Work Text:
Rev was walking to class with his "friends" Mark and Sera. Then he saw it. Outside the window in the cold rain was a certain zombie. She was just standing completely still.
"Yo, Rev, you good," Mark asked.
"Yeah, yeah... I'm good," Rev just continued to stare at Sam.
Following his gaze a smug smile spread across Mark's face, "Ohhh I see what's going on."
"Huh?"
"Come on, Sera, Rev needs some alone time," Mark began to drag the angel away.
"Oh, okay."
"Wait, what do you mean- and he's gone," Rev sighed before returning to the window and staring at the zombie. It wasn't rare that Rev felt a kinship of sorts with the undead but it wasn't common either. He always chalked it up to being a necromancer, but after recent events he wasn't so sure anymore.
He tried shrugging off the feeling, but the further he got from the window the more knots twisted in his cold heart. He couldn't take it anymore; he was going to get to the bottom of this. Besides, anything was more interesting than class.
After a minute or so Sam heard footsteps nearby, "Hello..?"
"Hey, zombie, what are you doing out here?"
The rain suddenly stopped. No, it didn't. Someone was holding an umbrella over Sam. It was Rev. "Oh... hi Rev..."
"Don't tell me you got lost again."
She shook her head in response, "No... rain... smelled nice..."
"The rain... smelled nice?"
She shook her enthusiastically. If Rev didn't watch his mouth he would've almost called her cute. "You... come... for rain... too?"
"No, zombie. I didn't come out here for the damn weather."
"Then... why," She looked up at Rev. Stared into his eyes.
"I-I came out here for you," Rev looked away almost immediately. The prolonged eye contact and awkwardness of the situation made him blush.
"For... me?"
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Like... what?"
"Thank god you're dumb."
"Hey... I'm not... dumb," she suddenly had the cutest pout in the world.
"L-Look I was only worried because you're an undead and uh... I'm a necromancer. Y-Yeah that's it."
"You were... worried?"
"Well... only from a master and subject perspective."
"... Master?"
"Y-Yeah, because I'm a necromancer, so I have authority over you."
She just stared at before gently biting his hand. Rev was left dumbfounded as she did. He expected it to hurt but it didn't. She was just nibbling.
"What are you doing?"
"Master... marked."
"Th-The hell?"
She held onto his uniform, "Take... care... of me..."
'Damn, I didn't think she'd accept it that easily.'
"Um, Sam, shouldn't you go to class."
She shook her head again in protest, "Must... stay with... master."
"F-Fine if that's how you're gonna be all day."
To others it seemed like this was gonna be one of those rare days where Rev actually bothers to show up for class, but that wasn't the case for one specific witch she noticed the undead following him around.
"Hey, Sam, can you not hold my uniform?"
"... But then... I'll lose... you."
A faint blue blush spread across the revenant's face. "Fine... just don't go ripping my uniform."
The zombie simply nodded and stayed silent.
"Hey uh... Rev? She's not in our class," said a certain bum (witch).
"Yeah, I know, witch."
"So why is she clinging onto you?"
"I uh... may have said something I shouldn't have."
"Like what?"
"L-Look, witch. I simply said I had authority over her and now she's calling me master."
"... Rev you idiot! You just claimed her as yours!"
"Wh-What-"
Before the necromancer could finish his sentence he was cut off by none other than Baba Yaga herself, "Mr Vennett, Miss Bella Donna. Do I have to punish you two? And Miss O'Terry you should be getting to class."
"... Can't..."
"And why not?"
"Rev... Master..."
"Are you serious? Principal, now the three of you!"
Bella and Rev just shrunk in defeat as they got up. Sam just followed behind Rev like a lost puppy.
"You know, none of this would've happened if you didn't yell, witch."
"Me?! Baba Yaga would've noticed Sam either way!"
"Hey, at least Sam knows how to keep her mouth shut!"
"So you're siding with a zombie?"
"Uh... yeah I'm kinda stuck with her now."
"You are impossible."
The three finally reached the principal's office. Rev and Bella took a deep breath before entering with Sam following suit.
"Rev Vennett... it is unfortunate that we must meet again."
"Yeah... it is. Can we just hurry this up?"
"It's unusual... You clearly despise our meetings and yet your actions say otherwise."
"Well in my defense I'm only here because of the witch."
