cr1msonpeak-a

[cr1msonpeak-a]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ ah, so you aren’t heartless after all. ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ you look like you've got something to say. ❜

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ do you mind if i smoke? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’ve never cared for anyone the way i care for you. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i want you to forget this ever happened. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[cr1msonpeak-a]

the eleventh doctor has been moved to @long-song!

[cr1msonpeak-a]

◟ ▍ ‎₁ . —— @everdawn [ emma swan ] said: i thought you were dead.

in every way that mattered, he'd died decades prior. as far as his mind was concerned, the reaper's cold kiss greeted him the day snow white's life was spared, and his own fell into nothingness. for the first time in over twenty-eight years, light slowly flooded through his eclipsed tomb; bit by bit, untamed relief rose in his lost heart, heavy caution mingled with immense salvation. he missed the grand spectacle of it all, the tear stained recollections and collective thirst for the evil queen's head— the huntsman would've carried the banner was he not buried deep within his own flesh and blood. it required patience, garnering control of his limbs, alongside missing memories and a vacant chest. weak and feeble until his familiar red-eyed guide found him; assistance offered from the only family he ever knew, ultimately granting brief reprieve. where, as it so happened, he began recalling fragments of what occurred just before his body hit the floor, when the world faded away following a cathartic jolt of feeling.

mary margaret's — snow white's — loft was the sole place he thought to go once retreating further from that wretched vault, to seek the one person his subconscious yearned for most. by the hour graham arrived at his intended destination, night settled across the streets, but there was only so much calm; the landscape remained busy and somewhat chaotic from the day's proceedings. he was immediately met with an open embrace by the princess herself, then hurriedly ushered inside as if monster's roamed the hallway. after a quick run-down of the curse, the state of the town, a soothing cup of tea brewed by prince james himself, and excitable questions per henry's request— the space grew empty. the other three departing to grab food for the eve. in a now tranquil environment, it was emma's admission to spark their soft-spoken reunion. a low breath drew outwards, voice little more than a whisper, quieter than his feigned grave. ❝ i was. ❞ i was dead, until you broke the curse. i was dead, until you made me feel something.

in a direct parallel of her previous actions ( which felt like an eternity ago ), graham gently retrieved her hand, tenderly placing it upon his chest. although, there's no echo beneath fingertips, the return of magic forcing truths to be seen. he paused for a moment, waiting for her to understand the void lurking in him. ❝ i think part of me still is. ❞ eyes slipped closed, grip unknowingly tightening around the saviour's own. when he opened them, his gaze returned to the woman beside him, brows furrowed, confusion wreaking havoc against his features. ❝ emma, what happened? when— how long has it been since that night? ❞ since you convinced me i was alive.

[cr1msonpeak-a]

last of us (show) starters

ep1- 9. 

