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eveenstar · 3 years

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𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔 [𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒌𝒊 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒇𝒆𝒚𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏]

||➸𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈: 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐞||

Tags/Warnings: Mentions of death, angst, sadness, (Y/N) going a bit insane, a bit of spoilers but not much, happens three years after Infinity War. Also fem!reader, so it's easier for me to write, sorry guys!

Summary: It's been three years since Loki died, and two years since you isolated yourself from the outside. On a particular routine day, you receive a call from Natasha asking you to come by the Avengers Tower.

Note: First chapter of my new fanfic series, "Saturn Gardens"! Pardon me for any English mistakes, as you may know, it's not my native language :) Hope you enjoy!

Your fingers calmly slip through the book pages you're reading. The faint light that escapes through the clouds and into your bedroom provides enough light to see what you're reading. Not that it matters anyhow, your mind is somewhere else. Somewhere distant, old and familiar. Somewhere you wished to be right now.

Your lips met the cold glass of wine you've been drinking for the past twenty minutes, and your gaze drifts to the large landscape in front of your eyes. The sizeable windows made it possible to see almost of all the meadow and the trees in the background, some people would contemplate this beautiful view, but you thought it felt lonely. Empty. Voidless.

A soft and pale mist had fallen upon the land due to it being early hours in the morning. No birds were singing, no animal was in sight, just you and the current book that lays in your hand. You'd grown to enjoy silence, but this silence was restless.

Sighing, you stood up from your white chair and placed the glass of wine on the table. Dressing your Indigo blue robe, you made your way to the kitchen. This would be the second time you'd leave your bedroom since you woke up, first one was to get wine. What would your mother say to you, if she saw the horrible state you were in?

"You look like a widow, for fuck's sake (Y/N)!"

That's because you are one, indeed. Or were you wrong? You and Loki never married, even though you'd spoken about it a few times. This house, this stupiditly huge and modern mansion, was all that was left for you. Tony Stark offered it to you and the trickster God, according to him as a "offer of good will and peace" but it was honestly because your previous home burned down and you didn't have the money for another one. Tony, as the rich friend of the group, decided to be a gentle soul and get it for you.

You opened your fridge, which used to be filled with all kinds of food, but now there's barely enough for dinner. Your stomach is empty, it craves for food, but your heart is too heavy to think about it. Your feet felt chilly on the black mosaic floor tiles, and it reminded you that you aren't wearing any socks. You glance down to your feet, your mind drifting off once again and you lose track of the time you spent staring down.

The black tiles are ice cold and hurt your feet, they decor the floor of all house, minus the bathroom; in which the floor's tiles are white instead of black. Sometimes you get tired of the colour pattern; Black and white.

In the walls, in the floors, in the roof...Sometimes it was too much, sometimes it was too little. Maybe you should repaint them. Maybe you shouldn't.

Loki complained about them sometimes, he said they should be green and golden. You had no idea if he was being serious at the time. He never was much for decor, he said he wanted you to decor it at your taste; he'd love anything you love.

He was always like that.

He was.

He is like that

"What should I eat today, love?" You whispered to no-one. Your eyes shifted to the kitchen's balcony and stared at the Narcissus flowers on the small plant vase. Narcissus flowers are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, there's more than 100 species of the plant and they were one of Loki's gifts to you. They are some of the first to bloom in the early spring, announcing the end of winter, which you found incredibly cute in a way. They came from the Greek word "Narke", which meant numbness, and ironically how you felt right now.

They also symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Was this the Universe sending you a message? Telling you that it's finally time to move on?

You dragged your feet to the couch and drowned yourself on the pillows. Everything felt cold, no matter how many lays of clothing you'd wear, it felt cold nevertheless. Maybe it was coming from inside you, the emptiness had consumed you to the point nothing warm would take that effect away.

Your phone rang, and rang, and rang. You grunted and covered your head with a pillow, hoping to muffle out the annoying sound. But it didn't seem to stop no matter how much you tried.

So you finally answered it.

"(Y/N)?"

Natasha.

"(Y/N)? Can you hear me?"

Yes. I'm still here.

"(Y/N), could you please come by the Avengers tower? We need to talk, it's important."

Why?

"Please, " She pleaded, "Come meet me."

You looked at your phone for a while once silence remained. It seems neither you or Natasha knew what to say to each other. The silence remained for a long while that you even had doubts if she was still on the call.

"Do you want me to order something to your house? Are you in need of anything, (Y/N)?"

Yes.

"Do you know who you are?"

Yes.

"Do you know where you are?"

Yes.

"Do you want to keep living this way?"

A sudden sound woke you from your thoughts and startled you. Your eyes scammed the living room and saw there was no sign of threat, then you took a glimpse of your phone's screen.

Natasha - Call ended 10 minutes ago

Great, you were hearing voices now. How quite. She did asked you to go by the Avengers Tower, didn't she? Maybe you should go. It's been almost three years since Loki died, and two years since you closed yourself from everyone and everything. It's been a while since you've stepped foot outside your house or your lands.

Again, you dragged your feet relutanctly to your bedroom and stared at the mirror. The reflection of yourself was sad, to say the least. How did you break down so easily? How did you allow yourself to break this way?

"Do you think I should go, Loki?" You asked in a whisper while staring at a empty spot of the room. Silence.

"You're right." A tiny smile formed on your lips, "As always."

Your body always worked in autopilot. Even if your mind was somewhere else, your body took a shower and grabbed the first outfit in hand. Your hands were cold, once in contact with your skin.

Wet and cold like an abandoned dog in a rainy street.

You frowned slightly at the thought and realized you were dressed, heavens know for how long. Did your mind wander off again? Great. It has been like this a long while, no matter how many pills or medication you took, you began to forget things. Names. Places. Memories. It's like your body wasn't your own anymore, just a robot moving in autopilot. You wrote down notes about your favourite memories with Loki, as you didn't want to forget them. You missed his (surprisingly) warm hands, his deep grey eyes, or his charming smile. You missed running your hands through his hair while you both layed in front of the fireplace, books in hand.

You grabbed a framed picture of the Avengers together and noticed a strange detail. Your face was blurred out. You blinked once and twice, but it didn't go away. Was it always like this? Maybe it was and you forgot. Maybe a photo error, or it's simply dirty. Just that.

Placing the picture down, you stared again at a empty spot of the bedroom, "I'll be back soon, my love."

Your steps felt heavy on the floor, like no matter how much you'd walk, the exit door seemed to be distancing itself. By the time your hands grabbed the door knob, you were out of breath. I-just-ran-a-marathon out of breath.

The wind outside was refreshing, in a way. It felt different, lighter even. You closed your eyes to feel the breeze blow through you, just for a single moment. Then you heard a bird sing, just on top of the tree in front of your house. You weakly smiled and waved at it, then you entered your car.

The trip to the Avengers Tower was quiet and peacefully calm. Leaving your house, you didn't notice the dark silhouette standing on the living room's window, watching you from afar or the strange amount of ravens taking shelther in the same tree of the singing bird.

#marvel fanfic series #marvel loki x reader #marvel loki #loki laufeyson #loki laufeyson x reader #eveenstar #Saturn Gardens Fanfiction Series

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fandom-necromancer · 4 years

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Time for new Beginnings - 2

This was prompted by a beautiful anon! I hope you like it!

Fandom: Detroit become human | Ship: Reed900 | Characters: Elijah Kamski, Chloe (Warning: mentioned past child abuse) [Part1]

‘Gavin Reed?’

Elijah inhaled sharply. When had he last heard that voice? It felt like an eternity ago. He looked over at Chloe, who smiled at him encouragingly, but just like before, words failed him. What should he say? What could he even say? Would he make things worse by doing the one thing Gavin had told him not to do?

‘Hello?’ Elijah swallowed. Why did his throat felt so dry suddenly? ‘Listen, if you don’t say something soon, I’m gonna hang up.’ ‘Err… hello?’, the CEO of Cyberlife hastily spoke up. He didn’t know if he would manage to call again. ‘Gavin?’ ‘Yes? I’m sorry, who are you? I won’t buy shit, just so you know.’ ‘No, Gavin, it’s me, Elijah.’ There was a sudden silence, then the connection was cut immediately.

Wide eyed, Elijah looked at his phone. ‘He just hung up on me!’ Chloe shrugged. ‘Well, that was to be expected. He fled the house the first opportunity he got, do you think he wouldn’t do the same now?’ ‘You told me to call him!’ ‘I just encouraged you.’ Elijah put the phone down and rubbed at his forehead. ‘And what will you do now?’, his assistant asked teasingly. ‘I have to meet him. In person. This is my chance at apologising. And I know a place where he can’t run away that easily.’

Gavin’s day was already ruined. Yes, it was a Monday. Yes, all of his cases had been cleared and it was unlikely another one would come up just today. Yes, he would have to help out the others and do some of his despised office work. But all of that he would have begrudgingly accepted. But no, his perfect, successful, rich asshole of a brother had called him. After what… xy years? Why? Why did he finally decide to get back in contact again? Well, it didn’t matter, Gavin thought to himself as he shut the door behind him with a little too much force. He had cut the call and that would be it. Elijah was intelligent, he would understand that conveyed as much as a hearty “fuck off”.

‘What took you so long?’ Gavin sighed, as he let himself fall into the seat next to Nines, so the android could drive them to the precinct. ‘Yeah sorry, love, some prank call. Nines shrugged and started the engine. ‘Must be someone trying to sell you decaf coffee on the phone if it has you that aggressive already.’ ‘Hey, I’m not aggressive, okay? I just went from eating breakfast made by the best android in the world to listening to some idiot I really don’t want to talk to. Anyone would react that way.’ ‘If you say so’, Nines chuckled. ‘Let’s hope the rest of the day treats you better.’

It seemed that way for a good four hours. Nines had gotten him a coffee; the little kiss an added gift on top of it. The reports were easy to write and filing evidence to return to families or be disposed of correctly was just something to keep the mind busy, really. By the time his break had begun, he had nearly forgotten that Elijah had called in the morning. Until the man itself stood in the bullpen and walked towards his desk. Everyone’s attention was on him and no one seemed to dare stop him. It was just like Eli to barge in here like he owned the place. He could likely pay the fine just from the money he had on his person, too.

He came to a stop in front of Gavin, who only vaguely noticed Chloe awkwardly hurrying after the man. Gavin stayed seated, but his grip on the table was strong and Nines had stood up, soldier protocols at the ready without doubt. ‘Gavin.’ ‘Eli.’ They stared each other in the eyes without blinking and the tension seemed almost palpable. ‘I thought I made it clear I don’t want any contact.’ ‘You told me not to call you’, Elijah corrected. ‘Well, then I tell you now: I don’t want any contact. Phck off!’

The precinct was so silent you could hear the hum of the lights. Everyone gaped at Gavin, who just told Elijah Kamski, CEO of Cyberlife and inventor of a now sentient lifeform, to fuck off.

‘Listen, I-‘ ‘No, I won’t listen to you. Leave. Now.’ ‘Gavin I want to apologise.’ ‘I don’t care. Go.’ ‘Gavin, please, I-‘ Gavin stood up and although there was quite the hight difference between them, Elijah took a step back. His brother wasn’t the small kid that bullied and beat up other children in the schoolground then cried at night to him about it anymore. The man in front of him was fit and muscular, trained with a gun and used to detain criminals. With how the cases were described in the paper, Elijah knew his brother had seen far worse things than he could even imagine. He really didn’t want to get on his wrong side, but it seemed he had already managed that.

‘Fine’, he said. ‘You wanna talk? Good, that shit goes both ways then. So you’ll listen to me first and then you’ll think very, very hard about whether or not you really want to say what you were about to say!’ Gavin pressed his eyes close and took a deep breath, before he pushed a finger against Elijah’s chest. ‘You. You call me after twenty years of silence. I spent more time with out you than with you in my life and suddenly you want to crawl back to me? Give me one good reason why.’ ‘I wanted to apologise.’ Gavin burst into humourless laughter with the only purpose of ridiculing Elijah. ‘You want to apologise? For what? For ditching me because father said I was trash too many times? For leaving me with that sorry excuse of a family as you went to college? For practically spitting in my face when you were the only family I ever had? Well, you are too phcking late!’

He had shouted the last sentence. Maybe he had shouted those before too, he couldn’t know. He only felt his chest heaving already and his eyes dangerously filling with water from his anger.

‘Gavin, I know, I wronged you. And I’m sorry.’ ‘I don’t care, Eli. I really don’t. I cut them out of my life. I moved, I found a job, friends, a life. I have a new family now. I am happy now. I don’t need a reminder of that time; I don’t need your pity and I definitely don’t need you. I don’t want your apology and I don’t want to be goaded into forgiving you and having to be miserable again. I would advise you to go and leave me alone.’ It sounded like a threat, a dare to continue speaking. Elijah really didn’t want to make it worse, but he didn’t want to back down just now. ‘Gavin. I understand your anger. I don’t want forgiveness. I just want a second chance. I want to have a brother again.’

‘Maybe you should have cared for me when I needed it then!’, Gavin shouted. ‘I don’t need you now, I needed you twenty years ago!’ ‘Do you think I didn’t care about you back then?’, Elijah asked, fed up by Gavin’s stubbornness. ‘I did care about you! But you weren’t the only one dad manipulated! God, I was just a kid, do you even think I realised what was happening to you?’ ‘You were thirteen!’ ‘Exactly! Everything I could think about were cool robots! Gavin, I believed what dad told me and you acting up and beating up your classmates really didn’t help change that view!’ Gavin didn’t know what came over him. He only knew the next moment he had Elijah pressed against one of the glass walls, ready to throw hands. And it felt good.

>RK900, he’ll kill him! He won’t. >He just came here to talk. Please, help him.

Nines had stood at his desk, watching both adult men shout at each other in the middle of a police station. Already he had made the connection the “brother” Gavin had told him about had to be Elijah Kamski. He also knew they would sooner kill each other than mend old wounds. Once again it would be upon him to keep Gavin safe from his own temper.

So, when Gavin was about to throw the first punch, Nines stepped in and intercepted it, effortlessly grabbing both men by the collars of their shirts and marched on to the next empty interrogation room. He pushed Elijah on one of the chairs, nodding his thanks to Chloe, who kept the cursing man seated. He continued to do the same with Gavin on the other side. ‘Alright. You two will talk civilised now. If I hear another screamed word, Chloe and I will chain you to the table, leave and invite the whole precinct to watch in the adjacent room.’ He fixed Elijah’s eyes until he nodded, then turned to Gavin, who looked more defiant. ‘Urgh fine’, he sighed finally. ‘I don’t get husband perks?’ ‘No.’

