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fakecrfan · 3 years

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Ok. So Martin has to figure out what the Eye is at some point before the Goggles Incident or else he wouldnt know to blind himself to escape, right? So. When and how did he figure that out? And like, I get that he cant accept what the Eye offers as real love but wouldn't he try bargaining to, idk, date elias or smthg if the other 3 are released kind of like in aoye? Why would the Eye not go for that in this scenario?

Okay so--yes. Martin does discover what’s going on before the goggles incident. And of course, he discovers you can quit by gouging your eyes out. But it happens in phases.

Phase 1: he gets into the tunnels sometime after the Jane Prentiss threat blows over (but Martin’s been evicted and he’s weirdly having trouble finding a new place.) He gets information on the entities in general from Leitner.

Martin still promises he’ll come back and they’ll exchange more info. When he does come back, he finds Leitner completely fucking dead, so that’s how that goes.

(There is also some drama with the polycule and how they react to the tunnels--but I got another ask on that so I will expound on that Later :) )

Phase 2: Martin, after so much running around and trying to find out what eye monster is doing this and trying to wheedle information from people, gets straight up told by Elias that the Eye is in love with him. Martin does not accept this at first.

Phase 3: Melanie quits.

And you see, this is quite an accomplishment. Jon does now tell her how to quit in this AU, because Jon simply does not find Eric’s tape. Melanie follows Eric’s path in a more--indirect way. She goes through the process trial and error herself.

Of course her first instinct is to simply murder Elias. This prompts consternation from the rest of the polycule. Even Martin objects, also worried about all of them dying, to which Melanie throws something at him and screams not everything is about what you want!

She does feel bad about it afterwards, but she decides that bad feeling must be more Eye brainwashing, so she smothers it intentionally and does not apologize.

The attempts on Elias’s life before standard procedure. The others stop getting riled up about them. It even becomes an integral part of the team atmosphere. Exchanges like: “Ah, sorry Tim, seems like Melanie poisoned everything in the fridge just in case Elias eats any of it” become an ordinary and accepted part of life at the Archives.

The murder attempts distract everyone from all her other attempts to free herself.

Melanie reads every single statement she can get her hands on, trying to find any mention of someone fighting successfully against an Entity’s influence. She finds the story of Agnes Montague freeing someone from the web-induced mind control with a kiss on the cheeks.

That gives Melanie an idea, and sets her on a path. The first stop on that path is Jude Perry.

(CW: self harm, serious self-injury, and self destructive behavior bordering on suicidal.)

Jude laughs at Melanie’s dilemma (she always did find other people’s misery funny) and laughs even more at her hypothesis. Still, when Melanie grits her teeth and explains what she wants from Jude, Jude grins.

“Well,” Jude says. “I can practically guarantee you won’t get anything out of it that you’re hoping for. But you are pretty, so how could I say no?”

Georgie, as Melanie’s emergency contact, is the one who gets called by the hospital and gets to see her bandaged up from the burns Jude left on one side of her face.

Georgie is also there when Melanie gets to wake up and find out it didn’t work--that the same intense pressure for her to return to the Institute is still there. Melanie sobs a bit over it, squeezing Georgie’s hand, but--she’s not done, either. Not remotely.

If it’s not that the Desolation gives some sort of protection from mind control, Melanie decides, it must be that different Entities cancel each other out. And if the Desolation cancels out the Web, then--there has to be one that cancels out the Eye.

And so Melanie’s path continues.

She tracks down Manuela Domingeuz, and then Helen.

Melanie gets locked in the dark box (willingly) for days, and spends some indeterminate amount of time stumbling in Helen’s corridors, listening to Helen’s giggles echo around the corner and wondering if she’ll ever get let out. In each of these it--Melanie can feel the Eye subside for a moment. Can feel her thoughts become her own again.

But once she’s out, the pressure is always back. Pushing her back to the Institute. Letting her know Martin is worried.

She has so, so many fights with Georgie throughout all of this. Because Georgie both disagrees with Melanie keeping everything to herself, and disagrees with everything Melanie is doing when Melanie actually explains any of it.

“This isn’t helping anything, Melanie! I can’t just sit by and watch you slowly kill yourself.”

“Where were you? Please tell me what’s going on.”

“You’re just as bad as Jon.”

They stop talking. They start talking again. Melanie gets increasingly more erratic and hostile in her interactions with everyone. Jon tells her a supernatural bullet is causing this but, “It’s fine, we’ll make sure you stay one of Us enough to keep clear headed.”

She throws something at him, and screams.

Georgie wants her to stop trying. Wants her to focus on self-preservation, and stop self destructing for no foreseeable gain.

“And just let them keep controlling me?” Melanie mumbles, pressed up against Georgie’s shoulder.

“You’d still be alive, though,” Georgie says. “That has to be worth something.”

Melanie almost gives in, then. Only for a second, though. The problem is that Georgie’s words have the exact opposite of the effect Georgie intends. Because Melanie hears that and feels her heart melt and something in her goes: oh, this is what real love is.

She compares it to the foreign obsession that grips her at the worst of times, and she makes a choice.

Next week, Melanie locks herself in her own apartment. She knows she’ll get sick if she doesn’t go back to the Institute. It’s time to see if it will really kill her--or else, call her bluff.

Her phone blows up. She shuts it off and throws it out the window. Over the next few days, it becomes impossible to sleep. She paces, vomits, and scratches at herself. She gets furious, breaks things, kicks things, and cries through it all. She feels an ache in her leg, and thinks about what Jon told her about the bullet.

“Well,” she says, through the haze of lost sleep. “Maybe I can stop one thing from controlling me, at least.”

She cuts up her own leg. Messily, bloodily, not having enough foresight to sterilize the knife or have sutures or gauze ready to go. It’s pure luck that she doesn’t hit a major artery in the process, and that she gets it out.

Then, she hears knocking at the door.

“Fuck off!” she yells.

“Melanie?”

The voice makes her blood run cold. Martin. Her eyes move towards the door without her permission.

“Sasha said you were--you were doing--” Martin swallows. “Melanie, please. You don’t have to--”

Her head spins. She stands up, and heads for the door. She shakily unlocks it as though in a trance, and when she sees Martin on the other side she knows exactly why. The sight of him makes that alien thing at the back of head light up like fireworks.

She also knows, instantly, that Martin came himself because he knew that he’d be able to get her to stop. Because the second he thought hard enough about not wanting her to hurt herself, she wouldn’t be able to. That he's started to believe in the Eye's “love” enough to use it, in this case.

“You,” she tells him, still light-headed, “are a fucker, Martin.”

He doesn’t even defend himself. She hates him for that.

“What did you---your leg. Okay, shit, we need to get you to a--let me call--”

Melanie tries to move her head away. She can’t. She tries to at least blink. She can’t. She’s locked in eye contact with him, and those same fireworks are going off in her head.

Does Melanie work it out, at that moment?

She does think, briefly, of Manuela’s darkness. How that darkness blotted out the Eye’s influence, if only for a moment. About how Manuela ritualistically scratched out photographs of eyes, while Melanie was there. But maybe Melanie still doesn’t really make the intellectual connection.

Maybe it’s just spite.

She can’t move her own goddamn eyes. If it’s gonna be that way, then at the very least the Beholding shouldn’t get them either. And so, Melanie takes the knife she’d just used on her legs, and turns it on her own eyes.

The last thing she sees is Martin’s shrieking face--but the first thing she feels when she wakes up is Georgie’s hand holding hers, and that makes it worth it.

#and now Martin learns (viscerally) how someone can quit #martin + tapes #now with the culmination of Melanie's time in the polycule!

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dcdarkweek · 3 years

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Since Alternate Universe has its own day, does that mean you're not allowed to set your fills for other days in alternate universes?

Thank you for your question!

Since Alternate Universe is a very broad concept, and tends to underpin a story more than any of the other kinds of prompts, we see no issue with using AUs for other prompt days. If you want to set another prompt day in an AU, you are welcome to post it during the initial prompt day - you do not have to wait until Day 10 to post.

If your work focuses on the Alternate Universe as the prompt basis (rather than just a setting theme), we do encourage you to hold off on posting until Day 10. Likewise, if you borrow concepts from other days, we would encourage you to post on whichever day is the focus of your piece.

If this isn’t clear, please feel free to send in another ask and we’ll rephrase/expound for clarity.

Hope this helps, and thank you for your interest in DC Dark Week!

#ask the mods #anonymous #prompts

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with-all-my-heart-arwen · 3 years

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When Blue Eyes Become Green

A/N: We only saw a snippet of Arthur's jealous side when it came to Gwen. I wanted to expound on that just a little. Hope you enjoy.

"Arthur, you're being ridiculous," Gwen reminds him.

"Am I? What do you know of this Lancelot? He could be a common criminal come to relieve us of our gold," Arthur states.

Gwen shakes her head. "I have no gold to be relieved of."

Her love removes his hand from his chin and stands to his full height. "No. You have something far more precious and more valuable than gold."

Gwen's mouth drops in shock. "Arthur please. I will not have you slander Lancelot's name nor his honor in this manner. He would never think to do something so malicious."

"Well until we are completely sure, I wish you would not accompany him alone. What's so bloody interesting that you walk with him in the north garden of all places?"

A tinge of guilt flutters through her as she realizes that Arthur considers the north garden as a special place for them. "I didn't invite him. He found me there, picking my flowers. It would have been rude of me to send him away. Besides, he meant no harm."

"Does he know you're spoken for?" He demands.

"Am I, sire?" Gwen teases.

Arthur opens his mouth to speak only to close it, knowing he hasn't made the commitment he should. Becoming king of Camelot was no easy feat and he just wanted to feel some sort of confidence in the role before he took on the role of husband.

Gwen laughs good naturedly. "I only tease you my lord. Of course I'm spoken for and Lancelot does know that. He is just unaware of who stakes the claim."

His blue eyes light up with clarity and he claps his hands together with, "Ahh….then that is easily solved. I will politely inform him…"

"Arthur. Please recall the decision we made only a fortnight ago. In your new role as king, it is best to leave our….commitment to each other unknown."

He scoffs. "Everyone saw me kiss you in the square, Guinevere. I hardly think my feelings for you are a mystery to anyone." He frowns. "Which makes me wonder why no one has chosen to inform Lancelot that he oversteps his bounds."

She sighs. "Firstly, no bounds have been overstepped and secondly, your people respect you. I am sure they realize that something is there but until we speak publicly about it, they will not betray you…. or me." She closes the distance between them and takes his hands into her own. "My heart belongs to one man alone. No other can take his place. No other shall take his place."

He smiles with her declaration, his jealousy forgotten. "Have I been horrible?"

She returns his smile, biting her bottom lip. "Just a tad. There is no need for this Arthur. Trust me."

"I do trust you. It's Lancelot I do not trust."

"Think I would give him any liberty?" She scoffs. "I most certainly would not. Besides, Lancelot is a gentleman. I assure you."

Arthur nods in agreement. "Just…no more time alone with him in the north garden." He watches for her assurance and is satisfied with her encouraging smile.

She grasps her skirts and makes her way toward the door. "No time alone in the north garden. Check," she mutters. She is startled as Arthur materializes at her side and blocks her exit.

"Correction. No time alone with him anywhere."

"You would have me be rude and dismiss the friendship he offers?"

Arthur scoffs. "He offers more than friendship and unless you want to see him run through…"

At her shocked expression, he quickly amends his words. "I jest Guinevere. I would not harm a hair on his head but do be careful around him."

"Yes sire. Now can I please get to my duties before the day has passed?" She smiles and taps his shoulder to indicate that he should move aside and allow her to leave.

He obliges reluctantly and walks over to his desk to look over the itinerary Merlin had organized for the coming days.

XXXXXXXXXX

The dinner was in full swing with wine flowing and delectable dishes lining the tables from one end to the other. The king and his council were celebrating the knights of Camelot for the rescue of a nearby village from vicious marauders who had been terrorizing the countryside for some time. It was a relief to have the land free from that threat as they are aware another could materialize in the near future.

Gwen stood in close proximity to the head table, directing the staff accordingly. Arthur had, of course, asked her to join him but she felt she should keep to their previous agreement of shielding their relationship for the time being. She smiles as Lancelot looks her way and raises his glass to her before taking a sip. She looks to her side and notices that Arthur witnessed the exchange and did not look too pleased about it. She cringes inwardly at his ridiculousness and decides to remove herself from the situation before anything else could happen.

She arrives in the kitchens and ignores the heat from the wood pit, taking a deep breath before releasing it slowly. She found Arthur's jealously endearing this morning, but she fears if it is allowed to continue, it will fester into something it shouldn't. They already face enough obstacles and there is no room for more. She also cannot ignore Lancelot as he is doing nothing wrong, but she will have to be firmer in her declaration of love for her suitor who remains anonymous to the public.

For a fleeting moment, she is saddened that she and Arthur cannot be more forthcoming with their feelings for one another. She knows they need to be careful as he is royalty and she is simply not. A lot of people would not understand a union between them, so they are being careful and cautious. There will be a more appropriate time for them. She just wonders when that will be.

A young serving girl races to the entrance, breathless and flushed. "The king requests your presence, Gwen."

Gwen nods with a smile, smooths her skirts, and makes her return to the dining hall, the serving girl trailing her as if she must ensure that Gwen goes straight to the hall. Arthur smiles when he sees her and immediately stands, using a utensil to tap his goblet.

He clears his throat. "May I have your attention please?"

The room grows quiet as everyone looks to their king, awaiting what he is about to share.

Arthur looks over at Gwen, then faces his guests. "I'm honored to be standing before you tonight in the presence of such good friends. The people of this kingdom are very dear to me. This place is my life. I hope to continue the good work that my father started and make Camelot a place of peace and happiness. It is my sincerest hope that you share this sentiment and join me in crowning my queen." He pushes his chair aside, steps to Guinevere, and drops to one knee. "Guinevere, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Guinevere tries desperately to mask her shock and surprise. She stares disbelievingly at the man she loves and is rendered speechless. She swallows the lump in her throat and looks out to the sea of expectant faces. She returns her attention to the king and quietly whispers, "Yes."

The applause and shouts of joy are almost deafening as they echo through the hall. For the first time in her life, Gwen feels faint. She is thankful when Arthur stands and places his arm at her waist to face the guests with a jubilant smile. She leans into him and summons a smile herself as her heart races uncontrollably. This is what she has wanted for years but it does not feel right. She looks over at Arthur, wondering if this is some sort of dream or hallucination. Did Arthur just propose in front of all these people? What was he thinking?

She has no time to consider the reason for his actions as well wishers approach them and give their congratulations. The words surprise and secret float through the air for the remainder of the night and Gwen finds herself pining for the festivities to end.

Much later, she sits at the table in her humble abode and contemplates what could have prompted Arthur to do this and all without consulting her. She shakes her head and repeatedly rubs her temples. The knock at the door is expected as she was sure Arthur would visit her this night. She slowly rises from the table and makes her way to the door to open it.

He steps inside and immediately removes his cloak, tossing it onto the bed as usual. He faces her with a huge, excited smile. He was about to speak until he notices Gwen's distressed appearance. "What's wrong?"

"Arthur, you proposed to me in front of the council, the knights, the…..."

"I know. It was perfect. Now everyone knows about our love, they accept it, and we can be married at our leisure."

"Everyone knows?" She gasps. "Please tell me this is not about your jealously of Lancelot. You proposed only to make a point or better yet to stake a claim? Oh Arthur…. your proposal is supposed to be special…. heartfelt. Not forced because you are imagining some threat to our relationship."

Her boyfriend deflates in front of her very eyes as her words sink in. He realizes the truth of them and suddenly feels awful. Of course, he is Arthur Pendragon and he must maneuver this to suit his wants. "I…. apologize for the haste of my actions but they were heartfelt. I love you, Guinevere and I want nothing more than for you to become my wife, my queen. This was not well planned but the wedding will be."

"You're missing the point Arthur. You only did this publicly because you felt threatened. My assurances should have been enough for you. I am sorely disappointed."

"Disappointed? We are betrothed now. I thought you'd be happy."

She sighs. "I should be but we had a plan did we not? You wanted to concentrate on your role as king and I understood that. I was willing to wait but you tossed all of that aside because you thought someone else could take your place in my affections. That shows insecurity, Arthur, and mistrust."

Her brown eyes reflect a sadness so deep that Arthur gulps as the guilt of his actions weighs heavily in the pit of his stomach. "I never meant to disappoint you. I truly only want your happiness. Please forgive me."

She steps to him and wraps her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly as she rests her cheek against his chest.

The next day, Gwen is inundated with gifts and kindness. Most were friendly before but they are overtly so now and she does not want to feel annoyance but she does. She was not prepared for this influx. Of course, there was never a challenge she did not face head on and this one shall be no different. She smiles through it all and tries to carry on with her routine duties except everyone is beyond helpful and before she knows it, her duties are being taken care of by others.

She decides to escape to the sanctity of the north garden. She encounters Lancelot on the way and gives him an encouraging smile only to watch as he nods to her respectfully and continues in the opposite direction. She shakes her head in disappointment, knowing he is now avoiding her because she is to be married to Arthur. Are her friendships no longer viable as the future queen of Camelot? She wishes she had someone to confer with about royal responsibilities and duties aside from Arthur.

