Listen my dudes Ancient Egypt existed for a really fuckass long time. Literally just Pharaonic civilization lasted 3,000 years. That’s not even including predynastic civilization and Roman rule. If you lump that in you’re looking at more like… 5,000 years.
Like. If you want a comparison of how long that is: THE YEAR IS CURRENTLY 2018. TWO THOUSAND. TWO-THIRDS OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN PHARAONIC CIVILIZATION HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE ‘BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST’
We comparatively just entered the Third Intermediate Period. The Greeks will not take over for another 700~ years. Cleopatra will not be born until the year 2931.
It’s a really long time guys.
Anyway look. Listen. I sat my ass down and wrote out a timeline of “when shit happened if you started at 1AD” because I know backwards numbers are hard to process but here’s an abridged version.
If the first Egyptian Pharaoh came to power in 1AD then…
300: step pyramid built
450: Great Pyramid at Giza built
815: Pepi II dies and civil war breaks out
950: Egypt re-unified
1350: Middle Kingdom ends
1450: New Kingdom begins
1520: Hatshepsut is on the throne
1650: Ahkenaten switches to monotheistic religion and builds a new city
1680: Tutankhamun dies
1720: Ramesses II ‘the great’ ascends to the throne
1740: World’s first peace treaty signed 1790: Ramesses II dies leaving way too many children
1920: Egypt breaks into 2 states again
And now we get to ~~~~the future~~~~. If we started at 1AD all of this stuff hasn’t happened yet
2050: Briefly re-united as a single state
2180: Civil war 2250: Nubian kings take over
2335: Assyrian conquest
2665: Alexander the Great conquers Egypt
2930: Cleopatra VII born
2970: Cleopatra VII dies. Egypt falls to Rome. Fin.
And that’s just starting with the Pharaohs. If you wanted to start with Predynastic Egypt, you can go ahead and ADD ONE THOUSAND YEARS to all of those dates
I hate that this is still getting notes but that it’s getting notes *without the timeline addition* like c’mon, man. I had to do MATHS for this. I DID MATHS FOR YOU PEOPLE AND ALL I GOT WAS A BUNCH OF RACISTS
You know, it’s almost like that was the fucking problem in the first place you stupid bastards
the absolute need for every online video platform to become just like cable tv despite the fact their success comes from not being like cable tv is just overwhelming
Netflix: Alright guys, we have a fantastic model going! Piracy is down, subscriptions are up, everyone’s making money with these contracts for your show’s streaming rights, and viewers are getting a ton of great content they enjoy. Everybody wins!
Morons: But what if we had our own streaming service just for our content?
Netflix: …I mean in-theory that would work at first, but if everyone’s content was suddenly 100% exclusive and you have to get a dozen subscriptions to a dozen proprietary streaming services just to watch three shows, that defeats a lot of the val–
Morons: And we could charge more than Netflix and Hulu too! We could make even more money!
Netflix: Well at a certain point you’re going to start charging more than people are willing to pay and you’ll start losing more money than you’ll gain. We’ve been doing this since 1997 so we have a pretty good idea of–
Morons: *create streaming sites for every single fucking studio that all charge more money than their content is worth, saturating the market with too many options, almost all of which have too little content to justify their price*
Consumers: Yeah fuck this
Morons: I knew streaming was a dead-end. It never could’ve worked
Netflix: But we were making money! It was working before you fuckers killed the goose laying golden eggs!
Morons: Yeah, but when we wanted more money, it stopped working, and we’re too good at business to make bad decisions, so clearly it was streaming itself that wasn’t working. It’s not our fault the goose couldn’t keep laying eggs after we ate it!
Netflix: What the fuck is wrong with you people
Everything is wrong with people
The free market?? Sabotaging itself??? More likely than you’d think
We are the last generation who can hear from these survivors directly. Do not take that lightly. Do not waste that opportunity. Do not forget your freedom isn’t infinitely guarenteed. And do not, do not, let it happen again.
