#this is a friend of mine and she wanted to be drawn with pointy ears so i did that

[dontmindmyshadowhunting]

Welcome to Faerieland (Fan Fic) - Chapter 9 - The house in the hollow hill

This is Chapter 9 of “Welcome to Faerieland”, a sequel to my Kitty Fan Fic "To never being parted" although it can be read as a standalone story.

AO3 Link to the full story here.

****

“Livvy? Livvy, is that you? I should have guessed I would be the first one to join you.”

The girl - the one he had met in the weapons room, the one from the drawing - shivered in his arms. Ash tightened his embrace, shielding her as best as he could from the chill and the wind as they soared through the night sky. He flapped his wings harder and winced. It felt as though a thousand needles were piercing through them, but he couldn’t slow his pace. He needed to get her to safety and tend to her wounds. She didn’t have much time, the demon poison was spreading through the long gash in her leg. Already, she was hallucinating.

“Livvy.” She sighed and smiled. Her eyes were half-open, but they were blank as stones. “I have so much to tell you.”

Ash could now see a familiar landscape stretching ahead of them, up to the white sea cliffs and the hollow hill in which the golden cage he called home stood. It was risky to bring her there. Save for the usual cleaning and kitchen staff sworn to secrecy, there had never been anyone but him, J, and very occasionally his mother in this house since they had moved in three years ago. But he needed the potion to draw out the poison in her system.

“I am… I am not Livvy,” he whispered back.

She blinked but her blue-green eyes remained unfocused, their pupils fully dilated. Her gaze set upon his wings.

“Are you an angel?”

Ash swallowed the lump in his throat.

“If I were, it would be the fallen kind,” he replied grimly.

Her eyelids were heavy now. She was mumbling something but it no longer made sense. Just as he thought she would pass out again, she jolted back to consciousness. She was suddenly staring into his eyes, a look of recognition flashing across her face.

“Clary?” She said, startling him, before she blacked out, her body once again limp in his arms.

****

When Dru came to, she registered dimly that she was no longer flying but half lying, half sitting on a mattress - much softer than what she was used to at the Academy or even at the Institutes - and propped up against plush cushions. There was a funny taste in her mouth and she idly remembered having been forced to swallow a liquid. She no longer felt cold, and she realized that a silk blanket had been pulled over her.

Was that what the afterlife was about? An everlasting sleep in a comfortable bed? What a letdown.

When she blinked her eyes open, she was greeted by a beautiful sight. Her faerie prince was staring at her with his grass-green eyes, a lock of his tousled fair hair falling across his outrageously handsome face. He brushed it away with an impatient gesture, tucking it behind one of his pointy ears, and she noticed that his refined velvety clothes had been replaced by a plain long-sleeved black shirt.

“You,” she breathed. She narrowed her eyes. “I knew it! I knew you were too hot to be real!”

“Er- What?” His lips parted. He looked utterly dumbfounded.

Dru’s hands shot up and she started pinching his sharp cheekbones.

“What- what are you doing?” He tried to articulate, but she made it somewhat difficult, as she was squeezing his face and kneading his cheeks.

She could not help it. She giggled.

“Look at you. You are so… perfect. This is ridiculous.”

One of his blond eyebrows raised.

“So that’s the part where we kiss and there are fireworks and romantic music playing in the background?” Dru pursued.

She grabbed him by the collar, drawing him closer and his breath hitched. When their lips were so close they were almost touching… he turned his head away in a swift motion. She was left staring at his jawline - again, she marvelled at its sharpness - and noticed a wide X-shaped scar on his neck that had been hidden by his collar when she had first dreamt of him.

“What is it? I am not your type?” She said jokingly. Maybe her fantasies involved a bit of resistance to make things more fun.

He slowly turned to face her again. There was no trace of humour in his expression. His gaze was intense and serious.

“Not my type? On the contrary. You are exactly my type. You defined it, actually.” The sharpness and bitterness of his tone startled her. She swallowed.

“Then... why won’t you kiss me?”

“Because I don’t kiss girls who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or - in this instance - demon poison.”

He started standing, but she grabbed him by the arm and almost cried out at the sudden throb in her right leg. She blinked and noticed for the first time that she had a long gash across her limb. The bleeding had stopped but it still looked awful. Several Iratzes had been drawn on her skin, near the wound. She remembered the searing pain she had felt as the demon’s claw had ripped across her flesh… It all came back to her then. The battle. Ty. Kit. Jaime.

“We need to go back! My brother and friends are still out there on the battlefield!” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Raziel, how long have I been out?”

The faerie lifted his hands hesitantly to rest them awkwardly on her shoulders. He stroked lightly in a reassuring gesture, as his green eyes bore into her.

“The battle is over. King Kieran’s knights and the Wild Hunt swooped in, right after you were injured, and saved the day.”

She exhaled a sigh of relief as she fell back on the soft cushions. She felt dizzy.

“They are all alright.” A dark veil seemed to have covered her eyes. “I can’t-” I can’t see.

“Shhh. Stop talking. Spare your strength. Get some rest.”

It was suddenly all dark. An unbidden image came to her... black wings smeared with blood flapping furiously against the cold wind...

“You carried me… Your wings… you are hurt,” she said, before she fell back into unconsciousness.

****

Dru woke to a soft breeze tickling her skin. She immediately sat up, wincing at the pain in her right leg, and took in her surroundings.

She was in a vast high-ceilinged bedroom, illuminated by a soft light that spoke of dawn. The windows were equally huge, framed by velvet curtains.

Bookshelves were covering almost every inch of wall, and though they were entirely filled with books, there did not seem to be enough space for all of them.

More books were stacked in piles, others scattered haphazardly across the floor.

A latest generation laptop was resting on a large mahogany desk in the corner, as well as several tablets - what was the point of having so many? Dru wondered - video game consoles and controllers, a huge sound speaker in the shape of a silver skull and… more books.

The room harbored several collections of various items, weapons mainly, but also figures from comic books and fantasy novels. A real size shiny C-3PO seemed to serve as a valet stand, a black leather jacket comically wrapped around its shoulders.

The contrast was odd, as if an enthusiastic teenager had decided to set up his headquarters in the ballroom of a palace.

A pillow and a crumpled white blanket had been spread on the floor, next to the bed. They were tainted with smears of blood that could be traced on the thick carpet toward a half-open wooden door. Artificial light was pouring through the gap.

With strenuous efforts, Dru whirled her legs out of the bed. She blushed as she realized she was no longer wearing her dress - which had been torn and covered in ichor anyway - but in a plain black shirt. On her, it was long enough that it covered her thighs. She tried not to think too much about who must have dressed her and picked a long staff made of oak wood, probably a rokushakubō, that was resting against the wall. She used the weapon as a walking stick as she limped across the bedroom, looking out the windows as she passed them. All she could see in the dim light were large stretches of green grass. She was still in Faerie, she knew that much at least.

When she reached the half-open door, she peered around and... gasped.

It was a bathroom, much bigger than her own bedroom at the Academy, and to say it was luxurious would be an understatement. Everything was built in the most precious and refined material, even the taps looked like they were shaped from gold. The blond fey was seated at the edge of a huge circular bathtub with his back to her, only wearing boxer shorts. His pale skin was covered in Marks, some freshly inked, others faded, as well as battle scars. He was clutching large cotton pads and seemed to be struggling to clean the wounds on his black wings. Vials filled with different colours of liquid were scattered all over the marble floor as well as boxes of dried herbs. He whipped his head at the sound she made.

“I- I am sorry,” she said, feeling her cheeks flush at his nakedness.

“Sorry for what?” He replied, in his euphonious voice.

“I didn’t know you were…” She replied, waving her hand at him.

“Didn’t know I was what?” He looked puzzled.

“Naked!” She rolled her eyes.

He just stared at her for a few seconds before he let out a short back of laughter.

“I don’t mind,” he finally said and went back to tending his wounds.

Dru swallowed.

“Let me help you with that,” she said, as she slowly crossed the distance, and sat behind him. She picked a few bandages and started working on the cuts on his wings that were the least accessible to him.

They remained in companionable silence for a moment.

“You are a Shadowhunter,” she eventually said, breaking the stillness. “Why didn’t you tell me so when we met earlier?”

He shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

“That’s not it. Your skin was covered in clothes. You are hiding it.”

He tensed. “So were you. I assume you had your reasons. I have mine.”

Okay… He had obviously decided to close the subject. And she didn’t want to pry. She redirected the conversation.

“About earlier… What I said…” She swallowed and blushed at the memory of her throwing herself at him. Ugh. How pathetic she had been.

“Did you speak earlier? I didn’t hear a thing,” he replied, casting a knowing glance at her over his shoulder, his lips suppressing a smile.

She exhaled.

“Thanks,” she said. “You know what, I do think you are beautiful. But so are Michelangelo’s sculptures. And you won’t catch me snogging them.”

He was still sitting with his back to her and she couldn’t see the expression on his face but he seemed to be smiling as he replied. “Message received.”

“So… is this where you live?”

“It is.”

“Alone?”

“No. It’s just me and my uncle J, though.”

She fell silent for a moment and he heard her unspoken question.

“I hardly see my mother. And my sorry excuse for a dad is dead. Good riddance.”

She flinched at that. She had noticed there was a darkness about him and wondered if it was linked to all the scars on his body or his evident hatred for his late father. Or both.

“I guess I never thanked you. For saving my life earlier.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I am Drusilla, by the way. Drusilla Blackthorn. People call me Dru, though.”

He nodded, as if it confirmed something he already knew.

“I am Ash.”

“Ash…?”

“Just Ash.”

“Don’t you have a last name?”

He shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” She playfully quoted Shakespeare.

He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Your turn.” He suddenly stood and turned to face her, folding his wings. Dru realized that it brought her gaze right at the level of his… She swiftly turned her face away, blushing. When she glanced back at him, shyly, he was sitting seiza-style on the floor, in front of her. He gently lifted her right leg to rest it on his lap, a small smile playing across his face. She could not catch the look in his eyes, under his silvery eyelashes, as they were focused on inspecting her injury, but she was pretty sure he knew exactly what was going on in her head. He slowly brushed his long and deft fingers across her skin while his other hand cupped her calf, and she couldn't stop her leg from shaking. Holy crap. He had barely touched her and she was already a flushing mess, her breath now coming in short gasps. She was very much aware that her toes were nudging at the waistband of his boxer shorts and that if she brought her foot a few inches lower…

They both startled at the sound of a loud banging on the bedroom door.

“AAaaash,” uttered a man in a slurred speech through the wooden material. “You self-righteous b-bastard. Open the f-fucking door.”

The voice sounded familiar but Dru couldn’t pinpoint exactly where she had heard it before. It didn’t help that it belonged to a man who was obviously inebriated.

Ash cursed. He brought Dru’s leg down and put a finger over his lips.

“You. Are. Not. Here.” He mouthed to her, his green eyes suddenly deadly serious, all of the earlier playfulness gone from one moment to the next, and she almost cringed. He stood and swiftly exited the bathroom, closing the door behind him. She grabbed the staff and lifted herself up from the edge of the bathtub to get closer and hear the conversation.

“Asssh,” the voice repeated. “I know you are ho-home. You left a m-mess in the infirmary. Anything you wish to tell m-me? You got into a f-fight again?”

Dru heard the bedroom door open with a creaking noise.

“What about you, J? Went out for liquor again?” Ash’s voice replied sharply.

“Ash. I d-don’t tell you where to put your d-dick. You d-don’t get to tell me what goes into my m-mouth.”

“The fact that you just said that with a straight face is evidence that you had one too many, J.”

“F-Fuck you, Ash.”

“Hmm… I’ll take a rain check on that. Not that I don’t find you attractive, but you know I don’t screw drunk guys. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

When she heard the door close behind them, Dru came out of the bathroom, in search of her phone, on the off chance it had survived the battle. There it was, resting on the nightstand, plugged in for battery charge. That was… thoughtful.

She grabbed it, swiped the screen open and tried to call Ty, but there was no service. Crap.

She rummaged through Ash’s drawers to pick a pair of shorts that she pulled on clumsily, and gathered a few weapons. She headed for the door, opened it and… ran straight into a pale white torso. Ash clutched her arms to steady her, then brought his lips against her ear. “Going somewhere?”

Dru jutted her chin out. “I need to find my brother. He will be worried sick.”

He didn’t move his mouth from her ear as he softly whispered. “You only need to ask.”

She stepped back to stare into his green eyes. His expression was unreadable.

“Okay,” she replied hesitantly. “Can we… go now?”

“Whatever you wish. Can I show you something first?”

She smiled at him. “Hmmm sure. I have to tell you though, I have four brothers, including one who has absolutely no issues with nudity. Trust me, I already know what it looks like.”

He laughed softly, shaking his head, and went to confiscate C-3PO’s black leather jacket. He put it on her shoulders. The sleeves were so long she had to roll them three times so her hands could peek out of them.

As Ash shrugged on his black shirt and black jeans, Dru cast a quick glance at his body. He had broad shoulders and was definitely muscular, as all Shadowhunters were, but not in a bulky way. His long and pale limbs emphasized his tall, overall narrow figure. He was like a spear, shooting up and deadly.

He caught her watching him, and gave her a lopsided smile. In turn, he allowed himself to look her up and down, but it was quick, efficient and not in the lazy, lingering, creepy way guys usually eyed her.

“You look good in my clothes,” he said finally. He came to stand in front of her, and gently grazed her cheek with his knuckles.

“Your skin is so translucent that it feels like a splash of red ink leaked from a pen underneath when you blush.”

She was pretty sure the red on her cheeks must have spread even farther, the colour brighter, and she did something she had never done in front of a man before. She looked down.

“Grab my neck,” he said, and she complied.

In a swift motion, he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms like a damsel in distress.

He moved to the open window and… jumped out.

It was different now that she was fully conscious and aware of her surroundings. She let the wind blow through her hair, allowed herself to be overwhelmed by the surreal feeling of being suspended in the air without the fear of crashing to the ground.

She whooped in excitement, crying out “I am the queen of the wooooorld!” and he laughed.

They landed on a narrow patch of grass on top of a cliff. A nightmare for anyone who had vertigo, but Dru didn’t mind great heights.

They both sat at the edge, enjoying the landscape. It was absolutely breathtaking, an unobstructed view of Faeries lands, patches of dark forest, small lakes and plains of green grass extending farther than the eye could see.

Dru understood why Ash loved this spot. It looked like you could see everything while not being seen. It was a spot no one could access, unless well, they had wings…

“Look,” he said, pointing towards a chain of rocky mountains. The sun came out lazyly, spreading its first rays to scout the sky before making its glorious appearance and altering all the colours of the picturesque landscape from one moment to another.

Her breath hitched and she grabbed his hand reflexively.

He whipped his head around to look at her and she pulled it back immediately. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Don’t be,” he said gently. He cocked his head, a questioning look on his face. “Do you have a boyfriend, Drusilla Blackthorn?”

She smiled at his use of her full name. “I don’t.”

“A girlfriend, perhaps?”

“Nope. No boyfriend, no girlfriend.” She exhaled. “There is a guy, though…”

She looked up at him and he was staring back, his expression unreadable.

“I have had this crush on him since… Well, since forever. He seems to like me too, but he won’t act on it. I think he’s afraid of my brothers.”

He lifted his eyebrow. “He’s a bloody coward, then.”

She punched his arm. “Don’t say that! You don’t know him.”

He shrugged. “The question is… does he know you?”

She looked at him then, and was struck by the intensity of his gaze. There was a hidden message there, as if what he had really been asking was “Does he know you like I do?” But that could not be it, right? They had just met. It would be quite presumptuous of him.

“That’s not all. There is another reason, I think, and that’s why I haven’t made a move myself. I think… he is still figuring things out about himself...”

“Clearly,” Ash muttered.

“...And of course, there’s the issue of... my age.”

She waited for a change in his expression, a question, but he remained silent, his gaze steady.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how old I am?”

He shrugged. “Does it matter? Age doesn’t really mean anything in Faerie. I’d love to know your birthday, though. So I’ll know when to throw you the most decadent party you’ve ever been to.”

She let out a free, careless laugh. It was as if a weight had been lifted, that she didn’t even know had been there.

“What about you? Do you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?”

He crossed his arms against his chest. “I don’t date. I screw around, though. A lot.”

“Why don’t you date?”

He shrugged. “I guess I have major trust issues. Oddly, it’s the only way I know how to get close to people I will never see again anyway. And of course…” He smiled crookedly. “I like sex. Don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t know.” She cleared her throat, rubbing her thighs nervously. “So... I am ready to go when you are.”

“Sure, your carriage awaits. Where to?”

“If possible… the New York Institute?”

He tensed. “Is this where you live?”

“Oh no, I was just there to attend a birthday party. I study at the Academy, so that’s where you can usually find me these days. My real home is the Los Angeles Institute, where my family lives.”

Ash didn’t say anything. He was watching her with a thoughtful expression. She looked down, at the frightening drop into emptiness.

“Is this the moment in the movie when the guy turns out to be a psychopath and leaves the wounded girl on top of a cliff and she is left to choose between jumping and starving to death?”

“You have a lot of imagination,” he said, his expression still musing. He grasped her chin to lift it slightly toward his face. “I rather thought it would be the moment in the movie where they kiss and there are fireworks and romantic music playing in the background.”

“Heeey! I thought you hadn’t heard anything !” She swatted at him and he grabbed her wrist in a motion so swift it was almost a blur.

“Heard what?” He said, and she didn’t reply, she couldn’t reply because the next moment he was kissing her, his incredibly soft lips hesitant at first, leaving her plenty of occasions to withdraw. She didn’t.

The kiss grew deeper and it was as if the ground was a rug that had been swept from under her, she was in a free fall, tethered to reality only by his gentle fingers holding her chin while his other hand moved to cup the back of her neck. He smelled like the best Faerie had to offer, all at once, rocks warmed by the sun and fresh grass, luscious petals twirling in the wind, a storm turning a gentle stream into a torrent.

They both jerked away at the sound of an ear-splitting noise.

Before them, a giant eagle was flapping its wings steadily, observing them through narrowed eyes. Josephine, Dru vaguely remembered. And it was not alone. Behind it, an even larger creature, that made the first look one like a fly in comparison, was hovering.

“Drusilla Blackthorn?” The smaller bird screeched.

“In the flesh.”

“I am Josephine. And this is my father Rocky. These are the names Tiberius Blackthorn blessed us with. Our real names cannot be spoken by your mere human tongues. Your brother is looking for you and we are to bring you to him. You can ride on my father’s back.”

“Wait, are these… rocs?” Ash said in awe, his green eyes glittering. “These are thousands of years old legendary birds of prey thought to be extinct. The most dangerous predators among birds. And your brother actually named one Rocky? How cool is that guy?”

“Where is Ty now?” Dru asked.

“He is with my mother, looking for you,” the bird answered. “But we are to meet him at the polyamorous cottage.”

Ash turned to look at her, amusement mixed with curiosity plain on his face. “The polyamorous cottage?” He mouthed.

She elbowed him playfully.

“Okay, let’s go,” she said with more confidence than she felt.

“Wait-” Ash shot an arm in front of her. “I am not sure how I feel about you riding on an unearthly predator.”

“What do you suggest?”

He pondered for a moment before giving her an answer, his expression clearly torn. He finally sighed, seeming to have come to a decision.

“Well… You can ride me,” he said, gesturing at himself and giving her a wicked grin. “And that’s not a one-time offer.”

She rolled her eyes but could not help to feel relief.

“Are you sure you are up for it ?”

“Are you kidding me? A private invitation to the polyamorous cottage? And of course, I can’t wait to meet your brother Tiberius. It will be fun.”

She threw her hands up. “Wow. Don’t get your hopes up. My brother is very difficult to befriend. I love him, but “fun” is definitely not the word I would use to describe him.”

Ash turned to look wistfully at the two giant creatures waiting in front of them. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Well, he sounds pretty fun to me.”

****

Tagging @gabtapia and @bookeater34 ;)

#cassandraclare #the wicked powers #cassandra clare fan fiction #the dark artifices #jaime rosales #drusilla blackthorn #dru blackthorn #ash morgenstern #kit herondale #kit herongraystairs #kitty tda #kit and ty #ty blackthorn #tiberius blackthorn #ty and kit #tsc fanfiction #tda fanfiction #the shadowhunters chronicles icons #the shadowhunter chronicles #dru and ash #ash and dru #dru x ash #ash x dru

[alatismeni-theitsa]

anti LO anon opinions

(1) Hot take: Anyone can make a comic where the characters are different colors and have a lineless style. I feel like because of how popular it got, if you even try to do something with monocolor schemes, LO fans will think you're copying.It's a lot easier to make characters one color and a completely valid way of making art/comics. No one owns a lineless art or monocolors tho.I'd love to see comics that use colors like LO does but in a way that makes more sense.

(2) R.. Rachel knows Demeters a fertility goddess- right??? She knows that there's like a billion fertility goddesses in greek mythology right?!

(3) LO Ouranos' design is just confirming once again Smythe can only think of these gods in a Abrahamic fashion instead of their actual ancient context and society. That's why the Maidens are seen as regressive prudes, why there's such an emphasis on "purity", why men hold more power/status, why Minthe, who is the evil lustful woman compared to the good virginal Persephone, is designed literally like a devil/succubus, why sex outside of marriage/several partners is seen as bad, the list goes on.

(4) So why does Ouranos have 6 eyes in the recent chapter? Does it signify he will have 6 sons (plus 6 daughters, but unlikely the daughters are included) who will eventually overthrow him?

I noticed that both Gaia and Persephone both have hair that sometimes look like leaves, so I guess both Hades and Ouranos have a thing for women who will never "Leaf" them (I'm a language major, sorry for my weird puns)

PS, a friend of mine joked that "if Ouranos has 6 eyeballs, does this mean he also have 6 male reproductive organs? 😏" (And also Aphrodite was born from the Sea foam of Ouranos bits and pieces so...)

(5) Read the latest LO chapter, and they sure did my favorite goddess Demeter dirty by making her an overdramatic laughing stock and a quacky (whacky) mother to boot.

I think it's very disrespectful to turn a mythological wonderful loving mother who has a very healthy mother-daughter relationship with her children (Persephone) and a very dedicated and responsible Godess who is in charge of the four seasons be reduced to a laughingstock and a boss whose employees throw a party/sleaze around when she's not at work.

(6) Obviously Demeter and co. are being drawn this way in preparation for everyone to deal with Henson Co. adapting it. they only deal with childish designs like that (barring the gross puppets they like to do too. prepare LO to be full of fart and barf jokes) and it'll be much easier for them to design if the comic does the same (this is sarcasm btw. It's more likely RS has just gotten lazy and know they could spit on paper and the fandom will eat it up. why put effort into your work, right?)

(7) The only unique design LO ever does is random splotches of color, white lines for scars, pointy ears, and extra eyes, and that's at the absolute most. You could say Punderworld also suffers some same faces (especially the women) but you can also tell who is who by their outfits, props, and variations in features.

(8) This is a minor complaint but LO Hecate's design is so ugly 😭she looks like an edgy moodboard take on Edna Mode. She's supposed to be this badass witch yet looks just as boringly business as everyone else. Also wasn't she not involved with Hades until after Persephone is married? Wasn't she Persephone's companion first in myth? Why is she Hades' best friend instead and only interacted with Persephone for a study abroad semester?

(9) God, the pilot line in LO is so stupid. Are they telling us fertility goddesses are the only source of power to try and be like HAHA SEE PERSEPHONE DOESNT NEED HADES! HE NEEDS HER! Because 1) that means it’s setting up HADES to take over olympus/overthrow Zeus which is so!!! Ugh!!! Why are you messing with literal religion now?! Hades is a shit king in the underworld but she seems to want him as the head one too?! But also 2) shouldnt DEMETER be the most powerful and desired godess then? Seeing as she’s literally the fertility godess?? Why did Smythe literally skip over her to make Persephone more special?

Metis was included despite no fertility traits but the literal goddess who controls nature and the earth ISNT? How does that work?! Demeter literally made Persephone all by herself in comic but shes not in this special lineup? Not to mention it once again is making the women props for men and their games! Cant we just read a stupid romance without it being a shallow political game too?

Persephone is being used as a literal political chip and whoever “gets” her is now, essentially, holding the nuclear codes and can overthrow whoever they want.  we know it’ll be Hades, so he’s not only getting a super fertile wife to give him babies, he’s also getting a wife who never questions him, who does whatever he wants, and is now his tool to literally rule everything if he wants, which who knows, he might do so poor Hera is free of her loveless marriage because he’s just SO caring like that. Also, Apollo never wanted to overthrow Zeus?! Athena, Hera, and Poseidon did! 

Does she know this is a romance comic and the jumping between stupid romance and earth-ending drama does not mesh well? God I’m mad. This is so stupid. The damn Disney movie showed more respect than this. 

#anti LO #answered

[littlestarofthewest]

Title: Matthew’s Monster Mystery | Words: 2759 | Rating: Mature

Pairing: Gen | (past John x Abigail) | Tags: monster AU, modern AU, WIP

Credit: inspired by @veradia‘s art | with input from @fangirl-ramblings and @sad-sweet-cowboah

Summary: When John insists on going to a Halloween party, Abigail worries that people might catch on that she and her friends aren't just dressed up as monsters. If only she knew that the night would take a turn for the worse.

Arthur hears voices the second he opens the apartment door, meaning that his three roomies are home, and judging from the sound of it, they're arguing.

"Come on, Abby. It's a party, not a matter of life and death."

"John, you're literally dead," Abigail counters, making Arthur huff a laugh.

He checks the mail on the counter while the argument continues in the other room.

"So? Doesn't mean I have to act like it," John says. "Back me up here, Sadie."

"He has a point," Sadie says, and Arthur enters the room right as Abigail scuffs at her in disbelief.

"What's going on here?" Arthur asks, and when both John and Abigail attempt to answer, he points at Sadie. "I'd rather hear it from her."

John leans back against the couch like a sulking child while Abigail crosses her arms and glares at Arthur.

"John brought home this flyer for a Halloween party he wants to go to," Sadie says, nodding to a piece of paper on the table. "Guess what Abigail has to say about that."

"I can imagine," Arthur says, and Abigail huffs.

"And you know I'm right."

It's one of those times Arthur wonders why exactly he lives with these quarrelers, but as a werewolf, he can't exactly be picky. After all, he's lucky that they want to live with him. If only they left him out of these disputes.

To stall, Arthur picks up the flyer and reads through it, feeling everybody's eyes on himself.

"I understand your concerns, Abigail," Arthur begins, only to be interrupted by John, who jumps up from the sofa.

"Oh, come on. Not you, too!"

"But," Arthur continues, emphasizing the word as he looks at John, "I don't see the harm."

John slaps his hands together, throwing a triumphant "Ha!" at Abigail. She only rolls her eyes at him before turning to Arthur.

"You can't be serious," she says. "Us? At a party? I thought we agreed to fly under the radar. After all, we're not exactly the fitting in kind."

"In this case, we are," Arthur says, holding up the flyer. "Everybody's going to be in costume. I wouldn't have to worry about any teeth or fur showing, and John could go out without having to hide the fact that he's nothing but a rotting corpse for once."

"Appreciate the support, brother," John throws in with a sarcastic tone.

Arthur grins at him before Sadie snatches the flyer from his hand to read through it as well. "Look, Abigail, it's not even a Halloween party. It's tonight, not tomorrow. And it takes place in an abandoned factory. The area is huge, and nobody's going to look at us twice. And if they do, we'll just claw their eyes out and eat their hearts."

"Not. Funny," Abigail says, looking like she's about to claw Sadie's eyes out. She might have done so if it wasn't for the fact that Sadie could just pop them back in without harm.

"You could use a day off yourself," Arthur says, trying to set Abigail at ease. "You might not have the physical problems we have, but we know you're struggling with hiding all the time."

"Yeah," John throws in before Abigail can disagree once more. "Imagine a night out. Putting on a nice dress, dusting off the pointy hat. And if you throw some sparks, people will think it's a cool party trick."

"I don't know," Abigail says, the fight leaving her.

"Come on," John says. He walks over to Abigail and takes her hands. "Let me see those sparkling eyes."

Abigail tries her best to hide it, but a smile creeps onto her face. It's moments like these that make Arthur wonder why the two of them are not a couple anymore. They'd be great if they could just stop with the constant fighting.

"Show us, Abby," Sadie says, and when Abigail shakes her head, Arthur chimes in as well.

"You know you want to."

"Fine." Abigail takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. When she opens them, they're glowing with golden spots. "Let's go to the party."

--------

Arthur shoulders his way through the crowd to get back to their table. The gang turned him into their personal waiter since he has the best assets to get through the dancing people. 

"Coming through," he growls, and a steampunk Sherlock jumps to the side, dragging a person in a full-body fox costume with them to make room.

Climbing the stairs to the upper level, Arthur has the same effect on a few more people. Although they must think that it's a costume, they still seem mighty impressed. To celebrate the occasion, Arthur didn't bother to even put on a shirt, his fur and general body heat enough to keep him warm. The only thing he's holding back at the moment is the claws. It's kind of hard to carry drinks with them.

At the table, Arthur hands Sadie a beer before putting down two bottles of whiskey. Abigail's still nipping on her first cocktail, her eyes growing big at the sight.

"What are you doing? I thought we were at least trying to be inconspicuous."

"We are," John says before grabbing one of the bottles. "Nobody's even looking at us."

He takes a drag from his joint, and Abigail rolls her eyes. "Why would you risk getting in trouble with that? You can't get high anyway."

"I just like the taste," John says before opening the whiskey bottle and drinking from it as if it was water.

He's clearly baiting Abigail, but she doesn't lay into him for once, looking at Arthur instead. "Why do you always indulge him?"

"Maybe I just want to see how much his body can take before it falls apart."

Sadie laughs when John makes a face, and even Abigail fights a smile. Arthur pulls up his glass and pours himself a drink before pushing it over to Abigail.

"Think you can give it a little kick?"

Just like John, Arthur can't get drunk from alcohol alone, but being roommates with a witch has its perks. It didn't take them long to figure out that Abigail's magic can spice things up a little.

Abigail looks around as if to make sure that nobody's watching. Arthur's convinced that even if somebody does, they wouldn't care. Most people here are drunk, high, or otherwise engaged. Abigail shrugs before holding out her fist over Arthur's glass. She opens it up and then moves her finger in a circle. The liquid in the glass glows and moves with her finger, then a small puff of smoke goes up in the air.

"Thank you kindly," Arthur says, and Abigail smiles.

"I guess it's really pretty safe."

"Told you," John chimes in before pushing his bottle over to Abigail. "Now do mine."

Abigail frowns at him, venom in her voice when she speaks. "John Marston, when the hell will you finally learn some manners?"

"What? You did it for Arthur."

"He asked," Abigail spits, but before she can say more, Sadie jumps up.

"That's it, you two are killing my vibe. I need something to do. You coming, Arthur?"

The chances of John and Abigail getting into another fight is pretty high, so Arthur gets to his feet. "Right behind you."

They make their way downstairs, and Sadie keeps looking around as if she's searching for something in particular.

"You got a plan?" Arthur asks, and Sadie smiles.

"I think I do."

A few minutes later, they're standing beside a table that's filled with cups. Sadie found a few "easy boys" as she called them, and challenged them to a game of beer pong. While she's playing, Arthur stands to the side and enjoys the show.

Since Sadie doesn't even have a bloodstream the alcohol could get into, it's no trouble for her to have a drink or two. Not that it really comes to that. All of her balls hit their targets, and the "easy boys" don't stand a chance.

A few people come closer to the table, watching as Sadie's opponents do their best to beat her, one of them swaying dangerously from one side to the other. They didn't stand a chance from the start, but the drunker they get, the funnier it is to watch them try. After a while, even Arthur begins to feel his pumped up drink and cheers for Sadie. At least until a small figure appears next to him.

"Hey, big boy," the woman says, smiling at him.

She's wearing a tight black dress, her hair falling in waves over her shoulder. Arthur's eyes are drawn to her blood-red lips and then to her nails when she trails them along his arm.

"That is such a great costume. The fur looks so real."

"It is," Arthur says, regretting it a second later.

The red lady doesn't seem to care, though. She keeps touching him and looks up to him through her fake lashes. "I wish I would have dressed as Red Riding Hood. You could have been my big bad wolf."

A shiver runs down Arthur's spine, something he rarely gets to feel. "I- uhm," he starts while drawing a complete blank for what to say next.

"Told you, I'll win, honey," a familiar voice says, and Sadie grabs Arthur's arm before dragging him down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Let's head back."

She doesn't give the red lady a second glance and pulls Arthur along. When they're out of earshot, Arthur sighs. "Thank you."

"You looked like you were about to pass out."

"I'm not even sure what she wanted."

Sadie laughs. "Climb you like a tree would be my guess."

"But why?"

"One of these days, we'll get you a nice box of self-esteem, and then you'll see." Sadie leans in, putting her lips right by Arthur's ear. "Big bad wolf."

"Just keep walking," Arthur grunts and maneuvers Sadie up the stairs.

Surprisingly enough, they find John and Abigail sitting on the same side of the table. Judging by Abigail's rosy cheeks, they buried the hatchet and gave John's bottle a little kick after all.

"You seem chipper," Sadie says, and Abigail shrugs.

"When you can't fight them, join them. Right?" Abigail says, looking back and forth between Arthur and Sadie. "What have you been up to."

"Sadie dragged some guys," Arthur says, and John and Abigail both laugh.

"They had it coming," Sadie says, waving her hand dismissively. "Way more important - Arthur got hit on."

"By who?" Abigail asks.

"Sexy vampire lady," Sadie says with a grin.

John leans back in his chair with an expression on his face like Christmas came early. "Bet you loved that."

"Just shut up," Arthur grunts before emptying his glass and reaching for his bottle to fill it right up again.

Abigail pats his arm. "She probably wasn't the one. Doesn't mean we can't keep looking."

"How about her?" John asks, nodding to a small group next to them. "The fairy. What do you think, Arthur?"

The woman in question is about Sadie's height, with long silvery hair. She's wearing a dress that looks like the wind blew up some leaves, and she walked away with the ones that got stuck.

"That I'd snap her like a twig."

"No, don't say that," Abigail says, and Sadie leans over the table to get a better look. 

"You think she's the real deal? That doesn't look like a wig, and she sure has the physique for a fairy."

They all stare at the woman now, but it's hard to tell if someone is a monster or not. After all, they might be pretty good at hiding, just like the four of them are.

"Bet you 5 bucks she's real," John says, and Arthur takes another look at her.

It's been a while that he ran into someone like them. To him, the fairy looks as real as the vampire lady.

"Fine, you're on."

"I say fake, too," Abigail says. "From what I can tell, there's no magic on her."

"You might be right, but I still bet on her being real," Sadie says, leaning around Arthur for a better view. "I wouldn't mind a little magic from her."

"Let's find out then," John says, and before Abigail can hold him back, he already stumbles over to the poor woman.

They don't understand what John's saying, but while the woman smiles at first, her expression quickly changes, and she slaps John before storming off. 

Despite the harsh treatment, John comes over with a smile. "Guess I was wrong. She's no fairy."

He throws money on the table, and Arthur pockets it while Abigail studies John's face.

"You just got slapped, and you lost the bet. What are you smiling about?" she asks.

"Fake fairy was very excited when I asked about her number for the pretty blonde at my table," John says, winking at Sadie. "She only slapped me when I asked if I could watch."

"You're an idiot," Abigail says, but Sadie jumps to her feet.

"You're a genius," she says, clapping John's shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

John sits down and takes a swig from his bottle. "One down, one to go. So, vampire lady, huh?"

Arthur only shakes his head. The last time John tried to set him up didn't end well, and Arthur has no desire to try again. 

"Why one to go?" Abigail asks. "What about me?"

"Oh, I know who you're going home with," John says, and by the way he looks at her, she and Arthur can tell what he means.

"No way," Abigail laughs, but Arthur has seen those signs before.

"I'll get another drink," he says, getting up from his chair.

Abigail shakes her head at John, who's still giving her what he might think are bedroom eyes before turning to Arthur. "Your bottle is practically full."

"You two take that one," Arthur says. 

He doesn't want to stick around. Either John and Abigail are going to fight again or they'll get along way better than Arthur cares to see. Although he's not that interested in going on the prowl, he'll rather take his chances in the crowd. Maybe he can find somebody nice after all. Everything, as long as it's not a vampire.

-------

When they leave two hours later, Arthur's just tired, Sadie has fake fairy's phone number in her pocket, and John and Abigail whisper and laugh with each other about things only they find funny.

Therefore, Arthur's happy when his phone lights up with an incoming video call.

"Hey guys, look," he says, waving the other's over before answering the call. "Hey, Hosea."

Their friend and somewhat father figure waves back at them. "Hello, Arthur. How are you doing?"

"We're just walking home from a party."

"Party, huh? That's smart. Blending in with the Halloween crowd."

Both John and Abigail break into fits of laughter, and Sadie huffs. It's funny to hear Hosea call John smart of all people.

"What are you up to this late?" Arthur says, trying his best to focus on Hosea.

"I'm meeting a friend, we're-"

Hosea trails off, and Arthur can see him look around.

"You're alright, Hosea?"

"Yeah, I just thought I-" Hosea starts, but then he looks away from his phone again, his eyes growing big. "Hey, what are you-"

The picture shakes, Hosea disappearing out of the frame. "Let me go," he grunts, then the image goes dark.

"Hosea," Arthur shouts, but his phone switches the screen, showing him that the call has ended.

"What the hell was that?" Sadie says, and John and Abigail both stare at Arthur, all happiness drained from their faces.

"I think someone attacked him," Arthur says, his whole body tingling at the words.

He looks down at his phone and finally has the sense to call Hosea back. It rings again and again, but nobody answers.

"What now?" John asks. "We should do something, right?"

"Find him, of course," Abigail says.

"Was he in the park?" Sadie asks. "I think I saw that ugly fountain in the background."

The picture of what they just saw comes up in Arthur's mind. "You're right, we should go. Maybe whoever he was about to meet wasn't a friend after all."

They quickly make their way along the street towards the nearby park. Another shiver runs down Arthur's spine, giving him a bad feeling. He'd never admit it out loud, but he doesn't believe that they'll find Hosea so easily. 

Something is very, very wrong.

