Brandon followed him to the mudroom. Tristan rounded the wall that separated his desk from the mudroom and crouched down to seek the box of throwaway cloth under the bench.

“Oh, and students! Please do not forget to travel in a herd as you head directly home.” A few of the students groaned. “I’m just telling you what I’ve been told, sweetings. They also emphasized not being out after dark. Winter has shorter periods of sun, which means you will have less time to dally. And there is always safety in numbers.” Miss Shaunessy sauntered the length of the classroom as she spoke to fix Jorgus with a particularly intense gaze. He sneered. She turned around and caught sight of Tristan. “Oh, Tristan, I noticed you weren’t paying very close attention during lectures today. Did you need help with anything I covered today?”

He shook his head. Miss Shaunessy noticed far more things than the previous teacher. He grabbed a cloth stained with spots of paint and ink and stood to shake the fabric to her with a hopefully gentle smile.

As he stretched to his full height, she leaned back slightly to keep her eyes on his, but she did not show any fear. She merely smiled back and patted his arm. She shifted out of his way and walked with him the few steps back to his desk. “You don’t have anyone to head home with, do you, dear?”

He shook his head. A silly question.

She nodded. “You do live alone on the other side of those woods… Would you like me to go ask for an escort for you?”

His brow furrowed.

An uneasy smile crossed her face, a mix between nervous amusement and worry. “No, I suppose you’re big enough to handle most things on your own. But you’re still just a boy, despite outward appearances. I just want to make sure you’re taken care of, is all.”

His breath hitched. He vowed to pay more attention to her lectures.

“You mean someone was attacked last night!?” A brown-haired girl with the smallest horns in the group lifted her fist to her chin, brow knit.

Evelynn, the blonde ringleader of the girls and owner of the largest horns, nodded as she made her way to the mudroom. “Isn’t it just awful? And the attacks are getting more frequent. That’s why they want us to walk in herds now.” She gestured to a pair of girls, both younger, as they scrambled for their things. “You heard that right, calves?”

The two girls, Flora and Aishling, chorused a “Yes, sissy!” and proceeded to haphazardly don their layers of clothing. The youngest children moved quickly, faster than their teenage counterparts, thanks to the small growths on their heads not yet formed into horns. Evelynn rolled her eyes and continued on to her hook to don her own set of weather gear. Miss Shaunessy smiled absently at the children and patted Tristan on the arm before wandering back toward her desk.

“But my father told me it was-“ Evelynn glanced at the group of boys across the mudroom and whispered loud enough for them to hear. “-Jorgus’s father that was attacked last night.”

The girls shared a gasp with varying reactions of surprise.

“You keep my name out of your dirty mouth, Evelynn!” Jorgus burst through his group of friends, finger pointed sharply at the ringleader of the gossipers.

Miss Shaunessy stopped in the middle of the building by the firepit. She shared a look with the mayor’s daughter Isolde still at her desk as she turned around. Tristan dropped the rag on his desk and moved into the mudroom. He had no intention of intervening, but his size intimidated most folk, forcing cool heads to arguments.

Evelynn swatted his hand away as she crossed her arms, big brown eyes glaring daggers into him. Her friends fanned out around her to cross their arms at Jorgus, though not all of them had their heart in it. One girl stayed behind, the brown-haired one, and glanced at Tristan.

Jorgus narrowed his dark eyes at Evelynn, his head tilted to brandish his longer and sharper horns at the girls. His friends, too surprised at his actions, took a few moments to step in beside their friend to brandish their horns, smaller than Jorgus’s but still as harmful if used properly.

Evelynn did not appear fazed, thought the tremble of her voice betrayed her. “My father told me that yours was injured last night while they were hunting. He said they had to take him to the doctor because his injuries were so severe.”

All the posturing broke. Whispers of “The Doctor?” moved through both groups, each losing their members to gossip, conjecture, and fear.

“He’s fine. He’ll be home by dinner tonight and tomorrow we’ll work on tilling the land.” Jorgus cracked his neck.

Evelynn’s lip curled. “Everyone knows that the no one comes back from seeing the Doctor.” She grinned, confident in her victory.

Jorgus tilted his head the other way. “Well my dad isn’t everyone else. The doctor told me himself that Pa would be back by tonight.”

Miss Shaunessy stepped slowly down the center aisle toward the two little herds of teens. She caught Tristan’s eye and nodded at him to step down. He lowered his shoulders and stepped back a bit, but remained ready in case Jorgus made the wrong decision.

Just as Miss Shaunessy entered the mudroom, the energy between the herds changed. Evelynn rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Young bulls and their posturing.” She grabbed her things and stormed out the door into the chilly winter air. “Come on, girls!”

Most of the girls shot hateful looks as they grabbed their things quickly to follow Evelynn. Maeve, the brown-haired one, moved slowly to grab her things and hesitated at the door. Jorgus relaxed slightly and straightened his head to glare at her. Maeve squeaked and disappeared through the door.

Jorgus growled and stalked back to his desk. His small herd of friends stayed in the entrance and moved to begin dressing in their jackets and scarves. Isolde hesitated, but returned to packing up her things. Miss Shaunessy heaved a small sigh and trotted down the center aisle back to her desk.

Tristan furrowed his brow. Only Miss Shaunessy, Jorgus, and Isolde remained in the schoolhouse building. He hoped, despite his own solitude, that Jorgus or Isolde had a group to walk home with. Especially if the monster sightings proved to be true. He hoped that Jorgus’s father recovered and that Evelynn’s gossip proved to be only that. But in the case that Tristan’s hope had no basis in reality, he knew the only tangible thing to do. He knew the only thing he wanted his whole life.

“Uh, hey, Jorgus.” Tristan lifted a large hand to wave awkwardly to the young man.

Jorgus jumped at Tristan’s low timbre and backed away, eyeing him up and down as he jammed a few scraps of paper in his bag. “What do you want, cullbait?”

Tristan’s brow furrowed despite being used to the insult. “I just… uh, wanted to tell you that… um, I’m sorry about your father. I know how… how difficult it is to-to worry about your father and, uh… I guess you’re the man of the house while he’s injured. A-and at least you still have your-your mother and your little siblings-“

Jorgus’s mouth lifted in disgust as Tristan rambled, his cheeks lifted to squeeze his eyes into a narrow, his brow furrowed. “What are you rambling about?” He thrust the last of his items into his satchel.

Tristan lifted a hand to the shaft of his horn to grip it and rub absently, a habit from when they had hurt growing in. “If… If you need any help-“

Jorgus spun on the larger boy. “Help!? From you?” He dropped his satchel on the desk. “I can’t believe you haven’t gotten it through that thick skull of yours that nobody even wants you here.” He scoffed. “We’d want your ‘help’ even less.”

Isolde tightened the leather strap on her stack of books and papers. “Jorgus-“

Jorgus shook his head and turned to her, poking a finger at her face. “No, not even from you. Mayor’s daughter, as if that excludes you from suffering like the rest of us. I heard your father is sick. From that plague. The one from before. That it’s coming back.” He looked back to Tristan. “I also heard it’s your fault. You and that foreigner father of yours. Your mother knew about it and cast a spell to protect your land, but nobody else’s. That’s why you’re safe. And we’re not.”

Tristan’s arms quivered. He shouldn’t have said anything. He should’ve just gone home, alone, like every night. He closed his eyes and gripped his horn tighter, his other arm lifted to cover his torso.

“And then you have the nerve! You continue living here, coming to this school, as if you have any right!” Jorgus tilted his head down to brandish his horns again. “You and your father should be driven out of town!”

A sharp pain on his arm startled Tristan. Blood blossomed on the arm over his torso.

“Tristan!” Miss Shuanessy bolted for the scrap fabric Tristan dropped onto his desk.

Jorgus, stunned, raised a hand to touch his horn. It came back red. He shook his head, he muttered something, and grabbed his satchel. Isolde hurried around the desks and stumbled as Jorgus pushed past her to run from the building.

“Come here, poor boy.” Miss Shaunessy pressed the fabric to Tristan’s arm. “That boy… He may be a handful but ever since his horns grew out the way they did…” She looked to Tristan’s face. “Don’t take it too personally. Like you said, he’s having a rough go of it. It was nice of you to try to connect with him and offer to help out.”

Isolde hovered by the edge of the row. Tristan looked to her, chest empty. He never should’ve tried. He knew what the town thought of him and his father. He knew better. Tears welled in his eyes and he pressed his hand to the cloth. Miss Shaunessy released him with the promise of salves or something, but Tristan had to get out. He had to go home.

He moved back to his desk and found Isolde holding his satchel, all packed and tied and ready. He barely registered the act, how she had moved so fast, and accepted his bag. He dropped the fabric and satchel to slip into his weather gear. A stray thought reminded him to be careful of the wound bleeding through his jacket as he only had the one. He growled. All because the town hated him. All because of a stupid rumor.

He grabbed his bag and ripped the door open. The sun had indeed melted all the snow outside, revealing moist and brittle grass. A few groups of kids lingered and chatted as they headed back toward the village. Jorgus’s little herd had waited for him, despite his protestations, and crowded him to point at his bloodied horn.

Tristan’s blood. He stomped down the short stairs. “All I wanted was to help, Jorgus Jones!”

Jorgus spun around at the voice. Terror pulled at his features at the massive bulk of Tristan charging toward him. He whipped back around and moved swiftly for the path that lead back to town.

Tristan growled. He wanted to stop him, to make him understand, to hold him responsible for injuring him. So many emotions threatened to split him open. “Everyone should be allowed to help each other! We’re a community! That’s what it means to be a community!” In his frustration, he looked to the rest of the students that have lingered to gawk.

A loud thud drew everyone’s attention. All eyes turned to Jorgus, groaning on the ground, a large root split through the soil at his feet. He writhed a bit and got to his hands and knees. A shrill chuckle can be heard from further up the path. Tristan caught Evelynn through the blur of his tears, hand in front of her mouth, as she laughed at the unfortunate bull. The rest of her group chuckled, one by one, with varying degrees of mirth. The laughter spread through the rest of the students, including Jorgus’s little herd. He grunted as he stood and bolted down the path, past Evelynn and her friends.

Tristan sniffed and continued to wipe his face, the cold winter air unpleasant on the slight moisture around his eyes. He slipped his satchel over his shoulder and checked the sleeve of his coat. A chill wind whipped past him and his hands hurt. He left his other accessories in the building. He turned around to head back inside and almost bowled over Isolde.

“Oh! Excuse me, Tristan.” She smiled brightly to him, in an uncomfortable way he could not place.

He barely nodded and attempted to move past her.

She gently placed a hand on his arm. He froze, eyes on the contact. He recognized her mitten, knitted by his father some winters ago and sold by the village seamstress Ciara. His brow furrowed. Her other mitten lifted to offer him his forgotten accessories; mittens similar to hers, a long scarf knitted by his father with a less intricate design, and a warm knitted cap that he tied around his horns. He muttered a thank you and dropped his sack on the ground to don the accessories.

She held his items as he donned them individually. “I agree with you, by the way.” He lifted his eyes to her. “We should be allowed to help each other, as a community. I think it’s just awful that we are so discriminatory to those that are sick and injured. Or who have been in the past.”

He nodded absently. Paranoia and fear shook his fingers. He looked up to the rest of the students, those that lingered, and found hateful glares. Isolde, the mayor’s daughter, held high regard among the town, high enough that even her father’s illness did not dull her priority among them. To find her speaking to him? He snatched his scarf and easily tossed it over his horns to drape from his shoulders.

Before she could continue, he hurriedly wandered away from her, down the path to the thick row of trees that separated his orchard from the school. He barely heard Isolde sputter after him, the crunch of dead plantlife under her boots with a few steps. He heard the whispers of the other students, however, and quickened his step. He should know better. And so should Isolde.

#zodiac #my wip #wip #zodiac chronicles #original content #original work #original characters #oc #ow #writeblr #tristan #isolde

[justwritethatdown]

Bechloe Week 2020 – Day 4: Baby Farm Animals

Safe Word

Set in Barden years. Chloe asks Beca to pretend to be her girlfriend at her brother’s wedding, but they have to set some rules first, and a safe word.

(Part 1/3 of Fake Dating)

Rating: T

Words Count: 1.8K

Read here or on AO3

“What would you want to do me a favor?” asked Chloe with a childish smile on her face

“Depends on the favor” replied Beca nonchalantly

“I need you to be my date”

Beca looked away from her laptop and blinked at Chloe “are… are you asking me out?” she stuttered, her shocked expression make Chloe giggle

“Not for real” she explained, unknowingly crushing Beca’s heart “I need a date for Nate’s wedding, so my family won’t get on my case for not having a partner” – Nate was Chloe’s older brother, Beca had met him once, he seemed nice and they were very close.

“Wouldn’t it be better to bring a dude?” she asked, still a little shocked

“They know I like girls too, Beca” frowned Chloe

“yes, I know, but they’re not particularly happy about that” argued the brunette raising her eyebrows

“Just one more reason to bring a girlfriend” winked Chloe.

Beca knew Chloe didn’t have the best relationship with her parents; they’d always made her feel out of place, inadequate, not worth of their name. Her father was an important lawyer and her mother was one of those annoying heiresses, who did nothing other than organize fundraises and boring events. All they cared about was appearances. Nate was three years older than Chloe; he was blonde – like their parents – tall and handsome, captain of the lacrosse team – all the girls in high school were at his feet – and first of his class.

Nate was the perfect son who always makes his parents proud. Chloe, on the other hand, wasn’t so keen to please them, she followed her heart; she wasn’t top of her class – not that she were terrible either – was part of the glee club, instead of the debate one, as her father had wanted, and preferred to hang out with the outcasts instead of those snob popular girls her mother always insisted should have been her friend, since they were the daughters of her friends and belonged – like them – to the high society.

That’s why Chloe’s parents threated her like the black seep of the family. They made her feel so insecure that she used to think there was something wrong with her, to the point that she used to dye blonde her beautiful red hair, just to look more like them.

Nate was the only one who made her feel loved; he always took her side against their parents and find the time to listen to her when she needed him. He was the first one she talked about her doubts towards her sexuality and then the first one she came out to and he reassured her that it didn’t change anything about her and that he would always love her, no matter what. Chloe remembers him picking a ferocious fight with his father when he was trying to force Chloe back in the closet when she finally came out to their parents too, worrying that, even if it wasn’t an issue to them, other people might have treat their family differently knowing about Chloe’s tendencies.

However, Nate got into Harvard – to follow his father’s steps – when Chloe was still in her sophomore year, leaving her alone to deal with her parents, who always told her how much they wished she could be more like her brother. When she didn’t get into Harvard, they treated her like a failure and, even if they didn’t really disown her, it was a mutual silent accord that their interaction would have reduced to the bare minimum once se would have gone to Barden.

Chloe opened up with Beca about this last summer, when the brunette asked her why she never went home for the holidays and Chloe told her that, even if she was really confident and proud of who she was now, going home always brought back those old feelings and insecurities.

Beca knew that Chloe was asking her because, more than a date to save face, she needed a friend to support her, but she really didn’t think that pretending to be the girlfriend of the girl she was desperately in love with was the best idea.

“I can ask Stacie, if you don’t wanna come” huffed Chloe and something inside of Beca snapped. Her stomach knotted with jealousy, if anyone was going to pretend to be Chloe’s girlfriend in front of her whole family, that was gonna be her and certainly not Stacie.

“Okay, I’ll do it” she spat out “but you owe me, big times”

“You’re the best!” squealed Chloe hugging her “we need to set some rules” she added

“Rules? What rules?”  asked Beca in confusion

“Rules like, how do we act with each other, set some boundaries and safe word”

“A safe word” repeated Beca

“Yes, something you can say if you get uncomfortable and need to take a break” explained the redhead “I know my family can be a lot, you probably will need it” she added in a sad tone

“I’m gonna be fine” assured Beca offering her a gentle but sure smile “I think we would rather need a backstory, like how we met, who asked whom out… stuff like that”

“We can use our story, I think it works… and obviously, I’m the one who asked you out”

“Hey!” lamented Beca offended “what do you mean obviously? I could have asked you out too”

All it took for Beca to stop complaining was Chloe raising a questioning eyebrow and Beca awareness that, in fact, she didn’t ask Chloe out, despite her huge crush on the redhead.

“Back to the safe word, it should be something you wouldn’t normally say in a sentence but that you can manage fitting into a dialog-”

“Like I love you?” interrupted her Beca, making Chloe glare at her

 “What about… baby farm animals?”

“Baby farm animals?” gulped Beca “how am I supposed to use that in a sentence?” she complained

They moved the conversation in Chloe’s room, so that they could talk freely without being disturbed by any Bella.

“We should talk boundaries; as you know, I am a pretty expansive person, and my family knows that too, so it would make sense if my girlfriend was too, but I want to make sure you’re okay with some things…” started Chloe; they were sitting on her bed one in front of the other, knees almost touching.

“Such as?” tentatively asked Beca starting to sweat. The whole thing was starting to feel way too intimate for her; being locked in Chloe’s room, talking about how expansive they should have been with each other in front of her family. Hear heart was starting t race at the thought of Chloe treating her as like her girlfriend, so she reacted in the only way she knew: closing off and being dismissive, afraid that Chloe could find out how much she was affected by their conversation.

Beca had asked Chloe to make it quick, with the excuse that she had a lot of work to do on the mix for their setlist, so the redhead had started shooting questions at her

“Hand holding?”

“Obviously”

“Hugging?”

“Yeah, I can live with that” lied Beca, already in distress. She could barely survive their platonic hugs, she didn’t want to think about what a ‘romantic’ hug between them could do to her

“Sharing food, feeding each other?” continued Chloe, without missing a beat

“I think we already do that on daily basis” stated Beca tilting her head

“True. So you’re okay with me sitting on your lap too, pet names?”

“Ugh, seriously?” asked Beca feign disgust, but the serious expression on Chloe’s face made her clear her throat “Okay I can accept baby an babe” she conceded

“Okay…” pouted Chloe

“Oh my god, how did you want to call me?” laughed the brunette

“My little munching” beamed Chloe

“Absolutely not” spat out Beca terrified and they both laughed

Chloe became suddenly serious and looked into Beca’s eyes taking a deep breath “what about kissing?” she asked tentatively, worrying her bottom lip

Beca hesitated. “I mean, I guess… if we have to” she mumbled, feeling her cheeks heating up

“We totally don’t have to” assured the redhead “I mean, it would be easier to convince them that we love each other if they saw us kissing, but we don’t have to prove anything to them” she added with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Beca just wasn’t able to say no to Chloe

“Okay, yes, I can do this. I can kiss you” accepted B hiding her bright red face under the palms of her hands

“Don’t be so nervous about it, do you wanna practice?” asked Chloe taking Beca’s hands away from her face to let her see the ironic way she was wiggling her eyebrows

“Dude, no! what the fuck” spat out Beca, jumping off the bed

“I was joking” laughed Chloe

“Yeah, well. Are we done here?” asked the brunette, feeling a sudden need to run away

“Yep. Thanks Bec, you can go now” dismissed her Chloe.

It was gonna be a disaster. Beca knew she was going to die as soon as Chloe’s lips would touch hers. To be honest, she didn’t even know if she could survive at the fact that Chloe would introduce Beca to her family as her girlfriend.

 The following days they went shopping to find some dresses for the wedding and the wedding related events they were going to attend during the week they’d spend together at Chloe’s childhood house.

Beca hated shopping, and she hated the idea of wearing a dress, but she decided to let Chloe chose – with some limitations – what she would have liked her girlfriend to wear at her brother’s wedding.

To Beca it had a bittersweet taste; she couldn’t say she didn’t love to spend time alone with Chloe, trying out clothes in the redhead’s room and already pretending to be a couple, even if there was no one to watch them, just as an inside joke between them and to practice for the wedding.

“Babe, what do you think?” giggled Chloe turning on herself to fully show the dress she was wearing to Beca

“You look amazing, baby” joked back Beca “seriously, I thin we found the dress” she said in a more serious tone

“Thanks” smiled Chloe approaching her. Beca swallowed hard imagining a million different scenarios of what Chloe was going to do once she’d reached her – most of which ended with them kissing.

When Chloe reached her, she gently pushed a lock of brown hair behind her shoulder and let her finger trace Beca’s arm “you look amazing too” she said staring into deep blue eyes “we really are a beautiful couple” she joked, letting Beca breathe again.

It hurt. To know that it was all pretend, that Chloe wasn’t her girlfriend and it was just a joke for her, but Beca found that she couldn’t get enough of that game and wished it could last forever, because it did hurt, but it hurt so good.

#bechloeweek #Bechloe week 2020 #bechloe fanfiction #beca mitchell #chloe beale #pinning #unrequired love

[lovemesomesurveys]

1. What would you do if your pet suddenly started to talk to you, but nobody else could hear it? Would you assume you'd gone mad or simply be happy for the company? Would you try to convince your friends and family or would you be satisfied keeping it to yourself? Omggg, that would be so trippy. I’d definitely be freaked out at first and think someone slipped me something haha. I think I’d keep trying to talk to her and get her to respond before it really set it in that it was really happening. I’d have so many questions and things I’d want to say. That would be so cool. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have anything bad to say... ha. What if she just started going in on me about everything I’ve said and what she has observed. She’d be like, “girl, you need to get your shit together.” haha. What if she wasn’t as sweet and loving as I think she is? :O lol. Nah, we’d have an even closer bond. (: Anyway, I honestly don’t know if I would tell anyone. I’d certainly want to. I’m positive I would try and record her talking for proof. If not, then maybe I’d try to prove it another way. Like, have my family say or ask her something without me hearing and then ask her about it and tell them what she said. I’d find some way!

