#[ i'm not phased ; only here to S I N ] -- (answered) | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

girl-in-the-chairs-void · 2 years ago

Text

Mishaps and Apologies

Summary: Jake wants to apologise but You wont give him a chance to speak until...

Word count: 2.4k

warnings/Tags: Jake being Jake. for the sake of this fic, there has been a change that is different to the movie. please roll with it. ANGST, ANGTY, DID I MENTION THE ANGST?

A/n: Here is your early new years gift! I speed wrote this chapter between 12am and 4 am, and well I'm gonna sleep after posting it. This chapter is a mess. BUT we only have a few more to go!

Previous part | masterlist | Next part

“Good morning, the Uranium enrichment plant that is your target will be operational earlier than expected. Raw uranium will be delivered to the plant in ten days time. As a result, your mission has been moved up, one week.”

Fucking great. One phrase that was bouncing off the walls of all the aviators gathered in the room. Sure, the mission is difficult but so far none of them have even cleared the valley simulation to move on to the next step, much less complete the training by next week.

You leaned forward in your chair as Admiral Bates continued his announcement and took his leave as Mav came on. The noise from jets landing and taking off made it harder for you to hear him. You wanted to fly this mission no matter what. Nothing was going to get in your way of it.

However, there is one person that may get in the way. Jake Seresin. You had been going above and beyond to avoid him today, after the ‘talk’ yesterday, you didn't want to face him again unless you had victory of being on the team.

“We have one week left to focus on Phase Two. It’s the most difficult stage of the mission. A pop-up strike with a steep dive, requiring nothing less than two consecutive miracles.” Maverick spoke, pacing back and forth on the little step in front of them. The screen lit up showing a U shaped valley with the uranium plant at the center of it, surrounded by two tall mountains. The Gs on the way out will be significant, you thought as you listened to Mav.

“Two pairs of F-18s will fly in a welded wing formation. Teamwork. Precise coordination of their aircraft is essential to both mission success and your survival.” He warned.

“As you know, the plant rests between two mountains. On final approach, you’ll invert directly into a steep dive. This allows you to maintain the lowest possible altitude and the only possible attack angle.” It made sense. Somehow, the first part of the approach up till now made sense in your head and hopefully was do-able. Until he explained further about the Coffin Corner…

“Egress is a steep high-G climb out to avoid hitting this mountain-“

“A steep climb at that speed, you’re pulling at least eight G’s-” Jake butts in.

“Nine, minimum.” You cut him off.

“The stress limit of the F-18’s airframe is 7.5.” It's Rooster who pipes up this time. Challenging Mav. While they have had a rocky relationship thus far, Rooster is managing to retort back to Mav during each exercise.

While Maverick goes further into the exercise and the rest of the mission, there isn't one moment where your foot hasn't stopped shaking. Yes, there was nervousness in the air about flying this mission, but more so about who was gonna be flying it.

“Sir, is this even achievable?” Phoenix questions, almost as if she read the minds of the pilots in the room, who were thinking the same thing.

“The answer to that will come down to the pilot in the box.”

Well shit. This is not gonna go well.

For this exercise, Mav had paired you and Phoenix, along with Coyote. While Phoenix usually has Bob as her backseater, Mav has paired you up with her.

You didn't think much of it, at least it wasn't with anyone else, it was Phoenix.

Exiting the room, to move to their assigned teams and places, you felt his stare. He had tried catching up with your fast pace when you were out on your morning run at the beach. Even when you had came to the base early to clear your head, he was there. But you didn't give him a second of your time. Managing to slip away every time he came too close.

Now, as you moves through the halls and narrow corridors of the naval base, he is hot on your heels. Calling after you as you increase your pace; taking one swift turn after another, trying to shake him off but he is relentless until you take one last turn and comes face to face with the door that leads outside to your respective planes. Before he could catch up, you had already exited, leaving the door swinging wide open and close.

Jake closes his eyes, breathing out a deep sigh and turns around to make his way to the lounge where he had to be with the rest of the pilots while you, Phoenix and Coyote were up in the air. He made his way to sit next to the radio, which was situated right next to where Rooster sat. Wanting to avoid any questioning from the man, he sat himself down at a safe distance, giving him a nod to acknowledge his presence before carefully listening through the radio for your voice.

…

“Talk to me, Athena!”

“We are 12 seconds late on target. We gotta move, Phoenix!” You spoke in a panicked voice, eyes blown out wide. you needed to hurry up. Testing the target lens again, making sure it was working well before they reached the target point.

As Phoenix mumbled slight curses under her breath, Coyote agreed; “Copy. Try to stay with me.”

Your eyes scanned the radar in front of you, noticing a small aircraft making its way towards them. You let out a sound of bewilderment as you heard Mav over the radio.

“Wait, who's that?”

“Blue team, you've been spotted. I’m a bandit on course to intercept. What are you gonna do?” he announced himself, as you examined his location. He may be able to catch up with them if they keep this speed. They had to make a move.

“He’s 20 miles left, ten o’clock. 700 knots closure.” You informed Phoenix and Coyote.

“Your call, what do you want to do?” Coyote proposes.

“Continue, we’re close. Stay on target.” Phoenix ordered before you could have a say. You wanted to buy in and tell them that it wouldn't be a good idea to stay on course without dealing with Mav or increasing their speed further.

“Phoenix, he’s swinging around to the North! Maybe we should-”

Before you could finish the pop up point closed in. Making Phoenix shout; “be ready on that laser, Thena.”

“Copy, I’m on it.” you sat back in your seat, focusing on the situation in front of you as your hand closed around the laser joystick. Testing the Laser focus, the plane shot straight up before rotating on its back. Blood rushed to your head as you gripped the stick tighter. Closing your eyes and trying to regain focus.

“Talk to me, Thena. Where’s Mav?” you heard Coyote through the helmet, eyes opening as you analyzed Mav’s location.

“He’s uhh five miles out. He’s coming in fast!” You shouted and immediately regretted doing so. your head throbbed by all the noise around you- regardless of the thick earmuffs headphones that were sitting snug on your head.

The planes rotated back into their normal positions, moving at the same speed that you knew was too slow but chose not to speak of just yet.

“Where’s my laser, Thia?” Coyote questioned the younger woman. Gathering any strength you had left, shaking your head. Narrowing your eyes on the target screen in front as the laser moved uncontrollably.

“Shit. Deadeye! Deadeye! It’s no good if I can't get a lock. I’m sorry.” You repeated into the mic.

“We’re out of time. I’m dropping blind.” He panted before dropping the bombs and hoping that it would hit. But it missed just by a meter as they flew by.

“Damn it. That's a miss!” He exclaimed before the planes straightened out again for Coffin Corner. You could feel your lungs compress; skin and flight suit starting to dig into your ribs.

The oxygen mask you had on felt too much to breathe into. Your breathing became ragged. Vision blurring out, regardless of the aviator glasses you had on, similar to Bob’s. Tunnel vision was not uncommon during this but your version of it was always the worst.

Many aviators experience a blurred circle and darkness around that point when under an immense high G pressure. But for you, it was a fully darkened vision with spots of lights like it was farther away than it was meant to be. You felt your hearing starting to give out just as a familiar, piercing ringing took over your ears.

“Maverick’s got a missile lock on us.” You spoke through a blind sight. You knew the tone, so it didn't take a flying genius to know that they were dead. Breathing out a sigh of relief and disappointment, she heard Phoenix over the comms.

“Shit, we’re dead.” She steered the jet around, leveling out. Making their way back to the ship before you noticed that Coyote was still leveled up in Coffin Corner. That wasn't right.

“Coyote? Do you copy?” You heard yourself shouting into the comms before Mav repeated the words. Becoming more and more concerned about your best friend. you noticed his plane started to drop, rotating its way towards the ground at a high speed. Something clicked into your mind. He must be in G-LOC.

“Mav, I think he is in G-LOC, I repeat, Coyote is in G-LOC. He’s gonna burn in.” You swiftly informed the older man. Silently praying for his safety as you closed your eyes.

“Damnit! I’m going after him.”

You watched in shock as Mav tried to get a missile lock on him, hoping it would snap him out of it. You called after him over the comms over and over again. Trusting him not to die on you. It was getting harder for you to breathe now. You couldn't lose him. He was gonna fly this mission with you. He’d promised. Your eyes were tightly shut as Mav finally got the missile lock. You needed to hear him. To know that he was okay. But you couldn't do it with your eyes open. Otherwise you were sure you would end up throwing up in the oxygen mask.

“I'm okay. I’m good.” Javy repeated as you breathed out a sigh of relief. Not noticing the small tears that blurred your vision.

“You ever do that again, Coyote, I will personally kill you.” You threatened in fake annoyance. Happy that he was safe. Hearing him laugh but before he could retort something, you saw something smack the jet’s canopy and get caught in the back engine. Which set off a bunch of alarms and warnings at the screen in front of you. The left engine was on fire.

“Bird strike! Bird strike!” Phoenix announced, panicked.

“Phoenix, the left engine is on fire!”

“Climbing.” She shot the jet up in the air, turning away from the bird strike as she turned off the left engine. Throttling back while Y/n noticed another warning pop up.

“The right engine is out! It's still spinning.” This was not good.

“Copy, trying to restart it. Throttling up.” Phoenix spoke as she faintly heard Mav warn her about something being on fire. But before you could ask him to repeat, the plane started spinning out of control.

you were on fire. Red lights flashing wherever you looked.

“Hydraulic failure! I repeat we are on fire.” This was not the time to panic. You had to think. THINK, THINK, THINK!

“We’re going in, Phoenix! We’re going in!” Shouts, warnings and toned ringing was all you heard. you could faintly make out Mav over the comms as Phoenix repeated his words.

“EJECT, EJECT, EJECT!”

Reaching to pull the ejection tab that rested upright between your legs. Having a steady grip before you pulled, waiting for the seat to take off. Nothing..

“Mav, my ejection seat isn't working!” You called urgently, pulling harder on the duct tape wrapped rope.

“Athena, pull harder, you gotta pull harder. Come on, you're gonna crash!” He encouraged. The urgency in his voice was evident as you heard Coyote.

“Y/n focus on my voice. Come on, you gotta pull harder.” taking a quick breath, gathering any strength that you had left and pulled as if your life depended on it. Immediately, you felt yourself shoot off into the air, the bottom of the seat lit on fire. You closed your eyes, not wanting to see the plane crash as a sharp sting took over your skull, smashing with a force you had only imagined. Before all you heard was silence.

…

Jake heard the entire situation. He‘d already played and replayed it in his head over a million times. Pacing in the empty radio room, where only he and Rooster sat. Rooster was weirdly calm. Jake didn't know why but he didn't want to ask either. She is gonna be okay, She’s strong. she’ll pull through. He had been repeating those words in his head like a mantra. He felt helpless. all he wanted to do at this moment was be with you, apologize to you. Hell, he’d go and personally ask the Striker team and Torch to take you back in.

Mav entered the room, a solemn expression on his face which Hangman thought could bring both good or bad news. Mav looked towards the two men. As he and Jake met eyes, he didn't see a pilot, or a son or someone who was concerned for a friend. He saw a man that was on the brink of losing someone he loves dearly. Tears were gathered in his eyes that he had refused to let go. Rooster wasn't any better, yet he didn't hold the same, intense love that Mav knew Jake held for you.

“They’ll keep Phoenix in the hospital overnight for observation. But, there is something you should know. There was a problem with Athena's ejection seat which caused her to pull out much later than she had intended to. It caused some problems, she sustained a few injuries to the back of her head.”

No, no this could not be happening right now. Jake felt like all the air in his lungs was suddenly being pushed out. His head was dizzy as he managed to grab onto the nearest table to steady himself.

“Wha-? What did the doctors say? Is she gonna be okay, Maverick?” The words spewed out of his mouth like a waterfall. One after the other, it didn't make sense.

“She is in surgery right now.” That was all it took for him to storm out the room in a hurry. Exiting the base as he grabbed a few of his things from his locker before sprinting to his car. He managed to break every single traffic light and speed limit just to get to the hospital.

Taglist:

@topaz125

@alittlereadingcorner

@inthestars-underthesun

@blue-aconite

@madikiel007

@merakiaes

@nicolemval

651 notes · View notes

futuremrsdrcullen · 3 months ago

Text

This love Came Back To Me - Chapter 3

It's Finally Here!!!! I can not apologize enough for how long this took to get out. But here it is! I hope you love it.

Summery- I was completely overwhelmed with this looming dread. This wasn’t just about Bella anymore. Though that was bad enough, this involved me now. Despite how often Edward disregarded my safety and despite how desperately Carlisle tried to protect me from this;

My life was in danger.

It was never going to end was it?

Word Count- 12,927

Warnings- Vampires- and all the things that go along with vampires (blood, biting, age gaps, sparkling, dramatics) a lot more swearing this time. There's some minor injuries and some very minor character death. mentions of vomiting (2 actual vomits, due to injury) Battle, fighting and planning. It's all very happy I promise.

There is no imprinting and there never will be <3

Notes from me- My name is Claire and this! This is finally my third love child. I started writing this on the 27th of July in 2022. I lost hope a few times but it's here and I hope you love it. Thank you, so so much for staying with me.

As always, I DO NOT own The Twilight Saga. All rights go directly to S. Meyer.

Read on AO3 <3

Masterlist <3 (Ch 1, Ch 2)

I love you <3 Thank you for still being here <3

“I think I've upset Bella…” Alice said before she threw herself onto the couch next to Carlisle. She had just gotten home from school and normally she came in and gossiped about her classmates, but she was clearly wrapped up in this situation with Bella.

I let Carlisle take the lead, though we both had to hold back a laugh. “Why would you think that?”

She sighed. “Well she didn't say she was mad, but I told her about the graduation party and she didn't really fight back? And then I thanked her for the gift she's going to buy me, but she hardly seemed phased. And when we started to drive her home she asked what day it was and when I said the fourth that's when she got all weird.”

The date made me freeze too. I turned sharply to face her. “Today is June fourth? You're sure?”

“Not you too…” She groaned. “What is wrong with the date?”

I took a deep breath. “I'm sure it just took her by surprise. Its- it's really close to graduation.” I had to force the answer out. Carlisle kissed my hair. “I didn't realize it was so soon either…”

I was only guaranteed ten more human days with my sister. Only ten days until everything changed and I didn't know when I'd see her again- or any of them for that matter. Carlisle promised to stay with me, of course, but the others would probably leave with Bella and Edward. I didn’t know if I would see them again until I was ready to become a vampire too.

I shivered and leaned into Carlisle.

“I don't see her changing right away, Y/n” Her face softened as she saw how tense I’d gotten. “She may be determined, but Edward won't let anyone change her until everything in Seattle is settled and even then there’s still the intruder to worry about.”

“We don't know how long that will take. We still don't even know what's going on.” I pointed out.

“That's her point, Dove. She still has plenty of time.” He whispered.

I tried my best to not roll my eyes. Bella was going to push every one of their buttons until she got her way- rogue vampires be damned. I couldn't hope for the best when Bella was involved; I knew I had to prepare for the worst.

“Honestly, I'm just glad she didn't throw a fit about the party. I've planned it all perfectly.” Alice moved on from my worries.

I sighed but didn’t disrupt her joy, “How many people are you expecting?”

