My dear sweet philosopher 🩷 When I first met you. I thought our love story would be eternal.
Kinda of like a those cheesy, yet romantic stories you would read on fanfiction.com or livejournal.
You know it’s true when they say the best romance stories are not the ones where the dude and girl get together at the end.
That’s bull crap and let’s not pretend.
Come on, be serious. Look at Twilight. Bella and Edward. Bleh. No offense that love story gives me quite the fright.
Stalker vampire dude and a pick-me-girl find love. She becomes a vampire like him.
Oh my, this is ludicrous! I need to eat a brand name chocolate made by Dove.
Twilight’s writing is lazy.
No offense if you guys like that stuff. Forgive me, here’s a daisy 🌼
The best love stories are of unspoken romance. It leaves the audience of will they or won’t they get together?
The tension the excitement is there. However, these couples don’t normally get together officially. Bah! Do the producers really care?
Look at Cloud and Tifa. They are made for one another. She loves him for who he is. Not for what he is.
She sees all his weaknesses and flaws. While they kick the bad guy’s asses and kicking them in their jaws.
He sees that she’s truly a vulnerable and a shy girl underneath the risqué uniform. If only these two lovebirds come together.
But they love each other from a safe distance, never saying a word and that definitely leaves Tifa’s fanbase torn.
Look at Link and Zelda. They were meant to be.
But dammit why didn’t Nintendo show those two kiss and hugs? Beats me.
Link is gallant, handsome and noble dude that is the chosen one.
Zelda is the princess of Hyrule gifted with great beauty and kick ass personality that make the men knees weak and numb.
Link, my main man have been saving Zelda from death and danger since year 1986.
They should have at least kissed in some low budget Zelda movie on Netflix.
I’m so sorry. Our fates are so cruel. I’m so sorry that I was cruel.
I miss our late night chats about nothing. To me it meant something.
You were my first real friend I had in 26 years. When I lost you I cried in tears.
The first love of my life. You’re so genuine and true.
Your eyes are so beautiful and blue. I will forever only love you.
I’ll wait for you in this life.
I’ll wait you in the after life!
I’ll wait for you again in the next in another thousand years.
If Zelda waited for Link for 38 years to make a move.
I’ll wait for you to come back to me, I’ll wait for another 1000 years!
I’m really fiercely loyal and that I don’t have to prove. That’s how much I love you.
I never met anyone like you. You’re always on my mind. I wish we could be forever Valentines.
If I could make one wish. I wish to be with for an eternity.
I wish for a world that was made for just you and me.
That would make me forever happy.
However, I know it’s just a fantasy.
My world is going dark and I’ll be blind in the next handful of years. That is not even my biggest fear.
My biggest fear is losing you.
I want to see you.
I want to touch you with my bare skin.
I want to kiss you.
I want to be with you.
I want to embrace you.
I love you.
I feel like we’re in a sitcom where the girl and guy who really love each other.
However, they either never kiss or meet. It’s like a messed up Romeo and Juliet thing.
I think people would rather watch Star Trek return of the Spock and the Klingon fleet!
We have an unspoken thing here. Or at least that’s what I feel.
I wish we were like the anime couples that make each other bento meals.
I want to run away with you to escape to moon to the stars.
It be like a honeymoon in space to Venus to Mars!
I love you. My unspoken true love.
I know you are going to fall in love with another girl. I know I have to accept that I would be a burden to you anyways.
I mean, I have fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and going blind.
I would make anyone lose their mind. Why would want to be my nurse.
I think you would rather get the middle finger and get cursed.
I cannot help, but fall in love with you. Only you.
You are always on my mind. All the time. I love you forever in this present to all time.

1. Always be home before sundown.
2. Always bring a stranger to the Harvest Festival.
3. Avoid the Silent Ridge, especially Veilwood Manor.
4. Don’t whistle and should you hear your name on the wind, no you didn’t.
5. Lock your windows on the four turning days and draw the proper symbol on the door before dark. Blood is best.
6. Don’t marry or move house in the seventh month.
7. Don’t touch the oranges at the side of the road.
8. Stay away from Midnight Bakes.
9. Most of all, never, ever enter the woods.