Really truly, watch the video, reblog it. Teaching about the holocaust is so necessary for our generation before it slips under the rug and people forget about it.
where Harry just works out on his videos, and Draco’s DEFINITELY a fan. And I would imagine Draco is a beauty guru because of course, he is.
Draco wasn’t really sure how it happened. One minute he was watching one of his fellow beauty gurus review the latest palette from one of Draco’s favorite makeup brands, and the next he’d fallen down the rabbit hole of suggested videos. Half a dozen makeup vlogs, a drama video about some guru Draco had never heard of, and a vine compilation later Draco had found himself face to face with his new obsession.
Harry’s Workout Vlogs.
In the three videos Draco had watched in two hours, Draco had learned that the man in question (the very fit man) lived in London, and worked as a member of Scotland Yard. His channel had started as a challenge to showcase his progress while he trained, and he had gained a great deal of followers in a short amount of time. Draco could see why. The bronzed half-naked Adonis (for he often worked out in just basketball shorts, and tight lycra pants that accentuated his leg muscles filmed 20-45 minute vlogs simply of him working out. The first one Draco had watched, had included Harry doing pushups, squat thrusts, and situps, all while the camera (Draco suspected he had a cameraman) followed him around his home gym. Draco had salivated as he watched video after video of the man working out. Quickly subscribing and resisting the urge to like every single video the man posted.
In his recent videos, the well-muscled man had begun sporting a messy black bun, and a bit of a beard that made Draco inconsolably aroused, and in need of a cold shower.
Following Harry’s YouTube channel had led to some light Instagram stalking where Draco had learned the man was single, despite a pretty redhead who often worked out with him, and whom Draco suspected was Harry’s ex. Draco had also learned the man was the king of thirst traps. His Insta contained more than a few photos of him in just a towel tagged #postworkoutshower.
It was all Draco could do not to drool, as he followed all the man’s social media accounts and deep in the rabbit hole of Harry’s Instagram. Draco was beginning to worry for his mental health and decided now was good a time as any to play around with some new makeup he’d received in PR.
Draco loved makeup. Ever since he was a little boy Draco had always enjoyed playing around in his mother’s vanity, putting on her lipstick and blush. He’d considerably upgraded since then. A modeling contract for a clothing company, his own palette collab coming in the next year, and being on the PR list for MAC had all made Draco feel particularly thrilled about his YouTube career as of late.
Draco turned on his camera, adjusting his overlarge sweater so it fell off his left shoulder, and pushed his mid-length blond hair behind his ear.
“ Hey guys, it’s Draco,” he began. “Today I really wanted to play around with some brand new makeup,” he said, holding up the multitude of items he’d received in PR. “I know you guys have been asking me for a live vlog and a collab, rest assured, both are coming. I actually have a secret collab project I’m working one with one of my favorite beauty gurus but in the meantime. Let’s play with this new primer,” he said holding up the glass bottle as he pumped it into his hand and began to rub it over his face. “I don’t know about you all but I recently fell down this YouTube rabbit hole, and I’ve become ob-sessed with this workout YouTuber,” Draco smirked. “I didn’t even know this was a thing! This fit dude HarrysWorkout Channel or something, just like, works out for half an hour or so. Not even talking, like there’s some Weird Sister’s type music playing in the background, but it’s fascinating,” Draco had moved onto the new foundation that he was showing off before he put it on. “I’m not even sure how this got recommended to me but holy shit is it everything. And speaking of everything, this foundation is literally everything right now,” he stared at his perfect complexion in the monitor as he filmed and hummed. “Perfection,” he made a little kissy face before he continued with the rest of his makeup routine.
Several hours later, Draco had posted the video, and within 20 minutes it had received a hundred thousand views and several thousand comments. Draco smirked as he scrolled through them quickly.
I have to see this now. One comment read.
Link!!! read another.
Draco, I LOVE that palette you recommended, also I just got into workout YouTube. HarrysWorkout tho, Hot damn!