She beamed, “Almost seventy, currently.” It was Carlisle's turn to tense, but Alice casually pressed on. “I invited everyone from our graduating class, and Bella's family. Nearly everyone agreed to come too.”

“Seventy? Bella is okay with seventy people being here? Will Jasper be okay?”

“Jasper is around more people at school everyday. He'll be fine.” She brushed me off but Jasper did give me a soft smile in thanks from his side of the room. Alice continued, “Bella doesn't exactly know how many people are coming…”

Carlisle and I couldn't contain our laughter. “That's why she didn't freak out.”

“She. Will. Get. Over. It. I'm excited. This party will be perfect.” Without another word, she got up and floated up the stairs.

I turned so I could hide my face in Carlisle's chest, though it barely muffled my laughter. He still laughed too and soothed my hair.

“This is a mess…” As our laughter died my thoughts went back to the beginning of the conversation. It was overwhelming. Between moving in with Carlisle and Bella's graduation looming, and whatever was going on in Seattle, at times it felt like the walls were closing in.

But Carlisle held me close and kissed my forehead and whispered, “It will be alright. We'll get through this together.” And I believed him.

The Seattle News had been playing on the TV for over an hour now, though it was too low for me to make out what was going on. Carlisle filled me in occasionally with a simplified version. I knew he was sugar-coating it. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to know the truth. They discussed things from the news in hushed voices, but nothing changed enough to please Alice and whatever she was seeing in her visions. Mornings like this often gave me more anxiety than clarity.

Still, Jasper calmed the rest of them and Emmett tried to distract me. Somehow, he managed to get Rosalie to play a game of Uno with us; she was winning.

They turned to face the door seconds before it opened. Carlisle whispered to me that it was just Bella and Edward so I could relax a bit. I was always more at ease when we were all together, but I had to pick on Bella just a bit.

“Shouldn’t you be in class?” I called over my shoulder as they walked into the living room.

She smiled at me. “Ditching is healthy.”

It made Emmett laugh, “She can just catch this lesson next time.” Which made both Edward and Rosalie roll their eyes. He completely missed it or chose to ignore them. “Want us to deal you in?”

“Rose is winning.”

Bella sat next to me and shook her head, as Edward walked over and handed Carlisle a piece of paper.

“Did you see that they’re considering a serial killer now?” he asked.

Carlisle sighed. “They’ve had two specialists debating the possibility on CNN all morning.”

“We can’t let this go on”

“Let's go now, I’m dead bored.” Emmett dropped his cards and walked over to Edward. Rosalie hissed at his word exactly as I gasped. The rest of the room was unphased. Emmett muttered something under his breath

But Edward agreed, “We’ll have to go sometime.”

The alternative was letting the Volturi handle it, and none of us wanted that. I also knew how heavily the death count was weighing on Carlisle. They would act and they would probably do it soon. I shivered.

“I know,” Carlisle sighed.

“Oh,” Edward said sharply, turning his head slightly to look at Jasper. “I didn’t think of that. I see. You’re right, that has to be it. Well, that changes everything.”

The entire room froze, staring at Edward like he’d sprouted a second head. I only tore my gaze away long enough to check with Bella, who looked the most confused.

“I think you better explain to the others,” Edward said, still only talking to Jasper despite the annoyance growing on everyone's face. Edward started pacing and mumbling and Alice joined us at Bella’s side.

“What is he rambling about?” She asked Jasper. “What are you thinking?”

Noticing the attention on him, Jasper shied closer to Alice, but his eyes danced between Bella and me.

“You’re confused.” He said as if it wasn’t clear. He knew exactly how confused we all were. I chose to not point it out.

“You both need to understand this. Since you’re part of us now.” Bella looked shocked, but I was too confused. He continued, “How much do you know about me?”

Emmett gave up and sat down dramatically next to me. He picked up his cards again though there was no way I could focus on Uno now. He sighed.

“Not much,” Bella admitted.

Jasper stared at Edward, who looked to meet his gaze.

“No, I’m sure you can understand why I haven’t told her that story. But I suppose she needs to hear it now.”

When Carlisle was met with the same questioning gaze he held up his hands. “It wasn’t my story to tell.” I almost laughed.

Jasper nodded, clearly at a loss as to where to start. He rolled up his sleeve and held his arm out to Bella. I wondered how his arms played a part of this until I saw what his fingers traced.

His arms were covered in lots of little crescent shaped scars.

I gasped and then Bella seemed to get it too. “Oh, Jasper, you have a scar exactly like mine.”

Jasper smiled faintly. “I have a lot of scars like yours, Bella.”

He was polite, but his face was unreadable. Bella’s scar was given to her by James. I’d guessed that she had been bitten, but no one ever explicitly confirmed the events of that night with me. I could tell from Bella’s reaction alone that the same could be said for Jasper. The sheer volume of bites stunned me to silence.

Bella stared up at him. “Jasper, what happened to you?”

“The same thing that happened to your hand,” he answered in a quiet voice.”Repeated a thousand times. Our venom is the only thing that leaves a scar.”

“How?” I wasn’t sure what I was asking. How did he get bitten so many times? How did he survive? But he understood, and started his story.

“I didn’t have quite the same… upbringing as my adopted siblings here.” As he spoke his voice went cold. I hated it. I knew his past was worlds away, but I wished I could protect him from it.

“You should know, before I go further, that there are parts of our world you haven’t needed to see. In the north it’s easy for us to blend in. We don’t have to fight for territory. We can coexist. But in the south, immortals only come out at night, while spending their days plotting this never ending war.”

“Fighting for what?” I didn’t want to ask, but was glad Bella did.

He almost smiled. “To them, territory is power. They all want the places where they can feed without much notice. If there was one coven, who controlled a densely populated area, they could hunt freely. Each coven would have to fight to keep the land in their control.

“Wars broke out all across the south. Some with more effective tactics than others, but there was one that won out. One vampire, Benito, claimed most of Texas and northern Mexico in a matter of weeks, he was unbeatable.”

“How did he do it?” my voice was shakier than I expected it to be.

“He created an army of newborn vampires. Newborns are nearly impossible to control. Their thirst is really the only thing that controls them. And they’re just as likely to take out themselves as they are to take out an enemy. He created more as they destroyed themselves and when it came down to a fight, he’d walk away on top.

“When the surrounding covens realized what was happening they created armies of their own, though it was often too late.

“All hell broke loose- and I mean that more literally than you could possibly imagine. We immortals have our histories, too, and this particular war will never be forgotten. Of course, it was not a good time to be human in Mexico, either.”

“So, as the body count rose to unthinkable numbers the Volturi stepped in to clean up the mess. The entire guard came together and sought out every newborn in the bottom half of North America. They killed Benito first, and sought out his followers. If anyone had a newborn within two thousand miles of Mexico City, the entire coven paid with their lives. Our kind will always remember this too. The Volturi didn’t ask questions. They didn’t offer second chances.

“When the Volturi returned to Italy, the southerners left behind were quick to reclaim land. They were smarter, quieter this time. These newborns were carefully selected and thoroughly trained. And, though rarely necessary, the Volturi will step in to clear out the cities. But they let the quiet ones- the careful ones continue.”

He looked lost in his own thoughts as he stared at his arm. I almost reached out and grabbed his hand for reassurance, but thought better of it.

“That’s how you were changed.” Bella whispered.

He nodded. “I lived in Texas, just outside of Houston. I tried to join the army in 1861, but I was seventeen and they saw right through me. I didn’t really want to fight, but I had watched the horrors that had fallen on my community and I wanted to help. So many innocent people died because the confederates didn’t stop to consider how the civilians would be affected.

“I was young and dumb, but I had a way with people. I had to lie a lot, to get battle plans, or uniforms, but people trusted me. I used that trust to lead women and children away from battlegrounds.

“That night wasn't any different than the rest. I had just led a group of young women to safety and was headed back to Galveston. I didn't want to waste time, I didn't stop to rest. I was maybe an hour out of town when I saw three women walking alone. I was afraid they were stragglers.

“Their names were Maria, Nettie, and Lucy. They hadn't been together long- Maria had rounded up the other two- all three were survivors of recently lost battles. They all had their own goals but they all agreed on one thing. They wanted territory.

“Maria was the one who turned me. Said she ‘had a good feeling’ about me. I didn't know what she meant at the time. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run. Of course, I didn't know then that running would do me no good. Still, I wanted to run, but I couldn’t. If I had been right and they had needed help, I wanted to help them; I was completely frozen in place.

“Maria grew quite fond of me- she began to depend on me. And in some ways, I worshiped the ground she walked on. She put me in charge of the army she was building. I still had so little understanding of my powers but as long as I could keep everyone calm and quiet, Maria had use for me.

“For her, I fully trained an army of twenty-three. We fought a group of only eleven and only lost four of ours. And because we were so well trained, we did it without attracting notice. The city changed hands without any human being aware.”

“Maria was greedy and she'd made a few too many enemies. Though things did quiet down for us over time, there are still small battles. Power is a dangerous thing. Many still seek vengeance. They won't easily forget.

“I made her newborns- dozens at a time- that I then destroyed after a year of each new life. Every life I took weighed heavily on me. Each time, I hesitated more and more. I'd made fast friends with a newborn named Peter. He was strong so Maria let him live and he was in charge of helping me dispose of the rest. As much as it weighed on me, it really took a toll on Peter. And one day he met his mate- A newborn named Charlotte. She brought him back to life, but she ran out of time. Instead of ending her, he told her to run. He took off with her. I was supposed to track them down. I never did.

“Maria was irritated with me for that…

“Five years later, Peter came back for me.” I could tell by the change in his demeanor we were getting past the scary stuff. He was still tense, but he smiled softly at the memory of Charlotte and Peter. I didn't know them, but I was grateful for their part in his life.

“Peter told me about his new life with Charlotte, told me about options I'd never dreamed I had. I walked away without a backwards glance. Maria didn't track me down. She didn't fight for me. I was grateful I wouldn't have to kill her. We weren't close but we'd spent so many years together… I don't think I could have killed her if I tried.

“I didn't realize how depressed I'd gotten until I was far out of it. Always worse after I hunted. Always tearing away pieces of what soul I had left. I felt the savagery of the newborns for years, the hatred that filled our every battle, but also the fear of every human I killed.

“It broke me…

“I went my own way. I tried so many ways to keep some sense of sanity, but nothing stuck. After a century of instant gratification, I found self-discipline… challenging. I still haven't perfected that.”

I was so lost in his words, I almost laughed. His face softened into a peaceful smile. It was a nice change; one I was grateful for.

“I was in Philadelphia. There was a storm, and I was out during the day- something I was not completely comfortable with yet. I knew standing in the rain would attract attention, so I ducked into a little half-empty diner. My eyes were dark enough no one would notice them, though that meant I was thirsty, and that worried me a little.

“She was there- expecting me, naturally.” He finally chuckled and so did I. It was clear as day how much happier he was. “She hopped down from the high stool at the counter as soon as I walked in and came directly towards me.

“It shocked me. I was not sure if she meant to attack. But she was smiling, and the emotions that were emanating from her were like nothing I'd ever felt before.”

“You had kept me waiting a long time.” Alice was next to him suddenly, wrapping her arm in his, their fingers intertwining. “And you ducked your head, like a good southern gentleman, and said, ‘I'm sorry, ma'am’. She laughed at the memory.

Jasper smiled at her like she'd hung the moon. My heart melted. “You held out your hand and I took it without stopping to make sense of what I was doing. For the first time in almost a century, I felt hope.”

As infatuated with his story as I was, I knew the reason he told it now. There was an army forming in Seattle. Alice and Jasper smiled at each other as they recounted joining the rest of the Cullens and I struggled to follow along.

I caught the end of something Edward was saying, “When I got home, all of my things were in the garage.”

Alice only shrugged. “Your room had the best view.”

Everyone laughed. I played along and laughed too, but Carlisle could tell it was forced. His hand tightened around mine ever so slightly.

“That’s a nice story,” Bella said. Everyone looked at her like she'd lost it- even me. She quickly clarified. “I mean the last part. The happy ending with Alice.”

“Alice has made all the difference,” Jasper agreed. “This is a climate I enjoy.”

Finally, Alice went back to the point of the story. “An army,” she whispered, “Why didn't you tell me?”

I was glad I wasn't the only one worried. Though I could barely force the words out, I needed to ask, “And you guys plan to face this?”

“We don't have much of a choice, Cara.” Carlisle's voice was soothing as he pressed into my side.

Jasper answered only Alice's question, “I hoped I was mistaken. I hoped that maybe I just saw the similarities because of my past. It simply doesn't make sense for there to be an army in Seattle. No one would want to claim it for power when there isn’t anyone to oppose. No one would even defend it.

“But I've seen this before, and there's no other explanation. There is an army of newborn vampires in Seattle. Fewer than twenty, I'd guess. The difficult part is that they are totally out of control. Whoever made them just set them loose. It will only get worse, and it won't be much longer till the Volturi step in. Actually, I'm surprised they've let it go on so long.”

“What can we do?” Carlisle asked his son.

I sat forward and placed my face in my hands, resting my elbows on my knees. They continued to make plans. Jasper wanted us to find an advantage. I couldn't really hear past the blood rushing around in my head. I wanted to vomit. I was so sick of that feeling.

“Maybe we won't have to.” Edward’s voice broke through my anguish, though I wished it hadn't. “Does it occur to anyone else that the only possible threat in the area that would call for the creation of an army is… us?”

“Oh for fucks sake…” I whimpered. Carlisle almost laughed at my outburst as his thumb traced comforting circles on my hand.

There was a silence in the room as everyone took in Edwards words. There were various states of confusion. Bella seemed the most lost. But Edward, Jasper, Alice, and Carlisle seemed to understand the gravity of it all. I just wanted them to say it and get it over with.

Alice spoke first, “They're not coming after us,” she insisted, her eyes dancing wildly. “Or… they don't know that they are. Not yet.”

I couldn't hope that they weren't after us. “What can you see, Alice?”

“Flickers,” Alice answered. “I can't see a clear picture when I try to see what's going on, nothing concrete. But I've been getting these strange flashes. Not enough to make sense of.”

“Like they can't decide if we're worth it? Or they don't even know what they're doing?”

“I don't know…”

“Wait…” We all faced Edward while he tried to make sense of what Alice couldn't. “Not indecision- Knowledge. Someone who knows you can't see anything until the decision is made. Someone who is hiding from us. Playing with the holes in your vision.”

I sigh, “So it has to be the Volturi.”

“But I would see if they decided to come…”

“Unless they aren't acting directly. It has to be them. You said Aro read your mind in Italy, right? And he's always wanted the two of you.” I gesture between her and Edward. “So, he calls in a favor, someone who would do as he says without question.”

Rosalie agreed with me, “Someone in the south… someone who already had trouble with the rules. Someone who should have been destroyed is offered a second chance- if they take care of this one small problem… That would explain the Volturi's sluggish response.”

“Or their lack of response at all. The only question left is why?”

Despite his comforting, I think Carlisle was just as confused as we were. “There’s no reason for the Volturi-”

“It was there,” Edward interrupted. “I didn’t expect it so quickly- his thoughts were all over the place and the others were… louder, I guess. But like Y/n said, he wants me and Alice by his side. He’d have the present and the future right in the palm of his hands.”