2. When you answer the phone, what do you typically say? Is it different depending on whom the caller ID says it is (if you have caller ID)? Generally, just a typical “hello.” Sometimes I’ll say something else when my mom calls. Like, jokingly I might act annoyed and say, “What do you want?” or “Hey, boobala/boob” lol. My family and I call each other those nicknames. 

3. Is there a food that you only recently started to like? If so, what is it and when did you start liking it? How often do you try again foods you don't like to see if your tastes have changed? Prior to a couple months ago I didn’t eat breakfast sandwiches very often and the addition of cream cheese was something new for me. It’s not that I didn’t like breakfast sandwiches before, it just wasn’t something I had too often. My brother got me hooked on this local place that makes ‘em and then we started making our own. I also started eating guacamole with my scrambled eggs. I don’t retry foods I don’t like. If I don’t like something then I just don’t eat it again. 

4. Who would you NOT want to read the surveys you've posted on here? What would most likely happen if they did read it? Is there anyone you actually wish would read your survey answers but whom doesn't? I’m really open on here and share stuff that I don’t express or open up about in person. I can get deep and dark sometimes. I wouldn’t want my family to see some of my responses because I wouldn’t want them to worry or know certain things. There isn’t anyone I know that I want to see my surveys. These are like my personal journal entries. ...that people I don’t know can read... ha.

5. What three things do you think will become obsolete in the next ten years, and why? Hmm. I don’t know. That requires more thinking than I can be bothered to do.

6. Do you watch Glee? If so, which song do you want to hear on there that they have not yet done? If not, which TV show do you think has the best soundtrack? No, I never got into Glee. I’m not sure about which show I’d say has the best soundtrack. I don’t really pay that much attention to that.

7. What do you find to be the most irritating piece of clothing to wear wet? Are you the type of person to go to great lengths to avoid getting your clothing wet? What about your hair? Jeans for sure, but I don’t like wearing wet clothes of any kind. It’s just uncomfortable and makes me cold. I don’t feel I have to go great lengths to avoid getting wet, though. I don’t encounter situations where that could happen all that often. I don’t mind if it’s raining and I get a little wet, but I don’t want to get drenched. I don’t really care about my hair getting wet anymore, but I used to hate it when I actually attempted styling my hair because my hair gets very frizzy and flat when it gets wet. 

8. How often do you witness discrimination? Do you ever speak up about it when you do see it? Or would you only speak up if the discrimination was directed toward you or someone close to you? >> I don't often witness anything, to be honest, since I'm home so often. I don't really have significant experience with blatant discrimination, despite my myriad marginalities. <<< 

9. Do you think you would be able to pull off a crime perfectly, without being caught? What about other lies? For example, cheating on your partner without getting caught? Would you be able to get away with it? No. Not that I have any desire to try, but I know I would be too scared and anxious and make mistakes. Not to mention the guilt. Something would give myself away for sure. 

10. Are you the type to get embarrassed if your parent/parents acts/act your age? Do they do this often? Or do you think it's stupid to put an age on the way one can act? Pfft, my parents are awesome. My mom especially is a lot cooler than me. People love her.

11. Do you know anyone who has divorced and remarried the same person? What do you/would you think of someone who does that? No, not personally.  12. Do you say goodnight to anybody before you go to bed? If so, does it feel weird if you go to bed without saying it to them? My family and I say it to each other and yeah it does feel weird if for some reason one of us doesn’t. 

13. How do you react when you're scared? Do you scream, jump, cover your eyes, etc.? I’m really jumpy and skittish. If it involves a bug, I really freak out and it’s super embarrassing. 

14. Who is the best storyteller you know? What do you find best about their storytelling? Is there an interesting story of theirs you'd like to share? My grandpa was. He always told the best stories and he had a lot of ‘em. They could be quite long and go off on tangents at times, but they always came full circle. And he was really funny, too. 

15. When you check your e-mail account, how much of it do you delete without even looking at it? Do you have a separate account for junk like this? A lot of it, honestly. Some I can tell by the subject line if it’s something of interest to me like a particular sale. 

16. Do you strongly dislike (or even hate) any bands or musical artists? If so, what caused such a strong negative emotion towards them? No, I don’t have any strong negative emotions towards a band or artist. If there’s one I don’t like then I just don’t listen to them, that’s really it. 

17. What are you listening to? Is it something you would normally be found listening to, or just something you've started listening to recently? Yeah, I listen to a lot of ASMR.

18. Does/did your school bus stop directly in front of your house? If not, where does/did it stop? I never had to take the school bus, but no there isn’t one that stops in my neighborhood that I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure where to be honest. I did take the public bus in college sometimes, though. The bus stop isn’t right by my house, but it only took me a few minutes to get to it. 

19. Do you parents have any collections? If so, what do you think of those collections? My dad has his various sports memorabilia and shoes, my mom has a lot of stuff for her favorite football team, shoes, books, Baby Yoda stuff, Disney Loungefly backpacks, and some other knickknacks. 

20. Are there any movies you watch when you're feeling anxious or depressed? If so, what are they, and what about them calms you down and/or lifts your spirits? No, I don’t tend to turn to movies for that. I turn to ASMR and/or another one of my distractions. If I do decide to turn to TV, I just put on something mindless that I’ve already seen that doesn’t require much thinking or paying attention. 

21. Would you rather see a band/artist perform in a small club, an arena, or at an outdoor venue? Why? Which one have you been to most recently? I enjoy arenas, personally. From my experience, I’ve never had to be hugged up on people or feel claustrophobic in an arena. Since I’m in a wheelchair, I’ve always just sat up in the nosebleeds and there’s plenty of space and not a lot of people. I can also see better. At a small club or outdoor venue, people would be standing and I wouldn’t be able to see at all.

22. Do you have a favourite role of Johnny Depp's? If you don't like him, what is your favourite role of an actor you like? I’ve always thought he was a very talented actor. My favorite role of his is Sweeney Todd.

23. If you were in a competition to win your dream prize, and you were allowed to decide what the competition would be (trivia about your favourite band, a foot race, singing, etc.) , what would you choose and why? Uhhh. I feel like I’d still end up losing somehow even if I got to choose the competition, ha. I don’t feel like I’m super knowledgeable or especially great at anything.

24. What is your least favourite thing about the English language? Are there any other languages you prefer besides English? Just how we have words like “read” that can be pronounced differently depending on how its used and silent letters. Like why are silent letters a thing? 

25. Would you be upset if a long-term partner confessed that they had committed a serious crime before you met? How do you think it would affect your relationship? What type of crime are we talking about and did they already serve their time or whatever was required? That would be a very difficult situation to be in to say the least. If we were in a long-term relationship I couldn’t just drop them and end things like that unless they told me they committed a murder. That would cause a whirlwind of emotions and confusion and shock and gah it would be horrible. It’d be difficult because I would know a different side of them and still have feelings for them, but I wouldn’t able to get past something that serious. 

26. Who, out of the people you know, do you think has the most messed-up relationship? Have you ever spoken up about it or do you stay out of it? Have you ever been in a relationship that was really messed-up? No one I know currently. 

27. What emotion have you been feeling most commonly lately? Do you like feeling this way? If not, have you done anything to try to change it? Depressed, moody, irritable, frustrated... that’s been ongoing for years now, though. I hate feeling that way, yet I haven’t done anything to try and change it. :/

28. Why did you/your parents choose to live where you do now? Would you move right now if you were able to? Why/why not? If so, where would you like to go? My mom was born here and majority of her family lived and still live here. I’m not quite sure when my dad and his parents came here. My paternal grandparents lived here for awhile until they moved out of state about 20 years ago. My mom was very close to her parents, but they’ve both passed away 10 and 15 years ago now. But yeah, being near family and already living here was the main reason. There was other stuff, too, like not wanting me or my brother to have to change schools and then we both went to the local UC, which is a really great college. And stuff like my parents’ jobs being here and not being financially able to move. So yeah, it’s a lot of different factors, but we’ve honestly been wanting to move for a very long time. We don’t care much for the city itself. I don’t feel tied here despite living all my 31 years here so far. The last year we’ve gotten a little more serious about it and have taken some necessary steps. My brother is graduating soon and I think after that we’re going to finally do it.

29. Is there a song that you think, lyrically, describes your childhood? Have you ever had a song describe your life perfectly, each and every word? How does it make you feel when you come across songs like this? Not my childhood, but yeah there’s several songs that I just really relate to where the lyrics seem to speak right to me. I like using relatable quotes and lyrics to try and express myself or describe how I’m feeling because they do it much better than I can.

30. Do you tend to befriend people who are of a similar, smaller or larger weight than yourself? (Even if it doesn't matter to you, you can admit it.) Has it always been this way? That has honestly never been a factor when befriending someone... like, that doesn’t matter at all. I don’t know why it would. I’m concerned about a person’s personality, who they are as a person, or whether or not we connect.

31. List a random fact (each) you know about 5 of your favourite survey takers: Lane (@inchoate-surveys) has a dog that looks so much like mine named Finn. Elisabeth @bionic-beth) is a teacher in New York. Robyn (@ssurveys) likes Paramore. Lina ( @iaintgotcontrol) is from Sweden, which I think is really cool. I’d love to visit someday. Lauren (@brilliant-bloss0ms) is into interior design. 

32. Whenever you have a question about something random, are you more likely to ask Google or someone you know? Does it depend on what exactly you want to know? Do you do both? I just Google it real quick.

33. How old were you when you went on your first date? Was there anything you would change about the experience? How do you think it shaped your expectations? If you've never been on a date, what did you like best about the last meal you ate? I was in my early 20s. We went to dinner and a movie, which was how I thought a first date should go. It was nice.

34. If you had to serve a meal to an ambassador from another country that symbolized your country's culture, what would you choose? Do you think s/he would love it as much as you do? Hamburgers, fries, and apple pie. ha. That’s not my favorite meal, though. If I served my favorite food it would be boneless garic parm and lemon pepper wings, ha.

35. If someone broke into your house and robbed you, what could they take that would piss you off or upset you the most? To what lengths would you go to get it back? Has something like this already happened to you before? My laptop, definitely. There wouldn’t be a whole lot I could do to get it back. I mean yeah, I could file a report but I wouldn’t expect to ever get it back. No, thankfully nothing like that has happened before.

36. Do you enjoy watching the special features found on most DVDs? What do you usually enjoy more: the deleted scenes, the bloopers, the audio commentary, or the behind-the-scenes footage? I very rarely ever watched those, but if I did I checked out the bloopers and maybe the behind-the-scenes footage.

37. Do you care at all about the Stanley Cup playoffs? If so, which team are you rooting for, and is it different than the team you're sure will make it to the cup? If you don't care, is your family the type to get right into a sport, or is the topic of sports rarely spoken about in your house? My dad loves sports and my mom has her favorite football that she gets really into, but I have no interest in sports at all.

38. Have you ever had your own flower garden? If so, what are/were your favourite flowers to plant? No.

39. Would you ever date someone who is exactly like your youngest (or oldest, if you're the youngest) sibling? Why/why not? Some of the same qualities, yeah, such as intelligent, hardworking, ambitious, responsible, funny. 

40. Was there something you were afraid of as a child that just seems silly to you now? I was terrified of Ghost Face as a kid and now Scream is one of my favorite scary movies.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Please Have Snow and Mistletoe- Chapter 4

Merry Christmas Eve my deers! I hope that Santa gives you everything that you want! Or just Happy Thursday!  We have a walk in the forest, Christmas Eve dinner, and a goodbye.  Hope you enjoy it~

Summary:  The anticipation, wonder, and magic that Christmas can bring. 

Chapter 4: A Christmas Poem 

**

To kick off their Christmas Eve the Naras would have an annual hike through the surrounding forested area.  Shikamaru prefaced it by saying that there would be a surprise by the end of it.  They were all dressed to the nines in their matching family sweater. 

There was a profound heaviness in Temari’s chest as she packed up her things.  Everything had been a whirlwind and she wished that for just a moment that it could all just slow down.  

Walking in the quiet forest made time stop for just a little.  

Yoshino linked her arm with Temari’s as they continued their peaceful walk in the snow.  Shikaku and Shikamaru were just ahead leading the way. 

“I know you’re leaving tonight but I just want you to know how thankful I am that you’re both here.”  Those now familiar brown eyes were glittering with joy.  

“Was it really that bad?”

Yoshino's eyes took on a contemplative quality.  

“Something changed, coming home for Shikamaru would be such a chore.  He’d show up just on Christmas then would be gone the next day.  Those celebrated traditions we had just tossed to the side.  Even when he was here he’d be on his phone constantly.  It was like he wasn’t even here. The fact that you could make him forget about all of that, even just for a little well Temari, you’re a gift.  I’m proud of my son, he’s intelligent, successful, and has accomplished more than I could have even imagined.  But more than anything I just want him to be happy and you’ve done that.”

It wasn’t fair. They thought her to be some kind of benevolent force but more than anything she was just an actress. 

“He’s made me really happy too. Your son is unlike anyone that I’ve ever met before.”  And that was the honest truth. Yoshino wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You know, I’ve always wanted a daughter.” 

Temari just smiled back the uneasiness in her chest growing. After today she’d never see them again and she began to wonder just what Shikamaru would say. What explanation would he give as to why they “broke up.”  

Would they miss her the same way that she knew that she was going to miss them? 

They finally made it out to a clearing and she watched enchanted as deer seem to appear from nowhere. Drawn to the two male Naras who had brought along food and pellets for the animals. 

“So is this the reason for all the deer printed stuff?”  She asked, amazed while a deer ate from Shikamaru’s hand.

“Yes, since we’ve owned this house and property a herd of deer made it their home too. Feeding them has always been one of my favorite childhood memories.  Give me your hand.”  He placed a handful of pellets into her palm.  Shikamaru stood close behind her supporting her outstretched arm. 

“Just be calm and quiet, they’re not shy but you’re new so it might take a minute to trust you.”  His voice was soft and warm against her ear as she waited with hopeful breath that a deer might come. 

A curious doe with light brown fur and white spots along her side came towards them. Temari bit back a grin at how her wet nose tickled her skin and enjoyed the unique experience. 

“You’re a natural.” 

The longer they were out there the more comfortable the herd became around her. She’d fed various ones and enjoyed just watching them play in the snow. 

“This is pretty magical Mr. Nara.”  Temari sighed, leaning her head against this shoulder as she watched a doe play with her fawn. 

He never imagined bringing someone here that wasn’t family. It was a little too precious and personal to just have anyone come along. He didn’t even think to question Temari’s presence there. 

“Ready to head back?”  

“Just a little more time?” She requested hopefully and it felt like she was asking for more than just time out there. 

“Okay.” 

—

Shikamaru had to remind himself to breathe seeing Temari make her way down the stairs. The dress framed her flawlessly and she was a vision in gold. He met her at the bottom of the staircase and carefully took her hand in his. The dress he’d chosen for her for dinner was perfect.  

“You look incredible Temari.”  There was so much more that he wanted to say but the words felt trapped in his throat. 

“Thank you, you’re quite handsome as well.” She complimented him and pushed his loose hair back.  He caught her hand to place a soft kiss against it.  

She wondered whether he knew just what he was doing to her heart. 

Once they’d returned from their walk in the snow she had more time to pack, organize her gifts, and get ready for Christmas Eve dinner. Shikamaru had surprised her with her attire for the evening. The dress was stunning and any self-consciousness she felt while wearing it disappeared when she saw the look in his eyes. 

“Let’s go.”  He offered his arm but before they could go forward Yoshino interjected. Both of them barely realized that she’d been standing there. 

“Wait, there’s mistletoe! You two have to kiss.” Yoshino demanded with a grin.  They looked up seeing that the ceiling had been covered with boughs of mistletoe. 

Shikamaru was about to protest when Temari’s hand reached up to turn his gaze towards her. 

“It’s okay.” She mouthed.  Taking a deep breath his arm wrapped around her waist pulling her in tight. She tilted her head up, her teal eyes were bright and hopeful. Soft pink lips parted. His eyes fell close as he caught her lips against his and he felt the room spin. Soft and sweet it made him want more. More of her kisses, more of her smiles, just more of her. 

He pulled back and took an unsteady breath. 

“Well, who's ready for dinner?”  They could hear the glee in Yoshino’s voice. 

Temari followed Shikamaru wordlessly into the formal dining room. The Yamanakas and Akimichis already there. 

She was thankful for a chance to sit down and have a glass of wine. A kiss had never made her feel like that. So untethered and free.  But it wasn’t real to him, right?   It was just to perpetuate the lie. To keep the secret going. She didn’t have any more time to spiral as Shikaku stood up to make a speech. 

“Every year I’m thankful that we could all be here together. That our families are as strong and united as ever. The Yamanakas, Akimichis, and Naras in one room always makes this old man smile. Now with the addition of our dear Temari, well it feels like we’re complete.  I’m grateful for all that we’ve been blessed with this year and I look forward to all that the future will bring. So a toast to us and this family.”

They all toasted agreeing with the sentiment. Life wasn’t always easy but they were together and had each other. It was enough. 

Temari tried to enjoy dinner but her eyes kept darting towards the clock. In just a few hours she’d be on her way back home on a flight taking her away from here. That kiss had been a foolish decision but how badly did she want it.  It only solidified what she already knew. 

She had fallen for Shikamaru and just her luck it was almost time for her to leave. She didn’t know when she stopped acting, she didn’t know if she had ever really started.  Everything between them just felt so natural.   What she did know was that her feelings for him and how being here felt were real. 

Temari felt his hand reach over to hold hers in his grasp. Rather than being comforting, it hurt.  A cruel reminder that this was all a doctored fantasy built on a lie.   Her perfect holiday would be shattered soon along with her heart. 

When dinner came to its end Temari shared a tearful goodbye with the Yamanakas and Akimichis. As she became part of the Nara clan she was just as easily integrated into their families. 

“No, no crying. We’ll be together soon okay.” Karui brushed her stray tears away. 

Ino pulled her into a tight hug.  “Yes, sooner rather than later. We’ll go visit you and Shikamaru too.”  

More hugs and goodbyes were shared until they finally had to go.  

Shikamaru held Temari tight as they waved goodbye. It felt heavier than their usual farewells. 

There was one more thing to do and then this would all be over. 

When they returned to their room Temari gleefully picked up the neatly folded clothes on the bed. 

“You can’t be that excited?”  Shikamaru laughed at how happy she was over the set of matching pajamas. 

She grinned fondly tracing over the deer print. After this morning she could understand. “Of course I am! Oh, they’re so soft too. I’m going to wear these on the plane.”  The statement sobered her up and she just took the set wordlessly and went to change. 

When she reappeared Shikamaru had already changed into his matching set.  Despite how handsome he looked tonight dressed in a formal suit she had to admit that she preferred him just like this. 

““That kiss Shikamaru-”  

“It’s okay Temari, I’m sorry my mother forced you into that.”

Her heart dropped.  Of course, that’s all he saw it as.  Just another performance.  “Oh, that’s okay.”  Pushing back her sadness and disappointment Temari took his hand in hers.  

“Let’s go, present time.”

Shikaku and Yoshino had been far too generous towards her and had given her an armful of gifts. The small gifts she’d given them felt like meager offerings but they were beyond grateful for their presents.  They stepped away just a little so that she could exchange her gifts with Shikamaru. He’d already given her another mountain of gifts to take home along with presents for her family. It was a good thing that she was flying on a private jet or her bag fees would be astronomical. She was grateful that she had something to give to him too. 

“Temari? When did you do all this?”  He was surprised as to when she had time to get his parents’ gifts and one for him as well.  

Her eyes sparkled with mischief.  “You’re not the only one with Christmas magic, and I asked the girls for help.  Here I hope you like it.” 

He opened the carefully wrapped box finding a well-crafted watch nestled in the box. It had a dark bezel and green details the Nara family symbol imprinted on the back.

“The watches where I’m from are pretty well known so I knew that this would be perfect for you.”  She explained waiting with bated breath that he liked it. 

“What’s the engraving?”  He asked as his fingers traced over the mix of letters and numbers. 

“It’s the number of the flight I should have been on.  The one that if it had flown then we would have never met.”  She replied softly remembering that fateful encounter. 

“Oh.” 

He just stared at her in disbelief. “Temari, I’m speechless. This is perfect.  Thank you.”

At least even after she was long gone and a distant memory he would have a small reminder of her. “You’re welcome.”

“I have one more thing for you too.” Nothing about him surprised her anymore.  

In the box was a carefully crafted necklace with a dainty deer pendant a single diamond embedded into it.  He took it from her hands before placing it around her neck.   His fingers lightly tracing over the chain. 