"Wh-What! Don't just throw me under the bus! A-And you wouldn't be here if you didn't claim Sam-" Bella quickly put her hands over her mouth.
"Oh?"
"I-I can explain," Rev said as he looked at Kincaid with a horrified expression.
"Then please... explain away," Viviana's voice was dangerously low.
"I-I-"
"Rev... is my master... he... said so."
Viviana raised her eyebrow as Rev's expression darkened, "I-I only said I have authority over her as a necromancer!"
"I see... then by all means," Viviana felt the corner of her lips curl upward, "Do take care of Sam."
"Wh-What," Viviana's response was enough to shock the bum of a witch.
"Yeah, no wait what?"
"I expect you to take care of Sam for the rest of the week. That shall be your punishment."
"Yay..." the zombie "exclaimed" as she went back to clinging onto Rev.
"Are you... serious?! Sh-Shouldn't you be trying to, I don't know... get her off me?!"
"Rev Vennett.. you did this to yourself. This is your mess to clean up. For you to figure out."
"Gah! I only came here to get her off me!"
"Back to class you three."
Before Rev could complain further a purple-ish black smoke engulfed the three.
Rev was in rehabilitation 101. 'Weird... I didn't hear the bell go off,' he thought to himself.
Bella and Sam were nowhere to be found which made sense as the two didn't have this class with him.
"Hey," and there it was. The familiar bored and monotone voice.
"Angel, huh. Never thought I'd be glad to see you."
"Thanks."
"That... wasn't a compliment."
"Did you need something?"
"Oh, right. Can you purify a zombie?"
"... Sam?"
"Yeah, she's been clinging to me like-"
"Ahem, Mr Vennett. I'd appreciate it if you'd pay attention. You're already late enough as is," professor Lovecraft's deep and raspy (and hot) voice was enough to cut the conversation short.
"... Fine, not like I'll remember it anyways."
"Hm... very well. As I was saying..." Lovecraft's voice trailed on. Rev's attention was on something else. When the zombie would appear.
Just like clockwork Sam bursts through the door, "... Rev..."
"And there she is."
"Excuse me, Miss O'Terry, you aren't in this class," Sam completely ignored Lovecraft's words and fell over on Rev's lap.
"Rev..." the zombie had a dumb smile on her face having finally been reunited with her "master" once more.
"... Mr Vennett I expect an explanation before the end of the day in my office," having accepted defeat, Lovecraft returned to the lecture.
Sera meanwhile gives Rev and Sam a confused look. She'll have to ask about it during lunch.
"Rev... smells nice..."
A noticeable blue blush spreads across Rev's face as he pats Sam's head like a cat.
Yet another long and tedious lecture that Rev paid very little attention to had passed and with it the bell rang. The screeching of the bell was overpowered by the scraping of the lecture chairs against the floor as countless students got up to leave.
"... Hungry..."
"Yeah, I know, zombie. You don't have to repeat it so many times."
"... Hungry..."
Rev sighed as Sera quickly caught up and walked beside him, "So... explain."
"Oh, right... Sam took something I said too literally and now she thinks I'm her master."
"... What," the angel tilted her head in confusion.
"Yeah, I slipped alright. Can you do something?"
"Can't... you?"
"Doesn't work like that, angel. If I suddenly tell her I no longer have authority over her Sam could become a feral zombie."
"So... you're worried about her?"
"Wh-What?! No way! As if I'd be worried about an undead. I'd just rather not get lectured by that principle."
"Oh..."
"Hey guys," there was that obnoxious voice. Rev glared at the vampire heading their way. Too bad that the vampire couldn't pick up on any social cues to save his life.
"Anyways back to what I was saying, angel. Can you do something about Sam or not?"
Sera shook her, "I can only purify her..."
"What are you guys talking about? Oh hey, Sam," the vampire was as sickeningly gleeful as ever.
"Nothing, vampire. Let's just go get lunch."
"Hungry..."
"I heard you the first time, zombie!"
Mark, Sera, and Rev got their food and headed to the table where Bella was waiting for them. Sam meanwhile was biting Rev's uniform.
"Can you NOT eat my uniform, zombie?"
"Hungry..."
"Then go get your food!"
"... Hungry..."
Bella poked the revenant's shoulder, "I think... she wants you to get the food for her."