“He would kill the rest of us just to have you two?” Emmett asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“But it does, if he wants to weed out the competition. Carlisle has what he wants, a large coven of loyal and gifted followers. If he had someone take us down, sparing only Alice and myself, then we would join him and there wouldn’t be another large powerful coven to oppose him.” Edward added.

It was Carlisle who interrupted this time. “They’re too committed to their mission. They would never break the rules themselves. It goes against everything they’ve worked for.”

“They’ll clean it up afterward. A double betrayal,” Edward’s voice was grim but not surprised. “No harm done.”

“No, Carlisle is right. The Volturi do not break rules. Not to mention the mess. Whoever this is has no clue what they’re doing. This has to be their first time making an army- I’d put money on it. It’s too hard to believe the Volturi are involved. But they will be.”

The stress around the room is palpable- even as Jasper worked to calm the space around us.

Emmett clapped once, pulling focus. “Then let's go! What are we waiting for?”

Carlisle and Edward exchanged a long glance. Edward nodded once. My breath caught in my throat.

“We’ll need you to teach us, Jasper,” Carlisle finally said. “How to destroy them.” As much as I hated the idea, I knew how heavily it would weigh on him. I couldn’t muster up much strength, but I looked at his face, I watched his eyes, and I squeezed his hand- If only so he knew I was there with him.

Our eyes met for the briefest moment and he kissed my forehead before returning to the conversation.

Jasper added that they would need extra hands. “Do you think Tanya’s family would be willing? Another five mature vampires would make a huge difference. And then Kate and Eleazar would be especially advantageous on our side. It would be almost easy, with their aid.”

“We’ll ask,” Carlisle answered as he took out his phone. He kissed my hand before pacing in front of the windows. Edward pulled Bella to sit between him and I on the couch. Across the room, Carlisle spoke quickly and quietly but everyone in the room remained tense.

My eyes never left his face.

Edward groaned from the other side of Bella. “Damn it. Damn Laurent to the deepest pit of hell where he belongs.”

“Laurent?” Bella whispered. I tore my eyes from Carlisle to her. She looked more scared by the name than she had been of Jasper's backstory.

While Edward read his fathers thoughts, I tried to get her attention. “Which one was Laurent again?”

“James’ coven. Moved to Denali, found me in the meadow.” She shivered.

My mouth formed an ‘oh’ but we focused on Carlisle’s phone call again. I had never seen him quite like this. He was almost begging whoever had answered, but his tone was firm and calm.

“There’s no question of that,” he was suddenly angrier than before. “We have a truce. They haven’t broken it, and neither will we. I’m sorry to hear that… Of course. We’ll just have to do our best alone.” He hung up the phone without another word. His eyes watched the fog out of the window.

I was on my feet before I even knew what I was doing. My hand found his, he pulled me into him. I buried my face in his chest and he rested his chin on my head.

“What’s the problem?” Emmett asked.

Carlisle answered, “Irina and Laurent were… romantically involved. More so than we knew. She is still angry with the wolves for their part in his death.”

Edward took over when Carlisle couldn’t go on. “She wants revenge. To take down the pack. They would trade their help for our permission.”

“No!” Bella gasped.

“We would never agree to those terms.” I said, to help calm Bella’s nerves.

“Neither would I. Laurent had it coming,” Edward growled. “And I still owe the wolves for that.”

“So it will be an even fight…” I looked at Jasper and he nodded.

“We may still win. We have the upperhand in skill, just not numbers.” His eyes left mine to only glance at Alice. When he found me again, there was a bit more panic on his face.

If they won this at all, not everyone would come home.

Edward, Rosalie, and Carlisle went hunting a couple of days later. He expected to only be away a few hours- twelve at the most, since they weren’t going far. The original plan was for Bella to hang out at our house so the three that were staying could keep her out of trouble. She opted out to go see Jacob- which I thought was a better plan anyway.

However, that did leave Emmett, Alice, Jasper, and myself to our own devices.

Normally I would have been very excited for Bella to get a chance to see Jacob, but right that very second, I really wished she was there to at least mediate.

Emmett was laying on the kitchen floor dramatically. “We are in way over our heads.” I giggled as Alice stomped over to him. “How are we going to make over a hundred cupcakes in just a few days?” He acted like we were forcing him.

“It’s only a hundred and forty! I want every guest to at least have two. Bella’s graduation is important.” She sounded exhausted, not that that was possible- and not that I could blame her, Emmett was kind of acting like a baby.

She looked at me so she could beg with her eyes to get him to cooperate. Jasper just laughed and continued scooping batter into the trays.

Emmett just groaned and rolled over to his stomach. “Go on without me… I won’t make it.”

The glare on Alice’s face was the only thing to hold back my giggles. I would never say it, but I almost agreed with him. We’d been at this cupcake thing for more than an hour and we still didn’t have any cupcakes in the oven. In Alice’s defense, she bought eight cupcake trays and we had two ovens, so once we got this batch in we’d only have to do it one more time to be over her goal anyway.

I decided it would be best not to offer any input for either side. I liked my head exactly where it was. Instead I nudged Emmett with my foot. “All you have to do is crack a few more eggs. Then she might let you off the hook.”

“I won’t even ask you to decorate!” Alice’s tone was sweet- too sweet. I knew as soon as she said it she was up to something.

I might have been the only one to notice though. Jasper continued with his task and Emmett got to his feet. He grumbled a little more, but continued cracking eggs.

I’d hoped the moment passed, but then Jasper said, “She wouldn’t want you to decorate anyway.”

I froze, Alice’s eyes went wide.

“Boys-” I warned as Emmett picked up two eggs from the carton.

“Jasper, please don’t-”

“Wanna elaborate, Cowboy?” Emmett pressed. Their matching smirks were the only thing reminding me that while they were only playing, things could easily get very messy.

“I mean… The cupcakes would look like shit if you decorated them.” Emmett threw one of the eggs as soon as the words left his lips. It hit the center of Jasper’s chest with an oddly satisfying splat. “Hey now,” he laughed. “Let’s not start something Y/n will have to clean up.”

I definitely would have made them clean it up, but I kept my opinions to myself.

Emmett gave me an apologetic smile, but his focus didn’t leave Jasper. “I bet I can make prettier cupcakes than you can.”

Jasper’s smirk grew. Alice almost danced with excitement. I caught on to the couples scheme. Poor, sweet Emmett had no idea.

“Really now?” Jasper’s southern drawl was dangerous. “You wanna place bets?”

Just like that, Emmett took out his wallet and set a one hundred dollar bill on the counter. Jasper laid down two more.

“Winner takes all?” Now Emmett smirked and held out his hand.

I quickly added, “Loser cleans up!” just so Alice and I didn’t have to piece the kitchen back together.

“Sounds good to me.” Jasper shook his hand, then faced me and Alice. “Ladies, Do you want to judge?”

“Absolutely.” Alice said. Her smile matched Jaspers.

“As long as Alice gets final say. It’s her party.” And I did not want to be caught in the aftermath.

Alice and I proceeded to supervise the boys competition. I half listened as she talked through the rest of her party plans and half watched out the back window for Carlisle return.

It was so easy to be comfortable with them. They always made me feel like I belonged. I was constantly surrounded by this overwhelming sense of family and belonging. Somehow, despite everything, the Cullens felt like family. Like coming home after an extended trip to open arms. Like a part of me missed them before I even knew them.

And like a part of them missed me too.

“I think Bella invited some of the wolves…” The annoyance in Alice’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Jasper's gaze was on me, a soft smile on his face. I blushed and pulled my focus to Alice. “I can barely see it anymore.”

“Jacob’s coming here?” I asked.

“I guess… Or he’s trying to decide. It comes and goes in flashes. It’s really hard to plan a party I can’t see.”

Everyone laughed but Alice.

“I think that’s how most people feel, Sweetheart.” Jasper kissed her cheek.

“I’m serious! I haven’t been able to see anything for hours. What if I’m not making enough cupcakes?”

Emmett looked up. He had icing on his cheek. I hid my giggles with the back of my hand.

“I can make more. I’m in the zone now.” he offered without any prompting.

“You’re the best, Emmett!” Alice skipped over to him and threw her arms around him. Jasper and I made eye contact again and laughed to ourselves.

By the time he ‘ran out of steam’ he had made two hundred and six cupcakes.

Jaspers were a bit prettier but we let Emmett have it for being such a good sport. (and for doing most of the work.) I was still anxiously watching the front door. They talked about something on the TV. I only pretended to be interested.

It wasn’t long before Carlisle had his arms around me. I’d barely turned around before I heard Edwards tires screeching out of the garage.

Still, I leaned up and kissed Carlisle.

Now that Carlisle was back, Emmett moved towards the garage to meet up with Rosalie. “What’s his deal?” He asked Carlisle over his shoulder.

“He didn’t go into much detail. Something happened with Bella at Jacob's. He said they'd be here shortly.”

My eyes darted to Alice who looked just as concerned as I felt. I wasn't sure if he knew more and just didn't tell me yet. I tried not to panic.

“I haven't seen anything… Jacob is still too involved. But I'll keep you updated.” She painted on a smile and turned back to the TV.

Carlisle ran a soothing hand over my arm. “I'm sure it will be alright. How was your day?”

I didn't let his efforts to calm my worry go wasted. I knew Edward would be normally a bit jumpy when they'd get back, especially when Jacob was involved. They were probably right. It was probably nothing. I took a deep breath and answered his question.

“Alice wanted to make cupcakes for the party. Emmett was kinda a baby about it at first, but the ones he made came out really nice.”

“Well, there aren't any scorch marks in the kitchen.” the corner of his mouth turned slightly upwards slightly. “That is an impressive feat in and of itself.”

I laughed with him. “I supervised!”

“She was great!” Alice added.

Carlisle’s smile was soft as his eyes met mine. “She always is.”

I, of course, melted into him. I hid the color in my cheeks by burying my face in his chest. I felt his soft chuckle as he held me tighter. I continued with the shift in conversation. “What about you? How was your trip?”

I felt him sigh. “It went smoothly, though it did end abruptly. I think we were finishing up anyway. The quick trip will definitely help in the long run.” I understood his meaning without him having to elaborate. I wanted them to be as prepared as possible, that was all I needed to know.

For just a moment we fell into comfortable small talk about the day's events. Alice complained some more about her lack of visions involving the party.

Until Alice froze and spoke quickly. “Finally! They're almost here. Bella thinks she's broken her hand.” She focused on Carlisle, “They want you to look at it.”

“I'll go get my bag.” He kissed my forehead and disappeared up the stairs. I went out into the garage just as they were pulling in.

Bella and Edward were already getting out of the car. Emmett was holding up his jeep so Rose could work under it. Somehow, I was unphased. I noticed the way Bella was babying her hand and that took my focus.

I asked, “What happened? Are you okay?” At the same time Emmett asked, “Fall down again, Bella?”

Her soft eyes shifted from me to glare at him. “No, Emmett. I punched a werewolf in the face.”

Shocked, I stared at her. Emmett, of course, burst out laughing. I managed to push my panic aside. “Who? Why?”

I wasn't sure I actually asked until she stopped glaring at Emmett to answer me. “Jacob kissed me.”

My confusion faded to anger. I had to bite my cheek to contain it. “Why?”

“Because he's an entitled, selfish, piece of-”

From her spot under the Jeep, Rosalie laughed and announced, “Jasper's going to win the bet.”

Edward winced and tried to pull Bella faster into the house but she froze in her spot.

“What damn bet?” My anger with Jacob shifted back to general confusion, with just a touch of anger. I was already tired of their bets after the cupcake debacle and while I had no idea what they'd bet on, I had a terrible feeling about it.

Bella looked between the boys and demanded, “What bet?”

“Let's get you to Carlisle. Y/n, is he in his office?” I knew he knew exactly where in the house he was and was just trying to use that to shift her focus. I didn't answer.

“What bet?” Bella insisted.

“Thanks, Rosalie.” His arm tightened around her waist and he continued forward.

“Edward…” the concern was heavy in my voice but it also came off as a warning. I didn't want him to pick a fight with Rose. I also wanted to know about the bet.

“It's infantile,” He shrugged. “Emmett and Jasper like to gamble.”

I rolled my eyes.

She didn't drop it there. She tried to turn back, but his arm was tight around her waist. “Emmett will tell me.”

He sighed, finally giving in. He probably knew that neither of us would drop it. Bella could get Emmett to tell her, I'd get Carlisle to tell me. “They're betting on how many times you… slip up in the first year.”

The horror on Bella's face matched my own. I suddenly felt like throwing up and wished I had never asked.

Bella repeated his answer to elaborate. “They have a bet on how many people I’ll kill?”

“Yes.” He sounded annoyed, I couldn't help but agree. “Rosalie thinks your temper will turn the odds in Jasper’s favor.”

Bella looked lost. I was grateful we were still walking towards Carlisle.

“Jasper's betting high.”

“It will make him feel better if you have a hard time adjusting. He's tired of being the weakest link.”

“Sure. Of course it will. I guess I could throw in a few extra homicides, if it makes Jasper happy. Why not?” Her voice was flat and distant.

“I- That's so fucked up actually…” I didn't want to think about what they thought Bella would be like as a newborn vampire. Or that that was right around the corner.

I definitely didn't want to know if they'd placed bets about me.

“They didn't,” Edward answered anyway. “They talked about it, but it's not certain when- or if you'll be like us. Also Jasper thinks you're too much like Carlisle. It wouldn't be wise to bet high.”

I cringed, wanting to throw up again.

He squeezed Bella a bit tighter. “But neither of you need to worry about it now. In fact, you don’t have to worry about it ever, if you don't want to.”

Bella groaned and Edward pulled her a bit faster to the dining room. I didn't think it was her hand that was bothering her, but I was grateful he wanted to get her to Carlisle faster. I was more than willing to be closer to him as well.

Carlisle looked at Bella's hand for all of two minutes before agreeing that it was broken. He wanted to take her to the clinic for a legitimate x-ray and proper cast, but they came to a compromise. She just had to wear a brace and let him check on her regularly. She promised to be good and follow the doctor's orders.

Bella was out of it. Edward fussed over her multiple times, but she wasn't in any pain. Carlisle gave her some pain meds just in case.

Even as she hugged me before they left, she seemed off. I wondered if she really was just tired or if, like me, the idea of their bet threw her off.

When they were gone, Carlisle walked with me to our room. I was ready to pass out. The weight of the day was finally catching up to me. I couldn’t believe how tired I’d gotten in just the last 30 minutes.

Carlisle laid in bed next to me; both of us on our sides, facing each other, our hands joined between us. We laid there for a moment, just existing together, but my curiosity did get the better of me.

“Did you know?” I asked, just barely above a whisper.

“About the boys bet?” I nodded and he sighed. “Not exactly. I knew of the debate that started the bet. I knew that Jasper had joked that once Bella was a newborn, he wouldn’t be our biggest concern. However, they knew better than discussing it around me or Edward. I only heard in passing what Edward gathered from their thoughts.” His tone was apologetic, even though he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“I’m not upset with them.” I specified. “They’re just being silly. It’s just… It’s weird to think about what we’ll be like… after.” I felt like my voice sounded as distant as Bella’s did earlier.