Draco smirked, liking that particular comment before he went to check his Instagram and noticed a new DM. Draco sighed, wondering what fan had decided to DM him now when he saw the name. @ HarryWorksout, Draco nearly screamed as went to his DM’s to find the message from Harry.
HarryWorksOut: Just saw you mentioned me in your latest vid. Thanks. 🙂
Draco could almost scream.
HarryWorksOut: Subscribed by the way 😉
Draco did scream then.
DracosWorld: To a beauty channel?
HarryWorksOut: I can’t like pretty things?
Draco thought he might faint, as he typed away furiously.
Dracosworld: Well, as long as that pretty thing is me and my channel I suppose I can tolerate it. lol.
HarryWorksOut: More you than your channel actually.
Draco stared at his phone, disbelieving. Was this really happening right now?
HarryWorksOut: Actually I was wondering if we couldn’t do a little collab?
Draco snorted.
DracosWorld: I shockingly don’t work out. And you don’t strike me as the makeup type.
HarryWorksout: Lol. Sometimes I do non-workout videos. My fans have been beginning me to do a speaking video. Something about wanting to hear my voice I guess.
Draco considered this. He could certainly see the appeal. He’d bet anything his voice was low and strong like Harry himself was.
DracosWorld: What did you have in mind?
HarryWorksOut: Hmm. I guess just a get to know you vlog or something? Or you could take me somewhere to get a less workouty wardrobe.
Dracosworld: Lol. Idk the workout gear seems to be getting you pretty far.
HarryWorksOut: True, but I want to have something nice to wear for like, dates and stuff, and business meetings. My manager’s been getting tons of offers for workout sponsorships, and clothes deals, I want to look profesh you know.
DracosWorld: Start by never saying, profesh again. I suppose I can help you. Any specific time?
Draco ignored the date part of the question.
HarryWorksOut: I’m free Saturday.
Draco hated how eager he felt as he typed back the swift reply.
DracosWorld: I can move some things around. Saturday will be fine. I’ll come to you since I’m all the way in Wiltshire.
HarryWorksOut: It’s a date.
DracosWorld: How very presumptuous to assume I’m both gay and the least bit interested.
Draco wanted to laugh at himself. Too bad his humor had gone unappreciated. Draco sighed reading the response.
HarryWorksOut: Oh. Sorry. I guess, I just thought. You know… beauty guru and all. Plus I was pretty sure you talked about your ex-boyfriend once.
Draco was impressed, that had been almost two years ago now.
DracosWorld: How long have you been subscribed to my channel exactly?
He needn’t have asked, he could always look it up.
HarryWorksOut: Long enough.
DracosWorld: Fine, it’s a date. But I’ll not be working out, so just forget it.
HarryWorksOut: 🙂 Can’t wait, Draco. Love the sass by the way.
Draco grinned at his phone like an idiot. He had a date, with a fit as fuck YouTuber, who he’d get to dress. What more could he ask for?
The rest of the week passed dreadfully slowly for Draco. He managed to move from DMing to texting Harry, almost nightly leading up to the date, and in that time he’d learned quite a bit more about the man. Like how Harry had joined Scotland Yard because his father had been a detective who had been brutally murdered when Harry was young. His mother had raised him largely alone for many years until she’d remarried his High School Chemistry teacher, Mr. Snape. Harry hadn’t liked the man in school but he’d been good to Harry’s mother and so Harry had been able to forgive his less than stellar teaching skills. He’d also learned that Harry, like him, was an only child.
As Saturday approached, Draco found himself feeling increasingly nervous for his upcoming date though he didn’t know why. Draco had dated lots of fit blokes in the past, and more than a few YouTubers. But there was something about Harry that Draco couldn’t help but find enthralling. He was different, though Draco couldn’t say how.
That morning, Draco awoke promptly at 6 to get ready. He was almost tempted to go for a run, as Harry might do, and found himself instead pulling on joggers and a hoodie to walk briskly to Starbucks for a venti soy-Frappuccino, extra whipped cream and chocolate sauce, and a donut. Vaguely Draco wondered if Harry would be the sort of health-obsessed man who would judge him for not being the healthiest eater. He’d experienced it once before, and Draco wasn’t sure he could handle hating Harry’s guts before they even managed their first proper date because he was judging his eating habits.
