#{ step two threaten them some more but you're only kind of kidding and then invite them to stay }

[httpuckdrop]

ashes – day 14

there was something pulling you back to him.

some supernatural force, probably, because you could not for the love of you understand how this happened. but no matter what happened in your life, no matter how much schoolwork you had to do or what parties your friends invited you to, you somehow always found yourself agreeing to fall into jack's bed at night; to feel his skin against yours, to tangle your breath with his, to watch his eyelids flutter closed with pleasure.

in these mere two weeks, you'd found yourself in that exact situation a handful of times – but, of course, he always took you out for dinner beforehand. he wasn't a pig, after all.

jack had told you that the reason behind why he only ever took you to eat out instead of dining in was because he was a terrible chef. it seemed unlikely – a man so perfect in all other ways should be able to whip up something edible, right?

apparently not.

he proved his incompetence one sunday night when you had finally convinced him to spend the evening at his place instead of going out. he'd promised to make a pasta, following some recipe his brother had sent him, but you had to save him from burning the whole place down within just minutes of him starting to cook.

"are you kidding me?" you exclaim half-an-hour later, watching him hold a stack of uncooked spaghetti in his hands, ready to snap it in half. "you can't- don't-"

"they won't fit in the pot!" he was quick to respond, holding them up next to the boiling pot of water on the stove (which was threatening to boil over any second now) to prove his point.

you shook your head, stepping up next to him. "they'll soften after just a couple of seconds, and then you'll be able to get it all in," you said, turning down the heat when he looked away for a second. "what, you thought restaurants just had super tall pots for cooking spaghetti?"

he bumped his shoulder against yours, his tongue sticking out of his mouth before he reluctantly agreed and dropped the noodles in the water. "i'm still skeptical."

"don't worry, you'll see." after a few moments of silence, you could feel an arm wrapping over your shoulders. "you salted the water, right?"

"the water?" he scoffed. "now you're just making things up."

"god, you need salt in your pasta water. it won't taste anything otherwise, you doofus."

"doofus, huh?" he chuckled, reaching over to a salt shaker by the stove. "thank you, though. what would i do without you?”

"get poor from how much you eat out- you need way more salt than that, you think just a pinch is going to be enough for a whole pot of pasta?!"

at least he knew what kind of wine to pair the finished dish with. though, it was probably his brother who recommended that, too.

unlike your earlier rendezvous, this night did not end up with your bodies intertwined in his bed, with his name leaving your lips in the form of a whine, or with his touches sending jolts of pleasure through your body.

instead, after dinner, you found yourselves cuddled up on his couch, with his name coming out as strangled complains when he beat you in some silly video games, and his touches were reserved for brushing strands of your hair behind your ear and playing with playing with your fingers. it was surprising, yet at the same time, not so strange at all. the different vibe, more lighthearted and warm, felt natural and was oh so welcome.

jack's lame jokes made you giggle, his fleeting kisses to your temples and cheeks made you crave more. you found comfort in the way his eyes twinkled with interest as you told him about your weekend, and his pretty smile helped lull you into a sweet state of mind. you thought that maybe, just maybe, this could actually be good for you.

you weren't sure what your relationship was forming into, nor were you sure what kind of rules or boundaries applied to whatever you were doing. so far, you'd assumed that the two of you would enjoy each other's company for a little while before things eventually fizzle out and you forget about each other. but maybe there was more to your relationship than that?

jack called you beautiful in a thousand different ways, with his words and touches and the look in his eyes. he held you like you were the most delicate and important piece of art, something he never wanted to see harmed.

it was not something you'd experienced before – nor had you expected that someone like him would be the one to make you feel it. however, it was definitely something you could get used to.

[m-aster-of-spinjitzu]

orange and gold

...I just need more Cole and Vania content, they seem like they'd be great friends.

Basically it's just 'Cole goes to visit her there, they almost burn down the kitchen, and make way too many puns', lol.

Set a few months after Master of the Mountain, but before Seabound or The Island.

Also yeah, I couldn't think of a better title, sue me- I just know that they wear one of the colours at some point, so... 🤦‍♀️😂

Trigger warnings: none I think? Huh-

Also, bingo!! I really need to learn better time management, dear freaking gosh- I hope I'm not too late though? I know it's like half a day late, eek- and I was supposed to post this earlier, but I ended up literally falling asleep while writing it😂

Thank you so much Fabro, for hosting such a cool event!:D Your comments on my fics literally never fail to make my day<3. And I'm so glad that I met so many awesome, really skilled people through this event too - it's been a lot of fun working alongside y'all:D, I wish I'd had more time to interact instead of posting stuff and vanishing lol, but exams be like:////

Prompt: cooking (does baking count as cooking? I realized too late lol-) from @ninjago-bingo 's warm board.

Word Count: 2497

---

Trying to escape from killer dire-bats hadn't been on Cole's to do list today - although the mountains were kind of beautiful.

It was a bit difficult to see them while he was being dragged to his death, but hey, didn't Jay always tell them to be more positive?

That was, until he made the mistake of looking down.

Miles of snowcapped mountains touched the pastel blue sky, but he was more focused on exactly how high he was from the ground.

Great.

Trying to swing back onto the Bounty, he didn't notice a golden-winged blur shoot past the bat, almost dropping their spear in haste.

"Let my friend go, or I'll-"

"Vania?"

She throws the spear at the bird, successfully knocking one of its wings.

Huh. She must've been practicing - throwing with accuracy while flying seemed kinda difficult.

"I'm so sorry!" she replies, grabbing his arm before he fell down too. She winces at the strain on her wings, almost dropping him onto the deck. "I was supposed to come earlier, but there was an issue with one of the mines, and it took forever to-"

"There ain't anything in this world that's managed to kill me yet," he replies jokingly, checking that the autopilot hadn't been damaged. "I doubt an angry bird is going to be the first."

"Didn't you mention that you became a ghost once? Pretty sure that means you were dead-"

"Shh, that's not an important detail," he jokes.

"If you say so," she replies with a grin. "Did I mention that Chompy's been tearing down the palace flower arrangements again?"

"Send my regards to the gardener-"

"Did you just make a pun?"

"Remind me why I decided to visit you again?"

"Because you love me?" she asks stepping onto the ground as the Bounty landed gently.

"I hereby crown you as my platonic soulmate," Cole deadpans, taking her hand. "Vania and Cole-"

"Destined to annoy each other for eternity," she giggles, swinging their hands up and down. "But seriously - thanks. I don't think I realized how much work being a queen was."

"What's it like?"

"I mean - I'm glad that people trust me, and they come to me if they have a problem, but the paperwork is a nightmare. I never get to go outside anymore, I swear."

"Paperwork? Also, you just invited me here for a week. I don't wanna disturb you?"

"Nah, I cleared my schedule, don't worry. And trust me, you don't want to know. Everything requires some sort of official written thing, and it's so boring-"

"Official? But you're the queen?"

"Well, yeah, but I don't really want to change something unless it benefits the people. Not after..."

Her smile dims, eyes straying to the palace walls.

Oh- oh.

"You're nothing like him," Cole says firmly, squeezing her hand. "I mean, if you need to take a break, or you can make your job a bit easier by cutting out something unnecessary, that's just gonna help you become a better queen. You've definitely got the interests of your people at heart, and that's the most important thing, you know? And well, uh, everything seems to be going great so far - you don't have to beat yourself up over someone else's mistakes."

"Thanks," she replies softly, her smile slowly returning. "Speaking of breaks, what do you think we should do this time?"

"You could show me around the city again?"

"You've already seen everything cool," Vania giggles, skipping ahead of him. "We don't renovate much - unlike you guys-"

"Hey, it's not our fault that our city gets destroyed every few months-"

"More like every few days," she teases, tying back her golden hair. "How about we find some dragons to adopt?"

"Tempting, but where would you keep them?"

"They could sleep in my room-"

She breaks off when she notices him laughing. "What?"

"N- nothing," Cole replies, in between laughs. "Jay and I just made a bet."

"On what?"

"How many dragons you've adopted. I bet at least six, he bet fifteen."

"Well, jokes on both of you - I'm pretty sure my advisor's going to throw a fit if I show up with another one," she starts, giggling. "We've got twenty living in the palace right now."

"Twenty dragons?"

"They're so cute! You just look into their adorable little eyes," Vania pauses for breath, continuing her animated gesturing, "and you can't help but wanna hug them!"

"Oh, Jay's going to be so mad."

"Aww, I'm sorry guys. They're just too adorable!"

"...Wanna hear a funny story?"

"Yeah, sure!"

"I actually used to be terrified of dragons-"

"No way!" Vania exclaims. "Y'all have been on a lot of adventures though, so-"

"Nah, we used to have our own dragons at first. They were pretty cool! I just- I'm a simple guy! Huge animals with wings are scary up close when you're barely a teenager."

"Or when you're really short-"

"We're the same height!" Cole exclaims, facepalming in a bit of a fondly exasperated way.

"I'm two years younger than you-"

---

"Ugh, whose idea was this?"

"Yours," Vania grins, sitting down on the kitchen counter.

"You were supposed to help me, not leave me high and dry!" Cole accuses jokingly, staring at all the appliances they'd found in the cupboards.

"'One must always be prepared for new adventures,'" she quotes seamlessly, waving one of- what was his name again? Mulch something? Oh! Clutch! Some explorer he was, leaving them to die in the pyramid - Clutch Powers' books in the air.

"Fine," he sighs, staring at the old recipe book she'd found in one of their back cupboards. "But you've gotta help me? I almost burned down-" "Woah, what? If you finish that sentence with 'kitchen'-" "In my defense, Kai was playing a prank on me-" "In my defense, I wouldn't like to explain how the queen of Shintaro burnt down the palace by teaching one of her friends to cook," she grins, flipping through the pages. "What do you wanna start with?" "Something simple?" "Have you ever tried baking bread before? It's a lot of fun!" "I haven't really had the time, but that sounds kinda interesting."

He skims the recipe, raising his eyebrows. "Wait, why does this take hours? I thought you said it was simple?"

"Trust me, it is," she laughs, adding, "besides, I still wanna hear about all your adventures!" "Uh... okay," Cole replies hesitantly, "but if this fails, I'm so sorry." "Give yourself some credit, you guys literally saved the world! Multiple times!" "Bold of y'all to assume we know how we did it," he laughs, only half-kidding. "Besides. I botched soup once."

"I've botched toast," she mock-sighs, smiling. "Pretty sure that makes us even."

"Lemme get this straight. You've messed up toasting bread, but you can bake it from scratch?"

"Trust me, I don't know either," she giggles, trying to open a brightly coloured packet of... something? Did flour come in packets that small?

"Uh, why are you opening something called 'feast'?" he asks, eyebrows creased in confusion.

"Feast," she echoes, trying to stifle her laughter. "Off to a... rocky start, aren't we?"

It took him a second.

"I already regret this," he jokes, facepalming. "But I'd say that your puns are, uh, gold."

"I've un- unleashed-" breaking off, she half-falls off the counter, laughing so hard her face starts to go red, "a monster."

---

"Uh, is it supposed to look like that?" Cole asks, frowning.

The mixture looked less like the dough he'd been expecting - more like one of Jay's inventions gone wrong.

Badly wrong, he thought, eyes widening at the goopy mess of foam that threatened to spill over the jug.

"The yeast?" Vania echoes, poking her head out of one of the cupboards. "Yeah, all good! It always looks a little gross, and you're gonna doubt ever eating bread again, but at least it doesn't taste like it's fermented-"

"It's what?"

"Yeah," she grimaces, exaggerating her disgust a bit. "If aliens ever fell from the sky, they'd think we were crazy for eating bread-"

"Aliens? I think we're a bit crazy!" Cole exclaims, trying not to laugh.

Vania smiles, then sighs, lugging a huge bag of flour onto the counter. "I can never open these bags properly," she starts, eyeing the the bag a bit warily, "and it always makes such a huge mess all over the kitchen. You'd think they'd make it easier for people to use, right? I swear-"

He jokingly puts his hands over his ears. "I can't hear you!" "But you know that I've sworn off swearing-" she replies, breaking off with a laugh. "Pun not intended - that actually made sense in my head. I swear!"

"No," Cole interjects with a grin, shaking his head. "You don't, remember?"

