#free reign chapter 16
Text
Bad Liar ch. 17
Summary: Life is about lessons, and Wanda has been learning some harsh facts that had define her life and taken her to a place in which she was given a second chance. Then, all of a sudden, she meets you, and she realizes why it's easier to lie to yourself than to accpet what's right in front of her.
Pairing: Wanda Maximoff/ Female!reader - America/Kate - Mentions of past Vision/Wanda - past Natasha/Reader - Some Female!Reader/Carol Danvers - Mentions of Natasha/Maria being married
Warnings: Slow burn - Enemies to friends to lovers - Mentions of abusive relationships - Toxic relationships - angst - drama - mentions of abuse - violence - mentios of abused and sexual assault - idiots in love - violence - suggestive themes - drama - angst - fluff - top!reader - dom!reader - bottom!Wanda - switch!Wanda
Author's note: Life is settling down after what happened, America is growing up and ready to face the consequences of what happened. Wanda is letting go of the past while Reader is just being her showing Wanda happiness and love it is possible.
So sorry for the late posting, guys. Life was a little harder this week that what I was used to, and something happened that really got me anxious and a little bit...I mean, I was not in a good place, but hopefully everything is better now and here is the new chapter! Just one chapter to go and this story would be over. I hope you like it because I made it with my heart!
Please rmemeber English is not my mother tongue so forgive my grammar, spelling and funny mistakes, hope you like this one.
Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18
Chapter 17
The promise of the future
You never thought that going back home would be so difficult for you or even America. The place had been tied up and changed after the incident, with different furniture and painting you had allowed America free reign on her imagination to make the necessary changes into the living room.
The world had not stopped turning around, the news was still rolling on the TV and people were enjoying the weekend of the new year. You stood by your sister's side with a hand on her shoulder, America tensed lowering her gaze furrowing her brows before turning to you.
“What do you want to do?” Her question came with a trembling voice, she sighed, shaking her head while looking away from you.
You turned to look at Wanda's place then back at yours.
“I was thinking about vacations.” You hugged America, winking at her, “we could ask Tony about the cottage he had in Italy.”
America offered a shaky smile, “Italy?”
“Yeah, we could get away from this place for a while and then…get a new house.”
America chuckled, stepping away from you. You waited, ever since the both of you left the hospital America had tried to evade the topic of what had happened while she was under the claws of Agatha and Vision. The young woman scratched the back of her neck, with her eyes sweeping around the front yard. Her teeth playing with her lower lip, her feet taking slow steps towards the front door only to stop midway before turning to you.
“You don’t have to.” She finally said frowning, “it was difficult but not the end of the world, I…Hope offered her help, and I acceded to see a friend of hers that could be of help.”
You nodded curtly taking a few steps closer to her, “you know that even though we grew here we are allowed to leave, right?”
America snorted hugging you tightly, she knew it. She knew you would do everything in your power to make sure she was comfortable and that whatever traumatic event she had gone through could be healed and forgotten. Selling the house and even offering a vacation was your way to make things easier for her, but America had already talked this through with Christine and Hope. She had been scared, but more than that, she had felt powerless to help Kate, to help the twins and even to help Wanda.
“I know that, and perhaps in the future when I go to college you can think about it.” She replied shrugging, “I know you’re dying to get that Villa near Tony’s place, because you had always wanted a huge house with a pool and a bigger playroom.”
Your eyes glistened over with your lips curling into a content smile at the mental image these words evoke in you. America rolled her eyes, but she too could imagine the same; it was something she wouldn’t say no to when the both of you were ready, not because a bad experience marked their lives and they were doing it because of that. She had felt powerless to help the people she loved, but America would be damned if she allowed that man and that freaking woman to govern her decisions from now on.
“I want you to be comfortable, and happy.”
“I know, Y/N, and I am.” America nodded towards the house before pointing a finger at you, “come we need to get everything ready before we pick Wanda and the twins up.”
You watched as your sister went inside the house with the same determination she did everything else. Hope had already told you of the conversation the both of them held while you were unconscious, America had been angered by the whole situation and it took her a while to understand that there was no one else to blame but Vision and Agatha.
Kate had been the one to convince America to go to therapy for a while, just to perhaps let go of the growing fear and darkness the situation itself had created in both of them. You were thankful that America had always surrounded of good friends, and that you had always had someone by your side as well. Everyone seemed understanding, and while the situation was still fresh in your minds, you knew you would be okay.
“Come on, slowpoke!!” America screamed from inside the house, you rolled your eyes and followed her thinking about what would happen once Wanda was out of the hospital.
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Wanda glanced at her reflection with a critical eye.
She scowled openly to the bruises around her neck and face, the paleness of her skin and the tiredness behind her eyes. She had spent the first weekend of the year in the hospital, waiting for the doctors to clear her up and sent her home while you and America took care of the twins while coming every day to visit her.
It had been hard.
While you had offered her the best end of the year and had been keeping your word of being by her side. Wanda couldn’t help the nightmares at night, when she was alone with her thoughts and the shadows of the past trying to crawl back inside her heart and mind. She placed a hand on her chest, holding tightly the sudden oppression threatening to cut of the air from her lungs. She clenched her jaw refusing the tears in her eyes, or the thoughts of fear that had creeped out once more. She had tried to hold onto what Hope had been teaching her in the therapy sessions, while also holding onto the bright side of her life.
Billy. Tommy. You. America and her students.
Wanda let out a shaky sigh before turning around and leaving the bathroom, you straightened up offering a half smile while holding up the bag with Wanda’s clothes.
“I put everything away, ready to do laundry duty as soon as we get home.” You walked towards her giving her a once over wiggling your brows, “you look nice.”
Wanda rolled her eyes, her lips curling slightly.
“You’re such a sweet talker,” she leaned in kissing your cheek, “it will get you everywhere.”
You blushed with your mouth hanging opened at the cheeky wink Wanda sent your way stepping out of the room, you snorted running to catch up to her.
The ride home was filled with music; Wanda kept her eyes out of the window watching the world pass rapidly through the window while you drove down the highway before taking the long way home. You caught the small smile adorning Wanda’s lips when you made the right turn, she sighed leaning back against the seat letting her eyes drink into the trees and the forest surrounding the road while watching the blue sky right above her head.
Wanda knew she needed to get home, Billy and Tommy were waiting for her. And life had to keep going, but something inside her stirred with fear and memory. She tried to keep away the words Vision had said to her, the feeling of his breath and hand on her, everything that the man had imprinted on her. Wanda clenched her eyes closed trying to erase those memories while replacing them with the beautiful sight in front of her, and the songs playing on the radio.
You creased your brows noticing the sudden change in Wanda, your eyes glanced at the road lighting up when you caught side of the road sign you usually dismissed when driving down that highway. You looked through the mirror before turning left, Wanda frowned turning to you slightly confused.
“Where are we going?” She asked softly, you smiled at her driving just a little faster until there was only one single road taking you deeper into a forestry area.
“You will see.”
Wanda opened her mouth to reply, her heart almost leaving her chest when she realised you made a turn she was not familiar with. For a brief moment she thought how foolish she had been. As long as she was with you everything would be fine, but the memories were not so easy to dismiss and she decided that at the moment she needed the comfort your warm stare usually brought to her.
The driving didn’t take far too long, soon you were turning left then right and then another right until you drove into an open space leading to a great cliff. Wanda opened her eyes glancing at the open sky with growing clouds approaching the city, she leaned forward until she saw the sight of the big city down into the valley. You stopped the car turning off the engine while resting comfortably on the seat, your lips drawing a small smile.
“Is this the place you used to bring your girlfriends?” Wanda asked at your side, you couldn’t help but laugh shaking your head.
“No, I never brought anyone here.” You confessed shrugging, “this was my little secret, I used to come here to think from time to time. Just me, it was comforting. I thought you may appreciate it.”
There was something stirring with deep affection in Wanda’s heart, the young woman snuggled on the car seat this time around turning completely so she could face you while still have her eyes take into the amazing view spreading before them.
“I don't know how to continue,” she all but whispered to you, her eyes glistening with the deepest of her emotions flickering in her green eyes, “I keep on thinking of my mistakes, the secrets I kept…I should have told you the dangers he posed to me and you.”
Silence filled the car, your eyes never leaving the sky above your heads. You pressed your lips together, your hands resting on the wheel, playing a soft tapping with your mind working on what to say. Wanda closed her eyes, looking away from you the afternoon falling slowly with the tension building up around the both of you.
“One day at a time, Wands, there is nothing much we can do.” You shrugged, lowering your head, still looking everywhere but at Wanda, “I didn't expect you to tell me everything right away, but I suspected as much. This was not your fault, Wanda. And this doesn't mean I love you any less.”
The word love rolled out of your tongue with such an easiness, Wanda couldn’t help but gasp with her eyes opening wide and her lower lip trembling slightly. You snorted shaking your head while leaning in your face just a few centimetres away from hers.
“You’re not used to hearing such words, are you?”
“No.”
Wanda leaned closer, her eyes fluttering close for a moment before she allowed your eyes to lock with hers. You lifted a tentative hand to cup her face, tenderness was quite evident in your features and Wanda allowed the warmth of your body to bring a soothing calmness she was not familiar with.
“I love you, Wanda.” You whispered only for her to engrave those words in her heart, “perhaps it is too soon, but for some reason, I just love you. I feel in love with you, and I don’t think there is nothing I can do against my feelings for you but make sure you feel loved, the way you deserved to be loved.”
Wanda swallowed down her words and tears, she offered a tentative smile before closing the gap between the both of you her lips dancing shyly with yours. Her heart beating fast, almost escaping her ribcage while she melted under your hands; you didn’t need to say anything else for her to know you certainly did love her. And she knew soon she would be ready to say those same words to you.
“It will take time, but you will heal.” You winked at her, your fingertips brushing against her cheek and jawline until your brows creased finding the marks on her neck.
“Some marks take time to…fade away.” Wanda mumbled slightly mortified by her wounds, she tried to lean back and hide away from you until her breath caught on her throat with her eyes growing big and her body tensing completely.
She felt the contact of your forehead against hers, the gesture was comforting and it made her experience an emotion she was not completely familiar with. Wanda’s heart fluttered affectionately surrendering to your gaze. She opened her lips ready to speak, but her words got tangled in her throat leaving her unable to express what she really wanted. What she really felt.
It didn't matter, though.
You were still there offering the same reassuring smile, and the same comforting touch. Wanda had to wonder how you did it, how was it possible for you to offer so much without asking for anything in exchange.
“We never got to have the date I planned.” Wanda said all of a sudden, you leaned back with amusement gleaming in your eyes.
“That's right,” you cocked your head wiggling your eyebrows, “and I got curious about it, what did you have planned?”
Wanda dipped her head with her lips curling into a tender smile, she straightened up on the seat glancing outside the window.
“It's a secret, I guess I just have to plan it all over again so we can go.” Wanda sighed, still looking away from you. “Of course, if you want to…I mean, if you still want to go out. With me.”
The last part was said in a broken whisper, Wanda shifted on the seat creasing her brows while making sure her eyes were glancing at the city. The light of the day was soon fading away, and the city was starting to light up the artificial lights.
“I would love nothing more than to go out with you, Wanda.” You replied with a tender smile on your lips, Wanda shivered trying to smile at you but failing.
The old insecurities were still there and you knew the work Wanda had done in the last couple of months had been shaken but the recent events. You could see her self-doubt, her uncertainty and the lost stare she gained after leaving the hospital. The bruises were pretty much visible at the moment, the pain was still pulsating through her body and Wanda was just trying to hold onto her sanity and her own determination to not fall into desperation.
You lifted a hand slowly, your eyes seeking out those green eyes of Wanda. After a moment of hesitation, Wanda finally lifted her face looking at you expectantly. Her eyes flickered to your hand, then to your face.
“I was thinking…” Wanda winced, her throat sore and dried bringing discomfort to her voice.
You let your arm lifted for a moment before dropping it to the side to grab the bottle of water you brought early in the day.
“Thank you.” She mumbled almost dropping the bottle of water when you tenderly brush the spot on her neck.
Her breath caught on her throat, trembling lightly with a mixture of emotions tingling through her body. Her face heated up, following with your eyes the movements of your arms and your own expression while mapping out the dark bruises on her neck.
“Y/N…” your name left her lips tenderly, with some uncertainty that called your attention.
You frowned, stopping any movement from your hand, your eyes flickering from the bruises to her face.
“I'm sorry, did it bother you? I just…”
“No, no it's just…”
You broke into an easy smile that Wanda returned without losing her blush. She bit her lower lip, without any doubt behind her gestures she grabbed your hand placing it on the left side of her neck.
“You surprised me, that's all.” Wanda sighed looking away for a moment before continuing. “I'm not used to such tenderness.”
You tensed lightly, your eyes flashing with anger before they softened lightly. Wanda offered a crooked smile, this time around she let go of your hand embracing herself.
“With you, everything is…different and sometimes I just can't believe this is happening.”
“May I try something out?” You asked suddenly, Wanda narrowed her eyes at the sudden flush showing on our face. Your fingertips trembled, with your lips pressed together while your eyes travelled from her face to her neck then back again.
“What are you going to do?” Wanda couldn't help the tone of wariness and curiosity; she tilted her head and your eyes gleamed strangely falling on her neck.
“Just something to show you how you should be treated, how you should be cherished.”
It was the husky tone behind your words what made Wanda tremble, she swallowed down her trepidation with a tingling void taking home in her abdomen.
You waited patiently, your fingertips never leaving the soft skin of Wanda's neck. For a moment, Wanda just thought of her possibilities, of what exactly you were planning. Then her eyes went to your own bruises, to the wound on your hand and arm and she softened lightly. If there was anyone she trusted more than herself, that was you.
“Okay, you…you can try it, would I…I mean, is it dangerous?”
You snickered, shaking your head, this time around there was a glint of mischief in your eyes. Wanda felt her stomach do a flip, and soon she let out a gasp while her hands clenched into a fist with her eyes fluttering close to the sensations you were creating with your mouth.
She never imagined you would lean in to place your lips on her pulse point, nor that you would start leaving open-mouthed kisses that went to draw the marks left on her neck. Wanda was not sure what to do with her hands, her body went rigid but her lower stomach and her heart were tingling over with an emotion she was not familiar with.
You let your lips mapped out her skin, brushing lightly while letting your free hand cup her face tenderly. You wished to let Wanda know she was loved that not all touches directed at her were meant to harm or to mark, that she deserved the tenderness you were trying to show.
You didn’t know what got into you, the only thing you knew for certain was that Wanda needed love, she needed to understand how wonderful she was. How she deserved happiness, and that no number of wounds or injuries from her past should get in the way of her new life. And thus, without any thoughts in your mind you leaned in to kiss away her neck your lips dancing tentatively on the bruised skin.
