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#like a carrot dangled in front of a horse
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yknow something i really love about WH so far is that i really, truly, have no idea what the fuck is going on. like i can theorize and speculate on the Scrumptious little crumbs we have so far, but looking at it as a whole and the info/hints sprinkled everywhere. man i cannot guess where this is going to go lmao
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genuinely so sick and twisted that ur brain can just . Choose not to be in a writing mood. like wtf bro i thought we were a team…..
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eviligo · 18 days
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if matt is actually able to grow a full beard by the end of the year idk how imma act. i might be the one who needs a leash
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wyvernwinds · 2 years
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i don’t mean this negatively at all essek is my very best friend but do u think would the mighty nein have latched onto essek the same way if matt hadn’t made him float . bc i don’t think they would’ve
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consoleyourself · 1 year
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Zanahorias de esperanzas
¿Qué? Anon, you confuse and intrigue me; please continue.
Is this a very obscure reference to a conversation in Dragonlance?
Is this a less obscure reference to a random type of carrot???
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restlesswritingss · 1 month
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In which Astarion goes too far
Warnings: fighting and angst
Astarion x reader
Tav hadn't ever had a real relationship. It had made things even more difficult for they and Astarion to form one. But the two of them were working through it, slowly but surely. A big problem was Tav didn't know how to ask for what they want from Astarion, not that he was much better about that. However, Astarion was good at reading them. Like now, when it was written all over their face that they were jealous.
Astarion was going to have fun with this. Halsin was the culprit of it all, the sexy brute. Astarion had been terrified when the druid had propositioned his lover, but the knowledge that Tav wanted him and only him had truly emboldened Astarion. He was back to his annoying and flirty self now that he knew where he and Tav's loyalties lied. None of their other exceptionally horny companions would come in the way of that. That didn't mean Astarion couldn't tease and taunt them with it, like dangling a carrot in front of a starving horse. All good honest fun.
Except now his teasing touches and flirty eyes towards Halsin was being seen by Tav. Tav who looked ready to bite off the man's head. If looks could kill as they say.
Astarion leaned in a little too close to hear whatever the Hells Halsin was saying, and Tav's entire demeanor shifted. They looked liked a kicked puppy seconds away from tears. That made Astarion jerk back from Halsin. This wasn't supposed to genuinely upset them. Astarion was just hoping for a little bit of possessiveness and rough making out in their tent.
He left Halsin mid-sentence, who at first felt slighted but understood when he saw Astarion was going to his lover. He wished them the best despite his own desires for them both.
Tav had turned away and was about to isolate themself in their tent when a cold but familiar hand wrapped around their wrist. They sighed, not particularly wanting to see Astarion after seeing that he didn't seem fully satisfied with their relationship status.
The two had only explicitly said that Tav wouldn't sleep with anyone else, they had assumed that extended to Astarion as well but that now seemed foolishly naive.
Astarion felt internal panic as Tav shifted away from him. Had he pushed them too far?
"Darling, I-" he began purposefully putting more honey into his words than normal, but cut himself off when he saw just how truly distressed they were once they faced him fully.
Tav was trying to put on a brave face, but despair was in their eyes.
"I did not mean to hurt you, I was just having fun," Astarion dropped all pretense of performance from his voice. That was getting easier and easier to do with Tav.
Tav shrugged off his almost-apology, not wanting to be a burden.
"You are free to discover your sexuality however you choose, gods know you deserve it. I just wish you would tell me whenever you find comfort in others, I-," Tav hesitated, worried they were asking too much of him.
But Astarion cut them off, "Find comfort in others? You think I genuinely wanted to sleep with Halsin?"
Astarion says that sentence a bit too loud, his offense overriding his desire to keep his relationship more private.
Tav shrugged again and mumbled, "It sure looked like it back there."
At this, Astarion scoffed making Tav's blood boil. He couldn't take their relationship seriously for five minutes. They were just trying to have a real and honest conversation with him and he was mocking them.
Tav yanked their hand out of his wrist, "Fine, do what you want with whoever you do actually want. At least do me the curtesy of telling me before doing it right in front of my face."
Astarion reared back at the venom in their voice. He knew this was his own doing, but the worst part of him wanted to fight back. He'd never been able to fight back before.
So he threw his hands up and yelled, "Well darling, don't be surprised then when I make my way through our plethora of eligible companions. You're not the only one in high demand."
His insecurity about everyone wanting Tav came in at the end and he regretted showing that weakness in the moment.
Tears started to truly fall down Tav's cheeks at his words and he immediately wanted to take everything back. But they didn't give him the chance, they just turned away and retreated to their tent. It is in this moment that Astarion realized everyone was looking at them. None of these assholes had any sense of privacy or minding their own fucking business. With nothing else to do that would save his dignity, he simply sneered at them and stalked off into the woods. He hadn't put his tent up in the assumption he would spend the night in his lover's tent but he'd gone and royally fucked that up.
Astarion was no stranger to screwing up a romantic interaction but this one was the worst. Sure, there was no vampiric master to punish him when he went home empty handed, but he had hurt someone he loved. The first someone he ever truly loved. Hells, he half-heartedly thought, I'd rather take a night of torture than this guilt.
His heart is hurting and this pain isn't something he has ever felt before. He'd gotten attached to certain marks and felt the weight of their deaths on his conscience. But this, this was different. Tav wasn't going to meet a gruesome death, but he'd broken their heart entirely of his own volition. He was no longer a puppet and with this new autonomy he just lashes out at the one person who'd cared for him. He was as bad as Cazador always said he was.
A rustling behind him alerts Astarion that he is no longer alone in the clearing he'd found to sulk in. Of course it is Tav coming to check on him. They were always thinking of him and his wellbeing. And he went and threw that love away.
"Star, please come to bed. It's not safe out here," their voice was soft and pleading.
"You want me to come to your tent after that fight?" He scoffed, self-loathing coating his tongue.
Tav approached him slowly as if he were a wounded animal. Anger reared up in his chest as he felt pitied, but then he saw their eyes. They were just as kind and loving as always. There was hurt, yes, but the love hadn't left. They still cared about him.
"How can you love me?" The words came out coarse and desperate as he bit back a sob.
That made Tav stop, and his body screamed for them to come closer.
They tilted their head and looked him up and down before saying, "I just do."
He laughed, light and fleeting, "You just do? Well, I suppose that is really all that matters then darling. Come here please."
He held out his hand to Tav, which they gladly took and allowed themself to be pulled into his embrace. Astarion melted into the kiss, his arms completely engulfing his love. His love. He ought to tell them he loved them.
"I love you as well. I am sorry for my outburst. The way I spoke to you," he paused, shame overtaking him, "it was deplorable and wrong. I don't want anyone else in my bed but you. Ever."
Tav sighed and released a mountain of tension from their shoulders. They became putty in his arms.
"I know, I'm sorry for being childish and petty rather than just expressing that I want us both to be exclusively each other's," their voice was muffled as they snuggled into his neck.
Astarion sighed back, happily, "I want that too."
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tteokdoroki · 1 year
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૮ ͈>◡< ͈ა warnings — suggestive, minors dni 18+, characters aged up to 20s, established relationship, pda, isagi just feeling you up in public, possession, manipulation (? kinda), fem!reader - i just wanted to write some cocky isagi again :(
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idk i just… isagi likes that you adore him, he likes to show that off. you’re his precious little thing, you belong to him — and he loves that you think the world of him.
he knows what it’s like to win. to devour an opponent whole and crush their soul until it’s nothing but dust. but nothing could compare to the feeling of winning you over, having you pick him above everyone else. he can’t help but want to boast the fact to the world.
isagi knows how his teammates look at you, with wondering and jealous eyes when you bound up to him on the pitch and smack a wet kiss on his cheek. you’re so tiny when you press yourself up against him (he’s shot up since the start of the blue lock project), hands on his chest while you sing your praises to your boyfriend. ‘’m so proud of you ichi!’ followed by ‘you were so good out there!’
isagi knows that everyone’s watching when he grabs handfuls of your ass right then and there — leaning down to your height to press a chaste kiss to your lips. “can you say that again for me, precious?” he coos as your words lick at his ego, an air of cockiness blazing through him.
“yoichi…” you murmur hesitantly, your eyes shimmering with nervousness. “your friends are watching.”
isagi notes the daggers rin glares at your back, the way kunigami cracks his knuckles and kaiser rolls his shoulders. they should be jealous. of isagi and of you.
“c’mon baby, just one time. you know what i like to hear.”
he’s teething on your lower lip, pulling you flush against him because isagi likes dangling his precious gem in front of his friends like a carrot in front of a horse. letting them know that he’s on a whole other level to them. above them. where only the best can get the unattainable. only the best can get you.
“please baby, tell me one more time?” he goads you with innocent ocean eyes — slightly hazy from the thought of your praise.
“you’re the best yoichi, no one is better than you.” you stutter out, lips pushed into a sweet pout that just makes him want to devour you until there’s not a trace of you left.
someone curses not too far off from your side, either pissed off at how much you praise blue lock’s star player or how lucky he is to have a loyal little thing like you — one that clings onto yoichi’s every word like it’s the truth. he notices you wavering, flipping between shrinking away from your boyfriend to avoid riling up his teammates and asking for a kiss.
so cute, so loyal. like a puppy dog. “c’mere precious,” isagi’s voice dips an octave, his tone sultry with a tune taken straight out of the pied piper’s book. you let him man handle you closer, squish your cheeks between a finger and his thumb before he tilts your gaze up to meet his. “keep looking at me, only me, okay precious?” it’s more like a command than a question but your head nods along of its own accord. “i’m the only one you cheer for, got it?”