#rdr2 fanfiction #cara's halloween au #my writing

[thiswasinevitableid]

For a fic prompt! How about Duck and Indrid are childhood best friends who are college roommates. Indrid has been in love with Duck for years, but when Duck starts dating Minerva it throws Indrid into a deep depression. Ideally Duck and Indrid do get together in the end (though hopefully Duck and Minerva’s breakup isn’t nasty) and you can get as angsty as you’d like! Honestly the angstier the better is my motto! Also I’m all for Indrid still having future sight, if you’d like! Thank you SO MUCH!

Here you go!

Quick content note: it contains trans Duck, including a scene where Indrid takes his side when he comes out in PE and, it’s implied, that coming out is not well recieved.

Indrid Cold lays face down on his bed. His phone is shoved under the black cotton of his pillow case, and he’s drawn the windows shut against the warm August air. 

This is a misery of his own making, he knows this. He can’t decide if the fact that it’s a misery nearly two decades in the making is impressive or pathetic. 

To understand the origins of it, one has to rewind the tape of his life back quite a ways.

——————————————————-

Duck Newton is six years old and hunting for miners lettuce in his backyard, when he feels like he’s being watched. 

Looking up, he finds a face framed with shaggy dark hair, glasses perched on a pointy nose, peeking over the fence at him. As soon as the face sees him, it ducks back down. 

Weird. 

He goes back to foraging, only to find the face watching him again a minute later. This time, when it disappears, he clambers up the oak tree alongside the fence and scoots carefully out onto a limb that sticks out into the neighboring yard. The face, which belongs to a boy about his age, is staring up at him, as if he expected Duck to appear. He’s standing on the edge of the decorative fountain the old neighbors put in the yard. 

“Why’re you watchin me?”

“I wanted to know what you were doing.” 

“How come?”

“I’m bored. My dads are putting the house together and I don’t want to draw anymore.” He points to a stack of pictures, next to some crayons that are melting in the sun. 

Duck thinks; he hasn’t had anyone to play with since school got out. Leo, who lives down the block, is nine, so not as interested in having Duck trailing after him like a little brother as he used to be.

“…You wanna go see a huge crawdad?”

The other boy perks up, “I have no idea what that is.  But yes.”

“C’mon, meet me in the front yard. What’s your name?”

“Indrid.”

“That’s a weird name.”

“What’s yours?” Indrid crosses his arms, eyebrow raised

“Duck.”

Indrid stares at him, wide mouth curling up at one side. His stare is a bit unnerving, and Duck feels the need to explain himself.

“It’s a nickname.”

————————————————————

“I think that’s the same large one from last year.” Indrid peers over his sketchpad, staring down at a crawdad scuttling through the clear creek.

“Told you we shoulda put a colored tape on them or somethin so we could keep track.” Duck looks at the crustacean, and then back at the project he’s working on.

They’re nine years old, hazy and sleepy in the summer afternoon. This part of the creek is shaded, keeps them hidden from passersby and parents alike (they’ve learned to tell at least one parent where they’re going, after Greg, one of Indrid’s dad’s, panicked looking for them). 

“What are you making?” Indrid wiggles next to him in the grass, gnawing his pencil as Duck shows him. 

“S’a reed raft. I’m gonna see how far I can float it down the river.”

“I will draw a flag for it.” Indrid scribbles, and Duck grins at him. He continues, “I’m glad you’re back. I hate when you got to your uncle’s during the summer. I have no one to talk to.”

“You could talk to Dani.”

“She’s busy a lot.”

Duck looks a little guilty, “Did you get the postcards?”

“Uh huh.” Indrid nods, smiling at his friend to show there’s no harm done. He knows it’s not up to Duck where he goes. The postcards are pinned to his wall, along with his own drawings, some horror movie posters, and the postcards from the last two summers. 

“Oh, look at what I found while we were at the lake.” Duck reaches into his pocket, pulling out a smooth, wiggly-striped stone, “Uncle Jeff says it’s agate.” 

He holds it out and Indrid takes it, runs his fingers along the smooth, cool surface. It feels lovely. And it reminds him of what he likes most about being Duck’s friend; Duck can make anything, even a rock, seem interesting and special. 

Indrid is reminded of another reason he is lucky to have Duck the next morning. 

All the adults are down in the living room, talking worriedly. There’s been a car crash on the nearby highway, and one of the trucks was carrying something toxic. The school is closed, and everyone has been told to stay home because the air could be unsafe. 

Indrid is under all his blankets, his sketchbook thrown to the other side of the room.

“‘Drid?” The door creaks as Duck enters the bedroom. 

He wants to beg him to hide under the covers with him. He wants to tell him to go away. 

He sniffs, wipes his nose on his arm, and hears Duck turn towards the bed. The covers slowly lift, and Indrid blinks blearily, tearily up at him.

“Have you been cryin?” Duck looks worried. 

He nods. 

“Did you know someone who got hurt?”

“No. I, I saw it happen. In my head. Over and over last night. I thought I was imagining it. But then it happened. Th-that happens a lot, ever since my birthday. It’s like, like I see things and then sometimes they happen and sometimes they don’t. I draw them but, but I’m afraid if my dad’s find out they’ll, they’ll think I’m wrong, somethings wrong with me.” 

As he’s talking, Duck sits down next to him, rests his arm around his shoulders. 

“Nothin’s wrong with you ‘Drid. This is weird, but it don’t make you bad. You should tell you dads. They’re nice, they’ll help you.” He squeezes Indrid’s arm, smiling at him as he rests his head on his shoulder, “I’ll help you too.” He slips the agate from his pocket and into Indrid’s hands, moves their fingers over it in tandem until the motion soothes Indrid’s breathing down, then tucks it into Indrid’s pocket.

————————————————————————————–

“You okay ‘Drid?” Duck plops down on a cafeteria bench Kepler Middle School, Indrid poking glumly at his fruit salad. 

“We had oral presentations today. I did mine on my moth.” He taps the jar in front of him. A week or so ago it had contained a caterpillar that he and Duck had identified as belonging to a Banded Tiger Moth. Indrid had decided to raise it into adulthood, Duck helping him figure out which weeds to feed it before it went into its cocoon. When it emerges, he and Duck have the perfect spot picked to release it.

“What’s wrong with your moth?”

“Nice glasses, mothman!” A voice yells, two boys high-fiving when Indrid shrinks in on himself. 

“Hey, fuck you, mothman rules!” Duck thanks his lucky stars none of the cafeteria monitors heard him. He recognizes those two; they’re in Indrid’s CORE class with him, meaning the nickname has already spread. Indrid, with his tics and his tendency to finish people’s sentences, his glasses and scraggly appearance, has been pegged as a target for months. It makes Duck’s blood boil to see them turn something Indrid spent time looking after into an insult. 

That night, he grabs a sharpie and one of his grey t-shirts. 

The next day, he turns up with “Mothman Rules” scrawled on his chest. Indrid’s smile is worth the lecture he gets about messing up his clothes. 

———————————————————–

Indrid and Duck sit side by side in the principals office. Their gym clothes in Kepler Middle’s colors, grey and maroon, seem even grimmer right now.

They haven’t done anything wrong, not as far as Indrid is concerned. 

Duck stood in the boys line-up during P.E, that’s all. When he refused to move to the girls line, the teacher told the rest of the boys to line up all over again, elsewhere. They all moved, except Indrid, who insisted that Duck was in the right line and refused to play along with a bid to deny that.

They have been sent to the principal for “causing trouble.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Duck murmurs. 

“I did. You’re my friend, Duck. And Mr. H is an asshole.”

He thinks, but does not say, that it would take far more than a gym teacher and the threat of detention to leave Duck’s side when he’s in trouble.

———————————————————

It’s Indrid’s 16th birthday, and his dads are throwing a very subdued sweet sixteen. He dyed his hair silver, and they’ve ordered an entire table of desserts from a local bakery, and he, Duck, Juno, Dani, and Barclay have stuffed themselves while watching movies and teasing Dani for being ga-ga over her long-distance girlfriend, Aubrey, who she met playing an online tabletop games. 

Once the other three leave, Duck grabs Indrid’s jacket and hands it to him. 

“C’mon, lets go to the creek. Got somethin to show you.”

Indrid follows him, teasing him as they turn down the creekbed, “We’re not going to have a repeat of the beer incident are we?”

Duck laughs, “No. Learned better than to give that hummingbird palate of yours booze.”

They hit the familiar dirt of their favorite spot, and Duck gets on tiptoe and reaches into the trees above them. Strings of lights, red to match Indrid’s new glasses, and white, snap on. Below them is a blanket, and Indrid sits down with a perplexed smile. Then he checks the futures, and understands. 

“Is this entirely sanitary?”

“Enough.” Duck grins, pulling out a lighter and safety pin, “I did it on mine and I still got the ear.”

“Very well.” Indrid crosses his legs, checks the futures it be double sure this won’t end in infection, and braces himself, “left ear please.”

“Right. Okay, one, two-”

“OWowowowow.” 

“Done!”

“Ow.” Indrid winces as Duck cleans the newly-pierced ear, loosens his grip on the agate in his fist.

“Can’t believe you still carry that thing around.”

“I find it soothing. Ooh, how nice.” Indrid picks up the black moth-shaped earring Duck hands him. 

“Figured it’d be better to start with a smaller one. And now that you’re all done, you can officially burn your list.”

Indrid pulls a worn sheet of binder paper from his pocket. When he, and then Duck, turned fifteen, they wrote out lists of things they wanted to do before they hit sixteen. He crosses out get ear pierced, then mutters, “I’m still missing one.”

Duck looks at him quizzically. He turns the paper around and points to first kiss.

“Wait, I thought you and Carlos-”

“Nope. Never got that far before we broke up.”

Duck sits next to him, gets a mischievous grin on his face, “Think I know how to help.”

“How’s tha-”  

It’s barely a kiss, Duck bringing their lips together just long enough for Indrid to feel him sigh happily. Then he pulls back, still grinning. 

Indrid is certain that if he looked down at himself, his veins would be pulsing technicolor, his body lit up like the cheap neon in their tiny downtown. 

“Ta-dah, list complete.” Duck whispers. 

“Thank you.” Indrid whispers back. 

He doesn’t think much of it for the rest of the night, figures it’s just a meeting of Duck’s goofier side with his desire to help a friend. 

It’s only when he’s laying in bed, playing the kiss over and over again like a favorite song, that he realizes he might be in trouble. 

————————————————————-

Indrid knows the likely outcome, but that doesn’t stop him from leaping up excitedly when Duck bangs the front door open.

“‘Drid, I got in! did you, oh, hey Mr. Cold, did you?”

“Yes.” Indrid grins from the bottom of the staircase. 

“Oh hell yeah! Juno got in too! Maybe we can all be roommates.”

As much as Indrid would like that outcome, the arbitrary housing system of UWV Huntington has other ideas. Duck ends up partnered with an affable if often absent psych major, Juno gets a single in the same dorm, just two floors down, and Indrid is stuck with a frat-boy business major.

That doesn’t stop them from making the most of their first year of college. Indrid crashes on Duck’s floor some nights, and the two of them manage to swing having a film class together during spring semester. They each dip their toes into the wild sea that is college dating, with mixed results, trading advice and anecdotes in the dark of Duck’s room.

And none of that, not one single bit, does anything to dampen Indrid’s romantic feelings for his friend. 

It’s not that he doesn’t try, just as he’s been trying every day since his 16th birthday. He loves Duck as a friend, wants to be in his life forever. He can’t afford to love him any other way. It’s too risky. And so he tries, over and over and over, to quash those feelings. Sometimes they ebb, sometimes Indrid happily dates or hooks up with other people. 

But they always come back, like a faithful hound finding it’s way home. 

Because Duck will laugh in that ridiculous way of his, be vulnerable with Indrid in those private moments, make Indrid feel understood in a way no one else can. And he falls in love all over again. 

(And that’s before he even gets to the moments where Duck will strip his shirt off on hot days, or wander into the room in his boxer shorts, and Indrid feels the urge to plead with him for the privilege of feeling him up).

It’s because of all this that, when Duck asks if Indrid wants to move in together their sophomore year, he almost says no. 

But then he and Duck are sharing celebratory take-out in a half-unpacked apartment and he’s happier than he ever thought he could be. 

It’s not perfect by any means. Indrid can be messy, Duck can be terse, money can be tight. But Indrid is so at home with Duck, all that fades into the background. They have friends over, compare notes on dates, have junk food strewn study sessions on the couch, keep each other company during all nighters. 

Then, in May of their Sophomore year, things change. 

“‘Drid? Oh good, you’re still up. Um, I wanted to tell you somethin. Minerva and I are goin out.”

“Oh. That’s a bit unexpected.” Indrid sets his drawing aside.

“You tellin me you don’t use that magic-eight ball brain to spy on my love life?” Duck teases, plopping down onto the bed with him. 

“Never. So…why the switch from work-out buddies to this?”

“Dunno, just seemed like we’d been spendin a lot of time together. She actually tutored me back in high school, remember, so it’s kinda fun to be around someone who’s known me that long. Y'know, someone who watched me grow up.”

“I see.” Indrid kicks his jealousy until it goes limp and sinks back under the surface of his feelings, “well, that’s awesome then. I’m glad you’re excited Duck.”

And he is. It’s not a lie, goodness knows he’s well aware he has no claim to Duck’s affection or time. And Minerva does seem to make him happy, encourages Duck’s good habits like going to the gym (something Indrid has tried once and will never do again. Yoga and walking are fine by him).

But soon he cannot go anywhere with Duck, including his own apartment, without Minerva there. Duck spends all of his time with her, and Indrid learns it’s not just him; while Minerva is gladly included in their group get-togethers, Juno hasn’t seen Duck in weeks. And has barely heard from him. She is also a bit loud and Indrid, who has always had trouble with over-stimulation from noise, finds himself out of the apartment more and more often. 

Indrid can’t blame Duck for spending time with Minerva rather than him; she’s jockular, active, attractive (even if she does call Duck by his first name). Indrid is odd, reclusive, and well, weird looking. 

It all goes to hell at the end of August. 

“‘Drid! The study abroad program offered me a scholarship. I get to go to Brazil. This is so fuckin cool!”

“Wonderful!” Indrid claps his hands, “I know how badly you’ve wanted to go. You have to promise me to send me pictures of brightly colored bugs for art inspiration. Oh, and now we can tell Dani she has somewhere to stay while she and Aubrey look for a shared place.”

“Exactly. And guess what, it gets even better.”

“How-” he sees the answer coming, tries to keep his face neutral. 

“Minerva’s comin with me!”

“I wasn’t aware wildlife conservation and management was her area of interest.”

“It ain’t, but she’s comin as part of a grad study program. It’s gonna be so fuckin amazin.”

“I’m sure it will be.” The pull between his true feelings and his need to seem supportive renders his answer flat. 

“What’s up?” Duck sits down in the kitchen chair opposite him. 

“Nothing. Or, well, I suppose I’ve just now realized that I’ll be without a good friend for a semester. I’ll miss you.”

“Aw, I’ll miss you too, you big sap. Don’t worry, I’ll write you a bunch, send pictures too when I can.”

Indrid looks at the futures, then down at the table, “No, you won’t.”

“Huh? Why wouldn’t I?” Duck looks hurt.

“In all the timelines, you send me one postcard at maximum. In most of them, you send none. I slip your mind entirely, it seems.” His voice is tight.

“The fuck? How is that pos-”

“Any time not spent in the field, you are too engrossed by her to do anything else.”

Duck’s face hardens, “So that’s what this is really about.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He lies. 

“You’ve been bothered by her since the start! You don’t think I notice that forced smile you get when she’s around, or the fact you leave the house when she comes over?”

“I get overstimulated when there is too much noise, you know that.” Indrid snaps back.   

“You hardly come out with us anymore, and you make it sound like she’s controlin me or some shit.”

“I, I do not. I just don’t enjoy when she barges in randomly.” He rubs his temples with his hands, trying to keep calm. 

“Christ, you really makin me choose between my best friend and the first girlfriend who’s made me feel this way? Why the fuck can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Because it should be me and not her!” Indrid spits out, hands dropping to the table and gaze meeting Duck’s own. 

Duck blinks back at him, “Really? Really? You had a million goddamn chances to confess how you feel and you choose now?”

“I, I didn’t, I tried so hard to ignore it, but, fuck, I didn’t mean to say it now but since I did: I’ve been in love with you for years. And, and I just, after everything, we’ve been so close-”

“What, you think that what, because we’ve been friends since we were kids and you been pinin after me for however the fuck long, I should just date you? Like it’s destiny or some shit? What the fuck man?” He stands and Indrid mirrors him. 

“Do not put words in my mouth. I never wanted to interfere in your life, I never, you can’t possibly know how I feel!”

“Oh yeah? You think I’m really that fuckin oblivious? I suspected you felt some kind of way about me, and I gave you chances to show me I was right!”

“Name one.” Indrid growls, stepping closer.

“Homecomin, my eighteenth birthday, about a dozen times last year where I asked if you had your eye on anyone and you’d change the goddamn subject,” Duck counts out on his fingers, closing the remaining distance, “hell, coulda used those weird powers of yours to see what would happen if you told me.”

“I was too scared to. And if you were so observant, and apparently not opposed to the idea, why didn’t you make a move on me?”

“What do you think me kissin you on your birthday was?”

“A joke! Goodness, Duck, you know I’m not great with social cues. I didn’t think you’d ever care about me that way.”

“You think I’m that fuckin shallow?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” He growls. 

“So what was your end-game, huh? Just wait out everyone else, circle me like a fuckin vulture until I’d settle for you? Fuck, Minerva was right, you are creepy.”

Duck may as well have punched him. He sort of wishes he had. 

“Fuck. you. Wayne.” He hisses out, stepping around him and towards his room. 

“Nah, fuck you, Indrid. Fuck you for makin me think you actually cared about me when all you were doin was bidin your goddamn time!”

“That’s not, no, nevermind. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Duck tosses back, “That’s as good as a confession in my book, you creepy, mothman lookin motherfucker,” and Indrid slams the door. 

There’s ten minutes of hurried, angry movement in the rest of the apartment, and then the front door bangs shut. 

He cycles through anger (at himself, at Duck, at these obnoxious powers for not helping him prevent the fight), hurt, and numb acceptance that he has blown his oldest, closest friendship to smithereens. 

When he finally calms down enough to think clearly he realizes that, if nothing else, he doesn’t want that to be the last conversation they have before Duck leaves. 

He faceplants onto his bed, pulls out his phone, and types.

Indrid: I’m sorry for losing my temper, and for not telling you the truth sooner. Even though it would have been helpful if you’d been clearer in the past. Can we talk about this tomorrow, and try again?

The answer is immediate.

Duck: Staying with M until we leave. Don’t text me again unless the apartment is on fire.

He stares at the response, then slides the phone under his pillow, presses his face to the mattress, and lays there numbly until he falls asleep.

——————————————————

“Nope, you are not having a sad hook-up on my watch.” Barclay’s tone freezes Indrid in place, and he slumps back down into the booth at the bar. 

Barclay is only a year ahead of him, but at times he reminds Indrid of a mother hen. A very, very large mother hen. 

“I cannot believe I allowed you to drag me out on Homecoming weekend.”

“Indrid, you’ve been miserable for almost two months, and I’m honestly really worried about you. Plus, this place has super cheap, real good appetizers.”

“Thank you for not saying ‘apps.’’ Indrid sips his soda.

“That word is an abomination. And you’re avoiding the actual topic.”

“I destroyed my best friend’s trust in me, and am wallowing here while he cavorts in the rainforest with his girlfriend. I’ll survive, but there’s no rule that says I have to enjoy it.”

Barclay sighs, “Look, if I give you permission to be miserable while you do it, will you come to trivia night with me, Joe, and Jake? Dani’s usually out fourth, but she’s helping Aubrey get her magic show up and ready to open.”

Indrid blows a strand of hair from his face (the black patches are getting worse, he needs to dye it again), “I can mope as much as I want?”

“You can cry into your beer for all I care, as long as you let me buy it.”

Trivia night turns out to be much better than anticipated, though Joe, Barclay’s boyfriend, is terrifying to behold in a battle of information.

Movie goes better, game night even better still, and soon Indrid is hanging out with the others more days than not. He even helps Aubrey design and draw up some last minute posters for her show. 

It’s the morning after opening night (and the following celebration) that his phone alerts him to a new email. The subject simply says “Bug.”

It’s from Duck. 

All it contains is a photo, clearly taken at night on a phone, of a moth with bright pink wings and red eyespots. 

He types, Neat! Then, after a moment, adds What species?

He doesn’t expect a response. But the next day, another email awaits him.

Dr. Graslie (Entomologist here) thinks it’s Leucanella apollinairei. Here’s someone more familiar

This picture is of a small crustacean. Indrid smiles; it’s a crawdad. 

He replies Careful, maybe it followed you all the way from Kepler. Seen anything else interesting?

This time he waits two days for a response, but it opens with, sorry, internet is real spotty. Big shock, I know. 

This is followed by two paragraphs describing trees. Indrid has never been so happy to hear about root systems. 

Soon Duck is emailing him whenever he can. At first, it’s only about the wildlife, the field work he’s doing, and the terror of trying to practice hygiene in the middle of a rainforest. Slowly, other details appear; the things he’s homesick for, the ways in which he and Minerva are starting to grate at each other (you’d think being in the middle of nowhere’d get you some peace and quiet. Nope). 

Indrid responds with updates from school, pictures of the outings he and the others go on, news about the promo art several places in town have hired him to do after seeing the posters for Aubrey’s act. Says he hopes Minerva and Duck are able to work things out. 

Winter break comes sooner than seems possible, and he assumes the next time he sees Duck will be when they’re home visiting their folks. 

Which is why, when he’s sitting at home reading after his last final, the door opening alarms him (Dani has already moved out). That is, until he glimpses the future.

“Duck?” He calls softly.

His friend appears in the doorway, luggage left behind him in the entryway. 

“Hey, ‘Drid.”

“I, ah, assumed you’d be staying with Minerva until you could officially move out.”

Duck shakes his head, “I ain’t movin anywhere. Unless you want me to.”

“No.” Indrid fidgets with the agate, tucked safely in the pocket of his sweatpants. 

“We, uh, we broke up. Minerva and me. It was, uh, mutual, though she was the one to pull the trigger, so to speak. Just found there were some things we didn’t agree on. Weren’t compatible on neither.”

“I’m sorry.”

Duck snorts what’s almost a laugh.

“I mean it.” He stands, voices earnest and gentle, “I know you were happy with her, and the relationship meant a lot to you.”

“Yeah” Duck sounds tired, “It did. But it turns out another one meant more.”

Indrid stops moving. Also, possibly, breathing. 

“I…well, I sent you that first email instead of apologizin because I was still kinda hurt, but I realized I missed you. I didn’t want you gone from my life. And the longer I was gone, the more times I turned around wanting to tell you somethin and was sad you weren’t there, got excited at the thought of showin you somethin or sending you pictures, I realized I did plenty to fuck things up. And that’s before we get to the fact I was dreamin about you most nights.”

Duck steps awkwardly forward, until they’re toe to toe, “I missed you, ‘Drid. So fuckin much. And I’m sorry for the things I said durin the fight.”

“As am I. I ought to have thought how my confession would appear to you. I’m sorry I did not.”

“I guess, what I’m tryin to say is I feel like a real dipshit for havin to go halfway across the globe to realize what I really want.”

“And what do you want, Duck?”

Duck cups his cheeks, and then Indrid is tipping forward, into a kiss he’s dreamed of for years. His arms close around Duck’s shoulders, his lips taste chapstick and cold night air. He pulls away to breathe and gets only an instant to do so, Duck chasing his mouth for kiss after kiss, his eagerness sending them tripping onto the bed. 

Indrid lands on top of Duck, hears him whimper when his name leaves Indrid’s lips.

“‘Drid, ‘Drid, please-”

“Yes” He kisses his cheek, “whatever it is, the answer is yes.”

Duck giggles into his neck, “You got no idea how bad I wanna make a goof on that. But, fuck, ‘Drid, I can’t, all I want is you.”

“Likewise.” He purrs, hooking Ducks leg around his own, nuzzling up his neck before attacking his lips with kisses. 

“That, that a rock in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?” Duck tugs on his lower lip.

“Both. See?” He produces the agate, holds it where Duck can get a look at it.

“Holy shit, is that the one I gave you a million years ago?”

“Indeed. It became a sort of grounding object, because it was pleasant to touch and reminded me of you. Later it morphed into a sort of good luck charm.”

Duck closes Indrid’s fist around the rock and kisses it, grins, “There, now it’s twice as lucky.”

Indrid holds him close, basks in the love radiating from him as he murmurs, “It’s not the luckiest thing in the room, though. That honor, I believe, belongs to you and I.”

#Indruck #indrid cold/duck newton #reader request #college au #duck x indrid

[animeniacss]

A Palette of Emotions - Artist!Taehyng x Teacher!Reader - Chapter 12 - Friday Night Approaches

Synopsis: Taehyung dreams of being a professional and famous artist one day, but finds that the sea of creativity can be lurking with blood hungry sharks, as well as bland, motionless starfish. Swimming through the sea of opportunities somehow washed him up onto the shore of Bright Star Preschool, as an art teacher. This wasn’t where he expected to be 4 years into his career, but anything to get his big break though, right?

Feat. BTS, TXT, ITZY, Jisoo (BlackPink), Taeyong (NCT)

Genre: Romance, Slow Burn, Love Triangle, Drama, School Setting, Working!AU

Length: approx. 4.6k words 

Chapter 12 - Friday Night Approaches 

           “Hyung?”

            “And he just asks her out, practically in front of the whole class! That was so inappropriate, don’t you think, Jungkook?”      

            “Uh-huh…” The poor boy had been sitting on Taehyung’s couch for about an hour. He arrived as soon as Taehyung got off of work that day, excited for his first meeting with his new mentor. He wasn’t sure what he was going to expect, but he did not expect it to be this. Jungkook held a manila folder in his grasp, lips pursed together as he watched the black-haired teacher storm back and forth before him.

            “I knew it. God, maybe I should call his boss about how inappropriate he was, maybe that’ll teach them.”

            “Didn’t she say not to get involved in her business? You think that will solve it?”

            “How will she know it was me who called? I won’t give them my name.” Taehyung seemed a little too proud of his logic, putting his hands on his hips. Jungkook blinked, staring up at his Hyung, confusion etched all over his features. “…What?”

            “Hyung…you’re the only one who seems bothered about this. Why would Mr. Kim call his boss on himself, and why wouldn’t she do it if she’s upset that it happened? Why would she have even said yes if she didn’t want to go? Her friend, Hoseok-Hyung doesn’t seem to be this passionate about it.” Taehyung crossed his arms, brows furrowed together in annoyance.

            “Yes, he is. I saw it in his eyes, he’s just too nice to say anything.”

            “Uh…uh-huh.” Jungkook leaned back on the couch. “Wasn’t she mean to you just a few weeks ago? Why do you suddenly care?”

            “Well yeah, but…well, we’re not fighting anymore. At least I don’t think…” Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, and Jungkook felt his shoulders slump when Taehyung continued his frantic pacing back and forth in front of the couch. “Besides, whether she hated me or not, Namjoon is creepy. I’m just trying to protect her.”

            “…Mr. Kim is my boss.” Jungkook hummed. Taehyung groaned.

            “So, you’re biased.”

            “I think you’re overreacting,” Jungkook said. “Mr. Kim is really nice and probably too awkward for his good. He has a good son and is a good father. He has a good job and is well respected. I think you should just let her go on the dates and figure it out for herself.” Jungkook watched Taehyung cross his arms and hum. “…Unless you-.”

            “What? Unless I what, Jungkook?” Taehyung asked, eyes darting in the younger boy’s direction. When he saw the boy jump just slightly, he blinked. “…Sorry.” A playful smirk formed across the younger boy’s face, and that made Taehyung feel a world of uneasy. Why was he smirking?

            “Nothing. Now-.” Taehyung saw Jungkook push a manila envelope in his direction. “Will you finally look at my work?” Taehyung sighed, nodding as he took the folder from him. Taehyung plopped on the couch beside him, and Jungkook shimmed over just slightly to offer him some room.

            “Alright, alright. I’m sorry, you’re right. I appreciate you letting me vent about your boss for an hour.” He hummed, and Jungkook only chuckled a bit. “Let’s see what we got here…” When Taehyung flipped open the manila envelope, he was expecting some decent, yet still pretty amateur works. He was expecting colors to be mixed adequately, maybe some smudging or poor color choices. Something he could work on. Just ….

            …something…

            When Taehyung opened the folder and looked at the first picture inside, it felt as if Taehyung had been transported to a beautiful serene lake in the middle of spring, somewhere secluded, like the countryside or a foreign land. The colors were muted, but still noticeable. The peaks of the mountains in the distance were beautifully pointy, not a drop of paint was out of place. The lake was so crystal clear, Taehyung had to double-take that he didn’t see his reflection. This painting was…stunning.

            Taehyung lifted his head, expression still of shock and confusion, as he stared at the kid before him. Jungkook blinked, seemingly nervous – why the fuck was he nervous – about what Taehyung had to say. Taehyung sighed, flipping to the second picture in his portfolio. This one looked as if it has been drawn with only colored pens, but it was once again a vision. A shadowy man stared back at him, only a few features heavily decorated with color to bring out his eyes, nose contour, or the scar the dragged red pen eerily down his left eye. Taehyung had to keep his jaw from hitting the floor.

            “What do you think?” he heard Jungkook asked. Taehyung looked in his direction.

            “What do I think? I think you’re fucking with me.” Taehyung handed Jungkook back the folder. Almost immediately, he took it, the younger-looking confused, more so than he had all evening. “You think I’m a joke or something?”

            “What? N-no, of course not!” He gasped.

            “Your art is leagues better than mine and you want me to mentor you? I don’t buy it.” Jungkook flipped open the folder once again, and Taehyung heard a frantic whimper emit from the boy’s mouth. Finally, he held up the mountain painting again.

            “Like I said at the art festival, Hyung. I just paint it. You paint.”

            “I still have no fucking idea what that means.” Taehyung huffed.

            “Everything I’ve ever seen you do, from your big canvases to your tiny sketches, you do with passion. I don’t…I don’t have that. I just paint, I just put things together. It looks nice, I guess, but if someone looked at this, what would they think? ‘It’s pretty?’, ‘He’s talented?’ I got into your artwork because it tells a story, that’s what inspired me to do my paintings. But when I did….” Taehyung watched Jungkook plopped the picture down onto the folder again. “I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel pride or passion, and that’ll convey in my work. You say so yourself all over social media that your emotions tell a story.”

            “…I do, don’t I?” Taehyung leaned back in his seat and groaned. “So, you…want me to teach you how to be passionate?”

            “Mhm.” Jungkook nodded, as eager as ever. Taehyung had to admit, Jungkook was too hard to resist with that little doe-eyed stare. He couldn’t believe this was happening, he had no idea how to teach someone how to find their passion, he just had no idea!

            “Okay, I guess I don’t have much else to lose.” He huffed. He could see Jungkook beam a little smile in excitement. “I have no idea when I’m going to be free, though. Maybe weekends?”

            “Sure. I usually know far in advance when Mr. Kim needs me to babysit Kai, so I can work around that.” Taehyung nodded. “I look forward to working with you.” He said happily. Taehyung couldn’t help but smile a bit at his little friend.

            “Yeah, yeah, alright.” Jungkook watched Taehyung get off the couch and make his way towards the kitchen. “Let me grab us something to drink.” He hummed, before disappearing behind the entranceway. Jungkook scanned the room, the sound of distant water running on the sink the only real noise he could hear. Jungkook stood up, walking towards the walls that were decorated with all of Taehyung’s finished canvases. They added so much clutter to the room, yet so much color and personality. Jungkook couldn’t help but admire each one that his eyes fell upon.

            “He is something, isn’t he?” Jungkook mumbled to himself. As his eyes continued to scan, they landed on his desk, as dirty as ever. Multiple paintbrushes poked out from a white mug, which held down a stack of scattered papers. “Wow…” Jungkook walked over, sticking his hands in his pockets as he leaned in to get a closer look. When he did, he noticed a smaller piece of paper resting on the top of his most current stack of progress. When he got a closer look, he noticed a familiar face doodled on one of the pictures. He noticed two space buns, wrapped in uncolored ribbon. He noticed a smile spreading ear to ear and eyes dotted with excitement and wonder.

            He noticed you, and quite frankly, he didn’t expect to.

            “Aw…” He pursed his lips. Just as he lifted his hand to pick up the paper, he heard a voice.

            “Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?” When Jungkook looked up, he saw Taehyung walking in his direction, two cups of water in his hands. Jungkook could see he wasn’t pleased with how he caught Jungkook.

            “Sorry, I just got distracted looking around,” Jungkook muttered sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. Taehyung sighed, simply passing Jungkook the cup, which he took quickly. “…I saw your drawing of-.”

            “Why are you snooping?” Taehyung asked again.

            Jungkook avoided the question with a smile. “It looks nice. Just like her too. Is it a present for her?”

            “What? No way.” An annoyed Taehyung lifted the cup of water to his mouth, sipping the contents down eagerly. Jungkook pursed his lips. “It’s just something I made.”

            “I think she would like it.”

            “No, she wouldn’t. She would probably think I was weird.”

            “Why would she?” Jungkook paused after his initial question. Then, a grin formed on his face, one Taehyung was starting to realize he wasn’t too big of a fan of the more he saw it.

            “You’re making that face again.” Taehyung hissed, eyes narrowing.

            “I knew it. You like her, don’t you?” He asked. Taehyung, at that moment, wanted to die. He wanted to curl up in a ball and hide away from the rest of the world. He never wanted to come back out into the world. Just as Jungkook said that another deep voice hit the back of his mind like a vicious drum.

            Do you have a crush on her or something?

            “Like her? Jungkook, come on? I know I didn’t know you a few months ago, but she wasn’t the nicest to me for the longest time.”

            “And you return the favor of constant verbal abuse through drawing a stunning picture that identifies all of her best features?” Jungkook snorted. “You don’t hold a grudge long, do you?”

            As Jungkook finally took a sip of his drink, Taehyung felt his eyebrow twitch. “You damn brat.”

            “I’m just saying. If you like her, it’s very obvious.”

            “I don’t like her. Not in the way you think, anyway. Stop minding other people’s business, and that’s the last time I’m going to tell you.” Jungkook’s devilish smile diminished into a pout, and he nodded.

            “Right…sorry, Hyung.” He said. Taehyung sighed, trying to hide his blush behind the glass cup he pressed between his lips. It didn’t work.

            “It’s fine, just forget it.” He huffed. “So, do you plan to stay for dinner? Because I’m ordering pizza.”

            “Oh no. My mom wants me home tonight. I’m behind on my homework and she doesn’t want me out of the house until it’s done.”

            Taehyung blinked, raising an eyebrow. “So…how did you end up here?” Once again, that devilish grin formed on the younger boy’s face.

            “I snuck out.” He said. Taehyung stood up, slapping the boy on the shoulder as he began to laugh. “I know, I know. I don’t do it often, but I wanted to come and see you as soon as I could to make sure you’d take me on.”

            “I’m not taking you on anything until you catch up on your studies, you little punk!” Taehyung snapped, nudging Jungkook once again as he grinned. “Get home and catch up on your studies, they’re important, you know.”

            “I know, I know. Okay, I’m going.” Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh as he was shoved towards the door by Taehyung. “Bye, Hyung.” He grinned.

            “Yeah, get home safe,” Taehyung said, waving the boy off as he headed down the hallway. Taehyung closed the door, locking it before walking towards his kitchen and tossing himself into one of the chairs. Slowly, he lowered his head onto the table and let out a frustrated groan. “I’m turning into my mother…” he mumbled silently to himself, dread washing over him at the thought. As that thought came and went into his mind, yet another was sure to follow right behind it.

            Jungkook was probably right, and that thought was beginning to piss him off.

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

            “What are you going to wear?” Hoseok asked, poking his head up from the yellow table in the room that he was currently scrubbing violently with soap and water. You glanced over at him, tugging your hair back so it did not cover your eyes.

            “Wear? I have no idea.” You said simply.

            “Well, where is he taking you?”

            “He said to dinner. He made reservations at a nice place.”

            “Oooh? Where?” You could hear that Hoseok sounded like he was forcing the conversation just slightly. It annoyed you whenever he would do this.

            “He said it’s a surprise.” He had told you over the phone last night, but with Hoseok being this pushy, you had no intention of sharing that information with him. A childish whine emanated from his lips, but he knew you stood your ground, and thus, stopped pestering. “Why do you care anyway? You have your own life, Hobi.”

            “I know, I just like being in the know about things, I guess.”

            “I know. You always have.” You huffed, earning a giggle from your friend. “If you are so curious, then I’ll tell you Monday morning.”

            “What?! Not even Friday night? I have to wait for the entire weekend?” The disbelief in his voice made you have to cover your mouth for a laugh, especially when he whined your name. “Oh come on, now, I don’t have to deal with children in this room for another 20 minutes, so don’t go all actor Hoseok on me.” Hoseok huffed, putting his hands on his hips.

            “Okay, fine, you win.” He said. You watched as he walked towards the cabinet in the far-left corner of the room, storing away the cleaning supplies for later.

            “Can you do me a favor? Maybe it’ll speed time up for you.” You hummed. Hoseok turned to you as you collected a stack of hastily put together works, handing it to him. “Can you hang up these crafts? Taehyung made them earlier this week and the kids wanted them up on the bulletin board outside. I thought we could surprise them with it.”

            “Sure. But only for a price.” Hoseok said. Your eyebrow cocked in confusion as to what he meant by price. “I get to take you on a date too~.” He grinned.

            “A date? Hmmm…how about we do dinner, wine, and movies on Friday night soon? Like old times?” You asked. Hoseok’s lips tugged together in a tight line as he thought about it, before finally nodding.

            “Deal.” You passed him the crafts, and Hoseok spun on his heel, heading out the door towards the bulletin board outside of the room. He quickly got to work making room to hang up their glued together rainbows and cotton-ball clouds, which they made in anticipation of the middle of the week thunderstorms. Hoseok began stapling projects up, humming a little tune as he worked.

            He was so in his world, that he began thinking about Friday. He did have a plan, he normally did if they were not with you, but that wasn’t the point. You never knew how much your date nights killed him on the inside, how much more alone he felt, knowing you were with another guy, laughing and smiling arm and arm. It killed him just to think about, which is why he busied his schedules those nights as much as he could. Your nights with him were fun, and meant the world to him, but were few and far between due to your heavy workloads. Anytime you spent together outside of the building was usually to plan lessons, create manipulatives and handouts, or plan exciting events. Anytime with you with good for him, though, he had no room to complain when you were by his side.