❝ your t-shirt’s inside out. ❞ ❝ you already know i’m bad at lying. ❞ ❝ you are the person i never wanted to be in debt to. but i owe you. ❞ ❝ after all we’ve been through…everything i’ve done…it can’t be for nothing. ❞ ❝ you know what i see when i look at you? me. you remind me of me. ❞ ❝ i need you to take a breath. ❞ ❝ there’s a leader in you. one day, it could be your turn. ❞ ❝ i never liked you, but still, it’s like we’re friends. almost. ❞ ❝ we’re gonna be brave, and we’re gonna get out of this. ❞ ❝ can’t tell you how exciting it was listening to that fucking conversation. ❞ ❝ there you are. i was getting worried. ❞ ❝ a bad reputation doesn’t mean you’re bad. ❞ ❝ how about we just talk this through? ❞ ❝ this isn’t gonna end well. ❞ ❝ when we’re done, we’ll go wherever you want. ❞ ❝ you’re a dangerous person. you’ve certainly proved that. ❞ ❝ i started worrying you wouldn’t wake up. ❞ ❝ we can help each other. and get that gun out of my face. ❞ ❝ i think i’m gonna love you for a long, long time. ❞ ❝ there’s stuff up there you shouldn’t see. ❞ ❝ you ask a lot of goddamn questions. ❞ ❝ you know, i used to be scared of these people. ❞ ❝ i mean…our luck had to run out sooner or later. ❞ ❝ like to think, for once, we could finally win? ❞ ❝ i mean, it’s the long way or the ‘we’re fucking dead’ way. ❞ ❝ you mumble in your sleep. ❞ ❝ wait, who gave you the black eye? ❞ ❝ no. no questions. just do it. ❞ ❝ you can’t fight everything and everyone. you can pick and choose what’s important. ❞ ❝ nobody’s gonna be coming after you, right? ❞ ❝ you stay close and you follow my lead. ❞ ❝ there’s no halfway with this. we finish what we started. ❞ ❝ you’re a natural leader. you’re smart, loyal…violent. ❞ ❝ it’s a miracle you’re alive. ❞ ❝ okay, rocky start. could’ve been worse, though. ❞ ❝ you know what i’m in the mood for? shitty puns. ❞ ❝ it doesn’t matter. you have to trust me. ❞ ❝ you know, people like to tell stories. ❞ ❝ i’m not in the mood for this. i’m really not in the mood. ❞ ❝ you have a greater purpose than any of us could’ve ever imagined. ❞ ❝ how about we start with ‘thank you’? ❞ ❝ i’d like to go home and drink ‘til my face stops hurting. ❞ ❝ i want you to forget this ever happened. ❞ ❝ i believe everything happens for a reason. ❞ ❝ you can’t be stupid like this. ❞ ❝ you so hungry for vengeance? deliver it. ❞ ❝ i’m not going anywhere with you. ❞ ❝ if we come up against anything, you get behind me and you stay there, okay? ❞ ❝ i’m trying to keep you alive. ❞ ❝ did it make you feel better? did it make you feel safe? ❞ ❝ that’s not my fucking home. ❞ ❝ i don’t want your sorries. ❞ ❝ don’t blame me for something that isn’t my fault. ❞ ❝ oh, finally, some fucking luck. ❞ ❝ you won’t survive for long out here. i can protect you. ❞ ❝ no more questions about me. ❞ ❝ you want your jacket back? ❞ ❝ fuck you, man. i didn’t ask for this. ❞ ❝ besides, it’s the thought that counts. ❞ ❝ wasn’t my fault this time. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry, but this has gone on too long. ❞ ❝ i’ve had…more good days with you than with anyone else. ❞ ❝ i need you to take a breath. ❞ ❝ can we start a fire? i’m freezing. ❞ ❝ the darkness is falling, the sky has turned gray. ❞ ❝ matter of fact, we can just keep our histories to ourselves. ❞ ❝ you stay here. you hear anything, yell. ❞ ❝ maybe there’s nothing bad out there, but so far there’s always been something bad out there. ❞ ❝ so…is it everything you hoped for? ❞ ❝ what do you want me to say? ❞ ❝ you okay? you just seem extra quiet today. ❞ ❝ are you okay? you’re not hurt? nothing? ❞ ❝ there’s no way anyone knows we’re here, right? ❞ ❝ you do what i say when i say it. we clear? ❞ ❝ where would you be without me, huh? ❞ ❝ i’ve been on both sides. ❞ ❝ let’s just handle what we have to handle. ❞ ❝ is it everything you hoped for? ❞ ❝ it doesn’t matter how much you push the envelope, it will always be stationary. ❞ ❝ you hungry? you can share some of mine. ❞ ❝ have i committed a crime? ❞ ❝ it’s got its ups and downs…but you can’t deny that view. ❞ ❝ those things i did…those things that you judge me for, i did those things to keep us alive. ❞ ❝ i swear, i’ve told you everything i know. ❞ ❝ i don’t wanna talk about it. ❞ ❝ just because life stopped