“you’re the only one i want to cheer for. you’re the only one i want to win, ‘ichi!” you squeak, saliva pooling on your tongue as he entices you with a kiss.
you sing his praises and they go straight to isagi’s head, inflating his ego much to the dismay of the other blue lock boys. “such a good girl, all for me, yeah?” he breaths, sealing the deal by pressing his lips to yours — tongue prodding at them so you open up, let him have his heated way with you.
and as expected, you trip over your own feet to have more of isagi, desperate to taste him before practice resumes. the others scoff and roll their eyes… jealous because isagi is the centre of your world, your everything and the very idea of that makes him a monster on the field.
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denim-devil · 1 year
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Consolation | J.C
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Pairings - Jacob Custos x Male reader
Request - OMG U WRITE FOR THE QUARRY?? Can I request Jacob x Emma’s adopted brother smut? Even tho he’s adopted, he’s basically the same as Emma (attractive, nice body, small waist, and big kissable lips) but he’s nicer and loves helping people. Emma always makes fun of him and calls him a push over. Reader has always had a crush on Jacob but has never done anything abt it bcuz Emma was dating him and cuz he seemed straight. The story would take place after Jacob storms off after truth or dare and instead of Emma going to find Jacob, it would be the reader this time. They do the swimming scene, almost kiss, get interrupted by the werewolves, but instead of running into the woods, they hide in the kitchen. And then smut
A/N — I’m decided to leave the smut part out of it, hope you don’t mind, I thought this fic was kinda cute and fluffy so-
──────. • ☆:*.☽ .* :☆゚• . ──────
You watched your sister lock lips with Nick, already you could sense the tension, it was thick, smouldering, you could see the pain behind Jacob’s eyes, his mouth hanging agape in shock, why would Emma do such a thing? Especially in-front of Abi too.
You coughed loud enough to break up the kiss Emma being Emma stuck her tongue out at you before plonking herself back on the log beside an angry Abi.
It took no longer then a look her way for her to practically jump to her feet, running away from the crackling campfire towards the forest.
“You like kissing my girlfriend asshole?”
Jacob bucked up his chest, glaring down at the Aussie counsellor. Nick looked guilty, of course he did, but knowing Jacob, he wasn’t one to let things go so easily.
“It was just a game-“
“I’m nobody’s girlfriend”
You shake your head at your sister’s response, she had no remorse, not even in the slightest. You could sense the anger which irradiated from Jacob’s figure.
“The fuck it was. “Oh, it was just a game!” Yeah, the fuck it was, man!”
He began to mimic his best friend, still looking him up and down like he was really looking for a fight, or something, something to at-least show everyone that Emma was off limits. You were so sick of this Alpha-male bullshit but you really sympathised with him, especially with how everyone had been treating him this summer.
Jacob twists on his heel, stomping away from the camp which was a clear indication of how he felt, he had every right to feel that way, Emma dangled a carrot in front of his face, how was he suppose to act.
“Grow up, Jacob”
You gather your thoughts, immediately rising to your feet, fuck, somebody had to check on him and he probably really didn’t want to see Emma right now, not after tonight.
“Well done horse face, way to go-“
You follow in Jacob’s footsteps, quickly jogging after him in a pace that suited you.
──☆──
You were met with the glistening waters of Hackett’s quarry lake, the water slightly jiggling in place, the moon’s reflection shimmering over the slightly murky water.
You could hear splashes, ones that were not to big but big enough to give up Jacob’s where-about’s. You slowly made your way over the creaking wood, the small dock isolated, attached to the empty boat deck.
“Jacob?” You whisper sweetly, watching the bigger male forcefully throw pebbles into the lake, maybe it was a distraction, one that reframed him from replaying the exact moment his whole world tumbled down.
“Go away-“
“It’s me…”
You trail off. He wasn’t surprised, but glad, glad you had followed behind, at-least someone was fond of him. His frown settled into a small smirk, a weak smirk that hid away his true feelings.
You sit yourself beside him. Immediately you could tell he had been crying, from his slightly puffy, red eyes to the clear tears that stained his olive skinned cheeks
It was silent between the two of you, not that you minded, Jacob actually preferred it that way, enjoying your company with the silence that followed but of course, you were way to sweet to keep quiet.
“Jacob…look at me”
He did, but his smirk faded, instead it was replaced with that frown from before. You could sense how hurt he was from, judging by his sniffling he wasn’t going to stop feeling sorry for himself any time soon and that in itself broke your heart, you had to do something.
“She fucking frenched him- in front of everyone…jesus wept”
You watched a distraught Jacob scramble to his feet, pacing back and forth. He could feel the dry tears on his cheek, the extra amount of spit clinging to his tongue from not swallowing as often, god…really.
“Well…lover boy, you can either stop sulking over her, and Nick, or…you can go grab us some towels”
Jacob stopped in his tracks before turning to face you, confusion written all over his features, his brows furrowed as if you had just stepped on his toe.
“What do you need towels for?”
You smile, which had Jacob’s heart thump slightly faster…fuck, what was going on.
“Well, since you agreed with Emma, summer fun an all and after that kiss, I’m sure she’s the last person you want to see…our Summer isn’t over just yet…”
Jacob watches you kick off your shoes, your fingers already grabbing at your zipper, Emma has already managed to fuck the night up for pretty much everyone, and your love for Jacob grew by the second, why not sweep up the opportunity to get closer, with it being just the two of you.
Jacob perked up slightly before muttering a more happier “okay”. You watched the older male scurry off, maybe it was the vibe, or the urgency to have some fun but Jacob seemed pretty into this…
──☆──
“There’s not towels!” Jacob shouted down from the upper boat deck. With the kids being rather rampant and destructive, you were sure a few smuggled some home, not that it was an issue.
“None?!”
Jacob stood glaring at the empty wooden panels, clearly his luck was non-existent by this point.
“There’s exactly zero.”
“You dick”
You joke, not that it was the right time but still, no towels, you were going to freeze to death, even in summer the air was cool, cooler then usual.
“Just get back down here, Jacob…”
──☆──
“Huh, okay well I guess we could just like, drip dry. Or I mean we could shake it out doggy style”
You blush at his comment, your eyes focusing on how eased and free he was, he felt a little more in the present now, not that he’s over Emma’s actions yet but it was something.
You both chuckle before slipping down your trousers, leaving you in just your boxers which immediately caught his attention. He watched as you practically hid yourself by turning away, facing the water.
“I-“
Before he could even speak you dive head first into the water with a short squeal, one that left Jacob with a blooming sense of joy, something that spread through his body, his chest…
“Hey- I can’t just pretend it didn’t happen-“
“Oh but you can. Because, you see, oh help, help, I’m- I’m drowning. And I- I need a big, strong not at all insecure man to come and save me…”
You giggle before settling your eyes on his naked chest…fuck, he really had you wrapped around his finger. He blushes at your comments, you helped him forget about her and you actually cared about how he was feeling.
“Okay…”
You watch as he pushes his shoulder forwards before slightly flexing, buffing up his chest.
“What’s this? A male in need?! Fear not, fragile thing- for Hurricane Jake is here!”
He jumps high enough to tuck his legs underneath him, his arms holding them up creating a ball-like shape.
“CANNONBALL-“
The splash was big, but you chuckle, watching his head dunk underneath for a second before reappearing, he grimaced at the coldness now surrounding him.
“Woah, cold! Oh! Cold, cold, cold. Oh my- Cold. Oh. Phew”
You giggle watching the older male shiver, you could tell he would get use to it though, you smile, finally he looked a little bit happier, if only for a split second.
“Hurricane Jake?”
Your smile only encourages the butterflies in his stomach to spread up into his chest, a rush of adrenaline running through him, or something of the sorts had a raspy laugh escape him.
You playfully splash him before scooting away a bit, knowing Jacob would do the same back.
“Oh, okay, okay, now you’re gonna get it. See?”
Scooting closer, Jacob uses his strength to his ability, forcing a big splash to topple over your hair, soaking it. You squeal feeling each, single droplet pass by your ears and neck, eventually back into the water.
You giggle once again before shooting him a despicable glance, splashing him back.
“Hey! Quit it!”
You roll your eyes playfully knowing full well he was having fun, maybe the most fun he’s had all summer, especially here anyways.
“Oh! Stop! Being! A! Grump”
You use both hands to paddle small splashes back his way causing him smirk, his arms dunk underneath the water disappearing from view before he slyly pushes water back onto you.
“Ugh! Attack!”
You flinch before shooting him a glare.
“Ahhh! Hey!”
Before you could even respond, the male takes a large breath before ducking beneath the water. You look around, trying to catch whatever plan he calculated in his head.
A forceful hand yanks your leg quickly, dragging you underneath. You yelp before the water consumes you. You can already hear the deep laughter erupting from his chest before coming back up to the surface.
Your eyes squint, stopping the water from blurring your vision.
“Dick move.”
You feel his arms secure your waist against his own, the water softening the fabric between you both even more…fuck, was this really happening.
“Jacob…”
You look up into his eyes, capturing that same glint he wore when he accidentally walked in on you showering, something dark, but not entirely lustful, the way his arms soothed over your lower back had you judging his motive.
“Yeah…”
He mutters back, his lips mere inches from your own, you could feel his breath fan across your cheek. You sigh, allowing the older male to pull your bottom half closer until your chest’s were touching.
“Is this okay? I can move away if-“
You shake your head before lifting it, close enough for his plump lips to rub against them.
“Please…Please don’t-“
Your breath hitches once Jacob pushes for the kiss, attaching your lips together. His arms keep you close, holding you against his front. He grunts, your teeth sinking into his bottom lip, tugging on it.
He watches you closely once you pull away, a light blush dusting his cheeks a pale red. The air was getting cooler, much like the water surrounding you both which encouraged you to take ahold of one of Jacob’s hands, pulling him towards the dock.
“You’re okay with this?”
You mutter. You weren’t really sure what was happening between the two of you, jealousy doesn’t run far from the tree, yes you were super jealous of you’re sister, but now, now you had the chance to show Jacob how you really felt, especially with how inviting the situation had become.