We learned the rules in nursery and you’d best believe they’re fiercely enforced.
So, to my knowledge, no one has ever entered the woods. It's why as I take the corner on Cherry Street I’m muttering to myself about stupid hormones and almost blunder right into Mrs Anderson. She’d relish reporting me to the council for being out that close to sundown so I dove clumsily into the bushes. There was a tense moment when her little dog stopped to bark fiercely at the shrubbery I’d crouched in, but he’s a yappy little rat at the best of times so she just tutted and yanked him down the street.
I grinned as she stopped to smoke a quick cigarette before crossing over to Malborough Walk, I hate smoking on principle but am in favour of anything that gets that vicious old witch closer to the grave.
She changed her cardigan, hiding the old one in a bag behind the hedge and scrubbed her hands with sanitiser before slipping in a couple of breath mints. Her husband, a militant anti-smoker was rumoured to be in league with the Twilight Guardian so you’d think she’d have bigger things to worry about, but her faffing did give me a chance to text Micah to check our little adventure was still a go.
She aimed her rat dog perfectly so he peed all over Mrs Gardiner’s award-winning roses before finally heading home with a happy smile. My phone buzzed just as she moved out of sight and I got goddamned butterflies when I saw Micah’s name flash across the screen. ‘C u soon x’. I frowned down at the text speak, it was a beige flag for sure, but hey, no one’s perfect and there was that kiss at the end.
We rarely got new folk in Whitebridge. My mum told me Micah’s family was headhunted so-to-speak because his dad was a renowned thatcher who strongly championed traditional materials. They love that crap here, I swear they'd still sign cheques with a quill if they could get away with it. The world marches on while Whitebridge abides.
My dad said that we needed new blood and the Williams family also came with seven children, a mix of boys and girls, which made the council happy. Every vacancy had to be filled quickly and so much better if it also brought along future generations to indocrinate.
I was all twisted up about it.
My mother had been sick for a very long time, had wasted away to little more than skin and bone and I knew the council were already whispering about recruitment. She wasn’t even in the ground yet and my father had been spending his afternoons fixing up the widow Stone’s cottage. The tight fisted old cow had even given me a free dessert last week - a guilt cookie no doubt. I'd stabbed my little pocket knife into her tires right in front of her, but no one had said anything, which made it worse.
I didn’t need to be so careful after Cherry Street. There used to be a twilight bus service intended to round up the slow, the rebellious or the unwary. But, after Mr Griffiths had vanished no one wanted to take on the responsibility or expense of running it so it'd been cancelled. Apparently we should all take personal responsibility for our safety.
Once I’d skirted past the boarded-up clubhouse and the long, twisted shadows surrounding it I relaxed and put on some music. I only put in one earbud though because I’m not stupid - tonight excepted - sprinting past the fly-thronged stagnant pond into the woods.
After years of stern-faced warnings and veiled threats, I’d expected a fog-shrouded horror filled with looming trees and sharp-toothed monsters, but the forest was pretty. There were clumps of wildflowers, bushes heavy with sweet berries and the birds sang from high trees all around me. Rather than being a life ending nightmare, turned out the woods were an Instagram picnic spot. Figures.
I’d brought nothing but chocolate bars and condoms because I’m an optimistic kind of girl so I took the too-orange lipstick tube out of my pocket and drew arrows on the trees to mark my path. I was seventeen years old with parents who wouldn’t let me have a smartphone so short of pinching a compass from some museum it was lipstick or nothing.
It was the golden hour so I snapped some photos on my mother’s digital camera that I think she’d bought in ancient times - 1992 I think it was, so I didn’t have high hopes about the quality. I kept asking for one of those cool retro Polaroid cameras but I live in a town that’s only recently upgraded from sundials. Plus, outside of Harvest season we needed permission from the town elders to drive the seven hours to the nearest city - only place that stocked 600 film and I doubted I’d get that until I was about forty-two. That was way too old to be cool so it wouldn’t matter by then anyway.
I saw Micah before he saw me and I hid behind the tree to drink him in a little. He was as gold as the late afternoon, all wavy hair, long limbs and shining white teeth - like a pretty horse.
I watched horror movies, I knew how stupid this whole thing was - I might as well have come in a prom dress and heels, but knowing I was all alone in the woods with the boy I wanted more than a Polaroid camera, well, all that just faded away. Stupid I know, but hormones.
I’d be grounded for the rest of my natural life once I got home, so I resolved to enjoy myself fully and stepped out of the trees before I started overthinking what to say. ‘Hey’, I said, eloquent as always.
‘Hey’, he replied, so it was okay I guess.
‘I took some photos’, I said and decided there and then, twenty-five years from forty-two or not, I’ll never be cool.
He was looking at my legs in my cut-off jean shorts when he said. ‘Show me’.
Micah barely looked at the first few while his eyes continued to drift over my bare skin. I felt his attention like a caress. But, when I hit on the third photo he frowned and took the camera from my hand. ‘What’s that?’
I was staring at his lips, so I said. ‘Huh’.
Thankfully he took my reaction for surprise rather than further evidence of my social awkwardness. ‘Weird, right?’ he asked.
I forced myself to look at the screen and frowned too. ‘Huh’, I said again because I’m as eloquent as I am subtle.
It was weird. There was the forest and the flowers, just as expected, but on the furthest tree, right at the top, about forty feet up, there was a shadow that looked a lot like a hand. Not a human one, but it didn’t look like an animal either. It was small but too long and thin with three indistinct smudges that might have been fingers clinging to the trunk.
‘Go on’, Micah said and I did.
The next photo was normal, but the one after had the hand again, lower down the trunk that time as though something was climbing to the ground. The rest were trees and flowers again.
‘Maybe a weird branch?’ Micah said.
I shrugged, looking at his lips again. ‘Might be the camera’, I said. ‘It’s prehistoric. Or maybe a trick of the light’.
He caught me looking and gave me one of those knee-trembling smiles. He liked me looking at him and as I realised that, well suddenly neither of us cared much about the photo.
His fingers wrapped around mine, tentative at first, but after a reassuring squeeze, he held on tight.
'Let’s explore’, he said, ‘before the light goes’.
Hiking around the woods, pretty as they were, wasn’t exactly the type of exploration I’d had in mind, but it did mean I got to watch him walk away so it wasn’t all bad. He smiled at my lipstick arrows but didn’t tease me so we walked in companionable silence while I contemplated how to explain I wanted to marry him and have his beautiful children without making it awkward.
‘How far are we going?’ I asked after a while as the long shadows started lapping hungrily at the edges of the treeline.
He looked at me over his shoulder and grinned at me again. ‘As far as you want, love’. He pulled out a flashlight and a box of matches. ‘I came prepared after all’.
‘So did I’, I mumbled, patting my pockets.
He kissed me for the first time in a field of strange standing stones as the moon found its place amongst an expanse of glittering stars and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I was right then. Afterwards, in the awkward fumble to replace what he’d taken off my camera fell out of my pocket.
Micah pulled me down beside him and kissed me again. ‘Let’s take a selfie’, he said. ‘Just for us’.
He was only half dressed so I gave him a look. ‘Better be just for us’.
Micah laughed, low and easy, happy too I suppose and shrugged. ‘We should probably head back soon’.
There was that fear in me now. His desire to rush suddenly back to normality stirred up insecurities I’d pushed away in the heat of the moment.
He saw it. ‘We can explore more next time’, he said softly and we both smiled in the near dark.
We took two selfies in the end and were too busy arguing over whether we should go for a third to notice it at first - I’d pulled a weird face in both that Micah thought was cute and I most definitely didn’t. But in the end, my eyes drifted beyond us to the landscape beyond.
‘Huh’, I said because three times the charm.
Micah yawned as he shrugged on his shirt. ‘What now?’
I tapped my nail against the screen. ‘That’s not a smudge’.
The clearing was large, the treeline about twenty feet back from the stones and there was a figure standing in front of them. Its features were indistinct - the flash wasn’t amazing after all - but it couldn’t be anything else. It was about ten feet tall and above it were more of those tiny white hands against the bark.
We both spun around at the same time and Micah shone his flashlight in that direction - it was that stupidly expensive one with 100,000 lumens that’s meant to light up the night. It did and we saw that the treeline was empty. No strangely shaped tree, no white hands and nothing that might be mistaken for a person.
It was then I noticed how quiet the forest was. With the coming of the night, a subtle change had come over the woods and I didn’t like it.
‘Take another’, Micah whispered and I turned to him, confused. ‘Just do it’, he said, fingers digging into my arm in a way I didn't like, but I did it because I wanted to see too.
Micah had kept the flashlight aimed at the trees while I took the picture. The figure was in the photo again, but it was a step or so closer that time and what I assumed was its head had turned more in our direction, as though we’d drawn its attention.
‘There’s nothing there’, Micah said and repeated it twice, as though he could convince himself it was true.
I took another photo.
The figure was closer again and where its head faced us, two red glimmers that might have been eyes burned against the black. I took a moment to study it more closely - know your enemy and all. It looked like those Ents from the Lord of the Rings movies, all stretched out and bark-like, with strange jointed limbs that bent in all the wrong ways. There were more white hands too and somehow I knew there wouldn't be one without the other.
‘It’s been with us from the start’, I said.
Micah was breathing too fast and his pupils were dilated. I reminded myself that he hadn’t grown up here and wasn’t as used to weird stuff as I was, so I gave him a moment to freak out in the dark, though I did judge him for it - a little bit.
‘Monsters don’t exist’, he said.
‘Some places are old and have long memories’, I said, repeating something my father had said once. ‘What we call monsters weren’t always seen that way and they don’t always realise things have changed’.
Micah was pale as he stabbed a finger toward the trees. ‘That’s a monster’, he said and I cringed. ‘What?’ he demanded. ‘Am I hurting its precious fee fees? Will it kill us quicker now?’
I decided to hold off on the children for now, at least until I’d assured myself of his intelligence.
‘They told you about the Twilight Guardian, right?’ I asked. ‘And Aurilis?'
Micah only nodded, seeming beyond words for the moment. I liked him better quiet.
‘Why not three Gods then, when we already have two?’ I asked. 'One that's fallen out of favour'.
‘God, you’re really one of them’, he said with a groan. ‘You know those are just stupid superstitions, right?’
I liked him less then.
‘I’ll ask you about that again after Harvest’, I said as I took another photo.
It was closer still, large steps eating up the space between us and one arm was extended, as though to grab onto something. There was a small white face peeping out from behind his legs, but it looked all wrong and I deleted the picture without examining it further.
‘Stop that’, Micah said and hit the camera out of my hand. I wondered what I'd ever seen in him.
‘It’s the only way we can see where it is’, I pointed out, retrieving it with a scowl. The case was cracked, but it still worked. ‘Thanks for that, by the way’.
‘What do we do?’ Micah asked.
‘We leave', I said. I didn't say obviously, but the word hung in the air between us anyway.
It was a good plan and would have worked perfectly if the lipstick marks were still on the trees. Micah took that about as well as you might expect. It took me too long to calm him down and the whole time the camera burned a hole in my hand as I fought the impulse to take another photo.
Just when I’d got him to stop muttering and trying to break the camera a long low whooping sound echoed through the trees. It sounded like a large group calling to one another in the dark and there was a long creaking sound in response as the woods shifted to meet them. They were getting closer.
‘Why isn’t it attacking us?’ Micah asked and as much as his voice irritated me, it was a good question.
It was huge, it could have been upon us already. It could have taken us when we were lost in one another in the grass, but it had only watched and waited. Why?
There was a long low creak behind us, the only sound for miles and I knew it was looming over us at that moment - a realisation I wisely didn’t share with Micah. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a red gleam high above. The creature was showing itself to me. Micah's eyes flicked about constantly but he saw nothing and I knew then that it wasn't only me who saw his true worth. He was an outsider and always would be.
We started walking again and another whoop came from our right, Micah veering left, away from it. A series of similar cries continued as we blundered through the dark forest and I privately understood that we were being herded somewhere for an unknown purpose. Micah had reverted to childhood, clinging to my hand like I was his mother leading him across a road and my passion for him died a little more as I realised it.
His torch died, of course. His face was scratched by branches that seemed to move aside for me, mud eating at his ankles while I walked on cloud. After an indeterminable time, we broke from the trees and found ourselves in another clearing.
It had a stone table in the middle covered in crimson stains that sent Micah off into another spiral and he trotted after me, panting slightly as I explored. I ignored him. It was beautiful really, the grooves of the ancient stone, the distant sound of water and the lush greenery; flowers richer in colour and sweeter in scent than any I’d seen elsewhere.
‘What is this place?’ Micah whined.
‘You really don’t know anything, do you?’ I said but didn’t bother waiting for his answer.
Instead, I anticipated the long creak before it came as a patch of dying flowers at the edges of the field bloomed again. Life from death. The woods held their breath as I retrieved a dirty little boot from the ground behind the stone. I dropped it before Micah saw, exhaled and with it came my murmured answer. ‘Yes’.
‘What?’ Micah asked, but I only smiled and took his hand, leading him away.
He gaped at the first lipstick mark beyond the little clearing, but after he saw the third he’d simply decided that we’d suffered some sort of group hysteria brought on by the dark and the silly superstitions rammed down our throat at every opportunity. I didn't argue.
I took one more photo as we left the woods, but I didn’t show that one to Micah. In it the figure lingered on the edge of the woods, one hand raised in farewell - it knew I would return soon enough, after all, we'd made a bargain.
It’s all too easy to rationalise the inexplicable beneath the comforting glow of modern streetlights and by the time we’d reached his street Micah was all soft kisses and easy laughter again. I couldn't believe it. We were done by midsummer.
He embarrassed himself and his family at the Harvest Festival and they packed up and left before Yule. It was for the best. The council was disappointed to lose someone of his father’s skill, but it was widely agreed that they just hadn’t fit in. I didn’t often agree with the council, but I did agree with that.
They were already searching for the next family. The old ones were stirring and hungry so we needed more people before the next turning day. In my opinion, their insistence on giving everything the personal touch wasn’t working anymore. We needed to get Whitebridge on the map and reach the people who liked creepy little towns with interesting histories and customs. The right people would come looking for us, but of course, they all switched off the moment I started talking about the internet. Sundials, remember.
I laboured alone in the forest a day or so before Valentine's Day and when our baby made its wet, squealing entrance into the world the trees showered us both in cherry blossoms. The whoops were closer that day and now and again I caught flashes of small faces in the gloom watching over us both.
My hands left new crimson stains on the stone as I placed my daughter on it wrapped in a warm blue blanket the shade of Micah’s eyes. I didn’t know what He would do with the child, but it didn’t matter really as I’d always known I couldn’t keep her.
But I did take a photo as I left the clearing, out of curiosity more than anything and that one I kept. An image of tiny girl cupped gently in the hand of something much older and larger, red eyes looking down upon her while little white hands reached up in welcome.
That was six months ago and I wake today to the sounds of crockery in the kitchen as my mother bustles around making breakfast. My father sits at the table, watching her with heart eyes. Mrs Stone left town a while back after a mysterious house fire and all was as it should be again. My father hadn’t been the first man she’d had working on her cottage so no one missed her - besides, her cookies were terrible.
My mother, hale and hearty again sets a plate brimming with blueberry pancakes before me. ‘The old Collins house has new occupants’, she says, pouring coffee for the three of us. ‘Two boys about your age, plus a babe in arms. The wife’s already pregnant again too. Husband’s a butcher, they say’.
‘We’ll be sorted for Harvest this year then’, my father says, flicking through the paper. ‘No one wants a repeat of last year. You’d think that boy had never seen blood before’. He tuts and sighs, a damning condemnation indeed.
My nose wrinkles as it often does when I think about Micah. ‘Still’, I say, tucking into my breakfast, ‘Whitebridge will welcome six new souls’.
‘New blood’, my father agrees.
My mother sits down with us, but I notice she doesn't eat much and her hand lingers on her stomach like she's soothing old hurts. The first bite of autumn is in the air and spring feels a long way away. The Holly King will ride soon, leaving nothing but cold death in his wake and it will take all of our efforts to see the lands bloom again.
‘Hold dinner. I’ll take a basket over after lunch’, I say, losing my appetite. ‘Show the boys around town’.
‘That’s kind of you’, my mother says approvingly, slipping me another pancake. ‘Eat up now, you've lost so much weight since spring'.
'Be back before sundown', my father adds, diving back into his paper and it's all settled.
‘I will’, I lied.

