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imashoe69420 · 1 year

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Those Eyes: Rise! Leo x OC

Chapter 4

^^ A quick sketch of Lala and her “cabbage” hoodie lmfao

Warning ⚠️: mild language, parental manipulation

Recap:

He sighs, annoyed. “Fine. I will give you a reward if you complete this mission.” The man points at my neck where the metal ring around it glistens in the moonlight.

“If you complete this mission, I will take that thing off. For good.”

• • •

I try to remain stoic, but I can’t help but bug my eyes out.

Taking this thing off… for good? I’m not even sure what it does or why it’s there in the first place. Do I even want to know what happens? What if nothing happens at all?

“Wait, seriously?” I furrow my eyebrows.

The Lieutenant nods. “When you bug them, our mission will be nearly complete. We will have all the armor pieces and we will need you at your fullest potential.”

“What even is my ‘fullest potential’? I’ve had this thing on since I was little and no one has ever told me why it’s there.” I stare up at him, hoping to receive the answers I’ve been wanting for years.

Once again, I don’t get them.

“It’s the reason why you’re my best asset. You will know when you complete your mission. Will you do it?”

“I…” Is this really worth it…? Am I willing to be let down again? But maybe the Lieutenant is right and I do have some sort of power.

I hope he’s telling me the truth.

* * *

6:30AM

The next morning, I can barely keep my eyes open to turn off my alarm. I returned to my apartment at about 3AM with school being five (5) hours later.

I’m an idiot for that, but I don’t have anything big going on today anyways.

Crawling out of my bed, I take a step onto the floor and instantly recoil in pain. “God fuckin’…”

I look down at the floor and see the one thing I didn’t want to see first thing in the morning:

The Bug.

It must’ve fallen out of my jacket pocket when I threw it on the floor last night.

I pick it up and place it on my night stand before throwing off my sheets and getting ready for eight (8) hours of hell.

* * *

First and second period are blurs. I tried to brush it off this morning, but I can’t stop thinking about the Bug.

And Leo.

Everything about this feels so wrong. Like, I feel grimy like I haven’t showered in weeks. Why is this eating at me the way it is? Leo—and the other turtles—are supposed to be our enemies. But when I think of enemies, I think of my 5th grade class: pathetic people who can’t own their shit in fear of taking responsibility for their actions. Not Leo.

At least in our exchange last night, he was pleasant. When I punched him on accident, he wasn’t angry at me.

“God, you have a hellva right hook.”

Not even a groan or swearing. He was sarcastic, funny. Almost everything I said, he had a quip or joke or light tease for. I’ve never met anybody like that.

But I don’t know him. That was our only interaction, so why do I feel like I’ve known him forever? Like I’m betraying him?

“Lala,” my science teacher whom I haven’t bothered to remember the name of taps my shoulder, “class is dismissed.”

I look around to see an empty classroom and a few students trickle in for their third period class. I scoop up my backpack and speed-walk out of the classroom, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Third and fourth period fly by like I had wished they would. Now I can go to the library and finally focus on something other than Foot Clan bullshit. I’ve been reading a series about space lesbians. I wouldn’t characterize myself as such, but they are interesting to read about.

Soon, I feel myself begin to drift in and out of the middle place between being awake and sleep, barely able to keep my place. I cross my arms on the desk and rest my head against them prepared to just rest my eyes for a bit.

~~~~~

I walked down the street on my way home texting the Lieutenant of my location. My phone dings loudly, causing my ears to ring. I fumble the phone until it lands face down on the ground.

When I turn it over, it’s shattered, but somehow I already knew it was.

What shocked me was the caller ID had changed.

It was Leo.

I try to answer his call, but I have no bars.

“A mountain…” I said slowly before looking around and spotting a hill. I climbed on top of it and held my phone into the air.

Suddenly, the Leo’s caller ID popped up again.

I answered it. “Leo! I’ve been trying to call you but you—”

“Lala, don’t turn around.” A voice said, but it wasn’t Leo’s voice. “Don’t turn around!” He said this over and over again before the call dropped.

Despite his warning, I turned around and saw a future, but I didn’t know which.

It was me.

But it wasn’t… me.

I was in a Foot uniform with Foot soldiers by my side. I had a wide smirk on my face, and point towards the present me.

My heart began pounding as we stared at each other before the floor beneath me opened and I fell through into a dark pit of nothingness.

~~~~~~

I shoot awake, my heart still pounding.

What the hell was that…?

It’s been a while since I’ve had a dream like that in years, but it was different. The “future” me was lit by blue fire and my eyes radiated a light blue as well. I don’t remember what happened after that, but I wasn’t afraid of her like I was with the Foot one.

And why would Leo call me? I don’t even have his number or any sort of communication with him. Why is he even in my dreams?

I shake my head as the lunch bell rings and I head to the cafeteria.

* * *

Thank-fuckin’-god this day is over! I couldn’t stand those preppy kids their mocks toward me for being a freshman for much longer.

At my apartment, I enter my bedroom and crash onto my bed, sleep quickly overcoming me. I wake up about five (5) hours later and notice The Lieutenant had pinged me an hour or so ago, then thirty (30) minutes ago, and then fifteen (15) minutes.

He’s probably gonna make me patrol the city to look for the turtles as he had said he would last night, but for some reason, I feel hesitant about going for the first time in a while.

*Third Person POV*

Leo sat up and yawned loudly as he awoke from his twelve (12) hour slumber. He was hungry, so he sluggishly made his way to the kitchen.

As he was walking, he heard commotion going on in his destination and decided to ear-hustle.

“I mean, who would he even see? We don’t know anybody else besides April.” He heard his oldest brother, Raph, say.

“Yeah, but what if he knows someone we don’t? I mean, none of us have gone out alone for that long. What else could he be doing?” Mikey snitched Leo out.

“Mikey, I think you’re overthinking this.” Raph denied him. “If Leo was talking to someone else besides us or April, he would let his brothers know… right?”

Donnie sighed, exasperated by the conversation. “Why are we even talking about this? Whatever Leo is doing shouldn’t concern us. Besides, we should be worrying about this thing.” The purple clad turtle opened his hand to reveal the armor piece they’d stolen from The Foot two (2) days before. “It’s energy levels are impeccable; I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Leo retreated back to his bedroom after his brothers stopped talking about him. At least he knew that Raph and Donnie didn’t believe Mikey. The last thing he wanted was all his brothers interrogating him. What would he even say? “Hey, guys, you remember that girl I saved oh-so bravely two (2) days ago? Yeah, I went all over the city looking for her and talked to her for all of ten (10) seconds before she ran off.” Of course not, he’d look like a stalker. Or an idiot. Or an idiot-stalker. All of those he didn’t want to be.

“Leo!” Raph seemed to always yell for him at an unreasonably long distance. “We’re on the move. Come to the Turtle Tank.”

The blue clad turtle quickly made his way over to his brothers to go on another mission.

• • •

L͟a͟l͟a͟’̲s͟ P͟.̲O͟.̲V͟.̲

As I had originally thought, the Lieutenant wants me to patrol. Not for the turtles, though. He wants me to scout a building to make sure it’s closed and everybody has left. Is it for the armor or paper again? I have no clue. I didn’t have the energy to fight for an answer from him today.

I stay posted on a rooftop a couple buildings away after I had cleared the building in question. The street lights cast onto the empty street below, but the alleys stay as pitch black as the night. They remind me of my dream earlier today, and I swear I see the “future” me staring up at me in the corner of my eye. I focus onto the alley, but there’s no one there.

The dream has left me in my head all day. That and the Bug. I had looked up what my dream meant while coming over here. Apparently my communication is stunted and I haven’t been listening to myself. In my opinion, there isn’t any room for that.

I don’t remember my life before The Foot. As I’ve said before, I only remember the fifth (5th) grade incident. The Lieutenant had told me I’d been with them since I was a toddler, but nothing more than that. I often fantasized about what my parents would’ve been like. What if I had siblings? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins? I get the feeling that I will never know.

I say this to day that I’ve been under someone’s control for my whole life. I am only a child in the Lieutenant’s eyes, therefore I must listen to him and never trust my adolescent mind. The more I think about it, the more I realize just how much I sound like him sometimes. I’ve never seen the Lieutenant as my father or any sort of father figure, but he’s been the constant in my life. He taught me how to fight, steal, and manipulate others into getting what I wanted. I had briefly admired him… maybe I still kinda do…? But more than anything, he’s been scaring me lately.

I feel like I owe him my loyalty. If what he says is true, he could’ve left me to starve. Bad things could’ve happened to me if he and The Foot hadn’t taken me in. Not only that, but he constantly reminds me of it; constantly accusing me of trying to betray him. If I was bold enough I would, but where would I go? The Foot pays for my apartment, my schooling, they train me, they know everything I know and more. Where would I run and who would I run to?

These thoughts diminish when I hear a loud engine revving. I look towards the building and see a large round vehicle turn off it’s headlights as individuals hidden by the shadows exit through a hole in the top of it and sprint towards the building.

I leap from my post to the back entrance and quietly push the door open.

• • •

Another Lala centered chapter, but I swear this is the last one for a while! Stay safe!

-ℍ𝕒𝕟𝟟𝕒

#fanfic #rottmnt #rottmnt donnie #rottmnt fluff #rottmnt leo #rottmnt leo x reader #rottmnt raph #rottmnt reader insert #x reader #rise donnie x reader #rise leo x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise leo

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storiesdo · 21 days

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Chapter 1 – Home again

This is a short story about Madison, a college freshman returning home for spring break. She is 5’ 4” slender with long red hair. She is the youngest of 3 children. Her best friend Sara 5’6” with shoulder length brown hair lives across the street. They have had a secret crush on each other for years and Sara was always jealous of Madison’s little problem growing up. The events take place during her spring break.

“Finally,” Madison said to herself as she pulls unto the driveway. The three hour drive home is finally at an end and she can officially begin her break. She brings her bags in from her car and takes them into her room. Exhausted from her trip she decides to take a nap,

“Knock, knock,” Madison’s mom shouts playfully poking her head into the room to roust her daughter from her nap.

“Hi, mom,” replies Madison getting up to give her mom a hug.

“How is school sweetie?”

“Tiring, I think I may sleep the whole week.”

“Well before you slip into a week long coma I need your help. Your father is having a new air conditioner and furnace installed next week and I want you to go through the boxes that are piled up in the basement since most of it is your stuff.”

“Alright I’ll do it after dinner Sara is coming over and she can help me.”

“Sure thing, dinner will be ready in a few.”

After dinner Madison conned Sara into helping her sort through her stuff. Sara accompanied her Madison to the basement to begin looking through the boxes from her childhood. Madison opened the first box and dumped the contents on the floor

“Ok we can use this box to put anything you want to keep in this box and the rest can go into these bags” Sara offered helpfully.

“I don’t know if I can condense this all down to one box”

“This stuff has been collecting dust down here for years I’m sure you can live without most of it.”

Madison rolled her eyes and began sorting through the pile. The first box contained some of her stuffed animals many of which had seen better days. She picked out a teddy bear her aunt gave her when she was little and “Mr. Turtle” a stuffed turtle she slept with as a child and placed them in the box while Sara placed the remaining ones in the garbage sacks.

The next box was filled with old school work and drawings. Madison kept the papers her and picked out a few sentimental masterpieces to preserve for her mom before discarding the rest and moving onto box number three.

“Wow my Cabbage Patch Dolls I almost forgot I had these,” Madison said reaching in to get one out.

“I remember the day when your bed was covered with them it took 10 minutes to take them off at night and put them back on in the morning.” Sara teased.

“You are just jealous of how awesome I was.” Madison fired back playfully.

“You know me so well. Why did you ever take them out?” Sara asked.

“It just seemed like the right thing to do when I got to High School.” Madison answered.

“You should put a few up on a shelf or something” Sara suggested.

Madison begins pulling out the dolls one by one and looking them over surprised that she could still remember most of their names. As she picks up Ariel, a red haired girl wearing a little mermaid shirt and a size 1 Luvs diaper with Barney on it, she realizes something isn’t right.

“Gross there were mice in here,” she said showing Sara the telltale droppings that were clinging to Ariel’s hair.

“Eww gross. Well guess that solves the question of what to do with them.” Sara said opening a garbage bag and placing it under Ariel. Madison did not move and Sara noticed tears beginning to build in Madison’s eyes. “Don’t cry we can try washing them” she offered hoping to cheer up her friend.

“No it’s ok” Madison answered sniffling slightly, “I am an adult now and they are disgusting time to throw them away.” As Madison finished her sentence she let go of Ariel and the cute redhead landed in the open garbage bag.

Sara held open the trash sack while Madison puts the mouse infested dolls in it. She says goodbye to them one by one as she drops them in the garbage bag. Her mom, checking on their progress, convinces her to keep her first doll Sandra a brunette with blue eyes and also Alyson who was a gift from her grandmother. The remaining 21 fill 3 garbage bags.

The next box contains her care bears. Madison saves a Funshine bear and Love a lot and bags up the rest.

They go through two more boxes of dolls and stuffed animals saving a few sentimental items and filling 6 more garbage bags. Madison opens another box and looks puzzled.

“Mom why did you keep these?” her face turning red as she holds up a package of goodnites.

“I don’t know honey when you stopped wetting the bed I just stored them in case you needed them again. Fortunately you never did.”

Sara had a smirk on her face but stayed quiet not wanted to embarrass her friend.

Madison put the partially open bag of goodnites along with two more unopened ones in a bag and tied it shut. The rest of the box had some old sheets to a bed she no longer owned. Finally finished going through the boxes, Madison sat back and surveyed their accomplishment. Six boxes sorted through 16 bags to throw away and one box of sentimental items to wash and save.

“Good job. Now let’s get these bags out to the alley.”

Sara, Madison, and her mom began hauling the bags two at a time out back for pickup tomorrow. Slowly but surely the pile of bags began to pile up until finally Madison dropped bags fifteen and sixteen on top of the pile. She looked at the pile then said “wow that sure is a big pile.”

“Yeah you sure had a lot of stuff” Sara answered

Madison lingered surveying the bagged up remains of her childhood. She went over each bag again and making a mental note of the contents stuffed animals, school work, cabbage patch dolls, her hand stopped when she reached the bag of goodnites she quickly realized Sara was looking at her and said “I am going inside are you coming.”

“I’ll be right in I need to get something from my car,” replied Sara.

Once Madison was out of sight she untied the bag and pulled out one of the goodnites. She surveyed it remembering how Madison had to wear one each night until she was 14. A flood of memories came rushing back to her she was always jealous of Madison. She put two goodnites in her pocket and went back inside.

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ragingbookdragon · 3 years

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Before You Go, Was I Someone You Loved? PT. 1

A Shay Cormac x Reader Story

Word Count: 2,042 Warnings: Mentions of Death, Explicit Language, Violence

Author’s Note: Holy shit this is the first time I’ve written something this long in a while that wasn’t for a class! Admire the growth I’ve made! Y’all take Fiction Writing in school if y’all can! THE GROWTH! AND ANGST! ENJOY! -Thorne

“Shay?”

He looked up from the aimless lines he’d been drawing in the snow to see her standing before him, a frown etched onto her face. He blinked in shock, surprised to see her. “(Y/N)?”

She took a step towards him and sat down on the log next to him, closer than she’d been in the past few months. “I heard,” she started, but lowered her voice, “about Lisbon…and about this evening.”

Shay swallowed the sigh and looked back down at his feet. “Come to tell me that I’m a murderer?”

He didn’t need to see her face to know that there was disappointment written across it. “If that’s what you think I’m here to do, then the few nights we spent together taught you nothing about me.”

Glancing up, he caught her eyes. “I figured you’d never talk to me again after threatening to shoot me.”

(Y/N) nudged her elbow into his ribs. “I still could if you want.” It did the work, and she watched a small smile cross his lips. She leaned her head onto his shoulder, curling her right arm around his left bicep. Her fingers felt cold against the bare side of his wrist. “I’m so sorry about Lisbon, Shay.”

This time, he let the sigh leave him and he allowed himself to feel her comfort, resting his head on hers. “It wasn’t your fault, (Y/N).”

She nodded. “I know…but neither was it yours.”

The thorn that had stuck itself in his heart since he left Portugal dug a little deeper and he countered, “But it was. I moved the piece…I caused the earthquake.”

He knew she had no idea about the Precursor artifacts, but she still tried to understand. “You may have moved it, but it wasn’t your fault. You were merely the instrument used by the Brotherhood. The fault lies with them.”

Shay looked off into the distance. “Misplacing the blame won’t bring the dead back.”

“No,” she murmured, “no it won’t.”

They fell into a silence for some time, watching the snow fall around them, their breaths coming out in pale, airy wisps. “Shay?”

“Hmm?”

“What…what are you going to do?”

He looked down at her, confusion swimming with suspicion. “Why?”

(Y/N) met his gaze. “I know you well enough Shay Cormac. You’re going to do something about all this.”

Shay knew it was useless to hide from her when her eyes saw straight through him; he sighed. “I can’t let them keep going. They’ll kill millions if I don’t stop them.”

She was quiet, then she reached into her pocket and pulled out an old iron key. (Y/N) held it out for him. “Achilles has the items stowed in the desk upstairs. You’ll need this to get into the house and second bedroom.”

He stared in shock at the key and then at her. “Why would you do this for me?”

(Y/N) smiled. “What you considered a few nights of fun, I considered it to be something deeper.” She folded the key into his palm then rose, standing before him. “You know my feelings for you, Shay. And I know that you wouldn’t go against the Brotherhood if you didn’t think it was the right thing to do.” (Y/N) bent down and pressed a chilled kiss to his lips, whispering, “I’ll always be on your side, Shay. No matter the cost.” She pulled back and smiled sadly, then turned to leave.

He stood and called out, “(Y/N)?” She spun on her heel and waited. Thousands of thoughts ran through his mind, but he simply said, “Thank you.”

She nodded with a small smile. “Please be careful, Shay.”

***

(Y/N) held the hem of her skirt in one hand, the other pressed to her chest, fear dripping down her spine at the sight of Shay standing but a few feet from the cliff edge. She watched Hope take a step forward.

“Give back the manuscript, Shay!” The assassin shouted. “I’m sure Achilles—”

Shay shoved a hand out towards them, voice cracking as he countered, “I cannot. I will not let this happen again.” He shook his head. “All those souls lost…” He met (Y/N)’s eyes and she mouthed his name in terror. Shay lowered his head and declared, “One more hardly matters.”

***

She didn’t know who fired the shot, but it felt all the same in her heart as she sprinted after him. “Shay!” Her scream tore through her throat and before she could get to the edge, someone’s arms wrapped around her waist. She thrashed wildly like a mountain lion caught in a steel trap. “Let go of me! Shay!”

“Enough (Y/N)! He’s gone!” She realized it was Liam who had her by the waist.

(Y/N) spun on him, pounding her fists to his chest, borderline hysteric. “How could you?! He was your best friend!” Liam let her hit him. “Answer me!”

He grabbed her hands, but before he could speak, Chevalier snorted, “The cabbage farmer betrayed the Brotherhood. He’s better off at Davy Jones Locker.”

Her eyes drifted to the smoke clearing from his gun and as if another shot had gone off, she was throwing herself at him, and had Liam not had her, she’d have clawed the Frenchman’s eyes out. “You arrogant bastard!” Fury mingled with her pain. “That man was more of an assassin than you’ll ever hope to be!” She spat at him. “You will reap what you sow!” Her eyes drifted to Hope and Achilles, to all of the assassins standing behind them. “You all will! You all—” Finally, (Y/N)’s legs gave out beneath her and she hit the ground, sobs ripping through her chest.

Liam sighed behind her. “Easy (Y/N).”

She sucked in a breath, grabbing his hands as if anchoring herself would take it all away. “How could you?” Her voice was quieter, but certainly harsher. “How could you let this happen to him?”

He frowned and clenched his jaw. “I don’t know (Y/N)…I…don’t know.”