You feel a tug back before you sink back into his chest, his arm wrapping around your shoulder blades, your faces close once again.
“Not in a million years would I imagine this…but you- I realise now…”
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littlemessyjessi · 4 months
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"Going On An Adventure": Chapter Two of the Thorin Oakenshield story "Treasure of the Wild"
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"Treasure of the Wild" :  Goin On An Adventure     : Chapter Two: 
A Thorin Oakenshield Story 
Warnings:  This is a re-imagining The Hobbit, which of course I do not own.  The only thing I own is Fawn and her invidual story and such.  That being said, it takes place in Middle Earth which is gritty and slightly traumatizing in and of itself.   So there's that warning.   
The first rays of light had yet to grace the Shire when Fawn arose. 
The sky outside was still an inky sort of blue as she gathered her dressing gown around her. 
With a heavy sigh, she opened the door and stepped into the night, settling down onto the bench to smoke her pipe. 
Last night after she'd departed to bed, she'd had a good cry over the words exchanged with her brother and then set about packing. 
She'd laid her clothes across the wooden trunk at the end of her bed and had a fitful sleep. 
Excitement had bubbled inside her, of course; what with the unknown possibilties dangling in front of her like she were horse and it some prized carrot. 
But also, she was unsettled by Bilbo's words. 
Did he really mean it? If she left, would she really be barred from returning?
Would her home in Bag End be gone from her? 
Would he really claim her as his family no more? 
Her spiral of misery was interrupted as the door opened drawing her attention. 
Dark hair streaked with rivers of silver that caught the starlight told her exactly who it was before the moon had a chance to light those fiery sapphire eyes. 
He paused at the sight of her, "My apologies, m'lady.  I will wait." 
"Nonsense." she said, scooting over and patting the bench beside her.  "There is plenty of room in Bag End for the both of us and plenty as well on this bench.  Come and smoke your pipe, Master Oakenshield." 
He bowed his head in gratitude as he sat beside her. 
It was silent between them for a moment. 
The only sound being that of the Shire and their exhales of  smoke that spiraled together dancing off into the distance. 
"It's Thorin, by the way." he spoke. 
"Pardon?" she asked, blinking over at him. 
"Thorin." he repeated. "You don't have to call me Master Oakenshield every time.  Just Thorin will do. I never actually got to introduce myself properly before.  Gandalf cut in."  
She nodded, a slight small pulling at her lips, lifting her fluffy cheeks up a bit.
"I suppose he was probably trying to deflate my brother's temper before it got out of hand at the prospect of him defacing our property." she said glancing at him. "Bilbo did, in fact, paint that door a week ago.  If he knew Gandalf went carving into it he'd be set about like a wet hen." 
Thorin chuckled at the image of the hobbit having a right fit. 
"It wouldn't be the first time though." she continued.  "I think I was nearly eight or so when he'd painted it last.  And I, in my obviously clearly superior wisdom at all of eight years old, thought it could do with some additions." 
Thorin lifted a brow for further explanation. 
"I painted daisies on the wet paint with mud." she said. 
Thorin's chest shook as a deep rumbling laugh overcame him and she couldn't help but join him. 
"He did not find it so funny, I assure you." she said. 
"I would've loved to have seen that sight." he admitted. 
"Oh, it was a sight to behold." she said. "He was so cross with me that he didn't speak to me for a day.  I honestly thought he was going to to take me back where he'd found me." 
Thorin's brows furrowed, "Where he fou-" 
He never got the chance to finish that sentence as Gandalf poked his head out the door. 
"We should get a move on.  Make sure everyone has everything.  We need to be on our way at first light." 
Fawn nodded, gathering the skirt of her dressing gown. 
"Coming, Master Oak-" she stopped at his glance. "Thorin.  Are you coming, Thorin?" 
He nodded, "Yes, Miss Bagg-" 
He paused at her own look. 
A smile tugged at his lips as he corrected himself, "Fawn.  Yes, I'm coming." 
The two of them made their way back inside, Thorin making sure to get ahead of her and open the door. 
She gave him a small, sweet smile as she passed him, "Thank you." 
He tilted his head again, those fiery eyes of his following in her wake. 
Fawn returned to her room, fluffy cheeks aflame and a thundering heart to boot. 
Her fingers ghosted over the afghan and she pulled it to her chest for a tight hug. 
"Mother, be with me on this journey.   Please give me strength." she whispered into the night before folding it neatly and laying it over the bed again. 
She thought of taking it, in case Bilbo really meant what he said but chose not to in a silent prayer that maybe he would see it and know that she was only doing what she felt in her heart. 
She turned to her glory box at the end of her bed once more and pulled out the shining dagger that she'd kept hidden for so long. 
Long and silver with strips of black leather around the handle and one shimmering blue stone in the end. 
She held it in her hand once more, the weight of it heavy in her palm.  
It was comforting. 
Another rustle of fabric and she retrieved her other hidden treasures wrapped up in her thatch of fur from long ago. 
She'd long since outgrown the deep blue dress of her youth that her mother had made.   
Cuts of it now served as wrappings for her long dark hair to keep it from her eyes. 
The thatch of fur had been refashioned into a lovely stole that she wore with her winter coat to keep her neck cozy. 
She'd never actually repurposed those silver mountain buttons but chose them to keep them on her at all times.   
A comfort resting in her pockets that she counted when she got overwhelmed or panicked. 
She shook the lingering glimmers of memories past from her mind and gathered the weapons she'd been hiding for years. 
A set of throwing knives, sharp and delicately made to look like feathers.   
An absolutely beautiful hatchet with a handle of ebony wood and shining steel for the blade. 
The carvings were beautiful, geometric and ornate. 
Fawn knew them to be dwarves as all of her small hoard of weapons were. 
She'd purchased them from a dwarrow couple over the years for the short time they resided in Bree. 
Fawn had an affinity for shiny little trinkets in general but she could not deny that her heart beat a bit faster when it came to weaponry. 
She'd always hid them, of course. 
It wasn't very respectable for a hobbit to have weapons of war about in their homes. 
Much less a lady. 
Though, Fawn was not a hobbit and she hardly deemed to call herself a lady with her adventurous and less than respectable tendencies.  
A smile pulled at her lips as she tugged on her best boots. 
A sturdy pair leather boots that had once been dark were now faded gray with a glinting steel cap on each toe. Purchased from that same dwarrow couple a few years back. 
Try as she might, Fawn Baggins was no hobbit and therefore she did, in fact, need shoes. 
Those boots were worth every coin as they had lasted her ten years already and the only sign of age was simply the faded color. 
Soon after she was dressed and pulling her pack behind her. 
Her eyes lingered on that thatch of fur for a moment. 
It was April now with summer approaching but she hadn't really any idea how long she'd be gone or what type of lands she'd been crossing. 
As a last minute decision she snatched it up and tucked it in the sack, if nothing else but for comfort and the memory of her mother's eyes when she'd first brought it home. 
She gently closed her bedroom door and moved into the corridor, her eyes flitting over her childhood home. 
Framed on the wall or various shelves were paintings and sketchings done in her youth. 
Carvings by her father's endless wittling and many a crocheted doily by grandmama. 
She stopped in front of her brother who was currently laid out, having clearly been exhausted from the prior evening's events. 
His curls were a mess and his eyelashes brushed against his cheeks. 
She was going to miss him so much. 
She hoped he wouldn't be too angry with her. 
She leaned down to press the softest of kisses into his curls and whispered, "Please forgive me, brother.  I love you with all my heart.  Keep me in yours with fondness, please." 
The dwarves waiting outside had had no trouble in hearing her but chose not to remark on it. 
Thorin glanced at his closest friend, Dwalin, to see him looking inside with an odd sort of look in his eyes. 
Thorin had seen it before. 
He pitied her and, in truth, so did Thorin. 
Gandalf, stood in the doorway, opened his arm for her, "Come, Fawn.  It is time to go." 
She sniffled softly, looking once more at Bilbo, before she turned and joined them. 
The door closed behind her and she felt the finality of it like a great slam though Gandalf had only eased it shut. 
A chapter had closed in her life and that chapter was Bag End. 
The heaviness sat upon her chest like a great boulder but she charged forward none the less following the Company as they trekked down the small path towards a bunch of grazing ponies. 
Fawn's eyes sparkled at the sight of them, a smile tugging at her lips. 
"Oh, Fawn, dear. I nearly forgot in all of the excitement last night." Gandalf said drawing her attention. "But I have something for you." 
He stepped aside revealing an absolutely magnificent, gray horse with a patch of white coating part of it's neck and face and there, right across the patch, it was spotted with an expolsion of dark spots. 
Fawn gasped, "Gandalf, how beautiful!" 
The wizard chuckled. 
"Well, the two of you seem to share a marking." he said gesturing to the dots all over her face.  "And when I saw, I just knew you were meant for one another." "What's his name?" she whispered, slowly moving forward.
"Her name is Constellation." Gandalf said in that mystical way of his.  "For the many stars who have graced her." 
"Constellation." Fawn whispered, gently petting the creature and practically vibrating with pure excitement. "Connie, for short." 
Laughter bubbled up around her but Fawn's eyes were for Connie and Connie alone. 
"As I said, I meant to gift her last night for your birthday but time completely got away from me." he said which caused an absolute uproar from the dwarves. 
"Birthday?!"  "What do you mean it was your birthday?" "Why didn't you say anything?" "You should've told us!" 
"Well, we had only just met." Fawn said gently.  "I was just happy to have guests.  You all made my birthday a very merry evening.  I will be forever grateful for the joy you have brought me." 
"Aye, lass but if we'd known we might've-" Dwalin began. 
"You might've gone away in some absurd act of being polite and while I appreciate the sentiment… I would've been very sad.  I much more enjoyed the alternative.  I haven't celebrated my birthday truly since mother's passing and the gathering we had last night would've pleased her greatly.  She was the life of the party.  She would have absolutely adored each and every one of you." Fawn said kindly but to the point.  