My life feels like it's falling apart. I'm 19 and in college and I did the worst that I have ever done this past semester. I got cheated on past new years. I got an update on a pending lawsuit from a previous car accident. I'm trying to fix this motorcycle that I bought and I can't fucking do it and I just feel like a GODDAMN FAILURE
I'm not even sure how to begin. So much shit has happened to me that has caused me to fall out of love with life, as well as people. I'm starting to hurt people before they hurt me. I yelled at my amazing, loving, caring mom today over something stupid, and I yelled at my dad when he couldn't understand what was wrong with the lawn mower.
I just. The world treats me like garbage. People treat me like I'm worthless. Have you ever heard that phrase that if you hear something enough times it eventually becomes true? It's supposed to be a reflection of authoritarianism and the masses of a society, about how propaganda, no matter how unbelievable, can become principles of a society.
But for me, well. I'm 2 years into college. The past two years have been the Loneliest, darkest, heart breaking and gut wrenching 104 weeks of my life. And I don't see an end, and I'm just so scared. I keep trying to make friends. I dont feel like I have the time to engage with clubs, and even then a club is so organized, it feels like just another job. I tried talking to people in class, and either I've found people who were nice to me but couldn't bother to make time for me, or people who just straight up rejected me. I went on a study abroad to Europe, and my friend group left me behind at a club to back to the airbnb. I once was really close to a girl, we would breakfast together after class and just talk. I was so impressed with her. She's musically talented, able to tackle really difficult classes. I never really wanted to date her as much as I just wanted to be around her, talk with her, be a friend. The class we shared ended, months went on. Then we found each other again. And she completely ignored me, blew me off, and when I tried to talk with her she accused me of stalking her.
And then there's my ex. The best 4 days of my life were two weekends I spent with the most amazing girl I ever met in the netherlands (I'm from the us). She showed me her pet gerbils. We showed each other our music. Rock music! Like the only other person I've ever found that listened to music that I did. And it was so fun to make fun of each other and debate whether thrash metal or screamo and KoRn was better than grunge or punk (Bass Drum of Death FTW 🤘). She showed me her favorite restaurants. She would text me these adorable memes about like "sending love vibes to my beautiful bf". We made love.
But I sucked as a boyfriend. She told me once that she felt like I was fragile. I couldn't accept the love she wanted me to have. All my time in college told me that I didn't deserve to have it. But I tried to be there for her. I tried to engage with her. I tried to be happy and connect with her, as much I was afraid that she didn't like me. I tried to believe that I was enough for her.
And then she cheated on me. She cheated on me 4 months ago. With someone who was more muscular and attractive than me. I then spent 4 months going on a warpath of self improvement. I gained 15 lbs of muscle mass. I read books. I quit porn. I bought a motorcycle. And 3 weeks ago she called me about a letter I sent her a few days before. I told her everything. I told her I loved her. I showed her how I'd changed, how I'd grown up, how I had claimed my own masculinity, pride, strength. And what she told me broke all of that. She told me that she didn't stop seeing the other guy. She told me that even I wanted her she would still be afraid that I wouldn't satisfy her sexually, like I hadn't before but he had.
It broke me. I completely and utterly shut down. For days. I tanked an exam. I couldn't study for finals.
And I feel so pathetic. I feel like a failure. A husk of my former self. The joyful teenager that I wad. The strong young man that I became when I took action to change myself.
I'm broken. The thought that nobody likes me makes me want to die. Why does that matter so much to me? How I could have let myself down by being so weak that I was broken by the words of someone who cheated on me? It's so pathetic that does.
I'm a failure of a human being. A loser. A cynic. I used to be special, diffierent. I wasn't like everyone else that wandered through life, aimless, not caring because hurt too much or they have nothing to care about.
I can't help but look in the mirror and see myself as nothing but pathetic. I'm so disappointed. I have so much contempt for the person I am. I am someone who people cheat on. I am someone people forget. I am someone no one wants to be around. I am someone who can't do well in school, a bad student. My body is unattractive.
I will never be enough. Somebody once told me nothing changes if nothing changes, like a motivational statement. We'll I tried. I tried to change something but nothing changed.
I can't love anymore. I don't love the world. Everything is shit. Videogames, roadtripping, reading, hiking, skateboarding. I don't want to love people anymore. I don't want to believe that I will ever have a friend that I can rely on, to laugh with, to just, be, with me.
I don't want to believe I will ever have the life that I would love to live with a beautiful amazing young girl. So many amazing things. I want to tell someone the truth, that I wholeheartedly believe that they are the most amazing person I have ever met, that there's so much about them that I find so incredibly captivating. I don't know, maybe she plays an instrument. Maybe she has a really niche hobby. Maybe she has wild dreams. I can't help myself but think of all of my favorite restaurants and parks, walking a dog in downtown, going clothes shopping. I'd like to buy a girl a very fancy dress, something that for those few minutes shes wearing it would make her the most beautifully gorgeous young woman in the entire world. Lie in a field and look at the stars. Go for a night drive. Be spontaneous. A box of chocolates and a quiet dinner on valentines day. Fuck in the kitchen. Take her to any city, any country she wants to go.
But I am afraid. Because the moment I start to believe that I will one day live that life, I put myself on the path of being hurt again. People just keep hurting me. I don't want to be hurt again.
Because I will never be enough.

Isa akong government employee na nakapag asawa ng seaman. I have a stable job and I don't have any financial issues before I met him. Maayos ang pinagmulan kong pamilya at hindi sanay sa gulo. Ako yung tipo ng babae na bahay-trabaho lang, I wanna date to marry and dapat sya lang ng firsts ko. Nung una ko syang nakilala lahat ng magandang katangian lang ang pinakita nya, pero napapansin ko talagang may pagka kuripot sya, wala lang yun sakin kasi may trabaho din naman ako. May mga dates na kapag matagal na syang hindi nakakasampa ay hati na kami or ako na mismo nagbabayad. Pag birthday nya eh umuungot pa sya ng mga branded na sapatos pinagbibigyan ko naman. Samantalang ako, isang beses lang ata nya nabigyan ng bulaklak at regalo, ang mga special occasions ay parang ordinaryo lang sa kanya kesyo gastos lang daw ang mga pabulaklak at chocolates during valentine's and anniversaries. Hinayaan ko lang sya kasi nasanay na ako. Dumating yung time na napagdesisyonan naming magpakasal na kasi hindi na rin kami bumabata at sobrang mahal namin ang isa't - isa (sa pagkakaalam ko) at gusto na namin magka anak. Napagkasunduan naming hati kami sa gastos sa kasal kasi wala pa daw syang sapat na ipon so pumayag naman ako. Di naman ako na inform na even sa wedding ring namin eh hati kami. Tipong magbabayad na lang sa cashier eh saka nya pa lang iaabot yung ambag nya. Kahit sa gas ng car ay sinisingil nya ako pag may lakad kami. Yung car palang gamit ay nakapangalan din sakin kahit mag boyfriend/girlfriend pa lang kami kasi nakiusap ang pamilya nya na makikiride gamit pangalan ko. Fast forward tayo, naikasal na nga kami at pagkalipas ng ilang buwan nagkasakit ang lolo nya at na ICU umabot ng daang libo ang hospital bills. Heto na nga ang problema, wala silang ibang malalapitan dahil matagal na din syang bakasyon. Sya ang panganay sa kanila at panay utang na din ang nanay nya sa mga lending at sa kung sino sino pang tao. Ang mga kapatid nya naman nag-aaral pa. Nalaman ko lang to later on na estapadora pala ang nanay nya at di lang small time na mga utang daan daang libo din. Wala silang ibang alam na solusyon kung hindi ako, madali kasi akong makapag loan. Sa una may kutob na akong alanganin yung ganitong setup kasi nga salary deduction ang mangyayari apektado palagi sahod ko kasi nakapag kaltas na ang bank pano kapag late bayad nila? So ako mag aadjust. May experience na din kasi ako sa nanay nya sa utang. Mag jowa pa lang kami ay nakautang na ang nanay nya sakin. Nangako na magbabayad sa katapusan pero wala din,ang ending sya ang nagbayad sakin kasi nahiya sya. Mabalik tayo sa loan, nakiusap sya sakin pati ang nanay nya na mabait pag may kailangan na kung pwede daw pumayag na ako kasi sya ang magbabayad kapag hindi nakapagbayad ang nanay nya on time ang plano kasi is hati sila sa bayarin. Fast forward again, ako namang si tanga pumayag na kasi lumulobo na ang bills sa ospital kaya naawa na ako sakanya knowing na maapektuhan din finances namin kasi asawa ko sya. Dito na nagsimula ang gulo....
Nung napautang ko na sila ng 300,000 pesos salary deduction to for 3 yrs (Oo ganyan kalaki ateng) ay lumabas na ang totoo nyang kulay, kesyo di daw sana sya magkakautang kung hindi dahil sa gastos nya sa kasal namin. Sana hindi daw muna kami nagpakasal may pera pa sana sya. Ang kapal ng mukha nyang manumbat eh hindi ko naman sya pinilit sa kasal na hati naman kami ultimo wedding ring. Sya ang unang nagbanggit ng kasal samin at sa tanda nyang halos maubos na ang buhok nya sa bumbunan mapipilit ko ba sya kung ayaw nya talaga. Di rin pala sya nag aallotment kasi ang katwiran nya may binabayaran pang utang tutal may trabaho din naman daw ako.Out of the blue, nag aaya na sya maghiwalay na daw kami kasi hindi pa daw pala sya tapos sa obligasyon nya sa pamilya nya..Nag init ang ulo ko kaya siningil ko sya sa loan ko ngayon wala naman syang maipambayad. Yung sasakyan na kinuha nila gamit ang pangalan ko ay nakakaabot sa bahay namin maningil yung agent kasi palaging delay yung bayad which is nakakahiya dahil hindi kami sanay sa mga naniningil na yan. Hindi rin pala sya nag aallotment ni isang kusing sakin. Mas mabuti pa nga ang construction worker kesa sa kanya kasi kahit konti ang sahod nagaabot sa misis. After ng malalang away namin since nagaaya sya ng hiwalayan nagsabi na ako sa pamilya ko na decided na kaming maghiwalay kasi hindi ko na kaya ang ugali nya palasumbat sya sa bawat bagay na ibibigay sakin naaalala nya tuwing may away kami at bukod pa dun napaka iresponsableng asawa. I believe that husbands should be providers and not the other way around. I was used.