Wanda trembled under your touch, she let her hands wrapped around your arms her lips parting slightly while her body ignited with a fire she was no familiar with. Just as you started you finished it, leaning back with your heart hammering against your chest, your cheeks flustered and a timid smile adorning your lips.
Wanda was not in a better state, she was trembling with her face completely red and her breathing erratic. She could not hide her lust, nor the complete affection those green eyes shot at you as soon as she opened them.
You opened your mouth to speak, but whatever you were going to say was cut short by Wanda kissing you harshly. You welcomed her in your arms, allowing the passion she was trying to contain while kissing her back with the same need she was showing.
The afternoon finally gave way to the night, and while you allowed Wanda the control of the kiss you could feel her tears wetting your face. Until she could not continue and allowed herself the relief of your arms, unable to say what she had been trying to tell you for a very long time.
I love you.
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Wanda held onto the blanket, her eyes dancing around her room while the silver light of the moon sneaked into the room.
The nightmare was still fresh in her mind, the shadows of the past haunting her in her sleep. Wanda let out a sigh putting the blankets away before sitting up, she was no longer tired and sleep was not an option, her eyes fell on her mobile showing the hour.
4 a.m.
The silence of the early hours of the day was deafening to her ears, Wanda turned around and decided a trip to the kitchen was a good idea. She put on some sweatpants, a hoodie and left her room with the memory of her nightmare dancing around in her mind.
The morning came with light snowing, the new year had come and gone bringing with it a world of possibilities Wanda never thought possible before. She grabbed the mug tightly around her hands, her eyes watching the snowflakes fall on her backyard.
Wanda blew some steam out of her mug, her mind soon bringing over the memories of the day before. Your words, your smile, your touches; last day she had experienced a deep affection and protectiveness she had never felt before. The passion you had ignited in her with your kisses and your tenderness had made her soul tremble with want, but she had not dared to move forward and confessed what you had done so freely.
I love you. I'm in love with you.
Wanda couldn't help the smile breaking at the memory, without a single doubt she felt the veracity of those words whenever she was close to you. Whenever you went with her, or helped her children, or you simply were yourself.
The young woman wished she could say it back to you, that she wasn't so afraid to be open and confessed the love she was feeling for you. Wanda wished things were easier, but she was still afraid. She had failed not only once, but twice and now that she was freed of her past, she was afraid of messing up a third time.
“You couldn't sleep either?” America crossed her arms putting the heavy coat closer to her body, she glanced at Wanda from her yard not really sure if her presence would be welcomed by the older woman.
Wanda glanced at America with eyes wide open, she tilted her head shrugging lightly.
“Not really.” Wanda all but replied with an effort, she hesitated for a moment before adding, “I have a nightmare.”
America made a face nodding, “yeah, me too.”
Wanda could see the indecision in America's face, she lifted her mug before patting the spot beside her. America tilted her head and for that moment Wanda could see the same gesture you did when you were weighing your options. The young woman turned to her house before stepping closer and moving past the side door to Wanda's yard.
The snow kept on falling, America sat down furrowing her brows while watching at the sky. She could feel the eyes of Wanda on her, and the memory of her harsh words resounded in her mind. Before going to you, America had made sure to share her thoughts with the redhead, she made sure to let Wanda know America was not happy with what had happened.
“I'm sorry.” America finally said huffing while turning to the shocked woman.
America shifted on the spot furrowing her brows.
“Back in the hospital I just…I was stressed out, and finding out about this man and my sister, I was…”
“I know, I understand.” Wanda replied, placing a tentative hand on top of America's one. “You don't have to apologise.”
America shook her head frowning deeply, “but I do! Look I was unfair, when I was trapped in my house and then when I got to the hospital, I was partially blaming you for everything.”
Wanda winced ready to speak but America was firm on her explanation. She put her hand on top of Wanda's making sure to be as open as she could with her expressions.
“Y/N is the only family I have left, and I love her dearly. She has sacrificed so much for me, I just couldn't bear the thought of her suffering or losing her in any way.” America huffed, shaking her head with her eyes taking in the visible wounds on the woman before her.
“I never thought how much you and Billy and Tommy suffered all this time.” America confessed; Wanda tensed not wanting to interrupt America in the middle of her rant. “And after I got to see him, and everything I heard afterwards. I was not fair to you, I'm sorry I screamed at you and…that I was mad for something you couldn't control.”
Wanda shook her head offering a tiny smile to the young woman sitting beside her.
“There is nothing to be sorry for, America, I understand why you did it and I never hold it against you.” Wanda huffed, turning to see the snow fall, “I'm also sorry you and Kate had to live that, I wish things had been different. That he…”
America nodded curtly, and Wanda just shrugged.
“I guess right now he is where he must be, and he won't be hurting me or my children or even you and your sister anytime soon.” Wanda took a long sip from her tea, she glanced at the clear beverage before offering some to America.
The young woman grabbed the mug in her hands, she placed her elbows on her knees shivering lightly while glancing at the frozen ground.
“You really make my sister happy; you know?” She whispered pursing her lips a little.
“She makes me happy, and sometimes I just think I don’t deserve it.” Wanda cleared her throat wincing lightly when the old pain came bothering her again, “I never got to take her out, you know?”
“I know, I bet she would have loved the date you planned out for her.”
“You think so?” Wanda inquired with a hint of doubt in her voice, America nodded enthusiastically her lips curling lightly.
“You guys should really try it this time around, I mean now that everything is back to…” America was about to say normal, but the truth was nothing was normal anymore. Things were different, but they didn’t feel normal.
Wanda leaned back with hint of determination gleaming in her green eyes, she smiled lightly nodding to herself.
“Then, you should help me out.” Wanda turned to America who had her brows raised and eyes slightly opened. “I mean, I will have to plan it all over again, but this time around I want it to be perfect for her, I want to…”
Wanda didn’t finish her thought, but for America there was no need to. America could see the affection there as well as the will to offer you a perfect date. Silence fell between the both of them, no more words were needed it and America could see how little by little her family had grown in such a small amount of time.
She wished upon the falling snow for everything to finally fall into place and happiness to be possible again.
This time around, she also wished for Wanda, Tommy and Billy to be part of that happiness and to allow you and her to be part of that family.
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Time passed slowly with the recovery of the wounds and the unstoppable meetings with Hope.
Wanda realized the nightmares were back, and she had to face the ghost of her past and her present while finally speaking about what had happened during those hours in which Vision had come back to her life. Hope was always patient, telling the young woman that the progressed she had made was still there but that the current fear and uncertainty she was feeling was just natural and in a matter of time she would let go and move on.
Wanda wished it was easier, and faster.
As of late being closer to you had been easier yet allowing you a single touch was difficult to experience. A part of her, the one that sound eery familiar, told her she didn’t deserve your affection much less the tenderness behind your touch. Wanda was afraid that her insecurities would finally push you away and she would be like at the beginning, alone.
“You have to be patience as well, Wanda,” Hope tilted her head smiling softly at her, “Y/N would never get tired of showing you her affection, and she knows and understands what you and your children are going through. You have told me of the conversations you both held regarding this situation.”
“Yes, but I just…” Wanda passed a hand through her hair, she turned to the window watching as the cold sun of winter sneaked through the clouds, “I’m just afraid she will get tired eventually, that I won’t be able to change this.”
Here she pointed to her chest, clenching her fist while growling lowly. Hope observed the young woman for a very long time, this was not a new discussion and in the last two weeks had been the main topic around their sessions.
“How is going with the planning of the date? Have you gotten what you need?” Hope asked trying to divert the topic to something that would ignite the flames of hopefulness in Wanda.
Wanda stopped her frustration giving way to a tender smile, her eyes softened nodding lightly.
“Yes, actually this time around I got America and her friends helping me out with the planning,” Wanda chuckled taking a seat, “they really are good teens, and I just need to pay the last part and I will be able to finally get her to the date I promise.”
“She will love it, you know that, right?”
“You think so?” Wanda pursed her lips resting her chin on her hand, “America told me she really loved this, and I just…God, she had been so good to me and my children, and I just…”
Hope waited for Wanda to continue but the other woman merely trailed off shrugging. Wanda wanted to be perfect for you, she wanted to make sure that what she was doing for you was enough to let you see how much she loved you. Wanda wanted to make sure that she was the right person for you, that in this new adventure she was enough.
“You are enough.” Hope commented offhandedly, ignoring the stare coming from Wanda, “but you need to start believing it yourself and giving yourself the chance to experience this.”
“I know.” She mumbled letting her hand rubbed her neck, “I’m really trying, you know? I don’t want this to consume the time I could spend with my children, with Y/N and with my new friends.”
Hope shrugged offering a comforting smile, “we have seen your efforts, Wanda. Don’t sell yourself short because this is not moving at the speed you want it, be patient and persistent. That’s the secret.”
Wanda sighed breaking into an easy smile when her eyes fell on her mobile and a new message appeared on the screen. Hope chuckled recognizing the name, and her eyes went to the clock on the wall. Right on time.
“I guess this is it for today, isn’t it?” Hope said chuckling when Wanda nodded putting the mobile away.
“I don’t know how to thank you for your help.” Wanda stood up waiting until Hope got to her to wrap her into a comforting hug.
“Nonsense. At the end of the day, Wanda, you are my friend as well and the important thing is for you to be and to feel safe.” Hope winked at her nodding to the door. “Now go, I bet they are waiting for you.”
Wanda nodded turning around and leaving the practice. Hope shook her head making her way towards the window where she could see you were standing right on the sidewalk with Tommy and Billy by your side grinning widely holding some posters on their hands. Wanda put a hand on her mouth, laughing before hugging her children while leaning into your embrace as well. Hope smiled tenderly watching the scene with fondness, you really were pretty much in love with the woman and your every action was to ensure her happiness.
Time was all you and her needed. Of that, Hope was completely sure.
The cold of winter came crashing against Wanda, but whatever coldness she was experimenting was soon forgotten when the warm of your hug and the arms of her children engulfed her completely. She couldn’t help but smile when you planted a single kiss on her lips, and her children snickered calling out to her with posters in their hands.
“What are you guys doing here?” Wanda took the first poster that Billy had made, it was a drawing of their home decorated with many toys and colours representing her, Tommy, America and even Y/N.
“Y/N thought you missed us, and we decided to come and invite you to some snacks.” Tommy said also presenting Wanda with his own drawing. “And, she said you need support.”
“And thus, they did this for you.” You continued grinning, “this is mine, but of course not as good as theirs.”
In your you had written a single declaration of beauty and love in Sokovian, Wanda softened at the words and the drawings not being able to take her smile off of her face. She breathed softly when your lips found hers, her laughter breaking the moment when she heard Tommy and Billy making gagging sounds.
“Ugh, no, mommy!” Billy grabbed Wanda by her hand shaking his head, “come on!! I’m hungry!”
“Me too!”
You chuckled wiggling your brows while winking at Wanda, “come, America is waiting for us and then, once we have them distracted I will kiss you again.”
Wanda flushed but she decided she wouldn’t wait, instead of letting you go she grabbed you by your hand and placed a singe kiss on your lips. You blinked away your shock, while the twins merely snickered covering their mouths.
“Now, where are you taking me guys?”
“We’re going to the park!” The twins screamed running towards the car, you smiled at Wanda who merely blinked confused at you.
“The amusement park.” You clarified scratching the back of your head, “they have this new carnival and I thought you guys would like it.”
Wanda let her eyes wandered to her children then back at you, her heart shrank under your stare and the innocent happiness behind her children. She nodded stretching her hand to grab your right hand in hers.
“We’ve never been to one, so I’m pretty sure we would love it.”
“Good, then let’s go!”
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The park was located it in the southern part of the city.
Winter was the perfect time to bring forth the ice-skating rinks, the place was filled with families and friends enjoying the falling afternoon light and the bright lights from the different attractions. Wanda felt her heart jumped anxiously when she lost sight of Tommy and Billy only to see them talking animatedly with Kate and America.
It didn’t take too long for her to see the familiar faces of her students, and some of your friends walking around the place while sharing a good time. You intertwined your fingers with hers, smiling softly at her while leading her to the closest food stand. You glanced around seeing as America shook her head while negotiating with the twins, Wanda leaned closer to you offering the same tender smile she reserved for you.
“This is amazing.”
“You liked it?” You asked softly, Wanda nodded squeezing your hand reassuringly.
“I do.”
“Good, I was thinking of doing something different with you and the twins, I know as of late you have been stressing out and they haven’t slept well.” You lowered your gaze to the menu, sensing as Wanda tensed by your side.
“You knew?” She turned to America then back at you, your lips broke into a crooked smile shrugging.
“I suspect as much.” You sighed pointing at the combo for a hot dog and soda, “this one look fine, what do you say?”
“It has been difficult but, nothing we can’t deal with.” Her tone of voice had improved since new year, but sometimes you could catch the scratching of her throat and the fading wound Vision had left on her.
“You know I’m here for you and the twins, don’t you?” You faced the young woman, this time around forgetting all about the food and focusing your attention on Wanda.
Wanda shifted letting go of your hand, she felt the cold breeze of the afternoon sneaked inside her clothing. She shivered missing the warmness your hand was providing, though if she were to be honest with herself, it wasn’t your hand. It was you. All of you.
“I know.” Wanda lowered her gaze, her arms wrapping around herself. “Sometimes it’s just difficult for me to know…to actually realise I’m not alone. And that…”
She trailed off when a young man came from behind the counter asking for your order. Wanda observed with care just as you asked for her favourites, while also making sure to ask for Billy and Tommy’s favourites. You knew them so well, Wanda wondered why she had never noticed how attentive you were, how much you knew about them without any difficulties.
You need to let go, and give yourself a chance.
Wanda had already had this conversation before, and she had already fought over with herself against the uncertainty that these new emotions and this new relationship might bring to her life. With a softening heart she sneaked her arm around yours leaning closer to you, you lifted your brows surprised by the gesture but smiling smugly at her closeness.
“Which one is your favourite?” Wanda asked all of a sudden, you furrowed your brows pursing your lips before speaking.
“I like it spicy; you know? No pineapple because, yuck,” Wanda chuckled taking into your every word, “and I like all the sauces I can get my hands on.”
“So basically, a hot dog that may kill you in the near future or get you an upset tummy?” Wanda commented shaking her head, you rolled your eyes shrugging.
“Come on, is not that bad!!”
Wanda snorted but she could not say anything else for Billy and Tommy came right there, both of them were quite excited talking at the same time pointing to a different set of attractions they wanted to try over. You smiled fondly just as Wanda tried to negotiate with her children, America chuckled lifting her arms when both of them pointed to her while pouting. Soon the food was brought over, and you decided it was time for you to intervene.