 "And furthermore," she said as she swung herself up onto Connie. "Belladonna Took would've taken great pride in the fact that her home was the meeting place for The Company of Thorin Oakenshield to discuss this great quest to reclaim Erebor and slay that dirty old slug, Smaug." 
The dwarves chuckled at her attitude though Gandalf had to agree, "Tis true.  If Belladonna were still here, she would've been the first to sign the contract to go, no doubt dragging blustering old Bungo along with her." 
"Exactly." said Fawn. "So I don't want to hear another word about it.  It was a lovely gathering and I thank you all of for attending the birthday party that I did not plan but am, in fact, very grateful for.  When we reach Erebor, I shall make you all a cake in gratitude." 
"Well, if it's the seed cakes then I will hold you to it, lass." Dwalin said, a mischevious twinkle in his eye. 
She grinned at him, fluffy cheeks pushing her eyes up into little half moons. 
Thorin said nothing through the whole ordeal but instead chose to just stare at her with her dark sheet of hair twisted into a knot at the back of her head and her pillowy, plump body and her pretty soft cheeks. 
And her absolutely lovely eyes that glittered like topaz.  
Fawn Baggins was a vision to Thorin Oakenshield. 
A vision he very much could not afford to have cloud his own. 
However, he couldn't truly say that he minded.
The Company set out and Fawn eventually ended up between Fili and Kili, the young heirs. 
"So Fawn." Kili began, gathering her attention. 
"Yes, dear?" she asked, glancing at the dark haired prince…. who immediately blushed at both the attention and term of endearment. 
"Those are some rather nice boots you've got there." he commented. 
"Aye, they look dwarven in make." Fili piped up, drawing her attention to the blond. 
"Thank you." she said with a proud little grin. "They are.  There used to the loveliest dwarrow couple who lived in Bree for a short time.  Just the sweetest people.  Fonel made such beautiful things and when it was time for a new pair of shoes, I knew exactly who I was seeing.  Her husband, Vren, worked as a blacksmith.  He made the loveliest things.  Oh, you should've seen it.  I could've spent all my time in that forge!" 
"Truly?" Kili asked, easily catching her rather contagious excitement. 
"Truly!" she grinned and reached down to draw her dagger. "This little beauty right here is the very first piece I ever got from him.  Fonel and Vren gave it to me as a gift for Yule one year." 
Fili reached forward, "May I?" 
She handed it over and his eyes grew taking in the blade, "This is quite the gift and if a dwarrow gave it to you as a gift you should be rest assured that they thought very highly of you, Miss Fawn." 
Her eyes glimmered with tears, "I thought very highly of them as well.  They made my little adventures to Bree a very pleasant time.  They were like family.   I miss them terribly." 
"Miss them? Are they not still in Bree?" Kili asked. 
Fawn shook her head, "No, they were only there for a few years.  Vren said they were moving towards the Ironhills in search of some of their kin.  Said they had a new pebble to take care of.  I later found out that pebble means a baby.  Which is highly adorable and I love it so much that should I ever decide to have a child, I will most certainly and without fail be referring to them as a pebble.  And I don't care what anyone says." 
There was a collective chuckle as her sassy vehemenent insistence on the matter. 
"But in any matter, apparently Vren's sister would need as much help as she could get with the little one and so they were going to help." she said. "Which, of course, I do understand.  Babies are such clumsy, accident prone little things but oh how sweet and precious they are." 
Thorin, at the head of the group, looked forward but could not help the smile at tugged at his lips listening to her gushing over little ones. 
"I do hope to see them again someday though.  I miss them something fierce and, of course, it wouldn't exactly hurt my feelings to see this cute little pebble that they left for."  she said, a mischevious little giggle escaping her at the thought. 
"Babies are cute." Kili admittedly. "Clumsy, yes. But cute nonetheless." 
"'Cept you." Fili teased his brother.  "You looked like a troll." 
"Oi!" Kili said, throwing his boot at this brother who only laughed and caught it before it could connect. 
"Aw, Fili." Fawn laughed. "How mean.  Kili, I'll bet that you were a positively adorable little pebble.  What?  With you big dark eyes? Sparkly little puppy eyes are dangerous.  I bet you got whatever you wanted!" 
"Aye, he did actually." Fili admitted.  "I was there." 
"I doubt you were no different." Fawn teased.  "All fluffy blond hair and blue eyes and dimples to boot!  Like a little lion cub, I'm sure.  If I should ever have the opportunity to meet your mother I shall have to commend her for her strength.  I don't know that it something I possess.  I will admit that I am very, very, very weak when it comes to little ones. What did you say her name was again?" 
"Dis." Fili said.  "And when you see Amad, you'll understand how she had absolutely no trouble telling us no. She's a force to be reckoned with." 
"Aye, it's Uncle Thorin who let us get away with everything." Kili added. 
"Oh? Is that so?" 
Thorin rolled his eyes at the positively impish tone to her voice. 
"Those days have long since passed." he said aiming it more towards his nephews than her as he turned to lift a dark brow at them. 
"Oh, I'm sure." she said, a little smirk on her plump lips. 
Thorin narrowed his eyes at her. 
She was teasing and yet… he couldn't find it in him to be upset. 
She looked far too happy in that moment. 
"What about you, Miss Fawn?" 
It was Bofur that spoke up this time. 
"What about me?" she asked. 
"What were you like as a pebble?" he asked. 
"Oh, that's something you'll have to ask Bilbo.  Bilbo-" she started immediately looking for her brother only for her smile to fall, "Oh, right. Um, well, maybe one day you can ask him if you pass through the Shire again.  He can tell you better than I." 
Fawn's entire demeanor seemed to change and she sunk a bit in the saddle.
Fili and Kili exchanged a look behind her back before glancing at their uncle who looked at her a moment longer before looking away when he couldn't bare the sight of her sad features anymore. 
"Ah, cheer up, lassie." said Balin.  "It'll be alright." 
Fawn forced a smile to the older dwarf. 
"Balin is right, my dear." Gandalf spoke. "Bilbo will be along soon enough.  You know he doesn't let you get too far for too long without him." 
"I'm afraid not this time, old friend." Fawn said with a sigh. "You heard him.  I've gone and done it this time.  Made a real Took of myself." 
"Well, then.  You should be quiet proud." the wizard said.  "I was always fond of the Tooks.  And Bilbo will be along, dear.  He is a Baggins by name but the both of you have got a Tookish streak in you a mile long. Give it time." 
Fawn shook her head at the old wizard. 
He knew very well that she hadn't any Took blood in her at all. 
"In fact, I'd wager that he's waking up right about now, realizing how dreadfully boring it will be without your troublesome self and is all but running to follow us so that he doesn't perish from the quiet." he said. 
"I'll take that wager!" someone shouted which then ensued a vigorous conversation revolving placing bets as to when and if Bilbo would show. 
Fawn had her doubts and stayed out of the betting but it did make her a smile a little to see them all mischeviously jiggling their coin pouches. 
The Company carried on through the woodland for a bit longer until a cry cut through the air. 
"Wait!" 
A gasp ripped it's way out of Fawn as she turned to see her brother running to catch up with them. 
She bolted off of Connie and raced towards him as fast as she could. 
"Bilbo!" she cried, snatching him from the ground in a spinning hug.  "You came!" 
"Of course I came, Fawnie." he sighed when she sat him down and knelt before him. 
Bilbo held her cheek in his hand for a moment, "I couldn't very well let you run off on your own, now could I?  I picked you up all those years ago and brought you home and promised to look after you.  I can't very well do that sat in Bag End while you're off on some grand adventure now can I?" 
Fawn sniffled, tears in her eyes, "No, I suppose not.   And it's a good thing too.  You know I'm just loads of a trouble." 
"Exactly.  It was purely practicality really." he teased. 
"Of course.  A civic duty really." she said, laughing through her tears.
"Wouldn't have been fair at all for me to leave the dwarves to put up with you." he teased. 
"Tis true.  I'm a handful.  Just terrible really." she agreed. 
"Miss Fawn, you're no trouble at all and I-" Kili started to defend her but stopped when he saw the two of them smile at him.  "Oh, you're joking.  Sorry." 
The pair of them shared a laugh before Fawn sniffed again, "You're really coming?" 
"Yes, I am." he said, urging her to stand and they made their way towards the front of the group. 
"I signed it." Bilbo said, waving the contract before presenting to Balin who made a show of opening his eyeglass and looking it over. 
"Everything appears to be in order." said Balin before placing a well aimed wink at the hobbit.  "Welcome, Master Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield." 
There was a round of chuckles from the group and Fawn took to squeezing her brother in happiness again. 
"Easy, Fawn, easy." Bilbo gasped.  "Cutting off the air supply." 
"Oh, right, sorry, sorry." she said, releasing him. 
Thorin watched the interaction amused with both the hobbit's change of heart and the massive smile on Fawn's face. 
He decided right then that she looked absolutely radiant when she was happy like that and it was a sight he wouldn't mind seeing more of. 
Fawn glanced up at him and their gazes lingered for a moment before he eventually broke it to say, "Give him a pony." 
"No, no, no, no.  That won't be necessary. Thank you. I'm sure I can keep up." Bilbo stuttered. 
"Oh, yes, Bilbo! You just have to.  They're so cute!" Fawn tittered excitedly. "And you've yet to meet Connie!" 
"I've done my fair share of walking on holiday- and who's Connie?" Bilbo said, eyes growing in size when he watched his sister climb upon the great steed. 
"This is Connie! Constellation actually but Connie for short! Isn't she lovely?" Fawn asked. 
"Yes, yes, Fawn, lovely." he said, getting a bit nervous about the ponies.  "But really I'm in no need of a pony.  I've even gotten as far as Frogmorton once- urgh!" 
His nervous rambling was cut off when Fili and Kili simply picked him up and placed him on the pony. 