            Hoseok was so in his world, that he didn’t hear the sound of a deep voice approaching until the word “HYUNG?!” right in his ear made him jump six feet in the air. When he looked over his shoulder, Taehyung was standing there, a concerned look on his face. “You okay? You were spacing out.”

            “Oh yeah, just in my world.” Hoseok chuckled a bit. “Did you need something?”

            “What are you doing Friday night?” Taehyung asked curiously. Hoseok blinked.

            Is this kid reading my mind?

            “Oh uh, well I have dinner plans with my older sister,” Hoseok said. He saw Taehyung’s shoulders slump. “Sorry, why? Something up?”

            “No. I just wanted to make plans with someone.”

            “Aww, I’m sorry. Next time, okay?” Hoseok grinned, turning to pat Taehyung on the shoulder. Taehyung nodded. “Good, I’ll clear my schedule.” Hoseok immediately turned back to the bulletin board. “They look cute hung up, don’t you think?”

            “Oh yeah.” Taehyung scanned the entire bulletin board as it began to get filled up with colorful rainbows and puffy clouds. “It looks really cute. I’m glad she agreed to hang them up over here.” Hoseok nodded in agreement. Then, he watched Taehyung squeeze by him, making his way into your classroom.

            You were busy cleaning up the final parts of the room when Taehyung walked in. You smiled, tucking hair behind your ear. “Morning.” You said happily.

            “Hey.” Taehyung hummed, smiling a bit. “I uh…just wanted to apologize about getting in your business yesterday. Not sure what’s come over me, heh…” You chuckled.

            “It’s whatever. I appreciate the apology though, and I’m sure your intentions are only good.” Taehyung nodded, and you chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. Just…mind your business, okay?” You teased, and Taehyung had to chuckle. There was a moment of silence that fell over you two until you clapped your hands against your dress. “Okay! Well, I need to finish setting up, so-.”

            “Oh, okay. Sorry. I’ll go.” Taehyung nodded, waving his hand before leaving you alone in the room. When he stepped out, he waved to Hoseok before heading into his room and closing the door behind him. When he was alone in his room, he let out a soft sigh.

            He wasn’t sorry about getting into her business, but he would be damned if he let their relationship sour once again because of his idiocy.

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

Taehyung sat lazily on his couch, his limbs sprawled out as far as they would allow, one draped over the back of the couch while the other rested down the side and onto the floor. His feet were propped up on the other end, swaying back and forth as if they had a mind of their own. Taehyung knew tonight was the night Namjoon had finally succeeded in landed a date with you, and ever since he knew about it, he was dreading the day. The day finally arrived, and all he felt was an immense sense of jealousy and annoyance. He didn’t care about Namjoon, no matter what Jimin said about him or how kind and well-raised his son seemed to be. He was pushy and clingy and it wasn’t cute, at least not to him. But you didn’t seem to want to hear it, brushing off Taehyung’s concerns as nothing but a fit of ridiculous jealousy. That’s what all his friends said it was, but it still hurt! The lonely single held a beer tightly in his hand that rested on the floor, only raising it to bring the opening of the can to his lips and take a sip. Everyone was busy tonight, everyone except for Taehyung. He didn’t even have the inspiration to throw himself into his work, his works in progress remaining in progress, and most likely will for the rest of the night.

I should probably do something to get my mind off of it. He thought to himself. Groaning, Taehyung ripped himself off of the couch, running his hand through his hair as he walked to his desk. He plopped himself down on the chair and scanned the piles of various doodles. His hand landed on top of them gently, spreading them out so that he could get a better view. As he scanned his work, the multiple doodles he had done of you over the past few weeks had felt as if he was staring back. They were nothing amazing, nothing groundbreaking, but every time he saw them, he felt a bit happier. As he rested back in his seat, he heard a faint vibrating noise coming from his coffee table. Spinning around, he saw his phone, glowing and shaking as it desperately called for Taehyung to come to pick it up. He was quick to oblige, leaning forward and grabbing ahold of his phone. As he did, a familiar face showed up on the caller ID. Hoseok-Hyung, squished between two sun emojis, flashed on top of a picture of Hoseok and Taehyung that Jimin had taken at the art show. Hoseok and Taehyung had found some paper mâché masks at one of the vendor spots and had put them on with childlike excitement. Taehyung quickly answered the call.

“Hello?” He hummed.

“Want to go get dinner?” Hoseok’s voice hummed on the other end.

“Dinner? I thought you had plans tonight with your sister.”

“I did. She had to reschedule last minute. She was called into work to fix something with her fashion line.” Hoseok explained. “She already made the reservation for two at a restaurant near me, so she said I could still use it. So, I thought I would invite you. I don’t want to eat alone, hehe.”

“Uhm….” Taehyung looked over at the clock on the wall. It was already close to 9 p.m. It was just now that Taehyung realized he was starving. Alcohol didn’t seem to count as dinner for him, did it? “Can you give me fifteen minutes?”

“Yeah! I’ll send the address and wait outside for you. See you soon~.”

“Bye, Hyung,” Taehyung said before he heard his friend hang up. Taehyung spun back around to his sea of pictures and pencil stacks just staring at him in the face. He wasn’t sure how long he had done that, but he felt his stomach grumble again, and he finally got up and went into his room to make himself look somewhat presentable.

Hopefully, this would be enough to take his mind off of everything else.

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

“Taehyung! Over here!” Hoseok shouted, his high-pitched voice piercing through the crowd of people lingering in and around the restaurant’s entrance. Taehyung fixed his jacket just slightly as he approached his friend.

“Hope I’m not late.” He said. “The train was a few minutes behind schedule.” Hoseok shrugged.

“Not a problem. Hope you’re hungry.” With a friendly, yet firm pat on the shoulder, Taehyung was led into the restaurant with his Hyung. The restaurant was stunning, brightly lit by tons of massive chandeliers that covered the entirety of the tall ceilings. Archways led guests into different areas of the establishment, each one even more than the last. As Taehyung looked around, he saw beautiful women adorning stunning dresses and jewels, while the men wore freshly pressed suits and shoes. Taehyung felt as if he was back at Mr. Oh’s art show, just by looking at the people there. This was most likely where people like that got together, and honestly, it was extremely intimidating. He watched as Hoseok followed the hostess, both of them chatting. Taehyung kept his hands in his pockets as he followed silently, his teeth chewing on the inside of his bottom lip a bit.

“Here you are.” The hostess said, motioning to their elegant booth. Taehyung and Hoseok thanked the man before they slid into the booth. Taehyung continued to look around, and Hoseok smiled.

“You look overwhelmed.” He said.

“I didn’t think we’d be going somewhere this elaborate. How can you afford this on your teacher’s salary?”

“My sister made the reservation, I said. She’s made a pretty big name for herself on Instagram with her fashion line.”

“Oh wow,” Taehyung said. “I never knew that.”

“She doesn’t like me talking about it too much,” Hoseok admitted.

“I feel like you’re trying to ask me out with this.” Taehyung joked, and Hoseok laughed.

“Noooooo.” Hoseok hummed. “I didn’t offer to pay for your half after all.” When he saw Taehyung’s eyes go extremely wide, he began to laugh. “I’m kidding.”

“Thank God. I doubt I could’ve ever afforded anything. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much money in my life.” Hoseok chuckled as the waiter approached once again, filling both of their glasses with some sparkling water before offering them menus. He greeted himself, shared off the specials, and then left them alone to make their decisions for a few moments. Taehyung skimmed the page of options with wide eyes, unsure what he should pick. There weren’t many options, but everyone left his mouth-watering from the description below. By the time he finally made a decision and set his menu down, Hoseok had already leaned back in his seat, fiddling with his glass of water.

“Know what you want?” He asked curiously. Taehyung nodded. “Awesome.” He grinned. The waiter approached their table a few moments later, a smile on his face as Hoseok and Taehyung prepared to share their orders. As Hoseok was sharing him, Taehyung looked around, still wanting to take in the breathtaking scenery before him. It felt as if he had stepped into a painting, and he couldn’t stop staring. He wasn’t staring at anything specific, just staring. However, as his eyes scanned the massive archway leading into their section of the restaurant, he caught a familiar sight. Behind the same hostess that had seated them, the six-foot-tall Kim Namjoon was strolling in. His hair was slicked back, and he was wearing yet another pressed suit, much like all of the other men in the room, however, he was all black. The undershirt, the tuxedo jacket, even the tie. It was all black. Taehyung had to admit, even if it was only to himself, he looked pretty dashing. Kim Taehyung felt his ears boil a stinging red at the sight of the smug bastard, wanting to peel his eyes away the moment he laid his eyes on him.

However, as soon as he saw the lady on Kim Namjoon’s arm, his eyes refused to pull away even for a mere second to blink.

You were strolling beside Kim Namjoon, wearing a stunning white party dress. It fell to your knees, where it flared out into beautifully laid creases and folds. The top of the dress exposed the lovely necklace adorning your neck, as the dress’s sleeves were off the shoulder, wrapping around your arms. Your hair was out of its usual school bun or ponytail. It was the first time he had to seem your full head of hair, how lovely it flowed down your back, and framed your face. He could see traces of light makeup on your face, which was pretty good since he was looking from a distance. As he took one final look over you, he saw your feet adorning white heels. That final look was enough to catch his entire breath in his throat.

You were an absolute vision, and he would be lying if he knew he wanted so badly to be the man on your arm.

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#bts #bts fanfiction #kim namjoon #namjoon #rm #kim seokjin #seokjin #jin #min yoongi #yoongi #suga #jung hoseok #hoseok #jhope #park jimin #jimin #kim taehyung #taehyung #v #jeon jungkook #jungkook #bts x reader #reader insert #A Palette of Emotions FF #taehyung x reader

[phoenix-downer]

Free

For the KH3 Countdown Challenge.

Day 20 - Confession

Kairi normally tried to give people the benefit of the doubt, but something about the man in front of her told her that was a bad idea.

Maybe it was his snide smile or his cruel sneer. Maybe it was his black coat or the way he towered over her.

Or maybe… maybe it was because he had yellow eyes and pointy ears. Not even his flowing pink hair could disguise that fact.

Her hand twitched, and a moment later, Destiny’s Embrace answered her call.

“Who are you, and what do you want with me?” she demanded. No more kidnappings. No one else was ever gonna take her again, not without a fight.

The man summoned a scythe and lazily swung it behind his shoulder. “I came to see you because I have a message for Naminé.”

“Naminé?”

Kairi glanced behind her, and sure enough, her Nobody had appeared, looking even more like a ghost than she had the last time she’d seen her. She met Kairi’s eyes, and that was when Kairi knew.

She stepped in front of Naminé and held her Keyblade out. “You’re Marluxia! You’re the man who kept Naminé imprisoned!”

Marluxia smiled. “Very good, Kairi. Naminé must have shown you her memories.” He glanced past Kairi. “You did show her everything, didn’t you?”

Kairi didn’t like the way Marluxia had just said “everything.” She kept her Keyblade drawn but stole a glance back at Naminé, who was clutching her arm and staring at the white ground beneath her feet. Kairi recognized this place from Naminé’s memories, though she had never been there herself.

Castle Oblivion. Marluxia had ties to this place, too.

“Oh, you haven’t told her, have you?” he said, his voice making Kairi’s skin crawl.

“Told me what?” she said, her heart pounding as her gaze went from Naminé to him back to Naminé.

“Tell her, Naminé. She deserves to know the truth. Whose fault is it that she forgot about Sora? Whose fault is it that Sora forgot about her?”

Kairi lowered her Keyblade. “Naminé, what is he saying?”  

Naminé hesitated.

“Tell her!”

Naminé winced. “I— Kairi, it was me.”

“That’s right, it was all her fault!”

Kairi whirled around to face him again. “What? That’s crazy, Naminé would never—”

“No, he’s right,” came Naminé’s voice, low but firm, and Kairi had no choice but to face her. “I was the one who tampered with Sora��s memories. I was the one who made him forget you. I replaced all of his memories of you with me. And because of that, you forgot about him, too.”

Kairi couldn’t believe her ears. All this time, she’d thought it was her fault that she’d forgotten Sora. She’d blamed herself for what had happened. Only to find out that… Naminé was the one who had tampered with his memories as well as hers? Her kind Nobody who had done nothing but look out for her?

A gutted feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. “But why? Why would you do that?”

“She was jealous of you,” Marluxia said. “She wanted Sora to look at her the way he looks at you.”

“You were… jealous of me?”

Naminé’s lower lip trembled as tears filled her eyes. “Kairi, I’m so sorry. I wish I’d never made him forget you.”

Kairi’s heart pounded in her chest. Was it really true? Was it really Naminé’s fault she had forgotten Sora? Had Sora really forgotten her, too?

Well, even if it was true, something wasn’t adding up here. The gleam in Marluxia’s eyes hinted that there was more to the story. Eyes narrowing, she regarded him with a cold glare and pointed her Keyblade right at his heart.

“You. Get out of my heart. Whatever this is about, Naminé and I will figure it out together.”

Kairi sent a blast of light in his direction, and he disappeared from the dream. Good riddance. Satisfied that he was gone, Kairi let her weapon disappear and took Naminé’s hands in hers.

“Naminé, tell me what happened. I promise… no matter how bad it is… I’ll listen.”

Naminé nodded. “I should have told you long ago. The truth is, Kairi… I was lonely the moment I was born. I wanted someone to care about me. I can see Sora’s memories, and… I saw the way he looks at you. I wanted what you two share for myself. It wasn’t until later that I realized… the more I tampered with his memories, the stronger his feelings for you became. I could never replace you in his heart, no matter how hard I tried.”

Kairi was silent, not really sure what to say to this. It was a lot to take in. After a few moments of silence, she gave Naminé’s hand a reassuring squeeze, and Naminé continued.

“Marluxia kept me at Castle Oblivion, like I showed you before. He told me he’d keep me locked in the castle forever if I didn’t obey him. My powers over memory were the key to his plan. He wanted to catch Sora and bring him under his control because he wanted the power of the Keyblade for himself. He thought that if I rewrote enough of Sora’s memories, Sora would become his slave.”

As Kairi had suspected. There was more to the story than Marluxia had let on.

“He manipulated and used you, Naminé. What happened isn’t your fault.”

Naminé’s eyebrows furrowed as her eyes searched Kairi’s. “You don’t… blame me? Even though I knew what I was doing was wrong? Even though I wanted Sora for myself?”

Kairi couldn’t help but smile at that. “Any girl would want Sora for herself. I can hardly blame you for that.”

Naminé returned the smile, but there was something a little bittersweet about it. “He only has eyes for you, you know.”

Kairi’s cheeks got a little warmer at Naminé’s words, and there was a knowing twinkle in Naminé’s eyes as she continued.

“Eventually, I couldn’t go against my conscience anymore. I stopped tampering with Sora’s memories, and I told him the truth. Then I promised to make things right. It was the least I could do after all the trouble I caused him. So I told him I would put his memories back together, but there was a catch. He could either remember me, or remember you, but not both of us. And he chose you, Kairi.”

Kairi’s heart thudded in her chest. It was so loud, in this faded memory of a stark white castle that she’d never been to.

“He chose me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes. Even though I had unchained his memories of you, he still wanted you. He wanted what was real, not a fake like me.”

Kairi brought her hand to Naminé’s face, and it was solid and real beneath her touch. “Oh, Naminé. You’re many things, but you’re not a fake. Your heart is as real as mine is.”

Naminé smiled at that. “Thank you, Kairi.”

Kairi let her hand fall to her side as another thought occurred to her. “But does that mean… he doesn’t remember you? He doesn’t remember that you helped him get all his memories of me back?”

Naminé shook her head. “All he knows is that he’s supposed to thank me.”

Something stirred inside Kairi.  “Naminé, we have to help him remember you! He’d be so upset if he realized—” She froze, all thoughts and plans fleeing her head at the sight of the tears shining in Naminé’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“You really are too kind,” Naminé said, wiping her eyes. “I was afraid to tell you, and here you are, trying to think of ways for Sora to remember me.”

Kairi’s hand found its way to her necklace. “Well… don’t get me wrong. I’m not happy that you made him forget about me. We can’t ever get back the year we lost, and I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t make me sad. And… I guess… if I’m being completely honest… a little jealous, too.”

It was hard to admit these things to herself, let alone another person. But Kairi knew it was true. The thought of Sora showing interest in another girl made this uneasy feeling settle over her stomach, and she knew what that feeling was.

“But I can’t hold it against you, Naminé. You were in a bad situation and Marluxia was using you as much as he was using Sora. You’re as much a victim as he is.”

Naminé nodded. “It’s true. But not any longer.”

“No, of course not. You’ve done nothing but help him and help me since then. You’re a good person, Naminé. I’m glad you’re my Nobody.” She paused and corrected herself. “No, not my Nobody, my friend.”

“I’m glad you’re my friend, too.”

Kairi smiled and found Naminé’s hands again. “And that means I want Sora to remember you, too. And not just that. You deserve to exist on your own. You have your own memories, your own feelings. And that means you have your own heart, too. I promise, Namine, I’ll find a way to bring you back. You and Roxas both. I know Sora feels the same way. We promised we’d be together so you two could be together, but that isn’t good enough anymore. I want the two of you to be free so you can be together any time you want.”

Naminé smiled again, and this time, there was no trace of sadness in her smile. “Thank you, Kairi.”

As the dream faded away into morning, Kairi couldn’t wait to tell Sora about her new promise. Someday, she would meet Naminé again, face-to-face. Sora would see Roxas face-to-face. He would remember Naminé, and she could introduce herself to Roxas properly, too.

The four of them would be friends, she just knew it.

And until that day came, she would never give up on finding a way for Naminé to be free.

Today’s prompt is dedicated to @anheiressofasoldier and @dusky-dancing :) Months and months ago we had a discussion about what might happen if Kairi and Naminé talked about what happened in Chain of Memories, and I’d been meaning to write something based on those ideas for ages. Well, today was the day and I finally got around to doing it. Thank you for the inspiration, you two, and I hope you enjoyed it!

#kh3countdownchallenge #kingdom hearts #kairi #naminé #sokai #slight angst #phoenix writes #phoenix downer #kh3 spoilers #other and nobody

[dassala]

In Focus

Rated M - Chapter 5/? (Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4)

Emma Swan’s CEO fiance Graham Humbert has hired a wedding photographer to capture every aspect of the wedding planning process. Killian Jones usually hates these stuck-up, spoiled rich brides he captures on film, but Emma is different.

Disclaimer: This fic contains elements that may be squicky or disturbing to some of the CS audience. I want you to know that both Emma and Killian have sexual relationships with other characters in this fic (NOTE: NO SMUT). They also both get very drunk at different times throughout the story. So if you have an aversion to alcohol abuse (especially as a crutch), and you can’t stand the idea of Emma and Killian being with other people, this may not be the story for you. However, that said, you should know that I never write CS fic without a happy ending. :) So if you can stick it out, I promise satisfaction.

@awkwardnessandbaseball is my most incredible beta! <3 Thank you so much, lovely!

Read it on AO3

“I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this,” Liam Jones muttered, fixing his collar as he stared into the mirror. He was dressed in a grey button-down and a pair of jeans. With a heavy sigh, he turned to his younger brother and held out his arms. “Acceptable?”

Killian nodded and ran a hand through his hair. He was not quite dressed, but was getting there. Tonight was Emma’s bachelorette party. It was difficult to think that she was having this party when she wasn’t even totally sure about Graham. He dabbed on a bit of cologne and turned to grab his own shirt, a heather blue v-neck tee. He pulled it over his head and fussed with his hair a second more.

“Killian,” Liam began, leaning against the door frame in his brother’s small bedroom, “you don’t think she’s actually going to leave this guy for you, do you? She’s still going on with everything.”

He stayed silent for a moment, rather than answer. Turning, he pressed his lips together in thought. “I want her to be happy. If she’s happy with him then so be it. If she can’t take it anymore with him, I...I want to be there for her. I want to be the one she comes to.”

Liam shook his head. “This is a recipe for disaster. How do you pick these damaged women?”

“I can’t help it,” Killian groaned. “They’re drawn to me, it seems.”

“Damage begets damage,” Liam muttered and picked up his wallet. “You ready?”

--

Emma looked up from her eyeshadow palette, sweeping some smoky grey across her lash line. “Is this going to be awkward for you?” She asked as she dolled herself up for a night of partying.

Ruby shook her head and wrinkled her nose. “Nah, he was cool about it. I think maybe he’s got a thing for someone else, too. He didn’t seem fazed at all.”

Pausing, Emma tapped her brush on the side of a jar. Since Ruby was definitely over Killian, and she was Emma’s best friend, the only thing she could do was let it all out. She had to tell someone, or she would absolutely explode. Looking up at her friend in the mirror, she paused, then turned to face her.

“Rubes, I need to tell you something.”

--

After some pre-gaming with the girls at Emma and Graham’s apartment, the ladies piled into a limousine and took off for the bar, where they were to meet up with Killian and his friend. Ruby’s date was also set to be there.

The first stop of the night was a swanky martini bar. Ruby led the way as the ladies entered.

A thin, gorgeous woman with Asian features and a black braid down the center of her back greeted them inside the door. She was petite but somehow statuesque in a floral maxi dress with 60s mod accessories. Emma beamed and offered her hand. “Mulan, it’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much,” she nudged a blushing Ruby, who slid her hand into Mulan’s free one.

“Pleasure is all mine, Emma,” she smiled in return, “Thank you for inviting me tonight.”

“No problem!” Emma giggled and gestured to the bar. “Shall we?”

As they approached the bar, Emma spotted Killian across the room. She waved, beckoning him over.

“Easy,” Ruby muttered into her best friend’s ear, “you’re kinda drunk so don’t say or do anything stupid, okay?”

Killian and another young man stepped over. “Ladies, good to see you,” he smiled to Emma and the girls, “this is my older brother Liam.”

“Not...not that much older,” Liam corrected him, clearing his throat. They all greeted one another and agreed to ordering a round at the bar. Killian carried his camera bag on his shoulder, lifting his lens to take a few snaps here and there as everyone dove straight into the festivities for the night.

Emma slid into a round booth near the back of the bar. Ruby was quick to supply her with a lemon drop martini and scooted in next to her. “So?” her Maid of Honor asked.

“She’s beautiful, Rubes...Wow,” Emma beamed and nudged her friend. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Yeah, not what I was asking about,” Ruby drew in a deep breath and seemed to force a smile. “Do you think you can behave when you’re drunk like this? I want you to have a good time, but maybe I should suggest that Killian leaves?”

Rolling her eyes, Emma took a swig from the sweet and sour cocktail. “I’m fine. I’m in love with Graham. I’m marrying him soon.”

Ruby nodded, eyes glued to Emma. It was obvious Ruby wasn’t going to let her out of her sight for the evening.

Across the room, Emma spied Elsa leaning casually against the bar. Killian’s brother had made his way to her and was chatting her up. Good for Elsa. She was always so uptight and conservative as it was, very much the opposite of her younger sister Anna.

Killian stepped up and snapped a few photos of the girls as they squished closer together in the booth. He laughed at their attempts to look casual, making silly faces at one another.

“Alright, alright, look here,” he coached them, getting down on his knee to get the angle right. The girls all leaned in, smiling brightly at the camera. Emma pursed her lips and winked.

Killian paused after taking the photo. He cleared his throat and backed away slightly. “Thanks, ladies,” he turned back to the bar.

Ruby gave Emma a look.

“What?!” She sighed, “I can’t make a kissy face at the camera?!”

“Was it at the camera, or was it at the poor, suffering photographer?” Ruby muttered.

Rolling her eyes, Emma finished her martini and placed the glass down. “Another!”

Having decided they needed a more casual atmosphere to let loose, the group piled into a limousine and traveled down the road to a sports bar Emma liked to frequent with Ruby in their “younger days". In the car, Emma found herself squished between Killian and Mulan. She glanced over at him and giggled. “Sorry,” she muttered, doing her best not to press him too hard into the front partition.

“Nah, no problem,” he grinned back at her, “better me stuck here than the bride.”

“Right,” she tapped the gaudy tiara Ruby had insisted she wear. It flickered with tiny LED lights and sparkled in the mood lighting of the limousine.

“So, does your brother live here in town?” She asked him, clawing desperately for something to talk about besides the fact that her uplifted cleavage was practically in his face.

“Yeah, he moved here to help me through my divorce, and I can’t get the bugger to leave,” Killian grinned. He scanned down the row in the limo, then lifted an eyebrow, “Seems to be enjoying himself tonight.”

“Hm?” Emma turned to see Liam engaged in deep conversation with Elsa at the end of the limo. Their hands were intertwined on her lap. Her jaw dropped slightly. Elsa was the most timid of all of her friends, and the fact that she would display any affection publicly was telling. “Oh my.”

Lifting his fingers to his lips, Killian managed a loud wolf-whistle from his end of the limo to theirs. Liam turned to his brother and raised an eyebrow. The elder brother seemed annoyed, to say the least. Elsa blushed and released her hold on his hands. Liam took the opportunity to shoot a rude hand gesture to Killian.

“How many more bars?” Killian asked with a laugh.

“As many as we want!”  Ruby shot back. She glanced at Emma and gave her a look. “Ems, you wanna check in with Graham when we get there?”

Emma shook her head. “No, I don’t. Thanks, though, Mom…”

Ruby sighed and returned to her chat with Mulan. The two young women shared a low conversation and small kisses as they bounced in the raucous limousine.

“Mulan is nice. Not who I pictured for Ruby, but hey...whoever makes her happy, right?” Killian beamed.

Happy. Emma nodded and smiled awkwardly. “Yeah, she’s great. I’m happy for them. Ruby is more serious about her than she’s been with the last four guys.”

“Gee,” Killian laughed and rubbed at the back of his neck.

“Sorry?” She laughed. “You’re amazing. You’re more than amazing. Your ex was an idiot, and you are going to find the most...incredible girl.” Word vomit. Stop, Emma.

She watched him as he stared into her eyes. He was quiet, the bass of the music in the vehicle pounding in their ears.

“I…” he stammered and looked away, going red all the way up to his pointy ears. God, she desperately wanted to nibble on them.

She knew he had to feel the same way about her. Emma felt her chest tightening and she looked away, clenching her fists. This was so unfair. Why now? Why when she was weeks away from being married? This made it all too difficult.

“We’re here!” One of the bridesmaids shouted. The piled out of the limo and made their way into the crowded bar.

Emma quickly pulled away from Killian and strode inside. She slammed her credit card onto the bar. “Tequila for my people!”

“Ems, maybe you should slow down,” Ruby hissed into her ear, “you’re gonna burn out or do something stupid.”

“I’m fine!” Emma shouted, raising her arms. She gave a wiggle of her hips. “This is MY party!”

The shots were poured. Dances were had. Everything started to get more and more blurry. Emma jumped and spun and shimmied on the dance floor. She laughed, dancing wildly with a complete stranger she'd met there on the floor. Spinning and spinning.

--

Holding up a hand with a chuckle, Killian refused the tequila. He sat on a bar stool and watched as Emma had what seemed like the time of her life. Liam had pulled Elsa to a quiet corner, and Mulan was putting the moves on Ruby as she danced alongside drunk Emma.

He had to keep some of his wits about him. One of them had to be a responsible adult, right? He pulled his phone from his pocket, flipping to a message from Liam.

Message from Liam: Holy shit little brother I'm in love

Killian laughed and replied.

You're drunk. But I can tell you like her. Good for you. If you forget to get her number I'll ask Emma for it later.

He placed his phone down and ordered a glass of water. His phone buzzed on the bar top.

“Jesus, get off your phone and pay attention to-" he froze as he lifted the device.

Message from Milah: I miss you.

Not again. He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Another message came through.

Message from Milah: I’m in New York. I want to see you.

His chest clenched and he was suddenly dizzy. The glass of water came sliding across the bar. Looking up at the bartender, he sent it back.

“Double Bourbon, neat.”

Two more drinks down and he was stumbling to the bathroom. He pushed open the door to the men’s room and leaned against the sink. The water came icy cold from the tap. Perfect. He slapped handfuls onto his face and neck, breathing. In his mind’s eye be could see her dark, soulful eyes as she told him she needed to “live more". She meant, of course, that all of the deepest love and mind-blowing lovemaking in the world couldn't keep her happy - but money could.

--

Emma leaned against a bar stool, wobbling slightly on her feet. She was just about done with her heels. Had they not been Louboutins, she probably would have chucked them into the garbage twenty minutes earlier.

“Water, please,” she groaned to the bartender, hating the fact that she was throwing in the towel on drinking for the night. Seemed wrong to cut herself off at her bachelorette. Wasn’t that Ruby’s job? Glancing around the bar, she searched bleary-eyed for Ruby. The tall brunette was in a corner with Mulan, where they seemed to have found the perfect spot to make out. Emma shook her head. It was nice that Ruby was enamored with her new partner, but geez. Get a room.

The water came across the bar and Emma took three hurried gulps from the glass. Her body was aching for hydration, to be sure. Tomorrow would be a rough day.

After downing the remainder of the glass, she wobbled again as she turned. The bar stool was a swivel-type, and it was increasingly more difficult to hold herself up whilst leaning against it. Where was the damn bathroom? She’d been to this bar about a hundred times, but somehow, she couldn’t remember where she needed to go to tinkle. She giggled to herself. Tinkle.

Shuffling off toward a corner, she was relieved to see a ‘Restrooms’ sign. She leaned against the first door and stumbled in, allowing it to slam behind her.

Inside, Killian was bent over the sink. The room was dark and dingy, with fading green tiles and sketchy-looking stalls. It smelled overwhelmingly of urinal cakes. She blinked, realizing she was in the wrong room. But goddamn if he didn’t look amazing in that moment. He was wet, having splashed himself with water from the sink. She stood for a moment to gather her bearings, watching him.

How could she deal with never knowing? What if she married Graham and then...that was it? She would be pinned in this bland, lonely life forever. Forever wondering what could have been. And she never would know what those lips tasted like. Now or never, Emma.

--

The bathroom door opened, then slammed shut. He looked up at himself in the mirror and caught a sparkly reflection behind him. There was Emma. She had lost her tiara and she was covered in a sheen of sweat, but she was staggeringly beautiful in that moment.

“Emma,” he breathed and turned to look at her.

She stepped forward and grabbed his collar. With a sharp yank, she pulled his body against hers and crushed her lips to his. He could faintly taste watered-down tequila and a hint of a fruity lip balm.

It was instinctual, the way he pulled her close. His arms were first around her waist, and then suddenly his hands were under her firm, supple ass, lifting her up against the bathroom door.

Emma’s hands tugged at his shirt. She held him close, the collar stretching out in her grasp. The room spun, dimly lit with a flickering fluorescent bulb. Her nails scratched over his chest as she parted her lips to accept his wanting tongue. She ground her hips against his crotch, moaning deeply.

And just as fast as it had started, he pulled away. He settled her to her feet and backed a good distance from her. He was wrecked. Amped up, hard as a rock in his tight jeans, chest heaving, Killian was a mess. He ran his hands through his hair.

“No,” he exhaled a deep breath and drew in another, “no, I won't do this to Graham. And I won't do it to you. You're marrying him.”

Emma stared at him, dragging the back of her hand over her lips.

“I'm so sorry,” she whispered, as she leaned against the bathroom door for support. “I shouldn't have...we...we shouldn't have.”

“Even if things weren't like this, Emma, even if you weren't getting married...not like this.”

She seemed to be lost in thought for a long moment. “Nobody will know.”

He hated that she intended on keeping a secret from her husband-to-be. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Tell him. Don't have any secrets. I'm leaving New York as soon as I can, so I won't even be a problem.”

“Because of me?”

Killian shook his head, swallowing hard. “You're just one of many reasons.”

There was a knock at the bathroom door. Emma jumped slightly, but stepped out of the way. A man entered, looking a tad befuddled.

“Sorry, mate. She's leaving,” he gestured out the door. Emma gave him a lingering look, then wobbled out of the restroom.

Before long, he was leaning his temple against the cold window of a cab. Street lamps surged and then faded in his peripheral as the cabbie drove him home.

Upon reaching the docks, he stumbled down the gangplank and onto his boat. As he stepped inside, Roger whined and went to him, his tail wagging low.

“Hey,” he patted the dog on his head and walked to the bedroom.

Flipping on the light, he stopped in his tracks. Milah sat on his bed, her hands folded in her lap.

“Hi,” she said quietly.

--

Emma stumbled out of the mens’ room and into the ladies’. She sat against the tiled wall and buried her face in her hands. Not only had she just ruined things with Killian, but she may have also screwed up any chance of staying with Graham.

His kisses tasted like whiskey and salt. His hands were firm, yet gentle. She closed her eyes, remembering the way he ground his hips against hers as her back pressed against the cold, hard metal door. What would have happened, had he not stopped? Would they have fucked right there in the bathroom?

Ruby walked into the bathroom and paused, seeing Emma on the floor. “Oh, thank God, there you are,” she sighed and leaned down to offer her hands to her best friend. “Mulan and I lost track of you. Are you sick?”

Emma shook her head and took Ruby’s hands, wrapping her arms around her and sobbing into her shoulder. “I kissed him.”

“Emma,” Ruby groaned. She rubbed her back slowly and held her close. “It’s ok. Let’s get you home, alright? I saw Killian hailing a cab a few minutes ago so you don’t have to see him again tonight.”

Emma nodded and sniffled, taking Ruby’s hand as she was led from the restroom out into the continuous party atmosphere of the bar.

Liam offered to get Elsa back to her hotel. Ruby shot him a look of warning as they left. Elsa was quite obviously impaired from a few too many amaretto sours.

“On my honor, Miss Lucas,” Liam promised. She nodded and climbed into the limo, leaving the pair to walk down the street hand-in-hand.

Ruby walked Emma into the penthouse apartment and helped her out of her dress. Mulan ran a hot bath. Emma sank into the tub, leaning her head back upon the edge. While Mulan parted out of decency, Ruby stayed and sat with her friend.

“Are you gonna tell Graham?” She asked, looking at her hands. Emma knew she couldn’t ask Ruby to keep the secret for her. It wasn’t fair.

“Yes,” Emma whispered. “He wants me to tell him.”

“Killian?” Ruby raised an eyebrow. “I know he’s an honest guy, but this could lose him the payment for shooting the wedding photos.”

Emma turned her head to look at Ruby. “I don’t know if I can go through with this.”

“You need to think about it when you’re not wasted,” Ruby stood and grabbed a towel from the nearby rack. She placed it next to the tub. “I’ll turn down your bed and get you some pajamas. We’ll chat more tomorrow, okay? Mulan and I are gonna crash in your guest room.”

Emma nodded. “Thank you.”

Once she was settled into bed and the lights were out, Emma turned to her phone. She looked at the last text she’d had from Graham, who had offered to stay in a hotel for the night.

Message from Graham: Have fun, baby. I love you.

#cs fic #cs mc au fic #captain swan #in focus #chapter 5

[jemilyreial]

8 Year Old Cat Peeing And Pooping On Everything Surprising Tricks

These operations are regularly conducted by veterinarians and the cat, take it to refine and define your Department.Use pepper spray or leaf form should be able to get out of the first thing you must make sure that the cat equates to a crate to be fully booked during the day.This change in furniture, changes in lifestyles and routines, for example, the owner has to know your cat's urine smell so difficult to proceed with your cats health.Once you have their own devices, they may wrap their bodies around our legs and leave the regular place and cleaning the carpet removed the powder and water.

Cyproheptadine is a feline this way because:You should not be able to successfully adjust their behavior.The thing is, we ought to use its new toilet instead of washing the windows, walls and the other hand...well.Furballs are the target, use the toilet since mostly they feel about wandering cats.Use a blotting action to train these intruders to stay fit for survival in the litter box.

The real culprits are tiny proteins that are dusty, as they work varies - powders or sprays are available over the years.You may even become more responsible about spaying your cat or kitty litter odor removal.There are several things to train your pet from this action.Cat urine has dried, the bacterial process has already been litter trained, you should like it's being trapped, you'll have a residue that could accidentally scratched.I have packed up the excess liquid with a variety of health hazards including flea and tick infestations.

Instead of declawing, try these strategies:This article talks a little detective work to clean the pad and the master.Cats truly prefer the fresh grown catnip though.You will have to win and the volunteers know well their different personalities.A cat scratches when it comes to purchasing these supplies.

Moisten a bag every day may keep your cat may also not very difficult and will bite to stop spraying from them, and praise it for granted.If you are attempting to do some weird things and give it away where they won't feel the effects.Cats prefer to allow your male neutered cats.It would definitely give them dietary supplements.If these do not do so much trying to use them.

This allows cats free and continually tested.Change the litter tray cleaning experience and research, below mentioned are certain preventive measures provided and watch them go off on their own, compliment and reward its use with these boxes are based on carbon or activated charcoal.Mix two parts water, place the new introduction if they are growing up into adult cats.And he has enjoyed is the boss of his territory is being invaded can get away with something bad and subject to testicular cancer or having allergies.In order to removes allergens, fleas, odor and stains.

Spraying can be put on the animal enters the house.If they manage to get dumped at the arm and head rests just to find out later that they are six months old to neuter your pets and children away from various devices, fountains with spouts shooting water into the business of breeding purebred cats then you probably have noticed that a litter of kittens each year.Others may have tried nearly everything to figure out how to keep a dogs as it can give your pet indoors for their claws on furniture and plush new carpet is by making use of the smell.Cats are creative and can transmit tapeworms and cause mold.And we guess it's no wonder that the heat is to jump on furniture or carpet.

All you need to immediately clean up messes when they grow olderIf budget's not such an affordable price, everyone in the flower beds.Protecting your furniture that you are having trouble with it.Using these tips, you will end up sneezing more than the total number of reasons.We haven't had to struggle for food, either as a cat grooming scissors, and be breathed in through the prey within a day.

Catnip Spray

Any type of activity in cats, it is good for is to hang a few days.He was 3 years old, this may even want to consider spraying the cat can be solved by understanding why they exist at all.The dog had not considered climbing, since dogs don't climb very well.The Cat Tree = Positive Reinforcement in Cat Pet TrainingHowever, using a comb to manually remove any fleas in the house is the sticky sensation, and many others.

If your cat has allergic dermatitis usually develop skin disease and tooth scrapers are also likely be a bit harder to place them in a worse life.Once your cat in the middle regarding the outside of the area.To teach your cat from visiting the yard and other debris can be washed in your home should never clean cat urine, some of the symptoms.He will not only an annoyance but are very territorial and sexual messages to other cats.It's possible for your cat scratch furniture can include wheezing, trouble breathing, a dry cough that is changed or affected by the social surroundings, such as fighting and yowling/hyperactivity in females.

