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#the quote*** my guilt keeps me up at night
kaorisun · 1 year
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𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 immortality is an abundant curse (3)
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pairing : blade x reader
tags : hurt no comfort, angst, canon divergence
word count : 4.88k
chapters : one • two • three
crossposted to : AO3
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Summary : “Everything changed the day Imbibitor Lunae committed a grave sin in the eyes of the Xianzhou. Upon Ren, he bestowed the most abundant curse known to man.
“Immortality.”
or
The full story.
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Yanqing wears his heart on his sleeve.
Given this fact, you truly should’ve figured that Jing Yuan would know exactly who had taken his diary upon discovering it missing.
However, this thought doesn’t cross your mind, so when Jing Yuan arrives at the clinic that night to search for his young apprentice, you’re terribly startled.
Yanqing, who’d been carefully showing you the fruits of his training inside the clinic, drops his sword with a clatter, gasping upon seeing the General appear at the door.
“It wasn’t me!” he yelps indignantly. Jing Yuan gives the boy an amused look.
“Oh? I haven’t even mentioned what I’m here for. How did you know I’d accuse you?” the General questions. Yanqing deflates, having exposed himself and his guilt without the man having to do so much as lift a finger. You reach out towards Yanqing, wanting to defend the boy from any potential ire or anger.
All things considered, he’d done it for your sake. You wouldn’t let him take the blame for such a kindhearted action.
Bailu beats you to it first. Grabbing the journal from her desk, she tosses it to the General. The man catches it with one hand before looking at her curiously.
“Take it. I already read through all of it. I have a good memory. I’ll tell them the stories myself, whether you agree with it or not,” Bailu insists, turning away in annoyance. Unexpectedly, instead of disagreement or disdain, Jing Yuan chuckles and shakes his head.
“I think you’re mistaken. I didn’t come here to scold anyone or take this back. Actually, I commend Yanqing for taking a stand against me and remaining firm in his belief that you had the right to know,” Jing Yuan says with a small smile. Yanqing lets out a relieved sigh before picking up his sword, migrating to the edge of your bed to seat himself.
You tilt your head in confusion. “Why aren’t you upset?”
Jing Yuan suddenly looks sheepish, reaching back to rub his neck. “Actually, I went to the Divination Commission to inquire about this situation. Needless to say, the Master Diviner did not agree with how I handled everything.”
You hum softly, the thought bringing you some comfort. “Did she use the Matrix of Prescience to arrive at that answer?” you ask.
“Actually….” Jing Yuan trails off as he averts his gaze. Bailu pipes up with an amused huff.
“Fu Xuan scolded you, didn’t she?” she interrogates. The General sighs softly before confirming the healer’s suspicions with a small nod.
“Well, what she said, and I quote, ‘despite having the title Divine Foresight, you spend no time thinking about the consequences of your decisions. I don't even need a third eye to see why that’s wrong. Your apprentice has more of a head than you do,’ or something along those lines,” Jing Yuan recounts with a guilty expression.
“I’m glad someone got it through that thick skull of yours, General. The memories are a precious thing to the Vidyadhara race. I can hardly believe you hid so much myself,” Bailu chastises, crossing her arms.
“I know, I know. I realize my mistake,” he starts, walking over to you and sitting beside Yanqing on the edge of the bed. “I'm glad my nosy apprentice told you everything. I thought I was protecting you by keeping everything a secret, but I only caused you more stress in the end.”
You offer a gentle smile. “I went along with it without a fuss because I trusted you. It hurt, but I figured you wouldn’t hide things without reason.”
“And even knowing that I’ve been shielding you from something painful, you still want the truth?” the man asks, the worry clear in his expression. You meet his gaze and nod.
“Yes. Learning the truth is allowing me to feel more and more complete. Even if it’s upsetting, I need to know,” you insist. Jing Yuan chuckles.
“Even without your memories, you’re just as headstrong as you were back then,” he muses. “In that case, I’ll take responsibility, and I’ll be the one to deliver the truth to you.”
“At a later date,” Bailu interjects before Jing Yuan can flip open his diary to the relevant pages. “Save any new stories for tomorrow. I don’t want to strain them further.”
“Strain..?” the General mumbles. You quickly pipe in to clarify.
“Ren… I remembered my first meeting with him. I remembered loving him. But… everything else is still foggy,” you explain.
“But that was enough to make you faint! Lady Bailu is right. We should wait,” Yanqing adds. Jing Yuan looks at you and ruffles your hair affectionately.
“In that case, tomorrow. After our duties, I’ll sit down with you and tell you more. Every single day that Bailu allows it, I’ll tell you something new,” he promises. You feel your heart warm, a weight lifted off your chest.
“I’ll hold you to it. I’m sure Yanqing will, as well. Every day…” you murmur, a small grin making its way onto your face at the thought of finally securing a way to retrieve all of what you’d lost.
Soon, you’ll have all of the pieces of your past life. Once you do, you’ll finally know everything that transpired that led you to where you are now.
As excited as you are, you can’t help but feel a sense of dread.
There’s bound to be many joyous tales from your past, but the story of heartache and loss looms over you. It reminds you that, as happy as things may be, you have to prepare yourself to accept the pain and suffering of your previous life.
You can only hope that it’s something you’ll be able to handle when the time comes.
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Dusk turns to dawn, and the sun rises on a new day.
True to his word, Jing Yuan begins visiting you in the evenings at the clinic to tell you new anecdotes from your past. Filling your head with stories that feel familiar— nostalgic, he tells tales each night until your head aches, a sign that you’ve taken in enough for the day.
The General helps you recall your first meeting with him— introduced as mutual friends of Imbibitor Lunae. You slowly remember the way you would watch the two spar, happy to clean up any wounds that came as a result.
Beyond that, Jing Yuan even shares how he’d been the one to push Lunae to introduce Ren to you, having always thought that you’d be a good influence on the man. Lunae agreed, and the General had considered it a personal victory.
However, he speaks of the way you fought alongside him in battle. This fact has you curious, having always assumed you were nothing but a healer.
Jing Yuan clarifies that you were a healer, and you once took up a sword to fight against the Denizens of Abundance precisely because of that reason. Each battle he recounts has your hands ghosting over areas where you swear you feel a slight pin prick of pain.
The General mentions that each place you touch is a place where your skin had once scarred over with wounds from each fight. It makes you smile— it seems the body truly never forgets.
Days continue to pass, and with time, your mind becomes less and less fractured. With each new tale, you grow more and more sure of who you are now and who you once were. Skills you once forgot become second nature once more. Memories return to you sometimes with the assistance of Jing Yuan and Bailu. Others enter your mind naturally, a byproduct of the newfound exposure to your past life.
Bailu notes your increased skill and confidence in healing, recognizing the way you improve as you remember the techniques of your profession. Your heart fills with warmth. You start to feel like yourself again— no longer a wanderer with nothing but shards of the past to their name.
Yet, as elated as you are to make such progress, it’s bittersweet.
You know they’re still deliberately avoiding how it all ended— how your Ren became Blade, the nature of your relationship, anything to do with him. Given that they’ve yet to broach the topic, all of those memories remain locked behind a wall. Unlike other moments, you’re unable to recollect it on your own— likely too heavy a topic to be triggered without help.
A frown appears on your face. You haven’t felt more sound of yourself in ages. Are you still unprepared? Is everyone coddling you once more?
How tragic a topic is the reality of your disappearance to cause them to hold off for this long?
Either way, it fills you with uncertainty and unease. You resolve to ask about it that evening, but it seems you don’t have to, for fate aligns itself at the perfect time.
As the sun begins to fall beneath the horizon, Jing Yuan, Yanqing, and Bailu all approach you, seating you on the bed as they surround you. Their expressions are all terse— hesitant.
You’re about to ask about what’s occurred— unsettled by the tension, but Jing Yuan is the first to speak up, interrupting any thoughts you have.
“You’ve made significant progress with your memory recovery. Bailu has deemed you mentally sound enough to learn of the truth. I’ll tell you everything. Who he was in regards to you, what happened to him… and how it all ended,” the General explains. Your heart flutters in nervousness and anticipation alike.
“Everything…?” you echo. Bailu nods.
“You’ve retained everything else well. I can’t promise that this won’t cause some sort of physical reaction. Much like the first time, it’s likely you’ll experience some pain, but… if we’re right, this should be the last time,” the healer promises with a determined gaze. You smile, feeling comfort in the resolve of those around you.
“Alright. I trust you,” you say. Bailu nods to Jing Yuan, who seats himself beside you as he begins to recount his experience from his memories.
He starts. “There’s one thing I’m certain about. The way you could never tell how Ren felt towards you seems to have stuck. You were the same back then, but I knew— everyone knew that Ren loved you more than anything in this world.”
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“For a while, you didn’t realize just how hard Ren had fallen for you. It was incredibly obvious to the rest of us, though. Perhaps… it was because you were always looking away. When he regarded you with nothing but pure adoration, you were inevitably turned in the other direction.”
Ren lets out an affectionate sigh as he looks at you, head propped on his hand as he watches you stare down at your work table in pure concentration. The soft grind of pestle against mortar resounds through the building. Jing Yuan chuckles softly, looking at Ren with a smirk.
“Do you plan on saying anything to them? Or are you determined to long in secrecy for the rest of your life?” he questions, teases slipping off his tongue. Ren narrows his eyes at the man.
“Watch yourself, General,” he retorts. Jing Yuan lets the empty threat slide off him with ease, refusing to back down.
“All you do is sigh and stare in every moment you spend in their presence. Why are you so hesitant?” he asks. Ren glances away towards the herbs and medicines lining the walls— all fruits of your labor.
“They’re dedicated to their craft. They wouldn’t have the time for such frivolity,” he laments. Jing Yuan hums and gives a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Nonsense. They have plenty of time to spare. I often hear them complaining that they have too much time to Lunae,” Jing Yuan counters. Ren tenses, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“I doubt they feel the same affection for me as I do for them,” he mumbles. The General has to hold back from barking out a laugh.
“Please! That’s absolutely absurd. All I hear from you are excuses,” he insists. Before Ren has a chance to retaliate, another voice speaks up.
“The General is right about this, as boastful as he’s acting currently,” Imbibitor Lunae adds in, seating himself at the table with the two. “Both of you have a limited amount of time, Ren. It’d be unwise to waste it wondering if they feel the same.”
“Exactly. Besides, if you hold back on making a move, maybe I will,” Jing Yuan jests with a smirk. Ren shoots up in his seat.
“You will not!” he seethes before rolling his eyes, practically stomping off to retreat to your side. Jing Yuan watches in amusement.
“Do you think he’ll say anything or just sulk as per usual?” he asks. The dragon beside him hums.
“Have more faith in him. You pushed him right where he needed to be pushed. Just observe for now,” Lunae says, and Jing Yuan does so.
“I guess Ren really was at his wits end at that point, and Lunae was able to pick up on it. We watched, and you leapt into his arms after he professed his love. All of us knew it was a matter of time before you ended up together, but seeing it… it was a weight lifted for all of us.
“You two were finally happy.
“For a while after that, things were calm and comforting. Ren came to terms with his short life since you’d be there to spend it with him. I’d never seen anything make him happier than the day you became his, and he, yours.
“Truthfully, I think, that day, he found something worth living for in his relationship with you. Of course, he had the rest of us, but we were all long-life species. In you, he came to understand why life was so precious— why he had to treasure his existence, no matter the length of it.
“Alas, he was still… reckless, but just in the normal, stubborn, and headfast way that he always was. You were always there to scold him for it, but we all could tell it was different. Ren was fighting for his beliefs— no longer careless about his life. He was, in lack of better terms, himself.
“As I’m sure you’re aware by now, such tranquility couldn’t last forever.
“Everything changed the day Imbibitor Lunae committed a grave sin in the eyes of the Xianzhou. Upon Ren, he bestowed the most abundant curse known to man.
“Immortality.
“It was supposed to be another battle, but the two of them had been taking far longer than usual. Both of us were worried— aware that something was amiss, but afraid to speak it aloud lest we manifest it into reality…”
Jing Yuan watches you pace nervously outside of the hall. From where he leans against the wall, he can see the frenzied fear in your eyes as you look out in the distance every few minutes, hoping to see Lunae and Ren in the horizon.
The General is equally as concerned, but he knows that he must remain grounded to keep you sane.
“Imbibitor Lunae and Ren are both capable warriors. I’m sure that they’re fine. They’re probably just falling behind,” Jing Yuan reasons. You shake your head in disagreement.
“It’s been weeks. That’s not normal. The last time it took this long, someone—” you cut yourself off, flinching. The man’s expression becomes grim. He knows you’re right— that your worry is not unwarranted.
Neither of you wanted to be “too late” again.
Walking up beside you, Jing Yuan nudges you gently.
“Let’s head out. We’ll find them ourselves,” the General assures. You offer a wry smile and nod, but before either of you can make a move, another voice interjects.
“No need. We’ve returned,” Lunae says as he approaches with Ren by his side. Jing Yuan can see your excitement, but then watches as you freeze, expression falling as you look at Ren. The General notices what you do, too.
It isn’t uncommon to return from prolonged battles covered in blood, tattered with memories of the ongoing war. However, Ren seems far too pristine to have just returned from a battlefield. He’s glowing in a way that seems… unnatural.
Your eyes shift to Imbibitor Lunae, and suddenly your eyes are cold— distant.
“I think you caught something in his mannerisms that I couldn’t. You saw something that I couldn’t see, quickly catching on that something was inherently wrong— that they were hiding something.”
“What happened?” you ask, a seriousness in your tone that felt incredibly off-putting, given that you were referring to your lover and close friend. Instead of a response, Ren reaches towards you, pulling you into a tight embrace as if his life depended on it.
You pause, carefully wrapping your arms around Ren, running fingers through his hair as you repeat your earlier question.
“What happened?” you inquire, almost pleading now. Ren stills in your arms, silently burying his face in your neck. You frown, looking to Lunae once more for answers. Jing Yuan doesn’t move from his spot, either, trying to make sense of what it is you’re picking up on.
Eventually, beneath your persistent gaze, Lunae cracks.
“Ren nearly died on the battlefield,” he admits. You tighten your grip on your lover, eyes wide with a shock that Jing Yuan mirrors.
“He looks perfectly fine… he’s walking on his own two feet, and there isn’t a trace of blood on him…” you note in disbelief. Imbibitor Lunae looks away, seeming guilty in the way his eyes fall.
“I know. That’s because I…” Imbibitor Lunae goes quiet, unable to bring himself to finish his thought. Jing Yuan narrows his eyes, arms crossing over his chest as he looks at the other.
“You what?” the General interrogates. However, the dragon doesn’t spare him a glance, instead looking to you with something that makes your eyes fill with fury. Before he can raise questions, you’re quick to clarify.
“You made him immortal? Why would you do such a grievous thing?!” you snap, forcefully separating yourself from your lover. Ren reaches for you desperately, but you take a step back. Jing Yuan easily recognizes the look of betrayal on your face.
“I can explain—” Ren starts, but you cut him off harshly.
“What is there to explain here?! I’ve treated the Mara-Struck— victims of the Sanctus Medicus, and you want to explain? I’m a healer and even I’m aware that immortality isn’t a remedy of any sort! It’s a venom! A curse!” you yell, eyes brimming with tears. Jing Yuan remains mute, unable to understand why anyone would resort to such a taboo method for any reason, especially given all that they’d witnessed together.
“Please, calm yourself and allow us to talk this o—” Before Lunae can finish his thought, you interrupt.
“Calm myself? Imbibitor Lunae, have you forgotten that I’m dying? In a few decades, I’ll be gone! Ren no longer has the mercy of dying by my side! He’ll have to witness everything!” you cry out, voice cracking as tears slip down your cheeks.
“He’ll endure so much suffering, and he’ll never be able to die…” you whisper, finally gathering enough strength to meet Ren’s gaze. “You promised.”
Ren is quick to scoop you into his arms, wiping your tears away with his thumb.
“I also promised to return to you. We’re both here now. That must count for something. Without immortality, I wouldn’t have returned to greet you again— to hold you again. And immortality doesn’t change a thing. I still plan to remain by your side for eternity,” he promises softly. You look up at him, an unfathomable sadness in your eyes.
Briefly, Jing Yuan catches you glancing at Lunae. There’s a wordless exchange in the expression you share with the Vidyadhara. The General has no idea what it is that you both say, but it’s enough because soon you’re releasing a defeated sigh.
“I’m glad you’re alright, Ren,” you say softly. Ren smiles, leaning down to kiss you gently. You reciprocate for a moment before pulling away, allowing yourself to enjoy the warmth of his presence.
Despite everything, Jing Yuan can tell that it isn’t something you’d ever move on from.