A tap on her shoulder brings her out of her reverie and she smiles broadly to match the smile Merlin is bestowing on her.

"Congratulations, my friend. I am so happy for you," he relays.

"Thank you…. I think."

Merlin shakes his head. "What…. does that mean? You think?"

Gwen confides in Merlin and shares that she thought Arthur's proposal would be very different, more intimate and especially further into their future.

He expresses understanding. "There is nothing that prohibits a long engagement. I will also vouch for him and say that his feelings were in the right place however misguided the situation was."

"I know you're right and now I feel a tad selfish because I envisioned something else for us. I should be more accepting and happier. I'm engaged to King Arthur."

Her friend places his hands at her shoulders. "Your life with Arthur will be rough and perilous but I'll be there every step of the way." He laughs good naturedly. "Honestly, I wish you both a world of happiness. You are in love. That's all that really matters right?"

"As usual, you're right Merlin. We're to be married and that's all that matters," she agrees.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I have completely screwed this up," Arthur admits as Merlin places clean clothes inside his wardrobe. "Gwen is not very happy with me and I really need to make this up to her. Any suggestions?"

"You're asking me?" Merlin probes incredulously.

"I'm confused. I thought she would be over the moon with me asking her to marry me in public. That would leave no doubts to my affections, but she thinks I did it for all the wrong reasons. Well, maybe I did have an ulterior motive but it's the result that matters most isn't it?"

"I'm confused too. Would you like to start from the beginning?" Merlin had heard Gwen's version. Now he wanted to hear Arthur's to compare notes and hopefully steer these two on a conjoining path.

Arthur relays the events in a much shorter version and feels justified in his reasoning even though it upset Gwen. "So, what did I do wrong?"

"First, you never should have admitted to Gwen that you were doing it out of jealousy," Merlin suggests.

"That wasn't the only reason. I had plans to propose all along. Just not at that exact moment," Arthur admits.

"Well, what would your original proposal consist of?"

Arthur prattles off the idea he had been contemplating before his impulsiveness drove him to propose last night. He watches as his friend nods, he expression thoughtful.

"You need to surprise Gwen with your original proposal. Surely, she will forgive you then," Merlin says.

"I'm positive I'm already forgiven but I can't help feeling a bit of guilt for the suddenness of it all. I should have warned Gwen especially with it being in front of so many people. I just wanted it done and over with so there would be no question where my affections lie."

"I'm gonna need you to stop admitting to that. Just tell Gwen you love her more than anything and you just did not see the need to wait any longer. To sweeten the deal, you will surprise her with a new proposal. Just you and her. No audience."

"Right. I will need lots of flowers and candles. Can you make this happen, Merlin?"

Merlin smiles confidently. "Of course, I can. Just tell me when."

They enlisted Gaius's help in keeping Gwen busy and inside the castle walls while Merlin and a few servants placed candles and flowers all throughout Gwen's home. Arthur thought it would be the perfect setting as it was there where he and Gwen first realized their feelings for each other.

He finds her cleaning one of the rooms of Gaius's patients and walks up behind her silently. He places his hands over her eyes and whispers, "Guess who?"

Gwen gets over her startled state as soon as she hears Arthur's voice. "Arthur. What are you doing?"

"I want to take you some place very special but it's a surprise. Can I blind fold you please?"

She smiles, his hands still covering her eyes. "This sounds very intriguing. Yes, I'll allow you to blind fold me."

Arthur does just that and leads her carefully to her home, speaking to her softly and lovingly along the way. Once they are inside and he closes the door against the outside world, he removes the blind fold and allows her to take in their surroundings.

The house was all aglow with lighted candles on each raised surface. Flowers adorned the tables and their fragrance filled the air, reminding them of another special place of theirs…...the north garden.

Gwen gasps, "Oh Arthur. This is beautiful."

He leads her towards the table and seats her on the bench. She looks at him expectantly as Arthur takes her hand and goes down on one knee.

"Guinevere, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Gwen stares at him as emotions well up in her so strongly, she is unable to speak. She reaches forward and grabs Arthur in a tight hug.

Her silence and sniffles bother Arthur and he wonders what her answer will be as she is yet to speak. "Is that a yes?"

She immediately pulls back to look at him. "Oh sorry. Yes. Yes. Yes."

He places his mother's ring on her index finger, then leans forward and kisses her softly, gently. She accepts his kiss, seeking more from him as she places a hand on his chest, fisting his shirt to pull him closer. She opens her mouth, inviting him in, and they deepen their kiss, tasting and growing intoxicated on each other's sweetness.

They take a slight reprieve, coming up for air. "I love you," Gwen whispers against his lips.

"I love you too." He leans back to look into her eyes. "Am I forgiven?"

She kisses his hand, still clasped in hers. "There is nothing to forgive. We are where we're supposed to be and it doesn't matter how we got here."

#merlin #arthur #guinevere #arwen

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thorne93 · 4 years

Text

The Softest Fire (Part 3)

Prompt: Rosaline Vaughan had it all: fame, money, power, glory, a high status job. Until, one day, she woke up, and realized something was missing from her life.

Word Count: 2091

Warnings: dealing with animals(??), language

Notes: First Fantastic Beast fic! I could NOT have done this at all without @arrow-guy. They have created a counterpart to this fic, writing it from Nora Vaughan’s perspective (Rosaline’s cousin/adopted sister). Fic aesthetic done by @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo.

1921, that’s when I began my journey with Newt. Now it was 1925 and Newt had declared that he would be traveling alone for a year. Together, we’d amassed far too many creatures to keep safely together in the suitcase. They needed proper room to run and proper room for me to treat them. That’s when we expounded on his basement, creating small worlds, environments for the creatures to inhabit, at least until they were ready to be freed.

Newt said he would take Frank to Arizona during one leg of his trip, making me ecstatic. I would be heartbroken, and miss him dearly, but ultimately, he deserved to be free and happy in the wild.

While he would be gone, it would be up to me to care and feed for the animals. Being that it was a full time job, Newt stated I would be allowed to stay at his flat, in case anything went wrong, I would be right there to tend to them.

Before he shipped out though, we had four amazing years together. Oftentimes, I’d be at his home already tending to the creatures in the basement, feeding, washing, healing. He would be working upstairs, working on the book, or out at the library gathering information, or up at Diagon Alley purchasing books or things for travel. If I knew he was on his way home, I’d run up and make a quick meal or snack for him. Something he never asked for, in fact, he had no clue what it was the first time…

“Rosaline!” he called downstairs.

“Yes?”

“Did you make something to eat?” he questioned, confused.

I jogged up the stairs, wearing trousers, of all things. I still felt foreign in these darn things but, Newt had insisted I wear something more proper to chase down critters in the wild. “What? Oh, yes, I did. Not for me though, for you,” I explained, gesturing to his small table. “Is that alright? It should still be warm,” I noted, rushing towards the plate and removing the aluminum foil.

“No, no that’s fine. I just… didn’t know. This is… great. Thank you, I haven’t eaten all day.” He sat down, pulling up to the table and tucking a napkin in his collar. “Well, wait, what about you? Have you eaten?”

I waved him off. “No, no, but I’m fine.”

“What? Nonsense. It’s eight o’clock at night, and you haven’t eaten. Come, sit with me,” he encouraged, pushing a chair out next to him.

“No that’s your dinner. That’s fine. I’ll be okay. Thank you though. I’ll go take care of the firedrake.”

“Rosaline, don’t make me pull rank,” he slightly teased. “Please, some company would be nice.”

I smiled gently at his kind request and finally acquiesced and sat beside him, grabbing a fork. “Alright, but only because you begged, remember that,” I joked.

That night was a rather good indicator of how our nights went. I made him a small dinner or snack if he was out late, and he’d return to happily feast on it. Sometimes I joined him, sometimes I went home to my own flat, other times, he did the same. I would arrive in the morning and he already had coffee waiting for me on the table, made just the way I like.

Life for us felt right this way. Taking care of each other, and the creatures. I hardly ever really missed the Ministry. On rough days with a wild animal, or days that we ran into trouble from other wizards, I longed to be back at my simple job, for a split second, but ultimately, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Nora and Theseus popped in and out on the regular. Nora would come down and help me with feeding if I had a little too much on my plate or needed to take a second to tend to Newt’s dinner. Theseus and I sometimes shared a cup of tea, waiting for his brother to return home. In this time, I got to know him well, much better than at the Ministry.

Learning how different the two brothers were was highly amusing to me. Newt was so much like Nora. Always up for adventure, never one to let anyone tell them what to do, never afraid to back down from a fight. They’ve always been brave, incredibly knowledgeable, always on a new book each week. Nora and Newt were both eclectic, going against the grain.

Theseus and myself seemed to share an interest in politics, current events, studying magic to its fullest extent, following rules, playing by the rulebook. Both of us calm, soft spoken, traditional.

Today marked the day that Newt would set off for his voyage. One year, around the globe, without me. I was sad that I wouldn’t get to help him in his adventures, but we both knew and agreed I really needed to hold the fort down here. Nora promised to stop by at least twice a week to make sure the Kelpie we rescued hadn’t drowned me. Not that he would, he was a gentle giant, but anything could happen with these beasts.

He was all packed and ready to go.

“Okay and you know the augurey has a wound on its head--”

“Yes,” I assured as Newt was backing towards the door with his suitcase.

“And the thestral needs to be cleaned.”

I nodded. “Yes, I know. Every Friday.”

“Yes and--”

“Newt!” I stopped him, soft pleading in my voice. “I can handle this, alright? I’ve spent the last few years with you, day in and day out with these animals. I think I know my way around. Everything will be fine, I promise.”

He made an apologetic face and bobbed his head. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry I just--”

I nodded, quietly responding, “I know. It’s fine.”

A small smile came onto his face.

“You better go before you miss the boat…”

“Right… Well… I’ll be off then…”

The two of us stood there awkwardly for a moment. Newt went for a handshake, but I leaned in for a hug. Then we switched, pulling his hand back to go for a hug but I suddenly shot my hand out. The two of us were blushing messes by now. Typically, we only waved to each other at the end of a day or bid each other good night. But this was different… He would be gone for a year and I had no idea what dangers or issues he may face. He was a brilliant wizard of course, but it was in my nature to protect and lead.

“Hug?” I questioned finally, wanting to be past this.

“Yes,” he agreed, laughing before we finally embraced properly for a few seconds.

“Alright, better catch your boat now…”

“Right… I’ll write you.”

“Yes, of course.” I nodded and he was finally out the door, on his way, taking with him my usual warmth and happiness. I heaved a sigh and turned around to head down to the basement for the morning feedings.

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

“He’s been gone five months, Nora,” I complained as I sat down one of the bowls on the table. She’d dropped by for lunch and I had been feeling pretty down lately and as soon as I saw her, for some odd reason, the floodgates that were my mouth opened.

“Yes? Well he is on a year long journey, Rosaline, you know this.”

“I know, I know. But I haven’t heard from him in three weeks either,” I fretted before checking the gravy and then adding it to the table.

“He might not have time. He is busy. He’s working. He may also be writing you when he gets the chance. Maybe mail is slow.”

I shot her a stern glance at her excuses. “Never this slow. Is he okay?”

“Yes, of course, it’s Newt. He’s perfectly capable. Why are you so distressed?” she questioned, peering up at me before taking a sip of her tea.

I sat across from her, now that lunch was fully prepared. “I--I don’t know. I just… Ever since he’s been gone I’ve been a ball of nerves, worrying. That’s just not like me…”

"When did this worrying start?"

"The moment he left," I said, pulling my brows together.

"And how do you feel when he writes you?"

"Um, elated I suppose. I'm beyond happy to know he's okay and that he's doing what he loves and getting to gather more information for his book.... Why would I be anything but happy and excited?"

"Had you been working for, say... I don't know, Theseus. Would you have the same reaction? Would you still be just as excited to get his letters ?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "No, no... No... Theseus is fine and all but he and I aren't close like Newt and I are."

She let a chuckle escape her lips. "Sounds to me as if you've caught a love bug, sweetheart."

I gasped, shocked. "Newt? Newton Scamander? No... Haha.... No. That's ridiculous. He's my boss, Nora!"

"You've spent practically every day of your life over the past five years with him, watching him treat those animals like his children. He's gentle and kind. I can't blame you for falling for him."

"Nora, this is preposterous. You and I both know men have never, ever been on my list of things to concern myself with. Why, out of all people, would I be falling for Newt Scamander?"

"Just because it's never been at the top of your list of concerns doesn't mean you weren't falling for him. You find what you want or need most when you're not looking, Rosaline."

"You're a sap."

"And you're oblivious."

"Nora, please. Can you honestly see me loving him? You were his assistant before I was, does that mean you're in love with him?" I accused, pointing at her.

"Can't say it does. Mind you, he's nearly eight years younger than me, and I never spent as much time with him as you did." She raised her eyebrows at me. "And if I'm remembering correctly, you had a soft spot for him while you were in school."

I screwed my mouth to the side, becoming defensive. "That was merely a reaction to the injustice that occurred with Leta Lestrange. If it were anyone else I would've done the same thing. He was an excellent student and classmate. He never caused any issues. He's sweet....”"

She leaned forward, a mischievous look on her face. "He's sweet, and...?"

"And what?" I snapped playfully, getting up to refill her tea and do anything to avoid addressing this.

"You're arse over tits for him, dear cousin. No shame in it!"

I nearly dropped the teapot I was holding at her words. "Eleanore Vaughan!" I gasped.

She cackled, throwing her head back. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. You know your secret is safe with me."

"You think just because I miss my boss and I eagerly await his return, and I can't help but think of him all the time, and yes he may possess all the qualities of a husband, if I ever desired one, and he's funny and kind and talented -- " I stopped and glared at her.

Grinning and wiggling her eyebrows at me, she leaned back in her seat. "Need I say more?"

"Okay... Then what do I do with this information?" I questioned uneasily sitting down. "I've never... you know... "

"If you want to tell him, do it. If you don't, I'll support you either way."

I stared at her, my mouth open. "That's it? That's your grand advice? Where is your gusto when I need it?"

"You think I have any kind of experience here that I can apply? My longest relationship has been with the kneazle that wandered into my shop one day and didn't leave."

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "Yes but... how do I even go about this? I can't just blurt out my feelings, can I? Isn't that a little... faux pas?"

"How would you normally bring up something important with him?"

"Approach him in between tending to the animals. Just... say 'Newt, I need to discuss something with you'."

"Then do that. If it doesn't work out, then wait till the time feels right and tell him."

"You make it sound easy," I muttered.

"But I never said it would be."

I sighed. "I suppose I have news then, when he returns home."

She grinned. "Perhaps you do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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#the softest fire #newt scamander x ofc #newt scamander fic #newt scamander x oc

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vitavitale · 4 years

Text

prompt | @mirisx sent: "Talk about Garrett." 👀

“Ah...? Well... He’s my boyfriend.” What better way to start, though V had been astounded that anyone would ever seek such a thing from him. No part of him was really accustomed to uttering the words he just had, and they struck even him with a novelty that almost didn’t feel right; as if it was strange, inappropriate, unreal. But here V told the truth and was free of all sin. He rightly couldn’t be blamed for the way he paused, faltered, reflected—the request came so abruptly! He hadn’t the benefit of an inkling or a hint, and now he existed very awkwardly, yet with fondness coloring his skin. Attempting to settle, clenching fingers over worn, crafted silver, he ruminated with a pleasant little smile over his mouth. Rare were the opportunities when V could speak of his mate rather than to him.

It might have made him bashful, but the desire for expression conquered any insecurity. “I prefer to call him my love, or beau, or sweetheart,” he continued, “but I suppose it all means the same in the end. One way or another, he's...mine.” Again that strange feeling; to think in such possessive terms of a demon whom he prized was wrong to his mind, but that did not stop the heart from beating as it did. “I don’t pretend to own him, of course. Don’t get the wrong idea.” As if he needed to excuse himself. He tried to ease into his seat for comfort, but back support did little for his soul. His grasp over the cane appeared absolute; his thumb, in fact, rubbed the metal absentmindedly. What could he say that was concise? What could he elaborate on without being a bore? But he very much wanted to say it all, only he knew not how. He allowed his heart to take the reins, however, as he’d found that his mind was less cooperative. Thoughtfully, V opened his mouth before long. “I love him. It isn’t that he’s only a boyfriend. That word’s used too loosely to mean anything. But Garrett means something to me—everything. He thinks so little of himself, it saddens me that he doesn’t see what I see.” The contentment fell from his lips and his eyes mirrored the motion. “I guess he’s satisfied with my feelings, but...damn, I wish he would find some value in himself. I can’t stop reminding him of what he’s done for me, and what he does, and he’s such a good man for it. But he’s not good only for me. He’s a crafty devil but he has a heart made of gold. You would see it if you knew him. So selfless and sweet, and gentle...”

