#//i tried to find all the typos but it is 1 am and this is too good to wait to post

[theereina]

Bad News Pt. 2

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Plus Size Fem Black!OC "Bella"

Wordcount: +1.4K

Warnings: MDNI (18+) mature content, such as cursing, no smut, heavily dialogue-centered, mental health mentioned (anxiety), *emotional distress*, angst, heartbreak, chronic illnesses mentioned, health conditions mentioned (c*ncer, PCOS, endometriosis), infertility, slight verbal ab*se

A/N¹: Remember, I just got back into writing. I'm open to critiques, but I am a little 🤏🏽 sensitive about my writing. Please, don't be too harsh.🥺 Feel free to bring my attention to any typos. Divider by @firefly-graphics. Also, this work is not to be plagiarized or reposted (on any site other than here on Tumblr). I do NOT give consent for any form of republishing or rewriting.

A/N²: I am not a medical doctor. Please, forgive me if my knowledge of any of the mentioned medical conditions is incorrect.

Bad News Pt. 1=> 😢

Walking into the room, my heart was crushed even further. All of the feelings I wish I could explain; I couldn't. Terry and his bags were gone. I hadn't even heard him leave. He didn't even care enough to at least say goodbye. After all these years, I wasn't worth a goodbye. Two seconds just solidified that this relationship wasn't worth any more of my energy.

I couldn't understand it. How did we get here? Had he always been like this? Was I that blind? I guess I was so busy trying to find love that I forgot the most important rule— love wasn't supposed to hurt. Then again, every version of love I've experienced was painful, manipulative, abusive, and damaging. So, maybe I found what I was familiar with. I mean, why else would I be so comfortable putting up with this?

But, what do I do now?

*2 hours later

The room was covered in crumpled and torn pieces of notebook paper. I have tried and tried to write this letter. My hands were stiff, and my head was throbbing. I just wanted him to know how I felt because my mind was already made up. I'm done, and this is over.

If he would've just listened, we wouldn't be in this predicament. If he hadn't said those words, there would still be hope in my eyes and love in my heart.

Better yet, fuck this and fuck him. He doesn't deserve a letter. This doesn't concern him anymore. I've already changed my flight for tomorrow morning. I leave on the first flight out. Since I no longer have anything to say to him, there is no need to wait. I can return to the West Coast and be at home with my Godmother and Godsister when I receive the news.

*The next day

“I will never like flying’. I don't care!” I said stepping out of the bathroom after showering. I was dressed in a pair of sweats and a plain black T-shirt. I had wrapped a scarf around my head to protect my hair during my shower.

My Godsister, Shante, was waiting for me. She was relaxed on the bed with her back against the headboard. Her satin black bonnet and black fluffy robe made her look so much like her grandmother. “What?” she asked turning her head towards me. “You look like Nana Elsie!” I laughed into my hand. “Shut up!” she said slinging one of the pillows at me.

I walked to the bed and sat on the edge closest to me. I was tired. I knew why she was in here. She wanted to make sure I was okay. Honestly, I wasn't. My life was shit right now. Leaving Terry was just another stab to the heart. All I could do was pray to God that I didn't lose anymore. I couldn't possibly see myself being any lower than this.

“You wanna talk?” Shante asked rolling on her side facing my back. “Not really, I just wanna wait until they call,” I said solemnly. My shoulders were beginning to feel heavy again. I didn't want to think about what the doctor would say. I already knew this day was coming.

After years of medical neglect and misdiagnoses, I was finally given a proper diagnosis of both endometriosis and PCOS. I had been ignored for years when I complained of a forever-growing mountain of signs that something was wrong. I was told to “lose weight” to alleviate my symptoms. When I lost the weight, nothing changed. Some symptoms even seemed to get worse.

I had grown tired of all the referrals and guesses. I had explained to my original primary care physician years ago that I suspected that I had PCOS. It was dismissed as anxiety and medical hysteria. I tried again with three other physicians to be met with the same fate— try to lose weight, take this metformin, exercise daily, change your diet, etc.

This could have been treated years ago if someone would have just listened.

*3 hours later

I was in the kitchen eating when my cell phone rang. I picked it up thinking it was the call I had been dreading. I was eager to get this over with. Just say it, and let's move on.

“Hello, this is Bella,” I mumbled into the phone. I was on the edge again. Trying my hardest to breathe and stay calm. “Bell, where are you?” asked Terry. “Terry?” I asked pulling the phone away from my ear and looking at it. Fuck! Why didn't I look before answering? Why didn't I block him?

“Bella, I'm s—,” he started to speak before I interrupted him. “Save it. I… I don't care anymore,” I said through tears. “Bells, I was—,” he started again. “No,” I said sobbing into the phone. “Could you just—!” he yelled into the phone. That was it. I didn't have to deal with this. I hung up the phone and laid it on the table in front of me.

Pushing the plate away, I laid across my arms crying with my head down. My Godmother and Godsister were both gone to work. That left me alone once again with my emotions— all of them.

ring ring ring

Not again. I picked up the phone in anger. “I don't want to talk to you!” I screamed into the phone. “Isabella? It's Dr. Moore. We need to speak about scheduling your surgery immediately,” he said in a startled tone. “I'm sorry, Dr. Moore. I'm having a…,” I said taking a deep breath. “I can call back if—,” he said. “No!” I blurted out. “Sorry. Please, tell me now,” I whimpered. I was flying between emotions faster than my body could manage.

“Well, honey. I'm sorry to bring you such bad news at this time, but we're going to need to remove your left ovary. The cysts were quite large, and… Unfortunately, the biopsy indicated they were cancerous. The safest option is to remove the affected ovary and all endometriosis deposits. Later on, we can discuss any further changes,” he said. “Changes?” I questioned while sniffling. “If it progresses any further, we may have to perform a hysterectomy.” Dr. Moore continued to talk, but I had dissociated from the conversation. This was it.

My mind was overflowing with questions. Will I be able to have kids? Would this even get rid of the cancer? If it did, would it come back? Would life ever be normal for me?

I don't know. I'll probably never know.

*Later in the day

ring ring ring

Hours had passed since the call ended. I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to move. I didn't want to think. I had planned my whole life around me and Terry's relationship— kids, a house, a minivan, a dog, all of it. Now, everything was gone. Maybe my mother was right, I am cursed.

ring ring ring

“Who is it?” I sobbed into the phone. “It's me, Bella. Baby, can you please just listen to me?” Terry pleaded over the phone. “Why, huh? What’s there to listen to? You said everything you needed to say,” I yelled. All of my feelings were being overshadowed by my anger.

“I didn't mean it, Bella. That wasn't supposed to happen. I love you. You know that!” Terry yelled. “I don't know that, Terry. If you loved me, you wouldn't have said it. You meant it with all your fucking heart. You stood on it when you left without saying a word. No goodbye. No sorry. Nothing. That's not love,” I blurted out. I was beyond tired of holding my tongue. “Stop being so fuckin' childish right now and use your brain. You're always so damn emoti—,” he said cutting himself off. “Nah, say it! I'm too fucking emotional, huh? Ain't that right, Terry?” I screamed again. Tears were streaming down my face falling onto the kitchen table.

“I’m always sick, and… and I'm… I'm always emotional. That's what you… that's what you said, right? THEN, WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU WITH ME?!” I screamed as loud as I could. I threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall and shattered. Good. No more phone calls. No more doctors. No more — Terry.

Taglist: @avoidthings @brattyfics @slutsareteacherstoo @pocketsizedpanther

@nahimjustfeelingit-writes @blowmymbackout @5headsupremacist @creartivefairy

@insidefeelingofanadult @revealingco @keyaho @jimmybutlrr @gg-trini

@nayaxwrites @miyuhpapayuh @poektiou624 @gwenda-fav @nayaesworld

@ittsstephanieee @beenathembo @blyffe @thegreatlibraryofalex @persethegawd

[alivegirldetectiveagency]

The show gives us very little information about edwin’s life. i’m pretty sure all we know is (1) he read detective stories (2) is father would call crystal a bobtail (3) he was presumably bullied (i say presumably because the ritual could have been a first incident but i find that unlikely just cause. the severity of it)

i hope we learn a little more if we get a season 2 because i think edwins childhood would give interesting insight into him (this goes for all the characters actually) but i think we can make a lot of assumptions about what his life was like based off the time period

(disclaimer: i am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, so i apologize for any inaccuracies)(and for any typos)

this post got kinda long so the rest is under the cut

edwin lived from 1900-1916 which mostly encompasses the edwardian era (1901-1910). for the purposes of this post i will be talking as if it was all edwardian for simplicity and also because the last few years of the victorian era and the first few years after edward vii would have been very similar. i am also operating under the assumption the paynes were upper class because (1) vibes (2) edwin is very formal which would have been emphasized the most in the upper classes (3) he had the time and money to go to boarding school which still wasn’t very accessible (although education was growing in importance)

the importance of childhood was growing in the era and there was a lot more leisure time and entertainment. still, etiquette and manners were very important so there would have had the “seen and not heard” attitude towards children. in upper class families, child rearing would have been done by a nanny and not the mother. the father as head of the house would have been strict and interacted little with the children. so edwin probably saw very little of his parents while growing up even before boarding school. since edwin was a son his father might have taken him out for things like shooting/hunting but that would have been just him and his father (and brothers if he had any). also edwin does Not seem like he would have enjoyed that so i dunno if much bonding would have occurred during those outings. family time in general would be rather brief. He would have had more time spent with siblings his age since younger children would have spent most of their time in the nursery/with the nanny.

i’m going to brush past the school life part because i do not know much about it other than that he would have started at st Hilarions around 13. and that i’m pretty sure corporal punishment was used in boarding schools like it at the time? (not entirely sure on that front it depends on if the school is state sponsored) we can infer from the show that edwin did not have a Great time at school but i don’t know what the specifics would have been like

etiquette was very very important. i don’t think the edwardian era was quite as strict as the victorian era but there was still a LOT of social expectations. including the perfect posture george rexstrew does as edwin. etiquette would also include addressing everyone properly and limited affection. you also wouldn’t really touch anyone! not to get their attention or shake hands in greeting or clapping someone on the back. Self control was everything even in times of excitement or distress. Social classes were very strict although the industrial revolution created the neavue riche so social mobility was not impossible. new rich families often tried to adapt the traditions of the (aristocratic) upper class but integration was slooow. (Middle class families would adopt trends from the upper classes too). while formality was important, language in general was simplifying partially due to mass newspapers. if you’ve ever read Oliver Twist or another Dickens story, the language is very verbose and hard to follow which is par the course for victorian literature but less so for edwardian literature.

speaking of literature and entertainment we know edwin liked detective stories. he reads a max carrados story (which started in 1914) to charles and in edwin’s death flashback you see him with a detective penny/dime novel (in the scene you can read “The Aldine Tip Top Tales, High Hat Harry” and google tells me the rest of the title is “The Base Ball Detective”). Edwin probably also read Sherlock Holmes which was still popular. Growing up he might have Peter Pan/Peter and Wendy (the title changed after its initial publishing in 1904) and The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902). And more short stories and dime novels (like the Aldine company ones) since they were getting very popular at the time. Entertainments like the Winter Gardens and Pleasure Beach in Blackpool were also growing popularity. but generally outdoor upper class entertainment would have been tennis, hunting, or racing. (fun fact the 1908 summer olympics was in london so edwin might have watched it as a child!) there also would have been a lot of dinner parties but those would have been for the parents to maintain or increase social status and not necessarily include the children.

overall edwin’s childhood probably included a lot of extravagant entertainment. He would not have spent much time with his parent so unless edwin had siblings his early childhood would have probably been lonely. canon does not suggest he really made friends while in school either.

Canon and fanon has touched on how edwin’s social skills took a hit from being in hell for 70 years (which is definitely true). But on top of just escaping hell, edwin is using knowledge/skills from a vastly different social era when he first meets charles. it must have been really jarring the first few years of being friends because charles’s ideas/experiences with friendship were WILDLY different than edwin’s

[delicatebarness]

i think he knows | chapter three

Summary: Reader and Bucky get caught. Twice.

Warnings: Probably just Bucky smoking. If you think there is any then please let me know so I can add it.

Word Count: 1792

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Series’ Spotify Playlist

A/N: Three chapters in one day, who am I? Also, this one hasn't been proofread so there most likely will be typos and/or mistakes.

Tags: @bigtreefest | @caplanbuckybarnes | @angelbabyyy99 | @mega-kittyglitter-1

You jumped at the unexpected visitor, your heart began to race as you recognized Bucky now standing near your window, in your bedroom. Once again, his signature smirk found its way across his lips. You were momentarily speechless as his scent and aura filled the room.

“Bucky?” you asked, you tried to keep your voice steady and quiet, despite the rush of adrenaline running through you. “What are you doing here?” Rushing over to the window, you pushed Bucky to the side slightly so you could close it along with your curtain. You glanced over to Peter’s bedroom window while you pulled the curtains. You were met with dark brown eyes staring back at you. There was no way that he didn’t see the senior climbing in, or standing right there. 

Bucky never took his eyes off you, stepping closer the second you stopped messing with the curtains. “I couldn’t resist,” his voice was low and smooth. “I told you I’d see you around.” Your mind began to race, how do you respond to an unsuspected visit like this? You knew Steve would feel betrayed if he walked back in here. There was a part of you that was torn between the excitement of having Bucky so close and the choice you had made less than two minutes ago.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, Bucky,” Taking a step back, you added a distance between you two. “ Steve doesn’t want me to see you.”

You sensed that you just added fuel to the fire Bucky had created as his smirk widened and closed the gap between the two of you. “As far as I can see, Sunshine, Stevie isn’t here. Is he?” Placing a finger under your chin, he tilted your head up to make eye contact with you. For the second time that day, you shook your head at him. “No, just you and me.”

Despite your judgment call merely moments ago, there was no way to deny the pull he had on you. With all the warnings ringing through your head, both in your voice and Steve’s, you still couldn't help but feel a magnetic pull towards him. 

“You should go,” you tried to sound firm but your voice wavered. “This isn’t right.” You jolted your head slightly so it was no longer being held by his finger. His expression softened, letting out a sigh while gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“Maybe it’s not right,” Bucky admitted, his voice was barely a whisper. You lifted your head to try and get a read on his face. “But, it feels right, doesn’t it?”

You hesitated in your response, you could hear the rational voice of Steve in your head but Bucky’s touch was sending shivers down your spine. It was proving to be incredibly difficult to resist him. 

Just as you were about to respond, a knocking at your bedroom door ripped you both from your intense stare out. The knocks were closely followed by Steve’s voice calling your name. You started to panic as you turned to face the door, realizing that Steve could walk in at any second and find Bucky standing in your room. 

“This guy,” Muttering under his breath, you sensed a newfound panic coming from Bucky, his eyes had widened and they were scanning the room for suitable hiding spots. Without another thought you hurried Bucky toward the window and gestured for him to climb back down. He hesitated for a moment, looking back at you before whispering, “Goodnight Sunshine.” You replied with a quick, “Goodnight James.” as he started his climb. 

You took deep breaths to try and steady your pulse as Steve entered your room, he furrowed in confusion as he took in the sight of you at the window.

“Dinner’s ready, dad’s impatient,” He eyes you skeptically for a moment before, pointing towards the window. “I hope you’re closing that, Mom will go crazy if she smells that breeze.” You nodded in response to him, forcing a smile, you watched as he started to make his way down to the dinner table. Turning back to the window, you watched as Bucky walked his motorbike down the street, catching the moment he glanced back up at your window. 

So much for staying away.

~

The next afternoon, you sat in the school library buried beneath a stack of textbooks and sheets of class notes. It had been quiet for the most part, you were focused on your schoolwork, so focused you never sensed someone sitting down beside you. 

“Has anyone ever told you your concentration face is adorable?” You looked up to find Bucky sitting in the chair next to you, his face so close you’re almost bumping noses. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, you thought maybe the library would have been your safe space. No Steve telling you what, when, where, why, or how, and no Bucky filling you with both dread and excitement. Yet, here one of them was. 

“There’s never been anyone not scared of my brother enough to.” You confessed one of the few things that truly annoyed you about being the youngest Rogers. You watched as a glint appeared in his eyes as he shrugged.

“Your concentration face is adorable.” He spoke with confidence, proving to you that Steve does not instill any fear in him. You couldn’t help but notice his casual glance over your lips as you smiled at his comment. You’ve read enough books and watched enough shows to know what that look meant. Was he going to do it? Now? Here? 

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Your voice was barely a whisper as you watched his head tilt slightly to the side, his hand coming up to hold your cheek just like at his locker. His gaze never left your lips as his smirk once again appeared. 

“It feels like we should,” You found yourself melting under his touch, every second that passed with his skin against yours, you felt yourself weakening. Just as you were about to give in to temptation, a throat being cleared broke you from your haze. 

Looking up you found Peter sitting back in the seat across from you, the look of suspicion was evident as he looked between you and Bucky with curiosity and confusion. “Pete!” You exclaimed, you tried to keep your voice calm and light but the panic that rose from your chest turned it into a high-pitched squeal. 

“Found the book we needed for Bio,” his reply was casual, despite being the only other person who knew about Bucky’s visit last night but not yet knowing why. “Didn’t expect this when I came back.” Using his pen, he gestured between you and Bucky. 

A sinking feeling started to settle in your stomach, you knew that you had to explain to Peter what he saw last night. You worried that his suspicions could make this whole thing more complicated than it already was, his loyalty to Steve was also a factor you had to take into account. It wasn’t looking good on your end. 

Bucky left shortly after Peter referred to his presence, he didn’t make up any excuses for why he was leaving. He knew he already was risking a lot just by letting Peter see what almost happened. Once he was out of the library, you explained everything to Peter. Told him truthfully about how you were feeling, what happened the night before, and what he had walked into. 

~

You decided that morning that you wanted to stay back late and use the library to study, Steve offered to wait back for you to drive you home but you declined. He had plans with Sharon that night and didn’t want to keep them waiting. The town was small enough for you to walk home and get there way before dark anyway. 

The hallways were empty now, your footsteps echoed as you found your way toward the exit. Just as you walked out of the front doors of the school, you were greeted by Bucky leaning against the wall of the steps with a cigarette hanging from his lips. For a split second, you found yourself thinking about how you’d like to be that cigarette. Your cheeks flushing at the thought. 

“What are you still doing here?” You asked, looking around the almost empty parking lot. You admired him as he walked down the steps and used the bins provided to put out and dispose of the cigarette. He motioned toward his bike with the helmet he carried in his left hand. 

“Noticed you didn’t go home with Steve, or, leave with that Wanda or Peter you hang around with, so,” Once again, he gestured toward the bike. “Guessed you were still at the library and in need of a ride home.” Surprised as was an understatement, you couldn’t grasp onto the idea that this person, waited almost two hours extra after the last bell to offer you a ride home. You still hesitated to accept, you had never rode on a motorbike before. Everyone was quick to explain to you the dangers of driving and riding them from a young age. Also, it would be Bucky driving and someone could see you. 

“I, I don’t know,” Your newfound stutter had made a return as Bucky stepped closer to you, handing the helmet to you while taking your textbooks. 

“Come on, Sunshine, it’s late,” He sighed as he started to walk through the parking lot. “I promise I’ll get you home safe.” 

In that moment of uncertainty, his words offered a sense of reassurance that allowed you to nod in agreement with him. You put the helmet on as you walked, clipping it into place, you realized that he only had one with him. He lifted the seat to reveal an area for your textbooks to hide, but still no helmet. 

“Woah, what are you doing?” He exclaimed, reaching out and placing a hand on top of the helmet, stopping you from taking it off further. “We’ve got to make sure that pretty head of yours is protected.” Moving his hand down to your chin, he clipped it back together.

“But, what about-” He gave you a stern look, placing a finger over your lips to cut you off. Once he knew you wouldn’t protest anymore, he helped you climb onto the bike. After he explained some basic safety rules to you, the engine began to roar. The unfamiliar vibrations startled you, wrapping your arms tighter around Bucky’s torso. 

As you clung onto Bucky, you pushed aside your doubts and let yourself enjoy the thrill of both riding a motorbike and being alone with Bucky.

---

Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

[tales-of-wocdes]

Chapter 2 is live! In total (including code inside text), it is about 48 k words. This brings the total word count to ~103.5 k.

This chapter takes off right where chapter 1 ended. The main part is about character customization. I have tried to make it make some sense and be a part of the narrative. I am not sure I succeeded, but I leave that up to you all to decide. And MC may meet someone new, maybe someone in silver :D

Let me know what you if you find bugs/errors! Also if there is something you would really want in the character customization! Please do note that stuff like height and body type will be left for later, when MC is older.

I updated twine and some stuff got messed up in the template, so there could be stuff wrong.The "resume game" button in the main menu stopped working but since saves seem to work, I just took that out.

Other things:

Some typo fixes

New character profile menu structure implemented (barebones)

Codex structure slightly updated

Notifications are now a thing, they appear to inform you about new things in the menu (like a character profile)

Rudimentary approval system added (so far Havard and Lexia): it is not actually possible to make them dislike you (at least for now), only worried about you.

The prologue has some added visual effects in the repetitive parts.

Font on chapter screens has been changed

Minor chapter 1 additions to a few scenes.

The character profile menu and approval system mean that starting a new game is needed for them to work properly (skipping to C1 is fine)

Rough word counts per chapter have been calculated and added to the itch io page and demo version page inside the game.

Please report any bugs, mistakes etc. See feedback page at the end of the demo.

[n3ptoonz]

WOULD U BE DOWN TO WRITE BI-HAN IN AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE WITH THE DAUGHTER OF A GRANDMASTER FROM ANOTHER CLAN?

absolutely not are you cra- gunshots

'That Can Be Arranged'

Pairing: Bi Han/F!Reader

Fandom: Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)

Warnings/tags: None, angst if you squint, Bi Han sucks at feelings but it's all good, reader has an older brother, reader's father is a cryomancer, reader got jokes, Bi Han in love, sphinx has to stop writing after midnight, 3/4 proofread might be some typos in this mf

Word count: 2.5k+

Bi Han was to accept an arranged marriage to bring peace to the centuries long clan war between the Lin Kuei and your clan; both have Grandmasters that wield the power of cryomancy. Overwhelmed with stress and self doubt, he snuck away to his favorite place to train and meditate and has been going there ever since before time ran out.

You were to be the one to get married in order to bring peace to the two clans. You didn't even know the name of the enemy clan due to your father favoring your older brother more your whole life. Overwhelmed with stress and being fed up with both of them constantly in your ear, you snuck out to wander around and see what or who you could find.

You were the rebel between you and your brother. There's no surprise he's favored more, but it's mostly because he's older and has to carry on the title once your father passes. You kept questioning your father, asking why not just find him a wife? And it was always the same old "but war" "but this" "but that", and tried to instill you with fake confidence to believe you were the only way peace could be achieved.

It was a beautiful night with clear skies and shining stars. The world was quiet. The more you walked through the woods, the more you appreciated the outside before you had to be bound to the enemy clan's temple. You stopped in your tracks at the sound of what sounded like someone exercising. There were grunts and shouts only a fighter would have between each move. You quietly got closer, peeking behind a tree to see a tall, handsome man with a defined body under the traditional fighting attire he wore.

You just sat and watched him channel his energy into his punches and kicks. The way his muscles tensed when he wasn't getting a move right was fascinating. You were always sheltered since childhood, so finding another person on without your father's influence was the absolute highlight of your night.

He stopped for a moment, standing straight up and looking in your direction. He saw your shadow move right as you hid behind the tree.

"Can I help you?" he said. His voice was deep and raspy, and he asked that question like you just bothered him. He figured you weren't initially a threat due to the fact that he's usually just attacked by his enemies, while you hid. Also he could see a bit of your flared sleeve.

You peeked from behind the tree before fully stepping out, a sheepish smile on your face.

"Didn't mean to interrupt, I was just admiring the view. Looks like you could use a sparring partner."

You saw his brows furrow at your suggestion. Just who did you think you were? Thinking you could take on the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei?!

"I am not some entertainment for you to watch. And I don't 'spar' with women-"

"-who could whoop your ass? I wouldn't either." you cut him off mid sentence and crossed your arms with a smirk. The only person you've ever sparred with was your brother, otherwise with one guard that you've been close with since a kid. So to take on an outsider was like a rush.

Whatever you were doing worked, cause now he was offended and wanted to put your pride in check.

"Alright," he said, taking a small weapon out his shirt when you put a hand up to decline. You took out your own blade and flipped it in between your fingers.

"May the best one win."

-

You two had been meeting up and sparring for about three weeks now, and with every encounter, you both had just talked more and more about yourselves. You talked about your life as a daughter of a stubborn father who favored your brother all your life, while Bi Han talked about his rift with his brother and the stresses of filling in his late father's position as head of his clan. Neither of you really thought to reveal your roles in your clans, afraid the other would be put off.

"I get married off next month." you said bluntly after you sat in silence. You both had been sitting together and stargazing in the grass. Honestly, you never thought he'd be down for something like this, but you certainly weren't going to complain. "So...I won't be able to come here anymore. I am to prepare to be bound to the enemy's temple and probably bear his children. Ugh, it's probably some old fuck--who I won't be fucking."

Bi Han wore a slight bit of a smile at how crass you were. You laughed it off, but you were dead serious. You looked over at him already looking at the side of your face.

"How our fates aligned like this, I am getting married tomorrow. Also an arranged marriage. I guess we both won't be coming out here anymore." he said, his voice slightly disappointed as he turned his eyes back to the sky.

"Really? I thought the men were still able to do as they please. It's what my brother says."

"He's not entirely wrong, but I am not that kind of man. I wouldn't be that kind of husband. Even though I don't know this woman and I don't know how long it'll be before I actually love her, I would still respect her in some way."

You could tell he was genuine in his response. He couldn't even look you in the eyes upon saying what he really felt. When you first met, he was cold but an odd hint of welcoming, even if you did come off as immature. He didn't want to admit it to you, but he was slowly falling for you. It was wrong, as he's literally about to get married to somebody else, but it's what his heart says.

"Wow..." you muttered, unable to stop looking at him even though he was focused on the stars. "Didn't think you'd be into that sort of thing."

"Marriage?"

"Love."

He looked down at the ground, resting his elbows on his elevated knees and sighing. "I may be cold and reserved, but I am also human. How I choose to express affection is usually the problem. It's why I don't focus on things like that."

You then looked up at the stars, fidgeting with your hands before speaking.

"...Is it wrong to fall in love before an arranged marriage?"

Bi Han's head raised, but he still didn't look at you. He then stood up and dusted off his clothes, choosing not to acknowledge your question.

"It's getting late."

Your heart sank a little as he said that, going back to his cold demeanor. You wanted to apologize if you made him uncomfortable, but like he said, he didn't focus on things like that. You just nodded stood next to him, extending your hand as a farewell.

"This is goodbye." you said, fighting back the urge to shed a single tear. These last three weeks had been the best time of your life, and it was all to dissipate all over again. As he looked at your hand, knowing this was a farewell, he too wanted to shed a tear. He just couldn't do it. He can't shake your hand. He's too afraid he'll end up vulnerable in front of someone he's only known for three weeks, and he hasn't cried since he was a child.

"You should get home." he promptly said, walking past you as he gathered his things and left. Feeling the wind hit the side of your face from how fast he took off made you want to sob and throw a fit. How could he be like this? Ah...remember, he just doesn't focus on things like this. You stood there as your hand just fell to your side, holding back a flood of tears that could flow at any moment.

After five seconds had passed, you turned around just to see that...he was gone.

-

"What?!" you exclaimed. It was 9 in the fucking morning and your father just let you know out of the blue that you were actually getting married today. You stood in his office now fully awake in your sleep attire and angry. Why would he decide now to tell you such a thing? Your brother tried to make sense of it while you just ignored him.

"Father, I am not ready!"

"Sure you are. It's just a 3 week difference, why are you so worked up at this hour?" he sat back in his chair so casually as your brother stood next to him. You got so worked up you stormed towards the door and knocked over some important looking books on a shelf.

"I'm running away!" you shouted, slamming the door behind you. This was beyond belief. He really loved keeping you out of the loop. Right before you were on your way, you saw a pair of gauntlets that your father was going to give to your brother...and they grant the power of cryomancy. Hell, what do you have to lose?

Unfortunately, the guards kept getting to you before you could escape a few times, locking you in your room until it was time. For a few hours all you could do was throw a tantrum and emptily threaten the guards lives.

Eventually, there came a knock at your door. You didn't answer, just sitting in the corner of your room with your face buried in your pillow. It was the same guard you grew up with. You thought aw damn, you couldn't lash out at him.

He simply offered you words of comfort and sat on the edge of your bed, letting you know your father wants you to be ready in 15 minutes. He even offered to help you pick your best outfit.

A long 15 minutes later, you cleaned yourself up and made yourself look presentable. Though, you still stepped out of your room with a scowl, glaring at the guards that were on standby. You slyly hid the braces under your flared sleeves. If you needed to use it, you wouldn't hesitate to. Who cares if you weren't trained to use them? You'll figure it out.

"You look lovely, miss. I know you don't think you're ready, but I trust that the Grandmaster didn't choose someone twice your age. Your mother was actually younger than him by 2 years, if that helps." he said, trying to cheer you up. The corner of your mouth lifted into a half smile, appreciating his efforts.

You escorted yourself to sit with your father and brother before the gates that opened up to the temple. The usual traditional practice had started, and you looked the most uninterested among the rest--even resting your head into your palm.

It was a rather nice day. How convenient that it wasn't snowing to all hell on a day you were pissed off.

The gates finally opened, and here came your supposed future husband. You rolled your eyes and looked away for a moment. As you refused to look at the man walking up to the throne, your father stood up and greeted him.

"Bi Han, Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. My now...former rival. I welcome you to our temple."

You froze in place. Did- Did you hear him right?