“You never brought up Ren’s immortality of your own accord ever again after that day. If it came up in conversation, you always excused yourself to be alone for a while.
“There was a time that I confronted you about it, though. I knew it was forbidden, but I needed to know what was going through your head. Honestly, I don’t think I could ever forget what you said to me that day.”
“Why wouldn’t I be upset, Jing Yuan?” you start, head in hands as you shut your eyes tight.
“There will come a time where Ren suffers unimaginable pain, and I won’t be there to help him. There will come a day where myself, Imbibitor Lunae, and even you aren’t there to support him through his suffering,” you explain. The General pauses, not having thought that far into the future.
You continue in his silence. “My death is just the start. I don’t think Ren understands how much of a tragedy that is. Soon, we will all leave him, and he’ll come to understand that death is far more merciful than being the last person left alive of all those you’ve grown to love.”
You frown and walk off, your words weighing heavily in Jing Yuan’s heart.
“I grew to understand exactly how right you were in your assumption as the years passed. When you faded away and crumbled— I witnessed firsthand how cruel his affliction was.
“Ren knew he couldn’t live without seeing you once more, I don’t think he ever thought about the inevitable day where he’d have to learn to live without you entirely.
“The day you disappeared… I could tell everything weighed heavily on your mind. In the face of your inevitable demise, you still worried for Ren.”
Jing Yuan lets out a soft sigh, watching Lunae and Ren leave for their duties. Glancing back to you on the bed, he tilts his head.
“You looked like you had more to say back then. Something else on your mind?” he asks as he seats himself on the edge of your bed. You look at him, a serious look in your eyes.
“I promise that, one day, I will find my way back to you all. One day, I’ll return, so Ren won’t have to suffer on his own,” you swear. Jing Yuan offers a sympathetic smile.
“Unless you’re a Vidyadhara, reincarnation is just a legend,” he mentions. You don’t respond, instead humming in acknowledgement to the General’s statement.
“Of course, I didn’t know you were one back then, but what I did know is that you were incredibly firm in your desire. Either way, I’d brushed it off.
“I left the room to make your medicine, but you had disappeared when I returned. Only then did I realize… that promise was your last wish— your final resolve.”
Jing Yuan continues his explanation, telling you the results of your disappearance.
Ren was never the same. He spent countless hours looking for you— searching for a body, but you’d vanished completely, much like the Mara-Struck who faded into nothingness. From that day forth, Ren’s mind fractured and he grew resentful of his curse.
As you predicted, the rest of your group slowly began to die out, your lover forced to suffer through each and every one knowing he’d never be granted the same reprieve.
Then came time for Imbibitor Lunae to pass and reincarnate.
“After Lunae died, Ren disappeared entirely, his mind shattered beyond repair— a shell of who he once was. Losing his bosom friend was the final straw.
“I tried to search for him, but he’d vanished from the Xianzhou Alliance entirely. I figured he didn’t want to be found, so I was forced to move on lest I suffered the same fate:
“Lost in our past without direction or will to live.”
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Jing Yuan sighs as he finishes the story, shaking his head. “I thought it all a distant memory, then I saw you again on the Luofu as Bailu’s assistant. You looked the same way you did back then.”
“At first, I thought you just looked similar, but then I saw the horns and tail and I knew— you’d found your way back as promised, and you were a Vidyadhara. I’m sure I acted strange when we first met, but I was trying to confirm that it was really you,” he admits.
The memory of that day rushes to the forefront of your mind. The Arbitor-General had followed you and Bailu back to the clinic. His eyes were trained on your tail, watching the way it swayed as you worked before his gaze settled on your horns.
Jing Yuan had carefully observed you as you made medicine at Bailu’s work table, humming a tune that you’d heard from earlier in the day. It startled you how attentive he was being, but now it made sense.
“I confirmed it through your mannerisms and habits. I saw the way you carefully healed others. Then, you expressed familiarity towards me and that sealed it. Unfortunately, I knew you were without your memories.
“I had been keeping tabs on Blade since he appeared on the IPC’s most wanted list, and I vowed to protect you from him. If he saw you and you didn’t remember him, I had a feeling it wouldn’t go well,” Jing Yuan says, frowning.
“I thought protecting you meant guarding you from the truth so you never had to learn of the tragedy that became of your past lover, but I know now that you have to make this choice yourself. By deliberately concealing this, I’ve already hurt you enough,” he finishes softly, resting a comforting hand on your shoulder.
You remain silent and still, staring blankly ahead. From the corner of your eye, Bailu frowns.
“Are you alright?” she asks, preparing for any sort of pain that might occur as a result of everything.
Instead, tears begin to slip down your cheeks, dripping down onto your hands as you grip your robes tightly in your lap. Smiling sadly, you blink rapidly in an attempt to clear your vision of the glistening drops.
Jing Yuan is the first to react, cupping your face in his hands and wiping away your tears gently as you sniffle softly.
“What’s the matter?” the General questions, concern etched into his features. You shake your head, words caught in your throat.
Everything in your mind is clicking into place, pieces falling and fitting together.
Ah, of course. I promised this so long ago, your mind echoes. I said that I’d return— that I’d remember— so I could make it back to you and protect you from the curse you fell into.
Your shoulders shake as you begin to sob. The General pulls you into a tight embrace, Yanqing leaning against your side in an attempt to provide comfort as well.
You usually never remember any last reincarnations as a Vidyadhara. Memory is a spectrum for your kind, and you always ebbed on the side of starting with an entirely clean slate. It’s why you were so certain you’d die when you left to be born again.
You wouldn’t take any memories of your past with you, and you wouldn’t recall them.
Except, this time you did.
Dying and rebirthing with such a strong resolve meant that, since you awoke in this new life, you’ve always felt that something was missing.
Now, you know what it is.
But it’s too late, isn’t it?
You bury your face in Jing Yuan’s shoulder as you cry, mourning the past you lost, and the lover you abandoned in this world.
If Blade’s mind fractured so long ago, do you even hold a place in his memories anymore?
Is there anything you could do in your current state to help him?
Or was all of this remembrance for naught?
For this, you had no answer.
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Hidden away somewhere in the Luofu, a woman observes a man from afar.
Kafka recognizes the distant expression Blade wears as he stares out at the scenery and passing Starskriffs. It’s vulnerable— longing— one that he only wears when he thinks no one is watching.
However, her attention is diverted elsewhere when her phone vibrates with an incoming text. Glancing down at the device, she smirks as she reads the message.
Kafka. Plans have changed. Blade’s initial wish will be granted.
The woman raises a brow in amusement, typing and replying to his message with a teasing response.
Even we aren’t capable of necromancy, Elio.
Instead of commenting on her witty remarks, he merely sends back a simple text which serves as enough of an explanation for Kafka.
The Vidyadhara has remembered themself, thus returning to who they once were.
Await new instructions.
The woman looks back up at Blade, smirking as she pockets her phone.
What new side of him will she be able to witness? What sort of expression will he have when Elio surprises him with this?
Kafka can’t wait to see how this story plays out.
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tag rqs : @ceylestia - @thetwinkims - @astralsity - @kaminari-no-ritsusha - @jotaro-souped
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veren-cos · 27 days
Text
Astarion x Reader (Bg3)
Gn reader with chronic pain
This one is pretty recent but lmk if I made any mistakes! Not proof read.
Astarion sauntered into the room after a successful night of hunting. He was hyper aware of everything from his latest feed, so the minute you made a move he noticed you were off.
And off you were, you looked like a wreck. You were in the same spot on the bed as when he left — hours ago. "Darling, are you alright?" There was concern in his voice.
You took the blanket and threw it over your face. Astarion's expression crinkled. He sat down next to where you lay, "My love, what's wrong?" He went to run his fingers through your hair but you pushed an arm out to nudge him away. He took a short pause, "I can't know what's wrong unless you speak to me."
You let out a groan, "I don't want to talk about it." There was a something in your voice that Astarion couldn't quite pinpoint.
"Then I won't make you, but please don't push me away."
You were a sucker for contact- holding hands, hugs, light kisses. Anything and everything he'd allow. He tried reaching his hand out again, and you let him.
"I'm sorry" it was barely above a whisper.
He hesitated a bit but his hand kept a steady pace on your head. "Whatever for? You haven't done anything wrong." He laughed a bit, "unless you were causing mischief without me today."
"I'm sorry you have to put up with me." You tighten your grip on the blanket covering your face, avoiding his. You just knew that he was going to look at you with pity. Pity? Anger maybe. Something serious, and you didn't want to deal with that. You felt bad enough, everything ached... Nothing was going right today.
"Put up with you?" Astarion was baffled, "Darling I look at you as pure perfection. You are who I desire to be with, the one who I will spend the rest of my days. How could I ever 'put up with you'?" He even does the quotes with his hands for dramatic flair, not that you could quite see it. "It is you in which my love knows no bounds. Nothing could keep me away from you, as long as you'll have me. I dont get why you cant just care for yourself a little more? You are certainly deserving of it."
This wasn't the response you thought you'd get at all. Your body shook, wanting to cry from the seering pain and his sentiment. "I am not deserving of this. Of any of your affection. I care for you. You are so. Perfect. And I am far from that. I hurt. Constantly. I know you know this, and that you don't mind. But I don't want this for you. You deserve someone who doesn't just curl up in bed all day the second something hurts a bit more than normal. You deserve someone who will... be there! I can't be there. Not all the time. I'm barely here for myself! I just sit here, ignoring everything my body is telling me because I refuse to get help! I refuse to get help from anyone. But i especially refuse to get help from you. Astarion, I can't handle the guilt."
You sit up, much regretting that choice, but doing it regardless to make a point. You took a dramatic breath, "Why cant i take care of myself, you ask? Because i dont care about myself! I loath every minute i spend in this body. Every day! And i cant fathom why you care about me."
He takes a moment, staring into your eyes as he contemplates what to respond. "Darling. My love. Is that what this is about?" You turn to look away but he took your face to make you look at him once again. "I know you are in pain. And I am here for you. I need you to know this. I dont care about anything else. I just want to be here for you. I know I can't take it away, believe me if I could, I would. But you need to tell me when this happens. If nothing else I can just whisper in your ear. Sweet little nothings to get you to sleep, hm?"
And that he did. Astarion laid you back down again, joining you under the covers. As much as you wanted to put up a fight, your body gave out on you. He was cold. He always was, but it felt nice against your skin. He pulled you into a loose hug, carefully avoiding places you flinched at. You reciprocated the gesture, wrapping your arms around his waist. He was working basically as a elven ice-pack, and you adjusted his hands to wherever the pain was. "Thank you."
"..."
"I'll try. I'll talk to you more." When you were done, he placed a kiss on your forehead as he nuzzled in.
"There is nothing to thank. It's what I'm here for. I love you." He let out an icy breath.
"I love you too."
He smiled, "Now go to sleep, you'll feel better in the morning. I promise. And we will lay right here until you do, I won't let you go."
76 notes · View notes
zer0pm · 1 year
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Imagine Luis working another late night in the lab. Missing him dearly, you decide to surprise him.
Shout out to @fortune-fool02 for not only the idea but being an inspiration to the Luis Serra/RE fandom~
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“Lo siento, mi amor. I won’t be able to join you tonight for dinner… again.”
A knowing frown forms on your face. It was a good thing that Luis couldn’t see you over the phone, it wouldn’t do to make him feel even more guilty than he already does with just your expression. All the more reason for you to pick up the pace in your stride.
“Saddler’s really making you work, huh?” you tried to alleviate the evident guilt in his voice by subtly reminding him why his work is so important.
Luis takes the bait with a tired sigh, “Any weaknesses I can uncover studying these… parasites- is another step towards a cure.”
You pointedly add, “And that cure can save a lot of lives.”
He pauses, considering his next words carefully. “¿Estás enfadada conmigo?” he gently asks.
A small chuckle bubbles softly inside you at how innocent and wary he sounded, like a child ready with an apology if he were to be duly scolded.
As reassuring as you can muster, you answer, “No, babe. I’m not mad. What you’re doing- it’s very important.”
“You’re very important, my love.” he stresses, “More important to me than anything in the world.” The way he says things like this without a single stutter always makes your heart quicken.
The two of you have had this discussion many times. Since his recruitment, Luis has been buried in work researching the plaga that has been infecting the locals. He wanted to do some real good with his knowledge and skills, starting with the people from the village where he was born and raised. It was worse off than either of you could have imagined and Luis spent most of his nights lately in the lab.
He would call you every time to keep you posted of his progress, ask how your day went, and engage in small chatter- always including with him telling you how much he loves you and that he can’t wait to see your face. Then he would report after that he will be home much later than he planned. You wouldn’t see him again until the next morning when you are awake and wrapped snug in his arms.
Luis is always sound asleep by the time and even though he looked peaceful, you’ve seen by the heavy bags under his closed eyes how truly drained he’s been. It is those times that you’d wish that you could stay in bed and simply be with him, be there for him when he rises from his much deserved slumber. However, you have your own job to do and regretfully have to separate from him. Before you leave, you always leave him some breakfast for him to heat up, stuff to make his morning/afternoon coffee, and small sticky notes around the home for him to read once he’s up and about and has to return to the lab. The notes would say stuff like you’re proud of him, he’s going to have a great day, how effortlessly handsome he is, or inspirational quotes from Don Quixote (those are his favorite).
The small gestures and the chats over the phone help the days go by, and awhile you two care for one another deeply, these things can only go so far. You long to have proper quality time with Luis, you long to actually feel his arms the moment he wraps them around you and pulls you tight against him, you long to hear and feel the warmth of his teasing jokes and affectionate praises upon the shell of your ear instead of over the static of a phone. You long to kiss him, to be engulfed by his passion reserved only for you.
“I miss you.” you admit without thinking, it was only the most natural thing to say.
You hear him sigh heavily on the other line. At first, you were worried that you may have dampened his spirits, but the way his breath sounded, he seemed relieved.
“And I you, corazon.” Luis reciprocates, you can imagine his soft smile in his words. “I promise- when I see you, I will make it up to you.”
Looking up to see where you are now, a smile of your own turns up your cheeks in bated excitement. “I’ll hold you to that, handsome. See you soon.”
“Ciao, baby.” You hear him send a kiss followed by an affirmative blip.
After tucking your cell away, you walk down the long hall until you’re in front of a set of double doors. Left completely ajar. You peek inside, medical equipment and specimens filled the tables and shelves, computers beeped away processing code you couldn’t make heads or tails of. All very important and sensitive stuff you’re certain, but what you were really looking for was hunched over a microscope.
Luis tied hair back in a messy bun. You made a mental note to ask him to wear it like that more often as you approached. The man seemed unaware of his surroundings as he didn’t hear you approach him from behind and nearly jumped out of his seat when your arms snaked around his front.
“Surprise!”
At the sound of your voice, Luis relaxed for only a split second before realization hit him and he spins out of his chair to behold you in amazement.
He beams with a wide smile, “¡Mi corazon! What are you doing here?”
You roll your eyes before returning his grin, “Isn’t it obvious? I came to see y-”
You’re cut off by his lips pressing against yours and the pit in your heart was set alight. The feel of his tongue dipping to seek yours made you weak in the knees and you instinctively sling your arms around his neck, releasing his hair from the elastic band to allow your fingers to run through them. It felt amazing to touch him again, to be close to him and want nothing more but to be closer. The familiar warmth in his kiss swells inside in wonderful, passionate flutters. Like everything he’s felt for you these past lonely nights but could not express from a distance finally poured over into this fervent promise of affection.
It was only when you two needed air did you finally pull away, but you didn’t go far, Luis kept you close in his arms. “Did I come at a bad time?” you asked, there was a bit of coyness, but genuinely you wanted to be sure you were not impeding on his time. You just wanted to see him, even if it was for a little bit.
The Spaniard shakes his head. “Nada. Not at all. I was just thinking that I needed a break. And an opportunity presented themselves to me in the best possible way.” His hands roam along the small of your back before squeezing your hips affectionately. A small, pleased sigh escapes you and Luis merely smiles at your responses, his grey eyes appraising you with deep adoration.
He leans over to whisper low into your ear, “Te extrañé tanto.”
Taking his cheek into your head, you meet his gaze, “I’ve missed you too.” It was your turn to lean now as you began peppering his strong, stubbled jaw with nips and kisses, you can feel the hum of a groan catch in his throat when your lips tease a particularly sensitive pulse. It took everything in you to pull away from him and his embrace and you swear you can almost hear him moan softly in protest of losing your warmth.
You stare at him with a sly smile, “Didn’t you say that you’d make it up to me the next time you see me?”
Luis lifts his brow in amusement before sharing in your playful banter with a grin of his own. “Of course, how could I ever forget such a thing?” He steps away from you, pulling a set of keys from his white lab coat as he moves towards the double doors. “Just give me a moment to lock up the lab.”