V gazed distantly, thinking perhaps too deeply and losing himself in a sea of adoration. This would happen sometimes, but typically unprompted. Here he was made to think about all that he enjoyed of his lover—even the things he liked less. He hadn’t been aware that his thumb had stopped rubbing the metal. “So eager to please,” so resumed the sorcerer, “and he always pleases me.” As quietly as he’d spoken now, his words were still audible. “He has his humor, and he makes me laugh.” There was instantly a smile born of a memory; his eyes focused again on his conversation partner. “He’s cute. Adorable. He dotes on me, you know. I feel...special, I guess, when he does. He likes to take care of me, and I like it, but sometimes it’s in excess and then...that makes me feel like a child. It isn’t a feeling I’m fond of, but he doesn’t mean it; he’s only thinking of me and I’d rather he do that than he neglect me.” For a moment the smile faded, for a moment V considered whether or not that made him sound spoiled. He remembered he was meant to talk about his mate, not his own shortcomings, and coaxed the smile to dawn once more as he thought this time before he voiced himself. “He’s alluring, irresistible, bewitching—and I’m supposed to be the one who casts spells. Who would have guessed?” V welcomed the irony in that and gave a shrug of the shoulders in indifference. He liked the effect Garrett held over him, whatever it was, and he wore an amused expression to evidence that. “He is a treat to admire, and I might expound if I had the day to spend on it. Ha! But there's much more to be said about him.”

Too much, in fact. Mention of time reminded him that dusk loomed; beyond the window, the sky painted itself in darkening shades of blue. In seconds that were fleeting, V reflected on the things which remained unsaid. It wasn’t enough, what he’d explained so far, and he doubted that even the night would help him illustrate any better. Near the horizon, he spied a shade of blue like that in the eyes of his beloved. Not once had he described the look of that fox, had he? Terribly neglectful of V.

“Frankly,” sighed the warlock, “there’s too much for me to put into words. In fact, I doubt that words alone can really communicate everything. But the effort isn’t wasted. It’s really no effort at all. Of course I’ll want to talk about him. I love him...more than I can say. He really is the world to me—my world. My life.” There, again, that possessive language. V had been aware, but unlike before he did not address that slip of the tongue. He wouldn’t correct it. Who else but V held that demon’s heart in their hands? Who else had loved him so completely, so desperately, so painfully? Who else would think of him, yearn for him, crave his every attention? And if there be another, V would not stop. Garrett was his, and V would go to the ends of the earth to keep him.

After a spell of silence, V rose to his feet without a second more to lose and donned a great smile, as if the whole of his demeanor morphed and now there stood a gladdened man in place of a contemplative one. “But that will have to be it for now. Garrett happens to be taking me out tonight, so I must dress for the occasion.”

#mirisx #answered ic ;#epoch: love and harmony combine ;#// YOU GAVE HIM THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY #// ...so I went ham #// and maybe we cried a little #// V has a part two and possibly a part three in store lmao

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heath-ur · 4 years

Text

00Q Kinktober - Day 8

Prompt List ; Ao3 Pairing: Alec x Q Prompt: Lingerie Warnings: Smut, No Beta

Alec’s POV this time, so that’s fun!

Q is wearing lingerie. It’s emerald green and shines oh-so-temptingly as Alec helps Q take off his shirt.

They’re in Q’s apartment again- and they’ve actually made it to the bed this time. Q’s wearing panties. The little hellions, Gambit and Zug, have been herded out into the living room and Q is covered in satin. Alec might find himself a little distracted.

“Oh, kitten. What brought this on?” Alec asks as he slips his hand from the bare skin of Q’s diaphragm to the satin on his chest, testing the difference of texture with his palm. Q is almost just as smooth as the fabric he’s covered in. It’s delicious.

Q shrugs nonchalantly. “A little birdy told me you might be appreciative.”

Alec hums and brings Q closer to straddle his thighs, struggling to make eye-contact and follow the conversation while he keeps moving his hands back and forth - first across the thick straps at Q’s back, then to the back panel of Q’s panties and across his thighs. “A little birdy, huh? Obviously, it must be someone I know.”

Q nods and throws his hands over Alec’s shoulders to spin a shaggy lock in his fingers. “This particular birdy is 5’10” with blond hair and blue eyes. And you both may have been expounding my very numerous virtues to each other for oh…. About 2 months now.” He drops more fully onto Alec’s thighs as he lets him think about it.

Alec understands who Q is talking about immediately. He just doesn’t understand why he’s only being told now. He reaches up and tilts Q’s chin just so to look him in the eyes and measure the beat of his heart at the same time - testing responses to detect lies. It’s always a little harder if the subject is aroused, but he’s not a Double-Oh for nothing. Why hadn’t the silly little thing told him before. Was this some sort of extended honeypot? What would he gain by this?

Q rolls his eyes in exasperation, no doubt understanding what Alec is doing, but following along. That calms some of Alec’s initial unrest enough to respond. “You and James, huh? No wonder he’s walking around like a cat that got the canary.”

Q faux-pouts. “And here I thought I was your only kitten.”

Alec chuckles and shakes Q’s chin in a scolding manner, fingers tightening on Q’s chin just so. “Yet you’ve been catting around, haven’t you?” His voice may be rougher than a tease.

Q just shrugs. “Pot. Kettle. The only reason I think it’s pertinent to tell you now is because this thing between us has been happening for longer than I initially projected. And because Bond found out when you spanked my arse raw the day before he came back wanting a booty call.”

Alec holds back a chuckle. That does sound plausible. But it doesn’t explain why he’s so unsettled. He hums in thought instead as his hands continue to roam between skin and satin and back in distracting patterns along Q’s body. He’s watching as Q’s cock twitches and grows under his green panties. “And do you have any other partners I should know about?”

Q doesn’t respond so Alec looks up to make eye-contact. Q cocks his head. “Why would it matter if I did? You have your own partners; sometimes you even have them while I’m still on coms with you. I realize now that I didn’t have the same conversation that I had with Bond, but I thought it would be obvious. None of us are looking for exclusivity. And if you wanted that, then you should have been forthright about it.”

Alec frowns thoughtfully. The little boffin did have a point. Q sighs and runs his fingertips down Alec’s face. “But if you must know; I simply haven’t the time between managing two bloody Double-Oh’s and an entire spy branch to have yet another partner on the side.” He flings himself to the side, sitting against the headboard with one leg tucked under his thigh and the other propping up his elbow. His pretty satin and chub are forgotten as he gives Alec his space. “Bond seemed fine with this arrangement. He explained that it wouldn’t be the first time you shared. Do you feel differently?”

Alec thinks about it for a second longer before deciding ‘fuck it’. He crawls up the bed to hover over Q’s form. “No, you’re right. Sharing with Bond doesn’t bother me… Others,” He makes a face. “I’ve always been a little possessive. And hypocritical.”

Q buries his hands back in Alec’s hair and twists gently - Alec didn’t like the pulling as rough as he did, but did enjoy the scritching. “I’m finding myself partial to the first. The second will require negotiation.” He shrugs. “But that can wait until the morning” He presses his hips up to meet Alec’s, gasping - probably at the feeling of the satin slipping against his frenulum.

Alec grins and drops down further to take Q’s lips in a kiss, sloppy and wet, before he drifts down to Q’s neck, leaving little red suckmarks as he goes until he gets to that spot on Q’s collarbone, lavishing it with a bite that makes Q arch up and hiss. God, the noises this little kitten could make.

Alec chuckles, “That’s it, kitten. Let me hear you.” He goes further, sucking in Q’s little nipples between his lips, then working them with his teeth through the bralette. Q makes little noises but nothing exciting. Alec mentally pouts but soon moves on when he doesn’t elicit a bigger response, alternatively licking and sucking and nibbling as he follows the enticing curve of Q’s ribs into his unprotected side.

He takes a big bite and Q squeaks before slapping the palm of his hand against one of Alec’s arms in reprimand. Alec chuckles good-naturedly at the kitten's little claws, making sure to nibbe hard on the arch of Q’s hip and then suck a mark at the natural ‘v’ right above Q’s trapped cock.

Q whines and squirms as Alec slips his hands under each of his arse cheeks and into the fabric of Q’s panties, stretching them taunt across Q’s leaking member, better framing the little darling and highlighting where the tip peaks out the top.

He starts at the base, nuzzling into Q’s barely-held sack before licking up the fabric, dampening it until he reaches Q’s frenulum, making sure to lick the exposed tip - the first time he’d been given the opportunity to do so latex-free.

Q hooks one of his legs across his shoulders and rolls his hips, making the cutest little fuss noise that Alec has learned to interpret as ‘more’. Too bad for Q, but things would be going at his pace this time. “How attached are you to these panties?”

Q raises a hand to make a see-saw motion. “I’ve 5 more pairs.” As if he feels Alec’s incredulous look, he raises his head to look down at Alec and defend himself. “They were on sale and the sales associate was very compelling.”

Alec drowns a chortling laugh into Q’s hip. “That settles it, then. Turn over and hand me the lube.”

Q sighs as if it’s a big imposition, but he moves quickly, making sure to wiggle his arse and the swell of his bollocks in Alec’s face. The lube is fished out of the drawer quickly and gently tossed on the bed besides Alec’s hand.

Alec pops the cap and coats two fingers of one hand. The other holds the panties to the side as his fingers press and slide across Q’s pink little hole, slipping a little further inside each pass. The contrast between the pink of Q’s opening and the green of his satin panties actually made a compelling image. Alec leans forward to bite the cheek without the fabric in the way. “I should take a picture of this.”

Q swears and thrusts his cock into the empty air in front of him. Alic licks the space he just nibbled. “Is that a yes?”

Q shakes his head, forehead rubbing harshly against the pillow his arms had gathered under him. “Bond said you’d told him the same thing about your spank-marks.”

Alec starts thrusting his fingers where they’ve made their home, twisting and curling before suddenly adding a third. “My spank-marks on my kitten, and I didn’t even get to take a picture of it. It was a shame.” He thrusts a little harder, smiling at the choked little noise Q let out. “Oh well, maybe my kitten will agree to it next time, hmm?”

Alec takes the hint when a condom is tossed in his general direction and wraps himself. “When can I fuck my kitten bare, do you think?” He kisses up Q’s back, teeth snapping at the band of his bralette as Alec pulls Q up to his knees by a grip to his hair and neck.

Q trusts again into the empty air before settling against Alec’s front. “Maybe…” he gasps as Alec twists and tugs his hair one last time before he takes the hand to pump and aim himself. If he has to squeeze the base of his cock a little longer than intended, Q won’t know. Q tries again, “Maybe we can negotiate.”

Alec growls and presses himself in that tight, wet heat. The satin of Q’s panties are stretched to their limits, Q’s sack spilling out one side even as it keeps the majority of his cock trapped. Q makes that fussy sound again and twists his hips in evaluation. Alec gives him a moment, then pushes him back down to the bed, full weight pressing against the slighter man (only partially held up by his own arm) as he fucks up and up again.

Q had barely caught himself on his elbows and he cries out. “Yes. Oh yes, please?” He impales himself and starts a dirty rhythm that has the bed squeaking. Alec scraps the fingers of his free hand down Q’s side and plucks at the tight elastic of Q’s panties, plucks harder a second time just to hear the sound Q makes.

When the thrusts get erratic, Alec slips his palm across Q’s cock, trapping it against Q’s taut little tummy and making sure that the satin can still be felt up and down. Q gives a startled cry and cums. The pulses of Q’s orgasm in his arse actually have Alec cumming with him, biting a groan into Q’s bralette strap.

As he pulls out, Q slowly flops over, panties stretched out beyond saving and spunk droplets ruining his bralette. Q looks down to see the damage and winces but otherwise doesn’t move again. “Oh well; it doesn’t match the others anyways. What would I do with a bralette that doesn't have matching panties?”

Alec chuckles and just sits back on his heels to admire the ruin before him.What did he do right to catch this pretty little stray? And what did he need to do to keep it?

#00q #00q fic #00q fanfiction #quartermaster #alec trevelyan #kinktober

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storybookprincess · 5 years

Note

After an intense battle on the ship, Kurapika suffers grevious wounds and exhaustion. Worse still, he passes out while under Emperor Time, shaving off 2 years of his life. Leorio is the ship's doctor. Expound upon the physical and emotional pain felt as well as some tender Kurapika x Leorio time.

thank you for knowing my whole entire brand & sending such a fantastic prompt, my friend. i had way, way too much fun w this & it might end up on my ao3 sometime today. edit: it’s now on ao3 if anyone is willing to go to a secondary location

Kurapika wakes slowly. Consciousness comes to him a sensation at a time--scratchy sheets, a lumpy cot, the gentle rocking of the boat on the sea, the scent of antiseptic. It's the smell that gives it away--the sterility of a hospital is unmistakable. He must be in the infirmary. There’s a hazy memory of a battle somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind. He must’ve gotten injured somehow and landed himself here. And of course, if he’s in the infirmary, then that must mean…

“Leorio?” Kurapika asks, managing at last to open his eyes. And there he is, Leorio, in the far corner of the infirmary measuring something out from a vial into a syringe. Kurapika relaxes. If Leorio’s here, certainly he’s in good hands.

“Three hundred and two,” Leorio says nonsensically, not looking up from the vial.

“What was that?” Kurapika asks. He thought there was a slight edge to Leorio’s voice, but perhaps he imagined it.

“Minutes. Three hundred and two minutes.”

No, the edge was most certainly not imagined.

“That’s how long you were using it. Emperor Time,” Leorio continues, still not looking at Kurapika. “You passed out using it & there wasn't anything anyone could do to get you to turn it back off again. So I kept time and then did some calculations while you were out. Three hundred and two minutes, of course, is eighteen thousand and one hundred twenty seconds. Do you want to guess how long eighteen thousand and one hundred twenty hours is?”

“Leorio,” Kurapika groans, covering his eyes with his arm. He’s too dizzy and in too much pain to have this conversation right now.

“It’s over two years, Kurapika. Two fucking years. Two years of your life. Gone.”

Kurapika sighs.

“We’re never going to see eye-to-eye on this,” he replies, tone clipped. “Would you just treat my injuries and let me be on my way?”

“Oh, sure. That’s how it goes between us, doesn’t it? You can go do whatever you please, be as reckless as you want, get as badly injured as you choose, and I’m just always going to be here to patch you up, right?”

Kurapika removes his arm from across his eyes but doesn’t reply. There’s no use trying to reason with him when he’s like this.

“What about the day I decide I’m not going to play that game anymore, huh?" Leorio continues. "The day I’m no longer willing to clean up your messes?”

Kurapika sighs.

“Is it today, Leorio?”

“What?”

“Is the day you decide you’re no longer willing to ‘clean up my messes’ today?”

Leorio is silent, chewing his lip and staring down at the floor.

“I didn’t think so,” Kurapika continues. “So, as I was saying, just treat my injuries and let me be on my way.”

Leorio looks like he wants to say something, but thinks better of it. Wordlessly, he brings a tray with the syringe, some antiseptic, and sutures over to Kurapika.

“Numbing agent for the pain, sutures for the gash above your eye. I took care of everything else while you were out, but I didn’t want to risk a needle that close to your eye in case you were to move suddenly.”

“Thank you,” Kurapika says, tone neutral. They can keep this professional. Just a doctor treating a patient. No need to complicate things.

“Lie back and don’t move, alright?”

For as large as they are, Leorio’s hands are incredibly gentle. They dab lightly at the cut with the antiseptic, inject the numbing agent almost painlessly, and stitch the wound closed steadily. As angry as he is, Leorio’s still determined not to cause Kurapika any pain, still determined to spare Kurapika any unnecessary suffering, still touching him gently. Kurapika’s chest clenches oddly at the thought.

“Well, you’re done,” Leorio says at last. His mouth is tense around the corners. “I’m gonna keep you here for at least two more days to rest up and heal. You need to tell me if anything feels off. If you're in a lot of pain or start running a fever. Don't try to act tough. A spike in pain could mean an infection, and it doesn't matter how much of a badass you think you are; sepsis will still knock you on your ass. So tell me if something changes. I mean it."

"I will. Thank you."

Leorio gathers the supplies and disposes of them in the various designated trash cans in the corner of the infirmary, then washes his hands. It's that methodical routine of a doctor. Leorio is normally not one to focus on details, but with his patients, he's meticulous. It's something Kurapika admires about him.

Leorio goes to leave the room, but he pauses with his hand on the door knob. He lowers his head and breathes deeply.

"I'm just going to say this once," he says, voice low and head still bowed. "What you're doing, it's more than just stupid. It's reckless and cruel and extremely selfish."

"Selfish?" Kurapika demands.

"Yeah, that's what I said."

“I don't know from where you're possibly getting that idea. I'm not hurting anyone. It’s my life, Leorio. I can use it however I please.”

Leorio spins around and looks at Kurapika, his eyes wide and bright.

“Did it not occur to you that other people care about that life?” he demands. “Are you really that insufferably self-centered that you can’t fathom anyone else giving a good goddamn about whether you live or die?”

Kurapika stares at the ceiling and sighs.

"I can't expect you to understand."

Leorio laughs, harsh and humorless.

"No. You know what? I'm done letting you use what happened to you as an excuse for disregarding the feelings of people who care about you. We've all lost people, Kurapika. It's not a free pass to act like an asshole."