“Okay, okay, I have a proposal!” Everyone turned to you, your good arm lifting above your head before pointing with your head the table filled with food. “We are going to eat first, then we will go to the Carousel, then we will move onto the bumper cars.”
Billy and Tommy cheered high fiving while hugging you with smiles on their faces, Wanda chewed on her lower lip glancing at those rides before turning to you. You winked at her leaning forward while lifting a single finger.
“Then, we will go to the Ferris Wheel to see the lights show from the park, okay?”
“Yes!” The twins then proceed to drag you to the table eager to start eating and go to the different attractions.
Wanda and America stayed behind grabbing napkins and helping with the beverages.
“They really are happy.” Wanda stated glancing at her children then back at America.
“They really are, are you?”
“I am.” Wanda shrugged smiling softly, Kate came right at that moment helping around while turning to Wanda.
“My mom just called me, she told me everything is ready and that if you confirmed her right now she would get everything ready for Friday.” Kate grinned when Wanda opened her eyes excitedly.
“You mean it?”
“Yep, I know Y/N would love her so…”
“You just have to say the word.” America pressed over smiling as well. Wanda turned to you where you were sitting with the twins helping them around while also allowing them to help you with the food.
Wanda felt her heart beat a tad bit faster, shrinking with pure emotion at the familiar scene she had gotten to witness in the last couple of weeks. She turned to the two teens nodding excitedly.
“Yes, tell her I take it.”
America squealed excitedly hugging Wanda before turning to an equally excited Kate.
“She is going to love it, you will see.”
Wanda surely hoped so, for the only thing in her mind was to make sure you also experience the love, affection and happiness she had felt with you from the moment the both of you met. From the moment, the both of you gave the friendship a chance to grow into something else.
Wanda Maximoff had never had such a wonderful time before.
She was dragged by you or America or even her children around the park to try the different attractions. She got to experience the adrenaline of the roller coaster, while also gave in the excitement of the bumper cars while laughing alongside you.
You were by her side at all times, without being overwhelming it was as if you knew what it was she needed and you were right there to make sure she got it. Wanda admired the easiness in which you and the twins soon found a common ground and they sought you out for comfort or confirmation of what to do next.
Whatever doubts that came after the incident, or whatever reluctance Wanda felt when around you were soon forgotten and she just gave in standing by your side with a beating heart and a tingling body whenever you brushed your hand against hers or your lips found hers when alone.
In the end, and after going through all the different stands holding games with prizes everyone ended up on the Ferry Wheel.
“Come on guys, you can go first.” You nodded to your sister and Kate, winking lightly while America just rolled her eyes.
“Let us take Billy and Tommy…” Kate started but you shook your head placing your right hand on her shoulder.
“No, this is for you guys, go and snog my sister when you get to the highest point,” you chuckled when Kate blushed looking away while America looked mortified, “you guys have been taken them with you most of the day, so it’s only fair. Go.”
Wanda was standing back with Billy and Tommy furrowing her brows when, after a moment of discussion America and Kate finally went inside one of the passenger cars. You stepped back joining Wanda who was trying to hold back the twins that were waving happily at America and Kate.
“I think we shouldn’t eat those candy apples,” Wanda snickered when the twins talked amongst themselves excitedly.
“Oh, come on, those are quite delicious, and I don’t mind them being this hyperactive.”
“You don’t?” Wanda blinked a couple of times stepping forward, waiting until the car stopped and the door was opened for you and the others to go in.
“No, I actually think it’s kinda cute.” You blinked at her before calling for Billy.
“Come here, little guy, you’re sitting with me, and Tommy is sitting with Wanda.” You pinned them with your eyes, your face transforming into a mask of pure seriousness. “I need you to be well-behaved because while this is fun, we need to make sure it is also safe, okay?”
“Yes, Y/N.” Both of them said at the same time, Wanda cocked her head lifting a single eyebrow impressed.
Soon the ride started with classical music playing through the speakers, you looked outside with Billy pointing out the different spots. You leaned forward answering his questions, while also telling him and Tommy about a past you had experienced with America and your parents. Wanda leaned back hearing the sound of your voice and the question of her children while taking in the scene.
“Woah, look mommy!! This is so pretty!” Tommy said pointing right outside the car where the lights show was being played near the skate rink.
“It is, it looks really pretty.” Wanda mumbled glancing at you and noticing you had your eyes on her.
“It is just beautiful.” You replied as well, smiling tenderly at her before turning your attention back to the outside world.
“This is the best day ever, Y/N, thank you.” Billy said softly turning to you and giving you a tight hug.
You returned the hug softening your features while feeling your heart skipped a beat under the display of affection from the little boy.
“I’m glad you like it, Billy.” Your voice was loud enough for him, Tommy and Wanda to hear you out, “I just want to make you enjoy the beautiful things in life, if you guys allow me to do so, I will be more than happy to show you the world.”
Wanda wrapped her arms around Tommy, shaking her head while her eyes filled with tears.
“How about you let us show you also the beautiful and fun things in life, and we share those experiences with one another?” Wanda replied glancing at you, the silent invitation there.
You chuckled nodding, “I would love that.”
Wanda nodded turning again to the world outside the passenger car, her heart leaping with happiness at the moment she was living with you and the twins. Suddenly, in the midst of such peaceful moment Wanda came to the realisation that everything she needed, whatever she had been looking for was just there, sitting right across her loving her children and her without asking nothing in return.
And for that, she loved you without any reservations.
For that, she promised herself to make sure you were happy, the way you were making her and her children happy.
____________________________
Final chapter: The date Wanda planned finally comes to be, there will be smut, and happily ever after.
#fanfic#wanda maximoff#wanda maximoff x reader#wandaxreader#imagine wanda maximoff#female reader#wanda maximoff x female reader#reader
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Just Acting (MGG)
series masterlist | ongoing
series content warnings: 7ish year age gap, “enemies” to lovers, NSFW 18+
disclaimer: i started writing this in 2020 before rumors were said abt mgg and before we knew there was going to be a reboot. so this takes place in an imaginary season 16 and has nothing to do with the reboot. since it was written when i was a little younger, the writing can be a bit eh imo. also there are descriptions of y/n, and definitely feel free to ignore them
————
MGG x fem reader
Y/n has been on Criminal Minds for almost two seasons now. She loves her job, but there’s one problem: she cannot stand her coworker, Matthew Gray Gubler. When their characters on the show start to develop a romantic bond, their not-so-friendly relationship starts changing.
When Y/n finds out she is going to be a part of season 16 and get more screen time, she is excited and ready to get to work. She just hopes Matthew won't get in the way.
When Spencer Reid and her character, Delilah Reign grow closer together, Y/n is forced to spend more time with the coworker she’d rather avoid.
Chapter One | After getting the great news that she will be a returning character on Criminal Minds season 16, Y/n is excited about the amazing opportunity. However, she is annoyed by her ever-present coworker.
Chapter Two | Y/n and Matthew have a few more interactions while on set. She gets invited to a cast dinner.
Chapter Three | Y/n meets up with her friend and visits her favorite library.
Chapter Four | She attends the cast dinner and gets to know them more, and they get to know her better too.
Chapter Five | Y/n goes to set and films a scene with Matthew.
Chapter Six | Y/n learns she has to film a kissing scene with Matthew. Spencer and Delilah hang out more and get to know each other better.
Chapter Seven | It’s date night with Y/n and Jordan.
Chapter Eight | The relationship between Natthew and Y/n is as bitter as always, while Delilah and Spencer take the next step in their own relationship.
Chapter Nine | Spencer shows his romantic side, and Y/n‘a newfound romantic life seems off.
Chapter Ten | The cast goes on their lake house vacation. Matthew and Y/n decide they can bond as Spencer and Delilah for the sake of the show.
Chapter Eleven | Everyone is enjoying their relaxing time at Joe’s lake house. Y/n’s enjoyment takes a hit as the progress between her and Matthew seems to be taken back.
Chapter Twelve | After a rough few days, the deal Matthew and Y/n made to bond for the show comes back to bite her in the ass.
Chapter Thirteen | The lake trip comes to and end, and Y/n is back to filming.
Chapter Fourteen | Y/n’s “date” with Matthew, as Delilah and Spencer, goes a lot better than expected.
Chapter Fifteen | The friendliness and “friendliness” between MGG and Y/n comes to an end after a fight.
Chapter Sixteen | After resolving things between them, Matthew and Y/n decide to DTR.
Chapter Seventeen | The holidays are approaching, and the cast is preparing to take a much needed break from filming. Y/n is thrown into the hollywood life when her face is on an article with Matthew’s.
Chapter Eighteen | Y/n’s first interview for Criminal Minds goes smoothly, then she’s on a flight back home for the holidays.
Chapter Nineteen | After an argument with Matthew and a talk with her sister, Y/n decides to set up a date with an old friend.
Chapter Twenty | A few days after the holiday, Y/n goes on that date with someone from her past. She finds herself in trouble, but Matthew helps her get out of it.
Chapter Twenty-One | It takes a New Year’s Eve party for the two to finally admit the truth about their dynamic.
Chapter Twenty-Two | An unsettling event throws Delilah into the world of the BAU once again.
#criminal minds#criminal minds fanfiction#spencer reid fanfiction#mgg x you#spencer reid#spencer reid angst#spencer reid smut#mgg angst#mgg fic#spencer reid and reader#mgg x y/n#matthew gray gubler x reader#matthew gray gubler angst#mgg x reader#dilf spencerreid#spencer reid x y/n#spencer reid x fem!readr#spencer reid x fanfiction#mgg fem!reader#criminal minds x y/n#criminal minds x oc#criminal minds x you
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NINJAGO FANS ON TUMBLR 🙏 READ THIS IF YOU MAKE OCS OR LIKE TO ROLEPLAY
Me and @beaconhillsdruid are teaming up and hosting a Ninjago Next Generation role-play (seasons 1-14 are canon throughout this storyline, 15-16 and dragons rising are not), and anyone is free to join! This is a LGBTQ safe space and we’d love to have you. 💙
This roleplay is a semi-literate (paragraph at minimum) to literate writing packed role-play. We will host arc role-plays and write arcs. We will have mini-arcs and major arcs.
You will also be allowed to make your own fanon elements as long as you get it checked out with us.
Arc’s are canon to the storyline roleplays and arc writing allows us to write your character into our story. Submitting a character you acknowledge that we will use and write your character in the arcs, in chapters. (We will try to keep the arc stories mostly secret and up to theorizing, and we will do our best to listen to everyone and pay attention to their characters and get your permission.)
Currently Kai, Skylor, Zane, Ronin, Neuro, and PIXAL are all taken characters with Next generation OC’s made for them.
Please read our rules channel, our lore channel, and grab some roles.
(I do not want to see any pro-shippers in this server. Greenflame shippers and Llorumi are not welcome here. Proshipping goes for: pedophilia, incest, abuser x victim. I may not be able to list every single problematic ship onto here but you get the memo.)
———————
LORE (written by @beaconhillsdruid )
After the dramatic events of Season Thirteen of Ninjago, which saw the Ninja bravely defending the city against new threats, life settled into a more peaceful rhythm. With each passing day, the citizens of Ninjago City enjoyed a sense of security, knowing that their protectors were always vigilant. The ninja continued to protect the city, until one by one they each started to choose different paths. After the passing of Master Wu.
Kai and Skylor were the first to start their new path, settling down, and taking over Kai’s dad’s blacksmith business with Skylor. Soon after the two got married and had kids. The second pair to follow was Jay and Nya, the ever inseparable couple found joy in marriage and parenthood as well, along with opening up their own mechanic shop. The third pair to follow in getting married, was Zane and P.I.X.A.L, their love holding no bounds as they also went through the journey of parenthood, and the two also stayed and started to help improve technology around the monastery.
Then there was Cole, he had decided to start traveling and helping those in need after the events of Shintaro. And after seeing how happy his friends were over the years after getting married and having kids, Cole decided he would go back to Ninjago City and settle down and start a family of his own. And now finally there was Lloyd, he remained steadfast in his dedication to protecting ninjago. He however chose a very much different path then his friends. While his friends found fulfillment and joy in starting families, Lloyd kept his purpose of protecting Ninjago from threats. He was content with the solitude and freedom of not having kids. And settled for being the cool uncle, and a future teacher to his friends' kids to help them channel their elemental powers.
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CURRENT EVENTS
Lloyd Garmadon, master of energy, has been guiding the next generation of ninja to pass down the children’s predecessors legacy. A few years in the past, the ninja had sought out to dig through the history of ancient ninjago. To the end of King Vangelis’ reign, Ninjago has become peaceful, and the ninja have retired their elements in those years.
Peaceful as in too peaceful.
Amidst the peace, you find yourself in the ranks of the next generation ninja group. It doesn’t matter where you came from or how you got there, this is the family they have founded and the family you have been welcomed into with loving arms.
From time immemorial, Ninjago is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
—————
#ninjago#ninjago rp#ninjago oc#oc#lloyd garmadon#cole brookstone#zane julien#nya smith#kai smith#ninjago lloyd#ninjago cole#ninjago zane
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Everything More Than Anything pt. 2
Sydney Adamu x Carmy Berzatto - R rated 🔥
Full Masterlist
Sydcarmy Masterlist
Chapter 1
~~~~~
Syd's brain is in overdrive, she needs some help with the mental load...
Chapter 2
With Carmy finally on board, Syd threw herself into work more than ever before. The crew rose to the challenge they'd set them, and were improving day by day. Some days though, chaos reigned no matter how hard she tried. The turnover time on a handful of tables was too short, they had diners arriving for tables which were still in use - a nightmare for an already too busy Saturday night. Richie had handed over expo to Carmy so he could deal with the front of house noise, leaving Syd and Tina both covering his station.
"I need to fire the dessert right now for table 4 and 8 please, Marcus."
"Yes, Chef."
"Are those the two tables waiting to turnover?" Syd called over,
"Richie's waxing, don't worry. They'll be sitting in 20. Yes Marcus?" Carmy confirmed, pushing Marcus for the desserts.
"Heard, Chef. Plating now."
"Excellent, thank you. Can I have hands ready to go please. 4 and 8, let's go." Syd watched Carmy direct the expo with ease, unperturbed by the additional stress of the first cover's late arrival and the second's early arrival.
"Hate it when people are late."
"Early is just as bad."
"Early gets a drink at the bar. Late pisses everyone off." She reasoned.
"It's done. Let's move on, I've got 3 halibut and 5 salmon all day?'
"3 halibut, 5 salmon all day, Chef." She confirmed,
"Behind, Jeff," Tina called out at the same time, brushing just a hair too close to Syd and catching her wrist with the hot pan.