‘Alright, Eli, what do you want to say?’, Chloe began. ‘I want to apologise. I’m sorry I didn’t see how you were treated at home and I hope we can try to begin anew.’ ‘And what is your answer, Gavin?’, Nines took over. ‘I want to say that this is utter bullsh-‘ He stopped as Nines let the handcuffs dangle in front of his eyes. ‘I want to say that I don’t believe a word and that I don’t care about what he wants.’ ‘Why don’t you believe him?’, Chloe questioned. ‘Elijah Kamski is the richest man in the world, expecting to get even richer and has a mansion full of identical bots’, Gavin spat, scowling at Nines the entire time, who just huffed amusedly. ‘He can get anything he wants, why would he want to get back in contact with me of all people?’

‘Because I was reinserted as CEO of Cyberlife’, Elijah explained, watching the two androids intently, before turning back to Gavin. ‘It is a new beginning for me and the company and I thought if I’m already trying to get everything back in order, I could as well try to do so with my relationship with my brother.’ ‘Heh, the first thing you said this day I want to believe’, Gavin chuckled. Nines carefully looked towards Chloe, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Now that both men had cooled down a bit, they may finally be able to talk. ‘Only that I’m not some new product or change in politics. I’m a bit more difficult to fix.’ ‘I know. I still wanted to try.’ ‘How’s mom and dad?’, Gavin asked silently. ‘I don’t know. You leaving so suddenly made me think about what happened. I didn’t really cut them off, but I decided to use my work as an excuse not to meet with them. I haven’t spoken to them in quite a while and I think they know I too don’t want to have any contact.’ ‘So you learned eventually.’ ‘I spoke to some of your friends. I don’t think I know of everything that happened, but I think I know enough.’ Gavin nodded. ‘So, that second chance you spoke about. What do you want from me?’ Elijah perked up, apparently not expecting Gavin to cave in. ‘I don’t expect us to be best buddies again, but… Maybe some family dinners? You know, Christmas, birthdays… I want to be a part of your family again, Gavin.’ ‘Fine. Christmas, Nines’ and my birthdays, yours. We’ll see how it goes from there. Deal?’ ‘Deal.’

Both of them looked up to their respective android partners who stepped back from the table and watched them stand up. Both met in the middle, shook hands and exited the interrogation room. Back in the bullpen Gavin went straight to his desk, followed by Nines, while Elijah and Chloe left towards the exit. The whole room was still dead silent, and no one dared to say a word, until Tina couldn’t keep her words in check.

‘Okay, what the hell!’, she called through the bullpen. ‘Gavin, why the hell did the Elijah Kamski showed up here, why did you assault him and why the fuck did you call him brother?’

#detroit become human #dbh #Reed900 #RK900 #Gavin Reed #elijah kamski #Chloe dbh #RT600 #Nines: Okay you two are in timeout get ontop of the fridge #Gavin and Eli: This precinct is a fucking nightmare!#Chris is eating popcorn #Tina is confused pikachu face

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anonniemousefics · 4 years

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My Dearest Inej | Chapter Eleven

Chapter Masterlist

Originally posted on AO3

Rating: Teen And Up

Synopsis: A series of letters kept among the personal belongings of Captain Inej Ghafa.

Chapter Eleven: A Balancing Act

My darling Inej,

Don’t think for a minute I don’t know what you’re aiming at with this letter full of questions. You may have my heart, but you can’t be privy to all of my schemes, especially when I’m now aware that your birthday is next month. Did you think I would forget? My dear, I forget nothing.

So, no, to all of your questions. I’m not telling you what I’ve been plotting lately. I’m not telling you what has been on my mind. I’m not telling you if I’ve been visiting Jesper and Wylan’s more than usual. You must wait in suspense just as Jesper did. That’s part of the experience.

And don’t make that scoffing sound when you read this. I remind you that this whole birthday gift experience business was all your idea. You have no one to blame but yourself.

How do I sleep at night, you asked? Noisily, I’ve been told, but just fine, thank you.

With all of my scheming heart,

Kaz

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To my favorite Inej,

Has he said anything at all to you – regarding the incident in my last letter? We found him on the couch again this morning. It’s at least becoming less startling when it happens. I just wish I understood it. He has that uncanny ability to vanish without explanations, and Wylan and I aren’t sure how to bring it up since he’s so clearly bent on pretending it’s not happening.

I suppose if our sofa and our dog are what he needs right now for whatever is happening inside that ridiculous brain of his, then I’m glad we’re able to help in some small way. He’s not taking advantage of much. We only wish he’d trust us with more.

I mean, we’ve all have nearly died for his schemes on more than one occasion. Should I remind him of that? What could possibly be too much to ask of us at this point?

All my love,

Jesper

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To our feared and beloved Captain

For her twenty-first birthday:

Cake and kvas and mysteries galore

Are awaiting your arrival

Return to Ketterdam if you wish to know more

Your presence is requested at the enclosed address, at 3 bells the 18th of October.

No questions. All will be revealed in time.

Love,

Your favorite Crows

(addition in Kaz’s handwriting)

That gods-awful poem was Jesper and Wylan’s idea. Withhold judgment until after the evening. I’ll make it worth your while.

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Dear Nina,

I’m sailing away from Ketterdam today having nearly every single one of my birthday wishes fulfilled but one. But I won’t hold it against you. I know why you couldn’t have been there, or at least, I understand why I don’t know the specifics of why you couldn’t be there. Just know that, at the time of writing this and always, you are sorely missed.

You would be so proud, though, with how our boys outdid themselves. I am impressed and moved and, frankly, still a little speechless. I’m honestly still replaying the memories and recalling the half-starved scrappy little things we all were seven years ago, and the two images side-by-side could not be any more different. I hope, wherever you are, the passage of time is bringing you similar new hopes. You deserve that and so much more, Nina.

Where to begin? You know, years ago, just before we started the Ice Court, Kaz made me this lofty, insane promise. That, if we did it right, we’d be kings and queens. I’ll be damned if he wasn’t right.

The day started at a dressmaker’s shop. I’d been given an address and a time to arrive, and that alone was a little jaw-dropping. It was in The Lid – an absolute premier spot I’d never even heard of when I lived in Ketterdam. I was grossly underdressed when I arrived. It’s not that I have anything against dresses – you know this. They’re just not at all practical for my line of work, and so I have none. I confess that sometimes I’ll admire them in a shop window when I’m out and about in a port town, but why in the world would I ever spend the coin on one? I wouldn’t even know what suits me anymore.

This dressmaker, though, Nina. She knew all everything about the right fabrics, the right cut, the right make. They’d booked me the entire shop all to myself, just me and the dressmaker. She found me an absolute perfect gown – I’m staring at it right now. I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to do with it now that my birthday’s over. Maybe I’ll prop it up in my desk chair and have tea with it every once and awhile. It’s this breathtaking light, pastel yellow, like sunshine, with all this detailed beadwork and exposed shoulders and what the dressmaker called an A-line waist. You might know what that means. I think it’s just dressmaker code for very pretty. She tailored me into it right there in the shop and fitted me with shoes and a cloak to match.

(My one regret was having no idea what to do with my hair. You’d cringe, but I left it in the braid. A minor detail the boys overlooked.)

It took a good few hours to get fixed up in the dress, and it was nearly evening by then. The dressmaker assured me it was all paid for, and right about that time, a black carriage pulled up in front of the shop. And Jesper and Wylan had their heads out the windows, shouting like madmen at me from the streets. I think the entirety of The Lid knew then about my birthday.

Kaz was in the carriage, too, hiding his enthusiasm as he does so well. I have to tell you, though, Nina, I won’t ever forget the look on his face when I got into the carriage. He was clearly trying his best to remain cool and unaffected, but I saw it, the way his jaw dropped slightly and his breath caught. This is obviously why I can never get rid of this dress. I’m just imagining what he’s going to end up writing in his letter after this, since, verbally, he actually managed to mumble that I looked beautiful, right there in front of Jesper and Wylan.

You know, it’s interesting. When he says it, it’s not at all like hearing a man in the Menagerie say it. When he says it, it’s like it’s not just the dress. I don’t know how else to explain it. It’s the same words, and yet it’s so very different.

And it only got better from there. The city was getting dusky, and the lamps were being lit. We were still in The Lid, amongst carriages and carriages of the filthy rich from the Financial District, the Government District, and tourists from all over. I kept leaning my head out the window to figure out what was coming next.

Nina – they had bought us all ticket to the Cirque Euphoric.

Maybe this means nothing to you. But it’s only the most ancient, most elite, most elaborate traveling circus in the world. It can only be afforded anymore by the wealthiest of tourists. And they were there doing an entire season in The Lid in Ketterdam, under a big top the size of two city blocks.

Nina, you don’t understand. My entire childhood, I kept posters and drawings and any relic that made its way to the markets from the Cirque Euphoric. Their high wire artists set the standard for all other performers in the business. The things they do in the sky, Nina, are things I haven’t even begun to imagine yet.

Sufficed to say, as soon as I figured out where we were going, I lost it. I did not know what to do with myself. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I burst into tears. It was a horrifying few moments for everyone involved. They were fairly certain they’d done something horribly wrong, instead of so wonderfully right. But that only last a couple minutes. I was able to get it together before Kaz could yell at the driver to take us back to East Stave. And then the merriment resumed, soaked handkerchief and all.

Oh, Saints, Nina, it was everything I’d ever imagined and more.

I don’t know how he knew this, but Kaz had reserved us the very best seats. You don’t want to sit too high at a circus or you’ll miss entertainment on the ground. Sitting too low presents a problem, too, because you want to be able to see the footwork the high wire artists can do. We were right in the middle, just where I’d have picked seats myself. Sankta Alina, I felt like a little girl again. I haven’t been that happy in years. I’d almost forgotten what it was to be that happy. And to watch it all with such beloved friends, who knew me well enough to know I would like this, to watch and hear their reactions to the performances. They might have loved it almost as much as I did. Almost.

We took another carriage ride after, hours later, when it was dark and the streets were bustling with very different crowds. I would have assumed that was the end of it, but Kaz had made us reservations in a private dining room at a fine dining club I’d never heard of.

My entire crew from The Wraith was waiting in the dining room. We ate a meal there fit for royalty, with drinks and a cake big enough that even you might have gotten sick of it after awhile. I don’t think I’ll need to eat again for weeks.

It must have been around midnight or past when we finally rolled ourselves out of the club. We took another carriage ride, stopping first at the Van Eck mansion so Wylan could haul a decently-sloshed Jesper off to bed and hopefully not to the toilet bowl. I actually never heard how he ended up faring that night.

And then it was finally just Kaz and me. If I hadn’t been so tired then, I think I’d have tried to snog his face off the whole way home. I’d been noticing his smug little smirk all evening. He’d planned the whole thing. Like I said, kings and queens. He’d made good on his word at last.

But we were both exhausted on that final carriage ride – he’d booked me a room at the Geldrenner. And it’s not like I needed anything else at that point. The whole experience had already exceeded my expectations. He leaned back against the window, and I rested against him under his arm. We both dozed off there before the end of the ride.

Which is another point I realize I haven’t mentioned to you yet. This has been happening lately. Kaz falling asleep in unusual places. Jesper’s been worrying about it for weeks now. I was having a hard time believing it until I witnessed it myself. Tell me this isn’t weird:

We got to the Geldrenner, and I asked him to come up. Oh, calm down. Are we really going to pretend like this is shocking at this point? Frankly, given the number of years, it’s shocking we weren’t sneaking into hotel rooms four years ago. And it’s not like we do much more than kiss. Although, I thought about it. It was my birthday after all, and he had just gifted me the experience of a lifetime and a luxury hotel room to boot. I was definitely thinking about it.

But that’s not the weird part. Let’s agree that’s not the weird part, anyway. We came up, and we did very little talking. There’d been plenty of talking happening all night, and I was more interested in other things he can do with his mouth. Kissing, Nina, Saints. I can sense you doing that waggling thing with your eyebrows. I’m talking about just a lot of kissing, as soon as he let me get my hands on him. The kind of kissing every grown woman should have on her birthday, kisses that slide into more kisses, like there’s nothing else in the world happening but this.

But then the weird part happened. We’re lying on the bed (fully clothed, Nina, he even still had his gloves on), or at least, he’s lying back on the pillows and I’m kissing him, and then I notice he wasn’t really moving. And I sat back a moment, and I swear to you, he had fallen asleep. Believe me, I called him out on it right then, literally – “Are you sleeping?!” And he flinched right awake and apologized and blamed it on the kvas, and I might have even believed him.

Except Jesper keeps talking about this strange new habit of his. And, as I replay the night’s memories in my head, it does feel like something was off. He seemed paler. He seemed quieter. He seemed – well, tired.

Now I can’t kick this feeling like there’s something more happening behind the scenes. I wish you were here, Nina, and you could work your magic like you do and just squeeze the truth out of his brain somehow. I’ll have to settle for my own magic, I guess.

When I look over my letters from him, he’s off-handedly mentioned feeling overwhelmed, particularly since this kid Artie joined the Dregs. And, don’t get me wrong, the kid is kind of handful. His moods swing wide between murderous rage and affectionate admiration. But he’s not Kaz’s sole responsibility. Pim and Anika do a lot to keep him on task and out of the bad kind of trouble. I wouldn’t think this would be enough to drive him to exhaustion.

But then again, Artie is the same age Jordie was. I wonder how much that gets to him. I wonder how much time he spends avoiding that. I wonder if he allows himself to think of it at all. Would that be enough to push him to the edge? Or is it something more?

It couldn’t be me, could it? Am I becoming exhausting?

Ugh, Nina, come squeeze this out of my brain, too. And then come dress shopping with me, because it is much more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

Missing you terribly,

Inej

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dazed--xx · 4 years

Text

Beside you 2

Member: Jungkook x Reader

Genre: Angst

Word count: 1,570

Trigger Warning: NONE

A/N: SO YALL BEEN WAITING FOR THIS COMMENT FOR A PART 3 and if you want a fake text request those are now on my request list so please let me know what kind of request you’d like. Inbox me please i love talking to yall. I pushed this before all my requests but if you do have a request it is in the process of being written but depending on how many comments i get i will write a part 3

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*Previously*

I lose myself in his lips soon I reach for my luggage bag and rush out the door and into my car. Jungkook is banging on my passenger side window trying to open the door tears streaming down his face “please, stop, stop the car, get out please stay with me, BABY PLEASE” he shouts as I reverse and drive off the last sight I have is Jungkook chasing my car with tears streaming down his face.