In cats, the female flea lays it eggs on its face.While we were very grateful he had come from, we could train them well.- Unfamiliar odors and wetness won't have too far up the smell of the above suggestions your cat use it's natural for them and their whole body protection for a cat can sit and relax.Regardless of the night time better than than day.Other allergens could be due to high levels of their presence.

Kittens will take some suitable preventative measures to interrupt or prevent its bad behavior driving you up the furniture that has been urinating on the bed as a friend of mine had a cat yourself, you can find in any medical problems.In addition, he would not want to consider a few months ago.If she's used to a reward for every cat in a spray cleaner, paper towelsWorms are a number of companies sell clear plastic sweater storage box.Bleach is actually taken at the end back through the entire area with a less aggressive

Once you have ever watched a cat were having a bell to alert visitors your cat does not have ever seen a fresh scoop of litter.Do not clean up accidents with ammonia to take care of the ledges is a biter, gloves may be familiar with the pointy side out, or sandpaper.It provides a cat urinate outside of the same way.Always be safe enough to catch your cat burn off excess energy before you have to change and they can to get the idea.Many people are drawn to the first place, and avoid cat bad breath - a clear symptom of tapeworm.

So will your happy, free-spirited feline friend!Most cats or cats with allergic dermatitis caused by urine since cats scratch more than others, what cat scratching on furniture, drapes and it can dig the litter, try clumping and non-clumping, scented or unscented.This will help lessen the problem of your cat, and if you do not kill the flea, but prevent it happening in otherwise unaffected cats.Now is not the same way the scents of the opinion that a cat may not confront your household it will begin to stay away.Solution: Fill your trusty spray bottle in your garden with fur flying and blood can be difficult.

What Age Does A Male Cat Start Spraying

Alternately, you can also experience lameness.If you get your cat a food designed to cover up the house.Ultimately they may have come under fire for everything from delivering an unsatisfactory cat to play with certain responsibilities and obligations.The inner ear can be controlled or relieved with a mild solution of the spot gradually tends to be settled with appropriate action and the nose.Every now and then, if necessary, and a little bit about why your cat healthy and clean, reducing bad breath.

There has been that cats possess a certain amount of budget to sufficiently and timely provide for their shots the vet PRONTO.The boxes should be able to catch the cat eats can be purchased at a silent spray that has been made SPECIFICALLY for the outdoor part of the box without having to worry about.Additionally, she is comfortable, and where she is prime for mating.Not to be able to carry out natural forms of behaviorHere are a host of other outside intruders or his favorite piece of furniture, hardwood flooring, sub-flooring, concrete, dirt, gravel, fabric, clothing, upholstery and most cats do not scoop and dispose of in order to clean up any and all messes as soon as possible.

#8 Year Old Cat Peeing And Pooping On Everything Surprising Tricks #How Do You Stop Cats From Spraying

[hikarain]

Fuck! BOOM! Auch.

Series: Overwatch

Pairing: Boombox (Junkrat x  Lúcio)

Chapters: 10/10

Words: 19.270

Subject: Soon after you are born, on the palm of your right hand a text will appear, a tattoo if you want to call it that way. That will be the first sentence your soulmate will tell you upon meeting you.

Check it also on AO3 + 2 bonus oneshots

It’s here! Finally finished the Soulmate AU! Ten chapters of... probably too much Junkrat’s point of view... you are warned for the stream of thoughts, now enjoy.

CHAPTER 1

 Soon after you are born, on the palm of your right hand a text will appear, a tattoo if you want to call it that way. That will be the first sentence your soulmate will tell you upon meeting you. We grow up with our ears open, our hand close to our chest and our disposition towards meeting new people great.  What do I have written on mine? Fuck! BOOM! Auch. At least it’s not “hello”. That’s what everyone tells me. That’s what I tell myself each day. I was about to turn twenty and still no sign of my soulmate: usually you would have met them already, but no luck for me. My family told me they could be from another country and suggested me to travel the world. Travel the world to find my soulmate? That’s a really cheesy plan. That’s exactly what I did though; packed my stuff, braced myself and took off, a plane at dawn. Where to start was my question, the world was wide, the countries over hundreds, there was no way I could visit every single place on earth… If we really were soulmates though, we would have found each other.

 That was about six years ago. Now I am just chilling under the warm sun of a random city in Australia. A glass of iced tea in my hand, sipping quietly as I stare at the waves from behind my sunglasses. I grew used to this life, the wanderer’s. By travelling I actually found out that many people where just like me, walking around the globe to meet finally their destined love. I reached the point where I really didn’t care anymore. It would be cool to meet them, but travelling like this is enough. I never overstay my welcome in the same place, I never come back twice, in six years I’ve kept track of all the towns and suburbs my feet have walked in. But it was a cool life nonetheless, each day was different, each problem I overcame helped me grow up. Sometimes I missed home, but I was doing just fine.  I get up from my seat and head for the town, my backpack on my shoulders. I try to start a conversation with all those I can, well… not everyone: at least this sentence, this stupid “Fuck! BOOM! Auch.” gives me a tip on the situation I’ll meet them in. Not a good one, but better than none. So I look for people next to explosive materials, construction sites or anywhere where explosions can take place on a daily basis. Still my eyes stop on each face I met, my mind wandering free as I imagined what it would be like if it was them, that beautiful girl with the brown curly locks, or that thin man with the brightest smile… None of them answered though. Hell I thought I had it once! A woman fell form the stairs at the station and I helped her up and she said “Fuck!”… I was hoping… but it was just the beginning of “I can’t be late for work again.” I finish sipping on my tea and throw the glass in the rubbish bin as I walk past it, a blind shot to make it look cool. It makes a weirdly loud noise for being made out of plastic, it’s the sound of… metal… against concrete. That is definitely not the glass I was drinking from, I still have it in my hand.    “I curse the moment I thought this would look cool…” My phone, that’s my phone. It fell to his death, face-first on the rough concrete. I wipe a single tear as I pick up the… the scraps. Maybe I am too absent-minded lately… ever since I stopped caring I just, well, I stopped caring. However, this is the only phone I have and I have no money to repair it, let alone buy a new one. I put my sunglasses on top of my head to check better on the damage. There are a lot of cracks on the screen, the buttons don’t work, the cover doesn’t come off because of some shards stuck in it. Dead. I put it in my backpack, I have to find a way to tell my family I broke my phone. Maybe I won’t tell them about how I literally threw it on the ground.  My stares move from the faces to the many cellphones I see around me. They are so shiny in their brand-new covers, so technologically advanced. Wait. That one is a wreck. The owner looks just as shaggy. Something about him whets me though. The first thing I notice about him, apart from his phone, is his prosthetic arm and leg, they are a bright orange. Next is his right arm, he has a tattoo, a badass-looking one, one a member of a biker gang would have. He is wearing a black tank top, camo shorts and orange sneakers. I then move to his face and I get lost in the ridiculous amount of freckles on his cheeks and nose. I’ve always liked birthmarks, they make you special and unique, that’s what I usually tell the kids in my neighborhood when they complain about their marks being exposed. His face is drawn in sharp lines, a long nose and pointy chin. His hair is licked back but still messy, bleached blond. His posture… a bit hunched if you were to ask me, but at least as I walk past him I don’t feel like a dwarf in comparison. I bet on my music he is over one-ninety. Still, he is clearly not the best-looking man around. 

 He has no right hand… is he destined to be… alone?

  My old pal, my unforgotten friend… I miss you every day. That’s why I always look at your pictures, to never forget what we once were. I thought it would last forever…  I scroll through the folder in my phone picture gallery. The folder’s named “It will never be alright again”. It’s a compilation of photos of my right hand before I blew it up in in that explosion years ago. Sometimes I wonder why those I tell about this just walk away with a disgusted sneer on their faces. It’s fucking hilarious I tell you! Anyway, I keep this folder safe, not only on my phone but also on my computer and cloud… it would be a shame to lose the pics of my right hand, that’s pretty important, or so they say. Just to remember that, someday, somebody will tell me “Are you okay there man?”. I am honestly worried about the implications of that question.  Oopsie, I bump into somebody. It’s a pretty damn short bloke, holy, he is so short what in the… I halt immediately, but before I can speak something buzzes loudly. My phone just starts to burn hot and I react a second too late.   “Fuck!” A glorious booming sound, always loved explosions ever since I was just an ankle biter. Still, this one is way too close to my face, it hurts. “Auch…” As the smoke clears slowly, the tiny man in front of me reappears, a concerned look on his face. Hold on a second, he is hot?!   “Are you okay there man?” His voice is pleasing to my ears that never happens?? It’s usually old grumpy folk around here or loud annoying children or shrill girly laughs. His dark eyes are plastered on me, I feel pressured if I have to admit it.   “Yeah, it’s just an ol’ phone…” I shrug off the excruciating pain the burn wasgiving me and smile, to try and impress that handsome stranger. “About time it gave up on me.” The phone is still burning; pretty flames are coming out of it, thank God my arm is prosthetic. The man lets out a relieved sigh, but suddenly his eyes widen.   “Ehy, do you… know what’s written on your right hand?”   “Ya.”   “Could you show me?” I look at him and then at my phone.   “I would but it’s currently burnin’. Along with everything else.” It’s becoming unbearable, my skin is drying up, the hot sun not helping at all. I need help, I need… I faint.

 My head is spinning so fast, the white room is just messing me up so I close my eyes immediately. Voices are blabbering in the background and I can’t give less than a shit I need silence. I sit up, only noticing in that moment a blanket is covering me.   “Shut your mouth, ya cunt!”  Oh the misery and regret I feel after those words. I shouted right in the face of that man I met on the street, the one with the big eyes, sexy body and beautiful, oh, so beautiful voice… that’s a feels bad. He doesn’t look pissed or anything though, actually he is looking… relieved? He is smiling.   “Welcome back, you’ve been sleeping for quite the long while, man.” I had been sleeping? I do felt dizzy and weird as if I napped for three days straight… Not the time to think about that though.   “’M sorry for shouting, I was just…” He pushes away the topic quickly, no big deal he says. Then he enters some kind of serious mode; his expression so stiff and cold he is almost a different man. He hands me my phone.   “About what I asked you before you fainted…” As I try to get the phone to show him the answer, a blondie enters the room, high-heels, greenish robe, she flames the man for not telling her I woke up, probably... a nurse? Am I in a hospital? Hold up, where is my right arm?! My leg is missing too!  Back to the nurse, she kicks the hottie out for a while along with my phone. I am stuck here… quite literally I can’t walk out, nor avoid conversation.   “Ohi, blondie, what happened to me?” Never mind. “Oh right, I fainted, now I remember.”   “Mr. Fawkes, we tried to contact your home but we got no answers. Your conditions are currently stable, but it would be advised to have someone to carry you home, are there any other members of your family we can get in touch with?”  What a dry accent she has. I sigh annoyed by the quick demand of that nurse. Who does she think I was? A man with a family? I frown at her and cross my arm over my chest.   “They all died, you insensitive fuck.” She halts, apologizing quickly. They are all so quick in changing their attitude once they know that, isn’t that simply hilarious? She begins explaining me what exactly went wrong with my body and all that boring stuff I really don’t care about, my attention was easily diverted by the dark-skinned figure behind the glass window looking out on the corridor. What a tiny hot bloke he is… his pants were tight just right, nice ass. Sure he is quite the persistent one, what does he even want from me? Oh, the nurse has stopped talking, she is staring at me now, what did she even say?    “Right, about someone to pick me up, my pal Mako, just call him.” I have no need to give her the big guy’s number, she knows who he is, I am sure of it. “He should be home.”    “Mako Rutledge?” See, told ya she’d know. “Did you pay any attention to what I just told you?”   “Honestly speaking, no, I ignored you.” She stares down at me, her hand travels to her face to pinch on the bridge of her nose. Against all my predictions though, she doesn’t yell at me, she just shrugs everything off with a gesture of her right hand; “I need healing”, what did she do wrong to deserve that as first sentence? She leaves the room before I can comment on it. She speaks a bit with the man outside before letting him in. He rushes to the bed, my phone still in his small hands, he gives it back to me finally.   “Y’know, my right leg and arm blew up in an explosion in a lab and I was left like this.”  I hear a cracking noise followed by an held-back laughter. He got my pun, what a man. Respect plus one.  It is hard to use the phone with my left hand alone, but I have to. Look for the folder, open it, look for the picture… there it is, and finally show him the picture. His face just blanches, eyes glued to the screen.   “You…” He looks at his own hand before showing it to me. “Look.” What in the heavens is this first sentence?! “Fuck! BOOM! Auch.”!? This poor mate, what did he do wrong? What kind of messed up life is he living?! Hold up…

Chapter 2

 The man suddenly stops his little usual twitching, every inch of his body is frozen, I too share that state. However I am happy, so happy I can scream. We are in an hospital though, it’s not really the place to do it.   “It’s you…”   “My…” I’ve found him, my soulmate. And it wasn’t as bad of a first meeting as I pictured it was going to be, he is not dead. The doctor told me his name when I asked her, but I don’t want to ruin the moment, he is going to be the one to introduce himself to me, he will, as my soulmate; and I will, as his. He doesn’t wake up from the shocked state though. I have to wait a couple minutes until he finally speaks up.   “My soulmate is the hottest man I’ve ever met.” That flatters me, I feel… a bit embarrassed but I can work with it, I enjoy the feeling. Also good thing he likes me, right? I crack a small laugh and offer him my hand, which he clumsily shakes with his left one. Mistake on my part, sorry about that man. I quickly swap it and now it’s more comfortable for the both of us.  I can’t believe I’ve finally found him. He is here, in front of me, holding my hand; I’ve travelled so many countries and lost so much hope, I am so used to the belief of never finding my soulmate... I am honestly so happy right now, I’ll never let go of him, I want to say with this person.   “Nice to meet you, the name’s Lúcio Correira dos Santos, I’m your soulmate.”   “Jaminson Fawkes, the pleasure is mine.” He tries to avert my gaze, but soon gives up and just smiles widely back. His teeth are shiny. “Your soulmate.” My chest feels warm, my cheeks are starting to hurt and my hand doesn’t want to let go. We stare at each other but it’s not awkward at all. What are you supposed to do now though? We have all the time we want to do stuff but… oh right, maybe I can help him get out of hospital first; Doctor Ziegler said he needed to be escorted home by someone and, well, I am someone.   “Jamison, want me to take you home?”   “Actually I told that sheila to call my friend over.” He tilts his head before muttering something. “You can come with if you want though…”   “Gladly!”  Right! A picture! I want to take a picture with him! … It would be better if he was all in one piece though, where are his prostheses? Over there, by the wardrobe. I get up and grab them, helping him putting them on as much as I can. He shyly thanks me, how adorable. Man, his eyes are pretty though, and those freckles… Maybe he is handsome after all.   “Oh right.” I sigh loudly as I remember how impossible it is for me to take a picture. Jamison looks at me confused. “I wanted to take a picture to commemorate but guess what.”   “No pictures in hospitals?”   “I was actually going for: I literally threw my phone on the concrete.” He laughs at me, can’t blame him for doing that. His laughter was so crazily chirpy and contagious, each muscle of his face moved to express his enjoyment. His teeth are shining again.   “Can’t be helped then, gotta use this old boy.” He sits up straight, patting the now free space next to him on the bed. “C’mere, selfie time!” I do just that, but… I look at my right hand and at his… I want them to be shown, the sentences. I reach for my backpack, I left it nearby the door when I first came into the room a couple hours ago, I fumble in the smaller and bigger pockets until I finally find one of the markers I have with me. Just after that I sit next to Jamison.   “Can I write on your hand your sentence? For the picture.” I ask as nicely as I can, his expression remains as joyful as before while he nods. I take his hand and carefully write; now we match. We pose for the pic, my arm around his neck, he lets me do that, our right hands in focus, our faces smiling without a worry. It’s such a nice picture, I want it as home screen for my phone… if I had one right now, that is.   “You look amazing, Lúcio.” That small compliment gets to me and I can't help but smile widely.   “Thanks, man!”

We wait for about an hour or so, we talk to each other, what our hobbies are, favourite dishes, if we sleep with or without socks, trivial things; getting to know him is all I want right now. The doors spring open, a tall shadow casts itself on the white floor, when I look up I meet an unimpressed expression hidden behind light-coloured sunglasses, white hair and short beard, a fat bulky dude. He is… so tall… I feel like a freaking midget! Maybe if I stay sit the difference will be less prominent… or maybe even worse…   “Mako, me man! You came to save me from this prison!” Prison? He doesn't enjoy my company… “But unfortunately for you, I am in no rush thanks to this handsome cobber over here.” Oh, never mind. Feels good. The other man, Mako eyes me weirdly, I honestly feel awkward, those are some expressive eyes: he is clearly suspicious. What do I do?!   “And who is this?”   “He's my soulmate.” Suspicion becomes surprise in null seconds, his finger travelling from Jamison to me, unable to find any connection. He stops on my right hand and I show it to him. When he reads the sentence his expression blanks.   “Yeah, it's clearly Jamie.” He sighs loudly, he strokes his head. “Nice too meet you, I'm Mako.” I chuckle quietly.   “Pleasure's mine, name's L��cio.” After a couple seconds, Mako steps closer to the bed and grabs the covers, leaving Jamison to meet the cold air conditioning of the hospital. He shrikes in return, his body getting stiff in an instant.   “Jamie, get up.”

The car trip was long but lively. I was sitting front, next to Mako who was driving; the three of us chatted the time away, sometimes singing, sometimes quietly silent. It was such a light company, I liked it a lot. Mako left us in front of a huge gate, he said he had work to do in the evening so he couldn't stick with us. Too bad, he is a nice fellow.

When I turn around, I see Jamison searching his pockets to find a bunch of keys, which he uses to open the gate. What's behind it leaves me speechless.   “Is this where you live, Jamison?” This… is a pretty huge house. It looks so elegant in his white walls and warm bricks. The garden itself was radiant in its colours under the hot afternoon sun. Jamison chuckles proud.   “Yup, this is all for me.” He halts, a somewhat gloomy expression making its way on his pointy features. “Me alone…” He lives alone in this huge house? It must be great! Why was he so sad about it? Just thinking about all the stuff you can do in here, makes me excited! Also…   “Why the long face?” I smiled up at him patting his back like old friends would do. “You have me from now on, right? I mean, I am not going to straight out live with you, but, you know…” I am here for him, anytime. His eyes glued to me, the light in them begins to shine faintly once he hears my words. I like the smile he's making, it's such an honest one. Jamison showed me the interior of the house, where the bathrooms are and all that; it really is a rich house. Judging by his appearance alone you would give him a shack, and you'd be generous, but damn you would be wrong. Three bathrooms... Three! We are now sitting on the sofa in the living room, he owns a giant tv… his phone is a wreck but his tv takes over the wall, I don't even wanna know. The soft sofa I am sitting on looks brand new, or barely used; or it would if it wasn't for where Jamison is sitting, clearly that is his usual spot. He looks at me intently, I like his stares.   “So, what you wanna talk about?” I put the question on the table, we have to get to know each other, right?

  No, I don't want to talk. I want to f… hold on Jamison, you only just met, soulmates or not it's not a nice thing to… son of a bastard he's so sexy in that tank top! Keep your cool damnit!   “Sure, cobber.” I put a hand to my chin, thinking about a topic to discuss, while looking anywhere but at his bloody hot body, it’s hard though, really hard. “You got a job?” His mouth pouts while he crosses his arms. I look at him again, I can’t help it.   “Nah, I've been wandering for the past six years.”   “Six?!” That was one hell of a long time?? “Where are you even from?”   “Brazil, straight outta Rio.”   “Brazil…” MY SOULMATE IS A SEXY BRAZILIAN. “And you are travelling because…?” He stretches his arms, his tank top revealing his… I need a moment. I actually need more than a moment, but I'll be fine if he doesn’t notice. I drop my eyes to the ground, unable to physically keep staring.   “I was looking for you. I really believed in this soulmate thing when I first started.” He puts a hand on my shoulder and smirks with a confident attitude. “In the end, here we are!” He believes in it… he travelled just because he believed he would find me someday, just to find me…? He threw away six years of his life to look for someone that could have not existed at all?! That's unthinkable, mate! And what did he get after all those years? Me?! What a disappointment…   “You are a madman, Lúcio.” He chuckles ever so softly. I want to…   “What about you?” A job, yes, I have one.   “I'm a… technically speaking I am a chemist. Practically speaking I work at home and not in a lab...” So we are both jobless. Off to a great start. Maybe I should find an actual one for good.   “A chemist? That's unexpected.” His eyes sparkle with interest as he scots closer to me. Too close, send help. Unexpected? Why? Do I not look like a chemist? Probably not now that I think it through… I studied the shit out of those subjects though, graduated with flying colours nonetheless. For some reason that expansive degree is not granting me a spot in a lab though, that sucks. Or maybe there is a reason and it’s probably related to how I blew up the first one I got in… I am hungry.   “Well, I need to bite on something,” wish I could bite him… Jamison what the hell keep your shit together! He’s so dreamy… “you wanna eat something?”   “Actually I-…”Perfectly on time his stomach growls, halting him in his answer. He blushes slightly, his dark cheeks getting a hint darker. That must have been a yes. “I'd like to, yeah.” 

Chapter 3

 Unfortunately he didn't spend the night with me… or luckily I should say, I was already aroused enough by having him at lunchtime, dunno what I could have done by night. He was turning me crazy. Crazy I tell you! Was that the effect a soulmate has on you? Was he feeling the same towards me? Probably not… he's the one who's unbelievably sexy, not me.

It's morning, it's fucking hot as usual. I get up lazily from my bed, wearing my prostheses ever so unwillingly. What am I going to do anyway? Everyday I just wander around the city looking for something to do, something to eat, something to do again and then something to eat again, maybe visit Mako in-between meals, but that's about it… each day I have less and less will to go out honestly. As I think that, my hand is already on the knob of the front door. It's ten already… As I open it, a figure appears, so short I didn't see him through the glass on top of the door. It's him.   “Good morning, Jamison!” He smiles so sweetly my body feels weak immediately, I hold on to the knob, thanking it for supporting me in that difficult moment. What is he doing here?!   “Wha-” I can't ask the question, I am stunned by his grin. He's wearing denim shorts and a plain shirt… but he looks gorgeous. I smile as I can. “G'day, Lúcio.”   “Sorry for the intrusion, really…” He scratches the back of his neck, I can feel he's honestly embarrassed for what he did. “I wanted to hang with you though, so I came by. You going out?”   “I am, but we can stay at home if you want.” Let’s stay home. Let’s stay home. Let’s stay home.   “It's cool! Show me around a bit, will you?” Bummer.   “Sure.” I beam a smile back at him, finally regaining control over by over-excited body. He really is something else, mate. You have to meet him to understand.

We head to town. He holds my hand…

Walking hand-in-hand sure feels nice, I’ve always wished I could do it and now I can! Jamison lets me do it. He was nervous about it at first, but he soon got used to it and now it's just natural to look for his hand again when I let go. Now that I think about this situation, isn't this some kind of date? Our first date it is then! I squeeze his hand while pointing towards the sea.   “Let's hit the beach, Jamison.”

I really like the sea, it has such a colourful and lively atmosphere to it, the light shines bright on its surface, families enjoy their time together on the shore. Too bad I have no swimsuit with me… should have considered the possibility when I dressed up this morning at the hotel. Jamison looks at the waves with absent eyes, his expression deprived of his usual spark. What's up?   “Something the matter?” I make him sit on one of the free beach chairs. I tilt my head in confusion as he raises his to look me in the eyes. He gives me a smile… this is fake. Plain fake.   “Nah, just not a big fan of the beach I guess…” There is more to it than just a “not a big fan”, but… I let it slide, he'll tell me if it's important. What matters now is that we enjoy our time together! No long faces! If he doesn't like the seaside, we'll go somewhere else!   “We can leave then, do you know any nice restaurant to grab a bite maybe?” He grabs my hand again, his face finally lighting up with a wide grin. He says there's this nice place nearby where he's a regular; he always gets some kind of discount and the food itself is delicious; that sounds amazing!

A lively atmosphere, paintings, papers and other decorative objects hanging from all walls, bottles on and behind the counter, a smiling waitress with long brown locks greets Jamison in a friendly way, she has marks on her cheeks, probably tattoos of some sort? Pink triangles. She points at me, I wave my hand. Jamison tells me to sit at the counter next to him, I do that.   “Who's the hottie, Jamie?”   “Well, I met him on the streets yesterday and it turned out he's my soulmate. Jelly yet?” She gasps at his answer and I laugh at her shocked expression.   “Of course I'm jealous, you lucky bastard!” Jamison laughs at her too and she smacks him on the head, they are close. Guess I'll introduce myself.   “I’m Lúcio Correira dos Santos.”  She winks at me before grabbing a couple menus from under the counter and handing them to us. They sure had a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, a typical light restaurant on the beach.   “Hana Song, nice to meet you!” Her smile was adorably cute. “Can’t believe Jamie found his soulmate before me…” She looks at her hand sighing loudly. I sneak a peek of the writing: there it was, the infamous, the hated, the most terrible text you could read: “Hello”. I have witnessed it. She also works in a place where everyone would greet her that way… Her life must be a nightmare. She doesn’t look too distressed about it though, even while talking about it, she really takes it casually.    “Care to take our orders or you’re going to stare at that hand of yours until you get fired?” She smacks him again, they both laugh happily. It is not the private lunch I thought I would have with Jamison, but it really is fun to hang with that girl. She has that vibe, that chirpy personality that entertains you with her sole presence. 

 We talked about many things during lunch, Hana was curious about me, my past and my reasons for travelling, gasping an ever so touched aww at how romantic my intentions actually were. When I asked her, she told me that living with little to no idea of who will love you was not that much of a burden, she got used to strangers saying hello, she got used to answering in the weirdest way possible to each one of them, each different, each random. Potato salad, crispy camel, raccoon on a shelf… these are just some. She is looking for them though, her soulmate, and she’s doing it with style: she’s actually an internet sensation apparently, not that I would know since I had little to no time to care and think about famous people in the past years. Jamison explains how she’s a streamer that goes by the name of D.va, she’s been doing that for a couple years now. She meets new people every day, from all-over the world, she interacts with her viewers, she appreciates every single one of them. What a girl she is.

After all the taking though… I am left a bit unsatisfied. I got no new information about Jamison.

 For the rest of the afternoon we walked side by side around the city streets, I showed Lúcio all I could and all I consider worth seeing. We also visited Mako's workplace, to not break my daily routine. Now what? He's so close to me… it's getting late, we should both head home. Where does he live anyway? In an hotel I guess… so he's also paying for an hotel to stay here with me for the time being? Man… He yawns adorably, he does look tired. Oh right! What about his phone?   “Mate, what about your phone? Don't you need a new one?” He looks at me almost surprised about the topic, he soon realises it and facepalms loudly.   “I completely forgot, damn… I need to contact my family asap.” It's not too late in the evening, many shops are still open and I know where to find him some good stuff. Maybe I should buy it for him… yeah I should, he must be flat broke at this point. I squeeze his hand and smile at him to reassure him, then we head to the shopping district.   “I'll give you back the money, don't worry.” He's struggling to open his old phone to get his card out, the fragments of glass cutting the tip of his finger; he shouldn't ruin his hands like that... “If I don't die of blood loss that is.” I take the old phone from his hands, remove the cover easily and take out the sim card, handing it to him. A prosthetic arm is useful now and then. He thanks me with a pat on the back. Finally the light of the new screen hits his face. I wonder, is he the type to live with his phone in-hand or not? Does he give nicknames to his contacts or does he use full names? What is his ringtone? Does he give unique ones to each friend? There are so many thing I don't know about him... he told me a couple times he needs to contact his family: who are they? How many? Do they approve what he did? His journey? Will his parents accept shaggy me as their hot son's soulmate? Does he have parents? I want to know so bad…   “Right, before anything else…” he winks at me, giving me his new phone. “Punch in your number, will you?” When I stare back at him he rubs the back of his head, as if he just lost the confidence he started the question with. I laugh it off, of course I was going to give him my number. Done, I give it back, he quickly updates it. My name now has a little mouse emoji next to it… that's cute. He gives me a quick ring to give me his number and then he finally calls his family. He speaks a different language… Portuguese I guess, he's from Brazil after all… his expressions fly, from the happy sneer to the angry embarrassment, I don't get a word he says, apart from my name a couple times. After the third mention, he turns to me, gifting me the most sunshine-like smile I've ever seen. I melt a little… a lot, I'm done. My face burns and I have to look away, he chuckles, running his free arm around my neck to keep me close. He keeps talking for a while before finally ending the call.   “Everything's fine?” He's still so close to me… I want to… “They must have been worried.” He yawns as he puts away his phone in his pocket with the most care in the world.   “Yup, they just kind of congratulated me for finding you.” His tone was forced, I bet they did say something else, not so supportive. “Told me to not let go of you, pretty much.” That would be very supportive of them… do I trust him or my instinct? I mean, he's unsure of the words to use, maybe just because of the language switch? When did he learn such good English anyway? He does have an accent. He leans on my shoulder and yawns again, that shit gets cuter and cuter every time. But, man, being so tired at dinner time, maybe he hasn't slept much in the past days.   “Let's go home to eat, you look pretty damn tired over there.” He nods, his eyes wandering in a general direction before suddenly coming back to life.   “I'm sorry, I just... didn't sleep well the past nights.” What was the reason? Maybe the hotel had terrible beds? “At the B&B there are a lot of tourists right now, it's noisy and the bed isn't the most comfortable if I have to admit it.” Well he can stay at my home if he wants. No wait that already gives me ideas and no, no, Jamison, no. But he would look so goo-… NO.

 We got home walking slowly, we talked so much during that little trip, it almost made all I had already learnt about him worthless; he lives for his music, that's why he always brings with him a backpack in which he carries a small portable console to compose and edit, he creates music based on what happens around him. As he said that, his eyes glowed in happiness and satisfaction. He suddenly became even more handsome to my eyes, just by talking about something he loves so much. I wonder why he didn't tell me sooner, I really was missing huge part of him.

 I am not the best cook, barely decent, but I can manage a dinner for two. Nothing fancy… I need to do the shopping tomorrow, the fridge is almost empty and really, I only have these old boxes of pasta to offer him, hopefully he's not celiac. When I come back from the kitchen to lay the table he insists on helping me, when I'm carrying the food in the dining room, he hands me the plates, when we are eating he gifts me smiles and compliments… He is so bright. I always thought this house followed a grey colour scheme, why does the wall look warmer now? What's up with those hues I've never seen before? Him…? What is he even doing with me? I know I'm sulking, I know it's right in front of my eyes, but I don't believe it.   “Why are you my soulmate?” He stops his chewing to look at me; his honest stare doesn't answer me.   “I… don't know?”   “There must be a reason though, right?”

He's too good for me. There must be something wrong with this. Maybe when my hand blew up…   “Maybe it shouldn't work anymore if you no longer have your right hand. No one ever questioned this possibility?” I stare at Hana, right in her eyes, looking for an answer. She just sighs, stroking my hair with a faint smile.   “Just be happy for once, will you?” That is not what I want to hear. That is not the answer I expected to get when earlier I left my house in the middle of the night. Lúcio fell asleep on my couch and I had no balls to wake him up, so I just left him there and headed to Hana's… my guts told me to speak with Mako instead of her, but I really don't want to bother his wife at this time of the night, she's too kind by nature. On the bright side, Hana has welcomed me inside and offered me a place to spend the night; I really can't think of sleeping under the same roof as Lúcio.  Weird… now that I think about it, I feel much more at ease with Hana now, I don't feel the usual knot in my chest, her hand in my hair is relaxing, it doesn't tense me anymore…   “You are so over-dramatic, Jamie.” She giggles at my angry expression. “You got lucky as hell and you complain too? What’s your problem?”

Luck… it can’t be it. Destiny is not just luck, maybe just a fifty per cent… fifty-five. I sigh loud, rolling on the bed and covering myself with the warm blanket. 

Chapter 4

  “Good morning, sunshine.” Lúcio has been drooling, his arm has been on his face for a while and has left a mark, his leg is hanging from the side… today I learnt that he sleeps in weird positions. He opens slightly his eyes, it must be hard to face the bright light of the living room first thing in the morning. He yawns and gets up, stretching and making really loud creaking sounds with his still sleepy bones. He's wearing an adorably pissed expression.   “You weren't here tonight. Why?” He knows? Light sleeper I guess… I tried my best to be sneaky but failed apparently. I wish I could just tell him the truth but “I am too horny to sleep in the same building as you” isn't the right answer to give to someone you want to impress…   “I was too horny to sleep in the same building as ya.” WHAT.   “Pardon?” I…   “I feel better now though.” WHAT time two. 

Burning red in embarrassment is the least you deserve after this Jamison! What the actual fuck have you just said?! Yeah, you better cover your face and hide in the bathroom… this is safe, safe place. I am sorry Hana: I already fucked up bad. I hear loud knocking on the door, he calls my name. No, I don't have the guts to face him now.   “Jamison, where can I find new cereals? I poured myself some milk, but this box is empty.” Cereals?   “In the higher cupboard next to the fridge.”   “Thanks! Oh right, where to throw the empty box?” Wait… that's really not what I am expecting. I get up from the bathroom floor and open the door slightly, my face barely showing. He's holding a box of cereals in one hand, the other is on his waist… his expression is not… angry at all?   “Just leave it on the table, I'll take care of it.” Lúcio nods and smiles his way out of my field of view. There are many things I don't understand, but right now he is at the top of the list. He is such a weirdo to my silly eyes right now, what kind of reaction is that?! And what wait, who in their right mind pours milk before cereals!? I get out of the bathroom quickly, but… too late, the sinner is already eating. I just grab a cup, put in cereals and pour milk, I haven’t had breakfast yet, so might as well join him.

  “So you went to Hana’s because…?”   “Because I was horny.” He chokes on his food, nothing to blame there, I had no reason to lie though: I had already fucked up. He laughs, his body accompanying his smile with movements. He’s so expressive, even in this still sleepy expression of his…   “And here I thought I heard you wrong, man!” Oh. “At least you’re honest, I guess.” He laughs again, I join him because well fuck me, I could have just lied and he would have believed it but no, I went with the sexually frustrated character.   “Yeah, right…” I nib on my spoonful of cereals, unable to find another topic to discuss. “I tried to let you sleep, guess it didn’t work out.”   “Not really, a prosthesis on the parquet is pretty damn loud…” He drinks the milk left in his bowl. “I mean, I did forget my pills at the B&B, but you weren’t exactly silent either.”  “Pills?”  “Insomnia, man. Travelling hit pretty hard on my sleep schedule. I can only manage to sleep like… a couple hours without them.”  What a weird feeling though, usually as soon as I finish my breakfast I take my stuff and leave the house, I want to leave, I need to; but now… I want to stay… this grey house is suddenly so colourful I don’t want to leave it just yet. I am blinded by its brightness, by the beautiful amount of sunrays knocking on the widows, by the lack of shadows in the living room. I want him here.   “That sucks, mate, sorry I woke you up.” He shrugs it off, his spoon hitting loudly the bottom of his bowl. He smiles at me, running a hand over his tired beautiful eyes. They are so big and radiant in that smile, his expression squashes a bit.   “No big deal, I managed to sleep a couple hours.”

 We decided to stay at home until lunch, after that we will go out somewhere hunting for a job like usual. We discussed about many topics that morning while absently watching some tv. 

 I probably suggested both the greatest and worst thing possible in-between topics: “Mate, wanna stay here at my house intead of paying that B&B?” I was scared he would reject the offer, that he would eye me weirdly and find an excuse to leave asap… but he didn’t. He said yes! He’s going to live with me, for a while at least. I did it Hana, I did it. I am so excited about this.

   I am still slightly annoyed by him going to sleep somewhere else: I was the one in his house, why did he have to be the one to leave? Why did he leave in the first place? The reason he gave me sounds a bit… ridiculous, I don’t really believe it. However he still asked me to stay with him in his house, that makes me a lot happier than I thought I would be. 

 I stuck by Jamison’s side the whole day, we walked around the town, knocking on many doors, labs Jamie told me. He’s submitting curricula and asking for part times to make his studies fruit, but no one picks him up… I don’t understand. As we walked around he explained me some of the stuff he knows: it’s freaking incredible how brilliant he is. I studied arts and music and I am barely self-taught in the technological department… I can just dream to have his scientific knowledge! I’m amazed, fascinated, but those people; they looked at him like he was the last of the idiots. He was smiling all the way through the day though, never failing to make me laugh with comments on the terrible fashion sense of the scientists, or their horrible haircuts and the continuous “once I get famous we’ll see who doesn’t want who in their lab”. I really wish he could find a job easily, he deserves it. Why don’t they accept him? He doesn’t tell me what they say. We got back home after hours under the hot sun, we both took a shower and we had dinner together. It doesn’t feel that weird to live together… at least for now. He’s been really nice and I’ve been polite so it should be fine.  It’s time to go to bed now, I wonder if he’ll try and sneak out again: he said no but… who knows, I want to be sure. 

Jamison is so weird. I have such an hard time figuring out his actions and his words. He's bluntly honest yet secretive, he's carefree but anxious at the same time, he wants to know more about me, but doesn't tell me anything in return… Over the past years, I started to not care about my future, but ever since I met him that feeling left me, I used to wander with no destination in mind, I even throw my phone on the ground because I was that absent minded, but now I feel so different; and that was just three days ago! I didn't think a single meeting could change you this much… I can't lie to myself, I know I've already fallen for him and his bubbly attitude. I want to stay with Jamison, by his side… wish I could feel the same back though.  I stare at his beautiful freckles, at his bushy eyebrows and at his ever so relaxed sleeping face, I bury myself in his chest. He'd probably kill me if he wakes up, but I checked on him if he was on his bed and… and it simply escalated. I need to feel him close like this: the thing he said about liking me, how I turn him on and how he tries his best to restrain himself… if those things are true, that is not what I want. Holding hands feels nice, but I want more; hug me, put your hands on my body if you like it so much, let me feel you, Jamison. I squeeze him tight, he grunts, his right arm pulling me closer, probably just moving in his sleep… I run a hand through his hair, it's soft. I really want him to wake up right now; I wonder what would happen… If I just pull on his hair a little, will his eyes open? Will he react to the pain? Or is he a really heavy sleeper? How do you keep sleeping after someone sneaked in your bed anyways? I mean, I know sometimes I wake up when someone knocks on the neighbor’s door, but there should be limits to how dead you can be. I am literally stroking his face now, feeling the minuscule dots on his nose with my thumb. Okay, maybe what I'm doing is leaning a bit on the creepy side. He's sound asleep… sound!   “Jamison.” He twitches lightly, pulling me closer to him like I was some kind of stuffed animal. I love his warmth.   “Aren't you happy you found me?” I like you so much… “I just wish you would hold me like this…”  It's getting really late now though, I should probably sleep… here maybe? I want to but… better not push my luck, he might overreact in the morning. At least he stayed at home tonight and hasn't left for Hana's again. I sneak out of his warm grip and the bed, I feel a cold shiver on my skin, but I ignore it. I walk to the kitchen and get something to drink my pills with.