You cross your arms, anticipation scratching inside like a match ready to light. “Thought you’re still working.”
“Mi amor,” a lopsided grin appears on his lips as he spoke, making eye contact with you as he closes the steel doors. “I didn’t say that we were leaving.”
The doors lock with a definitive click, giving the both of you the privacy for Luis to indulge in his much needed breaktime to the absolute fullest.
547 notes · View notes
ananxiousgenz · 12 days
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okay now that I've had a night to sleep on it I just wanna take a minute and go absolutely buckwild over john doe in part 26 bc like. I was expecting the "I will not let you drown" line. I've seen the fanarts of it floating around, I knew that was coming. what actually fucking killed me was the second I realized john was reciting a robert frost poem to calm arthur down. and not just any robert frost poem, one that has been quoted over and over again, usually by arthur. that made me start SOBBING bc like.
this inhuman entity, who around 4-5 months prior, wanted arthur and the rest of humanity dead just because he had power and could kill them. learned so much from this broken mess of a man. learned about stories and poetry and music and mysteries and compassion and love and fell in love with all of it so deeply that it permanently changed who he is and how he sees humans and the world they live in. changed him so much that when he saw his friend crumbling under the weight of his own grief and guilt, chose to not only comfort him, but chose to comfort him with a poem. a fucking poem. when john has been so deeply invested in the stories and poems he's heard from arthur. he heard one that he liked enough to memorize and to keep close to his heart. and he chose to give it back again when his friend needed it most. to reach a hand out to arthur with a thing he loved and tell him he's heard. he's not alone. but he needs to keep going. most human action imaginable. do you think arthur ever recited that poem to john? to keep him calm when he got scared and lashed out? and that's how john learned it? and it brought him enough peace and comfort that he figured it would help arthur too??
literally the only equivalent I can come up with for this moment is something I saw once a long time ago. so my mom was sick. like really sick. normally she's a power-through-a-cold kind of person and she was laid out on the couch, so she wasn't doing great. and our dog, who was a lot younger then, knew something was wrong, and clearly wanted to make her feel better but didn't know how. so, she got her favorite toy, and gently shoved it into my mom's mouth. a kind of "I don't know how to make you feel better, so here's something I love and I hope it helps." it was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. and it wasn't that the bone itself helped, it was the act of giving it that made everyone feel a little bit better. and that is what happened here. it's not the thing that john gave, even though it is significant, it's the fact that he chose to give it.
nobody talk to me for the next 5 business days, I'm going absolutely insane
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calliesmemes · 3 months
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A HOME FOR THE HEART
ASSORTED QUOTES PULLED FROM TUMBLR POSTS, PINTEREST POSTS, AND SONGS.
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CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.
SPECIFY muse for multimuses.
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“   Half of seeming clever is learning when to keep your mouth shut. ”
“   I don’t understand … what exactly are you doing? ”
“   Fun isn’t something I’m particularly familiar with. ”
“   I will be gentle with your heart — I promise. ”
“   You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known. ”
“   If we beat ourselves up after a mistake, we add shame onto the guilt and frustration that we already feel about our mistake. ”
“   Your pain is safe with me and I will stay with you longer than your sorrows if you let me. ”
“   I am broken, and full of contradictions. ”
“   We cannot afford avoiding the fight for growth and understanding, even when that fight is as painful as it’s bound to be. ”
“   At the moment, I am quite busy tearing down who I once was. ”
“   You have to challenge yourself, and keep learning new things. ”
“   I implore you — it’s time to come back from the dark. ”
“   You’re dangerous, but you lack ambition. ”
“   I became good at pretending. I became so good that after a while the lines blurred between my truth and fiction. I even fooled myself. ”
“   You will miss so much by being guarded. ”
“   What is destructive is impatience, haste, expecting too much too fast. ”
“   I know what it feels like to lose someone you love. ”
“   By all means break the rules, and break them beautifully and deliberately and well. ”
“   We can't do whatever we want. There are ways we have to act. There are things we have to say. But we can think whatever we want. ”
“   I think I love nearly everyone I have ever met. ”
“   It is the destiny of stars to collapse. ”
“   I belong to you. ”
“   What I was before wasn’t good for me. ”
“   Leave me to my own absurdity. ”
“   I have such trust in you, my heart. My dear, dear heart. ”
“   I’m restless and harsh and despairing. ”
“   You can be better than this. ”
“   I am not arrogant; I simply know my place. It’s quite far above yours. ”
“   Should I regret what I became, or should I regret what I didn’t become? ”
“   You are too nostalgic; you want memory to secure you, console you. ”
“   I am afraid to experience what I don’t understand — I always want the guarantee of at least thinking that I understand. ”
“   My heart is too good to be silent. ”
“   The quiet of the night is astonishingly beautiful. ”
“   When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don’t get to decide that you didn’t. ”
“   I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then. ”
“   It’s frightening that there’s no guarantee you’ll be loved. ”
“   I think too deeply about everything. I still don’t know if that allows me to see more of the world, or less of it. ”
“   The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies. ”
“   See, forgiveness doesn't happen all at once. It's not an event―it's a process. ”
“   You must walk alone to find your soul. ”
“   I like flaws. I think they make things interesting. ”
“   People can easily forget that others are human. ”
“   By one act, I have ruined everything. ”
“   My bloodline is irrelevant to my value. ”
“   Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something that they need to forgive. ”
“   Who are you to judge me? ”
“   Poets — they can be soldiers, too. ”
“   I’m afraid to let go. ”
“   People can’t feel truly loved if they don’t feel seen for who they truly are. ”
“   Grief always grows back. ”
“   Maybe lying is itself a kind of art. ”
“   What thing worthy of love can be found in me? ”
“   I don't know anything anymore. Is that normal? Is it normal for someone to just go blank? ”
“   This was always going to happen. ”
“   I found with you a life force that I thought I’d lost. ”
“   I fear I will be ripped open and found unsightly. ”
“   We cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever. ”
“   If a poem hasn’t ripped apart your soul, you haven’t experienced poetry. ”
“   My life has changed, and I’m changing with it. ”
“   Things are sweeter when they’re lost. ”
“   How foolish we are to believe that we are more powerful than the sea or the sky. ”
“   Grief is really just love. It’s all the love that you want to give, but cannot. ”
“   They think that I’m purely decorative, and they’re fools for not knowing better. ”
“   Isolation is a way to know ourselves. ”
“   How many people am I? Who am I? ”
“   I learned a lot about being a friend when I was alone. ”
“   Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving. ”
“   I love you, but I cannot survive you. ”
“   Shame keeps us stuck. It’s a paralyzing emotion. ”
“   I am, at present, wrestling with my own private angels. ”
“   You’re looking for this wonderful thing that you may never get. ”
“   If nothing saves us from death, at least love should save us from life. ”
“   Come on; dance with me. ”
“   If it’s darkness we’re having, let it be extravagant. ”
“   You don't always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes it's perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to shut down and do nothing. ”
“   What would you ask for, if you knew that the answer would be yes? ”
“   Love is also a violence, and it cannot be undone. ”
“   Some things are more precious because they don’t last long. ”
“   You are afraid to die, and you are afraid to live. ”
“   I do understand — and it is terrible. ”
“   How do you become so empty? Who takes everything out of you? ”
“   I can’t abandon the person that I used to be. ”
“   Strength is what I want. Strength not to endure, I have that and it has made me weak — but strength to act. ”
“   I want everything back the way it was. But there is no point, this wanting. ”
“   My guilt will not purify me. ”
“   I guess I thought that by now, I’d be done with shame. ”
“   My father and I are more alike than I’d care to admit. ”
“   I am not asking. I’m begging — please. ”
“   It was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter anymore. ”
“   You people do not understand me, and I am afraid that you never will. ”
“   Endure what you deserve. ”
“   I pity the dark life that you live. ”
“   Don’t be the sort of person who needs to be held. ”
“   I am beginning to despair and can only see two choices: go mad, or go holy. ”
“   We are enemies linked together. ”
“   What lived and died between us haunts me still. ”
“   Betrayal already points to love. You can’t betray an acquaintance. ”
“   The dead only return for love or for revenge. Which did you come back for? ”
“   Every version of the story ends with you being slaughtered. ”
“   How can I ask anyone to love me, when all I can do is beg to be left alone? ”
“   If I didn’t think, I’d be much happier. ”
“   We are nothing more or less than what we choose to reveal. ”
“   How dangerous to finally have something worth losing. ”
“   Peace was never an option. ”
“   I will not water myself down to make my suffering more digestible for you! ”
“   Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. ”
“   Beyond a certain point, there is no return. ”
“   Anger is hard to ignore. ”
“   It is a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire. ”
“   Broken girls blossom into warriors. ”
“   I don’t know if I believe in rage as something always acting in opposition to tenderness. I believe, more often, in the two as braided together. ”
“   But it was too much. All of it was too much. ”
“   Time just gets away from us. ”
“   I’d rather live with a tender heart, because that is the key to feeling the beat of all the other hearts. ”
“   I’m afraid he’s going to hurt me. ”
“   The core of me is untouched. ”
“   I must have been very hard for him to love. ”
“   I understand now that I'm not a mess, but a deeply feeling person in a messy world. ”
“   Why couldn't people's insides match their outsides? The world would be such a wonderful place if the nicer someone was, the more beautiful they became. ”
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crowsource · 5 months
Text
🐦‍⬛ 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒 —quotes taken from the first novel in rebecca ross' letters of enchantment duology. some edits have been made to allow for rp purposes. feel free to adjust for pronouns/names/etc.
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❝ It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are. ❞
❝ I can’t risk having people behold me as I truly am. ❞
❝ You will miss so much by being so guarded. ❞
❝ I don't think you realize how strong you are. ❞
❝ Sometimes strength isn't swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it's found in quiet, gentle places. ❞
❝ I hope you will find your place, wherever you are. ❞
❝ I think we all wear armor. I think those who don’t are fools, risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. ❞
❝ I am coming to love him, in two different ways. Face to face, and word to word. ❞
❝ I am destined to always be at war within myself. ❞
❝ Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you--a shadow you carry in your soul--but it will become fainter as your life becomes brighter. ❞
❝ You are not alone. ❞
❝ I never told you that I love you. And I regret that, most of all. ❞
❝ That’s it. You’re doing great, ____. ❞
❝ I think there is a magical link between you and me. A bond that not even distance can break. ❞
❝ It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless. ❞
❝ ____, look at me. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I intend to see that you have it. ❞
❝ I don’t want to wake up when I’m seventy-four only to realize I haven’t lived. ❞
❝ I’m not going anywhere, unless you tell me to leave, and even then, we might need to negotiate. ❞
❝ I realize that people are just people, and they carry their own set of fears, dreams, desires, pains, and mistakes. ❞
❝ I can’t expect someone else to make me feel complete; I must find it on my own. ❞
❝ I pray that my days will be long at your side. ❞
❝ Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. ❞
❝ Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine. ❞
❝ I’m not afraid to be alone, but I’m tired of being the one left behind. ❞
❝ I broke my engagement, quit my job, and traveled six hundred kilometers into war-torn land to be with you. ❞
❝ And yet I keep moving forward. On some days, I’m afraid, but most days, I simply want to achieve those things I dream of. ❞
❝ Let us make our names exactly what we want them to be. ❞
❝ How do you make your life your own and not feel guilt over it? ❞
❝ I am so afraid. And yet how I long to be vulnerable and brave when it comes to my own heart. ❞
❝ I grew something living in a season of death. ❞
❝ I don’t think you can even begin to understand what your words mean to me. ❞
❝ I want your hand to be in mine, no matter what comes. ❞
❝ You’re distracting me, ____. ❞
❝ Endings were often found in beginnings. ❞
❝ By law, we’re both legal adults who can drink and be formally charged for murder. ❞
❝ Be safe. Be well. I’ll write soon. ❞
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roses-r-rosie3 · 10 months
Note
miguel x Alchemax reader
reader used miguel and ended up giving him drugs to destabilize him because they were loyal to Alchemax. in the society after a long time dating they finally admit they used him
it goes into miguel’s pov focus on lyrics
Hate to give the satisfaction asking how you're doing now
How's the castle built off people you pretend to care about?
Just what you wanted
Look at you, cool guy, you got it
I see the parties and the diamonds sometimes when I close my eyes
Six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise
I loved you truly
You gotta laugh at the stupidity
[Chorus]
'Cause I've made some real big mistakes
But you make the worst one look fine
I should've known it was strange
You only come out at night
I used to think I was smart
But you made me look so naive
The way you sold me for parts
sorry if i it’s to much
Vampire
Miguel O’Hara x M!Reader
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Warnings: Angst, swearing, drugging, divorce
Quote: “NO! It never would have benefited both of us! It would have only benefited YOU! Not US! YOU!”
✁ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
You and Miguel were dating back when he was still working for Alchemex. You two would always flirt with each other while you were there, and all the flirting eventually lead up to the two of you dating. But the whole thing with a subject dying and stone drugging him, Miguel quit Alchemex.
You however, you were about to quit too after you heard about what happened. But stone was aware of this and he had a plan that could benefit him. He knew about your relationship with Miguel so he called you to his office and offered you a raise if you continued to drug Miguel. You were reluctant at first, but the more you thought about it, the more you started to think about the benefits, and you accepted it. So You lied and told Miguel that you quit Alchemex.
The first time you had to drug Miguel was while he was asleep, after doing it, you immediately felt bad, but you decided to make it up to him by taking him to the mall and buying him whatever he wanted.
“Y/n where did you get all this money from? Didn’t you just quit?” Miguel jokingly asked.
“I found a job that had a high salary, now are you gonna be nosy or are you gonna continue shopping” you fake laughed.
Miguel was a bit suspicious but quickly forgot about it after the two of you were done shopping. The time came and you had to drug Miguel again, and you once again did it while he was asleep. And little did you know 2 times turned into 3 and three turned into a 10 whole years.
You and Miguel’s relationship still remained untouched though, you two still had the same love for each other as when you first met. Miguel even proposed to you, to which you happily accepted, and the two of you got married. However, Miguel was getting noticeably more weak, and you were getting more and more guilty about doing this to him.
You finally had enough. You couldn’t just keep hurting Miguel and act like nothing is wrong. You knew Miguel probably wouldn’t want to be with you, but he deserved to know the truth.
“Hey Miguel can we talk?” You asked.
“Of course baby” Miguel said as he scooted over for you to lay next to him in your shared bed.
You sat on the edge of the bed with your back facing towards him.
“Okay what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?” Miguel asked in concern.
You just broke down in tears, letting out all the guilt that has been building up for the past 10 years.
“Hey, hey, baby just tell me what’s wrong” Miguel said as he hugged you.
“No Miguel, I don’t deserve you” you sobbed.
“Of course you do-”
“No Miguel, I don’t! I’m still working for Alchemex! Stone offered me a raise if I drugged you! And I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years while you were asleep! I can’t do it anymore!” You cried.
“You- you what?” Miguel said, his voice got darker.
“I’m so sorry Miguel, it would have benefited both of us” you tried to plead.
Miguel backed away from you and got off of the bed.
“NO! It never would have benefited both of us! It would have only benefited YOU! Not US! YOU!” Miguel yelled.
“Miguel please-”
“So what?!? You think a simple little apology is going to fix the 10 years of damage you’ve done to me!” Miguel screamed at you.
“I never meant for any of this to happen Miguel, I’m sorry” you croaked.
“So you didn’t mean to take the money?! You didn’t mean drug me?! You didn’t mean to use me?! You used me as a pawn in your little game! You’re pathetic y/n!” Miguel roared.
“I really did love you Miguel, I really wanted to build a family with you” you said weakly.
“Well guess what y/n?! You ruined that family! You ruined our relationship! So what if we did end up adopting a kid?! Would you have still drug me while both me and our kid were asleep?!” Miguel yelled.
“I really thought I could trust you y/n! I really thought you and me would be forever!” Miguel yelled.
“I’m sorry Miguel” you said.
“Stop saying sorry y/n! You weren’t ever sorry for the past 10 years!” Miguel screamed.
It went radio silent for a good 3 minutes after Miguel said that.
“I’m leaving” Miguel said before storming out of your shared house.
You were left there with the consequences of your own actions. You cried yourself to sleep that day. When you woke up, you reached over to Miguel's side of the bed, hoping to feel Miguel's warm body next to you, but instead, you got the feeling of cold sheets.
Before you knew it one day of Miguel being gone turned into one week. At that point, you were feeling hopeless. Until you heard your door bell ring. You rushed to the door to see who it was. When you opened the door, you saw Miguel, but he was holding a paper in his hands.