*Now*

The constrictor that is anxiety takes over my breathing. The road the only thing mind is focused on as I escape. After a few hours, I finally come to a stop at a beach and just lay on the sand my mind wandering off. The warm sun beaming on my face as I run my hands through the sand. The sky nice and sunny, watching the waves as I flip to my stomach watching the surfers and tourists. Laying back exhausted from the events of today I drift off to sleep.

After waking up and realizing the sun is setting, I rush to my car and drive back toward Seoul. Stopping at a gas station I call my best friend Sunny. “I need to stay with you” I say sadly “Get your ass over here” She says softly. My heart warming at her friendly attitude, Sunny being the only one against my marriage to Jungkook in the first place. Her outspoken attitude making her the most honest person I know.

*PING...*

The messages go through my phone as I finally pull into Sunny’s driveway. My heart breaking at the memory of Jungkook’s pleading figure in the street begging for me to stop. The tears streaming down my face, pulling the phone into view I see Jungkook’s Contact in the notification bar. My heart stops as I swipe to read his messages....

The desperate need to be in his arms comforting him takes over me, the want to reverse and go home is overwhelming. “I only want you too” I type into the phone shaking as my mind drifts back to Jungkook's deception. Hesitantly I delete the message as a tap on my window startles me “Hey beautiful, what's up?” Sunny’s eyes examine my tear-filled ones. A soft smile appears on her face “Come on beautiful let's go inside and you can tell me all about it” She extends her arms for a hug, forcing the seatbelt off I throw myself out of the car and into her arms sobbing.

A few hours Sunny has me set up in her guest bedroom. I lay in the bed and sob as my phone began pinging with more messages from Jungkook. My sobs grow harder, as I read his words.

My mind drifting to the memory of him. The way he smiled when he walked into the kitchen every morning to grab his tea. The sexy way his suits would hug his muscles, his hair always perfect. The way his face contorted as he entered me. The blush that crept onto his face when I walked in on him. His words returning to my mind, the words he spoke when he thought he was alone. “Y/N yeah baby girl this is your cock, fuck all yours baby girl take it.” His voice moaned. The need to feel him inside me grows, pushing it down as I roll over and cry myself to sleep.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!” Sunny pleads. I roll my eyes and shake my head “No, I’m sorry but I don’t feel like going out.” “Y/N! Come on you have to get out the house love you’ve been trapped in here for a month already.” She begs, I shrug and pull the blanket over my head again. “OH NO YOU DON’T" Sunny’s tone serious as she yanks the comforter off of the bed “Get your ass up I’m not taking no for an answer we’re going out cause the best way to get over some guy is to get under a hotter much better one” She tosses 3 dresses on my form “Take a shower and pick one of these 3 dresses and get dressed I have the shoes okay?”.

Nodding hesitantly as I sit up “Bitch your scary sometimes........ Fine I'll go but no guys okay? One guy for me and I'm gone” Her smile returns to her face as she winks “Promise! Love ya” she says seductively as she walks out. Trudging toward the bathroom my heart drops, the memory of the last time I went out returning to my head. Jungkook’s jealousy, his need for me when we got home. My fingers softly touch my lips as I lock the door behind me. The feeling of Jungkook’s soft lips return to me, my heart racing. The way he sounded as he lost himself inside me has me growing wet.

The sight of his face when he realized I was leaving, the heart break and panic returning to break my heart. The hot water consuming me in my thoughts as I wash myself. Soon I’m dressed with the least revealing dress Sunny has left for me. My anxiety rising in the pit of my stomach. My heart threatening to jump out of my chest as I walk into Sunny’s room.

“OKAY BODY!!!” She shouts excitedly. Soon we’re pulling up to a nice restaurant, “Sunny what are we doing here” She laughs “eating”. Slowly I get out of the car staring at the restaurant walking in hesitantly behind Sunny. The restaurant was definitely expensive, the hostess leading us to a private booth that sat 2 gentlemen in suits. “Sunny are you fucking kidding me?!” I stop walking. “Y/N please, I REALLY like this guy and the only way he was gonna go out with me was if I brought a friend for his friend. I’ll owe you BIG” She states sadly as she makes a puppy dog face. “FINE since I'm already here but don’t expect anything I mean I AM still married” “Of course!”

Dinner actually goes pretty well, Min-Jun is really cute for Sunny they're both extremely outgoing. Min-Jun's friend Sang is a little more what I expected from a man in such an expensive suit. An heir to some fortune with a lot of knowledge of my father's business. Sang is extremely cocky, his wealth known with how he holds himself. The way he treated the staff, as if they worked for him personally. This type of wealthy man was the type I despised. Sang reminding me a lot of Jungkook when I first met him. A spoiled rich boy that daddy took care of.

My mind comparing Sang to Jungkook constantly. The difference in personality, Jungkook always being a little more down to earth. Jungkook has always been one of the most sought-after men in all of Seoul, holding himself in high regard without giving off complete arrogance. Sang was different.... He was opposite of what I could ever want. His shameless flirting disgusting me at every cliché line. Ordering more and more glasses of wine with dinner to tolerate it.

“You okay kitten?” Sang questions grabbing my hand. My eyes drifting to where our bodies meet, my hand feeling oddly small in his uncomfortable. “Y/N can be a little.....shy sometimes” Sunny speaks up, my eyes flash to her smiling. “SO! I really want to dance should we go clubbing? Y/N?” Clubbing...Drinks...Forget....yes anything to forget. I nod “I'm down.”

The club is packed, I’ve had I don’t know how many shots. Sunny and Min-Jun pressed against the bar making out. Sang rambling on all the new extensions he is having done to his new mansion. His flirting becoming more persistent, “So Y/N do you want to like get out of here?”. Disgust appearing on my face, slurring my words “Hell-l n-no". A confused look appears on Sang’s face “Look I’m ma-rried and-d honestly you're-e irritating-g I-I did thi-s for Sunny” I laugh “I wouldn’t look twice at you otherwise” “Y/N!” Sunny shouts.

“I’m so sorry about her she’s drunk” She apologizes to Sang. “Sunny don’t apologize to him he’s a douche-bag and you know it” I slur, a knowing look popping up on her face, “Oh I'm sorry I didn’t know that the only douche-bags you go for were the ones that treat you like shit, use you for sex, and then sleep with another woman in the same hour he sleeps with you . Right Y/N?” Tears forming in my eyes “Wow! REALLY?! No problem Sunny I’ll I have my stuff out before you get back have a nice night. And Sang you're a pathetic prick and no woman wants an insecure little boy bragging to her all night” The laughter taking over my body as I walk off. “You vindictive bitch!” Sang shouts grabbing my forearm. “Let me go” I yank my arm, his grip growing tighter. “No! You owe me I wasted my whole night on your spoiled bratty attitude the least you could do was give me want I want” He snarls.

EXCUSE ME ASSHOLE, before I can get my words out a familiar voice cuts me off from behind me, making me sober the second the sexy harsh voice entered my ears. My body stuck, “If you want to live to see tomorrow, I’d suggest you take your hand off of my wife”

A small gasp escapes my lips as my heart freezes. “Jungkook”

#BTS jungkook #jungkook angst #jeon jungkook #jungkook smut #jungkook fluff #bts angst #bts fluff #bts smut

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arizonamansions-blog · 3 years

Text

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team-free-will-oneshots · 5 years

Text

Beneath the Stars

Title: Beneath the Stars Request: Hi I was wondering if you could do a sam x reader where they’re on a hunt and to stop the monster they have to burn the place they are down and the reader gets trapped in the building and maybe even under some debris and Sam has to rescue them like partly angst partly fluff I just love your writing and wanted to see how you would take this on thnx ❣️ - @supernatural-02 Pairing: Sam x Reader Warnings: fire?? some descriptions of injuries/pain?? some angst?? but with fluff as well. and maybe some mild swearing but i can’t really remember Word Count: 3,619

note: so this turned out a little longer than i expected, but i hope you like it! thank you so much for the request! also i’m super duper tired tonight so i won’t be completing any ship requests tonight - I’ll work on them tomorrow! :)

“So, get this - turns out O’Connor was cremated,” Sam declared, eyes glued to his laptop screen. You frowned, glancing up from your own research, whilst Dean scoffed in the corner.

“Great - what the hell is he attached to, then?” Dean muttered. “The dude was loaded, had estates all over the country - why is he here? Just sayin’, if I was a ghost, I wouldn’t be sticking around this piece of crap town if I could be in a mansion in LA.”

Sam rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair and loosening his tie. As he and Dean began to bicker, you turned back to your laptop, continuing your research of the history of the house in question. It wasn’t spectacular - an abandoned two storey in rural Kansas, home to businessman Ross O’Connor, who died in “suspicious circumstances” in his own bed in 2014, aged forty. He’d been the last known resident of the property, and all seemed well until a few months ago, when interest was displayed in gentrifying the area. Every real estate agent who took on the house turned up dead a few days later, and what little evidence the three of you had managed to collect pointed you in O’Connor’s direction.

Your eyes skimmed the page, burning and strained from the blue light. While Sam and Dean had been in their FBI getups procuring as much intel as they were able, you’d been in the motel researching every lead they sent you. Their voices faded into the background now, nothing but a faint irritation as the words on the screen seemed to melt together. Your head hurt, and you vaguely wondered if you’d remembered to eat today. Sighing, you pulled away from the screen, slamming the lid shut.

“I’ve got nothing,” you declared. “I’m hungry, I’m exhausted, my head’s killing me. How about we head to bed and pick this up tomorrow?” you suggested, and the boys sighed, nodding their assent. As Dean headed for the shower, you laid on your bed, pressing your hands over your eyes in an attempt to block out the glaring fluorescent light. Stars bounced across your vision from the pressure, sparkling blue and yellow and red as they danced over your closed eyelids, lighting up the darkness as your eyes complained against your fingers. You felt the bed dip and glanced up to see Sam sitting at its foot. He offered you a small smile, though his eyes were warm with concern.

“Hey, you okay?”

You sighed. “Fine. I just feel like I’ve hit a wall,” you muttered, and the corner of his mouth twitched in sympathy.

“We’ll get there - we always do,” he assured you, moving to lay down next to you. You nodded, curling into his side as his arm circled your waist.

“Yeah, I know, but… it’s not just with the case. This, hunting, it’s all just… what are we working towards, Sammy? It’s not like we’re ever gonna get rid of all the monsters, so… what’s even the point?” you mumbled. Sam sighed, kissing the top of your head.

“Yeah, I know. But… we’re helping people, Y/N. Once we finish this case, who knows how many lives we’ll have saved?” he asked.

“Sure, I guess… and then they’ll gentrify this place, up the real estate prices, then rich people will kick all the poor people out. How’s that for helping people?” you scoffed. “It doesn’t make sense - this O’Connor guy, wouldn’t he be all for that? Everything I’ve read about him makes him seem like a total dickwad who let money get to his head. I’m just not seeing any motive for preserving that stupid house,” you said, and Sam frowned.

“You’re right, it doesn’t make any sense,” he said slowly. “And what Dean said earlier… he’s got a point. What is there here that this guy is attached to? He only moved here a month before he died. Nothing in this case is making any sense. Maybe we’ve got it wrong,” he mused. You made a noise of discontent.

“Well, we can work that out in the morning,” you mumbled. “I’m exhausted.”

Sam smiled sympathetically, rubbing your back as he pressed a kiss to the top of your head. You leaned into his warmth, his hard chest a far more appealing surface than the thin motel pillow. Your eyes fluttered as you struggled to keep them open, finding yourself focussing on the stars just visible through the tiny motel window. One thing had to be said for finding yourself in the middle of nowhere, even amidst the frustration of an unsolvable case - at least you could see the stars, see whole galaxies stretching across the sky, beautiful and glimmering and free. The stars faded into darkness as your eyes fell shut.

“Get some rest,” Sam urged, moving to run his fingers through your hair. “I love you,” he reminded you, and you smiled sleepily, burrowing your face into the crook of his neck and placing a soft kiss to the warm skin.

“Love you, too.”

---

It was barely 8 o’clock when Sam’s phone rang - another death. He sighed, alerting Dean as the two of them donned their FBI gear. You settled back in bed, computer in your lap as you continued to research. When Sam and Dean returned a few hours later, you glanced up hopefully, only to be met with downtrodden expressions and a heavy atmosphere that threatened to crush any flickers of hope you still held.

“No luck?” you asked, and Sam shook his head, shedding his jacket and collapsing next to you, glancing over your screen helplessly. You could smell the fresh air still clinging to his hair and clothes, taste the sweetness of the countryside on the breeze that crept inside when the door opened. His skin was flushed from the midday sun.

“Nope,” he affirmed. “How about on your end?”

You sighed. “Nothing.”

“Maybe we’re in over our heads,” Dean suggested glumly. “The amount of deaths must’ve dropped the place’s value by now - they’d be stupid to try and sell it now.”

“Dean!” Sam said sternly. “Those people - they had families, they deserve some kind of justice. Besides, someone might try to buy it in the fu-”

“Families…” you murmured, and Sam and Dean both glanced at you quizzically. You ignored them, brow creased and fingers hovering over your keyboard before you started typing frantically. Article after article arose, and you skimmed them quickly before searching past records. Slowly, the puzzle pieces fell into place. Sam and Dean’s trained their perplexed stares on you, but you hardly noticed - finally, it made sense!

“I’ve got it!” you declared. “Ross O’Connor - no record of him predates 1993. So, I did some digging… turns out, his name’s really Ross Miller. When he was nineteen he had a big blow up with his parents, moved out, even changed his name,” you informed them. Dean’s brow creased.

“So? What’s that have to do with the case?”

“I’m getting to that! So, I looked back at all the past owners of the house, and saw that the last owner before Ross was a woman named Carol Miller - must be his mother. House had been in her family since the fifties.”

Sam’s eyes lit up, and you kept talking. “Get this - Carol died of a heart attack, and six months later, her disowned son comes back into town and declares ownership of the house.”

“Okay… so, what, she left it to him in her will?”

You shook your head. “Nope - apparently, she left him out of her will entirely. He claimed he was forgotten, found himself a good lawyer, and must’ve had enough of a case to snag the old family home. I was right about what I said last night, about Ross being the kind of guy who’d want to make money out of the place. Looks like he was staying there while he helped sort out the finer details of a sales contract - he was the one who set up the plans to gentrify the area. But before it could go through…”

“He turns up dead under suspicious circumstances!” Sam finished, and you beamed, nodding.