"Excuse my daughter, she is a little shy. I offer her to you as a gift of peace. We mustn't fight any longer, two cryomancy clans should stick together, not separate."

As your father rambled, you slowly looked over at the man. It was...really Bi Han. He is the man you were arranged to marry...and you were the woman he was arranged to marry today. No wonder your marriage was pushed back.

You quickly stood up and just stared at him. As his eyes fixed onto you, his gaze went from a slight shock to softening. He couldn't believe it himself. It was really you. He was arranged to marry the same woman he fell in love with in a span of 21 days.

"...but, to make this interesting, what do you say to a duel? You and my eldest son, for my daughter's hand?"

It's like you got water splashed into your face after a dream sequence. Did you hear him correctly? A duel?!

Your brother was the fiercest fighter you knew. You never could stand sparring or generally physically fighting him, he would always go low when he thought he was going to lose. Just what is he going to do with a cold Grandmaster who usually only has regard for himself?

"Seriously? For my hand? That's unnecessary, it was neither of our choi-"

"I accept."

Your eyes snapped to Bi Han, whose look of determination was back onto his face.

'I will not lose' he thought, chanting over and over in his head. He will earn your hand to prove he's worthy, even though he didn't need to. He couldn't lose this fight or you.

"Splendid. May the best one win." your father said, sitting back down and gesturing for you to follow. But you just stood there in awe. He was actually doing this.

"Sweetheart, I know you're excited, but let's sit for this. Who knows how long this'll go on for?" he motioned for a guard to push your chair in behind your knees. You decide to comply, truly curious as well.

It's been an hour. Both parties evenly matched and no telling who had the upper hand. However, you watched your brother with close attention. He hadn't done anything suspicious just yet...

...Spoke too soon.

As soon as Bi Han was gaining on him, he pulled a hidden weapon from his pocket, slicing Bi Han's cheek. You just sunk into your chair, in utter disbelief at the sight.

He did another sequence of dirty moves, and the next one was bound to be fatal. You knew this because he has already told you before, this wasn't going to end well for either side. At the next slash before his big move, you got up in fit of rage and used the braces to create a large wall between them two made completely of ice.

"Must you be so damn cowardice?!" you yelled. You turned to your father who had a look of pure confusion. "You raised a fool. And it wasn't me."

You ran down the stairs and over to Bi Han, who had a bunch of cuts on his face and arms.

"Are you alright?" you kneeled in front of him, who was on the ground in pain, but didn't want to make a big deal about it. He looked up at you with such love and respect in his eyes.

"I'm in love with you." he said, shocked at how blunt he was with his own feelings, but he didn't care.

"Thought you'd say that." you smiled. Standing up and looking through the ice, you helped him stand and held his face, mindful of the cuts splayed across his cheek and nose bridge.

"I do. You do. Boom, we're married." you said, kissing him without an ounce shame. Once you heard the clamoring on the other side of the wall, you quickly backed away and took his hand to make a run for it out of the gates. Now this, was now the most fun you've ever had in your life.

As you kept running, Bi Han caught up with you and couldn't help but process everything that just happened in the last two hours.

"Are we going to have a proper wedding?" he asked.

"That can be arranged."

[replenaryindulgence]

Before the Light: Chapter 2

Azriel x Calida (ka-lee-duh)/Reader

Summary: Calida wakes up disoriented, her captors' intentions unclear. As she learns more about the world around her, her path home becomes more uncertain.

Word count: 5.6k

Warnings: alcohol

a/n: Now we're getting into ittttt. I'm so excited to see where this fic goes. I love leaving things open-ended. can you tell lol? This series is based in my mind right after ACOSF, hence the tension between Az and Elaine. How would you react if you were Cal? I tried to put myself in her shoes & not in the shoes of someone familiar with the world (P.S. there are probably typos, I'm rereading it as we speak & I'm on the lookout lol plz forgive me)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

The throb at the base of your skull echoed to your temples. Groaning, you pulled the blanket up further to hide from the flickering light. 

Sifting through your thoughts was like trudging through molasses; the events of the past day came reluctantly. The bite of the early morning air, the laughter that echoed over the lake. The pain in your head grew sharp and you rubbed circles trying to ease the pressure. Moments flashed in your mind. Toes in the water, the burnt taste of instant coffee on your tongue. The gleam of silver water through the trees as you ran. 

It all hit you suddenly, dizzyingly; the forest, the strangers. You shot up. A wave of nausea had you clutching the stiff cushion beneath you. You took deep, burning breaths, forcing it to pass. For long moments you sat like this, taking careful glances, afraid to move too quickly. 

The room was dimly lit. A small fireplace crackled before you, the light sharp in your eyes. The smell of rotting wood and smoke hung in the air. To your left was a door; the wood gnarly and weathered. The whole place was. There was little furniture; a small work table sat to the right of the fireplace, at the end of the bed a large armchair. The dark material glittered slightly in the firelight. It looked out of place, less subjected to the elements. There was nothing else — no one else. No light peered through the small windows. 

The door flung open, the tall man with the stern face from the forest entered carrying pieces of wood under his arm. You heard the thudding of your heart in your ears. He didn’t speak. In three strides he hovered over the small work table. That’s when you noticed it, barely illuminated; the dagger at his side. 

He spoke and you met his gaze, blinking through the panic as he held out a glass of water. You couldn’t move. He sighed, setting it on the stool next to the bed. Your eyes trailed him as he sat upon the small stool by the fire, stoking it with another piece of wood, keeping it alive. He looked over his shoulder and gestured to the glass, repeating the unfamiliar phrase. Your tongue felt like cloth in your mouth but the fear held you frozen in place.

He stood once more and walked to the table, searching through a small bag. The thud of chopping filled the cabin and you watched as he added ingredients to a small black pot. Several minutes passed, your gaze fell to the glass of water and you gave in to your thirst. The water streamed down your chin, dampening your collar. 

“Where am I,” you choked out, voice sounding like you’d swallowed gravel. You knew he couldn’t understand. “What did you do to me?” 

You tried to form a plan. It was dark, this place was unfamiliar. Your face heated. Your friends. They were probably scouring the woods looking for you; you had to find them. You reached into your pocket.

They’d taken your phone, your watch. Everything. 

You tried to stand, or make for the door, but whatever they’d done to your head had the floor shifting beneath you. You couldn’t make it back like this. You sat back, leaning on the wall for support. ”Please,” you begged, though you weren’t sure what exactly for. You couldn’t make it three miles, not like this. You watched as the man hung the pot over the small fire and took a seat before it. He finally looked to you, and you held his stare. A minute passed like this, the two of you silent and unwavering. 

His attention turned back to the fire, stirring the pot slowly, and you closed your eyes in defeat. Your mind led you through every twisted possibility. 

When he spoke again, you found a wooden bowl sitting on the stool by the bed. He sat, watching you, his own bowl in hand. Your stomach snarled. You waited for him to take a bite. You looked at the stew inspectingly; vegetables peeked out of a thin broth. You brought it to your nose. He muttered under his breath. You hesitantly took a bite. It didn’t feel safe, eating what he’d made, but the aching in your head persisted and you’d do anything for it to stop. 

You weren’t sure if it was just the hunger, but you’d never tasted anything like this. You barely swallowed before taking your next bite. Unfamiliar spices stuck in your nose. Setting the bowl aside you noticed the refilled glass. You reached for it, this time taking small sips as you settled against the wall, cautiously surveying the cabin once more. The only exit was the door, the windows were too small for you to fit through. You’d have to wait for him to leave or to be distracted, but you weren’t sure you could outrun him. You felt hopeless; you hadn’t outrun them before, when they wore those ridiculous wings. Maybe if you cried enough he’d let you go from annoyance. You tried to recount what exactly happened in the woods. All you could remember was the fear, and the pain. 

The man walked over to the stool, grabbing the empty bowl. You watched as he moved through the space. He made his way to the end of the bed, settling into the armchair. You clutched the glass tightly as he fidgeted in his seat.

“I need to leave,” you gestured toward the door, pronouncing each word, though it’d do no good. “My friends are out there looking for me,” you patted your chest, ”just, please,” you were begging now, tears burned your eyes, “let me go.” 

His head fell back onto the chair in dismissal. The tears that fell were hot. Panic filled your veins, taking over as you leapt up, but he was quicker. He slammed a fist to the door, blocking it. You stumbled back, legs hitting the cushions.

“Move,” you forced out. You pointed to the door again. He shook his head, this you understood. 

“Yes.” You seethed.

He shook his head again and spoke a single word. ‘No’, you assumed. He pointed towards the bed.

You repeated the word he’d said to you. He shook his head, amused, avoiding your resolute stare. You tried for the door again, but he grabbed your wrist. That’s when you noticed — his hand. It was covered in scars. Both of them were. They rippled in silver and pink swirls of raised skin. He tore away his grip, crossing his arms. He stared past you with a cold gaze. 

You fell backwards onto the bed, dragging yourself to the corner. He set the stool down with a loud thud before the door. His head fell back, eyes looking vacantly through the room. Your head mirrored his, leaning on the wall for some sense of support. You were stuck here — at least for the night. 

…

You’d gotten little rest. You kept yourself curled up to the wall uncomfortably, eyes on the stranger. He never moved. You weren’t sure if he slept either. You’d spent the night contemplating every terrible scenario until your lips were puffy and your eyes swollen. You were thankful when the fire died down and you were able to cry in the cover of darkness. Exhaustion eventually took hold of you.

You woke abruptly as a loud knock sounded. Lifting your stiff head, your eyes squinted in the light as your captor stood, cracking his neck as he reached for the door. The man that grabbed you in the woods appeared beneath the frame. Your heart began to race. 

He took a step in, ducking, as he looked at you with a small, tight smile. He handed over a small satchel. As they spoke, you listened to the words with intense focus, searching for familiarity. Their demeanor was casual despite the situation. The second man had taken off his wings too. They wouldn’t have fit into this cramped cabin, anyways. He rubbed the back of his neck, and turned to look at you. The muscles in your body stiffened. He took a step toward the bed and crouched. 

Holding his hand to his chest he spoke. You stared at him. ‘Cassian’, he repeated gently, patting himself. His name? You looked between them, the other man stood back with his arms crossed. This must be some ploy to try and gain your trust. The man before you hit the other and gestured toward you. He rolled his eyes, stating his name. You repeated it and his eyes shot to yours. 

The man before you nodded with a kind expression and gestured to you encouragingly. You took a breath. If you played along, played nice, maybe you could persuade them to let you go. Maybe this was some big misunderstanding, you let yourself hope.

“Calida,” you stated quietly. 

‘Calida,’ he repeated, standing. He spoke a quick word to the scarred man before turning back through the doorway. He hesitated, nodding to you once more before disappearing and shutting the door tightly behind him. 

That’s it? 

Where was he going? Were they letting you go? You tried to stand but your captor moved before the door. It was useless trying to argue with him. You were a prisoner. You sat back, staring at the door, at the light peering in through the curling wood, visualizing your escape over and over in your mind.  A bird chirped, pulling you from your angry haze. Light poured through the small windows, illuminating specks of dust. You watched despondently as they floated freely around you.

…

You weren’t sure how much time had passed. You’d been given water and more soup. It had been simmering over the fire and tasted even richer than it had the night before. The man left the cabin, taking guard just outside as you relieved yourself in the tiny bathing area covered only by a thin sheet. You scoured the place for a weapon before he returned, but cursed when you found nothing. He must have taken the knife he’d used for dinner. He came back in as you were reaching for the small bag near the armchair and were met with a scowl.

Perhaps your body had run out of anxiety, or perhaps your stillness had fooled it into peace as you sat, legs crossed, watching through the small window as the day passed. As birds and small animals roamed and sang through the forest, and the light filtered through the trees. You heard movement outside just as the door swung open. 

The man with the violet eyes entered, his companion, Cassian, just behind him. No sign of the woman. “Calida,” he spoke, tilting his head toward you. You held your legs in a failed attempt at comfort and prepared for their next move. He reached out and set a small object on the stool next to you. A ring. You looked at him confused, but he only gestured to it. 

You hesitantly reached for the ring, holding it in your palm. It was a gold signet with three deep green stones in the center. Dull metal and shallow scratches showed its age. They watched you silently, expectantly, so you slid the ring on your hand, finding its place on your pointer finger. You twirled it with your thumb.

“Now what,” you spat.

”Now, we find out if this was worth the hassle,” the violet-eyed man spoke, his voice clear and familiar. Your eyes went wide.

”Seeing as to how it went last time, I’m going to have to rely on your candor,” he continued. Your mind ran wild, a million questions on your tongue. ”How did you find yourself in these woods?”

”These woods?” You questioned through the shock.

He raised a brow. 

“I… I’m camping near the lake with a group. I went for a run and… got lost. They’ll be looking for me,” you threatened. 

“You’re not a human spy sent from Autumn with a mind full of riddles to throw me off of your trail?”

“I… what?”

He squinted at you, assessing as he’d done before.

“These are public lands."

“These are Night Court lands.”

Night Court? Reservation land was miles East from where you camped, and none of them were called the Night Court; there was no private land.

“You can’t keep me here, this is kidnapping—“ 

“These woods aren’t safe for you,” Cassian interjected, his voice even.

“I ran three miles without trouble, I can make it back just fine,” you argued, your heart in your throat. “So what, you think you’re locking me away for my own safety?” You mocked.

“Yes,” the man with the violet eyes began, “we are. You are not supposed to be here, and the more you can tell us, the better the chance we have at returning you.”

Returning you? Nothing made sense. 

“How can you understand me?” 

“Magic,” a sly smile grew on his face. You shook your head, your lips pressed in a thin line. This wasn’t a game, but he certainly treated it like one. 

“When you were running, what did you see? Anything strange or unfamiliar?”

“You mean, besides the men with wings?”

“Yes, besides that.” He crossed his arms.

You took a breath, thinking back to the forest, to the lake disappearing, to hitting your head. “I turned to avoid a boulder and ran into a tree. When I looked up, the lake was just… gone. I thought I was concussed,” you admitted reluctantly.

He sighed. “I needed to make sure you weren’t a threat. Clearly, you know nothing,” he sauntered over, settling into the armchair and crossing his legs. “Although… what I saw in the woods, it was intriguing. Where are you from Calida?”

“Washington,” you spat. 

He tapped the armrest with his finger, assessing you. 

“There have been reports of strange happenings in these woods. Herds gone missing only to reappear out of thin air. It’s not unheard of, though there hasn’t been a tear in…” he pondered, “thousands of years. Long before most of our family walked these lands. At least not that we know of. This one seems to be stuck open, for now, though we’re having trouble locating it.”

You blinked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Would you believe me if I told you the truth?”

Cassian and the other man watched your conversation silently. You looked for any sign of humor or mischief on their face, but they were unnaturally stoic. 

“Tell me then, and I’ll decide for myself.”

“Very well,” He clasped his hands with a casual grace that made you want to roll your eyes. “You must have slipped through a tear, or a door between worlds, because you, Calida, are not where you believe yourself to be. I attempted to read your mind in the forest, and saw nothing familiar. We don’t know where you slipped through. You’re in Prythian, a land of humans, like yourself, as well as Fae and magic,” he pointed to your ring, “the reason we can understand one another.”

You stared at him in disbelief.

“The humans here look and smell like you, but you are wholly different. A glimpse into an unfamiliar world.”

You sat still, looking at the men in the room, deciding drugs must be involved. Your mind pulled you back to the scarred man, Azriel. He watched you, and you could’ve sworn pity lined his eyes.

“I see…” you started, “I appreciate your protection and hospitality, but I’m sure I can find my way back.” You spoke calmly, afraid of their reaction.

A deep laugh filled the cabin as the violet eyed man stood. 

“Very well, we’ll see you on your way.” He reached into a small bag and set your belongings down beside you. 

“Rhys-” Azriel began, but the man held up a gentle hand to silence him.

He nodded toward the door, and Cassian opened it apprehensively. They seemed to share a wordless communication. You grabbed your things before they could change their mind. Azriel’s worried eyes followed you through the door. The cool forest air bit at your lungs, a flutter of hope filling your chest. The men behind you made no attempt to grab you. You didn’t dare look back; your feet skipping below you as you began to run through the thick trees. Moments passed and the hope sang louder in your ears as you blindly headed West, your eyes searching wildly for something familiar as your feet skipped across the forest floor.

After some time you came to a stop, leaning on a large rough tree while you caught your breath. You heard nothing over your loud breathing. Eventually it slowed and you realized you heard nothing, no birds sang, no creatures skittered. It was silent. Hairs stood on the back of your neck. Your eyes scanned the forest. There, in the distance, something caught your eye. You were flooded with a sense of familiar dread. You squinted, afraid to move, to breathe. You leaned ever so closer.

As if day was marrying night, a thick, dark swirl of shadow appeared before you. Along with Azriel. Your scream was muffled by his hand as he grabbed your arm with his other. He hushed you and you froze. His head snapped to the right, scanning the trees. You felt your breath in his hand.

”Shit,” he breathed. Before you could blink a darkness washed over you. It swallowed you whole, its gentle claws pulling at your ankles and combing through your hair. What kept you in place was not gravity, but Azriel as he held you to his chest. And just as the darkness had appeared, in a shadow, it had vanished before the light. The cabin filled your vision and you fell promptly to the soft ground, the world around you swirling.

”What was it?” Cassian questioned.

”Naga,” Rhysand spat.

You propped yourself on your elbows, your mouth hanging open, brows furrowed. You looked at the cabin, shocked. Suddenly, a swirl of shadow appeared and dissipated just as quickly as before, and a woman, the woman from the woods, stepped through. Definitely a concussion. 

”Let’s go,” Azriel pulled his dagger from his leg, nodding to Cassian. Wings, the giant membranous wings appeared on their back. This time, they moved as gracefully as the rest of them. Your breath caught in your throat. Your neck fell back as the men leapt up twenty feet in the air, their wings beating the wild grasses flat as they ascended. A cry left escaped your lips. You heard voices in the distance; you stared unblinking at the bright sky.

”You said yourself she’s harmless.”

”I said she’s not a threat. We’ll keep searching. Azriel will watch-“

”You want to keep them cooped up in that cabin? They’ll be at each other's throats. These woods aren’t safe,” She gestured toward the forest.

”The cabin is warded. We can find a spot for her elsewhere-“

“There is a spot. The River House.”

”Feyre, we’re not opening our home to her. There’s too much unknown.”

"Just for a day, Rhys. She’s human," she emphasized.

"Human, yes, but from a foreign world."

The woman stilled and they stood looking at each other for a long while. 

“You knew when you read her mind she wasn’t dangerous. She’ll be my responsibility. Madja will look over her again,” she held a hand up to stop him from arguing. ”That was me Rhys, this could have been me.”

It was decided. The woman made her way to you and knelt.

"Don’t be scared," she began, “but this may be uncomfortable.” She grabbed your arm and again you were swept up in rolling darkness.

…

“I was asleep for a day and a half?” You questioned in disbelief, eyes vacantly set on the wall before you.

The woman, Feyre as she’d told you, nodded, sighing. She was much better at calming your nerves than her husband had been. She’d expressed sympathy for not being there when you woke, something about dealing with a disgruntled citizen. She’d also apologized for Rhysand’s hostility. ‘You look similar to the people we have… political disagreements with,’ she’d said. ‘People, or “fae?”’ You’d questioned, but she’d just given you that same careful smile. 

When Feyre had brought you to the house you’d vomited on the floor, a reaction from what felt like being thrown a thousand feet in the air. Winnowing, she’d called it. You’d laid your cheek on the cool dark tile, steadying your breath. An older woman with a cautious face had appeared. She kept her distance as she moved her arms above you in slow circles. With a simple nod, she was off. Feyre seemed relieved by this and slowly guided you up the stairs and down the hall. 

You'd since decided that you died in the woods, or were clinging to life somewhere having fever-induced dreams. Now you sat on a bed in the grandest room you’d ever seen, unsure of how you’d imagined something like this. Swirls of gold decorated the walls, the wallpaper a faded, clear night sky. Painted portraits and landscapes filled the room. They glowed, the color so rich you swore you could step into the frame. The sheer pale curtains stretched high above the windows, breathing in and out with the uncertain breeze. 

Feyre had confirmed Rhys’s story. Prythian, Fae, the tear between worlds. You half-absorbed it, overwhelmed to the point of numbness. She handed you a small vile that the older woman had left, and you sniffed it suspiciously. ‘It’ll help with the nausea and the headache. I took it all the time when I was pregnant,’ she’d said. You took a sip and puckered. It tasted like lemon thyme. 

“So those men can fly.”

She chuckled, setting a pair of shoes down by the mirror and muttering something about the males being dramatic. “They can. So can Rhys and I, but we can conjure them. We had a glamour-” she paused, “we hid their wings with magic so you’d be less afraid.” 

Less afraid. You scoffed. Thinking back to the way Azriel had walked about the space so carefully, it was clear now. Maybe you hadn’t seen his wings because you didn’t want to.

“That man,” you interrupted the silence, watching as Feyre sorted through a box of clothing she’d brought to the room. “Azriel,” you continued, picking at the skin around your nails, “what happened to him?” 

She stilled. “I’m not sure that’s my story to tell.” She folded a gray sweater, and walked to the wardrobe, setting the pile of clothing inside. “As scary as these past days have been for you, there’s much worse beyond these walls. As long as you’re here, until we can get you back to your family, you’re safe.” 

You weren’t sure why, but again you felt a peace settle into your chest with her words. You read her sincerity. She spoke with a sureness that would ease any anxious mind. You refused to think about what else laid beyond these walls. Your imagination had never been kind to you.

“Rhysand was afraid to bring me here,” you responded.

She nodded, folding her arms. “He’s protective of our family, our son. So am I.” She tilted her head. “But, I saw into your mind through his, you’re not dangerous…” She continued after a pause, “I was lost once. And I was lucky enough to have someone to help guide me back.”

You hummed in response. ‘Saw into your mind.’

“Dinner is at sunset, but until then, rest. If you don’t want to join us you’re more than welcome to have dinner in your room.”

You nodded in thanks, as she reached the bedroom door. 

“There’s a bath waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.” she gestured toward the arched doorway that led to the bathing room. “Drink the rest of that vile,” she stated pointedly. The door shut softly behind her and you fell back, arms spread behind you. Your mind twisted around her words.

You grabbed your phone; dead. With a huff you plugged it into your charger and prayed.

… 

The bath water was still steaming hours later. You’d slept for a while, the adrenaline finally retreated, leaving you a heap of heavy limbs. The knot in your stomach loosened only slightly as you stepped in. You let your head fall back onto the cool porcelain as the hot water licked your tense body. You sat, watching the sun sink slowly beyond the windowsill. You scrubbed your body and inspected your hand. Flexing your fingers, you realized the scratch was gone. A dream, you thought to yourself. You stepped out, combing your lavender-scented hair.

The clothing Feyre brought was far nicer than most of what you owned. It looked well crafted, handmade. The brown knitted cardigan fell gently over your cream silk pants that you’d slipped on, along with a white t-shirt. Everything was familiar, but not. Every detail of the clothing was slightly different than you were accustomed to. You stood, fidgeting with the ring on your finger as you stood frozen in the mirror. The hairs around your face curled as they began to dry.

Down the stairs and to the left was the dining room, you’d been told. With a breath you stepped out, your silk slippers patting gently on the tiled floor. The grand hallway was barely illuminated. Sconces lined the walls, their warm flickering glow mixed with the cool light that shone through the windows. Flickering shadows danced on the giant paintings that filled the hall; your eyes landed on familiar wings and you shuddered. With each step down your anxiety heightened. Even asleep you couldn’t escape it.

Conversation filtered through the house, growing clearer with every step. You hesitated, heart beating heavily. The voices hushed. Every gaze turned toward you inquisitively as you stepped into view. Some faces recognizable, some not. A woman with long golden hair looked over you. A dark-haired woman at her side leaned over her elbow curiously, eyes squinted. A handsome man with dark skin and pure white hair whispered into her ear. Opposite them, a woman who looked remarkably similar to Feyre sat beside Cassian. You met Rhysand’s gaze as he sat at the end of the long dining table, Feyre by his side. She stood, coming to walk you to the opposite end near Azriel. You felt their burning gazes as you stiffly took your seat.

For a moment, there was silence. You glanced around, in awe of the people before you. At the towering wings. Their unnatural beauty. That’s when you spotted their ears, Feyre’s hair had covered them before. Delicate, pointed ears. You glanced around, realizing they all had them. All except Azriel and Cassian.

“Sorry if we scared you, kid,” Cassian interrupted the silence, taking a swig of his drink with a mischievous grin. 

“Calida, you’ve met Cassian, the Commander of our Armies,” Rhysand began. “Azriel, our Spymaster, as well as High Lady of the Night Court, Feyre. These are her sisters Elain and Nesta.”

Elaine, sitting closest to you, offered you a small smile, while Nesta only stared. 

“Morrigan, my cousin,” he pointed to the golden-haired woman to your left, “Amren my Second-in-Command, and our friend Varian.” 

“Call me Mor,” She replied, before turning to Rhys. “What’s with the formalities? And why did I just get ‘cousin’?” 

“Third-in-Command, Queen of Velaris, take your pick,” Rhys responded smoothly, sipping his wine. 

“If she's the Queen, what does that make you?” You asked, eyes set on the man across the table. 

“High Lord of the Night Court, and more powerful than most everyone at this table,” he responded coolly.

“Most?” you questioned. 

“Most,” Feyre responded, a smile playing on her lips.

Cassian interrupted, “See Nes, you two will get along great.” The woman at his side chuckled. The atmosphere was tense. You weren’t helping. 

The focus turned to dinner. The scent of roasted meat and vegetables filled the air. You all loaded your plates and ate in near silence. It tasted so real. So many questions racked your mind, too many. You weren’t sure how to organize them, so you observed. For a ‘foreign world’, there was a lot of familiarity. Their mannerisms, the food. You stabbed a carrot with your fork. Light conversation skittered through the room. You felt Azriel’s eyes on you while you ate, as if he was waiting for you to pounce. You grabbed a slice of dark bread. Everyone seemed unsure of what to do with you. 

“Calida.” 

You looked up, startled. Elain offered you a smile. “That’s a beautiful name.” You felt lingering glances.

“Thank you,” you responded windlessly, “It’s Irish.”

“Is that where you’re from?” She questioned.

“My great-grandfather immigrated from Ireland to America,” you responded. “I grew up in Washington, near the city of Seattle.” You knew this meant nothing to them, but she nodded anyway.

“And what do you fill your time with?” She inquired.

“I’m a student,” you began, “or was. I studied English. Books and authors.”

“What kind of books?” Nesta chimed in.

You looked at her in surprise. “A little of everything. Classic literature, poetry, non-fiction.” 

She hummed in response, tilting her head and reaching for her glass.

Elain asked about your family and friends. You told them about Jack, Annie, and Brooke. A little about your parents. Sometimes they looked at you like you’d said something totally foreign. You were sure you had.

“How do you know each other?” you questioned. Cassian and Azriel looked like they could be related. They had the same large frame and dark hair like Rhysand.

“Cassion, Azriel, Mor, and I grew up together,” Rhysand answered, leaning back in his chair. You glanced at Azriel beside you, but he remained uninterested in conversation.

“My story is long and complicated. I was born human, and eventually found myself here,” Feyre added.

“Born human?” 

“Nesta and I were, too,” Elain emphasized. 

“How did you–”

“It’s a long story,” Nesta repeated, shutting you down.

This time, it was the dark-haired woman, Amren, who spoke. “I come from a different place, just like you, girl.” She set her glass down, crossing her arms on the table. Her stare felt cold. “About five-thousand years ago I crossed over from a different world. It seems we have that in common.”

“Five thousand years?” You scoffed. 

“Yes.” 

Your mind flew back to Rhysand’s comment at the cabin. You looked around the room for an answer, a rebuttal. 

“Amren’s ancient. I’m 537,” Cassian spoke, stretching his arm behind his head with a yawn. 

“I’m twenty-three,” Elain offered. You turned to her with a smile, a small laugh bubbling in your chest at the ridiculousness of it all. You decided you liked Elain. She reminded you of Annie. 

A thought crossed your mind, and you turned to Rhysand. “Why did you ask me if I was from Autumn? What does that mean?”

You felt Azriel’s gaze slip.

“It was mostly a joke. Your hair is red like the family from Autumn Court, but I knew you were human. Nevertheless, I wanted to see your reaction.”

“Autumn Court? There’s another court?” You questioned. 

Before he could answer, the scrape of Azriel’s chair pierced the air as he pushed himself further from the table, his wings flaring slightly behind him.

“We have an early morning.” He stated, focus turning to Rhysand. 

Rhysand ignored his interruption. “There are several courts. You don’t need to worry yourself. Tomorrow morning you’ll go back to the forest, search for the tear, and this will all be behind you.”

“Alone?”

“No. Azriel and Amren will accompany you. She may be able to spot the tear.”

May. Your mind and body grew heavy. You felt yourself falling deeper into the abyss of your mind. You reached out to grab the bottle of dark liquid closest to you. Azriel stole it from your hands.

“That’s not a good idea,” he stated, peering at you with dark eyes.

“I’m old enough to drink.”

“And how old would that be?”

“Twenty-two,” you rebutted. He scoffed, shaking his head. You looked at his hand that rested before you. A fresh cut sliced along the back of it.

“It's not real,” you whispered to him, staring into his eyes intently. They almost looked brown in the dim light. He furrowed his brows.

“A small glass is fine, Az,” Feyre offered.

He sighed, sliding it over. You poured yourself a glass as he settled back into his seat. You watched his wings as they moved. The candlelight shone through ever so slightly, illuminating dark veins. You stared, amazed as you sipped the wine. It was tart, tasting like cherry or currant. It made your head buzz.

“So you read minds,” you gestured to Rhysand and Feyre.

He smiled. “Yes. But I wasn’t very successful reading yours, what with you fainting and all.”