"See, this is why we're friends-"

"Friends? Is that all I am to you?"

"Oh, be quiet," she shoots back, exaggeratedly dragging a hand down her face. "I mean, sure, just because everyone thinks that we're dating doesn't mean that we-"

Wait. What?

"People think that we're dating?" he asks, clamping a hand over his mouth in a poor attempt to muffle his laughter. "I- I- really?"

"I know, right?"

"Even my friends thought so at first," he confesses, dragging a hand down his face. "I mean, as much as I love you-"

"I love you too," Vania replies, completely seriously. "Even if you'll always be more like an annoying-"

"Hey-"

"Sibling to me than anything else," she finishes, grabbing a pair of scissors. Cole watches, a little alarmed, as she stabs them into the flour bag over and over.

"Is it... supposed to be this difficult to just open the bag? Seems kinda stupid-"

"Well, er, they have this piece of paper with glue that you're supposed to pull away from the rest of the bag, but it never works properly and I-"

"Well, we could always make our own flour," Cole interjects, laughing. "I mean, I've got a scythe? Let's go!"

"Uh, but we don't have wheat growing here. I don't think it'd suit the climate very well?"

"Wheat a shame," Cole sighs jokingly, measuring out the flour (which had, finally, escaped the bag).

"Oh my gosh," Vania deadpans, "you did not just-"

"Yep, I did."

"You're horrible," she giggles, "then again, I was the one who started this whole debacle, so I think we'll share the blame."

"Debacle? Where'd you pick that one up from? Sounds kinda cool-"

"Oh, it's from a book someone wrote about you guys," Vania says casually, pouring a cup of water into the bowl.

"Hey, uh-" Cole starts hesitantly, twisting his fingers back and forth, then breaks off. "Why'd you read all that stuff about us, anyways? Adventure books don't really seem like something you read a lot, since we have similar favorite books. I mean..."

"Well, um..." Vania trails off, clearly uncomfortable. "Uh- I guess, well, it sounds kinda stupid, but I'd never really met anyone my age who wasn't a royal or something. I... er, I didn't want to be left out, you know?"

Cole thinks back to a scroll; a quest, a sacrifice. One that his friends never seemed to really notice, unless it was with horror or flinches. Not that he blamed them, but - joking about how he was much more useful to the team when he was freaking dead than he was before he'd stumbled and fell in the temple?

That had been a bit far, even for his best friend. Locks could always be picked or something, he didn't need to be a ghost to provide some sort of value-

Well, that's not completely true, is it? a small voice questions, and he can't keep his hands from shaking a little.

"Jay here thinks you're the least valuable ninja."

Not enough to be a performer. Now, not good enough to even be a ninja, apparently.

Well, he reminds himself firmly, you don't have to be the best - just stand up to those who are cruel and unjust.

Nothing but a scar that glowed warm orange occasionally left of the whole Cursed Realm ordeal, sometimes it was all too easy to forget - or pretend - that it had never even happened in the first place.

Other times, like when he'd dropped a glass of water on the floor and his hands hadn't stopped shaking for hours, or when he woke up screaming, expecting to fall through his bed again, it still felt like he was trapped as a ghost. Literally - and maybe a little figuratively as well.

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

"Thanks for trusting me with that," he replies softly. "And I'm sorry. That sounds... horrible, but, honestly, you're a pretty cool person, and I ain't just saying that because we're friends. People can be awful, and they can- they can leave, but you don't need to pretend to be someone you're not for people to accept you. I kinda know what it's like, and it's... just, uh, not great."

"No, thank you," Vania says, rubbing her eyes. "You're pretty cool, too. And I'm glad that we become friends, even if wasn't in the- the, er, greatest circumstances."

"Right back at ya. The fall was pretty terrifying, though," Cole says casually, as if memories of that nightmarish plunge into the depths of earth don't still send shivers down his spine.

"No, definitely! I was so sure we were gonna splat onto the ground or something, thank gosh we didn't."

"Yeah..." Cole trails off, reading the recipe they'd been following. "Oh- do we just leave the bowl somewhere for a few hours now?"

"Oh, yeah," Vania answers. "Other than clean up the kitchen, what else do you wanna do?"

"That's kind of you, but, ah, I don't mind. You can choose something."

"I don't mind either," she replies, covering the bowl with a dishcloth. "Seriously, I don't."

"Same here though."

"Really, I don't mind-" Vania breaks off with a laugh, adding, "Well, actually, there is something."

She doesn't elaborate, thoughtfully gazing out the window.

"Well, what is it? Don't keep me in the dark."

"Ugh, it's kinda stupid-"

"I'm sure that it's not- well, unless you want to try to jump off a flying ship with a homemade parachute to prove a bet to someone-"

"Do I even wanna know?"

"...uh, probably not. We're way too crazy sometimes, our Master has a hard time keeping us in check. Your thing, though?"

"Can I give you a hug?"

Cole blinks for a second, expecting some sort of punchline.

"That's your thing?"

"Well, yeah- I mean, I said it was kinda stupid-"

"No no, that's not what I meant. You're so sweet - that's all."

"Well, not more than you-"

"Nah, you're sweeter-"

"Let's just call it a tie," Vania says with a smile, reaching over to give her friend a hug. "Thank you so much, I swear- well, no, I don't, but you know, anyways-"

"Yeah," Cole replies, laughing softly. "I know."

[beebubb]

Amari and William grossman friendship headcanons

They met at the institution. They were assigned partners for a project. Amari was always really serious so will didn't really talk to her sense she always seemed pissed off or just had a "done with your shit" expression

They lived in the same apartment. They were just 3 doors apart

How did the friendship start though?

It was the day to pay rent and hookman was threatening will and LJ again.

Amari was used to it but, hookman was being more of an asshole than usual and saying he was gonna evict them. So she stepped in

"um Mr. Landlord sir, i'll be paying for their rent this time. They helped me pay off a medical bill, that's why they don't have money right now.

She just lied so he would leave them alone. I mean, will wasn't a complete stranger to her so she kinda knew him, so she didn't mind paying this one time for their rent

Hookman didn't completely believe It sense, they barely had money to pay rent so how would they pay a medical bill? But he didn't care much, all he wanted was his rent money

Once she payed him both will's rent and her own, he finally went away

Will was actually kind of embarrassed to have one of his classmates pay for his rent but he was thankful

"thank you so much! You saved our asses!"

"it's no problem"

Will wanted to thank her and do something in return, so him and LJ invited her to the pub

Will: let's go for some drinks!

LJ: our treat!

Amari: no it's OK, besides I'm not much of a drinker

Will: but you payed for our rent! It's the least I can do!

Amari didn't really feel like going out but will was persistent, so she ended up going.

Will and LJ were well know in the pub but she noticed a lot of all the hate LJ would get, and all the annoyed looks and sighs they gave will

She didn't really get why. I mean, she had a lot of fun with the two of them. Yeah they would laugh a bit loudly at their jokes when they got a bit tipsy but they were really nice.

Drinking together and being partners for class became more usual for Will and amari and ended up being friends.

Amari was used to being alone in her apartment either doing school work or doing proxy work (she was lucky enough to be accepted early as a slenderman apprentice)

But with will, her days became more fun and even more tolerable

If you know her back story, you know will wasn't at all the type of person her family wanted amari to be friends with. But amari didn't really care. She was tierd of being the rich "perfect" girl most of her life. She wanted to actually get to choose her friends and have actual fun. So she didn't care if others thought will was annoying or obnoxious, she liked him and that's all the mattered.

She loved will's crackhead energy. All the things he did never failed to make her laugh

Will encouraged her to do the same things as him and it took a bit of convincing but she gave in

So after she got used to always joining Will, you could always find them doing shit like this

Though what really sealed their friendship was when amari told will about her past

It all happened when they were hanging out at will's apartment

LJ: hey amari, why exactly did you come here to the underworld? From what you've told us, your life seemed pretty good!

Will: yeah! I mean you were rich! I would have loved living in a huge house and wearing designer clothes like you!

Amari: trust me, you live better than me, you wouldn't want what I have...

Will: why not?

Amari: it's just that... My family life was complicated

Will: why though? If you don't wanna tell us it's fine though!

Amari: it's just....

Remembering her family made her feel so angry so she immediately started ranting

Amari: I just HATED my fucking family! Nothing I ever did was Good for them! It was always amari do this, amari do that, I could never do anything I wanted! Or you can't be friends with her! She's poor! Or, you can't be friends with that boy! he's stupid! I always did everything they told me to! I was the top of my class, I learned to play "fancy" Instruments, took AP classes, didn't have any friends that weren't "up to my level" but yet it was never good enough! I was stuck in that damn house full of arrogant assholes!!

Will: holy shit... Amari I didn't know you ran away because of that! Your family was horrible!

Amari: I didn't run away because of that!

Will: then why?

Amari: it was because I killed this girl named katlyn....i just... hated her so much! My whole life I tried to make my damn family happy, but she just came along and they preferred her over me! They thought she was better than me just because she was a top student and always said "amari be more like katlyn!" I just hated her for that! She never struggled like I did! That's why I fucking killed her! I was so tierd of seeing her everyday just to remind me that I was nothing like her....

Will: was she an asshole to you too?

Amari: not... Really... She was actually really nice to me and even said she admired me... That's why I used that to have the advantage to get rid of her.... I made her believe I was her friend so she would trust me, and once she did, I killed her........

Will was shocked. he wasn't that surprised cause, who was he to judge anyways? He literally came to the underworld to kill

But amari stayed quiet while deep in thought and that's when she realized.

She was blinded by her own anger that she basically killed her very first friend

She had never thought about it untill now

Katlyn was nothing but nice to her. Yet she killed her. And that's when she realized that she always complained about her family being arrogant and narcissistic, yet she wasn't any better than them

The first time she killed her, she felt in control, something she never felt, that's why she enjoyed it so much, but now, she just felt so bad for it. She was no better than her family, she was so angry at herself that she didn't even know what to say anymore and just felt her eyes fill with tears

Will: ! Y-you don't need to cry!

Amari: I had no reason to kill her! Oh God... I....i made a mistake.... I'm a horrible person...I shouldn't have killed her! I'm no better than my damn family...

She just covered her face and let the tears run down

LJ just frowned but tried to comfort her

LJ: cmon kid don't say that! You are nothing like them!

Will: yeah! Maybe what you did wasn't exactly right but...it doesn't mean you're a bad person!

Amari: but I killed my only friend...

Will: not exactly! you have us! Maybe your friendship with katlyn didn't end well but, you're here now! You can start fresh! We'll be your friends!

LJ: yeah! And we're not saying that just because you payed our rent!

Amari smiled and chuckled a bit at LJ's remark

She felt accepted with them. Which was definetly something new.

But she loved it. Will was right, she had a new life in the underworld, and she could start fresh with actual friends

@writingfromthetomb

@holyshititsrainingcupcakes-blog

[fanfiction-funtime]

Spritefather and Selene Interaction

A fan drabble for @clouds-rambles, I hope I characterized Selene right

Without much prompting it's a tad hard to write like this, but I hope it works.

Also I hope you don't mind me mentioning Cael amnesia anon.

(Selene was hanging out with Cael when Venti makes trouble, bringing the night to a close)

(Selene pov)

Yet again, I had to drag Cael's boyfriend out of the bar. This time because he thought someone was insulting his father and punched them, but he was just talking about some mythological person called 'Spritefather'.

I haven't thought about that story in a long time, not since I was a kid. Something about him being able to "use all elements" or something and how he "taught Barbados about freedom", maybe I'll ask Lisa about it.

"Excuse me madam, my father needs to speak to that man you're carrying. Please, hand him to me." I heard a voice from behind me say, the accent was a thick Schneznayan one.

I turned around to meet the person, a woman in an outfit that wouldn't look out of place in a family portrait of old Schneznayan nobility, they also held a vision.

A cryo vision.

I three Venti into a hay pile and summoned my spear, "your a pretty bad liar, LA SIGNORA!"

"No wait! You've got it all w-" I jabbed at her with my spear, using conduct to increase it's power, "I said wait!-"

"I don't bargain with people who hurt my friends!" Hehe, that was a cool line, nice one Selene.

"W-WHAT!? HOW DARE YOU INSINUATE THAT I WOULD HURT MY OWN BROTHER!" The woman gasped and pointed behind me.