His voice dropped to a whisper.  “Just something to remind you that no matter what you’ll always be a Nara.” 

She threw herself into his arms, her eyes shut tight to keep her tears at bay. Maybe in another life, she could admit how she felt about him. And maybe he’d respond that he felt the same way. But for now, this would have to be enough. 

—

As much as Temari tried she couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer. She needed to go home. Her bags were already in the car that would take her to the airport. She was thankful that Shikamaru wouldn’t be going with her. She didn’t know if she could handle such a private goodbye. 

“I was a little disappointed that there was no marriage proposal, but there’s always the New Year right?”  Yoshino admitted with a wink. 

“Please come back and see us soon okay?”  Temari held onto her tightly fighting back tears.  In disbelief that this would be the last time that she saw them.  Shikaku and Yoshino stepped away to give her and Shikamaru a little more privacy.  

Shikamaru stood in front of her, his shoulders tense and drawn in.  

“Thanks again Temari. This uhm, well it went better than I could have ever imagined.”  

Temari paused waiting for something more but he stood there silent.   

“You’re welcome Shikamaru. Take care of yourself, and them.” He nodded at a loss of what he should do. 

Temari placed a warm hand against his cheek before drawing him to a soft gentle kiss.  Her lips feather-light against his. 

“Goodbye Shikamaru.” 

She looked back as the car drove forward, taking her away from the Naras, Shikamaru, and the life they might have shared.  Alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.  

Her hand worried the deer pendant that hung from her neck while she fought back tears. 

Their deal was over, that’s all that it ever was.  There was a moment when it looked like he wanted to say something to maybe ask her to stay but instead, he let her go. Despite everything they’d shared his goodbye felt so hollow. And it was the answer she needed. 

Temari didn’t know when she agreed to help him that fateful day that giving away her heart would be part of the deal. 

*

**

Please Have Snow and Mistletoe

Chapter 1: Flight 4XMAS

Chapter 2: A Scene from a Snowglobe

Chapter 3: Sweeter than a Sugar Plum

Chapter 4: A Christmas Poem 

**

How could you let her go Shikamaru?!  Don’t leave anything unsaid! (so if you love me let me know haha) 

So Temari’s gift makes sense but my idea for Shikamaru’s watch came from two things.  The Seiko x Naruto collaboration that just released (the description basically matches the one that they made, picture is on my profile) and also it makes sense for Temari to give him one because it reminds me of the sand timer symbol that Suna shinobi wear! :D

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve or day doing whatever. I know that all these holidays and this week may be tough on people so I hope that you can find some cheer in it all. I wish you all love, light and joy.  One more chapter tomorrow and this baby will be all done.  Love you my dears!

#shikatema #shikatem #shikamaru x temari #naruto #naruto fanfiction #naruto fanfic #christmas fluff #holiday fluff #modern au #fake dating #a walk in the snow #gift exchange #home for the holidays #theres snow #and mistletoe #christmas eve #sangriaslips #sunflowerstalks #ill be home for christmas

[jaceyneedsabetterusername]

Family and Fantasy

Pairings: Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: Y/N finally gets the life she’s been dreaming of with the man she’s in love with but it’s not all it appears. 

Warnings: Supernatural typical violence, bad writing as always

____________________________________________

The sun shone brightly on your face, warming your skin, as you leaned against the warm sun-heated Impala. A light breeze rustled through the leaves of the forest that surrounded the clearing you were in and across the field of mixed weeds and flowers. Dean always insisted they were weeds at least; you thought that it was all beautiful. 

A large smile spread across your face as you heard the squealing laughter of your three year old son, Marcus, “Daddy stop!” He giggled, Dean chasing him in small circles with a big grin. You watched the two of them run around in the middle of the empty dirt road in front of your home.

“I’m gonna get you!” Dean said, closing in on the little boy, snatching him up in his arms and swinging him around. Laughter filled the air as Dean tossed him in the air and and ran up to you. “Now let’s get Mommy!” 

You put your arms up, jokingly shielding yourself as Dean and Marcus came running towards you, Marcus’s hands outstretched. His bright green eyes - his father’s eyes - sparkled with glee. Marcus squealed excitedly. “No!!!” You teased. Suddenly, Dean thrust Marcus into your open arms, “throwing” him at you. 

“Got you!” Marcus giggled, throwing his slightly chubby arms around your neck. Dean came up besides you, wrapping his arms around your body and squeezing you and your son into his arms. He kissed the top of your head and you snuggled into his neck, taking in everything. The feeling of his skin against yours, the scent of him and his cologne on his shirt, the slight scratch of his ever-so-slightly scruffy face on your cheek as he nuzzled against you, the squirming of your son as he vied for your attention over Dean. Most importantly, you looked up at Dean and you saw him smile. He actually smiled with genuine happiness and contentment. 

You looked up lovingly at him and watched his gaze scan across the scene in front of him: from the luscious green forest around a field mixed with grass and flowers to the dirt road that doubled as your driveway to the large dirt driveway that led to your home then back to your son, who there was no denying was his just by looks. Finally, his gaze drifted down, beautiful green eyes meeting yours as he kissed you gently, “I love you.” 

______________

Dean rushed into the motel room excitedly, setting the bags of take-out on the half-broken table. It was a good night. It was his night to take the bed instead of the floor and he had just gotten back from getting a double bacon cheeseburger. What wasn’t to love? “I HAVE PROVIDED!” He announced, throwing his arms in the air triumphantly for doing a basic human task like getting food.

He reached into the large brown paper bag, pulling out his burger before looking pu and noticing that nobody was getting their food. “Don’t all get up at once.” He commented sarcastically, looking at Sam, Cas, Jack, and… oh. That’s what was off. “Where’s Y/N?” 

Sam leaned back from his laptop, “Y/N’s not back yet.” 

“What do you mean Y/N isn’t back yet?” He asked. 

“I mean she isn't back. She left this morning to go check in on the girl we wanted to talk to about the potential case here but she never came back. She stopped responding to my text messages five hours ago. She won’t answer her phone.” 

“Maybe her phone died?” Dean suggested, trying to push aside the panic that was rising in his chest. 

Cas shrugged, “That’s what we assumed too but she’s been gone for almost twelve hours. Even if her phone did die, she should have been back by now or at least told us she went to go do other things. It’s nearly eleven o’clock at night. And nothing in this town is open past eight as far as I can tell.” 

Dean thought for a second, “Okay… so what do we do? Where do we start? What do we know?” He rambled. 

“I’m not sure,” Jack started, “But she went to interview someone who knew the vic right? Maybe we should go talk to the girl she interviewed? See if she knows anything?” 

Cas nodded, “That would be a good place to start.”

Before Cas even finished agreeing, Dean had the keys pulled out of his pocket and was heading towards the door, “Alright, let’s go.” 

__________________

“Excuse me boys but what exactly do you think you’re doing?” You questioned, hands on your hips, as you watched your three year old sitting on the granite kitchen counter next to your husband, both of them looking like a deer in headlights. Marcus quickly ripped his hand out of the pack of cookies he and Dean were sneaking into while Dean continued to look at you, mid-bite into his chocolate chip cookie. They knew they were caught. “I just got back from the store to make dinner! It is not time for cookies!” You exclaimed, not actually mad, just irritated at Dean for spoiling your son’s appetite. It was hard enough getting him to eat his veggies sometimes. 

“Daddy! Mommy’s home!” Marcus very obviously scream whispered, panicking. 

Dean leaned over, “Yeah, thanks buddy.” You cocked an eyebrow at him. After a second, Dean stood a little straighter, looking at you defiantly and finishing biting into the cookie. 

“Dean Winchester! Don’t make me fight you!” You threatened, reaching over to pick Marcus up off the counter. 

“Is that a promise or a threat?” Dean asked with a smirk and cheesy eyebrow wiggle. 

Your eyes widened as you cleared your throat, motioning to the toddler in your arms. 

Your husband rolled his eyes, “Awe c’mon, he’s three. He doesn’t know what I mean.” You rolled your eyes back at him, setting Marcus down. 

After watching him run into the other room, Dean moved a little closer to you, grabbing your waist and leaning close to you, his scruffiness scratching seductively up your neck, making your knees weak. “So… maybe we can get him to bed early tonight and we can make that a promise?” 

______________________

“Hello, Miss. Peyton Wilson?” Sam started, the girl nodding in response, “I’m agent Cole and this is my partner agent Wanek,” He gestured to Dean, “Another agent came by this morning to speak with you about your brother’s death, correct?” 

Peyton looked as if she’d been crying for days, her eyes puffy and hair messy, “I already talked to the police. But no, nobody from the FBI came by.” 

“No?” Sam asked, fear flashing in his chest, “Okay, well I’m sorry for bothering you so late. We’ll be back tomorrow at a more reasonable time to speak with you about the incident. Have a good night.” 

“So she never made it here?” Dean thought out loud as they walked towards the impala where Jack and Cas were. 

From the back, Cas said, concerned, “Then she’s been missing for longer than we thought.” 

“So where do we start then?” Dean asked, needing something productive to be said. He felt like they weren’t getting anywhere. 

In the backseat, a thought occurred to Jack, “What if whatever we’re hunting here got Y/N too?” 

Dean groaned, “Then we better find whatever it is fast. We don’t even know for sure what we’re hunting. But whatever it is, it’s not good and she probably doesn’t have much time.” 

“Three known victims so far, all completely drained of blood. So we’re down to… what? A vamp or a djinn?” Sam thought through before sighing, “Either way, it’s not good.” 

“And where’s the nest then?” Cas asked. 

Out across the dark, rainy street, what looked like a teenage girl walking down the sidewalk caught Sam’s attention. She walked straight ahead, shielding herself from the rain by pulling her coat over her head. Sam watched, noticing that she kept glancing behind her nervously. “Hey, guys…” Sam mentioned, drawing everyone’s attention to the young girl who was quickly looking more and more scared. The girl completely stopped, looking around and taking out her earbuds when suddenly a man appeared out of the bushes next to her. Within less than a second, his eyes glowed a bright blue, illuminating his heavily tattooed body, and he snatched her into the bushes, the both of them disappearing silently. 

All four of the men jumped out of the car, rushing towards where the girl and djinn just stood. “I guess we know which one it is now.” As they approached where they were, they couldn’t find where they went. Dean rustled the leaves around, trying to figure out where the djinn could have possibly taken the girl. That’s when he saw the opening behind the bush. 

“Right here guys!” He announced, ripping away the branches and diving straight into the tunnel, gun drawn. It was dark and entirely concrete, walls, floor, ceiling, and all. Water leaked from cracks in the ceiling, small weeds peeping through the seams between slabs on cement. The tunnel itself only went about fifteen feet in before opening into a medium sized room lit only by the sporadic, nearly-burnt out candle. 

Dean cautiously scanned the room, nodding his head silently to let the other three men know it was clear. They all entered, guns readied. Broken furniture littered the room except for the occasional mostly intact couch or table. The men spread around the room, each looking in different areas for either the man or the girl he took or (preferably) you. 

Jack followed along one wall, seeing a hallway that led off to the right. He rounded the corner, gasping when he saw the scene in front of him. Across the room, he saw a row of people strung up by rope around their wrists, feet barely touching the floor (not that it mattered considering they hung limp and unconscious anyways.) There were three people in total: one older gentleman, a younger man- the one who’s disappearance drew you all to the town in the first place, and you. Each of you were hooked up to an IV system, deep red blood flowing from your arms into a bag that hung next to each of your bodies.  “Dean! Sam! Cas!” Jack yelled, alerting the others. 

______________________________

You couldn’t help the slight quiver in your legs or the flutter in your chest as Dean’s lips dipped below your jaw and just behind your ear, knowing every spot on your body that made you weak. His rough hands gently crept under your shirt, calloused fingers resting on your soft skin, as he pinned your body between his hips and the granite kitchen counter. You tilted your head, giving him better access to exactly where you wanted him. A whimper escaped your lips as he sank his teeth into your delicate skin before soothing over it with his tongue. 

“Do you realize how beautiful you are?” He asked, pulling away from your neck to look into your eyes with all the love and adoration that they held five years ago when you first fell in love. 

Gosh, the way this man made you feel. He had the power to make you feel like the strongest most badass woman in the world but he could also make you feel like the most beautiful, loved person on the planet. 

“Do you realize how much I love you?” You responded, hoping your eyes conveyed the exact same message his did. Before he could respond, you pulled him close to you, hand resting on his neck before craning your mouth back up to meet his in a fiery kiss. Dean’s large hands trailed down from your hips to your thighs, lifting you up onto the counter. He quickly closed the gap between you, hips coming flush with you. Your legs instinctively wrapped around his hips as you pulled him impossibly closer, earning a grunt from Dean as the bulge in his jeans rubbed against your clothed core. 

Your lips still crashed passionately as his hand snaked around your lower back and he leaned forward, catching you off guard as you suddenly found yourself leaning back. Before you could lie all the way down, your hands shot out in panic, trying to catch yourself in a momentary panic despite the fact that Dean had you supported the whole time. In your panic, you accidentally knocked a small pile of books off the counter and they came crashing to the ground with a loud thud. 

You and Dean both froze, listening for Marcus to see if he woke up. After it was decided it was safe, you giggled at your mishap. Dean looked down at you and poked your sides in humorous aggression, “Gotta be quiet princess or you’ll wake him up! It’s already been so long.” He growled the last part, diving back into your neck, trailing hot kisses down into your cleavage and across your breasts, pulling your tank top down further to expose your supple skin. His teeth grazed over the tender flesh pulling a whimper from your lips. 

“You sound so sweet princess.” Ohhh that nickname. It really did things to you. His hands came up to massage your breasts , pulling your shirt and bra down, completely exposing you, and you found yourself arching your back into his rough palms. “You have no idea how badly I’ve missed this.” He groaned in your ear, grinding his hips into your heat and you could feel everything. 

“I’m pretty sure I have an idea.” You teased, your words broken by breathy moans. Slowly, he moved his left hand from your breast and down to your heat, massaging you through your shorts. 

“Oh Dean-” You moaned in ecstasy. 

_______________________________

“Dean…” You groaned quietly. 

“I’m here! I’m here Y/N. C’mon wake up.” Dean told you, panicked, as he and Sam ran over to you. Dean checked your pulse while Sam whipped out his knife and began sawing through the ropes that held you up. It didn’t take long to cut all the rope and your weight crashed into Dean’s arms. He gently lied you on the ground, kneeling over you. 

“He’s dead. Is she okay?” Cas asked, looking over from his own work of cutting down the elderly gentleman. 

“She’s alive.” Dean announced, “C’mon Y/N, wake up!” He shook you slightly. Gosh, you were so pale and your skin was cold and clammy. Your lips were chapped and he could’ve sworn they were almost purple. His eyes trailed down to where the IV was and he quickly removed the tape, gently removing the catheter from your arm, blood squirting down your arm from the lack of pressure. “Jack! Help!” 

Jack quickly ran over to you and swiped his hand over your body. His eyes glowed bright amber and a warm energy flowed from his hands into your body, stopping the bleeding in your arm and trailing up. As he worked his way up, you slowly regained some color and your breathing became more regular. 

Before he could finish though, Sam yelled, grunting as he was tackled to the ground by a man. Jack stopped and stood quickly, his attention turning to Sam who was being attacked by the same man that had taken the girl earlier that night. The man choked Sam, his hands gripping tightly around his throat. “Jack-” He choked out, hands trying to pry the man’s grip off. As Sam met his eyes though he noticed them glow bright blue and saw the tattoos all over his body do the same and Sam knew right away what he was dealing with. 

With a flick of his wrist, the man was thrown off Sam by some invisible force and sent crashing into the cement walls. Sam rolled over, gasping and coughing loudly, managing to croak out, “It’s a djinn!” 

The tattooed monster didn’t stay down for long though and before the boys knew it, he was back up. The djinn rushed towards Castiel, who turned soon enough to take a blunt tackle to the chest. He found himself pinned against the wall. Cas struggled hard against the pressure but the djinn wasn’t budging. Again, he glowed bright blue and brought his fingers up to Castiel’s forehead. When he did, Cas’s eyes glowed as well and he stared off as if he were in a trance. 

Before the djinn’s magic was completely though, Sam rushed up from behind, running him through with the angel blade. His blue glow flickered before completely dimming and he crashed to the ground. Cas fell as well but quickly regained consciousness, the djinn’s magic having not worked entirely. 

“Jack!” Dean hissed, snapping a distracted Jack back to his previous job of healing you.

“Right!” Jack knelt back down next to you and ran his hands over your still body. Slowly, you began moving again, even if only a little. 

Suddenly, your eyes shot open as you gasped and sat up, nearly knocking Dean’s head with yours. You leaned back against your hands as you gasped, looking around at your surroundings.

How the hell did you get here? What happened? Where were you? Two seconds ago you were in your very happy home, doing very very pleasant things with your husband when suddenly you were jolted to wherever the hell this was. You really thought you were done with all that hunter stuff… 

“Y/N?!” A familiar voice gasped, “You’re okay! We’ve got you!” 

You looked over to see Dean crouching next to you but this wasn’t your Dean. This was the Dean you’d first started dating back when you were hunters. “What’s going on?” You asked, looking around frantically. Dean, Cas, Sam, and Jack all stood around you with worried looks on their faces. 

“You were taken by a djinn,” Cas explained, turning to the boys, “Her confusion is probably caused by suddenly being jerked from whatever fantasy he had her in.” 

Fantasy. That was just a fantasy? “It all felt so real.” You sighed sadly to yourself. You wanted that to be real so badly.

Dean took your hand gently, “Believe me, I know. I’ve been zapped in by one of those suckers too.” 

“Let’s get her back to the hotel.” Sam suggested. 

Everyone nodded in agreement and Dean reached down to help you up. The second his skin touched yours, your heart sped up and you gasped, still feeling hot from his touch in your dream. Dean noticed and looked at you with a concerned expression, “You okay?” 

You nodded hurriedly, avoiding eye contact with him. It was all too weird. You’d been in love with the man for months and you finally had everything you’d dreamed of. You’d been with him in ways you could only imagine being with him in real life and now it was as if none of it had happened. Because none of it had. 

“I can do it.” You stated, pushing yourself up with wobbly arms. They were still sore despite the fact that your wounds had been healed.

Together, the five of you made your way out of the room you were in, along with the girl they’d saved. Once outside, you made quick work of making the scene look like a typical kidnapping-murder. Dean called it in to the police that you’d all been working with as FBI and told them that you’d found the victims. 

As soon as all of that was done, you’d gotten in the Impala and made your way back to the motel. Everyone noticed you were uncharacteristically quiet but chose not to push it. They had no clue what hallucination you were stuck in. 

But Jack, of course, with his child-like naivety and thirst for learning looked at you innocently in the backseat, “So you were stuck in a dream?” He asked. 

You nodded, trying to hide the sadness, “Apparently so.” 

“And he was feeding off of your blood while keeping you trapped in a dream?” He pressed, innocent curiosity all over his face. 

“Yes, Jack.” You stated simply, really not wanting to explain all of this right now. It wasn’t as if you’d just been strung up and drained of your blood all day or anything. 

He shifted in his seat to look at you, “So what did you dream about?” 

You stopped, unsure what to say. Silently, you looked up to the front seat to look at Dean, hoping with every fiber of your being that maybe that dream was some premonition, “It actually wasn’t bad,” You explained with a small smile, “It was everything I’ve wanted my life to be for a long time.” 

“Doesn’t sound like a bad way to die,” Jack commented, “Y’know, stuck in a perfect dream world where you can’t feel yourself slowly being murdered.” 

You cringed a little at the way he explained it, especially since he did it with his boy-like smile. “I guess you’re right, Jack.” You chuckled. 

“Well now that you saw your perfect life, maybe you can work on making it real!” He chirped excitedly. 

Again, your eyes found their attention on Dean and the way the moonlight and headlights highlighted his features in the night and the way he occasionally peeked back at you to make sure you were okay. How could a girl not fall for him? “Yeah, maybe you’re right.” You said with a smile. Maybe he was. 

#dean winchester #dean winchester imagines #dean x reader #dean winchester x reader #supernatural #supernatural imagines #djinn

[username-trademark]

Life of an eastern mage PT. 1

Ok, i have the full thing done but it ended being really long. So i split it up and am now editing the second part. It should be here soon. But now, here’s the start of the fun. Sorry if its a bit long winded or repetitive. Feel free to leave critiques or such. I’m actually really happy with this story, so have i hope you all like it too.

There are many places in this world. The aquatic kingdoms of the south, the northern aristocracy up in the mountains, the empire ruling in the west, and the eastern free states. Each had its opinions and names for mages. Today, we talk about the east. The east is the only country known to support mages, believing all should have a chance in this world to rise up. However, this has led to more deceitful mages to run free.

But enough history for today. Our story starts with a young woman, walking along the sandy streets of her home town. She had lived here her whole life, knowing nothing more than the warm summers and soft breezes of her windy little village. Nothing odd happened here, and anyone who left for the outside world never returned to this dreary village. But to young Vez, who was only 18 years of age, she couldn't see why anyone would want to leave. It was so calm here, never too cold or too hot despite being in the desert.