"Seriously? Jeez, how incompetent can this zombie be?"
"Hungry..."
"Jeez! Fine just let go," Rev pushed Sam away and reluctantly got up. A few seconds later he returned with a whole raw chicken and tossed it at Sam, "Here!"
When he sat back down Sam rested her head on his lap like a dog while happily gnawing at the chicken. "So uh... care to explain, Rev buddy?"
"Look, all you need to know is that Sam now thinks I'm her master."
"Oh! So... you're dating?"
Rev spat out his drink, "Wh-What the hell, vampire?!"
Bella blushed as she heard what Mark said, "Y-Yeah no what?"
"I mean... to me it sounds like they're dating."
"... Explain, vampire."
"Well... you and Sam are gonna be spending a lot of time together now, right?"
"Well yeah but-"
"See! Dating."
"... God you're such an idiot, vampire."
"Well well well did I hear that right?"
"Oh no..."
"Haha of course zombie boy would be dating a zombie!"
"We're not dating, wendigo."
"Oh yeah? Then why is she on your lap, zombie boy?"
"That... That's just because she's weird!"
"Yeah right! You two are totally dating!"
"Back off, wendigo."
"Oh yeah? And what if I don't?"
Rev and Wendy glared at each other before Sam got up and stared at Rev as she straddled his lap.
"... Master... master..." she was mumbling to herself before cupping his cheeks.
"Y-Yeah?"
"... Master..."
"Pfft! See you two are dating! Hahah oh this is just too good."
"N-No! This is just... Sam being stupid!"
"Hey... I'm not..."
"Shut up, zombie!"
"O...kay," Sam's expression grew sadder which for some reason made Rev's heart twist in a way he sure as hell didn't like.
"Geez, and stop being so damn sad," before he could stop himself, Rev's hand found itself on Sam's head causing her to smile.
"Bleh seeing you two like this is making me sick."
"Then get out of here, wendigo!"
"Fine. I'll find some way to get you in trouble for this though."
As Wendy walked away Rev quickly became aware of how tightly he was holding Sam. It was almost like he was being protective of her without him noticing. Hell his arms were wrapped around her while she was straddling his lap. To anyone else it almost looked like... NO! Rev quickly snapped himself out of it before his thoughts spiraled out of control.
"... Get off of me, zombie."
"... Sorry..." Sam did as she instructed once Rev loosened his grip around her waist.
The second he let out a sigh of relief though Rev felt arms wrapped gently around his neck, "... Zombie?"
"Rev... nice..."
Rev looked towards the others seated at the table who quickly looked away. "Ugh... you guys are no help."
"Ah, l-look at the time I should be heading to class," the bum of a witch got up from her seat and started dragging Sera, "Sorry, Mark, you're on your own."
Before Mark could even protest, the two were already gone and the bell had rung. "W-Well, Rev buddy, let's head to class."
Rev sighed as he got up, Sam's arms still around his neck, "Yeah sure, whatever."
Mark's eyes widened in surprise, "Wait really? Usually you'd skip undead class though..."
"I'm not about to get stuck in a lecture with Frankenstein because Sam didn't show."
"Oh... so you do care about Sam?"
"Stop putting words in my mouth, vampire, let's just go already."
Rev's real reason for going was obvious. Get Frankenstein to take Sam off his back, literally.
Rev entered the classroom, with a blush on his face and a sleeping Sam on his back. Before Dr. Frankenstein could ask he shut him up, "Get this zombie off of me."
The bluntness of the question was enough to stun the doctor, "I'm sorry that is no way to talk to your-"
"Don't care. Can you help me or not?"
Frankenstein sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "Fine... meet with me after class. I'll see what I can do just take a seat."
Rev nodded before setting down Sam in the seat that Mark would usually sit. 'I'd rather sit with a corpse than that, vampire,' Rev thought to himself.
Speaking of the vampire Mark had a disappointed look on his face when he entered the classroom before reluctantly sitting next to a random classmate.
Rev wasn't even paying attention to the lesson. One of the perks of sitting in the very back. Instead his attention was fixed on the zombie sleeping next to him- THUNK! Scratch that on the floor. He rolled his eyes before picking her back up.
He opened his grimoire in an attempt to avert his attention or at least that was the plan. Every time he tried doodling something he'd stop himself when he realized he was drawing the zombie next to him.