You nodded, thankful for the absence of the ache in the back of your head. “What did you see?” 

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his fist. 

“Faces, feelings; some things familiar, some not.” 

You hummed in response, swirling your glass on the table.

“You don’t seem upset that I was in your head,” he inquired.

You shook yours. “It reminds me I’m not making it all up.”

Taglist: @cleverzonkwombatsludge @latinxbipride @inkedinshadows @lilah-asteria @rcarbo1

[delopsia]

del pls i am DRUNK and i would like to know your interpretation of how bobby and/or rhett would take care of reader..

i was at a work party and they had bowling and free drinks so everyone who wasn't driving was kind of getting lost in the sauce and the only reason there aren't typos is because i am using auto correct

i just want bobby or rhett to take care of me :(((

I assume we're talking about how they would care for a drunk Reader t.t I apologize if I interpreted this wrong, lmao. I've been doing that a lot lately.

Bobby is one swift breeze away from wrapping you in several layers of bubble wrap. He thought he was keeping a good track of how many drinks you'd had over the night, but at some point, you got three of the same thing, and he misread it as you taking forever to finish one drink. So now here you are, drunk, on his watch, and it's got him a little frazzled. How did you slip under his radar? He was next to you this whole time!

You don't actually remember how he got you out into the car, but at some point, you find yourself sitting in the passenger seat, being fed little pieces of food from your favorite fast food joint. The privilege of choosing the size of your own bites was revoked when you choked; it's Bobby and his plastic knife against the world.

He doesn't let you out of the car until he's made his way to the other side, curling an arm around your waist and walking you to the door. Tripping and falling? Not on his watch. Absolutely not. Hell, you can't do anything by yourself. Even when you wake up in the morning, he refuses to leave you alone while he feeds you a few painkillers for your migraine.

Bobby doesn't drink these days, but he certainly remembers what it was like to wake up with a hangover. He's got the curtains drawn shut to avoid letting the sunlight worsen your headache, speaking in quiet, hushed tones. Do you want him to go get you anything? Food? A new plush? One of his blankets? How about some snuggles in bed? Whatever you want, he'll go and get it for you 🌼

Rhett is...uniquely helpful? He's had his fair share of drunk nights and vicious hangovers; it's happened so many times that he's memorized all the things that help ease the pain of waking up the next morning. To be fair, it was partially his fault that you had too many; he tends to forget that not everyone has an alcohol tolerance like he does. What you don't realize is that three drinks ago, he started filling your cup with water.

All the restaurants in Wabang close before ten, but there are plenty of gas stations with a sort of 24/7 food situation. Not the healthiest, but it's quick enough for Rhett to feel okay with leaving you in his truck while he runs inside to get you a few snacks. Gatorade, something fried, french fries, chips, and at least one kind of mini donut. It doesn't matter to him if you don't finish anything; the whole idea was to get something in your belly.

Rhett's funny in where, he's not in a huge rush to get you home and in bed. He'll take you on a slow drive around town or through the field to see the cattle to give you some time to gather your bearings before he tries helping you out of the passenger seat. It always starts with him trying to help you walk, and without fail, ends in him carrying you into the house. All it takes is for you to trip one(1) time, and you lose all walking privileges.

To be fair, he does try to get you to bathe before letting you fall aslepe, but it's entirely hit and miss. Sometimes you knock out on the couch while he's running the water, others, you nod off in the bath. Very rarely does he manage to keep you awake long enough to see the bed. You can't help it; he's muttering to you in those low, hushed tones, stroking the back of your neck, and it's just so hard to keep your eyes open any longer.

Very rarely do you wake up with anything more than a mild headache come morning. It's the cowboy effect 💐

With them together, you've practically got no hope of being left alone once your head begins to spin. Where Rhett easily notices when you get a new drink, Bob's got a better idea of when to step in. It's a little harder to trick you into drinking your water, so Rhett will do this funny thing where he'll order you something, drink half of it, and fill it with water. No, they don't know why it tastes bland all of a sudden. That must be a sign that you've had too many.

The best part of all this is when Bob gets forced into the middle seat. You're guaranteed to have the passenger seat because, in the event you get sick, you can just open the door.

Problem: Bob doesn't know how to act when he's in the middle.

His legs are awkwardly split, one on your side and one on Rhett's. Bringing them in would put them uncomfortably high up, but spreading them further would get in the way of Rhett and the pedals. His shoulders keep bumping into you, and this flimsy seat belt over his lap feels like it'll snap if Rhett hits the brakes too hard. He's so stiff that you can steal his glasses, and he won't kick up a fuss. It's free amusement, to say the least.

Coming home is practically the same. Rhett handles getting you in the bath, Bobby fusses over getting water in your system, and feeds you little pieces of your snacks. You're lucky if your feet touch the ground more than twice the entire night.

Please be prepared for dramatic re-enactments of your antics come morning.

[sweetieviktor]

"take me back to the night we met", feat. viktor.

summary: you knew he was dieing, but seeing him using shimmer was too much to bare . based on the song "the night we met", by lord huron.

word count: 720.

content warning: season 1, act 3 spoilers! idk if shimmer use count as a cw, but anyways this is angst and it doesn't have a happy ending!

author notes: there's so much time since i've written fanfiction!! but i loved doind this one and i swear that i cried while writing this. and this may be very ooc and doesn't match the scenes in season 1, act 3, but i dont have time to watch it again now and i was so hyped up bcs of season 2 that i just had to write something, yk? also, there may be some typos or grammar errors even though i re-read this like 3 times i think lol. but yeah, here it is!

you came back to his lab expecting to see him doing good, maybe working on his research, too focused on any stuff he was doing at the moment and not noticing you by the door, but he wasn't in there, or so it looked like.

he was hunched over his desk, in his hands was a glass tube, the remaining of the purple liquid shimmering in the dark room, illuminating just enough to draw his weak silhouette amongst the shadows.

“viktor…?” was everything you said while getting closer to him, walking with slow steps, trying to make no sounds to alarm him.

“stop.” raising a hand, that was all he said.

just as you were told, you stopped on your tracks, observing that, his once perfect hand, was now painted in a shade of purple, the same that was inside the glass recipient.

it can't be. right?

“what you did to yourself?”

“i did what needed to be done.” he was so baretoned, you didn't understand why he seemed so rude, so crude, so… unlike him.

when his words settled in, it felt like your stomach was turning, wrapping itself around your guts, making you sick. you felt sick, for him.

“please, please, viktor, don't tell me that you're using sh-” “yes.”

of course you knew about his condition, of course you knew he wasn't doing good at all, and mostly, you knew that things were meant to end, one way or another. but you didn't think he would kill himself like this.

and this was all you needed to break.

“why you didn't told me? i could have helped you, we could find a way to work through it,” the tears started to prick on your eyes, your voice breaking, the anger at yourself pooling into your core. “you wouldn't need to use shimmer, vik...”

the feeling that the universe stole and took all that once mattered to you was what drove you insane. the feeling that you could make things different, make things better, the oh so simple solution that you could find, if only he had told you.

“it’s not that easy! you wouldn't understand if i told you sooner. no one would understand it, even if they tried really hard to.” he turned his head towards your direction, looking at your face for a brief second, before turning his gaze back to the ground, his purple irises trying to focus on something that wasn't your saddened face, now, feeling his own eyes burning, burning even more than the blood running in his veins. “we are in piltover, the city of progress, and yet, i am stuck behind, and i'm dieing. so, i needed to do something, and i did.”

“what you don’t understand is that you're destroying yourself, viktor. destroying yourself so slowly that it almost feels like torture. i fear that i wouldn't be able to see you for another day.” you sobbed, the tears rolling down and he didn't dare to look at your eyes again, he knew that you were crying. he knew it and he couldn't bear the thought that he was the one that made you cry. “if there is a god somewhere, i wish they could turn back time and take me back to the night we met. maybe things could be different, right?”

looking at him, a weak, nervous smile was all you could get out while crying, thinking to yourself when things started to get this wrong and how you let it happen, without even realizing what was wrong. how could you let him do this to himself?

your body was shaking, it felt like the whole world was trembling. the nonstoping thoughts hammering your head, your heart a mile per minute, the air in your lungs wasn't enough. everything, everything seemed like it was crushing down on you, right in this moment.

“i'm sorry. i'm so sorry... i need to go. now.”

you needed to get out of here, you needed to breathe.

you headed back to the door, wishing that some cold breeze would cool you down, would just stop your mind and racing heart. wishing for him to be fine again. praying for any and all gods that lived in the skies and beyond, praying for him to be alive. just for a bit more.

[dangowon]

title » boyfriend hcs !

pairing » nishimura riki x gn!reader

requested? » no

genre » fluff

word count » 0.8k

a/n » first post <3 ni-ki has been bias wrecking me so much lately (when is he not tbh) so i thought i'd make this ! there might be grammar issues or typos since i did write this at like 1 am, so i apologise.

✧ well.. you sure are in for a ride if you're dating this boy.

✧ he quite literally lives to tease you. due to his immense height, he likes to purposefully keep things out of your reach just so that you'll ask him for help. he'll pretend to lean in to kiss you and then move away at the last second, proceeding to laugh at your annoyed face and calling you cute.

✧ when you've been too busy to give him attention, he'll whine like giant toddler and pester you until you finally kiss him. he'll do this even more if you've been neglecting him in favour of someone else, even if it's just someone you partnered up with for a school project.

✧ as much of a headache (affectionate) he can be sometimes, he's also the cutest boyfriend ever.

✧ one of his main love languages is definitely physical touch, and although he can be shy about it at first, once he gets comfortable with you, he will never stop clinging onto you.

✧ he gives you cheek kisses all the time; when he's greeting you, when he's saying goodbye, and even sometimes randomly during a conversation. he just can't help himself, "you're too kissable," is what he says as an excuse.

✧ he could never live without cuddling you honestly. sometimes he invites you over to the dorm or comes over to your place just to nap in each other's arms. he pretends like he's disgusted at the idea of being the little spoon but once you do it, he's obsessed. he definitely doesn't mind being the big spoon, though.

��� back hugs are his favourite type of hugs. he'll do it when you're distracted to surprise you, when you're in the middle of a conversation with someone else, when you're cooking, whenever you're standing in general honestly.

✧ when he hugs you from behind, he'll place his head on your shoulder and he fully expects you to play with his hair or turn to the side and kiss him, no matter what you're doing.

✧ you wearing his clothes is a one-way ticket to see him being all mushy and lovesick. he tries to act like it doesn't affect him when you wear his hoodies, but you just look so adorable in it even though you're practically drowning in the fabric that he can't help but smile in a lovestruck daze.

✧ his other love language is quality time. he loves going out with you; to places you've never been to before and even to places that might seem mundane to other people. you want to go on a walk? he'll come with you. you need to go buy something? he'll go too. you need to study? suddenly he's a hardworking student who needs to study as well.

✧ he loves to spend time with you, no matter what you're doing. your presence is so comforting to him and if he can't go with you somewhere (in which case he'll be sulky), he'll text you while you're away.

✧ it might seem overbearing in retrospect but he really just loves it when you're around him. he understands that sometimes you need space and he respects that, he needs space sometimes too, but most of the time you'll find him clinging onto you.

✧ for your first anniversary, as much as he wanted to give you flowers, he quickly scratched that idea because he wanted something that you could keep forever, and that was when the perfect idea hit him: lego flowers !

✧ it would probably take him a while to finish building the set, but once he's done he would be so proud of himself and would present them to you with his cute little boxy smile. 100% would combust if you kept them on your desk or on your bedside table.

✧ arcade dates with him are so cute. he insists on winning you prizes and gets you so many plushies from the crane games that you're not even sure you'll have enough space in your room for them all.

✧ he adores street food and he adores you as well, so obviously street food dates with him are a no-brainer. he even blows on your food before feeding it to you himself so that you don't burn your tongue.

✧ matching keychains with him ! he doesn't really like over-the-top couple items, but matching keychains are a cute and simple way to show off your relationship while also being discreet.

✧ he wants you to be there when he practises dancing, mostly because he wants to show off and look cool in front of you, but it's also because whenever you're there, he finds himself performing better — just for you.

✧ ni-ki is young, and he's most definitely not sure what awaits him in his future, but if there's one thing he's sure about, then it would be that he hopes you'll be there with him even as you both grow older, with you in his arms just like always.

[justanamesstuff]

All I Need

Chapter 10 (the final chapter)

A/N: I want to thank all of you for supporting this fic so much since the start. Nothing would've the same without you, without your comments, wishes, excitement, encouragement, EVERYTHING. All of you that read it are a substantial part of 'All I Need' and I'll be forever grateful for it. I hope you like the end...have a happy reading, guys!!! 😘😘

Warnings: fluff, angst, swearing, smut (MINORS DON'T INTERACT!!!), baby in hospital, sickness, typos.

Word count: 9.8 K

Blog MASTERLIST

1 month later

Finally, the dynamic around the house came to a normal one. 

When Matty wasn’t away for a few days during the weeks doing shows –here and there– around the UK, he was at home with his girls. Amelia was stoic to have daddy’s time and attention. 

Y/n love to watch them play around the house, Matty was making his life purpose to play with his daughter when he had the time. Y/n would never admit it, but sometimes she sneaked behind the door after excusing herself to do some chores. Matty and Amelia were so engrossed into the game to notice that mommy was watching them like if it was a play. 

It was sweet to watch him when Amelia asked –as best as she could– Matty to play princesses. Over all, it was funny when she tried to make him fit into one of her tiny dresses. Matty was only able to fit his arms, and not even all the way. Whatever would make Amelia happy, her dad was ready to do. 

All of their games were fun to watch: from tea parties to being pirates. 

Y/n wanted to be as creative as he was, although her way to spend time with Amelia have to do more with watching films and spending hours without end drawing, or painting with their hands. 

Amelia and Y/n were in the middle of one of their’s mommy and daughter time before nap time watching ‘A Bug’s Life’, Amelia was getting a bit sleepy already. When, suddenly, Y/n felt a strange wave of heat brushed over her body. She got scared for a minute. Y/n stayed still, trying to find what was wrong inside her.

Trying not to startle her daughter, she managed to run towards the downstairs bathroom. All the content inside her stomach was flushed down the toilet a couple of minutes later. Y/n pushed the button, raising her hand as best as she could. Feeling tired after the sudden actions, she rested her forehead on the toilet for a second. 

Y/n tried to pick herself from the floor as best as she could. Once on her feet, she had a look at the bathroom mirror. The mirror's reflection showed a very pale woman. Y/n washed her face, hands, and teeth. 

Once again, beside Amelia, Y/n stared at her calmed face deep into sleep. She would let her sleep her nap on the couch. The spiral inside her head, ignoring the film, focusing on what was happening to her body.

If she was honest with herself, she hadn't kept her medical records really updated. What if…?

Y/n shook her head, trying not to think about the worst possible scenarios. Even when her mind kept pushing to think about how Amelia was going to lose her mother, and how Matty would manage being a single father. ‘It’s only a stomach bug’, Y/n thought for herself. Adding a mental note to book a visit with her doctor.

******************************************

Y/n stirred when a hand brushed the apple of her check. Her first instinct was to look after Amelia, she was on the floor playing with blocks of different colours. Y/n felt relieved, resting again on the cushions, closing her eyes. 

“So, am I invisible or what?” Matty asked from her side, surprising her. 

Matty was supposed to arrived two days later, even though he was there and that was what only mattered for Y/n. 

She opened her eyes wide, focusing on his form, “What the f-” Y/n couldn’t help to launch her body to be closer to him. Matty huffed, feeling her body on top of his. “You are home early!” Y/n shouted on his ear. The singer laughed about it, rounding her with his arms. 

Matty looked tired, although there was something about his hair –it was shorter, there were still long curls to ran her hands through– and his casual outfit –something rare on him–, that made Y/n felt feral about him. Nothing that she would tell him. 

“Hello to you too, baby.” Matty joked, happily, touching the width of her back. She was wearing the –his– blue hoodie, and his heart couldn’t help to skip a bit about her wearing his clothes. 

“Hi, Matty.” Y/n said more shyly this time, staring at his eyes. He was directly staring at her, making Y/n feel a chaotic mix of warm feelings inside her.

Matty let his right hand make its way towards the back of her head, “Come here.” he pushed her face closer to his, gently. Matty left a chaste kiss on Y/n’s lips. “Agh, I missed you.” he mumbled in them.

Y/n pushed back a little, “You went away for three days…” she pestered him. 

“Haven’t you missed me?” 

She faked thinking about it, “Mmm, I think I’ve noticed I didn’t have my personal heating at night.”

“Oh, am I an object for you now?” Matty continued inquiring her. Y/n felt his touch everywhere, being hyperconscious of him closer to her body. 

Y/n brushed her hair back, “What else then?”

Matty pouted visibly,  “Meany.”

“Stop crying, Healy.” Y/n pecked his lips sweetly, letting her lips detached from his slowly and painfully sexy for him. 

“And do what?” he replied suggestively, pushing Y/n’s body closer.

During the past month, the tension was raising, although neither of them dared to do something significantly about it. Matty and Y/n, both, were terrified about the idea of scaring away the other. Even though, they thought about being tangled with the other a lot.

Y/n rounded his shoulders, “Kiss me.” she said, directly.

Matty smiled wide. “My pleasure.”

Y/n tried to keep the kiss PG rated, because Amelia was around. It was hard when Matty was kissing her like they haven’t seen each other for years. She sighted loud. 

The sound, coming from her mother’s mouth, startled Amelia. The little girl paddled towards her parents.

“Mommy, mommy.” she tried to gain her mother’s attention, making grabby hands.

Y/n picked Amelia up, leaving her between their bodies. Matty groaned when Y/n moved far from his embrace, although having his daughter close made him happy.

“The Healy’s are needy people.” Y/n teased Matty. 

“Daddy!” she chanted, falling on her bum resting her back on Y/n’s side, even though she stared at her father with admiration. 

Matty rolled his eyes at Y/n, “As if you aren’t needy from time to time.”

“‘m not.” she defended herself, brushing back Amelia’s hair with only her hands.

“Do you want to be one?” 

Y/n knew what Matty was referring to, although she preferred to joke about it. “A needy person?”

“Aren’t we all a little bit needy?” Matty got distracted by the topic for a second. “But- No, I mean the other…don’t you-” he tried to continue his idea, getting mixed up with the words because he was scary of her reaction to it.

Y/n chuckled softly. It wasn’t common for Matty to be that shy, so she was going to take advantage of the moment, “What?” she asked, sporting a big smile.

“Forget it.” he muttered, stubborn. Matty changed his attention from Y/n to Amelia, leaning forward to be face to face at her high. “Mommy is being mean with daddy.” he informed her, pouting visibly. Amelia’s smile disappeared seeing his daddy looking sad, Matty opened his arms instructing her –silently– to be closer to him. She obeyed. “I need kisses.” Amelia planted a few open-mouthed kisses on his cheek. Matty didn’t want her to grow up any more. His little baby was perfect. 

“No! Tell me!” Y/n interrupted the little moment between father and daughter, continuing with the discussion.

“No, you don’t want. I get it. Fine.” Matty said, offended.

Y/n snorted, his frown wrinkling his forehead and the still lingering pout made him look so cute. “You never really asked!” she protested.

“You implied it.” Matty narrowed his eyes.

“Daddy!” Amelia called him. Matty looked down at her.

“Mel-mel!” he repeated her tone.

Y/n couldn’t stop smiling. She mischievous said, “I do want.”

“Stop.” Matty’s cheeks turning crimson with the implication of her words.

“Matty!”

“What?”

“Ask me!”

He was going to keep his front steady until the last consequences, “I don’t want any more.” It was his time to teased her a little. Tango is danced by two. 

“Baby.” Y/n started whining.

The singer tried with all his force to prevent the smile creping from the corner of his lips. “Fine.” Matty rolled his eyes at her. He waited a few seconds, extending the moment to make it more dramatic, then he asked,  “Do you want to be a Healy?”

Y/n made direct eye contact with him. “You’ll have to get down on one knee to find out.” 

“Fuck you!” Matty spat.

Y/n scolded him right away from it, “Matthew!” looking at Amelia staring at her parent's talk.

“Sorry, my love.” Matty kissed Amelia’s head.

“I love you”  Y/n said, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, you’re in a mood today.” Matty stated.

“So, you don’t love me? Okay, perfect.” Y/n faked being angry. Sometimes it was fun for her to joke with him. Y/n knew that Matty was down for that kind of silly games with her. “I’m going to cook Amelia’s dinner.” she let her words linger in the air, not glancing at her daughter and father. Which obviously pissed Matty.

He started to protest from the couch, “Y/n, you started-”

“No, I get it, Matty!” she answered from the kitchen, gathering the ingredients she needed. “With all this models and beautiful girls surrounding you-” 

Matty stopped her abruptly, “Y/n-”

She continued to rant, without acknowledging his presence,  “I can see why you don’t love me any more. Three days away-”

Even with Amelia in his arms, Matty took Y/n by the arm, flushing her body to his. He shut her words with a strong kiss, making her feel weak on the knees. Y/n was the first one to break the kiss because she starts laughing nervously directly on his lips.

Matty pushed back a few centimetres to glance at her eyes, saying, “I love you, you’re the love of my life.” 

“Oh, really?” Y/n couldn’t drop the teasing, if she did, she feared she would fell to the floor. He made her weak like no one else. 

“Yes!” Matty was growing desperate with her.

“What about your daughter?” Amelia was resting her head on Matty’s shoulder, enjoying the warmth his body provided. 

“Our daughter. Half you…besides, that’s another universe of love…” Matty spoke messily, he wanted Y/n to know how deep he had fallen for her and how much she really meant to him.

“Right.” Y/n pattered his chest softly.

“I love you.” Matty sentenced in a very serious tone. 

Y/n looked at his eyes, “I love you, ratty.” 

Matty groaned loud, “Agh!” Y/n hide her head on his neck, kissing the skin there while she enjoyed his scent. 

***********************************

Late at night, Matty made himself comfortable in Y/n’s bed, behind her. He knew she wasn’t still asleep, even though the lights were off, and they were ready to drift.

The singer sneaked his arms, one under her neck and his right hand touching slowly her waist. His fingers made a loving path on her skin, until his hand rested with the palm open on her belly. Matty felt how Y/n’s body stiffened.

He tried not to look too much into it, feeling better when Y/n relaxed under his touch. Matty drifted minutes later.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later

Right after Matty left for the gym, Grace showed up at the door as if she could sense when he wasn’t there. Y/n found that funny. 

Her best friend was nursing a cup of tea, enjoying the rare sunny day with Y/n and Amelia. The little girl took advantage of the day to explore the garden. From time to time she went from picking flowers, to kicking a ball –showing the Manchester United’ logo– long forgotten outside. 

“Fill me in.” Grace moved beside Y/n who was staring at her daughter to make sure she was alright. 

“About?”

“About you and the rat.” Grace said as if it was obvious. 

Y/n chuckled, “Are you ever going to stop calling him that?”

“Never.”

“Right.”

“So?”

“There isn’t much. We’re okay.” Y/n glanced down at her almost empty cup. 

“Are you trying for a baby yet?” Grace grinned behind the poetry, hiding it from Y/n. Amelia’s mother glanced at Grace with her eyes blanked. 

“We haven’t-”

“Why?”

Y/n tried to give Grace an explanation when she didn’t even have one. “We are taking things easy this time.”

“Oh, come on…you sleep together! Same bed! Are you still sleeping on the same bed, right?” Grace pushed her body closer to Y/n.

“Yes.”

“Then?”

“I don’t know, Grace!” Y/n shouted, frustrated.

Y/n’s friend held her hands up, showing her innocence…or trying. Y/n shook her head from side to side rapidly, trying to stop thinking about the matter for a second.

“Do you want to?” Grace asked the million question.

“Of course!” Y/n exclaimed way too quickly for her liking, so her hand went straightly to her mouth. Grace fell backwards on the outside couch, laughing very loudly. 

“Whore.” she moved her arms on the air, as she was envisioning a sign with the word. 

“Grace!” Y/n scolded her friend. It was a difficult mission as a parent to keep her away from the swearing.

“Sorry, mel-mel.” she shouted. “Mommy is needy!” Amelia came closer, titling her head, trying to understand her godmother’s words.

“Oh my god, Grace!” 

The little girl got distracted quickly by a bunch of butterflies around a bunch of flowers. She ran towards them. 

Grace went to ask, “Have you tried-”

“No.” Y/n interrupted her.

“Y/n!” Grace protested. “Are you going for a monk's lifestyle or what? He’s your boyfriend!” she pushed her body up again.

“Is he?” Y/n asked, making a weird face expression.

“I don’t know. Is he?”

“Maybe?”

“I swear…two idiots in love.” Grace affirmed, falling back once more. “Don’t be like your parents, Ames!” she screamed. 

“Thank you, Grace!”

“Hear me out, put some nice outfit…go on a date, and- you know!” Grace encouraged Y/n, knowing that from time to time her friend needed a little push to do the things she was excited about.

“What if he doesn’t want?” Y/n bit her nails, nervously.

“Bet you, a hundred quid, he’s going to say yes!” Grace sat back up. “Call him.”

Matty made his appearance, startling them, “Call who?”

“Fucking hell!” Grace cried out, making Y/n rolled her eyes at her. “Why you always do that, Healy?” she spat at him. 

Once Amelia’s sight fell on Matty’s form, she ran towards him, colliding with his legs. The frontman picked her up, kissing the crown of her head.

“Do what?” he asked.

“Come out of the blue, scaring the heck out of me!” Grace continued, meanwhile, Matty went to kiss Y/n openly in the mouth. Y/n’s friend inevitable grinned at them. 

Matty felt Grace’s staring, “What now?” he asked, not moving too far from Y/n’s side.

“Tell him, Y/n/n!” she chose to ignore his question, encouraging Y/n once again to ask him out.

“I hate you.” Y/n mumbled.

“Oh, no! You’re going to thank me later.” Grace winked at her.

“Tell me what?” Matty took a sit beside Y/n, leaving Amelia on the floor. He was scared of the two women conversations.

Y/n turned her body away from Grace, closer to Matty’s. She dared to ask him, “Do you want to go out?” with a lack of interest. 

Matty stared at her face. “Sure, don’t make it sound so fun, Y/n!” Grace screamed from between her hands, amplifying her voice, making Matty laughed.

“Are you asking me on a date, Y/n?” Matty combed her hair back, staring at her eyes and then her lips, making Y/n blush. 

“Yes?”

“I agree with the menace here.” Matty pointed, with a movement of his head, in Grace’s direction. “Ask me properly.”

Y/n closed her eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the embarrassment. “Do you want to go out with me, Matty?” she finally inquired.

“Yes.” Matty replied without skipping a bit.

“Told ya!” Grace pushed herself from the couch, jumping as a signal of victory. “Give me my money!” she extended her hand towards Y/n.

Matty stared at the pair of friends, “Excuse me?”

“I never agreed to that, Grace!” Y/n glanced at her best friend, offended. 

Grace fought back, “You considered it!” 

Y/n chose to ignore her, returning her attention to Matty.

“Tonight works for you?” he didn’t wait to ask. 

She wiggled her eyebrows, “Someone’s eager, Healy?”

“About a date with my girlfriend? Always.”

“Oh, girlfriend!” Grace teased her specially. 

“I hate her.” Y/n whispered for Matty, although Grace heard it.

“You don’t! And thank me because you’re going to get some because I’ll look after your daughter.”

“We can ask Denise…”

“Actually, no,” Matty scratched the back of his head. “She was doing some shit today.” 

“See?” Grace felt like she won the competition. 

Y/n’s friend was beyond happy for her friend, she couldn’t help to feel like the victory was more about that than anything personal.

*****************************************

Y/n walked down the stairs. Matty was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, looking extremely handsome from Y/n’s perspective. 

Even though she was the one to ask him out, he was in charge of picking the place. Matty only instructed her to dress comfy, a fancy restaurant wasn’t the option. 

Matty was wearing cream white trousers, a black t-shirt showing a simple design and on his feet a pair of black and white sneakers. It was so simple, although he pulled it off perfectly. Y/n, on the other hand, wore a black skirt –showing her legs–, a white plain shirt and Matty’s flannel on top. She carried a jean jacket on her arm, just in case the night was too cold. 

“That’s my flannel?” Matty asked first. 

“Maybe?” Y/n worried he might hate her from stealing it. “You left it in my bedroom…I can chang-”

The frontman took a few steps, stopping under the one Y/n was standing. He took her hand on his, leaving a kiss on it.“You look beautiful, baby.” 

“Because I’m wearing your clothes?” Y/n teased him. 

“Because you are beautiful and my wardrobe suits you.” he winked up at her. 

Y/n faked coughing, saying, “Territorial.”

“Ready?”

“Yes! Scared because I don’t know where are we going.” Y/n admitted, walking all the way down the stairs without letting his hand go. 

“You’ll see.” Matty replied, cryptic. 

“I’m going to say bye to Amelia, and then I’m ready.” Y/n told him, when they reached the floor. 

Grace was in the kitchen with Amelia. The little girl standing on a high bench made for her, so she can actually see when they cook or do something on the counter. 

“Oh, you look hot!” Y/n’s friend complemented her when Y/n entered the room.

“Thanks!” she said, lifting Amelia to hug her. “Are you going to have fun with Grace?”

“Yes.” Amelia giggled, hugging Y/n. 

Grace analysed her outfit, “That’s Matty’s…?” 

“Yes.”

“Sexy!” 

“Stop, Grace.” Y/n shut her. “Okay, bye mel-mel.” 

“Bye.” Amelia answered in her cute voice..

“Mommy loves you so” Y/n kissed her cheek soundly. “so, so, so” she continued, leaving kisses “much!” making her daughter chuckled and trying to hide from it. 

“Ove you, mommy!” she said back.

After the cute moment, Y/n left her again on the bench. 

She went to hug Grace from behind, “Behave!” she instructed.