"Shit," Syd gasped, the pain taking her breath away,
"Baby, I'm so sorry! Fuck, let's get you under some water, honey -"
"It's OK, you carry on. Marcus, can you plate these please?" Syd stepped away from her fish as Marcus moved into her space. Carmy was already running the faucet so she plunged her hand straight under the water flow. Her eyes screwed up, she grimaced in pain as Carmy took her hand and turned it over to check the burn.
"Looks nasty. Keep it under there," he instructed. "Let's get 2 of those halibut and 1 salmon ready to pick up, Marcus. Followed by 3 salmon."
"Yes, Chef. You good, Syd?"
"Fine Marcus, thanks. The first salmon is SOS, please."
"You got it, Chef."
"You good?" He asked quietly by her side,
"Sure." She breathed out through pursed lips, pain still evident on her face. She went to move her hand from the water, but his firm grip still holding it kept her from doing so.
"Not yet. Still hurts?" She nodded, "so keep it there." He said firmly.
"That's new 4 and 8 seated. Order coming on now." Richie moved through the kitchen,
"Thanks, cousin, are they happy?"
"Nothing a couple of free margaritas won't cure."
"Fucking heard, Chef." Syd agreed, teeth still gritted against the pain.
"Ouch, burn baby burn? I'll save you a marg, Syd. Tequila will take all your pain away, honey." Richie bounced her shoulder sympathetically as he passed. She stood with her hand under the water for 10 long minutes with Carmy checking in periodically, mostly to make sure she hadn't moved.
"My fingers are numb, can I move now?" She asked, he nodded as his pen flew across the table information and crossed off the latest table completed.
"Yeah, c’mere," he turned to draw her in and pulled the first aid kit from under the table. He took out the burn ointment and smeared some across his index finger before lightly applying it to the angry red burn on the side of her hand. Her free hand pulled her jacket collar away from where it crowded her neck, his eyes flicked up to watch her. She could feel the goosebumps on her arm as he gripped it gently to apply the cream. She was fascinated by the diligence and tenderness he touched her with as the rest of the busy kitchen disappeared around her. "Plating tables 10 and 16, Marcus?" He called out, his focus split equally between the crew and the tickets lined up on the expo, and her. She felt her heart rate pick up as she watched him multitask. She'd tried for a long time to ignore the ache between her legs whenever he exuded total control like this. Seeing his confidence and skill in full flight was really something. "That ok?" He asked quietly, bringing her back down to earth.
"Yep. Yes, Chef. Thank you."
"Good. You've got 2 halibut and 4 salmon all day."
"2 halibut, 4 salmon all day." She repeated back, tearing herself from his side and back to her station. Tina was wrapping her in a hug instantly,
“I’m so sorry, baby. Are you ok? Lemme see,” She turned Syd’s hand over in her own,
“It’s ok T, I’m fine. It’s not a bad one.” She reassured the older woman, “let’s get back on it,” she listened carefully so she could get caught up and the rest of the service went without issue. As promised, Richie delivered an ice cold margarita to her station just as they wound down and started the clean up.
“Coulda been worse sweetheart, I once put my whole palm down on a stovetop. It was one of those electric hotplate ones an’ I forgot it was on. Burned my whole hand. Fuckin’ grim, and holy shit the pain was insane.” He held up his palm, examining it for signs of evidence.
“Thanks Richie, god that’s gorgeous." She took a long drink from the cold cocktail. "Front of house get cleaned up under your watch?”
“Sure it did, smooth as a baby’s ass. No one had a clue.” She grinned at his enthusiasm.
“Ok. Same again tomorrow?”
“You know it, Chef. Someone wants stars after all,” he rolled his eyes affectionately.
“Oh c’mon Richie, you know you want it too. Don’t pretend you weren’t impressed at Ever.” She teased.
“We’re gonna be better kiddo.” He slung an arm around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head before dancing away from her, “ When you wish upon a star, Your dreams will take you very far, yeah, ” he sang, “ You're a shining star, no matter who you are, shining bright to see, what you could truly be… ”
“Beautiful, thanks for that. Really showing your age there with the 70s disco.” He laughed,
“Everyone loves a classic. What’s your dad listen to?”
“Yeah, it’s the classics for sure. Disco, Soul, Motown, a little 70s rock, he really likes to get down. Got some great pictures of orange corduroy flares and silk shirts.” She grinned, “I literally caught him this morning busting a move while he made coffee. He made me go to dance classes with him when I was a kid.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, cos y’know… my mom. He wanted to meet people, make some friends, but it’s not easy I guess with a kid hanging around, so he just took me with him.”
“Cute, So you’re gonna go on Dancing with the Stars once you’re a top fuckin’ famous chef, yeah?” Across the room, she caught Carmy laughing.
“No, hell no. It was 20 years ago, I have conveniently forgotten everything I ever learned.”
“Bullshit! Yo Tina, did you know Syd’s got moves?”
“Course she does honey,” Tina scoffed, “we’re always dancin’ around here when you ain’t watchin’! So, we done here, Chefs?” She looked around to assess how everyone else was getting on.
“Yes, Chef. Let’s go home. I could fall asleep on my feet.” Syd sighed, a yawn creeping up on her.
“Syd, fall menu tomorrow?” Carmy asked as they all milled around grabbing coats and changing shoes.
“Yeah sure, I was going to swing by the market at Logan Square in the morning first?” Syd could feel Tina watching them,
“Sounds good, mind if I get in on that?”
“No, that’s… that’s totally fine.” She frowned as she spotted Tina turning to hide a smile. “Night everyone,” she took Tina’s arm and the two women left together out into the warm evening.
“Something goin’ on there?” Tina asked as soon as they were away from the building.
“No! Tina, god no. That is a ridiculous suggestion. It would be a terrible idea, for one. And secondly, I don’t even like Carmy y’know, like that .”
“Sure honey, it’s not like you idiots are spending all day looking at each other or anything like that, right? You must think I’m blind, babe.” She laughed.
“Shut up, Tina.” Syd grumbled as her Sous pulled her along to the train station.
~~~~~
“Yo, what’s that?” Carmy asked, weeks later. Sundays in Logan Square followed by brainstorming/ cooking/ menu planning at Carmy's had become the new normal.
“What’s what?” She said, a teaspoon held between her teeth.
“That face?”
“It’s just my face?”
“No, there was a look - is it the consommé?” He took the spoon from her mouth, and dipped it into the amber liquid to try.
“Don’t double dip.”
“It’s only us eating it, doesn’t count.”
“The consommé is fine.”
“Yeah, so what’s up?”
“I just have a thing… I’ve done something to my shoulder,” she winced as she rotated it.
“May I?” He asked, raising his hands. She nodded and he stepped behind her, “where?”
“Like, below my shoulder blade, kinda here -” she stretched her hand behind her back and roughly pointed to the area where her bra’s shoulder strap met the horizontal band with a sharp intake of breath, “hurts like a motherfuc -” His thumb pressed into the soft flesh of her back,
“Here?”
“Little lower,” she squeaked, “and to the lef -, ohh fuck,” she trailed off with a sigh as he found the problem area.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she breathed. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck, and the warmth of his hands - one kneading the space somewhere between her shoulder blade and the top of her ribs, and the other on the opposite side of her waist to hold her still. She could feel how rigidly she stood.
“Relax, s’probably not helping.”
“Easy for you to say.” She muttered, desperately gritting her teeth to hide the moan on the tip of her tongue.
“Yeah, right.” His thumb found a particularly tender spot,
“Ohh god, fuck,” she let out a broken whine, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in embarrassment. She jerked away from him but his hand on her waist held tighter,
“Just -, I’ve nearly got it, Syd.” He said hoarsely. “Better?” He asked, clearing his throat. She let out the breath she’d been holding, it felt like she couldn’t hear her own thoughts - only white noise.
“Yep, great. Thanks.” She turned to face him, fiddling with the collar of her t-shirt. “I gotta… I gotta split, my dad’s been on me for not hanging out with him anymore.”
“You doing anything?”
“There’s an exhibit he wanted to see at the Art Institute. Was gonna take him to get crepes after.”
“S’good, you should get outta here.” He shoved his hair back, pushing the curls off his face.
“See you tomorrow?"
"For sure. Say hi to your dad from me." He said shyly.
"Yeah, maybe next time uhh, I dunno, you could come too. If you wanted, I mean. I keep meaning to take him for breakfast at Kasama." She wrung her hands, swaying lightly on the balls of her feet.
"I'd like that, Syd." A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, "But you should go, otherwise he'll uninvite me."
"Fuck yes, yes he would." She rushed for the door, a loud "see ya!" As it slammed behind her.
Another couple of weeks rolled on, and as much as Syd didn't care to admit it, Carmy had been right. Taking their time, building everyone's confidence at their own individual pace, caring about every detail, was working. By running a minor injuries triage on the sideline, Carmy had kept Syd on the straight and narrow. The good vibes were almost intoxicating. As they’d moved into early September, Nat had reduced her hours to as few as possible with her due date looming but she was impressed with how things had improved since opening night. Yet Syd couldn’t switch her brain off. It felt like a constant stream of thought, she could feel herself only giving half of herself to any conversations she was a part of, the other half consumed with what they needed to do next, do better, do more of.
“Yo, Syd, you listening?”
“Of course I am,” she looked up sharply at Marcus,
“What’d I say?”
“We were talking about…” she racked her brain, the guilt mounting. She hadn’t been listening, not even close. The last thing she’d heard was about Luca’s plans to visit, she’d then switched off to think about whether she and Carmy could drag him in for a day or two of training with a few of the crew. She was outlining a possible training plan in her mind, splitting the two days into chunks of time dedicated to the things she wanted him to show them.
“It’s a nice idea, Marcus, totally fine for you to take a day or two and show Luca around.” Carmy confirmed,
“It’s a great idea. There are so many good places you could show him.” Syd nodded along, shooting Carmy a grateful look for saving her. Marcus grinned,
“Thanks guys, ‘preciate it.” He left the office and went back to his station, pulling his phone out to text Luca.
“Not listening?”
“Thank you for the save.” She slumped further into the spare office chair.
“You got lucky.”
“Ok, ok, I zoned out.”
“You’re always zoning out. Pretty sure you don’t really listen to anyone anymore.”
“I listen to you. Usually. I had an idea about doing a workshop with Luca - if he’s up for it?”
“Dude comes on vacation and you want to put him to work?”
“He’d love it.”
“We’ll think about it.” He assured her, “where’s your head at?” She looked away at the books over his shoulder,
“I dunno,” she mumbled, “s’like I… like my brain is just so full of stuff, I can’t think fast enough, can’t write it all down quickly enough. I just can’t switch it off, it’s constant.” She tried to think of the last time her mind wasn’t a relentlessly moving machine.
“You sleeping?”
“Sometimes. I get a few hours if I’m lucky. Don’t you feel like this too?” She asked, almost desperately.
“I used to, til someone started giving me shit about having my full focus.”
“Haha, so funny,” she rolled her eyes, “I’m serious.”
“So am I. That is how it felt before. Then you told me to focus, so I did. One thing at a time. Mostly.”
“What’d you do?”
“Listened to you. Prep helps - keeps my hands busy and gives me time to think.”
“I don’t get it. Did you know Dolly Parton wrote I Will Always Love you and Jolene on the same damn day? So why the hell can’t I do what I need to do in a day? I need to empty my brain completely first. A total reset. Just blank space, no thoughts at all. White noise.” She rubbed her tired eyes, “now that would be first fucking class.” She handed him her half empty iced coffee and swiped the half slice of toast left on his plate holding it between her teeth, “Oh fuck -”
“S’up, channeling Dolly Parton?” He sniggered.
“No!” She scoffed, “I just realized how to… ugh, but it means Tina was right. God fucking damn.” She chewed thoughtfully.
“You’ve lost me?”
“Yeah, nevermind. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah?”
“For real. Back to it, Chef.” She left the office, still cursing under her breath.
White noise. Suddenly it was all Syd could think about, the last time her brain had got up and walked out on her had been when Carmy had his hands on her. She'd felt the warmth of his hands through her clothes burning into her skin, his firm but careful touch trying not to hurt her. The way he'd grazed a particularly sensitive spot that would have made her knees buckle if the table hadn't been holding her up. And of course Tina had been right about the best way to relax. Because of course that would be the answer. She fell practically mute during service, robotically repeating back to Richie on expo, but otherwise not really engaging. She missed the whole conversation about Tina’s birthday plans, didn’t even flinch when Connor dropped a baking sheet right at her feet and didn’t once argue with Richie. She could feel Carmy’s gaze burning right through her at every opportunity, but he didn’t pull her up on her silence.
“Earth to Sydney Adamu, come in Sydney Adamu? Are you reading me?” Richie called over, using his hands as an amplifier,
“Sorry Richie, miles away. What’s up?”
“... Dude, that’s what I’m askin’ you? Where’s my sparring partner, huh? I musta mispronounced at least three different dishes tonight and you didn’t rip me even once! An’ you know I can’t rely on Carmen for witty banter - that’s our bag!”
“Witty banter?” She laughed, “I’m very sorry Rich, it won’t happen again. I promise if you really want me to roast you next time you fuck up, I’ll be there in a hearbeat.”
“That’s my girl! That’s what I wanna hear! Ok lizards, that’s the kitchen closed - thank you and goodnight. Not literally of course, get cleaning. Cousin, coming to burn one?” Carmy shot her one last look before following Richie.
“Baby, you good? I like, signed you up to cater my whole fuckin’ birthday party and you just agreed no questions asked?” Syd sighed with relief, of course she would have agreed to that regardless.
“T, hell could freeze over and I’ll still do your birthday. You know that!”
“I know, just don’t want you burning out - you’re workin’ too hard.”
“I’m working the same as I always do. I promise I’m fine.” She popped a kiss on Tina’s cheek as Richie and Carmy came back in to join the clean up. By the time the kitchen was spotless, Syd was drained. She called out goodbyes from the office as the others left, scribbling notes before they got overtaken in her brain by something else and something else and something else.
"Syd, home." Carmy peered around the door. Half the lights were off and there were only the two of them left.
"Shit, sorry. Yeah, I'm going." She dragged herself from the desk.
"Look, can I try something - and you can tell me to fuck off?"
"I doubt I'm gonna tell you to fuck off, Carm."
"You might. Close your eyes?" She hesitated, but did as he asked. "What are you thinking?"
"Honestly?" She felt him nod.
"Well, I started to think we needed a new fruit supplier cos I swear we're being screwed on strawberries. Then I got onto strawberries being ready earlier each year because, y'know, climate change. So I doomspiralled a little, wondering if we need to move premises due to flooding, food prices, food shortages… but then I got kinda back on track thinking we could grow our own fruit and vegetables but that's, like, a lot of work and now I'm just about back to getting a better fucking supplier - ohh, or joining up with other spots nearby to buy bigger quantities, cheaper? Also, climate change is gonna kill us all, so that was a fun little detour." She finally stopped, eyes still closed, it was so quiet she wondered if Carmy had just left the building during her rant. Then he laughed. A lot.