She was considered the jewel of this little town, the eldest daughter currently of all children. She had soft brown eyes and short messy black hair framed her soft tanned face well, making her seem almost mysterious. Her red lips always had a soft smile. Many girls were jealous of this natural beauty, having to go through much effort for their own when Vez simply was the most beautiful girl, just naturally. The few young men of this village never complained though, outside the annoyance of their sisters complaining about Vez. 

Today she wore a simple white dress, slightly clinging to her curves, her feet covered with simple sandals. She wasn’t the curviest girl, but she wasn’t flat or plain either. She was walking along the streets, looking through all the stores. It was early into the night, the trillion stars in the sky glowing slightly as the sun was just fully dipping away, giving the moon a chance appearance. She was doing a quick run by all the shops, looking for any deals on some quick supplies. They were coming out of summer into fall, so it was time to buy extra food. As she did, she heard something odd. Jingles and jangles on the wind, along with the sounds of drums. And as all young teens do, her body followed her heart in the need to sate her curiosity. 

Vez walked a little faster until she found herself at the one inn the small town had. To her shock, she saw something she never thought was possible: Performers had come. Three men and a woman had gotten off camels and were discussing prices with the owner of the tavern. The tallest man, who was somewhat lanky and only wore pants was speaking. “Surely your joking? Only a copper a night?” The owner nodded.

“Yes, it's only fair. In this little old town, we don't need much. Just enough to buy bread.” The four seemed shocked, even somewhat confused, with a tinge of worry. But all were transfixed on someone else, someone Vez couldn't see. But she heard the persons voice. It was a little deep, extremely sensual and wonderfully feminine. “Now now, we couldn't pay so little. Here, this should suffice.” The owner was handed a bag. A woman hidden in cloth cloaks came around in front. All Vez could see where the soft green eyes, and her odd pupils. Her pupils were shaped like stars, the points pure white.

Vez was confused by her odd eyes but found them hard to look away from. It felt like she was trapped in her eyes, lost in them as she had never been lost before. She tried to pull her head away and only succeeded after three attempts that drained her of all her energy. ‘Wha… what was that? Who is she?... Why is my body…. Tingling?’ She shook off this odd feeling, only too look up and let out a little gasp. There she was, the women. “Did I scare you, little girl?” Vez took a second to recover, before slowly getting up. She was a few inches shorter than the women in question. “N-no… And I'm not little, I'm an adult.” 

“Of course.” She said with a small chuckle. “What is your name?” 

Vez wasn't sure she wanted to answer, especially finding herself trapped in the woman's eyes again. They simply radiated a power she couldn't understand, that made her feel so weak and lost. Didn’t help she was trapped between her and the wall, making her feel so helpless and little. “V...Vez…. You?” 

Vez cursed in her mind. ‘Why did I tell her?’ The woman pulled her hood back, showing long curly brown hair and her own very tan skin. Her face was soft, her plump lips that were currently smiling, her dimples standing out proudly. “Hello, Vez. My name is Madam Yeronoza. But I prefer Madam, the whole thing can be tiresome to hear repeated.” 

Vez nodded and found herself blinking. Suddenly the white tips of the stars were gone and so was the pull on her mind, though stars her pupils remained. ‘What in the world? Did I imagine that?’ But with the effect gone Vez found herself with more confidence. “What are you doing here? You group seem like performers, but no one comes here to perform. We don't have much money.”

Too Vez’s surprise, Madam Yeronoza laughed. It wasn't a condescending laugh, more like she had been charmed by something. “Let me just say, I did not choose here for the amount of money you can give, but for a separate objective of my own. My crew trusts me, that all decisions I make will bring in a profit, even if it's not now.”

Vez found herself believing Yeronoza, something about how she said and the confident aura around her made Vez feel like she could believe anything she said. Madam Yeronoza continued. “Our first show it tomorrow night, once the sun fully sets. Were hosting an adults-only show, spice up your lives a little. Course, I can expect you to come, right? You are an adult, as you said right?” 

“Well… What's the show?” Vez questioned, unable to stop the blush creeping along her cheeks. She didn’t want to admit, but an adult show sounded too like too much for her, even if she was an adult. But she also didn’t want to say no, the allure of getting to see something that was only meant for adult eyes, too much for a child, sent chills of excitement through her body. Little goosebumps appearing on her arm, her hairs standing up in anticipation.

Madam Yeronoza chuckled lowly as if she knew how much this was affecting the young women, how much this idea excited her. “I am a dancer of sorts. I will dance for you, my assistant will play soft music and there will food and comfort.” Now she was confused. What was so adult about a dancing show? She danced all the time, and yet she never felt anymore mature. But if Madam said it, it must be true. At least, that's how it felt. 

“Sure, Ill come.” Madam’s grin grew wider, her eyes sparkling with glee. “Good. I can't wait to see you, my new friend. We will be doing our show in the inn, the main dining room. Wear something comfy.” She quickly moved away, leaving Vez to stew. Who was this woman? What was so special about her dance? And why did her eyes have that strange effect? Only one way to find out.

-

Lur walked briskly, her soft dark skin shimmering slightly in the moonlight. Partially from the magic her body held within, some from a slight sweat the heat was causing. She was more from the north was and not used to such heats, but it felt good to her. The warmth on her skin, the light cloth clothes she could wear that showed off her athletic body, the soft winds of the desert. Lur’s blue eyes naturally shined a bit more on warm days like this. Her hair long blond hair was in a ponytail, going down to her legs. It naturally drew the eyes to her thick thighs as it swayed with her hips, strengthened from dancing on stage and fighting in bars.

Most saw Lur as Madam Yernoza’s guard, her muscle tone and fierce gaze making her seem like a warrior. And they wouldn't be wrong. She owed the Madam her life, saving her from a gutter after a vicious beating. But she was also her student in magic. Something Lur was beyond proud of. She knocked on the door to her teacher's room. “Madam, may I come in?”

She heard Madams soft voice beckon her in and felt a thrill go through her body. She quickly went in. I quickly entered the room and stood by the door, waiting to hear her command. Lur couldn't help finding her mind distracted though. Madam was wearing a almost see-through outfit, the soft material around her legs and hips, ever so lightly clinging to her body being incredibly sensual and sexy. Her round and firm ass was almost mesmerizing as Madam practiced dancing. 

She mainly swayed her hips and chest, legs slightly spread to allow larger movement, though she seemed to be doing a simple movement for practice. The gentle sway and swerves of her hips and chest, the way her legs gently switched wait to give each hip more emphasis. Lur couldn't fight it, her eyes followed every movement and sway. She felt her mind becoming oddly spacey. She couldn't think or really concentrate on anything besides Madam’s dance. Lur even began to tingle, her whole body becoming warm and nicely tingly. 

“Enjoying this show Lur?” Lur quickly blinked away her daze, but the tingle wouldn't leave, her whole body still feeling pleasantly weird. “Sorry Madam, your just… So gorgeous when your dancing… So graceful… So…” Madam chuckled as Lur felt her mind becoming empty again. “So mesmerizing?” Madam pushed a bit and Lur’s head nodded softly, not that she noticed. 

Madam turned, allowing her bountiful chest and flat athletic belly to be shown, bits of muscle making her the whole frame that much more supple and gorgeous. “Lur, just keep watching. Let your mind softly go into the darkness, leaving your body to just be aroused for me.” She noticed how Lur began to slightly sway with her, her eyes glazed and lost in the show. “Very good Lur, like the many times before. My good guard, my loving protector, thinking of nothing but my body and the ache between your legs.”

Madam chuckled as Lur fell to her knees, still slightly swaying and trembling with arousal. “Good girl. Now, I have some instructions for you. Were going to have a new member soon, and I need someone make sure no one interferes. And you will do that for me, won't you?” Lur nodded, wetness trickling down her thighs, her tongue dangling from her lips like a hungry puppy. “Yes… Madam. Slave… Obeys.” With a dark chuckle, Madam began to walk closer, her hips still swaying and her chest gently bouncing. Tonight's show was going to be very promising.

#Fantasy #Dancing #Story #Hypnosis #Magic

[joannaofportugal]

CHALLENGE 003 // JOANNA DE BRAGANZA word count - 2044

001.  describe  your  characters’  relationship  with  their  mother  or  father,  or  both.  minimum  word  count:  150.

joanna is the sixth and last child of the braganza family. with her youth comes with a lack of tact and seriousness that had been drilled into her sisters from the very beginning of their training as royal princesses of portugal. both crara and cristiano loved their children and though the populace of portugal yearned for a son the parents of the royal heir were happy to have healthy children after the wave of plague that had coasted across earth’s surface. the younger twin of the last set of children from the braganza line, joanna was given leave by her parents to run her life with as much passion as a male heir would do. she disrupted mass with her childish screams and ran through the coastline of portugal with her skirts up over her head. no one told her off nor told her to cease such behaviour, which left her childhood loose and free. though in relation to her parents, her mother was so busy with so many children that joanna often felt in the background, mistaken for her twin or her elder sisters. now? her temper and mood could simmer if she was exposed to obsessive maternal love, but all adoration of parenthood goes to liana, the heir of portugal. and cristiano? a firm hand should’ve controlled his youngest daughter, but with his own wild streak, there was little he could do for dear joanna. 

002.  what  are  your  characters’  most  prominent  physical  features?  what  is  a  feature  that  they  are  most  insecure  about?  what  are  they  proudest  of?

when you first catch a glimpse of the portuguese princess you will see her bright red curls that fall from her crown, next you will notice the sweet curve of her cupid’s bow.  when it comes to insecurity she does not mention her physical looks but rather her lack of etiquette when it comes down to the way she speaks - her language is rough round the edges, and you may blame that on her country-upbringing or the fact that she was quite spoilt.. what are they proudest off? off the bad she is proud of her hair, she brushes through her curls one thousand times morning, noon and night. 

003.  how  vain  is  your  character?  do  they  find  themselves  attractive?  what  is  their  worst  flaw,  and  are  they  aware  of  it?

she is terribly vain, and of course she fancies herself - she doesn’t believe there’s another like her. it’s almost comedic, but in her head it’s very serious, she’s almost a version of narcissus. 

004.  what  is  your  character’s  ranking  on  the  kinsey  scale?

2 - This makes you heterosexual with more than incidental homosexual tendencies.

005.  describe  your  character’s  happiest  memory.  minimum  word  count:  150.

as a young girl she learned of the tales of ancient greece and fell madly in love with the story of helen, the fac that launched a thousand ships. love soon turned to obsession and so urged her father to collect portugal’s finest artists to paint her as a reimagined helen of troy and sparta. though joanna was elated at the idea she had no true understanding of how long it’d take. for many months she posed for the painting, growing her red locks out to resemble the fires that surrounded troy and the maiden at war. she hated this period simply due to the fact that she was an active soul who’d rather run around the halls than stay still all day. furious that it was not yet complete, joanna refused to pose anymore and told the artists to use their numerous sketches to complete it. weeks later winter had fallen onto the portugal coast, and finally, the group of artists known to portgual’s high society framed their portraits and had each canvas put upon the wall for her majesty, the young princess, to view. short of her sixteenth birthday, joanna was overwhelmed and cried at such beauty! the artists had done her well and captured both the wave of her hair and the tension that helen herself wore on her shoulders. though the artists did not complain of their energetic and irritated muse, cristiano paid the artists handsomely with favors and extended coin. joanna told the king to send such portraits to the heirs and princes around the world, leaving the young joanna to marvel at only one particular painting done by her favourite artist. it hangs in her bedroom in sao jorge, and will hang there till the crumble of the castle centuries later, it’d hang in the portuguese museum. this was her happiest moment by far and such memories have yet to compare. 

006.  is  there  one  event  in  your  characters’  life  that  they  would  like  to  erase  from  their  past?  why?  minimum  word  count:  200.

a memory to be lost is not so easy to find, joanna has been blessed to live an easy life on the coast of portugal and as the youngest of queen crara’s children she has also lived a sheltered life of stories and art. so even her worst enemy is not something worthy of note to anyone else! as a young princess, she was absolutely doted on and was barely ever subjected to sad notes of melancholy. she was given gifts y visiting royals and received them all with carrying success / but her favourite was a canary of yellow feathers and soft melody, the bird arrived in a golden cage decorated for the princess with ornaments from a world unthinkable for a girl who loved the portuguese salt sea! such love was pure and innocent, she had been far too young to conceptualise grief and loss - so at the age of seven her bird never sang again, leaving her heartbroken and torn. such sadness only lasted a little while but alas this was enough to scar her innocent soul. she never kept a pet again, or so she hoped - only months later she was given a cat from her father that she ran around with with glee, the at lived long enough for her to cope with the death. 

007.  let’s  talk  favourites!  what  is  their  favourite  colour,  food,  and  season?   what,  in  a  modern  setting,  would  be  your  character’s  favourite  song?  

her favourite colour is blue, but the kind of blue you find reflected in the ocean - almost green. her favourite food comes in the form of figs, honey and cakes and her favourite season is summer - she loves to bask in the glow of the sun whilst dipping her toes in water. in a modern setting joanna braganza would be the type of girl who listens to taylor swift and other such pop acts that are described as empowering. her favourite song would be somethin by taylor ! 

008.  can  you  define  a  turning  point  in  your  character’s  life?

i wish i could! but joanna is a sheltered girl, who has always been cuddled in means of life lessons. though a turning point that could come is an evaluation of her relationship with her family and suitors who may change everything to her. 

009.  is  your  character  an  early  morning  bird  or  a  night  owl?  at  what  time  do  they  get  most  of  their  work  done?

joanna... does no work. no work at all. she neither dedicates herself to getting up early, staying up late or going to bed at a certain time. bt if she would have chores or something to do, she’d sleep in, get up late and stay up to socialise or catch up on deadlines. 

010  a.  what  other  character,  a  npc  or  someone  apart  of  the  rp,  is  your  character  completely  real  with?  who  knows  them  best,  has  seen  them  at  their  most  vulnerable,  knows  their  innermost  and  basest  fears? b.  if  your  character  does  not  have  this  person,  why?  do  they  long  for  one?

to be real with someone i suppose you have to be real with yourself. joanna is not sure who she could be truly honest with but ooc, joanna is her most honest with her sisters. though she struggles to be seen outside of being a graganza princess her sisters have see her throw immature tantrums as well as her tears that fall down her face. they are the ones who see joanna for who she truly is. 

011.  is  your  character  a  neat  or  messy  person?

messy, she would never care to clean up after herself !

012.  does  your  character  have  any  irrational  fears  or  phobias?

no, joanna is bold and strong and doesn’t nurture any fear or phobia as of the present day. she is lucky in this aspect, though you never know what may change. 

013.  does  your  character  have  an  underlying  passion  or  trait  that  influences  all  aspects  of  their  life?

the passion that takes hold of her very soul is one which helps her pursue dreams that were mostly out of reach for women of her time. an ambition for lust and greatness helps her climb ladders or to at least look for the first few steps. this need for appreciation or attention pushes her to find grand titles to hold for her own, or something that’d make historians sit up and pay attention to the infanta. 

014.  what  might  your  character’s  ideal  romantic  person  be?

t is sad to admit that joanna’s ideal romantic partner would be one who is an easy submissive, one to allow joanna to roam free yet her attention is heavy and powerful, she would give her love but expects more in return. 

015.  describe  your  character’s  hands.  are  they  small,  long,  calloused,  smooth,  stubby,  dexterous  or  clumsy?  do  they  wear  any  jewelry  and  would  they  wear  polish  in  a  modern  setting?

her hands are small and long, fitting for her small frame. they are smooth, soft yet a little chubby due to puppy fat she cannot shake. she wears rings bestowed to her as princess of portugal, sapphire gems surrounded by silver imported from across the continent - in a modern setting she would wear polish in a manicured form. 

016.  how  does  your  character  smell?  what  is  their  favourite  scent

joanna bathes several times each day both due to the natural heat of portugal and now in florence, plus she detests foul smells of the natural waste or the scent of smoke from open fires. though most perfume oils worn in the time came in the form of lavender, patchouli, sandalwood and lemon joanna prefers the scent of flowers with araomatic blossoms - roses, lilies and irises to be exact she peppers the oil behind her ears, against her throat and against her pulsating wrists. she makes sure to smell well. 

017.  how  would  your  muse  describe  their  religious  beliefs?

joanna was raised to practise roman catholicism. though her mother was very stern on the subject of religion joanna herself found it boring and tedious, even in such serious matters of mass joanna used to run down the ailes of cathedrals with her skirts up above her head. though clearly religious in the fact that she believed in a heaven and a god whom looked after them all, joanna does not care for his judgement and practises her morals on herself more than anyone else. 

018.  what  rules  does  your  muse  live  by,  if  any?

to not be forgotten. she will do anything with the life she leads to be remembered - whether it be for good or bad, is still to be decided. 

019.  does  your  muse  overshare,  or  are  they  more  private?

joanna shares the sin of hubris and ambition frowned upon by the church or high and mighty kings. she adores sharing her conquests with sisters and friends and can often find herself gossiping as a pregnant mother would do - she keeps little private. 

020.  is  your  muse  a  gossiper?  are  they  more  likely  to  argue  with  their  fists  or  tongue?  what  does  their  voice  sound  like?

as stated above, joanna is perhaps one of the louder gossipers of the portuguese court, sharing words heard in the darkness of florence behind her opened palms. and though joanna is prone to violence in the terms of slaps against friends and foes she rather shouts silly nonsence from the tip of her tongue. and finally, her voice is sweet and soft though laced with poison from portugal’s weeds and flowers. 

021.  is  your  muse  a …  pessimist  or  optimist …  lover  or  fighter … believer  in  happy  endings …  believer  in  love  at  first  sight?

she is an optimist in all the sense that she searches for the better things in life, and believes that if she tries hard enough she will get just that - what she wants. and though she paints herself as a lover she is a fighter in every meaning of the word. in terms of happy endings and love at first sight, joanna does not believe. she believes there are exceptions to such rules, such as her parents who practised love from the moment they met one another, but in reality joanna knows she won’t be so lucky - only if she were the luckiest person in the world would she come across such fortune not made for royal blood. 

022.  what  sense  of  humour  does  your  character  have?

joanna lives to laugh if she does not live to find fame and fortune. her humour is famous in portugal, where she makes every person laugh with both her tantrums and her true jokes that seem soft on such lips. 

023.  what  bad  habits  does  your  character  have?

bad habits come in the form of picking her nails, eating with her mouth full and picking up her skirts to expose the softest of ankles! she is rotten with bad habits, though her good looks normally cover them up like paste. 

024.  how  does  your  character  feel  about  growing  old?

it scares her rotten to grow old and not reach fame and prestige! she plans to live a fast and famous lifestyle, and hopes to not die before she finds happiness within gold and tiaras that’d make her head grow heavy. in some ways she hopes to die in childbirth, birthing an heir to a country that begs for one - she will be made a martyr! to grow old with no story to tell would be the greatest shame of all. 

025.  does  your  character  prefer  adventure  to  safety  and  security?

of course, to carry on an adventure is to live life! to refuse such a thing, and to instead take an easy route is to be a coward - and joanna believes above of all else, that she is not a coward. 

#crhs.challenge #// seja a princesa vermelha ou morra ! ( JOANNA BRAGANZA )

[kurtty-drabbles]

Circus au

N/A: much ado for nothing lol. Srsly, this is based on all the talks djinmer4 and I have about EW Kurt and a circus au, also, is based on a movie called Hi Lili Hello.

@djinmer4

In the good city of Shaperfield, a young girl is strolling with 3 suitcases in her arms and a basket that is closed to any prying eyes. The girl´s name is Kitty Pryde and she´s searching for Doctor Lee.

Sadly, in the city the circus of a famous wizard, a German fellow that Kitty didn´t have the time to catch his name, as her search is more important, however, the ringleader ended up finding Kitty in the Doctor´s shop.

"Where´s Doctor Lee?" Kitty asked as the ringleader is the one looking at the shop with some respect. The shop looks unkept and abandoned. The ringleader looks at the girl confused. His handsome blue face shows some confusion until he asks. "You´re Kitty Pryde?"

Kitty narrow her eyes and give a step back. Always be mindful of man that knows your name. This didn´t stop him. "I´d take that as yes, well, Miss Pryde, Doctor Lee passed away" his tone is soft and show respect "the man often help me with my crew members"

Kitty let her suitcases drop, but, not the basket. "He is dead?"

"Yes, it was a long battle against his disease" Kurt explained and adds gently, "he told me about you, he wanted to meet you, but...at the same time, the man was tired...far too tired."

Kitty takes a deep breath and lets the situation fall on her shoulders. The ringleader takes Kitty to where the man is buried and Kitty is not crying. She can´t cry.

The circus will be staying for 3 weeks, and as Kitty realize, people in this city has no problem in talking with each member or going to the circus, yet, no one offers any place to Kitty.

"If you don´t have anywhere to go, Miss Pryde, you can stay with my circus, until you find a better place" Kurt suggested noticing how Kitty is holding the basket as is something precious. Yet, the smell tells otherwise.