“Off course not!” Grace snorted. “Have fun! I’m happy for you guys.” she truthfully said.

“I love you.”

“Stop with the goodbyes…you’re not going to die, you’re going on a date!”

For a moment, Y/n’s mind couldn’t help to go directly to the multiple times she had been sick during the past weeks. Again, she had forgotten to book an appointment with her doctor. She would do it the next day.

“Say it back, grace!” Y/n urged her.

“Fine.” she whipped her hands. “I adore your crazy ass!” Grace admitted. 

Y/n left a last kiss on her cheek, shouting a quick, “Bye!” running down the hall to meet Matty.

*************************************

Y/n got confused when Matty stopped the car in front of the studio. Her sight went from the iconic door to Matty’s face. He was making sure everything turned off. The singer wasn’t aware of her staring. 

“Are you going to work?” Y/n decided to be frontal about her doubts.

“No.” Matty chuckled. “This is all about you, us…” he said, taking her hand.

“Explain to me why we are the studio then…”

Matty leaned forward, kissing her softly. “You have to wait, baby.” he recommended her, leaving the car. 

Y/n saw him round the vehicle, going to open the boot. Matty closed it with a big sound, at the same time he carried a basket on his hand. She didn’t recall him putting it there when they got in the car. 

Matty made signals for her to follow him. Y/n did, hearing the sound of the security system being turned on by him.

“What that’s for?” 

“Y/n, I’m going to cover your eyes with something if you keep trying to guess.” Matty warned her.

“Kinky.” she cheekily said. Matty’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, shocked with her words. Speechless, she left him. “This is not fair. I asked you out!” Y/n whined.

“I was faster to make a plan!” Matty offered her his hand, which Y/n took it happily.

Hand in hand, Matty conducted Y/n through all the halls and door the studio had until the last one appeared in front of them. The one leading towards the rooftop. 

“You’re crazy!” Y/n turned to tell Matty, after taking a look at the big blanket on the floor surrounded by cushions and fairy lights. She couldn’t believe he did all of that in record time for her.

“George is going to make me pay for this…forever.” Matty admitted, letting go of her hand to left the basket in the middle of the blanket.

Matty stood there, staring at her, looking around. Her eyes full of something that Matty hoped it was because of him and only him. 

“Do you hate it?” he nervously asked her.

Y/n returned her sight to him. It felt like a dream come true. “I love it, Matty!” Y/n moved faster to hug him tight. She was hoping it wasn’t only a dream. 

“Let’s eat then.” Matty shook her playfully. 

They spend a nice evening eating all the delicious food —Matty admitted that Grace helped him, detail that surprised Y/n–, chatting about everything —included their sunshine baby– and stealing kisses meanwhile the sun settle down behind them.

******************************

Y/n fell with a thud on the studio’s couch, bringing Matty down to rest on top of her. She held his head between her hands, kissing him, letting him know her intentions. 

Matty broke it, supporting his weigh on his arms. His short t-shirt exposing his strong arms, making her mouth watered at the sight. Y/n pushed her hips up to meet his, founding his hard on. 

“Fuck, love.” Matty hissed. “You deserve better than a quickie at the couch-” his words were interrupted by Y/n’s actions, letting her hand wandered down his body. She rested her right hand on his crouch, driving him insane. 

“Matty, I need you. I don’t care where.” she told him, staring at his face. His eyes were closed, enjoying her touch where he craved her the most; his lips parted, showing how moisturized his mouth was.

“I missed this so much.” Matty breathed out, bucking his hips forwards.

“Have you been thinking about me, baby?” Y/n squeezed his cock, making him drop a heavenly amount of moans from his mouth. Matty couldn’t care less if the neighbours could hear him.

“You don’t even want to know.” he managed to say through clenched teeth.

“Oh, I do want, my love.”

“Fuck.” Matty gained back some of his composure, tracing a path from her left knee towards her core under the skirt that droved him crazy through the whole evening. “You’re so ready for me.” Matty felt the wetness damping her lacy underwear. He needed to be inside her sooner, or he would explode inside his trousers. 

“Since we left home.” Y/n admitted, fighting with his zip. 

Matty got rid of his shirt, muttering a low and raspy, “Y/n.”

On a quick rush, Matty pushed his trousers and boxers down enough to have his dick out of them. Y/n stared at his form, feeling extremely hot. She couldn’t rip her sight from him, while she pushed her shirt up, revealing her breasts. 

Matty palmed himself, glancing at his favourite part of her. He didn’t want to wait any more. 

Y/n moved her panties to the side, silently telling him to penetrate her. Her wishes were his command, so he did. 

Matty let his body fell forward until their foreheads were touching. Y/n couldn’t even gasp out loud, feeling how he was slowly entering her. 

Once his tip touched her special spot, Matty took notice of her tight grip on him. He let his hands wandered towards her boobs, trying to patently wait for her to be comfortable enough. His blood was pumping hard in the veins all over his body, and her scent was infecting his senses. 

Y/n tried to breathe in and out, getting used to his girth –again–. 

“Please, Matty. Move!” she begged him.

With a wet sound, Matty let go the nipple he was sucking, replacing his mouth with his hand once more. He was obsessed with her breasts, he could spend an entire day just sucking and nibbling her nipples. 

“Are you sure?” he checked with her. 

“Please.” Y/n arched her body, pushing her boob further into his touch. 

Matty started moving slowly, keeping his eyes on her face, just to be sure she was alright. Y/n had her eyes closed, losing herself in the sinful pleasures he was driving from her. 

The singer protested against it, “Y/n!” he suddenly said, making her open her eyes as far as she could. 

“Mhm.” she replied to the call. 

“Eyes on me, baby.” Matty ordered her, retracting almost all the way out. Y/n whined. “Shush, be a good girl for me.”

“Mhm.” Y/n changed the intonation, trying to say she was. The words didn’t come to her mind. 

“Are you a good-” Matty stopped the words from coming out, when he pushed all the way in. “Are you a good girl for me, baby?” he fully asked this time.

“Mhm.” 

“Words, Y/n.” required taking her face on one of his hands, tight but without hurting her. 

Y/n looked at him through half opened eyes. “Yes!” she told him, feeling how he moved in and out more eagerly. “I’m…I’m!” she chanted. “Please!”

“Are you close?” Matty let go of her face, burring his on her neck.  Y/n let her legs round his middle. 

“So close!” she informed him. “Faster, Matty!” Y/n implored him.

Matty did as he was being told. Founding a good rhythm that worked for both of them. 

Y/n tried to keep her eyes fully opened when Matty returned to stared at her eyes. Their faces closer than ever, while their bodies moved in unison. 

“Matty-” she whimpered softly.

“I know, I know.” 

“I’m cl-”

“Come for me, baby.” he allowed her. 

Matty’s worked like magic over her tired body. Y/n came undone, feeling herself creamed all over Matty’s cock. Her pussy squeezing tight around him was what brought Matty to his own orgasm, pushing sloppily inside her cunt. 

Y/n wait until his released was done, touching his muscular back with all the love she had more him. Matty let his weight fell on her. 

“It’s never this good with someone else.” Matty, drunk of his orgasm, let it slip through his lips.

“Are you thinking about other girls when you’re still inside me, Healy?�� Y/n tried to joke.

“What? No.” he mumbled on her skin. “I’m saying-”

“I know, baby. I know.” Y/n left a kiss on his sweaty forehead, making him sighed. 

**************

Y/n woke up, coming into the realization that they fell asleep on the couch after Matty pulled out of her. She couldn’t think too much about it because a new wave of sickness took over her. 

As gentle as she could, Y/n got out from Matty’s embrace and ran towards the bathroom. Being thankful there wasn’t a single soul at the studio, since she was fully naked. Minutes after, Y/n launched towards the toilet, emptying her stomach.

Y/n tried to be cool about it, rinsing her mouth and washing her face with cold water.

When she returned to Matty’s side, the singer woke up. 

“Y/n?”

Y/n sat on the edge of the couch, feeling how Matty extended his arms to touched her. “Hey,” she let her hand ran through his curls. “We should get back home.”

“Are you okay?” Matty glanced up at her face.

“Yes, something I eat must’ve irritated my stomach.” she told him, touching the area.

Matty let his hand rest on top of hers, pushing his body up. “Baby-” he caressed the skin of her hand. 

“I’m okay.” Y/n calmed his worries, touching his face. Matty went to kiss her, but she stopped him, “Don’t…” Y/n let her fingertips touch his soft and pinky lips. 

“Why?” Matty dissented.

“What if I have a virus or something?”

“Then we’re going to have it…” the frontman took her hand on his, placing it where his ‘true love’ tattoo was. “I’m not going to stop kissing you only for a bug.” he scoffed. 

“Matty…”

“You sure you’re okay?” his worries taking over again.

“Yes, but can we go home?” 

“Of course, my love.” Matty left a kiss on the corner of her mouth, partially respecting her point.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weeks later

Y/n and Grace were in the living room watching Amelia stare with all the love inside her little body at the little animals on the screen. She was obsessed with PAW Patrol currently, and  she constantly asked for it.

Matty had been away for the whole week until that point. Grace was trying her best to distract Y/n because she noticed something was off, and her best friend wasn’t having a great time. Hence why Grace and Y/n were discussing which one of the boys was each of the dogs.

“That’s Matty!” Grace shouted.

“Of course not! Marshall is clearly George…he’s ready to extinguish Matty’s fires.” Y/n knew she had won the battle. 

Grace folded her arms, knowing she had lost the battle. “You’re so wrong.” 

Y/n laughed at her childish behaviour, reaching for her phone. Out of instinct, she opened Instagram, bumping into news about her boyfriend. A new article.

“Fuck, not again!” Y/n rolling her eyes at the article. 

That took Grace’s attention, “What?”

“Look.” Y/n let her have the phone to read the headline. 

‘Close source: Matty (Healy) is after a worldwide model.’  

“They never give up!” 

“Never.”

Grace returned the phone to its owner, when the device started ringing, showing Matty’s contact information.

Y/n answered calmly, “Hello?”

“Darlin’, I swear it’s not-” Matty rushed his words, trying to explain Y/n all he knew. 

Y/n cut him, “I know, baby.”

“I don’t know where this came from, and Jamie is talking with the journalist-” she could picture him, walking around his hotel room, tugging his curls anxiously. 

“Matty?” Y/n interrupted him again, trying to be as sweet and calm as possible. 

Although, he continued with his ranting. “Meet her once in my life, and it was years ago, I don’t even have her phone num-”

“Matty!” Y/n shouted sternly, walking away from Grace and Amelia. 

“What?”

“I’m not making the same mistake twice. I believe you.”

“You do?” her heart warming with his disbelief. The urge to have him close was strong.

“Yes, my love.”

“I can ask Jamie to talk with you if you need.” Matty offered, still not fully taking in that she believed his words.

“I don’t. I trust you, boyfriend.” 

“Thank god, baby.” Matty breathe easier. “Going through that shit again- I can’t even think about it.”

“Hey, hey…we’re okay.”

“Okay.”

“I love you.”

“I love you so much.”

“I know.” Y/n chuckled, feeling like a teenager. “When are you coming home again?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.” Matty complained about it, feeling like he had to wait years and not only hours to be home again.

“Perfect.”

A chaotic and repeatedly sound knocking on Matty’s door reached Y/n’s ear. 

“I gotta go now.” Matty informed her. 

“Okay, bye…I love you.”

“Bye, love you so much more.” Matty’s voice broke at the end. He wasn’t going to waste a single day without showering in his love.

“Bye, bye.”

Y/n held her phone, staring at the kitchen floor with a smile bigger than her face. Grace came from behind, startling her a little.

“I feel so single right now.” she protested.

Y/n felt a laugh coming from the depth of her stomach, shaking her body entirely. “Shut up!” 

“Maybe I like hi-” Grace commenced to joke about Matty, when her head turned around like a whip. “Y/n?” she called her, desperate.

“What?” Y/n answered without looking.

Amelia had starting puking on the living room’s floor. Grace rushed to her side when her body fought the surprise. 

“Y/n!” Grace tried again, being careful to not scream too loud to scare Amelia.

Y/n ran to them, moving Grace from the middle. She went to held Amelia, rubbing her back, trying to not freak out looking at the mess in the floor. 

After a few minutes, Amelia stopped. She looked down at the weird mass there, her eyes watering when panic stroked her little body. The little girl turned around crying with all the force she had left, going to hide on Y/n’s chest. She took her in right again.

“It’s okay, baby.” Amelia’s cries raised, breaking Grace and Y/n’s heart. “I know, I know. Mommy’s here.” Y/n rocked her softly, rubbing her back to sooth her.

“What’s wrong with mel?” Grace dared to ask.

“Maybe she ate something. I’ve been like this for a few weeks now. I’m starting to get worried about it.” Y/n admitted, not fully thinking about the words she was letting out, too focused on her daughter.

“Nausea?”

“No, no…only puking from time to time.”

An idea grew inside Grace’s mind, making her open her eyes wide. 

“Y/n.” she started.

“It’s probably some stomach virus-” 

Grace interrupted her, “Y/n!” 

Amelia’s mother, still holding the crying and scared baby, turned her head to look at Grace. 

“Excuse the formalities,” Grace excused herself. “Since when you haven’t had your period?” 

Y/n perfectly knew for what Grace was aiming.

“What? No, it’s not-”

“Y/n! Shut up and think!”

“I can’t remember!”

“More than a week? Two?” Grace counted with her fingers.

“More than a month and a half…” Y/n felt her cheeks hot.

“Fucking hell!” Grace shouted, making Amelia cry harder. Y/n stared at Amelia’s godmother, angry. “Sorry, sorry, baby.” Grace went to touch the little girl’s cheeks. “Y/n, you need to do a pregna-”

Y/n shushed her, “Don’t say it!”

“I’m going to drop by the shops and be right back.” Grace stood up, Y/n tried to stop her, but with Amelia in that state she had a priority. 

“Grace!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine…but you need to get rid of the doubt!” Y/n friend said, disappearing.

***************************

Y/n tried to occupy her mind and her hands with something else while Grace was out. 

After her daughter calmed down a little, she took her up to bathe her and change her clothes, since some vomit fell on her shirt. Y/n sang softly for her a little anthem that Matty came up for his daughter and only her. With it, she sensed Amelia relax, and even enjoy the bath time. Y/n managed to even brushed her teeth properly without a single tantrum.

Y/n let Amelia rest on the couch, keeping her body closer. They were watching a new episode of PAW Patrol, when Y/n’s hand rested partly on her forehead and crown of her head. The area was warm, way too warm. Y/n readjusted it to feel her forehead only. Amelia had a fever going on. Her mother kissed her head, deciding she was going to wait to see if it was related with her being sick earlier or not. 

Grace stumbled, out of breath, into the room, holding a brown bag. “Okay, here.” she extended the bag. When her sight fell on Y/n’s face, she asked, “Did she vomit again?”

“No…but I think she’s the flu or something.” Y/n let her know, without ripping her eyes from Amelia. 

 “I’ll stay with Mel…shout if you need help.” Grace rushed her to move, making signals with her hands. 

“Fine.”

Y/n took the bag on her hand without speaking one more word. She walked the short way to the bathroom, feeling like her feet weight like concrete. 

It wasn’t her first time taking one of those tests, so the process was quicker than expected. Even though the worries clouding her mind took all of her attention. Y/n couldn’t recall detail by detail what she had been doing for a few minutes.  

She let the sticks in the bathroom, setting the alarm to wait the minutes the instructions put. 

“So?” Grace asked right away.

Y/n took a seat at the other end of the couch, “Have to wait.”

“Okay.” her friend stared at her to then returned to the screen.

Y/n started tapping her feet on the floor, driving Grace crazy. 

“Stop that!”

“I can’t help it.” Y/n pushed her body forward, resting her elbows on her knees, rubbing her face way too harsh. 

“At least-” Grace started to talk when the timer went off.

“Can’t do it.” Y/n stood on her feet, walking from side to side. Luckily, Amelia had fallen asleep. 

“What?”

“Look for me.” Y/n begged.

“Fine.” Grace agreed to it. She moved, letting Amelia rest on the couch, and going to the bathroom. 

Y/n’s eyes fell on her daughter. The possibility of another beautiful baby like her, even a boy, made her heart fluttered. 

Grace didn’t spend a long time in the bathroom, returning with the sticks on her hand.

“Tell me.” Y/n hurried her friend.

“Haven’t seen them.”

“Then look!”

“Okay, first one…” Grace recounted what she was reading.

“Aha.”

“Negative.” Y/n’s friend said without imprinting an emotion to her words.

Y/n felt a wave of disappointment. “Mhm.” she swallowed thick.

“Second.”

Y/n didn’t speak, feeling a wave of sickness creeping her throat. She tried to keep it under control.

“Positive.”

“You have to be kidding me!” Y/n exclaimed, giggling.

“‘m not.”

“And the last one?”

“Inconsistent.” Grace told Y/n, looking directly to her eyes. She saw how Y/n’s smile fell from her face, turning to a worried expression. 

“So I might be?”

“Or maybe not.”

“Shit.” Y/n let her face fell on her hands. Thinking hard about it all.

“You need to do the blood test.” Grace stated.

“Since when you know so much about pregnancies?”

“Since my best friend had a baby, do you remember how it was with Amelia?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I did my research.”

“I’m going to call the clinic.” Y/n reached for her phone and midway stopped.“Grace, what if I am…what Matty is going to think?” she worried. 

“I don’t know, but I bet he’s going to be okay with it.” Grace took her hands between hers. 

“And if he’s not…what would I do?”

“Y/n, first thing first…call the doctor, do the test.” 

Y/n did as she was being told, booking an appointment for the next day. She needed to know and quick. 

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day

Y/n opened the front door for Matty, holding Amelia, who refused to be away from mommy. Even the night before, Y/n resolved for them to sleep together –on Y/n’s bed– after Amelia refused to sleep in her crib. She made her point, crying for an entire hour. 

Matty had his hands full when he made his way inside the house.

“Hello.” he sang, especially for his daughter.

“Hi.” Y/n answered for both of them. Her sight going to Amelia’s face, “Say hi to daddy.” she encouraged her.

“Daddy.” Amelia shortly spoke, rubbing her eye, resting her head on Y/n’s shoulder.

Matty noticed something was clearly off, “What’s wrong, baby?” he dropped everything he was carrying, without minding the mess, going to check on Amelia. 

“She’s a bit sick.” Y/n filled him in Amelia’s current state. 

Matty brushed her curls back, approaching his face to hers. He wanted to take away whatever was bothering her little body and suffer himself instead of his baby.

“Oh, no! Come here.” he didn’t hesitate to take Amelia. “We’re cuddling until mel-mel gets better.” he adjusted her on his side, walking towards the living room.

Y/n followed behind them, sharing a silent look with Matty when he turned around to check she was in fact walking behind them.

******************************

“Matty?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I have to head out for a couple of hours…can you look after Mel?” Y/n asked for the favour. 

“Yes, ‘course!” he looked at the exhausted baby. Amelia had been drifting in and out of sleep, being interrupted by Matty or Y/n to drink water or check her temperature.

“I’ll be right back. Whatever happens, you call me, okay?” Y/n didn’t entirely want to leave when Amelia was that sick, although she needed to know what was going on inside her own body.

“Sure.”

Matty stared at Y/n, who leaned down kissing Amelia, being careful not to wake her. “Bye, sweet cheeks. I love you” 

“Mhm.” Amelia groaned on Matty's shoulder, without waking up.

“Bye.” Y/n pecked Matty quickly. 

Y/n left so suddenly that Matty wasn’t able to reply to her goodbye, and his mind started running in circles about what was happening to her. 

***************************************************************

Hours passed, Amelia was getting hotter and hotter. She whined constantly for half an hour, and Matty was unsure about his options. He tried to google but desist from it since nothing made sense online. 

He was worried and Y/n wasn’t coming home. The frontman send her a bunch of texts, but she wasn’t seeing them. 

When Amelia barely managed to open her eyes and her forehead burned his hand, he decided to start calling Y/n.

“Y/n, pick up, pick up.” he whispered, not leaving Amelia’s side. 

He stopped hearing the characteristic tone calling, to the robotic voice saying: ‘the line is out of…’. Matty cut it, staring at his screen. 

“Fucking hell, where’s she?” he said, annoyed, going to call her again.

He tried multiple times, checking Amelia between tries. The same answer over and over again. Matty wasn’t going to quit until Y/n’s voice came from the other end of the line.

“Please, baby.”

One, two, three tones…

“Hi, Matty.” Y/n picked up.

“Finally! Where the fuck are you?” he shouted at her.

Y/n’s voice shaking from fear, she pictured the worst, “What’s wrong?”

“Where are you?”

“Stop replying with questions! What’s going on? Amelia”

“Amelia is boiling, Y/n. She’s whining, and I don’t know how- I’ve tried everything. Nothing is working.” 

“Did you take her temperature?”

“Yes, Y/n. She’s almost at 40º C”

“For how long?”

“‘Fuck I know. I’ve been trying to bring it down, it’s impossible…and calling you- I’m going to take her to the ER.” he concluded.

“Okay, I’ll meet you there.” Y/n agreed silently that it was the best option.

“Where are you?”

“Um-”

“Y/n?”

“Which hospital are you going to take her?”

“The closest one.” Matty let Y/n know, going to pick his wallet and jacket. 

Y/n decided to be frontal about it, “I’m here.”

Matty stopped death in his tracks. “Y/n, please. What the fuck?”

“I’m okay, I’m okay.” she quickly reassured him.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“I’m sorry, I’ll explain, okay? Just bring Amelia to the ER. I’ll be there.” He needed to be hurry up. 

“Okay, okay.”

“Bye.”

“Bye. I love you.”

“Love you, please hurry!” Y/n said before the line cut.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Y/n was at the front desk, talking with two nurses, when Matty rushed in holding Amelia.

“Them!” Y/n said to the older woman, signalling with her fingers to father and daughter.

The youngest one walked closer to Matty, ready to take Amelia in her arms. When he didn’t move a muscle, the woman ordered, “Let me carry her.” with a calmed voice as if she went through situations like those a hundred of times.

“No.” Matty refused, making the people –waiting in the waiting room– to look at him. 

“Matty-” Y/n tried.

Matty stared at the nurse, saying, “Let me know where I have to take her.”

“Sir, we need to check her.”

Y/n went to stand beside Matty, touching his back. “It’s okay, she’s going to be okay.” Y/n tried to keep the calm.

Matty stared at Y/n. After an eye battle, he let the nurse take Amelia. They followed her to a room. 

“Stand there.” she instructed for the parents.

Y/n took his hand, squeezing it hard. They were too focused on Amelia laying at the emergency room’s bed to notice the doctor coming to check their daughter.

“Daddy.” Amelia moved her head, raving from the fever. Matty’s instinct was to be close to her, going to stand beside the rudimentary bed. 

“Sir, please stay back!” the doctor instructed him.

“Let me hold her hand.” Matty implored.

The doctor stared at the singer, thinking how to say no, when Amelia screamed again, breaking the silence of the room, “Daddy!” Matty didn’t wait for the man’s reply. His daughter was calling him.

“Okay, but stay out of the way, so we can work.” The doctor defeated by the parent. 

“Mhm.” Matty don’t even thank her, holding Amelia’s hand and brushing her wet curls back. Y/n tried to keep her tears at bay, her heart swelling for her baby girl. “We’re here, mel-mel. Mommy and daddy are here with you.” Matty whispered only for her. 

After a while, the doctor looked between Matty and Y/n. Choosing to talk with her. 

“Are you her mother?” she inquired. 

“Yes.”

“We need to take her to the operating room right away.”

Y/n felt how her blood disappeared from her head, going directly to her feet. She held a chair beside her, preventing from falling down.“What’s going on?”

“Her appendix has exploded, or it’s about to do it. We need to operate with urgency because it can cause irreversible-”

Y/n abruptly interrupted her, “Don’t tell me. Just do it, help her, please!” she pleaded desperate.

The doctor nodded with her head, deciding to keep her silence. She shared a look with the nurse, who went to give Amelia a painkiller.

“Sir, you need to move now.” 

“Matty-” Y/n called him.

“What are you going to do with her?”

“They need to intervene her, Matty.” Y/n explained.

The nurse tenderly instructed them, “Please, go to the waiting room. I’ll keep you guys updated, I promise.” she said more for Y/n than Matty.

“Thank you.” Y/n thanked her.

Matty and Y/n saw how they took Amelia away.

********************************************

Waiting room

Y/n studied the people around the waiting room. She needed something to focus while waiting. The nurse appeared –as she promised– from time to time saying everything was okay, but they still were working. 

“Here.” Matty offered Y/n a coffee, arriving after visiting the hospital’s buffet. 

Y/n rejected, “No, thank you.”

“Y/n, you need to drink or eat something.” Matty took a seat beside her, placing her arm around her shoulders. 

“I know, but-”

“‘m also scared althoug-”

“Matty, it’s not that.” she stopped him. “I’m 100% sure everything is going to be fine. Amelia is going to be fine.” 

“Yes.” Matty bobbed his head. “What’s then?”

Y/n kept her silence, returning to look around the room. Matty didn’t push her, although his mind instantly went to his principal worry before Amelia got worse. 

“Why were you here? Are you okay?” he took a sip of his coffee, oblivious to Y/n’s next announcement. 

“I-” she started, worried of his reaction. The words getting stucked on her throat.

“Y/n-” Matty took his arm away from her body, turning to the side to fully stared at her face. Trying to find the answers he was craving. 

“Remember how I’ve been feeling sick from a time to now?” Y/n asked, without hesitation this time. Her sight falling on a little boy running around his father. 

“I do.”

“Amelia puked yesterday, and I told Grace that we probably caught something…which now I’m sure it wasn’t that-”

Matty wanted to skip the extra details, so he interrupted her rant,“Y/n!”

“Be patient!” Y/n took his hand on hers. “So, Grace suggested something I really didn’t think about…”

“What?”

“When I had my last period.”

“Okay?” Matty continued to look at her puzzled. 

“I couldn’t remember.”

The realization of her words hitting him, “Y/n-”

“That’s not everything. She brought pre-... tests for me to do.” 

“Baby-” Y/n ignored him

She continued, “One negative-” 

“Shit.”

“One positive.”

“And the other?” Matty touched her chin gently, forcing Y/n to look directly into his eyes.

“Doubtful.”

“That’s why you came here.” Matty concluded.

“Exactly.”

He waited for her so say more, so when she didn’t, he added, “And?”

“Please, don’t be mad at me. It’s fine if you don’t-”

“Y/n, are you pregnant?” Matty breathed out.

“I can’t drink that” she pointed towards his coffee. “For 9 months…or more. Do the maths, Matty.” she gifted him a smile.

“Never been the smartest. Please, say it.” Matty mumbled.

“We’re going to have another baby, Matty.” Y/n felt the tears on the corner of her eyes. Matty started crying silently. 

“Oh my god!” Matty directly placed a hand on her belly. “How long?” she dried his tears falling through his cheeks. 

“Doctor says I’m almost at 11 weeks…which is almost 3 months in.” Y/n shared with him. The news better sweet with the place and the situation they were surrounded by.

“Mel is going to be a big sister.” Matty stated, not tearing his sight and his hand from Y/n’s belly. 

“Mhm.” Y/n couldn’t help to keep crying.

“I need to hold her for a week after this.”

“She’s going to love that.” 

Y/n was interrupted by the doctor calling after them, “Healy?”

“Yes!” Y/n and Matty stood from their seats, rushing to meet her. 

The doctor instructed, “Follow me”

They indeed followed her though halls and stairs, finally stopping at a hospital room. The light inside was dimmed, Y/n and Matty gasped when they saw Amelia sleeping on the bed. 

“She’s under the effect of the anaesthesia.” The doctor informed Amelia’s parents. “Probably going to wake up soon. Amelia’s going to be scared of the effect, probably, so be patient. When she does wake up, touch the red button and the nurse is going to check on her.” she finished.

“Is she alright now?” Matty asked her.

“Yes, she’s out of risk…if you waited a few hours-” She stopped talking, they fully understand.

“Oh my god!” Y/n touched her chest, where her heart was.

“You did right.” she reassured them.

“Thank you, doc.” Matty held his hand towards her, she politely took it, shaking it shortly. 

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow morning.”

“Good night” 

She got lost between the halls connecting all the rooms. Matty and Y/n went directly to stand beside Amelia.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days later

Amelia was recovering as expected. She was tired of being away from her house, even though Y/n and Matty tried to ease it for her. They brought her favourite toys from home and even all her favourite people –the guys, Tim, and Susanne– called her. Grace and Denise dropped by right away when they found out Amelia was in the hospital. 

They knew it was the last hour for them in that room. Amelia was ready to be back home, as well as her parents. 

Grace came in meanwhile Matty was putting on display a play for Amelia. He wanted to distract her and made her laugh to make the hour to pass quicker than it felt. Y/n was in the bathroom since she reportedly to have to pee even more than before. 

“Hello!” Amelia’s godmother shouted from the door holding balloons in her hand.

“Ace!” Amelia changed her focus of attention from her father to Grace.

Matty wasn’t happy about it, “Crushing my play…thank you, Grace!”

“Shush.” she dismissed him, going to Amelia. “This is for you, mel-mel!” Grace let her hold the threats holding the balloons. Amelia laughed watching them bounce on the air.

“How are you?” Grace checked on the little girl.

“She’s better.” Matty answered for her.

Grace turns to look at him. “Was talking with my god-daughter.” she rolled her eyes at him.

Matty went to say something; but Y/n interrupted, returning to the room. “You guys are never going to drop it?”

“Never.” they say in unison. 

Y/n shook her head. Matty walked closer to his girlfriend. Amelia’s mother felt his arms sneak around her, touching her belly. It was a habit he had when she was pregnant with Amelia. Matty was bringing it back now. 

Matty kissed the side of her face, when Grace interrupted their moment.