I looked back and saw an abyss mage sneaking away with Venti.

"HEY! THAT'S MY BROTHER/BEST FRIEND'S BOYFRIEND!"

The mage noticed and bolted away. We chased it all the way to star conch cliff, where it threw Venti over the edge.

"Haha! Do your worst human! I have already completed my mission! Now without your precious archon, mondstadt will-!"

A tornado of water sprouted up from the sea, then froze in place. From the newly formed spiral of ice rose a cloaked man, and around him were 6 wisps of every element but cryo.

The mage turned around, and were it not for the dendro tendril crushing it's windpipe they would have screamed in horror.

"First you threaten to kill my son," the cloaked man stepped off the spire, the air polarizing itself with electro to form a step, "then you kidnap him while my daughter is trying to retrieve him," another step, this time the air simply pushes him up to form a step, "and now you have followed through on that threat. It tried to," the man took one last, powerful step, to which a geo platform met his feet and lifted him to the hanging abyss mage, "how truly foolish must you be."

He man then lit the tendril on fire, burning the mage like a furby in a campfire.

The man lowered himself down, Venti in his arms, and said, "I'm sorry Barbados, I should have gone to get you myself. Viktoria, what happened?"

Then he noticed me.

"EEEEP!" He shouted as he dropped Venti with a thud.

_____________________

(3rd person limited, Spritefather pov)

'Oh celestia, a person! No no, keep it together. You love interacting with humans in a controlled manner. This is just as controlled, just...a suprise.' Spritefather thought.

"By Barbados' hairy nostrils! You're the Spritefather!" The human Selene shouted.

Spritefather straightened himself out and cleared his throat, "y-yes, I am. But I am not 'the' Spritefather, I'm just Spritefather. Saying 'the Spritefather' is like calling you 'the Selene'. But now isn't the time for such trivial bickerings," Spritefather gave a gentlemanly bow, "thank you for attempting to rescue my eldest child, and for taking him home everytime he indulges a bit to much on vices."

Viktoria facepalmed, "dad! They aren't supposed to know that!"

"Well why not? They're friends with him, and best friends with his boyfriend. Which by the way I STILL need to meet-" he noticed Selene was seeming kind if pale, "you ok?"

*thud*

"Oh dear."

_____________________

(3rd person omniscient pov)

(There's no good point to explain this, but they're in a serenitea pot)

Selene woke up in a very confused state, and on a cloaked woman's lap.

"Please do not be alarmed, neither me nor my daughter did anything to you." The woman said.

Selene, in response, punched the woman and scrambled away, "who the abyss are you!?"

"Well I'm not particularly loved by celestia but I'd hardly say I'm abyssal.."

"Father, people here are not as accustomed to the divine as Liyue or Inazuma." The woman from before, who Selene thought was La Signora, said as she approached them with some tea.

"Wait, fa-no, no. Don't do that Selene, it's rude."

The cloaked woman shook her hands to dismiss Selene's concern, "it's fine, however I thank you for your accepting nature. Though it is to be excepted given your personal identity."

"How do you know me?"

"Heh, have you forgotten already? Though I suppose the change in form is not common among you humans. And nonexistent in the way me and the wisps can do."

The woman got up and started twirling, then surrounded themself in elemental power, and when it cleared stood the cloaked man Selene saw in her dream...

*wait*

"That wasn't a dream...holy shit that wasn't a dream! You're the Spritefather-I mean-you're Spritefather! Your real!"

"Indeed I am. I would think everyone in mondstadt believes I'm real, but atleast that leaves less for that misconception."

"What misconception?"

"Ask Barbados, shouldn't be too hard since you two are close."

"Barba-wait Venti is actually Barbados!?

"Oh dear I'm making this worse."

The still unnamed woman sighed and shook her head, "how about we focus on why my dad decided to be a woman? Surely that would be a far more easy thing to understand."

"It's because she likes women, and I don't blame her. World cold and hard, titty warm and soft."

"Dad who taught you that!?"

"You do realize I can hear the lives of all in my home yes?"

"I guess I'm at fault." Selene laughed.

"I will have my revenge upon you for this." The woman responded.

Spritefather chuckled, "oh? And how about you get your revenge over a date. Anastasia."

"F-FATHER!"

"What? She's single, friends to someone who can teach her proper tea ceremonies, and uh....they have....hmmm..." Spritefather was trying to think if what he could say to convince his daughter, "look I just want to see grand kids!"

"FATHER"

"K-KIDS!?"

"Look I'm pushing fifty million! If one of you doesn't get me kids in the next ten million years I'm going to grow grey hair!"

Anastasia starts forming an ice throwing knife, "REBEL'S-"

"Papa, what happen?" Came a childish voice.

Selene gasped, they were looking at probably the cutest thing EVER!

"Oh my ARCHONS! IS THAT A PYROSPRITE!?"

"Yes that's my child Flameo-"

Selene, already having picked up the the baby, "they're so CUTE!"

They hugged the little flame close to their face and nuzzled them, to which Flameo quickly responded to with their own.

"Smell like..." they thought for a moment, "big Bro Bardos!" They flew around Selene excitedly, "friend!"

Spritefather sighed, "Oh dear, now the rest will be coming out. And I just got them to sleep aswell."

It wasn't long before Selene was surrounded by six Sprites.

The Electrosprite landed on her vision and started vibrating happily.

The Geosprite asked, "are you strong!? I think I could be you!"

"Oh I'm sure you could." Selene said to appease the little Sprite as she chuckled chuckled.

The Anemosprite and Pyrosprite flew around her head like children.

The Hydrosprite was inspecting her clothes, "how utterly bourgeois, has my Brother and father been teaching you how to dress? Honestly, the people of mondstadt should learn from the reconnaissance captain of the knights. Now there's a woman who knows how to dress."

"Oh you mean Eula?"

"You know her?"

"Oh yeah, she's invites me to tea every now and then."

"SHE...invites....YOU...out for TEA!?-"

Anastasia puts her hand over the Hydrosprite and tries to hold her back

"Sorry about that," the woman replied, "kids and their crushes."

(Agua, muffled: I'M SIXTEENTH HUNDRED YEARS OLD!)

"Ha-haaa...."

Selene couldn't respond to that as they felt a prick in her spine, causing them to yelp.

A Dendrodsprite slinkied up her back and put it's head on her shoulder, "just sampling...never seen blood like yours...so intertwined with the...divine....yet so distan-"

Spritefather picked up his child, "please forgive Leafy, they're in their...adventurous stage. And their adventure is to learn things. Often things that involve pins and needles."

This was going to be a looong night

_____________________

The next day, Vanessa's tree

Selene yawns and falls on the statue, Venti doing the same. The difference between them is one is hungover and waiting for his boyfriend to take him home after the fifth assassination attempt this week, the other has to deal with the consequences of being loved by children and being there to try and stop the most recent assassination

"Holy shit....this hang over....I thought Decrabain's hailstorms were bad..."

"You shouldn't try watching after Leafy.....but I think half the pains are from Agua's jealousy bites......"

"You think that's bad?.....you should have seen them when they realized Cael and I....were dating....."

"...archons I hope I was never like that as a kid...."

"Oh cherry up you two!" Spritefather said, a bit too loud for the two, "it's a new day and-"

Venti hit his father with a clump of grass using anemo

"YOUNG MAN!-

"Ohheythere'sCaelgottagobye!" The archon said as he ran off.

Spritefather sighed, "he's always like that, running from responsibilities. But he always means up when it counts, so I can only say I'm proud of the man he's become," he thought for a moment, "except for when he turns into a woman for whatever reason, then I'm proud of the woman she's become...you know, after being around single form life for so long stuff like that feels so strange. I mean you humans are born with one form and cant naturally change it. But if you feel it's wrong you'll go through so much trouble just to get close to what us shape changers can get. While to humans it is inspiring purely because of the person's determination to take the form they so deserve, that they were truly meant to have. But for me it's so much more! The human spirit and will is oh so inspiring, but the amount humans go through! So much money, so much time, and in many places simply enduring life! Why even I couldn't get the...uh...transphobia is it?...out of Inazuma!Terribly sorry human language changes so much. Oh and on language! To think that I was there when the first cave man was trying to mimic the grunts of the gods, only to make something so much superior to them to the point that the gods copied THEM! And speaking of copies have you ever heard of the time Dainsleif-" he paused as he saw Selene's bored face, "sorry. One little thing and I start ranting and rave...no, it's info dumping. And I should thank you humans for making that term, and all the other wonder words you've made, and the medical advances. They've helped me understand myself....ah but look at me, rambling on again. You know what? For entertaining my kids the whole night, and listening to an old man's ramblings, I'll give you a boon. Anything you want, if I can get it you shall have it."

Selene thought for a moment. She thought about asking him to bring back her father, but they knew he couldn't raise the dead. She even thought...of her mother, to see her again, but they knew that it wouldn't help. A selfish part of her even wanted someway to reignite her's and Rosaria's relationship, after all that part of her life was, but she knew it would be wrong and that they both agree they just didn't work.

Perhaps just ask for mora? She did need some for a good night's rest, but that felt wasteful. What was one night's rest for what could be a lifetime of amazing power. But maybe it would be wrong to ask for something like power. Ah! She's got it!

"How about a spear? A really powerful one that compliments my powers perfectly! Oh! And make it look really cool!"

Spritefather blinked, then laughed, "well, that's rather simple isn't it? So amazing you humans. You expect them to make something big and/or selfish, like taking control of a country, or killing someone. Yet never once has one of my boons been used for anything bad. Even when they're selfish. Like one time I met a very selfish person who I granted a boon, and all he did with it was ask me to make sure the kids of Inazuma were never hungry. Ah, now that. That was ranting, sorry." Spritefather walked over to the statue's base and knocked three times, "hello Vanessa. It's been a while since I last called you, but I was hoping you could give me a hand? And perhaps a very sturdy branch off your tree?"

"Uhhh-"

A light shown down from the heavens and the ground shook, causing a skeletal hand to rise from the depths.

Selene would have screeched if she weren't so tired, "I'd prefer my weapon to be less...body part-sy."

"Nonsense! Everyone knows that bones make the best weapons! You know why it's called a prototype rancor?! BECAUSE NOONE WANTS TO ACCEPT THAT THE PERFECTED VERSION I, THE INVENTOR, MADE INCLUDES THE SHINBONES OF MITSCHURLS! YOU EVER SEEN A-*ahem*-sorry, rambling."

As he was ranting, a branch handed Spritefather a sturdy branch from the tree.

"Perfect, now a bit of magic and-" the two items blew up in Spritefather's face before reforming into a purple and black spear that ended in a feathery sleeve like pattern that was attached to a sharp blade that looked very much like a hand made into a spear blade. Mainly because it was.

A brilliant light shone down on the Spritefather as he floated up and presented the spear to Selene(mumbled: thanks Venessa)

"SELENE OF MONDSTADT!"

His voice became that of s god's, filled with power and compassion, booming across windrise.

"YOU HAVE SPOKEN YOUR WISH, AND BY MY HONOR AS THE ENTERNAL FATHER, I AM DUTY BOUND TO GRANT IT!"

He leans imup to Selene and whispered to her, "do you like the eternal father moniker? I thought it up myself."

"Oh yeah, 10/10, really keeping with the Inazuman background."

"Thanks."

"TAKE YOUR GRAND BLADE, AND GO FORTH TO CARVE THROWS DESTINY AND TILL YOUR OWN FUTURE!"

Selene took the spear, "uh...thanks?"

"Oh your very welcome. By the way how was that delivery? I've been working on the whole 'I am a powerful being' delivery for a few centuries."

"A bit hard to understand, but overall gets the vibe across. Maybe 8/10? Low seven probably."

"Yeah, I kind of expected that. Wonder how else I could get that effect, you know without the whole can't understand thing."

"Well, I've got teo other immortals to meet. Ones I need to question."

"Ah yes, I'm sure Cael and Barbados have much to answer for to you."

"Yes they do. I don't suppose 'see you around' would be appropriate here?"

"On a sense? It's appropriate. After all I'm your friend now aswell, and I prefer a life without isolation. So...see you round?"

"Sure, see you around."