"Syd sweetheart, fuck, you need to get some sleep."
"Fuck you, I know I do. But that is the state of my mind at the moment, and it is not funny! Things are going so well, why can’t my mind just let me breathe?" She sighed. "Can I open my eyes now?"
"No." She felt a hand on her waist, his insistent kiss on her lips, and she squeaked in surprise. He pulled away as she leaned in, leaving her swaying on the spot.
"Oh." She opened her eyes with just enough time to see him move towards her again.
"Oh? Should I stop?" He asked. She shook her head, words failing. Somewhat more prepared this time, she met him halfway in an instant clash of tongues and teeth. With one gentle push backwards, he'd pressed her against the wall. She gripped his t-shirt in her fist, catching the chain around his neck at the same time.
"Ohh god," she moaned in exactly the same way as she had in his kitchen. He nipped along her jawline, one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her ass.
"Sounds familiar," she could feel him smile, "how's all the big brain shit goin'?"
"Fuck, Carm -" She gasped as his hand moved from her neck to palm her breast over her t-shirt, "no thoughts here." He pulled away from her abruptly, holding her steady against the wall,
"Good girl." He watched as her breath stuttered at his compliment and smirked. He flicked his wrist at the button of her pants, and kept his eyes on her as he slid them over the curve of her ass. She nodded for him to continue, and he dropped to his knees in front of her, dragging the material down her leg and pulling off her sneakers. She waited for him to reappear, but he didn't. Instead, he hooked her knee over his shoulder,
"Wait, what?"
"I'll stop when you forget your own name. How's that sound?" Her jaw dropped, "kidding. Mostly. Say now, and I stop, and we can forget this ever happened, 'K?"
"I don't want you to stop," she whispered.
"Good." He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her soaked underwear and pulled them down her legs, then he nudged her legs apart and lifted one to drape it over his shoulder. "So wet, Syd," he teased, peppering her inner thighs with kisses. He licked a broad stroke through her folds, his nose nestling up against her clit. She could feel her knees shaking so he put a firm hand on the hip of her raised leg to hold her steady. His other hand moved to join his determined mouth, he replaced his tongue fucking her with his fingers and turned his attention to suck her clit
"Oh f-fucking fuck , Carm," She tangled a hand in his hair, partly to stop him from moving, and partly to keep herself upright. His fingers, knuckle deep inside her, pumped lazily in and out while he savored her taste, wanting to drag out her pleasure for as long as possible. Her dripping cunt ached for release but he didn't let up.
"You wanna come for me, baby?" He murmured as she whimpered at the loss of his tongue.
"Yes, god yes -" her hips twitched towards him, changing the angle so his fingers brushed against her g-spot, he flicked his tongue over her clit at the same time and felt her walls contract around his fingers as she came apart completely with a broken sob of his name. He rested his head against her thigh as she leaned limply into the wall. Her legs trembled, so he slipped her underwear back up, sat back and guided her down the wall to sit in his lap. "Holy shit." She whispered once she'd recovered her breath.
"How's your head?" He asked, dropping a kiss to her temple.
"Hmm, pretty empty." She smiled into the crook of his shoulder. She kissed a trail up to his ear and along his jaw, tasting herself on his tongue. With a desperate moan, she moved to straddle his hips, her knees on the cold, hard floor. She could feel him rock hard through his pants and rutted against him.
"So fuckin' beautiful, Syd." His hands gripped her ass, holding her against him and making them both moan. His phone vibrated across the desk and onto the floor as he slid his hands underneath her t-shirt, "ignore it." He told her, tickling the sides of her ribs while he tried to pull it off. She batted his hands away and leaned away from him to reach it.
"Fuck, it's Pete?" She handed it over and he swiped to answer the call just before it rang off.
"Hey man, you good?" Syd couldn't hear Pete's response, but she could see Carmy's frown deepen. She moved to get up from his lap but his hand on her bare thigh stopped her. "On my way. No, no Richie till later - got it. Yeah, I'll bring Syd. Later dude." The phone dropped into his lap between their bodies. "We gotta go."
"We?"
"Baby's coming, Nat wants you there."
"Oh no, no no. That's not… I don't like hospitals. And it's really late. And I'm pretty sure they only let family in, so -"
"We'll figure it out later, come with me?" He cupped her jaw, bringing her face close to his again, and kissed her, "and we'll figure this out later. C'mon." She stood up with ease, her legs now more willing to cooperate, and held out a hand to help him up. He kissed her again, his cock still half hard pressed into her thigh, "fucking family. Figuring this out later for sure." She pulled away first, hands fluttering nervously as she found interest in her bare feet, the coral nail polish a pop of brightness in the dimly lit room.
"I'm gonna get cleaned up. Have we got time?" She picked up her clothes from the floor,
"Pete said it's still a while off, we're OK for now." She nodded, considering his wild hair and disheveled clothes.
"You should straighten up too. She's your sister, full blown labor or not she's gonna know straight away."
"Yeah, yeah I will." He nodded in agreement. She took her time in the beautifully decorated bathroom. The dark wallpaper and paint with the brushed gold features were all her and Nat. They'd spent an afternoon in a DIY store together picking out the colors and accessories. She switched with Carmy, and while he was in the bathroom, she put her sneakers back on and switched off the remaining lights.
#sydcarmy smut#sydcarmy fanfic#sydcarmy fic#sydcarmy#the bear fic#the bear fx#syd x carmy#carmy x sydney#carmen x sydney#carmy x syd#syd adamu#syd x carmen#sydney adamu#carmy berzatto
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𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕀 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 ℤ𝕖𝕣𝕠 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕠𝕠𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕.
1. They both have a white horse.
2. Born from human parents
3. She sacrificed herself for the sake of humans. Like a shield against the vampires. She created a weapon. Weapon and shield? Vampire knight.
4. The looks.
5. On Kaname's chess game, Zero is the white horse (knight)
6. Yuuki saw a sealed chained "coffin" image in Zero's mind when she drank from him.
7. Out of all hunters, Kaname chooses Zero as his knight (fangirls)
8. Zero was ready to sacrifice himself for Yuuki. History repeats itself?
9. Zero's weapon connects with him.
10. There was a scene in the manga where Kaname looked at Zero past Yuuki. His face resembled regret, pain. (His resemblance to the hooded woman) Then he closes his eyes, accepting that what he lost, he can't have.
11. We can also notice how Kaname seems to be staring at Zero, he starts saying something like: "Ha..." Maybe he slips and almost calls The hooded woman's name? It could also mean that Zero reminds him of THW not only with his looks, but character.
12. Maybe his cold actions towards Zero have a reason too. He wants to keep himself from getting hurt again.
13. The Bloody Rose refused to kill Zero, and Kaname knew it would before Zero even pointed his gun at him.
14. Yuuki stated that THW seems familiar to her, like she knew this person all along.
15. There is a picture of Kaname and Zero as wolves. This is a pureblood ability. Zero is carrying the genetics of THW, the body. The heart is the weapons, so most likely the heart will return to the body which might be a way to revive a pureblood.
16. Kaname says to Zero once: "you're supposed to be her shield" THW was a shield = Zero.
17. What does a mirror Kaname's crying at mean? (After he lost THW)
18. We never get to see Zero's parent's faces, or history.
19. Kaname sees that it's time for the next generation to take over. He sees himself in Yuuki (I think she's his descendant) and THW in Zero. Bringing an end to the reign of purebloods. He planned to replace THW as a father metal.
20. Zero considers THW with hugh value and respect, not like the other purebloods.
21. Something about Zero and Ichiru being born separately. I think the twin curse could be a way for the original pureblood vampire to revive. The power was too great, so they were born separately. Both twins become one later. Zero is the reminder to the hunters clan of their actions of consuming a pureblood vampire.
22. Relathionship between Kaname and Zero has more depth, especially from Kaname's side. Kaname slips and sometimes used Zero's first name, usually when he's emotional or talking in a free manner. Like in chapter 81, he was disgusted that Zero drank Sara's blood. Also in chapter 30, when he made Zero drink his blood. (Fangirls)
23. Kaname warned that he'll kill Zero, but he didn't even make an attempt! Zero is a hindrance to his plans.
24. Kaname never attempted to kill Zero when Takuma took him. Also when Kaname tried to take control of him (chapter 82 where they almost kissed X3)
25. Zero went kinda pale, in a blank state when THW appears. As if he was aware of her lingering presence.
26. I think THW had children with Kaname. Before she leaves for a mission, she mentions a "secret" she's hidden from Kaname.
Kaname realised that THW was the least person he suspected and used as his pawn and he lost him. :(( Wonder if Zero feels some kind of connection.
#vampire knight memories#kuran kaname#vampire hunter#zero kiryuu#ai kuran#eternalyume#kaname x zero#matsuri hino#yuuki kuran#yuki cross#vampire knight blog#vampire knight theories#vampire knight
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Part 10 of Discovering Safety
CHAPTER THREE
Dick Grayson has been going crazy for about a year now. This new threat to Jason’s safety though, is pushing him to consider doing something he feels he shouldn’t.
It began with a rut. He had returned to the Manor at 21 and had been living there for two years by this point. He had gotten reacquainted with his childhood bedroom and been in the middle of his rut when it happened.
For the three years he had lived in Bludhaven he had lived alone in an apartment he rented with money from whatever job he was working. As such he could bring home anyone he wanted and enjoy his rut with them.
He’d had a few girlfriends and boyfriends but never anything serious. He could usually count on someone being there to help him with a rut though, which made his return to the manor a bit rocky.
Bruce had a strict rule against bringing strangers over, that he had established when a 16 year old Dick had brought his girlfriend over while she was in heat. Bruce had been livid and only seemed to calm when, after three month, she hadn’t turned up pregnant at their door. It had been one of those moments that made Dick crave independence from the other alpha who he felt was too controlling of his life.
Regardless of who was right back then, the rule had not changed and so Dick was forced to either stay with someone for his rut which he hated doing, or have one alone. By the second year of being back home Dick had gotten used to the idea of not bringing people over and rarely dated anymore.
He blamed what happened on that, on his lack of bed partners. He refuses to accept that while he got himself off he had been thinking of a certain omega, regardless of who’s name he had called out.
He ignores the fact that in the year since, he had woken from erotic dreams of knotting a certain blue eyed omega. He ignores the way his dreams and fantasies smelled of warm cinnamon and crisp apples.
In the end, the threat has made him acknowledge the truth. It’s hard to explain away the fact that he deliberately let Jason have free reign of his room, or that he hadn’t needed to cuddle the other man to him last night while shirtless. He had done so anyway, desperate to have Jason’s hungry eyes on him again, the sweet scent of his arousal tingeing the air as he lost control of his scent like he had when Dick had forgotten to dress after his shower.
As he makes his way downstairs he can’t help but berate himself for his feelings. He has just gotten Jason to trust him and now he wants to jeopardize that over a few lust-filled thoughts.
As he meets Jason halfway to the den he decides to throw his worries aside and focus on what really matters, taking care of his omega. They soon arrive at the den, but in the meantime Dick looks his fill of the omega. Jason's soft black locks look silky and soft, his face a little red from crying but his pretty blue eyes no longer have tears in them and it makes Dick happy.
He had worried earlier when the omega had cried as he isn’t prone to tears, but he seems to have bounced back and will hopefully find comfort with him and the others of their pack. They join the others in a pillow fort that they have made, as Tim puts a movie on and Damian makes Jason lay down beside him to receive hugs.
Bruce passes the omega a mug of camomile tea to drink while Tim cuddles up on his other side. Dick isn’t sure where he’s going to go until Jason motions for him to lay down in his place.
He does so and soon has the other laying atop him with the younger boys flanking them on either side. Bruce seems content to lay on Damian’s other side while they watch the film. They are two hours into their movie marathon when Dick feels Jason finally slip into sleep. He smiles, content to hold his omega while he rests.
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The Bezzle excerpt (Part V)
I'm on tour with my new novel The Bezzle! Catch me TONIGHT in SAN DIEGO (Feb 22, Mysterious Galaxy). After that, it's LA (Saturday night, with Adam Conover), Seattle (Monday, with Neal Stephenson), then Portland, Phoenix and more!
I'm out on tour with my new novel, The Bezzle, a cyberpunk revenge thriller about Marty Hench, a two-fisted forensic accountant, and a guerrilla war he wages on a prison-tech provider that treats incarcerated people as assets to be strip-mined:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/16/narrative-capitalism/#bezzle-tour
If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/22/self-censorship/#acab
As part of the promotion for the book, I've been serializing an excerpt: Chapter 14, in which Marty takes on a side-quest to recover the stolen royalties of one-time funk star Stephon Magner (AKA Steve Soul) which were stolen by his scumbag manager and then sold on to an even scummier sample-licensing clearinghouse.
Today, I bring you part five, in which Marty's simple cross-referencing project is violently altered by an encounter with the criminal gangs of the LA Sheriffs Deputy departments, a real crime-syndicate whose reign of terror continues to this day:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-17/dozens-of-lasd-deputies-ordered-to-show-suspected-gang-tattoos-reveal-others-who-have-them
I'm posting this installment en route to San Diego, where I'll be appearing tonight at Mysterious Galaxy
https://www.mystgalaxy.com/22224Doctorow
From there, it's back to LA, where I'm appearing on Saturday evening with Adam Conover at Vromans:
https://www.vromansbookstore.com/Cory-Doctorow-discusses-The-Bezzle
And then on Monday I'll be at Third Place Books with Neal Stephenson:
https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/cory-doctorow
From there, I'm off to Portland, Phoenix, Tucson and points further:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/16/narrative-capitalism/#bezzle-tour
Here's part one of the serial:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/17/the-steve-soul-caper/#lead-singer-disease
Part two:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/19/crad-kilodney-was-an-outlier/#copyright-termination
Part three:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/20/fore/#lawyer-up
Part four:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#poacher-turned-keeper
And now, part five!
The storefront had an old break room with a first-aid kit, and a bathroom with a sink. I sponged myself clean in the mirror, ate two expired Aleves and three 200 mg expired Tylenols out of the kit. The ass was ripped most of the way out of my pants, so I moved my wallet to my front pocket, which my massage therapist had been nagging at me to do for years.
I opened the door more carefully this time and limped out into the parking lot. My rental—a little red Civic—was the only car left in the parking lot, except for a rusted junker with no tires that was the perennial sentry of its farthest corner.
I bipped the doors open with my fob, checked the back seat, then slid inside. I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror and winced, which pulled at my bruises and set blood oozing from my lip and cheekbone again, which made me wince harder. I was already halfway to Quasimodo and I tried to remember if there was a 7-Eleven on the route home where I could buy a couple of bags of frozen peas for the swelling.