“You don’t have to-”

“I know. They didn’t even bet on my… outcome.” I almost laughed. “The idea of it though, somehow makes this all feel more real.”

He did laugh. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.” I rolled over to my back and stared at the ceiling. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “I guess I just couldn’t imagine it before. Like a part of me held on to the fantasy of it.”

“But since Jasper's story… and then today, after they mentioned the bet… It’s like now I can see it. I can see Bella with red eyes and cold skin. I can picture myself like you. It’s just so real.”

I turned back to him and his eyes were on me. I could tell he was analyzing my words, but his gaze wasn’t harsh. He was calm and soft and collected just like he always was- all while trying to decide if I was panicking.

I caressed his face. “I still want this… eventually. Not now-” I smiled softly at him and he smiled back. “But at some point, I still want to be like you. You just have to promise to love me if I accidentally kill people.”

He moved so he was positioned a bit over me, without putting any actual weight on me. “I will always love you, and I think I can manage keeping you in line.”

“That’s good…” I leaned up to kiss his nose. “Someone has to. It might take all of us to keep Bella in line.”

His lips lifted on one side in a half smile that made me melt. “Are you betting high?”

I playfully glared at him. “I am not betting… But if I had to guess, I think Bella is stubborn and she doesn’t really take no for an answer. And if this spring was any indication she has a flair for the dramatics- justified or not.”

He thought over my points for a moment before nodding. “You have excellent points. It’s a good thing there’s six of us.”

“And some overly attached wolves.” I giggled.

“I have nothing to wear!” Bella said into her now empty closet. I sat on the floor leaning against her bed. I started in the bed but as she pulled out all of her clothes I was quickly booted to the floor. “At this rate, I’m graduating in this!” she gestured towards herself and her old sweats and baggy sweater.

“You will not!” I insisted. “We’ll stop at a store on the way if we have to.”

“We don’t have time!” She glared at the pile of clothes. “Stupid, thieving, annoying vampire!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Alice said “What did I do?” while leaning casually beside the open window.

“Holy shit- Alice!”

She just laughed and added “Knock, knock.” with a grin.

“Is it really so hard to wait for me to get the door?”

“Or at least shoot either of us a text first so you don’t give us a heart attack?”

“It’s more fun this way.” Her grin got a touch wider “Anyway! I was passing through and I thought you might need something to wear.”

I giggled as Alice tossed a white box on the bed. Bella looked like she was relieved and also like she might throw up.

“Admit it,” Alice said. “I’m a lifesaver.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Bella muttered. “Thanks.”

“Well, it’s nice to get something right for a chance. You don’t know how irritating it is- missing things the way I have been. I feel so useless. So… normal.” She cringed. I had to laugh.

“How could you?” I joked at the same time Bell said “Eww, normal?”

Alice laughed. “Well this makes up for missing your annoying thief- now I just have to figure out what I’m not seeing in Seattle.”

Maybe it was the look on Bella’s face or the way Alice said our two problems so closely together, but it clicked. All of it lined up perfectly. I quickly scanned Bella’s face as she put it together. Her eyes darted between me and Alice as she tried to judge if we’d caught on. I nodded but Alice remained unmoved.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Her question barely had time to settle before she moved to open it for her. “Pretty, don’t you think? I picked blue because I know it’s Edward’s favorite on you.” Bella wasn’t listening. She looked completely dazed.

I stood up and grabbed Alice’s hand. “Alice.”

At the same time Bella whispered “It’s the same.”

Alice didn’t get it. “What is?” she demanded. “You don’t have anything like this. For crying out loud you only own one skirt!”

“No-” Bella cut me off.

“-Alice! Forget the clothes, listen!”

She still hadn’t caught on, her face softened with disappointment “You don’t like it?”

“Listen, Alice, don’t you see? It’s the same!”

“The uninvited visitor, our missing things, the newborns-”

“Yeah! Thank you, Y/n!” She seemed a little less frantic knowing I understood. “They’re together.”

Alice froze, the dress fell from her hands delicately back into the box. “Why do you think that?”

“Remember what Edward said? About someone using the holes in your vision to keep you from seeing the newborns-”

“Right! And I brought up that I thought that maybe they were just curious as they passed through-”

“Then what you said before, Alice. The timing was too perfect.”

“Someone ‘Just curious’ wouldn’t have taken our things.” I added air quotes around my own words knowing now just how wrong I was. “And they were way too careful not to make any contact.”

“Because he knew you would see that.”

“You were right, Alice. He has to know. There’s no chance it’s multiple people who not only know, but are also using the holes in your vision at the same time.” Bella looked at me. Alice was still frozen.

Bella continued. “The one making the army is the one who stole our things.”

Alice stayed completely unmoving for quite some time. Around a minute in, I sat on the bed, trying my best to mind the pile of clothes. More time passed in silence. I was afraid she'd gone into shock.

Then she whispered, “You're right.” Her voice was hollow and completely detached. I wasn't convinced she was okay. I worried she was panicking. “Of course you're both right. And when you put it that way…”

“Edward had it wrong.” Bella whispered. From where I sat, it was hard to make out what she said. “It was a test… to see if it would work.”

“To see if he could get in, get our scent, and get back out unharmed.” I added.

“As long as he didn't do anything you would be watching out for.” Bella continued.

“Like speak to either of us… or eat our father.” I shivered.

“And he didn't take our things to prove he found us. He stole our scent… so that the others could find us.”

Another moment passed without a sound. None of us breathed. We were right. We had to be right. It was clear Alice knew it too.

“Oh, no,” she mouthed. Alice's stillness quickly became a panic that rivaled my own. Bella somehow looked relieved.

“Well,” she whispered. “Everyone can relax. Nobody's trying to exterminate the Cullens after all.”

Her words confused me. I just stared at her for a beat. “Relax? That's what you got from this?”

“If you think that one thing has changed, you're absolutely wrong.”

I teetered this line of understanding where Bella was coming from and outright disagreeing. This wasn't about the Cullens, which was good, but there was a ravenous army of newborn vampires after the two of us. If we could just turn ourselves over to them, maybe they'd leave our family alone. “But the Cullens would never let them get to us. No one will back down without a fight.”

“You're probably right- But at least we know what they're after. That has to help.”

“Maybe,” Alice muttered before she started pacing Bella's room.

When Dad knocked on the door both Bella and I nearly jumped out of our skin. Alice kept pacing, unbothered.

“Aren't you girls ready yet? We're going to be late!” I was sure he was more bothered that he had to wear a tie than he was about being late.

“Almost. Give us a minute.” Bella said hoarsely

His tone changed from frustration to concern immediately “Are you crying?”

“No. I'm nervous. Go away.”

Once he had grumbled his way back down the stairs, Alice whispered again, “I have to go.”

“Why?” Bella and I asked at the same time.

“Edward is coming. If he hears this…”

“Go, go.” Again, Bella and I spoke in unison. I knew that Edward wouldn't have the best reaction, which was easily an understatement.

“Y/n, can you keep him out of your thoughts?” Alice asked. My eyes went wide, not having considered the issue, but I nodded.

“I can try. I've never done it on purpose, but I’ll really really try.”

She did not look convinced. “If you can't keep him out, just keep your thoughts busy with literally anything else.” I nodded again trying to plan what to think about for the entirety of the graduation.

“Put that on,” Alice commanded before going back out the window. Bella looked at me and I just walked out of the room without another word- unsure of what to say anyway.

Dad was in the kitchen, looking at the paper, grumbling something along the lines of “-that girl is going to be late to her own damn graduation…” but I couldn't really hear him over the roaring in my head.

Could I just choose to keep Edward out of my thoughts? And, if I couldn't, could I really keep my head busy enough for him not to catch on.

And, possibly the hardest part, could I sit next to Carlisle for the entire graduation ceremony like nothing was wrong. He would be able to tell the second he saw me that something was off and I would have to be able to still not think about it and not tell him when he asked.

I poured what was left of the coffee into my travel mug, knowing very well it would not help the pit in my stomach but I hoped it would at least give my brain a bit of a caffeine buzz. As I finished making my coffee, Bella rushed downstairs. Dad complimented her and asked about her dress. She thanked him. She mentioned Alice.

I wasn't paying attention.

Once Edward arrived I thought about all of the shoes that I owned. I tried to just think ‘no Edward’ but didn't want to trust in that alone. They just as quickly drifted out to the cruiser. Dad kissed my check on his way out.

“I'll be right behind you guys. I'm almost ready.” I mumbled and Dad nodded but I didn't hear if he said anything. I shut the door behind them and for a second leaned my head against it.

I whispered to myself as I heard the car pull away. “It's no big deal. It's just an hour- maybe two. I can do this. I can do this.” I breathed a heavy sigh and straightened my dress. “I really hope I can do this.

I turned my back to the door to put on shoes. I looked one last time in the mirror by the door. I opened the door but immediately shut it back.

Quickly, I ran through the house and made sure every window was shut tight and locked. I made sure the back door was locked and double checked the front door was locked before heading to the school.

I got to my seat mere seconds before the ceremony started. Carlisle had chosen a seat that was next to isle and left the seat next to him for me. My Dad was just behind him with Billy and Jacob. I tried my best to smile politely at Billy. I didn't even look at Jacob.

Carlisle stood and placed his hand on the small of my back as I passed. He kissed my cheek and whispered “You look stunning, as always.”

I mumbled my thanks and it took a single second after I sat down for him to ask, “What's happened? Are you alright?”

I almost let my guard down. My mantra of ‘No Edward. No Edward. No Edward.’ almost paused, but I managed to get a grip. “Nothing’s happened. Everythings fine. I’m okay?”

His eyes squinted slightly, like he was analyzing every syllable in my words.

“I promise I will tell you about it later.” I smiled as best as I could at him. I poked the middle of my own forehead twice before repeating the motion on his.

“Oh,” He mouthed. “I understand.” He didn’t press though his grip did tighten ever so slightly around my hand. I kissed him quickly and Dad cleared his throat behind us. I let myself giggle.

When Principal Greene started the ceremony I repeated every word he said in my mind.

I clapped and cheered when Alice was called. She appeared, accepted the diploma, and disappeared just as quickly; I pretended not to notice. Edward followed after and his general confusion was clear. I continued to clap but my cheering was cut off when his sharp gaze met mine.

His expression didn’t change beyond confusion. I breathed a sigh of relief but sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in my head anyway. Even Jasper walked across the stage just as tense as Alice had been. Carlisle continued to cheer for his family as they graduated again.

As the next names were called he said under his breath, “He’s not sure what, but he can tell all of you are hiding something.”

I said nothing and continued the lullabies in my head.

When Bella’s name was called, Dad stood and cheered. Jacobs cheering was the loudest and though I rolled my eyes, it did make Bella crack a small smile- even if it was a little forced.

I stood and clapped with everyone else at the graduates moved their tassels and threw their caps. The kids started meeting up with their families and friends. I planned my escape route just to get stopped by Dad and Billy.

Dad asked if I wanted to go out to eat with them, which I could politely decline since Alice had made the party such a big deal. He bought it easily, said goodbye to me and Carlisle, before leaving with Billy and Jacob. Thankfully Jacob said nothing to me the whole time.

As soon as they were gone, Carlisle put an arm around my waist and started to walk with me to my car. He turned his head to face me as we walked, one eyebrow raised. “Y/n?”

“Carlisle?” I’d switched from lullabies to 80s love songs. If he was still in my head, I Wanna Dance With Somebody would have to work as a distraction.

“Will you please tell me what is going on?”

I shushed him. I doubted anyone could even hear our conversation over the crowd of families but I wasn’t going to risk it now. “As soon as no one can hear us.” I assured him.

The plan was that I would drive separately to the graduation and Carlisle would follow me back to our house after. That way I could help Bella get ready in the morning and then I could help Alice set up after the ceremony. I didn’t think the plan had changed and he walked me to my car like everything was normal. His arm stayed around my waist our entire walk. I figured we’d made it out of the woods without Edward finding out and freaking out.

But as we walked up to my car, Carlisle said, “I understand why you didn’t want to tell anyone in there.”

My eyes shot open and I turned to face him. “She told him? Is he alright? Is he freaking out?”

“He’s… not calm. But he will be alright, Mon Coeur.” He opened my door. “I do hope you have a bit more understanding than your sister, who seems to think that this connection solves everything.”

I didn’t move to get in the car. “I know it doesn’t. I think it’s probably worse…”

“It’s definitely worse.” He drew his lips into a line. “I’ll see you at the house. I will be right behind you the entire time.”

I nodded and kissed him. His car was behind mine before I even left the parking lot.

Alice gave everyone tasks. As soon as we walked in the door we were assigned balloon duty. I could hardly focus on the balloons. I popped three and let go of more than I could count. I giggled everytime they shot across the room. Alice sighed and took the remaining stack from me.

“I think that’s enough balloons… I’m going to get the music started. Y/n, why don’t you change into your party clothes?”

I looked down at my clothes then at Carlisle and mumbled, “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“Nothing!” She said quickly. “It’s just that this is a party, and you look like you’re going to a graduation- Oh! I have the perfect dress!” and then she vanished up the stairs.

Carlisle only chuckled once he’d heard me laugh. Edward and Bella came in before Alice came back down. Edward was normally hard to read but his face really gave nothing away as to what he was feeling.

“Edward!” Alice had emerged from upstairs, seemingly unaware how much she’d startled me. Carlisle chuckled and rubbed my arm. “I need your advice. Should we give them familiar and comforting or educate their taste in music?”

“Keep it comforting,” Edward recommended. “You can only lead the horse to water.”

Alice nodded and started the music, placing whatever she decided was too ‘Educational’ in a separate box.

Bella looked down at her blue dress and mumbled. “I think I’m underdressed.”

“You’re perfect,” Edward disagreed.

“Alice is just over dressed,” I added.

She ignored me and said to Bella, “You’ll do.”

I laughed. Bella thanked her but her voice still had hope when she asked “Do you really think people will come?” Alice made a face at her.

“Everyone will come.” Edward confirmed. I watched Bella deflate. I wasn't too excited about the party, but I was excited to watch Bella try to navigate the house full of people.

Then Alice continued barking orders. I followed along, completing small tasks for her. Bella held on to Edward while we floated around. I doubted he would have let her go, but I also never saw her try. The guys moved as Alice commanded, all while discussing battle strategies for their attack on the newborns in Seattle.

I wanted to throw up.

They still had no backup. Tanya’s family refused to send any aid, and of course there was still no chance they’d change Bella early. Yet they still had every intention to charge in before the army got too close.

Jasper looked about as nervous as I felt. Trying every angle he could think of just to swing the odds in our favor. I hated that it wasn’t looking like a bright outcome. Not to mention they had no idea what they were going to do with me and Bella during the fight.

I didn’t like the idea of staying in forks and waiting it out. I wouldn’t let them divide their numbers by making anyone stay behind. Bella looked like the thought alone would drive her mad.

But then the doorbell rang.

Everything shifted immediately, going from betting odds and battle strategies to teenage house party. The stress melted out of the room, while still clinging to me. Carlisle smiled, Jasper moved to Alice’s side. Alice turned up the music, pointed at me, and mouthed the word ‘change’, before dancing to get the door.

I let out a harsh laugh and kissed Carlisle’s cheek and drifted upstairs to put on whatever it was that Alice deemed party worthy.