_____________________

Admittedly didn't know how to end this. I like it but I'm a tad worried I made it to focused on my character and didn't give Selene enough attention.

Regardless I hope you enjoyed it cloud! I really tried to get Selene right. And sorry it took so long, sleep kept getting messed up, and then covid shot+forgetting to hydrate kicked my ass.

(Tagging: @storytravelled, @golden-wingseos, and @clouds-rambles)

[iammarylastar]

1. Alone amongst brothers.

"Cal! Hey mate where are you?" Snowballs clicked his fingers under his nose, startling him.

Bad idea. Never startle an ex cop ex Marine who hadn't slept for years.

Chris -his real name was Chris- came out of his reverie and offered a poor smile to his brothers. Obviously missing his goal to reassure his squad.

Who was he kidding?

He hadn't been here for years. For 3 years. 3 fucking years.

He hadn't been the same since he came out of prison. Since his brother, his real brother fled to Canada, to never return.

Since Oyster, his little brother killed that asshole in a bar.

Thinking about it, all this shit had started after their mother died.

Big, huge mess she had left behind.

He reluctantly came back to the world, that world without his mom nor his brother, that world where he's a useless piece of shit, forbidden to serve his country in any way.

Reverie couldn't have been more inappropriate. Living nightmare would have fit better.

"Next round on me." Jaeger announced with too much enthusiasm.

"Same?" He quirked an eyebrow at Cal, who just nodded, not bothering to say a word.

He didn't need another beer. Alcohol free. Taste free too. He'd been nursing the same bottle since he settled his ass in the bar, mind absently scratching the corner of the label with his nail.

He had been sentenced to 6 years and spent 3 at Pittsburgh Correctional Institution. He got a release, good behaviour. He'd been lucky, somehow, half of the prisoners were there because of him. Death had waited for him at every corner, but freedom hadn't tasted better.

A lot had happened in 3 years. Life had gone on whilst his had stopped behind the bars.

Snowball found his soulmate Carlo, Jaeger finally got Claire back, they married last year and were expecting their first child. Milk spawned two boys, fuck he'd been out for a long time.

Brotherhood meant leave no one behind. He had Oyster's back, he did what had to be done to save his brother from jail. Sentencing himself, ruining his own life.

He got nothing left. No wife, no family. Sure, his bros had always cared, hanging out, working out, having him in for all their kids birthdays, family barbecues, even last Christmas when Claire and Jaeger announced the good news.

They all exploded, hugging Claire and clapping Jaeger's shoulder, whooping and cheering like madmen.

He was genuinely happy for both of them and tried to ignore the stab in his guts.

For once he wanted and was in the mood to celebrate. Till his eyes landed on the blessed couple's wedding pic pinned on the wall, then spotted another showing his brothers in uniform, proudly posing with the groom.

Stab.

He wasn't there and it killed him.

Claire told him they got a seat settled in his honor and it hurt more deeply.

He had missed so many events, so many people.

Oyster.

He had spent most of his miserable life to raise his little brother -half brother but who cares?- kicked his ass every morning to have him secured at school, kicking his own ass to quit both grief and booze and pass his exams to assure them a future.

Look what future both fucked up.

If only he could have the slightest news of him, knowing his brother was fine and safe somewhere in Canada, a letter, a call, an emoji on whatever social media... but no. The cops were still looking for Oyster for Ben Daley's murder and as a cop -ex cop- he knew he and his mates have been under surveillance since day one.

Oyster had been MIA for 3 years with no chance of brightest days.

And he was left alone with nobody to care for and nobody to love.

His sentence had him kicked out from the police department, along with his staff sergeant status. No job. No rules to give rhythm to his days. No incomes but a few light works here and there in the neighborhood. The people he knew always put in a good word about him and hopefully people didn't ask for his criminal record before hiring him for fixing their roof, painting their fronts or uprooting a tree stump.

Yeah he had a lot to add to his resume: by-the-book cop, dauntless staff sergeant in the Marine corps, 2 rounds in Iraq, baby sitter and groundskeeper. Impressive.

"Man, look at this chick over there." Milk nudged him. "She's been eyeing you like she's willing to drop her panties for you."

Cal finally lifted his eyes and glanced at the girl in question. Thin, sexy, a blouse full of goodies, gaudy red lipstick, prying eyes.

Maybe he needed to get laid. He hadn't had sex since he came out of prison. His mates planned a party to celebrate his freedom and got him a working girl for the occasion but he wasn't in the mood.

He hadn't been interested in sex, not after what has happened in prison, not even a quick handjob while watching a porn. No. Scratch that. He's been forced into lame and painful wankings when his balls threatened to explode, but it was no fun at all. Far, far from it.

A slight nausea invaded his throat of the reminder and he forced the thought out.

Double sentence. If he hadn't suffered PTSD after what he did and witnessed in Iraq, then he got his trauma.

He might never use his cock again. Playground out of order. Broken.

"Nahhh... She looks cheap. Guys I don't need another blind date, you know. Your Tracy girl was crazy, she scared the shit out of me with her earlobe-licking... fetishism." Cal rubbed his earlob with a disgusting frown on his face, having all his skwad laughing out loud, wiggling all tongues out.

"Listen Cal. You need to get laid. You need a good fuck to come back to life. You're hot stuff still, you just need to pick up some gorgeous chick and have some fun! Before your dick just deceases from dehydration." Jaeger joked, hilarity ensued.

He looked around the crowded bar, tired. Tired to pretend he could be interested in that kind of date.

He didn't need a one night stand. He didn't need some cunt to fuck. He needed someone to love. And be loved in return.

Like the ol'time when he lived with his mom. Or with Oyster. He needed someone who cared.

"Thank you guys but I'm tired. I better go home and get some sleep. Need to wake up early and..."

His lame excuses got cut off by an angry Milk.

"Oh yeah, because you do have so much to do tomorrow, don't you? Cleaning up the house and walk Mrs Riley's pet? That's why you're leaving your brothers now? Cal, when are you going to get rid of this shit and be alive again? It's been 3 years already, move on for fuck sake!"

Cal didn't blink. He deserved to be scolded by his gang. He's been no fun, nothing more than a burden for them. A big piece of shit, whining about all he'd lost. Poor thing. Soon he'd lose them.

He was whining again. He's got the best friends he could dream of, people he could call his brothers, who were totally devoted to him, heart and soul.

His family. His home.

Those guys made it all easy for him while his time in prison. Paying him a visit each week, twice a week when they were off. They paid for his lawyer, his loan for the house so he wouldn't be homeless when he got out of prison. So he didn't have to break into his savings and get ruined in 6 months.

They did it in a heartbeat, without thinking nor asking for his permission. They told him it was the right thing to do. The same way Cal had them home, safe and sound after their tour in Iraq. Beside Jaeger's leg, abandoned there. How guilty he had felt, and still.

He owed them... everything.

He leant on his elbows and rubbed his face. He considered staying and trying to relax and have some fun, but his mood was definitely shitty.

Time to shake his thoughts and his big ass. He survived the war, survived in jail, he could survive this night.

"OK fuckers. But I don't want to bury my future here." He emptied his drink, slammed it loudly on the table.

"Let's get home and shake the walls!"

He grabbed his other beer and clinked glasses with his mates, and chugged it whilst his bros cheered and downed their own drinks.

"Last one at my mailbox is a loser!" Cal jumped on his feet and started running through the door.

"Ohhhh, you bastard!" Milk shouted, running after him, quickly followed by an enthusiast Snowball.

Jeager rolled his eyes and took out his wallet to pay the bill. He wouldn't win anyway, his fucking metal leg was no match for those big machines.

The three guys were messing around by the front door, playfully wrestling to pass first.

Cal jammed Milk's head in between his bulging biceps and disheveled his neat hairstyle, having him struggling even more for his freedom, grunting with rage. Snowball was stuck against the wall, the two heavy guys struggling were keeping him to head towards the door.

In a joint effort to get free, Snowball and Milk pushed Cal with all their strength until he popped out like a Champagne cork, sent flying against the wall. Just as the door opened on someone coming in.

Cal ended up glued to them, pinned on the wall, crushed against his broad chest.

"Whoah, whoah, whoah! What the hell?" A muffled voice came from underneath Cal's body.

"Holy shit, I'm sorry!" He apologized, peeling his body from a smaller and thinner one.

His hands flat against the wall, each side of a face. A beautiful face. Still blurry, he was too close to focus.

Never too close... he thought. Her smell itself made him stop.

"I'm sorry!" He uttered, forcing a step back. Finally able to focus on delicate features.

"I'm fine, I'm fine...uh, hey... I'm Jessica. " She said in a big grin as she rearranged the strands of hair away from her face.

"Nice to meet you..." She started, inviting him to introduce himself.

"Milk, nice to meet you gorgeous." The bastard spoke first, getting on Cal's business, more than happy to embarrass his mate.

"And this is Snowball" he continued, shamelessly stepping on Cal's toes and bluntly pushing him to the side.

"Ma'am!" Snowball bowed before an amused Jessica, glancing at the three boys with a smirk. "Please, accept our sincere apologies. I hope this giant idiot didn't hurt you when so roughly trying to get your attention."

Jessica let her eyes wander at the big stud's body and face, making sure it didn't turn into a stare. The man was built like a brick house, huge arms, solid chest, his short hair suggested he was a cop or a soldier, his handsome face obviously annoyed by his friends' demeanour. His gorgeous self nodding his head while pressing his so soft looking lips together. She felt her heart stop and her inside melt when they locked stares. His blue eyes were captivating and something slapped her in the face. Through his hilarious expression and attractive features, he looked so... sad and lonely. So much she wanted to pull him in in a hug and never let him go.

She forced her eyes back at the two dummies still making the show for her.

"And this!" Milk nudged his pal, "this is Chris Callahan, the man you need.

The thoughtfulness itself, well, when it's not nearly killing you, this guy is not only strong, courageous and handsome, thanks God he's also single."

Cal wanted nothing more than vanish from embarrassment after getting rid of that motherfucker of a so called best friend. On a definitive way.

But the more Milk was blurting his shit out, the more Jessica looked amused and kind of interested in him.

Eyeing him. The cutest smile on her lips. Which she bit when she finally was caught staring.

"This big sweet heart is to take darling, and you'd be a fool not to try your luck with him."

Milk got a little closer and lowered his voice "I heard he's got amazing skills, like... look at the size of his feet!"

The 2 guys barked a laugh, clunching at each other while Cam just chuckled and sighed, more uncomfortable than ever. Jessica shared the guys big laugh then winked at Cal, before glancing down to judge their size by herself.

Milk wiped the tears from his face, oh Lord he loved making fun of his mate so very much. Calming down his panting, he stepped back, still hooked to an exhilarated Snowball.

"If you want to excuse us mylady, we're up for a male race contest, where the loser will have to walk butt naked the entire week." He said, bowing out at Jessica, then stepping out of the bar with renewed loud laughs.

Cal just shifted uneasily on his spot, figuring out a way to stop looking like the dumbest guy on Earth.

"Sorry... That was... pretty awkward, wasn't it?" He shyly tried, mentally kicking in own ass to not have found something clever to say.

"Found it very funny actually, you guys made my day!" Her genuine smile cheered him up a little.

"Those guys are total weirdoes, please do not believe a single word of what they say." Cal flashed one of his best smile, pretty sure it would work for him.

"Seems your friends think very highly of you. The resume they made of you is quite appealing, you know." She made it sounds like a joke but couldn't help wondering about that nice guy, nice looking guy all in embarrassment in front of her.

And the size of his... feet.

"Yeah... Well, wait to meet them once they're not drunk and you might hear a different story." Cal shoved his hands deep in his pockets. Looking so cute.

"So... Cal, I'm looking forward to hang out with your smartass group of friends, and hear all kind of stories about you, I bet each more embarrassing than the last!" Jessica's fingers were playing with a strand of her hair against her will, flirting.

And it seemed this didn't get unnoticed, by the way Cal's stare lingered on her delicate features.

"I... I've got to go and look after those drunken asses before they get into more trouble. I won't stop hearing of it if I don't beat them tonight. It was so nice to meet you and again, apologies for so rudely bumping into you."

Chris scratched the back of his neck, torn between two options. Stay and risk to embarrass himself more and more, or leave and risk to never see her again.