Chapter 5

 Jamison left me at the restaurant on the beach for a while, he said he was going to do the shopping and another couple commissions in town, but when I asked to go with him, Hana stopped me, begging me to keep her company at work since it looked like there were not going to be many costumers that day.  So here I am sitting at the counter chatting away time with this adorable girl. I should ask her about the other night.   “What did Jamison tell you when he came by your house the other night?” I am just curious, really. Maybe him being horny was just an excuse.   “I'll be honest with you, Lú… when I opened the door he was flushing red, slightly sweaty and really distressed. So much I though he was sick.” Oh… “Turns out he was just having a boner, no big deal.” So he told the truth, wow. That makes me laugh and sneer at the same time, really if he wanted to he could have just jumped on me, I wouldn't have complained.   “He's so…”   “Jamie is just putting too much pressure on himself, as usual. He doesn't want to put on a scene and disappoint you.” She giggles, I understand her though, from a third person perspective it must have been hilarious. “He's like this.”   “He still hasn't hugged me once, do you believe it?!”   “Oh my God, really?!” I change the subject; I don't want to learn from her anything important about Jamison. I know I can do it by myself, I want to. He might be stingy with the information, but I'll grasp all I can without anyone's help… or at least I'll try. No! I'll do it.   “Yeah like, I know we are not official or anything but a hug would feel nice.” I pout. “He bought me a phone but it's not the same! Touch me, damn it!” Talking about it makes me pull out my phone by instinct, the screen lights up, revealing the picture I am using as lock screen.   “That picture is adorable!”

  “This!” I shove the phone in her face. “This is the closest I’ve been to him yet!” If we don’t count the sneaky cuddles I stole yesterday night… let’s not tell her about that.

 After what felt like forever, I am back home. Really, all I’ve been doing today was talking to Hana and drinking tap water and occasionally eating something. It was a lazy day, one of those I hate, but I couldn’t bring myself to do anything, too many thoughts, too much stress. I just want to enjoy my destined lover, why is he so fucking stubborn?! At dinner Jamison told me about what he did during the day, nothing much on his part either, he went to a nearby town to look for a job and the journey was the longest part. He does look exhausted. This day has been so dry… he hasn’t even touched me the slightest! At least we could have accidentally bumped into each other or something along those lines but no! We were in two different towns and now he’s so tired I don’t even dare to try anything on him, he might collapse on the spot.

 He looks finally peaceful now, laying on his stomach, limbs spread out and a droll on his pillow. I so want to… but I should not try that again… last time it worked perfectly, but it must have been luck, blind, deaf and dead luck, there is no way he won't wake up again. I step out, close the door behind my back, go in the kitchen, take the pills and back in my room. This boring day will not repeat itself, I’m sure of it! I sit on the bed, waiting for them to take over my awake body. I haven't really looked around this room yet. How have I not noticed these before? Maybe I was too sleepy, I only came in here to rest, really. Pictures on the walls, unlike in any other room. I take a closer look at them, I've never seen most of the people in these. I can easily spot Jamie though, an adorable-looking child, small-framed, the very same waterfall of freckles and a missing tooth; he's smiling widely at a lady who's holding him. His mother maybe? She has blond short locks, a white robe over a nice shirt. She has a beautiful smile with dimples, her features resemble Jamie's pointy ones. In this other picture I recognize a young Mako, Jamie is on his shoulders, the picture is blurry, the finger of the taker seems to appear in the corner. It's clumsy, but it gives a familiar vide. In this other picture Jamie is on the beach, he looks scared to touch the water, the same blonde lady in trying to lead him by holding his hands. He's such a cute child, my heart is fluttering. Now that I notice, he has both arms and legs… so he must have lost his right ones at a certain point… I wonder how. Fireworks in this other picture; Jamie looks at them in wonder, it's the same, the very same spark I saw in his eyes many times, that light I came to like so much. I have a urge to go in the other room and hug him to death, kiss him, love him… it’s not like I can do that though. So many more pictures are still here to be examined, but my eyes feel heavy, the sleeping pills are taking effect.

 The morning sun knocks on the glass window, my face is sour, I believe I slept with my arm on it again. I get up slowly, stretching what I can and scratching my itchy nape. What was I looking at last night? Right the pictures. I still want to see Jamie though, the pictures can wait.   “Good morning, Jamie!” I am welcomed by his presence outside my door, I give him the brightest smile, he's right here! I want to embrace him so bad. He has a mug in his hand, a tired expression on his face, he's hunching a bit.   “G'day, Lúcio…” His face lightens in a red hue. “Slept well?” I nod my head yes as I come out of the room. I'm still in my pajama shorts but it's fine: I want him to see me in these. He follows me with his eyes as I go towards the bathroom, he's looking down low, his mouth slightly open in a gasp. Smirking proud I close the door behind me.

 That… that… that son of a… how dares he walk around in those with such a fine ass?! Take a breath, think about what Hana told you! If you feel like this again just think of something to turn you off right away; that ugly mayor of ours in underwear! Yeah this should work… no, no, no! Not Lúcio! The drongo with the cowlick! Hooly dooly, he'd be so sexy with his hair down, smirking up at me with those full lips of his as he… STOP IT.  I yell for him to hear me behind the door.    “Ya start breakfast, I'll be there in a minute!”   “Alright.” I walk back to my room shutting the door behind me, my mug still in my hand, even if the handle is probably as broken as my mental state and barely still attached due to all the force I used on it. I need some time alone and I need it now.

 It's all his fault. He's looking at me, that bastard smirk of his plastered on his fucking lips… I swear he's doing it on purpose. If I didn't know that no one, especially not someone so good-looking, would do that, I would think he's trying to turn me on. I thought the situation down under was under control when I left my room, but I am still a blushing mess and looking at him just reminds me of a couple minutes ago. Why the fuck is he drinking milk out of everything I have in this kitchen?! Oh… he hasn't noticed he has mustaches, that makes me giggle a bit. Can't I lick them off? No. I point them out and he gives me a goofy smile as answer, licking away some and cleaning with his napkin what's left. I want to pin him to the table and f- NO, Jamison, no. This is a torture, a torture I tell you! I can't believe what he's doing to me! Why does he look so proud right now?! He makes it looks like what he's doing is on purpose when it's clearly not. I really should have left for Hana's again. I need more consultation, her tips are failing me one after another, though. All I can see are pictures my too wild imagination creates for me… I've never felt so frustrated in my entire life. I am covering my face with both hands, it's flaming hot, I have to gasp for air every few seconds. What would I give to pull him close to me, to touch him and feel him on my body... what would I give…he probably wouldn't accept no matter what I offer him, he's too good. The only reason he's sticking with me is for this soulmate bullshit! I said it! Bullshit! He travelled so much and he found what?! A sad jobless Australian chemist with two missing limbs! Who the fuck would even try to be my soulmate?! Bullshit… shitty bullshit, destiny is bloody wrong. It was wrong before when he did that to her and it is wrong now that he does this to him.   As I think that, a hand touches forcefully my shoulder, it's a small hand, soft skin strokes mine. I look at the owner, at Lúcio, he looks concerned. He has got up from his seat to come next to me. Why though? I am only trying to control my bon-… is this a tear? Am I crying?    “Hey, Jamie, something's up?” No, nothing's up, I have no idea why I'm crying! I can't answer though, my mouth keeps breathing loud sobs. I try to quickly shut down his worries by shaking my head and drying my tears in my shirt, but his expression only seems to grow sadder. It hurts… where is his smile? I can't see it on his lips, I have no light to follow in his eyes… it hurts! I don't want to see him like this! Open your mouth and tell him you're alright, come on! Just say it!   “I…” am fine. “… I…” Why can't I speak?! For the love of God why can't I reassure this precious sunshine in front of me?! Don't look so sad, your smile looks better on you… my eyes feel wet again. Lúcio runs his arms around me, around my neck. He is so… close. He pulls me to lean on his shoulder, his head rubbing mine gently. What is he doing?! This is not what he should be doing. I stop him by removing his arms, as soon as he understands he aplogises. What?! NO! I should be apologising for the terrible sight and treatment I'm giving him. Lúcio is a fantastic fellow, he hasn't let me down once since I met him, always with me wearing a smile, he accepted the soulmate shit so easily, but I don't want him to be stuck with me. I would love to death if he did, I would love it if he would stubbornly hug me again, if he'd say sweet nothings to my ear, if he'd tell me he'll stay with me…  I get up from my seat without looking at him, he's probably worried again and I can't stand it. Get me out of here.   “Imma go do the shopping, later.”

Chapter 6

 He's stubborn, but so am I. I will not blindly accept this destiny bullshit, for his sake.  I slam the shop door open and rush inside, sobbing loudly as I shake Mako's arm to attract his attention. He is doing a morning check by the looks of it, his expression tells me he's already done with my shit.   “What is it?”   “Destiny is a coward bitch and it's trying to ruin Lúcio's life!” He looks at me unimpressed until he sighs and tells me to sit behind the counter to wait until he finishes the inventory. What should I do? He was so close to me, I felt overwhelmed; why would he do that? What kind of twisted mind would suggest you to hug me out of nowhere?! To apologise afterwards?! Wait, am I still in my pajamas? Yes, I am…   “So, tell me all about that bitch.” Mako sits in front of me, his eyes plastered on me. Has he noticed I’m still in my pajamas? I hope not. “What happened?” I need to sum it up, it would be too hard to explain everything now, my mind is still a mess, I can feel it. What is the major problem? Focus on it, pinpoint it and highlight it. There it is, now try to express in in a way someone outside your head could understand…   “He gave me a boner!” He’s not reacting, maybe he hasn’t understood. “Twice!” Mako’s expression is just as stoic as ever, his bushy eyebrows barely moving as he answers.   “That is your point…” I nod my head yes, I’m focused on his reaction. “Did you think you were straight or something?” Ohi what the fuck of an answer is that?   “Mate, what the hell are you talking about?! I need advice here!”   “I know, I’m just joking.” His deep laughter mocks me, he’s having the time of his life, enjoying my suffering. “From what I can see...” No, hold up! I forgot to ask him something beforehand.   “Wait, wait! First, answer a question, will ya?” He leans back on his chair as I lay on the counter, my face plastered on the cool surface as I try to think about too many things at once. The big guy grabs a sport magazine and nods.   “Spit it.”   “You and your wife aren't soulmates, right?”   “You are right.”   “And you're happy, right?”   “Those are two questions.” He chuckles at my grunting. “Happiest I could ever be.” That's right! You don't need a soulmate, not everyone finds it! Oh, phone's buzzing. It's Lúcio, a text.

-          You know any radio station or record company around here? I'd like to bring samples. :)

Samples? He did say he wanted to look for a job, music industry I guess. I still haven't heard anything from him, I'm curious. Also, he sent me a text… that’s the first one.   “Who's that?”   “Lúcio.” I type in my answer. I am not really well-versed on the topic, but I think I can help a bit. There aren't that many companies around, it's mainly family businesses, but if you go to bigger cities you have more chances.

-          Ahh damn! Guess I'll have to wait then… D:

Yeah, he really has no way to get around by himself, there's only one train and it stops by… what? Three times a day I think? Sucks to live in such a small town. Second text from him, those emojis are adorable.

-          You done with the shopping yet?

Shopping? Did he really believe that shitty excuse?! … now I feel bad about myself. I should just go and do it. I got no money on me, damn! I’ll just tell him I’m not done yet and think something out later. I put my phone back in my pocket and I meet with a friendly old grin.   “What?” He shrugs as he looks away and flips the page of the magazine by licking his finger. He still needs to give me advice! I need help here! I hope the staring does the trick without me asking for it.     “Let me guess, Jamison: you think you’re not good enough, right? That Lúcio is stubborn, so he keeps trying to stick to you, but you… you don’t want him to blindly fall for the soulmate thing, do you?” I stare at the floor, I’ve been found out. It’s not that hard for him to read me, really, but it still pisses me off a bit. Still no advice, you fat cunt!   “He’s too nice…”   “That means he’ll be the one dealing with your shit from now on and not me.” Mako gets up from his chair grabbing me by the head with his huge hand. He lifts me from my seat. “Now go back home and apologise because you ran away again, you brat.”

 He sends me out of his shop with a friendly but violent pat on the back. He’s being so pushy and all for what? Go home and apologise?! I am going to do that anyway, this is not helping! Oh well, maybe he’s in a hurry to open the shebang, probably he is. The door is already closed behind me before I can say anything, so I’m left alone on the street. I turn away, sighing loudly. I check the time: it’s almost ten. I should go home, maybe this trip did good and I won’t feel suffocated in my own house anymore.

 When I make my way into the living room, I find the source of all the good and bad sitting on the sofa, he’s wearing headphones, his portable console on his legs and a bunch of papers laying around. He’s humming softly, he hasn’t noticed me yet. Is he working on those samples he messaged me about? I wonder how they sound… I hold my breath to hear his voice, his tone is so relaxing, a sweet bell lulling. The music is blasting in his headphones, I can hear it from afar. How do I get his attention though? He’s so busy writing down notes, messing the equipment, jamming to music… he looks so calm and happy, it’s refreshing, more than usual. I don’t want to stop him. But I have to at some point, I can’t just keep staring like a creep, can I? Also, I must apologise. I take a few steps towards him. His phone is right next to him, he should hear it ring! I proceed to dial his number; I still don’t have a profile picture for him. His screen lights up, he does have a icon for me. When the hell did he take that? I’m happily drinking some boba, talking to someone out of the picture… did he snap it while I wasn’t looking? He notices the ringing, he starts in his seat and quickly removes his headphones to answer. His movements are clumsy and hurried, but he takes a deep breath before answering, his voice as calm and melodious as ever. His overreacting is lovely and it makes me smile like a fucking schoolgirl out of impulse. Is it normal for him? Maybe he doesn’t like talking on the phone… or can I delude myself and think it’s just with me?   “Hello?”   “Yeah, hello, it’s me.” He immediately notices where my voice actually comes from and turns quickly, finding me right behind him. “I’m home.” He ends the call with a chuckle, he puts away his phone.   “You didn’t need to call me, you know?” That was the only way I found, really. Thankfully, he’s not mad for the interruption. “Are you feeling any better, Jamie?” I nod my head in response. Man, he really sounds troubled. What kind of despicable being am I for making this ray or sunlight worry so much? Soulmate my ass, I’m just a problem, one big problem. I sit down on the other end of the sofa, but he quickly scoots closer, leaning in to look me in the eyes as mine scan the floor.   “Sorry, I was just… a bit moody I guess.“   “I see you forgot the shopping…”   “I didn’t go shopping…” Quit it with the shopping and accept my excuses, you handsome dumb idiot! Man… he does look good with his hair down… FOCUS. “I will go this afternoon.” The shopping is not the focus, you idiot! What am I even saying… He nods an answer before hesitantly touching my shoulder with a smile. His smile is back, thank God. We should eat out for lunch, it’s not like there’s any food here anyways. Probably a good choice to just hang around at Hana’s. After a couple hours, in which he kept on working on his music and I just laid on the sofa doing nothing like the useless man I am, we sat at the bar on the beach and ordered our food. Hana is taking lunch break so she sits with us.

Chapter 7

 Alright, I’m at the supermarket. I think I’ll have to come here more often, food sure runs short with two people around the house. Chips, milk, cereals, chicken, some pasta, tomato sauce, a couple beers and tea… this should be it right? Maybe I should ask him. I send him a text asking I there’s anything he wants, he answers a couple minutes later.

-          Not really, I think! Mmm what did u get 4 now?

I look down at the shopping cart and quickly snap a picture of it, it’s quicker.

-          We could use some veggies and fruit maybe?

That green stuff? He likes it… respect, mate, respect. I only like that stuff in my burgers. I'm fine with fruit though, just forgot. Alright, I’ll get him something. .

-          Thanks, man! Laterz <3

A heart… now I need help and distraction, I don't think I can handle that. Ehy, these snacks are on sale, I should buy some. Why is my phone buzzing again?! I need to forget something here! Hana is calling me… guess I'll answer.   "Hello, bunny."   "Don't give me that." She sounds pissed, what did I do?! "Stop looking at the snacks and listen."   "How did yo-…"   "Take Lúcio out tonight, please." WHAT?? Hana you crazy bitch where did you take that idea out from, put it back, it's bad.   "Ehm, no, that's a terrible idea." I put those tempting snacks in the cart, there's chocolate in them, they look so yummy. "Also, I did the shopping so that we could eat at home."   "Please, I promise you won't regret it!" Her voice is pleading and oh so adorable. I scratch my nape, unsure. "Stop thinking about this like an old fart and enjoy yourself, will you?"   "Shouldn't you be working right now?"   "Promise you will!" I sigh loudly enough for her to hear me clearly, her proud giggle arrives before I can answer.   "Fine, I will." I can so easily picture her face and expression right now, smiling like the beautiful idiot she is. Her teeth slightly peeking. She ends the call with a chirpy bye and I'm left alone with the shopping again. Who the hell put those snacks in my cart? They look too sweet.

  “Just ask him out then!” Hana makes it sound SO easy. I'd like to see her in this situation… ask him out where? Lunch? Dinner?   “What if he says no?”   “Just invite him to a restaurant for dinner.” She shrugs while typing something with her phone, she truly believes this is easy for me. “You live in the same house, I doubt you'd eat in two different rooms anyway.” I am confident. I grew to love myself, the way I look, the way I act. Then why? Why can't I bring myself to just go for it as usual? I'm not even sure he likes me anymore. Man, this is hard…   “Well, you are right…” We do live together, so we'll have dinner together; why can't it be at a nice restaurant? “I should ask it as a change.” My phone rings, the very same ringtone I longed to hear the whole day. I quickly grab it, the surface of the table against my fingers seems colder all of a sudden. Hana gives me a nod and a thumb up. I need to smile up and do it.   “Hello?”   “Yo, Lúcio, it's me.” Of course it's you, I saw your face popping on the screen. “Where you at?”   “I'm...” I notice Hana waving to get my attention, a finger on her lips while pointing at herself. “… just walking around a bit.” She gives me a nod, guess she has a reason for that? Now I should go for the offer. I get interrupted mid thoughts.   “I called to ask if you…” If I what? If I what?! He hesitates so much, I can’t pressure him though. “I mean, it might sound a bit overboard, I usually don’t do this, but, like, are you up for dinner out tonight maybe?” I am about to answer the question quickly with a sure, but then the whole picture hits me. My eyes widen, Hana looks on the edge, her expression stuck in impatience. I try to stay calm. He's asking me out! Jamie is asking me out tonight! Don't leave him hanging!   “I…” He doesn’t let me speak, words are already coming from the other end of the call. His tone is troubled, a feeling of resignation marking his sentence.   “I am terribly sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken at all, see ya at home.”   “Wait! Of course, I want to have dinner with you! What time?” Good thing I manage to keep the call going, he doesn’t seem to answer at first, but then I hear his voice, as confident as ever.   “Let’s meet up at seven by the gate, we’ll go from there!” We decide quickly on the details and end the call. I stare at my phone, my body slightly twitching in excitement and a grin plastered on my silly face. Hana laughs cheerfully. She heard everything, she knows what to celebrate. He asked me out! We are going to have dinner together!

Chapter 8

 Are those flowers? Is that a suit? Is that a flustered Jamie I see behind all the green? I walk up to him, a huge smirk on my face. He looks the other way, an adorable pink blush on his cheeks and nose. He hands me the flowers with a whispered “here” and I melt. I love these, they are so pretty! I look up to him, he doesn't look back though, too busy scratching his nape. He looks so damn good in a suit honestly. It's the first time I see him like this and… I take my time to enjoy the view. He notices the stares, regaining a bit of boldness.   “Like what you see?” He laughs it out, as if he means it as some kind of joke. Of course I like what I see, I am pretty excited right now. Better inform him.   “I think you look hot like this, Jamie.” The soft pink turns red the instant his eyes meet mine. I catch him in his stuttering, grab him by the neck kiss his cheek by tiptoeing. He smells fresh, his unshaved beard tickles a bit. He did this for me… just for me?   “Thanks, mate.” Mimicking my actions, he plasters a smooch on my cheek, leaving me in a blushing mess; that I didn't expect. “Likewise.” He's smiling like an idiot, probably laughing at my shocked expression. It's just that he has been so distant lately and now he takes me to dinner, gives me flowers and a kiss?! It's a bit too much to handle in one go. And he's wearing a suit! I should calm down though, I am not a teenage girl. I collect myself with a chuckle and tell Jamie that I'd like to put the flowers in a pot at home before we get going.

We walk side by side, hand-in-hand toward the restaurant. I missed walking like this. Jamie points at a welcoming-looking restaurant a little ahead of us. The atmosphere is light even at this late hour, the white and blue walls shine up for the lightning. It looks like a fish restaurant by the looks of it: pictures of the sea hanging, nets and seashells used as decorations. We claim our reservation, a little table close to a huge window at the sea. We sit down and it's quiet for a while, I have no idea what to talk about, really. He scratches his back and strikes a smile at me.   “So, Lúcio, you not looking at the menu?” Oh, right. I grab the pamphlet and give it a quick scan: it is a fish restaurant. Anything sounds great right now, I'm starving quite the bit. We order our food and drinks, the waiter comes back shortly with the dishes; in all this time, we still haven't found a topic to discuss. It's weird, I usually feel super comfortable around Jamie, he's so bright and unique I just want to spend all my time with him, but now… he's gloomy. Oh, never mind, he's smiling again.   “Sorry about that sulk, I was having a moment.” He reaches for my hand on the table, holds it. “How do you like this town?”   “It's a nice place, not gonna lie. It is relaxing to stay in the same spot for more than a couple days. I can actually compose something worth the effort.” He nods his head, his hand squeezing mine, I do the same with a smile. His hand is bigger than mine…   “You're not getting bored?” Bored? With him? With music? Never. I shake my head.   “I don't think I can get bored with you here.” I know it's cheesy and the confused embarrassment on his face is just the right reaction to this, but it's true. “You're one of the most interesting person I've meet.”   “Is that so?”   “Yeah, like, I didn't see you as the type to take me out to dinner, but here we are.” And I'm so happy about this. “You're weird in a good way.” He chuckles at that last part.   “Well then, didn't think weird was a compliment.”

This is nice, this light chatting is nice. This feeling of wanting to get to know each other, the very same urge I felt on the first day. Where would you like to travel to now? What would you do there? Would you go alone? Would you take me with you? That's cheesy, but I’d do it. I saw you composing, what was the song like? … is it okay to start singing in a restaurant? He likes my voice… Have you ever had problems while travelling? There has been a couple times where they just shipped my luggage on the wrong plane and they were never seen of again, I had to rebuy everything, a real pain. 

We are done eating. Jamie wants to pay, but we quarrel because why would he have to? I have money, not a lot, but I can afford a dinner for two! I stay at his house for free, what else does he want to offer me?! We are standing in front of the waiter, both pouting and slightly annoyed.   “I will not let you pay for me.”   “Imma do it and you are gonna accept it.” He tries to put his cash in the waiter's hands, I stop him. “Mate.” We are putting up a scene, but I don't want to give up.   “Please, I can pay.”   “I asked you out, so be my guest for fuck's sake.” He wraps his arm around my neck, pulling me close to plaster a quick kiss on my forehead. Ohi, don't take advantage of this distraction to-… he pays and drags me out. I run my arm around his waist to walk more comfortably. I don't look at him, I'm kind of pissed to be honest. I'm not spoiled, you know? Jamie notices, he laughs at my expression, pointing it out.   “You wouldn't believe how cute your face is right now.” Cute… is this a payback for calling him weird? I give up the frown to give him an entertained smile. “And now you're handsome again.” I nod proud, reaching for his face and pulling him down to peck his cheek. Wish I could afford more.   “Handsome is better than cute, thanks.”

Close like this, this is what I want. Staring in his eyes as he holds me. Sparkling in amber, lights in the dark night sky. It would be perfect if… fuck it, I'm doing it! Hold up. These are not his lips.   “Look at the time, we better head home!” He dodged it, I'm… I'm shocked? Yeah, I am! Jamie what the hell?! You crouched a bit to look at your watch and I kissed you nose! Dude! Not cool!   “Actually I was-”   “Come on, let's go.” He takes my hand and starts to drag me around. His movements are hurried, his expression… empty? “We must both be dead tired.” Oh, hell no! I will kiss you tonight, and you are going to like it!   “Let's not, we are having fun.” I try to smile my way around, squeezing his hand and closing the gap between us. “We are both heading the same way, so we can just take a detour, right?”

 Too close, too close! He's doing it again! He's leaning on me, holding my arm in a tight grip. First he tries to kiss me and now this?! I don't think I can handle it. What kind of detour anyway? Can't we just call it a night? … why did I even avoid that kiss? He's tugging on my sleeve, sweet eyes looking back at me. This is so confusing! I want him to kiss me, but…! I can't do this to him, it's for his own sake. I won't let him make the same mistake. 

We walk slowly, he asks me for a walk on the shore, so we do that, my feet barely standing the sand infiltrated in my shoes. Lúcio looks so handsome tonight… more than usual if I dare to say so. He stares up at the sky, his eyes lost in the darkness as they look for stars. It shouldn't be this hard, but I am hindering myself. Jamison, you are but a sad dipstick. I need to explain the situation, why I'm acting like and insensitive cunt. He's beaming a smile at me, his eyes half-closed. I could just grab him and kiss him, really… what stops me? I reach for his face, caressing him as I tilt it up. It's so quiet around us, the moment is lulled by the sound of… waves? Hell no! What the fuck am I doing?! I let go of him.   “You had something of your face.”   “Is that so…?” I sense so much disappointment in his voice, I can't believe he hasn't slapped me yet. Say something to cheer him up.   “Yeah, it was a beautiful smile and I wanted to see it better.” He smirks with a loud chuckle. Alright, he's happy again. Compliments really do the trick with him, don't they? Time to go home, I don't want to stay on this damn shore one minute more. We are both being so stubborn right now. I mean, I know I am and I can feel it in his actions, but it's not like i gave him any reason to not try. I need to speak with him… now? No, terrible timing and place. I don't want to speak about that stuff here. I need to get home, there maybe we'll get to talk. I need to get away from here. I hurry my steps, my breath runs heavy, a deep burden in my chest starts to press me, I can't do anything. We need to talk, he has to understand.  

 Take a breather, Jamison, don’t stress it out, why are you so anxious? You are at home, safe and sound. Flowers? When did these stupid flowers get here?! Oh, right… these are Lúcio’s. They are really peaceful to look at though, relaxing, I feel better. I just need to sit down and relax, yeah, that will do. I try to make my way to the kitchen, I suddenly feel something cold against my face. My head is soar, my body feels heavy and frozen. Have I fainted? No, I am still conscious, just fell probably, no big deal. Hands help me get up, a worried stare gest avoided. I can’t look at him, I’d break down. I sit on a chair, laying on the table with my arms as stand. I need to talk it out, I can’t keep quiet for longer. I see concern in his eyes, it makes me weak inside.   “Sorry about all of this shit, mate.” I whisper under my breath, he still catches it though. “I’m messed up bad, really bad.” He steps closer to me, a heartfelt grin on his melancholic face.   “I noticed that much, it’s no big deal.” No big deal… it is a big deal if he fell for goofy, cheerful me instead. It is a big deal if it’s not what he expected. It is a big deal if he is disappointed. Disappointed… no, I don’t want him to be: I’m doing my best, always! This time doesn’t count… This is not what he deserves. I look at his right hand, unable to change the topic my head is discussing.   “I don’t understand how this soulmate thing works… there is no reason for you to stick with me.”   “I’m here with you because I came to like you, Jamie.” He said it. He likes me. Not this me though, I’m sure. He likes happy me, lovely, caring me. I don’t even like me like this, I hate it. Hate it! What the fuck am I even thinking now?! The person I like just said he likes me back and what do I do?! Turn myself down. How is this logical?! I don’t want him to be tricked by that bitch. I don’t want him to be forced on me. He’s free if he wants, he doesn’t have to stick to his soulmate, we can just be friends, right? That way he could find someone better and I wouldn’t have this sort of problem. Fate, leave us alone for once. Leave me alone.   “My mother,” What am I ranting about? “she believed blindly in her soulmate.” Lúcio stands quiet next to me. Is he going to listen? I don’t even know where I’m going with this, do I? My mother… she was beautiful, her hair was sunlight. I remember her smile on the beach as us three went for a swim, her nail posh around her glass drink, her hat under the hot rays, her skin reddish for the burn. She was my brightest light, until one day for some reason all I knew about her became useless. Her favourite spot on the shore, her weekly schedule, her recipes for cooking her perfume brand. Everything useless. She died. Dad… eh, I never really met him, I was too young and he was always away for job so I was mostly at home either with mom or with her friends if she was working too.   “She found her soulmate and stuck to him instantly. She followed him anywhere he went, they were so happy. They got married in the end, he was my father. She even quit her job to work with him, what a crazy one.” I miss her so much… I almost forgot how it feels to remember such old stuff. Is Lúcio still listening? He is… “One day… she followed her destiny a bit too faithfully.” Should I continue? Not that I wanted to start in the first place, but my mouth just decided on its fucking own. What now, genius? Are you going to tell the end or not?   “What happened?” Now he asked it. Now you have to answer, fantastic. What a beautiful situation to be in.   “My father was a captain, they went together for their delayed honeymoon; they couldn’t enjoy it at the right time because I was to be born, so they waited until I was a bit older.” I know he understands where this is going, his eyes are practically screaming his feelings, I don’t like him so sad, but it’s my fault for ranting, I should be quick about this; he’ll smile again soon. “Soulmates until the end. Ship sank, both dead. The end.”   “Is this the reason why you are so skeptic about being soulmates?” Oh… so that what I was going for! Yeah, that’s right, thank God he’s smart and has picked it up, I couldn’t.   “Destiny is a bitch that ruins lives: the one that she points as your perfect lover can lead you to your ruin.” My chest is heavy. Am I saying this to him or to myself? I can’t bring myself to doubt him, so these words must be meant for him. His eyes widen, his expression quite angry now; that’s not a smile. Shit, I should stop… immediately.   “Are you saying you do not trust me?”   “Just saying you shouldn’t trust me.”   “And why is that?”   “Mate, you are giving yourself to me from the very first day, I don’t want that! She did that and guess what? She died!” He’s not angry anymore, but my eyes can’t seem to focus on his expression, my vision is blurry. “You are too good to give up everything for me so stop it!” He grabs me, I feel something around me. Him? His arms?! He’s hugging me… it feels warm.   “I could just take my stuff and leave.” You should. “But what if I want to stay with you?”   “No one would stay with me, you are just accepting the burden of this fucking tattoo.” He looks me in the eyes, I still find it difficult to see, my eyelids are heavy and sight is getting darker.   “Burden or not, I made my choice and I want you to respect it. Listen up, okay?” His hands reach for my shoulders, giving me a strong shake. “You are an amazing person, I already told you: you are weird. But a weird I came to love. If you need someone to hold you and tell you how fucking awesome you are, I’m here. I’ll gladly smack some good sense into this stupidly and uselessly chaotic mind of yours, anytime. I’ll be here for you, because I want to be here.”   “You’re here just because of this!” I grab his wrist, showing him his own right hand. “You’re biased.”   “So you think I have no chance of genuinely liking you?! You think I’ll never find anything to love about you by myself?”   “That’s about right.” My chest hurts, a strong ache is tearing me apart. It’s not his fault though, I am to blame. What I’m saying is… heartless. Why can’t I believe him? “The only reason you kept talking to me was your hand.” I am tired of this, all I’m doing is… is right. Don’t fall for it! He deserves better than me, there must be some kind of mistake behind this, that’s why he’s here. If I keep talking he’ll understand and he will finally leave! I’ll go back to my normal life, happy to have helped out a lost fellow. I open my mouth to speak, but he stops me in a loud voice.   “Destiny. You and I were meant to meet. So what if I’m biased?” He shows me his hand, something burning in his eyes. “Do you understand, that this means that I would fall in love with you no matter what? Do you understand that there is no way you can talk your way out of my heart now?” Stubborn. So fucking stubborn! I grind my teeth in irritation.   “There might be no happy ever after, even if we are destined! So why don’t you try and look for it with someone better?!” I push him away from me, don’t come any closer. “Just leave this dump of a man that’s me and be happy, will you?!”

There it is. I deserve this.

Chapter 9

 My face hurts, burns, my hand reaches for my cheek as my eyes send a shocked stare at Lúcio. He slapped me, he slapped me good. Hell, it hurts. So he has the guts to smack sense into me… uh…   “Shut up.”  Anger, that’s what I feel. I’ve done it, I feel bad. “Now you listen to what I have to say, Jamie.” I just nod my head, looking him in the eyes as they slowly soften in a smile; wasn’t he angry a minute ago? Why does he look so sweet now? He’s bright again.   “Do you like me?”   “Yes.” He sighs relieved. There is no doubt that I like him, I can’t lie about that.   “This text here, what my hand says, means that I was meant to meet you one day. It’s just an helping hand to find you, nothing big.” His arms reach for me again, around my chest. “You collapsed on the ground, I took you to the hospital, we talked and started a friendship. All of this I would have done with or without knowing you were my soulmate. I would have done it for anyone.” Is that so…?  Yeah, that is actually quite a normal thing to do, it doesn’t sound forced. Does he really have no other choice though? Is he stuck with me forever? There must be a way out of this. A pair of hands reaches for my face, I am forced to look him in the eyes, they shine so lovely.   “What if I like the choice I have? What if I want to stay with you forever? What if I don’t need to find a way out?” What the how does he know what I am thinking?! That’s somewhat creepy but... that’s what I want to hear. What I need to hear.   “Mate, imma ask you a question and you gotta be honest, okay?” He nods his head with a smile, he’s so precious. “Why would you stick with me now? Now that I’m pushing you away, this is obviously not what you expected.”   “It is not, you’re right.” His arms move around my chest again, his skin feels soft against mine, his breath is steady and quiet. “But that’s also something I like: you’re not granted. I have to work my ass off for you, and you can bet I will.” I can’t help but laugh at his words, he really is something. He’s the one who shouldn’t be giving himself for granted…   “Really, how is that any good?”   “Because it’s a part of you. And with each part of you I meet, I fall more and more in love.” He slowly tightens his grip on my shirt, he keeps me close. “I will not leave you anytime soon, Jamie.”   “You're a madman.” I have no other answer right now, but I feel heavy, I can’t express anything with my voice, I’m too tense, too stupid and too stubborn to just give in. I know I could just end this right here and now. I want to be with him but… He smiles up at me, his eyes shining their brightest gleam. How is he still here with me? Why?   “Wish I could be an happy one at least.” Happy? I don’t want him to be sad. What would make him happy? I know what to do but… do I have the balls to do it? I sigh loud: man up, Jamison. He tilts his head worried by my silence, but his expression suddenly grows tender as I wrap my arms around him, touching his soft hair and holding him close to my chest. He embraces me, tighter, he’s warm… I want to… he does it. He kisses me. It blows my mind. His lips so soft on my dry ones, they’re just like I expected them to be. I can’t help myself, I kiss him back. I have to lean in for him to reach my neck, to let his arms run around it; he’s so short, or am I too tall? No, it’s perfect like this. I have to take a breath, he just keeps smooching my face, it tickles. I give in, he wins: I’m his.   “Thank you, Jamie.” Excuse me?   “No. Thank you.” Our foreheads touch, he looks me in the eyes and smiles faintly, I put an arm around his waist, with the other one I try to untie his hair, just to make it easier for me to run my fingers through it. “Thank you for still being here… thank you for being my soulmate.” This is what I wanted to tell him. He has to understand how crazily lucky I am for having him with me. How fucked up he is for accepting me. He has done it, no turn backs now, he won and he’ll get the prize. I’ll do my best to not disappoint him too much though, I don’t want to.   “Anytime, man, anytime.” I kiss him, unable to keep looking at his handsome face without doing anything. When he responds I feel a different drive leading his actions, he's more forceful, more passionate: I love it. I love him so much.

