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yeehawtarnation · 1 year

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The Van Der Linde Gang, crowded around the campfire at Horseshoe overlook, the night is young but darkness has settled over their New Hanover spot. The Dakota river drifts along in the distance under the shadow of Mt Shann.

Hosea Matthews is sitting under a canvas canopy, overhanging the campfire, while Javier Escuella sits plucking away at his guitar.

John Marston, Charles Smith and Uncle are all laughing at Hosea's story, who smiles with the satisfaction of a story well told. Arthur Morgan has been sitting listening and smiling quietly as he enjoys the presence of this gang. His family.

But as always he can smell a snake a hundred yards off, and sure as shit Micah Bell came sauntering into the group, Arthur spits on the ground as Micah approaches and they lock eyes.

Micah: Easy cowpoke.

Arthur: Shut the hell up.

Hosea: Come and eh, sit by the fire. I was just telling the boys 'bout the bank job we hit back in '81 outside of the Arizona territory.

Micah: Oh yeah, I'm sure everyone laughed, just like they always do when you tell that same damned story every couple of days.

Micah: Oooh hahahah easy cowpoke I'm just joking.

Charles: That's not fair, Micah, some of us hadn't heard it before .

Micah: Oh I'm sure you were just too far down the bottle like always last few times ya heard it.

Arthur: I already told you to shut the hell up Micah, now sit down before I break your legs.

Hosea: Now let's just settle down and you know...

Hosea glances at Uncle who raised a bottle of Guarma Rum and chases it with a wink.

Hosea: ... Come to think of it I got one y'all hadn't heard yet.

Micah: Regail us, then, old timer, I'm tired of hearing the same old same old same old.

Hosea adjusts himself and looks to Charles and Uncle and then to Javier.

Hosea: You boys ever hear of, eh, reincarnation?

John: wassat?

Arthur: I think I found some flowers called that over near Roanoke Ridge.

Hosea: No not Carnations. Reincarnation. Then you come around again don't you know?

Silence around the group but for a solitary cough from Arthur.

Hosea: Well alright, I heard this from a man named Wally McRae up in Montana. Goes like this:

Hosea raises his hands in a show of mystery, from his tent Dutch Van Der Linde chuckles and pulls from his cigar.

Hosea: What is reincarnation the cowpoke asked his friend. His pal replied, it happens when your life has reached its end.

Hosea rests his hands on his knees.

Hosea: they comb your hair and wash her neck and clean your fingernails and lay you in a padded box. Away from life's travails. This box and you in goes in a hole that's been dug in the ground. Reincarnation starts in once your planted 'neath the mound.

Then clods melt down around your box, and you who's inside and then you're just beginning on your transformation ride. In a while some grass will grow up on your rendered mound. Till one day on your lonely grave a single flower is found.

John: So it is a flower!

Javier and Micah laugh at John and Hosea, but Javier stops at a glance from Arthur.

Charles: Come on let him finish.

Hosea: Thank you Charles. Where was I... Oh.

Then say a horse should wander by and graze upon this flower. That once was you but now it's become your vegetative bower. Now the posy that this horse ate up, along with the rest of his feed makes up bone and fat and muscle, essential to the steed.

But

Some is left! That he can't use. And so it passes through. And finally lays upon the ground

This thing that once was you.

Hosea: Then, say by chance I wanders by, I finds this object on the ground. I ponders and I wonders at this thing that I have found.

The rest of the boys and girls of the Van Der Linde Gang are now standing around listening to Hosea's take, enraptured by the new story they'd never heard.

I thinks of reincarnation

Of life and death and such

And come away concluding:

MICAH! YOU AINT CHANGED ALL THE MUCH!!

For a moment there is silence until everyone catches on, Arthur is the first to laugh, until the whole gang is howling at Hosea's joke at Micah's expense. Micah huffily stands up and tries to comeback but anything he says is drowned by the rest of the gang's laughter. Micah stalks away to his tent as Arthur laughs and watches a buck at the edge of camp dash off into the night.

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wickedsrest-rp · 10 months

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Name: Icarus “Russ” Castellanos Species: Siren Occupation: Pizza Chef at Sly Slice Age: 26 Years Old Played By: Jake Face Claim: Brenton Thwaites

"Am I a monster? Or is this what it means to be a person?"

TW: Parental death

Icarus ‘Russ’ Castellanos is from a fierce, reclusive, and traditional siren colony along the northern coast of Newfoundland. His people hunt the fog covered seas for fisherman and adventurous sightseers in the wilderness of their island home in relative seclusion in their small town located deep in the woodlands of Terra Nova. Though Icarus was very different from his people. While it wasn’t uncommon to integrate within human cities, it was usually a means to an end, Feeding on human hearts. The young Icarus on his hunt found a homestead owned by an elderly couple, the two men musicians, one a singer/guitarist and the other a pianist. He’d often hide in the trees and tall grass and listen to their music for as long as they played. Taking keen interest in their strange instruments. Their songs and music were very unlike the birdsongs of his people and it enticed him.

So much did young Icarus’ curiosity grow that he began to sneak into the nearby town, adopting a disguise as a vagrant youth. Stopping by a diner with an old timey record player. He wasn’t fond of human food, but the waitress there always gave him free coffee, a treat he began to enjoy, the bitterness often staving off the craving for their beating hearts. He found joy in experiencing the culture of the humans. The vibrancies of their culture, the songs of their people, and the joy brought about by art and song. All of these things made Icarus’ heart full and he only wanted more. Yet his time in the city was incredibly lonely and with no place to stay he’d return to the woods and back to his people. He’d be lectured and scorned by his colony, told that the only ‘enjoyment’ found from a human was in consuming their heart. This didn’t sit well with Icarus and those feelings festered a general feeling of ‘not belonging’ until he adventured out on his own.

Fleeing from his homeland he went far into the city of St. John. He donned his human disguise once more, venturing into the port city to see all that he could. Visiting cafes, museums, libraries, and seeing as many musical performances in the local area as he could. Taking stark note of the horrible stories written about his people, but at the same time fascinated by what the humans created, their art and song most of all! He would often scribble in a journal the things he had seen or whatever inspired him be it poems, art, or music. He found a natural drawing towards the latter, and through that interest Icarus found friends! The homeless, standoffish Icarus finds camaraderie in ‘not belonging’ with three humans. Davis, Luke, and Kayleigh. The four were good friends visiting many of the port's more ‘under the radar’ venues. He had learned that Kayleigh’s father went missing at sea, herself believing it was sirens. Though the other two often mocked her belief in ‘fairy tales’, Icarus harbored a growing belief that he was at fault. Recognizing why his people were seen as monsters, and why he too was one…

As the group grew closer Icarus would often show them his poems, drawing, and lyrics but never perform for them, fearing what would happen. However, he would eventually give into that peer pressure and accidentally enthrall them. He was sickened at how he enthralled his best friends, even more so by that mouth watering desire to consume their hearts as he’d done so many times in his youth. So scared of his own nature he fled, his friends none the wiser to their enthrallment. Icarus vowed to never sing again, especially not to his friends, though they would frequently ask to hear from his lovely singing voice again he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something bad happened. Continuously lying to his friends, they could never know the truth.

Despite his best attempts at concealment, the truth comes out eventually. During an incident where he and his friends visited a festival outside of town, his true form was revealed. Finding out first hand how mirrors show a siren's true form, his monstrous visage was revealed to Kayleigh when the two were exploring a haunted house and entered a house of mirrors. The panicked Kayleigh shrieked, and despite his best efforts to comfort her. Razor claws and dagger like teeth were of no comfort to a scared girl, His friends Davis and Luke jumped to her defense protecting her from Icarus, that meant her no harm. His friends saw him for what he really was… A monster. The look on their faces was all he needed to know he’d never be accepted amongst them, and so, heartbroken and sobbing, he flew. He flew until his wings hurt, across the land, across the sea, far enough away he couldn’t be recognized. Somewhere where his people were nothing but legends in books, and so he came upon Wickeds Rest.

To the people of Wicked's Rest, “Russ” is just a normal guy. A starving artist trying to make ends meet. The standoffish cook at Sly Slice though he’s not a big fan of the job he enjoys its simplicity, often thinking of the next chords to a song or the next line of a poem. He’s a music fan, often frequenting downtown before and after work. A frequent customer at The Vinyl Countdown, and MuertArte, and The Siren’s Song. His apartment near Harborside allows him to go out to the docks and cliffs and occasionally stretch his wings, and feast upon fish hearts (His substitute for human hearts). He’s a gentle soul and many would assume him quiet. It’s clear he’s passionate about his craft though rarely shares it, and when he does it will never be through a performance. He has a meager, simplistic life, though it’s clear he has more than one chip on his shoulder. Is Wicked's Rest a place he can finally find happiness? Or is it yet another tragic chapter waiting to end?

Character Facts:

Personality: Haunted, lonely, eloquent, sensitive, curious, gentle

Vastly prefers to go by ‘Russ’ as it's a more modern nickname. He barely responds to the name now, so accustomed is he to the nickname.

A creative mind. He is often distracted thinking of his next poem, drawing, or cords of a song. Though he is loath to show others his work, it’s clear he’s passionate about it.

Frequents poetry slams, open mic nights, and small indie shows though he will never openly participate for fear of exposing himself as a siren. Though his heart yearns to participate, doing so would end badly.

Born to a siren colony to the northeast in Newfoundland, his family was particularly traditional, feeding off sailors that traveled too far into the dense fog and mist on an early morning. Icarus, however, was entranced by human culture and desired to live amongst them. Even venturing into the city of St. Johns on a few occasions. Meeting a few friends through mutual interests, though still learning human social cues he managed to endear a few humans to befriend him. When they wanted to hear his songs he’d been working on he accidentally enthralled them leading to them figuring out his identity. He was reamed as a monster, exposing his true form and his friends fled in terror.

See’s himself and his people as monsters, but wants to overcome the traditions and nature his colony instilled in him. Working as a chef allows him to feast on scraps of meat and leftovers from the pizzeria. He adores fish and even though it’s nothing like a human’s heart. He claims to his family it’s just as good and he’s doing fine in Wicked’s rest.

Adores Coffee and other bitter foods. Typically drinks his coffee black, finding the bitterness soothing the cravings for human meat.

Has a few ‘bird’ like mannerisms. Often whistling when idle or cooking pizza in the back of Sly’s. Is particular about keeping clean, ‘preening’ over his jacket, clothing, and hair like a bird would its feathers. He likes to feed birds the leftover bread from Sly’s. He is uncomfortable around cats.

#retired

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toasecretsanta · 1 year

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A New Future

A gift for @littleredniacurutu written by @ithinkiamafungi, using the prompt “Apollo and Rachel friendship”

Warnings for blood and major character death

"Hi".

Rachel looked up from her book as Apollo made his way inside.

Today he was sporting a new look, like an actor in his 40s, light stubble on face, white button up shirt and crimson pants.

Over the years, many young children at the camp had asked Rachel the same question, "But how do you recognize him every time!?" the answer was simple, his aura was unmistakable.

Rachel was in her seventies. her hair was more silver and whiter than red. she had wrinkles around her face. and her power of divine visions didn’t stop her eyesight to decline either. she has been using glasses since she entered her 40s.

But Apollo had no sign of aging like that on him. Because some kind of immortal god he was. immortals don’t age. time is stagnant for them. Even then, his aging was visible to her, it was visible in his every disguise. every new look he chose for himself in honor of some event every couple of months.

Rachel wondered who was he honoring today.

She greeted him with a smile, "I can’t believe you are here on your own free will".

"I am not here on my own free will and you know that". he said, making air quotes at “free will”. Then he sighed. "But I am here anyways".

Rachel couldn’t help but smile at that.

"Come here. I got a vision last night, so I painted it".

She brought him towards the freshly painted canvas.

It was image of a girl, blonde. with dark blue eyes and flecks of green in them. She had freckles on her warm golden-brown skin.

"pretty" Apollo commented.

"She is" Rachel admitted.

"No, I was talking about the painting" Apollo hesitated "but you are right. The girl is pretty, too".

Rachel blushed, then swatted at Apollo’s arm.

"Thanks. Now, I tried to find the girl but I had no success. maybe you can try with your divine powers, get a hint" Rachel requested.

She turned from the painting to look at Apollo, who was staring at her with a mixed expression, it looked like concern to Rachel, but Apollo masked it quickly.

"Yeah, yeah sure. " Apollo said and closed his eyes.

"Uhm, Esperanza Golde, 13-year-old, mortal. She lives in Cali. " He spoke.

"Great, I think we should visit her".

Apollo hesitated again. His hesitation was starting to annoy Rachel. She wanted to get over with this task fast, before she changed her mind, but she didn’t want to explain this to Apollo, because he would totally abort this little mission of theirs once he knew.

Apollo snapped his finger twice and teleported them to a new location.

They were standing behind a tree on a low hill now.

A group of kids were having a picnic at the foot of the hill on the soft grass.

And then Rachel spotted her, Esperanza. She was chatting cheerfully with her friends, Esperanza was dressed in all black, she had safety pins hanging from the torn areas in her ripped jeans, yet as Rachel observe her, she grew more and more fond of her with each passing minute, she reminded her of… Nico Di Angelo.

The demigod passed away a long time ago, but he was one of his kind, a rare soul,

she remembered meeting him when he was still angry at Percy, she remembered him sitting besides her when she became the new oracle because he was scared when he saw her life flicker away at that one sensitive moment.

She remembered receiving visions of him being in new Rome but never understanding them until really late when it was revealed that there was a roman camp as well, she remembered the visions of Tartarus, the moment when he brough Athena Parthenos at ChB,

the moments she spent with him afterwards, painting and chatting away, his pretty smile, his threatening scowl, his earthshaking powers, and soul wrenching kindness. She remembered it all at that moment seeing Esperanza.

Rachel wiped at a glass eye.

“I want to test her” Apollo jerked her out of her thoughts.

“What?”

“I want to test her, is she ready for the task yet, I don’t know Rachel. She seems fragile. Compared to you, I don’t think she would be able to host the oracle”

Rachel stared at him blankly, his face was giving away no emotion. What about this girl Apollo couldnt see as potential, she appeared as if she was born for this.

She wondered if Apollo was putting up a pretense, a defense wall, as if he was bottling up a lot of things inside him. Rachel wanted to ask, but she didn’t want to remove her focus from the task at hand. Because she wanted this, she wished she could do it on her terms, as and when she felt comfortable, and right now felt the rightest time.

At last, she decided to speak up.

“Don’t compare her to me Apollo, don’t do that, she looks perfect to me but, I won’t stop you from testing her, if you want to do that, go ahead. “

“I will pay a visit to her dreams tonight” Apollo told her and then teleported them back to Rachel’s cave and vanished himself after greeting a quick good bye.

Rachel was alone, she was tired, and the more she tried to process Apollo’s behavior today, or the past few days really, the more stressed she got. She remembered the day when he told Apollo she wants them to find a new oracle for the camp.