“Oh my god!” Y/n stared at her friend, knowing. 

Y/n moved away from Matty. “What?” she asked, faking being oblivious about her surprise. She knew Grace knew.

“You are?” 

“What?” Matty interfered. 

“She knows.” Y/n silently said it was okay to share the news with Grace.  

Grace started crying. “Oh my god!” she went to engulf Y/n in a hug, pushing Matty away from them, “Go away you”

“Hey!” he protested. “I’m the father!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Grace brushed him off, making Y/n laugh.

Matty returned to Amelia’s side, half whispering, half shouting, “Your godmother is crazy.” 

“And I was starting to like you…” Grace warned him. 

“Really?”

“Don’t steal the moment!” she shouted from Y/n’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re going to have another baby!”

“Who’s having another baby?” Denise showed up at the hospital door. Grace and Y/n break the hug, smiling at Matty’s mother. 

“Grace and his big mouth!” Matty groaned. “Hi, mom.”

“Nana!” Amelia clapped for her.

“Hi, sweets! How’s my favourite grandchild?”

“Well, she’s not going to be the only one now…” Grace muttered.

“Grace!” Y/n and Matty yelled at the same time from opposite sides of the room. 

“What?” Grace made her shoulders move up and down, innocent. “If I know, you have to tell your mom, Matthew!”

“Tell me what?” Denise said.

Matty and Y/n shared a look. Y/n bowed her head, instructing Matty to just tell his mother. “Y/n is pregnant”

“Are you the father?” Grace and Y/n burst into a fit of laughter at Denise’s antics. 

“Denise!” Matty scolded her. “Of course I’m the father!”

“Are you sure?” his mother teased him.

“Learn from your mom how to be cool, Matty!” Grace suggested him. 

Matty ignored his comment, replying to his mother, “I am sure.” 

“Really?”

Y/n approached him, resting her hand on his back,  “Don’t say it too loud, Denise. Or some tabloid is going to pick it up.” she tried to redirect the conversation.

“Jokes aside, I’m so happy for you!” Denise admitted, drying tears from her eyes. “You’re going to be a big sister, Ames!” Amelia’s grandmother shouted, making her titled her head without understanding what she was saying

“We haven’t had the chat…” Matty said.

“Oh, okay!”

Before they can continue, the doctor came in. 

“Okay, time to leave, Amelia Healy!” she smiled warmly to Amelia.” I’ll ask the family to wait outside, except the parents.” 

Grace and Denise left right after, respecting the protocol.  

“Please, sign this while I check her one more time.” she gave Y/n a paper to put her sign in, allowing Amelia to leave the hospital.

When all the check-ups are done, the doctor informed the little girl, “Now it’s official, Amelia. You can go home with mommy and daddy!” The little girl clapping, making the rest of the presents laugh.

*******************************************************

Time to return home…

Matty placed Amelia gently on the special car chair for her, making sure not to mess with the bandage on her belly. 

Y/n watched her boyfriend —father of her children, and love of her life—, jog around the car coming to the driver's seat.

When Matty drove out of the car park, Y/n turned the radio on. A very familiar chords reached their ears. ‘All I Need to Hear’ was on the radio. 

Y/n grinned big, feeling how Matty took her hand to left it on his tight. During the journey, Matty’s hand travelled from the stare wheel to Y/n’s belly. 

She admired the side of his face, turning after to make sure Amelia was alright. The little girl fell asleep with the car’s movement. Y/n returned to look at the love of her life, feeling like the future was with them together in it. The four of them and all the people that witness Y/n and Matty’s love story. 

[bookofmirth]

Did you like cc3 or love? Neither?

oh hello, why don't you pull up a chair because I have finished this book and I have Thoughts. I was thinking for a good chunk of this book that I would give it 2 stars. I still might. It depends on how it sits with me over the next couple of weeks. I ended up giving it 3 because I did enjoy some parts.

I will start with the more positive thoughts.

I am glad that the crossover was limited. One of my fears was that the series be unavoidably intertwined from here on out, so that pleases me.

I really did like seeing how Nesta has grown, her friendship with Azriel, and seeing more interesting things with his powers! That was really neat.

I did laugh out loud a couple of times, at points where I was supposed to laugh out loud. I think Tharion is dumb as hell but he made me chuckle.

The scene with Ithan and Sabine towards the end was good, I was like Gordon Ramsay, finally, some delicious fucking consequences.

Ummm... I like Ruhn and Lidia still. They had some silly moments, but overall they are the only characters in this book that I still have a shred of respect for. Maybe Perry and Sathia. Everyone else is on thin fucking ice.

Shout out to the one (1) line Bryce said that I liked: “I’m sick and tired of people using 'girl' as an insult.”

Unfortunately, the list of things I didn't like is far longer. I'm actually going to put it under the cut if people don't want their enjoyment spoiled or simply don't care.

In my opinion, sjm is a good storyteller, and an okay writer. This book really, really highlighted that for me. The plotting was a mess, I was constantly going back a page because I was confused about what was going on, there were weird inconsistencies that only made sense if you stepped back from the book and thought "well, the author needed that to happen, I guess."

There were some typos and word choice errors that should have been caught - "every muscle in Bryce's body went taught" and then a missing quotation mark (But it was Aidas who answered, pride flaring on his face. Apollion slew her with his Helfire when she attacked him—he pulled her burning heart from her chest and ate it.”). Not to mention the 255 "could have sworns" and 50-something "as if". I noticed a few similar phrases to this. If I'm feeling spicy one day maybe I will go back and find them.

The number of times she says "by whatever power" or "somehow" in a book where she has spent a lot of time explaining the power, and we should know what the "somehow" is???

Who in the ever loving fuck thinks that splitting up two tense scenes by cutting them into bite sized pieces and then interspersing them together is a good idea???

There were multiple times when I laughed out loud at scenes that were not meant to be funny, because they just seemed so dumb. Like... Ithan "accidentally" beheading Sigrid. Excuse me?? lmao (I edited this one because in my annoyance I misrepresented that a bit)

The tone was so, so off. That was a big source of my inappropriate laughing. Like, Hunt thanking Urd that he had such a loyal, fierce badass mate. Or a chapter starting with Ruhn saying "nah". I think this is because the genre could not decided what it wanted to be. SJM was still writing like this was high fantasy, but then used the word "like" in the way that I use the word "like". I do get that this is urban fantasy and she tried to smush it with a high fantasy (a high fantasy with very little world building, but still), but I really do not think that this genre serves sjm's style of storytelling. At all.

Dear powers that be in whatever heaven that exists, please stop letting sjm describe every single character as the most strongest beautiful fiercest loyal badass tough unflenching etc etc etc. I fucking beg. One of the big reasons that I dislike pretty much every character in this series is that they ALL HAVE THE SAME PERSONALITY.

Bryce is annoying as hell. I could write a whole essay on her but she is easily my least favorite sjm character EVER.

I am bitter at feeling like I needed to read this book when, after hosab, I would have given up on this series if not for the crossover.

The crossover really did feel like a "teehee I can do this because I want to" with very, very little thought as to how it would actually make sense. A crossover like this should NOT be done by someone who doesn't outline, and who pantses their writing. Pantsing is fine in itself! Pantsers should be barred from writing this kind of book.

Hunt's dick is too big for his underwear.

[memeapple2]

Tails gets trolled rp starters part 1

yeah 😔 yes I'm leaving in the typos beacuse it's funnier that way :^) Fight me nerds!!

"Fuck you trolls!"

"They can't troll you if their dead!"

"I'm so mad, I'm gonna have sex with my girlfriend so I won't be so mad."

"Dumbass will learn."

"Mad? U Mad? U look mad U stupid bitch!"

"sorry *insert name* if this looks gay to the viewers."

"the art of trolling was actually started from humans but it wasn't called trolling it was called being a dick but back in the middle ages i was being made fun of because i wasn't human."

"im extremely hurt you would think im a douche. it might not look like it but i have feelings and you hurt them."

"hey can you put that on a coaster?"

"They have been getting trolled. you know how it is. there calling *insert name* gay and shit they cant take it."

"the way to stop a troll. is to become his friend .as his friend you can show him the right path!"

*-goes back to knitting-*

"come i will talk to these kids and stop this hate with kindness!"

"sometimes there is need to do whats needed, if it was up to me *insert name* would be dead and we would never have to worry"

"im not gay I have a girl friend and i would like it if this conflict to end in peace"

"you must not know who i am. i have alot of talent and i have lots of friends. one of my friends is right beside me . and for what your saying isn't true, so i am not afended by your hateful comments"

"ehhh...... im gonna ignore what you just said and ask you one more time. lets end this hate and become friends"

"why don't we just be friends this is stupid"

"ok im gonna take a random guess and say you guys failed with that peace crap"

"i fucking knew it"

"hello dickheads so your the trolls i heard about"

"hey do you see that? it looks like a group of pokemon.coming at us"

"for a em→→breaded donkey i can sure fuck your mom hard."

"there isn't. you remember what happen when you guys tried peace? you cant talk to them. there to oblivious"

"yea remind me next time to not kill such a fat person"

"high shovel!"

"ok i'm gonna go back to sleep now good night."

"banana"

"don't worry man I killed the fat one. its all cool man. i know all about the taste for blood"

"thank you for proving that peace isn't shit. when it comes to trolls. your a good friend"

" *insert name* Wake up! you fucked up big time!"

"People can't troll me beacuse I have no ears. They can't troll me if I can't hear them!"

"What? I don't have fucking ears!"

"If you don't mind I'd like to continue knitting this!"

"did you know with seat belts people die all the time in car crashes? I thought that was interesting!"

"have you ever been bitch slapped from lack of listening? Lack of doing what you're told? Beacuse I'm not that far from slapping you."

"which means I can be super powerful and kick everyone's ass..I'm gonna be awesomely badass!"

"trust me this plan will be better beacuse I'm gonna smoke my smart weed! I'm smarter when I'm high."

"Why are you filled with so much hatred and aggression? I'm finding it difficult to assume what you must have went through to mold you into the person standing in front of me now."

"Hey troll! FUCK YOU!!!"

"hmmmm this isn't as i thought it would be, killing people is really boring and all these annoying screams, i mean damn."

"Yeah that wasn't very good. I tried to do something similar to high shovel. Let's just forget about this."

"there is no need for any blood shed, this problem can be solved with out any villains"

"I do all kinds of stupid and gay shit."

"I’m starting to think that even if we pray our hearts out and know that we do wrong, that maybe there are things that god can’t fix and maybe, instead of putting our hope in god to fix all our problems we take action for our mistakes and learn from them."

"Sorry it took us so long to save you from TIME PRISON. So what did you do in TIME PRISON?"

"You gotta calm down bro, chill man, smoke a joint!"

"After 50 years I started to feel like I was losing my sanity so I started to break my fingers and I would just break my fingers and set them again. "

" I started breaking all my bones. I broke every bone in my hands. I broke my arms, separately, and then I started to break my own ribs. I broke my femurs, it took a while. And then I healed and broke them again."

"After 5000 years my bones were all scar tissue. They had all grown so solidly back together that I was unable to move. "

"And after another 5000 years of furious infinitesimal movement, I built up enough muscle mass to spontaneously break any bone in my body, and then I could move again. "

"My body had done so much healing that I healed almost instantly. That’s all I do now. Every time I move my body, my bones shatter and heal back in my next shape. If I take a single step, every bone in my legs splinters and then reforms. I don’t know what pain is because I have been alive for 10 million years."

"Okay but it looks like your walking normal."

"Well that's just stupid."

"oh sorry i forgot about this and took a nap and then took a shit. im so sorry i forgot but no worries man im here now"

"ahhhhh........................................................ yeah i dont know."

"hey your awful lonely. you must be a looser or something."

"this is the down side of having no ears, i can't hear if *insert name* is screaming for help or not, i mean i have no clue if hes screaming towards me back, so damn it having no ears kind of blows."

"hhahahahahahahahha i dont even know what the fuck you said?"

"i was trolled until i got bigger and stronger then them now i am feared"

".................... i have no importance to this story line what so ever, i think im gonna go."

"wow that story was super amazingly awesome, im not even joking right now"

"ahhhhhh so gay"

"we neutral's dont take sides in childish battles that normal people do. to pick sides is fullish."

"well most of the trolls are stupid but they all think there smart it's funny if you think about it."

"ummm. what object is like that? huh? ........ its unbreakable and its breakable? how is that possible? is it a liquid? hmmm i don't understand ?"

"now im gonna kick you right in your hairy ballsack"

"ok everyone! do you guys see this paper? well theres nothing on it yet but there will be"

"hey guys i was just telling him the plan. we are gonna do a all nighter and get fucked up hahaha its gonna be sweet."

"What? what are you talking about? We can discuss this further when there's not a gun in my face.."

"shut up, i got this alright, i got this shit in the bag, you'll see."

[starsstuddedsky]

Chapter 2 - What Happens in the Closet...

reader x jihoon

Chapter 1 | masterlist | Chapter 3

summary: when you're caught in a simple lie, the best solution? dig in and stick to your guns until everything inevitably goes wrong and everyone gets hurt

or, a serial dater and a pessimist fake a relationship in the vain hope that nothing will go wrong

genre: fluff, angst, non-idol au, lawyer au, coworkers to lovers??? friends to lovers???? fake dating!!!!!

warnings: cursing???? i think that's it???

wc: 5.2k

a/n: tysm for reading!!!! school is kicking my butt this week lol so there's a solid chance there's typos, i'm sorry :(

taglist: open! send an ask or comment!

Jihoon has always trusted his gut. It’s never led him wrong; the schools he chose, the law firms he declined, the clients he advised, they’ve all been good choices. He knows better than to ignore the little feeling deep down in his stomach that doesn’t sit right, warning him that something is wrong. 

Unfortunately, this morning he convinces himself it’s just because he hasn’t had his coffee yet. 

He multitasks, typing a furious reply to Mark from accounting (who has apparently lost the ability to read, since the information he is asking for is in the first e-mail that Jihoon sent) while also heading toward the pretty wall of expensive coffee makers that played a significant role in his decision to accept the job offer here. That’s why he doesn’t notice you until you practically bounce off his chest. 

“My bad, I—” You freeze when you meet his eyes. 

I’m sorry, Jihoon tries to say, except the words don’t come out, and now he’s stuck looking at you with the same wide-eyed stare you are giving him. It’s not often that Jihoon finds himself speechless, but there’s so much he needs to say, to explain. Too much. He hasn’t had the chance to even think about telling you the absolutely idiotic things he said on Saturday night, even after he spent all day Sunday staring at his ceiling and imagining how to explain. The only proof it wasn’t all a nightmare is the texts blowing up his phone this morning from Seungcheol and Joshua who managed to find your Instagram (apparently they approved, though it was tricky to explain why he wasn’t following you). 

“We need to talk,” Jihoon finally says. 

“I really am sorry,” you respond. You lean back against the counter and Jihoon catches a glance of a cup of coffee behind you, a mug decorated in bright letters that spell out your name (Fact #5: you like colors?). 

“Not about that,” Jihoon says. “Well, I guess about that, but not really, it’s complicated, and—” 

“Morning,” a familiar deep voice says. Jihoon turns around to find Wonwoo behind him. His eyebrows are raised well over his round glasses, forming shapely arches. He slings his arm over Jihoon’s shoulder, glancing between Jihoon and you. 

A sudden thought crosses Jihoon’s mind. Even though Wonwoo was shipped off on a last minute “emergency” work trip over the weekend, there is no way that news as inconceivable as Jihoon finally losing his lifelong title of ‘bitchless’ wasn’t the first thing Wonwoo saw the second he turned his phone off airplane mode. Meaning that the side eye he is giving him now is because he’s about to call Jihoon out on the worst lie he’s ever told and turn him into the biggest laughing stock the world has ever seen. 

He really should have listened to his gut. 

“So,” Wonwoo says, “How long has this been going on?” His grip on Jihoon’s shoulder tightens. 

You frown. “What are you talking about?” 

“You and him,” Wonwoo says, gesturing between you and Jihoon. 

Jihoon elbows Wonwoo, pushing the taller man off. “Not here,” he mutters. 

Before he can say anything else, you gasp. “It’s not what you think!” 

Jihoon grabs your hand before you can say anything else, pulling you past a bewildered Wonwoo. He ignores the stares of the paralegals and lawyers in the halls as he pulls you past the peering eyes, into the nearest open door, which, unfortunately, is the janitor’s closet. There goes any chance at subtlety. 

“Jihoon?” You ask as he fumbles along the wall trying to find the light switch. He’s still holding your hand, which he only realizes when you lightly tug it out of his grasp. 

He finally finds the switch, flipping it on to find that it connects to a solitary lightbulb hanging from the ceiling that flickers and is definitely a safety hazard. You’re standing directly under the light. Because the light is tinted yellow, Jihoon gets the faint impression that you’re glowing. 

You glance between Jihoon and the door behind him, which he realizes he is accidentally blocking. He steps to the side, not wanting you to think that he’s trapping you in here, though he doesn’t have a contingency plan if you run away now. Not that he has any actual plan right now; none of his Sunday-morning-imaginary-conversations took place in a room that smells like bleach and has lighting that hasn’t been touched since the ‘80s. 

“I swear, I have no idea how Wonwoo found out,” you say quickly. “No one knows other than my friends, and I told them we’d both get fired if anyone at work found out, so I really don’t know how he found out, but I swear, I’ll tell him it was just a rumor and it isn’t true at all. I’m really sorry, I know you said you wanted nothing to do with me, so, whatever I can do, I’ll do it, just please don’t report me to HR.” 

Jihoon felt bad before, but now if guilt could build a time machine, he’d go all the way back to elementary school and beg his mother to take him with her when she left. Maybe then you wouldn’t be looking at him with actual tears threatening to fall. 

It wouldn’t be the first time he’s made someone cry, but somehow it’s not nearly as satisfying when he’s the one at fault.  

“So the thing is,” Jihoon says. “I think it might have been me.” Thankfully your frown doesn’t send the tears tumbling down, but your confusion means that he must, unfortunately, continue to explain. “I sort of told a few of my friends that I was dating someone from work.” He can’t bring himself to say it all, not with his own words echoing in his ears berating you for doing something so foolish. “It’s a very long story, but they believe that I am dating you, and I let them believe it.” 

“You let them believe…” you repeat softly, as though you still aren’t understanding. Jihoon can’t blame you; he hardly believes it himself. 

“Well, believe isn’t really the right word, because they didn’t see any evidence.” Jihoon had also spent a lot of time on Sunday trying to explain why he didn’t have any photos of you, let alone with you. “So I may have told them that you are coming to my friend’s thing on Saturday. As my date.” 

You stare at him. If you keep looking at him with a frown that deep you’re going to get wrinkles, but he figures now is not the time to mention that. There’s nothing he can do now but wait, (most of) the truth now out in the open. He holds his breath as you open your mouth, then close it, then open it again. 

“Are you asking me to fake date you?” You finally ask. 

“Yes?” Jihoon says. 

Fact #6: You have a ridiculous laugh.

He discovers this as you burst into laughter, smile finally breaking the frown as you gasp for breath, clutching your sides. It sounds like something between a machine gun and a dying deer, not that he’s heard either of those sounds in real life before. 

“Are you okay?” He asks, because it seriously doesn’t look like you can breathe, and he’s starting to worry that he’s actually broken you. 

“You told them you’re fake dating me?” You manage between gasps. 

Jihoon sighs. “Yes. Look, I know an apology is overdue—”

“Way overdue.” 

“Way overdue,” Jihoon says because you’re mad enough at him already and he can survive appeasing you at least a little. “So I do apologize. I shouldn’t have yelled at you and threatened HR, and I should have talked to you before I did anything as dumb as telling my friends that we are dating.” 

“Obviously,” you say.

“Are you okay?” Jihoon asks now that you’ve mostly stopped laughing, wiping a few tears from your eyes. 

“I don’t really know how to answer that,” you say. 

Jihoon nods. “I don’t blame you for being mad.” 

“I’m not mad,” you say quickly. “Shocked and stunned and a lot of other words, but mad isn’t one of them. Mostly, it’s funny.” 

“Funny.” 

“Funny!” 

Jihoon frowns as you burst into giggles again, though you stifle them quickly at his glare. 

“Seriously, I mean, who goes off on their coworker and then not even a day later does the same exact thing,” you say. “I’ve always known you were a little… But that’s beside the point, because you are, in fact, asking me to fake date you?” 

“Wait, a little what?” Jihoon asks. 

You shake your head, leaning against a metal pole, then immediately straightening when you almost knock over a shelf of toilet paper. “I don’t think I’m obligated to answer that.” He opens his mouth but you raise your eyebrows. “If you ask again I’m going to answer something that you won’t like.” 

“Is it the truth?” 

You shrug. “Do you want me to come to the thing on Saturday and pretend to be ridiculously in love with you or not?” 

“You don’t have to be ridiculous,” Jihoon mumbles. He takes a deep breath, trying to convince himself that this is still a good idea somehow (eventually he settles for the conclusion that it’s much too far to turn back now). “Yes, I would like you to please be my date on Saturday.” 

“Can you say that again so I can record it?” You ask a little too innocently. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say please.” 

“You’ve barely heard me say five words,” Jihoon says. “This is the longest conversation we’ve ever had.” 

“With the exception of literally three days ago when you yelled at me. And the presentation you gave in eighth grade on the importance of fish in the ecosystem of the creek by the school and you were so excited because you brought your fish except it died on the way to school and you were so upset you locked yourself in the bathroom and they had to call your dad to pick you up.” You look a little too smug. 

“If you tell anyone about that, I’m telling them about the time you wrote an entire essay on symbolism in the Harry Potter series over the summer, and then it wasn’t even accepted because they said extra credit was unethical.” 

“You remember that?” You frown at him. “Look, I was a different person back then. J.K. Rowling was a different person back then.” 

“Pretty sure a TERF is always a TERF,” Jihoon says. It’s easy to fall into banter with you. He finds himself wondering why he’s never spoken to you like this before, until he remembers Fundamental Fact #3: you are an idiot in love. 

More than anything, he wants to leave this closet. Run away and lock himself in his room and dive into his work (and tell Mark that he’s an idiot who can’t read) and forget all of this. But you still haven’t said yes. 

“I will do whatever you want,” he says, quickly adding, “within reason,” because your eyes light up a little too brightly. “You can tell your friends that we’re fake dating. We can actually fake date. I can write a contract and everything, just, please, come with me?” 

Jihoon has always thought that your kindness made you weaker, but he’s grateful for it now because you smile at him and say, “Yes.” 

He hopes his sigh of relief isn’t too obvious. He thinks you might say something else (“You have to pretend to be my date to my friends in return,” or “I was just kidding, you’re insane and I won’t do it,” or “Don’t fall in love with me”) but before you can open your mouth, there’s a knock at the door. 

“Hey,” Wonwoo says, voice muffled. “I hate to interrupt, but yn, we have a meeting in like two minutes.” 

You glance at the time on your phone and curse, pushing past Jihoon and practically bursting out of the closet. He loses sight of you sprinting toward your office as the door swings shut. Jihoon seriously considers staying here for the rest of the day (possibly the rest of his life), but the door creaks open again to reveal Wonwoo, pinstripe suit and all. He folds his arms and leans against the door. 

“We need to talk.” 

Jihoon has never been scared of any of his friends, but fear is the only word he can use to describe how he feels now. The final beats to Jihoon’s life sounds a lot like Wonwoo’s footsteps as they echo while he follows the tall man to his own office. This is it. The jig is up before he even shows you to his friends. Well, it was an idiotic plan in the first place and at least he didn’t embarrass you alongside everyone else. 

Wonwoo has the decency to wait for the door to shut behind him. 

“I can’t believe you,” Wonwoo says, shaking his head. “I leave for one weekend, and you tell everyone that you’re dating yn?” 

“I know, I—” 

“I mean, seriously, we’ve been friends for how long now?” Wonwoo pauses to count on his fingers. “Eight years? Nine? We work together! I know yn better than any of them, and I had to hear from Mingyu that you two are dating?” 

Jihoon frowns. Did Wonwoo actually believe him? 

“Honestly, I’m offended,” Wonwoo says. “Seriously, how am I not the first person you think of? I’ve been saying for years that you and yn would be perfect together.” 

“I didn’t mean to tell them,” Jihoon says. “They were just being annoying about it, so it slipped out.” 

Wonwoo shakes his head. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. Right under my nose and I didn’t see it.” 

“Well, you are like a point away from being legally blind,” Jihoon says. 

Wonwoo glares at him. “You owe me details.” 

“Don’t you have a meeting?” Jihoon says. 

Wonwoo’s phone rings. He answers in a hushed tone, shooting Jihoon a look that clearly says this isn’t over. Jihoon breathes a sigh of relief as Wonwoo exits, resting his head on his desk. What just happened? 

A small part of him had hoped that Wonwoo was going to call him out and this entire mess would be over. But he believed him? Jihoon, who had only ever scoffed at you, despite Wonwoo constantly talking about how well you would work together. Well, he’s clearly having the last laugh now. 

Jihoon takes a deep breath and sits up. He still has a job to do. Though his life is clearly falling apart, he should at least make sure Mark from accounting doesn’t mess up his paycheck (again). And he has a contract to write. 

.

.

Objectively, Jihoon has to admit you look good. It has nothing to do with opinion; it’s a fact (fact #8: you look good in formalwear, though he makes a mental note for an addendum that says that’s the whole point of formalwear). Jihoon spends a normal amount of time looking at you (counting to five seconds before looking away), then ushers you into the backseat of the limo because for some reason you aren’t moving. 

“Do I get to know why we’re in a limo or why I had to buy new clothes?” You ask, taking care to make sure none of the flowy garment got stuck in the door. 

“I told you I’d cover that,” Jihoon says. 

“No, it was kind of bad that I didn’t have anything this nice, and now I have something to wear to the end of the year gala,” you say. “Way to dodge the question though.” 

Jihoon grimaces. It’s difficult to judge how people react to finding out about his friends (given that he has “little-to-no” experience introducing anyone to them), and he isn’t entirely certain that you won’t jump out of the car when he tells you the truth. But apparently you can’t sit in silence for long. 

“Okay, well, if you won’t tell me, then I’m going to guess,” you say. “Are we going to a wedding?” 

“No.” 

“A funeral?” 

“Why would I wear a tux to a funeral?” 

“Hey, I don’t judge,” you say with a shrug. “It looks very good on you, by the way.” Jihoon glances at you but you’re twisting your face into a strange frown as you think, so you don’t notice the way his ears tinge pink at the comment. “Prom?” 

“We’re grown adults.” 

“Prom needs chaperones,” you say. “Besides, you never went to prom.” 

“Yeah, well, I didn’t catch my date making out with someone else either, so, it wasn’t that bad of a night for me.” 

“Ouch,” you say. “That was low.” 

Jihoon remembers that you are technically doing him a favor today (if saving his life counts as a favor), so he says, “Well, there’s no way you could know I was in my pajamas watching anime all day, so, it wasn’t fair. Sorry.” Maybe around you he’ll get used to apologizing. He can’t decide if that’s a good thing or not. 

Luckily, you accept his peace offering, flashing a smile that is quickly becoming familiar. Your face twists into that strange frown again, and Jihoon determines Fact #9: you are unwaveringly stubborn. 

“Oh!” You gasp. “Are you secretly rich?” 

Jihoon snorts. “What makes you think that?” 

“Well, you picked me up in a limo wearing a tux, after telling me to dress in fancy, expensive clothes,” you say. “Plus you are super secretive about your personal life, and, I don’t know, you give off rich guy vibes. Unless I’m totally wrong?” 

���I’m not rich,” Jihoon says. “I mean, I guess I have a decent amount of money saved since I mostly just work and go to the gym and the only thing I really buy is groceries.” Jihoon realizes just how boring he sounds. “I mean, I do go out. Just not often, and I buy… things, anyways, I’m not rich.” 

“Sure,” you say. You turn to look out the window, but Jihoon doesn’t miss the laugh poorly disguised as a cough. 

Luckily (because Jihoon is absolutely positive you would have continued interrogating him), the limo stops and you don’t have to guess anymore. 

“You’re joking,” you say, whipping around in your seat to stare at him. 

Jihoon can’t say that he doesn’t enjoy seeing you speechless. You look back and forth between him and the chaos on the street. 

“You said you weren’t secretly rich!” You say. “How did you get tickets for a literal red carpet event?” Your face is centimeters away from pressing against the glass, breath quickly making it too foggy to see. “This is the Eternals sequel!” 

“You like Marvel?” 

“No, actually I think the franchise has a lot of issues.” 

Jihoon gasps, but you’re already climbing out of the limo, turning back to face him with a smile. It’s so bright Jihoon forgets why he was mad. 

“Come on,” you say. You hold out your hand, and after a moment, Jihoon takes it. He doesn’t let go when he gets out of the car, tightening his fingers around yours, anchoring you to his side. 

It’s chaotic, but not nearly as chaotic as he knows it will be soon. Half the press haven’t even arrived yet, and the theater is mostly surrounded by the scatter of crew members and invited guests that aren’t celebrities. Jihoon spots Mingyu first, his tall head standing out in the crowd. 

“You ready?” Jihoon asks, turning to look at you. You’re still staring at everything, unable to hide your grin. Maybe he should have warned you, but it’s kind of fun to see you like this. Bright. 

Mingyu literally shouts when he sees Jihoon. He watches as Mingyu’s eyes practically lock on to you, and he starts pushing his way towards you, Wonwoo and Seungcheol in tow. 

“The tall, overly excited one is Mingyu,” Jihoon whispers. “You know Wonwoo, and—” 

“Seungcheol, right?” You glance at Jihoon. 

He frowns. “How did you know that?” 

“We did go to the same college, you know.” Right. Because this wasn’t complicated enough. Jihoon starts to think that all of this is a mistake, but it’s hardly the first time today, and as Mingyu approaches, all he can do is tighten his hand around yours and commit. 