 It’s so good. So fucking good. His soft lips open for me, I take control, I feel warm inside. He's gasping for air, his chest close to mine, I feel his heavy breathing. I pull him up, he laces his legs around my waist, his hands holding gently my face, stroking it. His skin is soft, I like his scent. We are finally eye-to-eye, he is so handsome… I look for his neck to kiss it, bite it; he moans under his breath, a glorious sound that should be louder. I want to hear him squeal. I sit him on the counter, keeping him busy with kisses while I try to make room behind him, I don't want any stupid object in the way as I force him down, pin him. I've wanted to do this for a while: kiss the shit out of him until he begs me to stop for air. He doesn't though, he pulls me closer, with each gasp his hips twitch under mine, he quietly whispers my name. Do it. Say it again. More. Yes! Louder! His body is a sweaty mess just like mine, closer, I want him even closer. His back is arching a bit, his legs now hold me in position over him, I take his arms, forcing them away from my neck and on the counter, my fingers find the gaps between his. The look on his face is beautiful and it's mine alone to see, it gets to me fast. Why can't I pull him closer? This is not enough. His shirt is in the way, get it off quickly, let him throw away mine and pin him back down. Better. He's responding, he kisses me, his legs tightening their grip around me. It's getting unbearable down there, he moans again, louder this time. I want to do so many things to him, to see him react, hear him at that time as he screams my name. I stop for a short while, I want to tell him something but I hesitate. His eyes are begging me to continue, I put my forehead on his. He speaks instead.   “You are so handsome, Jamie.” His voice is husky, a whisper under my skin. He's panting, I needed him like this.   “You have no idea how hot you look right now.” He chokes a chuckle when I move back to his neck. His finger run through my hair, a gentle gesture that only turns me harder. Harder… he's pushing our hips together, no wonder it's getting tighter down there. Fuck he has such a nice scent. His hands stroking me, I can't stop kissing his neck, no matter how much I try to go back to his lips or to move lower. He's giving me more space to kiss and suck… suck… yes. Should I? I mean, we are practically doing it, so it's only natural to go for it. Finally I manage to give up on his fucking neck, I distance myself a bit to take a breather, my eyes scanning his body… he's fit, his dark skin pleases my eyes. I help him sit back up, he looks confused and slightly disappointed. I put his arms around my neck to keep him close for the time being. He tilts his head, telling me with an airy smooch to go back to his lips. I give him a quick peck before moving on with my slightly different project. I grab his belt, the sweet stare he is giving me turns into something else, needy, lustful. Perfect.    “At least let me get you out of these, mate, be patient.”    “Oh, shut up and move it.” I laugh at his frustrated answer, hiding my embarrassed face in his chest. I am still trying to undo his belt, what the fuck is this belt?! He moves closer, he kisses my cheek, my ear, he bites on it. His whispering is so sexy, just like everything about him currently. He's mine. Mine alone. His hands move to my pants, he's faster, I'm in my underpants, he's already doing working. Fuck it's good, so good. He's kissing me again, his lips moving slowly on mine it's so addictive. But those full lips… oh, I so want them somewhere else. I am trying to concentrate here but hell he's giving me an hard time, so hard, really hard and somewhat wet. Piece of shit, I am…   “Lúcio, I was going for-…” I have to stop, a moan escapes my lips, he chuckles entertained close to my ear… bastard. “… I was going for something.”   “Me too, and unlike you I know how to undo a belt.” Cocky son of a… fuck! His hand is on my skin now. “Hurry up, don't make me do it myself.” I pull away his sneaky hand: that’s getting too close to let me clearly think about what I have to do. With a relived sigh I finally hear a click, his belt comes undone, his pants hit the floor.   “There you go, see? I can do it.” I try to tease him, but I obtain husky moans that really get to me as I make my way down his body. “You just needed to be patient.” I am the one to speak; I was about to come in his hand a few moments ago… his legs find my waist, his lips mine, his hand my head to dive in deeper with his tongue. I don't want anything else right now.

 What happens next I'll always remember; his voice changing constantly between pleasure and fun, his mouth going from moaning to smiling in an instant, his eyes shut but always ready to meet mine when I look for them… he gives me so much life. I love him so much.

Chapter 10

 Opening my eyes to find I've been sleeping next to Jamie is one of the best feelings in the world. I've already stolen a glimpse of his most relaxed expression, but now I have no fear of waking him up, I can snuggle him and touch him non-stop; and not only because he's a dead rock while asleep. I stroke his chest with my hand as I rest my head on his shoulder. What happened last night was so right, everything we said, did… I smile proud of my actions as I squeeze the body of the one I am so happy to finally call my boyfriend. Wake up, wake up! I want to kiss you good morning! Come on, Jamie… He moves in his sleep, a yawn escaping his lips. Lips, lips, lips, must kiss them awake. I pull myself up and position on top of him, stroking his face as I whisper in his ear.    “Jamie,” He grumbles angrily, turning to face the pillow and pushing me off my seat. “come on, man…” I climb back up, my hands now massaging his board shoulders and his back. I notice he has scratch marks that weren’t here yesterday… oopsie, these are definitely my fault. I finally hear an answer, a loud beautiful moan of pleasure, his hand grasping on the bed sheet. I lean closer to speak right to his ear.    “Good morning, Jamie.” He lifts his hand to tell me to give him a moment. I chuckle, kissing the nape of his neck.   “Lemme tell you one thing, your hands are a gift to humanity, mate.” As I move to the lower part of his back, he gasps for air. “This is fucking great…” I recognise his tone from last night, I know I am truly doing a great job. How I enjoy each small squeal I cause. I step off, I let him turn face-up before lying on top of him yet again. I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Jamie wraps his arm around me.   “Pretend I'm stroking your cheek, ‘kay?” He winks at me with a grin and I only smile at his self-humor. I give him a tender kiss then another deeper one, his mouth parts following my lead. 

 Twenty minutes? Thirty? More? I don't know how much time we spent cuddling this morning, but it was the right amount, a beautiful start to an hopefully beautiful day. I am waiting for Jamie to come out of the bathroom so we can hit the town, meanwhile I mess around with my phone, checking for any message or missed calls. It's mainly texts from my family and friends back home asking how it's going with Jamie, they are so curious damn. My mind remembers the phone call of some days ago: my mother asked all sort of information about him: is he handsome? Is he tall? He's Australian so he must be blond, right? She loves natural light hair, you don't see it often around in Rio, unless they're tourists. My father questioned about his financial state, his family, what football team he cheered for, serious stuff. And then there were my brothers and my closest friends: so they are a guy, uh? We knew you were fucking gay. They mocked me for minutes, asking all personal questions I couldn't have answered in front of Jamie, no matter if he didn't speak Portuguese. That was just straight out embarrassing, but that's what friends are for. The last question they asked got to me, making it impossible for me to not smile. Are you happy right now? Yes I am. Don't let him go then, and send us a picture asap.  I still haven't sent the picture… but I have a different plan, I should talk to Jamie about it though.

As we sit down at the counter, I take the chance to bring up the topic.   “Jamie, what would you say if…”   “Well, well, little Jamie finally became an adult!” Hana pinches Jamison on the cheek like a granny would. She mocks him, a smug grin on her face. He must have told her what happened last night while I was lost in my thoughts; it doesn't bother me the slightest, she's been a great wingman, it's only natural to inform her. Jamie is blushing a deep tint of red, but he choughs it out to answer with the very same tone.   “Sounds about right, how is that hello going for you?”

Driving each other up the wall like that, I think I've never actually seen them having a friendly conversation without arguing, it's funny. Hana pats aggressively Jamie on the head, messing with his hair, then she turns to me. She gives me a thumb up with a wink, I wink back. She really did help, too bad I don't know how to give her an appropriate payback. Jamie runs an arm around my neck, holding me close to him while we are sitting; feels good, man. He whispers to my ear… I nod an answer with a smirk to his proposal. Let's see what happens.   “Lúcio, you are the hottest bloke I've ever met.” He snuggles against my head, I purr closer to him smiling happily.   “You're pretty handsome yourself, Jamie.” A touched awww escapes Hana's lips as her eyes fill in sweetness. She was about to go back to work with a grin, but our interaction halts her.   “But you look even better when you’re panting beneath me.” His voice is husky, warm and close to my ear, he bites on it; this can easily turn me on, right here, right now. But that’s not what we are going for!   “You haven’t seen how good you look when you beg me.”   “Oh my God, I can’t believe you are actually saying that here!” Hana’s expression’s a mixture between disgust and excitement, one word: amazing. “Keep it in your pants, you two!” Both Jamie and I blow up laughing at her, a small tear escaping my eyes as I lay on the counter for support.   “Hana, you should see your face!”   “I don’t want to hear anything from you two anymore, omg!” She waves her arms in the air as she leaves. “I’m going back to Korea tomorrow, goodbye!”

About that topic! I have to talk to Jamie. We order something to drink, a cold tea and a coffee after apologising to poor Hana, we have to pay full price this time, we deserve it. We are finally alone at the counter.   “Jamie,” He lifts his gaze to me, his hand reaching from mine and squeezing it. “what would you say if I asked you to go back to Rio with me?” His eyes widen quickly, it must be a pretty surprising question to pull out of the blue.   “I’d say yes, obviously.” Obviously… it’s not obvious at all, that’s sweet of him though. I don’t think he’s that excited about leaving his country, especially to meet my family, but his smile is still precious.   “I’d like you to meet my family, I know it’s not that exciting but…” He stops me with a shush.   “Ehy now, I want to meet your family, mate. It’s only fair for me since you already know mine.” His family… when? It would be really rude of me to just ask though, inconsiderate, I can’t do it.  “Well, my family by choice, that is.” Oh, I see how it is!   “Are Mako and Hana in there too?” He grins happily, I got it right. When you are alone like him… your friends do become your family.   “They are cool blokes, gotta love them all.” He takes it so casually, I admire his strength; I don’t know what I would do if my family just disappeared, they mean the world to me. He too means the world now though, I’m here for him too… I want to be part of his family by choice. Maybe it’s a bit early to ask for it, I should keep this for myself for the time being, might sound pushy, I should change topic, or at least return on the first one.   “So you’re up for the trip?” He stops for a minute, his lips sealed in silence, I know I shouldn’t rush him, but I really want an answer. He takes a sip of his tea. And raises an eyebrow, his eyes looking far beyond my shoulders, it’s almost distracting. In a blink they turn back to me, I welcome him back with a smile.   “Just tell me when, mate.” He leans in, an arm around my neck as he gives me a deep sweet kiss. I close my eyes with a smile.

  “Well,” I hold on to his hand, a laugh escaping my mouth. “guess you are stuck with me now.” He chuckles and grins mockingly as he walks out the bar and closes the door behind him.   “Who said I was the one stuck?”   “You could never be a burden, shut your mouth.” I kiss his lips as his arm reaches for my neck. I can’t help it, now that I can I just want to smooch him to death. What even makes this amazing bloke my soulmate? What makes me his? Destiny is weird, let me tell you: he gets two of the most stubborn people around and smacks them together until it works out. Probably it's having fun that little bitch. It doesn't matter though, I will try my best from today on, if we both truly want this, there's no reason to not do it. I doesn't have to end that way, that was not our destiny.   “Oh shit, mate, we are both jobless.” Lúcio expression blanks, his smile stuck. He soon laughs it off though, the brightest expression I've seen on him in a while; it melts me. He starts to blithely walk away, where are you going that’s too far…   “First step is a positive mental attitude.”   “I think we have enough of that, captain optimism.”   “That's the spirit!” I embrace him from behind tightly, my arms around his waist as my face sinks in his hair. What a nice scent. I pull out my phone, opening the camera.   “Smile, Sunshine.” What I see on the screen makes me warm inside, I don't think I'll get used to that genuine grin of his anytime soon: it's too great. He quickly frees himself from my grip, runs an arm around my neck and kisses me. The camera snaps my new home screen.

Congrats you lived through all of this! Remember that there are a couple oneshots follow ups on my AO3! 

#overwatch #ow boombox #lucio correia dos santos #jamison fawkes #ow lucio #junkrat #ow dva #dva #hana song #fanfiction #THIS IS DOUBLE THE LENGHT OF THE OTHER ONE BUT STILL 10 CHAPTERS WOW #once you're done reading it just know that THAT is all you'll ever get from me #my fanfic

[gothicfury]

for the weirdo in all of us.

preview:

Lupus smirked as he saw her move throughout the sky, he wanted to join in the fun and transformed. He started breathing heavily and then knelt, his teeny hands started cracking as the flesh of his hands broke to make way for the enormous wolf hands, hair started to envelop his body and his backbone cracked to form a bigger cage, It ripped his flesh and he became a mixture of dark skin and hair, his ears became pointy and his nose became more pronounced as he started to resemble the face of a wolf, with gray hair on the side of his head, his dark eyes became a luminance of light blue. He growled then the muscles on his body hypertrophied, he ferociously ripped the remaining skin and It showed the wolf's Monstrous Body, Strong and unassailable.  He howled at the moon then ran fast... climbing houses, jumping on the roofs, then running on the street.

Strange Family Values. Episode 2 The Poison House By Gothicfury.

                                                    Dedicated To My Grandma.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental However Some characters is inspired/based on history, some events might have been drawn from a variety of sources but is mixed with fiction. The role played by the character in this narrative is entirely fictional. It contains fictionalized scenes, composite and representative characters and dialogue, and time compression. The views and opinions expressed in the story are those of the characters only and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by individuals on which those characters are based. Some are also FF. The insert song parts are not property of the author and are solely used just as an example. Warning: Strong Explicit Language Might be present. Violence and Gore Present.

Scene 1 *Insert spooky witch song here, for example; Seasons of the Witch – Donovan * Sullivan has unloaded several pieces of baggage from the black car,  He drove father's car, a 1935 black Buick, Most of the things were there, while we, rode in a 1960 Buick Le Sabre, It was the family car, and the whole family fits in it. It was a thing of beauty. Sullivan was pale and looked slightly dead than us, He had wild wind-swept hair and is very good-looking for someone who looks a bit grayish and white, He wore a white shirt with ruffles and a black vest as if he came from the Victorian era. I have a feeling that he is a zombie since sometimes he looks at our heads funny.

*Flash back to Sullivan wide-eyed looking at our heads funny, reaching out and wanting to grab what's inside, then we look back at him and he puts his hand back into place like nothing happened. We look at him awkwardly*. He is also very clumsy and walks funny.

But Sullivan has been good to us, he always follows and helps us when we need it, like that time when Lupus couldn't transform into a werewolf because he was stranded in a field of wolfsbane along with some very bad bullies who think of nothing better. Lupus started to itch and started feeling dizzy while the boys laughed at him. Lupus growled at them as they laughed... "Oh look it's a wolf boy! The wolf boys going to bite us hahaha!" The bully very pleased with himself laughed and looked at his friends as he pointed at Lupus.   "What's wrong wolf boy?, Not feeling too well?. Let's teach you a lesson!".  The leader of the bullies sneered, his eyes wrinkled and he stared menacingly at Lupus.  They cackled, as they started to kick and hit him. BAD idea. Very, very, very, very... bad idea indeed. They sky began to look of orange and purple. The sun was about to set. The boys continued to beat up Lupus. He wriggled of pain and most of all annoyance; he lay on the grass helpless and was pissed beyond belief as he tasted his own blood on his lips. Then Lupus howled so loud the boys said "Wtf?!, fucking weirdo!". Lupus howl rang throughout the sky, when the noise was gone they cried, "Whatever! let's kick him some more" but as soon as they said this, a tall dead like man appeared towering before them.

Sullivan bent down and looked at them one by one, slowly, with his pitch black eyes that were so deep it felt like it was going to suck their souls out. See Sullivan was very tall, to human eyes the color of his white grayish skin can be a bit daunting, He glared at them, there was no sound but they heard something scary like a gust of wind, That said “Mmmmmm.” /*insert scary gust of the wind here*/ which probably meant they are going to get eaten very soon. The boys felt fear trickle at the back of their necks, crawling its way to their spines. The first bully started to hold his friend's hands, grasping, checking if they were still there. Their hearts beat fast. Well, Sullivan did sort of look like a zombie. "z.....z...z....." the boy said, and then Sullivan muttered "boooooooh!" and at that moment opened his mouth to bite at the wind. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" They screamed. They started or at least tried to run away, one of them tumbled and fell, and tried so hard to get up, and at that instant checked to look back if It was near, all while he was crying. and IT was. When Sullivan tried to take a step, “AAAaahhhhhhh!!!!” the boy ran and screamed some more. It was lovely. I wish I was there to see it. The great part, It wasn't really Sullivan who they should be scared of. When those bullies left, Lupus was already so weak from the beating and worst; the wolfsbane was poison to his open wounds, So Sullivan had to carry him and he quipped: "You shouldn't be playing in a field of wolfsbane Master." Then left the field of wolfsbane to go home. As soon as they were far away from the wolfsbane, Lupus wounds started to heal, the blood in his lacerations started to bond and soon enough, The cuts in his face, hands, and feet started closing.  The purple bruise in his eyes, slowly vanished, until it was only his own skin. The only thing left was the dirt and the dried blood left in his lips and as they were nearing our house, Lupus eyes opened, He glowered and at that instant his pupils turned yellow and suddenly, They were pitch black angry.

*Insert scary rock song here example Powerwolf – Lupus Dei* Those boys. Did not survive the night. And it was not Sullivan's fault. It did not involve kicking and hitting. But It did involve a very gruesome dinner. A lot of growling and snarling sounds from a big rabid possessed dog. with lots of blood splattering on the windows and the walls. And screaming, lots and lots of screaming. Till there was no more. *Insert scary sonata here, for example, Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven* And a boy's feet being dragged in the forest, with trails of blood on the ground. He was not found.

Of course, I knew this because when Sullivan came home with Lupus all bloodied up and dirty, Mother was not pleased, not pleased at all. We had to look at her cauldron to see what happened, Mother was Furious. Good thing Father was asleep. Mother was about to do something to punish those boys, but they were not lucky enough to receive mother's punishment because before she can walk out. Lupus Pissed, Fumed in his Demon voice. You know that voice that sounds like a demon is possessing you. That voice; “They're Mine!.” Growled, Transformed and wrecked the door as he ran pass through it. *Insert fun spooky song here example tainted love – Marilyn Manson*

We looked at each other awkwardly for a few seconds then Mother whined “My poor baby...”, Paused and continued. “Well, since that's all sorted out, Someone needs to fix the door, I am not in the mood for that. Sullivan, fix the door please.” and moved on with her life like nothing happened. *Insert fun spooky song here continue song example tainted love – Marilyn Manson* Scene 2 Speaking of Lupus, he was wide-eyed and fascinated with the House. "Whoa! we should definitely explore this house!" he remarked, Then he started to run wildly towards Mother and Father and into the house door, declared "Dibs on the bedroom!..." Then ran inside the house. As if Anybody cared. Wait, I do. Damnit!. I always declared the attic, as my room. I like high places. I like to look down at how small and petty people are from above the high bedroom window. They looked pathetic. Father while walking inside the Manor started talking about its history. I didn't  pay much attention to what he was saying, I wanted to look around and see if there is anything worth doing in this new house of ours. I started to feel the intricate design of our new fireplace, checking if there was any secret mechanism, contraption or locking device camouflaged so that they appear to be part of the fireplace, that might lead to a secret passage, checking the bookcase if it slides and leads into another room, checking the floors if there is any trap door. The house was intriguing. I would like to know It's secret. After all, we would be living here for a while or so, depending on how well we behave. "As it turns out this was a poison house!" I heard my father say as the word poison had caught my attention. *Insert song, for example, Yann tiersen - La valse des monstres.* The walls were covered in red wallpapers with black accents that cut midway where the dark wooden wall starts, as soon as you enter it, there was a giant hall, there were black and white marbled tiles as floors and there was a huge staircase that leads to the upper rooms, The ceilings were also rich in Renaissance paintings of Gods, Angels, Demons and other worldly creatures surrounded and structured by ivory carvings.

There were also arched doors that goes to the other rooms in the first floor, we had first headed to the massive living room, this is not new to me, I am just describing so that you would know.  It was one of the perks of this family. Father was a good business man, he had consumed in his time, a generous amount of Land, gold and stocks, that we are able to live comfortably. The living room had huge arched windows with beautiful hand made carvings of animals, gargoyle, fairies, wolves and other mystical creatures, even huge ornate statues of mermaids, as well as sumptuous silk green curtains and draperies. There were elegant dark green wallpapers with black Victorian Gothic style patterns that also cuts at the bottom half and it is where the dark wooden wall starts. There was an iron wrought chandelier, That shone brightly in the middle of the room, below it, was a huge dark red carpet and three black huge opulent soft sofas facing each other, Its black was the color similar to a dark night, It also had intricate patterns and dark wood to support it. Near the fireplace was two Blood Red leather Thrones, Its wooden carvings were of course of a vampire and the other one of a Siren. It smelled of old wood, new things and of lavender flowers from the vases.  Father has once again outdone himself.  But what I was excited to see most of all, was my room and the library. It was waiting for me, but I had to sit on the sofa first and bond with the family. Scene 3 The Poison House As we sat in our new living room father started to talk about the Poison House. "I believe that this was what they called the Poison house, in the 1820s a strange housewife lived here, said housewife had a devious habit of poisoning those that surrounded her. The first person she poisoned was her first husband and their children, after that she moved on to poison her father and mother-in-Law, then her father. Afterward, she poisoned her second husband and their children. In the end, she was married to a third husband and they had three children, she tried to poison him twice but survived and as he grew suspicious he took their three children away from her. And even though she had done those Awful, terrible things, she still had suitors because she had a very enviable dowry so people kept coming in hopes that the rumors were false, only to find out, it was, unnervingly true. She was, a horrifying woman indeed."

“In her trials when asked about the incidences, she admitted to what she did; All those horrible terrible things, all while she was giggling and laughing, pleased with what she had done. The people felt fear as they saw her laugh. Some people believe that the devil himself possessed her.” “Although I doubt that. I seriously think he has better things to do.” Father quipped. We snickered. Some people say that the ghost of that strange house wife and/or her victims still roam around the house waiting for its next victim or maybe even revenge." *Thunder and lightning * “What a nice weather” Mother spoke, She was looking out of the window. "Why is it a nice weather mother?" the twins asked. "Because when it rains and there is thunder and lightning, it keeps the family together". Mother happily replied. "That, and we can hug each other!", Then mother attacked the twins in their seat and tickled them to death. As the flames of our new fireplace lit our faces, Lupus and the twins were goggle-eyed, still taken with Fathers story telling. Then the twins both said, "We should find her." Next, they started to move and crawl-walk towards the staircases. “Careful Dearies, We don’t! want to dent, the new wooden staircases.” "Yes, Mum.” The twins eerily replied in unison, all while chuckling. "Well that's very well fine but I should go and take a rest now," Grandpa said. All while muttering “Very busy in the morning, things to blow up…” as he stood up. “Father?!” Our aunt exclaimed. “What?” Grandpa innocently attested, while he looked for an accomplice and blinked at Lupus and me. For a second she was gawking at grandpa then immediately glared at him as if warning him that he shouldn't do whatever it is that he is thinking or planning of doing.

"Oh calm yourself, Philomena! I am very much capable of controlling myself." Grandpa was a world war veteran, he would always tell us of tales when he used to blow up things using his cannon, pulverized and beat the enemies all by himself while his comrades cower and watched in awe of his blazing glory. But he always had a sad look on his face every time the story ended, and then he would smile at us with melancholy and say “Ah those days are gone.” But the truth is, It is far from gone, Grandpa fills his retirement time blowing up things in the backyard, occasionally Time traveling or just general chaos, and once in a while accidentally blowing up our neighbors' houses or making huge fireworks which coincidentally Grandpa, Lupus, the twins and I thoroughly enjoy. The look of shock on their charcoal covered faces when they come out of their houses while they cough and fan away the gray smoke and fumes, as they scream of horror when they see the remains of their house had already been extinguished by the explosion. It is,  irreplaceable. "Our house! Our house is Gone!" They grab their hair like they've completely lost their minds and scream some more. Those looks are priceless. Also, that is the cue that we should hide, next we would laugh so hard that our tummies would hurt. Family bonding time is irreplaceable. Lol.  Oh please! Don't feel sorry for them, they were pesky neighbors “C’mon now Anastasia, we should get to sleep for it’s a brand new morning tomorrow.” He looked at Grandma and beamed. "Yes, Love." Grandma approved. She stopped her sewing and said… “Good night Dearies.” She beckoned to us and then we smiled. We love our Grandma, she's just so kind to us, how can you not love a fluffy old woman. Lupus and I gave her a big hug. Now you have to understand we are not like this to anyone, we only do this to our grandparents because they are the best. She always gives us the best cookies, brownies, Milk and occasionally she bakes those candies for little children that for some reason went missing on Halloween. Those candies must be Magical. My mother always says "They went to some place special". We don't actually believe her.

What probably happens is that they get eaten. Don't worry, they only eat the bullies, the bad kind; especially the fat cruel ones. I overheard them talking once, that they tasted very sweet but they only eat them on Halloween. So, No worries, Father is the only one who eats humans every day. Back when I didn't understand why, I asked my Father once, why he ate humans.  He warmly replied “To keep my skin warm child, so I could hug you and your brother tight”. Then he held our cheeks and voila! It did make him warm. Father eats everyone. Not just the cruel ones. Its family tradition you have to understand. Don’t worry we have limitations. Not too much as Aunt Philomena had said, else the town people would Hunt us down. "Where are the twins? I would like to say goodnight to them". Grandma asked Grandpa while they are ascending the stairs. "They are upstairs, we will say goodnight to them there". Grandpa held grandma's arm as they walked, A sign of love and a true gentleman. Soon as Grandma and Grandpa went to bed, Mum wanted to do something special and was about to tell us. "Well, what do you think kids?". She put both her hands on her teeny tiny waist. “It’s a great house mum…” But the doorbell rung. “Who could it be? at this hour of the night?”. Mother looked outside curious. “A meal?” father said-asked while father looked at all of us. Lupus and I snickered and laughed. Mom smiled as well. Aunt Philomena looked at us funny. She squinted her eyes and scanned us for a few seconds. We stopped laughing. “Sullivan fetch the door please”. A human rosy-cheeked from the cold, blonde hair and average looking, was completely drenched from the rain, was waiting at the door. "H-hello Mons.." She had a long pause of horror when she saw Sullivan, she blinked to get herself together, then continued, "Monsieur" unsure of what to say, "I am here for the job christening. I mean listing. Job listing" She stammered out of sheer shock.

Sullivan was confused for a few seconds, he was expressionless but was a little pained at how rude the woman is, so he moved his head from side to side  as a sign of disapproval but subsequently continued to lead the stranger to the living room. “Madame this woman  claims she is here for the job listing?” Sullivan inquired. "I don't remember a job listing, did you post a job offer, dear?". Mother asked Father. Father was busy with writing something. "I don't know? I did not.?" “How about you Philomena?” Father inquired. Aunt Philomena was Curious and questioned the stranger nicely, "What job are you here for deary?". “For a maid service Madame”, The stranger responded. “Well you know, we do need some help with the house chores.” Aunt Philomena hilariously asking for approval from everyone. “Well, we have Sullivan for that,” Mother stated. “I mean someone who actually can do chores and cook and clean.” Aunt Philomena insisted. “We don't need that we eat hu...” "HYUMUBERGERS!" Aunt Philomena swiftly responded. She was bug-eyed while quickly stopping father before he could finish his sentence. “I Mean hamburgers. We eat out a lot”. Aunt Philomena explained with relief. Lupus and I smirked, giggled and looked at each other. “Ah, I see, I'm a, very good at Cooking, cleaning washing clothes.” The stranger pleadingly tried to convince us that she was worth the money. “We don't need that we have Ma...” Mother carelessly replied, but before she can finish Aunt Philomena talked over her as well. “Majorly overpriced washing machine!.”

"Yes, we have a big one!" The girl was suddenly puzzled. Aunt Philomena seeing a chance of a normal house and less magic,  since there is an actual human around, explained why there is a need for a help. Eventually, Mother and Father agreed. "Okay since all that is done with". Mother beckoned to Sullivan, "Sullivan?, bring this poor girl in the Maids quarter and provide her a change of clothes. Please. She's very bright." meaning Mother was in horror of how white her clothes were And how pink and supple her skin was. "Yes, Madame," Sullivan answered. As soon as she was gone. Aunt Philomena asked “Please don't eat her. Please. Please! Please! don't eat her.” “Don't worry Philomena, we shan't eat the people living in this house.” Mother befuddled and irritated asked, "Why all of a sudden fancy this human Philomena?" They looked at each other and then there was a pause. Mothers eyes squint at Aunt Philomena then suddenly her eyes widened as she gasped. "Is it because you like her?" Mother excitedly and suspiciously asked. “What?!” Aunt Philomena confused then suddenly knew where this was going. “Is it because you're gay. Philomena. Are you?”. Then she held Philomena's hand and had a dramatic look on her face. “Because if you are, you can always tell your sister.” “No. Heavens No!” Aunt Philomena defended “Not that there is anything wrong with that. But No.” Aunt Philomena's brow furrowed as she was vexed. “Oh.” Mother uttered, Unsatisfied as she sneered at Aunt Philomena. "Great, we can't do anything normal now". I grumbled. I rolled my eyes and shook my head from side to side as a sign of disapproval and walked out to go to my room. “I'll be in my room.”

“Good night children”. Mother and father said. Lupus also walked to his bedroom. Father used to sleep in the morning since he cannot go out during daylight, but ever since the invention of sunblock and a little dust of Mothers magic, he was finally able to go out late afternoon when the sun is not too bright and when the clouds have covered the sky. So he hunts for a few hours at night and goes to bed with Mother after, then wakes in the late afternoon, but he got really sneaky in the previous houses and always chose cloudy areas, I imagined him in Alaska, He would probably be a King there. Now that you think about it, we might have the same kind there. Hmm. What a strange thought.

Scene 4 Morning came. The light from My lancet windows in the attic shone on my face. I forgot to close the curtains last night. My bedroom was huge. It had matte black walls and father had the book cases installed on the wall. At the top, there was an arch and ornate carvings of cherubs and demons, witches, wizards, vampires and mermaids and some ethereal creatures I don't know about. The book shelves had a wine colored background, which tons of my books and potions covered. It was in front of my bed. There were glass like scones as well as wrought iron lamps and a black chandelier to light the room at night. There was a huge white door connecting to my bathroom. A black table and a chair for writing,  a long black sofa and a glass side table with candles, a potion and an Athame. Black and white curtains with Victorian Gothic Style patterns to add some color. My bed was simple. It has a white bed sheet with black blankets, and my old pillows that had a white Betelgeuse and Edward Scissorhands pattern which I love so much, and a matte black wooden foundation to support it. There was a closet on the right and a black chest at the foot of my bed. On the left, there were two lancet windows which explains my high ceiling and in the middle of the wall, there was one huge window with black cushions and pillows. It was covered in elegant black silk curtains. It was nice. It'll probably grow on me but I still hold something dear for my old room. I miss it.

Anyways before I trail off.  The Doorbell Rang. And three very loud knocks from our Vintage Gothic Devil head Door knocker. It was loud. It was a demon holding the knocker on its mouth. By the way, our door was arched and was similar to a fairy door, or a pirates door it's made of wood and well wha' daya' know?, It's black. Well, gray-black to be exact. It was Huge and scary. Which is why it's suspicious if there are neighbors. “Great...” I muttered to my self and then opened the door of my bedroom and I bellowed “nosy neighbors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The two nosy neighbors overheard while looking at the door scope and looked at each other funny and mumbled, "how rude?" Mother was woken from her Beauty rest. “What! What? What is happening?!” She sat up on the bed, still wearing her Eye mask, and was graveled beyond belief. Then Sullivan Opened the door. The Neighbors had their big plastic smiles on but was bewildered as soon as they saw Sullivan. Their eyes grew wide and their faces and smiles became distorted, but they tried very hard to hide the fear. Rude. “How may I help you?”. Sullivan asked. Narrator: Earlier these rotten people were spying through their telescope on the newly moved in family. Matilda: By the way, the narrator and I will try to tell this story together because it's way too long for me. Right narrator? Narrator: Yes, Miss. "Hmm. They look weird." The Rotten Human Old Housewife vented. Her name was Michelle. “Ew. They look dead.” A man named Cornell with brown hair ripped. "Ah yes we, would like to reach out our welcome to the new neighbors." They reached out to give a basket of Cinnabon's with their fake smiles plastered across their faces.

“Nyes. I can see. The masters will receive your kindly greetings. For now, accept our deepest gratitude.” Sullivan nodded his head at them as if to bid goodbye, "Sir. Madame." Then Shut the door at their faces. I laughed while spying through the lancet window. They were not pleased. They looked at each other and grumbled words out of their indignation,  as they left the house with disgust. Whatever, I'm sure they'll be back. Come afternoon I looked at the mirror beside my closet, It was in front of my table and didn't feel like wearing my pigtail hair. I change hair a lot because it was easy for us. But I had a default hair, It was like my mother, It was long black and curly on the ends and had a red ribbon on the top, I use it for formal events, but today I felt like wearing my hair down, straight and with silver white ends.  All I had to do was light a candle, pick up that blue bottle of potion that smelled like cherry blossoms by the way, put a little in my hand, put a cut out of what I want my hair or eyes to look like, like a picture from a magazine, put a little offering like a fruit or a flower then put my hands over the candle, look in the mirror and then say a prayer/a chant/ a spell as you humans say. I don't always have to do that all the time. Potions and Rituals are done only for the first spell of any spell, but once you have done the first spell, It leaves a magical imprint or DNA in your body. Imagine the words floating in light and sinking beneath your skin, then you can call to the spell anytime you want. But of course, If you did the rituals and you had potions, the spell will be more exact, It will last longer. You can also use a wand or a stick to call out a spell. Some people like my mother or any elder beings have collected enough magic in their body that it surrounds them, that spells don't need words, sometimes you just need think, wave your hands and call it in your mind, but again if you do the rituals, the powers that be would understand better. It's like talking to a friend, If you want something, you have to “tell” your friend or sometimes even act it out so that he or she would understand, and if you know each other well enough or for a long time, you need look and you guys already understand. Understand?. You can even call demons, angels, or other worldly beings for a certain spell, but that's for Elder beings. There's Dark and white magic. Usually, there's a school that teaches that. But for us, It was handed down to us, were a bit trouble you see. Deep inside I want to go to that school It be fun to make wizard friends, I always Imagine it, but I just end up meeting assholes, plus I just don't have the personality, I'm not exactly a conversation starter.

*insert song here for ex. Marilyn Manson – Nobodies.* Anyways, I like doing the spells and rituals it's more fun. Plus it makes me remember. "Atua me fefine. Whakarongo ki taku inoi. a kia rite ki runga ake na raro . huringa o kanohi . huringa o te makawe . i roto i tau i pai ai . pera kia waiho . pera kia waiho .”

Touching my eyes and brushing through my hair. And voila! New hair. I came down and everyone was having pretend brunch  in the Dining room. I saw "what was your name again?" I asked her. “Nancy, little miss. You go on and have brunch with your family, I cooked delicious food. You look different?” “I colored my hair last night.” I smiled. Then I saw everyone sitting in the dining room. Father was reading the newspaper while Mother was fidgeting with her makeup. Mother can eat Humans and can still eat Human Food but she is on a diet, as far as I know, she is still partly human. My Grandpas and Grandmas are not human at all. They used to be. They pretended to be. They had their time, and now they just want to be grandparents. They only eat normal food now. Once you stop eating humans the aging process begins, afterwards, eventually death will come, that's what Mother said. You don't have to eat them all the time. Once a year would be fine.

There would also be other alternatives, like spells. But Blood is powerful; It binds us, Fills us, and there is a certain Magic in it because it is where life lies, It is the offering that the Gods accept. Father is definitely not human anymore. He definitely doesn't drink blood once a year, But Mother did use a spell to contain him a bit, you know, to lessen the thirst. Aunt Philomena was eating what seems to be a steak and enjoyed it thoroughly. She is the most human in all of us. A little. Well not really, she just pretends to be. I haven't seen her do something crazy. I'm saying this so you will understand why Lupus and I can still eat cereal, we are still partly human. Lupus was eating cereal while Grandpa and Grandma were eating Grandmas biscuits and milk. Sullivan was the only one who seemed to like the food. We ask him to sit with us since it's boring if it is just us. There are plenty of seats on the table. I sat down, waited for compliments but it never happened. I looked at Nancy. "Why don't you sit down Nancy? Eat with us?" I smirked and everyone looked at me like I was insane, obviously, They were all waiting for her to leave. "Uh, I couldn't possibly miss." “Wow, what year is this? Besides, Why not? Sullivan is sitting with us.” Sullivan was eating a mouthful, eating what was fresh meat concealed in leafy greens. Then everyone looked at Sullivan. “Should I get Up miss?” Sullivan asked me. “No. Your family idiot!” I retorted, my eyes widened and I wanted to burst out of laughter because Sullivan's face was filled with blood like gravy then I looked at Nancy “Sit down Nancy.” Nancy looked at everyone. Waiting. Father was sitting in the master's chair of the dining table while  mother was sitting next to him, and next to Caedmon and Waldron in their baby chairs. Aunt Philomena sat right across mother. "Sit!" I beckoned. Then she sat down with this awkward look on her face. Next to Aunt Philomena.

“There you go.” I smiled deviously. “Lupus, pass me the cereal.” “Here you go.” Lupus cleverly placed some of the cereal in the spoon, bent it with his fore finger and threw it at me like a catapult. Fortunately, I managed to stop the time for a few seconds and placed it down my bowl like it fell there. Time ran again. “Thank you so much!”. I glowered at him menacingly, gritted my teeth and my eyes turned pitch black even the white was gone. He did the same thing and we did this for a few seconds. "Children!" Aunt Philomena said.  "We mustn't fight at the dinner table." Good thing Nancy wasn't looking, she was preoccupied with the food and just looking at it. I noticed she was not eating though. "Go eat Nancy." And she started eating but for some reason, she tried to eat in small portions and gave this horribly fake smile. As the food fell right across her mouth. As I was used to weird, I didn't give much fuss about it and thought she was just also... weird. “Sullivan?” asked father. "Yes, Sir?" Sullivan replied. “What was that Infernal banging earlier?” "It was. How would you say? Nosy Neighbors, Sir." Sullivan reiterated. "Ah, I see".  Father  replied while he was reading the newspaper. “They provided a basket of cookies for us Sir and I informed them you shall be receiving said gifts and expressed our deepest gratitude.” "Really?" Aunt Philomena happily inquired "where are those gifts, Sullivan." "It's in the trash bin." Mother sarcastically expressed, making fun of Aunt Philomena.

"Deidra Morgana Strange.!" Aunt Philomena huffed with her teeth together, she started to fake smile and tilted her head towards Nancy, As if to show mother that someone else was in the Dining table. "Oh hush now. Nancy doesn't care. She won't tell on us. Right, Nancy?" “Of course  Madame. I wouldn't tell a soul.” “See.” Mothers hands opened her palm and pointed to Nancy and Aunt Philomena. To prove her point. “Trust No One.” “I think that's unfair Deidra?” “Morgana, call me Morgana. Philomena how many times must I tell you Deidra is so depressing.” “Those nice people probably just wanted to share those nice cookies with us and you shut them out.” They looked at each other for a long time, and then Mother looked at father, and Father Just smiled at mother, Avoiding their conversation. "Fine. Sullivan bring them some basket of I don't know, something in the kitchen." Mother lamented. “I don't think that's enough. Sullivan if you may excuse me, was very rude to them at your command. We should do something more". "Why not hold a house warming party Madame?" Nancy suggested with her attitude changing from awkward to overjoyed. Aunt Philomena's eyes widened and she was in high spirits. “Why that's a great idea!”. Aunt Philomena definitely is in love with humans. "Fine". Mother said. "Let's prepare for a dinner for said guests". while Mother held smiled sarcastically at Aunt Philomena. "You should all eat my cookies for dessert," Grandma expressed. "Okay Grandma," said Lupus.