He had told her he was worried about her, that it’s been a century and more since hades’ s curse, that he never thought he would have anther oracle besides her, that he was scared. But Rachel had convinced him. Hadn’t she. Then why was he acting weird today.

Was he still worried. Is this a bad decision. What would happen after it was all over. Should she continue. Thoughts filled her head. She brought a painting can and splashed the contents onto a blank canvas. It calmed her down, if only a little, and then she picked up her brushes and started to paint. Her hand moved as if they had a brain of their own, she didn’t give the process much thought. By the time she was done, she was staring at Nico. His smile was contagious. She smiled at him.

She was tired so she went to sleep. And she dreamt.

In here dream Apollo was a young boy, almost the same age as Esperanza, dark brown skin and close-cropped hair, warm brown eyes that would melt anyone, he was talking to Esperanza. Rachel watched the whole scene unfold.

Esperanza stood straight, her arms crossed over her chest, but she was looking down while speaking.

“So… you are telling me you are Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy healing music science etc. etc. etc. etc., and the monsters are real thing, and I am going to the school of troubled kids because my parents can’t see them and y’all the way I do and they think I am lying, and that I can have the power of predicting the future if I followed your instructions”

“precisely” Apollo smiled at her.

Esperanza seemed to be in the realm of thoughts for a really long time. Then she decided to question further.

“Will I get to see my friends and family or will I be trapped?”

“Will I be able to predict what will be on my tests?”

“How dangerous are your tasks going to be?”

Apollo answered all of them as best as he could, and he clearly explained to her that the tasks can actually take her life, that they can kill her.

She remained silent after this, as if weighing all the pros and cons in her mind. Apollo didn’t care. He kept silent. But his attitude was nothing like the day, he had a warm smile pressed to his face. As if testing her every second, analyzing.

“I accept, if a god has come to me asking me if I want to join him, I wont disrespect them, its against what my mama taught me. And I dont really need to share my other reasonings do I?”

“No, you do not”, Apollo said and brought his hand forward, Esperanza shook it firmly.

Apollo kept bringing news on how Esperanza is dealing with his tests every day, they were mild at first but they were getting harsher day by day, but Esperanza was handling them well enough, and Rachel was happy. But she also felt the final day’s dread looming close and closer.

They sat together and saw her progress from Rachel’s cave, uninvited visions. Monsters. Labyrinth navigation. Rachel realized they were more or less simillar to what she experienced during her teens.

“Did you do that to me too?” she asked one day.

“Do what?”

“Test me. Give me tasks. Navigating the labyrinth, helping in a war?”

“Rachel” Apollo turned towards her “It happened as the fates spun for you and me, we were fated to form this bond, just like Esperanza is fated to be here. And no, I didn’t test you. I just thought these are good enough tasks to test her.

“How long?”

“Till I am satisfied”.

-x-

Rachel woke up in cold sweat, the sun was shining bright outside, she quickly got dressed and ran outside, the camp satyrs were running around carrying bandages and mortal medicines, she noticed that none of them had ambrosia or nectar.

“Fred” Rachel called a satyr.

“What is happening, who is injured so bad, why aren’t you using ambrosia and nectar.” Rachel asked

“My lady” Fred bowed, “there was a mortal running towards half-blood hill with 4 dracnae following behind, lord Chiron happened to be strolling near the border at that time, he gave the permission to get in the camp borders and carried her to safety. she has broken bones and other fatal injuries, lord Chiron is operating her, but since she is a mortal, we cannot use the food of gods”.

Rachel remembered what Apollo had said last night,

“If she makes it to camp, I am ninety percent sure the spirit of Delphi will accept her as a host”

She made to camp half blood alive. Rachel took a long breathe.

“Am I allowed to see her”

“Sorry milady, lord Chiron has barred everyone from seeing the girl, he says mortals are fragile and company of too many beings can make them sick”.

Rachel wanted to argue, she wanted to tell the faun that she is a mortal too, that she knows how mortals are, that she won’t make Esperanza sick. But she didn’t say anything. She let the satyr go. And she got ready to face the inevitable. Maybe facing that moment with confidence would make Nico proud. Rachel thought to herself.

Chiron didn’t let Esperanza leave the infirmary for days even after she regained her consciousness. Rachel and Apollo had decided not to tell him anything about a new oracle until the final moment. And Rachel was counting every moment.

She remembered the day she became the oracle.

She wasn’t injured like Esperanza, she wasn’t tested my Apollo every day, she had it easier than Esperanza.

But as she saw Esperanza stand on her legs with a little trouble, but with so much confidence, she felt confident in her, she knew in her heart that this girl who reminded her of her old comrade will be a great successor, the perfect Pythia for the Oracle of Delphi.

"Are you ready Esperanza? " Rachel stared into her dark blue and green eyes.

"Since the start" She affirmed.

Apollo came down towards them in his chariot, it’s happening, it’s happening right now, Rachel realized.

"Do you accept the risks?"

"I do."

"Then proceed," Apollo said.

Esperanza closed her eyes. "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, God of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate."

Rachel relived the moment through Esperanza while the words flowed out of her as the Mist thickened. A green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the Rachel’s mouth and slithered down the stairs, curling affectionately around Esperanza’s feet. Rachel collapsed, Mist enveloped Rachel in a column.

For a moment she couldn’t see anything at all. Then the smoke cleared. Esperanza was lying on the ground in front of her. Nobody else had moved. Except Apollo. Who was kneeling besides Rachel. She sat up, then she coughed, and blood spilled out of her throat.

“I am sorry Rachel, I am sorry I hid this from you, you deserved to know this”. If anyone else would have heard him, they would have assumed his voice was calm, but she heard a hint of panic on his voice too.

“Shhh, Apollo, I hid this from you too, I saw it, in a vision, I never told you, but I always knew.” Rachel coughed again, and more blood came out of her mouth.

“I … I was trying to buy time, tasking Esperanza, so that I could spend more time with you, but Esperanza was…”

“is” Rachel corrected.

“But Esperanza is so skilled, it never gave me much time”

“And I”, Rachel coughed again “and I wanted to make Esperanza the oracle as soon as I could”.

“Why?”

“Because It’s my destiny, Apollo, it’s yours too, and its hers too”. Rachel looked at Esperanza, who was now sitting upright. Taken care of by various nymphs and satyrs. She smiled weakly.

“What can I do to honour you?” Apollo sobbed.

Rachel took Esperanza’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Take care of her, she’s going to make a wonderful Oracle." Rachel said through heavy breathing.

And then her whole world turned dark.

#toasecretsanta #ithinkiamafungi #littleredniacurutu #rachel elizabeth dare #pjo apollo #original character #trials of apollo #toa #riordanverse #trials of apollo fanfic #toa fanfic #riordanverse fanfic #character death #tw: blood

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ai-ley · 7 months

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RTA 950 - Meaningful Media Memories 1

What I watched with everyone...

During my tween years, Pretty Little Liars (PLL) must have been the pinnacle of teen TV. It’s no surprise that it was all the rage among my age group; the mystery was thrilling, the romances were juicy, and it was just “adult” enough that we all felt cool for watching it. Netflix made it easily accessible and allowed for endless replayability of our favourite scenes and episodes, and my friends and I used to sit in the lunchroom and discuss our outlandish theories or comment on the characters’ poor decision-making (“If that happened to me, I would’ve just called the police!”). While PLL was my poison, The Fosters and The Vampire Diaries are other examples of shows that girls my age were similarly engaging with.

Pretty Little Liars via Netflix

Looking back on those days serves as a powerful reminder of the screen’s “...omnipresence in every aspect of young people’s lives…” (Lemish, 2022, p. 3). Go to school and learn with a Chromebook; talk about television at lunch; go home and study with the computer; entertain yourself with more television or your phone. Putting it like this makes it seem a tad dystopian, but I agree with Lemish’s analysis that we need to let go of alarmist concerns over screen-time and its negative effects (p. 1).

Was PLL quality content that made me a more upstanding citizen? Probably not. Would my time have been better spent disengaging with screens and touching grass? Possibly. However, a sense of community is a powerful thing, especially at twelve or thirteen. While adults may have seen us as shallow, TV-obsessed teen girls (emphasis on girls), our conversations explored real issues around storytelling, media literacy, and representation, even if we didn’t quite realize it yet. For us, screen-time translated into a greater understanding of relevant issues and a healthy, fun social outlet.

Though screens permeated most levels of my life, it was television like PLL and its impact on my social life that I remember most. Even as an adult, I consider “watching” something with others to be a genuinely meaningful activity.

What was equally as formative, however, was what I watched when no one was looking. →

And what I watched alone:

Although globalization and business interests have created a constantly evolving kids’ media industry, “Children’s television content is still characterized by programming designed to meet the needs of children” (Steemers, 2021, p. 107). The big question, then, is obvious: What do children need? As a tween, what I needed was something that most media products targeted towards my age group couldn’t give me, so I went and found it myself.

When I was around thirteen years-old, I religiously watched the lifestyle content of a lesbian couple named Shannon and Cammie, one of the few pairs dominating the sapphic vlogger scene at the time. Their videos consisted of all the regular “couples’ YouTube channel” content, with various challenges, vlogs, and Q&As to feed their viewers’ curiosity (and probably jealousy!) about their happy, happy life. Shannon and Cammie have long since broken up, but their content provided me with glimpses of a daily normalcy that I hadn’t thought was achievable for queer people.

youtube

Shannon and Cammie’s viral breakup video via YouTube

Vloggers were all anybody talked about back then, but I watched Shannon and Cammie with the doors locked and the blinds shut, paranoid that someone would see what I was watching and catch on to my unseemly secret. Even though the content was wholesome, watching it felt dirty, in the same way that looking at girls or saying the word “lesbian” out loud did. Loving something and being unable to share it with anyone is a lonely feeling, though I found out years later that many of my queer friends spent their youths watching and engaging in the exact same way I had- we just had no way of reaching each other. If platforms like Tiktok and Twitter had been bigger when I was growing up, I wonder if I may have been able to build a community with those people, and maybe we all might have felt a little less alone.

With the proliferation of social media and accessibility of video-making, youth have been able to “...exert forms of agency and interaction” (Steemers, 2021; p. 101) that were previously not possible. My tween Youtube habits provide a perfect example. While much of the media targeted towards youth decided my “needs” for me, the YouTube search bar gave me the agency to decide my “needs” for myself; in this case, the need to fight the suffocation of growing up in the closet. In many ways, growing up queer is growing up alone.

youtube

Shannon Beveridge (@nowthisisliving) via YouTube

Looking back, I realize that I really didn’t have much in common with Shannon and Cammie. They were white, affluent influencers in their mid-twenties, with the bright IKEA apartment and the dog and the California life so different from my own. These days, I’m certainly not interested in the saccharine vignettes of influencers in love, nor am I sure how healthy it is to make a living off of broadcasting your relationship to the world. However, I can’t deny that seeing two women, unafraid to love each other in front of the whole world, was a profound source of hope for my younger self.

Shannon and Cammie (@nowthisisliving) via YouTube

Shannon and Cammie were a reminder that the cozy daily life with someone you love was within my reach. They were a reminder that the apartment, the dog, and the unabashed joys of the everyday were possible for queer people, too. Being queer, being happy, and being accepted, I realized, were not mutually exclusive. I could have the life I longed for, and things would surely be okay, if I was simply patient enough to wait for it. 🌷

Citations ->

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confessions-of-a-healing-soul · 2 years

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first post. i don’t know why i started this tumblr, i guess i just needed a way to vent freely without having to hold back. not many people know what happened to me, & i don’t think i’ll ever go public with it. nobody needs to know about my personal traumas but i guess ranting to random people on tumblr can’t do any harm. i made this page solely for myself & as my own personal source of therapy. it’s been nearly 5 years since what happened to me. since he put his hands on me. i guess i’ll start from the beginning for some background context.

H & i were best friends since i was 13. we met through a mutual friend & we kinda just vibed since. he lived a couple hours away so we wouldn’t hang out in person much, but we talked nearly every single day. he was very strange & his friend group was very erratic & peculiar. i didn’t mind, i thought he was funny. he was probably 15 at this time, i thought, “wow, older guy who dropped out of school & sits at home smoking weed constantly, cool!”. not that there was anything wrong with smoking pot, just that he started that (among other drugs) at a young age.

well, a couple years go by, we still remain friends up until i was 15 going on 16, H was 17. we hung out & developed a somewhat romantic relationship? at this point, i had never had any “serious” relationship. i was surrounded with people who had significant others & i craved that attention from somebody. i wanted to be wanted. when we hung out, we kissed & things got a little heated for a while; we never fucked. we then became “official”, & started a long distance relationship, seeing each other when we could.

that was until my 16th birthday, when he came over again. i didn’t have a party, just a couple family members who stopped over to visit. i was a curious, freshly 16 year old girl who wanted to experience new things. i had began to smoke pot & he brought some over. we had smoked a few times together before & it was fine, so i thought it would nice, chill time. we went on a walk to the woods where we found a place to sit down & smoke. he pulled out a small little baggy of what looked to be crushed up grass; didn’t look like weed at all. but i didn’t know, i trusted him. as soon as i took the first hit, it was like i entered a new dimension.

i want to clarify: i had smoked pot before. i had been high before; multiple times before this actually. what he gave me was, in no possible way, weed. it wasn’t that i got “too high”. it was that this shit WAS NOT WEED.

the world was spinning around me. i would black out & come back to multiple times. it felt like i was on a carousel, except everything was in slow motion. i would be fully aware of my surroundings for one moment, then the next it would be black, darkness, nothing. this was only after a couple hits of the pipe. i remember getting scared & asking him why i was feeling this way. i remember looking off the rocks we were sitting on & wanting to jump off the cliff. he took my face in his hands & pulled me aggressively into a kiss. he shoved his tongue down my throat & grabbed me everywhere on my body. i still remember how his breath smelled like coffee & cigarettes. it was the middle of October, probably only about 50-45 degrees & i remember being so cold that i felt like my hands & feet were numb.

we sat there for a while, trying to calm myself down. i don’t know if he was trying to fuck me there in the woods, but i remember constantly being touched. i didn’t think anything of it, i COULDN’T think anything of it. i was barely conscious, mentally. i don’t remember walking home or back into my house. i do remember sitting in my room & turned on a movie; we watched VHS on my floor & i remember him getting on top of me & making out with me, groping me, begging me for sex. i was on my period, i told him no. he wouldn’t stop kissing me or grabbing me. he stuck his hands in my pants & tried whatever he could to do something to me. i said no. he begged me to suck his dick, saying something like “well if you won’t let me fuck you, you can at least suck me off.”

i did. i remember gagging & crying. it smelled so bad, he didn’t wash himself hardly ever. it was disgusting & the thought today still makes my stomach churn. i did this for a while, i remember him forcing my head down on him & pulling my hair. i remember not being able to breathe; remember, i was still high off my ass. but that wasn’t enough.

“can i fuck your ass?”

i said no.

“please? you can at least do that for me.”

i said no.

“just let me do it.”

I SAID NO.