"I didn't lose 'people,' Leorio," Kurapika spits. "I lost everyone. Everyone. Do you really understand what that means? Every single person I knew. Every single person I cared about. They were hunted like animals. I'm alone. Everyone I ever loved is gone."

"No!" Leorio shouts. "You're not alone! There are still people who love you! I'm one of them, you fucking idiot!"

"Don't take that tone with me!"

Kurapika swings his legs around the side of the cot and tries to push himself to his feet, because he, quite literally, refuses to take this lying down. His ribs protest the movement, but he pushes through the pain, gritting his teeth and giving himself a final shove. The moment he's standing, however, the whole room starts to tilt violently to the left and his vision blurs and his knees go weak and he begins to fall.

But when he collapses, it's not onto the floor. It's into Leorio's arms, broad and strong, catching him and scooping him up as if he didn't weigh a thing and putting him back into bed. Kurapika is just about the snap that he doesn't need to be carried like a child, Leorio, really, but he stops as soon as he sees Leorio's face.

"You're crying," Kurapika says softly.

"Yeah," Leorio replies, wiping roughly at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Thanks for pointing that one out."

"Why?"

Leorio laughs incredulously.

"Why? Because I'm worried about you. Please, try to understand that. When you're hurt, when something bad happens to you, there are people who are going to cry. I don't..."

Leorio pauses for a long moment.

"I don't want to live without you," he says at last, very softly. "When I picture the future, when I'm old and grey and even crankier than I am now, I want you beside me. And I know I just lost two years of that imagined future. I'm sorry for shouting at you, especially just when you'd woken up. I just thought about that future, about not having it, and it felt awful. But I'm sorry."

Careful of his sore ribs, Kurapika brings up a hand to cradle Leorio's face, gently stroking his cheekbone with his thumb.

"Me too," he says. "Whatever future I have, I want you in it."

Leorio leans forward and presses a kiss to Kurapika's forehead an inch away from the sutures. Kurapika suddenly gets very hot.

"Make no mistake--I'm still furious," Leorio says. "And this is not the last time we're having this conversation."

"Of course it isn't," Kurapika replies, tone far fonder than he had intended.

Leorio eases Kurapika down onto the pillows and pulls up the blankets like a doting mother. Kurapika can't even find it within himself to be annoyed.

"Get some sleep, Peeks," Leorio murmurs, pushing back Kurapika's hair and pressing another kiss to his forehead. And, Kurapika thinks, as exhaustion begins to overtake him, with Leorio asking so nicely, how could he resist?

#kurapika #leorio paladiknight #leopika #hxh #liv writes

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lesbian-sora · 6 years

Text

Only Fools

Summary ~ School is hard. School is harder when you’re a loser who has more bullies than friends. School is even harder when you have a crush on the most amazing guy in the world, even if your friends can’t see it. School is damn impossible when your friends coerce you into participating in the school play with the most amazing guy in the world.

Dan and Phil’s experience falls into the impossible category, but maybe together (with some help from the King himself) they can make it out alive and well.

Tags ~ Fluff, high school AU, friends to lovers, theatre kids, mutual pining, slow burn, slight angst, not actually unrequited love

Words ~ 7106/~35K

Warnings ~ Swearing

Rating ~ Teen

Author’s Note ~ Hi guys! This fic was originally supposed to be one of my fics for Phandom Big Bang 2016, but things came up. I recently blew the dust off of it, and I really liked it, so it’s getting revamped and published! Updates will most likely be once a month for the next 4 months (I may up that posting schedule if writing/editing goes well and people actually like it) and I look forward to all of you getting to read it! Also, this will be my first chaptered fic that I’m posting one part at a time, so that’s exciting!

Prompt me!

Buy me a coffee!

Next chapter!

Read on AO3

Act I Scene I

There honestly weren’t very many people Louise Pentland disliked. She was bubbly and personable, meaning she got along with just about everyone she came in contact with, and she quite liked it that way. Everything from her approachable smile to her mothering attitude made it so people were drawn to her and she to them.

That being said, she absolutely despised Phil Lester.

Was it unfair, petty, and totally unreasonable? Absolutely. In all honesty, Phil would probably be voted nicest guy in the school, if anyone were to take a poll. Was he was a bit weird? Most certainly. However, it was a completely harmless weird. It was quirky and odd like that store on the edge of town that dealt solely in the manufacture and sale of cat-themed gnomes. If she were to be straight with herself, she would admit that Phil had never knowingly or unknowingly harmed, damaged or even seriously upset herself or anyone she remotely knew, simply because that wasn’t the type of person Phil was. No, her dislike of Phil wasn’t his fault, and he had no idea it was even happening. Her dislike boiled down to one thing and one thing only.

“Louise! You’ll never guess what Phil did today!” Dan gushed, collapsing in the seat next to her.

Louise didn’t bother to look up from her compact where she was very carefully reapplying her lip gloss. She knew Dan was flushed lightly with a wide, dopey smile and that his eyes shone as if every star was compacted down into glitter that was dumped into hot chocolate. He always looked like that when Phil was brought up. Which was a lot. “I’m guessing from your normal reports that he was walking down the hall and breathing.”

“No,” Dan scowled and wadded a bit of paper into a tiny ball and flicked it at her, offering a sheepish grin after it landed in her makeup. “I actually talked with him a bit today.”

“Dan, we’ve discussed this before. Saying ‘Hi, Phil!’ and then hiding your face and running away before he can respond doesn’t count as talking to him.”

“Someone’s in a mood,” Dan pouted. “And I’ll have you know this was a totally real and legit conversation we had. Some dick head knocked into me on the way out here and Phil saw and helped me pick all my stuff up and everything. He even gave me his hand to help me stand up!”

Louise cocked a brow. “Really? Honestly, Dan I almost didn’t think you had it in you,” she said, ignoring his squawks of protest. “What all did you boys talk about?”

“He saw my piano book and asked if I played,” Dan said dreamily, the look on his face making it more than apparent that he was reliving the moment in perfect clarity again and again until it was ingrained in his memory. “And so I told him yeah, but I was awful and then I thought he was going to just leave but he walked with me almost the whole way here and he saw me in the play last year, Louise! He saw me and remembered me and told me I did a good job! Oh my god, it was probably the best moment of my life.”

Louise rolled her eyes, but smiled good naturedly, more than pleased over how happy her friend was. However, there was one thing that always bugged her about the whole situation. “Dan, darling, why Phil of all people? I mean he’s nice and all, and, sure, he’s not awful to look at, but he’s just so strange. Saying you could do better is probably the understatement of the year.”

Dan looked at her, glaring at her as if she’d just spat in his mother’s face and told her that her cooking was a disgrace (which she hadn’t) and he was personally offended (which he probably was). “Okay, first of all,” he started and Louise took a deep breath, already regretting her words and preparing for the sermon that was soon to follow. “Phil Lester is an unusual beauty so rare and perfect and we don’t deserve him. Second, he’s got an absolutely brilliant mind and we should all count ourselves lucky to hear anything that brain decides to gift us with. Third-”

“Mr. Howell,” Mrs. Bronwell interrupted from the front of the room, “as much as I’m sure we’d all love to hear you expound on the virtues of Mr. Lester, I, personally, get paid to teach you math, and I’d quite like to do so at this moment. If that’s not an imposition on you, of course.”

Dan blushed bright red all the way from his collar bones (and possibly farther, who knew) to the very tips of his ears. “Sorry, Mrs.,” he said, sinking down a bit more in his chair. “I’m done.”

“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Louise scoffed, quite unintentionally. There were a few scattered titters around the room and Dan gave Louise a long, hard, stare. The whole school probably knew about Dan’s crush on Phil just from him talking loudly and passionately about how wonderful the other boy was at any chance he got, so it’s not like there was any new gossip being delivered so he didn’t really feel the need to be properly embarrassed. But, the sting of betrayal was still there and he was sure to let her know he felt about it.

“Thank you for your contribution, Miss Pentland,” Mrs, Bronwell smiled, “but we really must get on with our lesson. Now, today we’re studying logarithms - James, don’t you roll your eyes at me. Yes, I saw you just fine.”

Now that the lesson had begun and he was finally free of all judgement, Dan let himself drift off quite happily into his thoughts, where his daydreams once again found themselves centered upon the subject of Phil Lester. How kind his smile was when he was offering him help. How he seemed genuinely interested as Dan flushed and fumbled over the explanation of his mediocre piano skills. How his hand was so soft but sure and he held Dan’s own and pulled him to his feet. As his teacher went on about the ins and outs of math things he didn’t care about Dan drew little doodles, of hearts and Phil coming to rescue him from the horrors of sports. He sighed happily and looked out the window thinking about Phil Lester, unknowing that somewhere in the school Phil was sighing happily and looking out a window thinking about Dan Howell.

Act I Scene II

“I found out he plays piano, Peej!” Phil beamed, waving his hands around for emphasis. “That’s so impressive, honestly. I wonder if he can play anything else.”

“I think I heard somewhere that he plays drums, but that could just be a rumor.” PJ paid the conversation little mind, far more focused on the poster he was designing for the school play.

“Eh, he seems the type,” Chris added helpfully. “You know: loud, obnoxious and in your face.”

Phil scowled at his now snickering friends. “He is not. He’s always really sweet and quiet when I talk to him.”

“Yeah?” Chris challenged. “Well, I had a history class with him one time and his own friend asked the teacher if he could change seats because Dan was distracting him too much.”

“Sean said that one time when they were taking a chemistry exam Dan started singing the periodic table. Out loud,” PJ added helpfully.

“He’s boisterous, maybe,” Phil conceded, “But he’s probably hilarious which is why his friend was so distracted and besides, learning a song to memorize the periodic table is pretty smart.”

Chris rolled his eyes. “Mate, we could tell you that Dan killed Mother Theresa and you’d just say ‘I mean, she probably deserved it.’” PJ chuckled next to him and Phil simply shot him another dirty look. “Anyway, as much as you love talking about Dan we really ought to move on because me and Peej, well, we don’t enjoy it near as much as you.”

Before Phil could argue PJ chimed in with a, “Help me decide on which one of these posters is better. Mr. Walters wants them up by this afternoon so people have plenty of time to sign up before auditions next month.” He showed them a couple of hand drawn posters, one featuring a more 60’s theme with psychedelic rainbow patterns and little people scattered all around doing various theatre things whilst the other was more focused on space, complete with little aliens all over it. Both said in clear letters “Join this year’s spring musical! All You Need Is Love: A 60’s space drama written and produced by PJ Liguori and Sophie Newton. Auditions after school in the auditorium on 8/8”

“I like the space one,” Phil said.

“No, no. The 60’s is way better,” Chris argued. “It’s more fun looking and approachable. Everybody likes the 60’s.”

“No, everybody likes space,” Phil insisted.

“No, you like space, you big nerd.”

“I think we should ask the cards.”

“Phil,” PJ groaned, “you can’t rely on your tarot cards for every decision you have to make.”

“Yes, I can. I asked the cards and they said it was fine,” Phil smirked, pulling out his deck of Pokemon cards. He was honestly rather proud of them; he had spent an entire afternoon dedicated to learning each of the 56 cards in the full tarot deck and assigning a Pokemon to each one, then an entire month (and more money than he’d care to admit) collecting every single card until his deck was finally complete. He closed his eyes and focused. “Alright, we’re just doing a yes or no question so we can just use the Major Arcana, or would you rather do a full reading with all the cards?”

PJ rolled his eyes, but said, “Just the Major is fine. You can do a full reading when it’s more important decisions.”

Phil nodded, separating out the twenty two cards needed. “Okay, PJ, I’m going to start shuffling. Focus really hard on your question and when you think it’s time, tell me to stop.”

PJ closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply and said, “Stop.”

Immediately, Phil quit shuffling and laid the cards out in a neat row. “Is this good, or do you want me to shuffle again?”

“That’s fine. My question is ‘Should I use the space themed poster?’”

“Alright, choose a card.”

PJ chose one fourth from the left and Phil flipped it over, revealing a card of Mew. Phil grinned, before announcing: “You got The World, which talks about your conscious and unconscious joining and how you’re facing an important juncture that will make your path for the future clear. It also means that you’re going to gain true insight to the nature of yourself.”

“Yeah, yeah, but is it a yes or a no?” Chris said impatiently.

“It’s a yes,” Phil said with a smug smirk.

“And how do we know you’re not bullshitting us to get your way?”

“Well, if you think about it there was the whole conscious, unconscious thing, and he clearly preferred the space one, considering how much time he spent on it.” They looked at PJ for confirmation who shrugged and nodded with a sheepish grin. “Plus if you have the play be ‘you’, having this decision be insight into the true nature of yourself makes sense since it’s really more about space with a sixties flair than sixties with space themes.” Chris frowned thoughtfully, slowly nodding his head before Phil grinned and added, “Also, you don’t.”

“Why you absolute-”

“Stow it,” PJ hissed. “Mr. Bedsole just walked in.” And with that, the three quieted down to focus on the droning lecture about World War II.

Act I Scene III

“But you said we were going out for coffee today!” Dan pouted at Louise, who, in her defense, looked absolutely heartbroken denying him.

“I’m sorry, Dan,” she said. “I really am, but Chummy says there’s a huge sale going on in Brighton today and I really don’t want to miss it. I promise we can go tomorrow.”

“I do swear that it’s a one day sale,” Zoe added earnestly, looking almost as remorseful as Louise. “I’ll buy you a drink tomorrow to make up for it.”

“That’s all well and good for tomorrow, but what am I meant to do for today?” he whined.

“You could always come with us?” Louise suggested weakly. “We can get coffee at the station to have on the train?”

Dan sighed, quietly enough that the two girls didn’t hear . “As much as I do honestly enjoy going shopping with you two, I’m really not up for a two hour train ride today. However, if you see anything you think I’d like, I wouldn’t say no to some more peace offerings for bailing on me today.”

“You cheeky thing!” Zoe laughed, gently pinching his cheek. “You’re a right mess and a half, you are.”

He batted her hand away with a smile. “Yeah, yeah. Seriously, though. What am I going to do today? My mum's going to be out until five or later and I left my key at home. Do you want me to just wander around Reading lost and alone that whole time?”

“Oh, please,” Louise laughed with an eye roll. “Tyler exists, so you know there’s no way you can be bored for too long.”

“My ears are on fire right now,” Tyler sang, joining them at their table. “What are we talking about? Besides me, of course.”

“Well, someone ditched me to go look at- What is it exactly that you’re after?”

“Clothes,” both girls said in unison.

“Going to that Brighton sale?” Tyler asked with a knowing smirk. “I’d join you, but honestly, I don’t want to.”

They all laughed together before Dan piped up, “Anyway, they’re leaving me for clothes and have put my afternoon activities in your command.”

Tyler winced. “I’m sorry, Dan-”

“No!”

“I have a date!” Tyler defended. “And, boo, you know I think you’re the best thing since sliced bread, but you third wheeling me isn’t going to get me laid.”

Dan cast him a betrayed look. “So, basically what you’re telling me is I’m basically screwed? Carrie’s busy with theatre, you’re going on a date, these two would rather pet garments they can’t afford then get coffee with me, and Sean is probably off sucking face with Signe.”

“You could always just follow Phil home and sit outside like a lost puppy and hope he lets you in,” Tyler suggested, somewhat helpfully.

“Why don’t you actually fuck off?” Dan snapped,as his face turned scarlet. “That was one time, okay?”

“You stood outside his house in the rain for an hour pretending you thought it was someone else’s house before you realized nobody was home.”

“That was two years ago!”

“I still can’t believe it happened at all.”

Dan buried his face in his hands to hide his blushing cheeks. “You guys are the absolute worst people in the world and I hate every single one of you,” he groaned.

Tyler reached over and patted his cheek fondly. “Oh, boo, we know that’s not true. Who else would listen to you wax poetic about Phil?”

Again the three laughed together. “I’m still without anything to do this afternoon,” Dan pointed out.

“Can’t you just break in?” Tyler suggested. “I do that at my house all the time.”

“My mom routinely locks all the windows so mine is the only one open and there’s no way I can get to the second floor.”

“You could hang out with Sean and Signe,” Louise offered. “I’m sure they’d at least try to contain themselves while you’re around.”

“Yeah, but even when they’re not trying to climb into each other’s mouth I still always feel like I’m third wheeling so fucking hard. And not like tricycle third wheel either.”

“Why don’t you just go hang out at the coffee house on your own or go nerd shopping?” Zoe recommended. “You have your phone and headphones, right? Just sit in a corner and ignore everyone.”

Dan let out a long suffering sigh. “I guess that’s my only option, unless I want to go to the library or something.” He sighed and complained, “Why is there nothing to do here?”

“There’s plenty to do, you’re just too immersed in your laptop to experience any of them,” Louise laughed. “Chummy and I can always find plenty to do.”

“You have no idea what a town with nothing to do looks like, sweetheart,” Tyler scoffed. “Jackson was like a third this size and a good hour away from anything even remotely interesting.”

“Yeah, well, this place being better than your hometown is zero help right now. Somebody give me something to do.”

“You could just Google it and do the tourist-y things that pop up,” Zoe beamed. “Me and Alfie did that one time and it was loads of fun.”

