Forever And Always - Part 4

Forever and Always - Part 4

Title: Forever and Always

Word count: 969

Characters: Blu and Girl

Warnings: Angst, crappy writing

Notes: I made this all the way back in 2017. Never got around to doing much with it. Shame. I enjoyed writing it. Even though it made me sad. So I’m posting it, unedited here.

———

December 23, 2024

"You can take as long as you like just call us when your ready." The veterinarian's voice was soft and distant. I could barely hear the door close behind him as he left. This room isn't making things any easier. The walls are plain white and the floor is concrete, I feel like I'm trapped in a prison cell. I slide down the wall finding it difficult to breathe, am I actually drowning? "O-okay," I say my breathe is shaking and my whole body is trembling. Did the vet leave? Is he still in the room? I can't bring myself to look around, I can't recall if he did or didn't leave.

Blu trots over to me he can tell I'm uncomfortable. He doesn't even realize what's going on. He doesn't know what is to come, I can't bring myself to tell him. Blu had gotten old, he can no longer jump in the car by himself. That playful twinkle could no longer be seen in his eyes, now his eyes were surrounded by white hairs. Hair that had replaced his once vibrant grey fur.

"Blu I don't know what I'll do without you," I choke out. I stroke his fur it's still as soft as the day I'd gotten him. I will forever look back on that day fondly, the day a little dreamer in rain boots, a tutu, and a tiara found her best friend. I wish I could go back to that day, and tell her of all the adventures she and her little pup would go on.

"I want you to understand that I still love you, but this is for your own good." I bury my head in his fur inhaling his doggie smell. I can smell the fresh cut grass he rolled in this morning and the bacon I dropped on him during breakfast. "I made a list I want you to hear before I say good bye. It started when I was six and it ends today."

"Blu I made a list a of reasons for why I love you,"I take his head and press his forehead against mine. I look into his eyes and smile. I'm sending my best friend away today, but at least I know Blu has lived a long and fulfilling life. I take a deep breathe then begin. "One hundred and five, your my dog. I don't have to share you with anyone else. You'll always be mine don't you forget that."

"Sixty-seven, your super protective some might say overprotective. You didn't need to bite Cassie that time she playfully punched me." I laugh, Cassie had gotten so mad at Blu. She was never really a dog person, I believe Blu knew that. From that point on I always had to warn my friends about the overprotective fur ball when they came over.

"Thirty-one, your a real cuddle bug. Thank you for letting me use you as a pillow or stuffed animal the many times I cried myself to sleep." Sometimes having a best friend to cuddle and listen is all that I ever really needed. People always try to cut you off and never listen, but a dog truly listens. They can’t talk so they listen. Blu knows how many times I just wanted to be heard.

"Eleven, you make me happy to be alive. I won't say I was ever depressed, but knowing you were always by my side made the world a little brighter." For an unloved thirteen year old who saw the world as one big nightmare come true, it was always comforting to know Blu was there. Blu had always been there for me. He was there when I turned sixteen and no one could make it to my party, he was there when I had received my scholarship, and he was there when I said yes to my friend. He had been my only family and I didn't want to let him go.

"Three, you have always comforted me." Blu was there for me that rainy night of June 19th, he let me sob into his fur for hours. When I lost a baseball game he would suggest a game a fetch the only way a dog could. He would drop a ball at my feet and wait for me to pick it up and throw it. It would always lift my spirits, I would hug Blu after and praise him for bringing it back. He was the friend that could always make me gr

If you haven't done this headcanon yet cohld you please do Being Tony Stark's youngest child with soul stone powers? Please and thank you.

(so…… not entirely sure what soul stone powers are but here we go)Being Tony Stark’s youngest child with Soul Stone powers:

So in this alternate universe when Tony snapped with the Infinity Gauntlet, he survived and also somehow managed to absorb a little bit of power from each stone, although no one knew until he had you

Somehow, you had absorbed energy from the Soul Stone through him

Your powers manifested from the day you were born, but you didn’t realize and neither did anyone else until you were almost a teenager

Always seemingly having very good intuition about people, and growing up you always seemed to know things about people which they didn’t even tell you

Trying to rationalise it and thinking that you just forgot when people told you certain memories, even though looking back, it was clear there were some things you couldn’t have known without your powers

It becomes evident when you accidentally bring up a detail about when Tony was stuck in space after losing to Thanos the first time

Because Tony didn’t talk about it with anyone, not even Pepper, hearing you ask him what it was like seeing Carol outside his ship when he thought he was going to die

“How… how did you know that?” “You told me, didn’t you?” “No. No, I definitely didn’t.” 