H raped me that night. it was my 16th birthday & i remember limply laying on my bed, staring out my window while he stole away my innocence. it didn’t hurt, i didn’t feel a thing. memories come in waves & they are all very choppy. he raped me. he raped me. he raped me.

then, when he was done, he left me there while he smoked a cigarette by my window.

after this, i tried continuing the relationship. i felt as though since he was my “boyfriend”, he was entitled to my body. it wasn’t until opening up to my friends & them telling me that was not okay for me to realize it was rape.

he didn’t scar me physically, he scarred me mentally. forever. when i ended things with him & cut him out, he continued to harass me & threaten me at times. i lived in fear for a few years after that. until now. i’m not afraid anymore.

you did not break me. i’m still fighting for peace.

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auldmusician · 2 years

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The Importance Of Team Sports

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a baller.

It's a spring Saturday morning. A couple of morning joggers check their apple watches for whatever it is people check when jogging, a group of sportswear clad 40 to 50 somethings are mimicking the moves of a woman stretching, people walking dogs, people drinking coffees and analysing the week gone by. The basketball courts at Finsbury Park are full. Friends and strangers from all walks of life gather. Some heated exchanges and some juvenile messing around and a few doing some serious basket balling. A lifeless body lays facedown to the side of one of the courts. The group from the court closest all stare over at the body. A couple of them run over to check. Some looked concerned overs look just normal and eager to get on with their game.

So, there lies a body. A body of a young (not young) man. The body of a man that once had dreams. Dreams of actually going out and playing basketball with other people that enjoyed playing basketball. He set out to achieve this dream no matter the cost. Well, he had achieved that dream, but turns out the price was a little higher than what he saved for. Lets go back about 6 months and find out where it all started and how we got here.

I'd been eager to start playing basketball again. A few things were holding me back. 1) Team sports scare me 2) Since I'd stopped drinking as much I'd become increasingly bad at talking to strangers/making new friends/keeping current friends/all social situations 3) My fitness and being self conscious about my body/size etc. I always saw myself as the little, skinny whipper snapper and because I seldom look in the mirror I could convince myself that was the case, but on the court when you're playing with a load of new people that don't know each other and don't know names, then the way to talk to or about the person is to use physical cues. 'Pass it big man' 'Defend the big man' 'Hi big man' 'Defend the guy with the bad hairline' 'Don't let the out of shape guy get away from you' 'don't defend the guy with the children's socks on, he can't shoot anyway so don't waste your energy as he is going to miss whether you defend him or not' And that sort of thing I started doing the same, but I said nice things instead. 'pass it to me big blue eyes' 'Mark the guy with the nice T shirt' 'Make sure you defend that guy, he's doing really well and great at shooting, not only is he really good he seems like a really nice person' And that sort of thing

Team sports from an early age filled me with fear. On Saturday mornings before the weekly football match for my village I'd be praying the other team didn't turn up or the pitch was water logged, so I could stay at home and watch Live and Kicking and hang with Mum. I use to love being on the bench. Which worked out well because that was often the position the manager said I'd really excelled in. I must have made it easy for the manager, because when you are coaching kids you need to make sure they all get some game time and each get a chance starting the game to make it fair and keep the cold, tired, over competitive parents happy and interested. But as I was happy to volunteer to start as a substitute and the manager was happy to not have me playing, it was win win. So most Saturday mornings, I'd sit on the grass cross legged and daydream of being in the studio, shooting the shit with with Jamie Theaksten and Zoe Ball.

I gave up team sports when I got to secondary school. Things were getting a little too serious and a little too aggressive for my timid ways. I was however drawn to the world of WWF wrestling, I think I was drawn more to the soap of it all rather than the fighting. I know, I know it's not real fighting you tell me and I think in secondary school I was aware of that, but one of my earliest memories was going to watch Summerslam 1992 with my Dad at The NEC or Wembley and I was a little less clued up. I was only 5 years old and I remember being so nervous that the wrestler I wasn't cheering for would hear me and come and 'get me' or 'kill me' So, I would chant 'I don't mind' to every match. That way I could stay neutral and by not taking sides if they did hear me (We were sat so far back there were binoculars kicking round) then they couldn't 'Sharp shooter me to death' because I was clearly saying, I don't mind who wins. So when everyone was chanting for 'Bret Hart, Bret Hart, Bret Hart, I would chant 'I don't mind, I don't mind' and say it so quickly that the syllables squashed together to match what others were saying. This is probably my earliest memory as a human being and it really does explain a lot about my character and personality and existence. But anyway, I loved wrestling for a bit, then lost interest like most things, but for some reason Basketball has always been a big love of mine, but I'd never really played it with other people, because I was never friends with anyone that liked it

So back to 6 months before the body was found at Finsbury Park basketball courts.

I have joined a 'recreational' basketball league and I am on my way to the first game. Before I'd paid my £60 I emailed in advance to explain that I hadn't played in 10 years and only want to join if everyone was a beginner/very bad. I was assured this WAS the case. I realised within 2 minutes of being there. This wasn't the case. Everyone was pretty good and strong and competitive. The main problem I have with team sports is that I don't like to let strangers down. I'd grown accustomed to letting my close friends and family down, but to let a stranger down seemed unthinkable. I knew the physical aspect was going to be a challenge, but I hadn't prepared for the mental challenge. Instantly I volunteered to start on the bench as per usual. The mental challenge was then also thrown a little curveball as I turn up and Andrew Garfield is in our squad. I am going to be referring to him as 'Garf' as that is what he introduced himself as and what we called him. If you are gonna talk about him though I'd stick to 'Andrew Garfield' as it was kinda an exclusive friend sorta thing so just to save confusion I'm calling him 'Garf' but when I say 'Garf' you should still think 'Andrew Garfield' as I don't want you to think you can also refer to him as 'Garf.' Thanks for understanding. Garf was there with an American friend who I think was also an actor, as I Kinda recognised him. He was very serious and what he lacked in sense of humour he made up for in very lovely muscly arms to skinny body ratio. Garf however was very lovely. It was wild witnessing how the social dynamic and how people act when you are on a basketball team with a Hollywood actor. It was quite the social experiment. People's bodies all face towards him when we are sitting down, people complement him more than they complement others, we were all the Gareths to Garf's 'David Brent' We hit it off straight away. We were absolutely having what I've been told can only be described as 'Superb banter' Being an amateur rock and roll star myself and after meeting at least 3 celebrities before I was pretty much on the same wave as Garf. Unlike the rest of these losers. We were getting on very well, laughing and chatting about being a creative (I brought my guitar in once, when I didn't have band practice, just so he'd ask me about it) The thing was, I couldn't give a shiny shit who he was and I don't much care for famous people for just being famous (the exception to the rule being the night I met Michael Stipe In a bar in Berlin, but that's a story for another day) But I was of course aware that he would have influence and people love the guy so if I could become best friends with him and get him to like me and my music then it could really be game changer. He could save my music career and if I just so happen to become best friends with a Hollywood actor in the process then that was a risk I was willing to take. So when others in the group were creaming themselves over the guy and sucking at his teets every chance they could get (one guy said it was an honour to have him on our team and another guy drunkenly left a voice note on the group WhatsApp one night saying how much they loved Hacksaw Ridge and how much they loved Garf), I played the cool game.

This worked for a bit.

But then things took a turn.

We actually started to play basketball.

And in real time I could see everyone including Garf lose all respect and interest in me as a person because my basketball skills, knowledge and ability was probably the worst they had ever seen. I'd turn up to the games and to practices and each week I could see it was a pain and effort for any of them to speak to me. These were proper sporty boys. I was the weak link. I was like a little Antelope Tryna be friends with the lions. I noticed Garf was speaking to the other boys a lot more. He became very good friends with the guy that drunk dialled his admiration in front of everyone. THAT GUY. that guy works in IT and quotes the Hangover and went to see Drake live (I mean, I like Drakes' music but you wouldn't pay to go see him sing live would ya? If he was at a festival you'd have a dance, sure, but just a Drake concert? C'mon) That guy and Garf became closer and closer and I was becoming a ghost. The thing that THAT GUY had, that I didn't? He was our best player. People love someone that is good at sports. It's obvious and it's in the American teen films, but it was strange witnessing it as a 30 year old. Me being so, so bad at basketball had an actual affect on how these boys saw me as a person. They thought less of me, they don't like talking to me, jokes weren't landing that were landing before. The American guy I mentioned before, literally couldn't look me in the eye. I was down trodden and we were only 2 weeks into the 8 week season.

I needed to change things.

(Montage Music upbeat, playing)

Cut shots of me playing basketball and getting ever so slightly better.

So the Saturday before our final game, I was a completely new person. I understood the rules and tactics a lot better, I was making screens and playing the pick and roll and making shots often. We had our biggest game coming up. We were 2nd from bottom in our league and we were playing the bottom side. We needed to win to not finish bottom. So we'd decided to head to Finsbury Park the Saturday morning before the game.

We start playing and I am on fire, I am on Garf's team and we are linking up for some great moves. We high five and we lock eyes. I think at some point he says something like 'nice one Thom' It was all a bit of a blur. Maybe this was it. Maybe we WERE best friends after all. After one shot went in Garf slaps my bum and I laugh and I go to slap his bum in return and in my excitement I stretch my upper body rapidly and my back seems to try to bend in 2 different directions. My laughter turns to an agonising scream! I can't hide the pain. I fall to the concrete. Face down. I can't move. Garf and the best player come over to check on me. 'Are you okay?' 'My back' I say with some effort and my voice breaks like a teenager going hitting puberty hard. 'I'm fine' I stress I don't want that guy to help me. I don't want to seem weak. I've worked too hard to fail now.

I was breathing heavy and the boys were keen to start playing again. I tried to get up and 2 guys helped me. They prop me up, one either side and guide me to the side of the court. I ask them to stop for a second and turn me round. They do, but are a little confused. I let out a little chuckle 'Hey Garf.' He doesn't hear me cause he's started playing ball again. I clear my throat. 'Hey Garf' I say a bit louder He still doesn't hear me. They 2 guys impatiently shout for Garf too. 'Hey Garf' they shout Garf turns to us I give the 2 guys evils, as I could have got his attention myself and I didn't need their help. Garf is looking at us. 'Hey Garf' I say again 'See you at the....' I screech in pain because the guys had turned me round and started walking me off the court again.

So I sat there for a bit and watched them practice. I didn't play the rest of the day and I couldn't play the final game either. They won the game though and went out for a celebratory drink afterwards. Which is so cool, I'm so happy for them.

I didn't see Garf again, but I did message him one day with a link to Auld's debut album 'Mainstream Music'

Now like at the end of The Social Network film where Mark is checking and refreshing the page to see if his ex girlfriend has accepted his friendship request, I check my phone and swiping up to refresh over and over again. Just waiting for those ticks to turn blue. Maybe he doesn’t have blue ticks on? I’ve heard it’s good for your mental health not to have the blue ticks, but the irony is it's awful for my mental health if ya got them off. So I'll never know if Garf listened to it or if he liked it or hated it or indifferent. I can only assume that he listened to it and loved it.

Anyway, I’m still waiting and I’ve heard that Garf Is taking a break from the acting to live a ‘real life’ so I’m Sure we’ll get the group text asking for some basketball action again and people will be rushing over themselves to make those Saturday mornings at Finsbury Park. I am of course way too cool for that kinda behaviour, but as RTE doesn't seem to have a version of Live and Kicking to tempt me otherwise, I actually have Saturday mornings free at the moment and it’s just a quick 3 hour drive to Dublin, 50 minute flight from Dublin to London Stanstead, then an hour and half bus journey then a 10 minute tube and a fifteen minute walk to the basketball courts and if I leave at 3am I’ll get a good 3 hours of ball time with Garf and the gang and then head back for 1pm and be back for the 10 o'clock film on FIlm Four plus one. So I could easily do it and I'd be happy to, if he wants me there.

#famous #basketball #old age #teamwor

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shiftynightshade · 3 years

Text

@totallycorrectjediorderquotes Thanks for letting me borrow the quotes! Love your content!

It seemed like clickbait at first, just another Holotuber desperate for their 15 minutes of fame. However, one particularly curious Rodian had clicked on the link while waiting for her lunch at Dex's and the opening lines of the holovid had immediately caught the attention of everyone in her vicinity.

“Hi everyone! I’m Jedi Master Kit Fisto and, with permission of course, I’m posting this to share some behind-the-scenes clips of the Jedi Council. Most of these are going to have no context, but that makes them funnier. So without any further ado, let me introduce our very own Master of the Order, Mace Windu without any context! Buckle up gentle beings, prepare to have your whole galaxy shaken.”

“Is this real?” A twi’lek whispered from beside her, his eyes impossibly wide. She shrugged. The Jedi were not exactly the most popular beings in the galaxy after all.

The first few seconds were nothing but a black screen before it began shaking and moved to show a round room filled with multiple chairs and large windows, which led to Coruscants skyline, indigo’s had begun to bleed to black. The camera panned to the right in which you could see a hologram of Shaak Ti and Kit Fisto curled up in his chair next to her. Briefly, Adi Gallia and Eeth Koth were in the shot.

Kit looked across the room with a shit-eating grin. “Dead Sifo-Dyas? More like kawaii desu baka Sifo-Dyas”

The camera quickly oved to the left to where Plo Koon had reared back in surprise. Master Yoda was letting out evil cackles while Mace Windu stared with a hard expression. “Blocked” He threw his hands in the air.

Chuckles and Kit’s pleads filled the room as the camera flipped to show the filmer to be Saesee Tiin. He grinned. “Council Session number 21: Kit Fisto gets fucking Removed from the Jedi Order.”

The clip stopped and went to a rainbow screen.

The Twi’lek giggled beside her, his green skin flushing a bit. “Wonder what else is in there?” hey shared a look.

The rainbow screen cut to a pair of fuzzy socks padding their way through a hall to a dimly lit kitchen. The sound of kitchen utensils echoed as the filmer peeked around the corner. A chrono displayed the time as 4:12 AM, the year set as 48 BBY. A younger Mace milled around the kitchen in a simple amethyst purple sweater and earbuds. His head bopped softly as me mixed whatever he was making in the bowl.

A young voice came from behind the camera. “Master… what are you doing?”

Mac looked up and removed an earbud. “Making chocolate pudding.”

The filmer now known as Depa Billaba made small noise. “It is four o clock in the morning, why on earth are you making chocolate pudding?”

Mace shrugged with a smirk. “Because I’ve lost control of my life.”

Depa snorted and the camera flipped to show a 16 year old Depa wearing a matching smirk.

A young Mon Calamari cooed and pointed to a drawing on the wall signed DB. “Aren’t they the cutest? He looks like such a proud dad.”

Another clip began playing, this time it was set during the afternoon, the sun shone through the council chambers windows. The camera panned to show the worried faces of each council member present. Only one seat was empty. A few council members were whispering to each other in concern, eyes constantly going to the doors or the seat. The doors creaked open to reveal Mace rubbing his eyes.

Adi rose a brow and chuckled a bit. “How long have you been asleep?”