“That sounds like a really great date,” Dan agreed, a dash of sarcasm in his tone. “However, since I’m a sexually ambiguous nerd who can’t properly talk to anyone outside of you guys, there’s very little chance of me getting a date any time soon. Plus it’s pouring and I wouldn’t want to wander around Reading in the rain even if I had a date.” Tyler took this moment to mutter about how he’d done it for Phil before, but quieted down when Dan gave him a stern glance.

“Well, whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck,” Louise said, taking out her phone to check the time. “However, Chummy and I must be getting on as our train leaves in less than an hour.”

“Bye, Louise. Bye Zoe,” Dan and Tyler chimed together. The two girls laughed and gave their final farewell hugs before leaving, leaving Dan and Tyler alone.

“So, who is this guy, anyway?” Dan asked, picking at his fingernails.

“Uh, his name is Michael and I met him on Tinder.”

“Phil’s middle name-”

“Is Michael. Yes, I know,” Tyler teased. “You’ve told us all more than once.”

Dan merely rolled his eyes and said, “So, Michael. Is this a guy you might actually like to date or is he just a casual hookup?”

“I don’t know, honestly,” Tyler shrugged. “He seemed nice enough while we were messaging but not exactly my kind of guy, you know? I may just keep in contact with him to hang out with on Fridays when I’m bored because somebody is too invested in Mario Kart to go party with me.”

“Please. You and I both know that I’m probably the last person you’d want to go with you to a party. I’d just stand awkwardly in a corner playing on my phone all night and making everyone who dared to talk to me feel bad because they wouldn’t understand a single word I mumbled.”

Tyler cast him yet another sympathetic look and Dan swore he was going to rip his eyebrows out if another person looked at him as if he was the dog they were leaving behind at the shelter. “Have you considered hanging out with Carrie this afternoon? Like, I know you said you weren’t doing theatre this year-”

“The four hours I spent locked in a janitor’s closet for being in the school play said I wasn’t doing theatre this year.”

Tyler narrowed his eyes at the interruption, but continued. “Anyway, you said you weren’t going to be in the play, but I’m pretty sure they’re just doing like pre-pre-pre-play stuff today. Hanging up posters and the like. I mean, it’s something at least.”

Dan considered his options for a moment. While he had sworn off acting for the year, he really liked most of the theatre kids he hung out with last time. Besides, it was completely harmless and he did always enjoy spending time with Carrie. “Yeah, I suppose. Anyway, if it is horrible I can always pretend my grandma is in the hospital or something to get out of it.”

“That’s the Dan Howell spirit we all know and love,” Tyler grinned, clapping him on the back.

This will be fine. What could go wrong?

Act I Scene IV

There was no way this was happening.

“PJ, I can’t go in there,” Phil hissed, physically keeping his friend by his side and out of that room. For in that room sat none other than Dan Howell, looking perfect as always whilst he lounged next to Carrie, who was laughing along at something he said. “I thought you said he wouldn’t be here today!”

PJ shrugged, clearly not seeing the problem and Phil had never felt so betrayed. “He said he wasn’t coming back last year, but maybe he changed his mind. Or maybe he’s just helping a friend hang posters. Who knows? You might if you go in there and talk to him.”

“I can’t let him see me like this,” Phil refused. “I took out my contacts last lesson because my eyes were all itchy and the redness still hasn’t gone down and I look terrible.”

“Maybe he’s into the whole robot look.”

“You’re not helping!”

“Look, mate,” PJ sighed. “You can stay and help or you can go home and sulk, but either way I’ve got to be in there to take charge of this whole shindig and I can already feel Sophie glaring at me for being late. I know you don’t look one hundred percent your best ever but it’s a Monday afternoon after school and nobody looks great, and I swear to god if you tell me Dan looks amazing I will never let you borrow my Legend of Zelda games ever again.” Phil gave him a sheepish grin. “And for what it’s worth your face shape works really well with those glasses and the redness is pretty much gone.”

Phil smiled softly at his friend. “You always know what to say, Peej.”

PJ smirked and winked back at him. “It truly is a gift. Now come on, let’s go hang some posters and get some theatre nerds hyped about a play.”

As the two walked in a kind of hush fell over the gathered students and Phil couldn’t help but notice the panicked look Dan gave Carrie as he passed by them, taking a seat next to Chris and Alexandra. He leaned over to point it out to Chris, but he merely shot him a look before pointedly focusing on PJ and Sophie at the front of the room. Phil huffed; he knew why he was being shushed, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Okay, everyone, thanks for being here!” PJ beamed at the eight students sprawled across various chairs and desks. “We really appreciate your help. Does anyone have any questions?”

“Why don’t you tell them what exactly it is that they’re helping with?” Sophie suggested from behind him with a smile and a fond roll of the eyes.

PJ gave her a crooked grin in thanks before returning his attention to the crowd. “Right, I should. Well, as you all should know the school puts on a musical every spring, and if you didn’t know then you do now. Anyway, as this is our last year Mr. Walters has agreed to put on a play that Sophie and I wrote, and he’s put us in charge of everything from production to advertisement. Today we’re putting up posters around the school to let everyone know about the auditions that are happening next month, giving them plenty of time to pluck up the courage to sign up since that’s probably the hardest part of school plays for a lot of us.” There were a few scattered chuckles, and PJ carried on. “Since there are ten of us and five main areas we need to put these up, we’re going to be splitting into teams of two, and each team is going to get twenty posters to hang up. Yeah, it sounds like a lot, but we want these everywhere. I don’t want there to be a single person at this school who doesn’t know about this play. That means staple them to bulletin boards, hang them up on those weird clothes pin things outside the art room, tape them on every door and stairwell you can find. So yeah, I mean it when I say everywhere.”

“Alright then,” Sophie chimed in. “After that rousing speech, everyone pick a partner and we’ll arm you with a stapler, tape, clothespins, blu tack and more posters than you’ll know what to do with. Go!” Phil swore he saw PJ, Carrie, and Chris all share a look, but he brushed it off to partner up with Chris, only to find that he had already linked arms with Alexandra. He glanced around the room to see that PJ and Sophie were obviously in each other's pockets, Carrie was chatting with Matt, and Tom and Gi were leaned against one another playing some kind of app on Tom’s phone leaving-

“Uh, hi again?”

Phil whipped his head around to see Dan standing in front of him with a bit of red tinting his ears. “Your friend abandon you, too?” Phil chuckled. When Dan didn’t answer and just continued blinking at him, Phil flushed bright red immediately starting to back track. “Not that I’m saying- Well, what I mean is more that- You see what I’m trying to say is-” he finally sputtered to a stop. “Sorry?”

Dan blinked at him a couple more times before realization dawned on his face and he blushed to match Phil. “No, no it’s fine, I promise! I’m not offended or anything! Carrie did totally ditch me to partner with Matt. I was just really distracted by your glasses; I didn’t know you wore them.”

Phil chuckled nervously, scratching behind his neck. “Yeah, they’re- yeah. They’re kinda big and dumb looking so I try not to wear them at school too much.”

“It’s not that,” Dan mumbled, looking down and to the left while shooting Phil looks from beneath his lashes. “They actually really suit you. They make you look really smart I guess.” He flushed a bit darker before adding, “I like them.”

Well, if Phil wasn’t about to pass out before from how adorable and shy Dan looked he definitely was now. Dan liked his glasses. Dan Howell liked his glasses. He took a moment to gather himself before he could blurt out that he was about to call the optometrist and tell her to cancel all his contact orders from now until forever because Dan Howell liked his glasses. “Thanks, that means a lot,” he said instead. “I don’t really like them all that much so they can use all the love they can get from other people.”

Dan sputtered out an abrasive laugh which garnered a couple people’s attention and made Phil’s chest feel like it had been filled with warm helium before Dan slapped his hands over his mouth to muffle it. Phil considered telling Dan his hands would would better suited in Phil’s instead of quieting the music that was his laugh, but decided that was maybe a little forward. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you wearing your glasses if you hate them so much?”

“Oh, sometimes my contacts can bother my eyes and last period they were really itchy and so I took them out instead of trying to rub my eyeballs into the back of my skull.”

Phil mentally slapped himself for actually saying that out loud, but Dan just giggled. “Well, I hope they’re feeling better. I noticed you had some red in your eyes, so I’m glad it’s nothing serious.”

At the mention of red Phil slammed his eyes shut and covered them with his hands. “PJ said the red was all gone!” he whined.

Dan immediately started flapping his hands nervously. “No, no it’s fine! It’s hardly noticeable at all! I only noticed because I was staring at your face up close, and oh my god, I can’t believe I said that out loud. Someone please stop me.” By the end of his sentence Dan was a darker red than Phil previously thought possible and looked just about ready for the world to split in half and swallow him whole. He was adorable, and Phil was about to die.

“Nah, I get it,” Phil chuckled with a smile. “You said the glasses were distracting so it makes sense for you to stare.”

Dan opened his mouth like he was about to argue Phil’s point, but there was a cough behind Phil and they both turned to see PJ standing there with a stack of flyers in his hands and a knowing smirk on his lips. “Well, since the two of you were too busy - um, let’s say talking - to come up and pick an area to work in the only one left is the gym and lunchroom, so I hope the two of you brought umbrellas.” Dan looked absolutely panic stricken at the thought of needing an umbrella, much to Phil’s confusion, but PJ simply carried on. “Sophie has the stuff to hang these up with so you two need to get going or we’re still going to be here when school lets in tomorrow.”

Phil groaned melodramatically and accused PJ of forsaking him and throwing him to the depths of hell, but still smiled and thanked Sophie - who was giggling behind her hands - when he got their tools. The only problem was that Dan was strangely quiet the entire time, and not in the adorably shy way he was earlier that afternoon when they were walking to class together. No, this was more akin to the silence of a man being lead to the gallows, and that just wasn’t going to work in Phil’s book. “Hey, are you okay?”

Dan gnawed his bottom lip for a moment before sighing and saying, “I’m really not sure if I want to tell you. Like on one hand it’s really not that big of a deal, and avoiding it is only going to make it way worse, but on the other hand it’s really embarrassing, and I don’t like talking about it.”

Phil hummed in thought, tapping his chin and looking Dan up and down through squinted eyes. To most it might look like he was just observing the younger boy to come up with some sort of plan, but in reality he was just taking the opportunity to check him out. “What if I hum and then you say it really quickly and if I hear you, I can pretend I didn’t understand and if I didn’t hear you then you at least got it off your chest and you don’t have to worry anymore.”

Dan laughed and smiled so hard his eyes were almost completely closed. “You are such a strange person, Phil Lester,” he said with what Phil was adamantly interpreting as fondness.

“You know, you’re actually not the first person to tell me that.”

Dan rolled his eyes but he still had that grin so Phil didn’t take it to heart. “Unfortunately, that plan won’t work, so I’m just going to tell you, but you can’t make fun of me, okay?” Phil nodded eagerly, knowing that there was no way he could ever deliberately make Dan feel bad about himself. Dan took a deep breath and quickly said, “MyhairisnaturallyreallycurlysoIstraightenitbutwhenitgetswetitgetscurlyagainandit’srainingandIdidn’tbringanything.”

Phil blinked, trying to process what he just heard until it finally clicked and he beamed. “Why didn’t you say so?! You can borrow my coat.”

Dan’s eyes bugged out at the very idea. “I can’t just take your coat! What are you going to wear? It may be a short walk, but you’ll still wind up soaked by the time we get inside.”

Phil shrugged. “Well, any way you look at it, one of us is going to look like a drowned rat by the end of this no matter what. You seem to be a lot more worried about it than me, so why shouldn’t you be the one to stay dry? Besides, I have a change of clothes in my bag since I’m meeting up with my family for dinner after this. Take the coat, Dan.”

“But Phil-”

“Too late!” he sang, pulling his arm out of the sleeve. “I’m taking it off and I’m not going to put it back on until it’s time to leave. If you don’t take it then the poor coat will just sit here and be useless while we both get wet. Do you want my coat to feel that way, Dan?”

Dan giggled at his overreaction, but took the coat with a gentle smile. “Thanks, Phil. I mean it.”

“No problem,” Phil smiled back. “But now you do have to hold the flyers and stuff. Just shove them under your jacket so they don’t get wet.”

Dan nodded and took the papers. “Alright then, let’s do this.”

Act I Scene V

“Oh my god, Louise, it was amazing,” Dan gushed over the phone. He had tried texting Louise but he was way too excited and his fingers kept slipping and pretty much everything he wrote had more exclamation points than actual letters. “How do we have so much in common and I never knew it?”

“Maybe because you only ever stalked him instead of talking and sharing your interests?” she teasingly suggested.

“You can’t tell but I’m giving you a dirty look right now,” Dan pouted, tracing his finger over the numbers written on the Post-It note Phil had given him. “And there will be plenty of actual talking between the two of us now, since he gave me his number.”

Louise squealed across the line. She had never made it a secret that Phil wasn’t her first choice for Dan’s big crush, but she had to admit that the fact that Dan was so over the moon for him was precious, and anything that made Dan happy made her happy. “Oh my god, really? What happened?”

“Well, we had to go out to the gym to hang posters and since it was pouring I was complaining about my hair-”

“Like you always do.”

“Shut it. Anyway, he insisted that I used his jacket to keep dry and at the end of the day it was still raining so he told me to keep it and I could text him about returning it later,” Dan sighed happily, reliving every moment of the afternoon in perfect clarity. “Louise, it was amazing. He’s amazing.”

“Have you texted him yet?” Louise demanded. “You have to tell me everything when you do.”

“I don’t want to return his jacket yet,” Dan admitted. He hadn’t told Louise that it was warm and smelled like Phil and that was why he didn’t want to lose it but he was pretty sure she knew. “What if I text him and all he wants to talk about is getting his coat?”

Louise sighed and Dan knew she was her rolling her eyes. “You’re being ridiculous, you know that, right? Of course he doesn’t want to just talk about that. Giving someone your coat as an excuse to keep talking to someone is one of the oldest tricks in the book. I’m pretty sure it’s been a thing since coats were invented.”

“I don’t know, Louise,” Dan said, biting his thumb nail. “I mean, Phil’s just a really nice person. He was probably just giving me his coat because it was nice. He’s not really the type to play tricks like that.”

“Everyone play tricks, even if it’s subconscious,” Louise dismissed. Dan could almost see her nodding sagely. “He probably did give you the jacket because you needed it, but the phone number was just so the two of you can talk. If he really was only interested in the coat then he would have just set up a time to get it back when he gave it to you.”

“You really think so?” Dan asked nervously. “What if I make a fool of myself and he never speaks to me again?”

“Number one that won’t happen. Number two, even if it does are you really in any worse of a boat? It’s not like you were actually talking to him before this anyway.”

“You’re being super unhelpful and also the absolute worst.”

“You love it. Now text that lion loving nerd and make sure I’m your maid of honor at the wedding.”

“What do I even say?” Dan whined.

“Just introduce yourself, you complete dollop head. Just say ‘Hi, this is Dan!’”

Dan sighed dramatically, flopping back and extending out three of his long limbs. He winced when they all settled into that nice stretched feeling and quickly changed phone hands so he could do that last one as well. “Fine, I’ll do it as soon as I get off the phone with you.”

“Oh, well, in that case my mother has been calling me to come downstairs for about five minutes and I’m definitely not making this up so you have to text Phil.”

“Louise I hate you!”

“Love you, too!” she cackled, sending a couple kissing noises across the line before hanging up.

Dan groaned and glared at his phone for abandoning him, hoping that Louise would somehow be able to feel it. After a moment he sighed and pulled up messages and tapped “Compose”

To: Phil 5:44

hello! this is dan the guy u left your coat with this afternoon lol.

Dan closed the app to open YouTube, not expecting a response any time soon, but before he could finish pulling up his subscription box his phone buzzed.

From: Phil 5:47

Hi!! How was your walk home? Did you stay dry and everything? I would have given you a ride, but I was already late to meet my parents. I’m sorry. :(

Dan took a moment to breathe calmly but quickly gave up in favor of squealing in delight as he rolled back and forth, clutching his phone to his chest. He just had to tell Louise.

To: The Mum Friend 5:49

omg hes so nice. like he asked if i stayed dry on the way home and apologized for not driving me home himself #phillesterangelconfirmed

To: Phil the Actual Angel 5:51

dw about it ^-^ i stayed pretty dry. yhanks to you i don’t look like a hobbit reject.

From: Phil the Actual Angel 5:54

Lol any Hobbit that rejects you is missing out on making their Hobbit village cuter than all the other ones. You can come join my elf city and we can be too tall together.

To: The Mum Friend 5:57

LOUISSE HE CALLERD ME CUTER IM DYING SEND HELPP

To: Phil the Actual Angel 5:58

lets be honest wed both be loners. im too tall for the hobbits and ur too clumsy for the elves.

From: Phil the Actual Angel 6:00

Why must you crush my dreams Danyul? :’< I’m not that clumsy

To: Phil the Actual Angel 2:02

i think the paint still stuck in my hair from where u knocked me into the art supplies in the prop room would beg to differ.

From: Phil the Actual Angel 2:04

Okay, I GUESS that’s a fair point. And hey, as long as we’re outcasts together that’s not too bad in my book. ^-^

To: Phil the Actual Angel 2:04

my my phillip r u flirting with me?