He wasn't mad he found himself doodling Sam no he was mad that he kept drawing her so beautiful and in heavy detail. Hell he didn't even know he could draw someone like that. A frustrated sigh left him before Sam's head fell onto his shoulder causing him to blush.
"Dammit... just wake up already... Sam..." his own words trailed on as his eyes couldn't help but stare at the lazily put together uniform of Sam. It seemed rushed, as if she didn't care. Of course it did. She didn't have a single worry in the world. That didn't stop Rev from looking though.
Rips, tears, sticks, dirt, blood. It brought him a sense of familiarity and... comfort. This feeling wouldn't last as it was replaced by something else... concern. Concern at how revealing it was. Concern at how carefree it was. Sure there wasn't much to look at in the chest compartment but that didn't mean she was undesirable. Anyone could take advantage of her... and that made something stir inside of Rev.
Was he... jealous? No, there's no way he'd be jealous if someone stared at this zombie with lustful eyes. Sure he claimed her as his property but it's not like he meant to do. He didn't have any feelings for her. None... whatsoever. Right?
"... You're gonna be the death of me, zombie," Rev wrapped his arm around her waist as her eyes fluttered open.
"...R... Rev..."
"... Go back to sleep."
"O...kay."
When the bell rang Rev tried to sneak Sam out of the class but to no avail.
"Rev? Explain, now."
The one time Frankenstein had to be observant.
"Might as well I guess," Rev set down Sam at a nearby desk. "Look... I just said something I didn't mean to and now she's clinging to me. Can you get her to stop?"
"And you said...?"
"I... may have executed my authority over her as a necromancer."
"You... claimed her?"
"When you put it that way it sounds worse."
"Rev Vennett, Sam is a special case when it comes to zombies. She maintained a sense of self when she was turned into one."
"Kinda hard to believe that when she just stands out in the rain for no reason."
"... She was doing what?"
"Standing out in the rain. That was when I 'claimed' her by accident."
"You fucked up. I'm not even kidding you fucked up."
"What? How?"
Frankenstein pulled Rev closer and whispered, "Sam was turned into a zombie on a rainy day. She was likely reminiscing on her human life before you did that."
"... And that means?"
"It means the claim you have over her is stronger than it should be."
"Wait so you can't get her off of me?!"
"Normally I would.. but for a case like this it'll take a while for the effect to wear off."
"So I'm stuck with her?"
"For the time being. Zombies like Sam seek companionship. You claiming her was like... how do I say this? It's like you proposed to her. Just think of this as the honeymoon phase."
"We're not dating!"
"You might as well be. As long as you don't actually grow feelings for her I should be able to do something in a few days."
"... And if I do?"
"If the bond between you two deepens well... let's just say you two might as well actually get married."
"... Are you fucking kidding me?!"
"It's not like that'll happen. Knowing you, the two of you will be back to normal in no time. Now if you'd kindly exit the class I have papers to grade."
With that Sam followed Rev out of the class.
"The others are probably at the library..."
Sam tugged at his uniform.
"What?"
She pointed at Lovecraft's office, "Love...craft... see... before..."
"Yeah, yeah before the day is over. Fine, let's just get this over with."
Professor Lovecraft heard a knock at the door, "Enter. Ah, Mr Vennett... Miss O'Terry. I'm glad you showed up."
"I wouldn't be here if Sam didn't drag me."
"Drag you?"
"... Fine I'm here because she was giving puppy dog eyes. I swear for a zombie you're such a goody two shoes."
"Hehe..." Sam let out an awkward laugh as she smiled brightly.
"Wasn't a compliment," Rev sat down in front of Lovecraft with Sam following suit. "So... why did you wanna see us?"
"Mr. Vennett... as you understand relationships among students aren't prohibited. However, when it-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there. For the last time Sam and I aren't dating."
"... Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"I see... I assumed you were finally beginning to grow attachments and feelings for someone."
"Hah! As if I'd have feelings for this zombie," Sam looked at Rev with a sad look. There it was again that twisting feeling in his heart. He had to take back what he said, "... Not romantic feelings at least."
Sam let out a dumb smile before nuzzling into Rev's shoulder causing him to blush.