Mace yawned and slumped in his seat. “I was awake for two hours on Tungsday”

Adi frowned. A couple muffled “Oh Shit’s” came from the other Jedi. “That doesn't answer my question... You know its Primeday, right?”

Mace’s reply was cut off.

“That’s…. very concerning.”

The Mon Calamari nodded. “Sounds like a mini coma to me.”

That didn’t exactly bode well for the Jedi if they only got rest from sleeping in coma’s.

The camera shook as the filmer seemed to adjust its setting before flipping up to show a med bay where injured clones were resting. Mace was pacing while Obi-Wan Kenobi sat cross-legged on a bed. “Look at me, okay? I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. I’m a wreck!”

Obi-Wan smirked a bit but rose an eyebrow.

Mace sighed. “I mean, sure I still look good, but that’s just genetics.”

The camera panned to where a clone in armour with purple paint sighed and shook his head like a friend watching their friend get back with their ex for the 50th time. “General please.”

Another Rodian snickered at the clone’s plight.

The camera cut to where Mace and Saesee were laying on their backs, Mace had his legs propped against the wall of the council chambers while Saesee had starfished beside him. “What did we learn, Master Tiin?”

Saesee grunted and shrugged. “I have no idea”

Mac sighed. “I don't fucking know either. I guess we learned notto do it again.”

Saesee nodded serenely. “Yep.”

Mace dragged his hands down his face. “I'm fucked if I know what we did.”

“Yes, it's hard to say.”

Mace blew out a breath. “Jesus Fucking Christ.”

The Rodian laughed as the clip cut itself off. “OH goodness, I thought Jedi weren’t allowed to feel emotion?”

The camera cut to a small group of Masters sitting in a room full of waterfalls and plants: children could be hear giggling in the distance. A small title in the upper corner of the screen read. The Room of A Thousand Fountains.

Eeth was sitting with his arms planted in the grass behind him. “Let’s play truth or dare.” Mace was laying in the grass beside him. He shrugged. “I’ll play.” Eeth grinned. “Truth or Dare?” Mace hummed. “Truth.” “When was the last time you slept?” Mace blinked. “Dare…” “I dare you to go to bed.” “I hate this game.” Suddenly a large cloak was thrown over Mace and one Plo Koon was there the next, a vehement “SLEEP” hissing out of his mask.

The clip stopped.

The Twi’lek blinked. “I-is that a regular occurrence in the temple?”

A dark room filed with a large holoscreen and multiple Jedi appeared after the previous one. Mace was staring at Anakin Skywalker. He pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. “I'd like to offer you some friendly advice.”

Anakin frowned at him and shook his head. “I don't need your help.”

“Consider it unfriendly advice then, dipshit.”

The clip cut off.

The next video was of Mace walking out of the council chambers. “Do not come over to my house. If the house is on fire you may knock once, if I don’t answer assume I set the fire and I want to burn to death.”

“MACE NO-”

The clip stopped.

The Rodian stammered. “D-do they get therapy? Do they have time for therapy!?”

Hysterical laughter could be heard as the camera shook. “Mace when did you become such a comedian?” The camera moved to show Mace.

“I'm naturally funny because my life is a joke”

It suddenly cut to show Depa sneaking up behind Mace with a grin. She held up a finger to her lips before jumping to cover Mace’s eyes with her hands.

“Guess who!?”

Mace startled and reared back slightly. “It’s either my former Padawan or the cold, clammy hands of death.” The filmer snorted.

“It’s Depa!”

“Dammit.”

“He sounded genuinely disappointed then.”

The video was shorter with Mace sitting in The Halls Of Healing. “Master Windu you need better self-care habits.” A Twi’lek was admonishing.

“Self-care is drinking 20 cups of Caf and Lightsaber Dueling a Sith Lord.”

The Twi’leks sigh was longsuffering.

The Rodian blinked as the video ended, the next one already loading.

The Mon Calamari whistled. “The Jedi are…. Different to what I expected.”

The Rodian nodded.

“Yeah…”

#totallycorrectjediorderquotes #star wars #mace windu #obi-wan kenobi #commander ponds #vokara che #depa billaba #plo koon #yoda #shaak ti #agen kolar #adi gallia #kit fisto #anakin skywalker #saesee tiin

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mouthfulloftoothpasterry · 3 years

Text

A day with the Rowlands

Summary: The Styles family spends the evening with the Rowland family and announces something big!

Warnings/ disclaimer: it’s a new year for them! So it’s spring all over again just a different year :)

“Hello!” Mitch cheers walking into Harry and Y/n’s dimly lit cottage, the smell of a warm strawberry bread zipping through the air and into his nose. Harry peeks out from the corner of the kitchen, turning down the Fleet wood mac that was blasting through the old brown record player he had gotten from his dad when he first moved out. “Hello!” he sings back, greeting the family while he dries his hands on a cartoon frog printed tea towel.

Asher waddles over to Harry greeting him with a big smile on his face, showing off his small baby teeth. “Hi uncle H!” Asher exclaims before distracting himself with his best friend, Violet. Harry chuckles, brushing his hand over the back of the boy's head, moving aside to go greet his parents and baby sister. Y/n continues to work on the strawberry bread, saying ‘Hi’ to Asher and letting him hop up on the step stool that Violet was just on, asking her a couple of questions about what she was doing.

Sarah walks over, holding her six month old baby girl, Opal, in a black babybjorn strapped across her chest, the little girl bouncing her arms up and down. “Hi!” she smiles, Y/n turning around to greet the mother and her baby. The girls chat, Y/n cooing at Opal while they talk. “Okay, let’s head outside!” Harry announces, grabbing the snack trays they had just prepared and leading the way to the back door of the cottage that he for some reason always forgets to oil up.

The parents settle into the white patio furniture sitting close to the duck pod, sitting around and drinking wine while their little ones play together.

“How are the kids?” Mitch asks, sitting with his lanky legs crossed while he holds a stemmed wine glass between his fingers. Harry glances over at his wife, seeing if she wants to answer Mitch’s simmering question. “They are good, we just started homeschooling Violet and she’s actually enjoying it.” Harry slowly draws patterns on his wife’s thigh while he talks, giving her a gentle love pat while they can’t be cuddled and as mushy as they usually are.

“Oh, you decided to home school her?” Sarah pulls her attention to the adult conversation after watching the kiddies to make sure they didn’t wander off too close to the pond and take a dip.

Harry and Y/n nod, Y/n resting her hand over her husbands and giving it a squeeze. “Yeah, Violet has been loving it. She sings her ABC’s all over the house, and baby shark too. We have also been trying to teach her to write her name.” y/n explains, setting her wine glass (that is just filled with apple juice) down while she glances back at the four babies playing together.

The other set of parents smile, Sarah resting a hand over her chest in an awe-ing way. “She’s just adorable.” Mitch says, eating some of the strawberry bread that y/n and Violet had just freshly baked together. Harry and Y/n thank Mitch, the conversation going blank while they all zone in on their children, watching as they play together. Violet hands Asher a red bouncy ball, she was playing with them individually but they are a part of a mini ball pit, her and her brother love playing in that together. They all play together while their parents observe them, the little ones closer to their parents while they roll around in the well taken care of grass, getting grass stains on their onesies.

Violet toddles over to the table the adults were all sat at, standing on her little toes and peeking over the table. She slides her little hand over the snack tray sneakily and takes a good chunk of the strawberry bread, turning quickly, but her mumma is quicker. Y/n wraps an arm around the girl, pulling her back close to the group. “What are you doing with that big piece of bread, missy?” Y/n ask her daughter. Violet instantly puts on a sweet smile, “I’m sharing, mumma!” she says, the cheeky smiling remaining on her face while she speaks in her toddler gibberish. Y/n nods giving Violet the okay to walk back to her friends, who are actually more like family.

They get back to talking, their attention not the best at times from the four kids and the well over a dozen animals living in the backyard. Sarah and Y/n share recipes while Harry and Mitch talk about the animals and work. Mitch and Sarah work at a flower shop. It's actually their very own, they bought the building a couple years ago and started their own business up in the town. Harry visits as often as he can and always ends up buying a big bouquet for Y/n. They always design the most beautiful bundles of flowers.

“Getting a lot of business right now?” Mitch nods at Harry's words, pulling the red wine from his lips, the crimson liquid leaving a stain on his thin lips.

He rests a beat before he answers, swallowing down the wine. “Yeah, it's spring time now so people are buying flowers a lot more. Never like February though.” Mitch always rambles on about how Sarah and his flowers are such a hot commodity during February since valentine's day is just around the corner and people like to ‘wow’ their partners all month long. “Yeah,” Harry hums, closing his eyes, relaxing and listening to the wind brush the trees around, the leaves rustling together and branches hitting each other.

They decided it’s time for a proper snack break, (they had planned a late lunch together) so they put the kiddies playing to a stop, telling them it’s time to eat and properly hydrate.

Their parents serve them, sticking some fruit and some pinwheels on their plate made with vegan meat. They started getting it not too long ago and it’s a good way of tricking their kids into thinking they are eating real meat, even though they haven’t actually even meat before.

Y/n feeds Forest a bottle while they all eat, he's started to hold the bottle himself so she can actually eat with everyone.

They eat in silence for a while, their toddlers babbling while they eat, training fruit with each other because Violet likes strawberries more than pineapple and Asher likes pineapple more than strawberries. They sit around and eat a bit more, waiting for the sun to go down so they can start their bonfire and roast some marshmallows for the s’mores they planned to make.

The sun has finally gone down, the temperature has dropped making both family's wrap up in the quilts Harry brought out, violet of course helping him by lugging the end of one.

They are sitting around a campfire, cuddled up in some wooden folding chair that Harry had picked up at a vintage furniture store a couple of months ago. The two family’s roast marshmallows, the crackle of the fire getting louder and louder.

Asher and Violet sit together, in the same wooden chair, bundled under one of Violet's favorites quilts, their daddy’s sitting on their side of them. “Here, baby honey” Harry says, blowing on the small s’more he had made violet. She smiles big, taking it between her chubby hands, blowing on it like her daddy had before her so she wouldn’t burn her heart shaped lips. She watches the way Asher looks at her chocolate and marshmallow treat, furrowing her eyebrows.

“Make Ash s’mores!” She says, leaning over to talk to her “uncle” Mitch. The group laughs, Mitch nodding and poking the marshmallow with a stick to start roasting the marshmallow for his boy. After he roasted the marshmallow he assembled the s’more, giving it to the little boy.

Y/n glances at Harry, making eye contact with her husband for a split second before she looks back at the snapping fire, giving him the hint that she wants to tell their closest friends about baby number three. Harry nods at her, clearing his throat. He drums on his thighs awkwardly now that he has the group's attention. He smiles softly, pushing his circle lenses up his nose, “Um, we have a small announcement, right, doll?” Harry asks, looking at his wife lovingly.

Y/n nods anxiously, smiling back at her husband.

“What’s up, H?” Sarah asks, Opal balanced on the top of her thighs. “Well, we're having baby number three.” Sarah and Mitch gasp, their kiddies remaining unfazed by the announcement since they are too young to understand pregnancy. Mitch and Sarah look at each other, their hands clutched over their mouths while they smile brightly. “You’re pregnant?!” Sarah shouts, standing up and maneuvering around the fire to give the now mother of three a warm hug.

Y/n nods excitedly with a big smile, hugging Sarah from the side since she’s carrying Opal on her hip.

“Congrats man!” Mitch says, giving Harry a big hug and a couple of pats on the back. Harry bashfully thanks his best friend, letting Mitch break the hug before he sits back down. “So three kids now? Is this the last Styles baby?” Harry shrugs at Mitch's questions, rubbing his eyes, trying to wipe off the big grin that spreads up to his eyes.

“Maybe, we never know” Y/n answers for him, Harry threading their hands together. The couple across from them smiles, happy for their friends.

Y/n and Harry couldn’t be more excited for the third Styles baby. Ever since Harry and Y/n found out about their sprout they have been talking about it non stop. They have talked about the possibility of having another little violet or having another Forest, they both came to the conclusion that they do not care. They want all their babies to be happy and healthy, they don’t care about it being a boy or a girl. They have been discussing thoughts about a nursery for their newest sprout, deciding that they would just have the little one sleep in their room so they all feel safer.

They have never been happier.

Mitch dusts off his hands, sighing. “Well I guess it’s time for us to head home. Thanks for having us over. It was great to see the five of you” Mitch teases, taking the last sip of his wine and smiling as his eyes darting down to y/n’s belly. The adults laugh, standing up to give each other a goodbye hug, saying their goodbyes to one another.

Harry leads them to the door, the kids trailing behind all of them. “Thanks for coming. I’ll see you soon, mate.” Harry says, waving bye to the Rowland family while he grasps the inside of the door. They let out a chorus of “Byes!” Before they all buckle into the car, Harry closes the door while the other family rolls out of their family and through the gate.

“Well, let’s get you monsters to bed.”

Hiii!! Thank you for reading! I’m sorry this is so messy but the third styles baby is official!! they are growing and soon enough will be here!! you guys have been so supportive and amazing with everything, i cant put it into words. Thank you all so much. <3<3 I’m gonna start a tag list (i only have one person so far) so let me know if you wanna be on it please!! you can send in a ask or just dm, whatever!!<3 Thank you again!!

tag list: @iaalien

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damiano-mylove · 3 years

Text

Come Home With Me

Pairing: Thomas Raggi x GN!reader

Wc: 1.6k

Cw(s): Lil bit of swearing, friends being dicks, drinking, smoking, nothing bad really (tell me if it sucks)

Summary: Thomas spots you at the bar one night, and its as if the two of you are soulmates *not a soulmate AU, just really fluffy*

Masterlist

"Come home with me."

What the fuck was wrong with this boy? This drunken stranger at the bar? He was beautiful, he was a grace to look at. But he was still young; young enough to not quite be able to hold his liquor well.

You smiled to him and leaned against the brick wall behind you, taking a deep drag from the fag between your fingers. "And who might you be?"

"The man who's gonna marry you!" He announced as he leaned beside you, against the wall. His eyes closed heavily but his smile had never weakened. Innocence came off of him in waves, with just a hint of allure. It was a strange mixture, but not unheard of. Just as the stranger relaxed, his friend came over; seemingly, he had been looking for your handsome stranger.

"Thomas! Jesus, Man, we've turned the joint upside down for you," he laughed, putting his hand on your stranger's shoulder. Thomas' friend smiled you, as he pushed his dark hair over his shoulder. "He saw you in the bar and had been wanting to talk to you for hours. I'm really sorry about his state."

Once again, your small chuckle filled the air along with your smoke. "He's quite sweet." Your eyes drifted from Thomas' friend to Thomas, himself. He was looking at you with a face red from bashfulness along with a boozy glow. You looked back to the friend. "Is he always like this? Even sober?"

"Not quite," Thomas' friend chuckled, looking at Thomas and shaking his head. He looked back to you as you threw the butt of your fag into a tray. "What're you doing out here? You can smoke in there."

"My group ditched me. I was waiting out here to see if anyone would come back for me, but alas I am on my own," you explained with a numbed smile.