"It's OK, Chris I'm fine. We would find a way to make it up for nearly knocking me down earlier. Go get them, we could meet another time. I'm new in town but I'm here for some time, let's catch up later!"

Chris chuckled, mumbled a cocky "sure!" through an enormous grin, dared to throw a wink at her before turning heels and walked out of the bar.

"I hope you lose!" She shouted at him as he reluctantly started to jog towards his mates.

"Thank you...?" Chris turned to face her again, walking backward, wearing an astonished expression. That was not the kind of support he expected.

"I may not know much about you, but I figured seeing you walk up the streets butt naked could be fun!"

Chris couldn't help the large grin taped on his face to turn into a big smile, that charismatic pant-dropping smile that had been MIA for years was finally back.

As he jogged back to his drunken brothers, in absolute no hurry, a light in heart, he felt like that stupid smile wouldn't leave his face for quite a while.

[jpat82]

Chosen

Chapter 10

When you woke the next day your lower body hurt and throbbed. You laid there staring at the curtain as all of the events the evening before came back full force. Tears threatened to spill and you couldn’t find in you to roll over and see if he was still laying next to you. Who knows how long you laid there staring at the deep crimson curtain. It was the soft sound of the door closing that rustled you from your thoughts. The smell of apples and cinnamon wafted through the air long before the curtain was pulled to the side.

Wanda smiled at you before she saw the tears. She pushed the tray that she had been carrying to the night table next to the bed as she sat down. Her hand gently resting your bare shoulder, you felt awkward as you attempted to pull the front the dress closed so your breast wasn't on display.

"What happened?" She asked softly.

——

"Can you run that past me one more time?" Tony clipped, walking around the table in his lab as he stared at James.

James hadn’t waited when he woken like he usually would of, the events of yesterday still fresh in his own mind. How weak you sounded when you told him not to touch you, you sounded wounded. It made him want to wrap his arms around you and protect you, unfortunately he had been the reason behind your tears. He pushed those thoughts aside again.

"Look Tony, all I know is that I just didn't wake up one day fully formed." James sighed running his hands down his face as he sat in the swivel chair. This was ridiculous, trying to explain this whole thing to Tony had been Steve's idea.

"So you plan on.." Tony stated at him a loss for words which generally wasn't the case with him.

"Tony, I was born of a human, that much I know. I had a childhood, different from other kids but I was a child. My mother was human, not vampire." He reiterated again, sighing heavily. "It's possible for me to reproduce, you yourself have stated in theory that it was possible after going through centuries of history. There was a point I wasn't the only pure out there."

"Yes, yes, this supposed lure." Tony clipped putting quotation marks in the air.

"The first human that fell for it, I didn't realize it till it was to late. And I had drained her and she has to be human in order to reproduce." James sighed, his frustration starting to bubble forward. "But, y/n, she can smell it and I taste the difference in her blood, just like the other one."

"So only specific humans can carry vampire children, only the ones that can smell your scent, which by the way is creepy. And what does y/n think?" Tony asked cocking his head.

"I haven't told her." James replied, looking down at his hands. Guilt flooded him again, when he remembered your form trembling next to him as you tried to sleep.

"Bucky!" Wanda screamed upon entering the lab, her eyes glowing bright red as the door bounced of the wall from the force of her shoving it open, startling the man from his thoughts.

You rushed in after her the blue dress long replaced by a deep purple made of velvet. You tried to stop her, grasping at her left wrist as she walked straight up to him but she was far stronger then you, dragging you behind her.

The smack of her hand across his cheek echoed in the room, and everything went silent. Her shoulders rose and fell as she seethed glaring at him, Tony stood there blinking furiously at the two of them. You watched, your eyes wide and mouth slight open as James slowly turned his attention to her. His eyes an electric blue as he regarded her, slowly he stood from his seat, towering over the petite woman. She didn't back down or cower from him, his lips twitched as he glared down at her.

"Wanda." His voice was deep, and you could feel the anger behind the word.

"You.." she stabbed a finger into his chest. "You know how she feels about us and still you did that? Just while she's coming to terms with the fact that we aren't bad as she was led to believe, do you have any idea how she is feeling right now?"

"This isn't your business." He growled again, his words barely audible. She didn't cower to him but held her ground firmly as she glared up at him.

"Like hell it isn't!" She spat out. "I finally have a friend that wasn't made in a lab, someone who actually talks me like I'm not a child. Someone you wish to have by your side as equal, as you have told all of us, and this is how you treat her! Leaving her alone to her thoughts after you... after you.. rutted into her like a wild animal!"

Your heart warmed when she called you her friend and for the first time you felt like you had someone in your corner. Her feisty persona and refusal to back away from someone bigger and stronger then her put a smile on your face. It breathed life back into you, she had no fear of him, her trust that he wouldn't hurt her even though he looked ready to rip her a part. It told you more of the dynamic in the family, that she had just as much right as any of them. And why they held her back from the hunt was a mystery to you.

Slowly James's gaze lifted from her to you, those piercing blues taking you in. Your legs felt weaker the longer he stared at you, there was no malice in his eyes. You felt a pull suddenly, and you bit on your bottom lip. His eyes drifted back down to the angry woman before him and he took a heavy breath.

"You're right Wanda, I shouldn't of left her, I shouldn't have done what I did last night." He softly spoke to her before looking back up to you and walking around her.

Your heart leapt to your throat, and you crossed your arms to keep everyone from seeing your fingers tremble. You looked away from him, his stare making you feel uncomfortable suddenly. You started to take deep calming breath as you felt his fingers wrap around your wrist and pull them toward him.

"Come with me." He asked tenderly, you nodded, not trusting your voice as guilt washed through you again. Thoughts of those hands running across your skin, the way they felt while touching and caressing you.

You followed him out of Tony's lab, leaving Wanda behind. He led you down the darkened hall and pushed a large set of doors open, James motioned for you to step inside. The library was enormous, easily two stories high, walls lined with books from floor to ceiling with a balcony wrapping around the second story. Windows held one entire side, showing off the surrounding forest as the land gave way beyond the glass panes.

The fire place roared and the warmth in the room made it feel inviting. Slowly you walked away from James, enamored with your surroundings. Gently he closed the doors, pulling them shut tightly behind him as you walked to the large windows looking out of them. He walked up beside you, staring out across the abyss of trees that the moonlight casted down upon. Fog gracing the tops lightly giving it an otherworldly appeal.

"I truly am sorry for last night." He spoke finally breaking the silence as he made no move to look at you.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, I didn't tell you to stop." You replied, brushing the tear that had started to form from your cheek.

"But you didn't want it." He quietly stated, sighing heavily.

"That isn't it, at the time.. I did. But then.." you took a deep breath before continuing. "I remembered, my oath, I remembered what you were and what I am. Right now I feel nothing but contempt for myself. I had sex with a vampire." You shrugged biting your bottom lip. "And, I have to figure out how to deal with that."

"Am I that revolting to you?" He asked finally turning to face you, you made no move to look at him. "Still?"

"You are still what you are. A beast." You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath.

"A beast." He chuckled drily, he shook his head, and grabbed your shoulder forcing you to turn to face him. "Is that what you think or is that what you were trained to think? Cause the two seem very deferent."

"Let go of me." You whispered, focusing your eyes on his broad chest.

"One minute you are talking, and enjoying the company of my family. You enjoyed my company last night, and you can't deny that, the way you kissed me back. And then on the flip of a dime, you become cold and despondent when you think to much about what I am, what we are." He hissed at you, roughly grabbing your chin and lifting it so you had to look at him. "Kitten, we are no more of a beast then those that raised you with hatred. They raised you as cattle, leaving you to deal with me alone, sending a team to deal with my family."

"I was prepared to die that day. I knew there was chance I wouldn't make it out alive." You snapped back, glaring up at him.

"And if I had chose to turn you instead of killing you? Then what?" He asked.

"I would of found a way to kill myself." You told him, all emotions left your voice as you spoke.

"So death is better then becoming like me?" He asked, his eyes flicking down to your lips before traveling back up to meet your gaze.

"Why haven't you turned me?" You asked him, ignoring his own question.

"Because doll, I want you human. I want you the way you are." He stated blinking caught off guard by your question.

"Why? All your kind does is kill or make more? You don't want to kill me, and you don't want to turn me, then what is your purpose for me?" You sighed, pulling away from him.

Permanent tag-

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Chosen tag-

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Bucky Tag-

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If I missed you just let me know or if wanted to be added as a tag!

[lizzybeth1986]

Quick Thoughts on TRR Book 3 Chapter 19

• It's our WEDDING DAY. But it looks like Anton wants to make it our Deathday first.

• For the kind of wait most of the stans have been keeping since this book has begun, seeing our MCs finally married to our favourite LIs is quite...satisfying. Well. For most of us at least.

• Title: You Are Cordially Invited. To see me get married or to see me die?

• Mara goes outside, vowing that to get through to us they'd have to get through to her first.

• Madeleine and Bertrand barricade the door with a couch and Bertrand warns everyone to have something in hand (Olivia is one step ahead, obviously, with her sharp-as-fuck stilettos).

• That girl is ready and prepared to commit maritricide, y'all! XD

• Hana picks a vase, Madeleine keeps her clipboard, Penelope is panicking at the back with Merlin and Morgana (this was the shit I was trying to avoid with court, Mom! I can almost hear her thinking), but if you really want to see a legend minus the legend points...I should point you all to Kiara:

I repeat. A legend I stan.

This is someone having a trigger attack, and steeling herself despite the trauma of two previous experiences before plunging herself into a possible third one. That takes serious guts.

• Madeleine isn't exactly prepared to fight (clearly being Queen never seemed to involve fighting assassins before for her, strangely enough), but Olivia sure is. She says "do you want to keep bleating like a defenseless lamb or do you want to get ready to fight?"

• Honestly though Olivia delivers some of my favourite lines this chapter.

• Ana is staying out if this - (in public) because she "does not have the equipment for this" and (in private) because she wants to capture the scoop of the century!

• THANK YOU MAXWELL for gifting me that sword!

•

(All the screenshots, except for the Maxwell one from the HIMEME channel, are mine)

I have better bodyguards inside this boutique than I do outside. Look at all of these people. Picking up clipboards, stilletoes, vases, mannequins, scissors, THEIR OWN BARE HANDS, and defeating these dudes. Like...like...they may have been incredibly sheltered and protected by their families but all of them know how to make the best of a situation where their lives are under threat. And mind you, at least two of those women openly struggle with issues related to their mental health and still manage to emerge from this doing what they can.

• I loved the sword scene! It was a nice look back at TCaTF (esp Book 3) and a nice way to celebrate the Choices anniversary. In TCaTF books 1 and 2, you had different point systems for Kenna and Dom: prestige for her and power for him, to show the rise of Kenna as a formidable leader and the gaining of Dom's fire powers. Because he possesses enough power to transform into a dragon by the end of Book 2, the focus then shifts to them gearing up for their biggest battle yet - the one with Empress Azura of Ducitora (though part of this book is spent with Dom trapped inside an airship fighting a particularly frightening form of mind control from Hex). The implication is that Kenna becoming a legend consolidates her position as the uniter of the Five Kingdoms, which is what she becomes by the end of the story. It's therefore fitting that the legend points feature here, just before the MC's wedding - for like Kenna, she has just returned from reuniting the nobility (or not) into supporting Liam's right to the throne through her wedding, and like Kenna she needs to fight a Nevrakis, while possibly having the support of other Nevrakises...well, just one in the case of TRR.

• If you're marrying Hana, she features nowhere in this scene, and Olivia stabs the assassin who attacks Madeleine with knives. If you're not, she is part of your entourage, and particularly is shown taking action when Madeleine's life is under threat. If they hadn't already been hinting at Madeleine's "feelings" for Hana, and the latter's convenient amnesia regarding the events of the engagement tour...I wouldn't have minded. But I do. Very much.

• Maxwell only features in this scene if you choose him as a bridesmaid, but I would highly recommend choosing him as one at least once (if he's not your LI that is) because he and Bertrand do so amazing fighting together here.

• Ana's motto will be "my life may leave me but never my desire to catch proof of a burning-hot scoop".

• Gee, Bastien, you took a while to get here. Like...8 chapters or something.