My neurologist suggested the Smell and Taste Center in Philadelphia for smell retraining. The evaluation process tested 40 scents and 53 tastes in an at-home test in which I scored in the 12th percentile. Not good. Nine out of ten applicants tested better than I did. I lost my sense of smell in 2019. I don't know how or why, but one day, while sampling perfumes for a Valentine's Day gift, I realized I wasn't getting anything at all from those sample vials. However, I had no idea I also had a taste problem. For that test, I had to guess on every sample but one. All these years I'd been thinking I was tasting normally, even when the information was missing. The brain is an amazingly flexible organ which fills in the gaps automatically with what it expects to be there, even when it isn't. When I pick up that cup of hot cocoa, it's hot, it's chocolatey, it's sweet, and foamy. I would swear I tasted the hot chocolate, but that was only a recalled memory of what it might have been.

Hi all, I think I've just noticed some huge foreshadowing in isekai quartet?? It would have to do with a recent unstranslated side story that happens during what would be re zero season, 4, so you know, spoilers...
So I was rewatching aninews' video on isekai quartet, as one would, until I noticed, in his season 2 part 2 video during the valentine section he specifically mentions how the right chocolate box was made by wilhelm for theresia and how it contains flowers which is the exact same kind shown in the anime when we first see theresia and which is specifically mentionned to be her favourite type of flowers
ARC 6now, that still isn't anything spoilery, well the spoiler part is he forgets to mention the flowers are carried by freaking arc 6 white birds, the same one you see in the season 3 trailer.
ARC 8 SSAnd according to Ice, that one nice guy from WTC that translates a lot of re zero content, on the latest side story centering on meili and the pleides watch tower, it's revealed that these white birds are actually controlled by pandora, meaning that in the context of the valentine box, wilhelm is unknowingly making a reference to how his wife has been kidnapped and controlled as a corpse puppet by pandora, and in the context of the real world, taippei litterally put a hint to mystery we wouldn't have an answer to until 5 years later in a freaking isekai quartet episode about valentine's day.
And the worst part is that this isn't the first time he's done that, remember that one time taippei litterally released HUGE lore concerning the backstory of the people from 400 years ago that hinted at flugel having RBD, the link between emilia-sattella and subaru-flugel being way more tangible than we'd though, and other nice thingsas a phamplet you'd exclusively get if youwere to see the movie in japan as it airs in cinema specifically the second week?

.
TLDR: I recently (like two months ago) reconnected with a friend after a year of two of not talking. I invited her to dinner and we had a blast. Hung out a couple times and texted a lot as friends and then one day she didn’t reply for week so I texted again and she ignored it for another week. She ended up replying but now it’s been a month since that. I want to ask her out again, but I’m wondering if I should just not just because of how long it’s been since the last text. Even if I do I have no idea got ask her out, but as a date this time.
For more detail we meet at a job and we hung out a couple times, went to a pumpkin patch, we even went thrifting. Witch was really fun, specially because she had no bra and was asking her to help her out stuff, and put stuff on and well to basically permission to look at her. Anyways I quit that job, and I felt as if we were only work friends. And so I didn’t reach out. For a year or two, and we texted for a while before I invited her to hang out. We went to dinner and we had a blast catching up. Afterwards i asked her to hang out again and she gave me two days. One being wendsday and the other Saturday. Well i picked Wednesdays and it ended up being Valentine’s Day. We went to dav and busters and had a blast. Easily spent 4 hour playing and even went to dinner that night. At the end of it i asked her if she know it was valentines day. and she said yes. and then i gave her some chocolates. and i was to nurvous so i didn’t actually catch her reaction just know she was thankful and we spent another hour just talking about life in my car. Needless to say my best valentines so far. We texted for over three weeks and we hung out again. Got pizza and for some reason this girl wanted to sneek it in the air movie theater… we had plenty of time to eat it but. Anyways after that we talked for a week. And like daily, we also consistently played Apple games. And then one day she stoped texting, and I mean yeah it hurt. And the a week later I messaged her again. And at this point I caught the hint a bugged off. But then a week later she messaged me back. And I never replied back as I felt hurt. Like I know I need to be in contact, but I tought we where in good standing and to vanish like that was kinda fake for me. And well i didn’t reply. But now it’s been a month and i regret my actions. We’re just friends but I’ve come to terms that I would want to asked her out on a date now. I’m not good with dating, so with most of the facts being said, should I ask her out. Or is she simply not interested.

My wife and I have known each other for 20 years (since highschool). She says "all love languages are her love languages," but she especially loves gifts. After so many years together, the whole gift thing has escalated to what I think is out of control. Here are just some of the gifts she is getting this year.

• 40 year birthday - Louis Vuitton purse and wallet - $3k, plus a day trip -$1k
  
• Mother's Day - a 2 hour massage - $400
  
• Valentines Day - $200 new clothes
  
• 7 year Wedding anniversary - solid gold necklace and bracelet combo - $1100
  
• 10 year marriage anniversary (we got married before the wedding, she wants us to celebrate both) - diamond earrings -$1700 and a photo album $100
  
• Christmas - Facial package - $1100 (annual package)
  
• Bad day at work -$140 nail spa gift certificate, roses, and chocolates
  
• career transition (she's switching jobs after ten years) - I'm at a loss of what to buy, but let's say it'll be $150-$200
  

Am I crazy for thinking this has gotten out of hand? That's almost $10k in gifts this year. We're a dual income household and make good money - but this still just seems like too much in my opinion. I ask her not to get me expensive gifts - she gets me clothes mostly.
How much do you all spend on gifts for your partners each year? Any ideas for lower cost gifts?