Lovecraft raised an eyebrow, "Well... even so I'm sure this will be a good learning experience for you, Mr Vennett."
"Huh?"
"I'm trying to say that taking care of someone like Sam could help you grow as a person, Mr Vennett."
"Hah... if you think this is enough to change then you haven't learned-"
"Mr Vennett, I understand that your friendship with Sera Phim and Mark-"
"Not my friends..."
"As I was saying. I understand that they haven't helped you grow, but perhaps Sam could do what they haven't."
"And that is...?"
"Teach you what it means to love."
"What? If you think I'm gonna fall in love with this corpse-"
"I don't mean that kind of love?"
"Then what..."
"You could learn what it means to care. What it means to comfort."
"... Whatever. Are we done here?"
"Hm... very well, Mr Vennett. Please take care and do try to take what I said to heart."
"... Yeah sure. Come on, Sam. We're going."
Sam followed Rev out with a bounce in each step she took.
"That boy... those two will get along nicely I'm sure of it."
In the library Bella set down every book she could find on necromancy and undeads in front of Mark and Sera.
"Um... Bella? What's all this," Mark asked.
"Phew, we're gonna help out Rev!"
"WHAT?! B-But we don't even know the first thing about necromancy!"
"Then we'll just figure it out, right Sera? Also shh keep your voice down."
"Right..." Sera nodded as Mark tossed his hand over his mouth.
"What are you idiots up to now," Rev asked as he approached the trio with his hand interlocked with Sam's.
Bella's gaze fell to their hands and then at Rev, "Um... Rev?"
"... What?"
"Why are you holding hands with Sam, buddy? Thought you two weren't dating," Mark tilted his as he grabbed one of the books from the stack.
"... We're not. I just couldn't have her running off."
"Rev was... worried about me?"
"Tch, don't say it like that you dumbass."
"Like... what?"
"Like... Like I care about you."
"You... don't care... about me," Sam almost sounded like she was about to cry which twisted Rev's heart again.
He pulled her and stroked her hair, "Stop crying, zombie. You know I didn't mean it like that."
She sniffled as she was holding back tears, "You... didn't?"
"Yeah... you just always make it sound like... I don't know. Like we're in love or something. Which we're not."
"O...kay..." she sniffled again as she slowly pulled away from Rev.
Meanwhile Sera looked at Bella, "Maybe we don't need to help him."
"H-Huh? How can you say that?"
"Look. He's smiling."
Bella watched the two intently, "A-Are you sure?"
The angel nodded, "Right there."
Bella followed Sera's gaze and saw it. An ever so slightly upwards curl tugging at the corner of Rev's lips. "How did you even see that?"
"Divine Sight."
"Right..." Bella looked back at Mark who was passed out. "Huh, and here I thought he liked reading."
Rev blushed as he finally realized just how long he was staring into Sam's eyes, "Ahem, s-so what is it that you guys are up to?"
Sera stared at him with a raised eyebrow, "We were just doing some reading."
"... All of those books?"
Bella sighed as she picked up the stack of books, "That was the plan... but I don't think we'll need them for now."
"... Here I'll help," Rev caught up to Bella and took half the stack.
"O-Oh you really don't need to."
"I insist. Besides, there's something I wanna talk about." Rev walked with Bella back to the shelves whether she wanted his help or not.
"So... that thing you wanted to talk about?"
"Oh right... you remember that day back at the alchemy lab with the emotion potions?"
Bella blushed as memories came flooding back, "Y-Yeah... what about it?"
"Well... you remember the love potion?"
Her blush deepened, "Y-Yeah..."
"... I think... someone must've slipped some into my food or something..." Rev could feel his face turning slightly blue.
"H-Huh? What makes you say that?"
"Well... whenever I look at Sam... I feel... like how I did when I took the love potion."
"Oh... my... God... you ARE in love with her!"
"Wh-What?! N-No way... that can't be it... can it?"
"Rev, you're in love."
"I-I... dammit... there's no damn way I have feelings for that zombie."
"Rev... when did..."
"I-I don't know... I just... had this weird twisting feeling in my heart when I... saw her out in the rain."
"And then...?"
"I went up to and well... you know the rest."
"Right..." she nodded as she listened along. "Maybe... claiming her... made your feelings for her stronger?"
"You think so?"