I reset the mirror and backed out of my spot. The pain was increasing. They’d have Advil at the 7-Eleven, and I’d remembered where there was one on the way back to my Airbnb.
As I waited for a red light at Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevard, I watched as a homeless man labored across the road with his shopping cart. I was still watching him when I realized the light had been green for some time and had just toggled yellow. I made the turn and headed up Colorado, but I was barely a hundred yards down the road when I heard a siren blat and saw the police lights. I checked my mirrors and saw the LASD cruiser directly behind me, racing right up to my bumper, slowing only at the very last moment. The cruiser’s high beams blinked insistently and the siren whooped.
I pulled over.
I waited while the officer slowly got out of his car and walked to my driver’s-side window. I kept my hands at ten and two. The officer tapped my window and made a roll-down motion, so I hit the button, moving slowly, putting my hand back.
I got a light in my face, squinting and thus reopening my cheekbone and lip.
“Everything all right, sir?”
“Yes,” I said, feeling the blood ooze down my chin. “I was beaten up,” I said, stating the obvious.
“That is unfortunate,” the officer said. “License and registration.”
I got my driver’s license out of my wallet and found the rental papers in the glove box and handed them over. He crunched back to his cruiser and I watched him in the side mirror. He’d left his cruiser’s headlights on and in the glare it was hard to tell, but it looked like there was another cop in the car whom he was conferring with. After a long delay, he came back.
“Step out of the car, please.”
I did. He turned me around and had me plant my hands on the hood, kicked my feet apart, and roughly frisked me, getting his hand inside the rent in the seat of my pants and patting my boxer shorts and giving my balls a hard squeeze.
“Sir, do you know why I stopped you?”
“I don’t,” I said.
“You proceeded unsafely through a traffic signal. Have you been drinking, sir?”
“I haven’t.”
“Have you consumed any cannabis or other drugs?”
“I haven’t.”
He turned me around and shone his light in my eyes. “If I search your car, am I gonna find any drugs?”
“No, sir.”
“Because I am gonna search that car and if I do find drugs and you’ve been lying to me, this is gonna be a lot worse than it needs to be.”
I didn’t dignify that with a response. My head hurt. My face hurt. My back hurt. This was a bullshit stop.
I expected the deputy’s partner to get out of the cruiser while my tormentor tossed the rental car, but he stayed put. I did, too. Obviously. I wasn’t going to take off on foot. I’m a forensic accountant, not a gang kid getting fifteen minutes of fame on Cops.
He spent long enough on the rental that I started to worry. Who knew what some previous driver might have shoved between the seats? But after pulling out the floor mats and tossing them onto the grassy verge beside the car, he finally stood up.
“All right, sir. I’m going to go and get a breathalyzer test. You can refuse it and I will then suspend your license for twenty- four hours. I will arrest you for a suspected DUI and bring you in for a blood test. If you fail that test, you will be subject to additional criminal penalties. Do you understand me?”
He had old coffee on his breath. My face hurt. “I’ll take a test.”
Back to the cruiser. It had been half an hour at least. Once the breathalyzer was done—fifteen minutes, if memory served—I could go to the 7-Eleven for painkillers and frozen peas. I decided I’d add a six-pack, I was so tired. My face hurt. I knew that mouthing off to this cop wouldn’t make things go faster, quite the opposite, but as he took his leisurely time coming back to me, I was hard-pressed not to.
I blew. “May I sit down?” I asked. “My face hurts.”
He didn’t bother to look up from his phone. “Stay where you are, sir.”
I stood. My face hurt. Time crawled. Finally, the breathalyzer beeped. He held it up and squinted at it, then used his phone to light up its face.
When he did, his sleeve rode up and revealed the “998” tattoo on his forearm. Suddenly, I didn’t care so much about the pain in my face.
The cop looked at me. He was an older guy, but quite a silver fox, in a Clooneyoid sort of way. Had the same smile lines at the corners of his lips and eyes. But on him, they looked mean. Dangerous. A man who would smile at you while he beat your face in.
“All right, sir,” he said. “I’m going to write you a citation for reckless driving and you will be free to go.” He smiled. “Thank you for your cooperation.” It sounded like “fuck you.”
Back to the cruiser again. When he was done writing, he switched off his headlights, and the bubble light inside the car lit up his partner. Heavyset. Smiling. Excellent teeth. He gave me the same look as he had just before kicking me in the ribs. I gasped involuntarily and my ribs burned. His smile got bigger.
The Clooneyoid deputy returned with my ticket. I looked at it and then I realized he’d said “reckless driving”—not “dangerous driving.” This was a summons, not a citation. For a misdemeanor. Two points off my license and I’d have to go to court. Depending on the judge, I could be in for fines or even a jail sentence.
Clooneyoid saw me figuring this out and he smiled, too. Everyone was having a great time tonight except for poor old Marty Hench.
“See you in court, sir,” he said.
I exercised extreme care on the drive to the 7-Eleven, even backing out of my parking spot and reparking so that I was perfectly centered between the white lines. The clerk didn’t bat an eye at my hamburger face. I gave myself five minutes to bury my bruises in the frozen peas before I backed out and drove the rest of the way to my Airbnb.
I drove five under the limit the whole way, and when I got out of my rental, I looked long and hard up and down the street for an LA Sheriff’s Department cruiser.
ETA: Here's part six!
If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:
https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/22/self-censorship/#acab
#pluralistic#the bezzle#martin hench#marty hench#red team blues#fiction#crime fiction#crime thrillers#thrillers#technothrillers#novels#books#royalties#wage theft#creative labor
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"SIDE GOLD"
PROFILE: UNNO YUTAKA
* List of Chapters
Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Anno
Real name: Unno Yutaka
Terms of address: Unno, Boss, Yutaka-chan, Bastard, Demon Unno
Origin: Toyokumo no Kami (God of Clouds)
[PROFILE]
Birthday: 16/08, Leo.
Blood type: B
Age: 21 years old (at the beginning of the main story)
[APPEARANCE]
Physique: 1.66 cm in height. Medium build and height. Toned muscle.
Face, hair: A fierce look. Bright Eyes. He is charming when he smiles. Messy hairstyle.
Attire: White silk scarf. US Army flight jacket and boots.
Personal effects: None.
[HABITS, SKILLS]
· Sleep well anywhere.
· Eat well.
· He likes the sutegoro (fights with bare hands).
[IMPRESSION, OTHER NOTES]
· The image color is "red".
· A bomb that wants to explode alone and looks for its opponent.
[POSITION, OBJECTIVES]
The Third King, the Red King. The big boss of the yakuza group "Kagirohigumi".
Former Naval Flight Sergeant First Class, member of the Kamikaze Corps. On the day of the defeat, he flew out to launch a special attack against the US fleet, but his plane was shot down and he was lodged on a US warship. After returning to Japan, he awoke as the "Red King" while working to get rid of Japanese military weapons in Chofu. He is feared as a demon by the American forces that fought on the spot.
Beginning in 1948, he founded Kagirohigumi, which dominates many markets in burnt-out Tokyo and secretly reigns as its top boss.
Ever since he lost the war, this person lives every day to find someone who can throw away his "whatever there is". Always oscillating between that desire for destruction and the comfort of being with his comrades, he is often irritated by his own imperfections. The power itself is used conveniently and there is nothing to think about in particular.
[PERSONALITY, CONDUCT]
The first person is "ore".
Todokoro Suwako is "Suwa". Okuma Tamataro is "Okuma". Rough mouth
Cheerful, free-spirited, reckless. He leaves behind a youthful innocence. He is a foul talker, but often gets to the point.
Broad-minded and not obsessed with the small things. He has great power to attract people.
Although he is kind-hearted, he doesn't like to be seen that way, so he acts violent on purpose.
Although he looks tough, he gets along well with people and has good judgment. He is honest and respectful to those he likes.
He has unusually strong willpower, and when he decides he must do it, he twists even his emotions and rushes forward.
He likes fights like no other, and he fights like he's breathing, but he doesn't drag it down.
Unless the other party appeals to the power of cowardly means or supernatural powers, he will not make use of his power either.
Although he has a strong sense of camaraderie, he is essentially unable to follow anyone. The so-called general mountain temperament.
However, he will not be coercive towards those below him and will treat them as peers of the same rank.
If someone hurts his comrades, he will immediately counterattack regardless of whether he is right or wrong.
[ABILITIES, TACTICS]
He freely manipulates the red flames and has the power to destroy and disturb everything. He specializes in hand-to-hand combat where he moves striking with jets of flame. He boasts of the destructive power of his flame encrusted fists. Basically, he is a fighting method, fighting only with intuition and sense instead of systematic techniques.
He often jumps into the air to understand the situation, but he can't stay in the air or float by himself.
[POWER]
A (Class "King".)
[LIKES]
Refreshing. A clean one.
Friends, especially Suwako and Okuma. Sushi Okara made by Suwako.
[DISLIKE]
To be bored. Something annoying.
Games of chance (to always bet everything and win the money at once).
[HOBBIES]
Fights and fights. Often it becomes an event due to other people's fights.
[CLAN]
"Kagirohigumi".
A yakuza group that dominates the postwar market. His predecessor was Kanto Okuma-gumi, founded by Tamataro Okuma's father, Hayataro. Apparently, it calls itself the "Kagirohi Trade Association" and is headquartered in the "Yakumo" gambling hall located at the back of "Kagirohi Yokocho" in Shizume City. It moves mainly for market division and self-defense. General management is left to Suwako Todokoro, and control of the group is left to Tamataro Okuma.
All of them are vassals who received the "Fire Cup" from the "Red King", and have powers related to fire. Having experienced many conflicts, he is used to fighting and is very good at team fights.
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RIVAMIKA FIC MASTERLIST
Hello, all! So, now that the first day of 2023 is here, I'd like to make a masterlist compilation of my RM works from 2021-2022!
Here there are in chronological order of posting:
1. Endure
Link: Ao3
Summary: After the war, Levi and Mikasa now live together in relative peace. But some scars still cause lingering pain.
Rating: T
Word Count: 908
Tags: Fluff, Slight Angst, Some mentions of PTSD, Post-War
Posted: March 03, 2021 on Tumblr | May 30, 2021 on Ao3
2. Glad That You're Here
Link: Ao3
Summary: When a night terror jolts Mikasa awake, Levi is there to calm and steady her.
Rating: T
Word Count: 748
Tags: Fluff, Angst, PTSD, Nightmares, Post-War
Posted: March 17, 2021 on Tumblr | May 31, 2022 on Ao3
3. Of Toys, Winds, and Apple Pies
Link: Ao3
Summary: On one sunny morning, Mikasa wakes up to Levi's eyes on her, their daughter's excited squeals, and an important epiphany.
Rating: T
Word Count: 2077
Tags: Fluff, Post-Canon, Slight Angst, Family
Posted: April 05, 2021 on Tumblr | June 01, 2021 on Ao3
4. Soldiers by Choice
Link: Ao3
Summary: In an alternate universe (AU) where the Ackerman clan is still hailed as the Protector of the Crown and the Asians within the Walls are highly revered for their wealth and skills in trade and medicine, Levi and Mikasa still choose to join the Survey Corps and traverse through Titan territory beyond the Walls. Throughout the years, their relationship grows as they fight side-by-side and slowly unravel the mysteries surrounding the Titans along with their comrades.
Childhood friends Eren and Armin become military cadets - vowing to avenge humanity against the havoc caused by the Titans. As they train to become stronger, they form bonds with others in their journey to become soldiers.
[This story covers the years 844-849.]
Rating: M
Word Count: 187,169 | 24 Chapters
Status: Complete
Tags: Alternate Universe, Eventual Romance, Changed ages, Tall Levi Ackerman, Falling In Love, Older Mikasa Ackerman, Slow Burn
Date of First Publication: June 03, 2021 on Tumblr and Ao3
5. A Tale of Swords and Crowns
Summary: When a group of rebellious knights and soldiers threatens the Realm’s peace, the Lord Commander of the Crown’s Grand Army takes a host of loyal soldiers to bring justice to the outlaws. Meanwhile, the Heir to the Iron Throne meets with the reigning monarch and one of the royal advisors.
OR
The Game-of-Thrones/House-of-the-Dragon-inspired RivaMika fic that no one asked for.
Rating: M
Word Count: 16256
Tags: Alternate Universe, Inspired by Game of Thrones, Inspired by House of the Dragon (TV), Smut
Posted: October 03, 2022 on Tumblr | October 02, 2022 Ao3
Link: Ao3
6. Could It Be
Link: Ao3
Summary: As a childhood tradition, Levi and Mikasa celebrate Valentine's Day as friends. But now that they’ve grown up, Mikasa wants to change some things.
Rating: G
Word Count: 4711
Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, Friends to Lovers
Posted: November 14, 2022 on Ao3
7. Making Things Work
Link: Ao3
Summary: Levi and Mikasa have been together for years. But with Mikasa studying medicine at Yale, and Levi taking up law at Harvard, their relationship is often tested by distance and conflicts in schedule.
Rating: G
Word Count: 2279
Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University
Posted: November 16, 2022 on Ao3
8. Fates Defined by Choices
Link: Ao3
Summary: With humanity being forced to live inside the Walls due to the threat of the Titans, the Survey Corps fights to eradicate the Titans to free mankind. At the forefront of the fight are Captains Levi and Mikasa Ackerman - known as Humanity’s Strongest Soldiers.
Having lost their hometown to the Titans 5 years ago, childhood friends Eren and Armin become soldiers with the goal of joining the Survey Corps. Together with comrades made along the way, they join the fight against the giants.
As their paths meet to go down the same road, they encounter startling discoveries and mysteries. Eventually, they realize that there are other dangers they must face.
OR
A re-telling of how the events of Attack on Titan unfold with the intervention and presence of Levi and Mikasa's clans - namely the Ackermans and the Azumabitos.
[This covers the events of the year 850 onwards.]
Sequel to ‘Soldiers by Choice’.
Rating: M
Status: In-Progress | Multi-chaptered fic
Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Tall Levi Ackerman, Older Mikasa Ackerman, Changed ages, Smut
Date of First Publication: November 17, 2022
9. Taking the Shot
Link: Ao3
Summary: Levi and Mikasa are the ace players of the Paradis University Archery Team, but do they have what it takes to take the most important shots?
Rating: G
Word Count: 7673
Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Friends to Lovers
Posted: November 27, 2022 on Ao3
10. Start of Something New
Link: Ao3
Summary: Levi and Mikasa have been singing and performing together ever since their high school Glee Club days. But now that they’re college students at Julliard, Levi wants to try something new.
Rating: G
Word Count: 7877
Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Friends to Lovers
Posted: December 9, 2022 on Ao3
And there you have it! All the RM fics I wrote from 2021-2022! I'm making this my pinned post for now in case anyone wants to take a gander at any of these fics of mine. Hehehe. If you guys do read any of them, let me know what you think!