“Jihoon!” Mingyu says as soon as he’s close. His voice carries, more than a few people casting a glance at him. He takes another step, but his foot gets caught on something (knowing Mingyu, it’s nothing), and he’s sent tumbling to the ground. Neither Seungcheol nor Wonwoo attempt to catch him, letting the tall man collapse on the ground. 

“Oh my god, are you okay?” You ask over Seungcheol’s giggling. Wonwoo helps Mingyu up, but he’s laughing as well, and even Jihoon’s nerves aren’t enough to stop him from breaking a smile. 

“I’m used to it,” Mingyu says, walking much slower. His hair took the worst of the fall, now a disheveled mess. Jihoon wonders how long it’ll take for him to notice. 

“Mingyu, Seungcheol, this is yn,” Jihoon says. “My real, living, breathing, human date.” 

“Nice to finally meet you,” Mingyu says, shaking your free hand. “We’ve heard so much about you.” 

“Really?” 

“No, this is Jihoon we're talking about, we were lucky to get your name.” 

“That sounds more like the man I know,” you say, turning to flash a smile at him before facing Mingyu again. Mingyu glances at your other hand, fingers still intertwined with his, and Jihoon thinks he might actually believe it. 

“We’ve met before,” Seungcheol says. “Though there was a lot of alcohol, and I don’t really remember it all that well.” 

“Georgia’s Bar, right?” You say. It takes all of Jihoon’s self control not to react. Surely he would have remembered seeing you at the only bar his friends could drag him to during college? 

“Probably,” Seungcheol says. “I was getting my MBA, and there were a lot of bars. Very few that we could get Jihoon to go to, though.” He raises his eyebrow. “That’s why we're all a little surprised that someone actually managed to get him out of his apartment and away from his work.” 

Jihoon glances between you and Seungcheol as you think about the answer to what is obviously a test. “I don’t think I really got him away from his work.” You turn to Jihoon with what can only be described as a warm, loving smile. You’re really good at this. “But I’m pretty much married to my job too, so it works.” 

Seungcheol nods but Jihoon can tell he doesn’t believe fully, at least not yet. “We should go inside before everyone else gets here and this turns into a mess.” He turns to head into the cinema, leaving everyone else to follow. Mingyu and Wonwoo start chatting about Mingyu’s (alleged) drama at work that has something to do with a secretary, the CEO of the company, and his famous but estranged brother. Jihoon doesn’t bother to listen, turning to look at you. 

Your smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes. “He doesn’t believe us.” 

“Not yet,” Jihoon whispers. “Give him time, he’s just particular.” He pauses, then says, “The detail about Georgia’s was good.” 

You nod. “It was true.” 

“How many times have you met him?” 

“Just once,” you say. “You were there too.” 

Before Jihoon can ask anything else, Wonwoo calls, “Hey, lovers, are you coming or what?” They’re already inside the cinema, waving for you to catch up or get left behind. You flash Jihoon a determined smile and squeeze his hand, jogging to catch up to the rest of the guys. 

Jihoon can’t help but wonder how long your lives have been like this, the roots of two trees that brush against each other but never tangle. Until now. 

“Do we have an ETA on the kid?” Wonwoo asks as you settle into the theater seats. You’re doing a good job of acting natural, or at the very least, not gawking at every other detail of the (admittedly stunning) theater. 

“You’re not calling him that now, too,” Jihoon says. “He’s a grown adult. Also, he should be here soon.”

“How’s the kid?” Seungcheol asks, folding his arms. Jihoon rolls his eyes with the emphasis on kid. “No nervous breakdowns?” 

“He was fine when I called him earlier,” Mingyu says. “As soon as the cameras are on him, he’ll put a smile on.” 

Seungcheol grunts but still looks worried. Jihoon would tell him that he cares too much, but he knows Seungcheol will just say that it’s to make up for Jihoon not caring at all, so he doesn’t quite see the point. Besides, it’s Seungkwan; Jihoon is pretty sure all his friends have a soft spot for the younger man, Seungcheol especially. 

“He must be here,” Mingyu says when screams erupt from outside. He checks his watch. “A little early, isn’t he? Doesn’t he normally make a grand entrance?” 

Jihoon doesn’t miss the way you frown at him, clearly aware that you’re missing something very important. He studies the lights and pretends not to notice your glare. 

Most of the commotion is at the entrance, though the bulk of the press aren’t allowed into the theater. Jihoon hears more than he can see, but he knows it’s Seungkwan and the rest of the star-studded cast that are used to being the center of attention. He doesn’t miss you craning your neck to catch a glimpse of why everyone is staring. 

Seungkwan’s blonde head appears from the crowd, but he makes the rounds first, checking in with every staff member, shaking hands and taking pictures. Ever the perfect celebrity. 

Still, he doesn’t miss how Seungkwan locks in on you, grabbing a tall skinny man and whispering a few words before striding across the theater to where the entire group sat. 

“That’s Boo Seungkwan,” you whisper. “And he’s walking over here.” 

“I didn’t tell you we’re friends?” Jihoon says. 

If looks could kill, Jihoon would be dead, but it’s worth it because even with murder on your mind you (objectively) look good. Maybe it comes from being a divorce lawyer—Jihoon wonders if this is the glare you use when the to-be-divorced couples bicker, then wonders if he’s thinking a little too much about your glare. 

The rest of his friends greet Seungkwan as if this is normal, which, technically, it is. Except this is a blockbuster movie premiere and Jihoon is using it to soft launch his (fake) relationship to his world famous best friend. To your credit, you manage to shake his hand and greet him normally. 

If Jihoon is being honest with himself, Seungkwan is the only one he really feels guilty lying to. It doesn’t sit right, even though Seungkwan is partially to blame for thinking Jihoon’s happiness is reflected directly onto his love life. It doesn’t help that Seungkwan knows exactly how to guilt him, smiling and greeting you as if this is normal. Jihoon knows him too well, seeing the suspicion behind his friend’s eyes. As if convincing Seungcheol isn’t hard enough. 

“So are all of Jihoon’s rich and famous?” You ask after he introduces himself. 

“Hey! We have the same student loans,” Wonwoo says. 

“I’m not rich,” Seungcheol says. 

“Yeah, but your family is, so basically the same thing,” Mingyu says. 

“Not the same thing,” Seungcheol says, glaring at Mingyu, who, honestly, should have known better than to bring that up. But because it’s Mingyu, he laughs it off, and soon enough Seungcheol is smiling too. 

“Joshua’s pretty broke too,” Minghao says. “He doesn’t make a million dollars for crying in front of a green screen.” 

“I told you, my character has grown since then,” Seungkwan says. 

“You cry on an actual different planet?” Seungcheol asks. 

“I’m convinced none of you actually pay attention to the movies,” Seungkwan says with an overdramatic sigh. “We were on Earth for the entire movie.” 

“Wasn’t there a bit where Gemma Chan yelled at someone in space?” Jihoon asks. 

“Nerd,” he’s pretty sure he heard you whisper through a fake cough. 

“I don’t know if that counts, she wasn’t actually there.” Seungkwan rounds on you. “I don’t suppose you remember?” 

“Weren’t you technically in space right at the start?” 

Seungkwan cocks his head, thinking back. “Huh, oh yeah. I forgot that.” 

Jihoon has about a million questions that he wants to ask you, mostly related to Marvel movies and the fact that you’ve seen them all, even though you clearly don’t like the franchise. He curbs them because he knows you’ll call him a nerd, plus Seungkwan almost looks like he approves. 

“Do I have a lot to look forward to today?” You ask. “Someone didn’t tell me where we're going, so I couldn’t look up any critic reviews.” 

Seungkwan winces. “I don’t like looking at those.” 

Jihoon rolls his eyes. “I saw at least three headlines talking about the prodigy dropping another masterful work of acting, or whatever they say about people like you.” 

“Not a prodigy,” Seungkwan mutters. 

“Either way, whatever Seungkwan is in, it’s good,” Seungcheol says, patting Seungkwan on the back. “And he gets paid.” 

“That’s the most important part,” Wonwoo says. 

Seungkwan looks like he wants to say more, but the director of the film waves him down and he’s forced to say a hasty goodbye, promising to meet with them later. 

Jihoon feels your hand squeeze his tight enough to cut off his circulation. He turns to face you in the dim lighting, finding you with a disarmingly sweet smile. 

“When were you going to tell me?” You ask, voice so sweet he almost believes you aren’t upset. 

“I thought it would be fun if it was a surprise?” Jihoon says. 

You lean in close to him, your breath mixing with his, smelling faintly like clementines and something else citrusy. For some godforsaken reason, Jihoon thinks you are about to kiss him. “You’re going to regret this.” 

He opens his eyes and you are gone, laughing at some joke Mingyu made about PDA. Jihoon is vaguely aware it’s at his expense, something to do with how red his ears are, but he’s too busy trying to get his heart to at least pretend like it isn’t about to explode out of his chest. Why the hell did he think you were going to kiss him? Why is he disappointed that you didn’t? Jihoon wonders for the thousandth time if it’s not too late to call the whole thing off, but the lights in the theater are dimming and a spotlight is put on the director, who gives an unnecessarily long speech about what a labor of love this movie was to make, and then the movie is starting, and it’s too late to run away.

[lizard-shifter-noms]

Still Subject to Change Chapter 16 (NEW)

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Hello everyone! i decided to repost arc 1 of SSTC

(the chapters were way too long and had a bunch of typos but hopefully this will make reading easier)

this Story contains Vore, Dont like dont read.

if there are still any grammatical errors i’m sorry.

——————————————————————————

The next time I woke up it was because someone kept shoving at my cheek.

“Donovan! Wake up! You’ve been asleep for over ten hours!”

What? That long? Now that couldn’t be right but I opened my eyes anyway.

Robin was in front of me and despite being so close to my face he still looked so small.

Arthur’s head popped up from somewhere on the side, carrying all the stuff we had and put it on the ground, probably to sort it.

“How are you, big guy?”

Good question, I did feel better than yesterday but everything was still aching horribly.

“Sore, but still better than yesterday”

He nodded slowly and Robin tried to snatch some of the stuff to look it over.

“Okay that’s good! Do you think you can walk? Cuz we kinda have the problem that we need to go out and get food”

Oh right, I was the only one that didn’t need to eat, and honestly staying in this cave where there was no sunlight couldn’t be very good for me either.

However there was another problem, Rikaad was still stuck in my pouch And if I were to get him out at a later point outside of the relatively warm cave he’d just freeze again.

The frigid outside air would immediately strip him of any warmth and not to mention when he got out he’d be- well not dry, so that was an added problem as it would seep out any body heat he had even faster.

“I guess i can walk, but i should get Rikaad out first, if i do that out in the snow he will freeze”

At my words there was some slight movement in my pouch and I was happy to find that it didn’t hurt that much anymore.

“I am not keen on getting that cold again, maybe you can look in the area close to the cave for something to eat if Donovan cant get me out right now?”

It was the first thing I heard him say since I woke up and it was of course something completely reasonable and logical.

It was like any trace of the absolutely mad person that had chased me through the snow was completely gone, and it greatly confused me.

I decided not to ask, maybe the cold froze some parts of his brain or something.

Arthur looked not very convinced and Robin was sorting the meager stuff we owned into neat little piles.

“Well i could try, you stay here and rest some more and Robin you can uhh- put the stuff away we don’t need okay?”

Robin nodded and went to bring the things he sorted over to the pond where they had left their little bags.

Arthur meanwhile had picked up his sword and put it on his belt.

“I’ll be back as soon as i can, don’t worry about me”

He went over to the exit of the cave to go outside, hesitating only for a few seconds as the cold seeped through the gap in the stone before going out.

“I hope he finds something, we kinda forgot to get anything while you were so badly hurt”

Oh, I didn’t know how to feel, they were so worried about me that they forgot to get a basic supply.

But for once in my life I knew that somebody cared about me.

Actually cared, not just pretended because they wanted something.

Since I could move again at least somewhat I held a hand out to Robin and gave him a sort of hand-hug.

He was too small to give a proper hug to so this would have to do.

He leaned into the touch and I was able to tussle his ginger hair a bit.

“I’m glad you’re okay”

He gripped the non bandaged part of my thumb and hugged me back.

Seeing the incredibly small human trust me so much and freely admit that he was worried made my heart melt.

Being able to just interact with someone in a positive way wasn’t something I was able to do for years as the streets weren’t kind to bastards.

He looked so small in my hand and I knew that as soon as I brought them to Kamerasca he’d be the one I would miss the most.

Right, bringing them home, the place I couldn’t go.

I shoved the sad feelings aside, for now I would enjoy the time I could spend with people that didn’t plan on killing me.

Well most of them didn’t plan on killing me.

Rikaad was still in my pouch and when Arthur came back I would attempt to get him out.

He was probably sick of being in there and unable to do anything.

Not to mention there was basically no view and he wasn’t allowed to move much lest it upset the wounds again.

I was however really impressed that he managed to lay still for so long.

I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to do that, I was already sick of just lying on the floor after about two hours.

Maybe I should try to get up, if I was to get Rikaad out soon I probably should get used to moving again first.

Slowly taking my hand back and ignoring Robin’s disappointed noise I shifted to brace both of my hands on the ground.

I slowly heaved myself up to a sitting position being very careful about the stitches in my pouch and did my best to not let Rikaad bump into them.

He slid a little and came to rest at the bottom of the pouch.

He still wasn’t moving much and at this point it was beginning to get worrying.

I knew i hadn’t injured him when i swallowed him so what was wrong?

Gently placing a hand over my pouch without applying any pressure I decided to just ask so we could move on with all of this stuff.

“Rikaad you okay? The moving didn’t disorient you?”

There was a few seconds of worrying silence before he answered.

“I am fine, if bored, how are you? I didn’t come in contact with the wounds again did i?”

Ah so he was worried he’d touched something, that was, well that was considerate of him.

It took a few seconds for me to register that he barely moved because he felt Guilty.

He was the one that slashed me with a knife or whatever he had used and then continued kicking and elbowing me.

He was keeping still and quiet because he felt bad about it.

I could live with that, it WAS kinda his fault.

But i didn’t hate him, even if he overreacted a bit it was an understandable response after all.

I decided to leave it for now and instead focus on what I needed to be doing one step at a time.

Taking my hand away from its spot on my pouch I instead lent it to Robin who had been trying to climb up my knees.

He scrambled into it and I gently set him down on my knee where he had been trying to get to.

He sat down with his legs crossed and looked up at me.

“Is he okay? I can’t really hear him from here”

Ah yeah i suppose it would sound muffled for anyone else, I was rather surprised myself that I could hear it so well.

“He’s alright, why don’t you talk to him a bit?”

I offered my hand to him once again while leaning a bit backwards against the cave wall to have some support on my back.

He climbed on without hesitation and I brought him up to my chest so he could hear Rikaad.

I was careful and didn’t set him directly on the pouch as I wasn’t sure if my bruised flesh could take it, but he settled just underneath it and leaned his head on where he thought Rikaad was.

He was almost laying on me like a mattress and it was kinda adorable.

But I hoped Arthur would come back soon, they all needed something to eat even if it was something small.

“Rikaad? Can you hear me? How are you?”

I could feel that he turned his head to where Robin was on the other side of my flesh before he replied.

“I can hear you yes, and i am fine if a little bored”

Robin seemed to perk up at hearing the voice of his friend again and settled fully onto my torso to chat with the man currently stuck in my guts.

I leaned completely against the wall so I was leaning a fair bit back, but at least Robin wouldn’t fall off like this.

The little ginger had already started to chatter Rikaads ears off and I tuned it out for now, I was still tired and he technically wasn’t talking to me.

I didn’t want to be rude, and I didn’t want someone stuck in my pouch either so I hoped I could get him out soon.

I did not want to be a living prison for the stoic man currently laying there, and I definitely hadn’t wanted to scare him either.

But if everything went well I would try to get him out as soon as Arthur was back, since he was stuck for who knew how long he was probably hungry.

Out of boredom I started looking at the cave walls.

The glowy moss wasn’t growing everywhere, mostly on the side we were on and around the pond.

It was pretty looking i had to admit that, on my way back to Oakley i should try to find this spot again and bring him some, maybe he’d know why it was glowing in the first place.

He kinda seemed like the type of person that would enjoy some freaky plants.

I suddenly noticed that it was a lot more quiet and glancing down I saw that Robin had fallen asleep on my chest.

The sight of it was adorable, but it also meant that now I could not move without waking him up.

At least the position wasn’t uncomfortable and the moss that grew on the stone acted a bit like a cushion.

I wasn’t the only one that had noticed Robin had suddenly fallen silent as Rikaad tensed for a second.

“Donovan? Why is Robin suddenly so quiet? Is he alright? Did he fall off?”

“No, hes sleeping so just let him”

At my words he untensed his muscles and was back to playing corpse with his weight.

“I do want to repeat that i am extremely regretful of what i have done, whether or not you believe me is up to you”

He was making it hard to stay angry when I could clearly tell that he felt really bad about all of it.

“I do believe you, you tried your best to help afterwards.

I was just snappy because everything hurt, but you did stitch it up and that helped a great deal so don’t beat yourself up over it okay?”

“That is fair, though i have to ask how much i can move in here without upsetting the wounds, i do not want to cause anymore pain to you”

Ah so that’s why he had barely moved at all, He was worried about hurting me even more.

“You can shift a bit if you want, just steer clear of the walls and there’s no problem”

I could feel him relax just the tiniest bit at the affirmation that he could move without hurting me.

“I will do my best to steer clear of those then, but I have to admit that I am curious as to how you found out about this in the first place.

According to Robin and Arthur you knew of this before we met Oakley”

Oh, they told him, didn’t they? Better explain then, Besides, it was a rather boring story anyway.

“Well i have some of my organs doubled some of them work some of them don’t, like i have four kidneys, well three now don’t ask, so i basically used it to hide coins and valuables before this madness started”

“What other Organs are doubled if I may ask?”

He seemed intrigued and i wasn’t sure how much to tell him, I didn’t know everything myself either.

“Uhh well i have the pouch where you are right now and as i said the kidneys, oh and i have two hearts but only one of them is beating”

Robin suddenly tried to turn and I had to put my hand over him to stop the ginger from falling off of me.

He made a little ‘mrrf’ sound and went back to sleeping soundly, I did keep my hand there just in case though.

“How do you know you have two hearts if only one is beating?

Not to be rude but if mine wasn’t beating i doubt i could tell it was there”

That was… a good question actually, I only remembered my mother telling me how to find it if I pressed in at the right spot next to my lungs.

“As far as i can Remember my mother told me how to find it, no idea how she knew, and i can’t ask a ghost”

For a few seconds Rikaad went quiet again and I thought for a few moments he’d give me the silent treatment again before he finally responded.

“So you have just used this as a purse basically? I doubt that is hygienic, did you not get sick?”

Was the first part supposed to be funny? Whatever, He was now the second person to ask if I did not get sick.

“No, somehow I didn’t, but I did my best to wash everything so maybe that helped enough to not get sick?”

“So washing things good enough can stave off sickness? That is good to know”

That was a good point, apparently having things clean reduced the risk of contracting anything.

To be fair the reason I had started doing this was because I saw what other stuff people handled and did not want to put such things in my mouth, let alone swallow it.

“Yeah maybe the next time there’s an outbreak of whatever you can just wash everything”

It was nice being able to make lighthearted conversation now, though I did wonder when Arthur would be coming back.

“Wash what for what?”

A sleepy voice mumbled from under my hand, Robin had woken up again and blinked owlishly up at me.

“Good morning, decided to come back to the land of the waking?”

At the mention of Robin being awake again Rikaad called out to him.

“Have you slept well?”

Robin groggily got into a sitting position and yawned

“Yeah, I’m good, is Arthur back yet?”

“Uh-”

I looked over to the entrance of the cave but there was nothing there except more moss and stone.

“No not yet, but i’m sure he’ll be back soon”

While I spoke Robin attempted to climb down my side and I scooped him up to gently set him on the ground.

“I’m gonna go look if i can see him outside somewhere!”

He scrambled out of my palm before I could properly set him down and ran for the entrance, half disappearing behind the bend that led outside.

“Is he always like this?”

I asked Rikaad who had leaned back again while Robin tried to get off my chest.

“Sometimes, depends on how much sugar he’s had so never give him any”

That checked out, I could clearly imagine a hyper Robin running around and causing havoc.

“Well while he’s busy i’m going to try and get you out, it should be fine now, i think”

He seemed confused at my words and as I slowly stood up I heard him ask.

“What? Are you sure? I do not want to do anymore damage to you”

“You already said that, and I’m pretty sure it’s fine, I do want to leave this cave sometime you know?”

I walked over to the pond doing my best to keep Rikaads weight off the front of my pouch and kneeled down next to the water.

The small body of water couldn’t have been bigger than a horse carriage but was only about four feet deep.

Drowning in this shouldn’t be a concern, and it was pleasantly warm.

“Alright brace yourself, just don’t tense up or i’m going to choke”

“I will try my best”

At his confirmation I began to squish my pouch together from the bottom to top to get Rikaad back into my esophagus.

It stung, badly even, but I had already started so I was going to see this through.

I started to hack a bit as he entered the back of my throat, He was bigger than the other two and that made it a bit harder to properly get him out.

I did manage not to gag and get him out though, gently sliding the damp form into the water before turning my head away and coughing into my elbow.

Looking down I saw that he was turning the water an orangish hue from the blood that clung to his clothes, my blood.

Eww, and that couldn’t have been comfortable either.

“Are you alright? This did not hurt you did it?”

His concern was nice but it was nothing, just my body telling me to throw up again even if there was nothing to throw up in the first place.

Ugh, I hoped that I wasn’t getting sick after all this.

“Im fine, just a bit nauseous, i’ll be okay in a few minutes don’t worry”

I sat back against the wall, but as soon as I had done that Robin came back from the exit of the cave.

“I can see him! Make the fire ready! I think he got something!”

He fell over halfway with a squeak but stood back up immediately and started picking up every little branch he could find.

“Robin be careful, let me help”

Rikaad heaved himself out of the water and wrung out his clothes before he was swept into a hug by Robin.

“Rikaad! I’m so glad you didn’t freeze!”

He slowly and a bit awkwardly returned the hug.

“So am i, so am i, believe me”

He softly pried himself away from the ginger and went over to the fire.

“HEYY GUYS! I GOT SOMETHING!”

At the shout three pairs of eyes snapped to the entrance of the cave.

Robin was right, Arthur had found something! That meant that they could eat something soon.

And after that we could finally leave this cave and move on.

Move closer to Kamerasca where I would leave them for good.

I shoved the thoughts down for now, I could deal with them on the way back to Oakley.

At least they would be safe there.

I wasn’t the only one wondering what Arthur had caught thorough, judging by the curious look Robin gave the brown furred thing that Arthur had brought.

“What did you get?”

He held up something that looked like an oversized bunny that had a few too many muscles and longer legs.

A Hare, he’d caught one of those wild lapines, not an easy feat.

“A Hare? Those are hard to catch! I’m impressed!”

He just mumbled something inaudible at the praise and handed the carcass over to Robin who then set on to properly gut the thing.

It seemed he hadn’t noticed Rikaad till now as he did a double take at the taller man before a huge smile plastered itself onto his face.

“Hey, how are you? Your legs didn’t fall asleep in there?”

I was kinda glad that he didn’t mention that HIS legs had been a bit wobbly after I got him out, while Rikaad probably knew by now it was still awkward.

I really didn’t want to talk about any of this ever again.

Well soon enough the only one I could talk to would be Oakley.

At least that wouldn’t be as boring as being by myself.

By the time the fire was back to a bigger size, one that could be used for a spit roast, Robin had carved out all of the entrails of the Hare and Rikaad had carved an adequate branch to skewer the meat on.

I had to admit that it smelled amazing, but I didn’t dare ask for anything, they needed it more than I did.

I instead tried to figure out what we would do next.

“So after this what are we going to do? Leave the cave and continue?”

It took a few seconds for someone to answer, likely because Robin had stuffed his face and Arthur tried to gnaw tiny pieces from a bone.

So the only one able to talk was Rikaad.

“Well i would suggest to rest the night here and leave tomorrow, i think that is the best solution, we should take advantage of the warmer cave for tonight and rest well before we move on”

Yup back to being the logical one, It was like the freaked out version of him never existed.

But he was, of course, right.

It was late and going out now was dumb, So why not take advantage of the warmer cave and leave the next morning well rested?

He would make a good Guard captain one day, I was sure of it, he had the potential to do so at least.

Maybe he’d even get to be the headmaster, I wouldn’t be too surprised, honestly.

I could also finally sleep without having to worry about something bumping into the wounds.

Yes, a good rest would do all of us well.

While the others cleaned up and disposed of the Hare’s guts I went to pick out a spot to sleep.

I chose one nearer to the water this time and next to the wall facing the entrance.

If something did get in here i would see it, maybe i could even get rid of it without waking anyone else too.

Rikaad scheduled me and Arthur for the second half of taking watch.

I could take a good guess why, I didn’t mind being up early and neither did Arthur, Robin however was not an early bird and would fall back asleep.

So placing the two that actually would stay awake to the second shift made sense.

For now I could just curl up sideways and sleep.

I curled around my now empty pouch and sort of held both my hands to it.

It felt weird now, Rikaad was out and the stabs had been sewed up.

To be honest I hoped it would not start to itch, That would be a nightmare.

At least now i could get some actual rest for once, since this madness started i had barely any good sleep so maybe now i could get some.

I hadn’t even realized that I had fallen asleep until I was Woken up by Rikaad for my turn to take the watch.

Glancing over I could see that Robin was already sleeping like a rock, that was fast, well he was a bit younger and probably needed more sleep than we did so whatever.

At least guarding this camp would be easy as there was only one place where anything could come from.

However just staring at the gap between the rocks was extremely boring,

So boring in fact that it was hard to stay awake.

“This is lame, we are just staring at a hole waiting if something dares come in here”

At least Arthur shared the sentiment, if all our stuff wasn’t already put in the bags and ready to go I might have attempted that.

But with how big my fingers were, that probably wouldn’t go well.

“Hey i don’t think i ever thanked you for punting that manticore off of me did i?”

Oh right, at the start of this madness he was attacked by one of those chimeran monsters and I had thrown it against a tree.

That felt like it was an entire world away now.

“Uh i guess? If you did then i can’t remember it, Rikaad did thank me though while you were lying on the ground”

“Of course he did, why wouldn’t he, but uhh, for what it's worth thank you”

We lapsed into an awkward silence for a few moments, So far I had only taken watch with Arthur once.

Otherwise I had always taken watch with Robin or Rikaad, who had probably done this on purpose.

He knew that at the start we didn’t like each other and kept us apart.

Now it was a bit different, he surely had figured out that I just let Robin sleep when he was supposed to be watching and he himself might not want to be alone with me right now after what happened.

PREVIOUS / NEXT / OVERSIGHT

[haleswallows]

✄ and ♡ for you! I know it says 'pick a fic' but can I just ask about the entire Incident Report series for the favourite line? If not then just do the first one.

Editing process! I work in big word documents. When I'm jumping back in, I'll reread a bit. Fix typos/errors, rephrase things. Very recently, I've started writing out of order. This let's me rearrange scenes. Also, keeps me writing because I'm always working on the part I want to be, not slogging through to get to that beautiful scene in my brain.

Hahaha, we're doing all 6 Incident Reports!

#1

“The Lord of Fear is born from the collective human memory of terror. As long as mankind has feared the unknown, of what lurks in the dark, I have existed.” Bro.

Because I love how irreverent Tim is this entire first summoning. He's like "Bet. This is happening. Wanna help me be a stalker?"

And meanwhile Fright Knight is like "This child does not comply with my understanding of children. I have Concerns."

#2

“So like, spirit. The Ghost of Human Terrors Past and Future can use a phone? How does that work? Did the academy secretary hear the screams of the damned during that call?”

I just love the entire phone call bit.

#3

Impossibly, Fright Knight straightens further. “It is what we do in spite of the fear. For there's the rub, to endure or to concede. Thus, many have fought against me and prevailed regardless of odds.”

Awww Frighty being like "humans are great" while not minutes earlier he was bitchy about Tim being a soft fragile human.

#4

This one is hard to pick for. Not because it isn't good, it's one of my favorites. But it's more of an exploration, not zings or one-liners. But I love this symmetrical moment:

A stranger looks back at Tim from the mirror. Tim doesn’t recognize himself, more ghost than anything else. Everything feels far away.

And

When he looks back to the mirror, Fright Knight stands behind him. Tim doesn’t turn, opting to observe the spirit through the reflection. It’s familiar. It’s different. Everything is so fucked up.

When I was writing, I was thinking of Tim feeling unsteady. He looks and doesn't recognize himself. He looks again, and finds something familiar. I wanted a push/pull of Tim getting to know himself. Fright Knight gives him guidance during that time through confronting fear, but also being a safety net.

#5

“I believe you are familiar with the definition of insanity.”

“Sure, I am. Would you prefer Merriam-Webster or Oxford English?” Tim quips with a smirk. The glare intensifies and he can't help but laugh.

This is one of the funniest things I've ever written. Convince me otherwise. My other choice for #5 would be Fright Knight looking at the photos.

#6

“Uncle Frank Night? Uncle Frank Night?”

“You named him what?” Phantom crows. “Fright Knight, elder spirit, endless fear incarnate. And you named him… Frank?”

“I was sixteen and stressed!” The defense falls flat.

“I can't believe you tried to pass off this,” Dick gestures at Fright Knight with a jab, “as a living relative!”

“Hey, that's not fair –,”

“-- please know, I'm going to call him –,”

“-- Fright Knight has feelings and you're being rude–,”

“-- he's a haunted suit of armor, Tim!”

“-- Frank during court from now on –.”

“-- yeah, Dick, and I've known him longer than you –.”