for you…doesn’t mean it has to stop for me. ❞ ❝ i’m alone and forsaken by fate and by man. ❞ ❝ here. this make you all nostalgic? ❞ ❝ thanks for still giving a shit about me. ❞ ❝ i am the bad guy because i did a bad guy thing. ❞ ❝ you keep your eyes on me. and don’t look anywhere else. ❞ ❝ i know this hurts. you’re gonna be okay. ❞ ❝ you think i’ve never done shit like that? ❞ ❝ maybe we just call this one a success and say our fond farewells. ❞ ❝ it isn’t fair, your age…having to deal with all of this. ❞ ❝ i was never afraid before you showed up. ❞ ❝ swear to me. swear to me that everything you said is true. ❞ ❝ do i not look scared? ❞ ❝ just a reminder that if you’re dead, i’m fucked. ❞ ❝ what else am i supposed to say? ❞ ❝ it’s not too late. even now…even after what you’ve done. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry. i have no other choice. ❞ ❝ if you just keep going…you find something new to fight for. ❞ ❝ we did what we needed to survive. ❞ ❝ is that what i am? am i one of the ‘wrong people’? ❞ ❝ i shouldn’t have said what i said. i don’t know your situation. ❞ ❝ i don’t wanna hurt you. i wanna help you. ❞ ❝ look, sometimes things don’t work out the way we hope. ❞ ❝ when do we tell the others? ❞ ❝ well, this is what happens when you fuck with fate. ❞ ❝ i saw what you did…the way you killed those men. ❞ ❝ but first, you have to do something for me. ❞ ❝ be careful who you put your faith in. the only people who can betray us…are the ones we trust.  ❞ ❝ you see my face? do i look scared? ❞ ❝ stay awake with me. ❞ ❝ it’s dangerous, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. ❞ ❝ there’s a whole lot you’re not telling me. ❞ ❝ how about you shut the fuck up? ❞ ❝ i would very much like for you to hurt them. ❞ ❝ what i’m about to tell you cannot be repeated to anyone. ❞ ❝ they’re gonna catch us if we don’t run. ❞ ❝ everybody i have cared for has either died or left me. everybody, fսcking except for you. ❞ ❝ lately, there are these moments where the fear comes up outta nowhere. ❞ ❝ i’m not looking for any trouble. ❞ ❝ i think maybe we got a little off on the wrong foot. ❞ ❝ i came here to save you. ❞ ❝ they’re not following us. i think we’re safe. ❞ ❝ i just ran away for a bit, that’s all. ❞ ❝ i thought you were dead. ❞ ❝ you think i can still handle things, but…i’m not who i was. ❞ ❝ oh, maybe i shouldn’t have said anything. ❞ ❝ i should fucking stab you. ❞ ❝ seriously, though, how the fuck do you do that? ❞ ❝ well, i…i don’t know how to swim. ❞ ❝ what the fuck is wrong with you, sneaking up on me like that? ❞ ❝ holy shit, are you dying? ❞ ❝ i was just trying to imagine you wearing that. ❞ ❝ was that the first dead body you ever saw? ❞ ❝ i wasn’t gonna say i’m sorry. i was gonna say that i’ve been thinking about what happened. ❞ ❝ how about you just take the good news? ❞ ❝ why did you bring me here? ❞ ❝ we can just be all poetic and lose our minds together. ❞ ❝ god help any motherfuckers who stand in our way. ❞ ❝ you stay down, you stay low, you stay quiet. ❞ ❝ that easy to give everything up, huh? ❞ ❝ are you gonna kill me? this seems like a perfect place to do it. ❞ ❝ you shouldn’t have had to. i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ you know, you really shouldn’t be all out here on your own. ❞ ❝ turn around and walk away. just go. ❞ ❝ i’ll follow you anywhere you go. ❞ ❝ hold me close to my heart. ❞ ❝ it’s hard to trust strangers. i know. ❞ ❝ i need to know you’re with me. ❞ ❝ the longer i was away…the harder it was to come back. ❞ ❝ did you kill innocent people? ❞ ❝ as much as i love arguing with your stubborn ass…we’re on a mission here. ❞ ❝ don’t tell me that i’d be safer with somebody else because the truth is i would just be more scared. ❞ ❝ you have no idea what loss is. ❞ ❝ you’re the one thing i missed from that fucking place. ❞ ❝ when we were talking about hurting people…what did you mean it wasn’t your first time? ❞ ❝ i can’t fucking do this without you. ❞ ❝ it was a joke, okay? in my mind, you loved it. ❞ ❝ well then, give me your hand. ❞ ❝ they haven’t lost faith in you. they’re just scared. ❞ ❝ goddamn it, i wanna punch you so bad. ❞ ❝ looks different in the daylight, huh? ❞ ❝ i know you mean well. i know you wanna protect me. ❞