From: Phil the Actual Angel 2:05

That depends entirely on if it’s working :D Hey, by the way, what lunch do you have?

Dan frowned at the sudden topic change, but shook his head and went along with it for now.

To: Phil the Actual Angel 6:06

i have 2nd y?

From: Phil the Actual Angel 2:07

You do? That’s the same one I have? How come I’ve never seen you? D:

To: Phil the Actual Angel 2:08

probs because i sit with my friends and we try to avoid human interaction lol

From: Phil the Actual Angel 2:10

Same, honestly. Do you think you and your friends would want to come and eat lunch with me and mine tomorrow? We usually sit out under the tree next to the front office.

To: Phil the Actual Angel 2:11

i am so sorry can i answer you in a sec my mum wants me

Dan took a deep breath, trying not to panic. He quickly dialed up Louise and waited with bated breath as it rang again and again and again and again and ag-

“Dan? What can-”

“HE ASKED ME TO EAT LUNCH WITH HIM TOMORROW!” Dan shouted before she could finish her greeting.

“Wait, hold on a minute. Who did what now?”

“Phil! He asked me to eat lunch with him tomorrow!” he repeated in a much quieter but no calmer tone. “Well, actually he asked me to ask all of you if you might be interested in eating lunch with his group tomorrow. What should I even say to that? ‘Yes, I’d like to eat lunch with you tomorrow and every following day for the rest of our lives’?”

“You could always just say you’ll ask,” she said with an underlying laugh. “I don’t see a problem with us sitting with them, though. All of us like meeting new people so it should be fun.”

“You mean it? Everything will be fine?”

“I’m sure of it, and if anyone says otherwise, I’ll wallop them on the head.”

“You’re the best, Louise.”

“I know it. Now go set up your lunch date already.” And with that the line clicked dead and Dan was once again left alone with his phone.

To: Phil the Actual Angel 5:14

sorry! my mum is v demanding sometimes T_T but yeah lunch tomorrow sounds great! all my friends like meeting new people so it should be lots of fun

From: Phil the Actual Angel 5:16

Don’t worry about it! ^-^ So you want to just meet at the tree or in the lunchroom or what?

To: Phil the Actual Angel 5:18

i think we can find our way to the tree so that should be fine ^-^ see u tomorrow!

From: Phil the Actual Angel 5:20

It’s a date!

Dan gaped at his phone for a moment before calling Louise yet again to scream.

#phan #phanfiction #Phanfic #Phanfluff #high school au #slow burn #friends to lovers #light angst #mutual pining #Bee Writes

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sciencenewser · 4 years

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YouTube vs TikTok The Truth behind all Controversy

YouTube fans have been left disillusioned after CarryMinati's viral video was pulled down from the stage. The video titled YouTube vs TikTok The End has been evacuated for abusing terms of administration. The substance maker had posted the video as a reaction to TikTok client Amir Siddiqui. Famously known as the 'Cook King of India', the video had him at his best, simmering Siddiqui.

Who is Amir Siddiqui?

Amir Siddiqui is a famous TikToker with 3.7 million adherents. Situated in Mumbai, the TikTok entertainer's recordings collect a great many perspectives. Nothing more than this. Literally nothing to write.

Who is CarryMinati?

CarryMinati's genuine name is Ajey Nagar. A Faridabad occupant, he is known for his unmistakable and enthusiastic Hindi-language editorial. Aside from simmering, CarryMinati is likewise known for his improv shows, ironical farces, and live gaming. He rose to acclaim with his diss track "Bye Pewdiepie". With more than 16.7 million supporters, CarryMinati is a pleased proprietor of the YouTube jewel play button.

What began YouTube vs TikTok controversy?

The war of words between the substance YouTube vs TikTok makers began with TikTok client Amir Siddiqui posting a video getting out YouTubers. In his video, Siddiqui looked at both the mediums and featured the solidarity of the TikTok people group. He additionally blamed YouTubers for stealing TikTok content. He even attempted to impel makers who cook, to react to him.

When did Amir Siddiqui upload the video?

His video was transferred not long ago. Be that as it may, he before long erased it referring to it was spreading inadvertent antagonism.

What was the CarryMinati video about?

CarryMinati, who is known for simmering shows and famous people, thought about Amir Siddiqui's video literally. In his reaction, he analyzed Siddiqui's video line-by-line. From his punctuation slip-ups, utilizing hashtags to earn consideration regarding how he picks up compassion through his recordings, CarryMinati brought up Amir's different inadequacies.

When did CarryMinati upload the video?

The video was transferred on May 8. Amir Siddiqui reacts Amir Siddiqui posted a video once more, giving his side of the story. He clarified that he isn't against YouTube as a stage however a couple of clients. Siddiqui shared that he was against cyberbullying and just needed to get out makers who dish individuals, prompting further badgering. He shared that he trusted CarryMinati would stand firm and impact youngsters against tormenting. Accepting his dis, Siddiqui shared that he has taken the analysis sportingly.

For what reason was CarryMinati's video pulled down?

This was the first run through CarryMinati opposed to a solitary individual, a reality that he even admitted in this specific video. It was as far as anyone knows expelled in the wake of being accounted for provocation and cyberbullying by fans.

How are fans responding?

A hashtag on the side of CarryMinati-#justiceforcarry has been inclining on Twitter from today morning. Fans have been demonstrating their disappointment over the expulsion of his video. In any case, an area of individuals have gotten out the mainstream YouTuber for his brutal remarks and upheld YouTube's choice. Big names like Himansh Kohli and Ashish Chanchlani posted for CarryMinati. I know people, this is very disappointing and a shocker.#justiceforcarry— Ashish Chanchlani (@ashchanchlani) May 14, 2020 Somewhere inside we as a whole know YouTube is best contrasted with TikTok. I am composing this answer when there is YouTube versus Tiktok contention is going on:-

I have numerous Points to Discuss

YouTube is extremely immense and has various classifications and TikTok isn't tremendous as thought about. YouTube vs TikTok is something where anybody can go for anything I.e. if you need to snicker you can watch interesting recordings and if u need to learn, at that point u can watch content identified with that. In any case, TikTok doesn't have such a thing to furnish individuals with this sort of substance. YouTube gives us information, rather TikTok gives us nothing. YouTube is an American organization and TikTok is a Chinese organization so as Indians are boycotting Chinese items they should blacklist their application likewise. YouTube has makers who have an incentive outside YouTube likewise, they give individuals some information and stuff yet on the off chance that you find if there should arise an occurrence of TikTok, at that point 99% of TikTok makers are nothing outside there application and they don't include any an incentive in anybody's life.

TikTokers don't have any an incentive outside TikTok On the off chance that by any episode both the applications are closed down. I can see YouTubers will have that equivalent prevalence and proceeding to add esteem to our lives, however in the event of TikTokers. I don't know even there road canine will distinguish them, jokes separated TikTokers don't have any an incentive outside TikTok. Tiktok author himself has said that he had made this application just for unsound brain and jobless individuals and if any makers on TikTok. TikTok is thinking about how renowned they simply remember that you are just trailed by unsound and jobless or independent individuals who don't have any wellspring of amusement in their lives. YouTube maker is the True life motivations of individuals The best model for it will be Gaurav Taneja A.k.a Flying Beast. He is a genuine motivation, I won't expound much on him here, you can simply google him what an astounding individual he is. Be that as it may, on the off chance that you see TikTokers you cannot get any motivation from 99.99% from any TikTok makers (large or little). I for one think these days TikTokers are simply attempting to come in the spotlight by doing a debate with YouTubers. They(TikTokers) are attempting to control the brains of individuals and persuading them that they are a drop yet reality as we know.

Kind of stage.Kind of Content.Step by step instructions to arrive at the Cream.Grown-up Content!!Copyrights.

YOUTUBE:-

YouTube is an online video stage, in which you can either transfer or live stream or debut your recordings. You can likewise disconnect your recordings in the application as it were. You can get your preferred channels together with paid enrollments to gain admittance to a selective substance. Individuals can do Super talk in live streams by giving cash to get the consideration of the YouTubers. YouTube creates income from includes and so on and pays YouTubers as well. YouTube is liberated from cost. YouTube is home to all sorts of recordings of any length. It tends to be training, inspiration, music, motion pictures, short movies, narratives, instructional exercises, vlogging, specialized, logical, diversion, and so on. And so on, it is there. To arrive at top of youtube, you have to have an extraordinary substance, it isn't at all simple to experience childhood in youtube, even to arrive at 100k subscriptions you should do penance(generally). From 100k to over your excursion is a guide to individuals. As they are paid, heaps of cash gets put resources into making recordings. That is the reason we have extremist fans for YouTubers(Bollywood additionally feels envious some of the time). The rich layer of youtube is a major social impact. YouTube focuses on each sort of individuals. The target crowd is large and wide. Grown-up Content oooh!! creepy and insidious, yes youtube resembles a stone, you can pelt it or you can fabricate form. Truly grown-up content is extremely high in youtube, and it has invested rigid amounts of energy in controlling grown-up content not to arrive at children and minors, for example, age limitation, youtube kids, and so forth. All things considered, you can get to it with a counterfeit age account. Copyrights are the best thing on YouTube, no one can duplicate your substance without your consent. You wish you can strike a case against replicating content.

TIKTOK:-

It is likewise an online video stage, where clients transfer recordings max up to 60 sec or beneath. It is, for the most part, a portable application, not in the slightest degree extraordinary site. In no way like includes, so no income and completely free. You can message in this, yet not on youtube. Tiktok content is mostly fun and diversion. It has a truly immaterial measure of instructive substance. Content in this application is name smash, dance, singing, and so on. As the video length is restricted, so turns into the substance. Target crowd is generally youth when for no particular reason mind-set for the most part. To arrive at the top, you have to give however much amusement as could reasonably be expected. That is it, no other alternative. As Tiktok is the quick developing stage, the velvety layer is additionally social influencer, however not as large as youtube. Indeed, even the cream layer got a notice from the film industry, yet amazing fans. This stage has additionally had a lot of grown-up content like youtube, yet with no guidelines. So it makes worse than youtube. There are no such things, for example, copyrights in Tiktok, so one can utilize other content, with no consent. After all these controversy please understand the actual fact Both platforms have their fanbase. These platforms are fully different, their contents are fully different. We are no one to criticize any of them this message is for fans. Don't spread any heat comment. For the Youtubers, Tiktok users have a different fanbase, their content fully different than Youtube like any other platform so don't create any hateful content or don't use any abusive word for them. Tiktok Users it's a time to stop these type of fight and these are the platforms for content creators not for any fighters. Both the platforms have the same capability to grow you and your business. In the next part of this, we will discuss Youtube vs TikTok according to the business purpose or according to their popularity. Read the full article

#Carryminativideo #justiceforcarry #TikTok #Youtube #YoutubevsTiktok

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from-red-string · 7 years

Text

Realiza un salto sin miedo - Short Version

Day 3 - Lutteo ficweek.

Hey! I loved both the prompts for today but I couldn’t write both☹️

I hope you enjoy it and that you smile reading this.

Ps: Thanks to Ale @silveranchor and M @lunambar for being my beautiful advisers in that haha

Prompt: My friend bet me 20 bucks that I wouldn’t walk up a random underclassman and ask them to senior prom and I’m about to be 20 dollars richer and, no, that doesn’t invalidate the question, you’re actually really cute.

“Hey!” Nina slowed down walking when we heard someone says behind us. I looked at her widening my eyes.

“It’s Gastón, Luna.” Nina murmured and I could see excitement and curiosity in her eyes. I knew it, but why is he calling us?

“Hello,” I said knowing Nina was frozen.

“Hey!” Gastón greeted again, a few seconds passed with just the silence surrounding us. He got to be kidding me, he’s just standing still staring at us.

“So,” l blurted trying to make him continue. He shook his head.

“Yeah, I…” Gastón started saying again and turned his head to look at someone. This person is Matteo, Gastón’s best friend. He nodded and shook a paper in his hand. “Nina, right?” He asked looking at Nina. Is he unsure?

“Yes…” Nina answered quite. My poor shy baby!

“Yeah.” He said smiling but he seemed to be struggling with something. Gastón took a paper from his pocket. “Here.” And now that the paper is on Nina’s hand, he left us walking to Matteo. Matteo handed whatever it was to Gastón.

20 bucks.

They bet on Nina, they’re playing her. They can’t do it.

I eyed Nina while they walked away. Nina still staring at the paper. Maybe she caught that they were playing.

Wait, it’s better if she doesn’t figure out. Nina will be devastated if she knows.

“He is asking me to prom.” She whispered shocked.

“What?” I asked wanting to confirm what I heard. Please, don’t be the prom.

“He is asking me to prom,” Nina repeated handing me the paper, I took a look at it. Looks like a homicide note, it's written with letter cutouts of magazines. I don’t know if it’s scary or just weird. So pretty, Gastón, you really know how to get the girl. “Prom with Gastón.” She turned to me, her eyes shining, on her lips the widest smile I ever saw. “Luna, Gastón asked to be on prom with. What should I do? How can he not be embarrassed by taking me?”

You should decline and we can watch Spider-Man during the prom night. Because Tom Holland is amazing, Gastón not too much.

They got her. She’s so happy. I can’t break it for her. I will solve this, her prom night will be perfect. Those monkeys will make it perfect for Nina.

“You can’t turn down,” I told her smiling. “You will be perfect at the prom. You’re amazing, he can never be ashamed of you.”

He should be ashamed of himself. This fuckboy.

“Oh, thanks.” She blushed, I returned the note to her. “You the best friend I could have.” Although, I’m not feeling as even a good friend at that moment. “We should go now.”

I was planning how is the fastest way of solving this without Nina noticing. But I have a whole history class to think about it.

I have 30 minutes to chase Gastón and solve this while Nina is away.

“Hey. Do you know where Gastón is?” I ask three girls in the hall. They were standing watching people so I think I wouldn’t interrupt if I ask them.

“Which Gastón?” The blonde one asked. I closed my eyes trying to remember his last name, I’m sure Nina told me once.

“Gastón Perida, obvi.” The redhead said like if the blonde’s question was completely stupid. And she’s right, I recall it now.

“Jaz!” The brunette girl yelled annoyed.

“What? Her friend is his date.” Those girls know about it, they’re already spreading their ridiculous joke.

“Jazmín!” The blonde one practically screamed, getting some people attention. “We don’t know. Sorry.” She said faking smiling, then pulled her friends to walk away.

“ Why can’t she know he is in PE?” Jazmín asked her friends. Thanks, Jazmín. Now on my way to the gymnasium.

I barely entered the gymnasium and already I found him.

“Matteo!” I screamed running, he turned his head to look but don’t stop walking.

“Hey! Are you the girl after Gastón that people told me?” Matteo said looking away. ‘People told me’? Why it seems like everything about the popular kids turns to the news? I’m glad to be an underworld creature, out of people’s radar to gossip about. At least I hope I’m out, but I don’t care if I’m, I’ll keep being myself.

“Yes, but you serve as well as Gastón,” I answered rushing a little to be able of catch up with his pace.

“For what am I as useful as Gastón?” He asked and silently greeting some people. “Oops. Out of your limits, it’s the male bathroom.” Matteo points the door behind him. “You can’t come in.” He faked a sad face. He was trying to get rid of her, I’m not allowing he get it that easy. Matteo turned his back to me again. When I saw, I found myself jumping on his back, my legs tightening around his waist while my hands were on his neck, I was almost choking Matteo but he screamed scared so I guess he is fine.

“What the fuck, freak?” Matteo yelled, holding my legs. This was rude. I’m not a freak, I’m just helping my friend by jumping on your back. I can take a ‘not regular girl’, but freak is too much. “You can’t come in here!” He stepped in the bathroom, wobbling me while he tried to get balance.

“I’m not coming in. You’re taking me in.” I knew it was a childish sentence when I reported tightening my grab around him, trying desperately not to fall.

“Let go of me, Freak. You got me, I’ll hear you.” Matteo almost yelled calling me a freak again, he paced to a bench so I could reach the something to stand up, not completely free fall. I was loosening up my embrace around him and standing up.

“Why you climbed on me? Are you that desperate?” He turned smirking.

“Yes, I’m.” I answered loud getting off the bench.

“If you’re desperate for me,” He got closer to me.

“It’s not about you, snob,” I stated my hand on his firm chest. He is on the swim school team, no wonder why is so firm, but still kinda impressive. Focus, Luna. Nina. Gastón. Prom. Not Matteo’s chest.

“Is it about Gastón?” He asked rolling his eyes and stepping back.

“Yes,” I answered observing him messing his wet curls and sighing. “But this includes you.” I stepped forward. I don’t know what I was thinking, I’m so small compared to him, so stepping closer wouldn’t magically make me looks scary to him. “You’ve made a bet that Gastón would take Nina to prom. So what? You could have any girl. Why choose to hurt someone instead? Jerk.”

“Oh, Nina is your friend?” The only he asked and I had already mentioned this fact. He doesn’t even seem slightly offended by being called a jerk. I’m probably not the first one that called him a jerk, and most likely not the last either.