Fawn had Connie sidle up next to him with a giant smile on her face. 
Rather unnerving actually. 
Bilbo never knew anything good to come when she was that excited. 
"Bofur!" she called and the dwarf in question. 
"Yes, lass?" he smiled at her. 
"What is the name of this pony?" she asked. 
"Hasn't got one." he said.  "Just a pony."
"Just a pony!" she gasped in pure outrage. "How rude! I shall name you, darling. Don't fret." 
Bilbo gave his sister a look of exasperation, "Must you?" 
"I must." she said. "Now, let's see.  You're a lovely color, darling.  Maybe Cinnamon?  No, no, that won't do. Perhaps, Brownie? No, that is dreadful. Biscuit?! No, that's a terrible name for a pony.  What was I thinking?" 
Thorin could not hold his smile at the sound of her muttering. 
Luckily, he was at the front. 
Well, save for Dwalin, who - at a glance- gave him a very knowing look. 
He simply scowled at him. 
"I've got it! Myrtle! Her name shall be Myrtle!" Fawn beamed. 
"Myrtle?" Ori asked softly.  
"Yes!" Fawn grinned. "Myrtle from the myrtle tree which has absolutely lovely fragrant blossoms AND is a symbol of purity. Good luck, you know." 
"And you want to name a pony after purity?" Gloin asked. 
"Yes, of course." she said. "My other option was Magnolia which means 'great excellence' but I found that a bit too onstentatious.  Additionally, it would've been Maggie for short. Bilbo and I have a cousin called Maggie and, well,  she is incredibly unpleasant.  I should not like to invoke that negative energy onto this quest, thank you very much." 
The group chuckled at her ramblings while Bilbo scolded her. 
"Fawn Baggins, that was rude." Bilbo said. 
"It's true!" she said back.  "She is unpleasant.  Nearly as bad as Lobelia.  And besides, dearest darling Myrtle is a sweetheart.  I shouldn't like to burden her with a name laden with such negative connotations. Honestly, Bilbo, it's like you don't even know me sometimes!" 
Fili couldn't help but grin. 
Fawn Baggins was a riot and she seemed to come alive all the more when her brother was near.   
He was glad the hobbit had decided to join for more than one reason. 
When it was time to pay up coin purses started flying through the air and Fawn moved up to take Gandalf's place near the front. 
She and Connie sidled up beside Dwalin who greeted her with an uncharacteristic smile. 
Though to Fawn, it was all too familiar in the two days she'd known him. 
He seemed to have a soft spot for her. 
"Feelin' better now are ye', lass?" he asked, a knowing twinkle in his eye when he saw Thorin bristle out of the corner of his eye. 
"Much!" she grinned.  "May I ride up here with you? I like to keep my eyes ahead if possible.  I'm very excited to see where we're going." 
"Yer not botherin me, lass." he said. "I don' mind yer company at all." 
She grinned, those fluffy cheeks sending her eyes into half moons again, "Great!" 
"Thorin?" she called his name and he glanced at her to show she had his attention.  "Where are we headed exactly?" 
He lifted a brow, "To Erebor." he said simply. 
She sighed at him dramatically, "Well, yes. But what path are we taking?  I didn't get the best look at the map last night." 
"You needn't worry yourself with it." he said with a shake of his head.  "Just stick close to me and you'll be safe." 
Dwalin cut his eyes sideways at his old friend. 
An interesting choice of words … but he decided to let him have this. 
"Well, the only reason I really asked was because if we were to travel the old main path, there is a short detour that curves but leads out all the same." she said. 
"And?" he asked.  "For what reason would we divert from our original path?" 
"There is a rather wild garden that grows on that path that is free to all.  We could stock up on some things.  Wild herbs, there are vegetables and a few of the trees are fruiting right now.  Not all but some." she said. 
"And how came you to know of this garden free to all?" he inquired. 
"Because I planted it." she said matter of factly.  "It is for any wary traveler to use as long as they are respectful to the earth." 
Bilbo, further down the line, smiled softly at her words as he knew them to be true. 
That 'free to all' garden had been there for twenty years and always had something to bare. 
Fawn had claimed that patch when she was around nine or so on a trip back from holiday and they'd come across a traveler who was hungry. 
Fawn had promptly given him everything edible in her bag and vowed to find him more.   
Bilbo remembered the determined little girl, climbing through berry brambles and climbing trees for an apple. 
The traveller had been grateful and went on his way in much better shape than they'd found him. 
Fawn had been disturbed by the idea of someone going hungry though and spent the longest time turning it into the 'free to all garden" . 
It flourished and Bilbo had never told her but he'd been very proud of her for it. 
"I think it's a great idea!" Fili piped up from his spot by Bilbo. 
"Yeah, I want to see this magical garden!" called Kili. 
"Well, it's not magical." Fawn grinned at the pair of them as she turned.  "But there are blackberries! Which, for this time of year, is pretty magical, I'd say." 
"Blackberries?" Thorin asked.  
Dwalin smirked. 
Hook, line and sinker. 
She had him. 
Thorin Oakenshield was a sucker for blackberries and it was clear as day on his face. 
"Yes!" she grinned at him.  "And they are rather good if I do say so myself.   I'm not sure why they come so early as blackberry season isn't really until at least height of summer but it's always been like that in the garden.  But I love blackberries so I just don't question it.  Best not to jinx it."  
"And how long will it take with this detour?" Thorin asked. 
Dwalin could see the cogs turning in his head. 
"Oh, six one way, half a dozen the other.  No difference really.  A bit more scenic.  And there are a lot of deer near if you wanted to have a quick hunt.  And it's not exactly Bag End but I have made a little shelter there as well.   Just something to keep you safe and dry if you were traveller in need of it." she said. 
"And how far is it?" he asked. 
"From here? Oh about a day or so depending." she said. 
"Depending on what?" he asked. 
"Depending on how fast you want to get to the blackberries!" she said impishly making him chuckle in spite of himself. 
He couldn't help it. 
Thorin glanced back at Balin, "What say you?" 
The white haired dwarrow looked at the woman in question with her big puppy eyes and pleading face. 
"I say it would be a good idea to replenish supplies and take refuge.  We'll no doubt have plenty of difficult times ahead, Thorin.  Best we take the opportunities when presented." he said. 
Thorin held his gaze a bit longer before glancing among the hopeful looks of the company and finally to the woman who was looking at him with the biggest hopeful eyes he'd ever seen. 
He caved.  Hard. 
"Alright.  Take us to your little garden when we're close." he said and chuckled again when she cheered. 
"Yay! You won't be sorry! I promise!" she said.  
And truthfully, Thorin didn't think he would be. 
Even if it ended up in a mess. 
Even if they ended up lost. 
Somewhere deep down… he knew it was worth it just to see that happy little smile on her face. 
…………
Hello loves! Thank you for being patient with me as I worked on this update!
I do hope you like it and are getting deeper into Fawn's character.
I will say, she's not exactly as she seems and I'm curious to see if any of you pick up on the clues and figure out the secret before it's revealed. I would love to know your thoughts!
Also, if you want to catch up on the story, there are two parts before this. The Prologue: A Baggins of Bag End and Chapter One: An Unexpected Hostess.
With love eternally, Kenny 
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17 notes · View notes
onboardsorasora · 1 month
Note
https://www.tumblr.com/onboardsorasora/744947832405032960/okay-but-what-about-harem-baby-bump-gate-daniel
Now I’m just thinking of different Daniel variants going switching places with reclamation Daniel and seeing Jules
Adore you Daniel seeing reclamation Jules 😢😢😢
OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Bestie what if we cry??????
He'd been in hiding for months now, Guilia and her family helped him pack up the house and he thinks he can head back to Monaco, sneak back maybe. He was waiting on Charles to tell him the plan worked, that Renault's hit was done.
But he couldn't wait anymore. He was tired. It was like dangling a carrot in front of a horse but never actually giving it to him. He just wanted his life back. Max was gone, Max wanted him for Red Bull. He just wanted to be where he felt safe, fuck everything else.
He pulled into his building, heading straight for the secondary parking at the back of the lot like always. So far so good. He grabbed his smallest bag- if it all went to shit then he wouldn't need to repack. If it worked out then he'd have time to unpack.
He sagged against the wall in the elevator, it was 8pm, he was exhausted. All he wanted was a shower and bed. It took him a minute to remember the code to his door, salvation was almost at hand. His bag dropped off of his shoulder as he used one foot to step out of his shoes, then vice versa. fuck his shoelaces right now- they didn't matter.
He zombie walked past the entryway, before stopping dead.
"You're back quick. They didn't have you waiting for fuck ever this time." A jovial voice welcomed him in Italian. Daniel scrubbed his hand over his eyes.
His mouth dropped open in shock and he blinked a few times. This had to be a hallucination. He'd been awake for close to 36 hours with only energy drinks to sustain him. it had to be a hallucination.
Jules looked back at him curious, his smile lessening at Daniel's behaviour.
"Are you really here?" Daniel's voice cracked as he whispered, before shaking his head fiercly. "Of course not. Fuck, I really should have taken that nap five hours ago. Fuck." He rubbed his hands down his face and cracked his neck before walking further into the space, walking around where he was 'seeing' Jules.
"Mate, are you for real right now? What did they give you?" Jules' quirked a brow and reached out to grab Daniel's shoulder. Daniel whirled on him and pulled him into a chokehold before letting him go just and quickly and stepping back as if burned.
"What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck????" Daniel's breathing quickened, as if he was having a panic attack. Jules coughed before holding his neck gingerly.
"Daniel are you tripping or something? Fuck, if you're relapsing I'm calling Seb." Jules muttered, watching his friend warily.
"This isn't real, this is not fucking real. woosaah, fuck. wooosaaaah." Daniel muttered to himself while trying to regain control of his breathing. He slid down against the wall, sitting on the floor. Yes the floor sounded lovely right now. The floor was stable and close. The floor wouldn't lie to him like his senses. The floor was safe.