Kitty ponders her choices. She can´t go back now. "I was expelled from Zanany, Academy Of Sorcery" Kitty adds in a more sombre tone. Kurt is not judging. "I want a blood oath from you that you won´t hurt me in any way or let any of your zombies hurt me"

Kurt smiles pleased. "You noticed the zombies? Now, I´m impressed" Kurt then take a dagger and cut his finger drawing blood "I swear you´ll not be hurt in any way in my circus, I swear by my magic"

Kitty looks at the man and adds"well, in that case, nice to meet you, Mr Ringleader, my name is Kitty Pryde" she shakes his hand and Kurt chuckles.

No one will mourn the death of a Doctor who works for the Necromancer.

___________________________________________________________________________________

She can understand why people, the living crewmembers, fear the master, Kurt can cut a dashing and heroic figure if want, but can be so demonic as a nightmare could manifest. Still, the man is more than fair with Kitty and does not make questions. In fact, Kurt often takes Kitty with him in his missions, as the young woman should, in his words, see more of the world.

It was very nice of him and Kitty can feel her cheeks redden each time Kurt gentle takes her hand and explain a spell of his, well, the most innocent ones.

“Ok, Katzchen, tell me something, why you were kicked out from that fancy magical school?” Kurt once asked amused as Kitty gives a small sip on beer, she has 17 years old and legally, at least in that city, she can drink beer, but, judging by her reaction…this will be the last time.

“Well, what you said when someone tries to ask about your life?” Kitty asked putting a finger on her lips “Oh, right, you can´t afford to my secrets”

Kurt chuckles amused and mention, in a good manner, how he became a necromancer when he had her age.

“Oh, that was ages ago, because you know, you´re older as dirt, Ouch” Kitty complains as his tail gently touches her arm by surprise jolting Kitty a little, she always forgets the tail.

“Manners, Madchen”

Kitty is in her caravan, is a late night, and the circus is eerie and silent as always. No need to worry for food, at least not for the livings and Kitty decides she can try her secret ability now. She put the basket now (always careful keep with potions and spells) and put inside a circle she crafted.

“I´ll bring you back, sweetie, I´ll bring you back” Kitty promised and uttering the magic words and making the signals the basket starts to emit a sound. A soft barking that starts growing and growing until, Kitty´s eyes spy with glee, a Yorkshire Terrier emerges and is in his full health.

The little dog goes to Kitty and starts to lick her face. “I did it, I did it” she is euphoric and for a moment, contemplate to write to her old school saying how they´re a bunch of wusses, but, as she´s here…Kitty can´t do that.

On the next day, it was Kurt who greets Kitty with an enigmatic smiling telling they will be moving to a different city.

“Who is the dog?” Kurt asked amused and notices the basket, once so carefully placed, is tossed around like it meant nothing. Kitty gulps and tries to explain.

“A wild dog shows up last night and we bond” Kitty speaks thinking this is a good excuse.

“A wild dog? This is a Yorkshire Terrier, not a wild dog, but, a pet…that can fit in the basket” Kurt lingers for a moment then shrugs “Oh, what do I know? Come on, Katzchen, we´ve things to do together”

That line has so many double meanings to Kurt and Kitty.

Saying Kurt is a manslut is little to convey how slutty he can be, Kitty with 18 years old, really dislike her infatuation on the manslut. Her confidant is an old man who will retire soon, the man does not understand what Kitty could possibly see in him, but, the man won´t judge.

“What you´ll do, miss Pryde?” the man asked kindly as if she´s her granddaughter and is a nice feeling for both of them.

“Move on, I guess, Is clear as day I´m not his type, the man prefers…well, Amandas” Kitty speaks and for once in his life, the old man will defend Kurt, at least in this aspect. “Well actually, he hates Amanda and often complains about the ‘’relationship’’ saying it was a big mistake and look, he´s not the one to admit making mistakes”

“But, she´s pretty, doesn´t he likes pretty things to look at?” Kitty asked confused.

“Yes, but Amanda was too rotten inside and he regrets even knowing her name, actually, even Amanda dislike herself as Amanda is not her real name …is Jimaine” the old man explained.

“I saw her in one of our missions together, I thought Kurt would be happy with the attention, she´s pretty, but horrible…she´s smells bad” Kitty adds remembering the meeting.

“Again, existing things even him won´t fuck and that says a lot. Whatever Amanda did…she´s luck she´s still alive, but, maybe, after this meeting, she won´t be…the ringleader is many things, but, forgiving is not one of them”

“What she did?”

“No idea, but, is enough for him to be mad…and trust me, you won´t like to see him mad”

Kitty will not know as Kurt is feeding his zombies with the fresh meat of a blonde woman. Once finished, the ringleader spot Kitty and the old man talking freely and is not pleased by that.

Doreen is a girl with many squirrels and many adventures, however, when one of her squirrels dies, her status, an adventurer does not mean anything for the necromancer. If you can´t pay him, no squirrels.

Doreen is left to cry and mourn the death of her beloved pet, when; Kitty taking pity on the young woman offers a solution. “Look, I think I can bring your pet back”

“Really?” Doreen shows the small sack of golden coins, for Kurt that is ridiculously small, to Kitty that is big. “I´ll pay if you bring Tiffany”

“Ok, but, please, make this a secret, ok?” Kitty ordered and Doreen agrees and when she get her pet back, it didn't need Doreen´s word for more and more people to go for Kitty to get their beloved pets back.

“Guys, stop, this is supposed to be a secret” Kitty hissed and before anyone could ask why, the necromancer shows up, in Kitty´s mind, far too akin to a vampire, but no one will say that.

“Sorry, guys, Katzchen can´t bring your cats today, come back tomorrow” Kurt instructed politely, it wasn´t a suggestion and they can take a hint. Kitty looks down and ponders her choices.

“Katzchen, I know you´re a necromancer, I knew since I saw you for the first time” Kurt explained amused and Kitty takes a step back.

“I read what happened to Melisandre and well, I´d not wish to have the same fate” Kitty replied hotly and Kurt blinks, the name didn´t ring any bells until it finally pops into his mind.

“Oh, that woman, yes, it was a nasty thing indeed, but, Katzchen, I´d not did that because she was a necromancer…I´d that because she was opposing me, in fact, I did train other necromancers before, Katzchen” then he looks at the 18 years old with surprise. “Do you…fear me?”

“No, yes, sometimes…you can be really scary when you´re mad,” she confessed and Kurt takes her words into consideration.

“But you, of all people, shouldn´t be afraid of me, neither hide your skills, it was that the reason that fancy school expelled you?” Kitty nods “Katzchen, you´re safe here with me, I want to prove that” Kurt adds softly taking her hands, once Kitty let him do it.

“Well, the Melisandre’s story did make me fear for my life. But, the lack of communication can be as toxic as stories, so, Kurt, let´s talk freely from now on, ok?”

“Seems a good idea, Katzchen,” he smiles and Kitty still blushes. “I would like to train you, if you want to, and before you ask, no the payment here is yours. You bring dogs, cats, squirrels and birds back to life. Is your reward”

“I would like to learn more, if you can teach me” then she asks for another blood oath, Kurt is amused. “You have a thing for seeing me bleed? Alright, what you want me to promise this time?”

“Promise you´ll be honest and help me, and I´ll promise the same, elf” Kitty adds. “I want to trust you truly, but, I´m sorry, I´m not a person that naively follow someone and you´re the same. So, let´s improve your communication skills”

“You´re adorable” Kurt kissed her forehead a tab bit different than usual and Kitty´s face grew hotter.

On their last mission, Kurt and Kitty defeat a monster it was attacking the village, of course, said village did pay them (Kitty wonder if Kurt was the pied piper) and an extra bonus, the people let Kurt and Kitty rest in their best hotel, as defeating the monster is easy for them, but, it consumes time and energy and Kitty can use a nice sleep.

Kitty is yawing gentle let her head touch his back. The man smiles at this and when the receptionist asks what type of room he would like, Kurt only said one. One room is enough.

Kitty has 21 years old and is lovely as the angels illustrated in the arts, and Kurt, can agree with the statement.

“One room?” Kitty asked being carried by Kurt.

“Yep”

“You´re predictable” and she cuddles with him.

Logan Howlett knows how much the Necromancer has a skew sense of consent and age of consent. So, when Kurt arrives saying he meet the sweetest thing on earth, Logan merely asked her age. Kitty has 15 years old at that moment.

“Kurt!” logan berates him. Kurt just waves him off. “Oh, relax Logan, I can wait, I´m not a monster” “Debatable, Kurt, very debatable”

“Who did sleep with Magneto´s fiancé ?” Kurt asked and now Logan is silent. Maybe that´s why they are such good friends after all.

#circus au #kurt wagner #evil wizard kurt #kitty pryde #based on an old movie #based on conversations #necromancy #kurtty #he´s evil for a reason #but no he didn´t kill the doctor nor caused the illlness

[lovely-melodies-story]

Chapter one - The beginning

Author’s note: Hi there! It's me, Moon! Sorry if this isn't that good, I'm not that good with writing. Also it MIGHT be a bit slow, I don't know, but it's mostly because it's the beginning and it's gonna be when he starts his adventure so I have to introduce stuff so it's not gonna be the best at speed. Also, I'd appreciate feedback if you can! Anyway, on with the story!

Damien was laying on the ground outside the orphanage, playing on his 3ds, wanting to be alone. He wasn't really that social, and he never had been. While the other kids were often playing with and talking to each other, he was usually outside , playing video games away from the other kids.

He didn't really like people. He preferred to be alone with his imagination and his games. He only liked being around his only friend, a girl named Summer, who was ten years old, two years older than him. He was playing his game.

Summer only really became his friend due to her forcing herself into his life, though he liked the company. They've been friends since Damien was five and Summer was seven. She was like an older sister to him, and he really enjoyed her company and she's always there for him. He loves her as you would with family, and he hopes that when he gets adopted she comes along with him.

He heard one of the adults that took care of the orphanage call his name. He got up and put his stuff in his pockets, not wanting to get in trouble for staying outside after being called to come inside. He headed inside, squinting his eyes from the bright sun. As he walked inside he saw Summer run towards him, her long ginger hair flowing behind her. Her bright blue eyes lit up the moment she saw him. She loved him so much. Damien was like a little brother to Summer.

“Hey Damien!” Shouted Summer with glee.

Damien smiled and said “Hey Summer!”

Summer threw her arms around Damien in a hug, both happy to see each other. Summer had always been there for Damien, and he was grateful for Summer. Damien hugged back right away,   gleeful to see Summer.

“What's for lunch?” Asked Damien, letting go of her.

She smiled and replied with “Come see for yourself!”

Damien sighed, annoyed that Summer wouldn't tell him what was for lunch. She usually told him what was for lunch whenever he asked, mostly because she wanted him to be excited for it if it was something he liked, and to prepare for It if it was something he didn't like, either him hating it or just disliking it. She rarely just let him guess, which made him feel nervous about what was for lunch, not wanting it to be something he didn't like, though he'd reluctantly eat it since he had no other option for food. He still wouldn't be happy about it though.

They walked into the dinning room, the food ready for the children. He grabs his food and sits at a table, Summer sitting with him after getting her food. Damien ate his food quietly, just wanting to get away from everybody but Summer. She was a good person, even if she doubted it sometimes. She was the closest thing he had to family. She was a pretty person, though Damien didn't see her as anything but a sister. her freckles, ginger hair, pale skin, and deep blue eyes were very pretty, and he would tell her that whenever she was upset, which always helped. She always wore yellow shirts or dresses and blue jeans. She loved the color yellow, and she loved wearing it.

Damien finished his food after a bit and went back outside alone with all his stuff, having gotten permission from the adults before he went back outside. He walked into the woods behind the orphanage, going down a hidden path only he knew about, knowing there was a swing set down that path. He got there quickly as the swing set wasn't that far. He got onto a swing and started swinging, letting his mind run wild with ideas. He never could have guessed what would happen on this very day.

*2 hours later*

Damien exited the woods through the path, expecting to see an adult looking for him. All he saw was a collapsed orphanage that was on fire, the entire building on the ground. It was like it collapsed in an instant. Damien was silent for a moment, shocked, when he realized that Summer might be in there. He started to cry, worried about her. He didn't want her to be dead, as she was the only “family” he had and the only person he felt that truly liked him. He wished he'd been there, sure that he could have stopped it from happening.

He suddenly hear scary and evil laughter and heard something coming towards him. He noticed his bike nearby, which was in one piece, and hopped on it. He then rode down the path to the city, not wanting to die. He wanted to live, not just because he's afraid of death but because he wanted to live on for Summer, who he didn't want to disappoint even if she was dead. Unknown to him, this would be the start of a long and amazing adventure, where he'd make new friends and that would be full of action and would have him save the universe.

The end.

#lovely melodies #story chapter

[loading99percent]

Little Things

Pairing: CXK x OC [Xiaowan] Genre: slice of life, college!au, slight angst, slight fluff Word Count: 4,450 Summary: What should you do when you find out the relationship you were in was built on a foundation of lies? How far can the little things go to amend the bond between these two people? soft angst starters

Warning: swear words. it’s still angst, but i dunno. that’s it.

My ninth request yet this is being revealed compare to the others. Oops! Anyways, I don’t mind writing angst, but I prefer it with a good ending, so there’s no sadness at the end of this. Other than that, I was inspired by listening to Stevie Hoang’s Little Things that helped me write this and hence the title of the story itself. Not sure what y’all may think, but I really enjoyed writing it. Anyways, happy reading and kthxbai, Admin Lia~

Xiaowan patiently sat at the table for two at the restaurant her boyfriend had reserved for the both of them for her birthday several months ago. Still though, with each passing minute she grew anxious and worried as Xukun was already an hour late. Xiaowan had messaged him earlier to remind him about it as he has become forgetful as of late. Xiaowan messaged him again wondering if he got stuck at a group project or in traffic, but received no response after sending several messages and calls in the past couple of hours. Xiaowan let out another sigh as she gazed around her once again feeling slightly embarrassed that others may have thought she got stood up since arriving to the restaurant.

Xiaowan's anxiousness continues to grow as she wonder if he did forget about their plans for tonight as time slowly continued to tick on by. Still she continued to wait in hopes that Xukun was just buying her flowers or some other birthday gift and it was just delaying his arrival to make it up to her in the end. By like an hour or two or so, but still being late was better than never. Xiaowan trusted Xukun so there was nothing too much to worried about. Xiaowan repeatedly told herself this as she checked her phone for the nth time and still there was no new notifications from her boyfriend about his whereabouts whatsoever.

"Hello, miss. Are you sure you wouldn't like to order something as you continue to wait?" The same waiter that was tending to Xiaowan asked her once again. "Like some more water or something else to drink?"

Xiaowan cast him a polite smile. "More water would be great, but could I just get an order of short ribs to go please?"

"Will do. Anything else?"

"Oh yes. A slice of the carrot cake, please."

"Will do, miss. Your order will be with your shortly."

"Thank you so very much."

Xiaowan had contacted one of Xukun's IPT frat brothers, Ziyi, and he informed her that he has been at the music department working on a project for the past few hours. She had thanked him and made her way over to see her boyfriend. She knew that he was majoring in music and that the current project was a big deal to him passing this semester. So if he couldn't celebrate her birthday at the restaurant, then she'll celebrate it with him in a music room. As long as she was with him and spending time together, then that's all that really mattered to her. Just like on his birthday a month ago they couldn't celebrate it together as he was busy with another school project at the time. So they hung out some time after that although it was cut short.

So when Xiaowan appeared outside the music room that Ziyi had told Xiaowan that he would be in and gently knocked on it, but received no response she decided to enter as quietly as possible. There she spotted Xukun along with another student, Meiqi, who she has seen hanging out with Xukun several times over the past school year going over some music sheets. Xiaowan didn't mind as she trusted Xukun, but there was something inside of Xiaowan that irked her just a tad bit when she witnessed Meiqi wrapped her arms around Xukun and planted a small peck onto his cheek. Could it be a twinge of jealously?

"It's wonderful, KunKun! Thank you so much!" Meiqi let out with glee after kissing Xukun on the cheek before releasing him.

"No worries, QiQi." Xukun smiled at her while moving a few strands of Meiqi's hair from out of her face and behind her ear. "I'm glad to help."

Maybe it was as Xiaowan suddenly felt a small pang of jealousy in her chest at the mentioned of the two using nicknames with one another and the actions that was displayed before her. She couldn't remember the last time Xukun had done that to her or the last time they've shared simple gestures with one another. As a matter of fact, Xiaowan couldn't remember if Xukun had ever called her name in such an affectionate manner. Since they started dating the couple had always used their given names with one another. The last time she had called her boyfriend, 'Kun', he had given her a weird look and Xiaowan never called him that again.

"Alright, KunKun. I think that's it for now. See you tomorrow at the same time?" Meiqi said while putting her things away and standing up with Xukun doing the same. "Yup. See you tomorrow, QiQi."

When the duo turned towards the door to leave they froze upon seeing Xiaowan standing there a bit awkwardly.

"Uh, hi." Xiaowan greeted them with a small wave. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"How long have you been standing there?" Xukun asked instead feeling guilty for some reason he didn't know why.

"Oh, not that long."

"Anyways, see you tomorrow, KunKun." Meiqi bid Xukun farewell once again while walking pass Xiaowan. "Bye-bye, Xiaowan."

"Bye-bye." Xiaowan said as she shot Meiqi a small smile before turning her attention to Xukun and walking towards him while placing the two items on the desk. "Since you couldn't make it I thought we can have dinner here instead."

"Make it where?" Xukun asked with a confused look. "Was there something planned for today?"

Xiaowan paused in opening the container with the short ribs inside and slowly cast a hurt look at Xukun. "Yeah, Xukun. You were the one that had planned it. I tried calling and texting you, but you didn't reply back."

"Oh, about that. The battery died and I didn't have a charger on me to charge it. Sorry, Xiaowan." Xukun apologized in an indifferent tone. "I don't remember what I planned tonight. Was it something important?"

Looking down at the food, something in Xiaowan finally cracked as this conversation was similar to what they had last month around the time of his birthday. It liked he stopped being a boyfriend and he seemed distracted and acted like the two of them weren't in a relationship with one another. Or better yet, it seemed like Xiaowan realized that Xukun had stopped doing all the little things that she had appreciated a lot in their relationship even before his birthday. She never cared for the expensive jewellery he bought her saying diamonds and pearls were a girl's best friend. Nor did she care for the fancy restaurant dates he took her out to just to impress her still. Xiaowan also didn't mind the constant large hang-outs when it was supposed to be the two of them on a date.

Still though, Xiaowan honestly missed the little things that Xukun used to do. The special times that the two had shared with just each another and away from everything else. Like when he bought her flowers randomly to surprise her and tell her the meaning of them that he learned from the florist. Or how he would call her beautiful every once in a while. The little moments when he would just hold her hands or do things to put a smile on her face. Xiaowan missed the times when Xukun would call her in the early hours of morning or late in the middle of the night just to hear her voice and talk about anything and everything. Thinking back on all of that, Xiaowan wondered if she was still someone that Xukun needed in his life.

"When did you stop?" Xiaowan suddenly asked Xukun while staring at the food before her.

"Stop what?" Xukun asked not aware of the situation happening between them.

Xiaowan sadly gazed at him and elaborated her question. "When did you stop doing all the little things in our relationship?"

Upon seeing the expression on Xiaowan's face, Xukun unconsciously swallowed down the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat. "To be honest, Xiaowan, I don't remember." Xukun admitted with a half-shrug. "I only did those things in the beginning because of the bet."

"Bet?" She cast him a confused look before furrowing her eyebrows in thought. "What bet, Xukun?"

Xukun froze upon revealing the truth about why he pursued Xiaowan in the first place. He avoided looking at her and didn't continued the topic.

"This is what your IPT brothers discreetly meant isn't it?" Xiaowan scoffed upon everything making sense to her now after two years of being in a relationship with Xukun. "All the times we hung out at those IPT parties and your frat brothers wanting to get me drunk just so I could spill out anything between us. All the times they cast me weird looks when they ask about how far we've gone, what are status was, and if there's been anything weird or unusual between us. All of the quiet giggles and laughter because they knew that our relationship was built on a foundation of lies, Xukun. Lies worth two years on your part."

"C'mon, that was just the beginning of our relationship, Xiaowan. It's different now." Xukun reasoned although he knew that it didn't sound convincing at all.

"The only difference is now I know the real reason you dated me, Xukun. A bet. Two fucking years of this relationship between me and you filled with your dishonesty from the get-go. Why bother when you stopped being interested since you don't recall why you stopped doing the little things?"

"I don't know." He lamely answered and avoided eye-contact once again.

Xiaowan scoffed again. "Did you get a kick out of knowing that I liked you honestly, yet you couldn't even bother giving me just a bit of it yourself?" She shot him a disgusted look. "Was I just some play thing for you to mess around with? A complete joke for your entertainment? Is that why you've been hanging out with Meiqi often? Forgetting all of our plans? For our anniversary? For your birthday? Even on my birthday? Is she the one you need instead, Xukun?"

"Stop, Xiaowan. Don't be ridiculous." Xukun tried to reason with a roll of his eyes. "It's not even like that, Xiaowan."