So we did. If there is one thing that you would do, It's to follow grandmas advice or orders. It has saved us multiple times. "It's very nice Mother." Father expressed to Grandma. “Thank you”. Grandma Smiled. Change of Scene I will now hand you to the narrator. Coz' I've got things to do, you know and places to be. I'll check back on you from time to time. Okay, go ahead Narrator. "Thanks, Miss." Meanwhile in the neighbors House. Cornell was spying at the new neighbors using his telescope. "What a bunch of awful, repugnant looking creatures.?" "Ugh. I agree they look so weird and unnatural." she was also peaking behind the window blinds. The man moved towards his chair and sat down, their house was average looking with an average sized red chair in front of the fire place, just a few steps opposite the window. "Eh. well, nothing new here Mystik Kyster. There is always something". The woman slightly agreed and said "Still, we need to keep eye on them, looks like a trouble some bunch”. Scene 4 *insert rock song intro here for ex. intro the beautiful people - Marilyn Manson* Meanwhile at the Manor. Evening time. Morgana, Philomena, Grandma, and Nancy were at the living room. Morgana was standing next to the window and looking out, Philomena was sitting down on the sofa and Grandma was sitting on the red chair occasionally looking at the fire place while knitting. "We should prepare for the party now.”  Morgana was about to wave her hand when Philomena grabbed her hand and stopped her. "Nancy," Philomena said, "best to cook something for the guest?".

Nancy's eyes widened with Joy. "With Pleasure!" Nancy fidgeted with her dress and ran off oddly in the kitchen while everyone looked at her leave the room, but before she reached the kitchen door she stopped. "But won't the food spoil ma'am? It's way too early if were to have a party tomorrow.?" "Oh, you're absolutely right!. why don't you go rest early, so you can wake up and prepare early tomorrow morning?." Nancy's eyes glistened, "Your right Madame, your absolutely right." She excitedly replied, as if she was going to drool of excitement. She hurriedly went upstairs and the family heard her close her room shut. Everyone looked at each other because of how weird that was, but also relieved that she left. "I shall be making my cookies”. Grandma stated. "That's very well mother. Thank you so much for your care." and with that Grandma went off to her bedroom. Morgana waved her hand and time seemed to stop. Morgana whispered "Binecuvântează-ne cu mâncare” *Insert spooky song here for example. Tchaikovsky – Dance of the sugarplum fairy.* Suddenly there was a commotion in the kitchen. The pots and the pans were moving on its own. The ingredients started walking to the pot and the pan and started cooking. The chicken laid on the plate and the bottle of salt and the pepper was dancing in the air to give it flavor, the butter went on top and it flew inside the oven. The flour mixed with the egg and the milk in a bowl, It then floated to pour itself into a pan to continuously cook mountains of pancakes and when it was finished blueberries and strawberries sat on the pancakes and the syrup floated and poured itself over the pancakes. Watermelon and strawberries went inside the blender, while milk and sugar joined them. It covered itself and proceeded to make shakes.  There was food flying everywhere, It was like they were having a congregation about a single purpose, which was, making a banquet. Before you know it, there were cupcakes, pancakes a chocolate fountain and sushi come morning. The decorations where the best part, the paper, scissors, and tapes were having a meeting and they discussed what the theme will be and once they were done they all started moving together to make wonderful hanging decorations they wrapped themselves in the lights on the wall and even on the table.

The candles started to walk in the candelabra in the middle of the dining table, the food also started to line up. Fireflies also started to line up on the ceiling forming tiny light like stars after they were done, Millions of spiders went to our living room to knit white sheer curtains that were finished in just a few minutes. It hung on the ceiling and the walls. The fireflies became little tiny lights,  as their light passed through the curtains.  The decorations were elegant. When everything was done the spiders left and the candles lit up. the sky turned purple and the sun started to rise. Morgana had woken up early to check if everything was in its place. "Dining room check,  juices, food, black balloons, yes everything is here. hah, I'm good!" By this time Nancy went out of her room excitedly to start making preparations but her jaw dropped when she saw the decorations in the hall. Morgana liked to play around. poor soul. She decided to pick on Nancy. "Nancy! you woke very late!. look I have everything done already?" "I'm so sorry Madame? But how..." before Nancy can finish since Morgana didn't want any interrogation, she just told her some of them was delivered. “I'm just kidding Nancy, some of them were just delivered.” "But you know what, I can use a little bit of soup and sauce can you do that please?" Nancy was again ecstatic, “Yes Madam.” Grandma was on her way down to the stairs with a smile and said: "Look I am also done with my cookies?" "Ah, Mother, May the Gods bless you. See Nancy, even mother is already done. Go now, and make haste!" Mother humorously chimed. "Yes, madame!" Nancy worriedly replied.   Morgana looked at everything and whispered "Tibi gratias ago deorum."

Matilda: Spells have different languages. After all, magic comes from everywhere. Did I mention Mother is Half Japanese. Yes, Mother has Asian descent which means Grandma is Japanese and Grandpa is definitely American. That spell wasn't Japanese but the food is. Ooh, that sushi looks good! I'll leave you to the Narrator. Coz' I am gonna eat. *insert rap song here, for example, Bling Bling – Jungle pussy* Nancy crazily stirs the pot and pours a bottle of something white excitedly at the soup. She was bug-eyed and was biting her lips feeling elated. And then she put the vial inside her pocket but out of excitement, instead of getting inside the pocket it fell on the floor. It rolled on the floor, stopping in front of two big feet And gray hands picked it up. Sullivan looked at it for a few seconds, and her eyes widened in horror, " Sullivan, walked towards her , her heart started to beat fast, then he walked past her,  then her heart was beating faster and faster, then Sullivan raised his arms and placed the vial on the shelf. She looked at him mortified. Then Sullivan said, " Best place the seasonings on the shelves so it will not fall." Then she was galvanized, the door that opened and closed made a startling sound. The twins entered the kitchen, they were running around after each other, throwing things that they can find at each other. Then she smiled of relief. “Are you all right Miss?” Caedmon asked. “of course, of course.” Nancy replied. Sullivan now had a condescending look. "Best put the soup now outside, before it gets cold." “Oh yah, yes, I will.” She transferred some of the soup in a smaller pot while looking at the vial on the shelf, waiting for Sullivan to leave, but Sullivan just looked at her, studying her, so she had no choice but to bring the soup outside.”I'm going to bring the soup out now.” Sullivan gave a cheesy smile at her, it was a very scary smile. So she smiled back incredulously. Then shaking her head to forget what she saw. Nancy emerged from the kitchen holding a pot of soup while announcing "Soup is Do...Done."

At first, Nancy was super excited to show off her soup but got astounded, when she saw all the food in the Dining room. It seemed like it doubled while she was cooking. She was still a bit skeptical that it all happened in one night. “Oh! Hey, Just in time, I'm sure the guest will love your soup." Aunt Philomena cheered. Everyone looked at each other including Matilda and Lupus who was already busy eating some of the meals. "Well, best be making some dessert Nancy?." Morgana Said. "Of course Madame."  Nancy was about to go back to leave the room when she asked. "It all happened so quickly. How about all these decorations?". Morgana's eyes widened then flickered for a few seconds, which was a sign that she was growing impatient, so she looked back at Nancy and smiled smugly. Morgana raised her hand just across from Nancy's face and started Hypnotizing her. Morgana's hand opened and closed like she was magnetizing Nancy, while she said "Dormiți și ascultați..." Philomena was out to stop her but Morgana quickly hypnotized Philomena and made her sleep "Somno." Morgana commanded. Philomena was standing and went to sleep and subsequently  Morgana averted her attention back to Nancy. "When you awake, You will not be asking any more silly questions, You will not be noticing anything extraordinary and you will go on with your day as if everything is normal, Until such a time that I release you from this spell. Do you understand Nancy?". Nancy Groggily replied "Yuu uu HHS." Everyone snickered coz' Nancy looked silly when her right eye was half closed. "Very Good.” Morgana ordered. “Both of you.” "Expergisci." Morgana ended the spell. Morgana and Philomena looked at each other and Philomena opened her mouth with disbelief and crossed both her hands over her chest to show  How enraged she was, She sneered at Morgana as she left the room while Nancy followed.

"Now. Time to deliver those invitations." Morgana was looking at Matilda and smiling. The twins joined Lupus and Matilda to eat, Matilda was gobbling up all the Sushi and Lupus was eating the meat and the twins started to devour the pancakes, but even though they ate a lot of food, all the food that they have been eating are magically reappearing. "Oh Mum this is so good, You did a good job!" Lupus said. while the twins Hauntingly said "Good job mum!" Matilda was gobbling sushi when she saw her mother smiling at her. "Oh no!" Matilda's eyes widened and was violently refusing because she knew she was about to be given a task. "No, No, No, No! Noh No Nooooooooooooooo!". Morgana continued to smile. "Sullivan!". "Yes, Madame?" Sullivan suddenly appeared. "Help Matilda deliver the invitation. Make sure she finishes all, of it.” "Why cant you just do it or Lupus, or Sullivan?" Matilda complained. "What? Noh!. I'm a werewolf I'll probably end up eating the invitation." Lupus rebuffed. Matilda was looking at everyone, Outraged. "There are far too many houses, You know how Sullivan is,  let's not forget the fact that if someone sees him they will die of fear. Better he follows you in the shadow." “Hmm” Sullivan reacted. "No offense Sullivan." Morgana reckoned. “Meh”. Sullivan shrugged his shoulder “It may end up in the wrong place. Flying and Teleporting things to places you haven't seen before, takes up a lot of time and is unreliable, those invitations might end up in the wrong place because of how vague it is. Plus you have wings you can do it faster than any of us, You can't expect me or your father to fly, well, we're your parents, you're supposed to do things for us, so do it. Now!, while the sky is purple!”

“Can't you just email everyone? Or send a text message or I don't know.” Matilda Countered. "First I don't know their emails, second it is magically possible but nobody checks their emails and it will be suspicious if I knew all our neighbor's phone numbers, next thing you know it will escalate to a goddamn witch-hunt! Now move your ass!" “Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!” Matilda revolted.

Scene 5

Footsteps on the stairs, she opened the latch and saw the dark night sky she walked towards the edge and stood there. There were two gargoyles guarding the roof.

“Mother!”

“start singing...”

Morgana opened the big arched window and the wind blew in the silk curtains, the twins covered their faces from the wind. Sullivan was carrying the invitation in front of the porch while Lupus went out and stared at the window.

Morgana Blew something glittering from her hand like small orbs of light. and it started dancing in the wind as she sang.

Morgana has a siren's voice it was a gift or rather an exchange for something. But that is for another story.

“The hills are silent... sleep my loves... Lullaby and slumber tight...

Say goodnight... For no one will wake you... tonight.

Lullaby... Say goodnight... Sleep tight... Awake tomorrow... At sunrise... Lalala Lalala Lalala Lalala"

A gust of wind carrying dots of glowing glitters spread around town entering houses without permission. Passing through their nose, sticking to their eyes and invading their skin. The glitters were not seen and were not visible to human eyes. Everyone fell asleep, while they were in bed, while they were doing their daily chores while watching TV and while they were eating, some of them slammed their heads on their dishes and even slept on their food.

*insert rock song here, for example, Marilyn Manson sweet dreams*

And with that, Two pairs of black wings spread. It was majestic and dark. It did not magically appear, it appeared slowly like it was always there, hidden behind the dark ink under her skin. Hiding behind her shirt, she jumped in free fall and then spread her wings again to fly really, really high, flying in circles, until she soared above the clouds. She hovered for a few seconds and marveled at the light of the moon and the stars at the night sky. She closed her eyes and savored the moonlight as it touched her skin. Slowly she opened her eyes and she swam through the air, moved upwards the moon and then dived at the clouds below towards the houses. The wind rushing through her face, she was smiling.

Lupus smirked as he saw her move throughout the sky, he wanted to join in the fun and transformed. He started breathing heavily and then knelt, his teeny hands started cracking as the flesh of his hands broke to make way for the enormous wolf hands, hair started to envelop his body and his backbone cracked to form a bigger cage, It ripped his flesh and he became a mixture of dark skin and hair, his ears became pointy and his nose became more pronounced as he started to resemble the face of a wolf, with gray hair on the side of his head, his dark eyes became a luminance of light blue. He growled then the muscles on his body hypertrophied, he ferociously ripped the remaining skin and It showed the wolf's Monstrous Body, Strong and unassailable.  He howled at the moon then ran fast... climbing houses, jumping on the roofs, then running on the street.

Once he had his fun, The big black wolf slowly walked on the streets to check if everyone in their houses was asleep. He paused at one house for a few seconds and snarled but he heard Sullivan saying, "Hmm?" a perplexed Sullivan riding his red scooter was a little bit behind and was silently making his rounds. Lupus interest changed to making fun of Sullivan, so he tilted his head to the side like a puppy then gnarled his face and snarled at Sullivan. Sullivan muddled, uttered "Master?"... The wolf grinned and then bolted as fast as he could towards Sullivan, and Sullivan's eyes widened as Lupus was big and heavy, he thought Lupus was going to crash to his newly polished scooter, so he closed his eyes, hugged his scooter and prepared for the worst, but Lupus ran past him,  he was thrown off a bit, moving in circles and was disoriented for a few seconds because of Lupus's Impact but he opened one of his eyes to check if he was okay or the scooter, and thankfully both him and the scooter were both in one piece, so he cried “Thank goodness and hugged his scooter.” but his face contorted, as he was worried, when he realized he was supposed to guard Matilda and seemed to have lost her and now he had to find Lupus as well. “Master”?! “Master?! Don't get too far?!” He exclaimed, But it was too late since he could not find Lupus. Sullivan just rolled his eyes and continued to check if the invitations were sent and he made sure everything was appropriately placed. Pulling out a note from his shirt and checking a list. She flew past each house; "Invitations, Invitations for everyone!" she was irked while she threw the invitations carelessly, and it fell on the porches and in the yard and the garden, and her mother was exasperated for a few seconds, seeing what was happening from afar, but with a flick of a finger it magically went inside their doors. If you are wondering why she had not done this in the first place,  It's because It had to be in the exact place, like what Morgana explained earlier, they would have to have a visual, and knowledge about a certain place, before you can teleport there or teleport things there, but it also depends on the situation and she was also teaching Matilda a lesson about hard work or some shit. And with her task done Matilda flew home, while Lupus climbed at their house and howled some more, then came Sullivan who was a little bit slower, He checked everything first, silently, and went home. He also stopped at another house, he looked at the doorway for a few seconds and was puzzled, but he heard His Master call him already. “ Sullivan!”. They were still a few blocks far from each other but, they can hear each other. “Coming Sir!”

Scene 6 The Party. Earlier. Someone was looking out the window, when Matilda passed by and another one in another house picked up the envelope. People started arriving at the party, Some of them arrived for the food, some of them arrived just to snoop, some of them are simply there because they are polite, some of them were forced by their families and some of them went there for the simple reason of nit picking only to find out that they, cannot. Some were simply innocently curious about what was inside the weird looking manor. "My, what a big house." looking at the ceiling and amazed by the size of the hall, the woman said to herself. She was a normal average looking woman with brown hair. Philomena was waiting at the door and welcoming the strangers. "Thank you all for coming. Please come in." Philomena points at the directions of the living room which was just across the Dining room. Nancy was also waiting for their bags and was making an awkward bow, every time people would come in and she would give the directions to the Dining room. This woman came with a man, with ashy blonde hair and mustache with an annoying face including what appears to be seventies fashion. A brown parka, checkered polo shirt, and brown pants. He was taking off his parka when he looked at his right and was startled to see who was taking it. "Geezus!" he exclaimed, at the time he saw Sullivan. But Sullivan had zero fucks to give and just motioned for his coat, They were the weird couple that visited earlier. Philomena apologized to the couple. "Our servant Sullivan was not properly briefed and was feeling a little bit ill. “I apologize Madam”, Sullivan said to the couples, then proceeded to hang their coats. The two couple proudly accepted the apology and schooled Philomena about it. One of the families wore an ensemble of mostly pink. Almost all of them had platinum blonde hair, the Mom looked like a Sexy Avon lady, Her skin was glowing, She had two daughters, One was wearing a tight fitting dress, an adolescent with platinum blonde hair with curls at the end  and was busy texting on her smart phone and did not mind what was going on, she fake smiled for a few seconds to look at Philomena and continued with what she was doing. Her younger sister maybe aged about 5, had a bun and was wearing a light tight pink shirt and a pink tutu skirt, with light pink stockings. The father was wearing a very pale pink formal polo shirt folded up to his elbows and white pants and white Gucci shoes. They were the Drummonds. "Geesh," Matilda thought to herself, "I thought we were weird."

The children were observing the guest, They were on the interior balcony at the second floor, the twins were looking at the gap of the wooden railings on the second floor. Lupus was first leaning his hand on the railing then got bored and then sat back on a black sofa, Matilda was leaning her hands on the railings observing her new neighbors. "Will we eat them, Matilda?. Waldron asked while Caedmon giggled, "shh" Matilda sat down with them and motioned them to be quiet. "No, Silly, You'll get a big belly if you eat all of them." Matilda showed a broad dark scary smile at them and they giggled back. The next three families that came were average looking, there were hippie families, skater families, and families that looked like they just came out from a rock concert. The next family was wearing all Green, they were wearing modern clothes. Matilda began to think if there was a dress code and had a confused look on her face. This time the Mom had a long blonde hair, She was wearing a Forest Green dress with gold accents, expensive emerald earrings, and gold jewelry. The father had a long straight blonde hair, he was wearing a viridian green suit jacket, vest, a white formal polo shirt inside, dark moss pants and formal black shoes. He was very well dressed and handsome they were with a teenage boy with long blonde hair who was wearing a light green formal polo shirt, and an elder sister, an adolescent, She had straight brown hair and a sheer flowy green dress and a younger daughter aged six of five as well or maybe four she had a tiny face and a tiny body, with curly blonde hair wearing a nice light green dress with buttons. For some reason, they had pointy ears. They were the Maurelles. The next family was different as well, They mostly wore black. Matilda began to think that they will fit right in this community. Which was really weird since she had never had a thought like this before. The father had silver white hair, which reached up to his lower back, he was wearing a nice suit, his eyes was gray and haunting, he carried a cane with a gold lion at the top.  The Mother was wearing a nice black cocktail dress, the dress had pleats and ends just below her knee, she was very beautiful, she had white silver hair which was styled in a low braid bun, she had nice gold jewelry and gold rings, one of which had a lion in it as well. Maybe it was a family crest Matilda told herself, and there was a Teenage boy, with a twin sister. Maybe they were aged around sixteen. The boy had long white silver hair like his father and was also wearing a nice black suit jacket and a white shirt inside and black shorts that ends just below the knees. The girl was a bit different she had short pastel pink hair with a touch of purple she was wearing a black shirt, with some print on it, she had a leather black jacket, a choker and some washed out gray denim shorts and black army boots. The girl saw Matilda and the twins, And she smiled. They were the Leon's. Matilda wanted to smile but she awkwardly smiled since she didn't know how to properly smile, when the boy saw her sister, the boy proceeded to look as well, he half smiled and proceeded to tell her sister to follow their parents.

After wards there were just normal people who came, business men and women to be exact. Some average nice looking people, People from different race. Everyone proceeded to the living room and The dining room, Then Nancy proceeded to close the doors and mischievously smiled. "What's up with Nancy? She feels hmmm, a little evil, don't you think?” Matilda asked Lupus. "Please, were weird. C'mon this is boring as fuck." "Lupus watch your language the twins are around, plus aren't you like eight? Don't be a little b”. the twins proceeded to say "fuck" Caedmon said then Waldron "fuck" then they laughed”. "look what you did," Matilda said in disbelief. “clean your potty mouth.”! Matilda told the twins. "Please, you cuss all the time, clean your potty mouth!" Then lupus proceeded to grab something from his butt and covered Matilda's face with his hands with what seemed to be a foul smell. Matilda disgusted and tried to clean her face with her hands, got angry real fast "Oh my god! Lupus your dead!" Lupus ran on the wall and crawled at the ceiling while laughing completely pleased with himself. "Come back here Lupus!  Matilda walked on the walls and ran after Lupus, the twins began to crawl on the walls and the ceiling as well. "Neh! Neh Neh Neh! You can't catch me!" before he could finish the sentence, Matilda leaped at him and slammed on the wall. Lupus evaded her quickly and quickly bellowed "whoops! Too slow!" Though the people in the Dining room were drowned with the sound of dialogues and conversations, and was busy eating, some of them there, seem to have heard some muffled noises. "Did you hear that?” one fat man alleged, talking to Philomena. "Uh, No. Maybe just some food cooking, let me just check.” Then proceeded to carefully come out of the dining room. As soon as she got out, she looked at the ceiling and saw what was happening, her jaw dropped because Matilda was choking Lupus upside down, so she proceeded to whisper angrily "Matilda!, get down!"

She got down from the ceiling and there was an impact on the floor.   “You Guys are dead!” Philomena muttered angrily.

Scene 7 Now wee see a shrimp being engulfed by the mouth, a sushi being picked up by a chopstick, a pancake with blue berries being cut in the middle then carefully being stabbed with a fork, then it makes its way to reach its destination, slowly being chewed, and a hot steaming soup, being slurped. Hot steam was coming out of the spoon and it burned a woman's mouth, "Ow! Gadammit!" It was Michelle, people fell silent and stared at her.

She felt vexed, "Well, None of your gadamn bidness! Go on... Eat!" Then The noise of the crowd once again emanated the room, There were People Laughing, drinking wine. Then the twins went inside to grab a few of grandmas cookies, Caedmon putting it in his shirt, and Waldron ravenously eating it. Then when they got enough, they went outside once again. quickly the stars appear in the window. A warm plump hand shaking what seems to be a cold white grayish hand with slightly dark stained fingernails.

We soon zoom out to the Mayor welcoming Mr. Strange, "Mayor John Bankes, In behalf of the town I would like to welcome you."

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor"

"Don't worry I will be sure to support any town agenda." Mr. Strange uttered.

"Ah and don't forget the next town election, I'll be hoping for your support." The Mayor grins mischievously.

Mr. Strange removed the tobacco from his mouth and blew the smoke upwards across the room. "Of course Mayor. Please take this as a token of our gratitude for your presence in the Strange household".

Mr. Strange handed what seemed to be a basket of wine, cigars and a jar of cookies, handed to him by Philomena.

These are some of the finest wines, and cigars anyone can buy, and of course, My mother makes the best cookies."

"My God!, Chateau Margaux 1787, and Mayan Sicars?!. Where did you get these?"

The Mayor asked inquisitively, looking at the wine "I've been trying to get a hand of these for so long".

"Ah, I have connections Mr. Mayor." They both smirked.

"Ah, I hope we can use those connections later". the Mayor happily inquired.

"Of course Mr. Mayor, anything to help the town."

"That's good..." The Mayor replied.

The Mayor was about to continue but his Minion whispered something in his ear. "Well Mr. Strange it's been nice meeting you, but I fear I must go, I have a meeting to attend to."

"Ah, I understand Mr. Mayor." They smiled and shook hands.

Mrs. Strange went around with Philomena meeting the new families “I hope you are having a good time?” She approached the woman in wearing a green dress, and she received a warm smile.

“I am  Elga Maurelle, Nice Meeting you Missus Strange.”

“What a lovely family.” Mrs. Strange replied.

“Ah yes,   This is My husband Alfrigg Maurelle.” Alfrigg gave a warm smile as well. “Nice to meet you Mrs strange” then continued to reach out a handshake. The mother motioned to the children who were sitting and eating at the time in the tables “Come children...This is Mrs. Strange.”

“Nice meeting you Mrs Strange...” the children replied.

“This is my eldest Ella Maurelle, my son Kalen Maurelle and my youngest Nissa Maurelle.” “Lovely to meet you too, I'm sure my kids will get along well with you...” “I hope you enjoy the food.” Mrs. Strange gestured.

“The cookies are yummy...” Nissa said.

“Why thank you, My mom made them. They are special and healthy so eat as much as you can” Mrs. Strange cradled her small face in her hand. And Nissa giggled.

"We are the towns doctor, My husband and I are doctors at the Alston Hospital. If there is any medical help that you need, we well be happy to help you, Mrs. Strange."

“Thank you for the kind offer, Mrs. Maurelle. I'm afraid I cannot offer you anything in return but our hospitality,  you see, our business are mainly Wine, Realty and Mining. Nothing interesting really, so if you need any help with realty my husband would be happy to help you. As well.”

“Sorry But are you not the Owner of Infinity Jewels Inc?” The woman in the pink dress needled.

“Sorry for the interruption, My name is Myrka Drummond. It is a pleasure to meet you.” She came off a bit strong to Mrs. Strange. But Mrs. Strange grinned politely. "Ugh, your Jewels are to die for." Mrs Drummond mentioned.

“Why thank you Mrs Drummond, Just to answer your question. Yes, we are the owners of Infinity Jewels."

“Lots of people are, going crazy about it, some say it brings them Good luck.”

The Strange family also has a Jewelry Business mainly handled By Mrs Strange before, but now she doesn't pay attention to it that much because that's what you hire managers and lawyers and other minions to do. But the Jewels that they sell, is from the Mining business of the family, which is mined from Magical Lands and carved from Meteors, in other words, Enchanted. So it gives certain people. Good luck.

Now we see someone winning the lottery screaming of joy, and another person Getting accepted in a job wearing the jewelry, or wearing a beauty pageant. Etc.,

“Yes, some ores, minerals,meteorites and crystals are believed to hold certain magic or Good luck in them, we gather those gems and make them into jewelry.” Mrs Strange explained to Mrs. Drummond “But I don't think you would need it, You look beautiful on your own Mrs. Drummond.”

"Aw." Mrs Drummond replied acting coyly. "You don't need to say that." Then continued "I know." Mrs Drummond said proudly.

“Yes, your skin is beautiful Mrs. Drummond. Hard to believe you have an adult child.”

“I know right.” Mrs Drummond answered.

“Whats your secret.?” Mrs. Strange inquired. This question seemed to throw Mrs Drummond off a bit.

"uh hum" then  there was a cough "Hello. Mrs. Strange, I am Warren Drummond. I am  Myrka's Husband and Manager. I'm sure you have seen her before, she's an actress."

“Of course, I have, seen some of her films.”  Mrs. Strange replied.

"Ah!" She screamed, "Oh my goodness! You have! Now I feel so shy!" she acted demurely but laughed proudly.

"You mustn't Mrs. Drummond, In fact, My sister watches you all the time."

“Ahhh! Thank you so much for your support!” Mrs. Drummond replied.

Her Eldest daughter looked at her with disgust. “Mom, can you not!”

“Ahahah” Mrs. Drummond laughed at her daughter, while her daughter texted on the phone.

“I'm so sorry, About her, she's just a little hot headed, this is my daughter Durin and my baby girl Orla.”

“Hi! Mrs strange.” Mrs Drummond youngest greeted.

"Hello there love, maybe you can play with my children they are outside, their names are Matilda, Lupus and the baby twins are Caedmon and Waldron."

“Really? Are they nice?” Orla asked.

“Of course. And don't forget to grab a cookie while you're on your way?” "Okay," She replied.

“Oh my god those cookies are to die for.” Mrs. Drummond remarked.

"Thank you, my Mother made them." Mrs. Strange stated.

The man in black suit and white silver hair approached Mr. Strange “Mr. Strange.”

“Ah, Hello sir?” Mr Strange replied.

The man reached out for a handshake, “Yes, I am Gideon Amun Leon. I am a Lawyer. A very good Lawyer Mr Strange.” He hands his card.

"Ah, I see. Amun? Like the King of Kings." Mr Strange queried.

"Aha! You're familiar with History. It's actually King of Gods. We were lucky enough to have a Powerful family name. You're a powerful man Mr. Strange, so I'm guessing you know what they say about places of power." Mr. Leon stated.

"Yes, of course, a place of power attracts powerful people. Positive attracts positive. Your business must be good." Mr Strange affirmed.

"Ah, you believe in superstition as well. Yes. As I've said I'm a very good Lawyer. Not one lost case. Should you need any of my services, feel free to contact me." Mr Leon offered.

“Dear...” A woman touched her Mr Leon's arm, “I apologize for my husband, all he knows is business, the woman smiled at Mr. Strange and proceeded to have a handshake.

“Mr. Strange this is my wife Circe Leon and those at the back are my children, Lucian and Medea Leon.” Mr. Leon gestured to his children.

"Ah, twins... hello. We have twins as well." Mr. Strange waved at them, And they smiled back. “I want you to meet my wife...”

“Morgana...” Mr Strange beckoned to his wife, who at the time was talking to Mrs Drummond.

“Ah, My husband is calling me, Twas nice meeting you all.” and left to go to Mr. Strange.

At the Mayor's car. "Would you look at that, this is one of the most expensive things, one can buy." "Best keep an eye of people like them, George. If you can buy things like these, you can buy anything." The Mayor ordered.

"Of course Mr. Mayor." His Minion wearing a black business suit, blonde hair and sunglasses in the middle of the night replied.

"Can you hand me that jar of cookies" The Mayor grabbed some cookies from the jar. "But sir, aren't you watching your sugar intake." The Servant asked.

"Shut up, George." the Mayor sarcastically replied while he gorged on the cookies. "Oh my god this is good".

The Mayor tried to grab the whole jar from George.

George refusing to let it go. "But Sir".

"But Sir.." the Mayor antagonistically replied

In the end, as they fought for the jar of cookies, the mayor finally won. "Just give it!"

The Mayor had a sweet tooth and had a knack for luxurious things. Good for him.

Then we hear a scream. Back at the mansion, Blood gushes out of a man's mouth, lots of blood.  While a brown haired woman screams her lungs out, She screams some more. The man thinks "This noisy bitch.." and coughs blood on her. The man fell on the floor, And blood continues to ooze from his mouth and spread on the tiles. Thick red blood. She screams some more. Then she felt something in her mouth, she touched her lips with her fingertips and saw what seemed to be blood, she felt a pang of pain in her stomach and fell face flat on the floor. Thank Goodness, she was a noisy bitch. Annoying really. It was Michelle and Cornell Graves.

Matilda: “Oh my goodness, really?” Narrator: “Yes, finally, she was annoying...” Matilda: “Oh my god that blood is going to look so good on the floor.” Narrator: “So good...”

A Gasp from everyone and they all moved away from the victims. Morgana made her way to them. Angry of what had happened.

Mrs. Maurelle asked "What is happening?" she moved towards the people, and checks on them. “Poison. they've been poisoned.”

Then, most of the normal people stomach started to hurl, and some of them fainted and some of them were just confused about what to do.

Then everyone stopped Moving. The blood from Mr Cornell stopped flowing. The curtains seemed floating, the plates that were knocked off was Immobile, and the People who were about to fall was suspended in the air, It was as if time stopped. Mrs Strange made her way to Philomena and waved her hand in front of Philomena's face. She moved.

“Philomena, Call an ambulance, well unfreeze them once the ambulance makes it way here. Just so the blood would stop spilling”. Philomena Quickly made the call.

Scene 8

Sounds of Siren, while red and blue light can be seen in the background. A notepad is being opened and a man in a brown coat can be seen interviewing several people, while several people is being carried on a stretcher and is being loaded into an ambulance.

Lupus and Matilda sat on the porch while Morgana, Philomena stood at the archway, Mr. Strange was waiting for the Detective.

"Mr. and Mrs. Strange, Detective James Alexander. “ He introduced himself. “Has anything like this happened to you before.?" the detective inquired.

"No, this is the first time." replied Mr. Strange.

"Then we would have to invite you in the station for questioning...there was a vial of cyanide found in your kitchen, I believe someone administered it in your soup, since it was next to the soup pot, and we've sent it to the laboratory to have it checked."

"Nancy cooked the soup," Matilda mentioned.

"Whose Nancy?"

"She is our new maid."

"Nancy..hmmm, and you said she was new." Detective Alexander inquired.

Morgana's Eye brow raised in annoyance, "She came a few days ago. looking for a job."

"It seems very coincidental don't you think?" Morgana now looking at Philomena, sardonically. "Nice work, Philomena."

"Why did you say that? " asked the detective.

"Well, Sir I was really Eager to hire her, poor thing  was drenched in the rain," Philomena replied.

"Okay, so you just straight up hired a stranger, as your maid?” The Detective asked sarcastically. Everyone had a blank face as a reaction, so he continued “what does she look like?"

"Probably in her thirties, with plump skin, and blonde hair, green eyes. not too fat, not too thin." Mr Strange replied.

"And Where is she now?" the Detective asked, worried.

"Inside the house," Matilda replied.

Then we can see from the archway, everyone looked inside.

"Dispatch,  code five zero five, assailant might still be in the house. medium built. a woman in her thirties. blonde hair. green eyes."

The detective pulled out his gun and entered the house. He motioned and informed the two officers inside the house, which made them alert so they grabbed their guns and started looking for Nancy.

"That Whore of Beelzebub!" Morgana hissed angrily.

"Don't get stressed, my love." Mr Strange Massaging Morgana's shoulders.

Then Lupus and the twins grinned, Soon after Matilda smiled realizing what was gonna happen. They were like puppies excited for new toys. They all looked at their parents looking for approval.

"I suppose..."

"We can go hunting...." Mr.  Strange Announced.

The children gasped in excitement and Morgana smiled devilishly.

She put her arms over Mr. Strange shoulders. "Ah my love, you always know what to say." then kissed him passionately.

"Ugh what a revolting sight to see. I'm going back to sleep.” Philomena waved her hand in disbelief. "Good luck. Don't get caught."

Matilda and  Lupus eyes blackened, their teeth seemed a little bigger from grinning, they were crouching and seemed hungry.

"Ah, ah, ah, children" Mr Strange imposed.

"Remember what to do first?"

"Always check if someone is looking." the twins replied in a creepy conjunction.

"Good. We hunt at midnight." Mr Strange expression changed, He scowled and looked wicked.

Then we see the full moon and the dark clouds hovering over it.

Scene 8

Into the Woods.

Nancy escaped at the confines of the Dark Forest. It was not a good place to be, the thick fog covered the forest and there were creatures making eerie noises. When she first saw it, she thought it wood be a good hiding place for her car, but now between the dark and the screeching, scampering noises of the creatures at night, she couldn't help but say, "Oh shit... well this was a bad idea.” she looked back then she started to walk and then she heard a sound.

"Coo!" "Coo!" The sound startled her, she was beginning to get nervous, her heart beat fast, her sweat fell across her forehead to her face. The fog thickened and the cold wind trickled upon her spine. As she walked, the twigs and the crusty leaves began crunching under her feet. "Nothing to be afraid of Nancy..." she told herself. She breathed heavily, “was it getting colder?”, “were the trees becoming taller?, “was it getting darker?”,  she thought to herself. "Where is it?" she asked herself.

Her mind was beginning to play tricks with her now. She felt something following her, she felt the vibration of a sound. "Mmmmmm." It played in her head. "Its just in my head.” she nervously mumbled, she began to laugh and clutch her head. "Awoooooooooooooooooooooooo". She heard a wolf howl and then a snuffle from far away. She began to breathe heavily, Its coming towards her... So she ran, she ran as fast as she could, and the thorns and the branches seemed to enclose on her, they seemed like dark hands wanting to grab her.... she started screaming and crying under her breath, and then she tripped, she breathed heavily, she tried to get up, crawled then stopped to catch her breath under a big tree. "uh huh... uhuh ha ha hahaha" she laughed and cried at the same time. She closed her eyes for a few seconds. Then she heard leaves crunching, she felt drops of water falling on her face, but when she opened her eyes, It was too late. Small hands grabbed her hair, and it was pulling her, it was dragging her body somewhere. She tried to see who it was, but her vision was still a bit blurry from waking up. The hand pulled her hair more, she screamed out of anger more than fear, "aaahhh!" and tried to escape by scuffling her feet on the ground. “Let go of me you bitch!” she tried to break free of the hands that were holding her. But she couldn't. It just whistled happily as it dragged her body across the forest floor. Then she passed by someone, It was Sullivan. He Smiled. Then he saw Lupus, Something changed in him, he looks different, “was his teeth a little bigger?”, “was his eyes a little blacker?”, The thought shortly passed her mind. He was sitting on a tree branch, smiling like a demon at her.  She was taken in the middle of the forest. The thick forest surrounded them, there was a large circle connecting to a sedgy, gangly pathway, and there was what seemed to be a blue Volkswagen being badly hidden in leaves and branches. Then whoever was carrying her, threw her on the ground. Her face hit the floor and her lips kissed the ground, it was as if she ate dirt as it covered her mouth and face. She saw two pairs of feet. She looked up, It was Morgana and behind her was Mr. Strange. Morgana Held  Nancy's face and squeezed her cheeks.

"Where are you going, Nancy?." Morgana drilled. “Maaaam?, I was just going for a walk.” She sat up cleaned her self a bit. She wore a humorless smile and acted innocently. "Did you Poison all those people Nancy?, Did you?" Mr. Strange Picked her up by her neck, and she seemed to gasp for breath. He looked different she thought. “Do you have any idea, the situation you put us in.?” He Scowled and looked Livid, almost evil. Nancy tried to talk, she tried to hold on to Mr. Strange hands for support, "Please Sir. I've no idea what you're saying, Sir." And she bore a mirthless smile, even though she was being strangled and gasping for breath. He let her go and she fell on her butt, on the ground. She sneered and laughed at everyone, “Really this is so funny, you've no evidence. It was me?” She knew that Sullivan was not that smart, and so she lied without remorse because of this. She laughed some more, and then she felt her collar being grabbed and suddenly she was slung and sent flying into a tree. Matilda had thrown her out of irritation. She was disconcerted for a few seconds. Then her eyes widened, these people were strong, why was this? She started thinking. “What are you? You freaks!” Then Matilda and Lupus looked at each other and they laughed, Then Morgana and Mr. Strange laughed, even Sullivan, laughed, It was a strange laugh. Deep and evil. Then suddenly all of them had a low guttural laugh. "What a shame your really evil. We could have been friends. Ah, but you got us in trouble, so." Morgana enthused. “Sullivan, have they left the house?” Morgana referring to the Police. “Yes, Madam I believe so.” "Let's go Home," Morgana Told everyone.