Bella grabbed one of the books from the pile and flipped through it before landing on a page, "Here it is... should a necromancer ever claim an undead as theirs... a bond will be created. Their bond will strengthen the longer they're together and lessen when they're apart. A good necromancer knows how to balance this. Should the bond be severed the undead will turn feral and may attack the necromancer."
"... What book is that?"
"Um... not sure. I was just told its a necromancing book but the title is worn off."
"Looks... old. It's not outdated is it?"
"Maybe..."
"Dammit... either way does it say how to safely sever a bond?"
Bella shook her head, "Nope... and I doubt Sam is willing to stay away from you."
"... Maybe that professor was right," Rev muttered to himself before shaking his head. "No! There's just no way."
"Rev... I'm sure everything will be fine," Bella wanted to believe her own words. Partly because she was worried about Rev and mostly because of her own feelings for Rev.
"Yeah... I'm heading back to my dorm," Rev put away his stack of books before walking away.
"Oh... Okay."
Rev was walking back to his dorm, Sam's footsteps following close behind.
"... Thought I told you to stay with the others."
"You did..."
"And...?"
"I don't...want to..."
Rev sighed, "And you're following me to my dorm... why?"
"Because... I'm... yours..."
There it was again. That twist in his heart begging him to be honest, "... Don't say shit like that."
She didn't respond. Just grabbed the back of his uniform and nuzzled into his back.
"H-Hey! Let go."
"... No... don't want to."
"L-Let go before someone sees us and gets the wrong idea."
"Wrong... idea?"
"Y-You know... they might think we're dating," by this point Rev knew his face was a bright shade of blue.
"... So?"
Rev grumbled as he couldn't think of a comeback before they arrived at his dorm. The two quickly entered before Rev shut the door. Grabbing her shoulders he looked her dead in the eyes and said, "L-Look I don't care what others think... but if Wendy or someone else just saw you doing that I wouldn't hear the end of it. Understand?"
She just stared at him. It was hard to tell if she was confused or understood. He was having a hard time understanding her. It was like she was slipping away. And for some goddamn reason that thought left him frustrated.
His pride wouldn't allow for an undead to slip from his grasp, but there was something else inside him.
Something telling him his pride wasn't the only reason.
Something say that he was scared she would-
Before he could finish his thoughts he felt it. Smooth, soft lips on his. Rev's eyes widened as he felt it. Then he saw it. Sam with her eyes closed had grabbed his wrists and pulled him into a kiss.
Soon enough he began to melt into said kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled the zombie closer. The sun bled through the window, illuminating the two. More importantly it made her all the more beautiful. All too quickly however the kiss had come to an end. The two parted and simply stared at one another.
"Um... that was... actually... what the hell is wrong with you, zombie?!"
Looks like Rev had finally come to his senses as he pushed the zombie away while practically glowing blue.
Sam tilted her head in confusion, "Huh... you... didn't like..."
"NO! God no... that's not... It's not that. You just... it was so sudden and... I just... didn't expect it, okay?"
"So... you... liked it?"
Rev grumbled as he looked back at her, "Well... I didn't hate it."
Sam let out an awkward laugh before pulling Rev into a hug with a dumb smile on her face, "hehe... mine..."
"G-Geez... you're so clingy," this time it was Rev who initiated the kiss. This time he was able to enjoy it. 'Huh... dammit, Lovecraft was right. I do love her. So annoying,' he thought to himself.
Frankenstein stared at the blushing Rev as Sam wrapped herself around his arm. The doctor pinched the bridge of his nose, "So let me get this straight. I told you not to do anything that'll make her get even more attached... and you brought her to your dorm?"
"Well-"
"I'm not done. And then you proceed to kiss her?"
"... Well she kissed me first and-"
"Yet you kissed her again afterward... Did anything else happen?"
"Uh..." Rev's blush deepened as he remembered the rest of the events that happened before he was caught by Mark.
"... I'll take that as a yes. Well, congrats on the girlfriend... now get out of my class. Your love sickens me."
"Right!"
Rev quickly dragged Sam along with him wondering if anything else will happen between him and Sam.
Frankenstein meanwhile sighed before looking at a framed photo on his desk. It was a photo of him when he was human, a woman, and a child who looked strangely like Sam, "Hah... they grow up so fast. Your mother would be proud of you."