Miguel shoved the paper into your hands and you looked at it. When you looked at it, and you read through it. It felt like you were hit by a train when you finally realized it was divorce papers, and Miguel already signed his name. You looked up at Miguel with tears starting build up in your eyes once again.
"You really want this?" You trembled.
"Yes y/n, we're over" Miguel said calmly.
It hurt you that Miguel was so calm about it, after all the memories you two built together. But it was only fair because of what you did to him, so you signed the papers and handed it back to Miguel.
"Goodbye Miguel" you sighed as Miguel walked away from your once beloved house of memories.
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lorcandidlucienwill · 6 months
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Book quotes that keep me up at night
Thoughts slammed into me, images and memories, a pattern of thinking and feeling that was old, and clever, and sad, so endlessly sad and guilt-ridden, hopeless— NOOOOOOOO WHEN WILL MY BABY BE HAPPYYY So Lorcan did. You dare fade to black on a 500 yo Fae warrior??? Excuse me???? What did he do???
Autumn court males have fire in their blood and f*ck like it too. WE WANT A DEMONSTRATION SARAH. The royal line shall end with you, Prince. Between this and Sjm saying we should be scared for Ruhn… I WILL RIOT IF HE DIES. Tell my Vassa I’m waiting. DOES THIS MEAN ELUCIEN’S BOOK IS NEXT?! THE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW! The hind kneeled before her undying masters and contemplated how it would feel to tear out their throats. I CAN’T WAIT FOR JANUARY 2024.
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url0calcrvckhead · 3 months
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Incorrect Quotes feat. people I think are really cool!!
I did get their permission to put them in this so don't worry!!
@dia-smthidk @moshieee @hootbon @sm-baby @rabid-mercenary15
Also none of this is meant to be accurate, this is just what I think from what I've seen
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖����
Dia: If there’s one thing I learned from Rabid, it’s to set people’s expectations real low, so you end up surprising them by practically doing nothing at all.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Moshie: Why would you do that? Dia: Because I feel guilty. Rabid: Guilt is a trick emotion. It’s put there by your parents to stop you from doing things that feel good.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Sm-Baby: Hey Rabid. Rabid: punches Sm-Baby in the stomach Sm-Baby: What the fuck? Rabid: You are one of my very best friends. And I cannot stand by and watch you throw away your life like this. You're too young….YOU'RE TOO BEAUTIFUL! Sm-Baby: What the fuck are you talking about? Rabid: I'm talking about the baby that's growing inside of your belly right now. Bon: See ya! leaves Sm-Baby: I'm not pregnant! Rabid: Well, not after that punch you're not. I've been taking muay thai classes. Sm-Baby: I was never pregnant, Rabid! Rabid: Are… you sure? Sm-Baby: Yes I'm fucking sure! Dia: I'm sorry, but why the fuck is everybody yelling over here? Rabid: Oh, I found this positive pregnancy test and— Dia: punches Sm-Baby in the stomach Sm-Baby: AW, MOTHERFU--
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Sm-Baby: If we lose, you’re out of the will. Rabid: I was in the will?
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Rabid is speaking on the phone Rabid: Yeah, I'm with Sm-Baby. Sm-Baby: Im fucking dying- Rabid: Yep, they're okay. Sm-Baby: I have a knife in my chest! Rabid: No, they can't talk right now. They're sleeping, sorry. Sm-Baby: IM BLEEDING OUT-
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Bon: There is no i in happyness… Rabid: There is if you fucking spell it right.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Sm-Baby: Why would you think any of this was a good idea?! Rabid: Probably because I’m a dangerous sociopath with a long history of violence. Sm-Baby: Oh… Dia, from across the room: I don’t understand how you keep forgetting that.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Rabid: I think it’s time I get my life in order. Moshie, narrating: But they did not get their life in order. In fact, they got drunk last night and fought a raccoon.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Bon: I'm at a loss for words! Rabid: Despite being ‘at a loss for words’, Bon yelled at me for the next 45 minutes.
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Sm-Baby: As a responsible adult- Bon: chuckles Sm-Baby: … As a responsible adult—
𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓˖⁺‧₊☽𓅨☾₊‧⁺˖𖤓
Sorry if some people aren't put with others as often and that Rabid is on half of them, I just went with who would best fit them....
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mcheang · 8 months
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Do you really love me?
Just finished watching Adoration and cannot believe how everyone believed Chloe of all people over Marinette! I mean come on!
Marinette could not forget how easily everyone believed Chloe over her. Chloe!
I mean, she gets Damocles. He won’t stand up to the mayor’s daughter.
But her own parents? (I was angry at Anarka too but at least she didn’t sound angry or that disappointed. More like a confused disappointment)
Going back home, Tom and Sabine sighed in relief about how glad they were things went alright in the end.
Marinette fidgeted. “Mum, dad. How could you believe Chloe, the school bully, over me?”
Time froze.
Tom: we were caught up in the moment, that’s all…
His excuse was weak and they all knew it.
Marinette: really? I remember you coming to my defense when Lila framed me. I remember dad defending me when it was Chloe who accused me of stealing her bracelet.
Sabine: Marinette is right, Tom. We failed you. And we’re deeply sorry, we hope to be able to prove ourselves to you again.
Marinette said in a quiet voice. “Then maybe try not believing every thing you hear from questionable sources.”
That night, Sabine and Tom tried to keep themselves calm as they mourned their grave mistake.
Tom: there must be something we can do. Perhaps we can get back at that Chloe girl
Sabine: her father’s the mayor, the principal won’t even punish her. I was thinking about someone else. Lila.
Tom: that poor girl with the lying disease?
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Sabine: yes, her. She’s in my class, and while she is very sweet, now that I think about it, the comments she makes about Marinette aren’t that nice, once you think about them. She was trying to turn me against my own daughter.
Tom: uh, are you sure you’re not letting your guilt try to imagine scenarios where you can make things up to Marinette?
Sabine: here are some of the things she said to me.
“I’m surprised Marinette didn’t tell me you had a class. Oh, I do hope she isn’t holding a grudge against me.”
“I’m not going on the girls’ night out, I think I still make Marinette uncomfortable.”
“Have you heard the news about Adrien and Marinette, Sabine? Isn’t it romantic? And Marinette has finally given up on her extensive planning, which is a relief, because some of them were kind of alarming. Can you believe she once stole his phone to delete her voice message?”
Sabine: That last one was just yesterday, how coincidental to remind me of Marinette’s…strange phone thievery just when Chloe should frame her for it.
Tom thought back through these quotes. “Upon first impression, it all sounds innocent and sweet. But if we really think about it, it sounds like Lila is trying to make Marinette look bad.”
Sabine: Right? If Lila is not so innocent as we believed at first, perhaps this is a chance to make amends to Marinette.
Tom: And…how do we do that?
Sabine: I still have Isabella’s number after the parent-teacher conference. How coincidental that Lila told me in our following class how her mother prefers solitude and prefers relaxing at home to making new friends.
Tom: and if Isabella says no anyway?
Sabine: then we find another way to see if Lila is a liar. But first things first, Alliance! Message Isabella asking if she would like to join me for an afternoon tea.
Ten minutes later, Isabella sent her reply: yes. It would be a delight to sightsee in Paris, I haven’t done much of that because of all the akumas.
Tom raised an eyebrow. “She sure doesn’t sound like someone who likes to stay at home, but maybe it’s a reaction to the akumas.”
Sabine: that’s what I’m going to find out
And boy was that afternoon tea something!
From Isabella, Sabine was shocked to hear the woman dismiss Ladybug and Chat Noir as incompetent for not defeating Hawkmoth sooner, even asking how Sabine can support them when it was all those akumatizations that got the school closed down.
Sabine: closed down? I admit, whenever the akuma attacks, the school will end for the day, but the students are always given their assignments and lessons online instead. And they always go back to school the next day.
Mrs Rossi: I’m sorry, what? Maybe Lila is a special case. My poor bella, she’s been unable to attend class all semester, probably terrified she will be akumatized again.
Sabine smiled understandingly, her mind working furiously. How interesting. Lila missed so much school and instead took online classes. And yet, Sabine distinctly recalled Lila bragging about how the reason Sabine didn’t see her before was because she was visiting Achu with her mother.
Sabine: it’s so good that you’ve been getting her out of Paris then. I’ve never been to Achu but I know someone who just adores the prince for his charity work.
Isabella blinked again. “Achu? No, I’ve never been there. Perhaps it was one of the places Lila told me she wanted to visit. Not that I can help there,” Isabelle sighed. “Work keeps me busy, so I don’t really have time for an extended vacation to take her there.”
Sabine kept her expression controlled. So Lila had been lying after all.
After some more scones and tea, Isabella left Sabine with her thanks for showing her such an amazing cafe, and some unintentionally given information about her daughter.
Later at night, as Sabine told Tom what she found out, Tom frowned. “What if this can all be traced back to her lying disease? And Isabella is trying to protect her daughter?”
Sabine: I considered that but I think Isabelle really is that sheltered. She doesn’t know how akumas work if she thinks a school is shut down for months!
Tom: so what do we do now then? We don’t actually have proof and we can’t record someone without their permission.
Sabine: no, but we can force the principal to expose Lila’s lying disease after he tried to expel Marinette.
Tom: have you met Damocles? He won’t take kindly to our demands, and even he was moved by Lila’s story
Sabine: no, but I know where the Owl likes to hang out. And in front of so many people, I’m sure the Owl will promise to expose Lila’s disease if only to stop everyone from doubting Marinette!
Sabine’s plan worked. With the right wording and fake tears, the sympathy of everyone and feeling the crowd pressure that Sabine might be akumatized, Damocles quickly agreed to announce Lila’s disease, if only so no one gets akumatized by her false promises. To make matters more satisfactory, some students from Marinette’s class were there to witness their own principal admit to knowing about Lila’s lying disease and that he kept it a secret out of fear that everyone would treat Lila differently. He sees now that he is wrong. Lila’s friends are good people, they won’t isolate her because she can’t stop lying.
The next day, Marinette came home with a spring in her step. Sabine smiled happily.
“Good news, dear?”
“Principal Damocles finally exposed Lila’s lying habit. Now everyone is taking her words with a grain of salt.” Marinette turned to her mother, “And I have you to thank for that mom.”
Sabine was surprised. “Me. What do you mean?”
Marinette: Alix told me about the incident with the Owl yesterday. You were totally faking weren’t you?
Sabine: your father and I realized we were wrong and wanted to make it up to you. We thought about what you said, and while we couldn’t get the principal to punish Chloe, we could make him expose Lila. What you said about blind belief made me question everyone you might have a conflict with. Chloe, Sabrina, Felix, Lila, just to name a few. Chloe protects Sabrina. Felix is awol. That just made me think of Lila, and how you two are still at odds with each other. And as I tried to think about what makes you unwilling to forgive Lila, I thought over my own interactions with her, and I saw how subtle her words were against you. I am sorry, Marinette, for not believing you about her either.
Tom stepped up. “So am I”
Marinette got teary eyed. “You guys…” she ran to gave them a hug.
Lila was not akumatized that day, but she found out why the principal was suddenly exposing her supposed disease. She doesn’t entirely suspect Sabine of intentionally antagonizing her, but it doesn’t matter. The whole Dupain-Cheng family is now on Lila’s hit list.
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guy-busleeness · 2 months
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⚠️!!TRAUMA POST!!⚠️
TW: S/A, neglect, mommy issues, trust issues, etc.
(This is really just my last resort to getting all this shit off my chest. Also this will mention my deadname so yeah)
So when I was 8, my mom met this guy named Josh, he was okay. He tried to be like the dad I wish I could’ve had, but one night, he snuck into my room and locked my door. Then he told me I was dreaming and for me to put my face in my pillow, so I did, then I felt my pants going down and something rubbing against my… “tunnel.” I asked him what he was doing and he told me not to worry about it and to keep my face in my pillow, or he’d make me keep it there. I got scared and put my head back in my pillow and he put his hand on my back, gripping my pajamas. After what I could only assume was half an hour or so, he left. I told my mom about it but she didn’t believe me, not only that, but she guilt tripped me into talking about it with him. He started crying and saying stuff like “I’d never do such a thing” and “I see you as my own daughter, Emery” and so on and so forth. My grandma and aunt Lys believed me though, so I’m grateful for that.
The S/A went on for four years (it stopped when I was 11) the last time he did it was when his 5 year old son was visiting. He had him stay in my room while he took me to his and my mom’s room, sitting me in his gaming chair and wrapping my mom’s bandanna around my eyes, he told me we were gonna do a taste testing thing, he said he didn’t have a spoon though so he’d have to use his finger. He told me to get all the peanut butter or whatever it was on his finger off it. It was normal til the last time, he put, what I can only assume, was his dick in my mouth which obviously caused me to choke and pull away. I went to take the bandanna off and he told me to wait, I heard a zipper and then he said I could take it off. He asked if I was okay and I started crying a little and asking “What was that-?” He reassured me that it was just his finger (but I didn’t feel any nail SIR.😒) A few weeks later and he was put in jail for selling edibles at home or something.
After he was put in jail my mom was like “Well, now I hope you’re happy. Now your brother doesn’t have a dad to look up to! Does that seem fair to you, Emery?” As if all he did wasn’t just leaving my little brother in my room to watch TV and leaving me to take care of him while he just sat in his room playing video games. My mom has been a big fear of mine since I was 6, she has rarely been a good mother to me , or to anyone for that matter. Because the moment I was born, she left me to be my grandparents responsibility just so she didn’t have to worry about me. Even now she still expects my trauma to have just *POOF* vanished! As if that’s how it works.
And just a couple hours ago, her and ex boyfriend number 13 (yes, I keep count) got into a pretty heated argument and broke up. And because I’m emotional and a fucking crybaby, I obviously started crying in my closet, so I called my best friend and drew some quote art. But seriously, trauma doesn’t just resolve itself if the problem is away from the victim/victims. It takes time and effort to help the person get better and find a good coping mechanism for it (like therapy, drawing, writing, crocheting, writing, reading, etc.).
If any of you, a friend or a family member have gone through S/A or anything like that I am so, so, so sorry that happened and I hope you’re healing well.
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harry-on-broadway · 1 year
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The Last Line: Part Three
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Part Three
Word Count: 10K || Series Masterlist || Rating: M
A/N: I actually managed to keep my promise and post when I said I would 😅 But seriously, thank you to everyone who has hung around waiting for the update. I hope you like it and would LOVE to hear what you think! 
***
Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.
“Are you going to get that?” Chloe asked pointedly, eyeing Penny’s phone as it vibrated on her desk.
“I’m sorry, is it bothering you?” Penny replied cheekily.
“Yes, but only because I want to know who has been texting you.”
Penny picked up her phone and looked at the screen. Four text messages from Harry. “Just a source,” she said. “I think I might have a lead on a new feature, so I’ve been trying to build a relationship with them.” That was kind of the truth wasn’t it?
“Uh huh,” Chloe said, twirling a pen between her fingers. “And does this source’s name rhyme with Barry Tiles?”
“Shhhh!”
“I knew it!”
The two women stared at each other over the partition that separated their desks, as Penny steeled herself for the barrage of questions Chloe was sure to hurl at her. “You want to take a walk? Get a coffee?” Chloe asked, clearly opting for discretion now that she had gotten what she was looking for from Penny.
“Yes, but you’re buying.”
“Deal.”
When their lattes were in their hands, Penny and Chloe began their slow and strategic walk around the office park, following a carefully planned route that they knew put them out of earshot of nosy coworkers.
“So when did this happen?” Chloe asked.
“Umm…” Penny searched for an answer. “Like a couple of weeks ago, I think? We got drinks after that concert we went to.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that but not the fact that he’s suddenly your new best friend.”
“You know he’s not my best friend. I could never take that title away from you.”
“I appreciate that but that doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell me about him.”
“I didn’t say anything because this just kind of…happened,” Penny said.
And it had. She thought about the way she had texted him when she’d gotten home from their post-show drinks. And how he’d replied. And how when she’d woken up the next morning he’d sent her another message, this one containing a link to a country song that she hadn’t heard before. She thought about how she listened to the song on repeat while she made her coffee and got ready for work, crafting the perfect response in her head as she tapped her fingers to the beat. She thought about how Harry had texted her daily since that night. And, each time she added to her notes on whatever it was Harry was working on, she tried to suppress the feelings of guilt that brewed deep inside.
“Like hell it ‘just happened.’” Chloe tried to make air quotes around the coffee cup in her hands. “It wasn’t that long ago that I thought I’d have to be a character witness at trial for you.”
“Ha ha, but I swear! We just had a drink and talked and things progressed from there.”
“Where’d you take him?”
“Seventy7.”
“Your date spot?”