[cr1msonpeak-a]

◟ ▍ ‎₁ . —— @symbion [ henry ] said: i never picked a fight in my entire life.

in any other circumstances, sophie would consider him a coward. perhaps part of her did. however, where her usually harsh tongue would throw stones and cast great judgement, her face resembled something one might call soft... which wasn't too inviting by lady bone's standards, just a tad less furrowed and cemented than usual. besides her brother, henry was the only man to witness such tenderness in the light of her features. deeply rooted in her inheritance was her father's sharp tone and calloused soul, but more importantly— she'd been blessed with her mother's empathy. it was merely closed for the public on most days: about as common as a blue moon... but that wasn’t to say it was non-existent. ❝ why not? ❞ there is little condescending nature to her speech ( a rarity! ) taken over by wavering curiosity. or is it a demanding thirst to know? to understand why he hadn't once raised an objective hand in his entire life. when she, oh, when she'd fought tooth and claw against everything thrust upon her in this unwanted, sorry excuse of survival. screamed at the injustices of it all until her throat bled, spine severely bent, endlessly forced to bow down. to men and their so-called sensibilities.

she'd no doubt have assumed the same of henry if met outside foreign childhoods, outside the cursed wedding day etched into her very bloodline. he was certainly intriguing— she mightn't ever fully comprehend him, but for now, she's almost content. he was company, good company, to say the least. ❝ you never had anything worth fighting for? ❞ or were you simply unwilling to try? did it mean henry actually achieved some token of happiness? sophie was conflicted as to whether she felt joy regarding the notion, ( that old empathy proven ) or if envy reared for his perceived luck. likely the latter.

[cr1msonpeak-a]

NEAL CASSIDY -> Once Upon a Time, 3.22

[cr1msonpeak-a]

her lips pursed slightly as he went on to describe the lieutenant; she'd hoped for a personal outlook on the soldier, opposed to the formal opinions shaped like a review she was provided. then again, being let into this at all was quite an achievement in itself— part of her was content waiting another five years for him to gain the confidence required to speak freely about his lost love. she wasn't going anywhere. to say a heart attack was the last thing she'd expected of his death was an understatement. [for an unknown reason, her mind always drifted to the possibility of poison. don't ask her why, she wouldn't be able to tell you! it was merely a random pondering without any real gravity.] each utterance of havers only made alison all the more fond. in a few days, she'd request his first name, longing for the hopes to find a photograph, to find anything. not for the captain alone, but herself, too.

"cap, i—" she hesitated, taking the time to construct the phrasing in her head, lest she risk some half-hearted comment, some flippant notion that didn't properly convey the raging emotions pulsing through her. "i'm never gonna know what it's like to..." to live in a place where i'd be locked away, or worse, for loving a woman? to have strangers assume they understand the workings of my heart, and decide what's best for it? she cleared her throat, and made an effort to get up off her chair, [with a quiet grunt, hands instinctively placed over her large stomach] moving directly next to him, rather than keeping apart. she couldn't exactly hug him in the way she desperately wished, so figured closing their distance by shuffling down two seats was a substitute of sorts.

"i'll never know what it's like to have my feelings and... and desires treated like they're wrong. or— bad. i can't begin to imagine what you must have felt. what you probably still feel." they stay how they die... could he sense the pain thrumming in his chest every waking moment, even now? she found it difficult to weigh in with a profound response, wishing she had a grand reply to express, something that would help. alison peered back to him, as she'd been looking at the table in a strained strive to say the right words. he really was a gentle, gentle man born in the wrong era. "you're a lot of things, cap, but you aren't a fool." her tone hitched around the final word, hardly realising she was getting a little choked up, suddenly overwhelmed with the idea that someone she loved so dearly endured such tragedy. so close to his beloved, yet so far. "i think what you did is remarkable." stolen valor be damned! it's not like he was planning to keep that medal ribbon for himself, anyway, it was just a loan. he should have been invited to the celebration in the first place, she thought.

he was braver than she'd ever given him credit for. the fact alone that he trudged forth, tried speaking his affection aloud in a room full of people, under those dire circumstances... alison was amazed, to be frank. "thank you for telling me. for trusting me." she's outwardly genuine, and the brief stint of sorrow subsides, a curious smile forming upon her face, accompanied by furrowed brows. "are you glad you told me? does it help?"