"I'm not being ridiculous, Xukun." Xiaowan spat in a huff before calming herself down and speaking again. "Well, she's beautiful." Xiaowan commented upon Meiqi with no ill intentions to her words, but there was a sadness to her tone of voice now. "I hope she makes you happy because clearly I never did. The proof is in the way you look at her that you don't even look at me like that. Even though we've been dating for two years. Two years that were still built on a foundation of lies. Goodbye, Xukun."

Xiaowan cast her ex-boyfriend one final look void of any emotions before turning around just as Xukun watched Xiaowan leave with a heaviness in his heart that he couldn't quite explain. Once Xiaowan exited the music room did he finally glanced at the food that Xiaowan had left behind. It was his favorite food and a slice of her favorite cake. He closed his eyes while letting out a regretful groan. Xukun remembered today was Xiaowan's birthday.

When Xiaowan returned to her dorm she shared with three other girls who were also like her closes friends and sisters, Re Yina, Yuan Xinyi, and Yan Yue asked her how her birthday celebration dinner went, but saw the blank expression on their friend's face.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Xinyi asked as she pulled Xiaowan to sit on the couch beside her with Yan Yue taking the other place beside Xiaowan. "Yeah, did Xukun not get you the most delicious cake or what?"

"It's not about food, Yue, especially sweets." Yina slightly scolded before kneeling in front of her friend and taking her face into her hand and analyzing Xiaowan's expression better. "You guys broke up, didn't you?"

The other two gasped while Xiaowan just nodded operating on auto-pilot.

"I'm not someone he needs. He never loved me. Our relationship was nothing, but lies." Xiaowan said in a monotone voice. "The little things meant nothing."

And before the other three could respond and offer words of comfort Xiaowan burst into quiet sobs as she placed her face into her palms and let the tears come on through as her friends offered her hugs of comfort silently.

When Xukun returned back to the Iota Phi Theta house and walked up the stairs to his room while unconsciously ignoring his fellow brothers until Ziyi stopped him.

"Yo, bro. Did Xiaowan find you?"

"What?" Xukun snapped out of is daze and stared at Ziyi. "What about Xiaowan?"

"Did she find you? She seemed worried when she stopped by here."

"Yeah, she did."

Ziyi cast his friend a worried look. "Are you okay? You seem occupied."

"We broke up."

"What?"

Xukun let out a breath as he ran a free hand through his hair as his other hand held the items that Xiaowan had forgotten or not. "Xiaowan broke up with me."

"I thought everything was going well between the two of you despite how everything first started out."

"Yeah, well, it's my fault." Xukun admitted his fault while letting out another sigh. "I honestly don't know how I let it get this far, Ziyi."

"Because your guys' relationship was built on a foundation of lies, Xukun." Ziyi stated and Xukun let out a disbelief laugh upon hearing those words again, but from another source. "She said the same thing."

"Honestly, bro, I did warn you about going through with this bet. Xiaowan is a good person and genuinely liked you."

"I know, bro. I fucked up."

"Bet or no bet, would you have still dated Xiaowan? Xukun, do you even like her after having dated for two years?"

Xukun took a moment to actually think about his feelings for Xiaowan as he weighed every memory and moment he had shared with her. He did admit that he didn't really like Xiaowan like that at first. Sure he thought she was pretty cute despite not being exactly his type, but as the days passed it changed bit by bit. Xukun actually got to know Xiaowan better and she was more than what he had initially thought of her as. Although she was the awkward, shy, and quiet person he had first met and then hearing that she also sweet, friendly, and nice by what everyone would say about her. Still beyond that she was just so much more.

To Xukun he learned that Xiaowan was clumsy, weird, attentive, considerate, and thoughtful. Always wiping away any dust or other residue from his clothes and things since he had sort of an allergy thing with that. Or a serious one as Xiaowan would state. Anyways, she fixed his hair when it was out of place, or mess it up when it was too perfectly in place. Pack him lunches when she had free time and make his favorite meals, too. She knew the right words to say to him whenever he felt some type of mood while working on his music related assignments or life in general. Massage his shoulders when he was stressed. Rubbed his back when he was upset. Called him cute every now and then even though it caused him to become shy and fluster.

Some times they held deep and meaningless conversations and it was never a bore talking to her. They could start several topics and go off tangents, but they would still be able to finish them all and if not then the next day. Her good morning and good night texts always put a smile upon his face. The way her hand fit into his whenever they held hands. The way her smiles always made him smile knowing she was happy and that would make him happy. Everything about her cheered him up instantly and would brighten his day if he had a bad one. Xiaowan gave his life little things to appreciate upon.

Xukun now realized that it was all the little things that made their relationship thrive and bloom into something beyond what it initially started as. The little things he tried so hard to learn to get Xiaowan to fall for him in the first place. The little things that he thought didn't matter or mean anything. All the times they used to share with just each other were all the small things that Xiaowan needed the most. That made her happy and appreciate all the small things because they were shared and done with him.

The little things she had asked on why he stopped. He stopped because he thought he didn't deserve her love. Didn't deserve Xiaowan herself. So that's why he distance himself as much as possible. He began hanging out with Meiqi in hopes that what he later started feeling for Xiaowan would dissipate on its own accord. Meiqi was in the same major as him and the two were similar and had common interests. Still though, Meiqi was no Xiaowan and maybe why he was able to just let things be the way they were with Meiqi and pushed himself even further away from Xiaowan. Xukun hoped that Xiaowan would slowly start hating him and break it off. When she finally did, it didn't make him anymore happy with the end results. It left a real bittersweet taste in his mouth.

It was because he blamed that stupid bet. Blamed his own stupid ass for going through with it. A bet to show the other IPT members that he could hold down a relationship for more than a year and could be committed to one person unless the other person broke it off and he would have won. A bet he realized was just honestly stupid on his part. Xukun wondered how could he messed with another person's feelings and only care for his own satisfaction without consequences. He shook his head at thinking how he had manipulated Xiaowan's feelings for him just to prove that he could be committed to one person. What's the whole point of it all, if a loving relationship between two people was built on a foundation of lies. So coming to a conclusion, Xukun realized that he needed Xiaowan in his life.

"Xukun?" Ziyi snapped his fingers in front of Xukun's face to get his attention and Xukun snapped out of his thoughts. "Hmm?"

"I thought I lost you there, bro. You good?"

"Yeah, yeah. I just realized what I need to do."

"Good, because I was gonna comfort Xiaowan myself if you weren't gonna do it."

"Haha, not funny, bro, but thanks, Ziyi." Xukun grinned at his friend as they fist bump. "Any time, Kun. Now go."

"Oh, right." Xukun turned around and practically ran back down the stairs and out of the fraternity house to take care of what he needed to do.

Xiaowan was currently distracting herself by putting the things that Xukun had given her over the course of their relationship into grocery bags. Her friends had retired to their rooms and left Xiaowan alone to do her own thing and heal in her own way for the time being. Xiaowan's eyes caught sight of the heart-shaped necklace on her night stand that Xukun had given to her on Valentine's Day earlier this year. It was the first piece of jewellery she fell in love with as it wasn't one of those fancy diamond and pearl pieces that Xukun usually gifted her with. The heart necklace was a simple piece she had spotted at a flea market one day when the two were on a day date and had made a comment about it. When Valentine's Day approached Xukun had surprised her with the gift and she cherished it since.

A few knocks sounded breaking Xiaowan's from her thoughts. She left her room to tend to the guest at the main door as she didn't want whoever it could be to disturbed her friends' sleep. She looked through the peephole, but only saw several dark sea green balloons with black writing on it and a person obscurely hiding behind it. Xiaowan wasn't going to open the door in case it was some random lunatic luring people to kill them until she recognized the voice on the other side and her breath hitched for a moment before returning back to normal.

"It's Xukun." Xukun introduced himself after realizing that hiding behind a bunch of balloons didn't look inviting if viewed from the opposite side once he got done knocking on the door. "May I speak with, Xiaowan, please?"

Xiaowan psyched herself up before letting out a slow breath and eventually opened the door for Xukun. Before she could say anything, Xukun automatically began handing her the nine balloons one by one as she read each word on it.

"I'm. Sorry. And. I'm. An. Idiot. Please. Forgive. Me."

Once she was handed the last one and had read it, Xiaowan looked over at an apologetic Xukun. She felt touched, but she wasn't going to give in that easily.

"Just because you apologize with balloons of my favorite color doesn't mean that yo-"

She was interrupted when Xukun produced a bouquet of forget-me-nots from beside him and presented it to Xiaowan. Her favorite flowers that symbolizes faithful love and memories. Also their other usage was to decorate gifts with the hope that the recipient will not forget the giver.

Xiaowan tenderly took the bouquet in her free hand as the left was occupied with the strings of the balloons and shot Xukun a neutral expression. "Thank you for the lovely flowers, Xukun, but it's still not enou-"

She was once again interrupted when Xukun somehow held up two French bull dogs and she wondered where he had gotten them from as she wasn't even aware of close by the two Frenchies were within feet of them. One was black and another white.

"Aww, they're beautiful." Xiaowan cooed upon seeing the dogs' faces as she placed the bouquet into the crook of her left arm to pet the canines.

"I hope they make you happy," Xukun smiled upon seeing the lovely expression on Xiaowan's face, "Even though I would like to be the one that could do that for you again, Xiaowan."

Xiaowan glanced at Xukun wondering if he was being sincere, but there was still something within her holding her back from trusting him again.

"This is Ai," Xukun introduced the black one and then the white one, "And this is Kun." He grinned at her playfully. "So when you call their names, it's like you're saying 'love' and 'Kun' over and over like you're calling for me."

Xiaowan frowned upon hearing the explanation, but more importantly upon hearing 'Kun'. "I thought you didn't like that I called you 'Kun' though?"

"When was that?" Xukun asked with a pout.

"The first time I called you 'Kun' after we dated for three months."

"Oh." He recalled that time and became shy. "It was because it was unexpected and I didn't know how to respond."

"You could've responded by calling me, Wan or something, Xukun."

Xukun let out a sigh as he admitted more of his thoughts and feelings. "I panicked as I started liking you more and more after days passed by, but knowing that it was just a bet and you being so pure of love and affection it really scared me, especially all the little things that started popping up over time."

"Then what are you doing here now, Xukun?" Xiaowan asked him with a tired sigh. "Did you lose your bet and now you're re-doing it?"

"No, Xiaowan. It has nothing to do with the bet now. I realized that I need you in my life and that you're the one I've grown to like these past two years. I want to continue my life with you a part of it." Xukun confessed. "And the way I look at Meiqi isn't proof that I like her more than you, Xiaowan." He then grew shy with what he was about to say next. "You don't see the moments of how when I look at you, my mind freezes and I forget how to breathe or function. I go numb and stupid. I get tongue tied and protective when I talk about you when the guys start teasing me."

Xiaowan was speechless of what Xukun was telling her. She didn't know how to respond or react to his confession.

"When I look at you, Xiaowan, I see this blank canvas that I eventually want to fill up with you by my side." Xukun continued speaking. "Maybe a little house of our own with a puppy and me coming home to your delicious meals. It's endless possibilities, but I always see you by my side."

Xiaowan held up her right hand to stop Xukun from talking. "Okay, like that's cool and all, but you're speaking of a future that's still in the way future, Xukun." She shot him an incredulous look. "I'm still trying to pass my statistic class this semester to which I still don't think I need for my major, but whatever."

"I still mean what I say, Xiaowan." Xukun told her with a smile as Xiaowan shot him a small. "Okay, Xukun. We can start again, but you're on probation."

His jaws dropped. "For how long?"

"Um, let's see." She grinned mischievously with a glint in her eyes. "When the benefit," she suddenly pointed at Fuli, the white Frenchie, and then at Wubaiwan, the black Frenchie, "Becomes five million little things in our relationship."

"You know their real names?" Xukun asked surprised while glancing down at the French bull dogs. "How?"

"Zhengting rambles about them in statistic class and has shown me pictures of them whenever he gets the chance."

"Okay, so we can adopt our own and name them later."

"Oh okay, wait a moment there, Xukun." Xiaowan held up her hand again while giving him a look. "How about we just go on a date next Monday during the mid-autumn festival."

"A week?" Xukun pouted upon hearing Xiaowan's suggestion. "You want me to wait a week to take you out on a date, especially during the festival?"

Xiaowan chuckled as she nodded. "Yes, Xukun. If you can wait a week, then I'll lightened your probation sentence."

"But, Xiaowan, what about your birthday?"

"I still have next year to celebrate it again with you, Xukun."

"Okay, fine, Xiaowan, but..."

"But?"

"Can we at least returned back to our early mornings and late nights talks again?"

"Yeah we can."

#loading99percent #idol producer scenarios #nine percent scenarios #cai xukun #idol producer #nine percent

[preux-chevalier]

Been A Fool For Lesser Things

Well, it’s been a while since the last update, hasn’t it? Canon happenings kind of destroyed several basic foundations of this fic, but on the other hand these dumb idiots are ACTUALLY CANON NOW. So I made it work. Just pretend the fifth Koenig brother is a magical healing fairy so nothing happened to Coulson or Fitz. [Which is canon, right? Silly me.]

If you’d like to refresh yourself on what’s already happened, you can find the whole thing on AO3 here, or on tumblr in part one here and part two here. In this chapter: breakfast, Mack, and utter betrayal.

III. I Forgot How Nice Romance Is

Phil is not a morning person. In his years at S.H.I.E.L.D. he’s had to get used to some ridiculous sleep schedules (including one particularly hellish op in 2003 during which he didn’t get more than three consecutive hours of sleep for two weeks straight) but on his own he tends toward late nights and leisurely mornings. Unfortunately, he is still an active agent, even if he’s not the director anymore, and as such he’s showered, dressed, and staring blearily into the pantry at seven.

It’s honestly pretty bleak. No bread for toast, someone’s eaten the last of the good cereal - almost certainly Daisy - and as much as Jemma loves her oatmeal, he’s never been able to stomach the stuff. There’s plenty of coffee, though. A quick check of the fridge reveals some assorted fruits and vegetables and most of a carton of eggs, so at least he won’t be reduced to mainlining coffee until lunch.

The back of his neck prickles as he starts filling the coffee machine, though there hasn’t been any sound. In the field, this is where he’d start mentally reviewing sightlines, potential cover, and the available options for improvising a weapon. But it’s not an unknown assailant behind him this time. “Good morning,” he says, already knowing what he’ll see when he turns around.

Knowing, however, does not prepare him in the slightest for the sight of Melinda clearly fresh from a post-workout shower, because she’s one of those terrifying people who actually enjoys exercising first thing in the morning. Her ponytail is still faintly damp at the ends. It’s like a tease, the hint of where she’s been - he’s seen her totally soaked before (albeit clothed) more than once, and he knows exactly what it looks like when she pushes wet hair out of her eyes, and water is trailing down her throat, and her clothes don’t cover so much as cling to her-

What was he doing? Oh, breakfast. Right. Fuel for the day. Phil’s good at breakfast.

“Pancakes?” he asks, internally congratulating himself on how normal his voice sounds.

She makes a face. “Not after training. Omelettes instead?”

“Sounds good.”

They move around the kitchen with practiced ease. The whole song and dance is so familiar from safehouses and shared missions over the years that the only noise is the coffee machine dripping away and Melinda’s knife hitting the cutting board. It’s no accident that a plate appears at his side right when the first omelette is ready, and the clink of glasses and cutlery behind him as she sets the table for two has him smiling down at the skillet where she can’t see.

He takes a sip of his waiting coffee as he sits down across from Melinda. It’s perfect, of course. Phil used to wonder how she manages to add exactly the right amount of milk every single time when he’s literally never once seen her make coffee itself correctly, but then he realized he knows how to make her tea despite never drinking it, so maybe it’s just one of those things. If it means he can practically inhale glorious caffeine while he waits for his food to cool off in the morning, he’s not going to complain.

“This is nice,” Melinda says, already halfway through her plate.

Phil pauses with his fork halfway to his mouth. “I sure hope so,” he says slowly. “I’ve made you omelettes hundreds of times. You’d think I’d know how you like them by now.”

“No, I meant…. this. Us. Breakfast together.” Her foot nudges against his under the table. “It’s nice.”

Phil can’t think of a single thing to say. Well, he can, he’s practically the king of the snappy one-liner, but “It’s even better in bed” is way too sleazy, and it’s really not the right time for “I love you” even if it is the loudest thought in his head right now. How does she do this? Thirty years they’ve known each other and he’s still falling over himself at a simple comment from Melinda May like nothing has changed at all since the Academy.

“It is,” he says finally. “We should do it more often.”

“Does that mean you’re finally going to let me do something more complicated than making cereal?”

Phil shudders. “I’m pretty sure that qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment,” he points out, laughing when she flicks a piece of egg at him.

They make normal morning small talk - or at least the closest two people who have spent their lives working for S.H.I.E.L.D. can get to normal small talk - over the rest of breakfast. By the time both plates are clean and Phil’s finished his coffee, their feet have ended up tangled together under the table.

It feels, he realizes with a jolt, like a date.

“Coulson?”

They both look up to see Mack coming through the door.

“Fitz wants to see you today. Hand recalibration time.”

“But Yoyo and I just did that a month ago,” Phil protests. It’s not like he minds, exactly, since keeping the giant hunk of metal and electronics attached to his arm working properly is sort of a priority of his. Even so, it’s usually much longer between sessions.

Mack shrugs, grabbing a mug to pour his own coffee. “Don’t ask me,” he says. “I stick to engines and I’m happy that way. Maybe there’s some fancy new gadget he wants to install or something.”

Phil and Melinda exchange a look. Fitz has a habit of tinkering with prosthetic designs as a distraction when he’s frustrated with other projects. Phil really should be worried about spending his time in the lab instead of getting things done, but he can’t help the rush of childish glee. This kind of thing is how he got x-ray hands. It’s like being a real actual superhero.

Melinda’s expression says very clearly that he’s not hiding it well enough and she’s laughing at him on the inside.

“Don’t know what’s wrong with a hand just being a hand,” Mack grumbles, oblivious.

“It was just a hand before you chopped it off,” Phil points out, laughing at the look on his former partner’s face. “Besides, I don’t remember you complaining too much about my gadgets when we got ambushed that time in Denver-”

“Shut up and get your hand fixed, Coulson.”

Melinda bats her eyelashes at him. “Director’s orders, Phil,” she says, all fawning solicitousness. Mack salutes her with his coffee and heads back out to the hallway with his nose already buried in his tablet.

“I can’t believe you’re taking his side,” Phil says, grinning so hard his cheeks hurt.

“Maybe I just like giving you orders for a change,” she says. Their eyes meet in silent recognition of what happened the last time she had, and for an long moment there is nothing in the world but the two of them and the memory of a kiss. But then her phone buzzes, startling them both, and she sighs in annoyance. “I have to meet with Piper in ten minutes. You should go find Fitz.”

“Maybe by this afternoon I’ll be able to play the piano,” he jokes. “I’ll see you later?”

“I don’t think you’ll want to,” she says. Phil frowns; he always wants to see her. Does she really- “Yoyo’s having a Scream marathon.”

Phil does not flinch. He’s a seasoned S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with decades of experience under his belt; a reaction like that would be deeply unprofessional. Besides, he’s faced real life horrors and lived to tell the tale. A few jumpscares are nothing. Really. He just… prefers other forms of entertainment.

(He thanks his lucky stars every day that Daisy hasn’t caught on yet.)

“A girls’ night it is. Got it.”

She’s been teasing him about this for so long that it’s become completely nonverbal; though the only sound in the room is the clatter of dishes as they clean up after themselves, Phil knows from long experience exactly what she’d say, and it only takes a single glance at her smug expression to confirm that she’s thinking exactly the same thing. Sticking his tongue out would be childish, of course, so he does the mature thing instead and reaches out to tug at the end of her ponytail.

But... he’s promised himself that he won’t touch. Admittedly this hadn’t really been what he’d had in mind at the time, but the principle is the same. Just because he can’t remember the last time he enjoyed breakfast so much doesn’t mean Melinda feels the same way. He never would have dared to pull her ponytail before, so he can’t in good conscience do so now, right?

Man, he feels like a twelve-year-old.

Still, Phil doesn’t like going back on his word, so he turns the movement into pretending to brush something off his shirt and beats a quick exit. Crisis averted.

He doesn’t notice Melinda’s frown as she watches him leave in the reflection of the microwave.

#philinda #agents of shield #been a fool for lesser things #preux fic #listen domestic kitchen philinda is my ultimate weakness #I could write an entire novel based on my ideas about philinda and their relationship with food alone #god knows my list of ideas has a lot of food things #ah well if music be the food of love play on and all that #also that's right phil you dumbass #you're acting weird and it's DEFINITELY too much to hope that the person who knows and loves you most wouldn't fucking notice #wow guys it's almost like actually talking to each other about your feelings is a good idea #fun fact this fic originally came about because they have a very specific type of communication problem #like they know each other so well that they understand what the other's emotional reaction will be to anything #EXCEPT they've also been thinking in friend mode for so long that they kind of bluescreen when it comes to romance between them #which means the only blindspot in their relationship is.... their relationship #bc of course it is #ac dc ac #i would die for melinda may #rachael no #aos

[spaceorphan18]

Season 2 Wrap Up Thoughts (Part 3)

Okay - hopefully I can be more concise with the rest of it... 