“Yep! And wanna know the cherry on the cake? In an interview back in ‘08, Ross was asked about his family and said he and his parents had some disagreements over some property developments he’d proposed - I’m willing to bet that, as an aspiring young businessman, he saw the house might be of value and tried to get his mother to sell it-”

“Hence the blowout,” Sam murmured, and you nodded.

“So, what? His mum’s the spirit we’re looking for?” Dean demanded, and you nodded again.

“Yeah, I think so!”

“Great! Well, let’s just get to the cemetery and-”

“Yeah, that’s the thing - she was cremated too,” you said, eyes scanning your screen as you read the information to the boys. Dean groaned.

“Great. Perfect. So we’re in exactly the same place as before-”

“Not quite,” Sam objected. “Obviously the house was important to her - I wouldn’t be surprised if she was attached to it,” he remarked, and you nodded quickly.

“Exactly! So… what, we salt and burn the whole house?” you asked. Dean’s whole face brightened, and he closed his eyes, quietly pumping his fists in the air.

“Yes!” he hissed. “Flamethrower, here I come!”

---

“I can’t believe we’re actually committing arson,” you whispered, adrenaline levels high as the three of you snuck under the police tape and headed to the house, concealed beneath the cloak of night. It was almost two am, your only company the scattering of stars and the chirping of the crickets. Sam chuckled.

“Y/N, we’ve literally dug up graves and burned the bodies,” he reminded you.

“I know, I know, but this just feels different! Like, we’re literally burning down a house!” you exclaimed, and Sam chuckled again, the sound interrupting the sloshing in the gasoline can that was tight in his grip.

“I still can’t believe we’re not using the flamethrower,” Dean muttered, and Sam rolled his eyes as he picked the lock to the back door, ignoring his brother’s grumbling.

“Okay, she’s not going to go easy - everyone have iron bullets?” Sam checked as the door swung open. You nodded, hand finding the gun at your waist as you spread your fingers over the cold metal.

“Alright, let’s go,” Dean confirmed. “Y/N, you go to the attic, Sam, second floor, I’ll cover ground,” he said, reiterating the plan the three of you had established in the warm safety of the motel. The words sounded different now as the night’s chill bit at your skin and whipped at your face, stealing the whispers from your lips and swallowing them into the shadows.

The three of you slunk into the house - Dean began to scatter salt and gasoline as you and Sam headed upstairs. You finished the attic quickly, heading down to help Sam finish off the second floor. Once the house was saturated, you held the box of matches.

“Okay. You get out, I’ll light up the house as I go down,” you told him. Sam frowned.

“I’ll stay with you - just to be safe.”

You paused, but nodded. Couldn’t hurt. You lit the first match, and that was when the ghost appeared.

She charged towards you, screaming in anger and managing to throw you into the staircase. You cried out, losing your hold on the match as Sam shot her with an iron bullet. She disappeared, but you knew it wouldn’t be for long.

“Let’s go!” Sam yelled, helping you quickly to your feet as you lit a match and tossed it to the attic. It caught quickly, and you were halfway down the stairs when you tossed another lit match on the second floor. It, too, caught quickly. You were readying your third match when you got to the bottom of the stairs, only to find a wall of flames licking up the hardwood floors and heading rapidly towards you.

Shit - the match you dropped earlier. This was bad.

You saw Sam’s jaw tense and his body stiffen as he scanned the situation, calmly planning your escape. His hand found yours, and you let yourself breathe - mistake. Smoke choked your lungs and you coughed, lifting your shirt to hold against your nose. Sam was quick to copy you, dropping your hand as he did so.

“This way!” he said, shouting over the flames now - the floor above you was starting to collapse, smoke obscuring your surroundings as the flames crackled and ate at the walls, the roof, the floor, chewing through the furniture and quickly heading towards the exits. You nodded, following him as he weaved through the flames, eyes focused solely on the front door - the only exit left.

The windows to your left blew out, raining shards of boiling glass over the two of you. Some found your skin, and you swore as you shook it off, struggling to breathe even through the cloth of your shirt. Your hair was plastered to your scalp as sweat seemed to gush from your pores, and your eyes stung from sweat and smoke as you tried to keep up with Sam. But your boyfriend had long legs and a clear eye on the exit, while the smoke billowed over your head and blocked out most of your vision. You could feel yourself getting lightheaded, and when the edge of your jacket caught aflame, the few seconds it took for you to stamp it out were enough for you to lose sight of the youngest Winchester amongst the chaos.

“Sam!” you cried, choking on the smoke that snaked into your lungs. You coughed hard enough that you fell to your knees and retched, blindly screaming for his help, for Dean’s, for anyone.

That was when the ghost appeared - she was burning up, but while the house still stood, so did she. Though her power was fading, her anger made up for it ten times over, and suddenly a beam from the roof was crashing to the ground - right on top of your leg.

You screamed as your calf snapped beneath you, collapsing to the ground as searing pain raged past your knee and up your thigh. The flames greedily licked up your surroundings as the smoke continued to clog your lungs. You couldn’t breathe - you were choking and retching and your throat and nose burned with the acidity of vomit, and you were trapped.

You felt a rush of cool air, and you looked up - there was a gaping hole in the flaming roof, and amidst the blaze, you caught sight of the night sky, a glimpse of navy amongst the orange inferno. The flames leapt into the blackness, and you half expected them to burn it away, to watch the sky fold in and crumple like a burning piece of paper. But it stood steady, and as your vision began to fade and your lungs relinquish their fight, you couldn’t help but think how beautiful the stars were tonight.

-----

Sam was already outside when he realised he was alone.

He collapsed onto the grass, pressing his hot, sweaty face against the cool as he panted, gulping lungfuls of fresh air.

“We made it!” he cried. “Y/N, we-”

He paused, forcing himself to turn around. “Y/N?”

His stomach dropped as he saw the empty space behind him, and watched the building go up in flames.

“Sammy!” Dean’s voice rang through the air, and he appeared from the other side of the building, coughing and covered in ash. “Are you hurt? Where’s Y/N?”

“They-they were right behind me!” Sam stammered, and before Dean could stop him, he was back on his feet and sprinting into the burning building, Dean’s shouts echoing behind him. The smoke was worse up high now, but he still managed to pick his way through the burning debris, heart pounding against his ribcage as he held his shirt - drenched with sweat - over his face.

“Y/N!” he screamed, his heart almost giving out as he caught sight of you, unconscious and trapped under a fallen beam, leg splayed awkwardly beneath it. “Y/N!”

---

The stars were beautiful tonight. Beautiful, glimmering, free. You danced among them, enveloped in their warm glow as they swam playfully around you. They chased you, gleaming and laughing, and the more you ran, the warmer you became. You fell - you could feel yourself sweating, and suddenly you were gasping for air.

And then the stars were falling. You could feel them landing on your skin, like cool, tiny droplets that warmed too quickly in the thick air. Their laughter turned to screams and you felt them smother your face with something hot and damp. Your leg seared with pain, and as the stars fell away, your eyes fluttered open.

“Y/N!” Sam was screaming, voice rapidly coming into focus, and suddenly your whimsical imaginings were just that. The stars falling on your skin were none other than Sam’s tears, or sweat, or a combination of the two. You coughed, realising that Sam had ripped your sooty, sweaty shirt and was holding it over your mouth as he held up his own shirt with his free hand. “Y/N, thank god!” he yelled. “Come on, let’s get you out!”

You could see his muscles strain as he struggled to lift the heavy beam that had trapped you beneath its weight, but he could barely lift it a centimetre off the ground. Your head swam and your chest was tight, but it was a little easier to breathe lying down, close to the floor - probably the only reason you weren’t dead quite yet.

“Sam, it’s no use!” you managed to choke. “Get out of here!”

“No, nonono!” Sam yelled, grunting as he used all his weight to try and shove the beam away from you. It began to give, and you screamed as it’s movement tugged on your broken leg.

“Sammy, you have to go!” you cried, but your words were drowned out by his angry shouts and the roaring of the flames. The beam moved again, and suddenly Sam’s arms were looping around you and lifting you up against his chest. Your leg screamed in protest, and your eyes rolled back into your skull.

---

“They’ll be alright,” a gravelly voice murmured. “I’ve healed the worst of their wounds - but they must rest.”

“Thank you, Cas.” You recognised Sam’s voice, laced with stress and gratitude as it mellowed into a sigh. You felt a hand on your forehead, fingers brushing the hair from your face, and slowly, you blinked.

“Y/N!” Sam exclaimed, voice heavy with relief. “How do you feel? Are you okay?”

You swallowed tentatively. Your throat was raw, and you weren’t sure your nose would ever be free of the stench of smoke, but you found yourself nodding.

“You-you idiot,” you managed to cough, forcing yourself into a sitting position despite Sam’s frantic protests. “You should’ve left me! You could’ve died!”

Sam chuckled dryly. “I’d never leave you - not to that,” he told you, his thumb running gently over your cheek. You leaned into his touch, closing your eyes and holding his hand to your face.

“Yeah, well, you’re still an idiot,” you grumbled, and he laughed, genuinely this time, as he kissed your forehead.

“That’s fine by me,” he managed, and you found yourself smiling despite yourself. You pulled away and saw that your hands and clothes were covered in soot and ash, and still sticky with sweat. The motel bed beneath you creaked when you moved, and the blankets were hot over your legs. You kicked them off, marvelling as you realised your leg was healed. You knew of Castiel’s abilities, but when he used them to heal you, it was always disconcerting - injured one minute, completely fine the next.

“You shouldn’t have gone back,” you murmured again, wincing as you saw the traces of a burn peeking out beneath Sam’s sleeve. It was baby pink with tender new skin, still soft and delicate. Cas’s mojo wasn’t what it used to be - but even so, it had saved your life. And probably Sam’s, as well, if he’d inhaled half as much smoke as you had.

“Of course I went back,” Sam whispered, leaning his forehead against yours. You saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, licking his dry, cracking lips still covered in ash as he hesitated, his next words catching in his throat. “When I was in the cage… one of Lucifer’s favourite torture devices was fire. It was the worst- worst pain I’ve ever felt. I could never let that happen to you,” he said thickly. You managed a sympathetic half smile - even after all these years, Sam’s time in the cage still haunted him. He didn’t like to talk about it, so the fact that he did now was enough for you to drop your guard.

Your hand found his, and you squeezed it lightly.

“Well… you saved me,” you whispered, your lips grazing his cheek. He crawled in the bed next to you, his arms circling your waist and holding you close to his body. You nuzzled into his chest as he squeezed you almost uncomfortably close, but you didn’t dream of complaining.

When you finally pulled away, you found yourself distracted once more by the stars. Not the ones behind your closed eyes, nor the ones set into the night sky, still visible through the tiny window. No, not those, not this time.

Sam smiled, a breathless smile so full of relief and of love, and as your gaze met his…

You found the stars in his eyes.

__________

Forever Tags: @babygirloreo @calaofnoldor @stealingheartsswift13 @lmpala97 @sebastianshoe @81mysteriouslyme @castieliswatchingoverme

Sam tags: @sammys-dimpless

If you want to be added to any of my tag lists just let me know!

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yinxiong · 6 years

Text

the sun is always setting somewhere else

Characters: Lee Haechan x Reader (3rd person perspective)

Genre: drabble + fluff, oneshot

Word count: 2428

Summary: all that glitters is not gold, but maybe the boy who walks in sunlight would beg to differ.

Notes: inspired by Lisa Oppenheim’s photograph series I saw at a museum recently (should definitely search it up). also not really sure where this story went, or why it ends so badly, but it used up the last of my fanfic juices, so enjoy :)) (also for my evil hyuck stans @hyu-ck and @thorns-and-bumpy-roads <3)

she’s stuck.

stuck in her room, stuck in her house, stuck in the suffocating world of pretty dresses and shoes and glitter and money, money, money.

she’s sick of it.

“if you’re so sick of it, why don’t you just leave?”

she glares at the boy lounging on her king-sized bed, sinking into the plush velvet pillows as he taps away on his nintendo.

“easy for you to say. you’re just working here for the summer. you don’t have to live in this ugly world of gold forever.”

“yeah, but you can at least leave the house. no one is stopping you from going down to the carpark and taking one of those oh, i don’t know, shiny porsches and making a run down the hill. i’d say you’d get halfway to the main gate before they even notice your room is empty.” he snaps the gum in his mouth and blows a bubble, eyes fixed on the screen and not even sparing her a single glance. (not that she cared, or anything. she doesn’t care for much these days.)

“might i remind you that the reason i’m grounded right now is because i tried to do that last week with my father’s motorbike?”

he simply shrugs and pops another bubble, “you just chose the wrong vehicle. those things don’t cover like my shiny four-wheelers. plus, why would you take one of his personal bikes? he doesn’t even let me touch them, let alone you.”

“maybe i just wanted some attention,“ she grumbles, throwing a poorly-aimed pillow at his head (it misses). “no one remembers i exist unless i do something bad.”

he suddenly jumps up and rolls off the bed, shaking out his caramel hair streaked with blue and pink so it’s falling daintily over his forehead (she wonders if it feels as soft as it looks).

“wanna get something to eat? i’m starving.”

“from the kitchens? i’m so sick of eating gourmet food,” she sighs for the nth time that day, flopping down on the too-comfortable mattress in defeat.

“who said anything about gourmet food? i’m in the mood for some ramen.”

it takes her a moment to register his words.

“you mean you’re going out?” sitting up, she furrows her brow in confusion. “you don’t have a car.”

he smirks and waggles a finger dramatically, “yeah but i can always borrow one.”

she stares at him blankly, “they moved the keys so we wouldn’t be able to get into them.”

her ears are met with a soft groan, though instead of frustration she catches a hint of amusement in his tone, “you’re literally so dumb. makes sense you’re always stuck in here.”

“shut up, hyuck.”

“just kidding, angel.”

with a chuckle, he pulls a bright red key from thin air, dangling it in front of her face triumphantly, “you forget that i literally live in the carpark. i’m the one who moved the keys, so guess who has a ride out of this place?”

she scoffs, unable to hide her grin, “idiot. where are we going?”

reaching out, she makes a grab for the ticket to freedom, but before she can even brush her fingers against the plastic, he’s jerking his arm back with a teasing smile, “who said you were coming with me? i’m pretty sure you’re grounded-”

“hyuck!”

it’s been approximately forty-seven minutes since she’s left the mansion riding shotgun in the cherry red mercedes-benz convertible donghyuck snagged (so much for stealth), and so far there’s been no sight of any security car or helicopter out to hunt them down. maybe they could pull off this escapade after all.