“My source meeting spot.” Penny took a sip of her coffee.
“So, he’s a source? What are you cooking up?”
Penny looked around, making sure they were far away from anyone who might be eavesdropping on their conversation. “He has a new album coming out sometime this year. Tom told me and so did Harry. And I was thinking, maybe if I got a scoop on it, it would impress Darren and would give me a better shot at landing some stories.”
“I’m sorry,” Chloe said. “But in what world is this a good idea? Did you miss the ethics class freshman year? You know the one about unbiased reporting? Keeping friends and family out of stories? Do you recall any of that? Or were you too hypnotized by his ravishing good looks during your date that all rational thought left your head?”
“He’s neither friend nor family and it wasn’t a date. It was networking. A source meeting. You have those all the time.”
“Yeah, at premieres where I’m talking to 50 year-old men I most certainly don’t want to fuck.”
“I don’t want to fuck Harry.”
“OK, that was great,” Chloe said. “Let’s take that once more though, and this time make me believe you actually believe what you’re saying.”
“I don’t want to fuck him,” Penny said definitively.
Chloe held her gaze waiting for her friend to break. “Well all right then we’ve settled it.” Penny’s phone buzzed again. “What’s your ‘source’ want now?”
Penny unlocked her phone, angling the screen so Chloe could see the four texts Harry had sent.
Hey. How’re you?
I’m in the studio today so I’m on your side of town. Might be stopping by the office to talk to Jeff about something too.
Been listening to this today. Have you heard of it?
Um, any chance you want to grab a drink? Maybe dinner?
“Do you usually get dinner with sources?” Chloe asked with a grin.
“First time for everything,” Penny said, replying to Harry’s message.
Yeah, maybe tomorrow?
His reply came back fast. How’s tonight?
“Someone’s eager,” Chloe laughed.
“What’s wrong with that? Maybe I’ll get what I need.” After confirming the time and location, Penny slid her phone into her bag. “Now where were we?”
“You were profusely denying your attraction to Harry. Unbelievably, I might add.”
“Chlo, I don’t know how many times I can say this…I’m simply tolerating him to get something from him.”
“This is the part in the rom com where the sassy best friend tells the plucky protagonist that she’s making a mistake because she’s going to develop real feelings.”
“And this is the part in the rom com where I go back to my desk and actually get some work done.”
Penny spun on her heel and started back towards the office, leaving Chloe to catch up behind her. Penny spent the rest of the afternoon bouncing between edits to a listicle about “10 Songs You Didn’t Realize Were Turning 10 in 2019” and making a list of things she wanted to ask Harry that night. How far along was the album? Was he close to announcing a release date? A single? Were the songs he’d been sending her any indication of what his new tracks would sound like? A few minutes before five, she slammed her laptop shut, tossing it into the canvas tote that doubled as her purse and work bag these days.
“See you tomorrow,” she called to Chloe and Devon, one of their graphic designers. Devon waved, quickly turning his attention back to his monitor, while Chloe spun in her chair.
“Make good choices tonight,” she called with a sly wink. “Don’t get into too much trouble.”
“You’ll be my one call if I do,” Penny called cheerfully over her shoulder, as Chloe’s laugh echoed through the mostly empty newsroom.
Penny pulled out of the parking garage, cruising through the streets to the restaurant Harry had texted her. It was a bit further out than she usually traveled during the week, but when she looked on the map, it looked like it was midway between her neighborhood and his. Neutral territory. She drummed along to the song on the radio – something by Justin Timberlake – as she waited for the light to turn, catching a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror. Several strands of hair had escaped from her ponytail and she had a smudge of eyeliner under her left eye.
Ugh. This was not how she wanted to show up to dinner. Eyeing the light and the number of cars in front of her, she shook out her hair, retying it into something slightly neater before rubbing at the smudge under her eye. That looked better, right? She continued to stare at her reflection. What was missing? Lipstick? She thought she had one that wasn’t too old in her bag. After one more glance at the light, she rooted through her tote until she found a neutral coral color that wouldn’t look too out of place on her face. She was just about to apply it to her lips when the car behind her laid on their horn.
“OK, sorry. I’m going!” she cried out to no one in particular. Lipstick would have to wait. But as she made the final turns of her journey and pulled into the parking lot, she couldn’t help but wonder why she felt the need to get dressed up for Harry. This was essentially a business meeting. She gave one final glance at the lipstick that was now on her passenger seat and decided to forgo it. Source meeting, business dinner, not a date. She locked her car and made her way inside. Harry had texted her that he was already there at a table in the back, a message she relayed to the host at the lobby of the restaurant.
“Party name?” he asked.
“Ugh…” She stumbled over her words. “Harry Styles,” she whispered, unsure if she was breaking some unspoken rule by saying his full name aloud.
The host smiled knowingly. “Right through here. You’ll see him seated towards the back. Have a nice evening.”
“Thanks, you too!” Penny said, walking through the curtain that separated the dining room from the lobby.
Her eyes swept over the room, adjusting to the dim lighting as she looked for Harry, finding him on a second glance. He lifted his hand and waved gently, a soft smile on his face. She strode briskly to the table, and he stood as she approached.
“Hey,” he said when she was within earshot. “You look nice.”
Penny looked down at her worn jeans, t-shirt, and blazer. “Thanks?”
“Shit, that was weird,” Harry said with a laugh.
“No. Hey, I’ll take it. You look…nice…too.” It wasn’t a lie. Harry would look fantastic wearing anything in any situation, but there was something about him that was different from the last time she’d seen him. He looked tired. Stressed. “How have you been?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Good, good. Staying busy, lots going on,” Harry said, returning to his seat once Penny had sat down. “Been spending some long days in the studio which is…great, but also tiring.”
“I can imagine.”
“You?”
“Oh, pretty similar actually. Not that I’m in a studio, but just a lot of work stuff. They haven’t hired a new news writer yet so I’m kind of doing the work of two people right now, and then there’s a lot of late nights with concerts and stuff and oh my God I should stop talking.” She laughed nervously.
“No, you’re good,” Harry said with a chuckle. “See anyone cool lately.”
“I saw John Legend last week, and I’m seeing a jazz ensemble tomorrow.”
“Sick.”
“Yeah.”
An awkward pause fell over the table as Harry sipped his water and Penny fidgeted with the silverware in front of her. Mercifully, a waiter appeared to take their drink orders.
“I’ll do the Moscato,” Harry said after perusing the wine menu.
“Oh, that sounds good. I’ll have some as well,” Penny said, returning her own menu.
“Should I bring a bottle for the table?” the waiter asked.
“Uh, sure,” Harry said. “Is that OK?” He looked at Penny who just nodded. “The bottle would be great, thanks.”
The waiter disappeared and returned shortly, pouring their wine and taking their dinner orders, before leaving them alone. Silence once again filled the space between them.
“So what did you want to talk about?” Penny asked at the same time Harry asked if she had listened to the song he’d sent her. They both laughed.
“I just thought we could catch up. Make good on that promise of ‘next time,’” he said, swirling the wine in his glass.
“Oh yeah,” Penny took a sip of her own wine. “You said you’d been getting lots of studio time in. I assume the new project is coming along nicely.”
“It’s certainly coming along. I’m not sure about nicely.”
“Why not?”
Harry let out a long breath. “Things aren’t going as easily as I hoped. I feel like everything I’ve written in the past couple of weeks has been shit.”
“Well, I’m sure that’s a lie.”
“I don’t know. If you heard what I finished before I came here you might think differently.”
“You write with others, right?” Penny asked.
Harry nodded. “Yeah, Tom, Tyler, Mitch. That’s the usual crew.”
“Good group. I’m not super familiar with Mitch’s work, but I’m sure he’s top tier if you’re working with him.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment for me or Mitch, but I’ll accept it regardless.”
Penny thought about shooting back a “Why would I compliment you?” but seeing how drained Harry looked, she refrained. “Is there something in particular that’s holding you up?”
“Well, I did some writing while I was touring, and then did a lot of writing earlier this year when I was in Japan. But I still don’t feel like the album’s done. It’s like the secret ingredient is missing or something. But sometimes I feel like I’m the only person that feels that way and that everyone else just wants to wrap it up to get it out there.”
“You have to listen to your gut then,” Penny said without hesitation.
“Easier said than done.”
“No, seriously if you think something is missing, I think you have to hone in on that feeling. Really listen to what your heart and your gut are telling you. Only you know what your album needs to be. Collaboration is great and it clearly works when you have the right group of people together, but when you start letting everyone’s voice in the room, that’s when things start to feel inauthentic. And there’s nothing worse than listening to an album where you know it’s not what the artist fully believes.”
“You can tell?” Harry said, somewhat surprised.
“Well, it’s not like I know everyone personally,” Penny began. “But it’s just a feeling you get when you’ve listened to a lot of stuff. Artists have their signature, and it’s always there even when they start experimenting. Like let’s use Rihanna as an example. If she suddenly started writing about the good life on the farm and drinking beer on the porch with her dog, it would just feel weird, like a label pushing her to replicate the hot new country song. But good artists don’t need to follow the trends, they set them.”
Harry nodded, which Penny took as a sign to continue. “Like for example, your first album.” She took a breath knowing she was potentially treading on thin ice. “It really set the standard for your sound as a solo artist. It’s an album that is clearly very modern, but very heavily influenced by 60s and 70s rock. So, people know to expect that from you. You’re the guy that makes vintage modern and cool. But, perhaps that album was a little too cookie cutter, which I think you know. So this time around, maybe you needed to take a couple of risks, make an album that shows the world who Harry really is. Each album is an opportunity to change the trajectory of your career and I think you should act on it.” Harry stared at her, speechless. “Sorry, if I overstepped,” she said.
“No no, you didn’t,” he said. “Fuck that was exactly what I needed to hear.” He ran his hands over his face. “It’s just that even when I try to insulate myself from the noise, it leaks through. Comments about sales and singles and streaming and charting and all of this stuff that will really determine if I get to keep doing this. And it just makes me get so caught up in my head…” he trailed off.
“I do the same thing sometimes,” Penny replied. “I just get so focused on if this article will get more clicks than the last one, or if it will get good traction on social and help me ‘build my brand.’ I just forget why I do this job.”
Harry nodded. “It can be easy to lose that reason why.”
Their waiter used the break in the conversation to deliver their food, and Penny tucked into her chicken parm, savoring the dish that was a massive step up from her usual combo of a pre-packaged salad and Easy Mac.
“About those songs, you sent me,” Penny began.
“Oh! Did you like them?”
“Surprisingly, yes.”
“Surprisingly?”
“Yeah, I'm admittedly not the biggest country fan,” Penny said. “And to be honest, I’m pretty surprised you're into that kind of music.”
“Oh, I love it,” Harry said, leaning closer and speaking faster. “Country artists are hands down the best at telling a story in a song. I’d like to be able to do that one day. You know, write about an experience that isn’t mine? Or at least tell a story of my own.”
“You’re well on your way to doing that.”
Harry flushed but ignored the remark. “I, uh, liked the playlist you sent me. I’ve been listening to it in the mornings.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Like I’ve heard almost all of the songs before, but not in that way. They tell a different story when you listen to them back-to-back like that.”
“Oh, well thanks. I’ve always prided myself on making good playlists.”
“If you have another, send it my way,” Harry said, taking a bite of his pasta. “I’d love to hear more of what you’ve put together.”
“Well, I’ll have to send you my ‘Bad Bitch’ playlist that I listen to ahead of meetings with my editor.”
“Please.”
She had meant it as a joke, but Harry clearly didn’t take it that way. “Oh yeah, I’ll send it now.” She picked up her phone and sent him the link. “Enjoy. I hope you’re able to find your inner bad bitch.”
“I’ll keep you updated on my progress.”
When the waiter dropped the check on the table, Harry swiftly collected it, placing his card in the leather holder, ignoring Penny’s protests.
“I’m the one who invited you,” he said. “It’s only fair that I pay.”
Penny chewed on her lip. It was basic ethics that journalists didn’t accept gifts from sources. You always paid and kept your fingers crossed that your publication would reimburse you. “I can’t let you.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” What was she supposed to say? I accepted your invite because I wanted to hear about your album? I want to use you for my own personal gains? “Because it’s 2019 and women can pay for themselves.”
“Tell you what, you pay for me next time?”
“You and these next times,” Penny said with a laugh. “Always asking for more.”
“I just thought you were having fun and I was –”
“Harry, I’m kidding. It would be great to see you again. You’re actually pleasant to be around when you’re not acting like an asshole.”
“Two compliments in one night? I should buy you dinner more often!”
“I think that will be the next next time.”
Harry laughed and Penny noticed how when he found something funny, really truly funny, the skin around his eyes crinkled as his dimples deepened. She felt a rush of pride knowing she brought that out in him.
Harry’s phone chirped and the dimples and crinkles disappeared as he looked down at the incoming message. “I guess I should be going. Duty calls.”
“Heading back to the studio?”
“Yeah…” The lightness had disappeared from him.
“I know it’s easy for me, the person that will be critiquing your album, to say, but just write what you feel, Harry. You can’t go wrong with that.”
“I’ll try my best,” he said. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
Penny rose from the table and Harry followed her to the exit. “Have a great rest of your night,” she said, unlocking her car.
“Yeah, you too,” Harry said, swaying on his feet. “I’ll uh, see you later?”
“Definitely! I think I’m free on Wednesday. I’ll text you.”
Harry smiled, and Penny felt warm inside, and marveled at how he could make her feel so good with just one gesture. “I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “Drive safe.”
As she drove home, Penny listened to the songs Harry had sent her over the week, really paying attention to the lyrics and the stories Harry had been talking about. He was right. They were some of the best she’d heard.
It wasn’t until Penny pulled into her parking spot in front of her building that she realized she didn’t get answers to any of her questions.
***
Harry took the quickest route to the studio from the restaurant, opening the voice notes app on his phone when he was stopped at a red light. He spoke quickly, tripping over his words, wanting to make sure he captured everything he was feeling in the moment. When he reached the studio, he rushed in, nearly bumping into Tyler as he turned the corner.
“Wasn’t expecting you to come back tonight, H,” Tyler said.
“I wasn’t either but inspiration struck and…”
“No, I get it,” Tyler said. “Want to get to work?”
“Let’s do it.”
***
The next morning, Penny awoke to a message from Harry.
I think I’ve finally found my inner bad bitch. Thanks for all the help.
***
Over the next couple of weeks, Penny and Harry fell into a rhythm. He’d text her, usually at night when she was getting home from a gig, and they’d message back and forth until one of them fell asleep. They met up for impromptu drinks a few times and got coffee a couple of others. Their outings were usually initiated by Harry, and Penny was more than happy to go along with his suggestions. She kept reminding herself that this was just for work, but she couldn’t deny how much she was enjoying their time together.
Penny had just left Darren’s office one Wednesday afternoon, clenching her hands so hard, she was sure her nails had drawn blood. He’d killed another one of her features, even after suggesting she write it, and everything felt pointless. She was back at her desk deciding what her next move would be – get coffee or cry in the bathroom – when her phone rang. Seeing Harry’s name on the caller ID, she answered almost immediately.
“Hey,” Harry said, his voice tinged with surprise.
“Hey.” Penny could hear the waver in her own voice.
“Is now a bad time?” Harry asked.
“No.”
“You sound…upset,” Harry said cautiously.
“Just a typical day here.”
“Would you have time to take a break? Maybe get a coffee? I’m at Full Stop today.”
Penny looked at her watch. She had time to spare and the way things had been going lately, Harry might be the perfect way to improve her mood. “Sure. I can meet you at Blue Bottle in like 10 minutes.”
“See you there.”
Penny ended the call and grabbed her wallet. “I’ll be back later,” she said to Chloe. Blue Bottle was just a quick walk from her office and she stood outside the coffee shop, rocking back and forth on her heels until she saw Harry approach.
“Hey,” he said, his eyes searching her for obvious signs of distress. “I’m glad you were able to sneak away.”
“Yeah, I needed the break.” Penny gestured to the register inside. “Want to order now?”
Harry nodded and followed Penny inside, ordering an iced Americano after she’d asked for a vanilla latte.
“This was supposed to be my treat,” Harry said as Penny inserted her card into the machine to pay. “I invited you.”
“Next time’s on you,” Penny said with a tight grin, moving off to the side to wait for their drinks, handing Harry a straw.
“So…” Harry said, picking the paper straw wrapper. “Are we going to talk about whatever’s happening here?”
“What? Nothing’s going on.”
“It’s just, you sounded upset on the phone,” Harry said. “And now you just look kind of sad. Stressed.”
“Gee thanks.”
“I didn’t mean that as a bad thing. I was just worried that something was going on.”