Sam Evans - The Introduction of White Chocolate

The funny thing about Sam is the fact that I don’t think the show knew quite what they wanted to do with him.  At first -- he’s a foil for Finn, and obsessed with status - the only time (if I’m remembering correctly) that he really cares about that.  He dates Quinn - which is more about Quinn.  And it isn’t really until the second half of the season that we get a Sam, who feels more like Sam.  I will say - it’s nice to know that his kindheartedness, though, is there right from the start (in the way he treats Kurt - but in the way he’s inclusive of everyone), which makes him a fresher character.  And through his struggles with being poor, and his interest with Mercedes, while not huge plot points in this season, add some nice complexities to his character.  There seem to be very few ‘good’ characters on the show - but Sam is one of them. 

Puck and Lauren - <Insert Witty Tittle>

There wasn’t a whole lot of Puck in season 2 - which is completely fine.  I think his character served the purpose he needed to in season 1 and I’m not sure there was much more to do with him other than graduate him off, which is why we’ll get an overabundance of Puck in season 3.  The best part is hooking him up with Lauren.  I am a little sad, though, that the writers couldn’t push it all the way though.  While I appreciate Lauren having control over the relationship - it would have been nice to see an obese woman be in a sexual relationship with a conventionally attractive man.  They always toyed with it - but never let it be consummated, which I find sad. 

As for Lauren herself, I’m always back and forth on.  On the plus side, I’m glad we have a larger woman who knows her own strength, and is not afraid to be the person she is.  On the other hand, they couldn’t get out from under the overweight character tropes, such as lame jokes about food.  By the time the season was ending, Lauren was really coming into her own, so I do find it a shame that there wasn’t another season to really develop her -- and her final appearance in season 4 just didn’t do the character justice, even if she was at least given some sort of wrap up. 

Santana, Brittany, and Artie - Lots of Shades of Grey

Hm...where to start.  Let’s start with Santana.  I’m always so back and forth on Santana, because she’s a mean character for the sake of being mean, and I don’t like it.  Like Quinn, there’s this whole deconstructing mean girls thing Ryan Murphy seems to enjoy, and I don’t really give a fig about that stuff.  During the first half of the season - Santana is a bitch because, well, she can be.  

And then they go forward with Santana being a lesbian, and I can get behind this.  I hate to say it added depth to the character, because I feel like that’s diminishing being a lesbian to a novelty (which I’m not trying to do), but Santana became a better character when they add more layers to her.  Stuff with Brittany aside (I’ll get to that in a sec) I do think Santana’s struggling with acknowledging that she’s a lesbian is one of the better arcs in season 2.  And I like that it gives Santana some vulnerability that we otherwise don’t get to see.  

The stuff with Brittany, though, I’m uneasy about.  I don’t doubt that Brittany loves Santana (Brittany, uniquely, loves everyone), but I really do not like the lengths Santana goes to manipulate her and her relationship with Artie.  It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  And while I’m all about the inclusion of f/f romance - I wish they just let them deal with being in love with each other on their own without the added love triangle bonus. 

Brittany, meanwhile, I mostly like in the season.  However, my two issues here are a) Heather Morris is a weaker actor - and while she has some fantastic lines to say, I don’t always feel it from her, and b) like @ckerouac pointed out on the podcast - they have an issue of creating an infantilized Brittany -- reducing her to a childlike state, often times within her romance with Artie, which feels icky, especially when they sexualize her at the same time.  Brittany is an interesting character study - because I do enjoy how much she seems to be open about sexuality and love and seems to genuinely care about everyone! But let’s stop making her like a child, too, show.  

And then there’s Artie - I do feel a sliver bad for him - in that being in a wheel chair makes him feel inferior.  But I really feel like he’s using Brittany to make himself feel better about himself, which doesn’t feel fair at all to Brittany (and in this respect, I prefer Brittany and Santana - cause I think Santana thinks of Brittany as an equal and not as someone who will help her status).  On top of that - Brittany and Artie spend most of the season in happy-ish couple land, which means to the background you go.  Artie, especially, seemed to disappear unless it was semi-troubles with Brittany.  

As an aside - show, why can’t you let Brittany straight up identify as bisexual? Ug, c’mon... 

Mercedes - Always Second Place

If there’s someone who got the short end of the stick this season, it’s Mercedes.  Seriously.  She didn’t really have an arc, and the two(-ish) times she got something to do she was dumbed down or made out to be a bitch.  It’s like the writers had no idea what to do with Mercedes other than make her sing, so they mostly just ignored her the entire season, which is really sad.  The one bright spot is her burgeoning love story with Sam late in the series - which is unfortunately cut short and dropped until mid-season 3.  Sorry, girl - you deserve better! 

Mike and Tina - Happy Couples Don’t Get Screen Time

Mike and Tina spent a lot of time in the background making out.  Seriously - I think they made out more than any other couple on the show, tbh.  However, they had zero plot lines.  Maybe some c-plots here and there.  But they were the happy couple, and c’mon, we should know by now how this show feels about happy couples.  I get that in an ensemble cast this big, you can’t focus on everyone equally, and season 2 tried it’s best - but there seemed to be zero interest in developing either of these characters.  So they made out in the background.  Which, to me, isn’t interesting.  **Shrugs**

Kurt, Blaine, Klaine - and the best damn story of the season 

Alright, so I’ve had an entire meta series and podcast dedicated to gushing about how much I love this, so I’m going to keep this short.  I realize I’m biased, but, by far, the best part of season 2.  And I will go as far as saying, had this arc not been a part of season 2, I don’t think I’d have continued watching.  (In fact, when Kurt left during Furt - I thought they were writing him off the show, and I didn’t want to watch any further.)  

And let’s be honest -- a question to you other Klainers out there -- take out Kurt and Blaine from season 2.  Is it still the best? Do you still think of this as the perfect season of Glee?  I really am curious about this...  

But anyway - the thing that I truly love about this particular arc is how masterfully it’s woven throughout the season.  We start with Kurt -- still dealing with stuff from his season 1 arc, at his lowest of lows, and adding on the bullying stuff as well.  And gradually, throughout the season, he picks himself back up, finds love, finds confidence, and finds a way to say ‘fuck you world - i’m gonna be me’.  And it truly is a gorgeous arc to watch.  (Which, as an aside, I don’t understand just following the Klaine arc of the season, cause Kurt’s arc is so multifaceted)  

Klaine (and Blaine) is this extra bonus.  The Warblers are comedic gold, and entertaining in their own right.  Dalton is this delightful little side world.  But more so - Klaine gets to a gay fairy tale romance.  And it’s such a beautiful thing on it’s own.  And obviously, all the love...  

As for Blaine -- isn’t as developed as a full character yet, but of course, we’ll get to see him do that in the upcoming seasons.  For now - he works as what he is - Kurt’s romantic interest.  On a random, shallow note - I kind of like this Blaine look out of all the others.  Sorry. :P 

Anyway - yes, just a lot of positive gushing for Kurt and Blaine - but I’m sure you knew that already. 

Some Final Thoughts

I’ve often gone back and forth on where I place season 2 in my own personal rankings of the seasons.  Is it the best season? -- Personally, no, it’s not -- but I can understand why it means so much to so many people.  The first season, I still think, had the best writing - and was probably the funniest, but season 2 did something wise and focused in on what people wanted the most - the younger characters and their relationship dynamic.  And when you add that to the the fandom experience -- this kind of golden age where everyone was more or less getting along, it seemed like this perfect time.  So, I get that season 2 gets renowned the way it was.  

But, for me, when you take away the stuff with Kurt and Blaine, there isn’t a whole lot of things for me to like.  I do think there was some good stuff with Santana in the second half.  I do think there were some overall strong ensemble stories.  But most of it -- I find myself not really caring about.  And I think, overall, season 2′s lows are lower than season 1s.  There are some really bad episodes and plot lines in this episode that I think are forgotten because the highs are so highs.  Season 5 might be a bit messier in its story telling, but I think as a giant whole - I prefer that one better.  However - I will say that Kurt’s story arc in season 2 might be my favorite story arc in the entire show.  

And I suppose that is how SO sees it ;) 

#tdb rewatch #I could have rambled on more - but I kinda just wanted to be done with it

[eversall]

Idk if you've ever watched Friends, but Jimon + the gang finding out about their relationship in the style of Monica and Chandler

i have watched friends and asdfghjkl i love monica and chandler and this is one of the best episodes ever so this prompt is extra amazing. obviously, all credit goes to friends for the plot. also, i want to point out that this fic by jess ( @softjimon) has more friends!jimon and reading her thing is 100% the inspiration i had to finish this one so quickly. 

fool around like we’re sixteen and secret || jace/simon, 3k+, secret relationship + fluff || (ao3 link coming soon!)

In March, Simon goes away for a weekend to Vermont. Songwriting boot camp, he claims, he and his writers are sequestering themselves away for a few days to work on his upcoming album. Jace happens to be out of town that weekend too, because - as he tells Alec and Izzy - he was called to consult on a case involving an adoption scam.

“Since I have experience,” he explains, “they want me to be there for their initial analysis.”

Alec believes him. Why would Alec not believe his brother, his FBI case partner, his roommate, his best friend? 

He doesn’t even think about it until the next Monday, when Jace gets back on a red-eye flight, grinning about apparently seeing Raj and Duncan together in an elevator in the hotel he was staying at, and they’re running around trying to get ready for work.

“I’m out of shaving cream,” Alec calls from the restroom desperately, “I can’t show up to work looking like I haven’t slept in seventy-two hours!”

“In my carry-on, use my bottle, I haven’t unpacked yet!” Jace yells from his bedroom. So Alec rushes out to the living room, digging through the duffel bag on the sofa, and comes up with not one but two bottles of shaving cream. One’s sleek and black, and the other is…Batman themed.

“What is this?” Alec asks as he smirks, waving the bottle at Jace, who’s walking out of the bedroom. “Discovering your inner child, are you? Your puberty-driven, cartoon-character supported shaving?”

Jace freezes, and his eyes go comically large. “Uh…I found it?” He offers. Alec raises an eyebrow, and decides that he’s not judging. He just doesn’t have the energy right now.

“If you want to re-live those hormone fueled years, be my guest.” He laughs as he tosses the Batman bottle at Jace, and then goes into the restroom to shave.

It’s not a big deal. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

But then, later that night, he and Jace go across the hall to Clary and Simon’s place so they can is wait for the other two to get ready for dinner - which, God, both of them are so high-maintenance - the only person allowed to be that high maintenance is Magnus, and Alec isn’t biased, shut up Jace -

But as he and Jace lounge on their (much nicer, antique) sofa, and Clary is trying to get her earrings untangled from her hair, Simon makes several trips back and forth from his bedroom to the bathroom, frowning and muttering to himself.

“Si,” Clary finally asks, amused, “are you…alright?”

“I lost my Batman themed bottle of shaving cream.” Simon says, frazzled. “I guess I left it somewhere in Vermont while I was away -”

“Oh?” Alec asks, frowning. That’s weird, certainly, that this is the second time that he’s encountering this Batman-themed bottle, but that’s fine. Coincidences happen. “How was Vermont?” He asks politely.

“It was great,” Simon’s suddenly smiles, his eyes going dreamy, before his expression smooths out into a smirk. “I saw Raj and Duncan making out in an elevator -”

Alec’s eyes widen and he bolts upright, just as the door opens and Magnus and Izzy waltz in.

“You what - “ He hollers as Izzy yells “Clary!” and Magnus says, loudly, “I think the barista down there hates me”, and at the same time Jace jumps off the couch, his face pale as a sheet, and tackles Alec to the ground. In the ensuing chaos and noise, Jace bodily drags Alec into Simon’s bedroom, and Alec splutters as Simon follows behind and shuts the door.

“You!” He says dumbly, pointing at Simon. “And - you?” His finger swings wildly to point at Jace, who rolls his eyes.

“Yeah.” He says. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“So, to clarify.” Alec asks. “This isn’t some huge coincidence, you both went to Vermont for the weekend to…?”

“Romantic getaway.” Jace says, at the same time that Simon says “To have uninterrupted sex.”

“Uninterrupted - “ Alec starts spluttering again.

“Babe, don’t break him.” Jace says, amused. Simon grins as he grabs his hair gel off his dresser and starts styling his hair.

“Why did you both lie?” Alec crosses his arms and regards the two of them. “There were so many ways I could have found out, and discovering that the two of you fucked for three straight days isn’t the way I prefer.”

“We just wanted to keep this to ourselves for a little while longer.” Simon says, his fingers working through his curls as he glances at Jace through the mirror and smiles softly. “It’s nice to just be in our own world.”

Jace smiles back, and it’s embarrassingly besotted. Alec wants to bang his head against a wall somewhere, but also -

“I’m happy for you guys.” Alec says gruffly, and Jace and Simon both beam at him. “Stop smiling like an idiot, Jace. Batman themed shaving cream, honestly.”

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” Simon says, snapping his fingers. Jace snorts, and kisses him. And the way Jace leans into it, the way Simon’s shoulders relax, the way they both look at each other - Alec supposes it isn’t the worst secret in the world to keep.

.

Clary finding out is entirely by chance. She’s just passing through the living room when she hears the buzz of a vibrating phone from the sofa cushions, and she pauses and sets her bowl of popcorn down, tossing pillows aside to find Simon’s phone getting a flurry of incoming texts.

[jace]: u free babe?

[jace]: alec’s left to bother magnus or something, idk

[jace]: come over, we can do that thing you’ve been asking for since i can be as loud as i want now ;)

[jace]: tell clary ur gonna do laundry when really ur gonna do me

Clary shrieks and tosses the phone back onto the sofa, scrambling backwards and grabbing her popcorn. Mouth agape, she cradles her food to her chest and spends a horrified few seconds thinking oh God, is this karma for when Simon walked in on me making out with that girl in eleventh grade? Is this my punishment?

Then another thought hits her, and she straightens up and smiles, munching on a few kernels of popcorn thoughtfully. Laundry, hmm, is that the excuse Simon’s going to use?

She can’t say she’s not happy for them. It’s clearly been a long time coming, and they both would do anything for each other. It’s sweet. She’s a little hurt that Simon didn’t tell her, but she gets it. It’s their thing, and if they want to keep it a secret, it’s fine.

That doesn’t mean she’s not going to have a little fun with it, though.

Half an hour later, Simon finally appears in the apartment, after a long day at the recording studio. He groans, and heads straight for the couch as Clary watches, with no small amount of glee, from her position at the kitchen table.

“I can’t believe I left my phone.” He says morosely. “Clary, why am I like this?”

“Beats me.” She says cheerfully. “I like that you’re like this. It makes me seem like such a high-functioning adult.” She throws a few pieces of popcorn at him, and he distractedly grabs at one of them and pops it into his mouth as he scrolls through his phone. He flushes a deep red, slowly grinning, and he locks his phone and tucks it into his pocket.

“Got a lot to do this evening.” He starts saying loudly, heading into his room as he continues to talk. “Gotta clean my room, write some emails, do some laundry - “ He appears in the living room again, toting his laundry basket, which Clary suspects is full of clean clothes. “I’m just, ah, going to go do that laundry. Maybe I’ll answer the emails from my phone while I wait - “

“Oh, you’re doing laundry?” Clary asks, making a big show of looking surprised. “You wouldn’t mind doing a few pairs of jeans for me, right? I really need them before I head to the studio tomorrow.”

“Your…jeans.” Simon stops and looks baffled, and then, bizarrely, he looks around the room, like that’ll help him figure out what to do, and he sighs and smiles at her. Clary almost feels a little guilty when he says, sweetly, “Of course I can. Give me whatever you need!”

.

Izzy finds out in what she later claims is a worse way than Clary. She’s looking at an apartment in the building over, and all things considered, it’s going pretty well, until she goes to the window.

“Oh my God,” She says, laughing, “look, Clary, it’s Jace and Simon. We can see your apartment from here.” She turns, but Clary’s gone - presumably to the bathroom, she can hear the sink running. She turns back, and -

Simon has Jace pinned against the wall next to the window, holding his wrists loosely over his head with one hand and grabbing his ass with the other. They’re kissing like their life depends on it, with Jace shamelessly rolling his hips and chasing after Simon’s lips every time Simon pulls back.

Izzy is scarred for life.  

“What are they - oh my God! No! Why are they - don’t do - oh my God!” She yells, skidding backwards with her hands clapped over her mouth. Clary comes tearing out of the restroom, hollering “What, what?!”, and then she skids to a stop when she sees what Izzy’s looking at. To Izzy’s surprise, she just makes a face and mutters a curse under her breath before throwing the curtains closed.

“God, yeah.” She mutters, turning to roll her eyes. “They’re a thing.”

“This is - wow.” Izzy’s almost stunned by the revelation, but not quite. Jace and Simon have always had a certain tension, and it’s undeniable that the two are romantics at heart; they’re good for each other. What’s stunning is that they’ve managed to keep it a secret. “Wait, how did you find out?”

“I saw some of Jace’s texts to Simon.” She shudders. “Every time Simon says he’s doing laundry? He’s going over to Jace’s and they’re…” She trails off, waggling her eyebrows suggestively, and Izzy laughs.

“Sex.” She says, enunciating the word, and Clary shudders theatrically. “Really, laundry is their code word? That’s so…sickeningly domestic.”

“Oh, not anymore.” Clary grins, perching on the arm of the sofa. “Now I ask him to actually do my laundry.”

“Oh you are horrible.” Izzy rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling. “They don’t know you know?”

“No. I’ve been having fun with it.”

Izzy thinks about that, and then a slow smirk spreads across her face.

“Not enough fun, I think.”

.

Alec walks into the room, sees Clary and Izzy whispering, and immediately backs out.

“Nope, I’m going back to my apartment.” He decides, but they look up and immediately fix him in place with their stares.

“Alec,” Izzy says very seriously, “we need your help.”

“For what?” Alec asks warily. Izzy gets up and approaches him, crossing her arms.

“We know something,” She says slowly, “and if we tell you it needs to be a secret - “

“Oh, no.” Alec says immediately. “Absolutely not, I’m not doing this secrets thing again, have fun - “

“No, come on - “ Izzy drags him to sit at the kitchen table. “It’s for a good cause.”

“What’s the good cause?”

Clary comes over and braces her hands on the table. “Jace and Simon.” She says, and Alec squints at her suspiciously.

“What about them?” He asks slowly. Clary and Izzy share a look, in that weirdly synchronous silent language they have - when are they going to start dating? - and nod.

“There’s something you should, um, find out for yourself.” Clary says. “Why don’t you go to your apartment and knock on Jace’s door?”

Alec immediately freezes up. One of the most unhelpful things about knowing his brother secret is that he and Simon are now taking it as permission to go at it in their room while Alec is still in the apartment. They’re quiet, sure, but the walls are paper thin, and Alec just really wants less of a sex-dazed Simon walking around. He’s terrible at chess when he’s like that, and Simon’s pretty much the only person that’ll play chess with him.

“Simon’s doing laundry with Jace.” Alec says slowly. “That’s what they said.”

“Go check.” Izzy insists. “Humour me.”

Alec blanches at the thought of what he could walk into, and immediately responds with a horrified “No.” Izzy’s eyes widen at his reaction.

“Do you know what I think you know?” She hisses. Alec groans and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t know what you think I know.” He says.

“I know you know something, but I’m wondering if what I know and what you know are - “

“Jace and Simon are sleeping together!” Clary blurts out, and then she slaps a hand over her mouth and looks shocked at her own admission.

“They’re not sleeping together, they’re dating - oh hell.” Alec says, when he realizes what he’s walked into. Izzy slams her hand down on the table triumphantly.

“I knew you knew!” She crows delightedly. “Now, you can help us freak them out!”

“Or we could all stop.” Alec bemoans. “Stop with the secrets.” Nobody listens to him. Nobody ever does, because all the people he hangs out with are idiots. (Except Magnus. Though, truth be told, this is probably why Magnus lives a safe distance away from all of them.)

.

Jace is baffled, to say the least, when Simon bursts into his apartment and screeches, with wide eyes, “You sister just grabbed my ass! She flirted with me!”

“She what?” Jace asks from where he’s perches on a bar stool. “Are you sure?”

“Am I sure her hand touched my ass in a sexual manner - yeah I’m sure!” He says. “What’s happening?”

Jace never gets to respond, because Simon’s phone rings. “Oh my God, it’s her.” Simon wails, before he answers and puts it on speakerphone. “Hey, Iz!” He says as cheerfully as he can, while his face goes through a series of alarmed expressions. Jace frowns and hops off the stool to sling an arm around his boyfriend, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

“Hey, handsome.” Izzy’s voice sounds from over the speaker, and Jace blanches because her voice is low and definitely dipping into seductive territory. “I was just thinking about you.”

“And I, uh, was just thinking that I have to go! I have something I need to pick up, bye!” Simon says, ending the call and throwing his phone down on the counter. “Am I going crazy? Am I suddenly attractive?”