Black Sheep Family
Interlude 9
Date Night: Valentines
The Evening of the 17th of February, 2079
Agatha Quain sat at the back of The Divine Comedy Club , a cheap laugh restaurant that prided itself on having “discovered” a few good comedians. Currently Agatha was debating whether she was gonna toss an illusionary tomato at the racist piece of shit on the stage or at her boyfriend for not checking the schedule. Jack was just staring at the stage like the man had signed his own death warrant, not because of Agatha, but because the man was hellishly ripping into the Rana at the front of the stage. He was about to stand up and go get a manager when a short, wide man stepped on the stage, both teens knew he was Dominic Carcelli, a member of the Carcelli crime family, and a man whose family made heavy donations RHED, or the Rana-Human Education and Defense funds.
Carcelli made a swift grab for the microphone and nodded to a man off to the side. “Hey sorry about that folks, lets say we get some actual fuckin’ talent up here, yeah?” He covered the microphone and shouted off stage, “Who else we got back there that ain’t stupid enough to provoke half the damn city.”
A timid voice called out.
Carcelli rolled his eyes. “On behalf of management, as an apology, I’ll be covering mozz sticks for everyone, sound good?”
Agatha followed the mobster’s gaze to a taller, more severe looking man with salt and pepper hair and a groomed goatee. He also had a top hat at his side and a pocket watch clearly sitting in his breast pocket.
“Thanks for your patience folks.” Carcelli waited for the new comedian to come on stage. “Hey, what’s your name buddy?”
“Tommy Kallewski.” The young man said.
“What’d you think of that palooka before you?” Carcelli asked as he handed the comedian the microphone.
“You mean the guy who couldn’t grow up past the seventh grade?” Tommy snorted. “I’ve never heard worse jokes, and my material is fart jokes mostly.”
Agatha snorted and almost lost her drink through her nose. Jack barked and slapped the table. Most of the audience burst into laughter. The old man in the back grinned and sipped his drink as Carcelli joined him.
“So.” Jack snorted as the comedian’s jokes started to take off. “Sorry I didn’t check the schedule.”
“Anyone with a last name of ‘Dick’ that’s that old shouldn’t be labeled a comedian. Especially with that material.” Agatha rolled her eyes and leaned over and kissed Jack on his forehead. “You’re forgiven.”
“Thank you.” Jack smiled and took her hand.
They watched, laughed and listened for a few minutes. Jack was obviously enjoying the potty humor that Tommy was dolling out faster than most people could process. Then the free mozzarella sticks came and the two teens smiled as they tried to share a single stick between them. They laughed and dropped it as they failed.
“So, does your family need anything done while you’re out?” Jack asked.
Agatha sighed, “Yeah. Saw that coming. I think we’re good. Could use someone to look after the gardens.”
Jack nodded, “Not the cat.” He said.
Agatha snorted, “No gramps has the cat.”
“I can help with the gardens.” Jack nodded, “Dad’s upset he’s being put on a desk.”
“He’s the best leader dad has until we get back.” Agatha shrugged. “Even if he doesn't think so.”
Jack nodded. He smiled at her and held up another mozzarella stick.
“You’re doin’ it wrong.” Carcelli’s slight scarred face stared at them. “You’re breaking it early, you gotta have them in your mouth and then pull.”
“Thanks...” Agatha looked the man over.
“Hey, I know who your pops is and I don’t start shit. I run legit businesses and ain't no law says I have to call the cops on my customers. In fact Dross city has Neutral Ground laws.” Carcellie smiled, “Relax, we ain’t enemies.” He flicked the ashes of a half smoked cigar into his hand.
“Fair.” Agatha nodded, “Dross does have no smoking laws for restaurants though.”
“She’s right,Dominic.” The tall man said as he walked over. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Dwayne O’Donnelly.” The man’s heavy Irish accent was crisp and reminded both teens of older actors from the past. “Please enjoy the show and the food.”
“You own this place?” Agatha asked as she turned to look at the man as he stood directly behind Jack.
Jack was frozen and locked into place as he scratched his nose.
“I do.” Dwayne smiled, “One of my many investments in the city.” He turned to Carcelli, “I must go, please enjoy your meal as well.”
Dominic nodded and walked back to his table and put his cigar out in a half filled glass of water.
Dwayne smiled, “You’ll have to forgive the young Carcelli, he sometimes forgets I prefer a more laid back setting for my places.”
Agatha stared at the man, trying to see past his form and to something of less physical substance. She hadn’t been training with Illidae as he Master for long, but he had taught her how to activate her Soul Sight. What it showed her shocked her into just nodding silently. The man nodded and smiled before he left.
“That man smelled of danger.” Jack let out a breath. “Like metal and molten glass.” He noticed Agatha staring in shock and reached over to touch her hand.
“We need to follow him!” Agatha shot up to run, but Jack grabbed her, making sure not to tear her lace gothic dress..
“What did you see?” Jack hissed, “We can’t just chase a guy like O’Donnelly.”
“It was darkness, pride, hatred and rage.” Agatha said. “He’s one of them. He’s a Revenant.”
Jack paused then nodded, “Man, we need to plan for date night interruptions.”
Jack quickly got the bill and paid for their meal which they hadn’t even gotten to eat, he did ask for it to be packed as they would return for it. When they got outside they hopped onto Jack’s motorcycle and were off.
---B)(S)(F---
Danny sat nervously at the Pizza Hat. He had just finished a movie, The Terrible Trio Strikes Again!!! The third Strike!, with Heith and both were sitting nervously at the both. Both teens were clearly unsure how to behave and both knew Danny likely had other thoughts he was focused on.
“I hope the movie wasn’t a terrible idea.” Heith sighed, “I know the shit with Cassandra is bad, I just know I’d want someone to distract me if Sofie were in a similar situation.”
Danny looked up in worry, “No it was a good movie, and I appreciate the break. I just can’t stop thinking about how I could have stopped him for sure and now...” He put his head in his hands. “I think he’s not dead. I think Salem’s right.”
“The nosferatu guy?” Heith clarified, “The one who fought vamp-bitch?”
Danny chuckled, “Well for once an accurate statement if worded for a poor reason.”
Heith snorted, “I’ve met the woman, that’s personal bias.”
Danny smiled as a pizza and a large shake with two straws was put in front of them.
“Did we order that?” Heith blinked as she looked at the super-tall shake that had a mountain of whipped cream and two cherries on top.
“On the house.” The server winked. “You two have a fun date night!” He rolled backwards on his shoes and danced away.
“Man...” Danny sighed, “Dross City, we got’em all.”
Heith nodded and blinked, “Well it is chocolate.”
Danny nodded, “I’m fine with sharing.”
“Good.” Heith smiled as she put a piece of their pizza on a plate. “I never understood why...” She paused, “Is dad appropriate anymore?”
Danny shrugged, “I mean in some twisted way he cared, right?”
“Not about us.” Heith sighed, “Not how your family cares for each other, it was more possessive.”
Danny nodded, “Well then what is to you?”
“The Lab doctor who grew us.” Heith snorted in a laugh that signaled a sense of relief. “But I never understood why we couldn’t get pizza. This stuff is better especially when it’s not school based.”
“My dad would call that blasphemy.” Danny laughed. “How is Sofie doing?”
“She’s dealing better than I am.” Heith nodded, “I still have nightmares with him ripping off his face and that robot’s face.” Heith sighed, “He did give her an amazingly realistic snobby attitude.”
“I don’t know how people get attracted to that.” Danny sighed, “Has to be purely physical.”
“Or they’re the same.” Heith sighed. “Am I doing better?”
Danny tilted his head a little. “Heith, I’m the son of a rich as shit family. Both of my parents are independently wealthy and the only reason I had my job was boredom.” He laughed, “I’m not sure I can judge spoiled and bratty and stuff like that accurately.”
“Fair, but am I less bitchy?” Heith asked, “I don’t know. Forget I asked.”
“In terms of what I’ve seen, yeah, you’ve improved. You’ve learned and even though you still call me devil-boy, you’re not pissing Agatha off with it so I guess it’s okay?” Danny shrugged.
“Well she calls Jack ‘puppy’.” Heith said flatly.
“She’s called him puppy since we were four.” Danny explained, “She’s the only one he lets call him that.”
Heith paused, “Noted and remembered.”
Danny nodded, “And it’s not like she won’t sometimes get on his nerves with it.”
“Fair.” Heith nodded and sipped on their shake, then made a face. “That’s bad.”
Danny sipped on it as well. “Yeah I don’t think it was mixed right, too much chocolate mixed in.”
“Oh well, it’s free.” Heith smiled, “But don’t worry about Burlin or Gravitas or whoever the fuck he was or is. We won the day, now you focus on your sister.”
Danny nodded and sighed, “Thanks. I don’t know why but I feel like I messed up there.”
“I feel like I messed up my whole life with him.” Heith said with a grimace, “You’d think you’d see something that would scream ‘supervillain’!”
“To be fair, GLOBAL is classified as a villain organization.” Danny said, “We don’t know their endgame so unless it’s global domination, I doubt it’ll be classified as Super.”
Heith blinked. “That’s the difference?”
Danny shrugged. “Classifications are based on motivations and power levels mainly. Criminals want survival and the stuff that helps with that; cash, gear, et cetera.” He pulled out a napkin and drew up a small diagram. “Villains have some ideal or goal, they feel they have a purpose or society is the one in the wrong. Super-Villains want power, to rule and to run things. It’s why guys like the MechAnimals and the psychotic Animals are both considered criminals, but Pharaoh is a Super-Villain despite mostly being a crime boss. We know he wants the world under his control and crime is his means to an end.”
“And The Fog is a criminal because they just sell their services. Man-Tick is a villain because, why?” Heith asked as she took another piece of pizza.
“Fun fact about Man-Tick, he funds his research into breaking his curse via mercenary actions, but his goal isn’t complete reversal, it’s to make more like those animal-hybrid people GLOBAL made.” Danny explained, “My best guess is they stole his work, because that man would not be quiet about being successful.”
“And that makes Jet Fission a Super-Villain.” Heith nodded, “What about the Nazi Zombies?”
“Armageddon Level Threat.” Danny nodded, “Isn’t this first year stuff? Dad taught us this when he came back, Anna already knew it.”
“You’d think, but it’s a Senior class.” Heith gave a huff, “How many Armageddon Level Threats are there?”
“Bleak and his Crew is currently the only one, but Fission can slide into that as well.” Danny took his first piece of pizza. “I keep forgetting how greasy this isn’t.” He sighed.
Heith snorted and shook her head. “Well thank you for the lesson. If you need someone to talk to until then, I’m just a chat or call away.”
Danny nodded, “Thanks.”
“So why’d your dad let you take the van, isn’t it like your only car since that fancy one of his got stolen and wrecked.”
Danny chuckled. “He got it replaced pretty fast. Scared the shit out of those car thieves though. Spent an hour crying about the best metal baby.”
Heith stared at Danny in confusion.
“It was his first car, one of the only things he’s had any material love for. Mom says I’ll understand when I get my first car.” Danny explained with a light sigh of contentment.
“But you can fly.” Heith said.
“I can, but sometimes you gotta move someone else. Also I don’t go that fast, just above the average running speed.” Danny shrugged.
“We need a re-match.” Heith sighed, taking deep of their shared shake.
“Have you suddenly developed the ability to hit incorporeal things?” Danny shot back, “Because I can still do that.”
“I’ll find a way. Found a way to block Guire’s stupid shocks.” Heith said with a slight tinge of annoyance.
“Ah, give Guire a break, kid’s in just as bad a situation as you were, only he can’t run and the best guy to help him is a bit distracted helping my sister right now.” Danny sighed.
“What do you mean?” Heith asked.
“Guire’s dad is a former cop. Currently head of Security at Sun-Tech. Dad got him fired for beating his wife, but he’s got too many friends still on the force. Dad can’t make any moves to help Greg, Bubbles is trying now.” Danny took another slice and a deep sip. “It’s really fucked up.”
“I can break his face.” Heith said, “No one could mad at me after what I’ve been through.”
Danny almost choked, “God, no. Please. Just don’t give him so much shit.”
Heith crossed her arms but nodded in understanding. “I’m kinda full.”
“Me too, too much popcorn.” Danny laughed. “Want to take it home to Sofie?”
Heith nodded and they waved to the server who promptly trolled back over to them.
“Take home for the rest please.” Danny said, “And hey, where’d you get the shoes?”