“Yes,” I answered rolling my eyes, I stick my finger on his chest. “And you made a bet on her. Do you have any idea how bad she would be if she knows it? You could break her.” Not really, you need more than this to break Nina, but he doesn’t need to know that. He needed to learn not to play people. “Nina already has her own problems to mind, without you and your mean activities being one of them. Can you imagine how the school would react to this? Nina will be known as the poor girl who only got a chance with the popular guy because she was fool enough to believe she had a chance.” I locked my eyes on his. “So I don’t care if your family doesn’t treat you like anything more than a project, you need to learn how to treat people as human beings, that they’re not just roles for your games.” I blurted everything stuck in my throat since I saw him paying Gastón. Matteo looked shocked.

“Okay...” He nodded. “I did bet on your friend.”

“I knew it,” I screamed happy for being right even though I already knew that. “Continuing, you’ve bet. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” Matteo defended himself. “I bet, but you got all wrong.” Hearing this, I crossed my arms waiting. “The bet was 20 bucks if you walk up to a random underclass girl and ask them to prom.” He exclaimed. “Gastón already liked Nina but needed a little push. The bet happened to be the perfect way of making my best friend go to prom with the girl he really wants.”

“I don’t believe you,” I stated, narrowing my eyes. “You made this up.” He rolled his eyes.

“You...” He is interrupted by new voices, he pulled me to a cabin and stayed outside.”If you don’t believe me, you can thrust Gastón since he doesn’t know you were here.”He had a point and was challenging me and I accept it.

“Prom is coming.” One of the said.

“3 weeks.” Another voice said and this voice is quite familiar.

“This is Gastón.” Matteo expounded murmuring. I was supposed to thrust Gastón’s words because Matteo told me so, he better bet on t7his. No, no more bets for him.

“Someone is counting down the days until prom.” A guy mocked. I know this one is Ramiro. I forgot they’re friends.

“Is that for the company?” The unknown guy asked.

“Nina?” Gastón said. “Maybe, she doesn’t answer it yet.”

“Like she would decline,” Matteo stated sarcastically. My soul left my body as I jumped in surprise, I frowned.

“You know she could. Nina doesn’t fall for things most girls fall for. She’s unique.” Gastón replied. How cute! He really is blind if he didn’t notice Nina was madly in love with him. She has been for the last 3 years.

“People believe what they want to believe,” Matteo remarked, the phrase was directed to me.

“Matteo, since we are talking about prom.” The unknown said hesitantly. “ Do you have a date?”

“What do you say? Are you up for prom?” Matteo leaned into the door whispering. Matteo asked me to prom? The guy who called me a freak? The world is upside down and we haven’t noticed it yet.

“No.” I simply answered.

“I thought, maybe, we could go together.” The unknown finished.

“Sorry, I have other plans.” Matteo tried to be soft in his answer.

“Oh, okay.” The silence followed what the unknown hushed. “I have to go anyway.” The next sound was the door closing.

“Matteo, this was so careless of you. Turning him down like this.” Ramiro joked.

“Shut up, Ramiro,” Matteo said. “Anyway, we were talking about Nina.”

“I got a message from her now,” Gastón exclaimed with excitement in his voice. “She asked to meet me.” And he was also gone. He barely received Nina’s message and... What is Nina doing? Sending a message asking Gastón to meet her is so non-Nina.

“He is head over heels for her. I’m so glad for the bet, otherwise, we would him complaining about the prom forever.” Ramiro commented then Matteo opened the door for me. Ramiro was gone.

“Do you believe me now?” He asked.

“Yes. I was wrong but I really thought you’re playing Nina.” I admit eyeing Matteo. “I’m sorry.”

“What about prom?” Matteo insisted. This guy can’t be real.

“What about no?” I answered and left the bathroom.

“You are going with me, girl.” He screamed, I smiled.

And Matteo really tried, the second invite was when he decided that was a good idea to paint the sidewalk in front of my house writing: “Shall the princess concede me the honor of going homecoming with me?”. I still not sure of how he found where I live but okay, what was not okay was my parents. They didn’t appreciate this invite, but it’s truly remarkable, this means part of it hasn’t erased yet so still on the sidewalk. It’s been 2 weeks.

My answer was no. After that, he messaged me every day “Good morning. Prom?”, I tried to ignore it. Eventually, I started answering and we came to have an actual conversation which made me realize Matteo wasn’t the big jerk I thought. Or he is and I just got used to him.

Some days after, he said he needed to apologize to my dad for painting the sidewalk, I believed him. Huge mistake. Matteo asked my dad:

“Can I take your daughter to prom?” My parents were absolutely marveled by how Matteo was a gentleman. But my dad said the answer was up to me since I was the one who needs to go. My answer was no. Following this invite, my parents started shipping us and they kept to make me go to prom with Matteo.

The fourth invite was embarrassing cute. I told him I love “10 things I hate about you” one of our late night chats and few days after, he performed his called “Allá voy”, which he said he wrote for me, on the gymnasium, I really enjoyed. I almost said yes.

So one day I came home after school, I didn’t find my parents home which was weird. The house completely quiet. Once I opened my room’s door and shocked. There was a pizza on my bed and poster covering the window behind my bed saying: “Moon, would you light up my night at prom?”. Matteo came from behind the door giving me a heart attack. He was holding a bouquet, a lollipop bouquet.

“Is only one moon not enough for you? So you need two? I think I finally got why you want me to with you, chico fresa.”

“Luna, I know...”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Yes, I go with you.” He hugged me tight when he heard it. I wanted to stay in embrace forever. If I know it was so good, I might have accepted it before. “Yes, I’ll light up your night.” I murmured into his neck and he shivered.

And now we are going to Prom.

#thank you #lutteo #lutteoficweek #sl #💛b

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mirajens · 7 years

Text

morning will come

an installment from I’ll crawl home to her. paring: miraxus rating: m genre: romance found on ff.n

Love in the home of play-actors. (Or: how to fall out of love and pretend otherwise.)

She can feel him falling out of love with her.

It’s not something Mirajane notices suddenly; it’s a long creeping sentiment that finally comes to a solid conclusion one night while they two of them are having dinner in the apartment they share. She can’t tell what brings on the abrupt realization that the man she’s given everything to has stopped loving her. Could it be how they sit face to face but he feels lightyears away? Could it be how he’s tapping lazily at his phone instead of making conversation with her? Could it be the whole vibe he gives of wanting to be anywhere else but here? Mira can’t quite put a finger on it.

A woman just knows what she knows, she thinks to herself with no spike of dudgeon, just a sense of hopelessness she hasn’t felt in quite a while. She looks at Laxus, feels her desperation surge, and it’s not until he looks up from his own preoccupation and points out that she hasn’t eaten a single bite that she realizes she’s trying to memorize every small detail of his face as if he’ll fade away at any given moment.

It’s slow, so slow, how he lets her go. When Mirajane tries to wrap her arms around him, he’s stiff as if he wants to recoil. When she kisses him, he turns his head just a little away so her lips land the tail end of his scar. She always looks betrayed after such occurrences but just until a nanosecond later, when Laxus’ eyes find hers as if to check if he has hurt her too much- if he has finally pushed her over the edge.

But Mirajane’s expression has already been reeled in and she’s smiling that sweet little smile at him as if it doesn’t hurt, as if she’s not just waiting for him to dispose of her. She’s not going to be the one to draw the line; she’s not going to be the one to end what she can prolong.

He still fucks her, though.

I guess he hasn’t found that part about me repulsive yet.

They’ve know each other since childhood, been together for six years and living together for two. He’s never liked doing it in the shower until recently and Mirajane tries not to wonder too much on the why. Maybe he wants to wash you off him as soon as he’s done. His hands are on her tits, his lips on hers. Like this, she can still tell herself everything is okay and he’s still in love with me. His kiss is so tender, so loving. It almost feels like a mercy before death.

Then, he breaks away, turns her around and urges her to bend over. Mirajane presses her face against the wall and sighs when he slips inside. The slap of skin against skin echoes against the tiled room, coalescing with pleasure noise. Her moans climb when Laxus’s longest fingers find her clit and he rubs masterfully. It feels much too good so she comes in no time, crying out his name like back then when she still had to ask him to stay the night because leaving each other seemed detriment.

She speculates the possibility that he remembers feeling that way. Maybe he does. He’s holding me so close. It almost feels enough to balm over all the hurt.

But the false sense of hope doesn’t even take root before Laxus pulls out, grabbing her hips so he can turn her and says with a hoarse voice, “Mira, baby…” and she already knows what he wants.

He doesn’t even say please anymore. She gets on her knees and gets to work. His grip on her hair is never painful but it’s probably not out of consideration, more out of habit because she never continues when he pulls. He grunts and pants but he never says anything. When he comes in her mouth, he doesn’t even say thank you, or I’m sorry for being an asshole, sorry for not even trying to fix what’s broken, sorry I’m gonna leave you soon. Above her he just groans as his carnality ebbs into something indolent. She’s not even done wiping at her lips when he gives her an almost perfunctory kiss on the head, turns away and starts lathering his hair with shampoo.

When did they stop talking after this? When did sex start being just something convenient and stop being so romantic? When did he stop holding her after, covering her with kisses, singing her praises, telling her thank you, I love you, I never want to not have my hands on you.

Mirajane stands on shaky legs, pushes for space under the shower’s spray and washes the last 10 minutes off her skin. They share a two foot width of legroom with miles between them until Laxus, as if he’s just noticing her for the first time tonight, looks at her and says, “Oh, Gramps wants to have dinner on Thursday. You free?”

With no strength to put up anymore pretense, no more desire to meet his gaze, Mira nods, hiding under the curtain of her hair. “Yes.”

Laxus has work that takes him away many days. Maybe this new job is what truly started taking his heart elsewhere and keeping it there. Mira conjures up possibilities of a “someone else” but nips the thought in the bud. She doesn’t need newfangled anxiety on top of existing anxiety right now. She doesn’t need to think of him having already found someone new, not when he’s about to go on another business trip.

Mirajane tries to be the one to take him to the airport as much as possible. It’s more time with him, just a few more moments with the man she still so badly loves, even if she has a fourteen hour shift at the hospital ahead of her, even if she suspects that another woman is going to be picking him up when he lands. She hazards in front of his terminal. Laxus inspects his bag one last time to check for the essentials (wallet, phone, ticket, and the passport Mira has stuck a post-it with I miss you already written on it, reeking of desperation). He’s talking as he fixes his jacket and reaches behind his seat for the small carry on with 3 days’ worth of clothes. Why can’t he stay still? Why is he trying to do everything at the same time? Is he is that much of a hurry to be rid of me? Mirajane can’t hear the reminders he prattles off (“I did the cheques for the bills last night so you can just drop them off.” “If the old man calls, tell him he can reach me on my cell.” “I picked up the dry cleaning last night. It’s still in my car, can you take them inside? I was in a hurry.”), so focused is she on the look of him: handsome, sharp, the only picture of romance that she has ever known. She brushes away the dastardly intrusive thought that she better take a good look because it’s the last time she can.

“You okay, Mira? Did you hear what I said?”

Mirajane doesn’t startle but she flushes at being caught so distracted. “Of course. Call me when you land, okay? And again when you get to the hotel.”

Laxus is simultaneously checking his watch, hefting his luggage and opening the car door. “I’ll see. I’ll be at dinner with Gajeel until late so you might be asleep by then.” He steps one foot out the car, clearly impatient.

Mirajane grips the steering wheel. At least promise you will. It’s not that hard to call. You know I’ll pick up despite anything, just to hear your voice. “Baby?”

Now he’s out of the car, ducking inside to grab his luggage, having foregone a kiss, a hug, any fucking show of gratitude that I made myself late for work just to drive you here. “Yeah, what? I need to get inside and check in.”

Pride is a bitter pill to swallow but at this point, Mirajane has none left. All she has is her ache for someone who’s right in front of her, and it bleeds out in her tone. “I’ll miss you. I love you so much.”

The play of expressions on Laxus’ face is easy to read: bafflement, irritation, and then guilt. He looks like he’s trying to figure out what to say back. He never used to need to, when his feelings were still genuine. “Yeah, love you. Thanks for the lift.”

He dives in to kiss her but it’s more of him just smashing his lips against hers and then the door closes in her face.

She meets up with Gray for coffee the next day Laxus is gone. She’s not sure why it took so long for her to seek out her most trusted friend, since she’s always valued his insight. She needs male perspective on her plight. And to tell the truth, she is lonely as well.

“At what point is it enough?” Mirajane asks. She’s expounded on her domestic issues to a silent Gray, who has had 3 refills of brewed coffee, two plates of eggs and bacon, and by the looks of it, he’s not going to be done any time soon. Mira has ordered one cup of coffee since arriving and it’s gone cold since. She samples her tepid brew and thinks: the coffee is still shitty. At least time or change has not touched this place.

“Isn’t that up to your discretion?” Gray answers. He’s a man who answers questions with questions, always on the safe side of things with his lack of commitment. Love and care for his friend as he might, he never gives her any imposing input and Mirajane supposes that’s why she likes him so much.

“I’m asking you. What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

“I don’t know, Mira-chan. I’ve never had to put up with your hollow block of a boyfriend so I have no sage advice.”

Now Mira looks annoyed. While Gray’s unbiased opinion is appreciated most of the time, there are times like this when he is too infuriatingly unhelpful in his neutrality. “Are you telling me I’m paying for your caffeine fix and mammoth breakfast and you’re not even gonna give me a little input?”

Gray finishes chewing before he speaks. He sets Mira on edge as he swallows his food and chases it down with coffee. “Okay. So if my man was treating me like a blowjob ATM and giving me the bare minimum of affection, I’d have long dumped his ass. But not before making sure he comes home to a trashed apartment and all his clothes down the garbage chute.” Gray drains his coffee and signals for another. Their regular waiter is prompt with the coffee pot. Mirajane declines with a polite smile. When the waiter leaves, Gray continues, “Babe, you weren’t born this hot to live off a man’s emotional scraps. You have to figure out if you still really love him and if all of this is worth it, or if it’s just Stockholm Syndrome now.”

The air goes quiet, stale with unshed tears Mirajane blinks away. Her eyes are red, glossy and burning and her throat hurts but she won’t cry. She allows her hands to shake, though. “I don’t know life without him, Gray. And I don’t think I want to find out.”

She’s seen Gray look disappointed before. But never like this. Never at her. “Then there’s nothing I can do to help you, Mira-chan.”

When Mira gets home, she tries his number. Just like yesterday, it goes straight to voicemail and she doesn’t want to remember the embarrassing amount of messages she has left asking him to call her back when he has the time. So far, all she has that indicates he’s still alive is the bare I’m here. Gajeel’s picking me up and we might be busy until I have to leave. Might extend my stay. I’ll call soon, which he sent five hours after his landing time, as if he just remembered there was someone waiting at home for him.

The thing about modern media is that it almost always fails to give the cheating thing any justice. Surely it’s a plot that’s been beaten dead since the beginning of literature but no one focuses on something that Mirajane figures out one day. No one tells you how disgusting it feels like to be cheated on.

Disregarding the awful sadness and the blinding rage, it’s so easy for a long lost sense of insecurity to show up and swallow one whole. Mirajane tries to remember the last time she indulged such an intrusive feeling and the last she can come up with is during high school when the regulated swimwear failed to hide her modesty by clinging to curves none of her classmates had yet.

She observes herself in front of a mirror, just fresh from the bath. Her figure is great but it’s not what Laxus committed to 6 years ago. Her breasts could be perkier and her thighs could be more toned. She’s softer in her belly since she started dedicating her hours to the hospital and all there was to eat there were miserable cafeteria food. There are bags under her eyes. Does that turn him off, seeing her so tired all the time? A nurse has small need for makeup so Mirajane wears none but tinted chapstick these days.

I bet the girls from his office wear makeup and do their hair and wear pretty clothes. Laxus used to tell me I looked nice when I put in effort back then.

Maybe she should bring that effort back. It wouldn’t hurt to line her lids or curl her pale lashes every now and then. Maybe with rouged cheeks, Laxus will love her again. Maybe if she wasn’t so bland, he wouldn’t leave.

The day Laxus comes home is a Saturday. It’s the busiest day in the hospital week but Mira begged off as ill (and perhaps she really was, with the way she persisted with a man who didn’t want her) just to see him come through the door.

When Laxus comes home, it’s five days after no calls, no messages, no emails, no nothing. For a moment, while sitting in the living room couch and casting glances at the door, she has a moment to ask herself, are you sure he’s gonna be back? There has been no word of him at all. It was as if he stopped caring at all that she waits, that she holds on.

But the heavy load sitting on her shoulders ebb away lightning quick when the main locks sound and the door swings open. There was Laxus, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, but at least he was home. Finally home so that the constricts against Mirajane’s lungs could loosen even for just a bit.

When she rises to greet him, complete with a smile that swallows so much ego, Laxus has the courtesy to look ashamed of himself. But this is a house of play-actors so he reels it in, smiles like she does and pretends like she does.

“I’m home,” he says, as if that words still means anything to him, as if the dirty laundry in his bags don’t reek of someone else’s perfume, as if this was going to be the last time he’d come home from an infidelity.