Thus, Tony starts investigating your powers, and him doing everything he can to understand what’s happening so he can help you through it

Piecing together things he had always noticed in you growing up, but had dismissed because he didn’t think he was possible for you to have powers

Like how you knew some of Morgan’s memories, just like they were your own, only the memories you knew happened before you were even born

Him contacting Nebula and Thor for help, and Nebula being the one to deduce your powers are from the Soul Stone

“I have never seen the Soul Stone’s powers manifested in someone… yet I imagine this is what it looks like” 

Always being able to peer into your father’s soul, since he is closest to you after all and you spend so much time with him

“You were so sad and heartbroken in the past, dad.” “Well I’m not sad anymore, now that I have you and Morgan. Also, what did I tell you about getting into my head?” “It’s not in your head dad, it’s in your soul.” 

Slowly learning how to use your powers for something other than looking in people’s souls

Learning that you can also use your powers for the deceased when you hear Natasha for the first time, whom you recognized through your father’s memories

“I talked to Natasha today.” “You- what-” “She says she’s proud of you, dad, and everyone else.”

And Tony realizing just how powerful you are when he sees you testing out your powers on one of the plans on your window sill, and he watches you kill it and bring it back to life

And he knows that given enough time, you could probably do the same with people, too

tags: @proudchocolateaddict / @myfriendmagislit / @fire–pheonix / @sheridans-dynamos / @beautifulbows924 / @writinqss / @woah-imagines / @steve-rogersirl / @musicallisto / @gofandomsandotherstuff / @melannchoholic / @diskateatscake / @just-shuri / @bru-spanner / @iammostdefinitelyonfire26 / @thisismysecrethappyplace / @natalia-helena-alianova-romanov / @fairytalesforever↳ want to be added to the tag list?

Giving Your Character the Introduction They Deserve

The simple directness of Neil Gaiman

Shadow’s Introduction from American Gods

I think the way Gaiman introduces Shadow is just near perfect.

“He was big enough and looked don’t-fuck-with-me enough that his biggest problem was killing time. So he kept himself in shape, taught himself coin tricks, and though a lot about how much he loved his wife.

The best thing — in Shadow’s opinion, perhaps the only good thing — about being in prison was a feeling of relief. The feeling that he plunged as low as he could plunge and he’d hit bottom. He didn’t worry that the man was going to get him, because the man had got him. He was no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, because yesterday had brought it.”

In the opening page, Gaiman describes:

Shadows appearance.

Shadow’s passion.

Shadow’s Mentality.

I think the way Gaiman introduces Shadow is just near perfect. It’s nothing too flashy and Gaiman just comes out and states “Shadow loved his wife.” 

Now you try! Emulate shadows intro. What does your character look like? What is his passion, how do they think? Write two sentences about each and mold them into a paragraph. See how it turns out. What? You already have an agent?? Good job.

Bod’s Introduction from The Graveyard Book

“Bod was a quiet child with sober eyes and a mop of tousled, mouse colored hair. He was, for the most part, obedient. He learned how to talk, and, once he had learned, he would pester the graveyard folks with questions”

From this we have.

Bod’s appearance. (Sober eyes/ mouse-colored hair)

Bod’s actions. (Obedient)

Bod’s mentality. (He loves to ask questions and learn about the world around him)

Again, three characteristics all rolled up into a direct introduction. 

It’s ok to be direct with appearance, but show how your character thinks when you are introducing them. It can be as simple as, “so and so loved to ask questions.“

Richard Mayhew’s Introduction form Neverwhere

“The night before he went to London, Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself.”

If you don’t see that pattern yet, then I’ll tell you. Neil Gaiman is simple and direct. This is really all we need to know about Richard: “He was not enjoying himself,” because once Neil contrasts Richard’s mood with the scene (they are in a bar celebrating), then we get an idea of what type of person Richard is. So the advice from Neverwhere is:

Be direct

Contrast how your person is feeling and thinking about to what is going on around him.

Final Thoughts:

It’s ok to be simple. It’s ok to tell.

“Bod was a quiet child.”

“Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself.”

“[Shadow] kept himself in shape, taught himself coin tricks, and though a lot about how much he loved his wife.”

Here are some examples I wrote just now:

The thing Susan thought about the most, was how she was going to die.

Elliot liked to punch people in the gut. Elliot was an asshole.

Woah, slow down there Neil

More!

How to tackle the middle of the book - 4 tips from Neil Gaiman Novels

Forever and Always - Part 2

Title: Forever and Always

Word count: 1,026

Characters: Blu and Girl

Warnings: Angst, crappy writing

———

June 19, 2012

"Come on sweetie let's get you an ice pack for that shiner." Mom says ruffling my tangled messy hair. She walks down the sidewalk "Coming mom! Blu hurry up," I quietly call. The Aussie jumps out of the car, he's older now. I no longer have to help him get in and out of the car. His fur is more developed and his eyes are much clearer. The left one is as blue as the sky and the right one is as brown as dirt.

"Don't worry you'll get them next time." My mom say, she's just trying to cheer me up. It's her job, mother's are supposed to cheer their kids up. I got into a fight with some boys at school today, over what I can't even remember. It was probably something silly, it always is. Only the parent who cares showed when the principal called.