By the time he’d reached the Manor, Draco had finished his donut and a quarter of his drink. Sighing happily, he bound up the stairs to his bedroom and made his way into his closet to pick out an outfit for his date later that afternoon. Draco wasn’t sure what it meant that they’d agreed to a lunch date, but considering they were planning to film, Draco supposed that it made sense.
Pulling out his phone, Draco took a picture of several outfits laid out on his bed and shot a text to Pansy.
DM: Got a lunch date with a fellow YouTuber. We’re collabing too, not sure if this is a business date or a date-date, or both.
Draco swore under his breath. How long had it even been since he’d been on a date? A year? Two? His last serious relationship seemed like it had been an eternity ago, and his last shag… Draco didn’t dare think about it. He was dedicated to his work and his love life had collapsed accordingly. His ex, didn’t want to be a YouTube celebrity or with one. It was too much pressure, he’d said. Draco had almost convinced him to stay a little while longer when a fan had found Draco’s address and showed up at the Manor unannounced. Horrified, both by the fan and Draco’s signing an autograph before calling the police, his boyfriend had left.
Draco had been single ever since.
PP: Depends. The grey one says business, but the black one says you wanna be shagged. Pick your poison. You’ll look hot either way babe.
Draco smiled at his phone. He adored his friend Pansy. The two had practically grown up together, and as such, she had featured in many of his videos over the last few years through his rise to fame. Draco looked at the black outfit, a black button-down with tight black slacks, and black Oxfords. He considered a cardigan for a little pop of color. Or a smart vest. No no, vests are out! Draco chastised, he turned back to the closet staring at the array of ties hanging there. An emerald green with silver accents called out to him. Green always had been his favorite color, and silver brought out his eyes.
Walking back to his phone Draco typed another question to Pansy.
DM: Should I bring Greg to film? If it’s a date-date that’s awkward. But if it’s a business date and I don’t bring I camera guy I’m stuck dealing with filming myself, which doesn’t look as good and makes it harder to shop.
PP: Why don’t you ask your loverboy?
Draco rolled his eyes. DM: Then he’ll assume I think it’s a date-date, and he’ll think me desperate.
PP: Aren’t you?
DM: Cow!
PP: I’m getting shagged on a regular basis. Can you say the same?
Draco groaned. Pansy was right of course, the bitch. Draco switched over to his conversation with Harry and tried to think of the best way to phrase it so it would sound casual.
DM: I know we talked about a collab, should I bring my camera guy Greg?
Draco waited, feeling as though the world were moving in slow motion as the typing bubble appeared on his iPhone and Draco waited for Harry’s message to come through.
HP: Sure. Did you want to film separate vids for both our channels? And if so, what should we do for yours?
Draco considered this. They couldn’t simply post the same video on each of their channels, which meant they would have to do something special for Draco’s audience of five million makeup watchers.
DM: Would it be weird to like, do push-ups with me on your back while I try to do my makeup?
HP: I’m certain I could manage. 😉
DM: Sounds like a new challenge. Doing my makeup on a fitness guru’s back. I’ll have to come up with better phrasing than that but you get my drift.
HP: Push-up Makeup Challenge.
DM: Oooh I like it. You really have been watching my channel.
HP: My ex is a big fan. She learned how to do winged eyeliner watching your vids.
DM: I’m so proud.
By 9:30, Draco was dressed to the nines, showered, his hair styled perfectly so as to look effortless. He had debated wearing makeup, justifying that while he wouldn’t normally do so on a date, at least not to an obvious extent, it felt out of character for him not to do so for a video.
He’d had settled for a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look. BB cream, light concealer, a light, nude eye, and a pink lip that matched his perfectly but still gave him a bit more of a pronounced pout. Draco topped it off with a generous spritz of MAC Fix+ and made his way down the stairs to his car.