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4 [Broke Boys] 10 16
4. What detail in Broke Boys are you really proud of?
Hmmmm!!!! This is a tough one!! I think I'm proud of a few details that I can't really talk about yet, but maybe I can, later once BB is finished :D For now, I'll say that I'm proud of my foreshadowing in chapter 8, when Izuku tells Katsuki to wear his hiking shoes on the drive. I thought it was subtle and fun. I think I'm proud of a lot of that chapter, actually.
10. How do you decide what to write?
I come up with a lot of ideas. Maybe too many, honestly. Just ask @macksmilesback because she bears the full brunt of all of my ideas, and is very kind and patient about it. I don't really start seriously writing something though until I have a clear idea of how it will end, though. And when I say clear, I mean crystal clear. So in order to know how it ends, I usually need a pretty good picture of who/what the antagonist, what problems need to be solved along the way, and what the arc/arcs are.
Tbh I'm still developing my process though! BB is my first really long fic that I am finishing in a semi-organized way. It has taught me so much about what I need to do as a writer though. When I was stuck on where to go for a chapter, I could always look toward my planned ending, and write a chapter that took us closer to that.
Other than that, there is some strategy that comes into it. I kind of only want to write one long fic at a time, but I've given myself more free reign on the oneshots. Most of my oneshots I was trying to experiment with something. With DVW it was smut and romance, with Your Colors with was something succinct and colorful (literally). So often, I choose what to write based on what I want to experiment with!
16. What’s an AU you would love to read (or have read and loved)?
HMMMM. Tbh. I've become very selfish. Things that I want to read have become things I want to create myself. I know, I know, it sounds greedy, and I think it is a little bit. But I really want to create anything that intrigues me these days. I hope I can hold onto this feeling!
With that said though, I have been super loving cyberpunk stuff, and I am sadly lacking on ideas to create my own. I'll take the opportunity to give a shout out to @category-6 though, who wrote my fav cyberpunk fic of all time, Carnage & Calamity. Mind the tags, but its so freaking good.
#im sorry this is late!!!!!#ask#thank you so much for the questions though#they really made me think!!!!!#<3#anon#broke boys
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Egotober 2022 Day 17: What’s a Hero Worth?
Summary: Ed realizes that the newest member of Dark’s Network is a bit familiar, and so he and the ex-hero have a bit of a discussion.
Prompt: Path
Characters: Ed, Chase, Memento, Mori
Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Ed had access to a lot of secrets. When you were able to survive in Dark’s Network you learned a thing or two people didn’t want you overhearing. His key to staying alive was to not ask questions unless he had to, and to make sure he stayed on Dark’s good side.
He was in too deep, his life had let him down this path long ago and he was too far in to back out now.
Dark was, to put it mildly, temperamental. He wasn’t as dangerously unpredictable as Wilford, but Ed had watched captains and other gang members come towards Dark at the wrong time and end up as a slab of blood and meat on the floor.
He had to stay on Dark’s good side and make sure he didn’t hangout around Wilford for even a second longer than he absolutely needed to.
But things had changed a little bit. With the triplets, which had clearly inherited Wilford’s outlook on life if they’re elated talks of “death and the finality” of it all were anything to go by. They liked to bother people, see what everyone was doing, and Ed was no exception.
Then there was the newest member of Dark’s inner circle. At first Ed didn’t recognize who he was. He was a new sniper that ran information for Dark and hung around a part of the warehouses that served as a camera surveillance area that Google came in and out of.
But after he heard him talking to Illinois he realized where he recognized his voice from: Bro Average. A hero that had been missing from the tabloids and news so much that most of the city assumed he had fully retired. The reason it had taken Ed so long to recognize Average was because in the warehouses he tended not to wear his hat. Which was his most defining feature about the hero.
He poked around a bit to find that Average was in the Network, and he was already deeply embroiled into it. And that his son was in it as well.
Which made Ed think if that was actually the reason the hero had changed sides because of the kid. Chase was well known to be a little emotional and reactive. But Chase had free reign around the warehouses, it would be easy.
Then there was his codename: Clubs. Like the assassin that had gone through the city recently. Ed didn’t know if it was just Dark being opportunistic about fear or if Chase was actually the same person, but he was going to bet on the first one.
While Ed was trying to mind his own business, he crossed paths again with “Clubs” again.
Chase was talking with Memento and Mori in a break room when Ed walked in. “You two spent all morning trying to drag in a twenty-foot cardboard bottle of ketchup into the house. I don’t trust you with shit.”
“It was Benjamin Ketchup,” Mori said. “We couldn’t just leave him outside.”
Mori began to wibble his bottom lip sadly.
“He’s a cardboard cut-out,” Chase told him. “He goes in the attic.”
“We’ll take it,” Memento smiled. “We’ll take it.”
Mori’s face went back to normal and he smiled smugly. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
Then Mori drew open a Void portal with his finger and the two boys slipped through it as Chase rubbed his face.
Ed had paused a little bit when he saw him but quickly went over to grab a coffee.
With two of the triplets gone, Chase turned back to making himself another coffee. He grabbed it from a cupboard that was normally off-limits because Dark and his kids stored and grabbed things from there. So taking Dark’s coffee was mostly a death sentence. Something Dark himself enforced, so if Chase was freely doing that it held some kind of implicit permission from the demon.
“Hey,” Chase greeted stiffly.
“Hey,” Ed responded, already with his coffee in hand. “You new?”
“Somewhat,” Chase said. “Been in and out of the place for a while.”
Ed shouldn’t say anything, if it was Dark or Google he wouldn’t have. But it was an ex-hero.
“Yeah,” Ed said. “Guess you have.”
“Why don’t we talk outside, I need to grab a smoke anyways,” Chase said.
Ed wasn’t sure if he was getting shot, but if he was as connected to Dark as Ed suspected it wasn’t like he could refuse at the moment.
The two of them took their coffees and walked out to a smoking area. There was no Dark in sight, and his ringing wasn’t present. So he was going to live for another couple of minutes.
“Was wondering how long it was going to take for someone to recognize me,” Chase admitted as he pulled out a cigarette and took out a lighter. Ed pulled out his own pack and lighter. He might as well take advantage of his impromptu break.
“It’s your hat, can’t believe I didn’t recognize you without your hat,” Ed said.
“I had a mask too,” Chase gestured to his eyes.
“It was a light red domino mask, you only covered your eyes and your cheekbones,” Ed said. “It wasn’t covered much.”
“Yeah,” Chase admitted.
“How much did it take?” Ed asked, figuring he’d get it out of the way quickly. “How much is he paying you?”
“Looking for a pay raise?” Chase said as he lit up his cigarette.
“No,” Ed said, sipping at his coffee. “Wanna know how much it takes.”
Chase just gave him a look as he took a second to get a long drag from his cigarette. Then he took it out his mouth. “Now you listen to me, Dark didn’t fucking buy me from the heroes.”
He took another long breath through the cigarette, as if it was calming him down.
“I’m not going to deny, it’s a nice bonus, but that’s not why I switched,” Chase said.
“Why did you, it’s not every day we get a hero working with us,” Ed said.
“Lots of reasons,” Chase said.
“You regret working with them?” Ed asked as he kept smoking.
“No, fuck no, never,” Chase said, continuing to smoke and drink coffee. “Wouldn’t change that part of my life.”
Ed couldn’t give an answer to that. They didn’t have too much more to talk about. Ed didn’t want to push his luck too much. Cigarettes and coffees were finished and then the two of them went their separate ways. Ed didn’t see Chase for the rest of the day, which was probably for the best. Ed was beginning to suspect that Dark paid Chase in more than money anyways.
#Egotober2022#Superhero AU#Masks and Maladies#Chase Brody#ed edgar#Memento#Mori#Unus#Annus#ex-superhero Chase Brody#discussions of bribery
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🍀Masterlist🍀
Fandoms:
Original Works
BTS (band)
Picka: 30 Days To Love (Otome Game)
TXT (band)
Strangers From Hell (drama series)
Miscellaneous (see end of post)
Platforms:
AO3
Wattpad
🌻Original Works
I Became The Villainous Princess But Now Every Hot Man Is Obsessed With Me
Status: Updating
Genre: Parody, Isekai, Transmigration, Fantasy, Friendship, Eventual Romance
Chapter(s): 2/?
Summary: Here's the short version: I was dying.
The long version? FedEx had better take down its slogan because I'm pretty sure it wasn't time for me to be lying on the cold gravel at 24 years old. Now they got me an express ticket to the ICU. The ICU for about 5 fucking minutes, because one moment I felt bones stabbing my lungs, and the next moment I'm being cradled by some woman that smells like milk powder.
So yes, I was dead. Now I'm a baby. That only means one thing.
FedEx has gotten me isekaied.
🌻BTS
Hybrids: The Blood Of Two (BTS/OC)
Status: Semi-hiatus
Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia, Coming of Age, Eventual Romance
Chapter(s): 31/?
Word count: 96K+
Summary: In a world turned upside down, blood is everything, and it separates the living into three: The so-called pure Humans, the detested Myths and the ones caught between both – The Hybrids.
When 16 year old Shin Ae gets whisked away from their orphanage in a van together with a group of kids on a perfectly fine summer day to be adopted, what she didn't expect was to be sent into a place called The Sanctuary, or to be bonded with eight other individuals destined to be her kismets- lifelong comrades chosen by Fate itself.
or
In a world where blood purity reigns, a bunch of hybrid teenagers from different backgrounds eventually find solace in each other.
Cinnamon Cariad (Platonic Spiderman Jungkook & Ironman Seokjin)
Status: Updating
Genre: Alternate Universe, Fluff, Familial Bonds, Friendship, Platonic Love, Hurt/Comfort, Coming of Age
Chapter(s): 12/?
Word count: 8.3K+
Summary: Jimin props his chin on the flat end of his chopsticks thoughtfully. “ So as far as the world knows, he doesn’t have a son?’
“ As far as the world knows,” Jungkook looks down at the desk, the letters Jeon Jung Kook mocking him from the horrendously ugly cover of his Biology workbook “He’s the country’s most eligible bachelor.”
or
In which being an illegitimate child and Spiderman can oftentimes bring unwarranted attention (and responsibilities)
🌻Picka: 30 Days To Love
the taste of coffee (ever-sweet) - cha euntae/ ha yeonwoo
also on Wattpad
Status: Completed, One-shot
Genre: Romance, Fluff
Chapter(s): 1/1
Word count: 180
Summary: He’s not one to fall fast, and definitely never the one to fall first. But when he sees Yeonwoo in-person at the cafe for the first time, as vibrant and sunny as her photos, he just can’t seem to look away.
crush culture (has my head in the clouds) - cha euntae/ ha yeonwoo
also on Wattpad
Status: Completed, One-shot
Genre: Romance, Fluff
Chapter(s): 1/1
Word count: 883
Summary: Cha Euntae goes on a tteokbokki date with Lia, but there’s a certain webnovel writer who’s living in his head rent-free.
all my divine blessings (led me to you) - cha euntae/ ha yeonwoo
also on Wattpad
Status: Updating
Genre: Romance, Fluff
Chapter(s): 1/3
Word count: 879++
Summary: A vignette of Euntae and Yeonwoo's married life
🌻TXT
do you daydream of déjà vu? (platonic yeonjun/soobin)
Status: Completed
Genre: Coming of age, Angst, Friendship
Trigger Warnings: Death, Mental health issues, Unhealthy coping mechanisms, Maladaptive daydreaming
Chapter(s): 2/2
Word count: 5.4K
Summary: And when the silence doesn't grace him - it rarely does- Yeonjun closes his eyes and lets himself dream. At the very least, things are better when the reins are in his hands. Different from the ones that breathe into his ears at night, where there is only complete darkness with the taste of sand on his lips and Soobin's name thrown forth from brittle lungs.
It's the daydreams that kept him sane.
or
Sometimes the only way to cope is to (day)dream
🌻Strangers From Hell
In The End ( It’s Him and I ) - Seo Moonjo / Yoon Jongwoo
Status: Completed
Genre: Whump, Implied Gore
Trigger Warnings: Mental Health Issues, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Mild Gore
Chapter(s): 1/1
Word count: 244
Summary: “You are my greatest masterpiece”
Strange Birds - Seo Moonjo / Yoon Jongwoo
Status: Completed
Genre: Whump, Toxic Codependence
Trigger Warnings: Implied Sexual Content, Attempted NonCon, Mental Health Issues, Mild Gore
Chapter(s): 2/2
Word count: 353
Summary: You’ve always loved the strange birds.
or
Strangers From Hell told from Moonjo’s POV.
🌻Miscellaneous Fandoms
Flower of Evil (drama series)
Squid Game (drama series)
Seobok (film)
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (drama series)
#bts fanfic#bts ff#bts au#original character#female original character#bts taehyung#bts rm#jungkook#bts jin#bts suga#min yoongi#hoseok#jhope#jimin#oc#picka 30 days to love#picka#euntae cha#ha yeonwoo#yeonwoo ha#picka 30 days to love fanfic#fanfiction#ao3 fanfic#ao3feed#wattpad#oneshot#txt#tomorrow by together#txt fanfic#txt fanfiction
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Nomen
Chapter III - The Reluctant Heroes
CW: None for now, but please consult About Nomen for more informations.
WC: around 1700 words
Previous Chapter: Chapter II - Last Kiss
Next Chapter: Chapter IV - The Music of the Night
Masterlist
************************************************************************************************************************************************
February 16, Wednesday, 18:02 (present time)
Eren was a fine looking guy, I had to admit that. Tall, impressive green eyes, which really intimidate me, but I needed to put on a strong facade and not give in. I was already at a disadvantage since he seemed to know about me and my situation, while I had no idea about who he was. Sebastian mentioned something about ‘Eldians’ and ‘titans’ but since I wasn’t able to read the new file, nothing made sense. I had to hide my worries and look collected and ready but the determined look on Eren’s face was a greater obstacle than I anticipated. I silently thanked Sebastian to be there, he was my anchor and he knew that, which was his own reason to tease me every time he could. I hated him but again, I would’ve been lost without him.
“I don’t have a lot of time, would you please get to the point, mr. Jaeger?”
“Woah, someone is jumpy here.”
“It’s only ‘cause I don’t have time to chat with you. I’m sure Sebastian filled you in about the circumstances I live in…”
“There was no need, I know already. By the way, I really don’t like to waste my time, so I’ll be brief as you wish. You received a file today, there will be a name that belongs to you, that name is Historia Reiss. You’re not the first Historia Reiss as you’ll read, but that first one…I wish to protect her from her fate as much as I can.”
“So you want me to pick up an identity to protect someone you care about?”