Actually near impossible to pick for this one. Honorable mentions: Danny's explanation of how he knows Jason, Fridge haunting/food unionizing, Alfred and Fright Knight colluding, Dick continually losing his shit.

[himehikoshrine]

Mary Jane Stage Script (EN)

This is the full Stage Script from the game menu for Mary Jane (occasional typos and all, though I tried not to add any that weren't already there, but no promises).

There are some things in this script that are not in the game version that are very much worth reading - in-game, parts of the script are elided in favor of summary. In my opinion, some of the cuts for this play are particularly heinous.

The Stage Scripts don't include any character ad-libs from the in-game performance, though. Of course, you can access it from the game menu, if you've got it, but this version is searchable! The play is over 900 lines long, and is thus behind the cut. Tumblr dislikes that many line breaks, so the formatting may get wonky, especially if you're trying to copy and paste. I have a version saved elsewhere that might work better if you're looking to save it -- feel free to ask.

Mary Jane  By Neji Kokuto

(1) Kakuriyo Island

A stormy sea.

Sounds of a torrential downpour.

Man:   “What a storm!” Sailor:   “Not much farther now until the island, but at this rate, the ship will…”

The ship runs aground of the rocky shore with a great crash.

Woman:   “Eeek!” Man:   “The ship’s leaning

Sounds of the ship's wooden planks splintering and breaking apart.

Sailor:   "Aaaaaagh!"

Sounds of violent winds.

Sounds of violent winds begin to fade.

(2) The Reviled Dollmaker

Fade out.

Narration:   "Behold the sky, the sea, the island." Narration:   "Birds fly, fish swim, and men work steadily once again." Narration:   "Forgetting what is important, losing what is important." Narration:   "That place is Kakuriyo Island, floating alone in the sea. There is no end to the praises it can be given. A paradise, so long as you don't ask for more.” Narration:   "A paradise, so long as you don't ask for more."

◆Harbor Town

Townspeople busily go about the day. A day like any other.

Mumbling can be heard.

The island dwellers look away, as if they see something they do not want to.

The murmurs turn to whispered conversations.

Islander:   "The dollmaker." Islander:   "It's that dollmaker." Islander:   "The dollmaker's here!"

The dollmaker appears, carrying a basket stuffed with dolls.

Mary:   "Dolls, would you like a doll?! A doll for your house! An adorable doll made specially by the dollmaker!" Mary:   "Would you like one? If you buy one, then how about another? Or, three, four, five, six, or even seven! A discount for the whole family!" Mary:   "A bit of food would be payment enough, in fact that would be best! Gold or silver won't help this empty stomach of mine!"

The dollmaker finds a man walking nearby and rushes up to him.

Mary:   "Hello, good gentleman! Let us shake hands in greeting." Mary:   "Oh? What a solemn face you have, like a flying fish who cannot fly. Look at these dolls I have, and you'll be happy in an instant!"

The islander man runs away, trying to escape the dollmaker's outstretched hand.

Mary:   "Good day, my lady. Let us shake hands in greeting. Your skin is as pale as a fish's belly today. One of my dolls would be perfect for you!"

The islander flees from the dollmaker.

Mary:   "Young boys and girls, elderly women and men, let us shake hands in greeting! And with that hand, hold one of my dolls!" Mary:   "I am Mary, Mary Jane! The dollmaker, Mary Jane! The dollmaker whom no one calls by name." Mary:   "Gather 'round, and please buy one of my dolls!"

Charles and Figaro appear.

Charles:   "Figaro, look! There! It's her, the dollmaker! That woman is the dollmaker!" Figaro:   "So that's the rumored Mary Jane. The dollmaker everyone abhors." Charles:   "What a strange manner she has. A headless chicken would have more grace." Charles:   "Figaro, tell me more about the rumors the islanders have shared since our arrival." Figaro:   "Yes, yes, as you wish." Figaro:   "The dolls she crafts are dolls of the devil, white skin with a deathlike pallor, and lips as red as dripping blood." Figaro:   “And that is because it is said... she makes her dolls out of corpses!"

Figaro raises both his arms up as if to scare Charles.

Charles:   "Ah, how frightening! Frightening, indeed!"

Charles puts on a mocking act, acting scared.

Figaro:   "There is another rumor as well." Figaro:   “Every last one of the dollmaker's wares are cursed. The door to the netherworld will swing open and pull you into the realm of the dead!" Charles:   "Ah, how scary! How terrifying! Aah, aah, aha, aha... Ahahahahaha!" Charles:   "I had initially taken it as idle gossip, but seeing such a peculiar woman, I must say the rumors suit her." Charles:   "I must repent for distrusting the islanders! God, save me!" Figaro:   "The islanders look at the dollmaker as though she is a ghost." Charles:   "They give her no answers whenever she approaches them."

As the dollmaker rushes around for a customer, she notices Figaro and Charles.

Mary:   "Oh! I have never seen your faces before." Charles:   "She's coming this way, Figaro." Figaro:   "It's because you keep staring at her, Charles." Mary:   "How very nice to meet you! I am the dollmaker. Let us shake hands!" Charles:   "My apologies. Where we are from, shaking hands is a challenge to duel." Mary:   "Oh, what a happy little custom! It's all right. I have no intention of fighting you to the death!" Mary:   "Look at these dolls! They are wonderful, aren't they? Very popular with the islanders. Before they run out, why don't you have one for yourself?" Charles:   "This woman is lying straight through her teeth!" Mary:   "No need to concern yourself with the details! Just a piece of food will do for pay!" Figaro:   "A doll... Huh. Look at this, Charles." Charles:   "Whoa, won't we get cursed? Let's see here... Oh." Charles:   "This looks iust like a person! It's so well done that I wouldn't be surprised if it were made from corpses." Mary:   "Yes, it is wonderful! Lovely enough to trade for a bit of food, wouldn't you say?!" Charles:   "Hmm... Nope! A bit of food is far more lovely." Mary:   "Hm? How strange, to love food so much." Charles:   "In my eyes, you are the one who is far stranger." Charles:   "All right, we're done talking here! Figaro, let's go."

Charles and Figaro start walking away.

Charles:   "Hmm, she's even more peculiar up close. Maybe it's best that we don't interact with her." Charles:   "All right, let's get back to sightseeing before the next ship arrives." Figaro:   "Right." Islander:   "She is the dollmaker of those cursed dolls." Islander:   "She lives right next to the forest along the island's edge." Islander:   "Those eerie dolls, that eccentric dollmaker." Islander:   "She is like a ghost. The cause of headaches on Kakuriyo Island." (3) I Am the Dollmaker

◆Dollmaker’s House 

Mary:   "Home sweet home!" Mary:   "I'm back with just as many dolls as I left with. What a shame that none of you could find a new mommy or daddy." Mary:   "Such cute, adorable things. It's a wonder you are not the "trend' of the island. My heart breaks for you!" Mary:   "I'm so sad, it's making me hungry. It must be nice that you all have no stomachs to pester you." Mary:   "Now then, here is the food I managed to buy with my meager savings. Let's see..." Mary:   "Ah, again! The food is rotten again!" Mary:   "The food yesterday was rotten, too. And it was rotten the day before that." Mary:   "It wasn't rotten the time before that, but it was time before that." Mary:   "Rotten, rotten, not rotten, rotten, rotten." Mary:   "They sell me rotten food day after day." Mary:   "I cannot keep up with this rotten 'trend' of this island! Off to the bucket you go!" Mary:   "I suppose I have no choice but to chew on some mushrooms. They don't taste great, but they're good for the body. And what is good for the body is good for the mind." Mary:   "And when your mind feels good, one's vigor is renewed. Yes, let us make some more dolls!" Mary:   "What design will it be this time? Hmm... That's it!" Mary:   "I can draw inspiration from the two strangers I met today! They were so wonderful, in such unusual clothing!

◆Dollmaker's House (Night)

Mary:   "All right, I'm done!" Mary:   "What wonderful dolls. I feel as if they'll move on their own at any time." Mary:   "...How wonderful would it be if they did." Mary:   "The islanders are spreading rumors that I use corpses for my dolls because they look so much like real humans." Mary:   "There isn't a single grave on this island, though." Mary:   "The real materials are just fabric, cotton, strings, buttons, and overflowing love." Mary:   "Oh, no! I've forgotten!" Mary:   "There's one last, important material left."

Sound of a hair being plucked.

Mary:   "My own hair. This is the string that connects me to the dolls. Proof that we are all family…” Mary:   "Now they are truly done. Good morning, dolls. I'm your mommy!" Mary:   "What good dolls you are! So gentle and wise. You're the only ones who don't run from me..." Mary:   "Oh, drat! The sun is setting! I'm sorry, there is somewhere I must be." Mary:   "When the sun sets, it's the moon's turn to rise. Now then, I must get ready." Mary:   "This is Kakuriyo Island, floating alone in the sea. There is no end to the praises it can be given. A paradise, so long as you don't ask for more." Mary:   "A paradise, so long as you don't ask for more. But…” Mary:   "The unchanging scenery, the unchanging days, the unchanging people." Mary:   "It's the worst nightmare l've ever had." Mary:   "There is but a single place where I can have pleasant dreams." Mary:   "And that is the chapel of the ghosts!"

(4) Ghost Chapel

◆Ghost Chapel

Ushinoko:   "Another party tonight, a ghost party!" Hachinochi:   "We are ghosts! Undead ghosts!" Sister Ghost:   "We live in a wonderful chapel." Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! Lively ghosts!" Bukuro:   "Ghosty, roasty, toasty ghosts." Ushinoko:   "Another party tonight, a ghost party!" Sister Ghost:   "Until the moonlight disappears." Ushinoko:   "Until the bright morning sun rises!" Ushinoko:   "...What a splendid night it is. I imagine that in ten seconds, Hachipochi will bare his stomach and do a bit of moonbathing." Hachipochi:   "How did you know what I was thinking, Ushinoko?! As expected of you, woof!" Hachipochi rolls over and bathes in the moonlight.

Sister Ghost rubs his stomach.

Sister Ghost:   "The light from the moon shines vibrantly through our bodies. What a blessing from God!" Bukuro:   "Light tonight, bright and white."

Sounds of rustling in the bushes.

Mary:   "Ah, they look like they're having so much fun!" Mary:   "Every day, the ghosts are bright and cheery and so sociable! It gives me the strength to be alive!" Mary:   "Ah, I want to join... I want to laugh with them...!" Mary:   "But... if I draw near, I'm sure the ghosts would run away, just as the islanders do. I'm sure their smiles will disappear." Mary:   "I want to join the ghosts, I want to laugh with them, but… I am a human being. I cannot be their friend." Mary:   "...Hahh." Mary:   "Watching them from the shadows is enough. Now then, I should go back and make more dolls."

◆Harbor

Sounds of waves.

Mary:   "I have no mommy or daddy. That is why I made dolls to be my family. Then my loneliness disappeared, just a little." Mary:   "I made dolls that looked exactly like the islanders, hoping to give them as presents. However, none of the islanders wanted any dolls." Mary:   "I wonder if they are lonely without any dolls. Or if they are better at bearing their loneliness." Mary:   "I am so lonely! I can spin my loneliness faster than the fabric for a doll..." Mary:   "Ah, I really do want to befriend a ghost..! I want to sing and dance and shake their hands!" Mary:   "But I'm sure that wish won't come true.. Mary:   "Ah!"

A thudding sound.

Mary:   "Did someone pull my leg? Oh, it's just the root of a tree…” Mary:   "Moon! You must shine more carefully or it'll be dangerous for me!" Mary:   "...Hm?" Mary:   "This is not a rock jutting out, nor the root of a tree."

She holds up a human foot.

Mary:   "It is the foot of a person! My, what a sturdy heel." Mary:   "I'm sorry to have kicked you as I was dancing, Mr. Heel!" Mary:   "Let us shake hands in greeting. Oh, how cold you are!! Mary:   "And what a difficult shape to shake hands with!" Mary:   "Mr. Heel, where are your hands? Oh, this is...!" Mary:   "Moon! Don't dawdle now. Shine as brightly as the daylight sun!" Mary:   "I will not be able to locate the other human parts otherwise!"

The shoreline is scattered with corpses and objects drifted from the ocean.

Mary:   "Not just corpses, but bottles of wine. Wet books. Swords and guns. Glass bottles. All scattered about." Mary:   "Ah! Could this be... a present from the moon to me?" Mary:   "I apologize for complaining so much, Moon! I shall accept this with gratitude." Mary:   "But what a large number of corpses this is. They are surely dead. This is the first time I've seen a corpse." Mary:   “...That's right." Mary:   "The islanders are spreading rumors that I use corpses for my dolls." Mary:   "Because my dolls are so lifelike, they seem as though they could move any moment." Mary:   "In that case..." Mary:   "I wonder what would happen if I made a doll out of an actual corpse?" Mary:   "What if my dolls, on the cusp of human likeness, actually moved as a human would?" Mary:   "Perhaps a ghost would be born from it?" Mary:   "Oh what a great idea, Mr. Heel! I'II make you into a doll!" Mary:   “I’ll make a body perfect for you and become your mommy!" Mary:   "First, I’llI need another heel. This one is too narrow. This one is too wide. This one is full of so many holes that it's not even worth my time." Mary:   "This may take a while. But it'll be fine. Hands and legs and stomachs and heads, and even pretty faces, there are so many materials here!"

The dollmaker excitedly gathers up the various parts.

◆ Workstation

Mary:   "I'll use my needle to string things together. To tie these chunks of meat into more meaningful shapes." Mary:   “I’ll connect all the body parts I've gathered in order to make a lovely doll!"

(5) First Friend

◆ Dollmaker's House (Night)

Mary:   "Phew... Hahh.." Mary:   "I wonder how many times the moon had risen. I want to sleep, but my needle just doesn't know when to stop." Mary:   "Lastly, I'll pass my needle through here... And there, very good! Everything's in place now!" Mary:   "And for the finishing touch, a strand of my hair!"

◆Sound of hair being plucked.

Mary:   "And now you and I are family." Mary:   "All done!" Mary:   "Ah, it's done! My doll is finally completed!" Mary:   "Oh, how adorable.." Mary:   "Oh yes, I have to give him a name. Something more humanlike than anyone on this island." Mary:   "John, James, Alex... Too common, perhaps?" Mary:   "Joseph, Michael, Reinhardt, Ja... Ja... Ja…” Mary:   "That's it!" Mary:   "Jacob. I'll name you Jacob!" Mary:   "I am Mary Jane. And you are Jacob Jane!" Mary:   "Jacob, what shall I do when you wake up? First, a handshake!" Mary:   "After that, you'll tell me your name, and after that I'll tell you my name..." Mary:   "I want to be your friend!" Mary:   "A friend who won't run off, who will look me in the eye and talk to me." Mary:   "Oh, how wonderful that would be..." Mary:   "... Ah, but..." Jacob:   “...” Mary:   “He will not move." Mary:   "But of course. He is dead." Mary:   “...” Mary:   “I’ll never have a friend, ever…”

Enchanting music plays.

The cobbled-together corpse becomes a ghost through the island's magic.

*Dance "A Friend Without a Name"

The corpse awakens and joins the dollmaker in a dance.

When the dance ends…

Mary:   "Jacob! He's moving...!" Jacob:   "Good morning, Mary." Mary:   "'Mary'?! Did you just call me ‘Mary'?! The name no one here has ever spoken before?!" Jacob:   "I did, Mary. You are Mary Jane. My mother." Jacob:   "And I am Jacob Jane, your undead creation." Mary:   "Undead!" Mary:   "H-Has my dream come true…?!" Mary:   "I have always wanted to become friends with a ghost!" Jacob:   "I know. That is why we should go." Mary:   "Go?! Go where?" Jacob:   "To the party."

◆Ghost Chapel

Ushinoko:   "Another party tonight, a ghost party!" Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! Undead ghosts!" Sister Ghost:   "We live in a wonderful chapel." Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! Lively ghosts!" Bukuro:   "Having fun without the sun." Ushinoko:   "Another party tonight, a ghost party!" Jacob:   “Until the baby's milk has spilled." Ushinoko:   "Until the bright morning sun…” Ushinoko:   "Hmm?! Seeing a newcomer here is quite the treat!" Mary:   “Jacob!” Hachipochi:   "Treat? Treat? I love treats, woof!" Bukuro:   "Sweet treat, neat, petite." Sister Ghost:   "A newcomer? I wonder if they're dangerous! Oh, God!" Jacob:   "Hello. I am Jacob. This is my mother." Jacob:   "We want to become friends with you ghosts." Mary:   "The ghosts I've been watching from afar... are looking at us..!" Hachipochi:   "Friends, you say?!" Bukuro:   Friends unite to play at night." Sister Ghost:   “Having more friends is splendid. It is God's will. However..." Sister Ghost:   "Jacob, you are a ghost just like us, but isn't your mother a human?" Hachipochi:   "A human?! Sniff, sniff...She's right! A-wooooo!" Bukuro:   "Humans are not ghosts." Mary:   "Ah, I guess it's no use... If I am of the living...!" Jacob:   "You can't give up, Mary." Ushinoko:   "Everyone! Silence!" Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko! Tell us our future!" Mary:   "Ushinoko?" Sister Ghost:   "He is the leader of our ghost group." Ushinoko:   ''Mother', our unexpected visitor. May I ask your name?" Mary:   "Mary. I am the dollmaker Mary Jane. All the islanders call me the crazed dollmaker." Ushinoko:   "Hmmm, I see. I shall give a prediction!" Mary:   "Prediction?" Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko here can see the future!" Mary:   "The future?! How amazing!" Ushinoko:   "I can see ten seconds into the future." Mary:   "Ten seconds... into the future?!" Ushinoko:   "Hahaha, ten seconds from now is still the future." Ushinoko:   "Now then, let me make a prediction. Mary... In ten seconds, you will say 'yes'!" Mary:   "Ten seconds from now... I'II say 'yes'?" Hachipochi:   "Woof! That's our Ushinoko!" Bukuro:   "It still hasn't happened." Ushinoko:   "You…” Ushinoko:   "Must adore ghosts, I presume!" Mary:   "Yes!" Hachipochi:   "He was right!! You did it!" Bukuro:   "Surmise, then surprise." Ushinoko:   "And let me make another prediction! In ten seconds… you will become friends with us!" Mary:   "Friends?! Me, friends with ghosts.?! My long-awaited dream will come true?!" Hachipochi:   "She looks super happy!" Sister Ghost:   "You're a human, but you really do want to be friends with us. Ah, what a wonderful blessing from God!" Bukuro:   "Happy, crappy." Hachipochi:   "In that case, from today onward, you're our friend! Oh, you were right again, Ushinoko! Wooof!" Bukuro:   "Mary and Jacob. Meetings and greetings." Sister Ghost:   “I hope we'll get along, Mary!" Jacob:   “Good for you, Mary." Mary:   "Oh, Jacob! The ghosts are calling me by name! Surely, I must be dreaming!" Ushinoko:   "Now then, let us continue our party!" Ushinoko:   "My adorable two newcomers. This is the ghost chapel." Ushinoko:   "We require no formalities here, so enjoy yourself as much as you like!" Sister Ghost:   "If there is anything you don't know, please ask Ushinoko. He can see the future, after all." Ushinoko:   "But only ten seconds from now!" Hachipochi:   "Woof!" Mary:   "Whoa!" Hachipochi:   "Ahaha! I surprised her!" Ushinoko:   "This is Hachipochi. He's a ghost who loves to surprise people. He's probably a dog. Perhaps a dog. I believe so." Hachipochi:   "Don't get a heart attack from jumping in surprise! A-woooo!" Sister Ghost:   "I'm Sister, the keeper of this chapel." Mary:   "Good evening, Sister. Allow me to shake your hand..." Sister Ghost:   "Oh, you can't." Mary:   "Whoa!"

Sound of her falling over.

Jacob:   "Mary!" Mary:   "Ahaha! My body went right through her…!" Ushinoko:   "Sister Ghost is a very ghostly ghost, as untouchable as the smoke from a candle." Sister Ghost:   "Indeed, for I serve a consecrated life for God!" Jacob:   "What is your name, you there in tattered rags?" Bukuro:   "Gunny sack, funny sack, money sack." Jacob:   "Nice to meet you, gunny-funny-money sack." Hachipochi:   "His name is Bukuro! The hidden-headed, half-brained, no-faced gunny sack. Sweet, harmless Bukuro. Our own sleepy scarecrow!" Ushinoko:   "Welcome, Mary! Welcome, Jacob!" Hachipochi:   "Let's play together! Let's dance until morning!" Sister Ghost:   "Don't forget singing!" Ushinoko:   "Another party tonight, a ghost party!" Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! Undead ghosts!" Sister Ghost:   "We live in a wonderful chapel." Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! One of us, a human!" Ushinoko:   "We are ghosts! One of us, a human!" Bukuro:   "Human, crewman, women, woman." Jacob:   "Another party tonight, a party with all of you!" Mary:   "Until the moonlight disappears." Mary:   "Until the bright morning sun rises!"

◆Dollmaker's House

Mary:    "Ah, that was so fun! I've never had so much fun in my life!" Jacob:   "Good for you, Mary." Mary:   "It's all thanks to you, Jacob!" Mary:   "Oh, drat! I forgot something so very important!" Jacob:   "What's wrong?" Mary:   "A handshake." Jacob:   "Handshake?" Mary:   "Yes, a handshake. Our very first handshake!" Jacob:   "We cannot shake hands." Mary:   "Huh? Whyever not?" Jacob:   "Because it is a challenge to a duel. You and I are family and friends. Something more suitable would be better." Mary:   "Then I wonder what we should do?" Jacob:   "Hug." Mary:   "Hug?" Jacob:   "Yes. To hold and squeeze the other tightly. Not with one hand, but both arms." Mary:   "All right... Like this?" Mary:   "Wow, your skin is as icy cold as a doll's, but you have a comforting warmth that's different from a human's." Jacob:   "I do not feel heat. But my heart is warm. What a comforting warmth."

(6) Visitor

◆Dollmaker's House

Jacob:   "Mary, breakfast is ready." Mary:   "Good morning, Jacob! This lovely aroma will wake me up in an instant, regardless of how late we stayed up with the ghosts!" Mary:   "The meals you cook are always so delicious. And most of all, they're not rotten!" Jacob:   “I throw away all the rotten things in the bucket outside. That is simple enough for me to do." Mary:   "My mornings have completely turned around since you've arrived, Jacob. Every day is wonderful..!"

A knocking sound.

Mary:   "A knock? Has someone come to visit me?" Mary:   "The islanders would never come here, but neither would the ghosts during daytime." Mary:   "The answer lies behind the door. Yes, I'm coming." Jacob:   "I’ll hide myself, Mary." Mary:   "Oh Jacob, you're so shy! Yes, who is it?" Figaro:   "Good morning. Is that a flying fish meuniere you're having for breakfast?" Charles:   "Sniff, sniff. I can smell roasted mushrooms. too!" Mary:   "Oh? Who might you be?" Магу:   "Your faces look so familiar." Mary:   "Ah, yes. You look exactly like a couple of dolls I made!" Figaro:   "You recognize us, but have forgotten as well. My name is Figaro. This is my twin brother, Charles." Charles:   "Morning!" Figaro:   "The two of us are journeying across the world together." Mary:   "Oh, my! What business would travelers have here? Were you not told by the islanders to steer clear of the dollmaker?" Mary:   "They are geniuses at gossiping about me. They have so many ways of doing so." Charles:   "Yes, we've heard. Enough gossip to make our ears bleed." Figaro:   "They told us our bodies would be made into dolls if we went to the dollmaker's house." Mary:   "Then why have you come? Do you wish to become dolls?" Mary:   "Oh, dear. I've never made dolls out of living humans before. I'm sorry!" Charles:   "Hah! You really ARE strange!" Figaro:   "We do not wish to become dolls." Figaro:   "We have come here to befriend you." Mary:   "To befriend me?" Mary:   "What new meaning does 'befriend' have these days? I'm afraid I do not know." Charles:   "Her hands may be quick, but her brain sure isn't!" Figaro:   "Charles." Charles:   "I'm joking, I'm joking. Do not mind me." Figaro:   "There is no hidden meaning to the word. We wish to be your friends." Mary:   "Friends?" Figaro:   "Yes, friends." Mary:   "You humans?" Charles:   "Yes, we humans!" Figaro:   "Can you blame us for being interested? A single human who is the source of all island gossip." Charles:   "I thought you were crazy when I first met you, but…” Figaro:   "We travelers are captivated by the exciting unknown." Figaro:   "That, and the dolls you make." Figaro:   "...I actually would like one." Mary:   "One of my dolls?" Charles:   "He may not look like it, but this guy loves adorable things! Cute, right?" Figaro:   "The payment was a bit of food, was it not? How about this bright, shiny apple?" Mary:   "Oh, yes." Figaro:   "All your dolls were wonderful, but if there is one in my likeness, I would like that one. Would you please show it to me?" Mary:   "Just a moment... There he is! It's this one here." Charles:   "Wow, he DOES look like you! That's pretty impressive!" Figaro:   "Two peas in a pod. I love it. Thank you." Mary:   “...” Mary:   "This is the first time someone's accepted one of my dolls!" Figaro:   "Really? Even though they're made so well?" Mary:   "On this island, gossip is as good as truth. My dolls are so eerie, no one will come near them." Figaro:   “...” Figaro:   "Dollmaker, what do you think of going to the islanders right now?" Figaro:   "With a basket full of dolls." Mary:   "For what purpose? To chase them around while carrying a heavy basket?" Figaro:   "Just take your friends' advice to start. Now then, let us go."

Figaro stuffs some dolls into a basket.

The dollmaker and Figaro exit the house.

Jacob:   “...” Jacob:   "Mary…”

◆Harbor Town

Charles:   "All right, we've arrived in town." Charles:   "You certainly are an infamous figure. I've never seen people scatter so quickly." Mary:   "Thanks to that, I am quite a fast runner." Charles:   "So, what are we gonna do, Figaro? We've got a basket full of cursed dolls that the islanders absolutely hate." Figaro:   "Charles, a moment?" Charles:   "Hm? What's up?"

The two talk in secret.

Charles:   "Mhm... Ohh, I see." Charles:   "Okay. Leave it to me, Dollmaker." Mary:   "Leave what to you?" Figaro:   "He's going to change the curse into a blessing.” Mary:   “...?" Charles:   "Now then... Ahem." Charles:   "Everyone! Here are the dolls from the dollmaker! Adorable, wonderful dolls!" Islander:   “...Some travelers are advertising the dollmaker's dolls. Has the dollmaker cursed them?" Mary:   "We seem to be drumming up gossip rather than sales." Figaro:   "Another rumor or two is nothing at this point, right?" Charles:   "Yeah. I've heard ten thousand rumors. What's one more?" Figaro:   "I'm sure this will be the very last one." Charles:   "We are travelers who roam the world! The dollmaker's wares are among the most exotic and surprising things we have seen!" Charles:   "Never have we seen dolls so beautiful in the entire world thus far!" Charles:   "Such clear skin, beautiful curly hair, red lips, like princesses from a distant kingdom!" Charles:   "Outside of the island, they would each fetch no fewer than two silver coins!" Charles:   "And this skilled dollmaker will trade them for just a bit of food. There aren't many people with such lack of greed!" Islander:   "T-Two silver coins?! For THOSE dirty dolls?! I don't believe it..." Charles:   "If you don't, then so be it. WE will just buy them all and sell them ourselves." Charles:   "The riches we can make from the profits! Perhaps we will buy another ship!" Islander:   "...Wait! I'll give you all the fish I've caught! Just give me a doll!" Charles:   "All right, congratulations! Dollmaker, give him a doll." Mary:   “Ah, sure...! Okay, then here's a doll that looks just like you...!" Islander:   "You're right, there's one that really looks like me. I can understand why this would be worth two silver coins...!" Islander:   "Thank you, Dollmaker! I'II take good care of it!"

The islander takes the doll and shakes the dollmaker's hand.

Mary:   "Wow, wow..." Charles:   "Come now, who's next?!"

The islanders shout out names of different food as they crowd around. Charles:   "Eggs over here! Poultry from over there! Seaweed and shellfish, too! Huh? No, no, a shirt cannot be eaten!" Mary:   "I can use shirts as clothes for the dolls." Charles:   "We got an okay on the shirts!"

The people who receive a doll shake her hand and leave.

◆Port

Charles:   "We sold them! We sold all of them! We're sold out!" Figaro:   "I think there were even a few who couldn't get one. Let's come sell them again tomorrow. We'll help you." Mary:   "...” Mary:   "Why are you both so kind to me? Everyone else hates me…” Figaro:   "You are human, same as us. That is reason enough, Dollmaker." Charles:   "Well, we've got our own reasons after seeing the world." Figaro:   "That, and we're new friends, after all." Figaro: "Now then, let us shake hands, Mary."

Figaro extends his hand.

Mary:   "...!” Mary:   "Wasn't a handshake supposed to be a challenge to a duel where you are from?" Charles:   "Oh, just forget that!" Figaro:   "This is a handshake of friendship." Mary:   "It's so warm…”

The islander's hands are cold.

Charles:   "Of course it is! We've got the same blood running through our veins. Did you not know, Mary?" Mary:   "Friends..." Mary:   "Friends who are human... just like me…”

◆Dollmaker's House (Night)

Mary:   "...I'm back." Jacob:   "Welcome back, Mary. Let's go to the ghost chapel again tonight." Jacob:   "They said everyone's bringing snacks, so we'll be having a snack party." Mary:   "I'm sorry, Jacob. Snack parties are great, but I should get to sleep. I have to wake up early and make dolls!" Jacob:   "Huh…” Jacob:   "Mary…”

(7) Human? Ghost?

◆ Harbor Town

Islander:   "Ah, it's the dollmaker! The dollmaker's here!" Mary:   "Dolls, dolls, dolls, from the dollmaker!" Islander:   "Dollmaker, I've brought some food! Sell me some dolls!"