He picked up Greg first, stopping at his cameraman’s flat before the two started off, into the city. Halfway through the drive, Draco’s phone rang. It was Harry.
“Hey Dray,” Harry’s voice came through the car’s speakers. Thus far they’d only called each other a handful of times, though Harry had not to Draco’s knowledge ever called him Dray before. Greg quirked an eyebrow at him, but Draco shook his head. “I got reservations at the restaurant first. Then I figured we could go down to Bon Street do a bit of shopping.”
“Reservations?” Draco repeated.
“We gotta eat, and I figured you can’t just take Draco Malfoy to a chip shop.” Harry teased.
Draco laughed. “I suppose I do cultivate that image don’t I?”
“You live in a mansion in Wiltshire.”
“Manor,” Draco corrected. “It’s a family property. It’s not as if I bought it myself.”
“Meanwhile I live in a flat near the station.”
“Oh please, you love being able to jog to work,” Draco said. Harry hummed on the other end of the line. “I’ve thought about moving to London proper, but my whole life is in Wiltshire, you know?” This was mostly true. Draco’s parents were still in Wiltshire. His friends, not including Greg, had all moved to London the moment they’d gone to college. It was more convenient they’d reasoned. Wiltshire was too far from everything, it was a world away from everyone else. That was, Draco thought, part of its appeal.
“Oh yeah. I grew up in Surrey so it was kind of hard to move away.” Draco knew Harry had moved for his ex. The two had been high school sweethearts who had realized after six months of living together in college that it wasn’t going to work out. Draco couldn’t help but feel good about that fact, though he didn[t want to think too hard on why. “Can’t wait to finally get to meet you in person,” Harry said, and Draco was sure he could hear him grinning through the phone. Draco blushed at that.
“Can’t wait to be met by you,” Draco said. No sooner had the words fallen out of his mouth than Draco swore under his breath again, Harry and Greg laughed. “I hate you both. Goodbye,” Draco growled.
“Bye,” Harry said his voice sing-song as Draco hung up the phone.
“Can’t wait to be met by you,” Greg repeated, through his laughter. Draco glared at the traffic, unwilling to take his eyes off the road.
“Arse!” Greg let out another giggle and Draco groaned. He was starting to act like a besotted fool and Draco didn’t need that.
* * *
Two hours later, Draco and Greg stepped out of Draco’s Tesla and made their way towards the restaurant Harry had texted them the address to half an hour earlier. Not for the first time, Draco was grateful for the upbringing that had always taught him to dress for any occasion. Walking into the upscale restaurant Draco fit in perfectly.
Harry was already sat, somewhat in the back, away from the windows, “A precaution,” Harry had said as Draco sat across from him, and Greg sat beside Draco. Draco suddenly felt awkward for having brought his cameraman, but Harry was smiling at him as though it were the most natural thing in the world and Draco couldn’t bring himself to feel particularly upset about it any longer. Harry was even more handsome in person, Draco thought. “How was your drive?” he asked.
“Long,” Greg complained. Draco glared.
“It was fine,” Draco said with a smile. Harry raised an eyebrow at that, noting Greg’s pained face.
“How long is the drive from Wiltshire to London?” Harry asked.
“Not too bad,” Draco said, as Greg answered again.
“Two bloody hours, though with traffic on the M4 it feels like a bloody eternity.”
Draco sighed pinching the bridge of his nose, barely concealing the rage that threatened to lash out at his friend for clearly attempting to sabotage his date. Harry merely smiled at him all the while.
“Well, I’m glad you came all this way. Let’s order lunch, and then we can shop. You can pick whatever designer you want, but you understand I don’t know anything about them, and I’m sure I won’t be able to pull them off, near as well as you do.” Draco blushed at that.
“I’m sure you’ll pull off what I pick for you just fine,” Draco said with a grin.
The rest of the lunch portion of their date went off swimmingly. Harry was the perfect gentleman, and Draco was certain he was falling for him. Wonder if he’ll pin me up against a wall in Hermès and snog me senseless? Wouldn’t that be a thumbnail? Draco snickered to himself. It really had been much too long since his last shag.