Penny looked up to meet Harry’s eyes. It was truly touching how concerned he was, but it also felt monumental. Like whatever she said in response would change the course of whatever was happening between them. “Thanks,” she said after a moment. “It’s just been a rough day at work after a string of rough days.”
“Want to talk about them?”
Penny sighed. “It’s my editor.”
Harry nodded. “I remember you talking about him. He’s the one that keeps shitting on your ideas.”
Penny whipped around to look at him again. “You remember?”
“Yeah, because I thought he sounded like a dick from what you told me.”
“Well, I can confirm that he is. And what he’s been doing recently is instead of letting me pitch stories, he’s assigning me his own pitches, and then even after I follow every single one of his stupid-ass rules, he still kills the story. Now, some of my sources are starting to get cagey since they don’t love sitting down for a call for an article that never materializes and I just feel like a terrible writer and it’s just hard. I feel like I’m stuck and that I’ll never get out.” She looked at Harry “Well, that’s what’s new with me. How about you?” She laughed nervously, aware she’d just spilled her guts to the man who was her mortal enemy mere weeks ago.
“I’m really sorry you’re having to deal with this,” Harry said.
“I know it’s something everyone in a creative field goes through since art is so subjective but it’s just really tough when it feels like you’re the only one experiencing it.”
“Could I read it?”
“What?”
“Your story. The one Darren just killed,” Harry prompted.
“I don’t think you’d be interested. It’s really boring about music licensing and copyright law.”
“I don’t know. I’m a musician. I have songs. Feels pretty applicable.”
Penny sighed. “I’m just -”
“Trying to come up with another excuse?”
“Fine.” Penny unlocked her phone and opened the Google Docs app, navigating to the doc with the story she’d filed earlier that day. “Here,” she said, handing Harry her phone and walking away.
“Woah, where are you going?”
“I’m not going to stand here and watch you read my article. That’s just a form of cruel and unusual punishment. I’m going to wait over there.”
“No you’re not.” Harry grabbed Penny’s hand and pulled her back to his side, not letting go of her hand, even when she was standing next to him.
Penny froze. Harry didn’t appear to register what he was doing as he bowed his head and started to read the screen on the phone he held in his other hand. She stood there, next to him, watching as he read her work. The crinkle that emerged between his eyebrows as he focused, the way his mouth moved as he scanned the page, the way he nodded when he came across certain phrases.
“Latte and Americano for Penny,” the barista called.
Penny cleared her throat. “I should get those,” she said softly.
Harry looked down at the hands. “Oh, right, sorry. Didn’t mean to hold on like that.”
Penny fetched their drinks and when she returned, Harry had migrated to a small table in the corner where he finished reading the article. She didn’t want to fish for compliments, but was curious about what he thought. “Sooo,” she said, handing him the cup.
“I don’t know who your editor is but he’s an idiot for not publishing this. I heard a couple of people at Columbia discussing this last week. People would want to read this.”
“Maybe I should bring you back to the office to see if Darren will listen to you.”
“I am free for a couple more hours.”
Penny grinned. “Thanks. For…everything.”
“No, thanks needed, You’re a fantastic writer, Penny.”
“I wish Darren believed that. Hell, I wish I believed that.”
“Artists are always the most critical of themselves,” Harry said thoughtfully.
“Do you know that from personal experience?”
Harry let out a long sigh and nodded. “It has been a week.”
“Making any progress?” Penny asked, trying to sound casual.
“Kind of. But the label is asking for something that’s more radio friendly and I just don’t want to give it to them. Probably because I don’t know how to give it to them,” he added under his breath.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You’ve got a good team. You’re…smart.”
Harry laughed. “You don’t sound so sure about that.”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” Penny said. “You just have like good music sense. It’s something that can’t be taught.” Harry stared at her blankly. “What? Did I say something wrong?” she asked.
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m just trying to remember when you started being so nice to me.”
“Shut up! You’re so stupid,” Penny said, flicking her straw wrapper at him.
“Shut up!” Harry shot back, mocking her tone as flicked the paper back towards her.
The two giggled, shooting the paper back and forth until Harry put a little too much muscle into it, causing the paper to land on the back of the woman behind Penny.
“So athletics aren’t your strong suit?” she teased.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Penny?”
Penny turned around and came face to face with Darren. Was no place safe? “H-h-hi,” she spluttered. “I was just taking a break. I’ll be back at the office soon.”
“Oh no worries,” Darren said smoothly. “I can tell you’re busy.” He eyed Harry. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, pleasure,” Harry said, extending his hand for a handshake that Darren reciprocated. “I’m Harry.”
Darren nodded, not bothering to reciprocate the introduction. “Well, I’ll see you at the office, Penny.”
“Mhmm, talk soon.” Penny waited until she was sure Darren had left the coffee shop before turning back to Harry. “Fuck, I didn’t think he’d come here. He usually hates anything that brings people joy.”
“Was that weird? That was weird,” Harry said.
“It was.” Penny hadn’t been able to interpret what Darren had been thinking when he walked over there, but she didn’t think she’d be able to pretend like it hadn’t happened when she eventually made her way back to the newsroom.
“I think you could take him though,” Harry said.
“Excuse me?”
“I think you could beat him in a fight. Especially if it was a war of words.”
“Well, we’ve had a couple of those and they typically end with me hiding somewhere to cry.” Harry didn’t say anything and just stared at Penny with an indiscernible expression on his face. “But you didn’t need to know that…” she trailed off.
“You’re good at your job, Penny. Don’t let anyone try to convince you you’re not.”
“Thanks? Not sure if I believe that coming from the guy who bullied me over my writing a couple of weeks ago, but I’ll keep that in my back pocket.” Harry shook his head. “What?” Penny pressed.
“I’m always going to feel terrible about the way I treated you,” Harry said. “It had nothing to do with you, though. It was all about me.”
“Oh?”
“What bothered me was that everything you said was true. In that review you were just pointing out things that were painfully obvious. I just had my head so far up my own ass I couldn’t see. And when I read your words, I just felt so vulnerable.  Like if you noticed how guarded and cheap that album was, how many other people did too? I put everything into that it. What if that’s the best I have to offer? What if I never do anything better than that? Do you know what it feels like to question your worth and purpose like that every fucking day?”
“Of course I do. My job is to share my opinions online only to get yelled at by trolls on Twitter who think my being a woman means I don’t have a brain. Or feelings. Each day when I walk into work I have to brace myself for whatever shit Darren is going to throw at me. I have to watch men who know fuck all get chances that I deserve and anytime I try to do anything about it, I’m the one who gets punished. It’s exhausting and stresses me out more than it should, but if I woke up tomorrow and couldn’t do that, I’d be lost. It’s sadistic, but I think you know exactly what I mean.”
Harry blinked slowly. “I do,” he said after a moment. “I don’t think anyone has ever described it like that before, but that’s exactly it.”
They finished their drinks while checking their phones and it wasn’t lost on Penny how even sitting in silence with Harry felt comfortable, like they were old friends. She could have sat with him like that forever, but eventually Harry sighed, signaling the end of their time together.
“I probably need to be getting back,” he said. His face looked drawn and Penny couldn’t tell what had changed.
“Yeah, I should get back too.”
“I’ll walk you over.”
Penny got up and pushed in her chair as Harry disposed of their cups and wrappers. He met her at the door and held it open, walking alongside her when they were out on the sidewalk.
“Are you going back to the studio?” Penny asked. “Or is this a business day?”
“The studio. Hopefully things will fall together soon.”
“Well, break a leg? Good luck? I’m not sure what recording studio protocol is.”
“Any of those will work.” Harry glanced over at her. “Um, I’m assuming you’re back to work.”
“Yeah, not really sure what I’m going to work on for the rest of the day, but I’ll find something.”
“Try not to think about Darren. I mean it.”
“Well you can’t think about the studio execs when you write.”
“Deal.” Harry stopped outside Penny’s office as she pulled her ID from her pocket. “I’ll see you later.” He put his hand on her shoulder and then paused, as if it was a step too far. “Text me or something?”
Penny reached up and covered his hand with hers. “Definitely. Maybe we could do dinner sometime this week if you’re in the area.”
“Yeah, I’ll be around.”
“Great.” Harry’s hand was still on her shoulder as she awkwardly shifted towards the door. “Have a great rest of your day,” Penny said softly.
“You too,” Harry mumbled, breathless as he watched her walk inside.
***
Penny hadn’t been at her desk for more than a minute when Darren strode out of his office straight for her desk. “Fuck,” she mumbled under her breath. She looked around, hoping that someone would be around to diffuse the conversation, but the newsroom was surprisingly empty.
“Penny,” Darren began, voice echoing in the empty room.
“Yes?”
“I didn’t realize you knew Harry Styles?”
“Um, that’s a recent connection. We have a mutual friend.”
“Very cool.” Darren sat on the edge of Chloe’s desk, clicking the pen in his hand. “Learn anything from him?” he asked, attempting to sound casual.
“Not really. Like I said, I only met him recently.”
“That’s a shame. Any scoop from him could be big. Keep an ear out.”
“Um, sure,” Penny said.
“Keep me in the loop on any developments.”
Penny would rather chew glass than keep Darren “in the loop” but she just nodded pleasantly, hoping her agreement would make him go away. “Will do,” she said.
“Great!” Darren hopped off of the desk and headed back to his office, nearly bumping into Chloe as she walked in, coffee and pastry in hand.
“What was that about?” Chloe asked. She wiped off the edge of her desk when she was sure Darren’s door was closed.
“So, Darren ran into me and Harry while we were getting coffee.”
“Ooh, tell me more.”
“He started pumping me for info on Harry–”
“No!” Chloe whined. “Not about Darren, about Harry. I didn’t know you all were meeting up.”
“It was an impromptu thing. He was in the area and I needed a breather.”
“And Darren saw you?”
“Yes, and I think he wants me to leverage my…knowledge…of Harry to get a scoop on something.” Penny chewed on her lip. “I feel conflicted.”
“Babe, that’s exactly what you’ve been planning this whole time! I told you it was a bad idea then and I still think it’s a bad idea. You really think any idea Darren has is a good one?” She said his name in a tone usually reserved for dog shit.
“I know, I know,” Penny moaned. “But I’m just kind of torn because getting anything on him would be great for me but it would ruin our -”
“Burgeoning love affair?” Chloe cut her off.
“No, our friendship or whatever the hell it is.”
“Pen, I think you know what the right move is here. So I’m not going to tell you. You’re better than this and you are smarter than this. Don’t be a Darren!”
Penny clicked the cap on and off of the pen as she thought about Chloe’s words. “There has to be a way I can do the best of both worlds. I mean, critics and journalists hang out with the subjects of their writing all of the time. I can make this work.”
“I will make sure not to tell you ‘told you so’ when this blows up in your face.”
“That’s why you’re my best friend.” They sat at their respective desks and worked until it was closing time. Penny said goodbye and headed to her car. As she stepped outside of the building, she impulsively turned left, taking the circuitous route that would take her in front of Full Stop’s office. As she approached the building, she squinted looking in the windows. She didn’t know what she was hoping to find but she felt an extreme sense of disappointment when she didn’t see Harry.
She finished her walk to the garage, climbing in her car and turning the radio on first thing. As she drove home, her mind wandered – to Darren, to her brother’s upcoming birthday (she still needed to find a card), to Chloe’s annual film festival – but her thoughts were mainly occupied by Harry. What was he doing at this moment? Was he still at the studio? Was he out with friends?
Her phone chimed as she pulled into her parking space. It was a text from Harry. A link to a song. She smiled as she put her headphones on to listen.
***
Are you busy?
Three little words and her heart started racing.
It had been a few days since her impromptu coffee with Harry, they’d talked even more than usual. Penny woke up to texts from Harry – songs, random musings, once, a funny YouTube video – and his messages were also what lulled her to sleep. She wasn’t sure what to call this new stage, but felt that friendship was a good start.
Penny counted to twenty before responding. Not really. What do you need?
She could see him typing in the message thread.
I’m working today and am a little stuck on something. I wanted to get your advice. A voice note followed the message. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
Penny’s phone burned hot in her hand with the knowledge of what that message contained. She rose from her desk, searched for her earbuds and rushed off to find a quiet spot in the office to listen to the note. In the dim hallway that led the kitchen, she pushed her earbuds in and turned up the volume before pressing play.
It was an unfinished demo, but despite the rough nature of the recording, she could tell this song was something special. It started off with a strong drum section before Harry’s vocals came in. His higher register, smoother than ever. She closed her eyes, Even with shitty discount earbuds she could feel the beat pulsing, throbbing, echoing within her. It was magic. When it finished playing, she hit play again, focusing on the lyrics this time through. Phrases about shining, stepping into the light, recurred throughout, and while it was beyond her to speculate the meaning of the lyrics, they felt deeply personal. The kind of personal that everyone could relate to. The hallmark of a good song.
She listened a third time for good measure before typing out her response. Initial reaction, I love it. On more listens, it feels like the bass and drums might be a little too much. There’s an intimacy to this song and you don’t want to lose that. Find a way to balance the two and you’ve got a hit.
Harry’s reply came quickly. You’re exactly right! Thanks!
Any time.
“Penny?”
She looked up from her phone to see Darren in front of her, mug in hand, clearly on his way to get some of the paltry excuse for coffee kept in the kitchen.
“Yeah?”
“What are you doing?”
She searched her brain for a reason she’d be standing in a dark hallway with her headphones. “I was taking a call,” she finally said. “It was a little noisy in the main room and I just needed some quiet.”
“OK, well that’s what we have the call booths for. Keep that in mind.” Darren stared at her and Penny prayed he wouldn’t be able to sniff out the real reason she was there.
“I should go,” she said, dashing towards her desk.
“All good?” Chloe asked, taking in the panic on Penny’s phase.
“You-know-who almost caught me with a demo the other you-know-who sent me,” Penny said, voice low.
“Shit.”
“Yeah, it was a little too close for comfort.”
“Why?”
Penny turned around in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s think this through,” Chloe said. “Why are you so concerned about Darren finding out what you know?”
“Because it’s an ethics issue.”
“Why is it an ethics issue?”
“Because I know Harry. We’ve gotten drinks together.”
“OK, yes,” Chloe prompted. “But how is that any different from you getting drinks with Paul at a networking event and then quoting him in a piece? Or when you went to dinner with those investors that were funding that new streaming startup and then wrote a story?”
“It’s just different. My brother’s best friend didn’t introduce me to them.”
“But he did introduce you to Janice and you quoted her.”
“I-that’s not the same and you know it.”
“You want to know what I think?” Chloe asked.
“Not particularly.”
“I think that three weeks ago you thought this scheme was a great idea but then you actually spent time with Harry and now you care about him and you don’t want him to know you were using him and you also don’t want to risk your reputation.”
Penny scoffed. “You are so off base.”
“Am I? You haven’t looked me in the eye since you sat down and your hands are shaking. You’re lying and we both know it.”
“It’s not what you think,” Penny said. “I didn’t want Darren to know because if he gets ahold of the story he’ll probably kill it and I don’t want that to happen. I’m saving it for one of our editorial meetings so I can have Skylar there as backup.” She hoped the lie sounded more convincing than it felt.
“Sure,” Chloe said. “Do you want to get drinks after work tonight?” she asked, smartly changing the subject.
Penny nodded in agreement, but inside she was wondering why she was so scared to tell her best friend the truth.
***
Penny paced in her kitchen keeping an eye on her phone on the counter, willing it to light up with a new notification. It had been three days since Harry had shared his demo, forcing her  to confront the emotions that had been brewing inside of her for the past few months.
She’d reached out a couple of times. First to ask how the rest of his studio session went, and then to share some more songs and music videos she liked. And when those went unanswered, she reached out again, asking if everything was OK only to be met with radio silence. She was fairly certain that nothing was wrong, but concern lurked in the back of her mind, and after a few more minutes of pacing, she grabbed her phone and keys and headed for her car.
She scrolled through her messages until she found Harry’s address which she programmed into her GPS. When she pulled up to the gate, she pressed the buzzer. Then hit it again. And again. And again. Finally, she heard Harry’s voice through the crackly speaker.
“Hello?” His voice sounded different than usual and she couldn’t be sure if it was because of the speaker or something else.
“Uh, it’s Penny. I hadn’t heard from you and was a little nervous since we were supposed to go to that show tonight?”
“Oh, fuck. Come on in.”
She heard a loud buzz and then the gates parted, allowing her to drive in. She glanced at the landscaping as she drove up the path. It was nice and well-maintained, definitely not by him, and she appreciated the views the property offered. She put the car in park in front of the garage. Harry was standing on the front stoop waiting for her.
“I’m so sorry,” he croaked, voice gravely even without the interference of the intercom. “I came down with this spring flu or something. I’ve been out of commission for a few days.”