I was a bit thankful, actually. Not only to get out of my dress and- with any luck- into something a bit more comfortable. But I was thankful that even for just a moment, I could take a breath and try to push some of the panic aside.

I shut the door behind me and took the biggest breath I could muster; granted, it was shaky and broken. I tried again. And somehow that one was worse. I hoped that with the music and the chatter even the Cullens couldn’t hear my gasps. I moved from the door as fast as I could and sat on the edge of the bed. My hand went to my chest.

I knew that at least tonight we were fine. They weren’t coming to get us tonight and now that we had a more clear picture, Alice could probably see them coming. I didn’t have to panic.

And yet… There I sat. Panicking.

I was completely overwhelmed with this looming dread. This wasn’t just about Bella anymore. Though that was bad enough, this involved me now. Despite how often Edward disregarded my safety and despite how desperately Carlisle tried to protect me from this;

My life was in danger.

It was never going to end was it?

I was shaking and crying before I even realized. I’d been in there for a while when there was a soft knock at the door followed by another that was a bit more demanding. I had just enough time to wipe my tears and sit up straighter before the door cracked open. I saw Jasper's soft blonde curls before it registered that it was him.

“Y/n?” His accent was thick with concern, even as he just said my name.

“Jasper… I-I” I tried to breathe again. “I figured you were Carlisle.”

“Alice had him step out to get ice. He figured he’d be back before you noticed he was gone. But I heard you crying… thought I could lend a hand.”

I smiled softly at him and he took a small step into the room. He left the door cracked just slightly so the noise filtered in. I took another deep, settling breath.

“Alice might come lookin for ya if you don’t come down soon, but I might be able to stall her a bit longer.”

I almost giggled but it got caught in my throat. He handed me a tissue. “Thank you, Jasper. I really should get down there.”

“No problem. Though, I wish I could do more to ease your panic.”

I sighed, “Thanks for always trying…” I took his outreached hand and he helped me to my feet. I held on to him a bit longer just to make sure I was stable on my feet. I thanked him again.

He chuckled and grinned softly. “Happy to help.”

I turned to let him go but stopped before he could. “Uhm… one last thing?” He nodded. I sighed and my lip trembled. I pushed past it and said, “Are our numbers… completely hopeless?” I had to look out the window and blink back my reamerging tears.

“I wouldn’t say hopeless… I’m just not quite used to playing with the disadvantage. But, I’ve never lost a fight. I don’t plan on startin’ now… Especially not now when my family is involved.”

I pulled my eyes back to his and saw the sincerity there.

He nodded and I nodded and he continued. “Everyone will be alright. We have to be confident.”

I nodded again and mumbled my thanks.

This time when he went to leave I didn’t stop him. I quickly changed into what Alice had laid out, though I did forgo the heels.

I made my way down the stairs. Alice was pointing Carlisle to where she wanted him to take the ice but Jasper took it from him and nodded towards me. I mouthed one last thank you in his direction before meeting Carlisle’s warm gaze. His soft smile and bright gold eyes almost washed my panic away completely.

He saw it anyway and when his arm wrapped around my waist he pulled me close to him. His free hand went to my chin, lifting it so he could see my face better. I felt my cheeks heat.

“You’ve been crying. Has something happened?” His tone was hushed even as he scanned me for obvious injury.

I giggled and shook my head. “I’m fine. I just got overwhelmed.” When he just looked at me with one eyebrow raised, I lifted a pinky. “Promise! It’s no big deal. We can talk about it later.”

He didn’t look happy about it, but he interlocked his pinky with mine before fully taking my hand. We walked into the main room where the bulk of the guests had started hanging out.

He pointed out to me that the largest tower of cupcakes was nearly empty. I was glad they were doing well with the crowd after all the work Emmett and Alice put into them. A few girls walked up and gave compliments to Carlisle about our home. Some were obviously flirting with him. It made me giggle every time. His hand never left the small of my back.

Everything was going smoothly, until it wasn’t.

Bella was talking with Jessica and Edward, then Edward walked off, just fast enough to still seem natural. Bella looked around for a second and then something caught her eye behind us. I turned and saw Alice frozen in the doorway. She looked like she could hardly stand on her own.

Carlisle froze too. I sharply turned to face him again and whispered, “What’s wrong?” The quiver in my voice was only loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m… not sure. Stay here, I’ll find Edward.”

Two seconds after he walked off and I walked over to where Bella had met Alice, the doorbell rang.

I only caught the end of what they were saying. “I have to talk to Carlisle,” Alice had said. Then she was gone and Bella said to the space where she’d been, “No, Alice, wait!” before swearing under her breath.

I touched her arm and she still jumped. “Where did they go? What is going on?”

“I have no idea… Where is Carlisle?” I could tell she was just as lost as I was.

“Looking for Edward.” The doorbell rang again. “Should I get that?”

“No.” She started heading for the stairs. I continued to stand there, confused.

“Hey, Bella!” I didn’t expect to see Jacob. As a matter of fact, I’d never expected to see Jacob in my house at all. Definitely after the shit he pulled the last time she hung out with him. But there he was, in my living room with two of his friends. Though it was clear, at least to me, that his friends very much did not want to be there.

Bella also did not want them to be there. She waved back at him when he waved, but still turned and disappeared into the crowd. Jacob disappeared too and I just stood there with my hands in the air.

“I… don’t worry guys. I’ll handle the party hosting. It’s fine…” I said sarcastically and just loud enough that they probably heard. Something was going on, and instead of telling me- or Bella from the looks of it, they ran off to have a secret little meeting.

I scanned the crowd looking for a single vampire or at least Bella, but all I found was the back of Jacobs head. I guessed he was talking with Bella but I did not want to get involved. I had nothing nice to say to him, So I walked away. I moved into the room picking up and throwing away abandoned plates and empty cups. I was in the middle of wiping icing off the table cloth when Alice’s cool hand wrapped around my arm.

“Shit! My god- Alice… you nearly scared me to death!” I put a hand on my chest to try to slow my heart beat. Her face didn’t change.

She looked panicked.

“Alice, what’s wrong?”

“I need you to come with me. Where’s Bella?”

I looked at the crowd again. “She’s over there with-” before I could finish she disappeared, “with Jacob…” I pulled my lips into a tight line, but headed towards where I’d last seen Bella.

Alice was already there, whispering to Bella. They started to walk off with me trailing behind when Jacob blocked their path. “Hey, not so fast.”

Alice and I demanded in sync, “Excuse me?” I glared at him but her eyes stayed wide.

“Tell us what's going on.”

“How about you-” I took a step forward, but Bella held her hand to stop me.

Jasper appeared next to Alice and I'd never been so excited to see him. Jacob, on the other hand, took a step back. I could barely hold back my laughter.

“We have a right to know.” Jacob muttered, still glaring at me.

I had to bite my tongue. Jasper stepped in between us. Jacob and his friends tensed.

This time Bella stepped in, laughing just slightly to play it cool. “Hey, hey… This is a party, remember?”

No one moved. I glared at Jacob and Jasper as they had a seemingly never ending staring contest. Alice was the first one to soften.

“It's okay, Jasper. He actually has a point.” Jasper did not relax.

“What did you see, Alice?” Bella asked, like she could not handle the anticipation a second longer.

Alice took a moment before her eyes left Jacob and met Bella's anxious gaze.

She answered loud enough for everyone to hear. “The decision has been made.”

“You're going to Seattle?”

“No,”

“No? What do you mean, ‘no’?” I asked even though I had a sinking feeling I did not want to know.

Bella looked like I felt; Her face paled as she figured out what she meant. “They're coming here?” She choked out.

“Here?” I couldn't comprehend what they were saying. How could the army come here? The boys in front of me looked equally as confused. Nothing felt real.

“Yes.”

“To forks.”

“Yes.”

“For?”

Alice nodded, in understanding. “One carried your things. Your red shirt and your pillow case.”

“But… they can’t come here. It’s too close. Dad is here- Bella-” My voice didn’t sound like my own.

“I know,” Alice agreed with more sadness in her eyes than I had the capacity to understand. “But it doesn’t matter where we stop them. There still won’t be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search.”

“No!” Bella whispered.

My eyes locked on Jaspers. Just an hour before, he’d said our numbers weren’t hopeless. I wanted to beg him to have that confidence now. I needed them to find a way to stop whatever end we were coming to. He only watched Alice.

Bella grabbed my arm and pulled my focus. I felt the world spin. “Then we have to go meet them!” Her voice was shrill.

“Bella!” Alice scolded.

“Hold it,” Jacob spoke for the first time in a long time. He looked caught between anger and confusion. “What is coming?”

Since they decided to talk about it so openly, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to explain but I still whispered. “Newborn vampires. Like a whole bunch of them.” I hated how small my voice was.

“Why?” He pressed.

Alice took over for me. “For Y/n and Bella. That’s all we know.”

“There are too many for you?” he asked.

Jasper was deeply annoyed with the question. “We have a few advantages. It will be an even fight.”

A terrible thought passed through my head. I tried to push it away but Jacob grinned in a way that could only mean he was thinking the same thing. “Jake- no…”

No one acknowledged me.

“No,” Jacob said. “It won’t be even.”

“Excellent!” Alice hissed. I was frozen. Bella was frozen. Alice and Jacob just grinned at each other. “Everything just disappeared, of course. That’s inconvenient, but, all things considered, I’ll take it.”

“We’ll have to coordinate,” Jacob started but all of the noise was overwhelming. Their words sounded like mush. The music was too loud. I squeezed my eyes close and took a few deep breaths while Alice, Jasper, and Jacob casually discussed fighting an army.

I felt a cool hand brush against my arm though I couldn’t tell whose. I locked our fingers together and opened my eyes to find Rosalie. I didn't know when she’d gotten there but I was grateful she had.Bella was too distracted to notice we’d left.

Wordlessly she led us out of the crowd and safely into the garage. It was considerably quieter in there. She took me straight to Carlisle's side then she moved to stand next to Emmett. I mumbled my thanks to her as I wrapped my arms around him. While normally, his presence alone was enough to calm my heart rate, at that moment I still felt like I was drowning in panic.

Carlisle said something to the others in a tone too low for me to understand as he pulled me close to him. He kissed my hair. Only when I was completely surrounded by him did I feel like I could even breathe. His hold on me didn’t loosen.

“Find Bella and Alice. End this party on a positive note. We can reconvene later.” He sounded calm. Everyone followed his instructions without another word to either of us. I’d only just heard the door to the garage shut behind them before Carlisle shifted me back and lifted my chin so he could see my face better. “Everything will be okay.”

I wasn’t crying. I could have, at any second, but I was afraid that if I started I wouldn’t be able to stop. He ran a thumb over my cheek anyway. I held it together better than I thought I would, but maybe I was out of energy to fight and panic. I let his confidence soothe me and nodded softly.

I didn't believe him- but I wanted to. I wanted to believe that with aid from the wolves we'd make it out of this unscathed. No one would be hurt. We'd be safe again. But the worry I felt was bigger than me.

So I just let him hold me. He dulled the ache with soft kisses to my face. He kissed me and held me right where they'd left us in the garage until there was only silence around us. As much as I needed this- as much as I needed him, I could tell by the way he held me that he needed me too. The kisses to my head and face and neck reassured him as much as they did me. When we finally drifted inside everyone was gone. We went upstairs to our room so I could try to get some rest.

Taglist!

@jakanddexter67 @a-not-so-poetic-poet @bridge597 @cestlavie03 @gaymazinglula @short-potato @jennyamanda8 @daisydreamingsims @arg888cam

#twilight #carlisle cullen #twilight fanfiction #carlisle cullen x reader #im always in this twilight #twilight x reader #iaitt #arent we just terrified #this love came back to me #tlcbtm

17 notes · View notes

safetycar-restart · 11 months ago

Text

LESTAPPEN!DS AU (Tumblr deleted the ask but I am nothing if not persistent)

Ok I swear an ask just disappeared from my askbox because it was there before I went to make tea and now it is nowhere to be found but I really wanted to discuss it so I'm gonna answer it here anyway so anon who sent that ask, this is for you!

So it was about a poly!lestappen idea that I had for the D/S AU where you're a professional dom in Monaco and you dom both Max and Charles professionally. Except they both want more than that, so badly they want more than that. They don't know you dom the other until they run into each other outside of your offices and they're shocked but end up bonding over both wanting more with you and then eventually realise they actually want each other too, they want to both be your subs and have you be their dom, properly not just professionally.

The ask basically just asked for more info about this AU, how I think it would happen, where it would go after they realise they both have the same pro dom, etc.

Firstly, I think they'd go through a very brief phase of being jealous of each other. Neither of them are happy to actually meet one of your other subs. Knowing you're a professional dom with other subs is one thing, but actually seeing one of your other subs is another story.

So for a while they avoid each other like the plague, until there's a triple header where neither of them have been able to go back to Monaco and they both miss you so much. Charles goes to max, because he thinks max is the only one who would understand that he doesn't just need to submit to some random dom he needs you.

And Max does understand. They sit with each other that whole night, talking about how much they miss you and how much they hate the fact that you're a professional dom and not their own doms, that you'll never collar them.

They become a lot closer after that, but they take a while to tell you that they know about each other. They're both scared that they've broken some unnamed confidentiality rule, that you'd stop domming them if you knew they talked about you to each other.

It's the idea of bringing you to a race weekend that prompts them to finally tell you. It was Max's idea, after the third triple header where they both spend the last weekend curled up together (exactly how you would cuddle them), and max asks what would happen if they invited you to the second weekend in a triple header. Charles perks up immediately, because there's no denying how good that would be.

It's Charles who tells you they know each other in the end, not on purpose but because he's so fucked out and floating deep in subspace that he can't control what he babbles about. You've got him cuddled against your chest, and he's happily babbling away about how happy he is and how good you make him feel and then he just goes 'wanna cuddle you 'n maxy, maxy is so warm'.

You freeze, at first you don't realise who he's talking about but then you realise it's your max. Of course you knew that he knew Max, but considering the amount of NDAs you had to sign to scene with either of them, you assumed they'd never tell each other who they scened with. But apparently not, and apparently they cuddled together.

Charles doesn't even realise what he's done, and you don't bring it up then because it would probably send him right into a drop.

But later, after he's already left, you can't stop thinking about what he said.

You imagine then together, two of your subs cuddled up all warm and safe. You can't deny that they're both your favourite subs. You know you shouldn't have favourites, that you're just providing a service. But they are both such sweet good boys, and you wish they could be yours so badly.

Maybe Max convinced you to go out to coffee with him and Charles after you didnt react badly to finding out they know of each other and have clearly been talking about you.

You know you shouldn't have agreed to it, it certainly breaks every professional boundary in the book. But honestly... you want to spend more time with them.

Despite them trying to arrange more and more time with you and getting you to come to races, it takes them much longer to realise they actually want each other too. They manage to convince themselves that the only reason they enjoy cuddling and spending time together is because they miss you and know what you're like.

Which just... adorable really.

#poly!lestappen d/s au #d/s au #sub!charles #sub!max #mv #cl #poly!charles/max #gn!reader

61 notes · View notes

fandomlovingfreak · 1 year ago

Text

By the Cliffs (Ch 4/?)