***Two Years Later***

She barely kept the tears at bay as she stumbled through the New York streets. Mid-afternoon, but it felt so much busier than it usually was, and she felt as though everyone’s eyes were on her, watching her with pity. Another failed attempt at earning a job. She frowned and drifted into the garden of a home, collapsing onto the bench just outside it. She vaguely hoped that whoever owned the property wouldn’t chase her off in her apparent moment of breakdown. She brought a hand up to her face, wiping the tears from her face before sucking in a breath, then she heard, “Dear?” Her head shot up and she saw an older woman standing with a basket of clothes under her hip.

Quickly, she stood to her feet and the words poured from her mouth before she could stop them. “I’m so sorry ma’am.” She thrust a hand back at the house. “You own this home, don’t you?” She brought her hand to her middle and bowed her head. “Forgive me, I’ll leave.”

The woman huffed and shook her head. “Nonsense dear. I’d be a wretched woman to leave a young lady like yourself to cry your heart out.” She stepped forward and curled an arm around her. “Come now, inside for some tea and we’ll see what’s wrong.” The older woman smiled. “My name is Cassidy Finnegan. What’s yours?”

She offered a wobbly smile to Cassidy—It’d been some time since someone had showed her such kindness—she hoped it would last a bit longer. “I’m (Y/N) (L/N).” Cassidy ushered her inside and she couldn’t help but marvel at the interior. “Your home is beautiful, Miss Finnegan.”

“Oh, call me Cassidy, (Y/N).”

“Okay then, Cassidy.” The two smiled at one another and the woman set the basket of clothes down on the desk, ushering her to follow. (Y/N) found herself in the kitchen, sitting on a stool as Cassidy handed her a cold, wet rag.

“Here,” she said. “Wipe those tears away. They don’t suit a face as pretty as yours.”

(Y/N) felt her cheeks warm and she did so, feeling as if a years’ worth of dirt and grime had come off. “Thank you, Cassidy.”

The older woman shuffled across from her towards the open fire pit, hanging a tea kettle on the rack. “Want to tell me why you were crying outside?”

“I—” (Y/N) started, but faltered, afraid to offer all her knowledge. Eventually, she settled for, “I used to work for a man as a maid, but some of the things he was doing got the man I cared for killed.” She thought of Shay’s smiling face, then to that night when the pain, but determination was written across it. “I refused to work for the man anymore but…well, he has connections all over the colonies.” (Y/N) met Cassidy’s gaze. “I’ve essentially been blacklisted from any workplace I could go.”

“Oh no.” Cassidy’s voice was full of sympathy. “You’ve been on your own for all this time?”

(Y/N) shrugged. “I’ve been fortunate to work in some places before they figured out who I was. I’ve been working at taverns here and there.” She looked away. “I’ve been lucky to not end up in a brothel yet. But…I fear I’m beginning to lose options.”

“I’ll not have you working in a place like that!” Her head shot up at Cassidy, who had her hands placed on her hips. “You’ll stay here and look for a job!”

Before (Y/N) could get a word in, a man stepped through the doorway, griping, “What are you screamin’ at Cass?” He looked between his wife and (Y/N) then sighed. “Another one?”

Cassidy shushed him. “Hush, Barry.” She gestured between them. “Barry, this is (Y/N). (Y/N), this is my husband, Barry.”

(Y/N) waved and smiled as best she could despite the man’s frown. “Pleasure to meet you, Mister Finnegan.”

He harrumphed. “At least this one has decent manners.” Cass scowled at her husband and he turned, waving them off. “I’m going to take a nap.”

“Oaf,” Cassidy hissed, and (Y/N) couldn’t help but giggle.

“He seems like a good man, Cassidy.”

“He is,” she agreed. “When he’s not being rude.” She turned. “You wouldn’t mind helping with dinner, would you? I’ll need to go ready your room.”

“Oh, please, let me do it! You can go sit and relax!” Cassidy was about to counter, but (Y/N) begged, “Please, if you’re going to let me stay here for free, you’ll have to let me pull my weight.”

Cassidy watched her then offered, “How about you go fold the clothes in that basket and start dinner, and I’ll take care of the room.”

(Y/N) nodded and after grabbing the basket of clothes, she found herself standing in the master bedroom, quietly folding the clothes as to not wake Barry. A warm smile spread across her face as a sense of security filled her veins. She’d certainly not been the assassin’s target, but her fleeing was obviously an offense against them either way. She had no doubts that Hope had been the one to spread the rumors of terrible work ethic throughout the elite in New York—the assassin had the power and connections to do so. (Y/N) shook her head and put away the clothes then headed towards the door but stopped when she felt something in her pocket. She pulled out a coin and flipped it over, seeing the Celtic shield of luck imprinted into it. A sad smile crossed her lips as she ran her thumb in a routine manner. His words came back to her.

“Here (Y/N).” She looked up from his chest to see him handing something to her.

Her brows furrowed as she stared at it. “What is that?”

Shay brought his free hand up behind his head, resting on it. “A Celtic shield of luck.”

(Y/N) couldn’t help but snort. “I think you need this more than I, Shay Cormac.”

He chuckled and pressed the coin into her hand. “What are you talking about, lass? I make my own luck.”

(Y/N) inhaled deeply and shoved the coin back in her pocket, gazing out the window. The sun was beginning to set, but for the first time in two years, she felt hopeful. “I make my own luck.” She whispered and descended the stairs to start dinner.

#shay cormac imagine #shay cormac imagines #shay cormac x reader #shay cormac x reader imagine #shay cormac x reader imagines #shay cormac #assassins creed #assassins creed rogue #assassins creed rogue imagine #assassins creed rogue imagines #assassins creed imagine #assassins creed imagines

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lochrannn · 3 years

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AU_gust: Throw your hands up at me

Read on AO3

Prompt no 16: Hippies

Relationship: Diego Hargreeves/Lila Pitts

Characters: Diego Hargreeves, Lila Pitts

So he’d avoided the cops so far and when he was almost arrested outside the Texas School Book Depository he’d decided to lay low for a little while. He’d still had about two and a half months to deal with Oswald before Kennedy would be assassinated.

He’d stolen some period appropriate clothes and had managed to argue his way onto a couple of construction sites to earn some money for a dingy room in a terrible lodging house downtown.

Diego was just on his way home along the busy high street - god, he hated to think of the run-down place that always vaguely smelled of boiled cabbage as home, under the circumstances his boiler room back at Al’s seemed positively palatial - when a young woman wearing what looked like blue pajamas and a lot of jewelry, one pendant was an enormous gold star fish, stopped him with a big toothy smile.

He’d have brushed past her, the Hare Krishna types were definitely something he had made an effort to avoid in his own time, only this girl was really cute and Diego was so bored so much of the time here in the sixties.

“Can I talk to you about the teachings of our prophet?” she asked, huge brown eyes glinting in a clear charm offensive.

She was a proper hippie, all the way down to a bit too much dark eye make-up and a choppy, unruly fringe. At least Diego thought that made her a hippie, truly he had no idea, but she certainly didn’t look like most women around here. If nothing else, here accent made it obvious that she wasn’t from around here.

“Sure, go ahead, try and convince me.” He folded his arms over his chest and smiled slightly skeptically at her, hoping she’d take it as a challenge.

“Our prophet’s most important teaching is that we are all survivors and that we can make it. He has predicted the end of the world in about fifty years’ time, but he teaches us that if we don’t stop and if we work harder, we can survive!” She occasionally glanced at the pamphlet in her hands and there was an odd sort of amusement in her voice, as if she didn’t quite believe any of this herself. He couldn’t blame her.

Then again he was intrigued. This must have been one of those cults that started to believe the whole Mayan calendar ending in 2012 bullshit. Little did they know that they were off by just seven years.

“Our prophet asks us to say his name and when no one is around we will declare our love for him!” she went on waving the pamphlet dramatically in the air.

“What is his name, then?” Diego asked curiously.

“Our prophet’s name is Klaus!” she said with a beaming smile and Diego thought he misheard her.

“Sorry, what?”

“Klaus!” she repeated and held out the pamphlet to him that did indeed have the name Klaus written on it together with other information and a psychedelic drawing of what was very clearly his idiot brother just with longer hair.

“What the fuck?” Diego just about stopped himself from shouting and grabbed the woman’s wrist reflexively to hold the pamphlet steady, “Where is he?”

“Our prophet? He is currently spreading his teachings to the world. As far as I know he’s in San Francisco.”

The woman gave his hand on her wrist a pointed look, though her grin hadn’t wavered and as he let go of her abruptly, she lifted her eye-brows at him.

Diego fidgeted, staring down at the pavement. He had to focus on Kennedy, he was so sure that was why he’d landed here at this exact time. But he still had months and Klaus was here. And maybe he could help him.

He looked back up at the woman, who was still looking back at him expectantly and he wasn’t quite sure why he was telling her but he said, almost a bit breathless, “I’ve gotta go see him,” and started heading down the street.

Without any explanation his culty informant started trotting along with him.

“Hey, if you join our congregation, we could practice the suspended extended four part unification together.” she said casually and Diego was a little distracted he could have sworn he could see her eyes roaming across his body in his periphery. “It’s how we achieve bootyliciousness!” she added and Diego stopped short at that.

He looked at her a little dumbly, hearing the reference to early aughts R’n’B coming out of her mouth just somehow confusing him almost more than the fact that Klaus was in the same timeline as him.

“It’s a sex thing!” she added then and Diego really didn’t know what to do with that now. He blinked rapidly trying to dispel images flashing across his mind’s eye of himself and this woman practicing the suspended whatever unification thing.

“Uhm,” he swallowed hard, “I need to get to San Francisco to see your prophet. Could you get me to him?”

“It would be my pleasure!” she said and her grin turned positively predatory. Diego didn’t quite know what to make of that, either.

#otp: just be gentle #lila pitts #diego hargreeves #dielila #diego x lila #diego/lila #tua #the umbrella academy #lochrannn lxd au challenge

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bigbeautifulmothwoman · 3 years

Text

Family Values Ch. One

Martin Mathias x (S/I) Lena Wilusz

Braddock nightlife is almost non-existent, and that was how most of its residents liked it. A collection of old and new, families and singles. Braddock was religious, intended to be pristine under the light of the sun and quiet in the dark of night.

Braddock was not the best place for Martin to be. Martin Mathias, young and inquistive. Preferred his hair longer but dressed simply. He always felt as though he stuck out like a sore thumb by his mere existence, and as such worked tirelessly to make himself as unassuming as possible. Dressed plain, acted plain; he kept to himself in town, never wanting to make a fuss…

...So he took the night train to the next town over. By train or bus, it was about thirty to fourty-five minutes to Pittsburgh, close enough to be back home in time but far enough that his name wouldn't reach back to his family's ears. The day was for showing Tata Cuda that he was in fact not a monster; the night was to be one.

Stepping off the train in the Pittsburgh station, he found his way into directions towards the bustling center of town. If Martin was any one thing, it was careful. He always got what he needed, safely and how he wanted it. His first nightly adventure in Pittsburgh, he had decided, would be reconnaissance. Just thinking the word made him feel like a man out of the movies- he was already armed with the tools of his trade, packed away neatly inside the small leather case he carried them in. Just in case, he thought.

Just in case.

This night he wandered around town looking aimless, taking note of what kinds of things the place offered. It was already more diverse than Braddock was: a few larger grocery stores, a candy store, a small theater, and a multitude of restaurants lined the streets along with a number of other things to enjoy. Unlike Braddock, there were still a number of people roaming around at this hour; couples and singles alike. Martin finds it strange to see so many people out on an average night, the clock just barely hitting nine p.m. But this was only natural, he was only used to small towns after all.

The man comes to a stop rounding out his investigation back onto the strip of restaurants he'd passed before; his stomach growled. Dinner at his home wasn't always substantial, especially when he had no say in the menu. It was another night with a half full plate of something he could barely stomach. A decent amount of cash tucked in his pocket leads him into the first establishment that catches his eye.

The place was called The King's Tavern. His first thought was that his feet were leading him to some kind of bar, but stepping inside gave him an entirely different sensation. He couldn't understand how a place could look so much like his black white thoughts and yet still make him feel so...safe and comfortable. The entire inside was lit by false lamplight, with wooden tables and chairs. Some corners had booth seating with velveteen lined seats. His first instinct was somewhat correct, there was a small bar space with a woman standing behind it mixing drinks and pouring ales into steins. In this place, everyone else was out of place. For him, it was like stepping back into his own eastern Europe.

Confidence beside him, Martin slides into one of the available booths, still not looking for extra attention. He sat, waited, observed, and he saw her. A woman approached another table just before his. Somewhat petite, a corset keeping her linen blouse tucked against her skin and resting just over the waist of her skirts. An apron was tied around her waist, adorned with colorful floral embroidery in contrast to much of the dimmer atmosphere. Her face is soft but her eyes exhausted, a notepad and pen readied in her hands.

"All I'm saying is, the point is moot if you aren't going to keep everything to fact. No one in the 15th century would be wearing sneakers or have synthetic fabrics."

"Sir please, this is just a restaurant-" The woman tries to keep her cheerful work façade up despite her frustrations.

"It's just a little bit of extra effort, for the true authentic experience." The customer insists. By the look on the woman's face, Martin can tell a nerve has been hit.

"Well sir, the cobblers been ill and price of linen is up. We can make you a meal, but you'll get no women here. Now, can I get you something?" A thick European accent coats over her words, sounding impeccably natural. Martin can see that finally the man in front of him is appeased enough to let her slip from his attention and finally move onto his table. She sighs one more time before him.

"Good evening sir and welcome. Have you been with us before?"

“Ah, no, this is my first time. A-and uh. I’m sorry about...that-“ He says.

"O-oh...Thank you. It's kind of stupid, people seem to get really...annoyed? Irritated? Something like that. They don't even know what it's like there...only ever seen it in books. I'm sorry, you came to eat not to listen to me talk, please, what can I do for you?"

"I only have so much cash...do you have something easy? As, as long as it isn't stuffed cabbage?" He must have said something funny, because the woman chuckles happily at his remark.

"I'll surprise you then. And no cabbage, I promise." She departs as quickly as she comes, leaving Martin to sit in his own quiet. Shifting his fingers, eyes darting between spaces of decoration. His hands itch to dig into his bag and reset the organization of his tools another time, just to ensure they're in their proper places.

He keeps his hands planted on the table. You don't know who's watching, Martin.

He breathes a sigh of relief when the woman returns with a plate of food in her hands and a glass of water.

"I hope water's fine, I forgot to ask what you wanted… I can get you something else too."

"This is fine, thank you."

"Swell! I uh. I hope this isn't too forward but...do you mind if I ate with you? My shift is ending soon and my boss is letting me grab some dinner because of the time...and really I just don't want to sit alone. I-if it's not okay that's fine! I just thought I'd...give it a shot." Martin bites his tongue. Instead of speaking, he gestures towards the seat opposite him in invitation.

"Oh thank you! Let me go get my plate!" She scurries off again.

This was a surprise. Never in all his years, or at least the recent ones, had a woman throw herself so willingly towards him. Perhaps there was something new to him? No, he was sure everything was quite the same when he got up that morning, and no sickness magically changed anything about him. Not that there was any magic at all. Once again, she's back in his sight, another plate and glass in hand.

"I just got us both the same thing. Leftovers of today's rouladen special, leniwe pierogi, and some vegetables. No cabbage, I made sure!" She laughs again.

"I hope you enjoy it." She says.

"Thank you." They both dig in, enjoying their meals in relative silence as life continues around them. Martin is reminded of a past time, sitting at a table in quiet comfort, candles burning and exchanging longing glances sat on either side of the wood between them…

"Uhm...may I ask your name?" Martin wakes from his daydream once again, eyes now fixated on her, blinking slowly.

"Ah. It's...Martin."

"Pleasure to meet you Martin. My name is Lena. Lena Williams."

"...Lena?"

"Yeah...it's Americanized. Magdalena Wilusz, my family is from Poland."

Something somewhere in him felt like a dream came true.

A stout older man approached their table, two glasses in hand. He assumed, and assumed correctly, that this man must of been her boss, and the owner.

"Mr. Kaufmann, what's this for?"

"On the house, dear. You've worked hard this week, just enjoy your weekend off."

"...Thank you sir."

"My boss," she says, "he's a good man, really looks after us. He really is too kind…" She takes hold of one drink, glass frosting with cool condensation from the liquid inside. She takes a drink with eyes closed, sighing.

"It's really good, sweet like apples. Try some!" Martin is unsure what’s been brought to the table, but he trusts her. And she’s right, the flavor is light, crisp, and refreshing. The thought crosses his mind that this is alcohol, and alcohol can make him clumsy and clumsy is not what he needs if he is intending to feed, which wasn’t his intention in the first place with this trip… But the bite of it is only as harsh as cold lemonade in

summer and encourages him to continue swallowing the drink down as he enjoys his meal. The two continue talking, drinking as the evening winds down in the dining room and their food dwindles.

“H-huh, oh dear, its getting late isn’t it...this is about the time the bars start letting out...s-shit- oh! Sorry, I usually d-don’t curse…” Lenas face is molded with concern as the minutes continue to tick down. He thinks she must be worried about the influx of men flooding into the streets…

“I...i could walk you home…?”

“Martin, I couldn’t burden you like that-“

“You’re worried, a-about the people? You drank some and just want to get home safe, right?”

“...Yes. Even when I eat I leave fast...you’re really a gentleman aren’t you, Martin? I’m sure...I can find something to repay you.”

“I-I’m sure you can, if that’s what you...need to do.”

Martin was ecstatic. It still raised a conflict in his somewhat addled mind, but the ease of solving his sickness for one night also held high. As minutes passed on, the facts and choices began to swirl into a haze. Dinner was finished and the plates left to the closing staff. Coats were donned, Martin's bag of tools secured, and on they went with Lena leading the way. She kept herself steady by clinging onto his jacket sleeve, pointing out vague instructions to her home. It wasn't very far at all, if not a roundabout from her place of work. Just under thirty minutes from the restaurant, only taking so long due to their somewhat inebriated states.

"S-see? Not too bad...thank you Martin. You're such a sweet guy…" Lena says, finally arriving at her front door. She's still unsteady on her feet, wobbling just a bit as she stares down at her hands and the concrete steps.

"S-so, Martin...do you… mind if I do something stupid?" The man in question remains silent, merely nodding a positive response. Sure of herself, she plants her lips to his, fisting her shaking hands into his coat.

"U-uh, if that was b-bad of me, I'm s-sorry, uhm...but. Y-you're welcome to come in, j-join me-"

“Join me, Martin."

Echoes of her flitting about dim halls in a white gown guided his hand over hers, turning the handle and letting them both inside. He was going to do this. He was going to do...something. Combined, they bypass the dark living room and go straight through to her own space. Her room is messy, as that of any busy employee's, and gently illuminated by the one wide window with the drapes drawn open. A socket mounted night light assisted the moon in keeping the floor lit. Returning from a quick trip to the bathroom, she stands anxiously by the bed.

"I-i uhm...i-i don't know what to do, I-ive never...brought someone b-back like this…"

"I-its okay. I know what I'm doing. I-i'm careful." He tells her. It's a truth and a lie mixed together, not fully aware of what outcome will occur. Both of them have toed off their shoes, and again Martin guides Lena to her back, on her bed. She's softly cradled by her sheets, and when he rests his forehead to hers, she kisses him.

In the time that Lena was gone, Martin was quick. In moments, he prepared an appropriate dose of his sleep agent, and carefully stowed the exposed syringe inside his jacket sleeve. Knelt over her, he runs his hands up and down her legs, both removing her skirt and seeking out the best spot for injection in her thighs. He finds his chosen location, squeezing gently as she sighs. Again, he kisses her as he maneuvers the needle carefully and pushes down on the plunger. Breathless, her eyelids already begin to flutter.

"W-wha...M-martin, what was that…?" She questions, her voice high and airy.