Perhaps it was an overshare, but you couldn't control your words. Not entirely. It was your friends' faults for feeding you drinks, then abandoning you like a kid at Sunday school. Honestly, it was sort of rude, and now you had to walk about half an hour back to your flat in heels. You were allowed to be at least a little bitter.

Both boys frowned as you tucked your hands in your pockets. "I've got a hike ahead of me. Adieu, Lads."

Just as you began to step away, you were stopped by Thomas, "Woah, wait, you can't walk alone!" His peace had been broken by your statement. You turned your head as he came up beside you, being a bit taller than you. "Streets are dangerous at night, especially for such a vision as you." Thomas smiled at you, his eyes twinkling in the street light. "Let me walk you to the top of your street. I don't even need to know your address, I just need to know you're safe."

How could you refuse?

"You're a peach," you sighed contently. Thomas beamed at you and back to Ethan. He seemed a little surprised in Thomas' chivalry, but he smiled to both of you and waved as you both began to walk off into the distance.

"Did your friends really leave you?"

"One fuck of a topic to jump into, right off the bat."

Thomas seemed embarrassed. "I didn't-I didn't mean to-"

"I'm just being an asshole, Man," you laughed, walking into him and shoving him lightly. Thomas' worry faded into a very natural smile. As if he didn't know he was smiling, yet it seemed to occupy his features so kindly. You had to tear your eyes from his intoxicating smile, to focus on the road ahead. "Yeah, they really left me. Stranded me at a bar on a Saturday night, to be walked home by a total stranger."

"That's shitty."

"Fucking right." A chuckle was shared just before you dug your cigarettes out of your pocket. A tin of hand rolled cigarettes. You extended the tin to Thomas, "Care for a blem?"

God, that smile was sure to be the death of you, especially tonight. He scooped one out lazily, but with the most relaxed movement, as if he was meant to be doing exactly that, in that exact moment. "You're a peach."

Another laugh. You stopped to light your cigarette, as well as Thomas'. He leaned in so close that you could feel the heat come off of him, and you also picked up on his smell. Thomas was potentially the best smelling human you'd ever met. He smelt as if a pine forest went up in flames, a couple months ago, while the wood was perfectly dried out.

Your feet knew their way home better than you did, so you both followed them as you both partook in mindless conversation and countless fags. Footsteps matched footsteps, minds matched minds, laughter bounced off laughter.

That is, until you found yourself in front of your flat complex, but walking right by it as if it didn't exist at all. You were on a mission now. To take Thomas to your favourite hill, that overlooked a bit of Rome and a lot of trees. It was where you usually went to collect your thoughts, and it hadn't even occurred to you that Thomas would be the first person you'd ever taken there. The man who was apparently going to marry you - no better person, in your mind.

"You're homeless?" Thomas asked as you plopped down in your grassy spot. You laughed and pulled him to sit beside you, which he did without much effort.

"No, we passed my flat."

His beautiful eyebrows drew together under that immaculate hair of his, as confusion layered Thomas' face. "Why didn't we stop?"

"I didn't want the conversation to stop, and this is my favourite spot in the city," you said, looking from Thomas to the view ahead of you. Thomas looked as well, seemingly softening to your favourite spot. You admired his side profile for a second before adding, "But, if you'd like to go back to your place, I'm more than okay with that."

"Who said I wanted the conversation to stop?" As he spoke those words, Thomas turned his head back to you. His eyes held the light of the sun, and the kindness of some manner of deity. You found yourself smiling in the exact same way Thomas was smiling.

For a little while, you sat in silence, looking over your view, stealing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking. It was broken only for a second, to share the final cigarette in your tin. Even without words to fill the air, the air felt full. It was like a full pool of still water that you had no problem disturbing, but why ruin it? You'd never felt so comfortable, and you never wanted the moment to end.

All good things must come to an end, you knew this. And this good thing came to an end at the butt of your cigarette.

"C'mon, Man," you smiled, disturbing the water. You stood up, then looked down at Thomas. His eyes were heavy, but content. You offered him your hand to help him stand, which he took gratefully.

"Where are we going?"

"You're coming home with me." Thomas seemed a bit wary. You sighed as you began marching back in the direction you came. "I'm supposed to let you, still half in the bag, stumble home to God knows where, all alone?"

A deep chuckle came from Thomas as he rubbed the back of his neck. His strides were in perfect sync with yours, despite him having longer legs. "I suppose you're right."

"Thank you for your approval," you laughed as you looked to the horizon that you two had had your backs turned to all this time. The sun was beginning to break the clouds. "We've been out all night."

"We left the bar at 3."

You looked to Thomas as the walk switched from grass to pavement. "A 30 minute walk was turned into a 2 hour trek." Thomas' face heated up a tad as he looked to the ground beneath his feet. You looked forward. "No way I'd rather spend my morning."

The same comfortable silence filled the air while you approached your complex. You both walked in very casually, as if Thomas was an old friend who visited very often. But the second you both crossed the threshold, you began throwing your shoes and jackets off. Tiredness had finally settled in.

"Okay, my bedroom is yours, goodnight." You rubbed your eyes, starting to make your way to the couch. Thomas caught your forearm, making you look at him.

"I should be the one on the couch."

Your lips fell in a straight line and your brow dropped. "You're the guest, Man. You get the bed."

"Y/n, I have no problem with the couch," Thomas insisted. You sighed and turned you both around to the bedroom. Thomas' hand was still around your forearm, until you arrived at the bedroom door. "Goodnight."

"Oi, Asshole, come back here," you said just as Thomas began going to the couch. Now you grabbed his forearm. "The couch is shitty, and you don't deserve that, but you're relentless. We're both adults, we can share a bed."

Thomas smiled sleepily. "Okay."

His voice was almost giddy as you both flopped onto the bed. Thomas whispered a soft goodnight to you, but you were already in a land beyond this one. With a smile, Thomas laid on his back. Your room smelt just like you, and Thomas loved being surrounded by it. It was a strange feeling, but one he never wanted to lose. Soon enough, he followed suite and drifted off right beside you.

It was the best sleep either of you had had in months.

Part 2

#måneskin #maneskin #maneskin fanfiction #thomas raggi #thomas raggi x reader #thomas raggi fanfiction #thomas maneskin #ethan torchio #x reader #one shot #oneshot #fluff

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prof-peach · 3 years

Note

I know on your island you guys deal with a lot of pokemon from a lot of scenarios, but have you ever had to deal with ex-rocket pokemon? Either surrendered or found. Would there have to be a specific protocol for that, or safety measures?

Yeah we get a few that come to us each month, someone either hands them in, or we get them sent to us from other places that can’t handle them.

As for treatment we have to take each case sepratly, the local authorities send us poison, bug and grass types who need rehabilitation, usually it’s not too bad and we socialise them for a while. No people, just give them time to hang out with their own for a while. This can take anywhere up to a few months, just them and some other Pokemon kicking back and taking time out. We see a lot of Pokemon who didn’t get a chance to learn about their skills, their home, they never had a good family life, they often got torn from the wild and remember humans quite harshly. This time is key for them to settle into normal Pokemon behaviour. They are usually surrounded by others and can eventually pick up the right social queues and etiquettes, when they behave like the others, we start to introduce humans more, one member of staff will be assigned groups to care for, usually handling the rescues alone for the first few months, so the Pokemon being helped can get use to just one person at the start. Once that trust has grown, and they seem confortable, we introduce more members of staff. At this point it’s usually clear who will be rehomed fast, and who will need extra care, and we can divide up time appropriately. Recovery depends o the Pokemon in question, and what they’ve gone through. We’ve got patients with us that have stayed on the island for many years now due to relapses in behvaiour, if anything they’ve become part of our personal teams, part of the family, so I suppose they usually find a home one way or another. When possible we release those who are fit but otherwise uninterested in being a trained Pokemon, there are many release sites that the regional rangers oversee all around the world. Getting them home isn’t too hard luckily.

Because we have such a high population of bugs and grass Pokemon we just handle them more. They can find a group and settle here, without any outside interference.

On occasion we will personally choose to take on difficult cases, our lab is pretty hellbent on taking the Pokemon that are deemed “too far gone”, mostly because of the space we can offer them. Grey handles a lot of unruly water Pokemon, he has no fear of a Gyarados, doesn’t shy away from defensive Walrien or Carracosta, that’s just his area of love I guess? You have to love the work if you put yourself in the way of pretty big, pretty angry Pokemon, right?

Either way, we have our joy areas, and work with the odd species that can’t be otherwise helped by normal means. We use unorthodox methods, perhaps have too much patience, and tend to get really stuck into the work.

One case that’s a wonderful example was a dowdy little Salemance that came to us, had been shifted about by Rockets to fight in underground battle rings, it’s poor wings torn to shreds over the years, didn’t fly anymore, pretty sure the original trainer wanted it that way so it couldn’t just fly off. But it came to us so angry, and so violent towards anyone and anything, well I just about had it with the big idiot. Threw down with the dumb baby myself to put him in his pace once and for all. He was being outwardly nasty to everyone, snapped at everything. So I waited, and dodged, and ran, and hid until he had exhausted himself, and then used its bad vision against it and body slammed the little devil. He got tired trying to thrash me off, fell over and stayed there. Because I didn’t hurt him, I simply used his big dumb baby energy against him, he lost. Since then he was under me in the hierarchy, and we were able to get close enough to treat him, get his wounds seen too. He didn’t dare snap again after that, least not at any of the team. He got fitted with a prosthetic wing, has been flying for about half a year now, and is in the process of being adopted by a lovely young couple who live out in the mountains away from any towns, perfect place for him. I think they run a pumpkin farm out there and needed some defence. Me and that Salamanca are friends now, he’s learnt that just because a humans in a position of power doesn’t mean you have to cower, no ones ping to hurt them now, they’re safe, they can enjoy again. We socialised them, we tended to them, they’re not perfect, they still get spooked by too much noise, they’re jittery with crowds, that’s to be expected.

This is a case I mention because it’s a difficult one, not a lot of sane people will throw themselves at a Pokemon like that, and this is what the work is like. Sometimes you just do what’s right, even if it could end pretty badly, luck, great training, and years of practice are on my side, and for that reason I’m able to take in difficult ones. Each professor will handle different Pokemon, different types and varying levels of difficulty, all help is good help, you don’t have to wrestle a dragon, you can handle things a hundred different ways, and hell they might just work! The only true constant is patience. You sit up at night with them, when it’s stormy or windy and they’re scared, you hold your ground when they’re lashing out, you sit through the worst of it with them. You get bitten and cut and bruised and broken and it’s worth it because at the end they get to start again, they get a go at a second life that’s way better than what they had before.

Very rarely will we ever initiate attacks on a Pokemon on the island, we usually do all damage control with non-violent, defensive methods, and at the very most the rescue Pokemon will be put to sleep or knocked to the ground and immobilised. I see some folks battling against their rocket Pokemon, which can be a great use of energy but also can plant more seeds of distrust between the humans and Pokemon involved. It’s best to at least leave that until you’ve built up trust between you and the Pokemon I think, but each to their own I suppose.

If we need to do psychology we send them to Pari, who does therapy sessions with individuals who think they need it or are referred to her, she’s quite an accomplished student and uses my dear old porygon-z as a translator to talk with patients about their issues. Life is a lot easier when there’s less of a language barrier. We offer pretty much everything we can to the rescues we get, and they are given dedicated space upon arrival.

As for safety measures, yes, of course we have them. Gear is necessary when handling certain types, fireproof overalls and gloves are most common. We always go in with a functional pair of Pokemon, alwasy two minimum. We have this minimum because of many Pokemon going to attack our partner, missing on purpose, and going straight for us. One partner is offence, one is defence, you must cover your back, that defensive individual is more for you than anyone else, if you get hurt you can’t help others effectively. It really depends on the case, I’ve handled big Pokemon who got freaked out by heavy protective gear. Their old trainer would wear safety gear while being cruel to them, so we had to ditch it all, we realised it was causing problems and dealt with it fast. There’s also a number of first aid stations all over the island, not only for the sake of the law but also, we all get hurt a fair bit on the job.

Hope you feel informed!

#pokemon #prof.peach #peach talks

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fivelakesinwriting · 3 years

Text

Out of Character (Rafe Cameron) Part 6

Warnings: Threats of violence and actual violence, angst/ drama, mentions of drug use, swearing

Authors Note: I'm not finished with Rafe/ Gemma the beginning yet so you all get this little slice first. This hurt to write in some parts, but it will come around.

Please let me know what you think of this chapter if you have a spare moment. I hope you all love it xoxo

***

JJ Maybank climbed the lattice that covered the side of the Mercer home towards her bedroom room. He never went through the front. He worried one day his grooves in the old wood would snap beneath his weight, but that was a problem for Future JJ to worry about.

Gemma was the only person JJ could think to call after everyone had ganged up on him at The Chateau, despite them not having spoke for months. Sure, he flirted with her at the country club, or waved at her at a party. But he had not spoken to Gemma, really spoken to her, for eight months.

Her bedroom window was open like it usually was for him. JJ easily climbed through the open pane and into Gemma's bedroom. He would never admit it out loud, but his heart skipped a beat when he saw her there within arm's reach.

"Hey, babe."

"JJ! Are you okay?" Gemma got up from her bed where she had been reading and ran over to him. She grabbed him by his shoulders to pull him down for a tight hug.

They broke apart and JJ gave her a small smile. He walked around her room, taking in the familiar surroundings again.

"I'm alright. Wanted to see how you were holding up. I'm really sorry about that night, Gem. If I scared you or anything." JJ stated as he cleared his throat. Vulnerable wasn't a natural state for him.

"I mean, you did. You all did. But thank you for that." Gemma nodded as she sat back on the edge of her bed.

JJ slowly, almost with caution made way to sit beside her on the bed. He did not touch her once he sat down. He knew if he started, he couldn't stop. He also knew Rafe Cameron would actually kill him this time.

"Can I ask you something" JJ asked as he leaned back on his hands.

"Sure."

"What happened with you and Topper?"

"Why does it matter?" Gemma scoffed as she stood up and walked to her closet. She moved clothes quickly along the rack as a distraction from his question.

"Because people are talking, Gemma. And I..Why him and not me?" JJ asked sternly as he got up from the bed, gently grabbed her left wrist to turn her towards him.

"JJ, you need to leave." Gemma whispered, her fingertips against his chest to push him away.

"Tell me. What happened? Or what is happening? Please, let me help you." JJ pleaded as he placed his hands on her hips.

"Rafe is coming over from Barry's soon, so you shouldn't be here." Gemma sniffled as she avoided his gaze.

JJ dropped his hands from her hips, took one last look around her room, then made his way to the window once more. Just as he swung a leg out the window to find his grooves in the lattice he saw the familiar Jeep roll up.

"Looks like Prince Charming is here." JJ muttered as he tossed his other leg out the window and lowered himself down.

"JJ, I'm sorry." Gemma replied as she watched him exit the window. Below her room, beneath the lattice on the grass she could hear Rafe yell, "MAYBANK, I FUCKING SEE YOU!"