“Don’t apologize. I was just worried.” Shit. That wasn’t what she meant to say. “Like just since we had these tickets. I wasn’t sure if you still wanted them or…”
“Yeah, of course. I honestly don’t think I’m up for a show tonight. I’m better, but still not 100%.”
“No, I get it.” Penny rocked back and forth on her feet. “Do you want some company?”
Harry paused. “What about the show?”
“One of my friends had been asking about the tickets. I can give them to her.” It felt wrong to go if Harry wasn’t there, not that she’d ever admit that to him.
“Uh, sure,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Come on in. It’s a little messy.”
Penny followed him inside, toeing off her shoes in the front hall. She padded behind Harry as he led her into a den. The large sectional was covered in pillows and blankets and he cleared a spot off on one side of the couch, making room for Penny.
“Make yourself at home,” Harry said, a sniffle punctuating his statement.
“Can I get you anything?” Penny asked.
“You're my guest. Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“But you’re sick.”
Harry shrugged. “There’s water, juice, beer, and wine in the kitchen. There might be some ginger ale left as well.”
“Ooh my favorite.”
“Help yourself. I’ll have one too.”
Penny grabbed a couple of cans from the fridge, trying not to gawk at the gourmet kitchen around her. “Ice?” she called over her shoulder.
“No thanks.”
She handed Harry one of the cans and they popped the tabs in synchronicity, grinning at their timing.
“Should we be drinking to your health?” Penny asked, before sipping from the can.
Harry grinned. “I can use any and all well wishes. This just knocked me out. I can’t remember the last time I was that sick.” He shuddered as if reliving a traumatic memory.
“It must have been pretty rough. I was worried about not hearing from you.” That was a normal thing to say, right? Penny was suddenly second guessing her words. “I mean just because we had the plans for the show,” she quickly explained.
“No, I apologize. I wasn’t really with it for a couple of days and was pretty useless. Thankfully I had some people looking out for me.”
At that moment, there was nothing Penny wanted to know more than who these people were. “That’s nice. I’m assuming Jeff stopped by?”
Harry nodded. “And Glenne. They brought me some soup and bread. Glenne is Jeff’s girlfriend,” he clarified.
“Oh.”
“And now you are stopping by. I’ve clearly got a village looking after me.”
“Um, yeah.” Penny didn’t know what was wrong with her. On the drive over, she’d been filled with thoughts of what she’d say when she saw Harry, but now that she was with him her mind was blank. “How does it work when you're sick? Like do you have to take a sick day?” What the fuck kind of question was that, she thought to herself. She took a sip of ginger ale.
“Uh, like not really. Sometimes I try to work through it but since we aren’t on a hard deadline I just tried to take it easy. Figured taking a few days off might also help me get in a better place creatively.” He stroked his chin. “Not sure that worked but I guess we’ll find out soon.”
Penny stared at Harry until she realized it was her turn to speak. “I do a similar thing when I have writer’s block.”
Harry looked at her questioningly. “Get sick?”
“No, like, try to take a break.” She took another sip of her drink. “This is weird. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m just going to head out.” She rose from the couch.
“Why is it weird?” Harry asked, voice still strained from his illness. “We were going to the show tonight, why can’t we just hang out here instead? Watch a movie or something? Play a board game?”
Penny laughed. “A board game?”
“I happen to be a next level Scrabble player.”
“Is that so?”
Harry nodded. “And I can prove it to you if you’ll stay and play with me.”
Penny rubbed her thumb along her can, catching a drop of condensation. What did this mean – the two of them hanging out together without a concert or shop talk as a buffer. The two of them alone in Harry’s house altered the stakes in a significant way. The lines between source and friend and whatever else was lurking in the background were significantly blurred and she felt like she was playing with fire. “Sure,” she said. “Just let me send these tickets to Chloe so someone can make use of them.”
“Great! I’ll find the game.”
Just as Penny pressed the transfer button, Harry reappeared, a worn and well-loved Scrabble box in his hand. “Get comfortable, I’m serious,” he said, easing down onto the floor and setting the Scrabble board up on the coffee table.
Penny shrugged off her cardigan, laying it on the couch behind her before joining Harry on the floor. “How does this work?”
“You’ve never played?” he asked incredulously as Penny shook her head. “How is that even possible?”
“I don’t know,” Penny laughed. “I just never played. I’m honestly not a huge board game person.”
“I can’t believe I let you into my house,” Harry deadpanned. “Not a board game person! Madness!”
Penny rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and teach me how to play.”
Harry started explaining the rules as finished setting up the pieces and Penny tried not to giggle at his excitement and the way he tripped over his words as he laid everything out for her. It wasn’t a complicated game and Penny quickly caught on, relishing the few times she was able to land a double or triple word score, much to Harry’s chagrin.
“I thought you said you hadn’t played before!” he exclaimed.
“I haven’t!”
“How are you so good?”
“Harry, I write for a living and it’s a word game, not fucking brain surgery.”
“Beginner’s luck!”
“Or maybe I’m just better than you!”
They were in the middle of their second game before Penny realized that they hadn’t said a thing about their jobs. No mention of new albums or concerts or studio executives or editors. And the conversation managed to feel easy. It felt like she was with someone she’d known forever, and she loved how comforting that felt.
As they were finishing up the game, Penny could see that Harry’s energy was waning. His laughter didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore and he seemed a little dazed after a couple of coughing fits. “Would you want to switch to a movie or something?” she suggested gently.
“That would be nice,” he relented after a moment’s hesitation. “I’m going to make some tea before, though. Would you like some?”
“Sure, I can help.”
Harry looked like he was about to protest but after glancing at Penny, he abandoned whatever he was about to say, gesturing for her to lead the way. They stood side by side in the kitchen as the water boiled, and Penny tried not to shiver when Harry’s hand grazed hers as he handed her a teabag. Beverages in hand, they made their way back to the couch. Harry stretched out, fishing for the remote among the cushions and Penny plopped down across from him. Harry flicked through the various films available turning to Penny every so often to gauge her opinion before finally settling on a comedy they’d both seen before.
For the first half of the film, they made each other laugh, reciting the memorable lines along with the actors on screen, but after an hour or so, Penny heard an odd noise coming from where Harry was sprawled. His head was resting on the arm of the couch and he had his arms folded over his chest, as if he was trying to curl into himself. His chest rose and fell evenly as soft snores came from his lips. The moment felt too intimate and Penny felt as though she should avert her eyes. But try as she might, she couldn’t.
This was the Harry she’d gotten to know over the past few weeks, the one who was vulnerable and second guessed himself and who cared about things so deeply he let them consume him. The one who looked out for those around him and was surprised when people did the same for him. The Harry who wanted to be her friend.
In that moment, everything clicked for Penny and she felt like she was seeing clearly for the first time in weeks. She couldn’t betray Harry. She’d figure out another way to deal with Darren and find the career changing scoop, but she couldn’t risk losing Harry. If she was this concerned about not hearing from him for three days, what would happen if he was out of her life forever?
Penny wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do with her newfound clarity, but being in Harry’s presence in the wake of the revelation felt suffocating. She needed to get out of his house. Gingerly, she reached over to turn the television off before placing a blanket over his sleeping form. She grabbed her cardigan and shoved her feet in her shoes only to open the door and come face to face with Jeff.
“Heeeyyy,” he said cautiously. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi!” Penny said quickly, stepping out onto the porch and gently closing the door behind her. “How are you?”
“Fine. I-I don’t mean to be rude but I’m just confused as to what you’re doing here.” Jeff laughed lightly.
“So Harry and I were supposed to go to a concert tonight but I hadn’t heard from him in a couple of days and when I texted him about meeting up he didn’t respond and I was a little worried so I came over to check on him.” The words all came out in a weird, breathy, rushed whisper.
“Right,” Jeff said slowly. “Why are you whispering?”
“Because Harry’s asleep.” Penny’s eyes widened hearing her own words. “He fell asleep. After we played Scrabble. And watched a movie. I think he’s still on the mend.”
“You hung out with him?”
Penny nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t plan on staying but he invited me in and it seemed like he wanted company sooo…”
“Yeah, no that’s great,” Jeff said. “I’ve just been checking in on him on my way home each night and I know some others have too but I was just surprised to see you here.” He grinned. “Quite different from how things were a month ago.”
“Mhmm,” was all Penny could get out. “I should probably go.” She darted around Jeff and half walked half jogged down the path, fishing for her keys in her bag while she did so. When she managed to unlock the door, she gave Jeff a casual wave before driving off.
“They just need to fuck,” Jeff said to himself, shaking his head before heading inside.
Harry was jolted awake by the sound of the front door closing, and looked around the room confused as to where his companion had gone. “Penny?” he rasped.
“Nope, just me,” Jeff said, poking his head around the corner. “Don’t mean to disappoint you.”
“You’re the farthest thing from a disappointment, Jeffrey. Penny was just here earlier and I just assumed...”
“I know, I ran into her on the way out.”
Harry frowned as he ran his hand through his messy curls. “She left without saying goodbye.”
Jeff shrugged. “I guess. She said you were asleep and looked like she was in a rush. Maybe she had better things to do than watch the guy who refuses to admit he’s in love with her sleep for two hours.”
“I -”
“Don’t fight it, H. We all see it.”
“There’s nothing to see, Jeffrey.”
Jeff sat down on the edge of the coffee table looking Harry directly in the eye. “H, I’ve known you a long time and because of that, I’d like to think I know you better than most. Something’s been going on with you this year. You’ve been…off. You said Japan was going to reset you but it didn’t seem like it worked. I mean the way you treated Penny those first couple of times.” He exhaled. “That wasn’t you. But the past few weeks, it’s like a switch has been flipped. You’re writing again, you seem happy, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this happened after you’ve gotten to know Penny.”
Harry refused to meet Jeff’s eyes, keeping his gaze on the wall behind him. “I feel like Penny understands me in a way no one else does. It’s like I don’t even have to explain things to her. She just gets it, gets me. But that’s it.”
“Oh, is that all?”
“Yeah, we’re friends.”
Jeff pursed his lips. “So if she wanted to go to dinner and then…I don’t know…have sex after you’d say no? Since you all are ‘just friends.’” He made air quotes with his fingers as he said the last two words. “If she said you should call it a date instead of dinner, you wouldn’t want that?”
“Yeah.”
“Look me in the eyes and tell me that, H.”
Harry turned his head and looked Jeff dead in the eye. “Penny and I are just friends and I don’t want to sleep with her. Or date her.”
Jeff held his gaze. “You’ve always been a shit liar, H.”
***
Penny couldn’t sleep that night, her mind replaying her day with Harry again and again. She knew what she needed to do now, but that didn’t make things any easier.
She couldn’t move forward with the article…that was a given. But Harry…she didn’t know what to do about him. There was no way he could feel the same about her. He just couldn’t. And to put herself out there? Be that vulnerable with him? Now that was a recipe for disaster.
She closed her eyes and willed herself to fall asleep. But as she counted sheep, all she could think of was how much she wished Harry were lying next to her.
***
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Remembrance (Paper Stars pt 4)
Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader
Word Count 2.4k
Content: Joel being a Dad, arguments, angst, fluff
A/N: A new chapter after just 3 days?? Im shocked too. I recently started watching The Mandalorian and took some pretty generic quotes from it. Anyways, lots of Joel content in this one.
Paper Stars Masterlist
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    Joel was sitting in your living room again. He had made the habit of coming over to talk to you when he was free after he put Sarah to bed. You sat down beside him with a huff. “Welcome back to therapy Joel Miller, how can I help you today?” You joked, “Haha.” Joel deadpanned, glancing at the clock. When he first came over, he was afraid that he was keeping you up late to which you admitted that you had a ruined sleep schedule anyways and it was proven when he had woken up in the dead of night and noticed that the lights in your house were still on. A bad habit that he constantly nags at you to change.
   “Joel, what the hell?” You picked up his hand, a gesture that took him by surprise until he realised what caught your attention. “I accidentally cut myself at work, no big deal.” He explained, pulling away his hand that was filled with cuts, his fingers had plasters all over them. “Were you cutting wood or your fingers?” “The plasters were from my guitar and the cuts from work. It’s fine.” He insisted. You narrowed your gaze at him, “You’ve been playing guitar for decades Joel, I’ve never seen injure yourself till this point, even when you first started out.” “It’s just a precaution, in case wood shavings get into it.” Joel insisted, looking away from you, a sign that he didn’t want to continue with this conversation. You bit back the urge to ask anymore, gently settling his hand back on his lap. 
   Joel glanced at you, guilt welling up in his chest at the withdrawn look on your face. He knew you were worried, but he couldn’t tell you the actual reason behind his cuts yet, not now. He shifted in his seat, rubbing his palms together. “Are you having trouble sleeping?” You questioned, noticing the locket around his neck. He snapped out of his daze, “Oh, um, not really. It’s been better, just on some days.” He picked up the locket, fiddling with it. “I just wear it around these days, Sarah noticed it one day, said it quite suits me.” It was a lie, Sarah said that you suited him as a partner, not the locket. You grinned, jumping up excitedly before scrambling up your stairs. 
   When you came back to him, there was a bracelet around your wrist. The very same bracelet he had given you then. His eyes shone in delight, “That was weeks of pocket money, I’m glad you kept it.” Joel laughed, you frowned, “You’re such a liar Joel.” The smile on his face disappeared, “I asked you then! You said it didn’t cost much.” Joel grinned, pulling you closer as he admired the bracelet on your hand. “It didn’t, but it was still a lot for a high school student’s pocket money.” You shook your head at him, smiling softly at him. 
================================================
   Tommy couldn’t seem to be able to wipe the smile off his face ever since he saw you. A warmth settling in his chest upon seeing you again. He had spent most of his savings just to afford the plane ticket here to see you. 
  “Cheers!” You downed the alcohol in your hand, “Can you believe it? We’re finally of drinking age.” Tommy said. You beamed at him, “Fucking blessing, I can drown in my sorrows openly now without worrying that the FBI would come after me or something.”You remarked, Tommy snickered, taking another mouthful of his beer. 
   “I wish Joel could be here with us. The three of us again.” You glanced at Tommy, the both of you haven’t talked about Joel in the longest time. The last time Tommy had mentioned him, well, Tommy didn’t seem to be on the best terms with his older brother, you were at least glad that it seemed that was water under the bridge. “Is he well?” You questioned, heart pacing at the mere mention of him. “Keeps to himself a lot more now, older and more mature. Other than that, I think it is still him. I don’t see him as often nowadays.” Tommy shrugged, he was never as good as Joel when it comes to concealing his emotions. “He’s been busy, trying to raise a kid and all. I heard that things between him and Lorraine aren’t all that well either. We try not to butt in, you know Joel, he doesn’t like people in his business, wants to fix everything himself.” “Guess that didn’t change.” You remarked. “If Joel wasn’t stubborn, the sun would rise from the west.” Tommy snarked. 
   “You know, Joel doesn’t show or tell it but, he misses you too.” Tommy said. You poured yourself another glass of whiskey. “Sometimes I wonder what would happen if you guys had just been a bit braver and told each other about your feelings for each other. Maybe we would be happier.” You swallowed, “Tommy he doesn’t-” Tommy shook his head, “And if he does?” Tommy challenged. You shook your head, riding it of the thoughts, of the hope that was rising, it was dangerous, the hope would hurt you deeper. “Tommy I can’t-” “Just think about it, entertain it for a while. What if?” You took a breath, calming yourself down. 
    “Then he’ll get over it, we all do.” 
     “Over what?”
     “Any feelings he has towards me.” 
     “Are you saying that you no longer-” 
    “Yes.” A short and concise answer.
“I don’t see him that way anymore.”  
================================================
    That was the biggest lie you have ever told anyone. 
   You never did get over Joel and you weren’t sure if you ever would.
     “Is there something on my face?” Joel said, looking at you. You snapped out of your daze, looking away from him in embarrassment. You have just been caught staring, what the hell was wrong with you? “Shut up.” You told him, standing up from the couch as you headed up the stairs. He sent you a confused look before returning his attention back to the soccer match that was playing on his TV, a single beer in hand, one that he had been trying his hardest to make last, one that you had so generously granted him. 
   “What did you need to talk in private about?” Sarah bounced up from her chair, shushing you as she closed the door. “Dad can’t hear about this.” You furrowed your eyebrows at the teenager. “You alright? You’re not hurt or anything are you?” Your eyes scanned Sarah, she shook her head. Sarah moved to the calendar that was sitting on her table and brought it over to you, pointing at the day that is circled, “Dad’s birthday” written in blue ink with doodles of a birthday cake. “Are you planning on doing anything for Dad?” Sarah asked. You stiffened, you were never good with gifts or planning any kind of birthday events. Joel was always alright with not receiving anything since you were kids but now that Sarah was asking, you suddenly felt obliged to. “I..” “Actually, never mind. I just need ideas on what to get Dad. It’s his 30th birthday, a milestone I would say.” Sarah explained. “I’m sure Joel would appreciate a card.” Sarah stuck out her tongue in disgust, “That’s boring.” You thought of the man that was sitting downstairs,            
   “Uh.. a bag of coffee beans?”  “I don’t know how to choose coffee.”    