"Don't worry, i-it'll...it'll make you feel better." Lena, now on her path to sedation, he begins removing his own clothes. First shirking his coat, he gets back up to carefully place the now empty syringe on the beside table, and follows up by then ridding himself of his pants. Next he goes towards her top, fiddling with the ties to loosen and remove the corset over her linen shirt, her own fingers lacing into his to pull the strings apart. He continues to run his hands over her exposed skin as the sedative runs its course through her veins. She sighs softly, the gentle treatment combined with the power of the sedative and alcohol has her eyes barely fighting to keep open. She finally succumbs to sleep as Martin cradles her face and kisses her nose.

“It's all going to be okay…” He promises to her sleeping body. Finally, he’s safe enough to do away with both of their shirts and her bra.

Her skin was perfect, soft. It was of course marred by a cocktail of imperfections: stretch marks, discoloration, one generous scar on her belly. But it was warm and comforting to the touch. He no longer needs to kneel over her, the next step…Without gathering his materials, he lays beside her, pulling her close in imitation of a loving couple.

He is so tired… He keeps admiring her skin. The minutes pass as he tucks her limbs into his own body. In her sleep she takes advantage, wrapping herself tighter around him, fingers coming to rest delicately on his cheek.

Martin was there to be a monster. He was supposed to take and leave as easily as he came, then to never see her again.

Instead, Martin falls asleep.

#martin 1977 #martin mathias #fanfic #Lola writes things

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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years

Text

Aladdin Queen fic John Deacon x reader Chap. 11; Final battle

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well here we go. The final 2 chapters of my Disney Queen AU fic are all ready and waiting for you all to read. So I hope you all enjoy this and I hope tumblr doesn’t screw up the tags below cause I’ve noticed that no one has seen the last chapter and when I type in one of the tags I’ve put down below, it doesn’t show up on the search result. So hopefully we can work this out this time around.

Warnings: Public humiliation, execution, violence, swearing, snakes.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@queensdivas

@geek-and-proud

@queendeakyy

@kairosfreddie

@dancingcoolcat

___________________________________________________________

*My POV*

I kept wondering through the snow calling out to Abu, desperately and hoping that he was alive somewhere since he was with me when the 2 of us got banished to this damned place.

I then heard the faint sounds of shivering just to my right. There through the snow I saw something move. I quickly raced over and began digging through the snow.

“This is all my fault. I—I should’ve freed Freddie when I had the chance.” Finally after digging away the snow, there was Abu shivering. I gathered him in my arms and tried to bury him underneath my shawl as I said to him, “Abu, you okay?”

He nodded while still shivering. I hugged him closer to me as I apologized.

“I’m so sorry Abu. I made a mess of everything. We—we have to get back and set things right.” I trudged on through the harsh winds and the building up snow but it was then we heard another sound.

It was—like a painful whine. Just a few feet away curled up as tightly as it could I noticed a familiar creature. The grey back with black and white patterns along the face and hands. It was Prince Brian’s pet badger Lulu. I quickly raced over to her and said.

“Lulu?” she looked up at me and immediately crawled up into my lap. I quickly put her next to Abu and together the two of them cuddled together to try and keep warm. “How did you get here? Were you close to us when Paul sent us away?”

Lulu kept shutting her eyes and shivering frantically. I had to find us some shelter and fast otherwise we’re all gonna perish in the cold.

I walked for what felt like miles, already my legs were growing weaker and I couldn’t feel any of my body parts. My lips were probably beyond blue and my fingers must’ve been long frostbitten by now. Then my legs just gave out and I collapsed into the snow. Slowly I rolled onto my back and just felt the harsh winds blow across me.

This is it. This is how I would meet my end. John—I’m so sorry for everything. I wish that I could tell you that, and that I really do love you. But it seems like I’ll never get that chance.

As my eyes slowly shut, I soon took notice that something was hovering over me. A pure white figure but before I could even see what it was, my world went black.

Somehow I managed to open my eyes and that’s when I found myself in a large cave. Wait—how……how did I get here? I was…..I was outside in the storm, how could I possibly be in a cave?

I felt something tickle my nose and give my cheek a lick and that’s when I turned around to see Lulu. She let out a soft bark before nuzzling into my neck. I slowly sat up and that’s when I heard the chatter of Abu.

But I was surprised to see Abu cuddled close to a large (and I do mean LARGE) white wolf. She looked to be about the size of a full grown female tiger, her coat was double layers and thick, but what had me hypnotized by this wolf was its eyes. Most wolves have the golden eyes or deep brown.

This white wolf—it had blue eyes. So blue that it could rival the ocean itself. It’s eyes never left mine as I stared up at this beautiful creature.

“Did—did you bring us here?” surprisingly the wolf bowed it’s head in a nod. It’s ears turned backward as its eyes softly shut before opening back up. “Thank you.” the wolf then stood up and walked over towards me and curled itself around me.

We stared eye to eye with each other for a moment before she gestured with her eyes for me to lay on her.

“Y—you sure?” it nodded again. Hesitantly I lay back down and felt this warmth suddenly embrace me. I buried my fingers deep within the white wolf’s fur as well as my nose. It reminded me back to when I would bury myself in my mother’s breast whenever I felt sad or alone.

With Abu and Lulu soon cuddling back into the white wolf’s fur the three of us soon fell into a deep sleep once more.

I don’t know how long it had been since we fell asleep but when I did a miracle had happened. First thing was that I could finally feel my fingers, face, and legs again. It was almost as if I hadn’t even been out in the cold at all.

Another thing was that I heard the happy chitters from Abu who was hugged Carpet!?

“Carpet!?” Carpet turned towards me and mimed out a cheer as he came up to me and wrapped himself around me in a hug. “How did you get here?” he then mimed out how he had asked Freddie to send him here to us shortly after Paul had sent us away. “Freddie sent you?” he nodded. “We’ve got to get to Agrabah and fast, can you get us there in time?”

He saluted and laid himself horizontal and Abu quickly hopped on while I picked up Lulu and set her on top of Carpet. I then turned towards the wolf and bowed my head in respect.

“Thank you—for saving our lives.” As I got on top of Carpet, I heard a soft, warm female voice speak up.

‘My son will be lucky to have you as his bride, my dear (Y/n).’ I stopped in my spot and quickly turned back towards the wolf. It did a soft blink at me and I know it sounds crazy but I swear it gave me a soft smile.

“Wait—are you…….” the white wolf slowly nodded again before throwing back it’s head and letting out a proud howl before suddenly disappearing from our sights. Abu and Lulu chattered to each other and I felt my heart swell and tears formed in my eyes. “Thank you…….Queen Lillian.”

I turned back around and fully got on top of Carpet and told him to get to Agrabah as fast as possible. Soon we were out of that frozen wasteland.

When we got back to Agrabah I was in shock of how my home was now. The village was practically burnt to the ground, structures of homes had crumbled down, and there was hardly anyone in the town square.

Up ahead the palace that once was a gleam of prospect and honor now looked like something out of a dark story. It’s spiked walls stood like a warning to stay away or face impalement.

Carpet landed us down into the Market place and there I saw Shanti, an old childhood friend of mine before we grew apart. Myself, Abu, Lulu and Carpet ducked behind a cabbage cart and I let out a psst towards her. She stopped her walking and that’s when she turned to me.

“(Y/n)?”

“Shanti what’s happened here? Where is everyone?” She looked around before coming up towards me.

“Prince John is scheduled to be executed in ten minutes.” What?! “Ever since that—Irishman took the throne and gained those powers, he’s imprisoned half the people of Agrabah. Those that remained he’s chosen to enslave the men while the women are forced to watch as Prince John is executed.”

“Oh Allah help us.”

“If you’re planning on doing something, you better do it fast.”

“Hey I’m a street mouse remember? I’ve always got a plan.”

“What was that?” I heard a guard’s voice proclaim out.

“I think I heard it from over there.”

“Go now! I’ll distract them.” I nodded then the four of us quickly raced through the labyrinth of the city up towards the palace. Abu chattered at me as he hopped up onto my shoulder.

“Yeah you’re right I don’t have a plan. But there’ll be time to come up with one. Just give me some time.” Hopping over walls and whatever buildings were left standing, I snuck my way into the palace.

Praying that I wouldn’t be too late.

*3rd Person POV*

As the dawn began to rise, John sat there in his cell silent and still. The doors soon unlocked and there stood four of Paul’s guards.

“It’s time.” Spoke one rough looking Irish guard with a scar over his left eye. The other three guards unlocked John from his chains and with him at the center, the guards led him to where he would be executed.

At the heart of the city just a short ways from the palace all the women of Agrabah were gathered around and they watched helplessly as Prince John was escorted through them.

“Nooooo!” a small female voice cried out. Soon coming through the crowd of women was little Xara, the young girl who John first helped out when they arrived to Agrabah.

“Step aside brat!” a leaner guard with a beard demanded.

“Let him go! He’s a good Prince. He can’t die!”

“Last chance yah little rat step away or you’ll die first!”

“Don’t!” John commanded. He knelt down to Xara’s height and she pleaded with him.

“Why must you die? Was it because you helped me with getting food?” John smiled softly at the young girl’s concern.

“No love. This—this is something else entirely. I……I’m protecting my family by doing this. Xara, I want you to promise me something. Don’t be sad for me, okay? Don’t cry for me, okay?”

“I’ll miss you Prince John.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. John pressed his head against hers and whispered.

“And I you my dear.”

“Alright enough of this get this girl away from the traitor!” the leading guard spoke roughly. Two of the guards then took Xara roughly by her arms and shoved her into the dirt. Two women around Roger’s age soon came and took Xara back into the crowd. “Get up you!”

John glared up at the scarred faced guard as he was forced back to his feet and shoved forward. He soon arrived before a platform stage.

Up already on the stage he could see his father and uncles in one cage, while on the other end Roger, Brian and Jim were either tied or chained (in Roger’s case) to pillars. Soon coming up onto the stage was Paul Prenter with Iago on his shoulder and Freddie close behind him. John glared with pure hatred at the Sorcerer King of England. In his hand Paul held a long dagger with a snake encrusted hilt.

“Behold, the Silent Prince.” John’s glare harshened and it was then the guards stepped away allowing Freddie to slowly come down towards John. Freddie’s eyes shined with pure regret and pain as he stared down at the young prince he had come to befriend. He looked up towards Paul who gave him a soft nod and a harsh glare.

Closing his eyes, Freddie delivered a hard punch right into John’s gut sending him straight down to the ground, curling in agony and even coughing up bits of blood.

Some cries of horror came out from the women and King Arthur pleaded for his son while Brian, Roger and Jim struggled against their bonds, helplessly trying in vain to break free.

Meanwhile from a far point of where the execution was happening at the top of a building, (Y/n), Abu, Lulu and Carpet all stood there in horror. When (Y/n) saw Freddie punch John to the ground she let out a gasp.

“Why aren’t you fighting back John?”

“Bind him to the cross!” With his magic, Freddie then brought out the large cross that John was to be condemned to till death. Once it was lay down, Paul’s guards soon came in and forced John onto the cross.

They bound his feet together and forced his arms to each side point of the cross before tying them up as well. One of the guards soon produced the nails that would soon go into John’s hands, chest, hips and feet. He positioned one nail to John’s right hand and he was just about to drive the nail in when Paul exclaimed.

“Wait!” John, who had his eyes shut prepping for the worst, opened his eyes in shock only to hear Paul continue. “Let him first be stripped and shaved.” Iago then flew straight over to John and took a strand of his hair and pulled it right off of his head.

As Iago now held a long, thick strand of John’s hair, the guards soon surrounded John as they either cut off his long hair or stripped him of his clothes. Hair and fabric was soon seen flying about till finally John was in nothing but his underwear, and his hair was now cut to the point where it looked like he just had a tuff of hair left on his head.

“Bring him to me.” Paul spoke out. Then working together, the guards dragged the cross along the dirt up towards the platform. The slowly they dragged the cross up the stairs before finally pulling it horizontally which forced John to now dangle against the cross as a height of over 9ft.

Cries of women were heard as some of them were pleading for Allah to stop this barbaric act but they were silenced by Paul’s guards. Roger and Brian screaming profanities at Paul, and John’s father pleading for his son’s life. With a wave of his hand, Paul soon silenced everyone.

From up on the rooftop, (Y/n) then turned to Abu, Lulu and Carpet.

“Okay I’ve got a plan. But it needs to happen right now. Quickly and quietly. Abu take off your hat and fez. We can’t afford Paul’s guards to recognize you.” I helped him take off his vest while he handed his fez to me. “Alright here’s what I need you guys to do……” I then began whispering the plan to them.

Back on the platform, the guard who held the nails for the cross handed them over to Paul. He took them before levitating himself up towards John. He cupped the side of the now broke Prince’s face and he whispered to him.

“You know John, I’m rather disappointed in you. Did you honestly think that through all this I would spare your family’s life? You’re giving me your life and saving no one.” He let out an icy scoff. “So much for love.”

It was then John did something that Paul never expected him to do. John spat right into his face.

Paul reared his head back and looked down at his cheek to see John’s saliva right in his palm. As he turned towards the English Prince all he saw was pure hatred. His upper lip in a sneer as it trembled with anger, his eyes burning like Hell’s fire with rage. It was like looking at his lion Nala when she gets protective over her master.

Paul dried the spit along his robe and sneered right in John’s face.

“I’m going to enjoy burning Brian like the witch he is and gutting Roger like a codfish. I’m letting you take the easy way out. Remember that as you burn in Hell.” He backed away from John and raised the three nails up with his powers, each aiming for either his hands or his chest.

From down below Roger continued to struggle through his chains still trying to free himself.

“Roger it’s no use. The odds of you actually breaking free of those chains are—”

“Spare me your logic Brian! Are you seriously giving up right now!? That’s our brother up there and he’s going to die!” Roger hissed lowly at him. Brian was silent.

“I’m just……I don’t see any point of us getting out of here alive. Paul’s too powerful. With Freddie at his side, he has all the power in the world.” Roger looked down solemnly.

“Well I’m not going down like this. Not without a fight. Man I wish at this point I had gotten the ropes like you and Jim instead of these chains.” It was then Roger felt a weight on his shoulders. He turned and saw a monkey sitting on top of him.

“The one thing I never really got about this country is how the monkeys just freely think it’s okay to hop on top of you.” Jim said.

“No wait, wait.” Roger said as the monkey now hopped into his lap. “Abu? Abu is that you?” the monkey saluted as he gave the blonde haired prince a monkey grin.

“Wait, if he’s here then that means……” Brian softly whispered.

“(Y/n)? She’s alive?” Abu then revealed a chain of keys that were attached to his tail.

“Alright atta boy Abu, now quickly unlock me out of these bloody things.” Abu went behind Roger and began fiddling around with the locks.

Jim then felt something beginning to untie his ropes. He felt the sharp teeth and slight claw piercings from two very familiar creatures. When he turned around there were Simba and Nala trying to untie his feet and hands.

“Alright cubs. Nicely done.” Brian soon felt something tickle across his fingers and nuzzle his palm. When he turned around there was his badger Lulu.

“Oh Lulu. I was worried I’d never see you again. Did you get sent away with (Y/n) and Abu?” Lulu gave a gentle grunt as she continued chewing on her father’s bonds.

Finally all three of them were free from their bonds. But to keep up the façade for Paul and his guards, they remained sitting with their hands around the pillars and their feet remaining crossed together.

“We’ve got to get Freddie’s lamp away from Paul. I read somewhere that whoever holds the genie’s lamp becomes their new master.” Jim said.

“Alright. Now to figure out how to get that lamp away from him exactly.” Brian said. Abu hopped back on top of Roger’s shoulder and he chattered softly while pointing to the sky. Roger looked up and saw the magic Carpet with (Y/n) riding on top of it.

“Abu says they’ve already hatched a plan. We just need to wait for the right moment.”

Paul kept his eyes on John and he proclaimed out loud so that everyone could hear.

“WITNESS FIRST HAND! TO THOSE THAT APPOSE ME SHALL MEET THE SAME FATE AS THE FORMER PRINCES!!! And in that knowledge, despair, and DI—” suddenly Paul was knocked straight to the ground by a powerful force.

When he looked up he saw (Y/n) on the magic Carpet and she flew straight to John and untied him from the cross.

*My POV*

After ramming my elbow behind Paul’s back, Carpet flew right to John and I untied him from the cross. He fell forward and he looked up at me in confusion.

“You—you’re alive?”

“Yeah and so are you. Come on we have to get back Paul away from the people of Agrabah. Alright Carpet take us down to the rest of the team.”

Carpet flew us down and we came down to Brian, Roger, Jim, as well Abu, Simba and Nala (who were now baby lions. Must’ve been Paul’s doing), and Lulu.

“Get on quick!”

“But what about our fathers?” questioned Brian.

“Never mind us son.” His father King Harold cried out. “Just get that demon away from these people. We’ll be fine.” Brian nodded to his father and everyone aborded Carpet. Carpet then took off for the palace.

When we got there, we landed at the roof of the palace and I could soon see Paul flying towards us.

“Here he comes!” I proclaimed.

“What’s the plan (Y/n)?” asked Roger.

“Get the lamp away from Paul.” I told them. “Abu, you managed to get the lamp away from him before, think you can do it again?” he chattered as he saluted and quickly ran behind a few of the vases as Paul landed before us. I could see the glimmer of the lamp at his hip as he said to me.

“As Roger said earlier, it would’ve been wise for you to pack up and fuck off.”

“Takes more than a little cold weather to kill me.” I sassed at him.

“I can see that. No matter. You and the Princes will die. This time I won’t go for the dramatics this time.”

“Yeah cause God knows your full of it.” Roger sassed. Paul glared at Roger and that’s when I noticed Abu making his way towards Paul. C’mon pal you got this.

“Tell me something Paul, was all of this really worth it?” I asked him. He tilted his head slightly in confusion. “All this power? You’re not the only one whose had a taste of genie magic. Believe me I tried and—and failed at what I had longed for the most.” I turned to solemnly look at John who looked at me with sad eyes. “It only satisfies you to a point, but there will always be a hole left in your heart. You’ll never truly be satisfied. No matter how much power you gain.”

“See unlike you peasant I am King of all England. I am the greatest sorcerer who ever lived. I can take down kingdoms. Countries! I will build an empire that history cannot ignore!” I saw Abu reach for the lamp but suddenly he was grabbed in a choke hold by Paul. He lifted Abu up, who was struggling in his grasp, I went to help him but Jim and Brian held me back. “Clever monkey. But I’ve grown tired of your thieving antics!” He then tossed Abu over the balcony and I heard him scream.

“NOO ABU!!” At that point Simba and Nala raced towards Paul and began biting and clawing at his ankles. While he was distracted, Roger made his move and tackled Paul to the ground.

As the two of them struggled, Roger somehow managed to get the lamp unhooked from Paul’s sash. I then watched as Nala grabbed the handle with her mouth and quickly race over to me.

“OH NO YOU DON’T YOU LITTLE PEST!!” I watched as lightning began to spark from his hand and he went to fire a shot. But before he could get a good aim on Nala, her brother Simba pounced on Paul’s face and scratched him as rapidly as he could.

The bolt of lightning struck the floor underneath her and she was sent flying in the air. I quickly followed underneath her and caught her just before she could fall over the edge just like Abu did.

I flung myself over the balcony and quickly wrapped my legs around one of the flag poled underneath the balcony and swung myself forward in order to catch Nala as she fell right towards me.

But unfortunately the lamp fell out of her mouth and went tumbling down the side of the palace. But all that mattered to me right now was me and Nala not falling off and dying. I held Nala close to my chest and her claws dug into my clothes, slightly piercing my skin.

I hissed in pain as I swung myself upward in order to grab onto the flagpole so that we weren’t upside down anymore.

Using my skills as a street mouse, I managed to get us on top of the flagpole and gripped onto the edge of the palace and climbed up. All the while Nala clinging onto me until a hand came into view. I took it and was soon pulled up into John’s face. Our noses briefly grazing across one another’s. He helped me back over the balcony and Nala hopped into his arms nuzzling into his bare chest making those loving lion meows.