Gemma cursed to herself as she ran from her window to open her bedroom door. Before she could make her way through the open doorway her father, an intimidating 6'1 stood in front of her.

"Gemma," Anthony Mercer stated with a warning tone in his voice. His reading glasses at the tip of his nose as he stared down at his only child.

"Dad, I was.."

"Why is my bosses son outside chasing the Maybank boy with my good hammer?" Anthony Mercer grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'll bring Rafe inside." Gemma whispered as she looked down at her feet.

"Good. And keep him away from that Maybank boy until after Midsummer. After that they can kill each other for all I care." Anthony replied before he turned on his heel and walked towards his office.

Gemma whispered out a "shit" before she ran from her bedroom and out the front door. Rafe and JJ stood in the driveway arguing. Rafe clutched Anthony Mercer's hammer in his right hand as he stood nose to nose with JJ.

"Rafe!" Gemma yelled from the covered porch, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Dirty Pogue." Rafe spat as he turned away from JJ then tossed the hammer in the grass. He walked towards Gemma with a scour.

"The filthiest!" JJ yelled as he backed off the property with a cocky grin.

Rafe walked up on the porch with Gemma, his hands shoved into his pockets as he glared at her through his dark sunglasses.

"Why the fuck was he here?" Rafe asked.

"Rafe.."

"Don't fucking lie to me, Gemma. I thought we were passed this." Rafe growled as he pointed a shaky finger toward the spot JJ once stood.

"Nothing happened!"

"Then why was he climbing out of your window like he was casing the fucking place?" Rafe sneered as he leaned closer to his girlfriend.

"Because he's my friend, and my dad freaks him out. So he doesn't like to use the front door." Gemma replied, exhausted with the conversation.

"I don't ever want to see that fucking Pogue here again. And he isn't your friend, Gemma." Rafe spat before he walked into the Mercer's house.

...

The next day at the country club Rafe played golf with Kelce and Topper, and attempted to mend bridges with Topper. Rafe figured it was better Topper was with him than against him.

"So you think she's fucking Maybank?" Kelce asked as he watched Topper tee off.

"Don't choke, Thornton." Rafe grumbled as he watched Topper miss the ball and create a divot in the grass.

Topper cleared his throat then swung again. He and Rafe didn't talk about what happened that night with Gemma. They only did a line together, Rafe vowing he would break Topper's legs if it happened again. Topper knew it was probably true. Rafe Cameron could be extremely volatile, and had friends in low places.

"No. I don't think she's fucking that Pogue. But I do think he still go this dirty hands where they don't belong."

"Speaking of Pogues.." Kelce muttered as he hit Rafe's arm then pointed to the walkway a couple of feet away from them.

Pope Heyward walked by his lonesome, a case of beer in his hand. Rafe chuckled under his breath before he walked off the golf green and towards Pope.

"Hey, Pogue. " Rafe sneered as he walked up to the smaller young adult and back him against a concrete wall.

"No. Listen, I have to bring these in. Rafe, please."

"Tell you what. You give me...Half of these, and tell your fucking friend Maybank to keep away from my girlfriend." Rafe smirked as he slowly opened the box of Coors with his nine iron.

"Okay. Okay. I will talk to JJ and tell him to stay away from Gemma. I didn't even know they he was talking to Gemma again. But I cannot give you these beers. " Pope rambled, his eyes darted from each Kook to the next.

Rafe placed his hand flat on the bottom of the case of beer before he easily tipped it out of Pope's hands, without the change to register the butt of Rafe's nine iron jabbed into Pope's solar plexus, effectively knocking him to his knees.

"Then you can't have these beers either." Rafe muttered as he sat on his heels heels next to Pope as he gasped for breath.

"Why? Pope gasped as he clutched his stomach. It ached. He had never been in a real fight before. Only rough housing between friends.

"Stay off fucking Figure Eight. And tell your dirty fucking Pogue friend to stay away from my girl. That's why. Clean this shit up." Rafe spat as he stood back up, tightened his golf glove then brushed by his friends to get to the golf green.

Gemma would kill him if she knew what he did to one of her friends, but he had to assert his dominance on the island as Kook King.

"Hi, Pope! Gemma smiled as he walked by her quickly, his head hung low. He didn't acknowledge her, in fact, he almost walked right into her.

"Pope! Are you okay?"

He spun on his heel and turned to face her, his eyes ablaze. He may have been the smallest of his friend group, but he still towered over the Mercer girl.

"You know what? Fuck you, Gemma. This is all your fault. Don't come around us anymore. And stay away from The Cut. You don't belong there. " Pope sneered with a pointed finger before he stomped out of the building towards the docks.

Pope ignored the guilty feeling he had immediately in his gut after he yelled at Gemma. He had always liked her, but he knew she was trouble for the Pogues. It was best she stayed around Figure Eight, and away from JJ.

Pope spat his blood on the pristine walkway of the country club as he crossed to the docks. He hoped it stained. He started the boat and waited for JJ.

"Dude! You are never gonna guess what just happened to me! I love grocery runs." JJ yelled as he ran up the docks and onto the boat.

Pope wordlessly released the boat, then started off towards home. He kept his eyes trained foward with a scowl.

"What's up? Wait..what fucking happened to you?" JJ asked as he pulled the brim of his friend's hat up to see his battered face.

"Got jumped. Rafe Cameron and his goons on the course. He said to stay off Figure Eight, and that you should stay away from his girlfriend." Pope grumbled as he pulled away from JJ.

"That motherfucker. Was Gemma there?" JJ growled as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I didn't see Gemma." Pope lied as he set his jaw.

"It's fine. Listen. This is fucking war now. They hit us, we hit them back. Let's go. I have an idea." JJ mumbled as he grabbed his cigarettes from his back pocket.

#rafe cameron imagine #rafe cameron smut #outer banks imagine #outer banks smut #jj maybank imagine #out of character #obx fic #obx imagine #drew starkey #rudy pankow imagine #rudy pankow smut

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storiesforallfandoms · 3 years

Text

cliche ~ yungblud

word count: 2440

request?: yes!

chieftreepandagarden “Can I please get a yungblud x female reader. The reader is Dom child best friend who is a YouTuber and revealing on her channel that she is dating dom”

description: while doing a q&a on her channel, she decides to tell the cliched story of her and her childhood best friend falling in love

pairing: yungblud x female!reader

warnings: swearing

masterlist

“Next question is one that I get a lot,” I read from my phone. “How did you meet Dom?”

I smiled to myself as I remembered the very first day I had met my best friend.

My mum had dragged me to the new neighbours house to wecolme them to the neighbourhood. She said we should be neighbourly, that everyone else had gone to welcome them. I didn’t understand why what everyone else did had to affect what I had to do, but I was only 6. It wasn’t like I could just stay home.

A woman around mum’s age answered the door after mum knocked. She smiled at the two of us, but gave me a wider smile that I always got because I was a “cute child”.

“Hello there,” she said, directing a high pitched voice that people usually use when talking to young children in my direction.

“Hi,” I said. My mum nudged me due to my bored tone.

“I’m (Y/M/N), and this is my daughter, (Y/N),” she said. “We wanted to come welcome you to the neighbourhood.”

“Well, aren’t you the sweetest?” the still unnamed woman said, kneeling down to smile at me. “I have a little boy that’s about your age. If you and your mummy would like to come in you could play with him for a bit.”

The mention of another kid my age excited me more, and I turned to look at my mum, hopefully. She smiled and nodded, “Of course, we’d love to come in.”

I excitedly followed our new neighbour to her backyard, where a boy roughly my age was sat in the grass playing with some toys. I bounded out of the door and sat next to him, way too excited to play with a kid I didn’t even know yet.

“Who are you?” he asked, furrowing his eyebrows together.

“I’m (Y/N), I’m your new neighbour. Your mum said I could come play with you!”

This was a good enough explanation, as he smiled back and said, “Okay! I’m Dom!”

And with that, we began playing with his toys.

“Kids are way too trusting,” I said as I finished the story. “I was really okay with running into this stranger’s house at the age of 6 because I was told that there was another kid there, and Dom was just okay with a random 6 year old girl sitting next to him and playing with his toys! I tell you, if we had more common sense we never would’ve met. It’s probably a good thing that neither of us have ever had common sense, or else we wouldn’t have stayed such good friends.”

I looked back down at my phone before looking up at the camera again. “You know, there are so many questions about Dom and our friendship, so why don’t I just tell the story of the second most asked question: have we ever had a crush on one another? The simple answer: yes! Of course we have! We’ve been best friends for almost 20 years now, that included going through that awkward adolescent phase where all you wanna do is kiss or fuck anything that walks. Doesn’t help that our best friends kept trying to force us together in high school, of course.”

“There is no way you feel absolutely nothing for, Dom, or you never have felt anything,” Krista said as I closed my locker door.

“He’s basically my brother, Kris, that’s gross!” I responded, hoping neither of the girls noticed the blush on my face.

“You keep saying that, but brothers and sisters don’t act the way you two do,” Genevieve told me. “You’re always being all touchy feely with one another, and you always tease one another in a flirty way.”

“I tease him because he’s an idiot,” I retorted. “I don’t know why you two want us together so bad. He’s my best friend, nothing more and nothing less.”

“Just think of how cute you guys would be together!” Krista said. “You’d be the power couple of the group!”

I rolled my eyes at her and promptly elbowed both of them upon seeing Dom and his friends approaching us. Genevieve and Krista giggled as the three boys met us halfway.

“Hey,” Dom said, smiling his bright smile directly towards me. I felt my heart race with excitement, but I tried my best not to let it show.

“Hey,” I responded, smiling back at him. Krista nudged me slightly, but I shot her a quick glare as she did.

“We’ve finally convinced Dom to come to watch the football game with us tonight,” his friend, Harry said. “Will you ladies be joining us?”

I looked between Genevieve and Krista, but they were already looking back at me expectantly. I shrugged. “I guess...maybe. I do have a lot of homework to do.”

“The game will be over by, like, 8 at the latest, you can pull an all nighter,” Harry insisted.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go. Homework was the last thing I wanted to be doing with my night, especially when my grades were doing well alright, and our teachers liked me too much to ever fail me. If my homework was late they’d probably just give me some sort of late penalty.

“Alright,” I said with a shrug. “I’m down. What about you guys?”

Genevieve and Krista were already nodding before my words were completely out.

“Sweet,” Dom’s other friend, Josh, said. “The game starts around 6, so meet at the bleachers around 5 so we can get a good seat?”