   “A jersey?” “Dad doesn’t even like wearing jerseys.” 
   “A mug.” “That’s generic” 
  You exhaled, not knowing how to please Sarah. “Well, he has been complaining that his watch is slow and he has to fix it every time.” Sarah's eyes widened, “That's it! I’ll get him a watch!” Your jaw dropped, “Do you even have money for a watch?”
Sarah smiled, “Money isn’t the problem here, could always sell some hardcore drugs for some.” 
   “You’ve spent too much time with Uncle Tommy.” You sighed, Sarah laughed, “and you and Dad.” “You did not just lump me in the same group as Tommy and Joel. I don’t talk like a wannabe criminal.” You defended. “Just that day you were telling them about how just resorting to crime would make life so much easier.” You stuck out a hand to stop her, “Ok I get it, Sarah Miller.” 
==============================
      Joel knew trouble was brewing the moment he parked his truck in the garage. Well, trouble has been brewing for a few days now. The arguments between him and Lorraine got more often as the days passed. She was supposed to be someone he looked forward coming home to but he has been intentionally taking more projects and working late, he could use the extra money anyways. 
     The sound of Sarah’s cries greeted him the moment he stepped foot into the house. Lorraine sat on the couch, trying her best to ignore the cries coming from the room upstairs, an annoyed look on her face. He merely glared at her before running up the stairs. She sat next to her toys. “What’s wrong?” Joel asked, scanning Sarah when he noticed that her knee was scraped. He frowned, “It's ok babygirl, it's ok.” He gently pulled Sarah’s hands away from her face, while blowing gently onto the scrape. Joel picked Sarah up with ease and headed into the bedroom, placing her onto the bed before heading to get the first aid kit in the washroom. 
   “I’m sorry.” He apologised while applying the alcohol onto the scrape, Sarah’s cries grew louder, cries that broke his heart. “I’m sorry” he kept muttering to Sarah. When he was done with the scrape, he placed everything back into the first aid kit and placed a kiss on Sarah’s head. Sarah’s hands clutched onto his shirt and he found himself leaning down further for her to hug him. He pat her back, muttering assurances into her ear as he tried to calm her down. 
    Joel poured himself a glass of water, he felt Lorraine’s gaze on his back, one that he’s trying to ignore too. Anger rose in him, anger that he may not be able to contain if they talked, the exhaustion from a day of work would not be helping either. “Joel.” She called out to him, he felt himself clenching the glass just a little harder but still found himself sitting down on the armchair across from her. He didn’t say anything, raising his voice and arguing with her was too exhausting. 
   “Joel, I just can’t- “ he turned to look at her. 
   “Joel, I can’t do this anymore.”
   “What do you mean you can’t do this anymore?” Joel snapped. Lorraine was crying, tears falling from her eyes as she stood up. “You’re just going to leave?” Joel questioned, standing up to stop her. “I can’t do this anymore, I’m sorry.” She apologised. “What about Sarah? It’ll break her heart.” He tried to reason. “Joel I can’t- I can’t sit here and waste my days. I’m not ready to be a mother!” Joel fumed, he wasn’t ready to be a father then either, who gave her the right to just walk out? “Lorraine you’re being ridiculous.” He said. “Our relationship has been rocky anyways, I can’t stay home and take care of Sarah. I can’t live this life.” She shouted. Joel clenched his jaw, “Leave then. Sarah deserves better.” He snarled. Lorraine’s jaw dropped at his words, “You’re not the good guy Joel.” Joel’s eyes widened, “I’m not the good guy? I’m not the one leaving! I’m the one working like a horse to pay the bills and you know what I come back to? A mother who ignores her child’s cries! Sarah is four! You’re supposed to be looking after her, it was only a scrape but what if it had been worse?” Joel raised his voice. Lorraine flinched, picking up the luggage she had packed that was hidden behind the door. “I’ll go back to my mother’s. The divorce papers should come soon.” She declared before slamming the door. 
========================
   “What the hell?” It was the only response that came out of you upon hearing Joel’s retelling of his story. You stood up, Joel wasn’t sure if it was emotionally driven. You came back with two beers, “Here you need it.” Joel shook his head. “I’m good.” You were surprised to see him refuse but didn’t insist. He wasn’t supposed to be drinking anyways. You placed the beer on the table, an offer, in case he changed his mind. “Fuck, I think I need something stronger to digest what you just told me.” You downed the beer in your hand.
   “The people around her were enjoying their youth, pursuing dreams. I see why she did that.” Joel said. You gave him an appalled look, “Does that not apply to you? You gave up dreams too!” Joel shook his head, “I stopped blaming her for it. It’s tiring. Sarah is enough, glad that I still have her.” You couldn’t understand Joel, you didn’t know how he was so forgiving. “I never said it was a good reason to leave, I just understood why she did that.” He clarified. You moved closer to him, letting his warmth warm you too. “Were you guys happy?” You questioned, half expecting Joel to not answer. 
   “I wouldn’t say happy, it was tough but there were its peaceful moments. When I would come back and be greeted with smiles. When she tried her best to take care of Sarah.” You hummed. 
   He sat up, deciding to lighten the mood a little. “Hey, this Sunday’s dinner you coming?” He asked, changing the topic. You took another sip of your beer, “I’m always there.” He smiled, “Tommy ain’t joining us.” “Why? He finally got himself a date?” Joel shook his head, amusement evident on his face. “It’s just us it seems, Sarah said she’s going over to her friend's house.” 
  “Aw, a date.” You joked, “if you want it to be.” Joel laughed. 
  “Well, you better make it special.” Joel raised his eyebrows, “you challenging me?” You nodded. “Yeah of course I’ll make your first date special.” “This is not my first date Joel!” You defended, shoving him playfully. He chuckled, “Your first actual date. I guarantee your previous ones would seem like playdates.” You shoved him again. 
   “Don’t be cocky Miller.”
   “Sunday dinner, 7pm.” He declared with a smile.
  “Yes, Joel. Should I dress up?”
  “You look pretty enough, darling.”
tag: @wolfieellsworld
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jessicas-pi · 11 months
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completely forgot about my medieval au when i was making incorrect quotes so here have some Incorrect Medieval AU Quotes
Omega: This is a very powerful artifact. We’ll be messing with some forces we don’t fully understand. Cal: That sounds like a dare to me.
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Caleb: Why would you bite someone? Sabine (age 7): You weren’t there, you didn’t hear what they said to me! Caleb: What did they say? Sabine: "What are you gonna do, bite me?" Caleb: That’s fair.
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Merrin: It's not like I try to blow things up, exactly. It just sort of happens. You've got to admit though, fire is fascinating.
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Rex: Ahsoka! Have you no dignity? Ahsoka: Of course not! How long have we known eachother?
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Carthage: I think we should kiss. Sabine: And I think you should die but we don’t always get what we want.
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Ahsoka: We have fun, don’t we, Rex? Rex: I have never been more stressed out in my entire life.
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Omega: You remind me of the ocean. Merrin: Because I'm deep and mysterious? Omega: No, because you're full of salt and you scare people.
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Ahsoka: *about Barriss and Adenn* They make a cute couple, huh? Rex, deadpan: They certainly are standing next to each other.
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Zeb: Ooh, somebody has a crush Caleb: Pfft, I don’t have a crush on Hera I just think she’s cool, it’s not like I stay up at night thinking about her. *Later that night* Caleb, very much awake: Uh oh
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Ahsoka: Can I bother you for a second? Rex: You're always bothering me, but go ahead.
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Cal: Did Merrin just tell me she loved me for the first time? Omega: Yeah, she did. Cal: And did I just do finger guns back? Omega: Yeah, you did.
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Adenn: Punch me in the face. Skira: ...Punch you? Adenn: Yes, punch me, didn’t you hear me? Skira: I always hear ‘punch me in the face’ while you’re speaking but it’s usually just subtext.
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Kidnapper: I have your children Hera: I don’t have children? Kidnapper: Then who’s the boy who just asked for warm milk and made me cut the crusts off his sandwich— Hera: Oh Force, you have Ezra. Kidnapper: —and the girl who headbutted me when I didn’t do it? Hera: Oh, you have Sabine, too. Okay. Good luck, you’re gonna need it.
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Adenn: I think I'm falling for you. Barriss: Then get up.
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*Discussing an image of a really hot knife cutting bread* Ahsoka: Imagine stabbing someone with this knife. Barriss: It would instantly cauterize the wound, so the person wouldn't bleed, so it's not very useful. Caleb: if you want information it is Cal: why would you STAB a person when you can have TOAST?
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Ai-kel: I’m a fool, not an idiot.
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Sabine (age 7): Why would you tell on us?! Ezra (age 5): I felt guilty. Sabine: Guilt is a trick emotion. It’s put there by our parents to stop us from doing things that feel good.
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Korkie: I personally don't think it's possible to come up with a crazier plan. Ahsoka: We could attack them with hummus. Korkie: I stand corrected. Ahsoka: Just keeping things in perspective.
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Ahsoka: Hey, Caleb? Can I get some dating advice? Caleb: Just because I'm with Hera doesn't mean I know how I did it.
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Barriss: What is wrong with you? Ahsoka: Loaded question. Elaborate.
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Sabine: Ezra and I are no longer friends. Ezra: SABINE THAT IS THE WORST WAY TO TELL PEOPLE THAT WE ELOPED!
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Rex: Ahsoka, no. Ahsoka: Ahsoka, yes.
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ghostmemesource · 1 year
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👻୧‿︵‿︵ ash vs. evil dead sentence starters
these are quotes taken from the starz series ash vs. evil dead. send in one of the prompts below for my muse’s response. please change pronouns/names where you see fit.
First thing I got to do is see a guy about a book. Must be some spell I can say to undo all this.
The other first thing I got to do is some cardio, ’cause my heart is jackhammering like a quarterback on prom night.
One false move, and I will Second Amendment your brains all over this truck.
We’re not leaving a trail of blood and guts behind us, we’re keeping Michigan moist.
There’s one thing I learned from [name]. Shoot first, ask questions never.
Last time I was here with a girl, I was hopin’ to get laid.
If I’ve learned anything from you, [name], it’s that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Hey, I’m looking for a friend. He’s, uh, tall, dumb, smells like… bread.
You fought this thing before. Maybe you just got to finish what you started.
Yes, I’m upset. Yes, I’m behind the wheel. Yes, I’m drunk. And maybe my license isn’t the fancy kind from the DMV. But at least I’m drunk!
Without good, there is no evil.
With all due respect, your tiny brain is a lot safer without my problems inside it.
Trust me, once you get jacked in the face, it’ll all click. I can’t even get my nut up to rumble unless I’ve had a good shot to the chin.
Once again I saved the world. Now it's time to get the girl.
Most people go through life thinkin’ they’re totally safe. People like us, we know the truth. Life is hard and dangerous, and sometimes you just gotta chop off somebody’s head to survive.
I kill demons, not people. Unless those people are demons, who look like people. And then I kill people, but they’re not really people, they’re demons. You understand?
Never get between a papa bear and his cub.
What’s out there knows that you’re alive, and it wants you to be… un-alive.
Well, good news I found a piece of pie with no blood on it. Anybody want a bite?
To save those two, I would submit to a prostate exam.
This town is only big enough for one asshole, and that asshole is me.
Sometimes what you think you saw, it’s exactly what you saw.
Someone needs to wash your mouth out, kid. And that someone is me.
Now I’m gonna kill you, just like I killed your father! I didn’t really kill your father, that just kinda sounded cool.
I gotta warn you, you’re gonna want to leave your husband for me, and I can’t let that happen. Family values.
I’m not drunk enough to know if this is good-weird or bad-weird. But I’ll get there though.
I’m going to be like a ninja losing his virginity, quick and discreet.
I told you. A good shot to the face always gets the juices flowin’.
Thanks for the opinion, appreciate it. Now you can take it, turn it sideways, shove it right up the old poop chute.
When you get back to Hell, work on your aim.
Do you know what evil is, [name]? It’s power without fear, without guilt, and without pain.
Hey, good looking. You here to break me out or break me in?
I'm gonna get you pregnant later.
I'd know that caboose from anywhere.
Even if this goes perfectly, there's a good chance you'll die.
Well, [name], it's been fun catching up. Sorry I got to kill you.
Don't you get it? Everybody dies here. It's just a rule.
If once you start down that path, forever, it will dominate your destiny.
Did you just Yoda quote me?
Alright, look, we get this done quick enough, we might have time to stop for churros.
Yeah, well, your cooking was shit.
Yeah, I remember when I was like you. Young, dumb, full of… conflicting emotions.
Sweet musical Jesus, that's your friend? Oh, she's filthy and fine!
She haunts my dreams. Just kidding. She does, though.
Do me a favor will ya, thank your mother for me?  She passed her genes down to you in all the right places.
Damn, [name]. Badass.
Why are you covered in blood?
So look, uh, I'm not a grief counselor, but if it's any consolation, I have had to kill and bury loved ones before. A bunch of times, actually.
Oh sure. I'll just sit here with the police officer we tied up and rethink my recent life choices.
Get ahold of yourself, woman!
I'm gonna say a lot of dumb things.
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feyhunter78 · 1 year
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I’m back baby, what’s cookin??
I don’t even know what to request as a follow up to the masterpiece you created. But I was just thinking Elrond x reader again (we love the man whose as kind as summer 😩) Anyways what about a fic-let inspired by “Francesca” by Hozier. Like there doesn’t have to be direct quotes or anything! Its just the angst but also the un-ending love that pours and pours like a summer thunderstorm.(we are back with the ripples but this time it’s tidal wave) please feel free to create what you think would be best with whatever the mess my brain conjured. I’m so thankful and incredibly excited to read!! Have an absolutely fab nights/days and I’m looking forward to reading it!!
So I didn't know this song, but looked up the lyrics, got a sorta vibe and this is what I've got for ya! I hope you enjoy!!!!
Purity in the Hurricane
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You had tried so desperately to keep your secrets, to hide your past from him, what you had done in the name of order, and peace. Elrond was good, pure, kind, loving, a diplomat, and healer, but you… You were ruined, the blood of elves, orcs, and man alike staining your hands, your mind haunted by the memories of war. Had it been worth it? The bloodshed, the deceit? For so long you believed it had, believed the words of Sauron, but now?
You sat across from him, watching, waiting, fingers tapping against your knee as he scanned the detailed documents, the reports that listed in faded black ink all that you had done in your youth.
Elrond set them aside, his brow furrowed, the corners of his lips pulled down as he mulled over the information given to him.
“Elrond I…I am not asking for forgiveness, I merely wished for you to know my crimes, know me before entrusting me with your heart. It is a precious thing, and I would be callous—no cruel, to take such a gift with no regard for he whom it truly belongs to.” You whispered, one hand resting over your own heart.
That traitorous thing within your chest that you found bled only for Elrond, a bleeding you were unable to staunch, flowed over you, seeking his presence, his touch, his very being, even at the mere thought of him.
“Y/N, I…” His eyes met yours, his hands reaching for you. He was so gentle with his movements as if you were still the noblewoman he met, returning home from a long journey, and not a weapon forged on the wrong side of the war centuries ago.
There it was, the distance he put between you with the simple action of calling you only by your name. It was staggering, a blade in your already bleeding heart, twisting and turning, a hurricane within you, threatening to drown you in grief.
“You need not speak; I understand if this means the end of our courtship.” You kept your head high, blinking back the tears. You would not cause him to feel guilt, he was not the aggressor, he had committed no sins.
Elrond shook his head then surged forward, lips crashing to yours with a desperate need.
You returned it in fervor, allowing him to devour you, clinging to him, desperate to memorize this moment.
“You are my starlight, my love, did you truly think I would give up? That this could shake the love from me? No sweet starlight, given any life, any moment I would find a way to your side once more.” He said, his lips brushing yours with each word.
“But I have—”
“There is not one thing I would change, my heart, my mind, knows no peace, there is nothing you could do that would cause my love to cease. Sweet starlight, I am yours.” Elrond professed, his hands cupping your face, his tone warm and earnest, banishing the guilt and chill from your bones.
You rested your forehead against his, “and I am yours.”
Tag list: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @elronds-pointy-ears, @elrondscalaquendi, @dilf-superiority, @jesticace
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