"Daniel?" Jules' voice was worried, he moved to squat infront of Daniel but froze the moment he saw his best friend tense as if waiting for a blow.
"You're not real. You're not real. You're just a figment of my brain breaking. woosaahhh I'm just having a tiny menty-b from being awake for so long. thats all. wooosah. Jules is not here Danny, Jules is not here." Daniel closed his eyes and dropped his head backwards towards the wall.
"Mate... I'm legit right here. What the fuck?" Jules' whispered. Whatever was happening with Daniel right now was not good. This was maybe one of the worse relapses he's ever seen.
"Jules is not here. Jules has been dead for 3 years. Jules is not here. Jules is not here-"
"Mate what the fuck? This isn't funny anymore bro." Jules knew his voice was hysterical.
"Why won't you go away.." Daniel whined, tapping his head forcefully against the wall. Jules rushed forward and pulled him into a hug, clutching Daniel into his chest. Daniel shuddered in his hold.
"This isn't real. This isn't real. Please." Daniel's voice sounded ragged and Jules felt his eyes tear up at the anguish his friend was going through. What the fuck happened at his appointment?
"Danny, I'm real! I'm here. I'm here for you. God y.ou're scaring me." Jules clutched Daniel as his sobs got harder- shaking them both.
"I miss you so much. Every fucking day I miss you. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry we went to that stupid bar. I'm sorry I dragged you there. I-" Daniel hiccupped before continuing his litany of sins. Jules was still so confused but he'll let Daniel get this out, let him tell him what he thinks he needs to get off his chest, what he needs forgiveness for. He'll absolve Daniel of whatever wrongs he thinks he's committed.
some more
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womanofwords · 8 months
Text
Farewell Party
I based a story off of the TV trope And There Was Much Rejoicing.
It is said that you can tell how well-liked a person was or wasn't based on their farewell party. For example, if the party happens after they leave, it's a pretty good indicator that they weren't well-liked when they were there. Another example is if nobody turns up to the party.
Villain had been to many farewell parties. Most were joyous, but sad affairs as people reminisced about the good times. However, this one was . . . different.
Villain walked in on a chaotic party full of cheering and whooping. Henchman waved them over. "Villain! Oh my god, get over here!" they shouted. They looked like they were already drunk. Weirdly, they were with Sidekick and Hero.
"Hi, Henchman," Villain said looking awkwardly at Sidekick and Hero. "No offence, but I thought this was a villain-only party."
"Nah, this is a mixed morality event," Hero said. "Superhero was not someone that was well-liked among their colleagues."
"How 'not well-liked' are we talking?" Villain asked. Loud cheering came from the back of the room. Villain's jaw dropped as a bunch of heroes and villains. stood around throwing darts at a picture of Superhero.
"I hit him in the eyes! What do I win?" Supervillain asked.
"Someone here will pay for your cab ride home instead of you doing it yourself," Other Villain said.
"Awesome!" Supervillain said.
"Oh. They are truly hated," Villain said.
"I know," Hero said.
"Superhero used to treat me like an intern," Sidekick sighed. "Sidekick, get doughnuts. Sidekick, get me coffee. Sidekick, where are those files? Sidekick, hand these out."
"That explains you, Sidekick," Villain said. "But what about you, Hero?"
"Superhero and I went to hero academy at the same time. I outperformed them on the tests, but they were the one with the connections because I was at home studying and practicing, and they were at parties, networking. Even when I graduated with higher grades, they got promoted faster until they were my boss."
"Boss's boss," Sidekick corrected.
Hero bristled. "Thank you, Sidekick," they said tersely, before continuing with the anecdote. "Once Superhero had significant power over me, they lorded it over me, too. Dangling my job in front of me like a carrot in front of a horse. Gloating about how my studying and practicing never got me as high as it got them. They were the worst."
"You won't have to worry about them any more," Villain said, awkwardly comforting Hero. "Because Superhero's gone."
"Damn right they are!" someone said, with a bunch of drunk people cheering. "Now let's eat the cakes!"
A multitude of cakes in many different trolleys were brought out on several large trolleys. One cake that was brought out was a sheet cake that had the words SUPERHERO IS GONE FOR GOOD written on it in icing. "We are literally eating cake in celebration of Superhero never coming back," Hero mused. "I didn't think Superhero was hated this much."
"Neither did I, but I'm kinda glad they were," Henchman laughed. "A toast to Superhero and their misery!"
"To Superhero's misery!" everyone chorused.
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not100bees · 6 days
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The weirdest people I have to deal with is there's a subset of people who for some reason will reassure me they're going up on the tip after I've dropped the food off And then don't. Which like defeats the purpose of lying about going up on the tip because you want to do that as early as possible to try to get me to go quicker like a horse. You're dangling a carrot in front of. Afterwards, just there's no point.
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crackers4jenn · 10 months
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But what if I write a s15, post-finale "Changing Channels"-esque fic where Dean didn't die, Cas is back from the empty, and Gabriel gets bored and meddles a little, popping Dean and Cas into various fic/romcom tropes??? (a snippet behind the cut)
+++
The blare of a horn startles Dean awake, echoing in his ears long after the initial honk.
Still kinda drowsy at first, Dean notices, through the windshield, which should’ve been his first red flag, a stretch of road ahead, and then some taillights.
Immediately he’s hurled into panic mode.
“Shit, shit—”
He swerves onto the shoulder and slams on the brakes, his heart thumping hard enough he can feel his pulse in his neck. A light sweat breaks out across his forehead over what seems, now, like a close call.
Blindly grappling for the gear shift, he winds up missing; instead, his hand hits the dashboard of what definitely isn’t the Impala.
Dean's brain stutters offline for a second.
When it turns back on, he manages to put the car in park while fumbling for the door handle—too high, it’s in the wrong spot—he finds it and stumbles out of the car, nearly face-planting into asphalt in his hurry.
It’s dark out, that’s the first thing he notices. He finds himself, somehow, in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, the tree-lined, HOA kind, every house with an American flag staked in the lawn and pumpkins adorning the front stoops.
Mind racing, he tries to recall the last thing he remembers.
Eileen was over. They were at the bunker. Her and him and Sam and Cas were in the Deancave, watching a movie.
There was no hunt, no way he could’ve been caught and strung up by some djinn. He hasn't pissed off any witches lately. They were at home freaking relaxing, so how is he here?
Maybe they fell asleep? Maybe he's dreaming?
He closes his eyes, tries to wake himself up. Jittery, he shakes out his hands. Nothing happens, and he's drawing the line at a Wizard of Oz heel tap, so he gives up.
With sinking dread, the kind that comes with a lifelong history of being the cosmic mattress to a douchebag higher power, Dean starts for the car again—then stops dead in his tracks and does a full-on double-take: there’s a giant neon 'Pizza World' sign welded onto the roof, because, holy shit, it’s a pizza delivery car, he’d been driving a pizza delivery car.
Needle careening toward the red end of his freak-out meter, he drops back into the driver’s seat in a throat-drying, adrenaline-releasing rush, only then realizing with a groan—the pants he was wearing the last he remembered? The three layers of shirts, including flannel? His go-to? Yeah, not part of whatever bizarro world he woke up in. Now he's got on a black polo shirt with the Pizza World logo, and (worse) a pair of jean shorts that're riding way too high up his thighs for his liking.
How the hell did he miss this before?
Oh, right, probably from the shock of BEING HURTLED INTO SOME WEIRD ASS MINDFUCK.
He gropes for his phone in his back pocket and finds it there easily, so at least one thing’s still the same, never mind that he’s got denim riding up his ass right now, but when he swipes the thing on, there’s an unfamiliar map pulled up, coordinates already plugged in.
He frowns and taps the home key. And then taps again when nothing happens. Zero to pissed, his taps turn into rage pounding but the map app stays frozen on the screen. When he tries to force a restart, the phone won't turn off, which is when Dean accepts, fine. He has to play along. Cool.
Awesome. Nothing weird or messed up about that.
He starts driving.
Turns out, he’s basically already wherever he needs to go. He gets to the end of the road, takes a left, and the destination he’s being led to like a horse following an ominously dangled carrot is a two-story house smack in the middle of a cul-de-sac.
He rolls up the driveway with his high beams pointed at the garage, cutting lines in the dark. Just like every other house he passed, this one’s still decked out for Halloween, fake cobwebs strung from the rafters and a couple of plastic skeletons at the porch.
Now that he’s here, thinking alright, I played your stupid game, he tries his phone again. Nada.
With a sigh and some bullshit bravado mustered mostly out of frustration, he turns the car off and starts to get out. He winds up pausing, one foot on the ground, the other still in the car, to hook his hands over the frame of the door, taking a moment to look around for anything shady, his hunter instincts on high alert.
The wind rustles some trees, which blows loose a few stray leaves that drift to the gutter. Up the street, a car drives past, freakishly quiet because it’s one of them super silent electric ones.
Right, then.
He crosses the driveway, walking up the pathway that leads to the front door. The curtains in all the windows are drawn open. He cranes his neck trying to peek inside without making it obvious to the neighborhood crime watch that’s what he’s doing, but all he sees is a couch and TV and living room.
Reaching the door, he hesitates once more. Forms a fist to knock. Then decides, maybe he oughta be the one springing his presence onto someone, not being sprung on. He grabs the knob.
The door yanks open and Dean almost falls off the porch from surprise.
“Dean,” Cas says on an exhale so full of relief, it helps Dean process that it’s Cas in front of him, who looks like he’s almost sagging from the weight of his own appreciation. “You’re here.”
Dean shrugs his bravado back into place now that there’s a familiar face to tether himself to. Still, his knees nearly buckle at the sight of him, and he wonders vaguely about Sam, but doesn’t let himself think too hard about whether or not he's here, if he’s okay. If he goes down that road, there’s no getting off it.