• Mara comes back with an injury and an attempt to say our code name, which...sure thanks Mara but you still suck at your job. If guarding us is really your job at all.

• Bastien and whoever is with him have managed to capture the remaining assassins but Anton managed to escape. If that doesn't come back to bite us in the ass later...

• Why is Madeleine so involved when it comes to MY dress? Her hand is literally trembling. Please don't tell me this design was intended for her wedding. That'll be a waste of 25 whole diamonds.

• Or perhaps she's just shook coz THERE IS FYDELIA LACE INVOLVED YOU PEASANTS.

• "I need to have security remove any guests wearing white," says the press sec who tried to sneak in a white dress to wear for my wedding.

(Yes. I plead guilty. I just needed an excuse to cram in a Brian May gif there. I can't help that this man is the Meme King of Queen).

• OF COURSE I'M WEARING DRAKE'S POCKET WATCH AND HANA'S SHOES.

• We've finally reached the cathedral! After threatening to either drive the carriage through the premises, cry or sue Cordonia if we don't get there soon enough.

• I see the Applewood people! You get loads of options to greet the crowd. And of course I was going to try getting Esther to say " 'sup" once lol. I think depending on how you wave to them, the press will either see you as graceful or playful.

•

(Screenshots: Hana's is mine, Maxwell's from the HIMEME YouTube channel, Penelope's from @sgt-peppers-coffee-club , Olivia's from @i-dream-so-i-write , and Kiara's from @callmetippytumbles )

Here's all our Maids (plus one Man) of Honour! All of them speak about this day being a long time coming, but also reflect with the MC on what it took for them all to get to this point. I think Olivia (by virtue of being the Fighter of the lot) and Kiara (because of what she's faced at least thrice now) get some particularly meaty lines for their MOH scene.

• You get to choose whether Bertrand should accompany you down the aisle, since it's tradition to be done so by a member of your House, and the Beaumonts have been her sponsor from the beginning. Cue an emotional moment with Bertrand, who regards you as family now and is immensely proud of you. The Maxwell stans got a similar conversation in the vows diamond scene, but in more detail because it's his kid brother you're marrying, but now we get it as an honorary Beaumont as well. He gets super super emotional if you ask him to walk you down the aisle.

• Oooh pretty! And so many stained glass windows! Why was Leo complaining so much about this cathedral in RoE Book 3? I would have given an arm and a leg to get married there.

• NEW MUSIC!!! Lots of lovely flowery piano notes and trumpets. Very regal and very much a wedding march tune.

• So technically I'm guessing this is where we get to see the results of our tour, because in my playthrough everyone is here.

• If you're marrying Drake, you get to see his mother Bianca, and she speaks to you after the ceremony. I can kiiinda see where Savannah gets her "I only met you ten seconds ago but OMG WE'RE GOING TO BE BFFS" vibe comes from.

• WTF none of these people changed clothes it seems 😂 Everyone's else is wearing what they usually wear. Guys, this wedding is going to be freaking TELEVISED and these nobles are wearing their usual dusty outfits 😂😂

• The Best Men/Women, are depicted positively - whether they have feelings for the MC or not. Drake is said to be showing a "rare, unabashed grin", and Liam is "smiling proudly". Kiara is "smiling excitedly".

• So as you all know, you can choose between Liam (if you're marrying Hana or Maxwell), Leo or Regina for officiating your wedding. The speech is largely the same - they all mention the seed and apple tree analogy, the traditions of Cordonia and how important love is - but the opening lines vary.

(Regina's is from mine, Leo's is from the Bizzy's Choices channel, and Liam's is from @kennaxval )

Regina's is distant and formal, which suits her and suits the scale of the occasion. Leo's is humorous, and Liam's is flowery and poetic. This suits both of the men as we know them. Leo is known to not take himself very seriously, and Liam's language is very ornate by default.

• The vows (I'm talking about the LIs' ones here, since the MC's is customizable) are all beautiful. Every single one delves into their history with her and how their relationship with her grew from strength to strength. You can see why they decided to go off-script for their vows. Their story with her has always been personal and these vows are about acknowledging the long, hard journey that got them to this altar.

•

Liam's is about how the MC taught him to believe in possibility, to believe that he needn't be stuck in the rut of royal stoicism to be the king his people need. Hana's is about the freedom the MC gave her from a future carefully charted out for her, into a better, brighter one. Maxwell's is about how he has found a woman whose very presence represents adventure for him, someone who will raise him up rather than tie him down. Drake's is about embracing change, accepting the love the MC has for him and the love he tried to deny having for the MC. I love them all.

• In my mind this is the improved version of the wedding scene in TCaTF, as is the RoE wedding. I recall, way back when Kenna got married, fans (rightly) pointed out that while her LIs' vows sounded heartfelt and acknowledged their relationship with her, the few options given for Kenna's vows made her sound impersonal and not very involved in comparison (for instance, even though Diavolos appeared only by Book 3, Kenna still was made to sound like the relationship had been there for longer). In RoE, they attempted to correct that, by giving us the diamond option to personalize our vows (still using their choices, but we got more options here and went into more detail). In TRR they've gone a step further and have US type what we want with our wishes, because even when you have the same LI - no two people can view one character the same. There's space for shitposting haha, but it's also to ensure that we have enough say in the vows we want our MCs to repeat.

• If you don't choose either your corgi or Bartie, the Cordonian children become your ringbearers. In this case, they are Valerie and Marco, the little ones from Lythikos, which I think is a very interesting choice. Because it does show us that though the Nevrakis clan seem to want to destroy Liam and his line, Lythikos itself - represented by Olivia - is in support of him. If Liam doesn't marry you, it makes even more sense that the children meant to represent Cordonia come from Olivia's estate.

• Lol everyone got the same ring. At least it isn't the cheapass one Madeleine had us pick up for her in Book 2.

• Vows exchanged, tears shed, and we can be as thirsty as we want in public without anyone saying a thing (wink at the LI, tell them you wish you both were alone instead of at a cathedral, give them a steamy kiss after your vows are exchanged).

AAAAAAAND WE'RE MARRIED!!!!

(Screenshots: for Drake and Maxwell it's was @sgt-peppers-coffee-club and for Hana it was @kennaxval 😄)

Ngl I was super super emotional when I saw the wedding portrait it took us so LONG and it was so BEAUTIFUL 😭

• Esther wants to call the monarchy the "DuPont dynasty" right now haha. I think there are some playthroughs (for instance Maxwell's I think) where Hana speaks of creating the Lee dynasty which...well...is odd if you're not marrying her, yes. This chapter had a whole bunch of goof ups going on.

•

YES DONNIE KEEP SAYING IT. I'M QUEEN NOW. FINALLY.

• From rats in a dumpster to this...what a journey.

• We now have a reception to go to! There is a teaser about whether this reception will be the one we hoped for (which is shorthand either for "gear up for drama folks" or for "you didn't spend enough diamonds for this, sucks to be you" 😒).

General Thoughts:

• How many of you folks have seen Cold November Rain? That music video from Guns n Roses? In that one, there's a wedding and Slash, the band guitarist (cum best man who seems to be in love with the bride) drops the ring in the bridegroom's hands and then steps out into a...desert for this:

Would have been epic if either Drake or Liam left the ceremony midway to perform an epic guitar solo to the bustling crowd in Cordonia 😂 (you know the writers have friendzoned Hana and Maxwell hard enough that that will never happen for them).

• For the most part this chapter definitely did live up to the hype. This wedding was the culmination of everything we've been through since the book began so of course it was going to be big - and it was. I may have lost a lot of love I used to have for this book, but damn did I feel emotional when I read those vows, saw that wedding screenshot, heard the wedding music, fought alongside my girls.

• I think there may be two chapters left. Next chapter will be dedicated to the reception, and we'll see the following choices we made play out, most of which are certainly diamond-options:

1. The nobles (free, but it largely depends on whether you won them over or not)

2. The main course (from the food festival in Castelserraillian). Liam also showed us a chocolate souffle from there which he was suggesting for the wedding but IDK if that one will feature.

3. The wedding cake (Capitol cake scene) and the surprise dessert for the LI (baklava, cheetah cake, s'mores, hot chocolate).

4. The chocolates/macarons for guests

5. The gifts for the LIs (all of which open up a special scene).

6. The presence of Drake's mother (if you are marrying Drake).

That's a whole lot of stuff to code so get ready for a few goof-ups here and there, fam. As long as it's not as bad as the one they did at Hana's wedding that would be fairly okay.

• Now I know the "husband and wife" thing was a goof-up with the code, as is Liam not wearing the white uniform if you chose it for him and Hana's comment on the Lee dynasty with the MC (which somehow never showed up on my Liam playthrough). And technically, not many would actually be this angry about it if it weren't for the fact that Hana has been treated like crap by her writers before this, and on a smaller scale so has Maxwell. It's bad enough that she is the only option out there. It's even worse that while Drake gets extra development and extra scenes and extra characters (they worked hard enough to do the artwork for his mother for just that one playthrough), Hana is stuck with lazy writing and the person shown having a crush on her was her bully in the previous book. Having Liam announce that Hana and the MC are "husband and wife" even after different options had been given or chosen, would feel like a slap in the face.

Thankfully, PB has recognized how badly this could alienate fans, especially fans of characters like Hana and Maxwell who don't get the attention they deserve, and not only apologized but recognized how hurtful it was and tried to compensate.

I mean, how would you feel if the LI you liked was constantly being treated like they didn't matter? Wouldn't it frustrate you? Wouldn't a "glitch" like this one be the rotten cherry on a huge crapcake?

I'm saying this because I have seen at least a few say "this is a glitch lmao why are you guys complaining so much". This is why. It goes beyond just the glitch. It goes into why "husband" has to be the default here. It goes into chapters and chapters of shitty writing given only for certain LIs. That frustration is bound to boil over at some point.

• We'll also definitely be sneaking out and doing some post-matrimonial banging at some point. And if I don't get lingerie before that happens Ima be very very angry 😡

• I think it would be better to spread this out into two chapters.

• Is there a chance Anton might actually try something at the reception? Possibly.

• Will it be enough to warrant another full-length book? I don't know. I hope not.

• Alright, it's time for Chapter 20 now!

[oblivcscence]

OKAY, I KNOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE...

CANON. Also, this one’s really long & really really important.

Running was his one of his favorite things to do. That’s what he was known for, his speed and the freedom he felt when doing it. His lips were spread in a smile so wide that it seemed like his planet wasn’t darkened almost a year ago. It had been that long… a year of change, a year of destruction but in the end, it worked out for Damon, even if it brought him depression with a side of heartache. There were times where he’d stop being his normal self and break down alone or with Kaia and only in the safety of their home, the restaurant she had made. The loss of all his people, all the Xantrophns was a horrible impact on his life. When he could’ve tasted his reign but never got to it, he never had the chance to be king. A low huff left the running royalty as he made his way across the Detritus Ring. Hands pounding against the dusty ground, going faster with each bound. His tail raised to keep him balance as the fast creature made his way across to the market. Kaia had requested to get some things from there to lighten up her restaurant, there was almost a new theme each three months, sometimes she’d even decorate it to celebrate their traditions, keeping them alive. Most customers wondered what it was and upon asking, Kaia would tell them all about the holiday and why was it celebrated.

Slowly the Xantrophn came to a slow crawl, looking along the stalls before rising to two feet. Nothing seemed to interest the prince, most rusty and unworthy to be bought at such a high price. A small snort left Damon before he paused to catch his breath from the run he had just gone on. “Looks like I might have to turn up empty handed.” He grumbled, running a hand through his hair as he gazes at a particular stall. Trinkets of gears and metal shaped to look like things that were simple or complex. His golden eyes looking at a metal heart with the engraving of ‘My Love’ on it. Kaia was always into those cute cheesy things, but it was worth the smile on her face. Pulling out 10 credits he placed it down on the table before taking the small object in his hands. “Thank you for the business, mister,” replied the owner. “It’s lovely, thank you,” Damon responded back with a gentle nod, slipping the heart in a pouch he had hooked to his side and continued along the streets. The odd smells of the close restaurants left Damon’s nose to scrunch. Kaia’s at least smelt decent, inviting even these poor things should just run out while they had the chance. None of them could compete with the Ischyros’ baking. Too good and everything was natural.