We all agreed and went our own ways as the warning bell rang.

~~~~~~

I was the first to show up to the game at 5 on the dot. I was known for my punctuality in the group.

I was wearing a hoodie with a coat over it, and had my matching beanie and gloves on. It was only late September, but the winter cold was already creeping in. I was so cold that I was starting to regret choosing sitting outside and watching a football game over the warmth of my room, even if it meant I had to do homework for that warmth.

I kept checking my phone, waiting for a text from one of the girls, or even from Dom, to say they were almost here. As time ticked away, I thought about just ditching the whole thing. It was way too cold to just be standing around outside.

Finally, I saw Dom’s familiar lanky stature approach. I smiled when I saw him, and his smile mirrored mine when his eyes rested on me.

“Hey,” he said. “Are the girls here yet?”

I shook my head. “No, I haven’t heard from them yet either. You hear from the guys.”

“Josh said his mom is making him babysit his little sister, and Harry says he was grounded for bad grades,” Dom responded. “So...just us I guess?”

I nodded. “Yeah...just us.”

I didn’t know why I was having trouble trying to talk to Dom. We had been best friends since we were six years old, we talked all the time. But, in recent years, it had always been through text - where it’s easier to say just about anything - or our friends were with us. I hadn’t talked to Dom one-on-one, face to face, in at least a year.

“Well...we should go find a place to sit I guess,” Dom said. Unable to find my voice, I just lamely nodded.

The first half of the game was spent in silence, besides cheering every time our school managed to get a goal. I couldn’t help but check my phone a few times, hoping one of the girls was going to text me to say they were running late. Of course, that didn’t happen.

“I feel like we haven’t hung out just the two of us in a while,” Dom finally spoke after what felt like an eternity of silence. “And I feel bad about that. I hope you don’t think I’m replacing you with the boys or anything.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at this. “No, of course I know that’s not your intent. You could never replace me anyways, I’m one of a kind after all.”

The two of us laughed together, and it felt like the awkward weight on my shoulders was lifted.

“We just ended up in a friend group instead of just a duo,” I continued. “Which I think is fine. I’m glad you have Harry and Josh, and I’m glad they get along with Kris and Gen so well. It just resulted in us hanging out as a group more than just as the two of us. It was bound to happen.”

“I still feel bad about it,” Dom said. “And, as shitty as it is to say, I’m glad it ended up just being the two of us tonight. I feel like this was long overdue.”

I smiled, grateful for this alone time with Dom, too.

I shivered as another gust of cold air passed over us. Dom looked at me, concerned. “You cold?”

I nodded. “Are you not?”

“Well...yeah, I am. Not as cold, apparently.” He opened his arms to me and gestured for me to lean into him. “Come on, bring it in.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I leaned into his embrace. I took in the familiar scent of his cologne, something I had loved to smell for years. Being in his arms was so warm, but still I found myself shivering, this time mainly from nerves.

I spent the rest of the game in Dom’s arms, only once leaving when one of our football players kicked the ball into the opposite team’s neck and got us our winning goal. When the game ended, Dom and I walked together to my car, taking our time as we did so.

“I’m glad you came out tonight,” Dom said. “Mainly so I wasn’t stood up like a complete loser.”

I giggled. “I’m glad I came out, too. Now, it’s back to homework hell for me.”

Dom groaned. “Yeah, I get that. I gotta go finish a paper for English, too.”

“Oh, I finished mine last night! Text me if you need any help, I can do my best to give you the answers without flat out telling you what to write.”

Dom smiled. “I’d love that, thanks (Y/N).”

There was another silence between us a we arrived to my car. Dom was standing so close to me that I could feel his warmth still. I turned to face him and came to find he was mere inches away from me. If I wanted to (and boy, did I ever want to), I could’ve leaned forward and kissed him. I could’ve figured out right there in that moment if the feelings I had for Dom were reciprocated.

But of course, I didn’t. I stepped away from him before I did something I regretted, although my heart was thudding so hard against my chest that it was making my vision blurry. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, (Y/N).”

I watched him walk away to his car, mentally kicking myself for not making the move in that moment.

“You’d be right to call me an idiot because of that,” I told the camera. “To this day, my biggest regret was not telling Dom in that moment how I felt about him. A few years after that is when Dom went off and started making music and became Yungblud. We kept in touch, but he was always touring and travelling, so it wasn’t the same. Then, he started dating Halsey, and you can imagine how I felt about that. Luckily, this past year we got back in touch, as you all know because he’s been heavily present in my videos lately.

“How does this story end, I can hear you asking. Did you ever tell Dom? Yeah, I did, right after he kissed me and told me he had liked me ever since we were kids. He really has be beat there since I thought he was gross and had cooties when we were kids. And this is where the story becomes terribly cliched, because now I’m dating my childhood best friend. Have been for...almost a year now, actually. I’m quite proud of myself for being able to keep it a secret that long. It wasn’t easy, but I did it.”

I continued filming my Q&A video as if I hadn’t just dropped the biggest bomb on my viewers, knowing how they’d react once the video went live.

I finished filming and sat back on the couch, turned on my favourite show on Netflix, and began editing the video. I was hoping to have it up by the next day, then I’d take the weekend off to watch the reactions roll in.

As I sat back to edit, the door to my apartment opened and Dom walked in. He smiled at me and held up a bag of take out he had picked up. “I hope you haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’ve been filming for a solid two hours, of course I haven’t eaten,” I laughed, extending my hand to the take out bag. “Give.”

“Learn some manners!” he said as he approached me. I playfully rolled my eyes as he leaned his head down towards mine and gave him a quick kiss before pulling the bag from his hands. “Hey!”

I giggled as he tried to get it back from me, but I had already opened the bag and stuffed a handful of fries into my mouth.

“At least let me get us some plates,” he said, kissing my forehead before going to my kitchen.

“I filmed that video today,” I called after him, after swallowing the mouthful of food. “The Q&A one where I revealed we’re together. I’m hoping to have it up by tomorrow.”

“The internet is going to implode.”

“I know, but I’d like for them to know now.” He joined me on the couch again, passing me my plate. “I like you too much to keep you a secret any longer.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he said, kissing my cheek again. “Show me the video when it’s done editing, I want to be the first person who knows we’re dating.”

I laughed as I playfully pushed him. I rested my head on his shoulder, leaning into him the way I had those years before at the football game, as I continued to edit the video.

#yungblud #yungblud imagine #yungblud x reader #dominic harrison #dominic harrison x reader #dominic harrison imagine #dom harrison #dom harrison imagine #imagine #one shot #request #fanfiction #fanfic #fandom

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lyranova · 3 years

Text

Change of Plans

Hi guys! So this is an Alikari fic I’ve been working on haha, I’m working on everything else too so please don’t worry 🥺💕! I’m gonna try and finish my request/event requests this upcoming week, this week has just been a mess so sorry! Anyway I hope you all enjoy~!

Taglist: @eme-eleff @thoughtfullyrainynightmare @toutorii @crazyclownthanos @elysianluv @ckjwnnbc @bowandcurtsey @simpingforthisonedeer @jovialnoise

Word Count: 2,038

Warnings: None

———

Hikari huffed a bit as she waited for Josslyn to arrive, the pink haired girl had said she would go out with her today since it was Valentine’s Day and neither one had a date, it would be a girls night Josslyn had said. Hikari looked around the small courtyard in front of the castle and sighed softly. This is where Josslyn had told her to meet since they weren’t in the same squad and she was just getting back from a mission. Hikari tapped her foot impatiently; Josslyn was a tardy person, something she had inherited from her father, but this was ridiculous! She had told Hikari she would be back by 4 and it was now 6:30 pm. Maybe the girl had forgotten? No, that didn’t seem to be like Josslyn. Maybe she got held up? That seemed more likely, or maybe Josslyn found a date?

Hikari shook her head, she doubted Josslyn would go out with anyone today. But you never knew with her sometimes, the girl was very unpredictable. Hikari turned as she sensed a familiar Ki, it wasn’t Josslyn, but it was someone else that she was pretty happy to see.

Alistar Vangeance, her best friend, and fellow magic knight. Although he was in the Golden Dawn instead of the Black Bulls, and yet they still did quite a few missions together. The white haired boy smiled softly as he approached her and he had a slightly confused look in his eyes.

“ Hikari? What’re you doing here?” He asked curiously as he came to stand next to the raven haired girl. Alistar had had a crush on Hikari since they were 15 years old, and now they were in their 20’s and he still hadn’t asked her out on a date, or told her about his feelings yet. Hikari let out another small sigh at his question.

“ I’m waiting for Josslyn, although it doesn’t seem like she’s going to appear anytime soon.” Hikari muttered as she crossed her arms. Alistar tilted his head in confusion.

“ I just saw her leave with Ezio a short while ago, why are you waiting for her?” He asked curiously, he watched Hikari’s blue eyes widen as she looked at him.

“ She left with Ezio and didn’t say anything?!” Hikari shouted in irritation, Alistar blinked a bit.

“ Well, I don’t think Ezio gave her the time to. He kinda took her hand and dragged her through a portal and said he had something he wanted to show her.” Alistar said with a shrug, it was no secret that Ezio Roulacase had a crush on Josslyn so it wasn’t very surprising if he came up with some excuse just to spend time with the girl. Hikari groaned and shook her head.

“ Of course he didn’t. Well, I guess so much for going out tonight.” Hikari grumbled as she suddenly plopped down onto the edge of the fountain that sat in the middle of the courtyard, Alistar frowned a bit as he looked her up and down. She was dressed rather nice; she was wearing a dark blue dress with stockings underneath. She had her hair down as usual, but a small braid sat beside her right ear, and she wore a pair of heels. That's when it dawned on Alistar; she and Josslyn were having a girls night out, and because of Ezio and his antics, now Hikari had no one to go out with!

This would not do at all.

Alistar let out a soft sigh as he held his hand out to Hikari. The raven haired girl frowned at him and followed his outstretched hand all the way up to his face, he was still smiling at her.

“ Come on, we’re not going to let this night go to waste. Especially since you look so…” he paused for a moment and Hikari watched a soft pink tinged his cheeks. “ beautiful.” He added softly, Hikari let out a snort.

“ Yeah right, you say that to all the women. That’s why you have such a huge fan club.” Hikari said with a laugh, it wasn’t a lie as Alistar did have quite a few female admirers, and he always tried to compliment them whenever they saw him and decided to speak with him.

“ Yeah but...nevermind, anyway come on let’s go.” Alistar continued, his hand still outstretched and his smile never waning. Hikari shook her head but took his hand and he helped her up. Hikari let go of his hand and began walking towards the city, with the white haired boy following behind her.

———

This was a nightmare.

Everything Alistar had thought of that would maybe be fun didn’t seem to improve Hikari’s mood. Even the things Alistar knew she would enjoy she didn’t seem too. It made him sad in a way, that it appeared she would rather be hanging out with Josslyn instead of him but that's just how life went. Alistar glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, she was looking around at the stalls, maybe she would find something that caught her eye and he could buy it for her?

“ It’s Alistar Vangeance!” Alistar and Hikari both suddenly turned just in time to see at least a dozen women come running towards the Golden Dawn's Captain. The women quickly surrounded the young man and somehow managed to push Hikari out. The raven haired girl let out an irritated huff as Alistar tried to get a word in edgewise with the women.

This always seemed to happen when it was busy in the city and the two of them were out, Alistar would get surrounded by women, men, and even young kids, all asking him questions or just wanting to show their appreciation. It happened to Hikari as well, usually though it was proposals from men and she tended to put them in their places just like her mom had taught her too. But there had been a time where a group of men just didn’t seem to want to listen to her and before she could say or do anything Alistar had come up, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, and he told the men to back off and that he was her boyfriend.

Hikari remembered the coldness in his tone, even though he kept what ooked like his usual smile, it was anything but that. It was much colder, and more menacing. The last time she had seen him look like that was when they had gone to the past all those years ago. After being pulled out of her memories she watched as Alistar tried to politely decline the women's offers for him to spend Valentine’s Day with them, but they didn’t seem to get the hint.

“ Hey! Back off.” Hikari shouted as she made her way through the crowd and came up to stand next to Alistar, he blinked in surprise at her before one of the women snickered.

“ And who are you?”

“ I’m Hikari Sukehiro, and I’m his girlfriend/bodyguard. So if you’ll excuse us.” Hikari announced with her head held high before grabbing a completely stunned Alistar and dragging him away from the crowd.

Alistar had to admit, he was pleasantly surprised by her actions and her telling the women that she was his girlfriend. It made his heart flutter. He had always dreamed of her saying that someday, so for her to actually say it? It was almost a dream come true and it made him want to do as Leon said and try to confess to her sooner rather than later.

Alistar suddenly gripped Hikari’s hand tightly, causing her to look at him, and he turned towards her with a small playful smirk on his face.

“ Run.” Alistar said before quickly taking off with the raven haired girl in tow, Hikari looked behind them to see if someone were maybe chasing them and that's why he decided to run so suddenly. But there was no one there. She looked back at him in slight surprise; he was just running for the sake of running. She shook her head and ran with him.

The two magic knights ran through the busy streets of the capital, weaving and dodging around people and crowds. The two of them were laughing and smiling brightly as though they were both young teens instead of young adults. The people just frowned at them, someone did shout and let out curses, but the two didn’t care. They should be allowed to have fun and be carefree every now and then, especially since their work was dangerous and sometimes they weren’t sure if they would live to see tomorrow when they went on missions.

The two ran so far and so fast that they didn’t realize they had actually run until they were outside of the city, they were in a small clearing just before you walked into the East Woods. It gave the perfect view of the night sky, you could see almost every single star that was in the dark sky. Alistar looked over and saw Hikari staring up at them, her smile brighter than any of the stars. He let go of her hand for a brief moment before taking a couple of steps forward and sitting down on the ground. He patted the spot next to him and Hikari chuckled.

“ What, not gonna take your cape off for me like the gentleman that you are?” She teased, Alistar blinked and was about to take his cape off before she quickly stopped him. “ I was just kidding, don’t actually do that!” She added with a small laugh before sitting down next to him, she watched as an embarrassed blush rose to his cheeks.

The two leaned back and laid down on the grass as they just watched the stars and sat in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company.

“ I’m sorry Hikari,” Alistar suddenly mumbled with a sigh, Hikari frowned in confusion and quickly turned to look at him. “ I know tonight was a complete bust and you probably would’ve had more fun if it had been with Josslyn instead of me. So I wanted to apologize that I couldn’t make tonight more enjoyable for you.”

Hikari frowned in confusion, tonight was a bust? She didn’t think it was. Sure at first she wasn’t having much fun since she was still fuming about Josslyn. But as the night went on and the more time she spent with Alistar, she noticed the happier she got. Although she wasn’t very happy when the women decided to try and take Alistar, afterwards, when he suddenly took off running down the street and the two of them laughed and smiled together, that was the best part of the night. Besides right now of course.

“ Tonight was enjoyable for me, Alistar. I don’t need to go do a bunch of things to have fun, just us hanging out and spending time together is fun for me.” Hikari told him with a small smile. “ Honestly, as much as I would have loved hanging out with Josslyn today. I think I prefered spending time with you today anyway. Josslyn and I can do something else another day.” Alistar turned to look at her as his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink at her words.

Alistar let out a sigh of relief before he placed his arms underneath his head and he closed his eyes, a warm happy smile on his face. He was so glad that he made her happy today, that was his entire goal tonight was to cheer her up. If just spending time with him did that, then he couldn’t ask for anything more.

“ Good. I’m glad you had fun.” He told her softly, Hikari frowned a bit as she looked at Alistar, really looked at him.

The way he smiled, so warmly and so softly, the way his messy white hair gently moved when a breeze went through, the way the moonlight shone on him, it made him almost look ethereal. ‘Huh, this is strange,’ Hikari thought suddenly, with wide eyes and a slight blush.

‘When did Alistar get so handsome?’

———

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed~! I’m sorry its all over the place haha, i’m gonna work on some requests and then my series soon I promise 🥺! Anyway thanks for reading and I hope you all have a good day~!

#black clover fanfiction #oc fanfiction #black clover oc fanfiction #black clover oc #alikari #alistar x hikari #hikari x alistar #oc; alistar #oc; hikari #hikari is not my oc

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reinerispretty · 4 years

Text

rotations. (zuko x f!reader) pt20

HELLO and thank you for reading!!! i appreciate you very very much :D

pt1

pt19

pt21

It was exhausting to put on a beaming smile and cheerful attitude to interact with others, but (Y/N) had learned at a very young age that first impressions were everything. If the leaders of other nations liked her, their chances of working together with the Fire Nation to rebuild the world were doubled.

(Y/N) was having a miserable time. The night that was supposed to be the biggest celebration in over a century was now soiled. She had spent so hard working on it and making sure that everything was absolutely perfect, and now she wasn’t even enjoying herself.

She sat at the large rectangular table before the crowd. Zuko was to her left, Katara to her right. On Zuko’s other side sat Mai. The two were engaged in casual conversation that (Y/N) was trying her best to drown out. It was hard to maintain a pleasant expression on her face when her heart had been broken just hours ago, but she was managing. The purpose of this night was more than a celebration after all, it was a political step forward in the right direction and (Y/N) wouldn’t let her sour mood get in the way of that.