“Ahh true love.” Paul’s voice soon rang out. “It does always seem to conquer all doesn’t it? But not this time, in fact it would seem your time is up Princess.” Using his snake staff he then shot a blast towards me but I was shoved out of the way.

When the smoke cleared I soon saw John in a very large hourglass. I shook my head at him in shock as the sand from on top began to pour down on him.

“Alright that’s it! No more mister nice guy!” I heard Roger snap as he withdrew his sword. He did a battle cry as he charged right for Paul who retorted back at him.

“I agree, but let’s do that without your constant bitching Roger.” With a flick of his hand, Roger suddenly dropped to the floor and turned into a small dog. He began barking a high pitched bark and when he found out he couldn’t speak normally anymore, his ears lowered before barking again.

“Roger!” Brian proclaimed.

“Don’t think I didn’t forget you Brian. You could use a little unraveling don’t you think?” with a point of his snake staff, Brian suddenly exploded into a ravel of streams. Jim and I looked toward each other and he raced towards me. “I don’t think so Jim, you need to really get the point of where your placement is.”

Jim was then trapped in a wall of swords. I raced towards him as Paul laughed manically. I spotted Roger’s sword and quickly grabbed it and charged at Paul.

“Oh and I’m just getting warmed up for you lass.” He soon blew fire right out of his mouth which trapped me in a wall of fire.

“Roger was right about you Prenter! You’re too much of a cowardly snake to fight your own battles!”

“A snake am I?” Paul suddenly appeared from through the flames. “Perhaps you’d like to see how ssss-SNAKE LIKE I CAN BE!!!” suddenly Paul began to morph into a giant cobra.

His hood expanded menacingly as his long forked tongue hissed at me aggressively. The wall of fire soon began the rest of his body, Paul towered over me before striking down at me with lightning speed.

I quickly dodged his attack but Paul quickly swirled around me, lowering himself slightly before doing another quick strike at me. Then another, and another. I jumped out of the way each time then when he came down for one last strike, I used Roger’s sword and actually cut him across his face which caused him to rear back and hiss in agony.

From the room inside I could hear Roger barking frantically, almost like he was cheering.

“You stay out of thissss!” Paul hissed. Roger growled and that’s when Lulu came behind him and dragged him behind the tail underneath the bed. Soon flying in after the whole battle came about was Carpet.

He landed in front of me and I quickly got on top of him and he flew me above Paul’s strike range, but he soon managed to cut some of Carpet’s thread up.

“Carpet no!” As we soon began falling back towards the palace, Paul struck out again and this time began tearing Carpet thread by thread which left me to slide down Paul’s snake body.

Hoping to stop him from tearing Carpet up anymore, as I slide, I used Roger’s sword and allowed it to cut almost halfway across his body which caused Paul to scream in utter agony. When I reached the roof once again, I saw that John was almost practically buried in the hourglass sand. His head being the only thing sticking out.

I dropped the sword and quickly grabbed a bit of stone from where Paul had struck Nala at earlier and raced over to John.

“JOHN HANG ON!!” I reached the hourglass but before I could slam it against the glass, I was soon wrapped up in snake coils. I was then lifted up and a cackling Paul stood over me.

“Pathetic woman. You thought you could defeat the most powerful. Being. On Earth!?” I then saw as his bird Iago came flying in with the lamp in his grasp.

“Genie should witness.” Iago squawked out. Paul sneered and extended his tail and rubbed the lamp which soon released Freddie. He looked around at everything in confusion and shock when he saw me.

“Face it girl. Without Freddie, you’re nothing!” I was squeezed tighter. I grunted in pain as I felt my ribs ready to snap. As I looked to Freddie he looked broken as he showed me his gauntlets.

Wait. That’s it!

“That maybe so. But who made you a King?” Paul’s hissing ceased as he just stared at me. “Who made you a sorcerer? You may have power beyond mortal comprehension Paul Prenter. But there will always be some man, some being more powerful than you! Freddie gave you these powers, and he can take it way just as easily.”

I turned to see Freddie shaking his head at me. Paul squeezed me tighter to the point where my voice was now strained.

“Face it Paul Prenter…..when all is said in done…..you’re still just……Second best!”

“Second! Second!?” Iago squawked. Paul’s hissing grew deeper as he snarled out.

“SECOND!? HE SERVES ME!!!” Suddenly I was released and fell to the ground. I let out a gasp of air before coughing harshly.

“You said it yourself…..you’re either the most powerful man in the room……or you’re nothing.” As Paul soon morphed back into himself, I turned to see Freddie who was now smirking.

He looked at me now getting what I was saying and sent a wink my direction.

“I’ll show you. I’ll show all of you. I will ensure that NO ONE EVER SAYS THOSE WORDS AGAIN!!!” He took the lamp and turned towards Freddie and proclaimed. “Freddie. For my final wish, I wish to become the most powerful being in the universe. More powerful than you!”

Freddie softly tutted to himself as he said.

“Lot of grey area in that wish Paul but—the most powerful being in the Universe, coming right up!” with a wave of his arms black smoke began to surround Paul as he laughed manically.

While he was distracted, I quickly raced back towards the hourglass. I slammed the bottom twice before it finally broke and sand began pouring out. John soon began coughing out sand as he stared up at me.

“What have you done?” he choked out.

“Trust me.” I told him as I held onto him. When the black smoke subsided, there Paul stood as a genie. Black and red smoke surrounded him as his thunderous voice spoke down to me.

“THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THE UNIVERSE. AT LAST!!! SECOND TO NO ONE!!! AND I THOUGHT I HAD POWER BEFORE!!” He said as he looked down at his hands which were igniting with lightning. “FIRST I WILL LAY WASTE TO YOU TWO SO THAT YOU WILL NEVER STOP ME AGAIN!!!!”

He then let out a powerful cry as he grew bigger and bigger and a ball of lightning began to form in his hands ready to strike.

However a gauntlet came onto his left forearm which stopped him from using his powers.

As it weighed down his arm, his right forearm soon had a gauntlet on it as well. Paul looked down at me with pure hatred as he hissed at me.

“What have you done to me?!”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!?!?” He roared again.

“This was your wish Paul Prenter. Not mine. For you see a genie may have phenomenal cosmic powers,”

“But an itty bitty living space.” Freddie spoke. Paul turned to Freddie as he continued, “And you see a genie without a master, goes back in their lamp.”

Paul’s face grew with horror. For it was then a black genie lamp appeared underneath him and he was slowly being sucked into it. Paul fought as hard as he could and he threatened to both John and I.

“I WILL NOT FORGET THIS GIRL!! DO YOU HEAR ME!? WHEN I COME BACK I WILL END YOU AND THE PRINCES FOR LIFE!!!”

“Goodbye Paul.” His parrot spoke as he flew away.

“PARROT!! YOU’RE COMING WITH ME!!” he then grabbed Iago and soon the two of them disappeared inside the lamp.

John looked at me and he said.

“You knew that would happen?”

“Indeed she did. Oh (Y/n) darling you are a clever little minx you!” Freddie cheered as he ruffled my hair.

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fuckyeahjeremyclarkson · 4 years

Text

Cooking with Jeremy Clarkson: The Recipes (brace yourselves)

Lamb Chops and New Potatoes

Ingredients: Sheep, New potatoes, Butter, Bisto granules

01 Kill a sheep. Remove its chops. Place the chops in the top right-hand oven of your Aga.

02 Call Aga and ask them to send a man round to fix it.

03 Throw away the chops.

04 One month later, after the man has been, kill another sheep and place its chops in the top right-hand oven.

05 Peel the new potatoes. It’s lazy to keep the skins in place and it’s not healthy because the potatoes will have been drenched in glyphosate.

06 Do not be impatient. Wait until the potatoes are properly cooked before draining the water. Put them on a plate and add a knob of butter.

07 Remove the chops from the oven. Realise you should have done that sooner as chops cook faster than potatoes. But put them on the plate anyway and eat. If you wish, enliven this simple dish by adding three heaped tablespoons of Bisto granules to half a pint of boiling water. Then pour in the fat from the chops so it looks like you made the gravy yourself.

McVitie’s Dark Chocolate Digestives

Ingredients: McVitie’s Dark Chocolate Digestives, Tea

01 Go to the shop.

02 Buy a packet of McVitie’s Dark Chocolate Digestives, then bring them home.

03 Open the packet and remove two. Serve with a cup of tea.

04 Eat two more as the tea cools. Put what’s left in a cupboard. Start your tea. Go back to the cupboard and get three more biscuits, or four.

05 Finish your tea and take the mug to the sink.

06 While there, open the cupboard and finish off the biscuits. Write “McVitie’s Dark Chocolate Digestives” on your shopping list.

Pheasant Breast

Ingredients: Pheasant, Horseradish sauce, Bread roll

01 Shoot a pheasant, being careful to hit it in the face.

02 Lay the dead bird on its back and place your feet on its outstretched wings. Grab its legs and pull firmly but smoothly.

03 Say, “Are you sure this is correct?” but keep going because, eventually, the bird’s breasts will emerge from its anus.

04 Throw away what remains and place the breasts on a grill above the open fire that you’re bound to be huddled round anyway.

05 Roast for half an hour, turning occasionally, and serve with a bit of creamed horseradish sauce in a bread roll.

Pork and Pepper Pasta

Ingredients: Pig, Chilli-infused olive oil, Shell pasta, Mushrooms, Green peppers, Onion, Bottom-breaking chillies, Plain flour, Oxo cube, Milk

01 Kill a pig. Remove its tenderloin. Chop into cubic inches and heat in a pan you’ve smeared with chilli-infused olive oil.

02 Add some shell pasta to a pan of salted boiling water.

03 Dice some mushrooms, some green peppers, half an onion and a couple of those small bottom-breaking chillies. Add the whole lot to the meat.

04 Stir it all about.

05 Sprinkle some plain flour and an Oxo cube into the pan when the meat is cooked. Add a splash of boiling water and stir until it starts to thicken.

06 Add a cup of milk. After it all starts to bubble, remove the pasta from the water and add that too. Stir and serve. Everyone will think you’re very clever.

Marrow

Ingredients: Marrow, Milk

01 Peel the marrow.

02 Cut it in half.

03 Scoop out all the seeds and that stringy stuff.

04 Chop what remains into cubic inches.

05 Place the cubes in a pan of salted boiling water.

06 Wait until they are soft, then drain the water.

07 Do not eat the marrow as it will be hotter than the surface of the sun.

08 Place the cubes in a colander so that this vast heat can dissipate.

09 About 30 minutes later, grind some black pepper onto what’s left and eat.

10 Rush to the fridge for a glass of milk because you won’t have waited long enough and now your mouth’s on fire.

Radishes

Ingredients: Radishes

01 Build a bed out of oak planks and fill with topsoil.

02 Plant radishes — go for a peppery variety.

03 Wait about four weeks.

04 Pick a radish.

05 Remove leaves and wash it.

06 Eat immediately. Any delay at all and it will taste like the insipid radishes you get from a supermarket.

Chicken Pho

Ingredients: 128 different herbs and spices*, Chicken, Rice noodles, Star anise, Cardamom pods, Cloves, Coriander seeds, Garlic, Onion, Beansprouts, Mushrooms, Insane chillies, Bok choi

*The proper recipe requires 128 different herbs and spices, none of which will be available in any shop, unless you live in Notting Hill. If you do not live in Notting Hill, don’t worry as pho is street food, so you can pretty much do what you like. This is my suggestion

01 Kill a chicken, pluck it and boil what remains in a pan of salted water for two hours.

02 Remove the chicken and, after it has cooled down a bit, tear all the flesh off the bones. Pour the water through a strainer into a pot and let it simmer for an hour.

03 While that’s happening, soak some rice noodles in bowl of cold water.

04 In a dry pan, cook some star anise, cardamom pods (Notting Hill only), cloves and coriander seeds for 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and add them to the chicken stock.

05 Throw away the garlic you bought because it will make your breath smell afterwards. Chop up an onion and add that to the stock, then leave for 30 minutes. Pour the stock through a strainer to remove what you put in half an hour ago. No idea why.

06 Add beansprouts, mushrooms, some insane chillies and some bok choi (don’t be alarmed — it’s really nice).

07 Remove the rice noodles from the cold water and add them to the broth. Simmer for four minutes.

08 Place the meat you tore from the bone into a bowl and cover with the broth.

09 Eat, and while doing so, wonder why anyone ever cooks anything else.

Cabbage and breadcrumbs

Ingredients: Cabbage, White bread, Butter

01 Go into your garden and pick a cabbage. The pale sort. Not the winter cabbage, which is used for making gym people feel self-righteous.

02 Wash away the mud.

03 Cut off the leaves and chop them into pieces about the size of a stamp.

04 Boil the stamps for about 10 minutes.

05 While this is happening, crumble up a slice of white bread. Brown bread has difficult political connotations you need to avoid. Toast the crumbs in a dry pan over a low heat.

06 Strain the water from the cabbage and add an enormous knob of butter. Then a bit more for good measure. Let the butter dribble all over the cabbage and then sprinkle on the toasted breadcrumbs.

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients: Sheep,Olive oil, Onion, Carrot, Potatoes, Beer, Tomato purée, Butter, Milk

Ideal for when known vegetarians are coming round for supper

01 Murder a sheep. Mince up its innards and place in a frying pan with a few splashes of olive oil and a chopped-up onion.

02 Chop up a carrot sideways and put it in a pan of boiling water. Peel four big potatoes. Chop into four and put them in boiling water too.

03 Open a bottle of beer and enjoy the contents while you stir the mince and onion. Then have another.

04 When the carrot is soft, drain and add to the mince. Squirt tomato purée into the mix until everything becomes sort of red.

05 Drain the potatoes when they are soft and mash them. Then keep on mashing them until there are no lumps. Add a huge knob of butter and a cup of milk and stir. Then place what results on top of the mince and carrots.

06 Put under the grill until the potato starts to go brown.

07 Later, when your vegetarian guest says he, or more likely she, is happy to eat just the vegetables, scoop a bit of potato off the top and give her that. Then eat the rest yourself.

#Jeremy Clarkson #food #recipes #unlikely articles #Sunday Times Magazine

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venusloveslobotomies · 4 years

Text

Pyromania (Bucky x Reader) 2

Summary: (Winter Soldier-Endgame Insert) You’re an enhanced HYDRA agent who negotiated her way out of being a weapon. You’re now the nurse/ aid of the Winter Soldier. You end up escaping with him and follow him in and out of danger while slowly developing feelings for each other.

Words: 1850 (approx) Chapter: 2/? Part 1

“Will you eat?” I huff after Soldat sits down and ignores the hot food, “It’ll go cold and honestly it’s not that bad,” Beef borscht, a mash of carrots, corn and potato, biscuits with cold gravy and something that looks like bird’s milk cake. It’s good food. We’re fed better than anyone else in this facility. However, he seems more interested in inspecting his metal arm and I sigh.

I swear he’s hardly a soldier. I need to baby him half the time. Combing his hair, washing his arm, feeding him. So, I sit on the bed next to him and scoop up a spoonful of the borscht. He turns back towards me and enthusiastically allows me to spoon feed him through dinner. “The things I do for you…” I mumble and steal a bite of the cake. I was right. Bird’s milk. He seems strangely thoughtful as he eats. It’s finally time to relax. I return the tray and dishes to the kitchen and when I come back, he’s reading a Korean children’s book aloud. I notice it’s in Hangul. “That’s good, moya Soldat,” I know reading a new alphabet is difficult. He lays on his stomach on the bed and I help him through understanding the words. I set about massaging his shoulders and back again. I can finally tell when his knots are gone because the strain leaves his voice and he seems sleepy. I put the book back on the shelf and glance at the clock. 23:07. He stretches out his muscles while I take clothes to the laundry and fix our beds. We stand in the small bathroom down the hall, brushing our teeth. I sit on the counter and Soldat makes faces with a mouthful of toothpaste for my amusement. On our way back from brushing our teeth, I receive our packed bags for tomorrow morning. When we come back and put them down, he picks up his mask and studies it for a moment. He seems sad and distant. I know he hates the mask. It’s like a muzzle. I hate it possibly more than he does because I understand the implications behind the mask whereas he just sees it as a piece of restricting uniform. I place my hand on his back and rub gentle circles with my thumb. He drops it back into the bag and crawls into bed. It’s about to hit 00:00 so I kneel next to him, remind him to relax, and stroke his hair until he closes his eyes. I leave and begin prep for the next morning. This, as usual, involves handing a receipt to a treasury official and receiving an envelope of money, which is US dollars this time, placing orders for rations for the designated travel time (4 days), receiving briefings for the mission and checking over our bags. I finally get back to the room at about 2 in the morning, luckily we won’t be woken until 10 am. I can hear Soldat muttering in his sleep and immediately know he’s having a nightmare. I change into a nightgown and sit down next to him, stroking his hair until he seems to calm down.

I wake up with a jolt as the alarm goes off. I reach over and turn it off before realising I’m in his bed. Still on top of the covers. Not unusual. I seem to always end up falling asleep after comforting him from a nightmare. He sits up and stretches. I hear knocking and get up to find that breakfast has arrived. I thank the kitchen girl and take the cart. I dress in the basic white travel sweats for the day before taking my tray and settling on the floor. Soldat joins me in a matching outfit, but his is grey. His meal is very protein-heavy, butterbrot with ham, eggs, tvorog (like cottage cheese), kasha (a grain porridge), orange juice and coffee. Calorie dense and carb and protein based. Mine isn’t too different but I ended up with kasha, butterbrot with butter, one egg and coffee. He seems happy and digs in while talking animatedly about seeing things in Washington while I read through the logistics of the mission, where we’re based, who’s accompanying us, who the target is, when and where the mission is supposed to be carried out. I like traveling a lot and I know he enjoys it too. I know we have to be at the hangar at 12:35 and wheels up at 12:45. So with nothing to do but relax, we talk for a while, joking and pretending that we’re not going on this trip to murder someone. When I decide it’s time to go, we grab our bags and head up past the training center and arrive at the hangar early. We meet with the officials and are given orders to wait in the jet. It’s a big cargo-style jet with a large open space in the center and benches around the perimeter. Throwing our bags down, he picks a spot towards the back and I join him. He lays down with his head in my lap and I pretend to be inspecting his face, putting more disinfectant on his already healed wounds from yesterday and checking his pupil dilation. Eventually he closes his eyes and tries to sleep. We have 10 and a half hours to wait until we arrive in DC. The other guards file in, including Soldat’s handler, a huge Serbian guy who goes by Petrovic. They look confused at the sight of the Winter Soldier sleeping on his nurse’s lap but Petrovic and the two officials ignore it. They’re used to it by now. The flight goes slowly with not much to do. There’s quiet chatter, soldiers sleeping on benches and the ground, a few are reading. I wake my soldier up at around 2:50 to eat something since food’s being handed out. We sit on the floor and eat. Beef with potatoes, hot shchi (a cabbage soup), black bread and coffee. Chocolate bars are offered around by one of the younger guards however that offer never gets to Soldat. I take one and thank him before breaking it in half to give to Soldat. There’s some quiet socialising among the guards since the officials and pilots seem chatty and happy up front. Some of the men try to include me in the conversation but I’m fairly disinterested and direct the conversation to someone else before I have to talk for very long. After the food’s been finished it seems as though we go back to silence. I offer a game of 101 to Soldat with a pack of cards and we play quietly for an hour or so. More snacks and cups of kvass are once again passed around and after we finish, Soldat and I fall back asleep for a few hours. Petrovic wakes us up when dinner is being served, around 7pm. The TV is turned on for the Washington DC news and everyone gathers on the floor again to eat. For dinner we’re given pork stewed in tomato sauce, a salad of pickled cabbage, cucumbers and carrots, more black bread, buckwheat porridge and a double shot of vodka is offered to everyone. I take mine but quickly pass it to Soldat since vodka’s strange attractiveness doesn’t make sense to me. For dessert we’re all given strange little tea cakes, apparently British, and kissel, a fruity jelly-like dessert. Most of the guards get some sleep but a few figure since we’ll be landing in a few hours they may as well stay up. Soldat goes right back to sleep, this time leaning back on my chest with his head on my shoulder, but I keep a wary eye on a few of the younger guards who may not fully hold their alcohol too well. Kvass is offered around again at about 10 and I take the cup and read a book I bought on our last mission in Ukraine.