Paul Lahote x Female Reader

Wattpad I AO3

Rating: T+

Word Count: 1604

Summary: It was supposed to be a vacation.

A time to relax after Graduate School and unwind the pent-up tension I'd built up in the years of juggling school and work. Finally, I'd have the chance to breathe. Craving the serenity of mother nature's caress, I'd chosen Forks, a four-hour drive from the University, based on the stories I'd heard from Washington locals I'd known in school. With its endless trees and rainy weather, it seemed a perfect sleepy dream spot.

In retrospect, my belief that it was solely my decision to visit and not the Universe's mystic call pulling me there was mortal ignorance. But who besides a creature possessing the gift of predestination could have anticipated what awaited me by the cliffs?

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters Created by S. Meyers. This work is not created for profit or financial compensation, and is a transformative fair use work in accordance with Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act.

Notes: There are some canon changes in this fic. I won't get into the nitty gritty details in the notes (I will repost this fic with more information): 1. Quil and Jacob do not imprint on children 2. Wolves change at 18 not 16, 3. Imprinting will be different and less like a phenomenon where they have no free will.

Warnings: Imprinting, swearing

Enjoy!

"(y/n)!" I follow Paul's imprint into the house. The anger still lingers on her face when she turns toward me. Damn, despite looking like she could kill someone, she was still really pretty. Paul was one lucky bastard; he better grovel on his knees for this girl.

"Can I talk to you?"

(y/n) looks momentarily conflicted, her eyes landing on the floor as she mulls over giving me the time of day or not. It feels like minutes pass before her eyes meet mine, "Fine. I guess I sort of owe you for saving my life... Talk about what?"

I motion towards her, trying to give her as much space as possible in an attempt to make her feel comfortable around me, "About... everything. I can answer any questions or just talk... about the situation?"

A wave of emotions washes over her face. Embarrassment, annoyance, sadness-- and then nothing.

"Fine. But I don't want an audience. Having everyone watch me yell at... him was enough embarrassment for one day."

I nod, "We can take a walk! There's a cool path not too far from here."

(y/n) agrees, following me out the back door and to the right of the house. For a while, we just walk. It feels like the right move to let her calm down completely after what had to be one of the most overstimulating days of her life. I remember how confusing it was when I learned about our world. Of course, I was the wolf, not just someone thrust into the world of supposed myths and legends, but seeing what she saw and finding out some random guy now considered her his perfect match wasn't something you woke up expecting.

I break the silence once we've been walking for around ten minutes. The guys can probably still hear, but (y/n) doesn't need to know that, "Lay your questions on me. It's not every day strangers reveal the existence of shapeshifters to you."

"A million, honestly. I'm not sure where to start."

Nodding, I say, "That's understandable."

"Are you all-- I mean, I only saw a few of you..." She scrunches her nose, "Do you all turn into wolves?"

"Yes. We call ourselves a pack. Brothers, even if it's not technically true. Well-- and Leah. Brothers and Leah."

"Who's Leah?" (y/n) asks interested.

"Leah is the only female shapeshifter in our history. She's-- well, she's Seth's sister. You haven't met our most obnoxious pack-member yet."

"So, shapeshifters-- they're usually only male? That doesn't seem fair." Her words register with her, and she looks away, embarrassed to be interested in any of this.

I shrug, "I personally think phasing is cool. Being a member of our group, we're pretty exclusive, you know. But, most, including Leah, don't feel the same way."

"Why?" Her brow furrows slightly.

I grasp for the words, trying to say exactly the right thing. "It makes life abnormal. You can't really live like a regular human when the shadow of your wolf lives within you. Weird things can cause you to phase-- heightened emotion, anger... It's hard to control yourself sometimes." I hesitate before continuing, "Paul's one of them that still struggles, and he's been phasing since he was eighteen."

"Lovely," sarcasm drips from her lips, "And that's the one I'm cosmically stuck to."

I chuckle. I really, really like (y/n). Paul better not mess this up. "It's intense. I'm aware. Maybe it's too much to deal with for one person."

"It's ridiculous, is what it is. I don't know how this happened to me." She crosses her arms over her chest.

"It's really not as bad as you think, I promise."

"Have you-- imprinted on someone?" She tilts her head in interest.

Embarrassment floods my body. Maybe I wasn't the person for this conversation after all, "No... but because I phased when Paul did, I heard his thoughts as he imprinted. So, I have an idea what it's like."

She perks up at this confession, "What do you mean heard his thoughts?"

"That's the annoying part about being a shapeshifter. When we're wolves, we hear all of each other's thoughts. Like—" I cringe as the embarrassing memory reappears at the front of my mind, "Like you can't think about the girl you're seeing without the entire pack knowing every detail or if you're trying to keep a secret... we'll we can't, I guess is the gist."

"What did--" her eyes dart away, a frown pulling at the edges of her lips, "what was it like? When he-- imprinted."

I chuckle, "If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell Paul I told

you. He'll kill me, I swear."

(y/n) rolls her eyes, "I promise I won't."

Pretending to be worn down by her questions, I say, "Fine... It was like his world sort of stood still in the moment his eyes met yours. Imprinting does that, slowing down the universe's rotation as the center changes its focus. The focus changed to you. Everything that is Paul, now reaches to you only. Like you're the gravity that holds him to the ground. That's the... short version of his thoughts at that moment."

She blinks rapidly, "That's a lot."

A grin rises to my lips, "Yeah, I guess so. I've always thought it was sort of romantic."

(y/n) scoffs, "Of course you do. Try being on the receiving end, buddy."

"Hear me out! It's like... well, the most common—human interpretation would be a soulmate. But an imprint isn't strictly limited to the human idea of a soulmate. I guess it could be a platonic relationship. Really, whatever you needed from him, Paul would be it. But, all the imprints I know, I guess, are... romantic relationships now. It's a really intense sensation; I'm not surprised you reacted angrily towards him." I want to continue, to tell her how much she reflected Paul in that way. She scoffed at his inability to keep his cool, but twenty minutes later, she'd yelled just as ferociously at him. The stars align themselves in funny ways.

For a moment, (y/n) is quiet, her eyes glued to the tree line.

"It is a lot," she finally admits. Her face turns toward me, "But what if I don't want it?"

This question takes me aback. I know Emily had been-- cautious, even going as far as initially rejecting Sam's imprint. But that had mainly been because of Leah's feelings. (y/n) didn't have a third party to worry about, no obvious reason for rejecting Paul's imprint on her. Only her current annoyance with Paul and his temper. Or maybe there was more she hadn't revealed. I found her hard to read.

"We don't know exactly what would happen," I glance away, unease running up my spine, "But, in the short-term? It would cause Paul a lot of pain. Emotionally and physically..." My words trail off, seeing how I'd accidentally reset the fire in her eyes.

"How is that fair?" She stands, stepping toward the trees before turning back to face me, "My choice to leave will harm him? I just have to accept this or live knowing I'm a bad person? How are these my only choices?"

I don't touch her, but close some of the distance between us, "I'm not saying-- give in and immediately be with him or even be best friends. Make him work for it a bit. Work for your acceptance of the imprint, but allow him to be around you. It'll soothe the need to be nearby, but you'll have the choice in the direction the relationship progresses. You can be friends only if it's all you want in the end."

The anger on her face fades with every sentence, and I can tell she's seeing the humor in the situation, "Something tells me being friends isn't what Paul's looking for."

I chuckle, raising my shoulders apologetically. She was probably right; I guess it was an imprint thing, knowing the other's feelings without confirmation, "Maybe not. But, Paul thinks you're pretty." He'd kill me if he knew I'd revealed that thought to her.

(y/n)'s eyes widen, and I realize she was embarrassed to hear this. Interesting.

"Quit telling me stuff like that!"

"We're friends, and Paul's a jerk. Telling you all his secrets is my long-awaited revenge."

"We're friends?" Her voice comes out softly, a small smile rising on her lips.

"Duh, obviously," I playfully punch her arm, "You owe me after I saved your life and everything."

(y/n) rolls her eyes, "Wasn't it you who caused me to hit my head in the first place?"

"That is-- technically true, but I could've left you there unconscious, and I didn't. So you're welcome or whatever."

My head whips towards the noise of sticks cracking under a person's weight. Paul stands there ten feet away. The first thing I notice is the t-shirt he wears. None of them seemed to wear a lot of clothing for whatever reason.

"Can we talk?" The words come out of his mouth with an edge of hesitancy. I mentally note that it's the second time he's said those exact words to me today. But, unlike the last time he'd said it, I don't feel angry or awkward. Sure, I wasn't exactly the guy's number-one fan, but I had a better grasp on what the hell was happening behind those dark eyes.

"Yes," I move without a thought towards him, stopping for a second to look back at my new friend. "Thanks for talking, Quil. I appreciate it."

Quil beams, "Anytime, (y/n)."

66 notes · View notes

cherrythepuppet · 1 year ago

Text

the puppets before Christmas [Part 2]

instead dof zero I used my cat that had recently passed away I hope that's alright with the creator @cloudy-dreams [I'm probably going to appear a lot!]

Wally walked into the tower and put the herbs in a cabinet as Poppy came down with a lantern "Wally, you've come back" She said"I had to..." Wallt mumbled "For this?" Poppy asked as She showed Wally his arm "Yes" Wally muttered "Shall we then?" Poppy asked as She walked back up the stiars with Wally following BehindWally sat on a chair as Poppy began sewing his arm back on

"That's twice this month you've slipped deadly nightshade into my tea and run off-" Poppy was cut off "Three times!" Wally exclaimed "You're mine you know! I made you with my own hands!" Poppy yelled at her "You can make other creations! I'm restless, I can't help it!" Wally groaned

"It's a phase my dear, it'll pass. We need to be patient that's all" poppy said "But, I don't want to be patient" wally mumbled...

Otto made a meow as he floated nearby "No Otto, not now...I'm not in the mood..." (Y/n) mumbled but Otto did another Meow"All right" (Y/n) chuckled with a sigh "Here ya go boy" They said as They threw a small bell for Otto to play with...

"Morning gents" Howdy said to the band while humming This Is Halloween, walks up to (Y/n)'s front door and rings bell but no answer

"(Y/n), you home?" Howdy called out as He began getting worried, He switches face and knocks with desperation then switch back to happy face"(Y/n)? I've got the plans for next Halloween. I need to go over them with you so we can get started!" Howdy exclaimed Howdy's face switched to a worried one

"(Y/n), please, I'm only an elected an official here, I can't make decisions by myself!" He yelled as He pulled a megaphone outta thin air"(Y/n)! answer me!!" He yelled before he leaned back and fell down the stairs "They're not home" One of the band members said

"Where are They?" Howdy asked "They hasn't been home all night" another band member told him making Howdy groan as he laid face first on the ground

(Y/n) yawned as They looked around They're surroundings "Where are we?...it's someplace new" They mumbled as Otto tilted his head and made a meow"What is this?" (Y/n) asked when they noticed Valentine's tree, shamrock tree, Easter egg tree, turkey tree then they saw the Christmas tree

(Y/n) stared at the Christmas tree door and then hesitantly Turned the knob and as a gust a wind came and blew them in Otto Made a meow of panic as He scratched the tree

"Whoa!!!!"......(Y/n) looked around the Snowy place filled with brights houses and bright lights and loud music"What's this? What's this?" "There's color everywhere What's this?" "There's white things in the air What's this? I can't believe my eyes I must be dreaming Wake up, Wally, this isn't fair!"

"What's this? What's this? What's this? There's something very wrong What's this?" "There's people singing songs What's this? The streets are lined with Little creatures laughing Everybody seems so happy Have I possibly gone daffy? What is this?!"

"What's this? There's children throwing snowballs instead of throwing heads They're busy building toys And absolutely no one's dead There's frost on every window Oh, I can't believe my eyes!" "And in my bones I feel the warmth That's coming from inside..."

"Oh, look What's this? They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss Why that looks so unique, inspired! They're gathering around to hear a story Roasting chestnuts on a fire!"

"What's this? What's this? In here they've got a little tree, how queer And who would ever think And why? They're covering it with tiny little things They've got electric lights on strings And there's a smile on everyone So, now, correct me if I'm wrong This looks like fun!"

"This looks like fun Oh, could it be I got my wish? What's this?" "Oh my, what now? The children are asleep But look, there's nothing underneath No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them Or ensnare them"

"only little cozy things Secure inside their dreamland What's this?" "The monsters are all missing And the nightmares can't be found And in their place there seems to be Good feeling all around Instead of screams"

"I swear I can hear music in the air The smell of cakes and pies Are absolutely everywhere The sights, the sounds They're everywhere and all around I've never felt so good before This empty place inside of me is filling up!"

"I simply cannot get enough I want it, oh, I want it Oh, I want it for my own I've got to know I've got to know What is this place that I have found? What is this? Christmas Town, hmm..."(Y/n) walked into a candy cane pole that held up a large said that said "Christmas Town!" As a loud Comanding voice exclaimed "Ho Ho Ho Ho ho ho ho ho!"

"hmm..." (Y/n) mumbled

#welcome home au #welcome home #wally darling x reader #nightmare before christmas

142 notes · View notes

loversipod · 2 years ago

Text

Christmas friend

Summary: Y/n is Harry's friend and found through him a new friend. Niall told you he never celebrated Christmas so you invited him to decorate your Christmas tree and the two of you baked some delicious cookies.

Pairing: deaf!niall x fem!reader x best friend!harry

Wordcount: 1k

Trigger warnings: mentions of deafness, Harry gets hit once briefly, deaf Niall.

A/N: I really appreciate it when you give me some feedback. I tried my best to write something related to Christmas. I was horancinema :)

It's Christmas time, again. The worst time for you, your parents ask all the time, if you have a boyfriend and if you would like to join them on their vacation, to some expensive place in the world. You never said yes, they always talk bad about you. Everyone in your family did but in a nice way. You sit there and they give you nice criticism if you can call it that.

Well, Harry decided for himself that you'll celebrate Christmas with him. You are not in a good place right now. Your boyfriend of three years cheated on you with your best friend. Three years you never get back. He also decided for you that you move in with him.

Harry often has friends over and you already know that you spend your Christmas in your room alone. Today was a day when he was gone and a guy waited in the living room for him. Sometimes you don't know if he hooked up with some of his friend's the way he acts around them you can't tell the difference.

You stared at the back of his brown head. You can't remember if he introduced you to that guy. He introduced you to a lot of his friend's. They were all nice, but he's the only one he didn't introduce you to. You can't recognize him. Harry likes you a lot and he wouldn't introduce you to any guy you might fall for.

You continue to make yourself dinner. You make some noodles look like you have to give him some as well. You tried to call Harry but he didn't answer his phone, typical. After you finish them, you put some on the plate with cheese, make him a glass of water and walk with everything into the living room. All he does is give you a welcome smile and a nod. "You're welcome."

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

"What the actual fuck was that?" You whisper yells at Harry when he comes home after hours with the stranger in your living room.

He grins at you, "you need to get out of your 'I'm done with dating phase'," you slap him across his face. "Ouch," he rubs his cheek due to the sting he feels.

"I didn't want a stranger here for hours," you grumble hotly.

Harry shakes his head, "he's the perfect guy for ya." He says gently.

"I tried talking to him for an hour," your voice comes out crossly.