Gruffly, he goes, “Yeah, and where the hell's that, exactly? Got any idea?”
“I don’t know. I woke up a few minutes ago, here, in this house, but when I tried to call you—”
He holds his phone out for Dean to see. His contact information is pulled up and when Cas hits the 'call' button in demonstration, there’s only dead air on the line. His finger covers the screen for a moment before he swipes to show Dean the text messages he’d been attempting.
Dean pulls his phone out too. What do you know, the map has disappeared, but when he brings up his own texts, there’s zip from Cas.
“I got nothing,” he tells him, at a loss.
"I tried Sam too. It didn't work."
Suddenly remembering the car, his freaking uniform, Dean asks, “Did you… order… pizza?” and doesn’t know what kinda answer he’s even expecting here, but he’s trying to figure out what sorta rules they’re following.
Cas's eyes narrow in confusion and then grow big, seeing Dean clearly for the first time, and not in a recognizable way. His gaze falls to the logo embroidered on Dean’s chest. “No, but—”
All of a sudden, some kid comes whizzing into view behind Cas, which is startling enough on its own, but then he stops to shoot Dean with a nerf gun. He aims for the crotch and absolutely nails the shot. Dean curls inward with an airy oof of pain as the kid bolts back off with a victory whoop and some sociopathic gusto.
“The hell,” Dean manages to squeeze past his lips, high-pitched and shell-shocked.
“You’re a pizza man?”
Cas says it like something’s beginning to fall into place for him. Less of a startled realization and more of a dreaded observation.
Dean breathes, “Yeah,” with a wince, trying to unfurl.
“I'm a babysitter,” Cas says disbelievingly. Another kid shyly inches into view, her arms wrapped tightly around one of Cas's legs as she reveals half her face only. Jesus, what the hell. “Apparently,” Cas adds, reaching down to pat the kid on the head in a reassuring way.
Dean’s crap when it comes to guessing kids' ages, he’s only ever had Sam and then Ben to go by, but he’s gonna clock the clinger as four and the nut-buster between the six to eight range.
Doesn’t clear up anything in the slightest.
“The hell,” Dean says again.
++
The boy’s running around like he dripped sugar straight from the bag into his veins. He zips past Dean and Cas with his gun pointed at them at all times, the kind that unloads multiple foam bullets at once, but he disappears into the dining room slash kitchen without firing, finding his glee in the way Dean flinches.
“Freak,” Dean murmurs.
Cas stares at him flatly, unimpressed with Dean making instant enemies with a child. The girl’s still suctioned to his legs like a frog on the side of a terrarium, peering up at Dean like he’s the thing hiding in her closet at night.
Yeah, yeah.
“So, what, we hang around, then, wait for mom and dad to get back? Play Candyland?” Before waiting for an answer, he shakes off the sarcasm and hisses, "This don't feel wrong to you?"
"No, Dean, it feels incredibly normal," Cas rolls out just as mockingly, sharper and more biting. "I often wake up clung to by random children in other people's homes—”
A foam bullet sails past their heads. Dean's freaked out enough his frustration bubbles over.
“Dude, Deliverance Jr., dial it back,” he bites out in the direction of the hyperactive blur. Something in his tone makes the lip of the little girl quiver, and that’s the only warning they get before she breaks into an eardrum-bursting wail.
“Dean,” Cas sighs. For a second he’s torn between his own annoyance and the weariness of needing to offer comfort. Because it’s Cas, the latter wins out and he softens.
“What? Kid's freaking her out,” Dean defends, throwing his shoulders in the direction of the other rugrat.
“Really? Because I think that might be you—”
Perfectly timed, another nerf bullet whines past, just barely missing Cas.
Dean's eyebrows climb high atop his forehead to gloat: you were saying?
Unwilling to step off the high road now that he’s there, Cas instead redirects his attention to the girl. Her cries have lowered in volume, now at a range still in 'giving it two more minutes before the neighbors call CPS,' but at least Dean can hear himself think.
Dropping into a crouch, Cas puts a hand on the girl's shoulder. “Everything is going to be alright, you don’t need to be afraid.”
The brother sure as hell knows his cue, he'll give him that: they hear the springy release of the trigger just seconds before a bullet thwacks Cas—with eerie precision—right at his temple.
Dean tries not to preen, settling instead to rock back on his heels, lifting a finger gleefully. “You, uh, got a little something—”
The bullet gives up its suction and drops to the floor.
Cas closes his eyes and breathes out through his nose.
Abruptly, everything around Dean and Cas but Dean and Cas themselves freezes with a time-bending pop. The girl turns silent and motionless, her head thrown back. And not figuratively, not in some bullshit 'it's like time stood still' metaphorical way. Literally. Even the tear that had been falling down her cheek is now paused in place, glistening wetly.
Cas slowly climbs to his feet, glancing over at Dean. There’s almost a crackle in the air, bringing with it a sense of foreboding.
“Cas…” Dean murmurs in alarm, ready to grab him by the collar and dip out of there fast if they need to.
“WOW, seriously?” booms a voice from the other side of the room, right next to the boy who was caught mid-attack with his gun aimed at his sister. Gabriel waves a hand in front of the kid’s suspended face, then grins, pleased with his work. “Hello, boys.”
Dean and Cas have barely wrapped up their 'what the actual hell?’ facial exchange before Cas is storming forward, fists clenched. “Gabriel,” he fumes.
Gabriel disappears with a smirk, only to reappear behind them, now with the sofa serving as a makeshift barricade.
“Ah-ah,” he scolds Cas.
“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Dean turns around and blurts. Cas reappears at his side, swaying close enough their elbows brush. “Like, dead-dead.”
Gabriel places a hand over his heart in mock-offense. “Was, yeah.” His gaze sharpens. “And then Castiel happened.”
That all-to-well known, first feeling of betrayal starts to bubble up and stab Dean in the gut, the one that means Dean was left out of some really important shit, but one look at Cas squashes it dead. Cas's brow is folded together, just as confused as Dean is.
Gabriel's sigh is loud and full of suffering. “My untimely demise, the Empty, eternal slumber, et cetera-et cetera,” Gabriel ticks off with a roll of his eyes to catch them up, put out by it. Dean feels Cas tense. Protectiveness tears through him and he falls another inch closer to him. “Ringing any bells? Sure, never-ending unconsciousness has its appeal, don’t get me wrong. But Cas here showed up and things got LOUD.”
Cas is turning over his own memories. He's still frowning. “Jack—”
“Picked the locks, raised a little hell. Broke you free. Yeah, and left the doors wide open. Long enough, anyway,” he says with a boastful shrug of the shoulder to imply his escape was easy. His tone changes again. He jerks a finger between Dean and Cas. “What're we callin' him, by the way? My big brother’s half-human Nephilim son turned… dad, I guess, in the package of a barely pubescent boy-toy?” He makes a clicking noise. “Doesn’t really roll off the tongue, and 'God' feels—” His head wobbles back and forth like he’s coming up short, like it’s Jack’s fault for that. "Been there, done that."
Full of threat, Cas steps forward. No wings are visible, not with Cas officially one of the mud-monkeys, but there’s almost a ripple in the air like they’re there anyway.
Gabe swallows his words with a placating grin. “Going with 'Jack,' then.”
With a calmness he doesn’t feel, Dean reaches up and grips Cas's sleeve. Not to stop him, purely for the purpose of anchoring him.
It makes Gabriel’s smile grow until it’s uncomfortable to be in front of.
“Finally,” he says, huffing it out. “Funny thing, when you showed up,” he tells Cas. “All them bittersweet-nothings keeping you company night after night after night? Over and over, the will-they-why-freaking-won't-they, the drama,” Gabe recalls like even now it still pains him. “Buddyroll, we all caught the show. Your's,” he tells Cas pointedly, and something about it makes Cas squirm. “It woke us up, and it played EVERYWHERE. I’m talking full theater release, in IMAX.”
Dean glances over, not following along. “Cas?”
Ignoring him, Cas bites out, “What’s your point? Why are we here?”
“Gettin’ there,” Gabriel says. Feeling brave enough to leave the protection the couch offers, he swivels around, admiring the aesthetics. His gaze bounces from the jumbo flat screen TV—he whistles, impressed—to the family photos on the wall—that gets an apathetic headshake, like Gabriel's calling 'pass' on the hotness of the mom, or hell, the dad—before finally landing on the crying kid, still frozen mid-tantrum. He shudders.
“Gabriel,” Cas warns, past the point of tolerance.
“You, baby bro, are hella impatient." When Cas's glower intensifies, Gabriel pulls up defensive hands. "Just an observation. You have the self-restraint of a hurricane over Florida soil. You tell this shmuck shaped like a Bass Pro Shop you love him—” Dean gets gestured at in disgust, "—yet here I am peeking in two months post-miracle resurrection, two months post-the Truman Show you didn’t sign up for, and instead of busting you in flagrante delicto,” he purrs pervishly, “you’re 'two dudes in a hot tub five feet apart cause you’re not gay'?”
The reference goes clear over their heads, but the implication doesn’t.
Cas moves out of Dean's hold, almost embarrassed, but Dean’s too busy processing everything to notice, his brain working stupidly fast to put it all together.
The pizza guy.
The babysitter.
The freaking short shorts.
When he meets Gabriel’s playful gaze, his own is full of fury.
“You thought, what,” Dean starts roughly, “you'd zap us into porno land and we'd just start going at it?”
“Ding, ding, ding,” Gabriel calls out, pressing his finger to the tip of his nose. “Street-smart’s got it one.”
Cas isn’t connecting the same dots.
Dean seethes through his clenched jaw, “Dude, you’re the babysitter,” and tries like hell to keep the flames from licking up the side of his face, willing away the telltale flush of embarrassment.
All of a sudden, Cas gets it. His eyes widen in understanding and almost automatically drop to Dean's pretty damn bare legs. Just as quickly he snaps his attention elsewhere, looking at the wall, the ceiling, the door where, come to think of it, yeah, Dean wouldn’t mind bailing right about now.