@cr1msonpeak from [Here]

The reassurance was quietly appreciated, met with a small hint of a smile as he felt a wave of relief wash over him. Alison hadn't met the new revelation about his rank with disgust in his actions, the world was still just as it had been moments before, as always she still met him with that same patience and kindness that had roped him into seeing her as a daughter. It didn't ease the guilt he still felt for what he'd done, it was still shameful but at the very least he could face Alison now without feeling like a fraud, no longer would that be hanging over his head. There was a shift in his demeanor at the mention of Havers, expression softening, a touch wistful perhaps. Bittersweet. Even in life he'd not had the opportunity to wax poetic about lost love, a man sent away before the two of them could ever breach the chasm between them. -- ❝Mm, he was an outstanding soldier, one of the very best of the regiment. Crackshot, truly the pride of Button house.❞ Though fond, the words came across more as a review of the man, something undeniably formal. A bad habit that was hard to break but he caught himself, letting out a soft breathed huff of a chuckle. Better to continue with the story, he decided, let her hear the ending before he got lost in the many ways to describe his fellow soldier. -- ❝Somewhat- I- hm.❞ It had been easier with the weight of death on his shoulders, urging him to spill the truth to the others- a trend for him apparently. Swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he pushed onwards. -- ❝I was caught as I tried to get his attention, a fellow soldier all but cornered me and unfortunately it seemed that was too much. My heart started to give out, everything went black for a moment, I was then on the ground with all the soldiers present.. Havers included. I tried to tell him then but he silenced me. Told me he knew.❞ The warmth in which he spoke those words was enough to assure that it wasn't a dismissive response, it had been just what he needed to hear, just enough to ensure both were aware of the connection they'd shared. It took a moment for him to fully look up at her again, sadness in his smile. -- ❝The smartest way to handle it, of course. It was foolish of me to speak so flippantly with other soldiers present.❞

[cr1msonpeak-a]

@wolfwithin: you can’t fight everything and everyone. you can pick and choose what’s important.

sincerity and apprehension mingle, hand-in-hand. he studied the woman's face with squinted eyes, like mistrust might be revealed beneath her genuine presentation. he'd never known her to be anything else (completely genuine, that is, grandly sincere by nature) and felt rather inclined to gravitate towards her. it seemed just about everyone in button house grappled with the same notion. her words took him by surprise, striking an invisible chord of melancholy; honesty so often wished to bleed out when beside her. he could not grasp why. something incredibly cathartic followed her every waking move. his stance powered unfaltering stubbornness, but his swagger stick twisted and turned under the clutch of frigid fingertips, her opinions threatening to expose stiff innerworkings. still, he held himself at arms length, suspicious she was buttering him up, in order to uncover buried secrets residing only in his head and heart. a familiar warmth of wanting vastly risked his controlled manner, but he managed, (with much difficulty) to push a whispering response forward without appearing too keen. entire body language a startling indication he fathomed no idea how to confidently react to her inquiry; façade of a soft man frequently crumbling despite best efforts. it was hard to face the truth, after all.

'i... hmm. i dare say, it is a fair point you have made, indeed.' he murmured, clearing his throat thrice by long, somewhat overexaggerated tickles, giving him time to carefully construct his phrasing. 'but is it not easier to tackle everything in one fell swoop? all this picking and choosing nonsense seems like a bally waste of good time.' especially living here, where fellow housemates acquired new problems each and everyday! his chin jutted, brows furrowed while hesitation wreaked havoc inside, a great part of him desiring nothing more than to turn heel and walk away from her with his gaze gripped high. the captain instead decided to remain, (for now) and pushed forth a suddenly persistent curiosity. 'theoretically— how does one decide what is of upmost importance?'

[cr1msonpeak-a]

@wolfwithin: i do appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's try to restrain ourselves a little.

it shouldn't be looked at as a scary place: where you ended up once you stopped belonging to the world. first came confusion, then new experiences, eventually followed by the inevitable arc of loneliness… all repeated every couple of centuries for good measure. fear never entered robin’s system. the roots of his body dug up in soft dirt beneath the feet, as the universe claimed his existence wasn't finished at twenty - three years… and in the beginning, he was actually rather content. he trusted fate, from the largest to smallest scale, understood some kind of higher power prevailed for certain people to connect in the afterlife, individuals across countless ages who otherwise wouldn't have crossed paths. he witnessed unfolded destinies, saw destinations met at the end of infinite roads. after everything, he could easily determine that young lyra's path was supposed to diverge elsewhere. a woman cut down in her prime, yet an evident light to the experience which began when the heart ceased beating. he'd grown fond in this short period, even while wishing he never had to meet her.