"He doesn't talk." He laughs at you.

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

The brown haired guy was here all the time. Harry said you should try to be his friend. It's Christmas time and you need a distraction. That was his suggestion. Maybe you just need to hook up with someone and everything is fine. That's one of his other suggestions, you did that but it didn't help you.

You started talking to him a lot but no answer. All he does is have a stupid smile on his soft lips. You find it rude. "He's deaf," Harry whispers low in your ear. That's the moment you realize you never have luck with guys. "But Niall 's the best guy f'you." You turn around and hug him.

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

Over the weeks you learned your own way how communicating with him. Niall told you how he never did anything related to Christmas. He never decorated a Christmas tree or baked Christmas cookies so you invited him over for today.

Harry told you to not buy a Christmas tree and place it in his flat, but you do whatever you want anyway. Niall was surprised when he saw the tree and all the decorations. His blue eyes light up, and his lips curl in the adorable smile he has. You even bought him an ugly Christmas sweater as an early gift and he couldn't be happier. You don't know him for a long time, but it seems like you know him forever.

You have a notebook where you write your conversations down, you start learning for him and try your best. Today you wanted to impress him and show him what you can. "I remember you never did that. Do you want to catch up with me?" His smile grows. He can't believe you remember something this simple. He only mentioned this one time. He thought it was the sweetest thing someone has ever done for him.

'I'd love to,' you took a deep breath and tried your best to shut your thoughts down. You have too many and a lot of them is what Harry will say about this.

Sometimes he's like the Grinch.

You lit a pastille before he came and now it smells like incense all over the living room. Everything is prepared for your afternoon together. Cookie dough is also already mixed to cut out. Niall will love the different shapes, angels, Santa Claus, gingerbread men, and much more, which he will find awesome. You can make him happy so easily.

He looks at all the Christmas balls you have not used. 'The tree looks really good.' He enjoys the time with you. He loved the baking and decorating of the cookie.

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

You are tired, your head rests against his shoulder. His soft fingers stroke your scalp, and his fingernails scratch your head softly. It makes you sleepy. You tried your best so that your eyes don't fall shut. You wanted to spend more time with him. You want to finish the movie with him. Harry was right, he's the perfect guy for you and everything will work out, somehow. He's deaf maybe he'll talk someday with you.

You didn't notice how he brought you to bed but you remember the kiss on the forehead and the little note he wrote for you, that you found the next day on your nightstand.

One bad chapter doesn't mean your story is over. Turn the page, there is so much left you don't know yet. Today you wrote a new chapter. Thank you for the wonderful day.

Ps. We have to make a gingerbread house as well.

Nialler xx

295 notes · View notes

mackeydoodledoo · 4 months ago

Text

The Blackbird: Chapter 6

Pairing: Stella x (Fem!)MC (Cirrus Qrow)

Chapter Summary: Stella finally wakes up and joins Cirrus at the guesthouse. The both of you embrace each other as the both of you process the trials; especially the final one.

Chapter Warning(s): Swearing, NSFW, Frustration/Panic Attack

Chapter Theme: Some Instrumental I found on Youtube

Chapter Key: Italics = Thoughts, +*+ = Time Skip, Bold = Thought but out loud

A/n: None

--------------------------------------------------------------------

*Stella's POV* You finally wake up from passing out...

"Cirrus?..." You call out

Silence...

You get out from your bed and begin making your way to the door. However, when you open it, your mother was on the other side.

"Mother," You clear your throat

"Your girlfriend is utterly devoted to you," She says

"I love her," You say, firmly

She steps to the side, "Go on."

You look at her oddly, but no longer question it when your feet bolt for the doors.

+*+

You reach the house Cirrus was staying in, and let yourself in.

"Cirrus?" You call out

No response. But, you could hear the shower running. You approach the bathroom door and realize it's open a crack. It creaks open but doesn't phase Cirrus as she continues to shower. You strip off your clothing and slowly enter the shower.

You notice black streaks along her back... Most likely the conduit for her wings.

You gently wrap your arms around her stomach, and then kissing the nape of her neck.

*Cirrus' POV* You sigh when you let Stella touch you. You hiss as she accidentally touches one of your bruises.

"Still bruised," You sigh, turning to

She looks down and sees all of the bruises, "How are you feeling?"

"Like absolute shit," You sigh, "Everything fucking hurts... I can barely lift my arms to shampoo my hair and shit..."

"Here," She says

She reaches behind you and grabs the bottle of shampoo.

"How are you feeling Stella?" You ask

*Stella's POV* Your hand instantly retracts to your stomach.... Trying to find the non-existent stab wound...

"Stella!" Cirrus' voice echoes and muffles

She scoops you into her arms, switching between looking at you, and your wound...

"The injury was gone when I transformed," You explain

"Good," She sighs, "I wouldn't know what I would have done if.... If..."

"You thought I died?" You ask

She nods.

"I did too," You confess

You gently massage the shampoo into her hair, she sighs and the both of you sit on the shower floor.

"I can't believe you confessed your love to me in front of the people of Solaria," She chuckles

"They have to know I'm in love with you," You say, "I was also... Unsure if I was going to actually die..."

"Hey, you aced that final assignment though," She reminds you

You forgot about the assignment... But, you guess you did.

"Now I'm the one dating the strongest Fairy at Alfea," She chuckles

"Please, Bloom has the Dragon Flame, and you have The Blackbird," You say, "Two of the strongest magic in the Otherworld."

"And you, have control of the Sun," She adds, "Some light fairies can only dream to be as strong of a light fairy as you. Considering... The Blackbird was dangerous, you were able to make me put it under control."

"Your emotions were all over the place after you thought I died," You say

"Wouldn't yours?" She asks, "If... I was in the same position?"

"Yeah, I would," You answer

Cirrus sits under the running water as she lets the shampoo run down to the drain. You watch as she takes in the dripping water.

Your fingers reach out and trace her jawline. She tilts her head back down to you, and opens her eyes. You crawl into her lap and immediately kiss her. You guide her had between your legs; her fingers understanding what you want them to do.

"Cirrus," You moan, "I love you..."

Your stomach knots as Cirrus begins to slowly finger you. You come all over her fingers in almost an instant.

+*+

After the shower, the both of you lay in comforting silence...

"Can I see them?" You ask

"See what?" She asks

"Your wings," You elaborate

*Cirrus' POV* You sigh smiling as you sit up and remove your shirt. You sigh again and feel the weight on your back. As the sun's rays shown through the window, you noticed how there were hints of gold throughout the black feathers.

"They're beautiful," She says

"Well, it really gives the 'Stella flare' doesn't it?" You ask, chuckling

She giggles.

+*+

The both of you return to the castle, at her mothers' summon. you push Stella behind you by instinct.

"At ease, Cirrus," She tells you

"What... Is he doing here?" You ask

"I have brought you two here to further explain to you on Darius' motives for the attempted murder of my daughter, the Crown Princess of Solaria," She explains. "From the information told, he was possessed by these beings called Shadows. He brought himself here and posed to marry my daughter and then kill her, and rise to the throne."

"I'm telling you, they're coming!" He begs

He tries to stand, but the guard yanks him back.

"Who is?" You ask

"The monsters from the Realm of Darkness!" He yells

You look at Cirrus, then back at Darius.

"Didn't Bloom close the portal?" She asks

"She did, but some escaped," He says, "Sebastian got those scrapers, if you have forgotten..."

"No, we didn't," Stella says

"Sketch it," You demand, "The shadow."

Queen Luna gestures to the guards to untie him. They hand him a sketch pad. No longer than a few minutes until he hold up the sketch book.

Your eyes widen, "The thing I... I saw at Beatrix's grave..."

"What?" Stella come sup to meet your face

"When you and I were walking back to Alfea from Beatrix's grave," You start, "I saw something... Something exactly that looked like that..."

"What are you talking about?" Stella asks, "I didn't see anything."

"That's because only the Fauna containing the Blackbird can see it," Darius continues explaining, "The Blackbird has reigns over the shadows... Basically any monster from the Realm of Darkness."

Your eyes widen....

"S-so... I... I could have..." You begin

"No, you only have full reigns when you fully manifest it," He says

"Why do you know so much?" You ask

"My father made sure that when the Blackbird fully comes to, to have them learn everything they need to know," He says

"Is... Is that why?... You tried to kill Stella?" You ask

He nods.

"If you think giving me information on the shadows, it won't make me forgive you for nearly killing Stella," You begin

You pull away from Stella as you advance on Darius.

*Stella's POV* You saw Cirrus' wings beginning to manifest... The guards begin to raise their weapon against her...

"Cirrus," You step in front of her, pressing your hand on her stomach

She stops, and her eyes avert down to you.

"Don't," You say

*Cirrus' POV* God she was tempting.... But beating his face was also tempting.

"Have dignity, Cirrus," She adds

Your eyebrows furrow.

"If not for yourself, then for me," She begs, leaning close to you

"God, you two are nauseating," Darius comments

"Excuse me?" You ask

Stella's hand presses harder against your stomach as you take a step past her... She lets out a low growl trying to make it subtle.

"Look at yourself, how would you give Stella an heir?" He asks, standing

You pause... He asked a valid question...

"That's going to be a question for the future," Stella says

"Are we done here?" Luna sighs in frustration

"Yes, your majesty," You say, "We're done."

Both you and Stella turn to the door of the throne room.

"Princess, if you ever find yourself wanting a child, you know who to look for," Darius' voice echoes as the both of you exit

+*+

You force open the door and you growl in frustration.

"Cirrus," Stella calls your name

*Stella's POV* She continued jumping between letting her wings out and trying to keep them from being let out.

"Cirrus," You reach your hand out

Your fingers gently brush her cheek. You retract your hand when her head darts to your face. For a split second, her eyes went red again... Your heart pounded in your chest as you saw them. But they went away...

*Cirrus' POV* You try to calm yourself as soon as you saw Stella's fearful look.

"I'm sorry," You sigh, falling into the bed

Stella follows after you and lays her head on your shoulder.

"He'll rot in the prison for a long time," She clarifies, "My mother won't ever let him near me again."

"For once, your mother and I agree on something," You chuckle

"Tomorrow, we can go back to Alfea," Stella states

"Tomorrow," You state, "We still got time tonight..."

"There is something... I noticed during the interrogation with Darius," Stella notes

"Oh?" You ask, "And what that might be?"

"You growled when I pressed my hands on your stomach," She smirks

She straddles your lap and pushes her hands under your shirt. You groan.

"Is this... Your favorite turn-on?" She asks, leaning down to your face

"You... Have no idea... Princess," You sigh into a smile

You felt her legs squeeze as she writhes in your lap.

"And you being called 'princess' is one of yours?" You ask

"Only... Only when you say it," She smiles

Her nails gently dig into your stomach, making you groan louder.

"God must you torture me?" You ask

"I can do more than just... Torture," She smirks

She leans down, lifts your shirt to expose your stomach, and places a kiss on your stomach, making your body stiffen. You listen to her chuckle and continue kissing every part of your exposed skin.

"God.... Stella, please..." You sigh, smiling

"Please... What?" She asks

You look down at her just as she kisses another part of your stomach: holding eye contact.

"Jesus fucking christ..." You gasp

Chapter 7

#fate the winx saga #stella of solaria #female reader #stella fate #stella x reader #winx club #hannah van der westhuysen

5 notes · View notes

envioussin · 2 years ago

Text

Anonymous asked:

dig, horn-drill

𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 -- accepting

dig — when your muse makes a mistake, are they quick to own up to it or will they ignore that they’ve done any wrong?

It’s near impossible for most to get Envy to admit they messed up. Because their jealousy and self-hatred run so deep, any attack on their pride, even when they are at fault, is something they do not know how to tolerate. Envy is much like a child in that sense. They cannot accept their own mistakes and act out when forced to face them, unless it’s Father reprimanding them. After all, they need their Father’s love most of all.

horn drill — are there any personality traits that would stop your muse from pursuing a relationship with someone?

Naivety. Envy cannot stand those who don’t or choose not to understand and face the world as it is. Seeing things through rose-tinted glasses disgusts them. Now, that’s not to say a potential partner couldn’t be hopeful or even optimistic. As long as their partner accepts the truth that makes up everything around them, Envy can handle others expecting optimistic outcomes. They won’t agree, but they don’t have to agree with everything a partner thinks. It’d be too boring otherwise.

#[ i envy; i envy ] -- (headcanon)#[ i'm not phased ; only here to S I N ] -- (answered)

2 notes · View notes

hi-my-name-is-cosmopathy · 2 years ago

Text

Reintroductions (A Transformers Short Fic - Ft. Drillburst)

Synopsis: Drill's friend knows things he shouldn't know about.

A/N: Hey there! This fic includes @cuppajj 's OC Drillburst! He's rlly cool, you should check him out! This also has my own OC named Control Switch! I don't have a ref or complete design for her yet but it'll come soon! P.S, Switch's pronouns are they/she/he!

---------------------------------------------

The former miner watched as the group of mechs left to discuss with one another. He then slowly turned his helm to the bot chained to the chair, who had started tapping their pedes and humming tunes mindlessly.

He stared at them with solemn optics. The miner felt an array of emotions he didn't understand completely.

Was it disappointment? Was it rage?

What he did know was that confusion was a big part of what he was feeling.

Looking down at "Visual", Drillburst opened his mouth to try and say something, but no words came out. And in response, the chained bot lowered their helm and chuckled in an airy voice that was slightly raspy.

Drillburst's optical ridges furrowed. How could he find amusement in this?

"What's wrong? Can't find the right words to say or are you just bewildered? Perhaps the cat got your tongue?"

The green mech was silent for a while before answering, "Have you really been lying to me this whole time? About everything?"

He still couldn't believe it. "Visual" was his ally. Someone he thought he could trust…

If only he knew they were a runaway criminal from the beginning.

"Visual" gave the musician a smile that was crooked by soft nervousness. "Yes. I did, in fact, lie to you about many things. Like how my name isn't 'Visual'".

The Kran only kept silent and looked away as the TV waited in anticipation. The dark room was filled with an uneasy silence which was broken by the black bot.

"If you're so upset about me being dishonest with you, how about we start over again? From the beginning", they proposed sounding brighter than ever, which only deepened Drillburst's frown.

Even so, with the reset of a vocalizer, they introduced themselves once more to the musician.

"I'm Control Switch of Nowhere, but you can call me Switch," they beamed. "It's nice to meet you, Drillburst of the Velux Subterranean Harvesting initiative!

Former miner, mercenary, victim of the Decepticon phase sixer Overlord in Garrus-9 and an outlier with the power of self-combustion."

Drillburst snapped his optics open. He never told them anything about his past.

The mech stared at Control Switch with wavering optics, but the bot only smiled. "I don't suppose any more introductions are needed from you!

I already know who you are."

---------------------------------------------

I made this on a whim. Anyways i made this even tho none of you know who Control Switch is lmao! Well, here's a short, lousy description:

They/He/She. Has a TV for an alt mode. Currently under the alias "Visual". Has 15 other aliases which includes his most infamous one: Cosmopolitus, who was a writer, podcaster and the Cybertronian version of a YouTuber. Is a secret criminal on the run because she secretly stole a slag ton of confidential and clandestine information from the government (the Council, the Senate, the Autobots, the Decepticons and probably more). Is an outlier and calls their ability "Nexus" and said ability allows her to control bots like puppets and switch frames with them (it's kinda like spark merging without the commitment). Really secretive and hides under a facade most of the time

Well anyways here you go!