“Customs on myshoedrip.net.” He smiled, “Used to be popular in the early millennium, called Heelies. I’ll get you a box and cup for the shake.”
“You take the shake.” Heith said as she stood up to pay.
“I got this.” Danny smiled.
“I got it, I kinda put you in the asking position.” Heith smiled.
“Half then.” Danny offered.
“You pay for the shake.” Heith smiled.
Danny nodded, then remembered it had been a free shake. “Hey...”
“Too late you agreed.” Heith smiled and went to the counter to pay.
As the two stepped outside he couldn’t help but notice a motorcycle speeding by with a very elegant gothic dress on the rear end.
“Aggie?” Danny paused and stared.
“She wears dresses?!” Heith’s jaw dropped.
---B)(S)(F---
Alan and Endara were at one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, a professed neutral ground where criminals could come to safely dine so long as violence was not reported. It was a Carcelli restaurant, but Alan wasn’t going to hold that against them tonight.
“So...” Endara looked at the menu. “Should we be here?”
Alan looked at her and sighed, “I made the reservations, Cassie told us too.” He threw his arms up in defeat, “I just can’t help but feel like a shit-heel here.”
“Same...” Endara sighed. “Maybe order a dessert and take it home?”
Alan smiled, “Okay, but we have to eat a meal or Anna will get Stephen on both of us.”
“She does do that easily.” Endara smiled, “Her mother’s care in her.”
Alan nodded, “So my lovely fire engine of brute force...”
Endara broke into laughter, then collected herself. “Thank you, you know just what to say. My lovely dumbass.”
“I do try.” Alan smiled, “Oh. Manicotti.”
“You hate anyone else’s manicotti.” Endara gave an accusatory glare.
“That’s not true, just people who don’t know how to make it. This is an Italian place, if they can’t make it I’m going to be upset.” Alan smiled. “You just stay out of their kitchen.”
Endara snorted and looked the menu over. “Oh, they make big meatballs here.”
“Good evening.” A man said as he approached, “My name is Trevor and I will be your server tonight.”
“Well Trevor, ever had the Manicotti?” Alan asked.
“Yes, my favorite short of the chef’s favorite ravioli.” Trevor smiled.
“I’ll take that.” Alan smiled, “House’s best red wine, for the holiday past.”
Trevor nodded, “And you Mrs. Quain.”
“I’ll have the spaghetti and meatballs, can I ask for just three extra large ones?” Endara asked.
Trevor nodded, “We can do that.” He then took their menus and bowed before leaving.
“Well, let’s enjoy the night.” Endara smiled, but paused as she noticed Alan looking up and past her.
Endara turned to see the massive frame of Polar Bear grinning down at her. He raised his hands in a peaceful gesture.
“No harm meant.” He said as Mud Dauber stood by his side.
“I always thought you two made an odd couple.” Alan tried to laugh. “We good?”
“Yes.” Polar Bear nodded, “I wanted to thank you for your kindness last we met.” He bowed his head. “It is rare when we have a hero remember we are human too, mostly.”
Alan did a brief scan of the man’s surface thoughts and nodded to Endara. Endara then relaxed.
“And I have no interest in taking on you and your wife. Even with Freya’s help, we would lose.” Polar Bear laughed.
“You would lose, I would flee.” Freya snorted.
Polar Bear looked slightly wounded as he stared at his partner, then he nodded in the affirmative and agreed with her.
“Well, you’re welcome, but right now we’re on our Valentine’s date.” Alan smiled, hoping to dissuade any further conversation.
“Da? So are we!” Polar Bear laughed, “But we will leave you to yours.”
Freya pulled on his scarf and Polar Bear bent down to listen as she whispered in his ear.
Polar Bear winced, “I know this is probably a bad time, we have heard of the attack on the school and that you have an injured child; but our leader has a proposition.”
Alan felt his jaw drop as he felt the idea pass from Polar Bear’s screaming and nervous mind.
“Too loud Isaak.” Freya hissed, “Remember he is a telepath.”
“Right. Sorry.” He pulled an envelope from his very carefully crafted vest and handed it to Alan. “It isn’t much as of now, but we have hopes.” Polar Bear smiled as he once again bowed and led Freya to their table.
“Well...” Endara watched the two MechAnimals sit at their own table, “At least you can tell they’re in love.”
Alan nodded as he put the envelope away. “We might have to step up Anna’s therapy.”
Endara blinked, “What?” Then she realized the implication. “They’re that desperate?”
“Pharaoh may have cut off other sources.” Alan sighed, “Or the Animals really messed them up.”
Endara nodded, “What about the psycho?”
“Let’s worry about that after we save our daughter.” Alan sighed. “And part of that is eating a meal to bring home a huge chocolate mousse.”
“I was thinking, instead, what about stopping for ice cream?” Endara smiled.
“Anna will want what she always wants.” Alan sighed and telekinetically lifted his phone from his pocket and sent out a message to the family. Then he got a reply that made him pause and stand up.
“Agatha or Danny?” Endara asked with a sigh.
“Take a guess.” Alan sighed as he went to a non-emergency exit. Then he dialed Agatha’s number, when she didn’t answer he sent another text and waited.
The door opened and Mud Dauber came out and lit a cigarette, then noticed Alan. He felt genuine shock from her, but didn’t let her distract him. Finally he got a response and sent a quick demand for her and Jack to get home. Then he leaned against the opposite wall and sighed, partially sinking down.
“Are you all right?” Freya asked, “That’s a stupid question. I’m sorry.” She walked over and offered her hand.
Alan paused and took it, using her to help himself stand.
“Eldest decided to do something ridiculously stupid.” Alan sighed, “Thank you.”
Freya nodded and Alan went to go back in, but paused.
“If he’s serious, tell him to hold out as long as he can. We’ll be out of the country for a bit.” Alan explained.
Freya nodded, “You know I met your newest. She’s a sweet kid, I hope it's not her that’s hurt.”
Alan paused and let a bitter laugh echo in the night. “Hurt is an understatement. That bastard started to tear her apart from the inside, and something else decided to continue it.” He growled.
Freya nodded, and watched the door close, but Alan remained outside.
“You have kids?” He asked.
“I wish I could. Early childhood cancer.” Freya smiled, “And Isaak’s DNA may not carry over.”
Alan nodded, “If you and he are serious and you all really mean this, hold on. Then maybe consider adoption.”
Freya nodded. “We’ll try.”
Alan cleared his throat. “You have a nice Valentine’s dinner.”
“You too.” Freya smiled.
Alan joined his wife once more.
“Was she a problem?” Endara asked.
“Nah, just a smoke break.” Alan nodded.
Endara leaned in, “So what broke you?”
Alan went to argue but smiled, just as he could make her laugh, he could never lie to her.
“Agatha tried to chase a guy she thought was a revenant.” Alan smirked with a slightly mad glare.
“Why is our daughter blessed with both of our impatient and impetuous natures?” Endara laughed and brushed her hair back.
“Luck.” Alan smiled.
Then their meals were brought out and Alan immediately went to dig into his manicotti. He just as quickly frowned.
“Bad?” Endara asked as she cut up her meatballs.
“I think I’ve been ruined.” Alan smiled, “Best damn manicotti I’ve had.” He looked at Trevor. “Compliments to the chef.”
Trevor smiled, “I shall inform him.”
Endara nodded as Trevor poured their wine for the night.
“Trevor, how big is the biggest mousse you’ve got?” Alan asked.
Trevor paused briefly, almost concerning Endara as she watched him quickly stop pouring. “Pretty darn big, but that's for catering. We have a twelve ounce one for take home.”
“Dang that won’t satisfy a house full of teens.” Alan sighed.
“We can put it on a cake or a pie.” Trevor suggested.
“Ohhh.” Endara smiled, “Can we get one to go?”
Trevor nodded and looked at Alan.
“If you would.” Alan said, “And anything else she wants.”
Trevor nodded and stepped away.
Endar smiled at her husband as she remembered a specific order she had put in with a private call. Alan found it moments later as he split open a manicotti to find a jewelry box that he telekinetically plucked out. He stared for a moment then looked at Endara.
“You would.” He sighed and opened it.
Inside was an infinity loop with Endara’s birthstone in the center and the stones of the entire Quain family, including Daniel, Jazz and Alan and Stephen’s original adoptive parents.
Alan smiled and sat it down.
“Surprise.” Endara smiled.
Alan nodded, “They cooked it in the manicotti.”
“What?” Endara blinked.
Alan laughed, “Thankfully it only messed up one.” He scraped the offending manicotti to the side. “Someone’s gonna get in trouble for that.”
“Well, hopefully they can learn.” Endara sighed and slowly laughed at the scenario.
Soon both Quain parents were laughing and making jokes about pasta jewelry.
/////
The First Story
[Previous Interlude]() //// [Next Interlude!]()
Arc 1 - Black Sheep Family - Arc 1, First Chapter
Arc 2 - Paradigm Shift - Arc 2, First Chapter
Arc 3 - Gravitas Rising Arc 3, First Chapter
Arc 4 - The Director’s Chair Arc 4, First Chapter
Arc 5- The School War Arc 5, First Chapter
Spotify
/////
Credit where Credit is due:
Kyton & Cassandra Adams are © u/TwistedMind596
Obsidian is © u/Ultimalice
Ixton the Blade of the Wielder is © My friend Forged of Souls who does not use reddit
Furnace is © my friend Matt who does not use reddit
Cedric Stein Meissner aka Tesseract is © my friend James, who does not use reddit.
All other characters and Dross City are © u/TheSmogMonsterZX
////
Perfection: Kinda heavy for an interlude inn’t?
Wraith: Well interludes are the parts that can't fit into the normal stories. He never said they wouldn’t contain any important details.
Smoggy: I believe I said I would try, and honestly I just couldn’t get Alan and Endara’s dinner anywhere at the end of Arc 5 or at the start of Arc 6. So it goes here and if I need to refer back to it, we treat it like a comic book and link to the story at the end.
Deadpool: I’m BACK and I brought boxes for all!
Smoggy: Glad to have you DP.
DM: What?
Smoggy: I’d like to send you some place nice, warm year ‘round and plenty of hot ladies to flirt with.
Deadpool: ...Really.
Wraith: (taps Scythe against the floor) He means hell.
Smoggy: I mean Hell.
DM: Ahhhh...
Deadpool: How about, like some place I can help teen heroes fight bad guys?
Wraith: We’ve already tried that with another version of you.
Smoggy: He still sends them Christmas Cards. So hell, or leave us alone.
Deadpool: You know I think it’s been fun here, but I miss home.
Perfection: (leaning over Deadpool’s shoulders) Smart choice. (vanishes with Deadpool)
Wraith: Why can’t they all be that reasonable.
Smoggy: Luck, insanity? I dunno. Time to focus. I got some SpellJammer stuff to make!
DM: Stinger!
Smoggy: Wha-
---B)(S)(F---
The Evening of the 16th of February, 2079
Jazz pulled her motorcycle up to the curb of the well maintained SkyView Apartments. She was almost up to the door when she heard voices out back laughing and shouting, so she went around to see what was going on. She found the person she was looking for with two of his friends, one of which was a personal hero of hers.
“Holy shit!” Jazz quickly saluted Samantha Canning.
“I’m retired and from what I understand, so are you.” Samantha smirked, then gave a quick salute.
“Jazz, what’s up?” Salem asked without looking up from the fire on the grill.
“They’re giving that poor little girl some bad news and I didn’t want to hear it.” Jazz sighed, “Figured I’d make you have some fun.”
“Some fun?” Sawyer looked at his friend, “You got a Super Nintendo?”
“Nah, figured we’d go beat up some thugs or something.” Jazz smiled. “Salem invite only though.”
“That’s fair. He needs more friends.” Samantha smiled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Salem looked up with a glare.
“That you’re an old curmudgeon with few friends and most are kids.” Sawyer smirked.
“Pot, meet the kettle.” Samantha smirked.
“I got friends.” Sawyer laughed, “Just no one else likes’em.”
Salem rolled his eyes and downed the rest of his whiskey mixed with blood. Then he stood straight and stretched before staring directly at Jazz.
“I got a strict curfew of twenty minutes before dawn.” He set an alarm on his phone. “Won’t crash or anything, just don’t want to dust.”
“Man, have you ever crashed?” Sawyer snorted in annoyance.
“Nah.” Salem nodded, “Can’t let the sun win at everything.” He grinned. “All right Artigan show me what you consider fun!”
“Get your helmet, you ain’t ridin’ with me without one.” Jazz smiled.
“I am not a seat warmer.” Salem glared.
Jazz crossed her arms. “My bike.”
Salem snarled, but stomped off and returned, but with his own bike and a leather helmet.
“You just...” Jazz laughed, “Can that thing keep up?”
Salem’s head tilted.
“Oh, now she’s done it.” Samantha laughed.
“They’re going to be mangled in a mess on the news.” Sawyer laughed, “Anna will kill them both. Then maybe Cassie.”
Samantha laughed and picked up her whiskey.
“Take my couch Canning, cops won’t care who you are if they smell that shit. Doesn’t matter that you’re not drunk.” Salem said as he continued to glare at Jazz.
Jazz continued to smirk, “Well come on old timer. We got some red to paint.”
Salem let a low growl escape his lips.