As the Xantrophn made his way onward, he couldn’t help the feel of eyes on him. Burning with an intensity that he had to turn around only to see the crowd of heads that were shorter than him. An uneasy snort passed his lips, something was up. The feeling was practically nagging the king as he tried to shake it off and just get this shopping over with but still he was being shadowed but by what? Suddenly he felt a hand grip his wrist harshly, “you vermin, I knew I’d catch you.” It was the sound of an elderly lady, though as she spoke her tone grew harsh and a cane suddenly came out to whack at his knee. “Hey! Stop that.” Damon snarled, tearing the hold she had on him and taking a step back. “What the hell are you going on about? I didn’t do anything to you!” She only ‘tsk’ waving the cane close to his face before a clawed hand slapped it out of his view. “You did too, don’t lie to a grandma. I saw you steal from my shop, those big ears and that horrible tail that knocked everything to the floor. Such a mess.” She mused, poking his stomach with the stick. Damon, who was confused beyond any reasoning advanced to the little human, teeth bared. “You crazy old bat! I didn’t steal from you. You’re looking for someone else.” “No, I’m not. I remember that tail, the two spikes at the end,” hitting the said appendage with her cane, before looking back up at Damon. “You thought you could get away with stealing but not me, not Granny Hags.” ( Two spikes? ) Golden eyes looked down to the flickering tail almost finding it incredulous to think that another species would have a tail like his. He’s only met at least two other creatures with a tail and none of them were spiked like that. There was a soft sigh that left the creature before he spoke. “I’m not a thief, but I can help you catch him. What did he look like?” Damon asked, hoping that the crazy elder wouldn’t accuse him again. “Hmmm.” She hummed, rubbing lips together in thought. “Well, he was tall, like you. Had a tail, as I’ve mentioned earlier, two spikes at the end with plates along it, like you. Honestly, he looked exactly like you. Except,” She paused, the curved cane coming up and latching onto a golden horn before yanking the king down. A pathetic sound left Damon’s lips at the caught horn and with being thrown to such a small height he was forced to kneel. Pain laced around the golden outgrowth as Hags gave it a thorough look. “He didn’t have these beauties.” She commented, flicking them with an index finger. “My, these look good and strong.” “They aren’t for sale, you bag of bones.” Damon hissed, pulling free from the grip the cane had on it, shaking his head to rid the pain away. “So are you’re saying you saw a replica of me?” He’d concluded, raising to two feet as he tried to think of what it could be.

( Was it possible for… no. No, it couldn’t. ) He was the only one left, the last of the Xantrophns there was no way. No fucking way that one could’ve escaped. He saw it all burn. The memory of the look his father gave him before he left their fiery home, Tresten’s cries to let him die with mother, Saiga’s pure rage for revenge… and Wolf. The young brother falling as he attempted to get to Damon. Behind blue lips, his teeth would clench with anger, finding his fury start to rise even from the thoughts of the destruction. It had been a year but his wounds would always be tender and it would always hurt, no matter the cost. “Of course, I’m saying that you idiot. Now come, I’ll bring you to my shop, where the miscreant stole from. Since you’re an alien, I think that nose of yours would be useful, is it not? And from the way it scrunched, I know it works pretty darn good. I can barely smell the crap here anymore, thank the star.” The elderly woman would ramble on as she wobbled through the streets, the cane extended, nearly hitting the ankles of the people that passed. A few minutes ticked by before the two would come to the entrance of a small shop. A sign read ‘Granny Hag’s Hopes’ on top of it. He suppressed a cruel laugh to threatened to leave him at the title, finding it almost stupid. “Just right through here.” She pointed to a tiny door, slipping in with ease. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Damon muttered under his breath, going down to four legs and with some trouble getting through the door, though the inside was worse, it did provide some space to kneel.

“He stole my favorite thing in this store.” Hags would grumble, walking down the aisle and to the register where she sat on a stool waiting for the lumbering fool to catch up. “You gonna take all day or what?” She’d snap tapping in a few numbers before the tool would open. “I did get a clue from the thief, as he was leaving his ear was caught on something and he left this behind.” A small golden earring was in the middle of her palm, blood around it edges. After having some trouble getting passed the useless junk, Damon finally stopped to see what she was holding and a part of him froze. The smell of it… the blood. There was no way. “You said this belongs to him?” Hags nodded, placing it down. “I thought it looked pretty enough to sell, so I want my daughter to clean it up but just came home yesterday night. When it happened.” Damon could care less about this woman’s daughter, he was interested in finding the crook who stole from her. The smell was all too familiar, that was the blood of a Xantrophn. HE WASN’T ALONE. “Do you mind if I have that until he’s found? It’ll help my sense of smell if the scent gets faded.” There was a moment’s pause as the granny gave Damon a glare of suspicion. “Alright, but you have to bring it back.” Damon nodded. “I will.” Soon taking the small thing and bringing it close to his nose. A small sniff of the Xantrophn’s blood was enough to make the creature turn away from it, the stench horrible but useful. After lifting his nose and getting the aroma, he’d place the earring inside his pouch with the metal heart before setting out again. “I’ll be sure to catch this crook, don’t worry,” Damon called behind him as the king left the run down shop and began his hunt.

From the market stalls to the edge of the town his trail leads him all over the place, several times passing by left and right, some spots he could see a scuffle or broken glass, the scent would vary from strong to weak within a matter of seconds. At one point he came across a dead carcass tucked away in a dark alleyway, flesh ripped to see bloody bones and barely recognizable of an alien species or not. There was no concern for Damon, he knew the smell of a dead Xantrophn and it wasn’t that. “You must’ve been hungry. All alone, maybe even scared…” He muttered, looking at the small bloodied footprints. It was a Xantrophn, the thought of that alone made the king more than happy. The joy and sadness he was experiencing colliding together made his mind undecided on what to choose. At least he wouldn’t be the only one of his kind left. As he continued to follow the trail, Damon wondered if it was someone he knew. A part of the king was sad it wasn’t female, but that didn’t matter one way or another. Kaia was his mate and he’d never turn his back on her. Though he knew that there would’ve been an opportunity to continue the pure blood Xantrophn if the thief was one. Though due to the evidence from Granny Hags it was male.

After traveling another three hours the demon came to a stop at a surprisingly empty lot. No one was there but the scent was very strong now, there was no denying it. He had to be here. Damon was about to address his presence but was suddenly cut off as two thralls came crawling out from where he had just entered. A low growl sounded as an even bigger one stood in front of him. “Looks like we found our dinner, boys!” The leader would call out, giving Damon a disgusting smile. His tail lashed furiously at the sight of them. His anger from earlier flaring back, golden eyes burning to life at the thought of fighting. To seek revenge. “He looks big enough to share, what do you say?” The biggest advanced, horns ready to pierce the Xantrophn as he charged. A loud roar sounded passed the creature’s lip jumping up just in time to hop on top of him and rank large claws all the way down the thrall’s back. In turn, the thrall voiced an equally loud roar, whirling around as the others came into the fray, their teeth snapping at Damon. One latched onto his ankle, biting down harshly to the blue skin while the other attempt to get behind the king, he was soon shot down with a sharp stab to the face from Damon’s tail, falling back dead. A hiss as deadly as ever sounded passed the Xantrophn’s lips as he shook his foot harshly, kicking the beast in the side and throwing it halfway across the area before the large one came back for more, ramming horns into Damon’s cloak, just above his shoulders. “You pathetic piece of shit!” The king snarled, gold dripping down his foot and coating his black claws. Though he was injured Damon’s legs were up frantically trying to kick at the beast’s stomach and barely missing by a few inches, almost to taunt him. “I can’t wait to see what price your horns would make, being gold.” The thrall snickered a hand coming to grab Damon’s torso before backing up. Rearing his hand back, the leader threw him across the lot and with a hard thud the king would land roughly with his stomach on the ground. “Fuck.” He’d spat, crawling to four legs slowly. “You’ll pay for that you oversized cow.” Damon hissed. A laugh left the thrall before charging at the Xantrophn again, horns pointed directly at the chest. Bunching up his muscles Damon was about to jump before a strong grip on his ankle and tail prevented him from doing so, the thrall he had kicked away, having more strength now that he recovered. “Let go!” He hissed, front claws clawing the fallen one’s face, each hit making the grip weaker though it was too late. Golden irises looked up to see the leader a few inches away, preparing himself, the king closed his eyes tightly. So close to finding the other Xantrophn, so close that he’d actually mean something. Damon waited for the pain to stab through his chest, to feel the defeat and last hope of the Xantrophns. Though all he felt was guilt, slight pain, and fear of his death. He didn’t want to die, he didn’t want to leave Kaia to defend herself. He couldn’t. He waited but still, it never came. Slowly the creature would open his eyes, seeing a form on top of the thrall pulling on the large horns with all of its might. The thrall no longer in control of his direction began to fall backward. As quick as the form disappeared it came back, ranking long claws down the chest continuously. Blood flying, making a pool on the ground and coating the king’s savior.

“Bleed you bloody bitch! Bleed!” Damon could hear him chant, as each slice brought the beast closer and closer to death. Slowly recovering, the demon would rise to two legs finding it almost impossible not to see the tail on the form lash lethally. There he was. “This is what you get for hurting MY KING!” Roared the Xantrophn, as a ball of purple-black venom was spit onto the thrall’s visage, sizzling it to the bone and leaving the large beast to finally die. ( King… ) Golden eyes blazed with a pride he hasn’t felt in a long time, he knew that this one would be true. “Whew, now that that’s done.” His rescuer would continue, though something about this Xantrophn was far more familiar than normal. The red-brown skin tone, the markings, his voice, hell even his hair all seemed to point to someone that clicked in Damon’s mind. “B-Bultin.” There was desperation in Damon’s tone, a longing he knew that made him look weak but the king could care less at the moment. He didn’t want to admit but he could feel tears stinging his eyes as the Xantrophn turned to reveal amber eyes. “I knew you’d find me, Damon.” He spoke as lips pulled back in a huge smile. Bloody as it was, Damon still invited it in with his own. “I…” He was speechless, to think this rascal who stole from an old grandmother was his best friend. “Holy shit.” The man he thought of would breathe. “That thrall certainly had a strong will, huh? At least he didn’t stand against us. The Xantrophns, especially the king.” Bultin nodded, giving Damon a bow out of respect. When he would come to raise he’d be greeted by a strong hug. A laugh shook the friend’s shoulders as he returned it. “I missed you, Dammy.” He voiced into the king’s chest, giving his back a few pats before taking a step back. “You have no idea how good it is to see you. No idea.” Damon could feel his voice crack slightly as he tried to fight back the tears. For a year he was alone, being called a king of nothing, a king of the dead. But now that Bultin was here, Damon had hope. Even if it was just a little, he still had it. “I’m glad to see you too, brother. But I would suggest getting yourself looked over, that bite seems nasty and I wouldn’t want you getting a horrible infection.” Golden eyes seemed to look down at the still bleeding wound, a part of him had forgotten over the emotions he had felt but now to the mention of it, the pain started to settle back in. “Here let me help you, just like the good old times,” Bultin commented coming alongside Damon and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “You know where a healer is?” His friend would ask and soon the smile only seemed to grow. “Yeah, I know the perfect one. Trust me, you’ll love her.” With the two Xantrophns reunited they slowly started to make their way back home.

[hey-there-buddy-pal]

Can I get UT, UF Sans + US, SF Papyrus reacting to a close friend texting them and asking if they've eaten dinner, the skelly hasn't eaten in a while and replies with something like "nah, i'm already too fat/i'm tryna lose the weight of my problems" and the friend never replies back. Five minutes later the door to their house bursts open and the friend is there with bags of food and aggressively yells "I SPRINTED THROUGH MULTIPLE BLOCKS AND YOU'RE GONNA F'KIN EAT, YA HEAR ME!?"

Okay so sorry for all the texting in this, but I can’t explain how much I love domestic texting between friends. This turned into small drabbles btw and sorry if they didn’t turn out the way you wanted them to, I got carried away. 

I also put a keep reading on this, I think I’m going to start doing that on the very long posts. Tell me if it doesn’t work on mobile and I’ll remove it or try and work around it.

UT!Sans: -When he gets the first message he just thinks you’re looking to invite him out for some grub, but he’s honestly not feeling like heading to Grillby’s right now. Still, he doesn’t see any reason to lie to you. So he sends a quick message back.