“You’ve always been attractive.” Jace mutters, pressing his lips to Simon’s temple. “Relax, breathe.”

“Izzy is trying to date me, there’s nothing relaxing about this.” Simon moans, but he eases into Jace’s hold, leaning back and letting Jace rake his fingers through Simon’s hair.

Alec snorts from where he’s sitting in his armchair, and both Simon and Jace startle, looking at him. Jace had kind of forgotten he was there, but Alec is being suspiciously silent, and his gaze keeps flicking to Simon’s phone. An absurd little thought begins to form in Jace’s mind.

“Alec,” He asks slowly, “does Izzy know about us?” Then he remembers all the fucking laundry he and Simon have been doing the past week. “Does Clary?”

“No.” Alec says immediately, looking down at his book. “Of course not. How would I know if they knew? I don’t know.”

“Alec.” Jace warns, narrowing his gaze. Alec flushes, but he dutifully keeps his eyes glued to his book. “Look at me, Alec.”

There’s silence for a few seconds as Jace crosses the room, striding closer to Alec, when Alec finally cracks and throws his hands up. “Yes, they know, can we be done with this whole secret thing now?”

“I knew it!” Jace crows. Simon leans against the kitchen counter and shakes his head.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad an attractive woman turned out not to really be flirting with me.” He remarks, and Jace points at him.

“Watch it, you’re still dating me.” He says. “More importantly, how are we going to retaliate?”

“Retaliate?” Simon asks, laughing. Jace crosses his arms impatiently, dead serious.

“Yeah. Oh, it’s on. Two can play at this game, and we’re going to fucking win.” He hisses. Alec springs out of his chair, looking at Jace in horror.

“Not more of this.” He says, aghast. “When will this nightmare end? And I expect you want me to keep this a secret too?”

Jace looks at him, and Alec flips him off as he stomps to his bedroom.

.

Which is what leads to the current ridiculous tableau that Jace finds himself in, peeking through a tiny crack in the bathroom - where he’s hiding out - and watching Izzy and Simon play a game of chicken as they try to seduce each other in the living room. He’s pretty sure Clary and Alec are on the other side of the front door and watching just like he is as Izzy and Simon play out the weirdest scene Jace has ever seen.

“You have such…impressive biceps.” Izzy purrs, dragging her finger down Simon’s chest - which is nowhere near his biceps! Jace grits his teeth and reminds himself that Simon is dating him, and that they’re just doing this so they can win.

“You’re quite impressive yourself.” Simon says, his voice low, and he moves in closer to place his hand on Izzy’s neck, hesitantly. Izzy visibly startles when he does, and looks momentarily flabbergasted before she soldiers on.

“You should kiss me.” She says, thrusting her chest forward. Simon gulps.

“Okay, yeah.” He says. “I wanna do that too.”

“So do it.”

“I will.” Simon woodenly places his other arm around Izzy’s waist, and Jace momentarily resists the urge to throw something at the two of them and separate them. Izzy and Clary can’t get the better of him and Simon.

“Okay.” Izzy licks her lips, her movements jerky as she leans forward. Simon does so too, inching forward, and the seconds tick by agonizingly as their lips get closer and closer, the space between them shrinking, and then they’re touching and kissing -

“AGH, NO, YOU WIN, I CAN’T KISS YOU!” Simon yells, jumping backwards and tripping wildly over his own feet. Izzy shrieks and points accusingly at him.

“I knew it! And why can’t you kiss me?” She gloats gleefully. Simon’s still breathing hard when he yells “Because I’m in love with Jace!”

Jace’s heart stops and he finds himself moving without thinking, shoving the door open and stumbling out to a stop in front of his boyfriend, whispering a shocked, soft, “What?” At the same time, Clary and Alec spill through the front door, gasping in unison and yelling “Oh my God”, as Izzy throws a hand out and accidentally knocks over a chair. In the ensuing chaos, Magnus appears as well, almost out of thin air, surveying the scene in front of him - Jace and Simon breathing raggedly, staring at each other intensely, Izzy trying to haphazardly pick up chairs as she watches everyone else at the same time, and Clary digging her nails into Alec’s arm as she bounces on the balls of her feet, with Alec alternating between scowling and trying to pry her fingers off, staring proudly at Jace, and smiling at Magnus.

Magnus arches an eyebrow. “Clearly, I’m missing something.” He murmurs, moving to Alec’s side.

Jace ignores all of them. He stares at Simon, who’s finally looking up at him through his absurdly pretty eyelashes, his eyes warm and a little fearful.

“Say it again.” he demands hoarsely. Simon stares at him, and takes a slow step forward, the corners of his lips turning up helplessly in a smile.

“I love you, Jace.” He says, and it seems to Jace like the world comes to an abrupt standstill the second Simon says the words, his vision narrowing down to the man of his dreams in front of him. This is happening, he thinks dizzily, this is real. He gets to have this, have someone who cherishes him and holds him close and makes him laugh, who genuinely loves him.

Jace breaks out into a smile, his veins thrumming with adrenaline as he says “I love you too”, and then they’re surging forward to kiss each other desperately, Simon crushing Jace to his chest as Jace loops his arms around Simon’s neck. It’s way, way too indecent for the audience they have, but this is the first time they’ve said those words to each other and Jace needs to feel Simon, as close as possible, needs to nip at his bottom lip and swallow down the rough groan that works its way out of Simon’s throat.

It feels like hours later when they pull apart to Clary’s loud coughing, and then Simon ducks his head, blushing bright red, and Jace rests their forehead together.

“This is so much more amazing than I thought it was going to be.” Clary says, and Jace finally turns to see her beaming at them. “I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Thank you.” Jace says, smirking. “I’m happy for me too.”

“Alec, dude, thanks.” Simon says fervently. “For keeping everyone’s secrets.”

“Don’t ever make me do this again.” Alec says flatly, and then his face softens. “Also, don’t break each other’s hearts. I’ll be out a brother and a friend, then.”

“Well, it’s good to see that you two are finally telling everyone.” Magnus says, smiling fondly at them. “You don’t have to sneak around anymore.”

“I’m gonna kind of miss going to do ‘laundry’, to be honest.” Simon says, pinching Jace’s side, and Jace laughs, shying away from the touch as the rest of them grin. There’s a beat of silence, and then Clary frowns.

“How did you find out, Magnus?” She asks. Magnus looks at them, puzzled.

“I figured it out the night after they first slept together, after London.” He says, while they all gape at him, Jace and Simon included. “Wasn’t it quite obvious?” When everyone continues to look at him with various degrees of astonishment, he frowns. “How did all of you find out, then?”

They groan, loudly.

“Don’t ask.” Alec advises. “It’s a long story.”

#jimon #shadowhunters #jace herondale #simon lewis #i write sometimes #monica and chandler were my og goals i love them #and i love jimon so #there you have it #sh fics

[lovemesomesurveys]

Ready to answer 151 Questions? 1. When was the last time you swam in a pool? Like 6/7 years ago. 2. Do you like to party? My idea of a party is a small get together with friends just chillin’ with food and music. Maybe play some boardgames. Just super laid back. Crazy party scenes with a shitload of people I don’t even know is not my thing at all. That all being said, I haven’t been to a party in like 3 years. 3. If your ex suddenly kissed you right now, what would you do? I can’t even imagine a scenario where that would happen now. We haven’t talked or seen each other in almost 5 years. For that to happen, that would mean we were talking and hanging out again and yeah, don’t see that happening. Plus, SO much has changed for the both of us. Our ship sailed a longggg time ago. 4. Are you a virgin? Yes. 5. What are your parents views on your relationships? Ty and I never dated, but my parents really liked him. My mom definitely thought something was going on and she was rooting for us, ha. 

6. If you ran into your current boyfriend/crush in 10 years, would you marry them? I don’t have a boyfriend or a crush right now. But also, I wouldn’t just marry someone I bumped into 10 years later. Like, a LOT would have changed in that amount of time. Just because I dated or was interested in someone doesn’t mean things would be the same seeing each other that many years later. Would the feelings come back? Would we still vibe? What are we doing in our life at that time? Are we both single? 7. Is your best friend dating anyone?  My mom has been with my dad for over 30 years. 8. Describe the shirt you’re wearing? It’s a tie-shirt with pastel colors.  9. Do people who wear Hollister and Abrerbrombie every day bother you? I really don’t care. 10. Could you go out in public without wearing make-up? I’ve been doing that for the past few years. To think that there was a time I would have never done that... 11. What is one feature that you don’t like? On me? I mean, everything, but my smile/teeth for one. 12. Would people describe you as happy? No. 13. Are you single? Yep. 14. Does it bother you that pretty much every survey you take asks if you’re single? Yes or questions about relationships. 15. Do you have Tumblr? Duhhh.

16. What about Xanga? Aww, RIP Xanga.  17. Have you ever babysat before? Yeah, my younger brother and a couple of my cousins when they were kids.  18. Is there a teacher who you absolutely hate?  I had two awful math professors in community college. Like, they were horrible. 19. Ever shopped at Sephora? Yeah. 20. If your current boyfriend/crush suddenly moved away, what would you do?  21. Do you have any university plans? I graduated with my BA five years ago. I’m not going any further. 22. If your best friend revealed she was a homosexual, what would you do? I mean, it would definitely come as a huge shock if my mom came out now. Of course it wouldn’t change anything between us, but things would be different for awhile. Like, it would take time to get used to a new normal, one where she’s not with my dad who she’s been with for over 30 years and one where she’s with a woman.  23. What are your views on sex? Be safe. If you’re an adult and it’s consensual then I don’t see an issue. 24. Do sexual questions bother you?  No. I just don’t have much to say on the matter. 25. Would you rather have sex with your boyfriend or break up? Wth. 26. Have you ever dreamed about your wedding?  Nope. 27. Does it bother you when people TYpe 1yk dis’?  Omg. I’m so glad I don’t see that anymore. That seemed to die when Myspace did. 28. Do you delete pictures of you and your exes off of Facebook? There’s still photos of Joseph and I. *shrug* 29. Would you ever date a friends Ex? No. 30. What’s the last book you read?  The Girl and the Hunt by AJ Rivers. 31. Ready for 10 simple questions? Sure. 32. What is your last name?  Stephanie. 33. What grade are you in? I graduated college 5 years ago, I’m done. 34. What school do you go to? 35. Summer, Fall, Winter or Spring? Fall and winter. 36. Favorite Color? Pastels, rose gold, yellow, coral, mint green. 37. Are your parents together? Yes. 38. Any siblings?  I have two brothers. 39. Favorite subject?  Psychology.

40. Least favorite subject?  Math. 41. Favorite song? I could never just choose one. 42. Okay. Simple questions are over. Happy?  I don’t care. 43. How many friends do you have on Facebook?  150ish. 44. Ever been requested by some old guy from another country? They weren’t old, but yeah I’ve had several requests from men from other countries.  45. Have you ever googled yourself? Yeah. 46. Have a Formspring? I used to. I suppose it still exists out there since I never deleted it. I haven’t been on there in several years, though. 47. You’re offered free tickets to a Justin Bieber concert. What do you do? Probably decline the offer. I actually do like both his current and previous album, but I don’t know if I’d want to go to his concert. *shrug* I also don’t know anyone who would go with me and I wouldn’t go alone. 48. Would you rather spend the day at an amusement park or a water park? Amusement park. I don’t do water slides and whatnot.  49. Been to Disney world?  Nope, but I’d love to go. I’ve been to Disneyland several times, though. 50. If someone posts their status “9 Inches :(” do you know what they mean? Sounds like one of those things where people post a random status from a list of things that will likely get people’s attention and whoever comments on it is privately sent said list of thing and they then choose something to post as their status and so on. That was a popular game thing on Facebook years ago. 51. Ever had a boyfriend?  Yes.

52. Ever had a huge crush on someone who still doesn’t know? I’ve had crushes on guys who never knew, but the really serious ones (there were 5) all knew. 53. Have you done something in the last week that you regret?  Yes. 54. Ever drank alcohol?  Yeah. I drank in my early 20s until I was 24. 55. Know anyone who’s currently doing drugs? Yeah. 56. Ever watched The Hills?  Yeah, the OG one and the reboot that came out last year. 57. What about Jersey Shore? No, I never got into that one. 58. Ever called someone a slut?  I’ve said that jokingly to friends. 59. What do you think of short shorts? I don’t wear them. Or any length of shorts.  60. Does it bother you if people swear around you? No. I think it’s funny because my dad is still weird about cussing in front of me and so is our family friend. She always apologizes to me if she does it.  61. Have you ever gotten an A in a subject? I mostly got A’s and B’s throughout school with some C’s because of stupid math. 62. What about a B?  ^^^ 63. And a C? ^^^ 64. How about a D? No. 65. Ever skived? What’s that? 66. Would you consider yourself popular and outcast or somewhere in the middle? I’d say I was the outcast. I mean, I had some friends, but I really just didn’t stand out or fit in.  67. Are most of your friends older or younger than you? My friends were my age or a year younger. Ty was the only one who was older than me (just by a year). 68. Ever been stabbed in the back by a close friend? Yes. 69. Do you think it’s immature when people laugh at the number 69? I have my immature moments, too. That one doesn’t do it for me, though.  70. Ever watched porn? I’ve seen it, but it wasn’t for my viewing pleasure or anything. I just personally don’t get the appeal. 71. How many laws do you think you’ve broken in the past month?  I don’t think I’ve broken any. I don’t do anything or go anywhere, ha. 72. Do you wake up with an alarm clock? Yeah. I’d sleep later than 3PM if I didn’t and I don’t know, for some reason I don’t want to. Not like I have anything better to do, but *shrug* 73. Do you prefer Wednesdays or Thursdays? Makes no difference to me. 74. If your school had a Glee Club would you join?  No. I can’t sing. I’m surprised I did choir for a few years in elementary school. 75. Ever performed in a talent show? My 2nd grade class did. We did “This Little Light of Mine” with a few very simple hand movements that went along with it. 76. Have you ever cried in public? Yeah. For the most part it’s only been at funerals and doctor appointments, but there have been a few other times in public where I felt the tears coming and tried to fight them back, but they started coming out anyway. I’m definitely someone who doesn’t like to cry in front of other people, so when it happens then you know it’s bad. 77. Do you have a favorite between your Mom and your Dad? I love both of my parents, but my mom and I have a closer relationship. She’s my best friend. I truly don’t know what I’d do without her. 78. Would you audition for a reality talent competition? Nooo. I have zero talent. 79. How many celebrity crushes have you had?  A lot. 80. How many non-celebrity crushes have you had?  A lot. 81. Name 5 male celebrities who you think are attractive. Alexander Skarsgard, Henry Cavill, Chris Evans, Matt Bomer, and Chris Pratt.  82. Name 5 female celebrities who you think are attractive. Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Hailey Baldwin, and Natalie Portman.  83. Ever been compared to a celebrity?  Ha, no. 84. Have any embarrassing pictures on Facebook? If someone uploads a photo of me that I don’t approve of it gets deleted asap. 85. Do you think spending £20 on Lip Gloss is a waste of money?  That’s too much to me.  86. Are you opinionated?  I do have my opinions I feel strongly about, but I also consider myself to be openminded. I’m open to hearing different sides of things. I want to. And it’s certainly possible for my opinion to change.  87. Do you have a favorite store? BoxLunch, Hot Topic, Kohl’s, Target, and Bath & Body Works. 88. Would you ever wear Flare Jeans? No. 89. Do you own jeans that aren’t skinny? Nope. 90. Have you ever worn the same outfit twice in one week?  Yeah. *gasp* Call the fashion police! 91. What’s the longest period of time you’ve been away from school?  Well, I graduated college 5 years ago if that counts. But if you mean like while I was still going to school, then a few months. I had to miss school 3 times for a few months because I had to have surgery. One of the times was when I was supposed to start UC, but ended up having to start the following semester instead. 92. Do you google abbreviations you don’t understand? Yeah. 93. Does it bother you when people have cats as their profile picture? I don’t care? 94. Own a pair of converse?  Yes. 95. Is there a teacher at your school who has obvious favorites? 96. If yes, are you one of them?  97. Do you text in class?  I never did that. I was a goody-goody lol.  98. What brand of jeans do you wear the most? I haven’t worn jeans at all in like 3 years, ha, but anyway most of my jeans are the Arizona brand from JCP. They’re the perfect fit for me and they’re reasonably priced. 99. At what point do you think sizes are “Plus Sized?” According to Google, it starts at size 16. 100. Do you want to lose weight?  Nooo. I’m too underweight as it is. I need to gain weight. 101. Ever seen a therapist?  No, but I should. 102. Ever watched porn?  Yeah, I’ve seen some of it. I didn’t watch out of enjoyment, though. I don’t get the appeal, personally. 103. Ever purposely ignored a text?  Yes. 104. A facebook message?  Yes. 105. A poke? I always ignored those. That was a dumb feature Facebook had. 106. A friend request?  Yeah. I don’t accept a request from anyone I don’t know. 107. Would you say you read into things too much?  Yepppp.  108. Is your best friend more likely to be the one suggesting something stupid or refusing to do something stupid? Refusing. 109. Do you have a “fun friend?” (A friend who you have tons of fun with but you never really have deep conversations?)  No.  110. Ever been called a bully?  No. 111. Ever purposely hurt yourself?  Yes. 112. Ever gone to church? Yes. I used to go sometimes with both sets of grandparents when I was a kid. They were of different religions, so that began my complicated and non-existent relationship with religion. That changed a few years ago, though, and now I’m a Christian. For over a year I’ve only been listening to the audio version a local church uploaded to their website every Sunday until they started uploading video earlier this year. The past few months they’ve been doing live streams because of the quarantine/lockdown, but they’ll be continuing that going forward for those like me who aren’t able to physically attend. I plan to when I’m able, though. 113. Would you call either of your parents screw ups? Absolutely not! 114. If you turned out exactly like your mom would you be pleased? Yes. 115. What do you want to do with your life? I don’t know. That’s the problem. 

116. Let me guess… You have brown hair? Naturally, yes, but not currently. 117. Already know what you’re being for Halloween? I don’t dress up or do anything for Halloween anymore. The past few years I’ve just stayed home and watched scary movies. I do for the whole month of October, though. 118. Do you still go Trick or Treating? Uh, no. I’m going to be 31 years old this year. 119. Ever liked someone WAY older than you? Celebrities, but not anyone “in real life.” 120. Does it bother you when people have really loud conversations on the bus?  It didn’t really bother me back when I had to take the bus sometimes in college. 121. When you have sunglasses on, do you stare at people?  I don’t wear sunglasses. Also, staring is rude. I’ve had to deal with people staring at me, mostly kids, all my life. Not cool. 122. Ever had a credit card denied? No. 123. What’s the last movie you watched?  Parts of James and the Giant Peach yesterday. 124. Last TV Show?  The Golden Girls. 125. You see your Ex making out with one of your friends. What do you do? I don’t have any friends, but I imagine I wouldn’t like seeing that. 126. Ever been called a whore?  Jokingly. 127. Are you american?  Yes. 128. Ever made yourself throw up? No.  129. Have you ever kissed someone who wasn’t your boyfriend?  Yes. Joseph and I did that for the entire time of whatever it was we had going on.  130. Are you Cute or Gross?  I’m trash. 131. Does it bother you when people say “LOOK HOW MUCH YOU’VE GROWN!”? No one has said that to me in a very long time. I don’t recall being bothered by it, though. 132. Can you say intelligent things around the guy you like?  I don’t like anyone, currently.  133. Ever had the lead in a play?  Nope. Never tried out for a play either. 134. What about a solo in a concert?  Ha, no. I was in choir in elementary school for a few years, but there definitely weren’t any solo parts for me.  135. What kind of a student are you? I did well. 136. Worst subject?  It was always math. 137. Best subject? English. 138. Ever had a crush on a teacher? No. 139. Would it bother you if you found out that your mother was pregnant?  She had a hysterectomy several years ago. 140. How late do you sleep in?  Until like 230 or 3ish. 141. Do you edit your profile pictures before posting them?  I use a filter.  142. Be 100% honest. Do you have any friends who are uglier than you? I was the ugly friend. 143. Do you believe in love? Well, yeah. It exists. I just feel like I’ll never experience romantic love. I’ve been in love twice, but both times were unrequited. I can’t imagine finding love in return and someone who actually wants to be with me.  144. Would you consider yourself a good student?  Didn’t you ask this? 145. Does it bother you when Surveys ask “Did you like this survey?”  It just seems kinda pointless cause they likely won’t see it.  146. Salty, Sweet, Sour or Spicy?  Salty and sweet. I would have said spicy back in the day, but I can’t eat spicy food anymore. Haven’t been able to for the past few years. D: 147. Are you going into High School this year?  Nooooo. Thank goodness. I did my time and graduated over 10 years ago. 148. What about Junior High? Omg, no. I’m old. 149. What is one thing someone could say to you right now that would make you cry?  Let’s not try and make me cry. It’s almost 7AM, I should be asleep. 150. Where did you find this note? LiveJournal.  151. Last question. How many unread messages are in your phone?  I don’t leave any unread text messages. 

#personal #text #survey #surveys