“if you fall out because you leaned too far, i’m not responsible,” he shouts against the roar of the wind, and she can’t help but roll her eyes at his disguised worry.

“it’s better than having to go back to that hellhole.”

“normally i’d argue, but you’re being exceptionally annoying about it today so sure.”

“be quiet and just keep driving, please.”

“what does it look like i’m doing?”

she turns around to shoot him a glare, “i’m pretty sure i said to ‘be quiet’ too, though it sounds like you’re doing the exact opposite.”

he raises an eyebrow above the ridiculous gold-rimmed sunglasses perched on his nose – a complimentary gift scavenged from the glove box – and gives her (or what she assumes to be) a pointed look.

“who said i had to listen to you? my car, my rules.”

“my family owns this car, hyuck.”

“well i’m driving, angel, so better deal with it. unless you want to go to that business party at seven o’clock tonight, and i’m pretty sure that’s at the very bottom of your to-do list right now.”

sighing in defeat, she crosses her arms and falls back into the seat, watching the pristine emerald lawns of rich properties bloom into landscapes of rugged mountains and stubborn trees, grass now running rampant in their true realm. it makes her feel a little better, to know that no matter how hard they try, humans could never conquer the wild spirit of nature.

closing her eyes, she unties her hair and lets the wind take it up in its greedy hands, combing through with an untamed freedom she doesn’t remember experiencing in a very long time.

perhaps there’s still a little hope left for her.

the closest city is not much of a city at all, just an assortment of sun beat shops and motels surrounded by tiny houses dotted along a single road, but it’s filled with people who don’t eat and sleep in money, who don’t give a shit about whether their champagne tastes french enough or not (they don’t even drink champagne here).

for the first time in ages, she’s able to breathe.

“convenience store ramen has never tasted so good,” she sighs, happily slurping down the sodium-packed bane of her mother’s existence. “i missed being unhealthy.”

“if we were closer to seoul, i’d take you to the little ramen shop my brother works at.” donghyuck drums his fingers on the tiny wooden table they’re crowded up against, watching her attack the bowl he abandoned. “they make the best noodles in the entire country.”

“even better than the ones chef lee makes?”

“a hundred times better.”

“you better swear on it.”

he places a hand on her head and ruffles her hair playfully, “of course, angel. anything for you.”

his voice is void of mirth, replaced with something new, something bordering a fondness that makes her pause mid-bite.

she’s never noticed that before.

“what’s your favorite thing to do in the summer? besides stealing cars and hiding in my room because mrs. park will have your head if she catches you skipping jobs?”

tilting his head, he props an arm beneath his chin so she can catch the familiar twinkle in his eye. “why the sudden question? i thought we were on strict ‘no invading personal space’ terms.”

“shut up, you broke that the moment you started hanging out in my room.” huffing, she turns away so he wouldn’t see the sudden flush in her cheeks. “i just… never asked you about your life outside of mine. you’ve been here for two months but i don’t think i know much besides what music you like and which video games you play instead of studying.”

he blinks, pink lips parting slightly in surprise before he snaps out of his daze and gently prods her in the shoulder, “well, angel, it’s never too late to find out.”

the sun is skating across the surface of the water when donghyuck pulls up to the beach. jumping out the moment he stops the car, she begins running toward the water, not even stopping to check if he was behind her.

she gets about halfway there before stumbling to a stop in the sand.

“wow, thanks for waiting, angel. i didn’t know you were this excited to see my favorite place in the area,” he pants when he finally catches up. glancing at her face, he furrows his brow when recognizing her lost expression. “what’s wrong?”

she glances down at her trembling hands, then back up to see his concerned eyes. brown and warm and laced with an emotion she doesn’t know.

“i’ve never gotten this far before, hyuck.”

there’s a soft touch on her fingers, and he’s squeezing the anxiety from her nerves.

“hey, it’s going to be okay. i’m here with you,” he smiles, so sweet and genuine and she wonders why there are two suns in the sky. “don’t you want to see the sunset?”

somehow she manages to nod, and the next thing she knows they’re standing at the place where the sea kisses dry land.

“whenever i miss my family, i convince doyoung to lend me a car and drive out here. it’s only been a few times though.”

“did you come here a lot with them?”

he laughs, a melodious sound that turns her insides to melted chocolate. “nah, only once with my brother when he got me the job. we were just passing by, actually, but the sky was covered in purple and he just had to stop the car and take a picture.”

“oh. why is it so special to you then?”

he pauses, watching the lazy waves crawl ashore in scattered petals of white foam.

“before we left, he told me… he told me that no matter how far apart we were, the sun will always be setting somewhere. like it doesn’t matter where, but as long as i remember we still see the same sun every day, it’ll set and we’ll be a day closer to seeing each other again. kind of silly, i know.”

she takes a breath, inhaling the salty sweet air and letting the foreign scent wash through her mind.

“i don’t think it’s silly.”

his hand falls from hers as he flashes her a look of surprise. “really?”

“yes, really.” shrugging, she steps closer to the water, sticking out a foot as if daring the sea to lash out and pull her in. “if anything, i think that’s beautiful.”

from behind, she hears a light scoff, and she feels the corners of her lips lift up.

“you’re not really so bad, you know.”

“wow, i’m touched. what makes you think that?”

“most rich kids are really dumb and pretentious after growing up in money, but you’re nothing like them. you have real dreams and never looked down on someone poor like me.”

she almost loses her balance when she whips around to find him staring at the sand, hands shoved in his pockets and looking so, so small.

it makes her heart twinge.

“poor? you, poor?” a loud laugh of disbelief tumbles from her mouth. “how could someone who spends his entire summer working at a hellhole just to help support his family, someone who listened to the broken girl when no one else would, someone who saw me as something more than a spoiled brat and actually became my first friend, ever be poor?”

“angel, i’m working for you because i have no money. i’m literally poor.”

she shakes her head and grasps at his sweater sleeves, trying to find the ends of his heartstrings sewn into the seams.

“donghyuck, you have a heart of gold. you’re the richest person i’ve ever met.”

finally catching his fingers again, she looks up at his glowing honey face, the amber flecks of sun dancing in his eyes sending her into a mesmerized daze that steals her breath away.

their shoes are wet and the water is freezing, but she feels warm, oh so warm, when his firm arms wrap around her numb body and squeezes the lifelessness from her veins.

he smells like cinnamon and peaches and late summer bonfires, and she never wants to let go.

“you deserve so much more than what they see.”

the summer ends as fast as it came.

“angel, you have my number. just because you’re going across the ocean for a few months doesn’t mean you can’t contact me.”

she angrily bites down on her lip, blinking back the tears prickling at the corner of her eyes in frustration.

“i’m going to miss you.”

he chuckles and runs a hand through his faded hair, and she almost hits him for looking so pretty when she’s about to cry.

“well me too, angel, but it’s not like you’ll never see me again. i still have to take you out for ramen, remember?”

“can’t i just not get on the plane?”

“i don’t think how it works, angel.”

“don’t call me that, it’s just going to make me miss you more.”

with an angry huff, she shoves the stuffed bear he won her at a carnival into his arms, stomping away as childlike as she dares.

“christ, why are you so cute even when throwing a fit?” he mumbles, picking up her abandoned belongings and chasing after the spirited girl. “hey angel, wait. i have a gift for you.”

she counts to five seconds before slowing to a stop, listening to his rushed footsteps and the jingle of keychains bouncing on her bags until he stumbles into view. from his sweater, he pulls out a polaroid camera, finally revealing the reason behind the bulge in his pocket she’d been so suspiciously staring at since leaving the car.

“remember what i told you that evening at the beach? well, i thought that since it worked for me, it might work for you too.” clearing his throat, he holds it out as a peace offering, a smile ghosting his heart-shaped lips when she hesitantly accepts the present. “for each time you miss me to the point of going insane – which i really hope you don’t, that would be really hard to explain to your parents – i want you to go and take a picture of the sunset. doesn’t matter where or how pretty, just a sunset. that way, you’ll remember that we’re still connected, and we’re one day closer to seeing each other again. how does that sound?”

one pause turns to two, three. yet still he stands there, patient and waiting with his heart on his sleeve.

“hyuck?”

“yeah?”

“can i kiss you?”

“well if you’re really that desperate, angel, i guess-”

there’s nothing more satisfying than the feeling of being able to shut donghyuck up, and with his soft sighs and sweet lips and gentle hands tangling in her hair, she knows this is something she could definitely get used to.

fin.

193 notes · View notes

primortravel · 3 years

Photo

New Post has been published on https://primortravel.com/explore-nyc-like-a-local-crazy-sexy-fun-traveler/

Explore NYC like a local - Crazy sexy fun traveler

16 Jul2021

New York City is a fantastic destination for any traveler. With a mix of different cultures, incredible monuments, and exotic food joints – the city is full of so many places to visit that it might seem overwhelming. While the famous tourist attractions include the iconic Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Empire State Building, and Central Park (to name a few), NYC is so much more than that! But can you explore NYC like a local, and not like a tourist?

We don’t mean that you shouldn’t visit these places. What we’re saying is that NYC is home to even amazing spots that are underrated and often hidden from plain sight. From the Whispering Arch of the Grand Central to the beautiful Stone Street in Manhattan, there are scores of hidden gems in this city that are sure to take your breath away.

Today, we’ll explore some ‘secret,’ not-so-famous attractions that you must see when visiting New York City. So, let’s explore NYC like a local!

1. Visit the Morgan Library and Museum in Murray Hill

This beautiful and historic library feels more like a scene from a Harry Potter movie than a library. Built for Pierpont Morgan between 1902-1906, this momentous building was formerly known as the Pierpont Morgan Library.

It currently houses a museum with a huge collection of manuscripts, books, and artworks and is located between 36th street to the south at 225 Madison Avenue. You can find more about the rich heritage and visitor timings on the library’s website.

2. Walk through New York’s Breathtaking Glass Waterfall

After just a 4-minute walk from Times Square, you’ll reach what’s called the glass waterfall. Snuggled against one side of the famous McGraw-Hill building, it’s a thing of shimmering beauty.

As you stand below the waterfall and allow the water to fall majestically over the glass dome, you feel a sense of relaxation amongst the busy life in New York City. We are not exaggerating; you can clearly see each droplet of water reflected on the glass surface. It’s a pity if you miss this spot during your visit.

3. See the Smallpox Hospital in Roosevelt Island’s

This hospital has a spooky history. It was built on Roosevelt Island in 1856 to quarantine people suffering from smallpox. Featuring a Gothic Revival style, the hospital treated about 7,000 patients every year during its prime.

It was abandoned in the 1950s but was declared a city landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1975. There are rumors of ghosts and other supernatural activity within the hospital, so it’s better to visit it during the daytime and take someone with you if you’re faint-hearted. It sure is a must-see spot for all adrenaline junkies!

4. Visit Stone Street in Manhattan

Manhattan is considered one of the best places to stay while visiting New York City by Selina.com. It is competing mainly with Brooklyn for the title of “best borough in NYC”. Both have outstanding reputations, but Manhattan has Stone street, as well.

Located between Whitehall Street in the west to Hanover Square in the east, Stone Street was one of the first streets to be paved with cobblestones and was formerly called Duke Street. Today, it is famous for its eating places and restaurants and is ideal for visiting during the night.

5. Visit the Dead Horse Bay in Brooklyn

Dead Horse Bay is a landfill situated between Marine Park and Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn. This peculiar bay is covered with thousands of glass bottles and other indecomposable material.

Contrary to other places on this list, it is not a location known for its scenic beauty but a reminder about NYC’s past. A time before cars, when people drove horse-and-buggies, and dead horse carcasses were used to manufacture glue and fertilizers.

Dead Horse Bay offers curious minds a glimpse into the past dating as far back as 100 years.

6. See the Old City Hall Subway Station

One of the most remarkable stations in NYC, the Old City Hall station is located at the end of the 6 train line, which terminates at the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan. It was closed in the 20th century.

With its stained-glass windows and meticulously designed arches, the Old City Hall station is a true remnant of the old New York City. Having said that, it can be relatively tricky for you to visit.

The MTA Transit Museum runs tours of the station on certain special occasions. These tours allow tourists to catch a glimpse of this marvel of engineering and design. So, it is recommended to check the timings and dates of these visits if you wish to see the station.

7. Experience the Waterfall in Greenacre Park, Midtown

The Greenacre park in Midtown East is famous for its 25-foot waterfall constructed from huge sculpted granite blocks. Built in 1971 by the Greenacre Foundation, it offers tourists a nice distraction from the busy streets of NYC.

Having received several awards for its design, the park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the US Department of Interior. You can find everything about this exotic location on their official website.

8. See the amazing Fort Tryon Park in Inwood

Get prepared to be amazed by these massive stone arches that look out of another century. The last standing remains of the Tryon Hall Mansion; these stone arches were built between 1901-1905.

Fort Tryon Park is probably NYC’s most beautiful piece of outdoor artwork. An interesting fact about this park, apart from the marvelous stone arches, is that it is home to Manhattan’s largest dog run. You can find the entire history of this park along with the public activities currently on offer on the park website.

9. Whispering Arch of Grand Central Station

The whispering Arch in the Grand Central Station is another amazing hidden attraction in NYC. Well, this one is more like an open secret and is something you have to hear instead of seeing.

All you have to do is to stand facing the corner of the arches and ask a friend to stand on the opposite side of the arches. Now even if you speak in a normal tone, you’ll be amazed to find that your voice will clearly be heard on the other side!

This neat acoustic trick is because of a clever design known as the whispering gallery. Because of its dramatic and unique method of communication, this spot is famous for marriage proposals.

NYC Grand Central Station

10. Observe the Bird Habitats of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens

Having saved one of the best spots for the last, we now present to you the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. One of the largest bird habitats in the US, it includes 12,600 acres of water, salt marshes, and upland fields.

Created in the 1950s, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a great place to observe seasonal bird migration. You can visit Jamaica Bay’s website for complete information about the timings and driving directions.

To Sum Up

Phew! That was quite a list.

These were some of the ‘secret’ places to visit in NYC that not everyone has heard of. By visiting these spots, you will be exploring NYC like a local, and that’s really something!

TIP: In the past I published another article about alternative atractions in New York City. Check it out! NYC has a lot to offer beside the main tourist spots, trust me.

Have you been to NYC? If so, are you familiar with the places mentioned in this article? Tell me in the comments below.