Honobu Yonezawa being a writer who leaves things on cliffhanger while leaving dots for his reader to connect has also somewhat shown a romantic connection between Eru Chitanda and Houtaro Oreki (this is just my conclusion based on my interpretation on the author's writing) • I have kept the question regarding Oreki's birthday at the end
Im not really good at explaining stuffs but ... I'll start from the event where Satoshi discloses to Oreki why he didn't accept Mayaka's valentine's chocolate

"I had decided to not be fixated on anything, but could Mayaka be an exception?

Almost everyone in this sub knows this , that Satoshi didn't want to become obsessed with anything anymore neither on victories nor in any particular field and not even over mayaka he has his new own motive to reject Mayaka's chocolate because he thinks if he starts becoming obsessed again he'll be back to his "pathetic self"
After that this is what Oreki thought

No, I wonder about that. My motto is "If I don't have to do it, don't do it. If I have to do it, make it quick." That's all. I don't have anything that needs to be disclosed. I suddenly recalled what I was thinking about at the library while I was looking at the photograph collection. An energy conserver cannot deal with a love affair. The same goes for Satoshi's motive for breaking the hand-made chocolate. But the two things are falsely similar. I definitely made a mistake. Satoshi hesitated because of Ibara.

If we take these lines :

"An energy conserver cannot deal with a love affair" "The same goes for Satoshi's motive for breaking the hand-made chocolate. But the two things are falsely similar'

On face value , it gives alot of meaning to the idea of why Oreki wanting to avoid getting along with chitanda ,he compared his motive to Satoshi's pointing how it would go against their motives and how similar both his and Satoshi's situations are
Now u might think it doesn't really indicate anything, so here again we see that in the doll festival ep or in the novel : chapter "the doll that took a detour" after the festival gets over and Oreki and Chitanda solve the mystery of how the brown haired guy wanted to capture something unusual in the festival this year so he was behind the cause and so on... , we see Chitanda introducing her place to Oreki , when Oreki had an internal monologue:

At that time, I gained an answer to a doubt I had been holding. I wanted to say thisː "By the way, about the business strategy that you gave up on, how about I take care of that for you?" But what did I do? I thought that I should say it, but in fact, I didn't feel like I could say it at all. This was the first time I felt like this. This first experience became an important key to a question I couldn't solve before. Now I knew. Why Fukube Satoshi broke Ibara's chocolate. This had to be the reason. It was probably the same reason why I did not say what I wanted to, and said a different line instead,"

"Now I knew. Why Fukube Satoshi broke Ibara's chocolate. This had to be the reason" Oreki here again comparing his situation with Satoshi's like before , both of them feel that getting into a relationship with the girls would go against their motives , they didn't want to have what they changed in their lives , if u read the previous monologue of Oreki in this post it'll all start making sense Satoshi with his obsession which made him "pathetic" in his eyes and Oreki with his habit of helping people so much that he gets used by people which made him "an idiot" in his own eyes
I believe it confidently that Oreki does love Chitanda , meanwhile we definitely know that Chitanda feels the same as well , she has dropped hints too , in 6th vol , in the event that takes place at Juumonji's place and Inari shrine we see Chitanda playing with her hair , wanting Oreki to admit that he eavesdropped her and Mayaka's conversation and came here to visit her While I really don't need to elaborate this , she is an expressive lady and she has indicates her feelings for Oreki several times and even Mayaka knows about it , considering the two girls are close I feel that Chitanda might have let Mayaka know about it since in vol 6 chapter "mirror can't reflect" we see Mayaka feeling hesitant to ask about Oreki's girlfriend infront of Chitanda

How could I possibly ask about Oreki’s ‘girlfriend’ in front of Chi-chan?

Meanwhile Satoshi and Mayaka actually get into a relationship four (and a half) days before that marathon

Here's where my question starts

in vol 5 chapter " friends need to be celebrated" we see both Oreki and Chitanda hiding the fact that Chitanda has visited Oreki's place before , so why was it ? Why did they want to do that ? Did Chitanda actually want to hide it ?
We see

She said that they wouldn’t know as long as we didn't tell them, but in reality, Chitanda was simply going to be using her actions rather than her words to declare that she had come to this living room before.

I can't come to any conclusions, did Chitanda actually want to hide it , or did she want to declare it through actions So she won't lie to her friends

As I was thinking this, I realized that my keeping quiet about the get-well visit wasn’t because “the chance slipped me by." It wasn’t like what we did was really all that shady, after all… It was all so absurd.

"It was all absurd" is Oreki saying that Chitanda visiting him due to him being sick is absurd? Well Oreki is a type to think and feel something like this but I don't find it to be a strong reason to hide it from friends , Satoshi might tease but Oreki is well aware of his this joking behaviour, But considering an underclassmate was there maybe they both held back Or if this wasn't the what was the actual reason , Some people even say that they hid it because of Chitanda 's reputation but I don't think u have to do something like this to friends , I don't think they could spread rumours of it , and Chitanda too seemed to be allowed to visit Oreki's home with the get well soon gift because he felt sick right after helping the Chitanda family with the doll festival
since we don't have much information I want u guys to leave your opinions What do u guys think ? Watashi kininarimasu

Apparently Dazai (in a short story skit by the official BSD twitter several years ago) chose to spend Valentine's Day with a dearly beloved friend (a deceased Odasaku) in Bar Lupin instead of with any of the women who gave chocolates to him. Interpret that as you all will. I'm also curious where is the twitter post at, if someone could send it to me

The family is constantly chaotic, but there are some moments where they’re wholesome. My favorite scene is S4E10, the ep where Lois wonders what the family would be like if she had 3 girls instead. At the end of the ep, the boys gifted her a heart box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, but they ate most of them - Dewey says “we saved the coconut ones cause we know they’re your favorite” 🥹🥹
Even though the boys are always fighting and seem to not care about anything but girls, food, or blowing stuff up - they do still love their mom (and that’s rarely depicted).