We finally land somewhere around 11:30 and I wake Soldat up. We pick up our bags and are directed to a truck with Petrovic. Once we arrive at the base, Petrovic gets our keys and tells us to stay in the room. He disappears into the room next to us and I have to literally undress Soldat to get him into the shower. We both scrub down before climbing into the creaky double bed and knocking out completely. When Petrovic comes in the next morning to brief us on the timeframe he admits that we could be here for up to two weeks. Soldat starts getting ready to leave. Since I’ll be on standby the first day, I end up alone in the base, writing up a medical report in case something happens. The next night I am assigned my suit for a mission. I’m nothing but aid at this point but it’s best to be prepared if it comes to a fight. Soldat is given a sniping gun and our main goal is to just shoot and get out. We end up on the roof across from an apartment building, aiming through a window. I sit impatiently. Whoever lives there crawls in through the window and we wait for the light to be turned on. A few minutes and the target stands up. Soldat gets a few good shots before he’s down. We watch as he gets dragged out of sight. “Begat!” Run. We both spring up and sprint across the roof. We jump over a few alleyways before I see the end of our block, where a nondescript car is waiting for us. We land on an adjacent one before the man in pursuit of us smashes through a window and onto the same roof as us. I hear his shield coming towards us but Soldat turns and catches it easily. He throws it back at the man and we jump off the building, sprinting back to the car parked down the street. We drive off back to the base. The moment we arrive and jump out of the car, Soldat starts pacing with nervous energy. I walk over to him. I can hear him getting worked up. “I wouldn’t do that, Ms Kang,” His handler puts his hand out but I ignore it. I hear guns being cocked but I know they’re trained on Soldat, not me. I step in front of him and he stops abruptly. “Stop it,” I place my hand on his chest and stare straight into his eyes, challenging him, “You’re acting like a child,” He stares back at me. As frustrated as he may be, he knows that I’ll knock him out if he doesn’t stop freaking out. He takes a big, huffy breath and kneels so that I can wipe the charcoal from around his eyes. The other soldiers relax their weapons and I can hear as they slowly resume their positions. “Mianhae,” It doesn’t matter that he says it in Korean, it’s so quiet no one else could’ve possibly heard it. “It’s ok. I know you’re stressed. You’re fine,” I tell him, patting his cheek as I finish up.

Part 3

#buckybarnes #buckyxreader #buckybarnesxreader #barnesxreader #bucky barnes #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #marvel #marvelxreader #marvel x reader #bucky fic #bucky barnes fic #pyromania fic

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animeniacss · 4 years

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What I Want - BadBoy! Taehyung x Reader - Chapter 19 -Old Relationships and New Friendships

Synopsis: You are an innocent, excitable new girl, moving all the way to Korea due to your dad’s new job. As you anxiously learn about the new world around you and how you’ll make your mark, you stumble into none other than bad boy Kim Taehyung and his band of six crazy friends. He seems to be bothered but you, something he doesn’t even understand. Will you be able to tolerate the shenanigans of Taehyung and his rowdy friends, or will you fall victim to his charms just like everyone else?

Featuring Jihyo and Dahyun (TWICE) as your friends, and BTS members as Taehyung’s group of friends.

Genre: Romance, BadBoy!V, BadBoy!BTS, High School Romance, Drama

Length: approx. 4.6k words

Disclaimer: This chapter shows scenes of domestic violence. Please read with caution.

Chapter 19 - Old Relationships and New Friendships

“Ji Seok, stop!” Hyuna shouted, stepping back into the living room. Ji Seok followed her, glaring. After stating that they needed to talk, he mentioned that he saw her with Taehyung an hour prior, talking and laughing as they shared cigarettes. He made sure to remind her how angry he got at that, and when Hyuna tried to defend herself as best as she could, he flew into a rage, throwing the beer bottle against the wall. The shattered contents fell to the floor, and the liquid itself splattered all over the wall. Hyuna was right by the wall, and when the sound of the beer bottle shattered, she jumped out of her seat and attempted to move away from Ji Seok. That was when he began approaching her, like a predator trying to corner their prey. “You’re acting crazy.”

“Oh. Oh, I’m acting crazy?!” He asked. He punched the wall as he passed by it, making Hyuna covered her mouth to muffle a terrified shriek. When his bare fist retracted from the wall, a hole was left in its place. “I only act crazy because you know damn well how I feel when I see you with some other bum fuck of a guy! Especially…ESPECIALLY Kim Taehyung!”

“I gave him a fucking cigarette and we smoked! Why do you always take this so seriously!?” Ji Seok finally got close to her and grabbed hold of her arm, yanking her close to him. “OW! Ji Seok!”

“Kim Taehyung and his bitch of a girlfriend are the reason I ended up in a police station being questioned for a whole god damn night. I get out, with no call or any worry from you. How long were you even with him before I saw you outside?!” Hyuna tried to pull her wrist from his grasp, but he just yanked it tighter. “ANSWER ME.” He hissed.

“I just ran into him then, I wasn’t even with him that long!” She whimpered as she felt the grasp on her wrist tighten. “You’re hurting me, let me go, Ji Seok!”

“I’ll let you go when I’m fucking finished with you!” He said. “Another question. Where you happy I was locked up for a whole day? Is that why you didn’t call?” Hyuna kept trying to pry her wrist away, and it only angered Ji Seok even more. He yanked her arm down hard, not enough to break it but to put it at an angle where she groaned in pain. “HYUNA!”

“Yes!” She glared. “I was fucking thrilled because you weren’t around to do shit like this to me!” Ji Seok snickered, finally releasing her arm. She rubbed it, letting out a few grunts and whimpers in pain as she backed away from him. Ji Seok looked at the end table beside the couch.

“Shit like what?” he asked. “This?” He knocked on the plant that sat on top of it onto the floor. The contents shattered along the carpet and prevented a safe entry into the kitchen. “I can do a whole lot fucking worse if you want me too!” Hyuna hurried towards the bathroom, but Ji Seok caught her. He spun her around and balled up a fist, smirking as he threw a punch. Hyuna groaned, covering the throbbing eye as Ji Seok pulled back for just a moment. “You want me to show you worse?!”

“Get the hell out of here!” Hyuna shouted. “I swear to God, I’ll call the fucking cops!”

“Oh yeah? Do it! What did they do last time, huh? Fucking nothing. Because you’re a whore! They don’t believe whores!” He walked over and pinned her against the wall, grabbing hold of her chin. “Don’t tell me. Kim Taehyung is the one who’s encouraging this new defiant attitude, isn’t he?” He asked. “What a fucking prick, touching my property.”

“I said get the fuck out of my apartment.” Hyuna cried out. She shoved Ji Seok away despite her throbbing wrist, using all the strength she had left. “Get out, I’m sick and tired of this shit! I never want to see you again, get out!”

“Yeah. That’s definitely Kim Taehyung speaking. What, now that he’s all good and shit, you think one conversation with him can make you defy me? No, no, no, honey. That’s not how it works.”

“We’re not even talking about Kim Taehyung anymore, we’re talking about you! We’re talking about how you’re a piece of shit and how I want you out of my apartment!” She shoved him again. And again. And again. He was by the door. She picked up his shoes and threw them at him. “Get out! Get out, get out, and get out!” Once they were by the entrance to the apartment, she managed to reach out and open the door.

“You’re such a bitch!” He cried out. “Don’t think I’ll fucking forget this. Have fun, because next time I’ll break your fucking legs so you can’t run. Do you hear me?!” With one final shove, Hyuna slammed the door in Ji Seok’s face and quickly locked it, pressing herself up against it as she tried to catch her breath. She heard him kick the door a few times. She stepped back, hearing him grumble a few curse words before footsteps were heard heading down the street. While still being on an adrenaline high, she hurried to her room. Throwing open her drawers and flinging open her closet, she took out every single thing that was Ji Seok’s: every big tee shirt, every pack of cigarettes, every anniversary gift, everything that spoke Ji Seok’s name was ripped out of her room and stuffed into garbage bags. She was cursing, crying, shaking. Her head was throbbing as she yanked the trash bags closed. She picked them up and carried them into the main hall, opening the door and tossing them out the door. Slamming the door shut again, she slid down against it and covered her eye, groaning at how sensitive it was. She sat there in silence for what felt like forever before she stood up.

“I need to clean the house before they get home…” she said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a broom and dustpan.

------

“Does this stuff look like it is good for a picnic?” Taehyung asked his friends, handing them the list that he had written. After meeting up with Hyuna and talking, he felt somewhat more confident. It surprised him that Hyuna of all people was someone he could find himself talking to about his problem…but it seemed as though Hyuna was a bit different than the last time they had crossed paths. He met up with the others, who were all studying together. The older boy’s entrance exams were only a month away, so cramming was something they did often. However, they did it somewhere that was free, allowing them to eat snacks, hang out, and keep the atmosphere relaxed with friends instead of tense with anxiety.

“Lemme see,” Jin said, setting down his pencil as he took the paper from Taehyung. He looked it over. “Kimchi fried rice, scallion salad, beef bulgogi, cabbage rolls…” Jin glanced at Taehyung. “Do not tell me you plan on making all of this.” He said.

“Well, that’s what came up when you look for the typical stuff to bring on a picnic.”

“Yeah, if you’re feeding an entire sports team. That’s way too much for just the two of you.” Namjoon said, glancing over. “Just pick like two of those things and add some snacks.”

“Cabbage rolls sounds delicious.” Jungkook hummed, smiling at the thought. “Make that. And the beef bulgogi.” Taehyung nodded, scribbling things down. “Are you going to bring desserts?”

“I was thinking of making something simple. Brownies, maybe some kind of cookie. I dunno.”

“Yeah, keep it simple.” Yoongi hummed. Taehyung sighed, looking at Jin.

“Hyung, will you help me make everything?” he asked. Jin couldn’t help but smile.

“I was waiting for you to ask.” He said. “Yes, of course I’ll help you.” Taehyung beamed. “But I’m not going all of the work. You’re going to make it too. She’s already tasted my cooking many times.” Taehyung nodded, a determined grin on his face. “When are you two meeting Saturday?”

“I was thinking about 2?”

“Come by early the morning. I’ll have everything prepared and we’ll get it all baked.”

“Can I come too?” Jungkook asked curiously.

“No. It’s just going to be us. If too many people come, Taehyung will be pushed out because he has barely any cooking skill.” Jin said simply, chuckling when Taehyung lowered his head on the table in defeat. Jimin leaned over and put a potato chip to Taehyung’s lips, which he took and ate. “7 a.m., be at my house.”

“Okay.” He said. He glanced up, watching as Hoseok leaned towards Namjoon, a textbook in hand as he asked Namjoon to explain a problem. Jungkook was looking down at his work, scribbling away, focused expression on his face. Occasionally, he would stick his hand out and grab a chip or something, putting it in his mouth, but his eyes didn’t leave his work. Taehyung sat up straight, scratching his head as he reached into his bag. He pulled out some of his own work to do, the same thing Jimin was currently working on, which was Korean history, and scooted closer to him so they could work on it together. He wanted to be caught up with his assignments so that they were done by Saturday so that you both could enjoy your date without anything lingering in the back of your minds.

You seemed to have the same idea, sitting in Jihyo’s living room with her as the two of you were doing homework. With Saturday only a few days away, you wanted your homework done and studying for the week completed.

“What do you think Taehyung has planned for Saturday?” you asked. Jihyo rolled her eyes. “What’s with that face?” you asked curiously.

“Nothing.” She said. “It’s just all you’re talking about.”

“Oh sorry.” You mumbled, blushing in embarrassment. “I’m just excited. I love surprise dates.”

“I know. And you can tell me all about it after it’s over.” She reached over and hit you over the head playfully with the end of her pencil. “You whined as Jihyo laughed a bit. “Can we finish studying? We’re almost done.”

“Yeaaaaah.” You sighed, looking back down at your work. The two of you worked diligently from that point on, getting your studying and your work done. It was around 3 that afternoon when you cleaned up your stuff and set it aside. “With that done, I’m starving.” You stated, hearing your stomach rumble. You had worked through lunch. “Should we go out and get something to eat?”

“Yeah. If you want to.” Jihyo said. “What do you want to get?”

“Pizza sounds really good.” You said.

“I agree.” So, with that set, the two of you got up and headed out. Jihyo called out to her mom that the two of you would be back later in the day, and headed out to a nearby pizzeria. It wasn’t too long of a walk, the two of you idly chatting about whatever came to mind as you headed down the street, around the corner, and into the marketplace of town. The pizzeria was somewhere you guys would frequent often, either after school with friends or with family on nights that your mom was too lazy to cook. It was pretty tasty, you had to admit. You took Taehyung here a few times, and the others too, to show them how good it was.

The two of you ordered your pizza and sat down to eat at one of the tables. As you both ate, the bell at the front of the room rang, and you saw someone walk in. Glancing up, you saw it was Hyuna. She had on a baggy sweatshirt, leggings, and flats. Her hair was tugged up in a messy ponytail, and she was wearing glasses, even as she stepped inside.

“Is that Hyuna?” you whispered to Jihyo, pointing in her direction. She glanced over, seeing Hyuna walk over to the counter and order.

“Yeah. I think so. She looks different when she isn’t all glammed up.” She agreed. You watched her take her food and find a seat at the other end of the establishment, fixing her ponytail as she ate her slice silently. You were tempted to walk over to her and talk to her, but you figured that may not be a good idea. So, you simply turned around, allowing her to mind her own business as you continue with your food.

You and Jihyo were at the pizzeria for about an hour total, between ordering, waiting, eating your food, and sitting down to chat for a few minutes while your food digested. Around 5, you both got up and made your way out, closing the door behind you. Just before you could make your trek home, the door to the pizzeria opened again, and you heard your name being called out. Turning your head, you saw Hyuna hurry up to you.

“Hey…” she said. “Good thing I caught you before you left.” You saw her sigh, fixing her hair once again. “Can we talk?”

“…What do you want to talk about?” You asked curiously. Hyuna bit her lip.

“Just…we need to talk. Alone.” You glanced at Jihyo, who didn’t seem too comfortable with the idea.

“I don’t know.” She said. “Where’s Ji Seok?” Hyuna scoffed.

“I fucking dumped the bastard.” She said. “Trust me, I’m not trying to lure you to him or anything. I wouldn’t do that.” You noticed her put her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt. “Please.” Yes, you were hesitant to go with her. You had only met a handful of times, but those times were never pleasant. Either she was flirting with Taehyung, or you and she were exchanging rude words. But still…you sensed that the Hyuna from then and the Hyuna from now were a bit different. Maybe it was just the clothes, but you kind of wanted to hear her out.

“I’ll come by afterward.” You said to Jihyo. She pursed her lips.

“You sure?” She asked. Giving a nod, you looked back at Hyuna.

“Lead the way~.” You said happily. Hyuna nodded, and the two of you headed down the street. Both of you walked in silence for a few moments, you waiting patiently for Hyuna to talk to you, while Hyuna seemed to think of what she was going to say and how. She dug her hand in her sweatshirt pocket again, pulling out a cigarette and lighter.

“Do you mind if I smoke?” She asked curiously, putting the cigarette into her mouth. You sighed a bit, smiling.

“Yeah, go ahead. I think I’ve gone nose blind to the smell from Taehyung.” Hyuna chuckled, lighting her cigarette as she took a drag.

“I’m going to assume offering you one will be met with a big fat-.”

“No.” You said in unison with her, the both of you, again, sharing a giggle between you. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Well.” She began. “I mainly just wanted to apologize for what I’ve done to you and Taheyung for the past few months.” She took another drag of her cigarette.

“Oh.” You said. “Well thank you.” A smile formed on your lips. Then, you pursed your lips. “You said you and Ji Seok broke up. What happened?” Hyuna was silent for a moment, and her pace slowed until it stopped altogether. You stopped as well, turning to face her as she dropped her cigarette on the floor, stomping it out with her foot. She wasn’t even finished with it.

“Well, this is one reason.” She said, taking off her sunglasses. Once the glasses were removed from her face, her left eye was exposed to be horribly bruised and mildly swollen. You gasped.

“Hyuna, oh my God…” you gasped, covering your mouth. Her eyes fell to the floor as she put her glasses in her pocket. “He did this to you?”

“Yeah.” She said softly. “I ran into Taehyung a few days ago and we got to talking. I apologized to him too. Little did I know that Ji Seok was spying on me since he got out of that interrogation the day they had that stupid fight.” You stepped closer, gently reaching out to take her hand. “Ah!” She hissed, yanking her hand back as she rubbed it. “Fuck.”

“I’m sorry…” you said. You watched her pull her sleeve down, exposing a long path of bruises, old and new, decorated the parts of the skin you could see.

“He got so pissed when he came to my apartment.” Hyuna sighed. “Good thing I kicked him out and threw this shit out with him,” she said. “I couldn’t take him anymore. I was dealing with his shit since I was like 14.” She chuckled. “God, I’m so stupid.”

“No, you’re not.” You said quickly. “Ji Seok is dangerous and manipulative. Good for you for putting him in his place.” Hyuna smiled a bit.

“I dunno. I thought I could handle things after a while. He wasn’t always bad. He had anger issues, he was a bad boy, but he had his good moments. But, for some reason, eventually, those good moments were few and far between. Instead, all I got was yelling and threats and suspicion. I’m sure he’s sleeping with tons of other girls, but god forbid I try and hit on someone else, right?” She chuckled. “Taehyung was an idiot, but lord helps me he never raised a hand to me. I should have never broken up with him.”

“Did Ji Seok convince you to do that too?” You asked curiously. Hyuna nodded. She pulled out another cigarette and lit it up. “Jeez. I’m sorry you had to go through that all these years.”

“Thanks.” She said. “But whatever, I’m over it now. I always told myself I would break up with him. Never did until now.” She glanced at you. “Feels kind of good.”

“Good! You deserve to be with someone who treats you right!” You said. “…Except for Taehyung.” Both of you laughed.

“I know, I know. He’s off-limits, I got the message.” She said. “But if you break up, I won’t lie, I’m calling rebound.” Again, you found yourself laughing.

“You’re really funny when you’re not trying to hit on my boyfriend.” You said. Hyuna smiled. “I’m glad you apologized and opened up to me.” You reached out, taking her other hand and holding it tightly. “I hope we can start over and be friends.” Hyuna nodded, taking her bruised hand and enclosing it over your own.

“Me too.” She said. “I’m glad you’re forgiving me so easily. Not going to lie, I was kind of worried. If some girl who kept trying to hit on my boyfriend tried to apologize, I think I’d laugh and chokeslam her into the pavement.”

“Oh my God.” You chuckled, grinning a bit. “Well, I don’t have the strength to chokeslam anyone. Maybe I can get in a nice, hard kick or something if I really try.” You said, making Hyuna grin. “Also, if I was dating Ji Seok, I’d probably try to hit on anyone I could find too. So, in a way, I can’t blame you.” Hyuna nodded. “Why don’t you come back to my house?” you offered. “We can get you something to wrap your wrist up and make sure it doesn’t swell.”

“You sure?” She asked. “Weren’t you hanging out with that other girl…what was it, Jihyo? I didn’t plan on taking up your entire day.”

“Oh, she lives by me. I’ll invite her over and properly introduce you.” Flashing a bright smile, you nodded. “Okay~?” Hyuna blinked, nodding at you.

“Yeah. Okay…” she said. You nodded, happily leading her down the street. You kept her hand on your own, staying close to her in hopes of keeping a safe and comforting air between the two of you. Once you got home, you called Jihyo over before wrapping Hyuna’s wrist up in an ace bandage and icing it to prevent swelling. When Jihyo arrived, you properly introduced both of them to each other, and they were a bit awkward when saying hello, but your optimistic attitude kept things from going sour. The three of you got to talking, and that awkward tension seemed to melt away over time, allowing for the seeds of a new friendship to blossom.