Still, Katara’s constant worried looks weren’t helping her mood either. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Katara whispered. (Y/N) nodded and gave her a tight smile.

“Just great,” She said, picking at her food with her chopsticks. She had lost all appetite for the night. She couldn’t wait until she could go to her room and break down in tears, or set something on fire, or both. But she had a long night ahead of her.

After everyone ate, she made her way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with everyone she passed. It was exhausting to put on a beaming smile and cheerful attitude to interact with others, but (Y/N) had learned at a very young age that first impressions were everything. If the leaders of other nations liked her, their chances of working together with the Fire Nation to rebuild the world were doubled.

The moon was high by the time the crowd dispersed, leaving only (Y/N), her friends, Zuko, and Mai. Zuko walked up to (Y/N) with Mai in tow. She put on her best smile, but it faltered as she saw their hands intertwined. “I’m going to go to Mai’s house for a little while.”

She nodded, crossing her arms. “Don’t forget you have a reparations meeting in the morning.” Zuko smiled.

“I know, I know.” He said goodbye to his friends and the couple walked out of the palace gates.

(Y/N) turned around to find her friends solemnly staring at her. “I can show you guys to your rooms,” She said softly, before leading them into the palace. Their rooms were on the same hall as hers, and she let them know this and said that if they needed anything, to just knock on her door.

Sokka paused with his hand on the doorknob to his room. His blue eyes met (Y/N’s) and he gave her a small smile. “You did a really great job today, (Y/N).” He hugged her tightly and (Y/N) tried her hardest to suppress the tears that were forming in her eyes.

“Thanks, Sokka,” she said as they parted. Hurriedly, so no one would see her cry, she walked to her room and slammed the door shut behind her. Wringing her hands together, she shook them out and lifted her head up to the ceiling, furiously blinking them so the tears wouldn’t fall out. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t cry over Zuko anymore and while she felt her resolve slowly breaking, she was trying to let this moment pass.

(Y/N) changed out of her clothes and into a silk pajama set. She brushed out her hair and scrubbed her nails clean to distract herself. She almost felt fine again until she heard a knock on her door.

“Come in,” She called, and Katara walked in quietly. The Water Tribe girl didn’t even have to say anything, but (Y/N) saw the sympathy in her eyes. She turned her head away quickly so Katara wouldn’t see the tears that flowed freely down her cheeks.

“Oh, (Y/N),” Katara sighed, sitting next to her friend. She wrapped her arms around (Y/N) and held her close.

“I don’t even know why I’m crying,” (Y/N) said, wiping furiously at her eyes. “It’s not like he owes me anything. I should’ve known that just because we were betrothed as kids doesn’t mean anything now.” She sniffled loudly. “I shouldn’t be crying. I should be happy because we’re friends again.”

“Whatever you’re feeling is how you should be feeling,” Katara said. “You’re crying because you’re hurt, (Y/N), and that’s okay. Don’t try to minimize your emotions.”

“I just feel so stupid and ridiculous, Katara. And it makes me mad that I’m crying over him again.”

“(Y/N), you have the biggest heart out of everyone I’ve met. You might make yourself seem rough on the outside, but on the inside you’re just as soft as unfried dough. You care a lot about Zuko, but that doesn’t make you stupid or ridiculous. The fact you held it together for as long as you did just shows how strong you are. And, for the record, we were all surprised when they came out together.”

“Really?” Katara nodded.

“Yeah! Anyone with a brain can see how good you guys are together. If Zuko doesn’t see that, it’s his loss.” (Y/N) smiled softly at her friend. Her words didn’t completely convince her, but they did make her feel a lot better about the situation. She wrapped her arms around Katara’s middle and hugged her.

“Thank you, Katara. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Katara squeezed her tightly.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, either.” They pulled away from the hug, both wearing a smile on their faces. “Want me to stay with you tonight?”

“Yes, please,” (Y/N) sighed. “I’m going to need someone to listen to me analyze every interaction between Zuko and I.” Katara laughed, which in turn made (Y/N) laugh too.

---

(Y/N) woke up late the next morning. The night’s events had completely exhausted her, so she figured she deserved a day to sleep in. She didn’t wake up until the sun was high in the sky, and didn’t leave her room until much later than that. She searched all over the palace for her friends and eventually found them all sitting under the big tree beside the turtle duck pond.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Toph said. The small girl lay in the grass, her eyes closed as she pointed her face toward the sun.

“Really, it’s good afternoon,” Aang grinned. (Y/N) chuckled.��

“A long day of planning wiped me out.”

“You did an amazing job, (Y/N),” Zuko said. He was propped up against the big tree. His eyes looked up at her as if he was expecting her to sit beside him, but instead she chose to sit next to Katara and Sokka.

“Everything alright?” Sokka asked. “Your eyes are kind of puffy.” Katara elbowed him in the ribs. “What? What’d I say?”

“I’m just tired, Sokka.” To emphasize this, she let out a yawn.

“I can ask the servants to get you tea,” Zuko said. “Maybe some green tea to help you wake up?”

“That won’t be necessary,” (Y/N) said. Zuko was taken aback at how she refused to look at him when she spoke.

An awkward silence fell over the group, but it was quickly broken by Katara. “I can’t believe you both grew up here. It’s so lavish!”

“Sometimes I forget about it too,” (Y/N) admitted. “Things were a lot different the last time I was here. You won’t believe how many portraits of Ozai we had to take down. The man only got more vain as the years went on.”

The group giggled before diving into a conversation about their upcoming plans for the future of the world. Zuko and (Y/N) planned on removing the Fire Nation colonies from the Earth Kingdom, to keep the nations separate like they were before. It was named the Harmony Restoration Movement and had been something that Zuko and other government officials had the task of coming up with.

Zuko and (Y/N) also had the tough job of handling those in the government who remained loyal to Ozai. Having a government that sided with hate and imperialism would not do well with the plans they had for the future.

Their talks ended as the sun began to set, which signaled the departure of their friends. They all walked together to Appa and said their goodbyes. (Y/N) hugged each of her friends tightly and leapt onto Appa and hugged Momo before they departed. She and Zuko watched sadly as their friends flew away.

“I really like all of them,” Zuko said. “But it’s also nice when it’s just you and me.” (Y/N) gave a grunt in response and walked back into the palace.

“I’ll be taking dinner in my room tonight, please,” She told one of the servants.

---

Few months had passed since Zuko’s coronation and much had changed. The Harmony Restoration Movement was an effort to remove the Fire Nation colonials from the Earth Kingdom that was heavily supported by the Earth King and his men, but not so much from Fire Nation officials. (Y/N) and Zuko had to take their time figuring out which of Zuko’s cabinet members were still loyalists to Ozai’s cause and relieve them of their duties. It resulted in many threats of harmful action, but after surviving war, (Y/N) found that there was little she feared now.

After a particularly long meeting between her and Zuko, (Y/N) walked down the lantern-lit halls of the palace. Ever since he had started dating Mai again, (Y/N) had chosen to distance herself from him. While she was happy that he was happy, she found it far too painful to watch the two be together, and she did not want to intrude on their relationship by any means. So, she decided to take a break from Zuko. Their friendship had suffered because of it, but (Y/N) figured that it was best for right now. She still remained his closest confidant and his trusted advisor. It hurt to be so close to Zuko yet feel so far away, but she was no stranger to pain.

She rounded the corner to the hallway that led to her room and hummed an old Fire Nation lullaby as she approached her door. Entering her room, she readied herself for bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the soft, fluffy pillows.

When (Y/N) awoke, it was not to the rising sun shining through her windows, but rather the sound of glass breaking. Confusedly, she blinked the sleep from her eyes and peered around the room. It was hard for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. “Zuko?” She called out.

She leaned over in her bed to light the lantern on the nightstand and immediately felt a strong hand twist itself into her hair. She shouted in pain, contorting herself to kick at whoever was grabbing her. Her feet found purchase on the person’s chest and kicked them back into the wall. (Y/N) freed herself and quickly lit all of the lanterns in her room with firebending.

There, on the other side of her bed, stood a masked assailant wearing all black. In each of their hands was a sharp dagger that glinted in the firelight. (Y/N’s) eyes widened in fear. “Who are you?” She demanded.

“I was sent here to punish you for your crimes against the Fire Nation,” The assassin said. (Y/N) furrowed her brows.

“Crimes? What crimes?” One of the daggers was flung at her head. She had just enough time to dodge it before it sank into the wall beside her. She felt the anger rise in her. “Guards!” She shouted before blasting fireballs at the person. They dodged them with ease, flipping out of the way of her attacks.

The assassin darted to the window to escape, but (Y/N) was just as quick. She ran across the room and launched herself at them, tackling them to the ground. The two rolled around the floor, kicking and punching at each other. (Y/N) hissed as her arm was cut by the sharp dagger. Eventually, the assassin over powered her and sat on top of her. (Y/N) used every bit of strength she had in her to hold onto their arms and prevent the dagger from piercing through her chest. Just as she was about to lose her grip, a blast of fire knocked the assailant off of her.

(Y/N) turned to see Zuko standing in the door. A few seconds later, guards flooded in after him and apprehended the person who had tried to assassinate her. Zuko ran to her side as she stood. “Are you okay?” He asked urgently. She shook her head and removed her hand from the cut on her arm. It bled heavily, droplets of blood dotting the hardwood floors of her bedroom.

Zuko took off his shirt and ripped it down the middle to use as a makeshift bandage. He tied it tightly around her wound and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, I’ll take you the the physician.” He turned to the guards. “Throw them into prison. I don’t want them to ever see the light of day again.”

---

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xmalereader · 4 years

Text

Billy Hargrove X Male Reader

|| Masterlist ||

| ONE — TWO —

Summary: Reader is new to Hawkins, his parents had just moved into the new house and are trying to start over from there old lives. But what if reader can’t? He’s still a messed up kid who’s tired of pretending to be happy...and that damn mullet head of a ghost won’t stop following him around!!

Warnings; Slight angst, slight fluff, death, supernatural power, mentions child abuse, ghost billy, child neglect.

“Home sweet home!!”

“Yay...home sweet hom-Ugh.”

His mother was taking this moving idea a little too much, they have just moved into there new house thag was located in Hawkins. He hates to admit it but he would rather go back to the mental hospital instead of moving here with his parents.

“Come on sweety! Lighten up a bit!” His mother coos out as she pinched his cheeks. He swats her hands away and glares in anger, turning to see his father already taking boxes inside their new house.

“How can I lighten up when this place looks like a hell hole?” He mutters out, walking back towards the car to grab a box of his own things and take them inside to his room room. Apparently they had four rooms, one too many rooms for a small family of three.

The only reason why his parents bought this house was because of him. He was the reason why they had to move, his parents Can pretend to be all happy and cheery for the moving when in reality they were dreading it. He can sense it from a mile away, he’s just waiting until they finally crack to the point where his mother would start whining and his father would possibly start drinking again.

“Only two more month, two more months.” He whispers to hismelf. In two months he’ll be eighteen and then he’ll have the ability to move out and get the hell away from this place and from his parents.

He makes his way upstairs to his new bedroom, setting down the boxes by the doorway he gives the room an exam, taking in the space and wondering how long he’ll be here before he decided to either run away or buy his own apartment.

The good thing so far is that he was finally alone!

“This place looks nice.”

Never mind, he takes it all back.

He frowns deeply as he turns his head to the left to see none other then Billy Hargrove, a dead bad boy that he met on the first couple of days that him and his parents were exploring Hawkins.

“I thought you left, but turns out that you decided to stick with me.” He grumbled out, walking over to his bed mattress and falling face first into it, letting out a deep groan as Billy stands by the doorway watching him.

“I hate to admit but, it’s a little lonely when you don’t have someone that can see you.” He says, walking over to the bed mattress and sit down next to him.

Y/n lifts his head up to narrow his eyes at billy. “Still, you had to stick with me.” He says again, turning onto his back as he stares at the ceiling. “What’s Hawkins like?”

“Shit.”

“Excellent.” He kicks his feet up and jumps off the mattress, walking towards the nearest window that was located in his bedroom. Piping the window open he looks outside to see the roof top which brings a wicked smirk on his face.

“What are you doing?”

Y/n begins to climb out of the window. “What do you think? I’m getting the hell out of here!” He’s able to climb through and step on the roof, closing the window behind him as he quietly makes his way towards the nearest tree.

“You know your parents will find out that you left.” Billy was alreayd at the bottom waiting for him as he looks up from the ground to see y/n climbing down the tree. “I don’t think they’ll care.” He grunts as he lands on teh soft grass and dusts his hands, smiling a bit in victory. “Besides, they’ll be happy to know that I’ve left or let alone get lost in a new town.” He mutters out, looking around as he sneaks away from the house and heads down the side walk. Awhile ago he saw an arcade when they were heading towards the house, the place looked full and he wanted to check it out.

“I didn’t think that your parents wouldn’t care, I mean...they looked like they really cared when you guys were moving in.”

Y/n shakes his head. “Thats just for show, they knew that the neighbors were watching us so they play it off happy when they are out in public. Treating me like the perfect son they have,” he explains. “But once we are indoors it all goes back to normal; my parents ignore me and are too afraid to even try to help me.”

Billy stops in his tracks as he takes in the information. “You said that you were once in a mental hospital, why did you get sent there?”

Y/n turns to look over his shoulder to give him a look that meant, ‘are you dumb.’ Billy at first was a little offended but instead of saying anything back he simply sighs and continues to follow the young teenager towards the arcade. The walk there was silent until y/ breaks it, “I was sent to the mental hospital at a young age, I think I was ten? Almost eleven?” He raises a brow at his own question but is quick to brush it off. “Anyways, my grandma died when I was little. I never understood her death so I wasn’t really upset about it but...a couple of days later I saw her in my living room and I would talk to her. At first my parents thought that I was talking to a friend that I invited but once they took notice that I was speaking my grandmother they freaked out.” He kicks a few rocks and bends dowm to pick up a stick. Swinging it around as he chuckles, “I continued to see my grandmother but I also started seeing other dead people—ghosts, actually. My parents started to freak out about it so they sent me to a mental hospital.”

“You were only ten!” He hears billy exclaim.

Y/n can only shrug with his shoulders and swing the stick around, he turns around quick to point the stick in Billy’s face. “”Enough about me, tell me about you! So, how did you die?”

He was quick to get to the questions.

Billy was s little dumbfounded by the question, his fingers fidget nervously as he steps away from y/n’s threatening stick. “I dont want to talk about it.” He says.

“Thats not fair, you know too much about me! Now, its my turn to ask questions.” He turns around to continue walking, spotting the arcade as he grins. “Lucky for you, we are here.” He tosses his stick away and rushes down to the arcade, seeing other teenagers and kids entering and exiting the building. He brushes by people as he enters the building, smiling widely as he sees the arcade full of people around his age.

He slips his hands in his pockets, walking around the place to see if he can find any empty game to play with.

“Dammit all the game are taken.” He mumbles to hismelf as he turns around to see billy staring at a few kids younger than him.

He slowly makes his way towards him and eyes the kids, noticing how they were screaming at each other as hey challenged each other on the game they were playing.

It takes him awhile to notice that billy was staring at a certain red headed girl. “You know them?” He asks softly.

“Yeah...those are my sisters friends.”

Y/n hums. “Let me Guess, that’s your little Sister?” He points towards the red head as billy nods in reply, watching his own sister play in happiness with her other friends.

“Maxine.” He heard billy whisper out.

Without thinking, y/n is moving towards the group of kids as he ignores Billy’s protests. Stepping closer to the group he comes to a halt and clears his throat. “Hey guys!”

The small group stops playing and turn there heads towards y/n. “Uh...hi?”

Y/n gives them a grin before turning his gaze towards the red head. “Your Maxine right?”

“Who’s asking?” She gives him a death glare which causes y/n to chuckle nervously and put his hands up in defense. “I’m not here to cause trouble just wanted to ask something.” He says.

The group of boys are giving him weird looks but he’s used to it, nothing affects him anymore.

He opens and closes his mouth. “You used to have a brother named Billy right?” He questions and noticed the look in her eyes, he can see them well up in sadness.

“Yes...” she whispers out.

Y/n is silent, not knowing what to say next as he looks over his shoulder to see billy staring at him. Giving him a desperate look that could either mean, ‘dont go’ or ‘please don’t do anything stupid’ but, y/n being y/n he never listens.

He sighs to hismelf and turns back to look at the girl. “I knew your brother Billy, he was...a little annoying to be honest—“ he chuckles out and kept his gaze on his shoes as he continues to speak. “But he was a great guy...he may seem like a pain in the ass but deep down he cares, he cares for you Maxine.” He lifts his head up to meet her eyes, noticing tears filling up her eyes. “Billy wanted me to tell you that he misses you and that he hopes that your happy and—and to continue on with what you have...he’s really proud of you.” With that he steps away from the group and leaves the arcade before they can start asking him questions.

He didn’t know how to feel about this situation, he barely even knew billy but yet somehow he feels like he’s known the guy forever.

“Hey.”

He’s pulled out of his thoughts by billy, who’s standing by his side and giving him a small nod. “Thank you...for everything.”

Y/n slowly smiles in return. “Your welcome, for everything.” He repeats back as the two make there way back to the house.

#male reader #billy hargrove x male reader #billy hargove x reader #imagine #stranger things #darce montgomery #one shot #death

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