'look down here.' he tugged her wrist softly, pulling her down to kneel beside him, releasing when her knees were pressed into the grass, like his own. 'me thinks enthusiasm is at perfect level for situation.' just a few steps from florence, robin had uncovered a cocoon ready to hatch at the base of a large tree trunk; excitement reverberated throughout him, anxiously awaiting to view the actual opening. he'd intended to find kitty, knowing she'd likely get the most joy out of it compared to the rest, until he remembered the great british bake off was on and there'd be no tearing her away from the television anytime soon. robin decided to seek lyra instead, and upon finding her, wordlessly took her hand and dragged her to the garden, not providing any context nor explanation. only an excited demand she follow him along, a literal skip in his step.

'have kept watching for thirteen days. thought you might like seeing little butterfly come out.' the enclosure moved and twinged a tiny bit at a time; there was probably at least two hours to go before the pop of wings, but it certainly kept his breath bated. he shifted his positioning, sitting cross legged on the ground, preparing for the long haul. getting comfortable for the upcoming show as nearly two weeks of waiting was about to finally pay off. 'want to watch with me?'

[cr1msonpeak-a]

'oh, right.' her response drawled in a stammer of surprise, almost deflated. she quickly shifted her tone, and if she were able, would have clasped her hand over the girl's shoulder to assure there wasn't an issue, as her expression might've otherwise represented. it was simply the last thing she expected to be asked. alison's well aware of max's true age, but hearing it aloud, from the mouth of a girl eternally sixteen, released a short stench of horror between them. sometimes it was a little harder with her, looking past the thin veil of knowledge that they actually existed in vastly different worlds. 'sorry, sorry— of course! if that's what you want, yeah, lets do it!' she grinned a generous smile, and mentally made note to ask robin to give max a hug from her tomorrow. 'they remember you, max.' she said, intending to sound casual, but it came out more earnest if anything, no room for question or debate. 'i reckon they talk about you every single day.' she contemplated the idea of contacting those boys, ideas weaving purposely into her mind. it tended to happen with everyone in this house; a desperate need to connect to their lives, loves and losses.

'you wanna do it now?' she pulled her phone out of her back pocket, held like an offering, a suggestion. 'just between us, or do y'want the others here?' if she wanted it kept private, then that was fair enough... except for mike, who'd undoubtedly see it all later tonight, after everybody went to bed. alison already knew she'd look through the accounts on her own, pick and pull apart everything she could uncover. a decision confirmed before barely even thinking about it.

' right ? i feel like you ended up more traumatized & sleep deprived than she was . ' max can't help but laugh , amused at the memory ( but overall rather relieved it's in the past ) . ' anyway , things go better for everyone when you get a solid eight hours , so ..... no horror . ' a sacrifice for the greater good ! well , barely , but she'll take brownie points anyway . she's saving them up for a metaphorical arcade prize ...... and she's actually about to cash in . maybe . if she can work up the nerve ...... as a general rule , max tries to ask alison for as few favors as possible . she was a burden to her mother in life & refuses to be one to alison in death .... even though she's sure she'd get fussed at if she ever voiced a thought like that . a classic latchkey childhood mixed with the rogue influence of sam mayfield molded her to be independent from the start ---- but as time wore on & she grew to trust alison more , the more the idea persisted .

' um , so , about that .... ' a soft sigh is exhaled before the words tumble out all at once . ' there's really only one thing i want . i was wondering if we could look at facebook together . i , um ..... i'd really like to see my friends . from when i was alive , i mean . we're all turning 53 this year , you know . & to me they're still ..... sixteen , i guess . ' self consciously , max begins to fiddle with the ends of one of her braids , picking at split ends that didn't exist to distract from the vulnerability . ' they probably don't even remember me , i only lived in that town for a couple of years . i doubt they even know what happened ..... which is probably for the best . it'd probably bum them out . ' a mild way to put it .

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My marriage was arranged. I was 14, she was 12. Noble families, both. Model couple, really, for the time. We had a title and a big house and the lands, riches. Didn’t love each other. She didn’t even like me. Didn’t laugh at my jokes. Didn’t really understand each other. She was French, so… Might have been nice if we could have chosen who we married.

Chloé Delanney & Larry Rickard as Sophie & Humphrey Bone in BBC GHOSTS (2019-) | 3.01 (The Bone Plot)

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ARCHIVED.