---

“You and Hyuna made up?” Taehyung asked, pressing his cell phone in between his ear and his shoulder. He was at Jungkook’s house, resting on the couch as Jungkook played Overwatch beside him. It was later in the evening now, and Jihyo and Hyuna had gone home a few hours ago. Once you were ready for bed, you called Taehyung up to check in on him.

“Yeah. She told me about her and Ji Seok breaking up. I took her to my house and we got to talking. I’m really glad she apologized to me and we can start over.” Taehyung smiled. “Hopefully, things won’t be too awkward anymore.”

“Yeah, hopefully.” He agreed. “You excited for Saturday?” he asked.

“Can’t you tell me where we’re going? Maybe then I’ll be more excited.” You begged.

“No way.” He huffed. “You’ll know when we get to where we’re going.” You whined a bit on the phone, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Awww, it’s only a few days away. It’ll be here soon. Trust me, I’m excited too.”

“Okaaay.” You pouted. “I’m going to go to bed then. That way it’ll be one day closer.” Taehyung chuckled.

“Alright. Goodnight.” He said. Jungkook leaned over and shouted hello to you over the phone before the two of you hung up and turned in for the night.

Saturday finally showed itself, and you woke up early in hopes of finding the perfect outfit and looking your best. You took a shower, put some curls in your hair, and dug through your closet. Taehyung suggested she wear something comfortable, that this date was not a fancy one. That led you to choose a pair of overalls and a pink graphic tee shirt. You found a matching headband to put up your bangs and some pink flats. You were ready to go, spinning around in your mirror to get a good look at yourself. Suddenly, your mother called your name from downstairs.

“Taehyung is here!” She shouted. You hurried downstairs as you saw your mother letting Taehyung in. He was in a white tee-shirt and a pair of jeans with sneakers. His hair was up in a headband as well. When he saw you come down the steps, he smiled.

“Hey. Ready?” he asked. You nodded, hurrying towards him as you greeted each other with a kiss.

“Have fun you too. Be safe.” Your mother called as the two of you headed out the door.

“So now will you tell me where we’re going?” you asked curiously. Taehyung shook his head, his hand clutched tightly in yours.

“Nope. But I’ll give you a hint, we have to take a train to Seoul.” You pouted.

“Awww, that’s it?” You asked. Taehyung smiled, and the two of you headed to the train station.

It took some travel time, but the two of you arrived in Seoul and made your way to a park. Naksan Park, to be exact. You walked through the beautiful park, seeing people walking the trails, running around with friends, or sitting and just enjoying the views that this gorgeous park had to offer.

“We’re pretty close,” Taehyung said, leading you down one of the trails. You kept close to him, looking around until he finally spoke.

“Okay, look.” You glanced over and your eyes sparkled. Before you were a red and white checkered blanket, laid underneath a big, beautiful tree. A picnic basket rested on it. “Remember when I said it was too cold in December to have a picnic? Well, it’s not cold now.”

“Awwwww.” You hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. “This is so cute! I absolutely love this!” You took his head and led him over to the blanket and both of you took a seat. As you sat, you heard footsteps fading away, and looked over, seeing what looked like Jimin and Hoseok booking it down one of the trails. You smiled, glancing at Taehyung.

“They came just to make sure nobody touched the blanket while we got here. Jin-Hyung also brought the basket and set it all up for us.” Taehyung explained. He opened the basket and you peeked in. “He also helped me make everything.” You saw him pull out different food in little Tupperware’s, like the cabbage rolls and some beef bulgogi. There were some rice and some bottled waters.

“You made this?” you asked curiously, taking some chopsticks.

“No, no,” Taehyung said, opening his little Tupperware of beef bulgogi. “Jin-Hyung did. I helped.” You began laughing as you opened your mouth and took a bite of the bulgogi.

“Mmmm!” You gasped. “That’s so good!” You smiled up at him. “I can tell you helped make it.”

“Is that an insult?” he asked, and you shook your head with a giggle. You scooted closer to him, resting against him as you continued to eat your food.

“It’s really good.” You assured. “You and Jin did a wonderful job.” Taehyung smiled a bit, leaning over to kiss your forehead. The two of you, snuggled up to each other, began to eat. “So what else do we have to eat?” You asked, reaching over and using your chopsticks to cut your cabbage roll in half, popping one half into it into your mouth. Taehyung hummed, setting down his chopsticks as he pulled the basket over.

“Well-.” He began, glancing at the other half of the cabbage roll. “-I call that.” He opened the basket, pulling out another Tupperware of little brownies. “I wasn’t too sure what to make. Jin-Hyung suggested brownies are nice and simple.” You smiled a bit as he set them back down and picked up the other half of the cabbage roll, eating it. “Mmm, these are so frigging good.” He sighed.

“I know, right?” You agreed. Taehyung glanced down at you as he swallowed his food. He watched you reach into your little plastic boxes of food, picking up some rice and some beef and putting them into your mouth, the corners of your lips pointing up in a little smile as you eagerly ate the food. Taehyung rested his head against you, taking a deep breath as he continued to eat.

Jimin seemed to be right. I think this mood is helping. He thought to himself. Taehyung took another deep breath and sat up straight, setting down his food and turning to you.

“I need to talk to you.” He said. You blinked, swallowing your last bite of food as you looked up at him, setting your own food down as well and turning towards him.

“Is everything okay?” you asked curiously.

“Yeah. There’s just something I really want to tell you.” You felt your breath catch in your throat, and you smiled a bit, nodding. “Uhm…well…” He glanced towards the big tree beside you, before looking down at the basket of food, then back to you. “You know I’m not good at saying this kind of stuff…to anyone, not just you….”

“I know.” You said, giving him a reassuring smile. Taehyung nodded. He felt a wave of confidence wash over him as he took your hands, giving a quick kiss to your knuckles.

“Well, you see…I-.”

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aggressive-almond-cookie · 4 years

Text

So I like watching street food videos sometimes. I happened to come across this one titled "Grandma Big Toast" a while back and I was enamored. I can’t explain why. Is it the title? Is it the size? Is it the fact that it’s a vegetable sandwich that is smothered in white sugar and ketchup? (In truth, that does sound like a way a grandma would get kids to eat their vegetables) Anyway, the enchantment drove me to try to recreate it, so... lots of images under the cut.

The original batter looked like an egg/omelet base, so I aimed for a similar consistency with one cup of chickpea flour, 3/4 cup water, and about 1/2 teaspoon of kala namak/himalayan black salt (which is optional, but it’s basically Egg Flavored Salt so it’s nice for these sorts of things). I also added around 2 tablespoons of oil for richness. I probably didn’t need to do that, given how much oil is used in greasing the pans for this.

I eyeballed the veggies but I used about 1/3 cup of diced yellow onion (I didn’t have green ones around) and two big handfuls of shredded cabbage. Carrots should go in this too but I didn’t feel like shredding them. I did throw in about a tablespoon of garlic-ginger paste though, since I had it on hand.

My stick of butter was a little less impressive in size than the one in the video, but it gets the job of greasing the pan done.

I fried the bread first, since chickpea flour batter tends to cook up better if it sits for half an hour or so first.

Re-buttered the pan and about half the batter went in (I could have split it up three ways I suppose, but this is, after all, Grandma BIG Toast.

Took about five minutes to cook, then flipped it for a few more minutes. I should mention it’s important to use a nonstick pan for this, because going off past experience, chickpea batter really likes to stick to whatever it’s cooking on. Even with this being nonstick and using all that oil, I had to be careful nudging it free with the spatula so I wouldn’t tear it.

Assembled the thing as best I could. I didn’t go as wild on the sugar as grandma does, but I felt like I had to try it, as odd as it was.

Of course, you can’t really eat a sandwich like that in the Normal Way, so folding it up like a weird burrito was a must. It was actually really, really good, filling and satisfying. A little heavy on the oil, maybe, but the ketchup cut through it really well. I bet this would also be good with BBQ sauce or sriracha.

I fried the rest of the batter and cut it into little squares so it would fit nicely onto the homemade rolls I made earlier that day.

This was also very good, and a little less greasy since the bread wasn’t fried.

Anyway, all in all a very satisfying and (I would say) successful little experiment. And it’s really inexpensive! Will probably make this again soon, with more veggies.

#aiko pretends to be a food blogger #vegetarian #vegan #street food

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bubmyg · 5 years

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Can u write about being out with them all but you’re not having that great of a day so yoongi silently does little things to help cheer you up or just know he’s there for you until he eventually sneaks y’all away so he can just comfort you uwu

genre/warnings: college!au,part of the “ps i love you” series linked on my masterlist, scarce on dialog but heavy on the fluff

word count: 1,958

Yoongi’s attention perked at the sound of your name leaving Taehyung’s mouth, line of sight traveling from his unaware friend to your rigid profile. You smiled none the less, a tight lipped number, barely edging an indentation into the skin of your cheek, acknowledging his call to you.

“You had an exam today, right?” The ice in Taehyung’s glass audibly clattered against the sides as he gripped and stirred his plastic straw within. He paused, long enough to cock an eyebrow, “How’d it go?”

Your breath caught, spine freezing, but you covered it, that same, not quite there, smile pressing at the seam of your lips. You shrugged, “It’s over now, at least.”

Yoongi didn’t catch Taehyung’s head bowing in acknowledgement because he was already gripping the underside of his chair to scoot closer to you. Your attention turned to him, one eyebrow quirking, your inquisitive smile one step closer to genuine.

But you couldn’t fool Yoongi.

He just shook his head, turning back for the table. He retrieved his untouched dinner roll from where Seokjin had tossed and successfully landed it on the edge of the miniature plate. Nimble fingers worked the dough apart, tearing a sizable piece to stretch toward you, dropping the latter half back to the dish. When you reached for the bread, Yoongi retracted his hand, chin curt in shaking once more, bangs fluttering over accusing eyes.

His free hand lifted, tapping his bottom lip with the flat of his index and middle finger, stretching the bread towards you once more. You rolled your eyes, another good sign, one that plastered a toothless smile on his face. Your mouth parted slightly, just enough for his thumb to nudge the bite past your lips, the same digit swiping at the corner of your mouth on the descend, clearing it of flaked crumbs that clung there.

He leaned, shoulder brushing against yours, voice soft against your cheek, “Good?”

You nodded, gaze ducking to your lap the longer attentive eyes swept across your features, tongue curling around the underside of your molars for more than just ridding them of the remnants of sticky yeast.

Yoongi pecked your cheek before twisting for his plate, “Do you want the other half?”

“Not right now. Thank you.”

The slide of his eyes down to your fiddling hands at the hem of your sweater ripped away when Hoseok called his name, drawing him into the conversation with Namjoon. He barely registered their complaints about one of their shared professors, one they’d all have next semester as well, throwing in soft hums and yeah’s of acknowledgement when needed. His attention instead drew to sliding a hand over your thigh, thumb and fingers working together to give a comforting squeeze over the denim.

Conversation lulled longer than he expected, so much so that he purposefully drew himself away when Jeongguk joined, chin cocking to glance at you. You sat in the same position, curled into yourself, fingers pinching and pulling at colored threads poking out knit wool. His hand on your thigh traveled upward, brushing at your wrists until your fiddling paused, eyes crinkling and pinning on him in confusion once more.

The dim lighting in the restaurant snagged into the intricate engravings decorating the various rings pushed across delicate knuckles, sliding off the links of Yoongi’s bracelet where it hung loosely over his protruding wrist bone. He nodded to his hand, the wiggling of his fingers intensifying, inviting you to do the thing you always grappled for anyway.

You hesitated even in his blatant insistence, fingers falling away from your sweater to cradle his palm, gently tracing over the planes of his skin. His wrist went limp, splaying his hand across the middle of your thighs for your liking. He only turned with a satisfied smile when he felt the first twist of the ring on his index finger.

You were on the fifth link of his bracelet when the food arrived, attention not deriving from pressing the pendant against the blue veins crossing up the underside of his wrist even when the waiter slid your plate in front of you, simply muttering out a barely there thank you.

Yoongi’s finger flexed upward toward yours, kissing the heat away from your cheek when you startled. “I need my hand,” He teased, eyes flicking for the steak slab on his plate. His lips touched your skin again, closer to the corner of your mouth, “and you need to eat.”

A sigh swallowed in the back of your throat when you turned, gaze centering into his. His heart ached when you forced another smile at his lingering apprehension, trying to reassure him. He was quick to reciprocate that.

“We’ll go soon,” Yoongi promised. His hand left your lap, thumb and index finger pinching your chin to center a chaste kiss over the wobble of your bottom lip, “Now eat before I have to defend your fries from Jeongguk.”

The shards of fried potatoes were the only things you ate, nibbling on the centers, dropping the burnt edges in a neat pile at the corner of your plate. Your salad looked sad, the cooked pieces of chicken oozed over with the dressing that never got mixed onto weeping lettuce. You nudged tomatoes about with the pronged edge of your fork, separating them from the croutons so that you could drag a particularly large piece of red cabbage over the squares of bread like a lasso.

You dropped your fork, sucking in a sharp breath through your nose. Your fingertips never quite made it into the threads at the hem of your sweater as Yoongi was thrusting his keys into your hands, irises gentle when you parted your mouth to protest.

“Go warm the car up for us,” He encouraged, napkin dabbing at his lips, “I’ll be there in a second.”

“We don’t have to leave yet—”

Plastic stoppers on the bottom of his chair only heightened the sound elicited when he slid backward. He twisted, easily gathering his jacket as he stood. Your mouth was still parted when he stretched the fabric, dropping it easily across your shoulders.

Yoongi crouched, cupped palms securing the jacket around your stature as warm hands rested on your ribs, words curling over the shell of your ear.

“It’s okay, angel.“

You disappeared in a flutter of black as Yoongi dropped back into his chair. The chatter between the others had slowed, curious gazes flicking in his direction. He addressed Jimin, his silver haired roomate the only one to fully meet his gaze, eyebrows knit in concern.

Yoongi passed over a crisp set of bills, hand on the back of Jimin’s chair to hush, “This is enough for our meals and for fresh food. Bring them something home, please?”

Jimin nodded, crumbling and shoving the bills into his front pocket. “Of course, hyung,” His eyes trained on Yoongi as his attention lifted to bid goodbye to the others, “Is everything okay?”

His silent wave sated the others as he stood, nod gradual at Jimin’s inquiry. The corner of his nose wrinkled, “Yeah. Bad day, you know?”

No, Jimin’s smile grew fondly across his lips, I couldn’t tell. He’d barely parted his mouth for an affirming yeah when Yoongi was speaking again, hand gripped hard into the back of his chair, chin cast over his shoulder almost frantic.

“Do you care if they stay over tonight?”

Jimin couldn’t have spoke any faster, speaking for the other five occupants of their house with wholesome sincerity, “Of course not, hyung.”

Yoongi found you curled in the passenger seat of his car, cool air barely rolled over to heat where you blasted it front the vents. His jacket lay across your front like a blanket, nose pressed into the soft collar, eyes trained forward on the dusty lines of his dashboard.

He didn’t speak until after he’d secured his seat belt with a deafening click. You’d turned the radio off completely.

“Ready?”

When you hummed, he flicked on his lights and tugged at the gear shift, pulling out of the diner’s parking lot. The drive back to campus was short and he’d barely navigated onto his street when you were mumbling from underneath your tiny shelter, “Can we go back to yours?”

The last time he saw your apartment, it was covered in notes and highlighters and empty coffee cups and your favorite hoodie you’d stained in ink and coffee from said empty coffee cups. All reminders of your aching heart, all the way down to your broken umbrella and sopping wet socks curled off the edge of your hamper.

Yoongi turned into their driveway, flicking off the lights when they illuminated the back of Taehyung’s car angled awkwardly beside Namjoon’s. “One step ahead of you, love,” He grunted as he shoved open the door, quick in waddling around to your side. He opted for wrapping an arm around your waist, lips against your temple, “I’ll text the guys and ask them to be quiet when they get back.”

“It’s okay,” You mumbled, cheek against his shoulder as he maneuvered you inside, “Can’t hear them from up in your room anyway.”

He got you up into his room on the third story, into one of his hoodies, and tucked under his sheets. He was halfway through folding your jeans, leaving them in a neat pile on top of his desk when you were calling his name.

“They were going out after dinner, right?” You squinted up at him when he sunk a knee into the side of the mattress, “You can go with them. I’m fine here.”

Yoongi couldn’t stop the roll of his eyes, palm nudging over the you sized bump in his duvet.

“Scoot over.”

You obliged, limp in allowing him to wrap himself around you, lifting and tucking the blankets into your awaiting hands underneath your chin. His lips sponged against the base of your neck, fingers twining inside the pocket of your hoodie.

“First of all, they’re going to the frats,” His mouth traveled around the side of your neck to nudge his nose against your cheek, “Second of all, you think I’d leave you alone? In my bed?”

“But if you want to go—”

“I don’t.”

“Okay.”

It was silent until your stature twitched in Yoongi’s embrace, the softest gasp parting your lips.

“Sorry.”

Yoongi’s palms spread against your naval, feeling it jump and twitch with the rise of your shoulders. He frowned, turning you to your back to hover over you. “Sorry for what?” He demanded quietly, tracking a single tear where it squeezed down the contour of your nose.

You shrugged, squinting up at him in an unwarranted haze, “For being the worst.”

He lowered himself to you, pausing his descend a breath above your lips. “Say that again and I’ll make you get up when Taehyung inevitably drags himself into the wrong room later.”

“Yoongi,” You hiccuped, “I’m serious.”

“Angel. So am I.”

The tears fell all while he shifted you again, shoulders pressing into the pillows to pull you across his chest. Warm palms curled into your cheeks, brushing each droplet as it spilled, patient with you as you eventually shifted higher across his torso to bury your face into his neck.

“I love you,” Yoongi’s cheek pressed against your forehead, grip on your waist tightening, “we’ll try again tomorrow, yeah?”

You sniffled, “Yeah.”

He shifted enough to tuck his free arm behind his head, thumb on your hip tracking methodical patterns at the skin there, musing, “You know, they say the sun will come out tomorrow as well.”

“Don’t—”

“Rumor has it I’ll love you then, too,” Yoongi grinned when you hid further into him with a mewled whine, “Tomorrow, that is.”

“No.”

#min yoongi #bts #bts reactions #bts scenarios #yoongi scenario #yoongi scenarios #min yoongi scenario #bts imagine #yoongi imagine #min yoongi imagine #yoongi x reader #bts x reader #i had to just end it bc i was gonna keep going forever obviously jafkdjsafk #selcaboysmain #fic: best friend myg

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thehyperkraken · 5 years

Text

EDIT: yall idk why the actual fic isnt showing up in the tags but this shit is, bc thats literally the opposite of what i wanted, but for the love of god read the fic first and/or instead, that’s the thing i spent more than 20 minutes on: [link]

Hey random idea dump for that one fic i done did yeehaw... it’s almost longer than the fic itself but jesus christ i need to get these ideas out of my head and throw them into the internet ether, seriously don’t read this its a goddamn mess

So ghjkdf the actual plotty part of that fic came from that one b99 bit... the Bone one.....u kno

Arthur: Come on, Dutch. The O'Driscolls thing isn't the problem. You're in a bad mood because you've been so busy planning this heist that it's keeping you and Hosea apart. You two just need to bone. John: Oh no... Dutch: ...What did you say? John: Don't say it again! Arthur: I said you two need to bone. John: Oh my god... Dutch: (with barely contained fury) Hhhhhow Dare you Arthur Morgan, I am thIS GANG'S LEADER!!! You have NO RIGHT to comment on my sex life— (5 minutes later) Dutch, standing on top of a table screaming: BONE?!?!?! (10 minutes later) Dutch: What happens in my bedroom, son, is NONE of your business— (20 minutes later) Dutch, jumping up and down on the table: BOOOOOOONE!!!!!!!!! (40 minutes later) Dutch: And don't EVER speak to me like that AGAIN! (storms off) John, sunken down in his chair in horror: Why the hell did you do that? Arthur: (shrugs) They need to bone. John: Gross, Arthur! That's our dads!