The people crowd around the dollmaker. She quickly sells her entire stock.

Mary:   "My dolls are getting new mommies and daddies, one after the other!" Mary:   "The islanders who always called my dolls eerie are now all holding one of them!" Mary:   "Everyone is glad to see me now!"

Everyone leaves once the dolls have been sold.

Mary:   "But..." Figaro:   "Mary's dolls were a big hit again today." Mary:   "Figaro!" Charles:   "Oh? You look a bit sad, Mary." Mary:   "Th-That's not true, Charles!" Figaro:   "...How about you come for a walk with us?"

◆Harbor

Figaro:   "Mary, do you like the island?" Mary:   "Why the sudden question, Figaro?" Figaro:   "You just seemed so lonely, even when surrounded by all the townspeople." Mary:   "...!" Mary:   "...Thanks to you both, the islanders have changed. They pay notice to me now. They approach me. They buy my dolls." Mary:   "But it feels as though they aren't actually paying attention to me. That's why it feels like the islanders are even colder to me now than before." Mary:   "And that's... what makes my heart ache." Figaro:   "...I've become sure of something, Mary." Figaro:   "You must leave the island with us." Mary:   "What?" Figaro:   "A herd will always single out a runt." Figaro:   "You will find no happiness here in the midst of such disdain." Figaro:   "You must get out, Mary. As long as you live on this island, your role will never change." Figaro:   "That's why it's best for you to leave with us." Mary:   "Leave the island... But if I struggled so much on this island, how could I ever do well outside of it?" Charles:   "Hahaha! How many islands do you think there are in this world?" Mary:   "I don't know. How many?" Charles:   "I don't know, either!" Mary:   "Wha...?" Charles:   "That's how big the world is! I'm sure there is an island you can truly call home." Figaro:   "There is joy and happiness that you can hardly imagine. Please think it over. Good day."

The two of them leave. Mary:   "Outside..."

◆ Ghost Chapel

Hachipochi:   "Woof!" Jacob:   "Hello, Hachipochi." Hachipochi:   "Tch, how boring! It's no fun that Jacob never gets surprised!" Jacob:   "Maybe that's because there are snails in my ears." Hachipochi:   "In that case, I'll scare Mary. Where's Mary?!" Jacob:   "Mary goes to the harbor town each day to sell dolls." Sister Ghost:   "How splendid to work so much every day! Dear God, please grant Mary your blessings!" Jacob:   "...” Bukuro:   "Jacob, not happy." Jacob:   "That's not true." Bukuro:   "Want to flee, but nowhere to be?" Jacob:   "Why do you think that?" Hachipochi:   "I hear Bukuro tried running away in the past, but failed. Woof." Sister Ghost:   "The gunny sack and the rope on his arm are symbols of his sins. God have mercy..." Jacob:   "I see... Everyone has their own circumstances, it seems." Jacob:   "Perhaps I want to run away, too. I'm not sure." Jacob:   "I just want to mull over my thoughts awhile." Ushinoko:   "You can do anything here. Mull to your heart's content." Jacob:   "Thanks, Ushinoko." Jacob:   "...” Jacob:   "Mary. Mary is the best dollmaker. The dolls Mary makes overflow with love." Jacob:   "I'm the same. I feel Mary's love in every single stitch on my body." Jacob:   "It's not just love. Mary's pain, sadness, and the loneliness she's carried all this time, all of it is etched in me." Jacob:   "Mary. I wonder if talking to humans soothes your soul. I wonder if it makes you happy." Jacob:   "Now that you have human friends, I wonder if you don't need dolls or ghosts anymore." Jacob:   "I wonder if you won't need me anymore." Jacob:   "Say, Mary. Mary, Mary... Jacob:   "Hah…” Jacob:   "Hm…?" Jacob:   "What's that? There's a large ship on the horizon.”

Fade out.

◆Harbor Town (Night)

Islander:   "The dollmaker's doll, worth two silver coins..." Islander  "It is only a doll. but it looks iust like me." Islander:   "I remember when I look at this doll... What exactly? I remember something." Islander:   "Something I'd forgotten long ago. Something I'd thrown away. Something important." Islander:   "Something important."

The islanders cover their faces, looking at their dolls.

Charles:   "...Figaro, something strange is happening on the island." Figaro:   "I think we'll have to move a bit sooner than planned..."

◆Dollmaker's House (Night)

Mary:   "I'm back, dear dolls. Mommy's home." Mary:   "Jacob, are you at the chapel?" Mary:   "...Hm?" Jacob:   "Zzz…”

Jacob is sleeping on the sofa.

Mary:   "You'll catch a cold sleeping in a place like this... Oh, but ghosts don't catch colds!" Mary:   "Still, I'll put a blanket over you. Here you go." Mary:   "...”

She touches Jacob's cheek.

Mary:   "What a cold cheek. He's different from Figaro and Charles. He's different from a human." Jacob:   "Mrrn... Mary..." Mary:   "...” Mary:   "But when I'm with you, my heart steadily grows warm." Mary:   "I'm curious of the world outside, but I'm sure my place is here!"

(8) Burning

◆Dollmaker's House

Mary  "Hahh... Hm? The sky's as red as a ripened tomato. It's already evening." Jacob:   "Good morning, Mary." Mary:   "Jacob. 'Good evening' is more like it. Why did you not wake me?" Mary:   "I had business in town today." Jacob:   "In town, you say…” Jacob:   "Town... harbor... ship…ghost.." Mary:   "Jacob?" Jacob:   "Please stop going to town, Mary!" Mary:   "Whatever is the matter? Why do you look so sad?" Jacob:   "I have an unbearably bad feeling about this. Please, stay here." Mary:   "A bad feeling? But I must see Figaro and Charles today." Jacob:   "Those humans?" Mary:   "They're my friends now. We made plans to meet today…” Jacob:   "I'm your friend too, Mary!" Mary:   "Aah! What is the matter, Jacob? Yelling as loud as Hachipochi." Jacob:   "Even Hachipochi wanted to see you, too! Let's go to the chapel! Let's go the place where the ghosts are!" Mary:   "I told you, I can't today. Figaro invited me to go with them to the outside world." Jacob:   "The outside... world...?" Jacob:   "I guess you do prefer humans…” Mary:   "Jacob?" Jacob:   "I hate you." Mary:   "Wha…” Jacob:   "I hate you, Mary! I absolutely hate you!" Mary:   "Wh-Where has this come from?!" Jacob:   "Mary, you're... you're... not my friend!" Mary:   "...!” Mary:   "Were you the same as the islanders all along..? You were a friend only on the surface?" Jacob:   "No... I...!" Mary:   "You are! In the end, if I stay on this island, I'll never be loved by anyone!" Jacob:   "Mary...!"

The dollmaker rushes out of the house.

◆Outside the Dollmaker's House

Mary:   "Terrible, how terrible... I thought he was my friend, too..." Mary:   "My fingertips are cold. I feel they might freeze." Mary:   "Hm?" Mary:   "The setting sun is covered in black." Mary:   "What is that black color? Smoke? From where? It seems to be coming from town... Too billowing to be from any kitchen…” Mary:   "...It's a fire." Mary:   "The town is on fire!"

◆Burning Harbor Town

Mary:   "It spread so fast! The islanders, Figaro, Charles…” Islander:   "…..Dollmaker."

An islander appears, carrying a doll.

Mary:   "Ah, good gentleman of the island. I see you are safe! ...Hm?" Mary:   "My doll... Did you hold onto it so that it wouldn't be caught in the fire?" Islander:   "This doll is like me. The doll, it... speaks to me." Mary:   "This is no time for speaking. Hurry and escape or you'll be burned to a crisp." Islander:   "I didn't want to remember. I didn't want to remember, and yet. Urrgh, uurgh…!” Islander:   "This is your fault, Dollmaker!" Mary:   "…Urk! Aagh!"

Sound of a gunshot.

Islander:   "Aaaargh!" Mary:   "H-He was shot...?" Charles:   "Ahahaha! That was close, huh Mary?" Mary:   "Charles!" Mary:   "You shot the islander?! Why…” Islander:   "Agh, ugh…”

Whooshing sound of the islander disappearing.

Mary:   "He disappeared...?" Islander:   "Dooollmaaaaker!" Charles:   "Oh, there's another one!"

Gunshot.

Mary:   "Aah…” Islander:   "...Dollmaker." Islander:   "Dollmaker, dollmaker!" Mary:   "That person, and that one, they're holding dolls…” Islander:   "It's your fault that I remembered..." Islander:   "My life, my death, my rotted corpse..!" Mary:   "Death...? Rotted..?" Charles:   "Ahaha...Mary, you really didn't realize what was happening?" Charles:   "That everyone on this island aside from you are ghosts!" Mary:   "Everyone's a ghost... aside from me…?” Islander:   "Dollmaker, dollmaker, dollmaker." Islander:   "Dollmaker, dollmaker, dollmaker." Mary:   "The islanders are gathering together..." Charles:   "They were finally able to forget they had died, but remembered again thanks to your dolls. Only natural for them to hate you for that." Charles:   "Still, there are quite a few of them. Too many to clear away with a gun." Islander:   "Dollmaker, dollmaker, dollmaker!"

Sound of a blade cutting through flesh.

Figaro cuts down islanders rushing toward them.

Islander:   "Aaaaaagck!" Mary:   "The islander was cut in two..!" Figaro:   "If only you had a sword too, Charles."

Whooshing sound of the islander disappearing.

Mary:   "They disappeared…” Figaro:   "Both Charles's bullets and my sword are blessed. They have properties that are effective against ghosts." Mary:   "I don't understand, Figaro! Why are the islanders attacking me?! Why are you attacking them?!" Mary:   "Please tell me!" Figaro:   "...This island, Kakuriyo island, is a strange one. Every person who dies here becomes a ghost." Mary:   "The people become ghosts…” Figaro:   "Have you ever seen any of the islanders grow old?" Figaro:   "Have you ever seen babies growing into children, children into adults, adults into the elderly, or the elderly passing away?" Mary:   "The islanders never change! The children stay children, and adults stay adults." Mary:   "The newborns seek their mother's milk day after day, and those on the verge of death from illness live to see every sunrise." Магу "But isn't that how humans are?" Mary:   "I am the one who is strange. With my changing moods, with my hobbies. That is why everyone thinks I'm strange and avoids me." Charles:   "Your common sense was just distorted because of the ghosts." Figaro:   "...Let's leave the island, Mary. You've been burdened with a pain you were never responsible for." Charles:   "A ship's just arrived, a ship for us. Our friends are there." Mary:   "Friends...?" Mary:   "You're right. There are so many people here I don't know..." Mary:   "These strangers holding torches..." Mary:   "The flames are the same color as the fire...!" Figaro:   "This is no ordinary flame. It was brought here specifically. Flames kindled by priests, which light the depths of the great cathedral." Charles:   "The ghosts don't stand a chance with this." Mary:   "Just who are you people?" Charles:   "We are the Order of Shadows. We specialize in hunting ghosts." Charles:   "Our objective is essentially…” Figaro:   "To wipe out everyone on this island." Mary:   "...!” Figaro:   "We were actually supposed to take care of this more quickly." Charles:   "The ship we rode here is no more. Figaro and I were the only survivors." Charles:   "But reinforcements have finally arrived." Charles:   "We've got to finish this job and get home. With you." Charles:   "These ghosts pretending to be humans are almost gone. There's no reason to stay on an island all by yourself, right?" Mary:   "...” Figaro:   "Are you worried about the ghosts at the chapel?" Mary:   "How do you know of them?" Figaro:   "We are no ordinary hunters. We investigated everything about this island, down to the doll that lives in your home now." Mary:   "You mean, when you came to my house for the first time…?” Charles:   "It's our job, sorry." Figaro:   "I feel so sorry for you, Mary. To have to reached out to ghosts because you couldn't bear the loneliness." Figaro:   "However, you are not alone anymore. We are here with you." Figaro:   "We are as warm as you are, in the same form. Humans who can grow alongside you." Figaro:   "Let's leave the island, Mary." Mary:   "...” Mary:   "My best friend told me he hated me. The doll I made by sewing parts of corpses together.” Charles:   "That's a ghost for you. They'll make you trust them, then stab you in the back without blinking. I see it all the time." Mary:   "I see. That's what ghosts are... Mary: "..." Mary:   "......” Mary:   ".........” Mary:   "That can't be!" Charles:   "What can't be?" Mary:   "I... I... I still care for Jacob!" Mary:   "Even if Jacob hates me, I still care for him! I like all the ghosts in the chapel!" Mary:   "I didn't become friends with ghosts just because I couldn't get along with humans!" Mary:   "I wanted to be with them because they were so full of life!" Mary:   "None of them have done anything wrong. Please leave them alone and return to your country!" Figaro  “...” Charles:   "What we do, Figaro?" Charles:   "If that's how Mary feels, we've got no choice…” Charles:   "Yeah, you're right." Mary:   "I'm sorry. Thank you…”

Figaro knocks the dollmaker down with the hilt of his sword. Mary:   "Urgk!"

Sound of the dollmaker falling down.

Charles:   "Ahaha! A clean hit!" Mary:   "Why...?" Figaro:   "Why?" Figaro:   "Because I have to take you back to our country and crucify you for making a doll from the corpses of our friends, Dollmaker!" Mary:   "The corpses of your friends..." Charles:   "Wow, you really are stupid. You really don't get it?" Charles:   "The corpses you used to make your disgusting doll were our friends who perished in the storm!" Mary:   "Your friend's... corpses...” Charles:   "Understand now? The depth of your sins?" Mary:   "If you can love unmoving corpses so much…” Mary:   "How can you not feel for living ghosts...?" Charles:   "Yeah... She's off her rocker." Charles hits the dollmaker with the butt of his gun and knocks her out. Figaro:   "Don't put humans and ghosts together, you crazy dollmaker!"

◆Dollmaker's House (Night)

Jacob:   "...” Jacob:   "Ahh, why did I say such a terrible thing...” Jacob:   "As a ghost, I was jealous of Mary's friends for being human like she is." Jacob:   "Because of that, I lied and hurt her." Jacob:   "When she gets back, I must apologize to her…”

Sound of a door opening.

Jacob:   "Mary?" Jacob:   "Mary! I'm so sorry, Mary! I said something so terrible to you. Please, forgive me..." Sister Ghost:   "I don't know what has happened, but repenting for your sins, seeking forgiveness, and expressing your love are the very things God wishes!" Jacob:   "Sister Ghost, why are you here?" Sister Ghost:   "I'm sorry to come unannounced, Jacob. Look out the window." Jacob:   "Out the window...?....!" Jacob:   "The town is on fire...?!" Jacob:   "Mary! Mary's in town! Mary, Mary!" Sister Ghost:   "Calm down, Jacob! I'm sure Mary's fine." Jacob:   "Being sure isn't good enough!" Sister Ghost:   "But it's certainly better than what will be arriving in mere moments." Jacob:   "What will arrive...?" Sister Ghost:   "The Order of Shadows are ghost hunters, and they are on their way to kill us." Jacob:   "The Order of Shadows…” Sister Ghost:   "The dollmaker is human, so even if she's captured, she won't immediately be killed. That will not be the case for us." Sister Ghost:   "They are given enchanted weapons and sent to places where there is neither God nor devil." Sister Ghost:   "Let us escape for now, Jacob, so that we may see Mary as well." Jacob:   "...” Jacob:   "All right..."

(9) Save Jacob

Darkness.

Mary:   "…Urgh. Where are we? It's pitch black." Mary:   "Ah! Where's Jacob?! Where are the ghosts of the chapel?!" Mary:   "Figaro! Charles! Let me out of here!" Mary:   "...I cannot hear a single thing." Mary:   "Will this door reopen when everything is done? When everyone on the island has died?" Mary:   "I don't want that! Jacob, Jacob..!"

Sound of the door unlocking.

Mary:   "...!” Hachipochi:   "Wooof!!!" Mary:   "Aahh!" Hachipochi:   "Ahaha! Did I scare you, Dollmaker?!" Mary:   "Hachipochi?!" Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko said that you'd definitely be scared!" Ushinoko:   "I can see ten seconds into the future, after all." Mary:   "Ushinoko! Why are the two of you here...?" Mary:   "I see, so the Order of Shadows does not exterminate ghosts after all! You're all safe!" Hachipochi:   "I remember, that's why we're here!" Hachipochi:   "Even though we were all hiding in the chapel, the Order of Shadows came and sprayed holy water all around!" Mary:   "Holy water?" Ushinoko:   "It is like acid or poison to us ghosts. We'll melt if we touch it, and suffer when we smell it!" Hachipochi:   "Raw garbage smells way better! Woof!" Ushinoko:   "We were able to barely escape, but everyone else is still in the chapel. Jacob is there, too." Mary:   "Jacob!" Ushinoko:   "They'll grow weak and die if we don't save them quickly…” Mary:   "What do we do?!" Ushinoko:   "First we must get out of here... Though it is rather hellish outside."

◆ Burning Harbor Town

Wailing voices.

Gunshots.

Screams.

Mary:   "Ah, the islanders…”

The islanders disappear, attacked by the Order of Shadows.

Mary:   "We must find something...something to save Jacob and the others…” Ushinoko:   "If only we could find something to wash away the holy water…’ Mary:   "Wash away…” The dollmaker looks at the islanders. Mary:   "Ah, that's right...!!" Ushinoko  "Ah, I see...! I know what you'll say ten seconds from now!" Hachipochi:   "What is it, Ushinoko?! What did the dollmaker think of?!" Mary:   "If we use THAT, then maybe...!"

◆ Ghost Chapel

Charles:   "I've never heard of ghosts holing themselves up in a chapel before." Figaro:   "It must be Sister Ghost's plan. We can burn the town, but not a chapel." Charles:   "If it's a nest for ghosts, we can burn it down without guilt, can't we?" Figaro:   "Don't forget we are granted God's divine protection, Charles." Charles:   "You sure are faithful. Well, the ghosts inside must be weakened by now, anyway."

◆Ghost Chapel (Inside)

Bukuro:   "Choking, croaking..." Sister Ghost:   "Hang in there, Bukuro… Urgh." Jacob:   "The scent of the holy water is filling the chapel." Bukuro:   "Fly now or die now…” Sister Ghost:   "No! If we leave, we all be killed by the Order of Shadows!" Sister Ghost:   "Ushinoko and Hachipochi will come save us, I'm sure! Mary will come as well! Let's believe in them and hang in there!" Sister Ghost:   "Ah, but... I am losing consciousness…” Jacob:   "Me, too... My mind is beginning to fade." Jacob:   "Will I never see Mary again?" Jacob:   "If I can at least apologize to her…” Jacob:   "I want to... hug her again…” Jacob:   "Mary…”

◆Ghost Chapel

Figaro:   "...it's about time." Charles:   "Time for cleanup duty!" Mary:   "Stop!"

The dollmaker appears, holding a bucket.

Charles:   "The dollmaker?! Why is she here...?" Figaro:   "…..She's holding a bucket?" Mary:   "The ghosts saved me! That is why I'm going to save them!" Charles:   "Hah! What can you even do alone?!" Mary:   "Just watch! These are all the things the islanders have given me!" Figaro:   "That's... No! Charles, stop!" Sound of the dollmaker throwing down sludge. Charles:   "What is this stench?! It's sickening!" Mary:   "It's rotten food!" Charles:   "Rotten food...?! You're pouring it everywhere!" Mary:   "Even God would hold his nose and run away from this!" Mary:   "…..The people from this island are all dead, so they must not know what foods are rotten and what aren't…” Mary:   "All that's left is you two!"

Splashing sounds. Figaro:   "Urk." Charles:   "Ugh, I'm gonna vomit!" Mary:   "Jacob, Jacob! You're there, aren't you?! It's me, Mary!"

◆Ghost Chapel (Inside) Jacob:   "..Mary? I can hear Mary's voice…” Bukuro:   "Mary's gotten something rotten." Sister Ghost:   "The smell of the holy water's weakening…” Mary:   "Jacob, Jacob! You have to escape from here! Come outside, hurry!" Jacob:   "...Mary! Mary!" Charles:   "Hah! The entrance to the chapel's barricaded with holy wood!" Figaro:   "Even if the effect from the holy water is gone, the ghosts can't open it..." Jacob:   "Aaaagggggh!"

◆Ghost Chapel 

Sound of a wall breaking.

Ushinoko:   "Jacob! I didn't imagine you'd break through the chapel wall!" Charles:   "Are you serious...?!" Figaro:   "...What strength." Jacob:   "Mary!" Mary:   "Jacob!" Jacob:   "Mary, Mary!" Jacob:   "I'm sorry, Mary, ..." Mary:   "My precious doll. Let us rejoice in seeing each other again!" Jacob:   "Yes…! Mary, you stink!" Mary:   "This is a gift from the islanders." Charles:   "..Damn it! What 'precious doll'..?" Charles:   "Listen, Dollmaker! His face is Quoran's, his eyes, Cumero's! His feet are Ozarki's and his hands are Rinzei's!" Charles:   "His heart is of a Kariudo… all friends of ours!" Charles:   "To sew all of those together and make them into a doll! You disgusting zombie, I'll purify you first!"

Sound of a gun cocking.

Hachipochi:   "Grrrr... Woof, woof, woof, woooof!!! Charles:   "Agh!" Figaro:   "Wh-What a loud sound...!" Charles:   "It's like my eardrums are bursting! This dog of a ghost! I'lI blow your brains out!" Hachipochi:   "Dog?! Did you just call me a dog?!" Hachipochi:   "Yes! Finally, someone said I'm a dog!" Mary:   "Hachipochi!" Hachipochi:   "Oh, that's right. Now's not the time for this!" Mary:   "Everyone, run away!"

*Dance

"Hallelujah Shout the name of God, My Friend~"

Sounds of running footsteps. Figaro:   "Urk... After them, Charles!" Charles:   "Right!"

◆Forest

Mary:   "Hahh, hahh."

Sound of a gunshot. Jacob:   "...They're already right over there!" Sister Ghost:   "They'll catch up to us at this rate! Oh, God!" Bukuro:   "Gunning for us, running toward us." Ushinoko:   "My prediction for ten seconds from now! They'll shout in voices as loud as Hachipochi's!" Mary:   "Ushinoko?!" Ushinoko:   "In ten seconds, the two of them will fall into a hole I dug!" Charles:   "A hole?!" Figaro:   "...Charles, wait a second!" Charles:   "Damn it! Where is that hole…” Ushinoko:   "Now then, go!" Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko, when did you have time to dig a hole?!" Sister Ghost:   "Would it not have been better to simply say nothing and let them fall in...?!" Ushinoko:   "Heh heh, listen very, very closely!" Ushinoko:   "It takes less time to tell a lie!" Jacob:   "So there isn't a hole!" Mary:   "I guess ten seconds into the future isn't all you can see!"

Everyone runs off together.

(10) Head to the Ocean

◆Burning Harbor Town

Dolls strewn about.

Mary:   "...”

The dollmaker gazes at the dolls left behind.

Mary:   "So they were all ghosts.” Ushinoko:   "They all thought of themselves as human, unlike the rest of us." Ushinoko:   "It was what they wanted to believe." Mary:   "I see. Indeed..." Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko, what are we gonna do now?" Bukuro:   "We're not covered, we'll be discovered." Ushinoko:   "You've just given me an idea. Come, this way!"

◆Port

Mary:   "The port?"

Sound of a gunshot.

Hachipochi:   "Ah! I felt a bullet graze my fur!" Charles:   "This game of tag is over!" Mary:   "Charles." Figaro:   "We'd like to return to our country quickly." Mary:   "Figaro…” Bukuro:   "Sought us so fast, caught us at last." Figaro:   "...Charles. Aim for the dollmaker." Mary:   "...!” Jacob:   "Why?! Mary isn't a ghost, she's human!" Figaro:   "She's a sinner who has done the work of the devil and desecrated the dead." Figaro:   "There's no point in bringing her back to our country just to punish her there." Charles:   "You heard him. I happen to agree." Mary:   "Figaro, Charles…” Mary:   "Even now, I see you both as my friends..." Charles:   "That's nice." Figaro:   "But farewell all the same." Bukuro:   "…Look out!" Charles:   "Agh, what are you doing?! Let go!" Mary:   "Bukuro?!" Bukuro:   "Run away, run away!" Mary:   "Bukuro, what are you…” Bukuro:   "Run awaaaaaay!" Mary:   "Bukuro…!” Charles:   "St-Stoppp!"

Sound of them hitting the ocean water.

Charles dies.

Figaro:   "Charrrrrles!" Mary:   "Bukuro pulled Charles down into the ocean…” Ushinoko:   "Urk... Everyone, hurry onto the ship…” Figaro:   "Charles... Charles..." Figaro:   "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Jacob:   "...Mary, look out!" Mary:   "…..Urk!"

Jacob saves the dollmaker.

Figaro  "How could you... Charles... I won't forgive you... I’ll never forgive you…” Figaro:   "I'II kill you... I'll kill all of yoouuu!!!" Ushinoko:   "Sister Ghost, get back!!" Sister Ghost:   "Eeek!" Hachipochi:   "Look out!" Hachipochi grabs Sister Ghost and dodges the attack. Hachipochi:   "Ah, did my ear get cut?!" Figaro:   "I'II kill you... I'll kill you.. I'll kill you...!" Ushinoko:   "We can't get closer to the ship with him waving his sword around like that...!" Mary:   "Figaro…” Figaro:   "Don't speak my name with that filthy voice of yours!" Figaro:   "Everything would have ended without any problems if it weren't for you...!" Figaro:   "Yeah, that's it...Dollmaker... It's you. It's your fault... It's your fault Charles died!!!" Jacob:   "Mary!" Mary:   "Stay away, Jacob!" Figaro:   "Dieeeee!!" Mary:   "...”

A large number of dolls jump out and grab onto Figaro. Figaro:   "...Urk!! Wh-What?!" Mary:   "Dolls...?" Jacob:   "Mary, these are…” Doll:   "Mommy." Doll:   "Mommy, mommy." Jacob:   "The dolls Mary made…” Doll:   "Mommy, mommy.” Doll:   "Mommy, mommy."

Ushinoko:   "More and more are gathering together...!"

Figaro:   "Not just the pile of corpses cobbled together, but even these simple dolls have souls...?!" Doll:   "Mommy was so alone." Doll:   "Mommy was so lonely." Doll:   "But Mommy isn't alone." Doll:   "We were always there with her." Doll:   "Protect Mommy, let Mommy run away." Doll:   "Protect Mommy, let Mommy run away!" Mary:   "Ah, ah..." Figaro:   "Ugh, get off! All of you, get off…!" Ushinoko:   "Now's our chance! Let's go!" Ushinoko:   "We need to escape the island!" Mary:   "But...!" Doll:   "Protect Mommy, let Mommy run away." Doll:   "Let Mommy run away. Please Mommy, run away." Mary:   "My dears…” Jacob:   "Mary!"

Jacob grabs hold of the dollmaker. Jacob:   "Let's escape!" Mary:   "Urgh, uurrrrghh..." Mary:   "I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Thank you all!" Figaro:   "Urgh! Get off... Get off!!" Doll:   "Protect Mommy, let Mommy run away." Doll:   "Protect Mommy, let Mommy run away." Figaro:   "Aaaaaaaaaaagh!"

The dolls overtake Figaro completely.

(11) On the Boat

◆Ship

Hachipochi:   "Ushinoko, this ship makes my head spin! Woof!" Sister Ghost:   "Holy Bibles, holy water, holy weapons...! There are so many things stored here that ghosts hate!" Ushinoko:   "Not to worry! We have a powerful ally with us. Mary the human, throw them all away please!" Mary:   "This is the first time I've been so happy to be a human!" Mary:   "...” Mary:   "Figaro and Charles mentioned before that the world was so big." Mary:   "There is surely an island where I can be happy. To experience joys I cannot fathom." Mary:   "I'm sure they only said that to win my favor..." Mary:   "But I want to believe in those words. They were the first human friends I had ever made." Jacob:   "Right. I'm sure that joy and happiness await. Beyond all our dreams." Mary:   "...Yes, that's true. I'm sure that's true!" Mary:   "All right, I'II throw everything we don't need into the ocean!" Mary:   "First, these heavy books! Next, these glittering candlesticks!"

Sounds of splashes as they hit the ocean. Bukuro:   "...Items pricey! Water spicy!" Mary:   "...?!" Jacob:   "That voice... Ah, look!" Hachipochi:   "There's something that looks like trash floating in the ocean!" Ushinoko:   "Oh, wait! In ten seconds we'll all be a whirl of joy after noticing what that trash is!" Mary:   "Bukuro... It's Bukuro!!" Hachipochi:   "He's okay! That's amazing, woooof!" Sister Ghost:   "Oh, what a miracle! Thank you, God!" Mary:   "We can't wait ten seconds! Let's pull him up!" Jacob:   "Right!"

◆ Harbor

Charles appears, soaked to the bone. Charles:   "Agh... To think our ship would become a ghost ship!" Figaro:   "Looks like we'll have to wait here on the island for another rescue crew." Charles:   "Still, looks like we survived by a hair." Figaro:   "I didn't know what would happen for a moment there." Figaro:   "...By the way, Charles. You look pretty terrible." Figaro:   "That pale face of yours, is like a flying fish that can't fly." Charles:   "You're one to talk, Figaro. Your skin is as pale as a fish's belly!"

◆Ship

Sounds of waves.

Ushinoko:   "Another party today, a ghost party!" Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! Undead ghosts!" Sister Ghost:   "We lived in a wonderful chapel." Hachipochi:   "We are ghosts! One of us, a human!" Bukuro:   "Friends together, fun forever." Jacob:   "Whether you're a ghost or human doesn't matter!" Mary:   "Another party today, a party for all of us!" Jacob:   "To where the sea wind whispers us to go." Mary:   "Until we reach the end of the world!"

*Song

"!!!Ghost Party!!!"

The End