37 notes · View notes

youmarin · 2 years ago

Text

Carved Into Our Hearts | Minho x Reader!

A/N: Is The Maze Runner fandom dead? Turns out not as much as I thought it was (as I go through the Minho tag. There are posts from last yr so let's see if I'm not wrong). I watched the movies again after so long (I’m still traumatized by Newt’s death so that keeps me from watching them often) this weekend and as a result my obsession with this story returned. Whatever this is that I just finished writing down popped into my head today and I had to get it out. It is set before the maze so I made a bunch of shit up (I haven’t read the prequels so if we have more details of stuff before the maze they’re unknown to me). Also I don’t know how it never occurred to me to write for TMR during my strong phase as a fan. It’s my first time writing for it since I know about fanfics, Wattpad, Tumblr, AO3 and all that - and I know about this since looong ago xd-. But here you have it. Surprises even me that I started the year by bringing this to my blog. And we’re starting with none other than Minho! Pls forgive me if this ain’t that good *covers her eyes*. Seriously, the toughest part was naming this T-T.

Word count: +3.1K

Summary: After spending most of your childhood on a WICKED facility, you start to question your place in there once you reach your teens. This only increases when people start disappearing. Things turn even worse when you and your closest friend (and the boy you like) try to look for answers and come too close to uncover their objectives.

Genre: sci-fi, mystery, thriller. A dash of romance sprinkled there. It's angsty.

tw (Do I really need to put these if you know what the story is about? But just in case): Mental and physical abuse, drowning (?), death mention, cursing. idk if left smthn.

You stared at the little boy across from you as you both sat in the small waiting room. Dressed in white, just like you, his black hair nicely trimmed covering his forehead. His arms crossed in front of his chest, he looked around, seemingly unhappy to be there. He noticed you looking, then looked towards the men in uniform that stood near every door and back at you.

“Hey.” He whispered.

“Hey.”

“What’s your name?” he asked you.

“Y/N. What’s yours?” your big, curious eyes looked over at him expectantly.

“I’m Minho.”

“Nice to meet you.” Your dad had taught you that was what you said when you met someone. That, and to shake hands, but you didn’t dare to stand and walk over to him in case that would make the guards mad. You exchanged a smile instead.

Then, the door to the lab opened and a woman came for you, taking you into the room. You looked over your shoulder as she nudged you inside and waved back at Minho.

After that, he met with you in the equally white common room. He called you over to the table he sat on with other boys at the time of your meals and presented them to you. When he didn’t feel like sharing the attention of his new friend he’ll tell you to sit somewhere else and both of you would go to a separate table. One of the boys, the blonde boy, would stick out his tongue at you when Minho did that, making you giggle and as a result he’d grin before turning to his other dark haired friend and leaving you two alone. He’ll sneak into the girls section to get to your room sometimes, and you’ll talk and make up games. Before the guards made their rounds, he’ll hurry to sneak back to his room but not before wishing you a good night.

As you grew, your relationship with Minho did too. You two were rarely away from each other, apart from when you slept, when they called you to the lab to run some tests or while you completed your assigned tasks - and even then, you’d glance at each other through the holographic screens and share a knowing smile.

The thing was, Minho had always been quite the problematic kid to the people who ran the place. It wasn’t a surprise when he reached his teens and got more rebellious, non-compliant and impulsive. You understood him, for each time things started to turn more and more suspicious.

One day, you watched as he was pulled in by a guard into the common room. His eyes immediately searched for you, and when he did he smiled yet seeing the worried look in your eyes he hurried over to you.

“What’s wrong?”

Another one of your friends was missing. You had asked one of the guards about it, but they just said they had to take him somewhere else.

“It’s obvious they want something from us. The tests, the stupid stuff they make us do everyday. I’m getting tired of people pricking and prodding at my skin and all the beeps from machines.” He said, and honestly, you were too.

“But what can we do?” No one would tell you anything besides the same words: what you were doing there will someday help the entirety of humanity. But what the hell were you doing? What was going on outside? And where the hell were they taking the others? Would you end up there too?

First, you tried entering into the information systems during the time you were supposed to work on your daily assignment. You eyed the guards subtly and Minho kept watch for the woman who supervised you. You thought some of the others were staring at you while you worked but told yourself maybe you were being paranoid.

“I couldn’t find anything. There’s no access from our stations.” You told him later that night when he snuck into your room.

He muttered a curse, looking down as he thought of something else. Then the idea popped up in his head.There was a room where you saw the men and women dressed in white gowns disappear into every day. It was labelled with bold, white letters as ACCESS TO PERSONNEL ONLY. You will sneak inside. But you needed a key.

Before he could tell you, the heavy door opened and a guard was pulling Minho to stand up from your bed.

“What the hell are you doing here, kid?”

Minho shook away from the guard’s hold harshly. “Get your hands off me.” Then he pushed him.

The guard didn’t like that, and smacked Minho with his baton. That was the first time you saw a guard actually hit one of you, “Minho!” you rushed to his side as the boy stumbled. “What is wrong with you?” you sneered to the guard as you noticed the small cut on Minho’s temple. But the guard pulled him away from your grasp and out of your room.

Ever since that day, the guards grew more aware of you two, surveilling your every move and doing everything to keep you apart. But Minho noticed how fatigued you looked each day when they brought you to the common room from the labs. He frowned, worried and frustrated to not be able to reach you. You weren’t even looking at him anymore. They had done something to you.

Finally, one night he snuck inside your room again. Since they had taken away your “privilege” of having the doors unlocked, he had to look for another option: the vents.

Startled by the sound of the lid of the vents hitting the ground and sliding on the floor from under your bed, you looked down from your position, your head upside down and your hair touching the floor.

“Minho!” you exclaimed surprised and almost smiled before your expression denoted your concern, then it appeared to go blank, “You can’t be here.” you warned him as he slid out from under your bed.

“Are you okay?” He ignored you, grabbing your face in his hands.

“You can’t be here.” he followed your worried gaze to the door.

“It’s alright. Hey, hey, what have they done to you?” He kept inspecting you. You had dark circles under your eyes, and a far look on your face. When your gaze focused again on him, tears were threatening to fall from your eyes.

“I thought they’d hurt you, but then I saw you back in the common room and you were alright.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I couldn’t make out what was real and what wasn’t. I tried to protect you.” He didn’t understand what you meant.

“I’m right here.” He tried reassuring you. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I’m right with you. I’m okay.”

You brought your hands up to his face much like he had done earlier. It was real, he was okay. You noticed the small cut on his temple and brushed your thumb gently over it. Looking at him in the eye you smiled and he gave your forehead a kiss.

“Listen. We’re going to find out what’s happening here, okay? ” He explained to you his plan. “And we’ll get out of here. We’ll get our friends, everyone out.”

The next couple of days, Minho behaved himself, which got the guards and everyone pleased and as promised, he reached you again when he had succeeded in getting his hands on a key.

You snuck into the vents and the corridors during the night, ducking to avoid the motion-activated lights placed every few meters on the walls. When you reached the end of the hall, you looked around to find the door you were looking for. Minho was about to lean to look when you extended your arm to prevent him from doing so. You placed your index to your mouth telling him to keep it quiet. Someone had come out of the room, the door locking after them. Thankfully, they went down another hall. Next you were both dashing towards it. Minho grabbed the key and slid it on the door lock. When it gave you access, you pushed it open carefully.

The room was dim litted, glowing a pale blue. There was more strange equipment inside, more holographic screens with pictures of people with records and stats at their sides, an entire wall of what looked like small safes, all of them locked. There were a couple of tables. You walked towards them as Minho glanced at the screens.

The table you loomed over was a smart table, displaying what seemed like the blueprints of a large building. More like a maze. You frowned, then heard Minho speak up, stealing your attention, “These are some of the guys that are gone.” He turned to look at you, confused over the discovery.

“Are they okay?” You asked and went over to his side. Inspecting the screens, you were relieved to see most of them were, until you reached the last one and saw written in bold red font: DECEASED. You looked at each other, horrified.

“Where do you think they took them?” He asked you and you turned to look at the smart table. He followed your gaze, “What-What the hell is that?”

But as he started to make his way over it, you heard the boom from the door unlocking. Quickly, you grabbed his arm and pulled him with you to hide, cornered between the wall and the control panel under the screens.

Minho crawled until he reached the other corner of the control panel, seeing a bigger screen appear at the end of the room, holograming a woman dressed in all white just like them, who spoke to the person that had walked in, another woman.

“How is the transfer process?” the woman asked.

“We’ve reached halfway and have sent a considerable group already.” She tried to make it sound as if everything was going perfect. But the other woman, who seemed to be the one in charge, knew better.

“I’ve heard there’s been a couple of setbacks.”

“Oh. yes. One-one of the subjects died this morning in an accident. Nothing to worry about. He wasn’t one of the brightest nor of the immune ones.”

“What about y/n and the Minho boy?” You both grew even more wary, if possible, at the mention of your names.

“We’ve dealt with it. In fact the situation turned out to be beneficial. The tests we’ve run on her have come with promising results. Once she’s transferred I’ve no doubt the odds on her will increase. The boy is brilliant too, although he keeps growing more suspicious and uncontrollable ever since we avoid letting them be together. They influence each other too much.” She paused, thinking, before suggesting, “Should we send him next?”

She considered it, “Not yet as long as he doesn’t create more trouble.”

“We’ve been more cautious these past weeks in order to prevent any more incidents, but I assure you we’ll gradually resume to operate as usual.”

Your eyes met, terrified.

Managing to sneak out without getting caught, you started to panic once you reached your room safely. Transfer? The image of the building you saw on the smart table was brought back to your head. Minho. They would send Minho away.

“Y/n?” He called for you for like the fifth time, shaking you a little, and you finally snapped back.

You choked out. “They can’t send you away.” Closing your eyes tightly and shaking your head refusing the sole idea, that’s when you noticed you had started to cry. What if you never see him again? What if he ended… You didn’t dare finish that thought.

“Calm down. If they’re taking me anywhere, we’re both going. I’m never leaving you.” This time, he didn’t exactly believe the words coming out of his mouth. Judging by what they’d heard, they would send him to whatever that place was sooner or later anyway. Just thinking of being separated from you was killing him. Ever since that day when you were little kids and you had greeted each other, you’ve turned to be his entire world, the most important person after being separated from his family. He loved the friends he’d made here though, but it wasn’t the same type of love he felt for you. Minho realized as those thoughts flooded his mind, that you were more than a friend to him. He was in love with you. And this just terrified him more for what your futures would be like. A tear had managed to escape him. Seeing as you weren’t consoled by his false reassurance - he knew you were smarter than that- , he tried something else. He cupped your face as you sniffled, and you slowly looked up from the floor to his also teary eyes. He looked down at your lips. You noticed and nodded at him, giving him consent. Your eyes shut as your lips met in a tender kiss, as if he was scared you’ll both break, or that you would disappear when he opened his eyes.

“I love you.” you said breathily once you pulled back and rested your forehead on his.

“I love you.” Minho said back, “I love you.”

“Promise me,” you started, “That if we get separated we’ll find each other again.”

“They won’t separate us.” He tried again, stubbornly.

You pulled back and when he opened his eyes he found you already looking at him, serious. “Promise me.”

“Of course I promise.”

“You won’t forget me.”

“I’ll never forget you.” He kissed your forehead.

The guards had stopped escorting you both away from each other a couple of days ago, but you still acted like you didn’t acknowledge each other. Minho had told you he would tell the others what you’ve seen and what you had heard. You needed as much help as possible if you planned to get out of that place.

But one day all hell broke loose. You and Minho had noticed that it took them longer between each of the guys they took away. That’s what the woman was saying back in the room you sneaked in.

They had started again. Today, Newt was missing.

As Minho entered the room, you saw him throw a subtle glance over at you before getting to his table. “Where’s Newt?” He looked around, stranged. None of the boys could answer that for him. He scowled, standing up and so did you. No. no. no.

“Where’s Newt?” He hurried over to one of the guards and stood up to him.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about, kid.”

“Oh, you don’t know?” he let out a dry chuckle. “You know, a blondie, about this tall.”

“I said I don’t know. Return to your seat.”

“I don’t want to. I want you to answer my fucking question.” Another guard came and tried to pull Minho away and back to his table. “Don’t touch me!” He punched the guard.

“Minho!” you ran over to him as one of the guards punched him on his stomach making him double over. “Don’t you fucking touch him!” You threw yourself at the guard that was about to hit him again. Another one pulled you away at the same time the other two grabbed Minho by his arms.

“Let her go!” He struggled in their hold. They began to drag you out of the room going separate directions. You weren’t headed to your bedrooms. You knew what this meant.

“Minho!” you screamed in a panic. You heard more struggle and grunts. Then he was punching the guard holding you. It was no use. More of them came.

He was just able to grab your hands, frantic, before one of them hit you in the head and dragged you away, as he screamed and pushed and punched everyone in his path before he felt something sting him. The fight started to leave him, as his vision became spotted. Then his consciousness left him.

You didn’t see him or any of the others the following day, nor the next, and the next, and the one after. They kept you in your room, bringing you meals you hardly touched, escorting you out to the showers, to the labs. They didn’t even give you tasks to do. Clearly they were assessing how bad the situation was. They sent a man to ask you some questions, wanting to know if you knew anything about their schemes. You gave them nothing and in return, they gave you hell. Only one thing came out of your mouth: What had they done to Minho.

You saw him once as you got out of the labs, as they guided him out of one room to another, and you shrugged off the guard’s hold on you, sprinting and yelling his name. Drowsily, he raised his head and when finally your voice and the sight of you registered in his brain, he struggled to break free from the guards, yelling your name back. But they got to you before you could reach a section of the building you’ve never been to.

You both had been put through so much, yet the worst part until then was soon to come. Given your uncooperative behaviour, they came up with the idea of giving things a twist, something they’ll exploit to their benefit. That night when they fetched you from your room, you didn’t know what was happening, what they were going to do to you now.

They took you to a room with small compartments in which a person could fit, its doors made of glass. And there you saw him inside one of them, “Minho? Minho!” they had let you go, and you ran towards it. He couldn’t see you, nor hear you as he banged his fist on the door. It was a one way mirror. “What are you doing to him?!” You shrieked and then you both looked down, water coming up from orifices on the floor. Minho started screaming louder as dread took over him, and you helplessly watched and banged at the damn door, shouting for them to stop whatever they were doing. They were going to kill him. This wasn’t one of those illusions they made you go through before. They were going to kill him out viciously and you could only witness, unaware of why these horrible people were torturing you, why they were using all of you. They started to drag you away as the water reached his chin. You thrashed, screamed and cried for them to stop. And that was your last memory of him, and of you, before all of it vanished, ended, only to start again differently.

Part 1? (Edited 1/16/2023: Part 2 is out).

#minho #minho the maze runner #minho tmr #the maze runner #maze runner #minho maze runner #maze runner fanfiction #minho x reader #tmr #tmr fanfiction #tmr fic #tmr minho

29 notes · View notes