Posted in North America, tips, travel, USA Tags: New York, USA

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#Backpacking #SoloTravel #SoloTraveling #Solotrekker #Travel #Traveling

#Backpacking #SoloTravel #SoloTraveling #solotrekker #Travel #Traveling #Social Travels #Solo-Traveling

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littlefrostwrites · 4 years

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Prompt: a group of boys find a dead body

for my writing challenge

Kell puts his phone down on his desk, having just finished a phone call with a client. He had good news for her today, happy he was able to let her know that the opposition had decided to settle [description of case here]. It had been nice to hear her happy and grateful voice when he call, but he admitted it had been far more satisfying to see the opposing lawyer’s face when he had executed the winning move. He shrugged his suit jacket back onto his shoulders, having removed it early when he felt warm. But now he wanted to feel put together, as he headed to his managing partner’s office to report the good news.

He swept through the doors, not bothering to knock as he could see through the glass that she wasn’t busy.

“I settled the London case!” he declared, dropping the file on Astrid Athos’ desk and plopping into the seat across from her. She didn’t look up from where her eyes were fixed on the screen of her laptop.”

“That’s great,” she said. Kell frowned. “But it’s just pro bono. None of that money is going to the firm.” At this, she finally looked up and took off her glasses. She was unimpressed.

“Yes, but it does make our firm look good, doesn’t it, to be taking on all these pro bono cases, and not only that, but also winning them. So spectacularly as well!” Kell laughed. “You should have seem opposing counsel’s faces-”

“Yes it’s all very well a good that we won, but it needn’t have been you.” Kell sighed as Astrid launched into a well trodden argument. “As a firm, I agree we have to do pro bono, but that’s what we have associates for. You don’t only don’t pass off your mandatory two cases per year to associates as most partners do, you’ve already taken on triple that number this year. And it’s only March.”

“What can I say, I’m a benevolent guy,” Kell quipped. It was lighthearted in delivery, but they both knew it wasn’t truly. Astrid got up from behind the desk and walked over to where Kell was sitting. He stood up, uncomfortable with her looming over him. This way, he was taller and felt more in control, and so when she put a hand on his cheek gently, it didn’t sting as much.

“Son, you are a good person. You don’t have to keep making up for the past.” She let her hand and her words linger for a few seconds, before retracting her arm and turning back to her side of her desk. “Besides, you left your silly dreams of civil law behind a long time ago and are a corporate lawyer. And in this field, you do what is best for the firm. What is best for this firm is for you, our highly skilled junior partner, to continue winning cases for paying clients. So I ask that you focus on that for the remainder of the quarter. Do you understand me?” Kell sighed and then nodded sharply.

“Yes.”

_____

Delilah is in the kitchen when Kell finally gets home around 8 PM, the table set and the food cold on top it. She’s not mad though, just greets him with a kiss, asking him how work was and chiming, “You work so hard!” when he told her briefly about his day. They eat dinner in silence, a simple pasta salad. Delly had grown up in a house with not one, but multiple maids to clean the large rooms and cook for her family of six. When they moved in together, Kell had refused Delly’s inquiry of hiring a maid for themselves, citing that two young professionals should be able to also keep the house clean and cook for themselves. When she had accepted his marriage proposal though, she had made him promise that they would at least get a nanny when they eventually had a child. He had agreed reluctantly, supposing that hiring on one staff wasn’t all that uncommon and would necessarily write them off as rich and out of touch. He hoped.

He asked after Delly’s day as well, which had ended at 4 pm as it always did. She informed him that she had lunch with a number of sponsors, pitching to them the mission of the non-profit that she worked at rather successfully too. Delly was good at her job, and people instantly took to her, charmed by the story of the daughter of the CEO of one of the largest tech companies in the world using her business degree to work for a non-profit that paid far less than reasonable to support the luxuries that she was accustomed to. What was often left out of the conversation was hefty trust fund that had be deposited into her account at the age of 25 and the company shares that her father had bought in her name since she was four years old.

Image mattered though, and Delly was perfect for Kell, not only because she was genuinely kind and wanted to help people, but also because she was beautiful, well-connected and had a do-gooder reputation. And Kell was perfect for Delly, a lawyer at a firm that often took on high-profile pro-bono cases, showing they cared about the public, but also a corporate lawyer, with a salary that meant they and their children would never want for anything, even without any of Delly’s family money.

“Dinner with your parents tomorrow,” Delly reminded him once they had finished dinner and gotten ready for bed. They were lying together in the center of the bed, with his arm around her and her head tucked against his chest. They felt perfect together like this, Kell thought to himself. The kind of couple you would see in a movie, the couple you would root for because they just seemed to fit.

“Right, 6 pm yeah?” Delly hummed in agreement before extracting herself briefly from his arms to turn off the light on the nightstand. Then she was back again and Kell found himself drifting off to sleep.

***

Delly and Kell have dinner with his parents once a month, and have dinner with her parents once a month as well, alternating every two weeks to be fair. Today is a Tuesday and they make the forty minute drive from their condo downtown to the very outskirts of the city, watching as the skyscrapers vanish and are replaced by highways, trees and hills, and grand mansions. They park on the driveway of the largest one on the block, a pure ivory two story with five garages and a lakefront view. The first time Kell had brought Delly over, she had spent most of the meeting gushing with his mother about interior design, complementing her exquisite and classy taste in decor, and gathering inspiration for their future house. Kell knew that Delly was already scoping out the market on top of her involvement in their wedding preparations, and had even gone to a couple of open houses with her mother.

Astrid and Athos greeted Delly and Kell with hugs, before graciously accepting the cherry pie that Delly had baked, instructing the maids to take it to the kitchen to keep warm until it was time for dessert.

They settled down for their meal and made idle small talk, before Athos spoke more purposefully.

“Kell, I heard that your highschool class is having their ten year reunion this weekend?” He looked pointedly at his son. “Are you planning to make an appearance?”

“Oh we should! It would be so nice to meet some of your old classmates!” Delly exclaimed before Kell could respond.

“Yes, I think it’d be a good opportunity to touch base with them, reminisce on old times and also, show them your achievements, how much you’ve changed and grown since you all saw each other last.” Athos gives Kell a meaningful look and Kell understands what he’s getting at. He considers for a moment and then says,

“I’d forgotten that was coming up. Yes I agree, it’d be good to make an appearance.” Delly made an excited noise at that and they continued on with their meal.

Later, as they were getting ready to leave, Astrid took her son aside.

“I’m proud that you’ve decided to see your highschool classmates again. I know it must have been hard for you to make that decision.”

“I think it’s time to confront them, don’t you? I’m a different person now, and it’s time to show them all that.” Kell’s voice was steady with conviction, but inside he felt a bit uneasy, a ball of anxiety starting to unfurl. He tapped it down and smiled at his mother. “I’m sure it’ll go fine. And Delly’s so excited to meet everyone, I’m sure she’ll smooth over any awkward moments.”

“Yes I’m sure it’ll go great, you’ll both impress everyone. Delly was such a good choice for you, she brightens your whole demeanor.” Kell sniffed at that remark, but gave his mother a kiss of the cheek goodbye and his father a hug, finally leaving with one last remark that he would see Astrid bright and early tomorrow at work.

Scene 3 (unfinished): The reunion happens and goes well. Catches up with boys. No classmates approach them at first, but then slowly some people integrate. Main character repeatedly points out good deeds he has done. Gets internally angry when another classmate takes attention off him recounting his probono work. But halfway through, some of the classmates take the stage to commemorate the death of one of their classmates. Fiance, “you never told me someone in your class died?”. The word “suicide” is explicitly used at one point. When getting refreshments, Fiance asks him if he knew the other boy well bc he seems “sad”. He mutters not really, is overhead by another classmate. They confront him about it, fiancé finds out.

The reunion is on Saturday, so Wednesday morning, Kell reaches out to his old crew from highschool, asking if any of them are planning on attending as well. When he’s

“The people here are so rude.” Delly interrupts him and Holland with a sniff and a light stomp of the foot. Kell asks her what she’s on about. “We were chatting so nicely and then they asked who I was with, so I told them I was your fiance and then they suddenly made up some sort of excuse and left! I was just in the middle of convincing them to become donors too.” Delly tried to use every opportunity to promote her causes. As shallow and airheaded as Kell thought she could be, it was moments like this that reminded him why everyone else bought into her passion for making the world a better place. She put so much effort into it that how could anyone doubt her intentions?

“You never told me someone in your class died? Is that why you’ve been so off today? Did you know him well?” Her beautiful face turned inquisitively towards his, her face scrunched in empathy. Kelly adjusted his tie uncomfortably, lowering his voice.

“Uh, no we weren’t close. I barely knew him,” he lied, trying to keep his voice down. But clearly someone heard him.

“Excuse me?” Kell and Delly turned to face a red headed lady with a wine glass in her hand. She looked irate and her face was red, a juxtaposition against the cream white of her business casual dress.

“I’ve heard you! Boasting about all your achievements, all your phony do-gooding. You’re trying to erase what you did in the past, but we all remember. No matter how many cases you win, how many donations you make to anti-bullying campaigns, how many[...] we won’t be fooled again. You’ll always be a cruel, hateful boy and someday, you’re going to trip up again and show those you’ve fooled who you really are - a mean, hateful man, and now a liar and phony.” Kell thought she was done speaking but then she turned to Delly and said, “I’m so sorry honey,” before turning to him again to finish off with, “Go home Dane. Nobody wants you here.”

A crowd had gathered around them, and Kell could see in the eyes of his former classmates and just as they hadn’t wanted him at their school graduation, they didn’t want him at their reunions either. It didn’t matter that some of them had been genuinely interested in talking with him about the various non-profit initiatives he was invested in and the one he was setting up at his firm, now they were reminded of their shared past and everything he had done since was tinged with insincerity. So he lifted his glass in acknowledgement, set it half empty down onto a nearby table, before taking his leave, sweeping a slightly starstruck Delly against him and towards the exit.

******

Delly was quiet in the car and didn’t speak until they got home. She took her heels off in the front entrance and then dropped onto the couch in their living now. Kell hovered into the kitchen, but could still hear her when she said,

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kell flipped the kettle on and let the sound of the water heating up fill the space between them for a few moments.

“I didn’t want you to think any different of me.” He sighed as he walked towards her and then sat down on the coffee table in front of Delly, taking her hands in his. She didn’t look at him. “We were silly teenage boys back then, too caught up in our own worlds to understand the effect that we were having on him. If we had known how sensitive he was--”

“Sensitive?” Delly interrupted, and the tone of her voice would have keyed him into the danger of the situation he was stepping into. He hurried to correct himself.

“My point is that I understand what we did wrong back then, I wouldn’t do it again. I regret it every day. I’ve changed.”

“Have you? Do you regret what happened because a boy died or do you regret it because your classmates think you’re a terrible person? You know I always did wonder if you truly wanted to do good why didn’t you go into civil law? Why corporate? It never did make sense to me. And now I know! You don’t really care about the less fortunate, you only care about your image! It’s not about helping your client out, it’s about winning, and showing the world how many pro bono cases you’ve done so that they’ll all say, Wow look at Kell Dane, such a champion for the voiceless! You’re a fraud!” Her voiced gradually got louder as she spoke, to the point where she nearly screamed her last accusation at him.

“You’re one to talk! You’re always going on about new initiatives, and helping those more fortunate than you and then turn around and buy clothing that has been created in sweatshops by the very people you say you care about. I may be a fraud, but you’re a hypocrite!” He lashed out. Delly stared at him with wide eyes. Kell had never yelled at her before, had always made sure to never raise his voice, present himself as a soft hearted, but capable, man. She slowly crumpled, like a butterfly with a broken wing would, and he saw one tear start to fall, and then she slapped him. The force of it whipped his head to the right. Kell didn’t go after her when she ran off to the bedroom.

Delly cries herself to sleep and Kell waits until her tears subside before crawling into bed next to her. He wonders if this is the beginning of the end again. Everyone had been so quick to turn against him in high school, the students, the teachers, the administrative staff, and especially the school board who were only negotiated into allowing him to graduate with the contingency that he was homeschooled for the rest of the year, didn’t attend the ceremony and didn’t speak to the press. The other boys were treated the same way, and they barely talked to each other either, too shocked about what had happened and each ruminating on their own role in Rhy’s fate. Kell spent the next year, next few years, angry with everyone. He was angry with himself for being so stupid as to not have seen it coming, for his friends for the same, at his parents using their money to get him out of any consequences, at everyone at school for deeming him a villain. He vowed to prove them wrong, show them that he wasn’t bad, that he had just been a normal teenage boy, maybe with a bit of a mean streak, but really he was quite decent, good even. He would show them, he had thought.

But now it was clear that he had failed.

Kell tried not to think about Rhy before, because thinking about him made him sad and angry and hopeless, and Kell was trying to remake himself so he could not afford to feel sad and angry about hopeless. Maybe that’s why he never told Delly, because he didn’t want to believe that it had happened, choosing to remove those moments in highschool from his character. But now, after being rejected once again by his classmates and lying in his bed with his fiance turned away from him, he does think about Rhy. Specifically, he thinks about how Rhy had felt when it had happened, if he had been scared. Or if he felt all those years ago the way Kell does now, empty and hopeless, as he set the scene and pulled the trigger on himself.

#frostweeklychallenge #did better this week #outlined earlier and wrote a lot more #but didn't actually finish the story - i ran out of time #i actually really like my idea for this week? may return to this #unfinished may return #also have not read this over at all oops #I think I've started to understand how to structure my time for writing throughout the week

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tstravels · 7 years

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Zanzibar: Stone Town

Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The biggest island is often labeled as “Zanzibar,” even though it’s called Unguja. It is usually known for its white sand beaches and awesome diving. However, we went on a rainy weekend at the start of Ramadan, so we were just set to explore Stone Town, the biggest city in the South of the island.

We had heard many stories about the horrors of the 90 minute ferry ride on rough seas, so we were pretty nervous. It wasn’t too bad on the way there, but that might have been because we got business class instead of economy (only $5 more and worth it, we used Azam ferries). I will say that we took the 7am ferry on a Saturday morning on purpose, because we heard that the ride would be less rough in the morning. So we arrived in Zanzibar around 9:30 to a bustling terminal, where we went through a strange, disorganized, immigration process, lackluster security, and popped out into a sea of taxi drivers yelling at us. Luckily, our guest house had arranged for someone to pick us up and he had a sign with our names on it.

We stayed at the Jambo Guest House (~$25 a night), which was absolutely lovely. There are shared bathrooms, but you can get a private room if you’d like and each room has these beautiful intricate bed frames, mosquito nets, and AC. Plus they serve a killer breakfast in the morning.