Summary: Logan is not a dancer. Deceit intends to fix that.
Pairings: Loceit
Warnings: None that I can think of, Deceit is in this but he isn’t being evil. Just kind of mischievous.
Logan was usually not one for indulging in late snacks. However, there was one particular treat he simply could not resist. He hummed quietly to himself as he searched for his favorite food, the light from the fridge illuminating the dark kitchen. His eyes darted from the strawberry Jell-O Patton had made earlier that day to Virgil’s private stock of dark chocolate bars (that he really should do a better job of hiding due to a certain creative trait with a fondness for chocolate) but Logan could care less about these desserts.
Where is my Crofters?
Logan could practically taste the sweetness of his favorite fruit spread. He already had a spoon in one hand, all he needed now was the grab the jar and retreat to his room to enjoy his treat in peace. After several more seconds of searching, it soon dawned on him that what he was looking for wasn’t in the fridge.
Well, that is odd… Logan frowned and peered inside the fridge. I know I put another jar in here the other day. Patton even assured me this morning that none of them had touched it…
He moved various food items aside. Perhaps Patton had moved during the afternoon in order to make room for the Jell-O. Sadly, this was not the case, and his search turned out to be fruitless.
Where did it go?
Logan stood up and huffed. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but when it involved Crofters his own logic was usually thrown out the window.
I don’t believe this! One of them stole my Crofters! Why?! Who?!
Patton would never steal from anyone, so he was immediately ruled out as a suspect. Virgil liked Crofters, but not enough to where he would steal Logan’s special jar. Roman also liked Crofters and was guilty of stealing food from the others before. However, he’d been holed up in his room all day. Logan hadn’t seen him at all except for at dinner when Patton insisted he eat with the rest of them. After that, he’d disappeared into his room again.
Logan sighed and closed the fridge. So much for a midnight snack…
“Looking for something, Logan?”
He whirled around to see a shadowed figure leaning against the counter across from him. Despite the dark, Logan didn’t need to see him in order to know who he was. “What are you doing here, Deceit?”
“I wasn’t hungry, and wasn’t thinking about finding myself a late night snack.” His yellow eye flashed in the dark for a brief moment. “I haven’t found something more interesting though…”
Logan narrowed his eyes. “I am not in the mood to play your games, Deceit. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed now.” He walked past him and headed for the stairs only to stop when he felt a gloved hand wrap around his arm. “What’s your hurry? Why not stay and talk for a while?”
“I am going to bed.” Logan yanked his arm free from Deceit’s grasp and stormed towards the stairs. “If you don’t leave, I’ll have no choice but to wake the others, and I can assure you Deceit, Roman and Virgil will have no qualms with driving you away again.”
“Aw, but Logan…” The Logical Side let out a startled grunt as he walked into Deceit, who was standing in front of him somehow. “I don’t want to spend time with you…”
Logan adjusted his tie, trying to mask his rapidly growing frustration with the Dark Side. “Deceit. I will not ask again. Leave, now.”
“Oh, very well… I won’t leave.”
Logan nodded. “Thank you, goodnight.” He stepped around Deceit and began making his way upstairs. No sooner had he placed his foot down on the first step did a pair of arms wrap around his waist. “What-” He was unable to finish as he was suddenly swung off the stairs and spun around. It didn’t take him long to realize what was happening, or who was holding him.
“De-Deceit! Put me down!”
Deceit chuckled and set him on the floor. Logan sighed in relief and smoothed the wrinkles out of his shirt before turning to confront the Dark Side.
“Deceit-” Again he was cut off by his hand being grabbed. Without warning, he was pulled forward, the sudden action causing him to lose his footing and fall against Deceit.
“Come on, Logan. You could at least try and keep your balance.” Deceit grinned. I’ve had enough of this. Logan pushed Deceit away from him but that plan backfired almost immediately when he latched onto his wrists. He was pulled forward again, his face inches from Deceit’s. “Care to dance?”