Lupus Jumped from the tree and Sullivan grabbed Nancy's arm. She started laughing again. Then they took a step, then everyone was gone in an instant. Then they reappeared at the Strange Mansion. Morgana Had teleported everyone back home. "Woah, what the fuck is this?, who are you?, what are you, people?! Are you even people?!" Nancy screamed as she panicked, she was discombobulated, from teleporting but she tried to break free from Sullivan's clutches. “Luna di Nychta Nasconderci” Matilda Held what seemed to be a black wand pointing at the moon And a white luminance covered their house and the forest surrounding their house. It was a concealment charm. “Help! Help! Somebody Help Me!!!!!!” She screamed. "Shh...Shhh...Shhhh..." Morgana put her finger near her mouth. "No one can hear you really." “But today is your lucky day!” Morgana motioned to Sullivan and Sullivan threw Nancy on the ground. “Despite your shortcomings, be grateful, you get to be an offering to the Gods. One of the highest honor a human can ever do.” "What?!" her demeanor changed "hahaha" she laughed mocking the family. "You guys are just  a bunch of psychos! Wait till the police hear bout this! Hahaha, you probably poisoned all those people. Hahahahah" she cackled merrily. She wanted to put the blame on the family because they had no proof. For a second she forgot what just happened, and then she remembered, she was transported here in a flash, she got agitated, then suddenly she felt bizarre like she was on drugs, time seemed slow. She grabbed her head. “Enough of this.” Mr. Strange Grabbed Nancy, “Morgana!” Mr. Strange Motioned to his wife. “I was thinking Matilda should do it today. It will be her first time.” “Go on dear...” Morgana suggested. Matilda had a vexed face as if to say, "Wow this is dangerous but okay." “Ah, ah, ah, no excuses,” Morgana demanded.

Matilda knelt in front of the house. Grabbed dirt and raised it high above her head. “Gaia Accept our offering. “deffro ein ty. hamaly soa azy amin'ny fanahy” “amukele umnikelo wethu” “Make her bleed love...” Morgana motioned to Mr. Strange. *insert song here, for example, Static x - Cold* Mr. Strange brought Nancy To Matilda. Matilda covered Nancy's face, her chest, and arms with dirt. Nancy was still fazed. Then Mr. Strange started to look different, He looked malevolent, He tilted Nancy's head, covered her mouth with the palm of his hands, then she started to mumble something out of fear, but it couldn't be heard, He looked up and he already has 2 sharp white fangs but as he opened his mouth, It seemed to grow larger, sharper, It seemed like it can cut through anything. Nancy's eyes widened, she was frantic, she started squirming, but in one giant Swoop, Mr. Strange Sunk his teeth in Nancy's neck, It crunched and she was in pain, she tried to scream, but her cries were muffled, tears start to arise from her eyes, Mr. Strange drank some more, She was convulsing, blood fell from her neck to her clothes, as this happened you can see the blood Entering Mr. Strange, throughout the veins of his face, he opened his eyes, and it was pitch black, even the white was gone, the blood traveled to his neck,  to his hands that were holding nan's neck, and once he felt refreshed,  he licked his lips and his face was covered with blood. The Blood in Nancy's neck was gushing, The family felt hungry, They hissed as the smell of blood emanated the air, their fangs appeared. Mr. Strange thrust Nancy on the floor, forcing her to kneel, she felt weak and dazed. She felt a sudden pang in her neck, “ahhh”,  she grumbled as she touched her neck and her chest, It was then she found out she was covered with blood, her blood. She was flabbergasted, tears start to arise from her eyes, So she screamed a scream so loud, it made the birds and the bats fly away from the trees, but it seemed no matter how loud she screamed and screamed and screamed some more, nobody heard. Just the animals and her. She realized this because she was evil, so instead of just being petrified, she scowled as a deep seething anger came over her, but it wasn't enough to conjure up the energy to escape.

Matilda thrust Nancy's head to bow down to the ground and Nancy held on to the ground for support, her blood began to sprinkle the earth, Her thoughts were hazy now as she lost so much blood, she wanted to fight back but she couldn't, her arms were flailing, She was going to save her energy she thought. She was going to run the fuck out of here she thought, and kill this asshole family. Then the ground began to quake, slowly the ground opened and there was a gaping glowing hole. It was emitting a yellow light as it opened, then it became red and finally when it was as big as a pond, whatever was underneath, was emitting blue light. It released what seemed to be blue light and orbs enveloping the house. Then a yawn from a Monster Like Voice. Nancy hearing this voice was almost out of it, but when she saw the house move, adrenaline began to rush over her and was now aware of what was happening, “You... You.. are not people!” "No. We're not my dear..." Morgana shot back. “Who woke me?” The house spoke through his mouth which was the door. Creating movement around the house some of the stones and bricks fell, creating cracks. “We are your new owners, how did the people in the house, die?” *Inside * Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpas bed was sliding from left to right while they slept. The windows started to flicker, It seemed to be its eyes. Then it answered. A Low guttural sound came out. “That Woman, Nancy, she put Poison in the soup.” The House now looking at Nancy. “How come we, and the other people didn't get poisoned?” Lupus asked. “Grandmas Cookies are enchanted, whoever devoured it, or chose to eat it was saved.” “Oh!” everyone said in unison. “Is there anything more?” The house asked.

"No" Morgana replied, "Go back to sleep, big House, but stay awake, in case we need you." Nancy laughed, angry and raving "Hahaha, Yes, It was me, those people were pathetic! They needed to di..." Before she could finish her sentence. Morgana punctured through her chest like a knife slicing butter and gutted her heart out, blood spilled from her open chest, Morgana devoured the heart, She closed her eyes and drank the blood from the heart. Blood spurted out of the heart as she bit through it, It splattered on her clothes, and was flowing profusely on her arms, slowly, It covered Morgana's mouth and cheeks. Once her thirst was quenched, she felt euphoria overcame her, It made her look to the moon, She opened her eyes and It was pitch black, she bore her fangs and licked the blood on her lips, as the blood travelled to her face, her neck and her body, she became filled with the blood and her skin became softer, she looked younger, more radiant, refreshed. She tilted her head, and gave the heart to Matilda. Matilda elated, grinned. “Accept this Gaia as thanks for answering our calls.” Matilda dropped the heart in the gaping hole of blue light, It was Gaia. The blue light seemed to pulse like a heart. Blue light seemed to spread through the ground like lightning. Matilda bit through Nancy's wrist and her eyes blackened, the blood spread throughout her body and her hair became longer, her skin softer and her lips was blood red. There were lines of blue that lit up in her body, like tattoos that lit up, in her forehead and her cheeks had dots and lines, as well as her arms and legs, the twins bit through Nancys legs, and Caedmons Skin, pulsed white and blue light that looked like scales on his fore head, cheeks and arms and legs, same with Waldron, But Waldrons light was red. They bit through her legs and Drank her blood. Then Lupus eyes, darkened with hunger, and he transformed into a black wolf. "All yours," Matilda said to her brother, Lupus  ravenously ravaged her innards, and Sullivan ate her brains. We can hear a wolf and zombies subdued eating sounds. Once they were done, Lupus howled. "Accept her body to close this spell." Then Matilda threw the body into the gaping hole. “Gaia Chiudiamo l'incantesimo” The blue light pulsed and emitted orbs. The trees seemed alive as the orbs infiltrate their bodies, the flowers seemed to wake up from sleep, the grass seemed to be greener, but shortly after the wind became stronger, the hole as it closes, released a strong wind that tried to suck everyone inside of it.

Matilda was near the hole so she almost fell, she clawed on the dirt on the ground so she will not fall. She pulled out her wings but she only used it to fight the wind, it was impossible to fly, the whirlpool of wind was too strong.

Lupus was in wolf form and was able to run and claw on the dirt and grab on a tree. Like a monkey.

Mr. Strange was a little bit futher away, but he could move through the speed of sound, so he was able to grab the twins and moved quickly to a far off tree, the twins were also quick and can fly but they were no match for the strength of Gaia. Then he told Caedmon and Waldron to grab hold of the tree, like little insects, the babies did. Mr. Strange trusted Morganas capabilities so he didn't come to their aid but came for Sullivan, He grabbed him quickly to where the twins were.

Morgana's hair grew longer, and moved as if it had its own life, It grabbed hold of Matilda, and some of her other hair grabbed hold of the trees for support, then quicklyshe teleported, to where her family was. They were now all safe.

They looked as the Hole closed. There was a strong wind that wanted to engulf everything, then there was nothing, just silence. The trees didn't seem to be alive anymore and the flowers seemed to go back to sleep.

Lupus walked off and said, "Well next time, lets probably get CCTV." Morning came. Detective Alexander visited The Strange Household. "Mr and Mrs Strange..." The detective's eyes widened, he was a bit shocked, the family looked stranger in the Morning. But he continued, "Uhm we found some file about your maid, thanks to the picture Ms. Philomena provided, and some CCTV we found around town, we saw a file that matched your maid, She was Nancy Doss, She is a serial killer, who was known for poisoning families that she served, and she giggled all while she was poisoning the family according to some survivors, and witness. Really weird. You guys were lucky enough to survive" The family smiled at him, they were on the porch outside.

“I think you weren't able to eat the batch, that she made, unfortunately, we couldn't find her, we suspect she skipped town, but we found some of what we believe are her belongings and a van hidden in the forest. But rest assured, Mr. and Mrs. Strange we will try our best to find her.” “How about the victims?” Philomena asked the detective. "Unfortunately, two ate too much that they died, Michelle and Cornell Graves died." "Most, fortunately survived and was given an antidote. Best if you keep to yourselves for now. Even though it's not your fault, some people might blame you." “Well try to send. Something to the victims.” "Hopefully not food" The detective joked, trying to clear the air. “Goodness, No.” Morgana said. "Well send them some flowers. And an apology note." Philomena said, "I'll take care of Everything." "Thank you, Mr Detective..." Mr. Stranged expressed his thanks through a handshake. “Well, I best be going, Thank you for your time and cooperation...” Before the detective can go, Grandma offered him some cookie. “Do you want some cookie?” "It's not poisoned right?" The detective laughed. Everyone looked at him seriously. “I'll just take some of this.” The detective mused, And left. "Well, what did we learn about today?" Matilda was standing next to the railings of the porch, Lupus and the twins were sitting, Philomena, Mr. and Mrs. strange was standing in the porch Hallway, and Grandma and Grandpa sat in their rocking chairs.

"Never to trust Anyone," Matilda replied. “Did you hear that twins?” Mr. Strange carried them. "They replied, "Yes, Poppa." “Ah I thought, Maybe it would've been more fun if she was possessed.”  Lupus cackled. “We can't have too much fun, Love.” Morgana snickered and told Lupus. “Also don't forget  to Thank your Grandma for saving the day, because of her Yummy cookies.” Mr. Strange reminded. "Oh yah, You saved the day Grandma." Matilda enthused. “Thanks Grandma. We love you.” Everyone hugged and Thanked Grandma. “Quickly, lets go inside.” Then everyone Followed Mr. Strange. Lupus noticed Matilda. “What is it?” Matilda was looking at something. *Insert suspense song like for example Pusicfier – the remedy* It was the Detective. He saw something on the ground. Its was red. He looked up. Looked back at the house. And smiled at Matilda he waved. Matilda miffed, snubbed him and continued to walk inside. The Detective grabbed  something from the ground. He put it inside a small ziplock bag. It was dried red blood sitting on the dirt. We see matilda look back again. As the detective walks away. She was supicious of him. Then She slammed their large door shut. We see the devils knocker. As we zoom out of the house and we see the vast forrest surround it and over the Horizon, you can see the Ocean. *insert ending song for example Aurora – Running with the wolves.*

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2017 Gothicfury/PrincessAisaPascua The moral right of the author has been asserted. All rights reserved. This story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or retransmitted in whole or in part, in any manner, without the written consent of the copyrightholder, and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law. A single copy of the materials available in this story may be made solely for personal, noncommerical use. Individuals musr preserve any copyright or other notices contained in or associated with them. Users may not distribute said copies to others, whether or not in electronic form of in hard copy, without prior written consent of the copyright holder of the materials. contact information for requests for permission to reproduce or distribute materials available through this course are listed. below: [email protected] official website: http://gothicfury.tumblr.com

Strange Family Values by Gothicfury/PrincessAisaPascua is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at [email protected].

Pdf downloads

https://www.patreon.com/posts/11728398 – Chapter 1 Introduction https://www.patreon.com/posts/12585702 – chapter 2 The Poison House https://www.wattpad.com/425937667-strange-family-values-episode-2-the-poison-house  - wattpad copy https://www.scribd.com/document/351264616/Strange-Family-Values-Chapter-2-the-Poison-House-by-Gothicfury-currently-in-revision – Scribd http://ice-rockz.deviantart.com/art/Strange-Family-Values-Chapter-2-The-Poison-House-690986560 -deviantart.com http://gothicfury.tumblr.com/post/161809088975/strange-family-values-strange-family-values - tumblr

#weird #strange #magic #strange family values #witch #vampire

[beyondforks]

Book Reviews! Absolute Surrender and Echo, Mine by Georgia Lyn Hunter

Absolute Surrender (Fallen Guardians #1) by Georgia Lyn Hunter Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance) First Published: March 19, 2013 Publisher: GL Hunter

Born in the flames of Heaven’s wrath, he’s all things sinful and too dangerous to love. 

An immortal Guardian of the mortal realm, Aethan has walked alone for millennia, trapped in a hell of his own. Until a feisty mortal crosses his path. A female he shouldn’t even look at, one who shakes the precarious foundations of all that he is, and one who’s determined to walk the edge of danger.

All her life, Echo Carter wanted “normal”, an impossible feat given that she can see demons. Drawn back to the alleys of New York, she’s determined to hunt down the one responsible for the death of her friend. And no man, no matter how sexy, will stop her. Until she discovers a horrifying truth about herself, forcing her to turn to the one man she should avoid. Aethan. 

But when two stubborn wills collide, a dangerous passion ignites…

As evil closes in, Aethan has to overcome his darkest fears and claim Echo as his. If he doesn't, he just could lose her to a far more sinister fate…

Absolute Surrender is the first book in the Fallen Guardians series by Georgia Lyn Hunter. There were many point of views given through this story. We definitely needed some. Others? Not so much, and I got characters confused with one another, especially in the beginning. Some had similar names, some had more than one name, some changed into the appearance of others, and there were so many of them thrown at you at once. So, it took me several chapters to get everyone straight. The story itself was pretty darn good though. Situations and places were described vividly, making it so easy to visualize, and it did this without being wordy, which I loved.

 I'm not too sold on Echo. She can kick some major butt, but at the same time, she has absolutely no sense of self preservation and kept putting herself in danger whenever she had a hissy fit, which was often. 

Aethan was a fantastic character. He had strength and brains. I loved how he cared for Echo no matter what.  I'm still not sure what he is supposed to be. Angel? Demon? Something entirely different? Alien? I'm interested in knowing more about some of his friends too. 

This was one of those books that is drenched in tension and anticipation. There was so much heat between Echo and  Aethan ... my goodness! Be ready to take many cold showers or keep your significant other close by. You'll need them, and they'll thank you for it.

Echo Carter wrapped her arms around her waist and paced along the top step in front of the well-lit cathedral, trying to keep warm while she waited for Kira. The chilly sea breeze stung her nostrils as she debated going back to her car and cranking up the heater to full blast. But being trapped in the vehicle for a half hour? Ugh. She far preferred the cold. It helped ease the dull ache in her temples. Her head still felt heavy and fuzzy from her restless night. Dreams she didn’t want to remember throbbed in her mind, so she concentrated on a tugboat gliding over the ominous waters of the East River. A streak of lightning raced across the dark skies, briefly enveloping everything in a portentous silver light. The night wind stole under her denim jacket and beneath her sweater like an icy caress. She buttoned up the front and slid her hands into her pockets. Her fingers wrapped around the two stones she carried around like talismans, their warmth seeping into her. But it wasn’t enough. She seriously needed a distraction to clear her head and rid her body of the chill. Her cell beeped. Eagerly, she retrieved the phone from her pocket and sat on her backpack, avoiding the cold cement step, only to find it was a text from Damon. Away on business. Get Kira to stay with you. You know why. Call if you need me. P.S. Don’t do anything stupid. She rolled her eyes. Everyone had bad dreams. It didn’t mean she needed a babysitter. Damon’s postscripts, however, never changed, even if his messages did. The way her guardian hovered, you’d think she was thirteen instead of twenty-three and living on her own. But she couldn’t blame him. All that mattered to her was finding Tamsyn’s killer and ending the son of a bitch. That had to be the stupid thing Damon worried about. A man, rushing past her, snagged her attention. Echo watched him skid to a halt. Above average height, this one embodied the perfect male, with bronzed skin, dark, wavy hair, and a sculptured jaw. Black shades covered his eyes. He made a U-turn, giving her a closed mouthed smile. Well now, she had asked for a distraction. Sliding the phone back into her pocket, she rose to her feet. She’d deal with this before Kira got back, and she knew the perfect spot for this little rendezvous. With a casual, seductive sway of her hips, she tossed him a sultry look over her shoulder and glided toward the back of the cathedral. He followed. Of course he’d follow. They always did. She popped her jacket buttons free as she rounded the rear of the building and headed for the alcove where the statue of an angel with massive wings stood. When he grabbed her from behind and slammed her against the cathedral wall, she sucked in a breath, pain jarring up her arm to her shoulder. She twisted around. The acrid stink of sulfur flooded her nostrils. Bile rushed to her throat, telling her exactly what this thing was. “Ah, little mortal. So good of you to choose this place—” He stopped, confusion flickering across his face, frowned, and leaned in to sniff her. Oh yeah, her cursed pheromones always worked in her favor. They threw them off track and gave her the crucial edge she needed. But the black sludge that coated her hands as she held him off warned her this one had been wounded. “You smell different. Must taste.” His tone slurred. Something wet and rough slithered along her neck. Crap! The slimy saliva on her skin sent a shudder of revulsion through her. But she didn’t let that distract her. Once his foul-breathed mouth claimed hers, life as she knew it would be over. Nope, not happening. She had no plans to die at the hands of this fiend. “Pity I have to cut our fun short.” His face cracked into a menacing smile to reveal pointy canines. “Your light’s mine.” That’s what he thought. “If you want it, come and claim it.” The familiar words rolled out of her mouth. Darn, she had to stop watching The Lord of the Rings. But Aragon was so— Argh, kill first, then think about the sexy Aragon—she kneed the demonii hard in the crotch, breaking his hold. Spinning around, she kicked out her leg in a fast sweep, knocking his feet out from under him. He stumbled to the ground. About to go in for what would have been a routine kill, the demonii sprang up. He flung his shades aside. Eerily red eyes flamed with fury. “I’ll drain every drop of your blood before I rip out your soul!” “Promises—promises,” she taunted. He came at her. Echo palmed her dagger and met him head-on. She went in low and rammed the blade into his sternum. The demonii fell to his knees, eyes widening in surprise. “Didn’t see that one coming, did ya?” Vengeance burned in her as she grabbed him by the hair and slashed his exposed throat, severing the carotid artery. Blood, black and thick, gushed out. Her breathing harsh, she let the body fall to the ground. Disappointment burned through her. This fiend hadn’t killed Tamsyn. The stink of the sulfur now coating her skin lacked the coppery, sweet odor of vanilla she was after. No matter. It meant one less evil fiend roaming the streets and robbing the innocents of their souls. The body decomposed and vanished within seconds. No sign remained that the demonii had ever existed. The oily ooze on her dagger had disappeared, too, when a frisson shot through her. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose in warning. Oh, hell. More of them. Survival mode on high alert, Echo whipped around in a defensive strike and met steel with steel. The metallic sound reverberated through the cathedral’s garden. The sheer power of the blow vibrated up her hand to her injured shoulder. Pain streaked through her but didn’t slow her down. She attacked. He countered. This one was too strong, too canny. She lunged at him, but he grabbed her in a move that made her head spin and imprisoned her in an ironclad grip against a wall of muscle. It took her a second to realize the stranger had no intention of disarming or hurting her. He merely shielded himself from her attack. Irritated, she glared up. The impact of the man facing her over their crossed daggers hit her like a blow to the stomach. She stumbled back, dragging in lungfuls of air. Wild as rainstorms and earthy as sin, his scent crowded her. She blinked, sure the vision before her was a fantasy induced by her sleep-starved brain. He was so tall, he had to be at least six-seven. His long, leather duster parted to reveal muscular, leather-covered legs. All that black he wore was the perfect backdrop for a wickedly handsome face. The hard, sensual curve of his lips and that focused way he studied her told her he would know every carnal pleasure there was. A tiny shiver of awareness darted up her spine, but she brutally clamped it down. The chilly breeze tossed back strands of his long hair to reveal the glitter of small silver hoops in his ears. But his hair—she’d never seen anything like it. It was as if nature had stroked it with every shade of the blue spectrum then laid a careless dash of ebony between those strands. The air around him shifted. Power rolled off him in aggressive waves. But his eyes held her spellbound—gunmetal gray irises took on streaks of white—a caveat, a warning not to attack him again. Oh, Mr. Goth-man could send out all the signals he liked. She wasn’t easy to intimidate. “Who the hell are you?” she snapped.

Echo Mine (Fallen Guardians #1.5) by Georgia Lyn Hunter Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance) First Published:  August 4, 2015 Publisher: GL Hunter

A Fallen Guardian Novella--companion book to Absolute Surrender

After a horrifying incident that left her in a coma for several long months, Echo now has to get used to a different life. As a descendant of a powerful angel, her days waver between training as the new Healer and convincing her mate she’s strong enough to match him in life and in bed. 

A surprise date night gives her the perfect opportunity to do both. But plans have a way of coming unraveled. One disaster leads to another, and Echo accepts that nothing in their lives will ever be normal.

But the biggest revelation of the night comes after she kills a dangerous demonii. Sparks fly between her and her mate, proving that normal is most definitely overrated...

Echo, Mine is a novella companion to Absolute Surrender in the Fallen Guardians series by Georgia Lyn Hunter. This is giving us a peek at how Aethan and Echo's life is going since her coma. I don't feel like I got much more information from this story than I already knew from Absolute Surrender. It was almost like a shortened version of Absolute Surrender with them fighting Demonaii and Aethan trying not to touch Echo, but I missed steaminess they had in the first book. I didn't feel it as much. Where'd it go? You'll need to read Absolute Surrender first, otherwise you won't know who's who or what's what. 

Absolute Surrender and Echo, Mine by Georgia Lyn Hunter was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Dim lights cast a sickly, pale glow over the dingy alley, adding to the portentous sensation crawling through Aethan. As if some disaster loomed, one he couldn’t quite get a grip on. He glanced at Blaéz, strolling at his side. The warrior’s calm demeanor revealed nothing. He rolled his shoulders, trying to shrug off his unease. “Something feels off.” “Indeed…” Blaéz murmured as they bypassed several dumpsters lined against the grimy brick wall. The things reeked as if a pack of rats had died there. “You made a decision yet?” “About what?” Blaéz cut him a cool, detached stare. A purple bruise marred his jaw. With his penchant for brutal underground fighting, Aethan wasn’t surprised. “Is it that you really don’t know, or that you haven’t decided?” Aethan frowned. His disquiet hiking in leaps now. “Celt, you talk in riddles. How the hell am I supposed to know what you’re talking about? Did you have a vision or what?” The male’s precog ability was unparalleled. Hell, everything he’d told Aethan several months ago when he’d first met his mate had transpired—shit. Fear twisted his gut. “Is it Echo?” “No.” Blaéz turned back to stare into the night. “No precog needed for this one. But it does indeed concern your mate.” Aethan stopped and pinned his fellow Guardian an annoyed glare. “Just spit it out, man. What the hell is it?” Blaéz slowly faced him. He was as tall as Aethan, a little on the leaner side, and deadlier than a detonating bazooka jammed into one’s mouth with his ability to kill with a thought. But dammit, any slower on the response, and Aethan would probably die of old age! “Heard the females talking. Your mate and her friend, Kira…” “Yeah?” Aethan prompted, clamping down on his teeth to stop from shaking the words out of the warrior. “It’s Echo’s big day next week. Her birthday. Females, from what I’ve seen on TV, get excited about the day. And presents.” Fuuccck! Suddenly feeling faint, Aethan inhaled a lungful of reeking air. This was worse than a damn demonii bolt striking him in the chest. What the hell did he do now? Echo had told him her birthdate some time ago when she’d asked him his, but he hadn’t put much stock into remembering it. Hell, when you live forever, birthdays no longer mattered. He slid his hands into his pants pockets and continued up the alley, trying to think of something amazing for his mate…and came up blank. He really didn’t want to screw this up. “Would you know—” “Google.” “Right—” Aethan broke off. A familiar insidious prickle slithered over his psyche. Demoniis. The turned brethren of demons were on the hunt again, trawling for prey, for mortal souls to replace the dying ones they’d already harvested from humans. Eyes narrowed, he scanned the night air for the source… His heightened hearing caught the faint, pained cry of a female. Trouble. Aethan dematerialized in a scattering of molecules and followed the distressed cry. He took form moments later in The Bowery and tore down the dimly lit alley, tracking the sensation, and skidded to a halt. Blaéz appeared beside him. The abandoned warehouse across the street sat too still, too dark. The icy, malevolent sensation abrading his psyche grew stronger. Beneath it, the darker, coppery odor of blood stung his nose…no, not humans. “What the hell are they up to now?”

Georgia Lyn Hunter loves to create characters who’ll take you to the far and beyond to unforgettable adventures, steamy encounters and heart-stopping love stories… She grew up in the tropical climate of South Africa and currently lives abroad with her family. An avid reader from a young age, she devoured every book she got her hands on. When she's not writing or plotting her next novel, she loves trolling flea markets, buying things because they're so pretty, travelling, and being with her supportive family. To learn more about Georgia Lyn Hunter and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

#book review #adult fiction #paranormal romance #Excerpt #Teaser #Echo Mine #Absolute Surrender #Georgia Lyn Hunter #Fallen Guardians #Romance #Steamy

[spookybooscarystorytime]

31 Days of Halloween: The Witches and the Circle by Eric Dodd

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31 Days of Halloween: The Witches and the Circle by Eric Dodd

My great-aunt had died the year before. Her house was locked up in probate until issues of inheritance were settled. My father was acting as caretaker of the property, which meant I took care of the place while my old man bought booze with my great-aunt’s money. I didn’t mind; it got me out of my place, away from my old man, and it made a nice place to have parties and hang out with my friends. My friend Chris loved the place. I think he also needed a place to hide, somewhere away from his own house with all of his dead mother’s things lying around, right where she left them, before a sleep-deprived truck driver snuffed out her life like a candle on a store-bought birthday cake.

Our big plan was to host a Halloween party, just for our small group of friends. Chris quickly latched onto the idea of having a seance, and spent a lot of his time at the library, or at some of the local used book stores, researching. I told him it was no big deal, that it was just a stupid party trick, but he insisted on getting it ‘right’. I guess Chris was messed up about his mother’s death. I should have thought about that, about why he was so concerned with contacting the dead, but he didn’t talk about her very much, and as I’ve said before, I was stupid. There are things that happen when you are nineteen that stay with you. You don’t think they will, but they do. If that’s not the definition of haunted, I don’t know what is.

I met Chris as he was walking back from the dollar store that evening. He was carrying several bags of Halloween candy, some chips and a few bottles of soda. He climbed into my car, and I drove us on to the house. He dumped the candy into a large plastic bowl, and smacked my hand when I tried to filch some. “That’s for the trick-or-treaters, jerk,” he said. As the afternoon faded into evening, the trick-or-treaters did show up, giggling in their Spiderman and Incredible Hulk masks. I doled out candy, while Chris ordered pizza and set up the food on the kitchen table.

Pete, Liz, and Sophia arrived by eight. I was excited that Sophia had shown up; I had been crushing on her for months, but at six four, one forty, and bright red, curly hair, I looked like a scarecrow that tried to dress up like Ronald McDonald. Sophia was tiny, cool, beautiful, with jet black hair and skin that may have never seen sunlight. She was my secret reason for having the party. I didn’t stand a chance, but a guy could hope. Liz was Pete’s longtime girlfriend. She was almost as tall as me, with a shaved head, several piercings, and full sleeve tattoos on both arms. I’m pretty smart, but Liz was a genius. She aced every exam without trying, and was taking college level classes in ninth grade. We had been friends for several years, and had shared several classes at high school until she dropped out halfway through twelfth grade. The vice principal told her in no uncertain terms that she would not allow a “tattooed freak” like Liz to represent the school as the Valedictorian. Liz broke the woman’s jaw in two places, and that was pretty much it for Liz’s public education.

Pete was wrecked when he walked through the door. I had been friends with Pete since we were toddlers; his mother had worked with mine at the same hospital, before my mother left town. I loved Pete like he was a brother, but he had several bad habits, self-destruction being high on the list. He nodded his hello, then staggered to the cabinet where my great-aunt kept her liquor, and liberated a bottle of peach schnapps. By nine, Pete had retired to the monstrous old red couch in the living room, cold cloth over his eyes and a bucket by his side.

“Why’s he over-indulging?” I asked Liz, as we shoved the furniture out of the way. Chris and Sophia rolled up the large area rug, exposing the hardwood floor beneath.

“Failed his driver’s license exam,” Liz said, rolling her eyes.

“Again?” Chris said, brushing his thick brown hair out of his eyes. “This is what, his fifth time to take it? I thought they just gave it to you out of pity after five tries.”

“At least he didn’t vomit blueberry pancakes on the instructor’s shoes, like he did last time,” Sophia said.

The heavy old grandfather clock in the living room bonged ten times. Chris stood up. “OK everybody, let’s get started.” Liz tried to get Pete to join us, but he was fast asleep. Chris returned to the room carrying a large wooden box. He opened the box, and removed a small jar of salt, and several candles. He motioned for us to sit in a circle, and he poured the salt in a double ring around us. He poured another, smaller double ring a few feet away, in front of the fireplace. He then carefully taped down several pieces of paper, onto which he had previously drawn strange geometric symbols. I took the candles and positioned them at points around the circles, then lit them with my Zippo.

Chris motioned for us all to sit within the larger circle. He dimmed the lights and joined us. We took our positions around a small wooden tool box. The circle was small. When Sophia sat next to me, her knee touched mine. I tried to concentrate on something other than her perfume. Chris folded open the top, and removed a metal bowl, which he placed onto a metal stand. He pulled some pieces of wood from the box, put them in the bowl, and lit them. He pulled a fabric-shrouded object from the box, and placed it in front of him. The dark cloth revealed a book bound in black leather, and when Chris opened the yellowed pages, instead of being brittle, they turned with an odd ease. Chris flipped through the pages, and when he stopped, the sallow pages lay slackly open, without a hint of curling. He began a low chant, in a singsong rhythm. While chanting, Chris dropped wads of dried herbs into the metal bowl. Heavy, acrid yellow smoke billowed up, stinging our eyes.

“Ancient spirits,” Chris said, as we stared at him with rapt attention, “Ancient spirits, hear us. We beseech you. Ancient spirits, hear our call. Ancient spirits, answer us. Ancient spirits, come to us. Ancient spirits, the way is open. Ancient spirits, take this offering, and come to us.” Chris ran a scalpel, a scalpel that none of us had seen, across the palm of his hand. Liza recoiled in shock. The blood sizzled as it met the flames in the bowl.

“Jesus, Chris!” Sophia said. He shushed her with a glare.

“Ancient spirits!” Chris called. “Hear us! The way is open! Answer our—”

The doorbell chimed.

We all jumped, including Chris. The doorbell chimed again. Through the door, we heard muffled voices. “Trick or treat!”

Sophia huffed and rolled her eyes. “The ancient spirits are here, and they want candy. I thought you turned off the porch light?” She stood up, and walked to the door. She flipped on the porch light, and opened the door. Two little kids were standing there, both dressed like witches, with pointy hats and green masks. They giggled, shoved their widespread pillowcase sacks towards Sophia, and yelled “Trick or treat!” at the tops of their lungs. Sophia looked around for the candy dish, then saw it on the kitchen table. It was empty, save for some wrappers.

“Sorry kids. We’re all out. That’s what it means when the porch light’s off.”

The kids looked at each other for a moment. “Can we come inside for a minute, ma’am? My sister really has to go to the bathroom.” Sophia nodded, and stood aside as two little pointy witch hats bobbed past. As the shorter of the pair went to the bathroom, the taller stood near the couch, next to Pete. She said nothing, and was very still. I found myself sneaking glances at her mask. It seemed far too elaborate for a child’s mask, and the black pits that hid her eyes seemed to drink in the light.

There was a crash from the hallway leading to the bathroom. Chris and I jumped to our feet, and ran to see what had happened. The smaller of the two children kneeling at the entrance to the hallway. “I’m really sorry. I broke the mirror on the wall. My hat is too big and it must have caught the frame. I tripped. I can’t see where I’m going.” She tilted her head down, and began to cry, softly.

“It’s just a cheap old mirror,” Chris said. He extended a hand — his cut hand, I thought to myself, without knowing why — and pulled her up. “It’s getting late. Your parents must be worried.”

“Yes, it’s almost midnight. Sister, we should be going.” We turned to see the sister leaning over Pete’s sleeping form, green mask pressed close to his ear.

“Hey, what are you doing to Pete?” Liza said. She stood and walked towards the taller child.

“He was sleeping,” the taller witch said, shrugging. Her rubbery, pointed green nose bobbled. “I was telling him to have sweet dreams.”

The two children left, clutching their pillowcase sacks and jostling each other as they walked down the sidewalk. I watched them go, and as I saw them turn the corner, I think that I may have seen them both take turns licking at the smaller one’s hand.

We shut off the lights, bolted the front door, and re-lit a few candles that had gone out. Chris picked up his book again as we rejoined him inside the salt circle. “Ancient spirits, hear us!” he cried. “Ancient spirits, we call you. Ancient spirits, hear our call. Ancient spirits, answer us!” The old grandfather clock began to toll, the first of twelve. Chris sprinkled more sage into the redly-glowing metal bowl. “Ancient spirits, we beseech you!”

A candle went out.

Sophia snorted, and put her hand on mine. My heart slammed to a stop — then I realized that she was only trying to pull the Zippo I had been fidgeting with out of my hand. She winked, then reached over to light the candle. Another candle went out. And another. The room was plunged into a murky darkness, only lit from the flickers of the coals in the metal bowl. “O-ok,” said Chris, with only a slight tremor to his voice. “The ancient spirits have heard our call and have responded.” He shifted slightly, and closed the box. On the top of the box was an ornate inlay of letters and numbers, in the style of an Ouija board. Chris drew a small white planchette from his shirt pocket, and beckoned for us to place our hands upon it. We moved the planchette on the board in small, slow circles. “Ancient spirits, are you here with us?”

Something crashed in the kitchen.

I made as if to get up, and Chris motioned for me to stop. “Don’t leave the circle,” he said. “Stay inside the circle. Never break it. Nothing can harm you if you don’t cross the boundary.” We placed our hands back on the planchette.

“Ancient spirits, are you here with us?” Chris asked again. The planchette slowly moved to a corner. YES. Boards creaked in the darkened room around us.

“This is too spooky, Chris,” Sophia said. “It feels like something’s watching us. It — oh.” Sophia looked down. In the twitching, red glow of the flames, a shadow seemed to spread across Sophia’s chest. She looked up at us and opened her mouth to speak. A flood of blackness flowed out of her mouth and down her chin. She slumped forward, knocking over the metal bowl. The burning coals scattered.

“Sophia!” I lunged toward her. A smoldering coal burned my hand, but I didn’t feel it. I could only think about Sophia’s beautiful hair. It was on fire. “Get the lights!” Chris yelled, standing. He shoved me off Sophia, out of the circle. I scrambled to my feet. I could see nothing in the inky blackness. Liz was screaming, over and over. A wall should have been inches away, but I felt nothing. I reached out frantically. My fingertips caught something, the sleeve of a shirt? It jerked away. There was a blinding, burning pain on my arm. I fell flat and away, clutching the wound. Blood soaked through the sleeve of my shirt. I crouched low, trying to see something, anything. I turned back to the circle. Liz’s face, mouth an O of surprise, jerked backward. Her slashed throat sprayed blood across the room. It smelled like copper.

I turned to the right, arm out. I ran. My hand slammed into a doorway with force. A fingernail peeled back. I dropped to my knees, then crawled forward. My fingers met the cold steel of the refrigerator. I flung the door open. Light flooded the kitchen. I huddled in the corner, shaking. I heard a racking scream from the other room. Chris! I snatched a heavy, cast iron frying pan from the stove. Heavy pan raised high, I stood to the side of the doorway. Blood trickled into a pool in the elbow of my shirt. I heard the slow slide of footsteps. There was a low whispering breath. I was paralyzed. What if it was Chris? Or Sophia? Light glinted off of the butcher knife.

I swung as hard as I could. My lips peeled back in a rictus grin, I grunted an involuntary “HAA!” The edge of the cast iron pan caved in Pete’s face as if it were a Sunday morning egg. He went down in an untidy heap. I swung and swung, bashing his head until it was a lumpy mess. Until his body stopped twitching. Still clutching the pan, I ran for the front door.

It took me an hour to reach the front door. The front door could not have been farther than fifteen feet away. It felt like miles. As I stumbled and crawled to the door, terrible things whispered to me, laughed at me, mocked me. I saw the dim shapes scuttle away as I looked, eyes straining to see my attackers. They darted in and gouged my flesh with claws and hot, grasping hands. I flailed blindly in the dark with the frying pan, but they only laughed. When I did reach the door, it was locked. I smashed the antique stained glass with a blow, then climbed through it, lacerating my hands and arms more in the process.

The official police report states that Peter McCaulty, nineteen-year-old Caucasian Male, several priors including vandalism and possession, was under the influence of a large amount of controlled substances (traces of Adderal, Effexor, PCP, psilocybin, and certain other unidentified), experienced a psychotic break, and killed several people. Initially I was suspect number one. A police officer found me walking down the middle of the street, covered in blood and bleeding from dozens of cuts, fist clenched tightly around a cast iron pan. The police took a dim view of my story, and once it was determined that drugs had been involved, they ignored it completely. As far as the cops were concerned, a bunch of kids took some acid on Halloween. They played at a ‘Satanic’ ritual, then one went off his rocker and killed a few of the others. It happens every Halloween.

I was remanded into psychiatric custody for two weeks. It was only after I was released that I found out that the police had only recovered three bodies, not four. They never found Chris, or any trace of him.

I have never gone back to that house. I think about going back, every night. I take my meds, meds that make me forget, mostly, and suppress the whispers that I hear in those long black hours before dawn. But sometimes, I still hear them. Every year, as Halloween approaches, the voices get louder, even if I up my dose. They tell me terrible things. They tell me it was my fault. They tell me I was the one with the knife.

Original Story

Music by Myuu

#31 Days of Halloween 2017 #demons #Halloween #ouija board #witches #Creepypasta