“Let me finish. By the way you ARE Historia Reiss. Don’t ask me why you two share the same name, I don’t know. Also, you won’t pick up anything, you’ll just discover another piece of the puzzle that is your whole identity. As Historia Reiss, you are royalty to me, to us Eldians, and I need you to take your role as our Queen in her place, and not just to protect someone I care about, but because you have more experience than her.”
“Well, mr. Jaeger, your information are incorrect. I don’t know anything about ruling. My brother left me his empire but I’m still learn-…”
“Our military government will guide you. You’ll just be a puppet for the masses to look at, just as you are now, surrounded by collaborators.”
I was left speechless. Was he insulting me and simultaneously hoping I would just follow his wishes?
“I’ll let slide your tone this time, mr. Jaeger but you’ll know that’s absurd. There’s always more to reigning than just be a puppet, otherwise you would let the first Historia be the Queen she should be, and also I’m not exper-”
“You will decide to accept the crown. Listen, you’re free not to believe me, but…well, let’s just say I saw the future and I know for sure how things will end for Eldians if we don’t take action and you’re gonna be our Queen.”
“It’s not the first absurd thing I hear in these last eight years, I’ve also been a Land God for a while…but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t know anything about being a Reiss, or Eldians, whatever that means, so I’ll need to make some research about you and what you’re saying.”
“Land God?”
“It’s water under the bridge, pay it no mind…I thought you knew everything about me.”
“Seems I don’t.”
“In any case, I can’t just trust you blindly, but I can read my files, do my research and then interrogate you again. While I do that, you’ll be my guest…”
“You mean hostage.”
“…distinguished guest who will be attended…”
“Surveilled.”
“…by my staff in the guest house. Sebastian will show you the way.”
“You know, I can get free any time I want.”
We’ve been standing on the terrace at the same distance, in the same position for all that time, but his attitude was starting to get on my nerves. This obnoxious blockhead needed to learn that I wasn’t only a puppet. Yes, I relied on Sebastian and other collaborators a lot, but I’ve always had an opinion and the last word was mine. I wouldn’t just accept every file, every aspect of my fate without questioning. I was ignorant, not stupid and I would’ve choose my battles on my own accord.
“If me accepting your crown is so important and you’re so sure I will do it in the near future, you’ll have to put up with my methods and stay here for all the time I need to get answers. You know, mr. Jaeger, I like to trust people. Actually no, scratch that, that was a lie. I hate trusting people but I’ve learned that without small acts of faith you can’t really go very far. That is why Sebastian isn’t killing you right here on this terrace, even if you already know too much about me and that’s reason enough for me to get rid of you. That is also why I said I will look into what you’ve just told me and give you the benefit of the doubt. I may be a fool, but before killing someone I wish to search for reasons to keep them alive and get every information I can, and I don’t care about the methods. I will get my answers, one way or another. Now you can patiently wait while I deliberate to agree with you, as you say I will, or you can be chased by a demon to the end of the world and trust me, that won’t be pleasing. Sebastian likes to be mean and I don’t let him have his fun very often.”
I tried to convey every ounce of braveness into my little monologue while I whispered and spit my words with disdain getting more and more close to him. Eren didn’t even flinched, but Sebastian got closer to me and grabbed my elbow, that probably meant that my tone had been resolute and the message was delivered loud and clear.
“Was this your pathetic attempt at threatening me?”
“I never launch and empty threat, mr. Jaeger. I was only describing two possible scenarios of how this conversation could end. The choice is yours.”
I was still only a few inches from him, staring into his eyes that showed no emotion whatsoever if not what could be described as a toxic mixture of rage and resignation. He had the look of someone who was full of himself and had nothing to lose, a dangerous look that made me feel a chill running through my spine. He stared at me for a while, neither of us heard Sebastian telling me to go back inside the apartment, so he dragged me along with him and then Eren spoked again.
“I’ll stay only to see you crawling back to me and accept your fate.”
“Good boy.”
I grinned and stared at him while Sebastian took me inside my room. We continued to look at each other until I was out of sight. I felt adrenaline rushing through my body. I’ve never spoken to a stranger in that way, but that guy had something that I couldn’t describe but had me snapping. Sebastian’s scoff called me back to reality.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. The way you tried to threaten him. The way you spoke. I’ve never seen you like this.”
I glanced at him with eyes full of hate. I hated him. I hated when he made me feel ridiculous and powerless and, unfortunately, that was his hobby. He loved making fun of me, especially when I pathetically tried to show strength in front of others. He laughed at me even when we made our contract.
“Usually you wait to make fun of me when I start to cry after the rush of the discussion, why are you laughing now?”
“I’m not laughing, I’m barely snickering and to be fair, this is different.”
“How?”
“I’m not amused, I’m enthralled.”
While saying those words, he took me by the shoulders and pushed me up against the wall, pressing his body onto mine and keeping me at his eyes level. My feet were floating in the air, since he was several inches taller than me, my hands grabbed his wrists in an attempt to anchor myself while he kept me in check, closed between the wall and his body. I felt my cheeks turning red and blamed me for being like clay in his hands. I hated him but I also wanted him. Unfortunately he was aware of that.
“When I agreed to form a contract with you, it was exactly because I knew you had that rage hidden somewhere. I was only waiting for you to let your bottled up feelings run free and you did it so well, for a first time. You were beautiful.”
His face got closer to mine and I tried to keep a straight face when his lips came in contact with my cheeks, where he stayed for a few seconds before whispering into my ear.
“Thank you for showing me your rage. I can’t wait to devour you. You know, for a moment you looked just like your brother.”
He let me go, putting me down gently on my feet and then moved his right hand to collect a lock of my hair, twisting it slowly around his pointer finger three times before letting it fall back on my chest. I was still staring at his purple-red wine eyes, perfectly framed by the longest natural eyelashes I’ve ever seen. Now he wasn’t smiling though. His lips were a neutral line, his eyes suggested he was far away lost in his thoughts. He was probably picturing the moment when he would devour my soul, since my brother’s one was denied to him and a lot has passed from his last meal. The sound of the bathroom’s door opening up woke us both up from our impasse and he rapidly escaped from the window, and my eyes followed his figure ‘til he reached Eren to escort him to the guest house. In the meantime, I removed my scarf and tried to press my cold hands on my cheeks to attenuate my blushing. Was I catching feelings for the one demon that would end my life?
************************************************************************************************************************************************
Author's note: thank you for reading this, as always! First things firsts, finally we got to see Eren. As I tried to explain in the 'About Nomen' section, this is both canon and canon divergent, and you'll see it even better in the followings chapter, hoping you will actually stay and continue to read this. For this chapter song, I've decided not to include the lyrics for a change, but the title was fitting enough. Also it was playing in the background while I was writing Eren and Roni/Historia's argument. As per usual, I'll link the video down below.
As an anticipation for the next chapter...you'll get another point of view. I hope you'll enjoy it!
youtube
#nomen#fanfic#kuroshitsuji#black butler#aot#eren jaeger#sebastian michaelis#anime#the reluctant heroes#snk#Youtube
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Lost Horizons: Ch. 15 & 16
Or more like Ch. 15 and an Epilogue, cuz this one is done.
I might go back and revisit some ME2 stuff in one-shots because there were things I wanted to cover here but I lost my rhythm/original vision for how I wanted this to play out. Gotta remember that I’m not trying to novelize the games and stop getting caught up in that to refocus on the stuff I really like to dig into.
Hopefully still satisfying? Full chapter over on AO3
Reflecting on his service, Everett wasn't sure any part of his time in the Alliance had been 'normal.'
Curve balls left and right and maybe he'd just gotten so good at dodging that little surprised him anymore. What mattered was the constant: how he would respond, and which response would keep his loved ones safe.
To say nothing had been routine about the Collector mission from the beginning would have suggested that any of his missions had been anything close to cut and dry. From recruitment to Elysium to the Tokyo to the first Normandy to here, back from the dead in a new ship with some old faces and many new ones, surrounded by ghosts.
But hadn't he always been, right from the start? His own ghosts and the ghosts of those he came into contact with, changes indelible on his skin, too deep for even Cerberus to erase completely. Scars that should have and did kill him, for all intents and purposes, but life hadn't been done with him yet. Hadn't drained him yet, hadn't used him up until there was nothing left.
So long as he still had the capacity to love, and breath in his lungs, and blood in his veins, he would keep crawling, inch by painful inch.
"Are you okay, Joker?"
A murmur, the raised voices around them something easily tuned out as he focused his attention on his friend. Some bruising, a few fractures, and Everett could only imagine how much worse it could have been. Pale green eyes met his, anguish and regret and grief and guilt, and it echoed from the first time he'd seen him again in this new life. Another tragedy aboard the ship he loved so much, leaving him behind while others were carted to fates unknown.
"Nothing too serious," Joker replied. "I can still fly. I can still… I can get us there, Commander. I promise."
A hand on his shoulder, touch gentle, and Joker straightened as best he could.
"--and unshackling an AI? What were you thinking?" Miranda, whirling on the pilot, but Everett stepped between them.
"We need to get moving," he said instead. "EDI, is that Reaper IFF usable?"
"Yes, Shepard."
"Think you and Joker can get us through that Relay in one piece?"
"I believe it can be done, Commander. The upgrades since installed are not insignificant."
"What! We're not -- we don't have a crew --"
"--EDI is more than capable--" Joker's voice, vehement, an about-face from his own uneasiness with the AI.
"--she's an AI, and now she has free reign to do as she pleases!"
"Legion is also an artificial intelligence," Everett cut in. Miranda fell silent, mouth drawn into a tight line. Adding the Geth to their crew had been a major point of contention -- for Miranda, for Jacob, and particularly for Tali. But agreements had been made, and the synthetic had more than proven himself in Evvy's estimation.
You trust them a little too easily, don't you think?
An old argument, debating the merits and validity of synthetic life, but Kaidan wasn't here to help them navigate it. Everett swallowed against the tightness in his throat.
Well, he thought, clasping his hands behind his back, Kaidan can't be everywhere.
"Have the team get ready," he went on. "Anything they need to do -- send messages, tie up any more loose ends -- now's the time to do it."
"Where are you…"
He shook his head, once, and walked away.
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Ether 11, Part 4. "Captivity." Conclusion to the Book of Ether.
Just as Abraham Lincoln told the world he was going to delegitimize the slave trade, arrest slave owners, and free the slaves, we need to insist the White House put an end to the Republicans and Donald Trump who want to enslave America and make it Pro-Life, anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, hand over territory to Vladimir Putin, pollute, rob, steal, and rape people instead of do their jobs.
The men and women of the Republican Party are all trash. sadistic, mindless, careless, without decency, and into the trash pile they need to go. Together with Christian Broadcasting Network, the Christian Post, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Russians, and Iran they have repeatedly caused harm and loss of limb and property and they must be stopped.
They cannot be allowed to participate in an election, to organize, gather, raise revenues, or enter into policy decisions. The White House needs to come into this grand realization if it is to do its job and properly govern and protect the world. The Book of Ether has a stern warning about "Ethem" you persons that allow evil persons to flourish.
Ethem begets a Moron, a dipshit, and in his place comes Coriantor, "One who radiates light and tries to turn the line".
According to Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary, the name Corinth comes from the Hebrew verb qaran, which means "to have horns" or "to radiate". The first part of the name is similar to the first part of Cornelius, which is Κορνηλιος. The name Corinth is often spelled with a Κ (kappa), after the Hebrew כ (kap), but in Dorian texts, it is commonly spelled with a qoppa, after the Hebrew ק (qop).
The masculine noun tor (תור) or * תר* (tor) means "plait" or "circlet". It appears four times, in Song of Solomon 1:10, Esther 2:12, 2 Samuel 7:19, and 1 Chronicles 17:17, and is difficult to translate.
His progeny is called Ether, "the place."
In the Torah, Ether is a town in the lowlands of Judah that is allotted to Simeon. It is mentioned twice, in Joshua 15:42 and Joshua 19:7. In Joshua 15:42, it is mentioned between Libnah and Ashan, and in Joshua 19:7, it is mentioned along with Ain, Remmon, and Ashan. The Hebrew word for Ether is 'ether, which means "abundant".
The Chapter concludes secret combinations and assholes that comprise them cause a nation to struggle, they keep it in captivity, and as of this home stretch within the Book of Ether, the bad guys win. If you check recent election polls they are also once again winning in America and all around the world.
12 And it came to pass that in the days of Ethem there came many prophets, and prophesied again unto the people; yea, they did prophesy that the Lord would utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth except they repented of their iniquities.
13 And it came to pass that the people hardened their hearts, and would not hearken unto their words; and the prophets mourned and withdrew from among the people.
14 And it came to pass that Ethem did execute judgment in wickedness all his days; and he begat Moron. And it came to pass that Moron did reign in his stead; and Moron did that which was wicked before the Lord.
15 And it came to pass that there arose a rebellion among the people, because of that secret combination which was built up to get power and gain; and there arose a mighty man among them in iniquity, and gave battle unto Moron, in which he did overthrow the half of the kingdom; and he did maintain the half of the kingdom for many years.
16 And it came to pass that Moron did overthrow him, and did obtain the kingdom again.
17 And it came to pass that there arose another mighty man; and he was a descendant of the brother of Jared.
18 And it came to pass that he did overthrow Moron and obtain the kingdom; wherefore, Moron dwelt in captivity all the remainder of his days; and he begat Coriantor.
19 And it came to pass that Coriantor dwelt in captivity all his days.
20 And in the days of Coriantor there also came many prophets, and prophesied of great and marvelous things, and cried repentance unto the people, and except they should repent the Lord God would execute judgment against them to their utter destruction;
21 And that the Lord God would send or bring forth another people to possess the land, by his power, after the manner by which he brought their fathers.
22 And they did reject all the words of the prophets, because of their secret society and wicked abominations.
23 And it came to pass that Coriantor begat Ether, and he died, having dwelt in captivity all his days.
America is one big wicked abomination and it is about to get worse. I knew when the Republicans circled the wagons to prevent Ukraine from getting badly needed weapons and funding, saw all those tiny little girls getting pregnant, and read the story of that woman in Texas who died of complications from diabetes due to her inability to terminate a risky pregnancy and President Biden did jack shit about these people, who like to make kiddie porn in their spare time, we were all in the deepest of troubles.
We are required by God to look out for each other. To ensure each person has a right to be as happy as we are in their own way. We Americans are not even trying to do this. The Republicans don't look before they leap. They are very confident and they need to be punished to the limits of the law and the world needs to witness their demise. We are all dead and damned if we don't do this.
Thus ends the chapter.
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Deuteronomy
Chapter 15
1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.
3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;
4 Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:
5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
19 All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
20 Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.
21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.
22 Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.
23 Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.
Deuteronomy 15
Diane Beauford
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