Our first task was finding something to eat (a challenge, because of Ramadan) and we ended up getting roped into a tour instead. We toured Christ Church, a cathedral built on a former slave trading post, and learned about the sad and rich history of the church from an awesome tour guide (~10,000 TSH or $5).

Outside were neatly trimmed gardens, and a tall, thin, tree with wide branches that represented the tree that they used to tie slaves to beat them before selling them (to see how strong the slaves were). Inside, our guide spoke about how the British built this church with the help of slaves, before starting a movement to free slaves.

He talked very highly of the British, as if they were the heroes in the story, which is never the case. Outside of the church, there was a building that used to be a hospital. Underneath this building were the former slave quarters, of which two remain for historical purposes. That was really sad to go down in, because they were well-preserved but not “dressed up” at all, how some museums do. It was just a small cement cellar type thing with low ceilings, maybe a room half the size of mine at home, used to fit 50-70 slaves at once. This was if they survived the journey to Zanzibar, they were put in these quarters with no food, water, or bathroom for two days (with like 50 other people), and if they survived that, then they went to the tree to be physically beaten, and if they survived all of that, then they were sold. Just a reminder of how cruel people were for so long.

After that, there was a whole exhibit with pictures and stories to supplement the tour. I think the coolest part was at the end where they had a panel on modern day slavery. It still exists today and I think that there are more slaves today than there were in the time of African slavery. If you’re curious about it, google it (or research that label on the clothing you’re wearing right now).

Side note: One of the cool things about Zanzibar is that it is truly a mixing pot of influences. Sadly, this is because it was a major slave trade hub back in the day. Because of that, the island and the architecture has influences from the Arabs, Portuguese, Germans, British, Indians, Chinese, as well as Tanzania, obviously.

After that we aimlessly walked around, lost in the winding streets of Stone Town. I consider myself pretty good at reading maps and directing people, and I got us lost within like 10 minutes of trying to navigate Stone Town. Eventually we found a nice little tucked away restaurant where we had some of the best Tanzanian food we’ve had so far and met a (hungry) kitty friend.

Side note: there were cats everywhere and it was awesome, but I couldn’t pet any of them because I’m actually pretty scared of rabies here.

After lunch we just walked around, but lots of people were hassling us to the point where we couldn’t walk without some random man following us telling us we were lost and we needed him. We decided to try and go to the market. We saw a really sad chicken scene, with men stuffing chickens into this basket on top of a bike and then wheeling it through the market to have them killed. I actually considered being vegetarian for a second. I think I’m headed that direction here.

After the market, we went back into town and saw some Persian baths. It was only 2000 TSH (less than $1) and it was pretty cool.

You can definitely imagine how the baths would have looked in their peak days. Next, we made our way to the sultan’s palace and the Palace Museum, which was really just an old mansion, but still pretty cool.

We had dinner at a restaurant called Maru Maru, super touristy and mediocre food, but whatever. I regret not going to the gardens for night time BBQ, but it was late and we were tired so we just headed home.

#zanzibar #unguja #island #tanzania #travel #adventure #stone town #history #christ church #palace #baths #ramadan

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anotherlifefic · 5 years

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Chapter 6: A Home to return to

I don't know what I had been looking for. Given how rich Link seemed to be, I had expected a mansion or at least a very, very big house. But the building we arrived at was just a regular-sized house with a nice wooden facade and a bunch of empty flowerpots underneath the windows. Just big enough for a small family. Link pulled a key from his pocket and opened the door. „I almost expect the key to disintegrate every time I use it“, Link quipped. I raised my eyebrow. „Why would you think that?“ We entered the living room as he answered:„Because the keys in the dungeons I had to go through during my adventures did just that, and for every locked door, I had to find another key.“ „Sounds annoying.“ „It was.“ The furnishings were quite simple. A table with four chairs was standing in a corner of the main room, next to a small stove and oven with firewood underneath them. On the other side, there was a fireplace and a couch in front of it. A green rug with a leaf-pattern covered the floor. In fact, all of the furniture felt like it belonged in the forest. The wood was only polished if it really needed to be, and the side of the table still had bark on it. „It might not be especially fitting for a house in the city“, Link said as he noticed my questioning gaze. „But it reminds me of my home back in Kokiri Forest.“ He sounded so sad as he said the name of his former home that I couldn't help but hug him. „If you loved the forest so much, then why move to the city?“, I asked as we sat dow on the couch. He was quiet for a moment, staring into the unlit fireplace before starting to talk. „You know, I always felt kind of out of place in Kokiri Village. Sure, most of the Kokiri were very kind to me, but I always felt that I was different. And now that I'm fully grown, I feel even more out of place there.“ He sighed wistfully. „Kokiri Village is not made for adults, Rebecca. Even if I managed to somehow build a house that fit my size there, nothing else would.“ I took his hand. While quite small for a man, it was still bigger than mine and I could feel how rough his palms were from handling weapons. And yet he seemed so soft right now. I wondered how it must have felt to him. Learning that he never belonged to the place he had thought of as home. Not being able to stay there, for whatever reason. He must have felt so alone. „Hey. Don't look so sad.“ He gently grabbed my chin and lifted it up so I was looking into his blue eyes. He smiled and planted a kiss on the corner of my mouth.

After a while, we went back to the marketplace, as Malon would soon return from the castle to pick me up. We were only standing at the fountain for a few minutes, when I heard a voice behind us. „Rebecca!“ I flinched and tried to put on a brave face as I turned around to face my mother. „Hello, Mother.“ She did not even greet me. „I thought you were working at that ranch.“ „Malon just went to the castle to deliver milk, while I went to visit a friend.“ She looked at Link in very much the same manner one would regard a particularly large bug. Then she turned to me again. „Running about with random men will only give you a bad reputation.“ Hot fury shot through my veins. How dare she talk about him like that. Time may have erased his deeds, but that didn't change the fact that she owed him her life. All of us did! I took a step toward her, and she must have seen the anger in my eyes, because she backed off. „You have no right to talk to us like this. I spent my entire childhood in fear of your judgement. But that's in the past.“ I took another step. „No. More. You hear me?“ „Now see how you talk to your own mother!“, she spat. „I knew working at that ranch would taint you.“ I did not know what I would have done if Link hadn't grabbed my arm in that moment. He cast my mother a blank look before whispering to me:„Don't. This isn't worth the hassle. The best thing you can do right now is walk away and continue doing the things you love.“ I took a deep, calming breath before turning away. Just at that moment, I saw Malon's carriage approach. „There's Malon. Come, we'll meet her halfway.“ Link led me away from my mother, who as all but steaming with rage.

„Hey, there you are! How was-... what happened?“ Malon stopped the carriage and jumped off of the coachman's seat. „We met my mother“, I said dryly, knowing that that was all Malon needed to know. She hummed in sympathy. „She didn't change her stance on anything, did she?“ „No.“ „She certainly won't be invited to our wedding“, I heard Link mutter under his breath. I turned to him, blushing and alarmed. „W-what?“ „Uh... nothing.“ He hugged me one last time. „I hope I'll be seeing you again soon. Goodbye!“

I was still slightly shaken when we arrived back at the ranch. The encounter with my mother had reminded me of why I had left my childhood home to begin with. I knew that she meant well, or at least that's what I told myself over and over so I wouldn't start hating her. She just didn't know any better. But she also refused to learn. I tried to forget about it. Instead, I wanted to think about what Link said before we parted. He spoke of a wedding. So he wanted to get married? My anger disappeared at the thought, being replaced by giddiness. During supper, I let my imagination go wild for a bit. I imagined myself in a beautiful white dress and Link in the silken tunic I had made for him, and all of our friends gathered to witness us being joined together in holy matrimony. Malon must have noticed how lost I was in my daydream, because next thing I knew, she poked me in the side and whispered:„I hate to interrupt whatever you were thinking about right now, but your stew is getting cold.“ I flinched. „Ah! Sorry, I was just... just...“ „Thinking about what Link said?“ Malon grinned. „Wait, you heard that?“ „Of course I did. I'm not deaf.“ She rested her chin on her folded hands. „I bet you were already thinking about what kind of dress you'll wear when 'it' happens.“ I lowered my head, staring at my still full bowl. „Well... yes, who wouldn't? I know it's too early to think about it, but...“ „Hey, nobody can stop you from daydreaming.“ She grinned. „But you really should get to eating your stew.“

After supper, I retired to my room, my gaze falling onto the bolt of silk Link had bought for me. I let my hand run across the fabric, taking in how soft it was. Then I looked out the window. There was still some time before I had to go to bed. If I started now and worked on it every evening, one bit at a time, maybe the dress would be done by the time Link and I were ready. And if it never came to that... at least I'd have a dress for special occasions. I wanted it to match Link's tunic, with vines embroidered on the seams. Long and flowing, something normally fit only for a lady of standing. I kept working on the dress until it was almost midnight, then I collapsed onto my bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

The next few weeks went by without anything special happening. Link occasionally came to visit, and whenever Malon had to deliver milk, I would accompany her to visit him. I spent the days working to the best of my ability, and the evenings working on my dress. The days got hotter and more humid as summer finally fully arrived.

One day, Link came to visit quite early in the morning. I saw him talk to Malon and Talon at the entrance of the farm while I was on the pasture with Glory. Then he came up to me, still on Epona. „Rebecca! Come, take Glory and follow me!“ I looked at him as if he had lost his mind. „As much as I'd love to, I can't. I still got work to do.“ His eyes twinkled with mirth. „I just asked Malon and Talon if they could spare you for today. They said yes. So I thought we could ride down to Lake Hylia to cool off.“ A date at Lake Hylia seemed tempting indeed. I looked at Glory, who nudged my arm as if to say „Go ahead!“ So I smiled at Link. „Okay then!“

We rode along the road at an easy pace. It was too hot for the horses to go any faster, but we weren't in that much of a hurry, anyway. For a bit of the way, we held hands. At about noon, we arrived at the lake. We rode right up to the waterfront and dismounted, letting our horses drink and rest while we took off our shoes and walked in the shallow water to cool our feet. Link took my hand and smiled at me. „So, how have you been doing lately?“ „Missing you whenever you were gone“, I admitted. „But apart from that, I was fine. How about you?“ „Pretty much the same. Missing you, but otherwise okay.“ Then he stopped and turned to me. „Hey, I want to try something. Close your eyes.“ I did, and then I felt his arms around me and his lips on mine. This time, he was a little bolder, his tongue tracing the line of my closed lips until I opened them. The kiss was still a bit clumsy, but better than it had been, and before I knew it, I was clinging to him like a drowning person would cling to anything that keeps them afloat. We were slightly breathless when we parted, looking at each other with red cheeks and wide eyes. I was the first one to regain my speech. „See... it's all a matter of practice.“ He smiled. „And I'd say we still have a bit of time to practice before we have to go back to the ranch.“ I giggled and let him pull me closer. It felt amazing, having his body pressed against mine, feeling his warmth and his lips on mine. I buried my hands in his hair, allowing the soft blonde strands to flow in between my fingers. When we parted for a moment, a soft, happy sigh escaped my lips. This was too good to be true. It had to be a dream. But no, it all felt real. We sat down in the soft grass and watched the sun paint glistening shapes onto the waves of the lake. Link pointed at a small island in the middle of the lake and said:„One of the temples I visited during my quest to defeat Ganondorf is right underneath that island.“ I leaned forward to see better. „Really? Wow. What was that temple like?“ „Wet. And annoying. In fact, I would rather go through the temple at the graveyard of Kakariko again than ever go back to this one.“ He shuddered. „And trust me, that means a lot. The problem was that fighting underwater is pretty difficult, unless you're a Zora. Which I'm not, obviously.“ Then his face grew sad. „And it's one of the many places where I lost one of my friends. Princess Ruto of the Zora.“ I had heard that the Zora princess had disappeared seemingly without a trace. I leaned on his shoulder, wrapping one arm around him. „Do you want to talk about it?“ He sighed. „As I already told you, Ruto was the Sage of the Water Temple. I only saw her shortly after entering the temple, then she just.. disappeared. I later learned that to become a sage, one must give up their mortal existence. The only sage this didn't apply to was Princess Zelda. I don't know why. Maybe because she has a special kind of status, even among the Seven Sages, or maybe her Triforce of Wisdom helped her remain in this world while also being able to fulfil her duties as the seventh sage. I don't know. I just remember thinking that everything would go back to normal after I was sent back in time again. But it didn't. The Sages remained in the Sacred Realm, robbing almost every part of Hyrule of an important figure. A friend, a princess, a leader. And nobody understood, because nobody remembered. Only Zelda and I did.“ He buried his face in his hands. „Ruto... she deserved better than this. And now she's gone. Gone like all of them are.“ Then he was quiet for a moment, before saying:„I'm sorry. This was supposed to be our first real date. I really shouldn't be talking about these things...“ I hugged him, resting my head on his shoulder. „No, it's okay. It's clear that you needed to talk about this.“ He looked at me with slightly misty eyes and a tortured smile. „Thank you, Rebecca.“

#The Legend of Zelda #Another Life #fanfiction #OC

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healthandfitnessrecipes-blog · 6 years

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The 8 Best Historical Tours in San Francisco and the Bay Area for Seniors

https://healthandfitnessrecipes.com/?p=8440

San Francisco is a town of endless reinvention, from a muddy piratical outpost to a Gold Rush boomtown to a shipping epicenter to a wrecked and burnt-out husk to a phoenix reborn. It’s been a counterculture haven and the beating heart of a new tech and capitalist revolution.

But reinvention doesn’t mean ignoring its past. San Francisco is layered, each era impacted by the ones that came before it and affecting the next. The past is still alive, here. The counterculture still dances and the Gold Rush still attracts and pirates still reach scabrously from the muddy bay…

You know all this already because no matter what else, San Francisco is home.

If you’re an older adult living here, you’ve been witness to some of San Francisco’s transformations, and you know the way the city has changed. You probably have a good working knowledge of some of San Francisco’s history. But no one can know everything.

That’s why we encourage you to take a historical walking tour of San Francisco. These can shed more light on parts of the city you thought you knew, and illuminate times and places you had no idea existed.

Walking is great exercise for older adults, and if you can do it, this summer and fall is a great time for it. You can work out your body and your mind, and see beneath the top layer of the city you call home. You’ll love what you discover underneath.

8 Great Historical Tours of San Francisco

To be honest, there are more great historical tours in San Francisco and the Bay Area then we can really keep track of. This is just a small sample to get you going, and hopefully, we have a little something for everyone.