But if he knows Mira, he can do this again and again and again and again and he’d still come home to her open arms. This isn’t something he takes for granted. Or maybe if he does, it is to see how far he can push her until she shoves back. Over time, this reasoning seems to have lost the conviction it used to have so that Laxus himself can’t believe it anymore.

And Mira? She doesn’t seem to want to not believe it, if her gentle gaze is anything to go by. “Welcome back.”

#fairy tail #miraxus #Mirajane Strauss #Laxus Dreyar #ichth #modern setting

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riffrelevant · 7 years

Text

BRIAN ‘BUTCH’ BALICH

(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Lead Journalist/Writer, RiffRelevant.com)

I don’t even know where to begin. That is something you will rarely ever hear me utter let alone admit but yet, here I have. The reason I have is the subject of the following exchange that shall ensue below, singer Brian ‘Butch’ Balich. The man is the powerful voice of at least four current projects that I have immensely enjoyed and submersed myself in both recently and in the past.

See, Butch is the venerable vocalist and lyrical lamenter for Argus, Penance, Molasses Barge and Arduini-Balich. Now, if you are even just an amateur newbie in the world of power metal or doom music then surely you know at least one or two of those acts. If you are like me, a maniacal metalhead that’s neglected other aspects of normal life so you could obsess over underground music for nearly four decades…well then, suffice to say, you know Butch is “The Man” so to speak. As The Man, Butch is currently on an oh-so glorious ride upon the topside of this world as he participates in creating some of the most amazing music known to man.

Sure, you can say I am a fan, and have been since discovering his work with U.S. doom icons Penance in the late Nineties. Just his work on 3 of their official releases, “Proving Ground” (1999), “Alpha & Omega” (2001) and “Spiritualnatural” (2003), gives the guy some major street cred. By the way, it’s that middle album that will be the focal point of some discussion in a minute but allow me to finish this hype first, please.

From there, Butch’s involvement with the much-revered Argus is well documented on a string of official albums. The latest of which, “From Fields Of Fire“, was just released this week from Cruz Del Sur Music. You can expect to hear a lot more about it as it ignites in the journalism realm and then lands on the annual year-end Best Of…lists. It won’t end there for Butch though as I am convinced, and have said on the record, that I fully expect him to score a triple crown win when all is said and done. I say that because of the other 2017 releases that he’s involved with, the recently released, superb Molasses Barge self-titled album for Blackseed Records (review here) and the phenomenal collab with Fates Warning founder, Victor Arduini. The latter came under the moniker of Arduini-Balich and their “Dawn Of Ages” debut also via Cruz Del Sur Music earlier this year.

Did I tell you that I didn’t know where to begin? Now you have a little inkling as to why I said it, huh? Anyway, the crazy things is, I have never seen Butch Balich live in ANY of these projects but if all goes according to plan, that shall soon be remedied! On Saturday, September 29th, Butch will once again front Penance as the legends headline the inaugural Descendants Of Crom Festival in Pittsburgh, PA. But he and I will expound further upon that event as I now segue us into this thing we’re all gathered here for…

It is my great pleasure, and with my own personal, enthusiastic enjoyment to invite you to delve further inward (downward?) upon this page for The Riff Relevant Interview With Brian “Butch” Balich!

Pat Riot – Butch, you currently have quite a bit going on but let’s start with current events: This month, at the end of September, Penance will headline the Descendants Of Crom festival in Pittsburgh..what is the current status of Penance (active, inactive, semi-retired) as I know there has been a few festival appearances here and there? Are there any kind of “long-term” plans concerning the band (i.e. reactivate full time, record new material, tour, etc.)?

Who will comprise the roster of Penance live for the DOC appearance? I have “heard” this may be the Alpha & Omega era line up, possibly their first show as such in roughly 15 years or so?

PENANCE (Then)

Butch – Right now it’s 5 friends who missed jamming with each other and thought this gig would be a lot of fun. The last time Penance played was around 2013 – that was Mike, Terry, Rich Freund, Brian Goodbread and I. We’ve been talking about maybe doing a new album. I know Terry has material ready to go. Everyone seems to be up for it but we’ll play it by ear once this show is under our belts. It is Mike Smail, Terry Weston, Mary Bielich, Matt Tuite and me. The Alpha & Omega era line-up. It is the first time we’ll gig together since around 2002-2003.

Pat Riot – Is there a / any (particular) band set to play DOC that you yourself are personally excited about seeing..and why?

Butch – Valkyrie is the band I’m most looking forward to. They have been one of my favorite bands since I first heard them. GREAT live band – one of the best. And those guitar harmonies are godly !!! Plus they are really good dudes and it’ll be good to see them again.

Pat Riot – I only recently discovered Molasses Barge (the new LP is phenomenal by the way), what are the origins of that band? How has the overall reception of the new album been and what prompted the decision to release it through Blackseed?

This new Molasses Barge S/T CD comes with a bonus disc of cover tracks, ‘Covered In Molasses’..how did you all as a band select what songs to cover and what was the criteria (if any) for making the cut? (BTW – The BTO ‘Not Fragile” is so kickass!)

Butch – Molasses Barge was put together by Justin Gizzi and Wayne Massey to write and play doom and I was asked to join as vocalist. We went through a number of bassists until we solidified the line-up with Amy Bianco on bass and Kenny Houser on guitar, along with Justin. Kenny later left the band and we were joined by Dave Fresch and that’s where we sit now. Thank you so much for your compliments on the album – we’d been threatening to release one for years and I still have to pinch myself that it is out and that it turned out as well as it did. So far lots of good feedback on the album and on the covers disc we included with it.

We released through Blackseed because we trust Shy Kennedy and because of her devotion and tireless energy being involved in the scene here with her own projects (Horehound is awesome!) and her support for bands in town here. It’s a fun band – I really think we just enjoy playing with each other and even though this is sort of a side band for most of us it really does feel like home as well. I feel very lucky to play with these folks – I love them as musicians and as people.

Justin came in with a list of songs he thought would be cool, as well as songs we’d discussed over the years. It was a pretty pain-free decision making process. We just wanted to have some fun and so we were all game for whatever songs were decided on. I think the only one I hesitated on was “Love Child” by Deep Purple because it is just at the edge of my range and I was worried I’d shit the bed singing it. The whole disc came out great – I love the way “Hiding Mask” and “Sinister Purpose” came out. I know Justin says it his favorite recording of anything he’s ever done. I’m really happy we did it and that it made him happy too.

Pat Riot – People seem automatically inclined to label you a “Doom vocalist” time and time again. Personally, I believe you expand into places far beyond such a limiting scope…how would YOU describe your vocal abilities? Do you play any instruments besides, or outside of, singing?

And depending on how you answered that last query, how involved are you personally in the songwriting for these varied projects? Is there ever a point where you may have come up with a melody or vocal part originally intended for a certain band but then you’ve perhaps thought it would suit one of the other projects better?

Butch – As far as my voice I think my strengths lie in my power, sense of melody, and ability to take what limited range I have and utilize it to its fullest. I don’t consider myself just a doom vocalist because doom is just part of what I have done over the years. It’s nice to be respected in doom circles, believe me, and I love doom but I don’t see myself as limited to just that one niche. But, ultimately, I honestly don’t get too bogged down in wondering how I’m perceived. Yeah, I want people to like what I do but I learned a long time ago, from those who I look up to, to not to put so much stock in either criticism OR praise. Just do what you do…for yourself and if others dig it that’s a bonus.

I don’t play any instruments unfortunately. I tinkered with bass and guitar but never beyond that. I can do some powerchords and really simple bass lines but not even a garage band would want me LOL! I do have a guitar though and my goal for the next year is to start learning so I can get to the point where I can write songs or just play for my own enjoyment. It’s not something I could see myself doing live but I do want to try to learn and see where it goes. Some day my voice will conk out and when it does it’d be nice to have something to fall back on.

In Argus, I do all the vocal melodies and lyrics but I’m also involved in arrangements along with the rest of the band. Dave and Jay are the main writers but we all contribute ideas at rehearsal. It’s all very group-oriented at that point.

Justin pretty much writes everything for Molasses Barge including the lyrics and melodies, which is cool by me. He has a certain vision when he writes and it is nice to interpret his ideas rather than be as intricately involved in the writing. I will make tweaks based on my voice but generally he teaches me the melody, gives me the words and we’re off!

With Arduini-Balich…Victor wrote all the music and sent it to me. I did all the lyrics and he and I collaborated on melodies, or I did the melodies on my own. It was a different way of working as he’s in Connecticut and I’m in Pittsburgh and so a great deal of trust was involved on his part. He’d send finished music tracks and I’d write and record and often he was hearing the melodies for the first time when he received the final tracks. But Vic and I are on the same page with a lot of things so it worked very well.

Pat Riot – Assuming you write (most or all) the lyrics you sing….where do you cull lyrical inspiration from?

Butch – Personal life, the world around me, history, literature…. Sometimes just an emotion…. There are a lot of guys I look up to but whom I could never hope to come close to – Phil Lynott’s storytelling, Dio’s realms of fantasy washed through reality – Steve Harris’ historical lyrics always fascinated me. I like clever writers like Ian Gillan and Steven Tyler and then a guy like Dave Wyndorf who paints vivid paintings with his words. But for my writing, I kind of feel for the moods in the music first and then join that to words that fit that mood.

ARDUINI-BALICH

Pat Riot – You mentioned Arduini-Balich. How was the overall experience of working with Victor Arduini and did you have any inkling that Dawn Of Ages would be so well received ultimately? What are the chances of a sophomore album manifesting from that team-up?

Butch – I loved working with Victor. He inspired and pushed me to be a better singer. He was really easy to work with – very creative, open, and enthusiastic. It was one of the most positive experiences I’ve ever had. We worked hard but it was very gratifying. We knew we had something special with “Dawn Of Ages” and we’re both really happy that it reached people and spoke to them and that those who have taken the time to tackle the record seem to love it. It’s gotten great reviews and word of mouth from people is really positive. We’re very proud of the album. There WILL be a sophomore album. I think we’ll start talking seriously about it next year. And we’re still hoping to play a few select shows at some point.

Pat Riot – As far as your singing goes, who are / were some of your own biggest musical influences at any point and why do you believe that they impacted you in such a way?

Butch – Ronnie James Dio is my all time favorite – his range, power…. he had a masculinity to his voice that even when he sang high he never sounded thin or wimpy. His voice was deceptively high because he sang so powerfully – you’d think “I can sing that” and then realize “holy shit that’s up there”. “Rising” and “Heaven And Hell” being chapter and verse of amazing singing. Of course Halford, Dickinson, but also guys like a Paul Stanley who, with KISS, really made me want to do this. Steve Marriot, Paul Rodgers, Brad Delp, Robin Zander, John Arch, Frank DiMino of Angel…. Pete Steele was the first singer who made me want to hit LOWER notes. He was unbelievably underrated as a singer. Tom Jones. Marvin Gaye. James Brown. I am all over the map and find a lot to love and be inspired by in all kinds of vocalists for different reasons- range, power, rhythmic sense, melody, soulfulness…..

Pat Riot – You mention inspiration from Paul Stanley…during your youth, what was the catalyst event that set you upon the musical path i.e. a certain band, specific album, life event, etc.? (For me it was buying Kiss’ “Hotter Than Hell” in ’74 at age 5, ha!).

Butch – KISS was THE band that made me want to play music. As a kid of 5 in ’76, I revered the “Destroyer” 8-track I’d gotten from my Grandmother… and then “Rock And Roll Over“. I can remember listening to “I Want You” and my buddy and I howling with laughter over the stuttered “buh buh buh buh babe….”. Of course it was the image at first but I fell in love with their music and that was it for me. It launched me into music.

Pat Riot – Another band you’re part of, Argus, will release their 4th full-length studio album ‘From Fields Of Fire’ less than a month from now (Sept. 8). What can fans expect from this new album? (Interviewer Note: This interview was obviously done prior to the Argus record..which is out NOW! – Pat)

I know Argus played on the Aug. 16th date of the ‘Tour Of The Doomed’..how excited were you about that opportunity / line up and might there be any lengthier Argus touring plans in the future?

Butch – We are very proud of “From Fields Of Fire”. I think it’s the best overall album we’ve done. Heavy, melodic, moody, dark, but catchy too. It’s Argus through and through but we did try some new things to try to expand upon that sound. Songs like “Devils Of Your Time” and “No Right To Grieve” especially. We don’t want to repeat ourselves or tread water so we’re always going to see how we can change yet be true to the Argus that our friends know and love. Move forward but always remember and respect where you come from. So – it’s 7 full new songs and an intro and outro piece. Lyrically more personal and dark than we’ve ever been. We tried to do more vocal harmonies and of course the guitar harmonies weave throughout the album. I think if folks give it a few spins they will discover it grabs them more with each listen.

The show went well and it was great to see our friends in Beelzefuzz and Spillage and also to see Sheavy live (my first time) – they were really good and tried to cover most of their discography’s eras.

Pat Riot – As an outsider (me) looking in so to speak, Pittsburgh appears to have a tightly knit, self-supportive scene, very community-oriented or where things appear to be like one big family. If I’m not off-base with this perception and you agree, what would you attribute this to?

Butch – It is a pretty cool scene and I wish I could get out more because there are some really talented people here and there’s a lot of color to the scene…. it’s not just a homogenous heap. From metal to punk to experimental stuff….Pittsburgh is kind of a “big” small town really so you’ll run into each other a lot and a lot of us are in multiple bands. So it makes for a cool community!

Pat Riot – Juggling 4 bands (or 3 and a collaborative project?) as you do or are at this time, what non-musical, if any, things do you enjoy or like doing in your private life i.e. hobbies, travels, etc.?

Butch – Time with my kids is very important to me. Any time I get with them is important. I like to read a lot – I’ll read fantasy, musician bios are big with me… anything that seems interesting. I also love comic books but that’s an expensive hobby. I dig movies and some tv – Walking Dead, Better Call Saul …. big Steelers fan. Split season tickets with my ex-wife.

Pat Riot – Speaking of collaborations and such, if you could work with one person from the world of music history, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Butch – I would love to work with Tony Iommi. He’s THE riff master and his work has been so important to me. I would give my left nut just to do one song with him. (Now THAT is a powerful desire and ever more powerful commitment to making it happen! 🙂 – Pat)

Pat Riot – I’m going to kind of put you on the spot here, Butch so I apologize in advance, ha…If I am an average John Q. music fan and run across this interview and have never heard of Brian ‘Butch Balich, where or what would be your suggestion for me as a starting point? Not disrespecting any band over another of course, but which of your musical endeavors would you suggest that person begin with? What specific release and why so?

Butch – I’d start with ARGUS “From Fields Of Fire” and work backwards. This album and “Dawn Of Ages” has me at the best I’ve ever been and at my most diverse. I really love most of the work I’ve done over the years and am ashamed of nothing but I think where I am now is pretty damn good.

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Pat Riot – Hypothetically speaking and depending on the Argus release, you stand a chance to theoretically place on 2017’s annual year-end round ups aka ‘Best Albums Of…’ lists anywhere from 1 to 3 times (all at once) due to the remarkability of the albums and output you have been part of this year…any thoughts on that either way?

Butch – I honestly try not to get too wrapped up in that but it’s a pretty cool thought that I am on 3 albums this year and they are all really good. And that’s a testament to the musicians I am honored to be in bands with. I am very, very lucky that musicians of their caliber chose me to work with them.

Pat Riot – Butch, I have a tradition of closing my interviews with allowing the subject to have the last word so anything you would like to say, state, share, rant about or whatever, this is your shot, sir…have at it:

Butch – Thanks so much for taking the time to put this interview together, Patrick. I really appreciate being able to talk to you for Riff Relevant. I look forward to meeting you at the Descendants Of Crom fest. I hope anyone reading this will check out the fest – it promises to be a great event. See you all soon!

Indeed it does! Now, that’s powerful stuff, my friends and I hope you made it to this ending point. Like I said, I’m a big fan of Butch’s so I was damn sure determined to touch all the bases that I myself was curious of and interested in. I hope you were also and I can’t wait to see him perform live and meet too.

I want to thank singer supreme, my guest Brian “Butch” Balich, for taking the time, energy and effort to answer my myriad queries. I want to thank Descendants Of Crom organizer, Horehound vocalist and wearer of a dozen other hats, one of which is my friend, Shy Kennedy for facilitating this exchange and with that…make sure to get to Descendants Of Crom!

You can see a host of kick-ass bands including Butch’s own, Penance as well hob-knob with myself and Riff Relevant‘s own Leanne Ridgeway and David Lamay, among many others and we will hopefully see you there!

Descendants of Crom Festival – Poster by Blackseed Design

Sonic Fire For The Ages: The Riff Relevant Interview With Brian ‘Butch’ Balich Of Argus, Penance, Etc. Fame (By Pat 'Riot' Whitaker, Lead Journalist/Writer, RiffRelevant.com) I don't even know where to begin. That is something you will rarely ever hear me utter let alone admit but yet, here I have.

#Arduini-Balich #Argus #Blackseed Records #Brian &039;Butch&039; Balich #Cruz Del Sur Music #Descendants Of Crom #Festival #Molasses Barge #Penance #Pittsburgh #Victor Arduini #Vocalist

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