advice This story is going to be long but i need to give enough details in order to remember this. My boyfriend and I have been together for 4 years, since 14 years old. Now we are 18 and 19 in college. He doesn’t have any friends in college and never goes out, i like to go out and have a couple of friend up here overall i am happy with my social life. He has been really depressed all semester, not eating enough and keeping up with hygiene. he gets snappy and has zero social battery. he hasn’t been himself and it’s been really sad to watch. We have had the conversation but he just says he’s fine. On his birthday, it was halloween weekend on a friday. the day before i took the bus to walmart to get his gifts and a cake. i get back and walk to the dorm. i go home and make his card just to have everything ready. the next morning i go to his dorm with his gifts and surprise him. i doordashed us breakfast at like 9am and then let him go back to sleep. later that afternoon we have dinner with his parents and he is in a horrible mood.he is sad and drained. His parents leave and i ask him what’s wrong and he says he’s fine. we go back to his dorm and drink. i ask him if he wants to go out and he says no. after we get more drunk i try again and ask if he wants to go to a live music event and he says no, then i get defensive and say he never leaves his room and that is why he is so sad and he needs to at least try to go out (i completely disrespected his boundaries and am aware of it now) he says no he doesn’t want to so i say I’m leaving and left. i came back about 20 minutes later and he was really upset. we didn’t talk about it and just moved on with our night. Beginning of February i am really stressed about housing next semester. we cannot live on campus and the place i had in mind didn’t fall through. i cant afford anything and my parents are really unreliable. this housing situation and school is making me really depressed. One night i took a bunch of nyquil and it didn’t work. i had never done anything like that before. On top of this my boyfriend is majorly depressed and refuses to get help. Valentine’s day rolls around and he doesn’t get me a gift or plan anything. we had always done things in the past and this was really hurting me. i told him that i am really depressed right now and need to process the nyquil incident so i think that we shouldn’t be together right now. that didn’t last long and we ended up arguing the whole weekend. he tells me that i really hurt him on his birthday and he can’t believe that i would leave him on his own birthday. i understand that is hurtful. anyways we end up “fixing” things. i told him he really hurt me on valentine’s day because i expect a gift/card/candy/something and i had got him a card and chocolate. i told him that he’s really emotionally distant and i really want him to get help. yes i go to therapy and take meds!!! don’t come at me. anyways he does short term therapy (5 sessions) through the school and doesn’t do it again. Few months later pass by and it’s my birthday weekend. the day before my birthday we’re hanging out with my friends and he is sitting in a corner silent. being really moody and distant with everyone including myself. the next day is my actual birthday and he doesn’t get me a gift. i text him that night and say “not to be rude but did you not get me a birthday gift” and he replies “not yet im going tomorrow im sorry” i was drunk at this point so i leave it alone and talk about it tomorrow. i tell him that it really hurts me because he should’ve done it before my birthday and just take me into consideration. at this point it just feels like he’s telling me he doesn’t want to be with me.i end things with him and ell him that when he gets help we can work on things because he’s been really emotionally absent and inconsiderate this whole semester. i asked him multiple times if he thinks he’s too depressed to be in a relationship right now and he’s just silent. i ask him if he wants to break up or if he doesn’t want to be with me anymore but he says no. he refuses to get help and would rather lose me it feels like. Now that we are i guess not together he says he wants to work on it but is being super cold and mean towards me.please help i don’t know what to do. i

advice This story is going to be long but i need to give enough details in order to remember this. My boyfriend and I have been together for 4 years, since 14 years old. Now we are 18 and 19 in college. He doesn’t have any friends in college and never goes out, i like to go out and have a couple of friend up here overall i am happy with my social life. He has been really depressed all semester, not eating enough and keeping up with hygiene. he gets snappy and has zero social battery. he hasn’t been himself and it’s been really sad to watch. We have had the conversation but he just says he’s fine. On his birthday, it was halloween weekend on a friday. the day before i took the bus to walmart to get his gifts and a cake. i get back and walk to the dorm. i go home and make his card just to have everything ready. the next morning i go to his dorm with his gifts and surprise him. i doordashed us breakfast at like 9am and then let him go back to sleep. later that afternoon we have dinner with his parents and he is in a horrible mood.he is sad and drained. His parents leave and i ask him what’s wrong and he says he’s fine. we go back to his dorm and drink. i ask him if he wants to go out and he says no. after we get more drunk i try again and ask if he wants to go to a live music event and he says no, then i get defensive and say he never leaves his room and that is why he is so sad and he needs to at least try to go out (i completely disrespected his boundaries and am aware of it now) he says no he doesn’t want to so i say I’m leaving and left. i came back about 20 minutes later and he was really upset. we didn’t talk about it and just moved on with our night. Beginning of February i am really stressed about housing next semester. we cannot live on campus and the place i had in mind didn’t fall through. i cant afford anything and my parents are really unreliable. this housing situation and school is making me really depressed. One night i took a bunch of nyquil and it didn’t work. i had never done anything like that before. On top of this my boyfriend is majorly depressed and refuses to get help. Valentine’s day rolls around and he doesn’t get me a gift or plan anything. we had always done things in the past and this was really hurting me. i told him that i am really depressed right now and need to process the nyquil incident so i think that we shouldn’t be together right now. that didn’t last long and we ended up arguing the whole weekend. he tells me that i really hurt him on his birthday and he can’t believe that i would leave him on his own birthday. i understand that is hurtful. anyways we end up “fixing” things. i told him he really hurt me on valentine’s day because i expect a gift/card/candy/something and i had got him a card and chocolate. i told him that he’s really emotionally distant and i really want him to get help. yes i go to therapy and take meds!!! don’t come at me. anyways he does short term therapy (5 sessions) through the school and doesn’t do it again. Few months later pass by and it’s my birthday weekend. the day before my birthday we’re hanging out with my friends and he is sitting in a corner silent. being really moody and distant with everyone including myself. the next day is my actual birthday and he doesn’t get me a gift. i text him that night and say “not to be rude but did you not get me a birthday gift” and he replies “not yet im going tomorrow im sorry” i was drunk at this point so i leave it alone and talk about it tomorrow. i tell him that it really hurts me because he should’ve done it before my birthday and just take me into consideration. at this point it just feels like he’s telling me he doesn’t want to be with me.i end things with him and ell him that when he gets help we can work on things because he’s been really emotionally absent and inconsiderate this whole semester. i asked him multiple times if he thinks he’s too depressed to be in a relationship right now and he’s just silent. i ask him if he wants to break up or if he doesn’t want to be with me anymore but he says no. he refuses to get help and would rather lose me it feels like. Now that we are i guess not together he says he wants to work on it but is being super cold and mean towards me.please help i don’t know what to do. i

First, I apologize in advance for typos, im using a phone to wrote this post and my some of my grammars might not be right since english isn't my first language. My bf (29M) and I (20F) have been for five years ever since we started dating he doesnt really treat me like guys would to his girlfriend, for example goin out on dates especially on valentines he doesnt take me out on date or give me flowers or chocolates, i know it childish but it bothers me. I cant say he cant afford to do all that stuff he just decides not to, these past few weeks he bacame kinda distant saying he wanted some time alone for himself since we're always together which i understand. He always refused to post me on his social media whenever i asked him to, he once told me in a middle of a fight in front of his brother and his cousin since im about to walk out he yelled "go home, you look like a monkey anways all u need is a fucking tail" which made my heart sting and made my confidence drop til' now, although he apologized for it the damage was already done. He isnt a bad guy on tye other hand he helped me a lot especially when the times i need it, I really love him but i dont know what to do, i think he's not attracted to how i look thats why he havent really put much effort into our relationship and thinks that talking about how i feel in our relationship is a waste of time, i dont want to fight with him thats why i dont bring my opinion up anymore. What do yall think i should do? or maybe do yall have some advice (please dont be rude its my first time posting here) thanks in advance

Gonna start with some backstory, because honestly, I want to get this off of my chest more than anything. I want some advice too, but honestly, I just want this out of my head.
Back in September of last year, the discord server that I was a part of had a meet up that I (33f) and my situationship (lets call him Ned, 33m) attended. At this meet up a couple that wasn't very active on the server attended, let's call the wife Amy (33f) and the husband Jim(35?m). During the meet up, Ned and Amy spent a LOT of time flirting, to the point that they actually delayed certain activities because they were so distracted with conversing and flirting with each other, that we had to wait for them. ( I actually gave the married couple a ride back to the AirBnB that night, and while Amy and I were talking, he made an angry comment about her being so horny that made both me and her pause, and then she kept the conversation moving. After a few minutes, Jim calmed down and joined the conversation, but honestly, that whole ride was tense. Me, I wasn't sure how I should react since Ned and I were still prevaricating about what kind of relationship we wanted from one another, and then Jim's apparent jealous outburst sort of just made me pause.
At one point during this same 3 day weekend, Ned gave another girl a ride to the grocery store because her order had gotten fucked up, and Amy went upstairs and was in her rented room until Ned came back. Basically, if Ned wasn't there, Amy also wasn't there.
Since then Ned and Amy have been chatting pretty much every day developing a pretty deep flirty friendship that Ned says doesn't mean anything but keep in mind, that as of today, their deep and powerful friendship is 6 months old. During this time:

1. Ned said that he wanted to record some game play videos with me, but decided to record those same videos with Amy instead.
   
2. Amy has gone to Ned to cry to him about how Jim had been mean to her, kind of normal relationship tension stuff, but she made it seem like it was abusive/toxic.
   
3. Ned and Amy talk/flirt every day, there would be days where Ned would ignore me (a mere situationship) but talk to Amy.
   
4. Amy sent Ned a box of chocolates for valentines day, with a note calling Ned her best friend (instead of her husband of a year, and her boyfriend of 12 years)
   
5. Ned got extremely defensive of their relationship when we were watching a tiktok of someone rebinding a book. For this, he and I were lying in bed watching tiktoks, he mentioned that the book they were rebinding was part of Amy's favorite book series. I asked him if he knew what the contents of the book were (the book was a court of thorns and roses) because I knew the book is spicy, and he IMMEDIATELY got defensive and said that he is allowed to be friends with who he wanted.
   

This for me was the final signal that I needed to get the hell out. I put up with it before this because 1. I'm also pretty flirty (thought ha has lessened as i've gotten older because too many consequences from flirting) and 2. I didn't know what I wanted from us.
So after that 5th point, I wrote a letter asking Ned for clarification on what the fuck was going on between us and between him and Amy, and I left the server. After that, he ignored me for weeks, and then when we finally spoke, again, he doubled down on him having done nothing wrong by having a "deep platonic flirty friendship" with Amy, and that Amy and Jim are secure in their relationship. But he would rather not talk to me and hip his “flirty friendship” with Amy.
That hurt, but honestly, the last 6 months prepared me for this, so i was ready when he just left after defending him and Amy's friendship. Oh, and he had told me in January that he loved me, but I guess his love is less strong than his right to a flirty friendship. I'm still embarrassed and bitter about being such a fool, but I guess that's what love does to someone.
But my question for you guys is this: Do i have any obligation to tell Jim what has been happening? Kind of hard to see the clear answer for me right now...
tldr: do I tell an acquaintance that his wife and "friend" are in pretty serious flirtation?