“Cute,” Gabriel teases.
“Whatever this is,” Cas says, menacing once more, “you need to stop.”
“I could,” Gabriel agrees. And then he grins. “Or—”
He snaps his fingers.
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snaillle · 29 days
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Chapter 1 - Guess Who’s Back
Well, look who it is. You’re back. I bet you missed me. Are you ready? Do you remember how we ended? Katana and her friends had just left on their journey out of Adani and into a new world. Great, we’re all caught up. Ready now? Good. 
Then,
Let me tell you a story.  
Katana
November 15, 5029
5:37 PM
“What’re you doing all the way out here?” Kyuni tilted her head with her hands in her pockets. 
Katana looked up from the horizon with her pale blue eyes. 
“Watching the sunset,” She responded. Kyuni sat down next to her sister, her light brown hair swinging. 
“I wonder if Mom is worried,” Katana said, dangling her feet over the edge of the rock.
“Nah,” Kyuni said. “She got our note. That’s the best we can do.” 
Katana shrugged and stood up, her tied-back hair as black as pitch in the dark. 
“Let’s get back to the homely cave,” Katana said sarcastically, and Kyuni giggled girlishly. They left the edge and entered the cave, which was in no way homely. It was wet and a little mossy, except for a bare stone square in the middle of the maw of the opening that Jace had scraped out using a handax they’d bought in a small town a day or two back.
“Hey,” Jace said, slicing carrots with a sweeping chop noise. “Hungry?” He tossed a piece of bread at Katana with his right hand. It was only then that Katana realized how hungry indeed she was. She caught the bread in her right hand, tearing at it with her teeth. Her left wrist had been a bit sore ever since she’d dozed off and fallen from her horse yesterday.
“Where are we?” Kyuni asked. 
“Somewhere near Ignis City,” Katana replied thickly, chewing the bread.
“Are we stopping there?” Kyuni bit into her own slice.
“Probably.”
“We need more water,” Jace informed them. 
“Can’t we just conjure it?” Miko asked, facing the stone walls and pulling off pieces of her slice and sticking them in her mouth. The horses nickered almost in unison as Jace threw them a handful of carrots he had just finished slicing.
“No.” Katana plucked a carrot from Jace’s pile.
“I thought you were learning witch magic?” Miko frowned at the rocks in front of her.
“I’m not that good,” Katana scowled.
“Can we try?” Kyuni asked.
“Fine,” Katana conceded, taking out her new wand. They had gone on a bit of a shopping spree a few days ago, in Winterbloom, a small town just outside of Adani’s border. The wand was thin, made of ash wood. Runes were inscribed along the handle.
“Alright,” Katana said, raising the wand. Kyuni handed her a bowl. 
“Ortora.”  The wooden bowl shuddered and a couple drops of water splashed into the bowl.
“Cool,” Miko said without turning from the wall.
“It didn’t work,” Jace said, sounding crestfallen. 
“What was your first clue?” Miko snapped. 
“Quit bickering,” Katana told them. Jace looked like he was biting back a snarky retort, but subsided at a stern look from Katana. 
“We’ll just stop in Ignis,” Kyuni said, and she sat down and ate her bread, signaling the end of the conversation. 
Katana
November 16, 5029
4:49 AM
They woke early the next morning; if they started walking right away, they’d reach Ignis City before lunch. Katana packed up the camp, Jace produced an apple for each from his bag, and Kyuni and Miko began mapping out their route. Katana stuck her wand in her back pocket, slid on her ring, and cleaned her glasses.
Katana sat down on the ledge again, watching the moon sludge down the sky. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and leaned back, laying down on the rock and staring up at the sky just starting to turn light. Her tightly-bound hair stung as she put weight onto the ponytail. Katana closed her eyes and inhaled the mountain air, crisp with morning chill. Eventually she opened her eyes and there was an upside-down face staring at her with a wide grin.
“Morning,” Jace said.
“You look like you’re about to fall face first into my stomach,” Katana observed, but she didn’t move.
“I’m not,” Jace said, rocking on the balls of his feet just to prove that he was sturdy.
He fell forward. Katana squeaked and turned her face to the side to protect her nose. When no face fell into her cheek, she looked back up. Jace’s face was inches from hers. He’d caught himself before he’d crashed, an arm braced against either side of Katana.
Like the ancient, iconic Spider-Man scene, but on the ground.
Katana flushed and rolled away. Jace sat up, still grinning his cheeks off. 
“Well, you didn’t fall face first into my stomach,” Katana murmured, face still burning. “That’s something.”
A very smug crunching of Jace’s apple responded.
Katana
November 16, 5029
6:30 AM
Katana yawned, looking up at the sky. It was a perfect autumn day, with a clear blue sky and just the smallest hint of bitter breeze. Her sweatshirt was warm enough to keep the chill away, though, so she could enjoy the weather to its fullest. She glanced over at Jace, golden in the bright sun. He caught Katana looking at him and smiled his brilliant smile. Katana grinned back half-heartedly and steered Hawthorne to trot beside Archer. 
“You look tired,” was the first thing he said. 
“I am.”
“Late night?”
“More like early morning, long day, and late night, in a series of long days and late nights and early mornings,” Katana said, but she wasn’t complaining.
“Ah.” Jace chuckled quietly.
“Yup.”
There was a pause, which was filled with only the twittering of waking birds and horses clip–clopping. 
“Do you think we’ll be able to do this?” Katana asked, and it was barely louder than a whisper.
“As long as we’ve got you on the team, anything is possible,” Jace replied, turning to look at her with a soft smile that made her insides all fuzzy. Katana smiled back weakly.
“But anyway, I feel as if I don’t know you at all,” Jace continued, still smiling.
“Well… ask anything you want to know,” Katana said, shrugging.
“Favorite color?” Jace prompted her.
“You know… I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it before.” Katana pondered for a moment. “I think… blue. Not the color of my eyes or, like, the water…” Katana brought her hands behind her head and leaned back. “Like the blue you see in fire.”
“I like that.” Jace’s soft smile widened into a grin. “I prefer green.”
“So stereotypical,” Katana teased him.
“But not just, like, green. I like the rich, dark, green of pine needles,” Jace clarified, looking up at the sky.
Katana pictured the green of pine needles. “I suppose that is a thing you’d like.”
“Are you right handed?” Jace asked her. 
“Normal old me,” Katana said with a giggle, nodding. “Are you?”
“No. I’m actually… up handed,” Jace laughed. Katana rolled her eyes at the bad joke. 
“You’re left handed, aren’t you?” Katana said, more as a statement than a question. 
“Yeah.” Jace raised his left hand and twirled it around in the brisk air. “Okay. Hm… when’s your birthday?” He asked her.
“January nineteenth,” Katana answered. “Yours?”
“July fifth.” Jace grinned. When Jace grinned, he grinned with all his teeth possible. His grins, Katana thought, were a gift to the Earth. Jace’s eyes trailed across Katana’s smiling face and she blushed, realizing she’d been staring.
“Land ho!” Kyuni called from the front of the group. Ollie nickered, and Kyuni soothed her with a pat on the neck.
Katana urged Hawthorn forward, grateful for an excuse to look away from Jace. 
“What is it?”
“Looks like the Fire Elf place,” Miko said as Jace moved up to walk beside Katana.
Katana paused her horse at the top of the hill. She could look down and see a huge wall, spotted at the top with huge torches that weren’t lit. She could make out little soldiers in uniforms patrolling the edge. 
“Well,” Katana began, but she was cut off by someone else. Someone new.
“Who are you?” The unfamiliar voice asked, hostile and cold. Katana whirled. 
We haven’t even entered the city and we’re already dead.
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wumblr · 1 year
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resigned sigh and ANOTHER thing i have never seen anyone else bring up in regards to AI is the particularly modern notion that in order to be successful a product must produce producers. what's being sold is not the thing in and of itself but its ability to bring new, productive users into a market niche. you don't buy an instance of art as the product, everyone buys the subscription to the artmaker and makes it themselves. it's a bastardization of DIY under exploit for free mining by capitalists, and it also serves to channel outwards-leaning efforts at constructing dual power institutions toward remaining contributive to the capitalist economy. you pay out of pocket to participate in an ostensible community with the dangling implication, like a carrot on a string in front of a horse, that if you produce good enough products you will get noticed, go viral, make bank and jump up a tax bracket. this is a fundamentally different mode of economic exchange and also the basis for the uber/lyft gig economy, social media, video game streaming, video essays, tiktok dances, fandom, digital audio workstations (ableton, protools, flstudio) and the vanity selfpublishing music industry (cdbaby, distrokid, tunecore), everyone's favorite hydrocarbon petrochemical byproduct (legos), etc. once again there are whales above your head, chums. look up
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dxrkenedheights · 5 months
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where: stables
with: charlie prescott and teddy prescott @rviner
★・・・・・・★
"I think they called this one QT." Charlie laughs, her footsteps trudging the pasture towards the paint peeled fence. She hitches the reigns around the post there so the horse faces her daughter with a snort. "You keep going on and on about heading out but you haven't even been on a horse for like four years? Think it's best we take everything back to basics."
She doesn't mean to do this. Charlotte doesn't consider that she dangles a carrot right in front of Teddy's face. Luring her daughter almost with the potential of joining runs. Some days, Charlie has a flash of an epiphany that her little girl is an adult now. She remembers how she felt herself in Arizona, chomping at the bit to get out. She sympathizes completely with her daughter but then the thought terrifies her. How the world is now, how danger lurks at every corner and she retracts all offers. Claims to revisit it another time. Which only causes more restlessness from the little Prescott. "I know what you're gonna say." she preempts the look on Teddy's expression, mirroring it with her own. "But no I mean it. Try and get some confidence back in the saddle and then we can...you know. We can talk more about it."
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