5:21 pm - nah, but my bones are big enough already. dont need extra weight on them.

He waits for a few minutes. Nothing happens. Did you just forget to reply back? It says that you read it… He figures that you probably just forgot though, or you headed out for dinner by yourself. He’s content with this reasoning as he turns back to the TV, sinking deep into the couch cushions. He gets two more minutes of TV watching before the front door is slammed open, and for a second he’s sure that Undyne is here, until you step into his line of vision. Your face is red and you’re trying to catch your breath. You also have a slight manic look on your face that is making him question if it’d be wise to ask why you’re here.

‘’Um… Y/N?’’ he says trying to make sense of your messy form.

You’re still panting as you set two delicious smelling bags on the coffee table in front of him. You bend over and put your hands on your knees, breathing almost normally now.

‘’What are you doing here?’’ he asks again.

You look up at him, takes a deep breath while you straighten yourself and then from nowhere you yell at him.

‘’I JUST SPRINTED THROUGH MULTIPLE BLOCKS AFTER GETTING THIS FOOD AND YOU ARE GOING TO EAT IT OR SO HELP ME!’’ you yell angrily with a fierce look in your eyes.

Normally he’d say a joke, or argue just for the fun of it. But your eyes are showing genuine concern, and you did go out of your way to make sure he’d eat. So instead he moves over on the couch and pats the seat next to him.

‘’Jeez, kid. Talk about home delivery,’’ he laughs while looking away from you.

You make your way over to him and plop down on the couch with a sigh. Leaning back and stretching out your limbs you make a grabby gesture for the bags, which are still sitting on the table. He smiles wryly and gestures with his hand making the bags float towards you. You grab one of them with a contented smile and then rips it open, digging in on whatever is inside. Handing him the left over ketchup packets, which he stores in his pocket for later use. He does the same and you both turn to face the TV. When you’ve finished the meals, you both sit in a comfortable silence. Enjoying each other’s presence while watching one stupid show after the other.

He can’t help but feel like this is the kind of friendship he’s always wanted.

UF!Sans: - An annoying electronic chime woke him up from his sleep. He grunted and fumbled around in complete darkness until his hand felt something hard on his bed. Reaching out he grabbed ahold of his phone and tried to find the home screen button. He winced when the bright light blinded him, trying to cover his eye sockets. Swearing, he turned the brightness down and opened his new text message. Your contact named showed up as the phone loaded your recent conversation, you’d sent him a couple of texts while he’d been asleep and he read through them carefully.

6:34 pm - Yo Red, what’d you eat for dinner today?

6:44 pm - RED

6:46 pm - Red answer me I need to know

6:47 pm - Did you fall asleep again?

6:58 pm - Okay that’s it, I’m coming over and I’m bringing food. You better be up and ready or I am dragging your bony butt out of bed

Wait you were doing what? He looked at the time. 7:00 pm. Shit you’d be here soon. He threw himself off the bed, but his legs got tangled in the bed sheets and instead of standing up, he fell on the floor face first. Grunting he tried to get up, when he heard someone knock on the front door. Panicking he flailed around even more, managing to get the sheets stuck between his fibula and tibula. He stood up on one leg, and hopped around while trying to untangle himself from his prison of bedsheets and blankets. Just as he was standing there bent forward and hopping on one leg, the door opened. He looked up like a deer in headlights and saw you standing in his door opening. Flushed face, panting and desperately trying to hold back a grin.

‘’The fuck you lookin’ at,’’ he grunted as he once again fought to get free.

‘’Oh nothing-’’ you said, leaning against the doorframe -’’just enjoying the performance.’’

He muttered something that sounded like a quiet fuck you, and then finally got his leg free and stood up straight. Stretching, he managed to pop his back in a few places and he grunted in satisfaction. He walked past you and into his living room. Turning to look as you followed him out.

‘’Did ya bring food?’’ he asked.

‘’Yes,’’ you replied simply. ‘’And you are going to eat it’’

‘’I don’t need any more food, I’m heavy enough as it is.’’

You turned around and gave him a dangerously calm look.

‘’I just sprinted through a lot of blocks to get you this food,’’ you said walking closer to him. ‘’And you are going to eat every. last. fucking. bit. You hear me?’’ Your voice was low and almost threatening, and your eyes gleamed of determination.

He never thought that he’d call his small human friend scary, but that look you were giving him chilled him to the bones. And the smell of the food broke his will down, you bought him food for hells sake. He wasn’t about to turn that down.

‘’Fine,’’ he muttered and sat down on the couch.

You smiled and joined him, tossing him one of the bags while opening your own. You ate in silence, the only sounds coming from the TV playing in front of you both. It wasn’t until you had both finished your food and was sat quietly watching the show that a thought entered his head. He never gave you a key to his flat…

‘’How the hell did you get in here??’’

US!Papyrus: Papyrus sucks at looking after himself. And he never pays attention to when he should be sleeping or eating. Meaning that when he’s up playing video games in the middle of the night, it’s safe to presume that he has not been eating anything other than a few snacks for the past hours. This night was one of those nights.

He just never bothered to keep track of time.

He did know that it was late, though. Way too late for anyone to be texting him. Which is why he jumped when his phone went off next to him on the floor.

He glanced at it quickly but then looked back at the TV, doing his best not to die before the event had been completed. About five seconds from pulling through, someone shot him from behind and he fought the urge to yell in frustration as his characters sank down on the ground. He flopped backwards with a sigh and lifted his phone to read the message. Smiling slightly when he saw your name on the screen.

12:54 am - Heyyy you up?

Were you drunk or bored? Scientists can’t tell he thought and snorted at his own joke. He typed out a lazy text and waited a few seconds on your reply.

1:01 am - yea im up

1:02 am - Can’t sleep?

1:02 am - wasnt tryin, you?

1:03 am - Me neither, what’d you eat today?

1:04 am - I dont think i ate anything tbh, why

No reply. Did you fall asleep or just ditch him? He should probably go to bed then. But he can’t be bothered to get off the floor. And he’s not feeling tired enough to fall asleep where he is. Maybe he should just stay there for a while. Meditate or something.

His phone chimed again and he unlocked it as he lifted it to his face

1:09 am - Open your door

1:10 am - what ?

1:10 am - I am outside your house, open the front door or I’m climbing through your window

There was no way you were outside his house. And he didn’t feel like getting up and walking into the prank willingly

1:11 am - i call bluff on this

He waited for your comeback, where you’d desperately try and get him to go out and check the front of his house. But he wasn’t going to do that. He wasn’t about to let you own him like that, he’s not stupid.

A knock on the window made him jump and scramble to his feet. You sat on the roof under his window in a crouch. When you saw that you had grabbed his attention you started frantically gesturing for the lock. He stared at you for a while, to your obvious irritation, until he walked forwards and opened the window. You jumped in and opened your backpack on the floor, pulling out two bags of take out food. You checked the content of them both, and then handed him one while you started eating from yours. He took it from you but continued staring at you.

‘’Are you going to open it?’’ you asked with your mouth full of food.

‘’It’s the middle of the night,’’ he said. ‘’What are you doing here?’’

‘’I wanted take out food. And I wanted to eat it with you. And since you’re so stupid that you can’t even get your own food, I decided to bring it to you,’’ you said simply, still munching away on your food.

He sat down in front of you, but still didn’t touch his bag. You looked up at him, and this time you looked even more irritated then before.

‘’Listen dude, I worked hard for that food, so you better fucking eat it,’’ you said in an angry voice.

‘’Listen dude,’’ he said mimicking your voice. ‘’I’m trying to loose the weight of my problems here.’’ He tried giving you the food back.

Your eyes widened a little, and your face softened. You leaned forward and pushed the bag back into his hands.

‘’Please eat, Papy,’’ you said in a much softer voice, your eyes almost pleading.

Deciding to give up he sat beside you and picked at the contents of his bag. For take out food, it looked surprisingly non greasy. Still good though. He picked it up and started eating, while reaching for his TV remote to put on some night tv. You ate in silence for a while, until you stood up and flopped down on his bed. He did the same and crawled over you so he was laying facing the wall. Saying your goodnights, you slowly drifted off to sleep.

He woke up the next day to an empty bed and an open window.

SF!Papyrus: When Rus gets in a low mood, taking care of himself doesn’t seem all that important. He’s not lazy, really. More apathetic. Doing chores and errands for his brother and superior keeps his mind busy and his hands occupied, letting him get through the day a little easier. But when he’s alone at night, everything becomes a little harder. And self care turns into a chore he’s not motivated enough to do.

He’d rather just wrap himself in a blanket and quietly suffer in silence, waiting it out. Hoping to feel a little better soon.

Alone…

He’s drifted off to sleep without even noticing, dreamless and exhausted despite it not even being 5 pm yet. When he slowly drifts back to conscousness he feels like he could sleep for a week more. But something woke him up, and he should probably see what that was.

His phone lights up with a soft ding. Showing two text notification and several others from social media. Grunting softly, he flipped over and reached out for it. Fumbling before his fingers got a good grip. He brought the phone closer to him, trying to unlock it while rubbing the sleep off his face. He got the passcode wrong three times before he managed to steady his hand enough to tap it in. Insisting on doing it with his thumb instead of holding the thing with both hands.

Your name shows up on the screen, along with the many emojis you’d used when you added yourself as a contact on his phone. He feels like smiling at the thought, but he’s too tired to move his face. So he starts reading the messages you sent him instead.

5:07 pm - Hey Papyrus

5:07 pm - What’d you have for dinner today?

He wants to type out some made up bullshit and go back to sleep. But you don’t deserve lies when you’re showing concern. This thought actually makes him smile, you’re so sweet.

5:10 pm - Haven’t eaten yet

Good, that wasn’t a lie. But he still wouldn’t worry you enough for you to take action. Meaning he could go back to sleep again.

5:10 pm - Papyrus you have to eat!!!!

Or not…

5:11 pm - I’m on a diet, it’s called ‘’how to loose the weight of your problems by not eating’’

That probably wasn’t the smartest thing to send you he thought. Shit he didn’t want to worry you before, why would he send you that. Like this wasn’t going to make you worry. God that was so stupid.

His phone made another sound, you’d sent him another message.

5:13 pm - Ok that’s it

Wait what

5:13 pm - what

What the hell were you doing? He flopped down onto the bed and put a hand over his eye sockets. Whatever it was he’d started now, he wasn’t feeling up for it. He honestly just wanted to go back to sleep. But instead he waited for your message, where you would explain what was going on. It never came. And eventually he felt his eyes slowly start creeping together. And his hand slid away from his face, coming to a rest on his pillow as he turned his body sideway. A minute later and he was sound asleep, snoring softly while curled around himself.

A sound woke him up, much louder than the first time. He sat up as he heard footsteps approaching. Expecting it to be his brother, he started to frantically straighten his clothing, intending to appear as if he hadn’t been asleep for the last god knows how long.

The footsteps were even closer now.

Suddenly his door flew open, slamming into his wall and most likely leaving a mark in the drywall. You stormed in, closed the door just as hard as you’d pushed it open, and then stormed over to him.

‘’I-’’ you started while still marching towards him-’’just ran like a hundred blocks to get you this food, so you are going to eat every last bit!’’ Your voice was loud and you sounded close to angry.

He blinked at you for a few seconds. ‘’I didn’t need food,’’ he said finally. His quiet voice a contrast to your own.

‘’I don’t care,’’ you answered. ‘’Knowing you, you probably haven’t eaten all day. And even if you have, you’re still eating dinner. Now move over and make some room for me’’

You hopped up in his bed before he got a chance to follow orders. And then you threw one of the bags in his direction, before you opened your own. He caught his bag midair and held it in his hands for a few moments. Then he resigned. Leaning over he grabbed his laptop and set it up on his nightstand, putting on his recently watched show on netflix. He figured that he’d have to right to choose the entertainment after you practically broke into his apartment. Besides, he knew that you had seen the show already.

You both ate in a comfortable silence, caught up in the show. Every now and then, he would glance back at you. Study you. He knew humans could be loyal, a trait that had mostly been lost by monsters. And he didn’t doubt that your concerns were genuine. But in his quiet curiosity one question always came back to him.

Why did you care so much?