And then like a day later gfdhkg

John: Oh hey Dutch! I know you don't want to talk about Hosea, BUT, I had an idea— Dutch: No need, John, it's all good. John: So... your fight with Hosea is over? Dutch: Yep. John: Because you finally figured out a plan for the heist...? Dutch: Nope! Arthur, excitedly: Because you guys—? Dutch: Yyyyep! Arthur, looking smug: Knew it. John: Ugh... Arthur: (leans down close to him) See, what happened is, our dads had sex— John: UGH, SHUT UP!

Another inspiration I had was John Mulaney’s bit about zoning out for John with adhd,,,,, the part where he’s like “the doctor was reading me the results of a blood test, it was IMPORTANT that I LISTENED, but NO, I zoned out, I was like, I’m just gonna stare at the wall and think m’thoughts” that’s why I wrote the part where John was like “ehhh attention deficient something something disease” bc it made me laugh gjhggdjh

Dutch: so the doctor says you have ADHD John: (thinking about minecraft) what?

Also unrelated but blease consider Arthur teaching John to drive like

Arthur: are you watching the road? John: ........I am looking through the windshield Arthur: John: .......and I’m not gonna hit anyone...... Arthur: John: ....but no. I’m thinkin’ about minecraft

(Also I don’t know anything about ssb I’ve played it once and hated it, minecraft is my og video game love, but Abigail beating John at ssb is funnier, I’m a fake gamer boy :^( rip)

ONE MORE INSPIRATION THAT ONE VINE ITS MY FAVORITE VINE

Arthur: are you drinking coke for breakfast? John: yeah, what did you have for breakfast? Arthur: ........nothing John: (sipping his drink) I’m doing better than you, then

Anyway onto ACTUAL IDEA STUFF HOORAY

So when Dutch and Hosea decided to adopt, they agreed they wanted to take in kids who needed good homes the most, so they were specifically looking for older kids who would probably age out of the system and wind up on the streets

They met Arthur who was a clearly depressed and gender non conforming thirteen year old who hated everyone and everything and wasn’t getting the Love he Deserved, and Dutch was like “I want THAT ONE, with the SAD EYES”

Arthur tried to push them away at first, cuz he absolutely didn’t trust anyone, and some part of him believed they’d just give him right back up for adoption if he disappointed them in any way. But he eventually learned that they were good guys who really just wanted to help him, and they weren’t gonna abandon him if he wasn’t the perfect kid they always wanted

(he probably told them about this fear eventually and Hosea just snorted and was like “if we wanted a perfect kid we woulda got a cabbage patch doll. something that wouldn’t scream or make a mess” and Dutch was like “yeah! or like a 27 year old with a job and their own house and kids of their own. pre-made grandkids” and Hosea was like “or a cat” and Arthur was like “...okay”)

Anyway it took a loooong time but Arthur eventually trusted them enough to come out to them as trans, without really knowing the proper words for everything, just knowing that He Is A Boy And That’s That. As much as Hosea is the one the lads go to to talk about stuff and get comfort and Wise Dad Advice, he probably told Dutch first bc he was more uncertain how he’d respond and he wanted to get it over with in the worst way possible.... like, if they were gonna react badly, heap all the bullshit on in one fell swoop

I imagine he did it off the cuff too, in response to something Dutch said, like Dutch was like “u get back here right now young lady” and Arthur was like “first of all I’m not a lady, I’m a BOY, and second of all FUCK you, I do what I WANT” and Dutch was like “groovy. you’re grounded.” Arthur was like (offended) “don’t say groovy... don’t try to be hip” and Dutch was like “no it’s totally tubular that ur a boy. It’s absolutely funky. You’re fucking grounded though”

Then he went and told Hosea like “congrats! it’s a boy” and they helped him transition and they didn’t tolerate a single person misgendering him the whole time. Like before he’s even begun transitioning, they’re literally at the doctors office to discuss it w/ their doc for the first time, and a nurse is like “ms. morgan?” And Dutch is like “INCORRECT” and the doctor is like “what seems to be the problem (deadname)?” and Dutch is like “FOOL! THIS CHILD WAS LABELED INACCURATELY, WE REQUIRE A GENDER RETRACTION” and Hosea’s like “please stop yelling”

Anyway probably about a year later they got John when he was ten and Arthur was fifteen. Arthur was a little bit jealous like, wow, am I not enough kid for u, but Dutch and Hosea always planned on getting at least two bc they wanted them to have siblings, and they know John came from a pretty abusive situation, so Arthur can’t be too mad at him. At least until he met John and realized what a fucking brat he is

Since John was younger and way more desperate for affection, he immediately loved Dutch and Hosea just bc they were nice to him, he was ready to call them his dads within the month but he was nervous that it was too soon and they’d be weirded out. But I imagine he got triggered by something and had a meltdown and they got to see just a glimpse of what he’d been through, and Dutch and Hosea were falling over themselves trying to comfort him and tell him they love him and now I’m making myself cry :’^(

Anyway... from that point on John was like “these are the only dads I’ve ever had and I would kill a man for them.” He gets in trouble quite a bit bc he’s Naughty, but Dutch and Hosea always make sure to punish him fairly and never yell or be physically intimidating with him or permanently take away his stuff, like they make him do chores to earn back the right to use the xbox or something. And they always explain to him exactly what he did wrong and why he’s being punished and talk to him about how he can make it better or what he can do next time, or if there’s a root problem, like he’s acting out bc he’s overwhelmed with school work or smthn, how they can help him. Especially after he gets diagnosed with ADHD

And of course they do all this with Arthur too, but they make a special concerted effort with John bc he’s The Baby :^) and Dutch somehow maintains an attitude of “idk what ur talking about, John has never done anything wrong ever in his life” every time he gets in trouble meanwhile Hosea is like “what do you MEAN, he’s a GREMLIN” fjfjfhhf

Arthur was probably diagnosed with depression and anxiety at some point... it was probably a long process to get him to even admit he had a problem bc he didnt wanna bother anyone... Arthur also probably came from an abusive situation from the way canon Arthur talks about his dad, but Arthur is much more the type to be like “i’m gonna keep all my feelings inside, and then one day, i’ll die” whereas John is like “i will SCREAM if i get a papercut”

[EDIT: i woke up in a cold sweat at 4 AM with this in my head so now i’m putting it here

Charles: So, Arthur... Do you wanna talk about your feelings? Arthur: No. John: I do! :) Charles: ...I know, John. John: I’m sad! :) Charles: I know, John.

i’m sure it’s been done before but it’s so good. ok now back to our regularly scheduled programming]

In regards to Arthur being trans, John doesn’t really Get It, Arthur tried to explain it to him once and John couldn’t care less, all he knows is Arthur used to be a girl or something, there’s tea involved probably, and John is thinking about minecraft again... he has 2 am thoughts about it sometimes and comes to Arthur like “what IS gender” and Arthur’s just like “hm. big mood”

Dutch is “Dad” and Hosea is “Papa” or “Pa” or “Pops” or “Dad, No Not You, The Other One” or “Other Dad.” Hosea really doesn’t mind at all, he wouldn’t care if the kids called him Hosea or mom or anything else, it truly isnt important to him. But Dutch Loves being Dad. Every time they call Dutch Dad he grows three times stronger and 10 years are added to his lifespan. Dutch is an Alpha Parent, he 100% goes to every parent teacher conference and bake sale, he’d go to every game and concert too if either of his kids had a single athletic or musical bone in their dumb little bodies. I guess the school probably hosts art galleries sometimes to display art the kids make, Arthur always has a drawing in one of those, and Dutch will absolutely go just to brag about his cool son.

Dutch is the Fun Energetic Dad who embarrasses the boys in front of their friends but can always be talked into taking them out to get ice cream. Hosea is the more quietly anxious dad, he makes sure they do their homework and keep their rooms clean and shit, and he's the one the kids always go to talk to when they’re having problems... like Arthur will rant for an hour and a half about high school drama and Hosea will patiently listen to all of it and when he's done he’ll offer to kick the other kids’ asses for him, and Arthur’s like lmao but Hosea Means It.

Hosea is also the one the kids go to for help on their homework because Hosea and Dutch have five brain cells between them, and four of them belong to Hosea. Dutch is like “suddenly I don’t remember basic math, time to make shit up” and Hosea is like “I must become an expert on 1820s Chinese history in two days for my beautiful sons”

I have NO idea what either of their jobs are, I wanna say Hosea is a lawyer or smthn but idk, Dutch is probably like......................a used car salesman LMAO...... they clearly make a lot of money (or maybe STOLE SOME) bc I gave them a huge house w/ a pool gjhkdhg

Anyway more about THE KIDS

They go to a school that is a combination middle school and high school, bc that’s what my school was like

Mrs. Grimshaw is the strict and irritable principal with a secret soft spot for kids, Mr. Pearson is the cafeteria cook, Strauss works in the office, I wanna say Rev. Swanson is a weird but friendly janitor or something lmao. Uncle is Dutch & Hosea’s annoying forever-drunk neighbor who everyone barely tolerates fjfjhfh

Micah is The School Bully but like bc this is a cutesy high school au and I can do what I want, he’s not actually like a violent racist or anything he’s just a bad mad sad kid who is a huge dick

Bill is Micah’s Bully Henchman, he’s generally not as much of a dick as Micah is, but he punches whoever Micah asks him to bc they are the closest thing to friends that either of them have

Trelawny is a new student who just moved from another school and he’s that fucking Weird Magician Kid who can’t hold a conversation longer than five seconds without saying “wanna see a magic trick,” tried to do some unimpressive card tricks for the school talent show, unironically wears a cape, etc.... Arthur stood up for him when he was getting pushed around by Micah and Bill so now Arthur has +1 more weird friend

Karen is the Popular Girl who somehow knows everyone, is probably a cheerleader, everyone is either extremely intimidated by her or thinks she’s gonna be a stuck up bitch, but she’s actually just super fucking chill and nice, WILL stab a man for her friends, she won’t hesitate bitch

Tilly is Karen’s bff who was getting bullied by *shakes fist* those dang foreman brothers.... Karen stood up for her and Tilly was like “no don’t u will get hurt!!” and Karen was like “ha... fool... cheerleaders cannot die” and whooped ass with her gymnastics skills and somehow got the foreman brothers expelled. So now Tilly is like “I owe u one (1) Life Debt” but Karen is like “nah it’s chill just come to target w/ me & we’ll call it even.” Tilly is just tryna get shit done and do her damn homework but everybody else is going on adventures and being nuisances so of course Tilly has to go too bc come on....... who do you take her for, some kinda two-bit GEEK? NO WAY

Mary Beth is a quiet nerdy girl who’s always reading or writing and never talks in class or anything. Karen and Tilly became her friends thru sheer brute force, Karen just sat by her one day n was like “sup” and Mary Beth was too shy to ask her to leave. They were surprised to discover Mary Beth is actually pretty nice and funny when you get to know her and also the Biggest Lesbian Alive

Sadie is a BAD BITCH... NOBODY fucks with Sadie, not even Micah, Sadie is the girl who when some dipshit boy spreads a rumor that he had sex with her, she agrees and tells everyone she pegged him and he cried after, she hasn’t given a fuck since 2007. she climbs on the roof to get lost frisbees. one time she got the gym coach to agree to give her an automatic A in the class if she did 100 push ups in 5 minutes. Then she Did That. She might have pulled several muscles in both of her arms but She Did That. Karen, Tilly, and Mary Beth (but mostly Karen) approached her like “damn that was sick” and Sadie was like “yea i know” and then they were friends

I literally don’t know anything about Sean I’m sorry...... maybe he’s a transfer student who becomes friends with John, they play Minecraft together and Sean boobytraps the houses John builds. Sean is the only living human being who understands how redstone works and he uses his powers for evil

Molly is going to a nearby community college and is working at the high school part time as a TA and she is like 19-20 or smthn so the kids all think she’s The Hottest Shit,,,, like they think she’s just the coolest hippest person alive, but also she is Very Attractive so fuckin everybody has a crush on her, most specifically Javier and Mary Beth. She ineptly tries to flirt with Dutch every time he comes to a parent teacher conference bc she’s dummy thicc and thinks it’s friendship goals that Dutch lives with and has adopted children with his Best Bud Hosea

The teacher Molly is TA for is Charles Chatenay, an all-grades art teacher who takes his job WAY too seriously, like dude chill they’re high schoolers. His class is where Arthur met Albert, bc Arthur loves drawing and obviously Albert loves photography. They were both like “wow he’s cute” but were too shy to talk to each other for more than basic pleasantries, until one day Albert’s Big Project was ruined a day or two before he was gonna turn it in, and Arthur helped him fix it.

They’re so sweet on each other it’s unbearable, they’re both Soft Boys so they fuckin blush if they make eye contact...... the most bold either of them get is when Arthur is feeling insecure about his body and Albert gladly tells him how perfect and handsome he is in every way, and he wishes he was half as gorgeous as Arthur is, and Arthur is like (offended) um, excuse me, how dare u insult my beautiful boyfriend in this way?? They both wanna grow beards so while they’re still going thru Changes they excitedly bond over their facial hair......... they run up to each other at school like LOOK AT MY NEW CHIN HAIR and the other one is like WOW!!! GOOD JOB

Javier has a big lovely family who spoil him rotten and tbh love to spoil his friends when they come over too, his parents are in a constant and devastating game of dish-gifting with Dutch & Hosea, Arthur and John have eaten more of Mr. & Mrs. Escuella’s tamales than any other food, neither Dutch nor Hosea are very good cooks but luckily Javier has plenty of aunts and uncles and cousins who are happy to occasionally take one of their unimpressive lasagnas or cakes from a box mix

Lenny’s cool dad in canon is the high school au dad of Charles and Lenny, he and Charles’s mom amicably divorced and he got remarried to Lenny’s mom, who is a Cool Stepmom to Charles. Charles and Lenny go stay with Charles’s mom all the time, in fact she was around so much when they were younger that she practically helped raise them both. maybe she gets a gf and Charles and Lenny have so many moms and are so loved & cherished like they fuCKIN DESERVE

Kieran is the weird horse girl at school, he’s Lenny’s age, they become friends when they’re forced to sit next to each other and they’re both too awkward and shy to say anything until they’re paired up on a project together bc everyone else in the class already paired up and they were the only ones left gjkhfd.... John wants to dislike Kieran bc Lenny is HIS friend now, but Kieran is a sweet lad with a mean dad.... His dad is Colm O’Driscoll, Dutch & Hosea’s other neighbor and Dutch’s sworn enemy

Dutch expects Kieran to be as shitty as his dad, but he is a SWEET BOY, and as soon as they realize his situation, they tell Kieran he can come over whenever he wants and spend the night any time, he doesn’t have to ask or anything, but Kieran is super respectful and always asks permission and always tries to come over when John or Arthur are there so he can go under the pretense of hanging out with them, bc he doesn’t wanna intrude...

Once he came over when Hosea was the only one home and he was like “hi Mr. Matthews are John and Arthur home” and Hosea was like “no sorry they’re out” and Kieran was like “oh... ok sorry I’ll just go then” and Hosea was like “absolutely not” and brought Kieran in and made him snacks and wrapped him in many blankets and watched a kids movie with him until he fell asleep on the couch... when Dutch came home he was like “??? new son ???” and Hosea was like “yea I guess. oops”

When Kieran gets older they help him become an emancipated minor and get a job and his own place (even tho he knows they’d let him stay with them if he wanted) and he changes his last name to his mom’s maiden name Duffy... Colm and Dutch glare at each other over their fences and Colm is like “enjoying stealing my son?” and Dutch is like “my son now” but Colm really doesn’t care bc he’s an asshole... and even tho they don’t legally adopt him, Kieran’s like “I’m more of a Van der Linde than an O’Driscoll” and oops i’m making myself cry again :’)

And yes Abigail does eventually teach John how to play stupid super smash bros. She’s Pro Gamer level of competent at nearly all video games and John has the biggest heart eyes for her, the end thank u for listening

#the suffering of john marston. 13 #filler tag 1 #filler tag 2 #morgason #trans arthur morgan #vandermatthews #rdr2

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danyka-fendyr · 5 years

Text

As the Raven Flies: Part 4

I can’t even believe I made it to a part 4 of this story. I owe most of it to everyone who comments, to be honest. I’m an absolute slut for literally any kind of reaction. Like, oh? I made you laugh? Here have an entire novel have a great day thanks. Anyway, I only did lazy editing on this, but that’s because I forgot to write it throughout the week since I’m newly back to school and so I wrote this in like an hour and it’s 2:22 AM at the time I am queuing this and i’M TIRED OKAY

Taglist: @dreamwritesimagines @rhabakoli @disengagefrmreality

Word count: 2186

“See you tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, exactly what conversation went down while I was getting an education?” Vivien stood in Matt’s living room, shocked.

Matt, for his part, was sitting at the kitchen counter looking like he was physically in pain. Well, he probably was, Vivien figured, but he also looked like there was considerable emotional pain.

“Frank made the…” Matt paused, gritting his teeth, “unfortunately good point that I may not be totally fit for childcare.”

“And so you’re kicking me out?” Vivien fought the tears coming to her eyes, fueled by her outrage.

“It’s not like that, Vivien.”

“Oh like heck it isn’t,” she spat.

“Listen, I’m not just putting you out on the streets, it’s-”

“I decide where I go,” Vivien interrupted. “If that’s the streets than it’s the streets.”

“Listen, Frank knows some very nice people,” Matt tried.

“Yeah, I’m sure he does. I don’t want to get to know them. I certainly don’t want to bust down their door demanding they give me food and shelter.”

“It wouldn’t be like that.”

“I’m no one’s charity case, Matthew!”

Matt flinched at her volume, and maybe at her words as well. He stood slowly, sighing as he crossed the room to put a hand on her shoulder. His eyes tried to focus on her, drifting over her shoulder and swimming in the flames that illuminated his world. Sometimes Vivien wondered if the fire he saw outside lit him up on the inside as well, burned through him like it burned through her, bright hot and slicing its way up and out.

“I know you’re not. I know...I know you’re not a charity case. Not mine. Not anybody else’s. But Vivien, I’m trying to protect you.”

“How is this protecting me?” A hot tear rolled down her face as she whispered the words, and she dashed it away with her sleeve.

“You and I both know this isn’t working. You survive on take out and Ramen noodles, you don’t get enough sleep, you’re permanently exhausted and you’re hurting and I...I don’t know how to fix that, Vivien.”

For the first time, Vivien saw how much the blind man could actually see. He looked so helpless like this, hands grabbing at fistfuls of his hair, scrambling for something to hold onto. And for a moment, she saw how bad she really was at hiding how much everything hurt. She had always known he caught glimpses, but now…

“I don’t know how to make this better,” he whispered, eyes dull as they watched the floor, as he felt the vibrations of the city moving around them and heard its song.

Vivien wasn’t sure when it happened, but she was crying. Gosh, she was crying like a baby, fat tears falling down her face faster than she could wipe them away, mouth twisting into some twisted version of the fake smiles she had trained herself to wear and couldn’t even escape when she cried. He was right, and she was crying about it.

She had sunk to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest, and Matt joined her, arms wrapping around her softly like he could protect her. They both knew he couldn’t, but it was so much easier to just pretend.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, rocking with her sobs. “I’m so sorry. I promise, I promise you Vivien, I am not abandoning you. We’re going to figure this out. We’re going to find you a home.”

“I don’t want a home.” Her voice came out as a high keening sound. “I want here. I want to stay here.”

“I know. I know.”

And that was all they said. For a long time, they stayed like that, crying on the floor in an ugly apartment right in the thick of Hell’s Kitchen. Vivien knew from experience though that she could only cry for so long.

She sniffled, wiping at her face again, and Matt handed her another tissue. At some point, he had grabbed a box of them.

“Does Karen know?”

Matt looked at her. “What?”