“D-Dance…?” Logan stammered. Deceit’s eye flashed again and with a snap of his fingers, the living room was transformed. Logan found himself inside of a ballroom. A chandelier hung from the ceiling lit by dozens of candles, providing enough light for him to see but not enough to illuminate the room completely. He looked down and realized with a jolt that he was now wearing a black and white suit, complete with gold buttons, a bowtie, and white gloves.
“Shall we?”
Logan turned to see Deceit extending a hand to him. Unlike himself, Deceit was wearing his usual outfit. “Sh-Shall we what?”
Deceit smiled and took his hand. “Shall we dance?” Logan’s throat felt dry. He wasn’t used to being in this setting. This was definitely Roman’s department, not his.
“Something wrong, Logan?” Deceit asked, tilting his head slightly.
“I-I-I don’t… I don’t dance…” “Oh?” Deceit pulled him closer. Logan nodded, unable to say anything else. “Well then,” Deceit took his other hand, “we’ll just have to fix that, won’t we?”
Logan opened his mouth to object, only to stop when he heard the distinct sound of a piano. Deceit hummed. “It’s our song.” “De-Deceit,” Logan finally found his voice again, “I told you, I don’t dance.”
“Why? Because you don’t like to? Or because you don’t know how?” Deceit asked slyly.
“There’s no logical reason for me to know how to dance.”
“Ah, so you don’t know how. Worry not, I’ll teach you.”
Logan sighed. “Deceit, that won’t be-” “First, you put one arm here,” Deceit took Logan’s arm and wrapped it around his waist, “and I do the same.”
Logan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Then, I hold your hand like this.” Deceit laced their fingers together, white mixing with yellow. “Deceit…” “Now, I lead.”
Before Logan knew it he was slowly waltzing across the ballroom floor with Deceit. He had no idea what he was doing and could only try his best to keep up with Deceit’s movements. “Just follow the music,” Deceit closed his eyes, “let it guide your steps.” “How can music guide my steps?” Logan frowned. “It is music.”
“Exactly.” Deceit opened his eyes and smiled. “What better teacher to have than music?” “I-I thought you were teaching me…” “I am merely a helper.” “Well, your methods don’t appear to be working. I am just being dragged around by you.” “It’s only your first lesson, Logan.” Deceit chuckled softly. “You can’t possibly expect to learn everything right away.”
“I suppose that’s true- Wait what do you mean first lesson?” Deceit grinned and, instead of answering, lifted his arm above his head and spun him. Logan slipped almost immediately and fell backward, only to be caught by Deceit. “Balance is key, Logan. Remember that.”
“I-” Deceit stood him up and resumed their waltz, the music picking up speed. Logan was at a loss for what to do. He looked at his hand which was still intertwined with Deceit’s, then down at the arm wrapped around the Dark Side’s waist.
What would the others think if they saw me now?
He glanced at Deceit to see that his eyes were closed again.
Why is he doing this? What goal is he trying to accomplish?
Was it a trap? Was he trying to distract him from something? Mess with his head?
“Something on your mind, Logan?” Deceit inquired. “I am trying to figure out what you are planning.”
“I thought it was rather obvious.” Deceit opened his eyes. Not faltering once in his step as they continued their dance.
“Why have you brought me here?” Logan tripped over his feet. Deceit steadied him. “Don’t think about it too much.”
“I think I have a right to know what’s going on.” “I’m talking about the dancing. Don’t think about it.”
Logan blinked. “Deceit-” Deceit grinned sheepishly before spinning both of them around the room. Logan could only cling to him as they glided across the ballroom floor. Everything moved past him in a blur. He felt Deceit’s arm tighten around him slightly and went to question him.
“Just helping you keep your balance,” he answered before he could even ask.
Logan’s eyes widened as the dance picked up speed. He didn’t think it was possible to be moving this fast, but they were. It became rather evident that this was Deceit’s dance and he was merely a part of it. Unable to really do anything else, he allowed Deceit to lead him in the dance and observed.