"No I won't they're so big and I'm so little there's no way I can beat them." I mumble taking a seat on the middle bar stool. It creak under my weight even though I don't weigh that much. My feet dangle above the floor with Blu lying under them. I can hear him sigh contently as he closes his eyes and drifts away to dreamland.

"Hey you are stronger than you know," my mom places a plate of fresh birthday bash cookies. I break a small piece the size of a nickel off and drop it in front of Blu. I share everything with my dog he's best friend. It's Blu, mom, and me forever and always. "Are you quoting Sofia the First? I'm twelve now I don't roll that way."

"No I'm not, don't believe what those boys say about you." I guess she’s right in her own motherly way. I walked away from that fight with less bruises and cuts than all of the those jerks. I bet they're just jealous because I’m the best kid on the baseball team. Nah that can't be true everyone one looks at me differently, not just them. I’m girl playing in a boy’s game.

"Mom they'll never like me girls aren't supposed to play sports with boys. I'm gonna go outback, come on Blu." I explain hopping down from my chair being careful not the land on my four legged best friend. Blu gets up and shakes his fur, he always does that when he wakes up. It always makes his dog tags jingle.

I slide open the sliding glass door. The grass is golden yellow as dead as the dinosaurs. It hasn't rained most of the summer although I don't really mind, more opportunities to go outside and make some human friends. I remember all the great adventures I’d had back here when I was younger. Discovering treasure, going to space, becoming a superhero, all great adventures I’d had with my best friend by my side.

I sulk over to a rickety bench near the end of our yard. It’s old and the wood is faded but I love it. This is my bench something no one can ever take from me. I sit down then pat the spot next to me gesturing for Blue to sit beside me. "You still think I’m great?" I ask, he looks at me. A dog’s eyes can tell you everything. They say the eyes are the window to the soul."Thanks, Blu it’s nice to know you’ll never leave me."

We sat in silence for what felt like forever, but in reality was probably only an hour and a half. A large crash resounds from the inside of my house. Blu growls protectively, I rise from the bench nervously fidgeting with my curly hair. I walk up to the house with Blu right at my heels. The sliding door squeaks as slowly pull it open, "Mom dad are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but I think I'll go for a walk to clear my head." Mom chokes, her eyes are red and puffy, tears stream down her cheeks. Uh oh did the monster make the mom cry?

"Brilliant idea," the monster grumbles stomping his Italian leather shoes all the way upstairs. I jump as the door to his monstrous den slams shut.

"Mom it's getting dark out and I heard there's supposed to be a storm tonight." I warn biting my lip nervously. I don't like the idea of my mom walking along the streets of New York City alone so late at night. "I'll be okay sweetheart."

"You should take Blu he can protect you, he's brave." I suggest, rushing to the door to grab Blu’s leather leash. My mother smiles but not her usual warm angelic smile, this one is different. It's sad and lonely. "That's okay, I think Blu would much more enjoy staying inside."

"But-" I don't even get time to finish my sentence. "No buts I need to be alone for a little while." My mother explains giving me a small side hug. I mentally frown but give my mom a small smile.

"Okay mom I understand, when you get home can we have Popsicles?"

I can feel tears streaming down my cheeks, my whole body is trembling. I hate when my mom leaves me with that beast. He doesn't even know I’m alive, as far as he’s concerned I’m a boy. I highly doubt he even knows my name.

"Sure anything for you, we could even eat them at the bench." My mother laughs. I still love her laugh and her smile, they are what make her so unique.

"I'll be back before you know it, it'll just take five minutes, I love you Libby." My mom coos affectionately, hugging me one last time. I watch sadly as she makes her way down the sidewalk. It's as if the whole world is was watching her leave. Birds were no longer singing and crickets had stopped chirping. The whole world was silent watching her leave.

Count backwards from ten thirty times and she'll be back, I tell myself though it doesn't ease my worries in the slightest. "Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…"

Someone: oh there’s this show I’m watching... oh, nevermind, it’s silly you probably don’t wanna hear about it

Me, knowing fully well how much it sucks to have your passions invalidated and how cool it is to rant about something you love:

Requested by anonymous

Whoever decided that you would add on to Chidi and Eleanor’s punishment seriously misjudged the situation. That’s right, you had been placed with Chidi and Eleanor to fuel the fire that was their torture. Their job was to raise you as if you were their own child. Well in the end, instead of resenting you something much better happened.

The more time the pair didn’t with your, teaching you things like how to tie your shoes and spell your name. The more time they spent having tea parties with you and playing superheroes, the more they started to love you. It was to a point where neither of them considered you to be just some kid they were looking after. No, you were their child.

“We are so lucky” said Eleanor, placing her head on Chidi’s shoulder after they had finished putting you to bed. “I know i’m not suppose to be enjoying this. Reading bedtime stories and playing make believe but... I am. I love [Y/N] just as much as I love you”.

Chidi grinned madly in return before placing a kiss on Eleanor’s forehead. “I couldn’t agree more”.

REQUESTS ARE OPEN