“Does Karen know?” Vivien repeated.

“Oh. We forgot to tell Karen. Huh.”

“Matt!” Vivien punched him in the arm, not bothering to go light.

“Ow! Okay, okay, we can tell her. She’s supposed to be coming over anyway. Any minute now.”

Speak of the Devil.

“Matt?” Karen’s muffled voice could be heard from the other side of the door as she knocked.

“Come in!”

Vivien scrambled to make herself look presentable, trying to hide the very obvious fact that she had been crying. Matt stood up, helping her to her feet and kindly not mentioning her bloodshot eyes that probably made it look like she’d started a marijuana garden in Ms. Simmons’ biology lab.

“Hey, you said-” Karen dropped her bag on the floor, taking her coat off in a rush so she could cross the room to get a better look at Vivien. “Oh my gosh. Is everything okay?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Karen glanced between the two, raising an eyebrow.

Vivien sighed. “Also yes.”

“What happened?” Karen gave her a concerned look.

“Frank Castle happened. He’s the worst, K. You don’t have my permission to date him.”

“I am not dating Frank.”

“Good. He’s a jerk and I hope he accumulates an absolutely massive amount of cabbage and then has it all destroyed in a series of unfortunate events.”

“Oh no. She’s swearing. Seriously Matt, what happened?”

“Frank pointed out that I might not be the fittest caretaker for Vivien,” Matt said, reluctant to look anywhere near where he could hear Karen.

“Well, I can see that. Poor thing. Has he even fed you yet? Do you want me to make something? You look like you need some soup sweetheart.” Karen gently wiped at some stray tears Vivien had missed.

She shook her head, sniffling again. “I can eat in a minute, Karen. It’s not important.”

“And that’s why you’re a terrible influence on her.” Karen glared at Matt, forgetting he couldn’t really see it.

“Which is why she won’t be staying with me anymore.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“That’s what I said,” Vivien spoke up.

“Matt, as bad as you are at this whole childcare thing, I’m not sure leaving her on the streets is your next best option.”

“I am not leaving her on the streets!” Matt exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Well, then what is happening here?”

“Frank suggested he could find Vivien a better home. She could quit being a vigilante and start being a normal teenager. Frank knows a guy who knows some really nice veterans.”

“First of all, I’m not quitting vigilantism. I just got a name! Secondly, I would rather be on the streets than with some random stranger.”

“You’ve made that very clear,” Matt grumbled.

“You can’t tell me what to do Matt. Technically, I’m an adult.”

“Your legal status absolutely does not make you an adult.”

“According to Uncle Sam it does.” Vivien stuck her chin out defiantly.

Karen had been watching this whole exchange with a fascinating look on her face. If the two had bothered to glance her way they would have seen that she was clearly deep in thought. It almost looked like the face she made when she was trying to sort through all the details of a new story.

“You guys,” she said.

“Well then you can go join the army if you want to be treated like a real grown up.”

“Guys-”

“Maybe I just want to have some input in decisions that will drastically impact my life, Matthew.”

“You guys!”

Both of them turned to her, blinking like a couple of deer in the headlights.

“Why doesn’t Vivien just stay with me?”

“I feel like I’ve said this a lot today, mostly in math class, but what?” Vivien stared at her like she had grown another head.

“I mean, think about it. I’m clearly more fit to be your caretaker than Matt -not that that’s difficult-” Karen paused to roll her eyes. “I have the space in my apartment, I did the math and I make enough money for the extra cost. It would be perfect.”

“Karen, no,” Vivien said. “I can’t let you do that.”

“Why not? Sleepovers every night.”

“I know, but the money, Karen. I can’t.”

“You can. End of discussion.”

Well there was really no arguing when Karen said end of discussion.

“I guess I’m moving in.”

It was no cup of tea moving all of Vivien’s stuff to Karen’s place. She hadn’t thought she owned that much stuff, but apparently, she had been wrong. She had a habit of keeping silly things for nostalgic value. Or, in Matt’s words, “You’re a hoarder! You need help.”

Vivien yawned. It was officially way too late for any normal teen to be up, and after this day she didn’t feel so keen on stopping any crime. She just wanted to curl up in her new bed and go to sleep.

They could have moved her in another day, but Vivien had wanted to do it tonight. She reasoned that if she didn’t do it now, she would lose her nerve. She had also incorrectly presumed she owned fewer things, as previously stated. Mistakes were made.

“I am in physical pain,” Vivien groaned, slumping down on Karen’s couch. “And if I have to put one more thing in a box, I’m going to just start screaming.”

“No more boxing things. Now we just have unboxing. The good news is, we can take our time with the non-essentials. Potentially put them in a storage unit and never let them see the light of day ever again.”

“Oh. That sounds delightful.”

“How does sleep sound?” Karen sat down beside her, long reddish blonde hair spilling over the back of the sofa slightly.

“It sounds good. I love sleeping here because I get to sleep on an actual bed instead of Matt’s couch. But don’t tell him I said that.”

“You know I’m still here, right?”

Vivien cracked an eye open. “I did not know that. Thank you for all of your help Matty. Your couch was very comfortable. I will see you next week for bridge.”

“I don’t even know how to play that game.”

“Neither do I, so we’re on even ground.”

Matt just sighed, holding his arms out for her. Half-reluctant to move, Vivien dragged herself off the couch and ended up in a tight hug from Matt. His arms wrapped around her like an octopus, and she realized he was really going to miss her a second before he said it.

“It won’t be the same without you.”

“Well you’ll still see me on weekends. The only difference will be that we’re in costume. And also fighting for our lives.”

“I don’t suppose I could convince you to quit, could I?” Matt let her go, taking a few steps back.

“Not a chance.”

“That’s kind of what I thought you would say. Be good. Don’t do anything extra stupid.”

“No promises, Murdock.”

“Goodbye, Vivien.”

“Goodbye, Matty.” She smiled softly, waving him off.

Matt headed out the door, and Vivien heaved a sigh.

“I hate goodbyes.”

“Everyone does, I think,” Karen mumbled sleepily.

“K, you can’t sleep on the couch. You’ll mess up your back.”

“I can live with that.”

“Come on.” Vivien tugged at her arm, and Karen whined. “What will get you to move?”

“Tell me about your day at school,” she demanded.

“My day at school?”

“Yes. Responsible guardians generally ask that sort of thing.”

Vivien rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m aware. It was extremely unremarkable. I did make a friend though so you can be proud of me for that.”

“Oh yeah?” That seemed to catch Karen’s interest, and she opened her eyes, sitting up straight. “Who?”

“You have to get up and go to bed first. Then I’ll tell you. Like a bedtime story.”

“Who’s the guardian here anyway?” Karen complained. Nevertheless, she stood, padding her way into her bedroom and her bed. “Spill.”

“Just some guy on the bus. His name is Hunter. James Hunter.”

“Wait, James Hunter like, almost beat you for top of the class last year James Hunter?” Karen asked.

Vivien’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. I still haven’t forgiven him for that.”

“I know. You still talk about it. You guys are friends now?”

“Well, it’s more like I’m his project. He said he would help me get Brannigan off my back. It’s a friendship of convenience.”

Karen giggled. “So you could say you’re friends with benefits?”

Vivien stared. “You need to go to sleep.”

“Maybe. But I’m not wrong.”

“The benefit is health insurance, Karen. And a 401K.”

“If you say so,” she sing-songed.

Vivien responded by throwing a pillow at her.

“Hey!”

“I’m going to bed. I’ll see you when you’re willing to be reasonable.” Vivien started her walk out to the hallway, heading to her own bed.

“Tell me more about your boyfriend tomorrow!”

“He’s not my boyfriend!” The frustrated face plant she did into her pillow might have said otherwise though.

Moving in with Karen was quite possibly a terrible mistake.

#as the raven flies #frank castle #frank #castle #punisher #oc #queue #karen page #karen #page #matt murdock #matt #murdock #daredevil #mcu #marvel #defenders

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1112pm · 6 years

Text

I come from a generation of women who have dealt with situations that made them grow vindictive and hard around the edges that were made to be the softest. I come from a generation of women who have been called crazy, a little unwell and a little unlovable.

My great-grandmother lived in the time when feet had to be crushed small, when the bones you were born with weren’t good enough and had to be wrapped in layers of bandage and made to bleed until beautiful. My great-grandmother didn’t live very long but lived just enough to give life to so many children that my grandmother was the one she sold off to another family for money.

My grandmother sold cabbage on the streets of sidewalks as a young teenager. Later on, I would understand why my grandmother took home left-over french fries from Mcdonald’s to reheat later and kept every extra ketchup packet. She would scold my mother for throwing away moldy bread and food that had been long-expired. My mother would often tell me quietly, “your grandmother is a war-victim” as if she was afraid I would be ashamed, as if I didn’t understand. And I didn’t.

I think my grandmother fell in love, once. Once was enough for her to question all male identity and to remind me so when I came home in the 2nd grade and told her about the boy who gave me a flower. “You can’t trust them,” she would say in Chinese when the language barrier had not yet grown too thick. I would just nod and forget, nod and forget.

She fell in love with the man who she would later walk in on with another woman. The other woman would be her best friend who had only one arm. My mother tells me, though, that my grandmother did not cry. But not only does infidelity break a woman’s heart– she hated herself for not being as worthy as another woman who had no arm. At the time I shamefully wondered if maybe there was something more to it than a lost arm. Regardless, nobody could tell her that it wasn’t her fault, that there was nothing wrong with her, that she didn’t need to change.

But I think she did, anyway.

Spite became the soul of my grandmother but when I look into her eyes, I know that she is wonderful and loving.. that the heart of her is still there even if it was buried beneath years of trauma. Pain can change a person. Pain can change a lot.

She met my grandpa a few years later and had my mother. I’d like to think she did love him, but with more caution and less ease. One morning, while her and my ma were wrapping 粽子 (Taiwanese tamale), she kept dropping them and missing the table. My ma said there was nothing wrong with my grandmother’s eyesight but that something felt wrong about the air.

My grandpa died the next day. That was my grandmother’s last marriage.

Over the years, she would dedicate herself to loving me when my mother was too young to. She would pay for my mother’s trip to America to start her life over and she would raise me to love the color red and big, extravagant hats.

I would sit beside her and watch her reflection in her vanity mirror as she applied bright red lipstick to her lips. She would smile at me, tell me to scoot closer and make me pucker up. I am told that I am more like my grandmother than my own mother sometimes. I wanted to grow up too fast and I wanted to wear heels before I learned how to tie my own shoes and I absolutely loved red nail polish. My grandmother taught me how to be a woman before I could read or write.

My grandmother was my rock. She was my steel soldier, my only guidance to what a woman should be and how a woman should love. And maybe I took too much of what she had said to heart. Maybe I took a part of her coldness with me. But she would be the one who would hold all of my secrets, the fears I had for my biological father, my wishes for her to take my mother and me away. She would be the first number I would dial when he would come home late at night and I knew it was going to be another one of those nights. She would be the first one to teach me how to dial 1-1-9. She would be the one who made sure I was fed, that my skin wasn’t bruised, that my eyes weren’t too soiled, too young. My grandmother was my benchmark of how one could overcome anything, especially my childhood when images felt like glass held between my palms that would bleed and she would be the one to make all of it stop.

I can’t really talk to her anymore. The years and the age have caught up and made her weak in her bones and in her speech. I avoid looking at her sometimes because I feel shame for not taking care of her enough, for not loving her more, for not showing it the best I could, for not being able to communicate and open up like I used to when I was little. Sometimes she’ll look at me and smile, weak but always the same. The kind of smile that says to me I will still love you the way I always have even if time and circumstances and life changes.. even if we change.

I remember hearing a song come up on the television, once and it was the same song she would sing to me when I was little, the same song I would struggle but learn to learn. I asked, excitedly, “Nainai, do you remember this song? It’s the song you used to sing to me!” She would nod and chuckle but in a way that made me realize she couldn’t remember. But she smiled because I did.

And I turned my face quickly to hide away the salt rolling onto my cheeks because my grandmother taught me not to cry.

#oldwriting #writing #grandma

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thatbluegibson · 6 years

Text

CH 81

Liz was still in the haze of deep sleep when she felt his fingers graze her cheek and his lips against her forehead. She distinctly heard him tell her that he loved her and then he was altogether gone. Rolling onto her side she tried to fully wake, but the bed was too warm, too soft, too perfect to allow for anything more than blissful unconsciousness and she slipped back into the deep with her nose buried in his pillow.

It felt like hours later when she finally woke with a start, sitting up to quickly get her bearings. She felt dizzy and disoriented after sleeping so deeply for so long and she scrambled out of the bed before it convinced her to stay, pulling the flat sheet off and wrapping it around herself. The clock on the fireplace mantle read 8:30 am and Liz frowned, thinking it had to be wrong. It had to be at least noon, she had slept for so long but her phone on the nightstand concurred and she wondered what time Dave had actually left that morning.

Getting her first good look at the bedroom, Liz wrapped the sheet around herself a bit tighter. It had been dark by the time they had finally gotten to the hotel in Paris and she had been so exhausted from running off of such little sleep that she and Dave had gone straight to bed. The room was painted in several shades of white with ebony wood and silver accents and it felt as of Coco Chanel had just stepped out for a smoke on the terrace. The bed even had a cream silk canopy that stretched across the ceiling to the elaborate crystal and silver chandelier that hung in the middle of the bedroom and Liz actually laughed when she leaned into the attached white marble bathroom. It was far and away the nicest place she had ever been in, much less wandered around wearing only a luxury linen flat sheet.

Overwhelmed, she stumbled across the dark room to pull back the curtains and swore under her breath. Paris was laid out before her, along with a decent sized rooftop terrace that she stepped out onto. The sheet blew against her in the soft breeze as she stared at the Eiffel Tower in the distance and the Seine beside it.

"I thought you made a break for it."

She turned at Dave's voice and managed a smile. "Yeah, I was about to make a rope out of bedsheets so I could escape this torture chamber you've locked me in."

He handed her a cup of coffee and sat in one of the plush chairs in the sunshine. "Torture chamber? I've never really tried the S&M thing, but I'll give it a go if you're into it," he grinned, his eyes fixed on the outline of her body in the thin sheet.

Liz laughed and ignored the other sumptuous chairs around him, opting to sit in his lap instead. "I'm not that bored with you yet."

"... Yet," he muttered, taking a sip of his coffee.

"How's a girl gonna get bored when you put her up in a fucking palace like this?" she threw her hand towards the open bedroom door as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Honestly, Dave. That room is ridiculous."

"I wasn't going to put you up in a fucking Motel 6 for your birthday, Elizabeth," he laughed.

"We could have put little party hats on all the cockroaches though," she whined, then giggled when Dave laughed harder. "And who the hell told you it was my birthday?"

"You have a Wikipedia page, you nerd," he teased and dragged his fingers across her cheek when she blushed. "Don't make any plans today, okay?"

Her smile returned and she looked out over Paris. "But I thought we could storm the Bastille, guillotine some politicians, abolish the absolute monarchy... you know, do as the French do."

"You're pretty focused, Liz. I bet you could get all that in while I'm at soundcheck."

She crossed her arms and shifted so her back was against his chest. "So much for my date night idea," she pouted.

He kissed her shoulder in response and her eyes followed his hand as it began to creep under the seam of the sheet towards her bare skin but frowned when he paused and played with the fabric instead.

"You don't happen to have that picture of you and Lemmy, do you? From when you were a kid?" he asked suddenly.

"Um...," her brain lurched from one thought to the next like someone learning a stick shift for the first time. "Yeah. Hang on." She reluctantly left his lap for the bedroom, grabbing her phone off the nightstand and sitting on the edge of the bed to find the photo.

It took her a while to find it in the depths of her phone, but the moment she had it on the screen he was kicking off his shoes and pulling her into the bed next to him. She studied his face, sensing something heavy was on his mind before handing him the phone.

He stared at it for a beat, showing no emotion until he spoke. "He had asked me to play this fucking festival with him for years," he said quietly. "But we were always too busy or the band was fighting or fucking whatever and now..." Liz felt her heart break when tears flooded his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. "Every year I think it isn't going to hurt and every fucking year it does."

"Oh, honey," she whispered and crawled into his lap so she could hold him.

His knees came up behind her, propelling her into his chest and he held her so tightly that she couldn't properly fill her lungs. She laid her head on his shoulder and waited him out, telling herself that he needed this more than she needed air.

A few minutes passed before he broke their silence. "That's the first time you've ever called me anything but my name," he whispered.

"You want me to give you a nickname?" she asked, smiling into his shoulder.

"Yes. Make it French, though."

Liz smiled and pulled away to lean against his bent knees, his tear-stained face breaking her heart all over again. "Okay, what about... mon petit chou?"

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"Literal translation is 'my little cabbage'," she giggled.

"Nope," he shook his head but finally cracked a smile. "Next."

"Mon cœur."

Another head shake, but with a wider smile.

"Mon chéri?"

"Closer..."

She took him literally and leaned back into his chest, kissing him before deciding on her final nickname, "Mon amour."

"That one. I want that one."

"Je t'aime mon amour," she said quietly against his lips, then laughed when he threw her down onto the bed beside him.

"You're sure it's okay?" Liz asked, searching for any sign that he would need her at the festival, but he revealed none.

"I'll be fine, baby. I promise," he insisted and pulled her into one last hug. They were alone in a corner of the extravagant hotel lobby while the rest of the band and crew waited outside by the vans. "Go hang out with Ally, Taylor can console me if I get all weepy again."

Liz grinned and walked with him towards the doors. "That's my job, though."

"Think of it as a day off from your emotional wreck of a boyfriend then."

"Maybe I like when you're a wreck," she teased gently, careful not to make fun of him lest he never show his vulnerable side again. And she did like that he was comfortable enough with her to break down and let her build him back up, something Kyle had never been strong enough to do.

"Yeah, so I've learned," he laughed, adjusting the collar on his shirt to cover the mark she had left on his neck earlier.

Out on the sidewalk, Ally bounced on her toes while waiting excitedly for Liz's final decision. Taylor rolled his eyes and tried to kiss her goodbye while everyone else filed into the vans.

"I'm fucking pissed!" Pat yelled at Gus, throwing his hands up in the air. "They get to go to Gucci and I'm stuck with you assholes!"

Liz laughed at his semi-restrained rage when Dave turned her back to him and bent to kiss her. "Go. Have fun."

Ally, Josie, and Liz had wandered through most of the shops on the same avenue as their hotel and were juggling their various shopping bags when Josie dropped hers in frustration.

"Give me your bags," she said, motioning for Ally and Liz to hand them over. "I'll take them back to our rooms and we can hit the other side of the street."

Liz gratefully peeled the luxury bags off her arm and handed them to her friend. "We'll wait here," she said, then turned to see that Ally was already halfway down the block.

"Ally?" Liz strolled towards her, gently placing her hand on her shoulder when she saw the tears in her eyes. What the fuck was with these people and Paris? "Ally, what's wrong?"

"It's...," she waved her hand at the store window, then threw herself at Liz and buried her face in her shoulder as she sobbed.

Liz steadied herself on the pavement and looked over at the elaborate display of baby clothes, strollers, cribs and car seats that adorned the shop window. Oh shit, she thought, Dave hasn't told them yet. "Let's go in," she said softly.

Ally shook her head and stepped away, dashing her tears off her cheeks so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. "No, I can't."

"Yes, you can," Liz said slowly. The lights turned on in the shop, illuminating the sidewalk and making Ally look up again. "Come on," Liz tugged on her hand. "Let's go pick something out."

"For who though?" Ally asked miserably. "You? Are you...?"

Liz shrugged and started towards the shop, then casually called over her shoulder. "Not yet. Whenever you and Taylor are ready."

She made it just over the threshold before Ally's scream pierced the air and she tackled Liz onto the wooden floor of the shop, covering her face with kisses. Liz distinctly heard the clerk say 'lesbiennes' before approaching them.

"Can I help?" she asked in broken English.

"Salut!" Liz said through her laughter. "Nous allons avoir un bébé..."

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