The Dark Side was surprisingly graceful. Every movement he made was smooth and calculated. As if he pictured everything in his head in perfect detail before carrying it out. Being this close he could clearly see Deceit’s scales, and how the faint candlelight was reflected in them, giving him an otherworldly look.
Speaking of which, Deceit seemed to be lost in his own world. His eyes remained closed and a look of serenity was on his face. Gone was the lying, manipulative snake that Logan was so accustomed to. In his place was a mysterious, captivating stranger.
And, despite his better judgment, he found himself becoming drawn to him with every passing second.
A smile appeared on Deceit’s lips. Before Logan could say a word both were spinning, then he was falling. Logan braced himself for impact, only it never came. Instead, he felt Deceit’s arm wrap around his waist, catching him mere inches from the floor.
The music stopped, and everything was quiet. Logan gasped, his chest rising and falling with each breath he took. He was currently standing on one leg, the other one was left suspended due to the position he was in. Holding him was Deceit, his face mere inches from his own.
Logan’s face turned bright red. “De-Deceit…”
“You did well.” Deceit’s other hand rested on the back of Logan’s head, guiding his face closer.
“I…”
This is it! He’s been waiting for this moment! For me to lower my defenses so he can-
Deceit stood him up. “Thank you for the dance, Logan.” He bowed and kissed his hand. “I look forward to our next lesson.” A shiver ran up Logan’s arm. His heart was pounding and for reasons unknown to him, he couldn’t form one cohesive word to say.
Deceit smiled and tipped his hat. “Goodnight.” With a snap of his fingers, everything disappeared. Logan found himself back on the stairs, wearing his black polo and necktie.
“Deceit?”
The Dark Side was nowhere to be found.
Was-Was all of that in my head?
Logan stood motionless on the steps for a moment, waiting to see if he could catch a glimpse of him in the dark, but there was nothing. He sighed and walked up the stairs. There was no point in watching for someone who wasn’t there.
I’ll just go to my room, eat this jar of Crofters, and then-
He came to a stop. Crofters?
Logan looked down at his hand, his eyes widening when he saw a jar of Crofters.
But… how?
Again he looked down at the living room only to find it empty just like before.
Had it all been his imagination? Logan shook his head. Preposterous, I never have daydreams that vivid. And why on earth would I daydream about Deceit of all people?
Which meant, it had been real. He had been whisked off to some place and had danced with Deceit, but why did it all feel like a dream?
Shaking his head once more to clear it, he walked up to his room and closed the door. Left to ponder the night’s events alone over a jar of Crofters.
If some of you are curious Hodge is doing better! He had a GoFundMe which is already closed but here his his message to the output of support:
Blaine here –
Let me start with this: the outpour of love and support from everyone has been absolutely overwhelming.
In a way, I feel as though it’s a dream, and I’m having a difficult time taking responsibility for my actions in the way that you are all describing. I only did what I would do, what I felt in my core that I am supposed to do, what was my responsibility. In turn, I am having difficulty accepting so much from you. This is why, after one week, my team and I have decided to disable further donations. I am good. I will be good. And I have faith in you. This money will be such a great help to me. I will be able to pay my rent for a few months, finally get a vehicle that I won’t be able to drive for a while, clear my debts, get a bed, put food in my mouth, and donate to the Jamison Center, where I spent too much time in my youth.
On that note, I need to turn the narrative to the big picture. Teach your boys to love and respect women, to take rejection as an opening door to the rest of their lives, to be comfortable in themselves and to hold the women in their lives as holy. This event, what happened to me and that woman in Starbucks last Sunday, this is what happens. This is the result of a man thinking he has the right to a woman’s life. This is the result of one person not taking the time to teach him what is right. Please, if you’d like to donate more: donate to a shelter, donate to the Jamison Center, donate your time and love to the young ones around you. Teach them. Love them. Thank you.
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If you still want to support Hodge he has a Soundcloud with his music, personally not my cup of tea but if you wish to support him and like his stuff go for it! And if you wish to donate to the Jamison Center I believe this is the one he talked out!
Anxiety-prone-human 