The Castro: Gay and Lesbian History Price: $25 Duration: 2 hours Time: Year-round Location: Castro District

San Francisco was one of the leading cities in the long struggle for LGBTQ civil rights. It was a place where people could be themselves, and be free to love whom they wanted. It wasn’t always easy, as the killing of Harvey Milk and the horrors of the AIDS crisis showed, but the community thrived in its strength and togetherness and changed the city and the world.

This guided tour takes you all around the world famous Castro District, the heart of San Francisco’s LGBTQ history, showing you places like Milk’s home and offering a moving visit to the original AIDS quilt. It is solemn and joyful, a celebration of love, sadness, and courage. And it’s fun. It’s important. It’s a vital part of America.

Emperor Norton’s San Francisco Time Travel Price: $30 Duration: 3 hours Time: Year-round Location: Depart from Union Square

Joshua Norton was a British citizen and vagabond who came to San Francisco in the 1840s. In 1859, tired of politics as usual, he declared himself Emperor Norton I, Ruler of America and later, Protector of Mexico. While neither of these proclamations exactly took, he became a local celebrity, and continued to make declarations befitting an emperor. He was treated with amused deference in the city, not being mocked, but accepted as one of San Francisco’s great characters.

And you can get a tour of history with him, as a Norton I impersonator takes your group on a rollicking time-travel tour of the city, the Barbary Coast, the earthquake regions, and more. You’ll hear about Norton himself as well as other characters who have added so much flavor to San Francisco. Who, really, have given it life.

Chinatown Walking Tour Price: $35 (does not include optional lunch) Duration: Around 2 hours Time: Year-round Location: St. Mary’s Cathedral

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to learn that San Francisco has always attracted immigrants from the west as well as the east. Many people from China moved here throughout the centuries (including, of course, before California was a state or a part of the United States). They aren’t separate from mainstream San Francisco history; they are a vital part of it.

That’s why a tour of Chinatown is important. It isn’t a tourist area; it’s a living, breathing section of the city, rich in history, filled with character and characters, and a hugely important contributor to San Francisco and the region. On this tour, you’ll see stores you may have missed, eat food you may not have tried, and see the splendor and quiet beauty of a temple.

Computer History Museum Price: $17.50 Duration: Varies Time: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-5pm Location: Mountain View, CA

This is the only non-walking tour, although all museums are sort of walking tours. But it’s ok that this one is idiosyncratic: the whole museum is. It’s a tribute to self-proclaimed geekery, to tech wizardry, and to the combination of rigorous science and incredible information that transformed Silicon Valley and altered the world.

Of all of the regions transformations, this one might have been the most dramatic, and the Computer History Museum captures all of that with equal parts reverence and irreverence. You can see how determined women and men had the vision to create a new technology, and the world they bequeathed us.

San Francisco Silent Film Price: Free (donations welcome) Duration: 2 hours Time: Saturdays Location: Pacific and Kearney

Bullit. Vertigo. Dirty Harry. 48 Hours. The Maltese Falcon. The Conversation. San Francisco is one of the most famously cinematic cities in the world. Often, we really only think of films from the 50s to the 70s. But from the earliest days of cinema, filmmakers recognized the potential of the fog and the hills, the bustling city juxtaposed against the ferocious bay, and wanted part of it.

This free tour from San Francisco City Guides shows you the alleys and buildings in which some of the most famous silent films of all time were shot. You’ll walk in the footsteps of Chaplin, Pickford, Chaney, and Valentino and see where Fatty Arbuckle created the first modern media scandal. It’s a salacious and enlightening tour and not to be missed.

1850’s San Francisco Price: Free (donations welcome) Duration: 2 hours Time: Sporadically throughout the year (see calendar) Location: Transatlantic Building

We don’t often think of San Francisco in the 1850s, but that was the time of its first real boom, in the echoes of the Gold Rush. It was a time when people from around the world flocked to make their fortune. Some did; most did not. Those who did created the city we know today.

Like so much else of the world in that time, there was a decided French influence, and the architecture and culture of San Francisco’s first great boom took on a decidedly Parisian air. This free tour shows you how this made the city and still influences it. This is one of the first layers built up after the depredations of the Gold Rush turned native villages to muck and grime, and it is surprisingly elegant and continues to impact San Francisco today.

Fisherman’s Wharf Price: Free (donations welcome) Duration: 1 hour Time: Sporadically throughout the year (see calendar) Location: Mermaid Fountain

Fisherman’s Wharf is another one of those places that seem sanctified by tourism and bleached by ubiquity, but it isn’t, really. It’s an active market, bringing in fresh seafood that goes out around the country, but especially makes its home in San Francisco’s restaurants, from the hottest haute cuisine to the greasiest spoon. This tour shows you behind the scenes.

What’s more, The wharf area has long been a slithering and scaly place, from the earliest days when this was a fishing village, and a coastal haven, before it turned to finance and computers. The tour will remind you that the stubborn reality of San Francisco is that it is a port town, tied to the ocean, and beholden to the bounty of the sea.

Also, the fish are absolutely delicious.

1906 Earthquake Tour Price: Free (donations welcome) Duration: One hour Time: Sporadically throughout the year (see calendar) Location: 525 Market Street

One of the most important events in San Francisco’s history is the 1906 earthquake that shattered the city and ravaged it with fire. San Francisco was not yet old. It was a new city, barely removed from the death of Emperor Norton, and still acclimating to the end of the frontier. And then it was burned rubble.

But that didn’t matter. It rebuilt and became stronger. It didn’t forget what was under its feet and instituted more and more stringent earthquake protections. This tour is a reminder that earthquake preparedness for older adults is crucial, but also a reminder of the indomitable and renewing spirit of this great city.

You and Historic San Francisco: Always Changing but Still The Same

In a lot of ways, a city is like a person. Many people might only see one facet, whether that is Silicon Valley or the LGBTQ community, just like people might say you’re just like your mom or reduce you to your profession. But we all know neither of those is true. A person, like a city, is a collection of everything that has ever happened to them, building and growing on itself, and facing the next day with the weight and blessing of accumulated experience.

Because a city, like a person, can age and change but still remain the same, with the same beating heart and the same indomitable spirit. No matter how you see yourself in the mirror or how many skyscrapers have risen where ramshackle gambling dens and fancy Parisian mansions once stood, it’s still the same.

So celebrate San Francisco. Celebrate its oft-sordid past and its gleeful present, its booms and busts, its characters and catastrophes, its death and rebirth. In doing so, celebrate yourself. You’ve earned it. You’re here, in this great contradictory sprawling wild city. You’re still you.

At Institute on Aging, our programs and services help older adults, their families, and caregivers explore aging together, through good times and bad, as an adventure and a journey. Contact us today to learn more.

The post The 8 Best Historical Tours in San Francisco and the Bay Area for Seniors appeared first on IOA Blog.

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spencerthorpe · 7 years

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Elephants, rollercoasters and rockets: The Idealist visits Andrew Martin

Today’s Modern Hero is Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin International. We caught up with him at their very distinctive store in Walton Street, Kensington, to talk design, travel and inspiration and learn more about the eclectic and highly original Andrew Martin look.

your home tells a story of your life

One Stop Shop

Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin International

IDEALIST: Martin — thanks so much for finding time to talk to us today. You’ve worked all over the world and have a number of stores and high profile clients. As fans of Walton Street, it strikes us that there’s nothing quite like shopping in London. Our shopping guides to other cities feature some great places, but our experience of Paris, say, or Madrid is that you don’t get such a concentration of designers in one street. Why do you think that is?

Martin: I think that’s true in a lot of places in the world. I actually think London is this– we have this kind of quirky, individual attitude to life and I think which is why our music industry is so successful and we’re good at those things. It’s because we hate to be told what to do.

IDEALIST: In The Idealist we feature quite a lot of interior designers and people renovating their own properties. Professional designers tell me that their buyers all want a unique look but that also they want something that tells a story about themselves. Typically people want a mix and match approach that tells a story, so they’ve got antique prints from when they got married in Italy, or let’s say they’ve got a dining table inherited from their parents. People want that kind of connection. Do you agree?

Martin: I absolutely agree. I mean your home tells a story of your life. The curious thing about fashion is people say they want individuality but everybody buys an Hermès Birkin bag. Or they all buy exactly the same Louis Vuitton thing. But in their home, that’s where they express who they are and I absolutely believe that is what being in the trade is all about. All designers are facilitators to help people tell their story.

Starting the Business

IDEALIST: So how did you get into the business?

Martin: Oh my God the question really is how do I get out! So I started in 1978 that’s a long while ago! When you’re 22 you really know everything there is to know. It’s only as you get older you find you know less and less and less and want to know more and more! So we started in Richmond and then we came here about 30 years ago.

IDEALIST: And what were you selling first?

Martin: There were always things for the home: lighting, cushions, textiles, interior designs stuff.

IDEALIST: And did you have a certain kind of customer in mind or a certain look initially or was it things that you loved?

Martin: No, things have evolved terrifically. In fact I was just writing the introduction– you know we publish this book every year called Interior Design so I was just writing the Foreword for this year and I was trying to find a word to describe our design era. We’ve had everything from midcentury to 1960s to Pop, but actually I’ve realised what we’ve been doing for the last 20 years didn’t have a label.

random shards of glass come into focus and create the overall pattern

Kaleidoscopic Designs

IDEALIST: Did you find something? Have you come up with a name?

Martin: Well the word I’d come up with is kaleidoscope. I’m sure when you did ancient Greek you’ll know the derivation of the kaleidoscope, you know about observation and beauty and shape and so on. And this idea that these random shards of glass come into focus and create the overall pattern.

Martin walks us through his latest International Design Review book which features interiors of the rich and famous from all over the world, including outstanding designers from Holland, China, South Africa, Poland and elsewhere and with spreads including Tommy Hilfiger’s New York pad on top of the old Plaza Building, the New York Yankees hospitality suite, and some amazing commercial and domestic interiors.

Martin is a tremendous history buff and reminds us that there’s nothing new about palatial interiors and awe-inspiring designs. At the peak of ancient Rome, there were something like 1.2 million people in Rome which fell to fewer than 40,000 and has only in the 20th century recovered to its Roman Empire heights. And the Dark Ages lasted for so long! A thousand years of pillaging hoards before the Renaissance!

Alongside the modern design pieces and some amazing original prints – for example of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis – the Walton Street store is to our eyes pretty unique in also selling original historical artefacts and antiquary from Roman and Egyptian times. They really are a site to behold and make a change from the midcentury design classics you see being hallowed elsewhere.

IDEALIST: Returning to the 21st Century, why do you think certain historical styles, such as High Victorian, or Georgian persist? I can see why someone with a Jacobean mansion would want to decorate it faithfully, but why are there certain looks that we seem to return to? Are there trendsetters that tell us how we should live?

Martin: Yes. I mean that’s such an interesting idea where trends emerge from and how trends become universal. They pop up in Japan and they pop up in America and Europe kind of all simultaneously. There is partly movies and magazines but trends were always there. You’re talking about Victorian houses and you can tell the difference between a Queen Anne house and a Georgian house. Even in things as big as that, you know the decade the house was built by looking at it, or likewise on the domestic scale with a teapot by its handle or its lid and its spout. There has always been this incredible fashion for the styling of things in everything.

Martin: The interesting thing is that some things haven’t changed at all like. Men still want to look like Cary Grant and girls want to look like Audrey Hepburn. These are figures from the 1950’s. This is 70 years ago. If you go 70 years back before then people dressed completely differently. But James Dean, jeans, t-shirt that’s the look people wear still wear today. Back in the 1970s, we all thought by now we would be wearing white jumpsuits and our food would come in pills. There was this TV programme: Tomorrow’s World. None of it happened, none of it happened. Even cars, what has happened to car design?

Distinctive Aesthetics

IDEALIST: I know. There’s nothing now like the Citroen DS, or Aston Martin is there. I can just about get excited if you’ve got a retro looking sports car, but in the main, once you’re getting into the bigger cars they’re all very samey. Even the new VW Beetle.

So give me a feel for your kind of customers. When they come here are they looking for single pieces or are they looking to renovate a whole home?

Martin: Well of course you can’t generalise. There are lots of people who just want to wander in and find some strange thing or just buy an unusual Guatemalan textile, cushions or retro poster. Naturally because we do lots of homes and major projects, we see people who have an empathy with our aesthetic or think we have an empathy with their aesthetic.

IDEALIST: So what would you say has been your most unusual thing that you’ve found that you wanted to sell, or your most unusual request?

Martin: Of things we’ve sold I have to show you… we built this rollercoaster with all these old vintage cars that I got from Blackpool Pleasure Beach that were made in the 20’s and 30’s … so that was a random thing to sell. I bought this elephant sculpture too — you need to see how big it was.

Explorers are the real superheroes of the planet and I share their passion for finding new experiences and meeting new people.

IDEALIST: You’ve got a thing for elephants haven’t you?

Martin: Yeah we have. I made it for a place in India and was placed half way across a swimming pool and half on the shore as it were so you could swim underneath it. Aeroplanes…I’ve sold plenty of aeroplanes over the years. Space, I built this thing we do a lot of work with movie studios and this was from Alien. We rebuilt the spaceship and everything.This is when I was going through the Porn and Peep Show phase with neon signs saying All You Can Eat and Five Cents An Hour. And this, with these machines you press a button and it told you whether you were a love machine or grumpy…

Martin shows us some other installations with ropes hanging from the ceiling, some rockets for a restaurant in Paris and some huge Atomic Age and Russian-style pieces.

Martin: … these were divers we sold these figures. This was a football table but it was for giants, here are the humans. So we sold those. They were amazing actually. They’re beautiful aren’t they? Absolutely beautiful. So we’ve sold plenty of strange things over the years. This was an amazing thing. This was the architect’s model for a rollercoaster that was actually meant to be built in New Zealand. I think it was built in the 1930’s. You put a ball up here and it just follows the track of the rollercoaster. It was such a beautiful thing.

Ambitions

IDEALIST: You’ve done so much and it’s so eclectic. Do you have an ambition that’s not yet been realized?

Martin: Well next month I’m going to space conference in Norway and there are going to be three moonwalkers there including Buzz Aldrin. Exploration is a passion really so I think Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are the two greatest explorers of all time. Explorers are the real superheroes of the planet and I share their passion for finding new experiences and meeting new people.

To see a small selection of the Andrew Martin range, you can shop online at andrewmartin.co.uk. For the full experience, we recommend a trip to their store on London’s Walton Street where they have everything from neon-enhanced posters of Che Guevara to Egyptian and Roman artefacts to rockets, cockpits, sofas, cushions and accessories. It’s a real treasure trove.